EP2752124A1 - Sports shoe with adjustable bending - Google Patents

Abstract

The base plate (200) has amid-sized openings (202,203,210,211) that are provided to fix as a fitting element in predetermined manner. The flexibility is presented according to a direction of extension of the foot and mid-sized openings to fix the direction of extension of the foot against the front portion, and the main portion in a removable way with a fixing element (25) to the machine.

Description

The invention relates in particular to a shoe, or, more generally, to a footwear element, intended to be reversibly retained to a sports machine, and more particularly to the field of snow sports.

Such elements, including shoes, can be used in areas such as cross-country skiing or telemark, or snowshoeing, or wheeled vehicles.

A shoe of this family comprises an outer sole, a rod and an attachment element, the latter being provided to cooperate with a locking mechanism itself intended to be subject to the machine. The hooking element and the locking mechanism are a hooking means which, very often, is provided to hold the boot on the machine in a reversible manner.

For example, in the field of cross-country skiing, it is usual for each locking mechanism to either hold a shoe or release it. This allows the choice to drive the skis or walk.

We have shown in figure 1 a known set which comprises a shoe 1, a ski 2 and a retaining device 3 of the boot on the ski.

The retaining device 3 comprises a base 4, which carries a reversible locking mechanism 5, an elastic return mechanism 6, and a longitudinal guide edge 7. It is for example possible to secure the locking mechanism 5, the locking mechanism. return 6 and the guide edge 7 to the base 4, so that the retaining device 3 is consistent.

As regards the shoe 1, it comprises an outer sole 12 and a rod 13.

The boot 1 further comprises a fastening element 25, the latter being provided to cooperate with the retaining device 3 itself intended to be secured to the ski 2. The fastening element 25 cooperates with the locking mechanism 5 and with the elastic return mechanism 6.

The sole assembly 12, shown in more detail in a bottom view in figure 2 , also extends in height, or in thickness, between a free face 18 and a connecting face 19. The free face 18 is intended to make contact with the ground, the retaining device 3, or the ski 2.

The connecting face 19, in turn, serves to secure the sole 12 to the rest of the shoe, for example by gluing.

The hooking element 25 is connected to the outer sole 12 so that it can optionally be secured to the latter or be separated from it.

As explained in the document FR 2968898 it is possible, at will, to disassemble and reassemble the attachment element 25, for example to replace or to change its position relative to the sole assembly 12.

A first problem is that of the longitudinal flexibility of the shoe along a transverse axis thereof. This flexibility is imposed by the manufacture of the shoe and a user can not adjust it according to his needs.

Furthermore, a second problem of this type of shoe, and, in general, known shoes, is the impossibility of adapting them to different types of equipment. In particular, there are in the field of cross-country skiing two large families, the type family NNN® ("New Nordic Norm") and the family type SNS® ("Salomon Nordic System"). A boot equipped with means of connection to skis of one of the two types above can not be used for the other type, imposing on the user the possession of two pairs of shoes if he wants to freely use both types of skis. The same problem arises with other types of gear or ski interfaces.

In the present application, a flexion base is described for a footwear element, for example a shoe or a liner, said element being provided for the exercise of a physical activity by means of a machine that slides or rolls, example of skis or snowshoes, comprising means for fixing said footwear element, for example the upper of a boot, removably with respect to this base or blade, which has flexibility in a direction of extension of the foot and means for fixing, against this base or blade, also removably, at least one attachment element to said machine.

The base may be flat, or substantially flat, or further comprise two side walls, substantially vertical, and possibly a buttress portion, to maintain the rear portion of a footwear element.

In a non-limiting way the buttress is an external subdivision of the shoe.

Alternatively, the base may further comprise a shell for covering at least the lower part of said footwear element, for example the upper of the shoe or a bootie.

Preferably, the base comprises means for fixing, by screwing or with the aid of slides or by clipping or by any other means, at least the attachment element to said machine.

