EP3183983B1 - Inner shoe with an ankle reinforcing element made of plastic material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an inner boot, in particular for a shell ski boot, wherein the inner boot has at least one lateral and / or medial side part which extends laterally in the direction of a toe region in the ankle region and has a first plastic material In some areas, a reinforcing element is provided, which has a second plastic material, which has a higher bending stiffness and / or a higher modulus of elasticity than the first plastic material, wherein the reinforcing element is designed such that the ankle area is at least partially recessed and the reinforcing element Ankle area at least partially encloses, in particular in an area above and / or below and / or behind the area of the ankle is provided. The invention also relates to a method for producing an inner boot.

From the prior art are already a variety of inner shoes, which are recorded for inclusion in a relatively stiff shell, in particular the shell of a ski boot known.

An inner shoe of the type mentioned with a reinforcing element, which is recessed in the ankle area, is from the US 2001/05420 A1 known. The reinforcing element is arranged in this liner between an inner layer and an outer layer.

In the DE 21 15 907 A1 is an Innnenschuh for a Schalenskischuh disclosed in which the material of the inner shoe has a recess which is not provided in the ankle area and which encloses the ankle area in sections. In this recessed area a bubble is glued, in which a viscous, mushy mass can be introduced to increase the softness of the liner or the adaptability of the liner.

From the US 2005/210709 In addition, an ice skating shoe or a method for producing the skating shoe is known, in which a provided in the ankle area reinforcing element between further layers is arranged.

From the EP 1 110 466 A2 is known an inner boot, which consists essentially of a thermoformable foam, which is provided with an outer reinforcing element. The reinforcing element consists of a material which can be thermoformed below 100 ° C. and has a central section over the heel, which divides into two branches which run below the ankle.

The DE 694 12 764 T2 discloses an innerboot for rear-in-the-boot ski boots which has a slot-filled filling between inner and outer panels.

From the US 2004/111923 A1 a shoe is shown in which the padding of the shoe is designed to reduce swelling in the ankle area.

From the EP 2 674 049 A1 a manufacturing method for an inner boot is known, in which a comparatively elastic side part is first provided, in particular in the heel and ankle area with a reinforcing element, before this both the lateral and the medial side part comprehensive unit is pulled over a natural foot of a user simulated strips , and thereby thermoformed under heat action.

Furthermore, is from the EP 617 903 A1 a manufacturing method of an inner shoe known in which lateral and medial side parts overlap each other in sections and are connected together with a sole element for producing an inner shoe.

From the EP 790 788 B1 and the EP 711 515 B1 inner liners are known with a positioning of a thermoplastic foam, wherein the positioning element is microperforated.

The aim of the present invention is now in particular to improve the power transmission through the liner, but without the ease of fit for the user in critical areas, in particular in the ankle area to deteriorate, which at least partially in these neuralgic areas, the fit of the liner is even improved.

According to the invention, this is achieved in that the first plastic material is connected to the reinforcing element and is partially compressed in at least one zone, which is recessed by the reinforcing element such that at least one substantially linear depression is provided, which has a significantly greater extent longitudinally as in the transverse direction ..

Thus, according to the invention, a type of frame is formed of a comparatively rigid material which transmits the forces substantially directly to a shell or the like enclosing the inner shoe, so that the inner boot according to the invention allows improved control. The particularly pressure-sensitive ankle area is not covered by the comparatively unyielding reinforcing element, so that there are no disadvantages in terms of comfort for the user. Due to the transmission of forces via the at least partially frame-shaped reinforcing element pressure-sensitive areas, such as the ankle area, even relieved.

In order to increase the flexibility of the first plastic material locally, it is provided that the first plastic material is partially compressed in at least one zone, which is recessed by the reinforcing element. Due to the compression results in a smaller wall thickness in the compacted areas, so that in each of the compressed areas forms a kind of virtual pivot axis to which the uncompressed, subsequent area can be deflected easier than if the plastic material is left uncompacted throughout.

Since the densified areas - as stated above - serve essentially as a kind of pivot axis, it is provided that the first plastic material is compressed in such a way that at least one substantially linear depression is provided which has a significantly greater extent in the longitudinal direction as in the transverse direction. The line-shaped configuration can thus be used to define the direction in which the first plastic material can swing out, ie yield, so that a targeted flexibilization of the inner shoe can be achieved with the aid of such linear depressions or compactions.

In order to relieve the substantial neuralgic areas on the outside of the foot, it is advantageous if a lateral side part is provided, in which the reinforcing element is designed such that a base hay area is recessed. Furthermore, it is favorable if a medial side part is provided, in which the reinforcing element is designed such that a navicular area is recessed. Thus, a reinforcing element is provided on the inside of the foot neither in the ankle nor in the boat area, so that power transmission and ease of fit are further improved.

