EP1785047A1 - Sport shoe with pivotable sole - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe has a shell and a sole comprising a layer (11) made of rigid material and a layer (19) made of deformable material at the level of the heel. A zone (13`) made of deformable material is positioned between the rigid material layer and the shell and is located in a region intended to receive the head of metatarsus of leg. The sole includes lateral wings (14) formed in the continuity of the rigid material layer. The wings are separated into two parts by deformable material bands (20). An independent claim is also included for a sole for a ski boot.

Description

The present invention relates to a rigid-shell sports shoe for gliding apparatus, such as the ski or the skate, comprising a physiological sole particularly adapted to the transmission of the user's efforts to the gliding machine for its effective guidance. It is particularly suitable for implementation via the bottom sole of the ski boots shell. The invention also relates to such a sole as such.

As is known from the prior art, a sports shoe for gliding device serves as an interface between the body and the gliding device, this interface being responsible for directing the forces in favorable directions so as to pass on rapidly the muscular tension of the athlete with the gliding apparatus in an effective manner to react to the modifications of situations which arise during a descent.

Almost all existing ski boots have as their principle the maximum hold of the skier's foot and ankle, the guiding of the ski being done by a flexion on the knees and the position of the whole torso to modify the center of the skier. gravity of the skier, the foot and the ankle remaining immobile in order to induce a passive transmission of the efforts of the body to the gliding board by the rigid shoe.

In this context, the ski boots are based on a rigid stem up to the shin, equipped with a comfort liner to thermally isolate the foot and having both the function of reducing the localized pressures that would be painful and fill the spaces formed between the foot and the shell to reach the maximum holding mentioned above. To further improve these solutions, we have proposed to make slippers in-situ by injection of a foam designed to fill the best possible spaces between the foot and the hull, so as to get as close as possible to a shoe perfectly matching the individual morphology of the foot.

However, a solution described in the document CH688636 was interested in the very particular bearing structure of the foot, consisting of many bones welded or mobile between them. This bearing structure, illustrated in Figure 1, can be considered as a vault with three arches and three support points 1, 2, 3, forming a triangle whose vertices are respectively the heel 1, more precisely the posterior tuberosity of the calcaneus , the head of the first metatarsal 2 and the head of the fifth metatarsal 3. In normal resting position, the weight of the body is distributed approximately 50% on the heel, 30% on the first metatarsal and 20% on the fifth metatarsal . The top of the vault is constituted by the astragalus on which rests the tibia, the weight transmitted by the tibia dividing into three main forces directed in the directions of the three points of support 1, 2, 3, these forces being transmitted on the one hand by the heel 1 and on the other hand by the scaphoid and the metatarsals at the anterior points of support inside 2 and outside 3. Inversely, the three support points 1, 2, 3 of the vault plantar transmit the reactions of the soil, through the ski and the shoe, to the leg and the brain.

The document CH688636 proposed a new ski boot solution taking into account the previous remarks concerning the structure of the foot. For this, the solution proposed the addition of rigid elements precisely arranged at the three points of support of the foot 1, 2, 3 for a better direct transmission of the forces of the leg on the gliding board through the foot , guaranteeing that there will be no deformation of the sole under the forces undergone at these points of support.

• la mécanique du pied n'est pas exploitée puisque l'objectif est son maintien immobile et le pied n'a donc aucune fonction directe de guidage de l'engin de glisse, la chaussure se contentant de transmettre les efforts musculaires principalement réalisés au niveau de la jambe de l'utilisateur. Par conséquent, l'efficacité de la chaussure n'est finalement pas optimale pour le guidage d'un engin de glisse ;
• ces solutions sont douloureuses pour le pied et donc non confortables puisque les efforts du corps s'appliquent intégralement sur les trois points d'appui de la voûte plantaire.

However, this solution retains the mechanics of the traditional approach in which the foot remains motionless and passively transmits the efforts of the body to the gliding board. The disadvantages of this traditional approach are:

• the mechanics of the foot is not exploited since the objective is its immobile holding and the foot therefore has no direct function of guiding the gliding machine, the shoe merely transmitting the muscular efforts mainly made at the level of the user's leg. Therefore, the effectiveness of the shoe is ultimately not optimal for guiding a gliding machine;
• these solutions are painful for the foot and therefore not comfortable since the efforts of the body apply integrally on the three points of support of the arch.

