EP0959964B1 - Footwear such as a ski boot or the like with a ski or the like for use therewith - Google Patents

Abstract

Sports footwear such as a boot comprising a rigid base (2) and an upper (3), and engageable with a ski or the like (6) on which the boot is to be supported and retained, while also enabling walking under favourable conditions. The boot is provided with a walking sole and comprises bearing surfaces (12, 13) recessed into the rigid base relative to the sole surface. The bearing surfaces (12, 13) are engageable, directly or via a cradle (7), with the top surfaces of projections (16, 17) on the ski, whereby the boot/ski and boot/ground interfaces are separate.

Description

The invention relates to shoes intended to be used for sporting practices, in particular association with a gliding device, for example for sports on snow or ice, skiing, or with a rolling gear, for example inline skating when the shoe part does not form a everything with the craft. In the following we will designate as sliding gear both the strictly slippery than those with wheels. For these practices, the shoe is made integral with the machine during the practice, with supports allowing the sportsman to guide his machine and means of restraint to keep feet on the machine.

When the sportsman stops, he "takes off", that is to say that he separates the machine from the shoes for be able to walk, and the goal, in these stop phases, would be to have a shoe allowing a works as normal as possible.

However, and this is particularly the case for alpine skiing, because the bindings and the shoes cooperate to ensure the safety of the skier, the soles must have a set predefined geometry and friction characteristics. These requirements are specified for the practice of alpine skiing in standard ISO 5355.

Walking during stop phases cannot therefore be carried out under safe and secure conditions. comfort worthy of the progress made elsewhere. In terms of walking comfort, you should hear a sole properly designed for this function, that is to say having a profile allowing the unwinding of the foot and a material ensuring grip and a certain cushioning.

In addition, the ski boot complying when it is placed on the market with the requirements of standards, the skier may think that his equipment always remains efficient and reliable. However, after a few hours of use in operation, the quality of the sole / binding connection can be greatly degraded. There are many reasons: snow wedge under the boot when the ski is put on, dirt and encrustations in the sole, degradation of the normalized areas by wear due to walking, wrong induced adjustment, ... etc.

Finally, during sports, the shoe / binding assembly must ensure the transmission of the efforts of the skier to the ski. In the best current realizations, the polygon formed by the shoe / binding contact zones is of such dimension that associated with a worn sole and curved by the step, the whole lends itself to a "hinge effect" due to the curved, all the more important that the setting of the binding is low.

This results in a decrease in precision in the handling of the ski, which may encourage the skier to increase the trigger values recommended for adjusting the binding, to avoid nuisance trips and reconstitute the conditions for good precision in skiing. On the other hand, the shoe manufacturer to remedy this defect is required to enhance and stiffen the shoe upper, which translates into lower comfort and increased traumatic risk towards the knee.

Current statistics confirm the phenomenon.

To partially respond to this series of problems, manufacturers have imagined two axes of progress regarding the so-called safety binding.

The first consists in compensating for the degradation of the standardized surfaces of the shoe by a reduction of the relative movement between the binding and the shoe or by mechanisms creating punctual laxities of the stop, avoiding the effects of "jamming" therefore increasing the values of trigger. These solutions have little effect in the presence of increased wear of the sole due to the walking and / or penalizing the transmission of forces from the skier to the ski by installing elasticity "clipping" these efforts and accentuating the "pivotal effect" already mentioned. Another disadvantage is that this technique can be the cause of nuisance trips by providing a trigger value too low in certain fall configurations not listed by the standards. The user is still tried to increase the adjustment of its fasteners, which ruins the effort to optimize the adjustment by the manufacturer and puts him in a dangerous situation himself.

The second axis consists in proposing so-called "plate" fasteners. Two concepts have emerged in this area, namely the plates integral with the boot when triggered and those remaining in solidarity with the ski in the same circumstances.

The former are described, for example, in patent 2,350,854 in the name of the applicant. They make it possible to dissociate the "walking" interface from that cooperating with the binding, but disadvantages remain. Indeed, if we want to give the sole a "walking" profile, the shoe becomes "outsized" and involves the simultaneous purchase of the shoe, the plate and a system of "plate / ski" link. This economic handicap did not allow the development of this concept.