Removable means may also be provided to vary the flexibility of the base, for example one or more inserts / or one or more rods and / or one or more plates or blades to be inserted in said blade or cons, or to near, this one.

This is not only a fastening element that can be fixed, removably, against the base, or against at least a front portion thereof, but possibly also a heel, the base comprising therefore means for securing the heel removably.

The invention also relates to a footwear element, for example a shoe, provided for the exercise of a physical activity using a sliding or rolling machine, for example skis or snowshoes, in which the heel of the shoe is free during movement of the foot, this footwear having a flexion blade of the type described above.

For example, the footwear element is a shoe and comprises a sole and a rod.

The invention also relates to a footwear element, for example a shoe, provided for the exercise of a physical activity using a sliding or rolling machine, for example skis or snowshoes, activity in which the heel of the footwear element is free during movement of the foot, the front end of the footwear being connected to the machine by a fastening element,
characterized in that it further comprises a bending blade, of the type described above, the hooking element, and / or possibly the heel, being removably attachable relative to the blade or base, for adapting the footwear element to a first type of contact interface of said machine, or to a second type of contact interface of said machine, different from the first type of contact interface.

Such a footwear element may comprise said attachment element and a heel, which may be integral with each other, or not.

The first type of contact interface may comprise a single longitudinal stop, the attachment element and / or possibly the heel each having a longitudinal groove for receiving at least a portion of said single longitudinal stop.

The second type of contact interface may comprise two longitudinal edges, the attachment element and / or possibly the heel, each having two longitudinal grooves, each groove being intended to receive at least a part of one of the two longitudinal edges.

At least one contact interface may comprise at least one transverse edge and / or at least one stud, the hooking element and / or possibly the heel, comprising at least one longitudinal groove or at least one orifice, each groove or each orifice being intended to receive a transverse edge or a stud.

At least one contact interface may comprise a surface of the vehicle itself, the attachment element, and / or possibly the heel, comprising at least one longitudinal groove.

Each groove may have a width substantially equal to the width of the machine.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'un ensemble qui comprend une chaussure, ainsi qu'un ski représenté de manière partielle et un dispositif de retenue de la chaussure sur le ski,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective avant par dessous du semelage externe de la chaussure de la figure 1,
• les figures 3A et 3B illustrent un mode de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 3C et 3D illustrent d'autres modes de réalisation de l'invention,
• les figures 4, 5A, 5B, 5C illustrent d'autres aspects de l'invention,
• les figures 6, 7, 8, 9 illustrent d'autres aspects de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the following description, with reference to the accompanying 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 an assembly comprising a shoe, and a ski partially shown and a device for retaining the boot on the ski,
• the figure 2 is a front perspective view from below of the outer sole of the shoe of the figure 1 ,
• the Figures 3A and 3B illustrate an embodiment of the invention,
• the Figures 3C and 3D illustrate other embodiments of the invention,
• the figures 4 , 5A, 5B, 5C illustrate other aspects of the invention,
• the Figures 6, 7, 8, 9 illustrate other aspects of the invention.

The embodiments of the invention described herein relate more specifically to shoes for cross-country skiing, ski touring, telemark or snowshoeing. However, the invention applies to other fields, such as for example the ice skate or the wheel skate.

It has been shown, in figure 3A , a first embodiment of the invention.

To better understand the invention, there is also shown a shoe or slipper, the rod 13 extends in length from a rear end or heel 14 to a front end or tip 15, and in width between a lateral side 16 and a medial side 17. It comprises a lower portion 20, provided to surround the foot, and possibly an upper portion 21, provided to surround the ankle. The stem may only include the lower portion.

The rod 13 may be brought on or in a part called base 200, which has a certain longitudinal flexibility along a transverse axis of the shoe or liner. In this case the base 200 is a flexion blade. When assembled with the stem, as shown in figure 3B , this base 200 also extends in length, from the heel 14 to the tip 15, and in width between the lateral side 16 and the medial side 17. This base is monobloc, or in one piece, without additional means forming articulation. Its flexibility allows it to simply adapt to the movements of a user.

