EP1013185A1 - Sports boot - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot for snow sports has a reinforcement shell (30) with a lower section (40) which fits around the rear of the boot heel and has a strap to retain it to the ankle area. An upper shell section (50) extends vertically upwardly from the lower section and has a dorsal wall (52) and two side walls to fit around the rear of the boot.

Description

The subject of the present invention is a reinforcing element for a sports shoe and in particular a sliding sport such as snowboarding.

In such sports and in particular snowboarding, or snowboarding, the boot which ensures the connection of the user's foot and leg to the gliding device, must reconcile requirements flexibility for comfort and flex in certain directions, but also stiffness in other directions to limit the flexion of the leg in said directions, ensure sufficient grip of the user's ankle and lower leg.

With regard to snowboarding, the support, bending limitation functions are generally provided by the shoe fastening system and the surfboard, which is consisting of rigid shell-shaped elements more or less enveloping the shoe.

This type of binding therefore makes it possible to keep very flexible shoes.

Furthermore, these shoes generally consist of a shoe, or boot outer, comprising an outer sole and an outer upper, and an inner boot, that is to say an extremely flexible covering completely covering the foot and lower leg and intended to provide the necessary comfort.

These internal slippers have the drawback of sagging during use due to the flexibility of the materials constituting them and the repeated stresses of which they are the object, especially when tightening the shoe and fastening. Various solutions have been proposed to remedy these drawbacks.

Thus, it is marketed under the trade name Dakine a plastic reinforcement heel associated with a instep tightening strap, intended to be inserted in a shoe surf between the inner liner and the outer upper to stiffen the heel area and avoid sagging of the liner caused by tightening on the top of the liner.

Such reinforcement certainly solves a specific problem of sagging of the liner. in the heel, but does not solve the other problems mentioned above.

WO 97/45033 provides a reinforcement device for ski or snowboard boots snow having a substantially L-shaped profile and intended to be inserted into the shoe so as to extend continuously under the soles of the feet and at the back of the lower leg.

Such a device certainly makes it possible to increase the stiffness from front to back of the shoe but does not solve the other problems mentioned above.

In particular, it does not allow any maintenance in transverse direction, and does not resolve the sagging problem of the liner. Another problem, which is encountered in particular in snowboarding, but which can also be found in other board sports is that according to practical, half pipe, freeride, freestyle, exercised, the user wishes to have rigidities different from the shoe both in terms of direction and intensity.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to provide an element of improved reinforcement allowing in particular to resolve the problems of subsidence of the liner and / or provide improved stiffness / flexural strength in directions privileged.

Another object of the present invention is also to allow easy adaptation a sliding sports shoe and in particular snowboard with different types of convenient.

This object is achieved by the reinforcing element according to the invention which is of the type comprising a outer shoe and an inner shoe, the outer shoe having a sole outer and an outer upper, the inner boot having a footwear envelope covering the foot and the leg, the reinforcement comprising a lower part forming a heel counter and fitted with a tightening strap to prevent sagging of the upper and to keep the heel in place place, by the fact that the reinforcement also has a top part extending upwards from the lower part and comprising a back wall and two side walls surrounding the bottom leg.

Indeed, such a reinforcing element participates in the lateral support of the lower leg of the user and while avoiding sagging of the liner, especially in the heel area.

According to a preferred embodiment, each of the side walls is provided on its edge before means of connection to the liner. Such a construction indeed makes it possible to increase the stiffness of the slipper / shoe assembly in the longitudinal direction, -as well towards forward and backward, by securing the reinforcing element / liner obtained.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avec arraché partiel d'une chaussure incorporant un chausson et un élément de renfort,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective d'un chausson et d'un élément de renfort avant assemblage,
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 2 d'un chausson et d'un élément de renfort après assemblage,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 2 montrant la mise en oeuvre de l'invention avec un chausson de type différent,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 3 de l'ensemble chausson/élément de renfort de la figure 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 montrant un autre exemple d'application de l'invention.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing, illustrating by way of nonlimiting examples several modes of realization and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view with partial cutaway of a shoe incorporating a liner and a reinforcing element,
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a liner and of a reinforcing element before assembly,
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a liner and of a reinforcement element after assembly,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing the implementation of the invention with a boot of a different type,
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of the liner / reinforcement element assembly of FIG. 4,
• Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing another example of application of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a shoe incorporating the reinforcing element according to the invention. This shoe consists of an external shoe 10, of the boot type, an internal shoe 20 and a reinforcing element 30.