• la partie pivotante ajoutée ne correspond pas spécifiquement à la structure du pied explicitée plus haut et n'exploite donc pas la mécanique naturelle du pied. Ainsi, cette solution n'est pas satisfaisante au niveau du confort du pied et entraîne une performance non optimisée ;
• la partie pivotante se déplace de manière très libre par rapport à la chaussure et le ski et a globalement peu de contact avec ces derniers. Cela entraîne une grande liberté du pied relativement à la chaussure, qui apporte un gain au niveau du guidage du ski par le pied mais qui se fait au détriment ou en remplacement du guidage par le mouvement habituel du reste du corps dont le nouvel équilibre sur le ski devient très instable. Par exemple, une flexion habituelle des genoux entraînant un effort de la jambe sur le collier de la chaussure n'a plus d'effet direct sur le guidage de l'engin de glisse car cet effort n'est plus transmis par la chaussure à l'engin de glisse, la partie pivotante indépendante au niveau du pied représentant une coupure dans la chaîne de transmission de cet effort de la jambe vers l'engin de glisse. La performance globale d'une telle chaussure est finalement très insatisfaisante.

In addition to the traditional approach, it is worth noting a solution described in the document FR2415977 , which is based on a possible pivoting of the foot within the shoe about a longitudinal axis from the heel and dividing the foot substantially into two halves. This pivoting function is implemented by an insert in the shoe comprising two support points at the heel and forefoot, defining a pivot axis around which it can pivot relative to the rest of the shoe and compared to the gliding machine. The optics of this original solution is to allow guidance of a gliding device by the sole movement of the foot, which is sufficient to cause a shift in weight exerted on the gliding machine. The disadvantages of this solution, however, are as follows:

• the added pivoting part does not correspond specifically to the foot structure explained above and therefore does not exploit the natural mechanics of the foot. Thus, this solution is not satisfactory in terms of foot comfort and results in a non-optimized performance;
• the pivoting part moves very freely with respect to the shoe and the ski and overall has little contact with them. This results in a great freedom of the foot relative to the shoe, which brings a gain in the guiding of the ski by the foot but which is at the expense or replacement of the guide by the usual movement of the rest of the body whose new balance on the skiing becomes very unstable. For example, a customary bending of the knees causing a force of the leg on the collar of the shoe no longer has a direct effect on the guidance of the gliding device because this effort is no longer transmitted by the shoe to the shoe. gliding apparatus, the independent pivoting portion at the level of the foot representing a cut in the chain of transmission of this force from the leg to the gliding apparatus. The overall performance of such a shoe is ultimately very unsatisfactory.

A general object of the present invention is a sports shoe solution for the transmission of the user's efforts to a gliding machine and the guidance of a gliding device by the foot which does not understand the disadvantages of the solutions of the prior art.

More specifically, a first object of the present invention is a sports shoe for gliding gear which takes into account the foot mechanics to improve the performance of the guidance of the gliding machine.

A second object of the present invention is a sports shoe for gliding apparatus which improves the comfort of the user's foot.

The invention is based on a sole of a sports shoe which comprises a layer of rigid material, characterized in that it is linked to the shell of a shoe by a zone of deformable material positioned under the rigid material of the sole, this area being located in the region for receiving the head of at least one of the first or fifth metatarsal foot, and in that it comprises at least one side wing.

The invention is more precisely defined by the claims.

• La figure 1 représente un pied et la structure osseuse de la voûte plantaire;
• la figure 2 est une vue en coupe d'une chaussure équipée d'une semelle de fond de coque selon un premier mode d'exécution de l'invention;
• la figure 3 est une vue partielle en perspective de la chaussure équipée d'une semelle de fond de coque selon une variante du premier mode d'exécution de l'invention;
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective de la semelle de fond de coque selon la variante du premier mode d'exécution de l'invention;
• les figures 5 et 6 sont des figures en coupe qui représentent schématiquement la cinématique de la chaussure selon l'invention ;
• les figures 7 et 8 sont des vues schématiques en coupe de deux autres variantes du premier mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 9 est une vue schématique en coupe selon le second mode d'exécution de l'invention ;
• la figure 10 est une vue schématique en coupe selon le troisième mode d'exécution de l'invention.

These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular embodiments given in a non-limiting manner in relation to the appended figures among which:

• Figure 1 shows a foot and bone structure of the arch;
• Figure 2 is a sectional view of a shoe equipped with a bottom shell sole according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the shoe equipped with a bottom shell sole according to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 4 is a perspective view of the bottom plate of the hull according to the variant of the first embodiment of the invention;
• Figures 5 and 6 are sectional figures which show schematically the kinematics of the shoe according to the invention;
• Figures 7 and 8 are schematic sectional views of two other variants of the first embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 9 is a schematic sectional view according to the second embodiment of the invention;
• Figure 10 is a schematic sectional view according to the third embodiment of the invention.