These two elements, the rod 13 and the base 200 can be assembled to one another, but removably, so that it is possible to exchange the base 200 for another base or blade, or, keeping the same blade, to change the rod 13.

More precisely, the rod 13 comes to rest on the upper face 219 of the blade 200.

Reference 210 designates a collar provided with a strap 211 for holding the shoe or the boot. This strap can be opened or closed using means such as, for example, self-gripping surfaces.

On the lower face 218 of the base 200, it is possible to position elements forming the base of the assembly, and in particular one or more removable elements 25, 140.

On the heel side, the blade 200 can be provided with two walls, substantially vertical, 201 (side wall), 203 (medial wall), which will allow to maintain the rear part of the rod 13 and, more particularly, to block a possible torsion of the foot. These two vertical walls can be unassembled or, conversely, be extended, behind, by a part (rear buttress) which joins the rear parts of the walls and which stops the shoe backwards substantially following the shape of the part back of the stem. In a nonlimiting way the buttress is here an external part of the shoe. The walls 201, 203, can extend, in the longitudinal direction of the foot, along a length L, which can reach for example 70% or 75% of the length of the shoe or liner or the total length of the blade 200, which corresponds substantially to the position of the metatarsals. When the shoe or bootie is inserted on or in the base or blade 200, two orifices 202, 204 allow to introduce hinge means such as rivets, or screws, which can cooperate with corresponding openings of the shoe and the corresponding holes of the collar 210 to maintain the assembly or to contribute to the maintenance of the assembly. A holding strap 211 'may also be present in front of the blade; this strap can be opened or closed by means such as, for example, self-gripping surfaces. The rod can also be held in, or on, the blade by gluing, screwing or riveting.

When the user wishes to disengage the rod from the base, it releases the means 211, 211 'of maintenance, as well as, possibly, the means introduced into the orifices 202, 204.

A particular form of base 200 has been described above in connection with the figure 3A .

But this removable base can have other forms.

In a variant, the base does not have walls 201, 203, or buttresses, and therefore forms a surface plate that is substantially flat, or that extends in two dimensions, and that is intended to be fixed, also removably, against a base of a shoe or against a bootie. It can therefore be flat, the holding with the rod being for example ensured by screwing or riveting. An example of this achievement is illustrated in figure 3C on which is recognized the plane flexible blade 200a. On this flexible blade, it is possible to fix removably elements 250, 251 of a shoe, wherein, in addition, a shoe 252 may be introduced. The means 210 are similar to those already illustrated on the figure 3A . As can be understood from this figure, one can position on the blade 200a one or more elements, the assembly to obtain a very great modularity.

According to another embodiment, represented in 3D figure , the flexible blade 200b can be part of a shell, which can be semi-indented. In other words, the lateral parts 201, 203 of the structure of the figure 3A are extended forward, to cover at least the front portion of the lower portion 20 of a boot (not shown in this figure), the assembly can therefore receive the latter. Despite the presence of the shell, fixing elements 211, 211 ', 212, of the type of those described above in connection with the figure 3B , can be expected (they are not represented on the 3D figure ). The presence of the shell, above the flat part of the blade, does not modify the flexion of the latter. In other words, the role of this blade is, from the point of view of the flexion of the foot, the same as in the case of Figures 3A-3C . It is observed that the shell is here made of several assembled elements but that, alternatively, it could be a single piece.

Means that will allow to achieve a contact interface with a ski or racket may include a part, two parts, or more.

In any case, they comprise a fastening element 25, designed to cooperate with the retaining device 3 (shown in FIG. figure 1 ), in particular the locking mechanism 5, itself intended to be subject to a ski 2, and optionally with an elastic return mechanism 6. Other applications that the ski implement such a structure.

As already explained above, in connection with the figure 1 , the retaining device 3 comprises a base 4, which carries a reversible locking mechanism 5, possibly an elastic return mechanism 6, and, in the example illustrated in FIG. figure 1 a longitudinal guide edge 7; the locking mechanism 5, the possible return mechanism 6 and the guide edge 7 can be secured to the base 4.