Another disadvantage is that the seat of the shoe on the plate becomes unstable as soon as the snow settles between the plate and the sole of the shoe, or as soon as the latter is worn and rounded by walking, as already mentioned above. The problem of the precision of driving of the ski due to The "hinge effect" described above therefore remains intact.

Yet another disadvantage is that when triggered on a steep icy slope, the plate remaining attached to the shoe becomes a handicap in terms of grip and walking for retrieve your skis.

The seconds were gradually called "shoes / bindings". The plate part, integral of the ski and generally comprising the release system, cooperates with specific forms integrated into the sole of the shoe.

Such constructions are described in patents FR 2 305 208, FR 2 533 448 and CH 507 007 in the name of the plaintiff.

In the first patent FR 2 305 208, the wear of the sole and the accumulation of snow favored by the walking profile leaves the problem of ski handling precision due to the "hinge effect" already city. On the other hand, the economic handicap remains whole, the shoe can only cooperate with the appropriate fixing and vice versa. Finally, this type of mechanism has never been able to approach if not equal the qualities of the toe / heel concept.

• le chaussage en aveugle : l'étroitesse du ski alpin et sa mobilité sous le moindre impact rend le chaussage quasi impossible dans bien des cas (sol accidenté, en déclivité,...etc),
• le rapport entre les dimensions plaque et semelle : en effet, si la dimension de la plaque est assez réduite pour recevoir les petites pointures en préservant les extrémités normées, il s'ensuit surtout dans les grandes pointures une stabilité longitudinale très perturbée pour peu que l'on surélève la semelle par rapport au ski. Dans ce cas, l'élasticité de la fixation aidant, les valeurs de déclenchement vont varier en fonction des appuis des extrémités de la semelle sur le ski, variables suivant les pointures et la présence ou non de cale de neige,
• enfin, le polygone formé par les zones de contact chaussure/plaque décrit plus haut est de dimensions trop réduites pour assurer une transmission correcte des efforts, tant dans le sens transversal que longitudinal.

In the second patent FR 2 533 448, the economic aspect is not in question, the shoe being able to use the conventional bindings of the trade. It is the same for the instantaneous center of rotation located directly above the tibia and almost constant. However, major handicaps have led to the abandonment of this concept, namely:

• the blind boot: the narrowness of alpine skiing and its mobility under the slightest impact makes the boot almost impossible in many cases (uneven ground, slope, ... etc),
• the relationship between the dimensions of the plate and the sole: in fact, if the size of the plate is small enough to accommodate small sizes while preserving the standardized ends, it follows especially in large sizes a very disturbed longitudinal stability provided that the 'the sole is raised relative to the ski. In this case, the elasticity of the binding helping, the trigger values will vary depending on the support of the ends of the sole on the ski, variable according to the sizes and the presence or not of snow wedge,
• finally, the polygon formed by the shoe / plate contact areas described above is too small in size to ensure correct transmission of forces, both in the transverse and longitudinal directions.

As for the solution to propose several dimensions of plates to cover the whole sizes, its cost is high, all the trigger mechanics being concerned as well than the shoe.

Finally, in various constructions such as "shoes / bindings", at least part of the The walking surface of the sole is also the bearing surface on the ski or the binding. Wear and deformations there too are incompatible with performance and safety. The FR 2 patent Applicant's 654,591 illustrates this description.

• elle implique une semelle extrêmement rigide compte tenu de la distance des appuis (structure, coût, poids...),
• les protubérances à l'avant et à l'arrière de la chaussure sont exposées au chocs (les extrémités sont particulièrement exposées), montée ou descente d'escaliers,...etc,
• toutes les forces étant répercutées directement sur la fixation (butée en particulier), on comprend que le fonctionnement de cette dernière soit perturbé par un poids variable (transfert de poids dus aux déséquilibres),
• si l'on veut bénéficier de la position surélevée de la semelle par rapport au ski, le chaussage devient extrêmement difficile, voire impossible,
• enfin, le coût d'un ensemble indissociable est élevé.

