EP1330965A1 - Snowboard boot - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot, comprising a supple upper with a detachable inner liner, has the sole (6) of the liner made with a zone (8) of lower compressibility along the middle to facilitate pivoting movements of the foot about its lengthwise axis and relative to the boot sole (3). The different degrees of flexibility are produced e.g. by using different plastic materials assembled by overmoulding, adhesion or thermo-compression. In a variant of the design the zone of reduced compressibility can be along the centre of an insole rather than the liner, and it can have transverse grooves at its forward end to allow it to bend for walking.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of snow sliding sports. She aims more specifically a shoe intended for the practice of snowboarding. She relates more particularly to the arrangements provided inside the shoe to facilitate orientation movements of the leg relative to the board.

Previous techniques

In general, for the practice of snowboarding, it is desirable to be able to benefit from a very good transmission of forces between the foot of the user and the board. This good transmission generally goes through the use of fasteners ensuring firm and effective attachment of the sole the shoe relative to the upper face of the board. A very large variety of this type of fastening has already been proposed, ensuring a hooking or anchoring firm mechanics of the sole or more generally of the shoe on the board.

For certain surfing practices, it is also necessary that the leg has a certain freedom of inclination relative to the plane of the board. he can especially be useful to be able to tilt the leg inward, to offset the body weight relative to the position of the feet. The movement of the knee towards the interior results, due to the articulation of the ankle, by a modification of the inclination of the foot. This general movement is usually called movement of "rolling".

This inclination of the leg inwards is carried out in a different way depending on the type of shoe used. So you can use soft shoes, in combination with a binding comprising straps holding the foot, and a rear gutter allowing back support. This kind of fixation allows a slight movement of the shoe inside the straps by transverse sliding of the sole on the base of the binding. We can also use shoes with a stiffer sole because it has hooking members on the fixing. This sole is pressed on the face top of the board, or on the mounting base. In this case, none transverse movement of the shoe is not allowed, unlike the other type of fixing mentioned above.

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is that of allowing a inclination of the leg and therefore a pivoting of the foot within the lower part of the shoe, while maintaining the firm grip of the sole of the shoe compared to the board.

The Applicant has already provided certain solutions to this problem, in particular by proposing a shoe described in document EP 1 166 669, the sole has certain arrangements allowing movements of the sole with respect to the anchoring means with respect to the fixing. In this solution, we allows the sole of the shoe to deform to move slightly by compared to fixation. These solutions, although satisfactory, are mechanically complex. Indeed, the use of elastic materials at the level of the sole walking the shoe can cause sealing problems as well as wear. This kind of problem is observed in particular in the shoes described. in document WO 97/27773.

Solutions have already been proposed to modify the inclination of the foot to the inside of a rigid ski boot. This solution which is the subject of publications US 4,144,659 and US 4,074,446, consists in equipping the ski boot rigid of a rigid insert interposed between the boot liner, and the shell of the shoe itself.

This rigid insert has support points located at its plane longitudinal median, so that when the user exerts forces on one side from the foot, this insert pivots around its support points relative to the shell, causing a transverse tilt of the foot. In this way, the efforts exerted by the user can be located either on the inside or on the outside of the shoe. This technique is not transferable to the field of snowboarding, since it concerns an eminently rigid shoe, while shoes used in the field of surfing are on the other hand particularly flexible, for allow lateral movement of the leg. The solutions described in aforementioned documents relate only to a transverse inclination of the foot, the leg remaining in the same vertical plane due to the rigidity of the upper part of the shoe.

Furthermore, the use of such an insert significantly increases the height of the shoe, while in surfing, it is better to have the most foot close to the board so that efforts are transmitted most effectively.

The problem that the invention seeks to solve is that of providing both firm attachment and anchoring of the shoe relative to the board surf, while allowing a transverse inclination capacity of the leg and the foot in relation to the sole of the shoe, without weakening or making it more complex the structure of the sole of the shoe.

