FR3043529A1 - SKI SHOE WITH SKI MECHANISM / FRONTAL MARKET - Google Patents

Abstract

A ski boot (4) comprises a shell (8) and a leg portion (12) hinged to the shell (8) in correspondence with a pair of joints (14), and which includes a pair of side panels (16). , 18) overlapping at least partially in correspondence with a front portion (20) of the leg portion (12), directed towards a point (24) of the shell (8), the shell (8) comprising a pair of pieces lower (26), at least partially vis-à-vis / superimposed, and a tongue (32) at least partially superimposed on said flaps (16, 18) in correspondence with the front portion (20). The tongue (32) comprises a pair of sections, a first of which interfaces with the front portion (20), and the second of which interfaces with a dorsal portion (36) of the shell (8) between the two sections. being interposed articulation means that can rotate between them. The second section is articulated, from the opposite part to the articulation means, on the dorsal part (36), the tongue (32) being provided with selection means (56) to pass from a ski configuration, where the means (56) rigidly connect the two sections, preventing their mutual rotation, to a walking configuration, where they allow their rotation.

Description

The present invention relates to a ski boot having a mechanism for selecting the ski configuration in the walking configuration, commonly called ski-walk, disposed in the front position.

EXISTING TECHNIQUE

As is known, the ski boots comprise a shell, capable of receiving the user's foot, and a leg portion, capable of receiving the tibial portion of the user, at least partially open to allow the insertion of said foot. Subsequent closure of the shell and leg portion is provided by a plurality of closure levers with hooks that hook onto ratchet teeth positioned appropriately on the shoe.

In addition, it is known to make certain types of ski boots for a ski mountaineering activity, in which it is expected that the skier can pass a ski configuration, in which the leg portion must be rigid with respect to the shell in order to transmit with extreme precision the movements of the foot to the boot, and consequently to the ski, to a walking configuration, in which the boot must allow as much as possible the rotation of the leg portion relative to the hull to promote the rotational movement of the foot during the walk of the user.

The transition from one configuration to the other can also be done very frequently, especially if the user is moving from frequented runways to off-road courses, which is why he must continually alternate sections of ski runs with sections of walking route.

In general, this type of shoe is used in disciplines such as Ski Touring Telemark, and the like.

The ski boot solutions according to the existing technique provide for the production of a hinged leg portion on the hull, so as to be able to turn about an axis of articulation positioned near the malleoli, and provided with a mechanism for selection ski / walk, or ski-walk, so as to inhibit or allow, respectively, the rotation of the leg portion relative to the hull.

This known type mechanism usually comprises a hinge-mounted shaft with a free end selectively engageable with a hook or similar device suitably attached to the leg portion. In the case of locking said end, the shaft prevents any relative movement, and therefore any translation, between the leg portion and the shell, acting substantially in support or in traction.

Known solutions are not free from disadvantages and limitations.

First and foremost, the known solutions implement stems which are positioned at the rear of the shell and the leg portion, with the respective locking / unlocking mechanisms which include levers or knobs which must be actuated for the change. configuration.

These levers and devices are difficult to access, because they are positioned at the rear of the shoe: the user must therefore bend down and carry the hand on the back side of the shoe, without seeing the lever to grab and to operate.

These devices are therefore complicated and impractical to distinguish and operate, while also taking into account the fact that the user must be able to operate them wearing fur-lined gloves.

In addition, the devices must also ensure that, in the ski configuration, there is no relative movement between the leg portion and the hull in other words, the locking / unlocking mechanism must be able to block substantially the leg part, so as to avoid that there can be even minimal games. Otherwise, the user would lose his sensitivity, and the shoe would be imprecise for skiing. On the other hand, the same device must be able, in the running configuration, to oppose as little as possible to the rotational movement of the leg portion relative to the hull. In this way, an easy and tiring walk is made possible.

Both requirements, however, are antithetical. Indeed, often the solutions of the existing technique implement the use of rods that engage pins; these stems used to reinforce the blockage, even when they are unlocked, present considerable friction with parts of the shoe that act as guide stems themselves.

