EP2481314B1 - Footwear in which the upper includes a top portion - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to sports shoes or walking, for each of which the stem comprises an envelope for covering the foot and ankle. Such, especially known DE8711106U , shoes can be used in areas such as snowboarding or snowboarding, snowshoeing, snow skiing, running on flat or hilly terrain, some ball sports.

For the intended uses, each shoe must have particular flexibility. This is to allow a smooth running of the foot and / or inclinations of the lower leg relative to the foot. This is the case, for example, in snowboarding.

In this area, a user alternates walking periods and driving periods of the board. This is true in usual practice areas, such as mountainous areas. But this is even more true in the city, which is becoming more and more a space for the practice of a snow sport such as snowboarding. Just a bit of snow in a sloping area, which can be in a park, on a street ...

The urban practice of snowboarding leads the user to drive his board downhill over relatively short distances, and walk again to go up. Walking is necessary because the city is not equipped with mechanical means to go up. Therefore it is useful, even necessary, that a shoe is adapted to the conduct of the board and walking. This especially as a practice session has several round trips, that is to say several runs and lifts.

The soft shoes usually used for snowboarding include an outer sole and a rod. This comprises a first envelope which itself comprises a lower portion and an upper portion. The latter is necessary for a cooperation between the lower leg of the user and a rear support element of a shoe retainer on the board. As a result the shoe alternately allows walking and a precise and comfortable driving of the board.

It is observed nevertheless that walking, although it is possible, is still hampered by the upper portion of the stem. This means that walking is not as easy as it would be with a shoe with only a low portion. But the upper portion is indispensable. This is why the user is tired more than reason during the ski lifts. Even by loosening the rod, at least in the upper portion, walking is hampered. It follows that the phases of walking, especially those taking place uphill, are tiring.

In relation to this, the general object of the invention is to improve a shoe intended for the practices mentioned before, in the case where the rod comprises a lower portion and a high portion.

More specifically, for example in the case of snowboarding, an object of the invention is to make the shoe easier to walk. However, it is also necessary that the shoe retains the characteristics necessary for a precise and / or comfortable driving of the board.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to reconcile, on the same shoe, optimal skills for walking and driving. In other words it is to bring the user to be comfortable in the two antinomic situations that are the walking and driving of the sports machine.

To do this, the invention provides a flexible shoe which comprises an outer sole and a rod, the rod comprising a first envelope which itself comprises a lower portion and a high portion, the envelope extending in length from one end rear to a front end, in width between a lateral side and a medial side, and in height from the sole to an upper end, which has an upper opening, the casing comprising a lateral quarter and a medial quarter. The lateral and medial areas delimit a rear opening in the upper portion, the rear opening communicating with the upper opening. The lateral and medial districts delimit a front opening in the upper portion, the front opening communicating with the upper opening.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a flexible collar constituting a reversible closure means common to both rear and front openings.

With this structure the user can optionally open or close the rear opening. This means that it can enlarge the upper opening towards the rear, that is to say extend its limit towards the rear, or on the contrary maintain it in its natural state, which corresponds to the footprint of the bottom of the user's leg.

When the rear opening is open, the user can easily tilt the lower leg backwards. This configuration makes walking easier. Conversely, when the rear opening is closed, the lower leg of the user is maintained, at least at the rear of the rod. This configuration is more suitable for holding the lower leg, because it opposes its tilt back. Therefore, in the case of snowboarding, driving the board is facilitated.

It can thus be seen that the reversible closing means of the rear opening allows the choice to give the lower leg freedom of movement back or, conversely, to oppose a backward inclination.

