EP2580980B1 - Schuh mit verbessertem Schaft - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a shoe, especially sports, and more particularly relates to a shoe for skiing, athletic walking, or athletics.

This shoe can be used in areas such as cross-country skiing or telemark, walking or running flat or in the mountains, mountaineering or snow surfing, snowshoeing, rollerblading, wheeled board, cycling, a ball sport, or whatever.

The shoe may include a low or high upper. In each case it is generally desirable that the foot of a user is sufficiently maintained. Indeed, a good support of the foot in the stem allows a better use.

For example with a soft shoe, as used for the practice of cross-country skiing, sufficient support facilitates the transmission of sensory information or the unfolding of the foot. In this spirit a clamping device of the rod is intended to hold the foot of a user, especially at the instep.

Traditionally, a clamping device comprises, on the one hand, a link or lace and, on the other hand, links from the lace to the rod. These links are materialized by passers-by, associated with lateral or medial portions or quarters of the stem. The lace follows a path that leads alternately from one neighborhood to another. Thus just pull on the lace to bring neighborhoods and tighten the rod. Then, the locking of the lace maintains the tightening. It is known for this purpose to use a quick release mechanism, which has advantages such as ease or speed of implementation.

It is also desirable that the foot of the user is protected from possible risks of intrusion of foreign bodies, such as water or snow, in the shoe. For this it is known to use a cover flap, flap intended to partially obscure at least one boot opening at the clamping device. Thus the flap is able to cover the lace, the quick release mechanism, and areas of the stem quarters. This arrangement puts the user in good conditions of practice, because the foot is well held in the shoe and protected from intrusions. EP 2 052 636 A1 discloses the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Nevertheless, it appeared that, if the conditions of use are good, they could nevertheless be even better. Indeed, it sometimes happens that a user feels an embarrassment with regard to the mobility of the foot relative to the lower leg. For example in flexion, that is to say when the leg tilts in a direction of approaching the foot, freedom of movement is hindered by the flap. The latter, although it is very useful in addition, is an obstacle to certain relative movements of the foot relative to the leg, bending or for some rotations. In fact folds are formed at the flap, folds that stiffen the latter to alter its flexibility. In other words, the flap does not sufficiently marry the shape of the foot, and it follows that it is the flexibility of the stem in the broad sense which is altered. As a result, the freedom of movement of the foot is impaired.

In relation to this, the general object of the invention is the improvement of the upper of a shoe. More specifically, the invention seeks to reduce or eliminate the inconvenience caused by the flap of a shoe provided, moreover, a clamping device with quick release mechanism of a clamping link. In other words it is about improving the comfort of the shoe.

An additional object of the invention is to improve the implementation of the clamping device despite the presence of the flap.

To do this, the invention proposes a shoe comprising an outer sole and a upper, the shoe extending in length from a heel to a front end, in width between a lateral part and a medial part, and in height since the outer soleing to an upper end of the upper, the upper comprising a side quarter and a medial quarter, the boot comprising a first clamping device which itself comprises a link and a quick release mechanism, the boot comprising a flap cover.

The flap defines a storage space able to accommodate the quick release mechanism.

The boot according to the invention is characterized in that the flap has a first opening, the quick release mechanism taking place at the first opening of the flap when the tightening device tightens the link, and in that a panel is disposed at the first opening to close it by wrapping the locking mechanism. Thus the panel defines the storage volume of the locking mechanism.

The panel defines a storage pocket of the locking mechanism at the opening of the flap. Because it covers the mechanism, the pocket household storage volume protruding from the outside of the flap. It follows that the latter retains its natural shape when applied to the rest of the rod, facing the clamping device. It may be said by corollary that, unlike what occurs with a shoe according to the prior art, the locking mechanism does not create here a local deformation of the flap in a direction of outward projection. This is why on the shoe of the invention the flap is able to match the curvatures of the rod, at the clamping device and at the level of the quarters. In other words, the flap does not form or fold little when applied to the rest of the stem, at least when the leg is not flexed. It follows that the reversible deformations of the flap, which are manifested by folding, are mainly related to bending of the leg relative to the foot. Indeed, a bending can fold a portion of the flap. But this folded state is minimal, since before folding the curvatures of the flap are regular. We are not in a case where the folding subsequent to bending, or to another movement, is added to a starting deformation that would be due to a boss created by the locking mechanism, as in the prior art.

Thus an advantage that derives from the invention is greater freedom of movement of the foot relative to the leg. In particular, the bending movements are not hindered, or are not.

It will be seen later that the shoe according to the invention improves the implementation of the clamping device despite the presence of the flap.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, dans un cas où le rabat est plaqué sur le reste de la tige,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective avant de la chaussure de la figure 1, dans un cas où le rabat est écarté du reste de la tige,
• la figure 3 est une coupe partielle selon III-III de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention, dans un cas où le rabat est plaqué sur le reste de la tige.