The problems mentioned below are not at all negligible, especially considering that during a day, it may be necessary to activate / deactivate the device up to several tens of times.

Therefore, it is understood that the technical problem of the present invention is strongly felt by users.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, there is a need to overcome the disadvantages and limitations mentioned with reference to the existing technique.

This requirement is satisfied by a ski boot according to claim 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other features, as well as the advantages, of the present invention will become more easily understood from the following description of its preferred and nonlimiting exemplary embodiments, in which: FIG. schematic perspective of a ski boot provided with ski / step selection means, in a ski configuration, or closure, according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 represents a perspective view of the ski boot of FIG. 1, equipped with ski / step selection means, in an opening or walking configuration; Figure 3 shows the shoe of Figure 1, in which associated closure means have been omitted; Figure 4 shows the shoe of Figure 2, in which associated closure means have been omitted; Figure 5 shows a perspective view, in opening configuration, or floor, of a shoe according to the present invention; Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a hull according to the present invention; Figures 7 and 8 respectively show perspective views in opening and closing configuration of a ski boot tongue provided with ski / step selection means according to the present invention.

The elements or parts of elements in common between the embodiments described in the following will be indicated by identical reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to the figures mentioned above, it is generally indicated in 4 an overall schematic view of a ski boot according to the present invention.

For purposes of the present invention, it is necessary to specify that the term ski boot should be considered broadly, including any types of ski boot, ski mountaineering, telemark, and the like.

The ski boot 4 comprises a shell 8 capable of receiving the foot of a user and a leg portion 12, associated with the shell 8, and capable of receiving a tibial portion of a user.

For purposes of the present invention, both the shell 8 and the leg portion 12 may be of any size, shape, and material, and may be of any typology, including for example two or more parts assembled and articulated together. .

The leg portion 12 is articulated on the shell 8 in correspondence with a pair of joints 14, corresponding to the malleoli of the user's foot.

The leg portion 12 comprises a pair of side panels 16, 18 mutually superposed at least partially in correspondence with a front portion 20 of the leg portion 12, directed towards a point 24 of the shell 8.

The shell 8 itself comprises a pair of lower panels 26, 28 facing each other and / or mutually superimposed, at least partially.

The boot 4 further comprises a tongue 32 at least partially superimposed on said side panels 16, 18 corresponding to the front portion 20 of the leg portion 12.

The tongue is moreover at least partially superimposed on the bottom flaps 26, 28 of the shell 8 in correspondence with a dorsal portion 36 of the shell.

The tongue 32 comprises a pair of sections, namely a first section 40 which interfaces with the front portion 20 of the leg portion 12, and a second section 44 which interfaces with a dorsal portion 36 of the shell 8, and, between the first and the second sections 40, 44, are interposed articulation means 48 capable of allowing relative rotation between the first and second sections 40, 44.

The concept of articulation means 48 must be understood in a broad and non-literal sense.

In particular, it is possible to ensure that the hinge means 48 comprise an elastically deformable portion 52. For example, said elastically deformable portion 52 may comprise a bellows portion.

In this case, the bellows part does not constitute a hinge itself, insofar as it can not define a precise axis of geometric rotation, from the moment when the rotation occurs in correspondence with the elastically deformable portion. In all cases, the bellows portion provides the hinge function, insofar as it allows a relative rotation between the first section and the second section 44. The deformation is elastic in the sense that, during the interruption of the pushing action on at least one of the sections, the bellows portion or an equivalent elastically deformable portion 52 elastically returns to the correct undistorted configuration without undergoing any deformation, neither permanent nor plastic.

According to another possible embodiment, the hinge means 48 comprise joints with associated pins (not shown).

Mixed embodiments are also possible, wherein the hinge means 48 comprise either an elastically deformable portion 52, provided for example with a bellows portion, or one or more hinge pins.

