EP3000343B1 - Articulated and slotted inner boot for sports footwear - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a slipper for sports shoe and, more particularly, an inner boot for alpine ski boot, cross-country ski or snowboard.

Some sports shoes and, in particular, alpine ski boots, are equipped with an inner liner having, on the one hand, thermal insulation properties and having, on the other hand, means for protecting the skier's foot. both against the shocks that vis-a-vis the support constraints exerted by the rigid outer shell of the shoe.

This liner, intended to be positioned inside the shell of the shoe, is generally removable and is intended to improve the comfort of the skier while ensuring a wedging of the foot to ensure effective and sensitive control and a precise transmission mechanical support on the skis via the shoes.

STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION

In general, the relatively rigid outer shell of the shoe has a hinged collar on a rod and in some embodiments the outer shell is equipped with a locking system for pivoting the collar backwards in ski mode and unlocking its pivoting backwards in running mode to allow the pivoting of the collar to the rear and facilitate the walk of the skier despite the rigidity and weight of the shoe.

The traditional slippers, although much more flexible than the hull, do not allow however to follow completely the pivoting movement of the collar backwards relative to the rod which tends to limit the movement of the collar backwards and forwards. thus causing discomfort for the skier when walking.

There are slippers such as the one described in WO 2013 063630A1 which has two parts, respectively high and low, connected to each other on the parts the most forward side of the boot but leaving a free area of movement in the back.

The documents EP 0 317 798A1 and WO 2006 077606 describe, for their part, slippers whose part facing the Achilles tendon is provided with a hinge zone formed of an elastic insert sewn to the connection between the upper and lower parts.

The document WO 92/10955A1 discloses a shoe liner comprising an upper part, a lower part and a connection zone between the upper part and the lower part, the lower part being provided with a joint situated close to the connection zone, said articulation being a series of substantially vertical slats separated by slots through the thickness of the slipper.

All these slippers have the disadvantage of either causing an uncontrolled deformation by crushing of the upper and / or lower parts which blocks the bending of the liner backwards when walking and which is likely to lead to a beginning of rupture, either to cause discomfort for the leg of the user, the lower zone of the upper part of the liner, rigid, coming into contact with the back of the lower leg.

The present invention aims to solve the technical problems of the prior art by providing a hinged slipper including rearward with greater movement, thus providing better comfort of the leg and also allowing a simplified implementation.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a liner according to claim 1, which is characterized in that it comprises a series of slats defining an elevated folding zone forming on the lower part a tongue extending towards the top and centered on the median axis of the heel.

The slats are separated by slits.

These slots are through and their ends follow the contours of said folding zone.

According to an advantageous characteristic, the folding zone has seams surrounding the slots so as to control their opening during the deformation of the folding zone.

Advantageously, the slats extend on either side of the median axis of the heel.

According to another characteristic, the liner further comprises a reinforcing and protective insert element covering the outer face of the liner, at least on the folding zone.

According to a specific variant, this reinforcing element has a tongue which extends laterally by two lateral ascending legs.

Preferably, this reinforcing element is positioned astride the upper and lower parts.

In addition, it is expected that the reinforcing element is attached to the upper part at least by means of the same seams as those surrounding the slots.

In addition, the upper part and the lower part are positioned edge to edge and held by a zigzag seam.

According to another characteristic, the folding zone is situated at the level of the zone facing the Achilles tendon.

In a first variant, the slats are located in the upper part of the lower part.

According to a second variant, the slats are located in an intermediate connecting piece located between the upper and lower parts.

According to yet another variant, the device further comprises an inner lining element covering at least the inner face of said folding zone.

According to a specific variant of the invention, the liner is composed of an outer layer and at least one lining element interposed between the outer layer and an inner lining lining.

Preferably, said lamellae are made on the outer layer.

Another object of the invention is a shoe equipped with a shoe having at least one of the characteristics defined above.

The liner of the invention provides good flexibility of the folding zone forming the flexible and elastically deformable articulated connection between its upper part and its lower part thus providing the user with great comfort when walking.