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 case where the flap is plated on the rest of the rod,
• the figure 2 is a perspective view before the shoe of the figure 1 in a case where the flap is removed from the rest of the rod,
• the figure 3 is a partial section along III-III of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a front perspective view of a shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention, in a case where the flap is plated on the rest of the rod.

The first embodiment that will be described after more specifically relates to shoes for the practice of cross-country skiing, or telemark. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The first form is described below using the Figures 1 to 3 .

As shown in figure 1 a cross-country ski boot is 1 designed to accommodate the user's foot.

In known manner, the shoe 1 comprises an outer sole 2 and a rod 3. The shoe 1 extends in length from a rear end or heel 4 to a front end or tip 5, and in width between a side portion 6 and a medial part 7.

As shown in the rod 3 comprises a first portion or lower portion 10, provided to surround the foot, and a second portion or upper portion 11, provided to surround the ankle. However, it could be considered a rod comprising only the lower portion.

According to the first embodiment described, the shoe 1 extends in height from the outer sole 2 to an upper end 12, that is to say up to the free end of the upper portion 11 or the stem 3.

The shoe 1 is structured to allow a good flexion of the leg or a smooth running of the foot, as well as the transmission of sensory information or driving impulses. This is why the rod 3 is relatively flexible. The sole assembly can be relatively rigid or more flexible.

The boot 1, in fact the upper 3, comprises a lateral quarter 15 and a medial quarter 16. The quarters 15, 16 are intended to cover the foot and, as such, are respectively constituent elements of the lateral 6 and medial 7 .

Of course the quarters 15, 16 are secured to the sole by known techniques such as gluing, sewing, or any equivalent. The quarters 15, 16 are arranged so that the shoe 1 has a boot opening 17. As can be seen better on the figure 2 , the latter 17 extends from the upper end 12 towards the front end 5. From the the upper end 12 of the opening 17 has an upper subdivision 18 for passing the foot, and also to surround the ankle after donnage. At the instep, between the upper end 12 and the front end 5, the opening 17 has a lower subdivision 19 which allows a variation in size of the opening and the volume of footwear. Of course, the upper 18 and lower 19 subdivisions extend each other.

Note that the heel 4 corresponds of course to the rear end of the rod 3, but also by extension to the portion of the rod located immediately above the sole, and in line with the upper subdivision 18 of the opening 17. The heel 4 of the shoe envelops the heel of the user.

It is observed that the rod 3 comprises a tongue 20. The latter 20 is disposed between the lateral 15 and medial 16, at the level of the lower subdivision 19 of the opening 17, to give the rod 3 its continuity. However it could be planned not to use a tab. In this case the neighborhoods 15, 16 may remain separate or superimposed. Or a bellows can connect the neighborhoods to one another.

The shoe 1 further comprises a first clamping device 30, designed to reduce the opening reversibly. In other words, the clamping device 30 makes it possible to clamp the rod 3 in a reversible manner.

As is known to those skilled in the art, the first clamping device 30 comprises for example a first link 31, a second link 32, as well as links 33 links to the rod 3. Of course each link runs from one 15, 16 to the other at the level of the lower subdivision 19. This structure allows to exert a reversible clamping of the rod 3 to the instep, at the lower subdivision 19 of the opening 17. Thus it is possible to exert a tightening on the foot of the user. It should be noted in passing that the links may be distinct, or extend one another to form a single link. To maintain the tightening of the device 30, and therefore of the rod 3, the shoe 1 is provided with a quick release mechanism 34. The latter is not described in detail here, but it can already be specified, as will be seen better later, it 34 projects over the tongue 20 when the device 30 is tightened. It also specifies, in parallel, that the quick link locking mechanism also allows their quick release.

In addition, the boot 1 comprises a cover flap 35 designed to improve the tightness of the boot. The flap 35 reversibly covers the clamping device 30. In a more precise and nonlimiting manner, according to the first embodiment, the flap 35 extends from one quarter 15, 16 to the other in the transverse direction. The flap 35 also extends at the level of the lower portion 10 and the upper portion 11. Ultimately, the flap 35 covers at least the front surfaces of the lower portions 10 and 11 high. This avoids, or at least reduced so significant, the intrusion of foreign bodies into the stem 3.

According to the invention, as understood by means of Figures 1 to 3 , the flap 35 delimits a storage volume 40 able to accommodate the quick release mechanism 34. In a limiting manner, the flap 35 has a first opening 41, the quick-locking mechanism 34 taking place at the level of the first opening 41 of the flap when it is pressed against the rest of the rod and when the clamping device 30 tightens the link. 31, 32, and a panel 42 is disposed at the first opening 41 to close the latter by wrapping the locking mechanism 34.