The second section 44 of the tongue 32 is itself hinged, at the portion opposite to said articulation means 48, to the dorsal portion 36 of the shell 8.

Advantageously, the tongue 32 is provided with ski / walk selection means 56 for passing from a ski configuration, in which the ski / walk selection means 56 rigidly connect the first and second sections 40 together, 44, preventing their mutual rotation, to a gait configuration, in which the ski / walk selection means 56 allow relative rotation between the first and second sections 40, 44.

Preferably, said ski / step selection means 56 constitute a bilateral rotation connection between the first section 40 and the second section 44, so as to prevent any rotation between said sections 40, 44, as well as reciprocal bringing together and removal .

Preferably, the ski / walk selection means 56 are arranged in overlap with respect to the articulation means 48.

According to one embodiment, the ski / step selection means 56 comprise at least one hook 60 and at least one tooth 64 capable of coupling with the hook 60 to mutually block the first and second sections 40, 44, the hook 60 and the tooth 64 being each disposed on a corresponding section 40, 44 of the tongue 32.

In other words, the hook 60 and the tooth 64 are attached to distinct sections 40, 44 indifferently: therefore, the relative positions on the sections, for purposes of the present invention, are equivalent.

The tooth 64 may for example be constituted by a single point to which the hook 60 hooks.

In particular, the hook 60 is articulated on a corresponding section 40, 44 so as to turn from an unlocking configuration, in which it is detached from the tooth 64, to a locking configuration, in which it is positioned on the another section 44, 40 so as to hook to the corresponding tooth 64.

Preferably, the hook 60 is hinged on a first rotational pin 61 so as to be able to pass from the locking configuration, or ski, to the unlocking configuration, or to walk, by turning around the first spindle respective rotation 61.

Preferably, the security element 68 is articulated on a second rotational pin 63 so as to be able to pass from the locking configuration of the hook 60 to the unblocking configuration of the hook 60 by rotating around the second spindle of respective rotation 63. The coupling between the hook 60 and the tooth 64 is preferably of the forced type, or, in other words, interference type, but it can also be free.

Preferably, the ski / walk selection means 56 comprise a safety element 68 shaped so as to lock the hook 60 in position when it is hooked on the respective tooth 64.

The second section 44 is articulated on the dorsal portion 36 of the shell 8, near a point 24 of the boot 4, by means of a pair of pins 72 associated with side portions 76, 78 of the shell 8.

According to the embodiment, the tongue 32 comprises a reinforcing plate 80 which extends from said pins 72 to the ski / walk selection means 56.

The leg portion 12 comprises closure means 84 comprising levers 88 operably connected to associated rings 90 and racks 92, in a known manner, which allow, in the closed configuration, closure between said side panels 16, 18.

Preferably, the closing means 84 are positioned so as to be at least partially superimposed on the first section 40 of the tongue 32 in the closing configuration of the closing means 84 themselves.

In this way, following closure of the closure means 84 on the leg portion 12, there is obtained a connection with the rotation of the tongue 32. It is evident that if the closure means 84 on the part of the leg 12 are closed and the selection means ski / walk 56 are in the ski position, it is obtained the maximum possible stiffness of the shoe 4. If, in the closing configuration of the closing means 84 on the part leg 12, it is performed the release of the ski / walk selection means 56 in the walking position, or walk, then the tongue 32 will be likely to bend forward, also favoring, if only partially, the walking movement. It is evident that the maximum amplitude in the walk, and therefore the maximum excursion amplitude of the leg of the user, will be possible in the opening configuration of the closing means 84 on the part 12, and the running position of the ski / walk selection means 56.

According to one embodiment, the closure means 84 of the leg portion 12 are positioned so as to be at least partially superimposed on the ski / walk selection means 56 so as to prevent the release of the ski / walk selection means 56 in the closing configuration of the closure means 84. This embodiment provides additional security, insofar as it prevents the release of the ski / run selection means 56 as the closure means 84 are closed.