In order to achieve a good fit comfort and to be able to easily form the first plastic material provided as the base material of the side part under the influence of heat and pressure, it is favorable if the first plastic material of the side part is a heat-deformable foamed plastic material, in particular polyethylene foam, is provided.

If the foamed plastic material is provided with a comparatively thin, preferably textile, cover layer, in particular polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene, PVC, or SBS, the foam material is protected against possible damage and the cover layer can additionally have a water-repellent effect ,

In order to achieve a particularly clear differentiation between the intended as a force transmission element reinforcing element of the second plastic material and the comfort of use first plastic material, it is advantageous if the modulus of elasticity of the second plastic material of the reinforcing element at least the 5- Fache, preferably 5-fold to 10-fold, of the modulus of elasticity of the first plastic material is. It is advantageous if the reinforcing element at least sections of a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) consists.

If at least two line-shaped depressions are provided in a zone, which define an uncompressed deflection region therebetween, or at least one substantially annular depression defining a deflection region is provided, the larger surface with which the user's foot interacts uncompensated and thus has one lower material hardness than the densified areas. The compacted areas, which are relatively small when viewed on the surface, have a higher material hardness, but advantageously allow the adjacent uncompressed areas to be swiveled out in a simple manner.

If a plurality of line-shaped depressions are provided around a common central region, preferably substantially annularly, wherein the distance between two adjacent depressions is preferably less than 30 mm, in particular less than 20 mm, preferably at least sections between 5 mm and 15 mm, on the one hand the relatively soft, uncompacted surfaces maintained on the other hand, increased by the plurality of compacted areas, the adaptability or flexibility of the zone.

As an alternative to a substantially annular configuration of the recesses, which is advantageous in particular around a central elevation at the foot of the user (simmer, scaphoid, base hamburger area), it is favorable to have several more in other areas in which the foot has a substantially lobed elevation to provide substantially parallel, line-shaped recesses, wherein the distance between two adjacent recesses preferably less than 30mm, in particular less than 20mm, preferably at least partially between 5mm and 15mm.

In order to flexibilize the liner through the compaction without at the same time to achieve a disadvantageous increase in the material hardness in areal areas, it is advantageous if the extension the linear depression in the transverse direction is preferably less than 10 mm, in particular less than 5 mm, particularly preferably between 1 mm and 3 mm.

For an additional stiffening of the inner boot in the region of the reinforcing element and thus for a further improvement of the force transmission, it is more advantageous if the first material is compacted in the region in which it is connected to the reinforcing material.

In order to avoid raised areas over which then locally first a contact with a shell or the like surrounding the inner shoe would be produced, and to achieve a substantially flat outer surface, over which thus an investment on the inside of an outer shell or as large as possible Like. Is achieved, it is advantageous if in those areas in which the reinforcing element is provided, the material thickness of the reinforcing element substantially corresponds to the material thickness reduction due to the compression of the first plastic material.

In order to achieve the desired increased flexibility in the side part, which is achieved by the formation of a kind of pivot axis to material-tapered, compacted areas, has proven to be favorable when the material thickness of the first plastic material in the densified areas by 20% to 60% , in particular by 30% to 50%, of the material thickness in the non-compacted areas.

The inventive method for producing an inner boot, in particular for a shell ski boot, with which an inner boot according to the invention can be produced in an efficient manner, provides that the inner boot a arranged in the ankle in the ankle area, laterally in the direction of a toe area forwardly extending side part for which a substantially planar sheet-like first plastic material is used as the starting material, and that a reinforcing element is formed from a second plastic material, preferably cut, which is an ankle area at least partially and the reinforcing element at least partially surrounds the ankle area, in particular in an area above / below and / or behind the ankle area is provided, wherein the plastic material of the reinforcing member has a higher flexural rigidity and / or a higher modulus of elasticity than the first plastic Material has. The reinforcing element is connected to the starting material or partial side blank, wherein the two plastic materials are in particular connected to one another either by means of gluing or welding. According to the invention, the web-shaped reinforcing element is inserted into a press in such a way that the reinforcing element is connected to the starting material and is partially compressed in at least one zone which is recessed by the reinforcing element such that at least one substantially linear depression is provided which has a significantly greater extent in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.