In the third patent CH 507 007, a shoe has been proposed suspended at the front and rear ends on a stop and a heel, respectively. This construction was abandoned for several reasons:

• it implies an extremely rigid sole taking into account the distance of the supports (structure, cost, weight, etc.),
• the protrusions at the front and rear of the shoe are exposed to shocks (the ends are particularly exposed), climbing or descending of stairs, ... etc,
• all the forces being passed on directly to the binding (stop in particular), it is understood that the functioning of the latter is disturbed by a variable weight (weight transfer due to imbalances),
• if you want to benefit from the raised position of the sole in relation to the ski, the boot becomes extremely difficult, if not impossible,
• Finally, the cost of an inseparable set is high.

Document FR 2 679 781 describes the combination of a shoe which includes a bearing device and a bearing body on which are mounted rollers. The bearing device is in the form of a dovetail profile, while the body bearing holder has a recess of complementary shape.

Also known are ski boots whose shell has at its lower part profiled notches intended for the front and rear fixing of said shell relative to a rotary plate. These notches do not provide support surfaces, but only retainers replacing those existing in ISO 5355. The support remains the face bottom of the sole, so the "walking" surface.

The present invention aims to remedy the various drawbacks listed previously by offering a shoe offering both good walking characteristics and good characteristics during sporting practice, both for the supports allowing the guidance of the machine only for the retention on the machine, and this durably, the support zones being outside the zones wear of the sole.

In addition, the shoe according to the invention can in one embodiment be compatible with the use of a standardized sole structure intended to cooperate with fastenings with classical restraints and supports.

The subject of the invention is a shoe for sliding sports comprising a rigid base and a rod. in combination with a gliding device on which the shoe must rest and be retained, according to the subject of claim 1.

The invention also relates to such a combination comprising a snow gliding device comprising a sliding element provided retaining means intended to cooperate with at least one shoe, the gliding apparatus comprising a cradle provided with studs whose upper surfaces define a support plane for the shoe, the cradle having a base fixed to the gliding apparatus for transmitting the support of the shoe to the apparatus.

La figure 1 représente une vue latérale d'un premier mode de réalisation d'une chaussure pour sport de glisse selon l'invention pour la pratique du ski alpin, associée à un dispositif de fixation classique et un dispositif d'appui spécifiques.

La figure 2 représente en vue de dessous la coque de la chaussure selon la figure 1.

La figure 3 illustre un second mode de réalisation d'une chaussure selon l'invention pour la pratique du patinage avec roues alignées et le dispositif d'appui associé.

La figure 4 représente une base de chaussure selon la figure 1 avant montage d'une semelle.

Les figures 5 et 6 représentent respectivement une semelle normée et une semelle de marche réalisées en deux parties, et prêtes au montage sur la base de la chaussure représentée à la figure 4.

Les figures 7a, 7b, 7c, et 8a, 8b ,8c, représentent respectivement des coupes verticales selon les lignes "a" et "b" de la figure 4, et montrant le montage d'une semelle normée ou de marche par rapport aux appuis respectivement 12, 14, et 13, 15.

La figure 9 représente en vue latérale une chaussure selon l'invention, mais munie d'une semelle normée, et montée sur un ski par l'intermédiaire d'un dispositif de fixation traditionnelle, l'ensemble étant conforme à la norme ISO 5355.

La figure 10 illustre un ensemble chaussure/ski selon l'art antérieur, en coupe au niveau de l'avant pied, pour un ski de largeur ''normale".

La figure 11 illustre la chaussure suivant l'invention coopérant avec un ski "normal" (idem figure 10) avec un dispositif d'appui associé.

Les figures 12 et 13 représentent, pour un ski plus large et pour un ski plus étroit, une coupe d'un ensemble chaussure selon l'invention avec un dispositif d'appui associé.

The invention will be better understood and other characteristics will appear from the following description with reference to the appended figures.

FIG. 1 represents a side view of a first embodiment of a shoe for sliding sports according to the invention for the practice of alpine skiing, associated with a conventional binding device and a specific support device.

FIG. 2 represents a view from below of the shell of the shoe according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a shoe according to the invention for the practice of skating with aligned wheels and the associated support device.

Figure 4 shows a shoe base according to Figure 1 before mounting a sole.

FIGS. 5 and 6 respectively represent a standardized sole and a walking sole made in two parts, and ready for mounting on the base of the shoe shown in FIG. 4.