This advantageously results in greater versatility of the shoe, which corresponds to an improvement of the shoes according to the prior art. Indeed, the shoe of the invention facilitates walking, when the rear opening is open, but allows a precise and / or comfortable conduct of a board, when the rear opening is closed. The shoe of the invention combines walking and driving skills.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure, selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, dans une configuration propice à la conduite d'un engin de sport,
• la figure 2 est similaire à la figure 1, dans une configuration propice à la marche,
• la figure 3 est une vue en perspective arrière de la chaussure de la figure 2,
• la figure 4 est une vue de côté de la chaussure de la figure 1,
• la figure 5 est une vue de côté de la chaussure de la figure 2 ou 3,
• la figure 6 est une vue en perspective arrière d'un élément de la chaussure, lorsque celle-ci est configurée pour la conduite d'un engin de sport,
• la figure 7 est similaire à la figure 6, lorsque la chaussure est configurée pour la marche,
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure, non selon l'invention, dans une configuration propice à la conduite d'un engin de sport,
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective arrière de la chaussure de la figure 8, dans une configuration propice à la marche.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to non-limiting embodiments, how the invention may be implemented, and in which :

• the figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe, according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a configuration conducive to the driving of a sports machine,
• the figure 2 is similar to the figure 1 , in a configuration that is suitable for walking,
• the figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the shoe from the figure 2 ,
• the figure 4 is a side view of the shoe of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 5 is a side view of the shoe of the figure 2 or 3 ,
• the figure 6 is a rear perspective view of an element of the shoe, when the latter is configured for driving a sports machine,
• the figure 7 is similar to the figure 6 when the shoe is configured for walking,
• the figure 8 is a front perspective view of a shoe, not according to the invention, in a configuration suitable for driving a sports machine,
• the figure 9 is a rear perspective view of the shoe from the figure 8 , in a setting conducive to walking.

The embodiments described below concern, for example, snowboard boots. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The first form is discussed below with the help of Figures 1 to 7 .

As shown in figure 1 , a snowboard boot 1 is provided to accommodate the foot of the user. In known manner the shoe 1 is a footwear element which comprises an outer sole 2 and a rod 3 secured to the sole. The shoe extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, between a rear end or heel 4 and a front end or tip 5, and in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

As shown in the rod 3 comprises a lower portion 10, provided to cover the foot, and a high portion 11, provided to surround the ankle and the lower leg.

According to the first embodiment described, the rod 3 has a top 12 at the lower portion 10, and an upper end 13 or free end at the upper portion 11. Thus the shoe extends in height since the soleing external 2 to the top 12 on the side of the tip 5, and from the outer sole 2 to the upper end 13 of the side of the heel 4.

It is observed that the upper end 13 defines an upper opening 14, intended to accommodate the lower leg of the user.

The boot 1 is structured to allow inclinations of the lower leg during the driving of a board, a good unwinding of the foot during walking, transmissions of sensory information, and pulse transmissions for support or receptions. This is why the outer sole 2 and the rod 3 are relatively flexible.

In a nonlimiting manner, the rod 3 comprises a first casing 15, which constitutes the outer part of the rod 3. The first casing 15 thus delimits the heel 4, the tip 5, as well as the lateral 6 and medial sides 7 of the rod 3 In addition, the rod 3 comprises a second casing 16, housed in the first casing. The second envelope 16 is for example a comfort slipper, removable or permanently mounted in the first envelope 15. It is however specified that the shoe 1 may be devoid of slipper, especially when the user seeks a more precise or sportier driving. In this case the rod 3 consists of the first single shell 15. This may nevertheless include an inner lining, intended to provide a minimum of comfort.

The first envelope 15 comprises a lateral portion 21, connected to the outer sole 2 at the lateral side 6, and a medial portion 22 connected to the outer sole 2 at the medial side 7.

In a non-limiting way, as we consider it on Figures 1 to 5 the lateral quarter 21 extends then the outer sole 2 up to the top 12 of the rod 3 at the lower portion 10, and up to the upper opening 14 at the high portion 11. In the same spirit, the medial quarter 22 extends from the outer sole 2 to the top 12 of the rod 3 at the lower portion 10, and up to the upper opening 14 at the upper portion 11.

The footwear element or shoe 1 further comprises a reversible clamping device 25 of the lateral 21 and medial 22, which device will be described in more detail later.

According to the invention, as understood by means of Figures 1 to 5 , the lateral 21 and medial 22 neighborhoods delimit a rear opening 31 in the upper portion 11, the rear opening 31 communicating with the upper opening 14, and the shoe 1 comprises a reversible closure means 32, partial or total, of the rear opening 31.