To compress the first plastic material, which is preferably foam-like, and to connect it to the reinforcing element, it is advantageous if the first plastic material is heated to a temperature above the softening temperature, preferably to a temperature of 10 ° C to 20 ° Above the softening temperature, in particular to a temperature between 80 ° and 130 ° C, more preferably to a temperature between 90 ° C and 120 ° C.

When the first plastic material having a temperature above the softening temperature of the first plastic material, and the second plastic material having a temperature below the softening temperature of the second plastic material is inserted into the mold, and the first plastic material is compressed in those areas in which the second plastic material is provided, the reinforcing element acts essentially as a kind of stamp, which penetrates during the pressing operation in the softened first plastic material, this compacted and advantageously also in the form of a welded joint , so that in a single process step several desired effect can be achieved.

If at least two side parts, in particular four side parts, are cut out of the sheet-like plastic material inserted into the press mold, several side parts according to the invention can be produced in a single pressing process. This advantageously increases the process efficiency.

If at least two, separate reinforcing elements are inserted into the mold, at least two side parts can be made at the same time. However, a reinforcing element inserted into the mold can then also be cut so that four side parts (two medial, two lateral) can then be produced in a single method step. Alternatively, however, it is also possible to provide a common reinforcement element which covers both the medial and the lateral side in sections. In the heel area, the side part is then-including the reinforcing element-continuous, ie without connection area.

• Fig. 1 die Ansicht eines Alpin-Skischuhs mit einem in einer äußeren Schale aufgenommenen Innenschuh;
• Fig. 2 eine Ansicht auf die laterale Seite eines erfindungsgemäßen Innenschuhs;
• Fig. 3 eine Ansicht auf die mediale Seite eines erfindungsgemäßen Innenschuhs;
• Fig. 4 eine Ansicht auf die Hinterseite eines erfindungsgemäßen Innenschuhs;
• Fig. 5 eine Ansicht eines Verstärkungselements des Seitenteils;
• Fig. 6 eine Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Seitenteils des Innenschuhs;
• Fig. 7 einen Schnitt VII-VII in Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 eine perspektivische Ansicht auf einen Unterteil einer Pressform zur Herstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Innenschuhs;
• Fig. 9 eine perspektivische Ansicht einer Pressform mit eingelegten Verstärkungsteilen und einem bandförmigen Ausgangsmaterials des Seitenteils;
• Fig. 10 einen Ausschnitt eines Querschnitts durch die Pressform mit eingelegtem Ausgangsmaterial und Verstärkungselement in der Verformungs- bzw. Verdichtungsstellung.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, to which it should not be limited. In detail, in the drawings:

• Fig. 1 the view of an alpine ski boot with a recorded in an outer shell liner;
• Fig. 2 a view of the lateral side of an inner boot according to the invention;
• Fig. 3 a view of the medial side of an inner boot according to the invention;
• Fig. 4 a view of the rear side of an inner boot according to the invention;
• Fig. 5 a view of a reinforcing element of the side part;
• Fig. 6 a view of a side part of the inner boot according to the invention;
• Fig. 7 a section VII-VII in Fig. 6 ;
• Fig. 8 a perspective view of a lower part of a mold for producing the inner boot according to the invention;
• Fig. 9 a perspective view of a mold with inserted reinforcing parts and a band-shaped starting material of the side part;
• Fig. 10 a section of a cross section through the mold with inserted starting material and reinforcing element in the deformation or compression position.

In Fig. 1 an alpine ski boot 1 is shown, which has an outer shell 2, which is composed of a lower shell part 3 and an upper shell part 3 '. The upper shell part 3 'is pivotally mounted relative to the lower shell part 3 about an axis 4. In this (hard) shell 2, an inner shoe 5 is added, as shown in more detail in Fig.2 and 3 is shown.

The inner shoe 5 is in this case in particular composed of a lateral side part 6, a medial side part 7 (cf. Fig. 3 ) a sole 8, tongue 9, as well as a cuff 10 adjoining the respective upper end of the lateral and medial side parts 6, 7; On the inside, a padding and a lining is provided at least in sections.

As in the Fig. 2 to 4 can be seen, the side parts 6, 7 according to the invention each have a reinforcing element 12 made of a relatively stiff material 12 ', for example

Ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), wherein the lateral reinforcing element 12 in Fig. 5 shown in detail. It can be seen here that in the reinforcing element 12, an ankle area 11 is recessed in order not to adversely affect the fitting comfort in this neuralgic area 11 '.

In order to improve the transmission of power via the liner 5 to the shell 2, the reinforcing element 12 is substantially frame-shaped, and surrounds - as in Fig. 5 apparent - essentially the ankle area 11.