Figures 7a, 7b, 7c, and 8a, 8b, 8c, respectively represent vertical sections along the lines "a" and "b" of Figure 4, and showing the mounting of a standard sole or step with respect to press respectively 12, 14, and 13, 15.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of a shoe according to the invention, but provided with a standardized sole, and mounted on a ski by means of a traditional binding device, the assembly being in accordance with ISO standard 5355.

FIG. 10 illustrates a boot / ski assembly according to the prior art, in section at the forefoot, for a ski of "normal" width.

Figure 11 illustrates the shoe according to the invention cooperating with a "normal" ski (idem figure 10) with an associated support device.

Figures 12 and 13 show, for a wider ski and for a narrower ski, a section of a shoe assembly according to the invention with an associated support device.

To better understand the description that follows, it is necessary to define what is meant by "supports" and "restraints", for example for skiing.

The support zones are the zones of the shoe which define the support polygon of the shoe on the element below it (binding, ski or plate-type intermediate element).

The retention zones are the zones which cooperate with parts of the binding to retain the shoe on the latter during various stresses during skiing.

Conventionally, the supports are produced by the sole bearing on the ski and via the elements of restraint that are the stops and heels. According to the invention, they are dissociated as will appear from the description below.

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment where the gliding device is an alpine ski and the boot a rigid shell alpine ski boot.

The shoe shown in Figure 1 is constituted by an outer sole 1 in two parts 1a and 1b, which will be discussed later, and from which extends a rigid shell base 2, itself surmounted by a rod 3.

The boot is intended to cooperate with a ski 6, by means of a fastening device which comprises front and rear hooking members 8 and 9, cooperating respectively with vertical retention zones 10 and 11 of the shoe. These retention zones 10 and 11 are taken preferably in a conventional manner, at the front and rear ends of the sole 1.

According to the invention, the shoe further comprises bearing surfaces 12, 13 (and 14 and 15, not shown in this side view) for the boot on the ski, on either side of the side blanks of the shell base 2, in an area extending beyond the width of the standard contour of the sole 1, these supports being set back from the plane of the lower surface of sole 1.

These bearing surfaces 12 and 13 of the shoe cooperate with bearing surfaces corresponding 16 and 17 (18 and 19 not shown) made at the tops of four studs vertical from a contact plate fixed to the ski 6 and forming a cradle 7 attached to it.

This cradle 7 integral with the ski 6 and also carrying the rear fixing element 9 is at least partially rotatable with respect to skiing. Preferably, the cradle 7 is rotatably mounted on the ski along an axis of rotation XX 'located between the rear of the calcaneum and the first metatarsal of the foot of the skier. These bearing surfaces 16 and 17 are made in sufficient elevation relative to the plane upper of the ski or binding assembly to allow the elevation of walking surfaces 1a and 1 b of the sole, guarantee the priority of the supports 12, 14, 13, 15, and 16, 18, 17, 19, and finally authorize a "wedge of snow" under the sole.

Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the shoe of Figure 1, in particular sole / surface area step 1a, 1b, inside a contour of width "I" corresponding to the standard zone (standard ISO 5355) of the sole 14.

The bearing surfaces of the gliding device under the shoe 12, 13, 14, 15, are visible on the diagram. They are set back in height with respect to the walking surface "S", and on both sides of this sole. They are taken from the bottom of the hull 2.

In one embodiment, these bearing surfaces 12, 13, 14, 15, can be constituted by cleats obtained from molding with the shell base 2. Of course, these cleats can also be attached or associated with mounting tabs interposed between the shell 2 and the sole 1.

According to a preferred characteristic of the invention, the front bearing surfaces 12, 14, are located under the metatarsal joint, and the rear bearing surfaces 13, 15, are located under the heel, to achieve a good compromise, between a longitudinal stability of the shoe 1 on the cradle 7 and a desired rigidity of the shell base 2.

The dimensions between, on the one hand, the front bearing surfaces 12 and 14, and the front retaining surface 10 (x1), and on the other hand, the rear bearing surfaces 13, 15, and the rear retaining surface 11 (x2) are precise by construction and dispense with any "height adjustment" of the binding, a source of oversight therefore insecurity in previous systems.

Furthermore, the respective lengths of the front and rear support surfaces of the shoe are sufficient to allow support for shoes of different sizes on a cradle 7 standard.