This is to give the user the possibility to open or to leave closed the rear opening 31. Consequently the upper opening 14 can be enlarged or not to the rear, depending on whether the rear opening 31 is open or not. When the rear opening is open, the user can easily tilt the lower leg backwards, making walking easier. Conversely, when the rear opening is closed, the lower leg is better held, which facilitates cooperation with a retaining device provided with a rear support element. Consequently the driving of the board is facilitated. Finally the shoe 1 of the invention is more versatile, in the sense that it can be configured at the rear in two different modes of use.

According to the first embodiment described, the lateral 21 and medial 22 neighborhoods delimit a front opening 35 communicating with the upper opening 14, and the shoe 1 comprises a reversible closure means 32, partial or total, of the front opening 35. It's actually about getting front-end benefits comparable to those achieved at the rear by the rear opening. Here the user can open or close the front opening 35. As a result the upper opening 14 can be enlarged or not forward, depending on whether the front opening 35 is open or not. When the front opening 35 is open, the user can easily tilt the lower leg forward, which again makes walking easier. Conversely, when the front opening 35 is closed, the lower leg is better held between the quarters 21, 22. As a result the transmission of driving pulses and sensory information is more accurate. This improves driving accuracy. Finally the shoe 1 of the invention is also more versatile, similar to the effects obtained by the rear opening 31, because it can be configured in the front according to two different modes of use.

The shoe 1 comprises a flexible collar 32 which constitutes a reversible closure means of the rear openings 31 and 35 before the invention. The collar 32 is a unique means, common to the two rear openings 31 and 35 before. This simplifies the manipulations necessary to open or close the openings. This also simplifies the structure of the shoe 1, as will be understood, because the use of a single collar corresponds to a reduced number of parts necessary for the constitution of the closure means openings.

When closed, as is the case for example on the figure 1 , the collar 32 extends along the upper portion 11 of the first casing 15. This means that it goes round the upper portion 11, parallel to the outer sole 2. It 32 is in fact located on the periphery of the first envelope 15, at the level of the upper portion 11, which it can reversibly clamp. Because it passes at the height of the rear openings 31 and 35, the collar 32 at least partially closes, at the same time it squeezes the lateral 21 and medial 22 in the upper portion 11. In addition, so not mandatory, the shoe 1 comprises a tongue 36 intended to close the opening before 35. This is why the collar 32 finally tightens the quarters 21, 22 and the tongue 36. This makes the uniformity of the bottom of the leg and, subsequently, driving a board is more accurate.

In order to optimize the resistance of the lower leg, and thus the tightening, it is expected that the collar 32 has a flexible and inextensible structure. For example, the collar 32 is made of one or more layers, of which at least one is of fabric, leather, or any equivalent material.

To allow the opening and closing of the rear openings 31 and 35, the collar 32 comprises a reversible clamping means. This can be implemented by the user, according to his needs.

For example, as we understand it with all Figures 1 to 5 , the reversible clamping means of the collar 32 is made by cooperating its two free ends 38, 39, one 38 of them having a loop 40, the other 39 having a first subdivision 41 covered with loops or first hook-and-loop means , and a second subdivision 42 covered with hooks or second hook-and-loop means, and being adapted to be introduced into the guide 40 and then folded in such a way that the first 41 and second 42 subdivisions are stably held to each other but reversible, by cooperation of the first and second self-gripping means, that is to say loops and hooks, these constituting complementary self-gripping means Velcro® type or equivalent. To obtain the desired level of tightening of the collar 32, the user pulls on the end 39, the one provided with loops and hooks, after having introduced it into the loop 40. Then the hooking of the hooks in the loops, obtained by the fold, causes the maintenance of the tightening level. In other words, the collar 32 remains tight.

To facilitate its use, the shoe 1 comprises a means of permanent connection of the collar 32 to the first casing 15, and to the rod 3 accordingly. So when he is loosened, and that the openings 31, 35 are disengaged, the collar 32 can not be lost. It is permanently secured to the rod 3, that is to say here of the first casing 15.