In Fig. 4 In particular, it can be seen that the two side parts 6, 7 including the reinforcing elements 12 are connected together in a heel region 13 along a connecting surface 14, preferably via an adhesive connection or a welded connection. Of course, however, the two side parts 6, 7 including the reinforcing elements 12 may also be designed as a common part.

In the ankle area 11 as well as in other neuralgic areas or zones 11 '(scaphoid area, base hawser area), a first plastic material of the side parts 6, 7 provided as basic material or starting material is also partially compressed.

An example of the concrete embodiment of such a compression is particularly in the 6 and 7 seen. In these zones 11 '- as shown in detail by the ankle area - a plurality of substantially line-shaped material compaction regions or depressions 15 are provided in order to flexibilize in these neuralgic zones 11' a plastic material 17 of the side parts 6, 7 and thus a better adaptability of the side part 6, 7 to the foot, in particular to projecting portions of the human foot (ankle, navicular, etc.) to achieve. The provided as a base material plastic material 17 of the side parts 6, 7 covers this - as in Fig. 2 and 6 at least the ankle region 11 and extends forwards towards a toe region 11 ". At the lower end, the side parts 6, 7 are each connected to the sole 8.

The essentially linear compression areas 15 in this case act essentially as virtual pivot axes about which the adjacent, uncompressed areas 16 can be deflected with higher material thickness with less force than if the side parts 6, 7 are free of such densifications.

In the case of a protrusion or a substantially punctiform elevation of the foot (ankle region, navicular region, etc.), it is advantageous if a plurality of the linear material compaction regions 15 are arranged around a central region 16, which is arranged substantially in the region of a foot protrusion have a substantially annular course. However, by annular is not necessarily meant a closed structure, but only that the line-shaped compression regions 15 are arranged circumferentially over a majority of the central region 16 and in this case substantially concentric with each other.

As in the sectional view according to Fig. 7 can be seen, the side parts 6, 7 in the ankle region 11 thus in a pressing process in the first plastic material 17 incorporated three-dimensional deformation, so that the basic shape of the side part 6, 7 differing from a substantially planar flat initial shape better to the anatomy of Foot of the user is adjusted.

It can also be seen in the sectional view that with the material depressions 15 a substantially relief-like structure is achieved around a central region 16.

Alternatively, however - as also in Fig. 6 can not be made substantially annular, but in the form of V-shaped or preferably L-shaped lines are arranged substantially parallel to each other.

In the Fig. 8 to 10 the production process according to the invention is shown schematically.

As in Fig. 8 1, a press 18 has a lower part 18 'for producing the side part 6, 7 according to the invention, wherein it can be seen that this is a substantially plate-shaped main body 19 in which - in the embodiment shown, two recesses 20 are provided, which are provided for receiving a reinforcing element 12.

According to the method according to the invention, the reinforcement elements 14 are inserted in the cold state into these recesses 20 of the lower part 18 'of the mold, since a deformation or compression of the reinforcing element 14 is not required.

How far in Figure 9 can be seen on the inserted into the press 18 reinforcing elements 12 then the base material 17 of the side part 6, 7, the substantially web-shaped newly formed plastic material 17 is placed.

To the - especially in Fig. 7 shown - substantially linear material recessed areas 15 in the plastic material 17 (permanently) to be able to work in a simple manner is provided as a plastic material 17 in particular a thermoformable polyethylene foam. This thermoformable foam is advantageously provided with a textile cover layer.

In order to achieve the desired material compression (permanently) in the press 18, therefore, the starting material 17 is first heated above its softening temperature, in the embodiment shown with a polyethylene foam to about 80 ° to 130 ° C, then in the heated state in the Press 18 is inserted. Of course, however, a warming can take place only within the press 18.

After reinforcing elements 12 have been placed correctly and the starting material 17 is inserted into the press 18, the lower part 18 'and the upper part 18 "are pressed together at a pressure of about 5 bar to 10 bar, so that - as in Fig. 10 shown schematically - the thermoplastic material 17 corresponding to the relief-shaped recess 20 in the lower part 18 'of the press 18 is deformed.

For this purpose, the upper part 18 "of the mold has a projecting punch 21 which is essentially modeled on the shape of the natural ankle of the human foot 17. In addition, at the same time as the material compression achieved in the press 18, the starting material 17 and the reinforcing element 12 can also be joined, in particular by gluing or welding.

Like also in Fig. 10 it can be seen that the starting material 17 in the press 18 is also compressed in those areas in which the reinforcing element 12 is provided. The degree of compaction corresponds here to the material thickness or thickness of the reinforcing element 12, so that after connection of the starting material 17 and reinforcing element 12 a substantially planar outer surface is achieved.