Indeed, during the pivoting of the upper part of the liner, alternately forwards and backwards, the extension and the folding of the slit zone formed of vertical slats is effected in a regular manner and without crushing of material. which prevents discomfort and eliminates the risk of injury to the back of the leg.

This advantage is of great interest to make it easier for skiers equipped with hard-shell shoes whose collar pivots.

In addition, the invention facilitates the boot due to greater deformation of the area of the most solicited slipper when inserting the heel in the shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

• La figure 1A représente une vue de l'arrière en perspective éclatée d'un mode de réalisation du chausson de l'invention, avant assemblage des éléments constitutifs.
• La figure 1B représente une vue de l'arrière en perspective d'un mode de réalisation du chausson de l'invention, après assemblage des éléments constitutifs.
• La figure 1C représente une vue de côté du chausson de la figure 1B.
• La figure 2 représente une vue partielle, simplifiée et schématique en développé, du chausson selon le mode de réalisation de la figure 1.
• La figure 3 représente une vue à plat de la face intérieure de la couche externe fendue du chausson après assemblage conformément à la figure 1B.
• La figure 4 représente une vue éclatée d'une variante du chausson constituée de trois couches, respectivement une couche externe fendue, une couche intermédiaire de garnissage et une couche interne d'habillage.
• La figure 5 représente une vue à plat de l'intérieur du chausson après assemblage de la couche intermédiaire de garnissage.

Other features and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures and detailed below.

• The Figure 1A represents a rear view in exploded perspective of an embodiment of the liner of the invention, before assembly of the constituent elements.
• The Figure 1B represents a rear view in perspective of an embodiment of the liner of the invention, after assembly of the constituent elements.
• The figure 1C represents a side view of the slipper of the Figure 1B .
• The figure 2 represents a partial view, simplified and schematic developed, of the shoe according to the embodiment of the figure 1 .
• The figure 3 represents a flat view of the inner face of the split outer layer of the liner after assembly according to the Figure 1B .
• The figure 4 is an exploded view of a variant of the liner consists of three layers, respectively a split outer layer, an intermediate layer of lining and an inner lining layer.
• The figure 5 represents a flat view of the inside of the liner after assembly of the intermediate lining layer.

For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements are marked with identical reference signs throughout the figures.

Naturally, the embodiments illustrated by the figures presented above and described below are given by way of non-limiting examples. It is explicitly planned that we can combine these different modes to propose others.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the liner of the invention shown here is intended to be introduced into an alpine ski boot shell (not shown) and, more particularly, in a shoe having an articulation between the collar and the upper which is equipped with a locking and unlocking system to switch alternately from a ski mode to a walking mode and thus facilitate the walk of the skier.

The liner of the invention is shown in an external view from the rear on the Figures 1A and 1B or 1 C and consists, in particular, of a lower part 1 and an upper part 2, the meeting of which forms either the whole of the liner or the outer layer 4.

When assembling the boot the upper and lower parts are connected to a complementary front part A, a sole S and a tongue before L.

The two parts 1, 2 are optionally made of different materials, polyethylene (PE) polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PU) or any other material that can be used to make an outer layer of liner.

The two parts 1 and 2 could consist of a single element and / or the same material in the case of a slipper structure simplified, not shown.

In addition, the upper part 2 of the boot is often stiffer than the lower part 1 substantially more flexible. The rigidity of the upper part of the liner can be obtained by adding elements of the type plastic plates covered with a textile layer.

The upper 2 and lower 1 parts are made independently of one another and are juxtaposed or superimposed and then assembled thereafter under the conditions described below, by gluing or sewing, for example, by a zigzag seam.

The lower part 1 may be made in one piece or may possibly consist of two flanks 1a and 1b respectively left and right, assembled edge by edge by stitching or gluing along their median vertical axis, as illustrated by the Figures 1B and 2 .

The upper part 2 can also be extended by an insert 2a as illustrated in FIG. Figure 1A , thus allowing to have a higher contour more progressive and linear.

The outer layer 4, shown flat on the figure 2 , is shaped by bringing the two ends of the flanks 1a, 1b closer to the front of the liner.