The invention will be illustrated in the context of a ski boot. However, the same concept could be applied to any other sports shoe that participates in guiding a gliding machine. In addition, the concept of the invention will be illustrated by a modification of the bottom shell sole of the shoe. It could however also be implemented through any other sole of the shoe.

The first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in Figure 2, is based on a particular bottom sole shell whose foot receiving portion mainly comprises a layer 11 of relatively rigid material, for example a plastic of a few millimeters d thickness and 60 shD, forming a thicker central rib 12 to fit into the groove 21 of the bottom shell defined by the inner shape of the sole of the shell 15. The sole further comprises zones 13 of deformable material , may be for example a polyurethane foam or any plastic between 25 and 60 shA, arranged on the lateral parts of the foot, more precisely at the anterior points of support 2, 3 of the foot mentioned above. This sole of the bottom of shell further comprises two lateral wings 14 in the continuity of the rigid layer 11, in the same rigid material, which go up to the level of the articulation between the shell 15 and the collar 16 of the shoe, and are attached to the shoe on the same hinge pin 17 passing through two openings 18 made towards the upper end of the flanges 14.

A possible form of the zone 13 'of deformable material is illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, according to a variant of the first embodiment of the invention. In these figures, this zone 13' has been represented for the sake of clarity. the description of the invention, but they should normally be hidden by the upper layer 11 which covers it. This form 13 'is similar to a butterfly whose center of wings corresponds substantially to the two natural support points 2, 3 of the skier's foot. In this variant embodiment, the bottom sole of the shell conforms to the shape of the shell bottom by a central rib 12, present outside the zones 13 'of deformable material, this rib being of rigid material of a shape corresponding to the groove 21 made in the sole of the shell 15. The lateral parts of the sole including those comprising the zone 13 'deformable material conform to the rounded side walls 22 of the shell.

The kinematics of this shoe is now explained with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 illustrates the straight position in which the skier's entire body is straight and exerts no particularly oriented pressure. This corresponds for example to a situation of descent in a straight line.

Figure 6 illustrates a new configuration of the shoe corresponding to a new position of the body of the skier following a flexion of the knees and pressure on the tibia, for the purpose of initiating a turn, for example. Following this flexion of the knees, the foot has a natural tendency to rotate and this position thus moves the weight of the skier laterally to the inside of the foot in this example. This induces a weight transmitted precisely on the first metatarsal 2 of the foot on the bottom sole of the shell as illustrated by the arrow F. This force causes a deformation of the deformable zone 13 of the bottom sole of the shell against the hull portion 22 at the location of this force F, allowing the pivoting of the foot. The latter thus performs a slight rotation around a central axis defined in particular by the rib 12. This deformation of the bottom plate of the shell leads for first effect a movement of the foot and a better location of the body effort precisely on the first metatarsal 2 of the foot that thus also participates by its movement in the shoe to the transmission of the effort to the ski, according to its natural mechanics. As an advantageous side effect, the deformable portion 13 reduces the hard point felt on the foot and improves the comfort of the shoe. Similarly, one would observe an equivalent phenomenon in case of rotation of the foot to the outside.

• elle transmet un effort initial d'un utilisateur du collier jusqu'à l'engin de glisse par transmission par les parties rigides de la chaussure, l'effort initial étant réalisé de manière traditionnelle par des flexions des genoux ;
• cette flexion des genoux induit un mouvement naturel du pied, rendu possible dans la chaussure par la zone déformable sous la semelle, mouvement qui va mieux localiser le poids de l'utilisateur en un point de la chaussure induisant un effet de guidage de l'engin de glisse par le pied ;
• suite à la déformation de la zone déformable, le positionnement de la semelle est modifié et induit un effort transmis aux ailes de la semelle, qui se répercute sur la coque de la chaussure et qui facilite la continuité de l'effort initial réalisé par l'utilisateur sur la chaussure mentionné ci-dessus.