Claims (14)

1. Inner shoe (5), in particular for a shell ski boot (1), the inner shoe (5) having at least one lateral and/or medial side part (6, 7) which is arranged in the ankle region (11) in the worn state, extends laterally towards the front in the direction of a toe region (11") and comprises a first plastics material (17) and a reinforcing element (12) being provided in regions, which element comprises a second plastics material (12') which has a higher flexural rigidity and/or a higher modulus of elasticity than the first plastics material (17), the reinforcing element (12) being formed in such a way that the ankle region (11) is at least partially omitted and the reinforcing element (12) surrounds the ankle region (11) at least in portions, in particular is provided in a region above/below and/or behind the ankle region (11), characterised in that the first plastics material (17) is connected to the reinforcing element (12) and is compressed in regions in at least one zone which is omitted by the reinforcing element (12) in such a way that at least one substantially linear recess (15) is provided which has a significantly greater extension in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.
2. Inner shoe according to claim 1, characterised in that a lateral side part (6) is provided in which the reinforcing element (12) is formed in such a way that a midfoot region is omitted.
3. Inner shoe according to claim 1, characterised in that a medial side part (7) is provided in which the reinforcing element (12) is formed in such a way that a navicular region is omitted.
4. Inner shoe according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that a heat-deformable foamed plastics material, in particular made from polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene or polyvinyl chloride, is provided as the first plastics material (17) of the side part (6, 7).
5. Inner shoe according to claim 4, characterised in that the foamed plastics material (17) is provided with a comparatively thin, preferably textile, cover layer, in particular made of polyethylene, polyester, polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or SBS.
6. Inner shoe according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the modulus of elasticity of the second plastics material (12') of the reinforcing element (6, 7) is least 5 times, preferably 5 to 10 times, the modulus of elasticity of the first plastics material (17).
7. Inner shoe according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the reinforcing element (12) is made, at least in portions, of a thermoplastic elastomer, in particular ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
8. Inner shoe according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the first plastics material (17) is compressed such that at least two linear recesses (15) are provided in a zone (11'), which recesses define a deflection region (16) therebetween, or at least one substantially annular recess (15) is provided which defines a deflection region (16).
9. Inner shoe according to claim 8, characterised in that a plurality of linear recesses (15) are provided around a common central region (16), preferably substantially in the shape of a ring, the distance between two adjacent recesses (15) preferably being less than 30 mm, in particular less than 20 mm.
10. Inner shoe according to claim 8, characterised in that the plurality of substantially mutually parallel, linear recesses (15) is provided, the distance between two adjacent recesses (15) preferably being less than 30 mm, in particular less than 20 mm.
11. Inner shoe according to any of claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the first plastics material (17) is compressed in the region in which it is connected to the reinforcing element (12), the material thickness of the reinforcing element (12) substantially corresponding to the material thickness reduction due to the compression of the first plastics material (17), in particular in those regions in which the reinforcing element (12) is provided.
12. Method for producing an inner shoe (5), in particular for a shell ski boot (1), the inner shoe (5) having a side part (6, 7) which is arranged in the ankle region (11) in the worn state and extends laterally towards the front in the direction of a toe region (11") and for which a substantially planar web-like first plastics material (17) is used as the starting material, and the one reinforcing element (12) being formed, preferably cut, from a second plastics material (12'), the one ankle region (11) being at least partially omitted and the reinforcing element (12) surrounding the ankle region (11) at least in portions, in particular being provided in a region above/below and/or behind the ankle region (11), the plastics material (12') of the reinforcing element (12) having a higher flexural rigidity and/or a higher modulus of elasticity than the first plastics material (17), characterised in that the web-like reinforcing element (12) is inserted into a press (18) in such a way that the reinforcing element (12) is connected to the starting material (17) and is compressed in regions in at least one zone which is omitted by the reinforcing element (12) in such a way that at least one substantially linear recess (15) is provided which has a significantly greater extension in the longitudinal direction than in the transverse direction.
13. Method for producing an inner shoe according to claim 12, characterised in that the first plastics material (17) is heated to a temperature above the softening temperature, preferably to a temperature 10°C to 20°C above the softening temperature, in particular to a temperature between 80°C and 130°C, particularly preferably to a temperature between 90°C and 120°C.
14. Method for producing an inner shoe according to either claim 12 or claim 13, characterised in that the first plastics material (17) is inserted into the press (18) at a temperature above the softening temperature of the first plastics material (17), and the second plastics material (12') is inserted into the press at a temperature below the softening temperature of the second plastics material (12').

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