It is possible with such a structure to create a forward and / or canting effect. For this, the supports formed between the bearing surfaces 12, 13, 14, 15, of the shoe, the bearing surfaces corresponding 16, 17, 18, 19, of the cradle 7, are offset in height relative to each other to form the desired support plan.

The inclination of these planes can also be adjustable.

Preferably, the attachment member 9 of the rear part of the binding commonly called "heel piece" is on board the cradle as shown in figure 1. But it could be independent and fixed directly on the ski 6 as long as it allows the rotation of the boot from of the pivot around XX '(figure 1).

The front attachment member or stop 8 will preferably be conventionally fixed to the ski 6 to keep all of its functionality. In terms of security, the advantages appear at once. The supports 12, 13, 14 and 15, cooperating with the pads 16 to 19 are stable, independent of sole wear 1 and located in an area which prevents snow hold and aggressions.

The invention also extends to the association of the shoe as described, with the device support formed by the cradle 7 which in fact replaces the conventional supports (via the elements of attachment which are the stops and heel pieces), and therefore authorizes the dissociation of the bearing surface and walking surface.

Walking with a sole suitable for walking becomes safe and comfortable without doing any harm to safety when skiing.

The presence of a pivot (around XX ') located anatomically between the back of the calcaneus and the first metatarsal allows optimum functioning of the stop and the best possible control trigger values, including in special configurations with the presence of lateral moment. The traumatic risk of the knee is therefore greatly reduced.

In summary, security is maintained, independent of time, wear, soiling and instantaneous center of rotation of the shoe, practically undefined in the concept classic toe / heel.

In terms of performance, the quality and dimensions of the support polygon guarantee optimum transmission of the efforts of the skier to the ski by reducing enormously the "hinge effect" described upper. In addition, the distance from the longitudinal axis of the ski (and boot) of the supports 12, 13, 14 and 15, bring these substantially in line with the ski edges and makes the grip optimal of edge. This arrangement has a positive impact on safety and comfort.

Indeed, it can allow, with equal transmission quality, to build a shoe upper 3 softer or even lower than what we have to do in classic alpine shoes. Here too the risk of trauma to the knee decreases and we also have the opportunity to treat the comfort of the shoe.

Finally, the best transmission of forces and the stability of the shoe / binding / ski scaffolding allow skiing at a lower binding setting value.

In summary, the means described make excellent security compatible, reliable over time, improved performance and walking comfort, incompatible qualities in structures classics.

The invention as it emerges from the above description is applicable to other types of sports as alpine skiing.

In particular, any sports practice in which a shoe is associated with a gliding device (or bearing) on which it is held by retaining elements and which requires the transmission via support on the machine can use a shoe of this type with a walking sole and bearing surfaces recessed from the surface of the sole to cooperate with surfaces support in elevation from a support cradle or a chassis secured to the machine.

The resulting improvements in all cases are better technicality and / or performance by the quality of the support induced by the size of the seat, real versatility by the possibility of separating the shoe from the sports machine for walking, and this without degrading the quality of the shoe support on the corresponding element due to sole wear.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of such a shoe according to the invention for skating with in-line wheels comprising a chassis 20, provided with aligned wheels 21 to 24. The chassis is provided with studs whose upper surfaces 18, 19 (16, 17, not shown), cooperate with bearing surfaces 12, 13 (14, 15), of the shoe set back from the sole formed by a front sole zone 1a and a heel sole area 1b. In the embodiment shown, the shoe retaining elements on the rolling chassis consist of locking means 25 and 26 providing a blocking studs relative to the sole.

Other retaining means can be used and in particular a fairly rigid shell or a flexible envelope secured to the chassis, and provided with closing means, with loop or lacing by example, closed on the walking shoe, the shoe being provided with bearing surfaces for the studs to ensure good support of the foot relative to the machine.

The same structure can also be used for a shoe adapted to snowboarding, studs forming support surfaces, corresponding to support surfaces formed set back from the walking sole, being from a cradle forming part of a fixing assembly mounted on the surfboard.

In these different embodiments, illustrated or not, the geometry of the bearing surfaces formed by the upper surfaces of the studs, and corresponding recessed bearing surfaces relative to the useful surface of the tread is adapted so that the position of the foot in the shoe compared to the machine necessary for sporting practice is optimized with respect to this practical, especially for the advance, the inclination of the sole relative to the horizontal, or the inclination lateral.