The outer shoe 10 consists of an outer upper 11 and an outer sole 12. The external rod 11 is a high rod which rises above the ankle and envelops the bottom of user's leg. It is provided at the front with a longitudinal opening 13 intended for allow the establishment / removal of the foot and provided with closing means such as a lacing 14.

The outer rod 11 is preferably made of a flexible material such as thick leather / textile, nevertheless exhibiting abrasion and wear resistance qualities and a certain resistance mechanical.

As shown in particular in Figures 2 and 3, the inner liner 20 is constituted a footwear envelope comprising a lower part 21 covering the foot and a part upper 22 covering the lower leg, these two parts being connected continuously. In the front, the liner 20 also has a longitudinal opening 23 for the introduction of the foot, to which is associated a tightening system 24 by lacing consisting of a series of loops 25 fixed on each side of the edges of the longitudinal opening 23, and receiving a lace 26.

According to a preferred embodiment, although not compulsory, a lace blocker 27 is associated with the end of the lace 26.

Of course, a traditional lacing, without blocker 27, can also be envisaged, from same as other clamping means, for example of the Velcro type, without so far from the scope of the present invention.

The liner 20 is made of any material providing the desired flexibility and comfort and especially in PU, PE foam, etc.

The reinforcing element 30 comprises a lower part 40 forming a heel counter and a part high 50.

The lower part 40 has two side walls 41 connected by a sole part 42 intended to be placed under the foot part 21 of the liner 20 and a rear belt 43 surrounding the top of the heel and connecting the two side walls 41 from the rear.

Each side wall 41 extends vertically along the foot of a user from its plantar area up to the instep area.

The two walls 41 are provided, at their upper edge 45, with means hooking, in this case a system of hook-and-loop straps 44, which extend in the user instep area and allow tightening around the foot by bringing together relative of the edges 45 of these walls.

Note that the area of the lower part 40 corresponding to the heel proper comprises an obviously 46 for more comfort.

The upper part 50 of the buttress has two side walls 51 extending vertically from the recess 46 and the rear belt 43, so as to surround and support the lower leg of the user. The two side walls 51 are connected at the rear by a back wall 52.

Each of the side walls 51 has on its front edge means for connection to the liner 20 in this case formed by means of passage of the lace 26 of liner 20, namely passersby 55.

These passers-by 55 can thus cooperate in tightening with the lace 26 of the liner, the latter passing alternately on the loops 25 of the liner and those 55 of the reinforcing element 30.

In this way, the upper part 50 of the reinforcement 30 not only participates in maintaining lateral, i.e. in transverse direction, from the ankle and lower leg, but provides also, due to its participation in tightening the liner, resistance to bending, both forwards and backwards, from the leg.

The upper part 50 therefore also makes it possible to modulate the stiffness, in front / rear bending, of the shoe, as well as providing rear support.

In fact, in the absence of the reinforcing element 30, the shoe can be very flexible, while that the addition of this reinforcing element makes it possible to stiffen it as well in the direction transverse, than in longitudinal direction.

According to the surfing mode practiced, different reinforcing elements 30, with varying stiffnesses both in longitudinal and transverse direction, can be provided to adapt the stiffness of the shoe to the type of practice. In all cases the stiffness of the reinforcing element 30 will be greater than that of the liner 20 in at least one longitudinal direction or transverse.