Statement of the invention

The invention therefore relates to a shoe for the practice of snowboarding. In known manner, such a shoe comprises a flexible boot inside of which is fitted with a removable liner, used for its comfort qualities, the flexible boot being designed to ensure sealing and anchoring closed on the board.

According to the invention, the sole of the bootie has a region of less compressibility located at its longitudinal plane median, so as to facilitate the movements of the foot substantially around its longitudinal axis, and relative to the plane of the sole of the shoe. Other said, around its median longitudinal plane, the sole of the liner has a hardness greater than that which it presents in the lateral peripheral zones, so that when the user presses on one side of the foot, the area peripheral crashes, while the central part of the sole of the liner does not distorts very little. This deformation does not in any case involve the sole of the outer boot which remains firmly anchored in relation to the board.

When the user tilts his leg inward, this movement is transmitted by the ankle joint on the foot, and more specifically on the front part of the foot. This movement therefore results in an inclination transverse of the foot and more precisely of the forefoot relative to the plane of the board. This transverse inclination is made possible by the fact that the zones peripherals of the liner sole are more easily compressible.

The central part of the sole of the bootie provides a pivot which facilitates and promotes this movement.

In an equivalent variant embodiment, it can be foreseen that it is a component of the sole of the boot which, in its upper part, has a less compressible region located at its plane longitudinal median, so as to facilitate the pivoting movements of the foot substantially around its longitudinal axis, and relative to the plane of the sole of the shoe. By upper part of the boot sole means the portion that receives the contact of the liner, as opposed to the portion of the sole that seals and comes into contact with the ground.

In practice, the lateral zones, located on either side of the more rigid, may have similar or different mechanical properties, and more precisely identical or different compressibility. In case they are different, we may prefer that the area located on the inner side of the foot has the highest compressibility. Indeed, we observe more generally transverse movements of the leg oriented inward.

According to another characteristic of the invention, it can be provided that the region less compressibility, located in the central part of the sole of the bootie or boot, has at least in its front part, areas of less hardness, extending transversely, so as to favor the unwinding of the foot when walking. In other words, the central part of the shoe, which has greater rigidity than the lateral areas however remains deformable in areas of lesser characteristic hardness, so as to conform to the curvature of the foot, and in particular of its front part, at the level of the metatarsophalangeal joint during the walking movement.

In practice, these zones of lesser hardness can be formed by transverse grooves in which material is removed. He can also these are solid areas filled with a relatively deformable material. Slots or transverse cuts, open downwards can fulfill the same function.

According to another characteristic of the invention, in the heel area, the region less compressibility of the sole of the bootie or boot may divide into two branches extending on either side of the plumb of the calcaneus. In other words, the area of the sole of the bootie or boot located vertically of the calcaneus remains relatively compressible, and is surrounded at least partially of a more rigid region, defining a housing for the end of the calcaneus.

Thus, the heel, through which a significant part of the effort is transmitted vertical, remains supported by a relatively compressible zone, which gives a some comfort for the user. The housing thus formed for the heel ensures a lateral positioning of it which can be useful in the movements of "rolling" corresponding to the transverse inclination of the foot. In other words, the heel thus slightly maintained remains in the axis of the foot, which ensures good transmission of efforts.

In practice, the sole of the bootie or boot can be made in two different plastics, obtained by overmolding or assembly / bonding or thermocompression. These plastics can be Shore hardnesses different, or preferably foams with different densities or variables, and therefore lower in the lateral portions of larger compressibility. The sole of the bootie can also incorporate an element additional added forming an insert in its thickness.

This sole can for example be molded onto the upper part of the rest of the slipper, or even be manufactured independently, and associated by bonding to the lower part of the slipper, in the traditional way.

Brief description of the figures

La figure 1 est une vue en perspective sommaire d'une chaussure conforme à l'invention.

La figure 2 est une vue de dessous de la semelle du chausson interne de la chaussure de la figure 1.

La figure 3 est une vue en coupe transversale de la chaussure de la figure 1, montée sur une planche.