The connection zone 12 between the upper and lower portions of the liner may be of corrugated or rectilinear shape according to the embodiment envisaged. In the embodiment of the invention illustrated here, in particular by the figure 2 , the connection zone 12 between the upper and lower portions of the liner is a connecting line 12a of corrugated shape but could be rectilinear according to another embodiment not shown.

In another embodiment (not shown), it is provided that the connecting zone 12 between the upper and lower portions of the liner extends over a surface delimited by a height of between 5 and 50 millimeters.

This connection zone 12 could, in particular, be supported by a separate intermediate piece, of textile material optionally reinforced, positioned between the upper and lower parts.

During the walk, the boot which is in contact with the foot must be able to adapt to the pivoting of the boot collar relative to the rod, particularly towards the rear so as not to hinder walking.

To this end, the liner also has an articulation zone located near the connection zone 12, between the upper part 2 and the lower part 1.

According to the invention, this hinge zone is located, either in the upper part of the lower part or, according to a variant of the invention, in an intermediate zone between these two parts, for example, on an intermediate part. junction that would be reported, is still in the upper part of the lower part, below this intermediate zone.

According to the invention, the lower part 1 of the liner is locally provided, under the connecting line 12a with the upper part 2, an elastically deformable folding zone 13 forming a joint which is provided, for this purpose, with a series substantially vertical strips 11 delimited by slots 10 which advantageously extend also vertically, on either side of the median axis X of the heel.

Preferably, the axis of said slats is perpendicular to the axis of folding of the slipper caused by the rotation of its upper part relative to its lower part.

The slots 10 penetrate here through the thickness of the folding zone 13 and are made by cutting without removal of material and are therefore contiguous edges in the rest position.

According to a variant not shown, the slats 11 will be spaced by openings of a predetermined width made, in this case, with removal of material.

The slots 10 open on either side of the lower part 1 of the boot before assembly of other parts and / or constituent layers of the shoe.

The slots 10 are made in the outer layer 4 at different lengths or heights so that their ends 10a follow the contours of the zone 13 as illustrated by FIG. figure 2 . In particular, the longest slits are located on the back of the slipper and shorten by going to the front of the slipper.

The width and height of the slats 11 depend on the size of the slipper. For example, the height of the lamellae is between 0.5 and 8 cm, preferably between 0.6 and 4 cm, and the width of the lamellae is between 0.5 and 2 cm, preferably between 0.8 and 1.2 cm.

The dimensions of the slits 10 also depend on the size of the slipper, and their length is between 0.5 and 8 cm, preferably between 0.6 and 4 cm, and their number is between 2 and 12, preferably 8 .

When rotating the upper part of the liner backward, the lamellae flex and the slots, contiguous in a rest position, gradually move away depending on the deformation.

The choice of the width of the slats and the width of the slits, as well as their respective heights and lengths, makes it possible to obtain the desired flexibility of the folding zone 13.

During walking, the area of the most stressed leg is located at the level of the Achilles tendon, at the level of the ankle joint, approximately at the joint between the stem and the collar of the shoe.

To position the folding zone 13 in the most stressed zone during walking, it is intended to raise the foldable zone 13 by forming, on the lower part 1, a tongue, extending upwards and centered on the axis medial X of the heel as illustrated by the figure 2 .

The liner of the invention further comprises a reinforcing and protective element 3 which is attached to the connecting zone 12 and which is intended to cover the outer face of the liner, at least in correspondence with the foldable zone 13.

More precisely, the element 3 is positioned facing the folding zone 13 and thus makes it possible to avoid the friction of the lamellae 11 on the shell of the boot, in order to obtain optimum operation and to avoid wear of the lamellae in the time.

The element 3 also seals the connection zone 12 between the upper part and the lower part 1 and makes it possible to seal the slots 10. It is made of a flexible and elastic material so as not to hinder their deformation.

This element 3 is made, for example, of PVC, of PU, of microfibres or of any impervious textile material generally used as a coating and with a profile and a geometry adapted to the folding zone 13 and more particularly to the surface delimited by the slats 11.

Thus, the element 3 comprises a central tongue 3a and lateral tabs 3b which follow the contours of the folding zone 13, as illustrated by the Figures 1B and 1 C .