Without limitation, still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the permanent connection means, from the collar 32 to the first casing 15, is a leg 45 which extends at the rear end 4 from the upper portion 11 to the outer sole 2. The leg maintains the collar 32 away from the outer sole 2, in the region of the upper portion 11. This allows a rapid implementation of the collar, which is always close to the rear opening 31 when open.

The leg 45 comprises a flexible plate 46 and inextensible, represented alone on the Figures 6 and 7 . The plate is made from a rigid material. The plate 46 is constituted for example by a piece of plastic material, which extends vertically in length from a base 47 to an apex 48, transversely in width from a first edge 49 to a second edge 50, and in thickness between a rear face 51 and a front face 52. It is observed that the base 47 is narrow relative to the top 48. Also, the rear face 51 is convex and, corollary, the front face 52 is concave. It can be said that the plate 46 has a natural curved shape, that of the figure 6 , whose concave portion 52 is turned towards the front end 5. This allows the plate 46 to match the curvature of the heel and / or the lower leg of the user. To integrate better with the rod 3, the plate 46 is housed inside the leg 45. For example, the leg 45 has layers of fabric, leather, or any equivalent material, between which is located the plate 46.

It is now very simple to explain the use of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment, with the aid of the set of Figures 1 to 7 .

When the collar 32 is closed and that it surrounds the upper portion 11, as on the figures 1 and 4 the foot and lower leg 55 of the user are held in the rod 3. In this case the plate 46 is in its natural position, that is to say straight, as seen in FIG. figure 6 . What is characteristic in this position is that the rear face 51 is convex from the base 47 to the top 48. And of course the front face 52 is concave from the base 47 to the top 48. The curved shape of the plate 46 increases the rear bending resistance of the rod 3, in line with the heel 4. Thus the transmission of driving pulses and sensory information is more accurate.

When the collar 32 is open and it is away from the upper portion 11, as on the figures 2 , 3 and 5 , the lower leg 55 can be tilted backwards, through the rear opening 31. In order to better clear the latter 31, the leg 45 is folded back. The collar 32 is thus shifted backwards.

During the tilting back of the leg 55, the plate 46 is folded as on the figure 7 . In this case, the rear face 51 remains convex at the level of the base 47, but becomes concave at the level of the vertex 48. By corollary, the front face 52 remains concave at the level of the base 47, but becomes convex at the level of the vertex 48. folded position of the plate 46 is stable due to inversions of the curvatures of the faces 51, 52 between the base 47 and the top 48. As a result, the leg 45 assumes a stable position, folded backwards, according to the figures 2 , 3 and 5 . It follows that the rear opening 31 is open and very clear. This facilitates walking, including the possibility of tilting the lower leg back.

Because the collar 32 also opens the front opening 35 by releasing it completely, at the level of the upper portion 11, the user can tilt the lower leg forward. It also helps to make walking easier.

By observing Figures 6 and 7 it can be seen that, in a nonlimiting manner, the plate 46 has a transverse narrowing 56 between the base 47 and the top 48. The narrowing defines a preferred bending zone of the plate 46.

As a result it is possible to define how high, between the sole 2 and the upper end 13, the leg 45 must bend. It is provided for example that the folding of the plate 46 is at the limit, in the direction of the height, between the lower portion 10 and the upper portion 11.

It has been seen that the collar 32 tightens the upper portion 11 in a reversible manner. In addition, as we see on the figures 1 and 2 the clamping device 25 clamps the lower portion 10 reversibly.

To do this, the clamping device 25 comprises for example loops 61, 62, 63, 64, 65 and a lace 66. According to the first embodiment, there are provided four medial loops 61, 62, 63, 64 arranged on the medial area 22 in front of the upper portion 11, and a medial passer by meanwhile at the limit of the low portions 10 and 11 high on the medial area. It is also provided four side passers formed on the side portion 21 in front of the upper portion 11, and a side passer formed at the limit of the lower portions 10 and 11 high on the side area. It should be understood that the side loops, although not visible in the figures, are vis-à-vis transversely passers-pass 61 to 65. Thus, the tensioning of the lace 66 tightens the lateral 21 and medial 22 in the portion 10. It will be noted that the front opening 35 extends from the upper opening 14 towards the front end 5, running through a substantial part of the lower portion 10. This is why the front opening 35 extends until under the lace 66, next to the passers 61 to 65. It is all easier to put on or off, when the lace 66 is relaxed and the collar 32 is open.