La figure 4 correspond à la coupe de la figure 3 dans laquelle le pied est incliné transversalement.

La figure 5 est une vue en coupe transversale partielle de la chaussure de la figuré 1, montrée au niveau du talon.

La figure 6 est une vue en coupe transversale d'une chaussure selon une variante de réalisation

The manner of carrying out the invention as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiment which follows, supported by the appended figures in which:

Figure 1 is a summary perspective view of a shoe according to the invention.

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the sole of the internal liner of the shoe in FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of Figure 1, mounted on a board.

Figure 4 corresponds to the section of Figure 3 in which the foot is inclined transversely.

Figure 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the shoe of Figure 1, shown at the heel.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a shoe according to an alternative embodiment

Way of realizing the invention

As already said, the invention relates to a surf shoe, as illustrated in Figure 1. Such a shoe (1) essentially comprises a boot flexible (2) whose sole (3) comes into contact with the board either directly or through the base of a fixing. This attachment provides anchoring firm and almost without play of the sole (3) on the board. To do this, the binding cooperates with one or more members located under or in the sole, on one side of the latter, or even on another part of the shoe. In the form illustrated, given by way of example, it may be a metal plate (4) extending transversely under the sole (3) of the shoe, at the level of the foot arch.

Obviously, many other forms of fasteners can be used without departing from the scope of the invention.

These fixings can, in an advantageous form but which is not mandatory, operate according to a principle commonly called "step'in", authorizing automatic putting on without the user having to activate the manual attachment means after having put the shoe in place so precise with respect to fixing.

The shoe (1) illustrated in Figure 1 has inside the boot flexible a removable liner (5) which provides comfort functions, by being example made of a thermally insulating material and relatively soft to the contact.

According to the invention, this removable liner (5) has a sole (6) having a specific configuration. More specifically, and as illustrated in Figure 2, this sole has around its median longitudinal plane (7) a lower compressibility zone (8). This lower compressibility is appreciated with regard to the compressibility of the lateral zones (9, 10) located on either side of this area (8). These lateral zones (9, 10) are intended to receive the supports of the foot, especially in the front part, and at the knuckles of the fingers side.

The areas illustrated in Figure 2 are given by way of example and do not do not correspond to the only embodiment covered by the invention.

When the different peripheral (9, 10) and central (8) zones are made of different materials, with well-defined interfaces, the variation compressibility is relatively straightforward. However, this variation in compressibility on the surface of the sole can be more progressive, in particular when the sole is made by assembling pieces at a bevel, or from materials of different modules, or by injecting charges additional in the central area (8).

In the form illustrated in Figure 2, the front part of the central area (8) less compressible has three transverse grooves (11, 12, 13) facilitating the deformation of the front of this zone (8) in a vertical plane, passing through the plane longitudinal median (7). This deformability is useful for monitoring the course of the foot joint, in particular the joint metatarsophalangeal during walking movements.

As illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the foot (20) rests on the sole (6) in bearing both on the relatively compressible lateral zones (9, 10) and on the central zone (8) of lower compressibility. This sole (6) rests on the sole (3) of the outer boot which itself rests on the board (15) directly as in the illustrated form, or via the base of a fixation in other forms not illustrated.

When the user exerts a force on the internal side of the foot, according to arrow F in FIG. 4, the lateral zone (10) tends to compress strongly, while the central zone (8) compresses much less, the resistance exerted by this central zone (8) pivots the foot according to arrow P in FIG. 4.

This pivoting corresponds to the movement induced by the inclination of the leg on the internal side.

According to another characteristic of the invention, the sole (6) of the liner deformable comprises a relatively compressible zone (16) at the level of vertical to the calcaneus. This compressible zone (16) is surrounded at least partially by extensions (17, 18) of the rear part of the central zone (8) more compressible. These extensions (17, 18) are compressible less than the area (16) below the heel, so that they define a housing in which the heel can fit. This housing (19) is illustrated in the figure 5.