By way of example, it is possible to produce a single piece intended to be applied against the base; such a piece is represented in figure 4 . On the latter, we see that the holding means of the two parts 25, 140 relative to the base 200 are interconnected by a flexion blade 120, which will have a certain flexibility to accompany the movement of the user. This set is compatible with a method of attachment to a position on the blade, or two or more discrete positions. This blade is for example a metal material and / or composite and / or plastic and / or comprising plant fibers.

The connecting element 120 has an extension, towards the front, which is limited so as not to interfere with the strings 26, 27 of attachment intended to cooperate with the retaining device 3.

The base 200, like the blade 120, has a certain longitudinal flexibility along a transverse axis of the shoe or liner. It can be folded to accompany the movements of the foot. It may be necessary to adapt this flexibility. This can be done by changing the first blade or the first base and choose a second blade or a second base with another flexibility (stiffer or more flexible than the first). But we can also provide a base adaptable flexibility.

The invention provides for this purpose reinforcing means such as inserts or rods, which can be introduced into orifices extending longitudinally in the base or blade, as shown in FIG. Figure 5A , on which we see a bending plate 200, and two orifices 220, 221 which allow to slide reinforcing rods 222, 223 in cylindrical areas, made in the base or blade itself. These cylindrical zones are in the extension of the openings 220, 221. The cylindrical zones may be oriented longitudinally, or form with the longitudinal direction Lo of the shoe an angle α between 0 and 40 °. As a variant, such openings 220 ', 221' may be made on the rear face, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 5B . In another variant, an opening 224, front or rear face, accommodates a reinforcing element 225 in the form of a plate, for example rectangular, as illustrated in FIG. Figure 5C . In another variant, a reinforcing element may be a plate, possibly perforated, and intended to be pressed against the upper or lower face of the flexion blade, for example on the zone on which the front part or the rear part of the means are to be fixed or between these two areas. These reinforcing means may be adapted to such a blade, that it is provided in combination with removable elements 25, 140, or with any other means of connection with the machine, for example the ski.

Both the connecting means, which connect the fastening element 25 to the blade 200, 200a, 200b, as the removable heel, will allow an adaptation of the shoe to any type of ski.

As can be understood from the help of Figures 6 to 9 in some cases the bending base comprises a buttress 241, which is a rear part, a tip 242, which is a front part, and a bridge 243 which connects the buttress 241 to the end 242 by any appropriate means. Screws may be suitable, but other means are possible.

On the Figures 6 and 7 , the buttress 241 is secured to the bridge 243 reversibly.

On the Figures 6 to 9 , the tip 242 is secured to the bridge 243 reversibly.

On the Figures 8 and 9 , the buttress 241 and the bridge 243 form a single piece.

On the Figures 6 and 8 the bridge 243 comprises a single plate 244.

On the Figures 7 and 9 , the bridge 243 comprises several pieces 244, 245.

In all the embodiments that have been discussed above, the front and back elements to be fixed on the outer surface of the base are compatible with the NNN® family or the SNS® family.

But the invention also relates to other restraints or other types of equipment.

For example, there may be n parallel edges (n> 2).

In all the cases described above, the attachment means comprise one or two son. But, as already stated, other types of attachment means can be implemented.

In all cases, the positioning, respectively of the front part (hooking element) or the rear part (heel) of the adaptation means has a longitudinal extension that can go up to 30% or 35% or 40%. % of the length of the blade, respectively measured from the front or rear end thereof.

The teaching described above in particular for the case of a ski can be transposed to the case of snowshoes.

In all cases the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to those skilled in the art. The front and rear portions of the adaptation means are made with a number (2 to 4) of molds reduced compared to the number (8 to 15) of molds used to make the shoe soles currently known. From the economic point of view, the advantage is considerable, since, to achieve each mold, it takes an investment of between 10 and 40 K €.