According to one embodiment, the shell 8 comprises closure means 84, comprising levers 88 operatively connected to rings 90 and associated racks 92, which allow, in the closure configuration, closure between said lower flats 26, 28, wherein said closure means 84 are positioned to be at least partially superimposed on the second section 44 of the tongue 32 in the closure configuration of the closure means 84.

According to one embodiment, the shell 8 comprises closure means 84, comprising levers 88 operatively connected to rings 90 and associated racks 92 which allow, in the closed configuration, the closure between the lower panels 26 , 28, wherein said closing means 84 are positioned so as to be at least partially superimposed on the ski / run selection means 56 so as to prevent the release of the ski / run selection means 56 in the closure configuration of the means closing 84.

As can be appreciated from what is thus described, the ski boot according to the invention overcomes the disadvantages presented by the existing technique.

In particular, thanks to the present invention, the rear ski / step mechanism present in all the shoes on the market for use in the Telemark Ski Touring disciplines is entirely eliminated.

In this way, above all, the security for the user is increased. Indeed, the selection mechanism disposed at the front, on the tongue, is located in a protected position, less exposed to blows.

Indeed, in case of a fall, the part most exposed to blows is undoubtedly the rear or side part of the leg part or the hull, and not the front part near the patella of the tongue, in the area of confluence between the tibial part and the dorsal part of the foot.

In addition, the ski / walking mechanism in the frontal position becomes easy to control by the user, easy to reach and easier to use compared to known solutions, insofar as it is arranged in a position always clearly visible by the user. user, who can distinguish and operate without problem, even if he wears his gloves.

In addition, the ski / step mechanism according to the present invention, in the locking configuration, or ski, is extremely rigid, and therefore, is also very accurate to transmit the movements communicated by the user to the shoe. Therefore, in the ski configuration, the shoe has a rigidity more than adequate to meet the requirements of a skier, in terms of ski reliability and accuracy.

At the same time, the mechanism according to the present invention, in the operating position, is able to release the rotational movement of the leg portion relative to the shell, without inhibiting or counteracting in any way the rotation of the leg portion. , and without increasing the walking effort on the part of the user.

In addition, the present invention is also characterized by ease of operation even with the levers closed: indeed, the release of the ski / step mechanism, even with the levers closed, allows an excursion of the leg portion relative to the hull .

Therefore, it is possible to walk with both the levers fully open and the levers closed.

In addition, the solution according to the present invention is particularly economical to achieve: in fact, the mechanism itself is fully housed in the tongue.

In theory, it is also possible to use the present invention for reconfiguration: the original tongue could be replaced by a tongue provided with a ball joint and a ski / step mechanism associated to allow the walking movement to a shoe which is not originally designed for this use.

In addition, the solution according to the present invention is more economical than known solutions, because, as seen, it focuses on a tongue in the front position.

This lower cost is thus due to the simplicity of the mechanism ski / step on the tongue, which eliminates all the components and mechanisms used in the known solutions, mechanically more complex.

In addition, thanks to the present invention, the entry of the foot into the shoe is easier: in fact, the ball on the tongue can be used advantageously to enlarge the entrance opening of the foot, and, therefore, facilitate the boot, by simply folding the tongue forward in the boot phase of the shoe.

In addition, contrary to the solutions according to the known technique, the angle of inclination of the boot in the ski phase will always be equal on all leg / calf dimensions, since it is the front mechanism on the tongue in the ski position which determines it, the rear leg portion being free and independent to rotate and adapt to the calf dimension. It is indeed known that, in equal measure, calf diameters can vary on average by about 6 cm, less or more.

This can not be achieved in shoes with a rear mechanism, in which it is the leg that changes the inclination: indeed, in the known solutions, it is often used a removable spoiler with a maximum thickness of one centimeter for try to improve this situation.

With the present invention, the problem is solved upstream.

In addition, the present shoe has a greater fatigue resistance, thanks to the simplicity and the smallest number of components of the final product.

Overall, the present invention makes it possible to obtain a highly technical shoe, characterized by the constancy of the angle of inclination of the leg portion with respect to the shell, by the locking of the forefoot, and by the ease of use. entry and exit of the foot.