In the application to alpine skiing, it is possible to provide an adaptation for a transitional phase in which the shoe provided with its bearing surfaces, outside the walking zone of the sole, would still be suitable for conventional retaining and support elements, providing for adaptation means which may take the form of two removable soles, one of which conforms to the standard, and the other adapted to walking in accordance with the invention.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 show in side views such an adaptation.

FIG. 4 represents the shoe without a sole, that is to say with its shell 2 and its upper 3, with the bearing surfaces 12, 13 (14, 15 not shown), intended to cooperate with the pads from a cradle, formed on the base of the shell 2. These surfaces are as described with reference to the figures 1 and 2 arranged laterally with respect to the standardized central zone of width "I" (FIG. 2). The front and rear parts of the hull base are provided with protuberances 30 and 31 located on the longitudinal axis of the hull base.

This base is suitable for conventional operation when added a sole 1 c, 1 d, provided with a flat bearing surface conforming to standards as shown in Figure 5, the front and rear parts of the sole being provided with slides 32, 33, intended to cooperate with complementary parts 30 and 31, made for this purpose in the shell base.

However, this base is suitable for operation according to the invention, and the surfaces 12, 13, (14 and 15) play their supporting role when a walking sole 1a, 1b, illustrated by the Figure 6, provided with the same slides 32, 33, for attachment to the shell base which is adapted to the but cannot provide the necessary support.

Figures 7a, 7b and 7c are cross-sectional views corresponding to Figures 4, 5 and 6, along the vertical axis "a" of the forefoot.

Figures 8a, 8b and 8c are cross-sectional views corresponding to the same figures in heel level along the vertical axis "b", where the same references designate the same elements.

FIG. 9 illustrates the shoe provided with the conventional sole on a ski on which it is maintained in a conventional manner, the bearing surfaces according to the invention 12, 13, 14 and 15, not being used.

It has been indicated above in relation to the description of the embodiment of the invention for the Alpine skiing, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, that the arrangement of the support surfaces directly above the edges allowed an improvement of the transmission.

FIG. 10 represents a cross section of a "classic" ski / boot assembly, "L1" being the width of this type of ski and "I" the standardized width of the shoe sole.

We see that in the best of cases, new shoe sole so flat, the torque available for the edge grip is I / 2 x F, the dimensions "I" and "L1" being also fairly close to each other.

FIG. 11 represents a cross section of a ski / boot assembly according to the invention, the ski being identical to that of FIG. 10 (width L1), and "I1" being the distance between upper supports have".

In this case, the torque available for the I1 / 2 x F edge grip is more favorable and the significantly improved skier / ski transmission. It would be even more obvious if the figure 10 had shown a sole curved by walking and wear.

Figure 12 shows a cross section similar to that of Figure 11, but with a ski "wide", of width L2> L1.

We know that, for skiing in powder snow, other types of wider skis are used and a problem encountered with conventional mounting systems (supports / retainers) on such skis is a lack of grip on hard slopes. The shoe according to the invention, cooperating with bearing surfaces from a cradle, according to the invention, is particularly well suited to such a practice with wide ski.

In this embodiment, the dimension "I1" defined by the supports 12, 14 (13 and 15 at the rear not shown), is identical to that of Figure 11.

But the cradle 7 'is trapezoidal in shape and allows transmission to the ski, via the supports 16, 18 (17, 19, not shown), a L / 2 x F couple which is applied substantially at the edge of the ski (dimension L compared to L2). Thus, the use of a "wide" ski is no longer incompatible with good efficiency on hard snow or piste.

This solution is particularly interesting because it avoids the disadvantages of a solution known prior which consists, to improve the edge grip, to offset the fixation relative to the longitudinal axis of the ski, thereby creating a right ski and a left ski, with a displacement of the center of gravity of the ski with respect to the boot, this imbalance being liable to pose problem with receiving jump for example, or simply affecting handling.