It will also be noted that the dorsal part 52 is preferably provided with lateral slots vertical 54 at its upper part 53 so as to provide progressive rear support.

Figures 4 to 5 show the application of the reinforcement according to the invention to a surf boot of the same type as that of FIGS. 1 to 3, similar or equivalent elements being designated by the same references, the only difference being that the inner liner 20 is of the injected type with lateral opening and devoid of lacing means.

In this case, the reinforcing element 30 comprises, in addition to the loops 55, a lace 56, to which is associated with a lace blocker 57. This arrangement makes it possible to tighten the reinforcement element 30 on the liner 20, even in the absence of tightening means on the latter, and to keep the stiffening functions forwards and backwards and rear support mentioned previously.

In the two embodiments described, the lacing system is a lacing system fast with yaw, respectively 26, 56, yaw locker, respectively 27, 57. In this case, the separation of the reinforcing element 30 relative to the liner by loosening can be obtained very easily and quickly by unlocking the blocker respectively 56, 57, and by raising it along the lace respectively 26, 27, which then makes it possible to soften considerably the top of the shoe, and give it back / front flexibility for a more comfortable and easy walking.

Of course, other clamping means could be provided without leaving for as much of the scope of the present invention. One can in particular consider a tightening by lace normal, i.e. without yaw lock, or any other method of tightening, for example by Velcro fasteners, cables, ... etc.

According to a last advantageous embodiment represented in FIG. 6 in which the similar or equivalent elements are designated by the same references increased by 100, the reinforcement 130 can be provided so as to be disposed outside of the external shoe 110, that is to say between the latter and the fixing device 100. In this case, the reinforcement 130 may also include passers-by 155 capable of cooperating with lacing means 114 of the external shoe 110 for participation in tightening the shoe.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described above by way of nonlimiting examples but encompasses all similar embodiments or equivalent. In particular, it is not limited to an application to a snowboard boot, but extends to any type of sports shoe, and in particular a sliding sport such as skiing, skating, roulette, ice skate, ... etc., for which we seek to remedy the various problems and in particular to easily vary the stiffness of the upper of the shoe towards longitudinal and / or transverse depending on the type of practice sought.

Claims (10)

Removable reinforcement element (30) for sports shoe, in particular surf shoe snow, of the type comprising an outer boot (10) and an inner boot (20), the outer shoe (10) comprising an outer sole (12) and an outer upper (11), the internal liner (20) comprising a foot covering covering the foot and the leg, the reinforcing element (30) comprising a bottom part (40) forming a heel counter and provided with clamping means (44) exerting a clamping force at the instep, characterized in that the reinforcement (30) also includes an upper part (50) extending vertically towards the top from the bottom (40) and having a back wall (52) and two side walls (51) surrounding the lower leg. Reinforcement element according to claim 1, characterized in that each of the walls lateral is provided on its front edge with connecting means (55, 56, 155) to the liner (20) respectively of the shoe (10). Reinforcement element according to claim 2, characterized in that the internal liner (20) respectively of the shoe (110) is provided with lacing tightening means respectively (25, 26, 114) and in that the connecting means (55, 155) consist of passers-by (55, 155) able to receive the lace (26) of the liner (20) respectively of the shoe (10). Reinforcement element according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting means (55, 56) are constituted by a system of loops (55) - lace (56). Reinforcement element according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that a lace lock (25, 57) is associated with the lacing system respectively (25, 26; 55,56). Reinforcement element according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the element reinforcement (30) has a stiffness greater than that of the liner (20) in at least one direction transverse or longitudinal. Reinforcement element according to claim 6, characterized in that the reinforcement element (30) has a variable stiffness depending on the type of practice desired. Reinforcement element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the element reinforcement (30) is inserted between the outer boot (10) and the inner boot (20). Reinforcement element according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the element reinforcement (130) is disposed outside the outer shoe (10). Shoe incorporating a reinforcing element according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

Images