A technique of the field, in order to meet the contingent and specific requirements, may make many modifications and variations to the ski boots described above, all these being otherwise contained in the scope of the applicability of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims (13)

Ski boot (4) comprising: a shell (8) capable of receiving a user's foot and a leg portion (12) associated with the shell (8) and capable of receiving a tibial portion of a user, -the leg portion (12) being articulated on the shell (8) in correspondence with a pair of joints (14), - the leg portion (12) comprising a pair of side panels (16, 18) mutually overlapping at least partially in correspondence with a front portion (20) of the leg portion (12), directed towards a tip (24) of the shell (8), the shell (8) comprising a pair of flats at least partially at least partially overlapping the at least one side (26, 28), - a tongue (32) at least partially superimposed on said side panels (16, 18) in correspondence with said front part (20) of the leg portion (12), characterized in that: - the tongue (32) comprises a pair of sections, a first section (40) interfacing with the front portion (20) of the leg portion (12), a second section (44) interfacing with a back portion (36) of the shell (8), and, the first and second sections (40, 44) being interposed with articulation means (48) adapted to allow relative rotation between the first and second sections (40, 44), the second section (44) being itself articulated, from a portion opposite to said articulation means (48), on the dorsal portion (36) of the shell (8), the tongue (32) being provided with ski / walking selection means ( 56) to switch from a ski configuration, in which the ski / step selection means (56) rigidly interconnect the first and second sections (40, 44), preventing their mutual rotation, to a gait configuration, wherein they allow relative rotation between the first and second sections (40, 44). 2. Ski boot (4) according to claim 1, characterized in that said ski / step selection means (56) constitute a bilateral rotation connection between the first section (40) and the second section (44), so that to prevent any rotation between said sections (40, 44) as well reciprocal approximation and removal. 3. Ski boot (4) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said ski / step selection means (56) are arranged in overlap relative to the hinge means (48). Ski boot (4) according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the ski / step selection means (56) comprise at least one hook (60) and at least one tooth (64) capable of coupling with the hook (60) so as to mutually lock the first and second sections (40, 44), the hook (60) and the tooth (64) being each arranged on a corresponding section (40, 44) of the tongue (32). 5. Ski boot (4) according to claim 4, characterized in that the hook (60) is articulated on a corresponding section (40, 44) so as to rotate an unlocking configuration, in which it is detached from the tooth (64), in a locking configuration, in which it is positioned on the other section (44, 40), so as to hook on the corresponding tooth (64). 6. Ski boot (4) according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that the ski / step selection means (56) comprise a safety element (68) shaped so as to lock in position the hook (60). ) when hooked onto the respective tooth (64). Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second section (44) is articulated on the dorsal part (36) of the shell (8), close to a point ( 24) of the shoe (4), using a pair of pins (72) associated with side portions (76, 78) of the shell (8). 8. Ski boot (4) according to claim 7, characterized in that the tongue (32) comprises a reinforcing plate (80) extending from said pins (72) to the ski / walking selection means (56). ). 9. Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge means (48) comprise an elastically deformable portion (52). 10. Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge means (48) comprise a bellows portion 11. Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hinge means (48) comprise hinges with associated pins. 12. Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the leg portion (12) comprises closing means (84) comprising levers (88) operably connected to rings ( 90) and associated racks (92) which, in the closure configuration, allow closure between said side panels (16, 18), and in that said closing means (84) are positioned so as to be located superposed at least partially on the first section (40) of the tongue (32) in the closing configuration of the closing means (84). 13. Ski boot (4) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the shell (8) comprises closure means (84), comprising levers (88) operably connected to rings (90). ) and racks (92), which, in the closure configuration, allow closure between the lower panels (26, 28), and in that said closing means (84) are positioned so as to be superposed at least partially to the ski / step selection means (56) so as to prevent the release of the ski / step selection means (56) in the closing configuration of the closing means (84).