It is here provided that maintaining the tightening of the lace 66 is obtained by a knot, but it could alternatively be provided to use any reversible blocking means known to those skilled in the art.

The embodiment of the Figures 8 and 9 is not according to the invention. For the sake of convenience, the elements common with the first form are designated by the same references.

There is therefore a shoe 1, with a sole 2, a rod 3, a lower portion 10, an upper portion 11, a lateral portion 21, a medial portion 22, or a clamping device 25.

What is specific to the second embodiment, with respect to the first, is that it comprises a flap 72 which constitutes a reversible closure means of the rear opening 31. The flap 72 extends vertically from a base 73 to a top 74, and transversely between a lateral edge 75 and a medial edge 76. It is for example the lateral edge 75 which connects the flap 72 to the upper portion 11, at the lateral side 6, to the distance from the rear opening 31.

In order to be able to open or close the rear opening 31, the boot 1 comprises a reversible clamping means of the flap 72 on the first envelope 15. In a nonlimiting manner, this means comprises a perforated tongue 77 associated with the flap 72, and a set 78 comprising a loop and a finger, which assembly is secured to the medial area 22, at the upper portion 11. By cooperating the tongue 77 and the assembly 78, it is possible to reversibly maintain the flap 72 in front of the rear opening 31.

In addition, it is observed that here the reversible closing means of the front opening 35 is constituted by a clamping device 80. This comprises a lace 81 which runs along the front opening 35, both in the lower portion 10 and in the upper portion 11. For this the device 80 comprises lateral and medial loops 82 disposed on the lateral 21 and medial 22 along the front opening 35.

In all cases the invention is made from materials and according to processing techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims (11)

1. Flexible sports shoe (1) which comprises an external sole (2) and an upper (3), the upper (3) comprising a first casing (15) which itself comprises a lower portion (10) and an upper portion (11), the casing (15) extending lengthways from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), widthways between a lateral side (6) and a central side (7), and upwards from the sole (2) as far as an upper end (13), which upper end (13) has an upper opening (14), the casing (15) comprising a lateral region (21) and a central region (22),
   the lateral region (21) and central region (22) delimiting a rear opening (31) in the upper portion (11), the rear opening (31) communicating with the upper opening (14),
   the lateral region (21) and central region (22) delimiting a front opening (35) in the upper portion (11), the front opening (35) communicating with the upper opening (14),
   characterized in that it comprises a flexible collar (32) which constitutes a reversible closure means common to both the rear opening (31) and front opening (35) .
2. Flexible shoe (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the collar (32) has an inextensible structure.
3. Shoe (1) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (32) extends along the upper portion (11) of the first casing (15).
4. Shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collar (32) comprises a reversible clamping means.
5. Shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reversible clamping means of the collar (32) is produced by making the two free ends (38, 39) thereof cooperate, one of them having a loop (40), the other having a first subdivision (41) which is covered with first hook and loop means, and a second subdivision (42) which is covered with second hook and loop means, and being provided to be introduced into the loop (40) then folded so that the first subdivision (41) and second subdivision (42) are held one on the other in a stable but reversible manner by means of cooperation of the first and second hook and loop means.
6. Shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means (45) for permanently connecting the collar (32) to the first casing (15).
7. Shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the permanent connection means (45) is a leg which extends in the region of the rear end (4) from the upper portion (11) to the external sole (2).
8. Shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the leg (45) comprises a flexible and inextensible plate (46) which is made from a rigid material.
9. Shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the plate (46) has a natural inwardly curved shape of which the concave portion (52) is turned towards the front end (5).
10. Shoe according to Claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the folding of the plate (46) is carried out at the boundary, in the height direction, between the lower portion (10) and the upper portion (11).
11. Shoe (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper (3) comprises a second casing (16) which is received in the first casing (15).

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