Then, the pivoting of the bottom sole of the hull induces a traction on the inner flange 14 which echoes this effect at its connection with the upper of the boot, thus favoring back flexion of the skier's leg. Thus, the shoe allows the implementation of the following technical effects in chronological order:

• it transmits an initial effort from a user of the collar to the gliding device by transmission by the rigid parts of the shoe, the initial effort being made traditionally by flexing the knees;
• this flexion of the knees induces a natural movement of the foot, made possible in the shoe by the deformable zone under the sole, movement which will better locate the weight of the user at a point of the shoe inducing a guiding effect of the machine sliding by the foot;
• following the deformation of the deformable zone, the positioning of the sole is modified and induces a force transmitted to the wings of the sole, which is reflected on the shell of the shoe and facilitates the continuity of the initial effort made by the user on the shoe mentioned above.

• elle transmet les efforts musculaires exercés par le skieur, notamment au niveau de ses jambes lors des flexions des genoux, jusqu'au ski, grâce à la rigidité d'ensemble de la chaussure, notamment la présence du matériau rigide de la couche supérieure 11 de la semelle et le lien entre cette semelle et le reste de la chaussure par ses ailes 14 ;
• elle permet un guidage de la chaussure par le pied grâce au matériau déformable 13 judicieusement localisé sous le pied qui permet un léger mouvement du pied.

According to the invention, the mechanical structure of the foot therefore participates in the guidance of the gliding apparatus, in addition to the traditional transmission of the forces provided by the usual movements of the body, and thus amplifies the guiding effect of the skier on his ski. . In summary, the boot according to the invention makes it possible to obtain improved guidance of the ski because it fulfills the following two complementary technical functions:

• it transmits the muscular efforts exerted by the skier, particularly at the level of his legs during knee flexion, to the ski, thanks to the overall rigidity of the shoe, in particular the presence of the rigid material of the upper layer 11 of the sole and the link between this sole and the rest of the shoe by its wings 14;
• it allows a guidance of the shoe by the foot thanks to the deformable material 13 judiciously located under the foot which allows a slight movement of the foot.

According to other advantageous aspects of this embodiment, the bottom sole of the shell also comprises a layer 19 of deformable material at the heel whose function is only to ensure the comfort of the foot on this fulcrum 1 .

According to another advantageous optional feature, a strip 20 in a deformable material, for example a polyurethane of hardness less than 60 shD, extends over the entire width of the flanges 14 and divides them into two parts. Such a construction can be obtained by a bi-injection method. This band 20 provides a spring effect at the wings 14 between the two lower and upper parts of the wing, which thus participates in the transfer of forces on the rod by regulating the share of traction transmitted on the structure itself. This solution advantageously allows a personalization of the shoe according to the desired behavior.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate two embodiments of the previous embodiment of the invention in which the kinematics is the same, which differ mainly by the smaller height of the wings 14 and their attachment on lower parts of the hull 15 of the shoe. This connection between the wings and the shoe is an essential element of the invention. It allows a correlation between the phenomenon of guidance by the foot and the transmission of the efforts of the leg of the user.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention in which the two wings 14 are not symmetrical relative to the sole 11, the wing corresponding to the inside of the leg extending higher than the other. On the other hand, the connection between these wings 14 and the upper of the shoe differs from the previous embodiments in that the wings 14 are no longer directly attached to the rod. However, they fulfill their function of transmitting the forces between the sole and the upper of the shoe by their simple support against the wall of the shoe, the intensity of which varies according to the position of the skier.

FIG. 10 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, in which the bottom sole of the shell comprises two parts 33 extending under the rigid sole 31 from the lateral bearing zones of the foot 2, 3 and up to in contact with the ski, through the sole 21 of the hull 15. In this variant, the deformation of the bottom sole of the hull has a direct effect on the ski and allows direct transmission of the foot to the ski effort caused by the weight of the skier, without using the hull 15 as an intermediate. The wings 34 are similar to those of the previous embodiment.

The invention has been illustrated by a modification of the bottom shell sole of the ski boots but it could be applied according to the same concept via any other sole integrated in the shoe, removably or not. In addition, it could be implemented in an equivalent way by the positioning of a deformable material not belonging to the sole but placed between the rigid sole and the shell, possibly attached to the shell.

Finally, the solution is a combination of elements that achieve the desired result. The rigid material of the sole is necessary for the transmission of the forces exerted by the body of the skier and the maintenance of the foot in the shoe. This maintenance is improved by the wings of the sole, which also allow through their rise in the direction of the collar of the shoe a better transmission of the efforts of the lower leg to the foot and vice versa. Finally, the foot itself has a direct guiding effect on the gliding device due to its slight mobility in the shoe made possible by the deformable material.