The folding zone 13 further comprises seams surrounding and circumventing the slits 10 so as to control their opening during the deformation of the lower part 1 of the slipper and to prevent their eventual tearing which may occur by propagation of the slipper. the beginning of rupture, materialized by the weakening of the material at the level of the slits thus improving the stability of the slipper over time.

The seams 15 pass through both the thickness of the element 3 and that of the lower part 1 and are preferably straight-sided by delimiting beads 15a, as illustrated by FIG. figure 3 .

These seams therefore have a dual function consisting, on the one hand, of consolidating the folding zone 13 and of securing, on the other hand, the reinforcing element 3.

The folding zone 13 also comprises zig-zag stitched seams 14 made at least at the contiguous edge-to-edge connection of the lower part 1 with the upper part 2 on the connecting line 12a and on the vertical central axis X as illustrated by figure 3 .

The zigzag stitches reinforce the sutured parts on a larger surface than the straight stitches.

The slipper as illustrated by the figure 4 , comprises an outer layer 4 intended to provide slipper resistance and an inner lining 6 covering intended to be in contact with the foot.

In addition, in order to further improve the comfort and adjust the liner to the interior volume of the shoe, packing elements 5 are interposed, during manufacture, between the outer layer 4 and the inner lining 6 of the liner .

This variant can be made with or without the reinforcing element 3.

The packing element 5 forming internal padding covers at least the inner face of the folding zone 13 as shown in FIG. figure 5 .

This packing element is made, for example, of PE, EPDM, EVA, agglomerate, or any material generally used in a padding lens.

This inner lining element may be made in one-piece form or in several parts, and preferably in two parts, respectively, a rigid upper portion 5a, for example of PE having a density of between 90 and 110 kg / m ³ , and a softer lower part 5b, for example EPDM density between 65 and 110 kg / m ³ .

Advantageously and as illustrated by the figure 5 , the flexible part of the inner lining 5 covers both the lower part 1 and the upper part 2 of the liner, preferably going up in the upper part.

Claims (17)

1. Boot for a sports shoe, comprising a top section (2), a bottom section (1) and a connecting area (12) between the top section (2) and the bottom section (1), with the bottom section (1) being equipped with a joint located close to the connecting area (12), said joint being equipped with a series of substantially vertical strips (11) separated by slots (10) passing through the thickness of the boot, characterised in that said series of strips delimits a bending area (13) that is raised, forming on the bottom section (1) a tongue extending upwards and centred on the median axis (X) of the heel.
2. Boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the ends of said slots (10) follow the contours of said bending area (13).
3. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bending area (13) comprises seams (15) surrounding said slots (10) so as to control their opening during deformation of the bending area (13) .
4. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said strips (11) extend on either side of the median axis (X) of the heel.
5. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it furthermore comprises an attached reinforcement and protection component (3), covering the outer face of the boot, at least on the bending area (13).
6. Boot according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said reinforcement component (3) features a tongue (3a) laterally prolonged by two lateral ascending lugs (3b).
7. Boot according to claims 5 or 6, characterised in that said reinforcement component (3) is positioned straddling the top (2) and bottom (1) sections.
8. Boot according to claims 3 and 5, characterised in that the reinforcement component (3) is fixed to the top part (2) at least by means of the same seams (15) surrounding said slots (10).
9. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the top section (2) and the bottom section (1) are positioned edge to edge and are retained by a zigzag shaped seam (14).
10. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bending area (13) is located on the upper part of the Achilles tendon.
11. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strips (11) are situated in the upper part of the bottom section (1).
12. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that the strips (11) are situated in an inserted connecting piece located between the top and bottom sections.
13. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that it furthermore comprises an inside lining component (5) covering at least the inner face of said bending area (13).
14. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said boot consists of an outer layer (4) and of ate least one lining component (5) inserted between the outer layer (4) and an inner interior lining (6).
15. Boot according to the preceding claim, characterised in that said strips (11) are created on said outer layer (4) and are separated by said slots (10) .
16. Boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterised in that said bending area (13) comprises between 2 and 12 slots (10) and, preferably, 8 slots (10).
17. Shoe equipped with a boot according to any of the preceding claims.

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