This zone (16) below the heel compresses when the forces are exercised vertically by the user. The heel inscription in the housing (19) therefore prevents the heel from shifting too much laterally and therefore keeps the foot in line with the shoe, despite slight displacements authorized by the flexible shoe.

In the shape illustrated in Figure 2, the area (16) below the heel is made of the same material as the lateral zones (9, 10) located on the side and on the other side of the median longitudinal plane (7). This area below the heel is directly connected to the lateral zones (9, 10). However, in variants not illustrated, the area below the heel could be completely circumscribed by a area of higher rigidity, thus defining an almost circular housing.

In other variants not illustrated, the central zone of lower compressibility can be interrupted between the front part and the back part of the foot, so that the area of lower compressibility surrounding the plumb of the heel is independent of the lower compressibility portion located at the front of the sole.

As already mentioned, in another variant illustrated in FIG. 6, it is the upper part (22) of the sole (23) of the boot (2) which has the properties features of the invention. In this case, it is one of the lateral zones (27,28) of this upper part (22) of the sole of the boot which compresses under the effect of the inclination of the leg. The foot then pivots above the central edge (29) of the boot sole. In the illustrated form, this central edge is part of a component (22) which also includes the compressible zones (27, 28), but the invention also covers the variant not illustrated in which the central edge is formed by a prominent rib formed in the tread (24).

• la possibilité d'obtenir un maintien ferme et un ancrage efficace de la semelle de la chaussure par rapport à la planche, tout en autorisant un mouvement de "rolling" et ce sans fragiliser ou compliquer la structure de la semelle rigide de la chaussure ;
• la rigidité supplémentaire nécessaire pour faciliter les mouvements de "rolling" ne perturbe pas le déroulé du pied lors de la marche ;
• en changeant de chausson, il est possible de modifier les propriétés de compressibilité facilitant le "rolling" selon les souhaits de l'utilisateur, il est d'ailleurs possible d'utiliser la même chaussure en remplaçant le chausson par un chausson neutre sans rapport avec l'invention.

It appears from the above that the surf shoe according to the invention has multiple advantages, and in particular:

• the possibility of obtaining a firm hold and effective anchoring of the sole of the shoe relative to the board, while allowing a "rolling" movement without weakening or complicating the structure of the rigid sole of the shoe;
• the additional rigidity necessary to facilitate the movements of "rolling" does not disturb the course of the foot during walking;
• by changing the liner, it is possible to modify the compressibility properties facilitating the "rolling" according to the wishes of the user, it is also possible to use the same shoe by replacing the liner with a neutral liner unrelated to the invention.

Claims (7)

Shoe (1) for snowboarding, comprising a flexible boot (2) inside which a removable liner (5) is placed, characterized in that the sole (6) of the liner (5) has a region (8) of lesser compressibility situated at its median longitudinal plane (7), so as to facilitate the pivoting movements of the foot substantially around its longitudinal axis, and relative to the plane of the sole (3) of the shoe. Shoe (1) for snowboarding, comprising a flexible boot (2) inside which a removable liner (5) is placed, characterized in that a component (23) of the sole ( 22) of the boot (2) has in its upper part a region (27, 28) of less compressibility situated at its median longitudinal plane, so as to facilitate the pivoting movements of the foot substantially around its longitudinal axis, and relative to the plane of the sole of the shoe. Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the region (8) of lesser compressibility has at least in its front part, zones of lesser hardness (11-13), extending transversely, so as to favor the unrolled from the foot when walking. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the zones of lesser hardness are formed by transverse grooves (11-13). Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that in the region of the heel, the region of lesser compressibility of the sole of the bootie or the boot is divided into two branches (17, 18) extending from side to side. other of the plumb (16) of the calcaneus. Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sole (6) of the boot or boot is made of two different plastic materials, obtained by overmolding, assembly / bonding or thermoforming. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the sole of the boot (6) is molded or assembled on the upper part of the rest of the boot.

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