In the same way, it appears other skiing practices where the ends of the ski are wide then that the central part is of reduced width, and which is particularly intended for the realization of curves. The invention is also particularly well suited to this type of practice. In that case, the trapezoid formed in section by the cradle 7 ", as shown in FIG. 13, is reversed by compared to that shown in Figure 12, the sole of the shoe is always the same. The width "I1" between the bearing surfaces being greater than the width "L3" of the ski, the transmission of efforts are made via the inclined planes of the 7 "support cradle. This inclination associated with the raising the shoe does not penalize the edge grip angle (angle α).

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described and / or shown.

In particular, the shape of the chassis or the cradle from which the studs come whose surfaces upper form the bearing surfaces for corresponding surfaces provided on the basis of the shoe set back from the walking sole will be suitable for sports practice and the shape of the corresponding gliding device, and it may or may not include other functions necessary for this practical, in particular all or part of the means for fixing the boot to the machine. In all the case, the shoe / gliding interface and the shoe / ground interface when walking are dissociated and the quality of the first is preserved whatever the state of the second.

Claims (14)

1. Boot for gliding sport comprising a rigid base (2) provided with a sole and an upper (3), in combination with a gliding apparatus (6, 20-24) on which the boot must take support and be retained, the boot further comprising retention means (10, 11) for cooperating with complementary retention means (8, 9) attached to the gliding apparatus, characterized in that the base is equipped with a sole (1) and comprises support surfaces (12-15) recessed with respect to the bearing surface of the sole (1) when walking, these support surfaces defining a support plane and being adapted to taking support on the upper surfaces of projections (16-19) coming from the gliding apparatus, these surfaces being sufficiently raised with respect to the upper plane of the gliding apparatus or of the binding assembly to allow the walking surfaces (1a, 1b) of the sole (1) to be raised with respect to the gliding apparatus.
2. Combination according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole (1a, 1b) has a lower surface shaped for walking.
3. Combination to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a removable sole (1a, 1b) shaped for walking, to be replaced by a standardized sole for a sporting activity in which the gliding apparatus requires a sole constituting a standardized interface.
4. Combination according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the support surfaces (12-15) on the shell are formed by cleats obtained from molding with the rigid base of the boot.
5. Combination according to any of claims 1-4, characterized in that the support surfaces (12-15) on the rigid base ofthe boot, recessed from the bearing surface of the sole when walking, define a support plane whose tilting with respect to the horizontal plane ofthe gliding apparatus is determined depending on the apparatus used and the practice conditions.
6. Combination according to claim 1, particularly adapted to skiing, characterized in that the retaining means are retaining surfaces (10, 11) located, as known in itself, at the upper portion of the front and rear zones of the sole to cooperate with binding elements, abutment (8) and heel (9), respectively.
7. Combination according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cradle (7, 7' 7") equipped with projections whose upper surfaces define a support plane for the boot, the cradle having a base attached to the gliding apparatus to transmit the boot supports to the apparatus.
8. Combination apparatus according to claim 7, characterized in that, to cooperate with a releasable binding system, so-called safety system, forming retaining means, the cradle (7) is at least partially rotatably mounted onto said gliding apparatus.
9. Combination according to one of claims 7 and 8, characterized in that the pivot axis (X' X) is located between the calcaneus and first metatarsal of an athlete's foot when installed on the gliding apparatus.
10. Combination according to one of claims 8 and 9, characterized in that the releasable binding system is at least partially affixed to the cradle (7).
11. Combination apparatus according to one of claims 7-10, characterized in that the cross-section of the cradle is substantially rectangular for a support width on the gliding apparatus having the same dimension as the width (11) between the support zones formed on the base of the boot, recessed from the bearing surface when walking.
12. Combination according to one of claims 7-10, characterized in that for a gliding apparatus having a width (L) greater than the width (1) of the sole, the cross-section of the cradle (7') is trapezoidal with widths (11) between the projections substantially less than the corresponding widths (L) of the base of the cradle (7').
13. Combination according to one of claims 7-10, characterized in that for a gliding apparatus having a width (L3) smaller that the width (1) of the sole in the area of the front and rear projections, respectively, the cross-section of the cradle (7") is trapezoidal with widths (11) between the projections substantially greater than the corresponding widths of the base of the cradle (7').
14. Combination according to one of claims 1-5, characterized in that it has a frame (20) equipped at its upper portion with projections whose surfaces (18, 19) define a support plane for the boot, separate from the sole of the boot.

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