The panel 42 bypasses the protrusion formed by the locking mechanism 34, as seen before, so that the flap 35 can cover homogeneously the clamping device 30 and subdivisions of the lateral 15 and medial quarters 16. In fact the panel 42 here defines the storage volume 40 for the locking mechanism. It follows that, when applied to the quarters 15, 16, the flap 35 has regular curves. In other words, the flap 35 does not form folds. This is why it does not object, or only very little, deformations of the rod 3 related to driving. This is for example deformities related to the flexion of the leg to the foot. In fact the rod 3 retains all or most of the flexibility that is conferred on the manufacture. It follows that the user is not embarrassed while driving.

According to the first described embodiment of the invention, the first clamping device 30 extends at the level of the lower portion 10 of the rod 3. This allows a reversible clamping of the rod 3 between the front end 5 and the junction 45 of the low 10 and high portions 11. This junction is a curved subdivision of the rod, and is located opposite the instep and bending fold. The tightening of the lower portion 10 promotes a support of the foot bearing towards the outer sole 2, for greater driving precision.

Without limitation, the first opening 41 of the flap 35 is located at the junction 45 of the lower portion 10 and the upper portion 11 of the rod 3. Because it takes place at the first opening 41, the mechanism releasable locking 34 is found at the junction of the low portions 10 and 11 high during the tightening of the first clamping device 30. In fact the locking mechanism 34 takes place in the opening 41, facing the instep and / or bending fold. This also means that the locking mechanism 34 is the most retracted element, from the front end 5, of the clamping device 30. This retracted position, near the leg of the user, facilitates the manipulation of the mechanism . It is further observed that the flap 35 can remain pressed against the lateral 15 and medial 16, when the clamping device 30 tightens the lower portion 10. This is why the flap 35 retains its natural shape, which is that of the rod 3 and as a result, the latter retains its natural flexibility. It can be said that the presence of the locking mechanism 34 does not disturb the establishment of the flap 35, thanks to the first opening 41.

Still according to the first embodiment described, the flap 35 is flexible, to be applied to the quarters 15, 16 and, also, to be spaced and give greater access to the boot opening 17. The flap 35 is inextensible, so as to promote a repeatability of implementation. However, it could alternatively be provided that the flap is extensible.

By the shape that is conferred on it, the flap 35 is able to extend facing the lower portion 10 and facing the upper portion 11. In fact the flap extends opposite the lower subdivision 19 of the opening of donnage 17, and at least partly facing lateral 15 and medial 16. This preserves the rod 3 of intrusions of foreign bodies, such as water or snow.

Without limitation, the flap 35 has several subdivisions 46, 47 of thickness and / or different flexibility. This last characteristic, the flexibility, is the bending ability. It is for example provided that the flap 35 comprises a relatively thick lateral subdivision 46, or with a limited flexibility, as well as a relatively thin medial subdivision 47, in this case more flexible than the lateral subdivision 46. It will be better seen by Subsequently, the differences in flexibility at the subdivisions 46, 47 increase the ability of the flap 35 to conform to the shape of the wedges 15, 16, or the shape of the lower subdivision 19 of the boot opening 17.

Here the flap 35 has a second opening 48, which is longitudinal. This opening allows a transverse clearance of the flap 35, to facilitate access to the first clamping device 30, and also to facilitate a boot or a heaving.

Without limitation, the second opening 48 of the flap 35 is disposed at the medial portion 7 of the rod 3. This allows manual application of the flap 35, on the quarters 15, 16, using a hand located on the opposite side of the foot. For example, the flap 35 of a left shoe is applied by simply pulling the right hand. Thus the medial location of the second opening 48 makes it easy to place the flap. Of course, other arrangements of the opening 48 may be provided. For example, the opening 48 may be oriented to form an angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

To further facilitate the implementation, and without limitation, the invention has provided that the panel 42 associated with the first opening 41 is reversibly extensible. This panel is for example made from fabric which comprises reversibly extensible threads, or made with an elastic layer such as rubber, or the like. It follows that the panel 42 takes the form of the locking mechanism 34 as close as the flap 35 is applied to the quarters 15, 16, and that the first device 30 tightens the lower portion 10. Indeed, these conditions place the mechanism 34 in the first opening 41. It could differently be provided an embodiment where the panel 42 associated with the first opening 41 is inextensible. In this case it is rather in the form of a housing projecting on the flap 35, at the first opening 41. The housing closes the opening 41 at the same time that it houses the locking mechanism 34, always in the spirit of leaving the flap 35 the possibility of marrying the natural shape of the rod 3. In other words the housing defines the storage volume.

In return for the first embodiment, the invention provides that the panel 42 closes the first opening 41 permanently. This optimizes the tightness of the flap 35, completely opposing the penetration of foreign bodies into the rod. It's about in particular to protect the boot opening 17, and also to preserve the locking mechanism 34.