The rigidities and properties of the different materials used may vary over a wide range, as has been illustrated above, without departing from the concept of the invention. As explained above, the rigid material may be a plastic material of hardness at least equal to 60 shD, or any other material of equivalent or greater hardness. The deformable material may be of different types, each of these types participating in the guidance of the ski in a particular way. For example, a deformable energy-absorbing material such as a polyurethane foam can be used. Such a choice will absorb some of the effort transmitted by the skier and will be better for beginners, for a guide to the ski, and for use in a straight line as the case of a downhill competition. The deformable material may also be an elastic material such as a rubber, allowing a portion of the transmitted energy to be restored. For use in competition in special slalom, a hyper elastic material could be used, to allow a dynamic restitution energy for a quick and precise change of direction. Any intermediate elastic material could be used. Finally, an elastic material of variable characteristics according to its conditions of use can be implemented. For example, a viscoelastic material may be absorbent in case of low speed and elastic loads for high speed stresses. Its use will therefore allow the shoe to behave differently depending on the behavior of the skier. The term "deformable" is therefore used in a very broad sense in this invention, incorporating in particular all the variants mentioned above. It also includes plastic materials of hardness less than 60 shD, which will have a deformable character compared to the harder rigid material composing the rest of the sole. The common point of all these materials is their possibility of deformation relative to the usual conventional shoes, inducing a primary technical effect consisting of a movement of the foot in the shoe leading to a guide of the ski. These materials will thus be chosen in a manner adapted to the desired use of the shoe, according to the wide choice mentioned above.

Similarly, the material used for the deformable strip 20 disposed on the flanges 14 of the sole may also vary over a wide range, similar to that described above for the deformable material 13 under the sole. The choices of these two deformable materials will advantageously be coordinated to obtain an optimal complementary combined effect between them. For example, a highly deformable material under the sole may be associated with a highly deformable material on the corresponding wing, to allow maximum pivoting of the sole.

Finally, according to another possibility of the invention, the sole may be asymmetrical. The wings can have different lengths, as this has been presented with reference to Figure 9. Optionally, only one wing can be provided. In addition, the deformable material used may be different in nature on each of the anterior points of support of the foot. Indeed, the support positioned inward, called the first metatarsal 2, is directly concerned when making a turn because it supports a significant pressure to retransmit to the ski. It can therefore be envisaged to use an elastic and relatively rigid deformable material under this support. Regarding the second external support 3, unintentional support at this point may lead to a fault of edge leading to a fall. A more absorbent deformable material could therefore be used on this external support. In fact, the concept of the invention therefore covers any combination of deformable materials among those defined above, including the extreme cases of implementation of a deformable material in one of the two front supports 2, 3 of the foot. The concept of the invention therefore makes it possible to implement a multitude of different behaviors of the shoe, and its adaptation quite fine to its desired use.

Claims (16)

Sports shoe for gliding apparatus comprising a shell (15) and a sole which comprises a layer of rigid material (11, 31), characterized in that the shoe comprises a zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material positioned between the rigid material (11, 31) of the sole and the shell (15), located in the region intended to receive the head of at least one of the first or fifth metatarsal (2, 3) of the foot, and in that the sole comprises at least one lateral wing (14). Sports shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid material has a hardness greater than or equal to 60 shD. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material is positioned under the layer of rigid material (11) of the sole and resting on the rounded lateral part. (22) of the shell (15). Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material is in a foam-type absorbent material. Sports shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material is in an elastic material, such as a rubber, a hyper-elastic material or any elastic material intermediate. Sports shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material is in a viscoelastic material. Sports shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the zone (13, 13 ', 33) of deformable material is in a plastic material of hardness less than 60 shD. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole comprises at least one wing (14) attached to the shell. Sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that at least one flange (14) of the sole is attached to the rest of the shoe by the axis (17) connecting the shell (15) with the collar (16). ). Sports shoe according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the sole comprises at least one flange (14) which rises in the direction of the collar, not fixed on the upper of the shoe. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one wing (14) is divided into two parts by a deformable strip (20) extending over its entire width. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the deformable material (33) extends to the underside (21) of the shell (15) so that it can come into direct contact with the machine. slips. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sole is the bottom sole of the shell. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zone of deformable material (13, 13 ', 33) belongs to the sole. Sports shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the zone of deformable material (13, 13 ', 33) is fixed on the shell (15). Bottom sole for a ski boot according to one of claims 13 to 15.

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