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.

But in all cases the base or flexion blade, for a footwear element, provided for the exercise of a physical activity using a machine sliding or rolling, in which the heel is free during the movement of the foot, is characterized in that said base comprises means for fixing said footwear removably with respect to this base or blade, which has flexibility in a direction of extension of the foot and means for fixing, against the front part, in the extension direction of the foot, this base, also removably, at least one attachment element to said gear.

Claims (21)

Bending base (200), for a footwear element (1) intended for the exercise of a physical activity using a sliding or rolling machine, in which the heel is free during the movement of the foot, characterized by the fact that said base comprises means (202, 203, 210, 211) for fixing said footwear removably with respect to this base, which has flexibility in a direction of extension of the foot and means for fixing, against the front part, in the extension direction of the foot, this base, also removably, at least one attachment element (25) to said machine. Bending base according to claim 1, this base being flat or substantially flat or further comprising two side walls (201, 203), substantially vertical, and possibly a buttress portion, for holding the rear portion (13) of an element fit. The flexure base of claim 1, further comprising a shell for covering at least the lower portion (20) of a footwear member. Bending base according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a buttress (241), a tip (242), and a bridge (243) which connects the buttress (241) to the nozzle (242). Base according to Claim 4, characterized in that the buttress (241) is secured to the bridge (243) reversibly. Base according to claim 4, characterized in that the tip (242) is secured to the bridge (243) reversibly. Base according to Claim 4, characterized in that the buttress (241) and the bridge (243) form a single piece. Base according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the bridge (243) comprises a single plate (244). Base according to one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that the bridge (243) comprises a plurality of parts (244, 245). Base according to one of the preceding claims, comprising means for fixing to the base, by screwing, by means of slides, by clipping, or by any other means, at least the fastening element (25). Base according to one of claims 1 to 10, further comprising removable means (222, 223, 225) for varying the flexibility of the base. Base according to the preceding claim, the means for varying the flexibility of the flexion base comprising one or more inserts / or one or more rods (222, 223) and / or one or more plates or blades (225) to be inserted in the said base or against, or near, it. Base according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising means for fixing, removably against this base, a heel (140). Footwear element (1) intended for the exercise of a physical activity using a sliding or rolling machine, in which the heel is free during the movement of the foot (2), characterized in that it comprises in in addition to a flexure base (200) according to one of claims 1 to 7. Footwear element (1) intended for the exercise of a physical activity using a sliding or rolling machine (2), in which the heel is free during movement of the foot, the front end (15) of the footwear element being connected to the machine by a fastening element,
characterized in that it further comprises a bending base (200) according to one of claims 1 to 13, the hooking element (25) and the bead (140) being removably secured by relative to the blade, to adapt the footwear element to a first type of contact interface of a machine, or a second type of contact interface of said machine, different from the first type of contact interface. Footwear according to the preceding claim, comprising both the fastening element (25) and a heel (140), which are integral with each other. Footwear according to one of claims 15 or 16, the first type of contact interface being with a single longitudinal edge, the hooking element (25), and / or possibly the heel each having a longitudinal groove for receive at least a portion of said single longitudinal edge. Footwear according to one of claims 15 or 16, the second type of contact interface being with two longitudinal edges, the attachment element (25), and / or possibly the heel, comprising two longitudinal grooves, each groove being intended to receive at least a portion of one of the two longitudinal edges. Footwear according to one of claims 15 to 18, a contact interface at least comprising at least one transverse edge and / or at least one stud, the attachment element (25), and / or possibly the heel, comprising at least one longitudinal groove and / or at least one orifice, each groove or each orifice being intended to receive a transverse edge or a stud. Footwear according to one of claims 15 to 19, a contact interface at least comprising a flat surface of the machine itself, the attachment element (25), and / or possibly the heel, comprising at least a longitudinal groove. Footwear according to the preceding claim, each groove having a width substantially equal to the width of the machine.

Images