In a nonlimiting manner, the panel 42 is secured, for example by one or more seams 49, to the entire periphery 50 of the first opening 41. This makes it easy to set up quickly. However, alternatively, it could have been provided with other means of securing, such as a collage, a nesting, or other.

It is observed in addition that the shoe 1 comprises a second clamping device 55 located at the upper portion 11 of the rod 3. Its role is to complete the tightening of the rod 3, knowing that the first device 30 already tightens the portion bass 10. In the end it is the entirety of the rod 3 which can be reversibly clamped. An advantage associated with the two devices 30, 55 is the possibility of tightening, or loosening, the two portions independently of one another. For example, it is possible to loosen only the upper portion, to relieve the lower leg, while maintaining a foot.

Without limitation, the second clamping device 55 comprises a strap 56, which can be tensioned with more or less force. The holding in position of the strap is carried out for example using a lever 57. This gives the second clamping device 55 a simple structure, easy to use.

According to the first embodiment always, the second portion 11 or upper portion of the rod 3 comprises a collar 58 secured to the rest of the rod 3 by a hinge 59. This is achieved by any means known to those skilled in the art along a transverse axis 60 of the shoe. This arrangement allows transverse support of the lower leg relative to the foot. As a result the transverse supports, related to the driving of a ski, are more precise.

The second embodiment is presented below using the figure 4 . For the sake of convenience, the elements common with the first form are designated by the same references. Thus only the differences are highlighted.

Thus, for the second form, there is a shoe 1. This comprises in particular an outer sole 2 and a shank 3, with a lower portion 10 and an upper portion 11. The shoe further comprises a flap 35, which presents a first opening 41 for a locking mechanism 34.

What is specific to the second embodiment is that the opening can be closed or opened independently of the position of the flap 35. For this purpose, the shoe 1 comprises a panel 62 which closes the first opening 41 intermittent. This panel 62 is for example made of a flexible piece made using cloth, leather, or any equivalent material. The panel 62 is secured to the flap 35 in the manner of a door, which allows opening or closing the opening 41. The shoe 1 comprises a removable closure means 63, made for example with two subdivisions of fabric, one of which is covered with loops and the other with hooks. One of the subdivisions is secured to the flap 35, while the other is secured to the panel 62. This embodiment allows, if necessary direct access to the locking mechanism 34, without spacing of the flap 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.

In particular, the first opening 41 can be located elsewhere than at the junction of the low 10 and high 11 portions.

Claims (15)

1. Boot (1) comprising an outer sole assembly (2) and an upper (3), the boot (1) extending lengthwise from a heel (4) to a tip (5), widthwise between a lateral portion (6) and a medial portion (7), and heightwise from the outer sole assembly (2) to an upper end (12) of the upper (3), the upper (3) comprising a lateral quarter (15) and a medial quarter (16), the boot (1) comprising a first tightening device (30) comprising a linkage (31, 32) and a quick-locking mechanism (34), the boot (1) comprising a cover flap (35) demarcating a storage space (40) adapted to receive the quick-locking mechanism (34),
   characterized in that the flap (35) has a first opening (41), the quick-locking mechanism (34) being positioned in the area of the first opening (41) of the flap (35) when the tightening device (30) tightens the linkage (31, 32), and in that a panel (42, 62) is arranged in the area of the first opening (41) for closing the first opening by enveloping the locking mechanism (34).
2. Boot (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper (3) includes a lower portion (10) and a top portion (11), and in that the first tightening device (30) extends in the area of the lower portion (10) of the upper (3).
3. Boot (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first opening (41) of the flap (35) is located at the junction (45) of the lower portion (10) and the top portion (11) of the upper (3).
4. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the flap (35) is inextensible.
5. Boot (1) according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the flap (35) is adapted to extend opposite the lower portion (10) and opposite the top portion (11) of the upper (3).
6. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the flap (35) has a plurality of subdivisions (46, 47) of different thickness and/or flexibility.
7. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the flap (35) has a second, longitudinal opening (48).
8. Boot (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the second opening (48) is arranged in the area of the medial portion (7).
9. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the panel (42, 62) associated with the first opening (41) is reversibly extensible.
10. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the panel (42, 62) associated with the first opening (41) is inextensible.
11. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the panel (42) closes the first opening (41) permanently.
12. Boot (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the panel (62) closes the first opening (41) intermittently.
13. Boot (1) according to one of claims 2 to 12, characterized in that it comprises a second tightening device (55) located in the area of the top portion (11) of the upper (3).
14. Boot (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that the second tightening device (55) comprises a strap (56).
15. Boot (1) according to one of claims 2 to 14, characterized in that the second portion (11) of the upper (3) comprises a collar (58) affixed to the remainder of the upper (3) by an articulation (59).

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