FR3131509A1 - Ski boot with rear lever piece - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a ski boot (1) comprising a sole (2) intended to receive a boot (10) of a skier and a connecting device (4) comprising a fixing member (41) to the leg of the skier, and comprising: a lever part (3) fixed by a pivot link (23, 31) to the sole, the fixing member being movable with respect to the lever part; a link (5) connected at a first point (53, 54) by a first pivot connection (24, 53) to one of the sole and of the lever part and at a second point (52) to the other of the sole and of the lever part by a second connection (32, 52) allowing movement of the second point; and a deformable member (6) arranged to oppose a displacement of the second point vis-à-vis a rest position. Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Ski boot with rear lever piece

The invention relates to the field of skiing. More specifically, the invention relates to a ski boot.

In the alpine domain and more particularly in skiing and ski boots, many constraints appear and make skiing often uncomfortable. Indeed, ski boot technology has evolved little over time and only offers approximate comfort for the feet, whereas practice requires increased comfort for practitioners. Currently, ski boots are made of relatively rigid plastic and have two rigid, articulated parts. The vertical part of the ski boot receives part of the shin and calf and the horizontal part receives the foot itself. Furthermore, for the comfort of the user, a comfort foam is generally interposed between the foot and/or the calf and the rigid shell forming the shoe.

This type of ski boot has a multitude of disadvantages. On the one hand, the efforts exerted by the skier are not transmitted directly, unless the shoe is tightened very tightly, with the corollary being total discomfort and difficulty in practice for several hours. In addition, morphology is taken very little into account depending on whether the foot is thin or strong, whether the instep is pronounced or whether the ankle is thin, prominent or not. The waterproof rigid shell also constitutes a closed volume from which it is very difficult to evacuate the humidity generated by the phenomenon of natural perspiration of the foot. Another significant disadvantage is the weight of such shoes with rigid shells, linked to the large volume of plastic material to constitute the enveloping shell to which is added the weight of the tightening members and the foams.

An area of the foot is particularly stressed mechanically, to the right of the talus which is compressed during flexion movements. During these forward movements, the upper part of the shell comes to rest on the rod of the shell and exerts significant support, on the one hand on the astragalus, by a phenomenon of crushing of the shell, and on the other hand on the other hand on the tibia, with a non-homogeneous distribution of forces. Likewise, pressure on the malleolus can chew the flesh and cause localized heating. Depending on the morphology of the skier and the profile of the boot, during flexion, the support can also be concentrated at the top of the part located around the lower leg and cause certain discomfort.

In order to overcome these various drawbacks, a solution has been devised in the form of a connecting device between the lower leg of a skier comprising a tibial connection with at least one rigid rod comprising means of attachment to the lower leg and a lower end comprising a pivot connection along an axis relative to said footwear assembly, the connection device comprising articulation means having at least one degree of freedom, interposed between the upper end of said at least one rigid rod and the means attachment to the lower leg. This solution is illustrated in particular in application WO2021/209376.

In this solution, the skier's foot is housed in a light shoe supported on a sole of the connecting device while the lower leg is secured to the connecting device via the fixing means. This solution thus offers the skier better control of his flexion and foot movements and to have less significant forces transmitted to the tibia for a given bending moment due to the increase in the length of the reduction lever arm, this which avoids support with significant friction of a rigid shell against his tibia. In addition, the different degrees of freedom of the fixing means with respect to the rigid rod allow a homogeneous distribution of forces on the contact surfaces, which eliminates force peaks and improves comfort. In addition, damping means are provided to further improve the skier's control of the skis during practice and in particular during the descent. Although this solution is satisfactory from the point of view of the performance it offers, it nevertheless presents disadvantages in terms of ergonomics, aesthetics and industrialization.

In fact, the rigid upper is in the form of a complex rigid piece that wraps the entirety of the skier's tibia. Inserting the skier's foot into this part to position itself on the sole is made complex, in particular due to the particular shape of this rigid part. Furthermore, this shape makes it unsuitable for simple industrialization, and requires complicated and expensive molding processes. In addition, it requires adaptations to the morphology of each skier's calf. Finally, it is not very aesthetic.

There is therefore a need for a solution that incorporates all the advantages of the known solution and which provides answers to each of the identified disadvantages. The present invention is placed in this context and aims to meet this need.

1. une pièce levier fixée par une liaison pivot à la semelle, le dispositif de liaison étant monté sur la pièce levier et étant agencé de sorte que l’organe de fixation soit mobile en translation et/ou en rotation vis-à-vis de la pièce levier;
2. une biellette reliée en un premier point, par une première liaison, à l’une de la semelle et de la pièce levier et reliée en un deuxième point, par une deuxième liaison, à l’autre de la semelle et de la pièce levier, la première liaison étant une liaison pivot et la deuxième liaison étant agencée pour autoriser un déplacement du deuxième point vis-à-vis de à l’autre de la semelle et de la pièce levier;
3. un organe déformable agencé pour exercer un effort à l’encontre d’un déplacement du deuxième point vis-à-vis d’une position de repos du deuxième point.

For these purposes, the subject of the invention is a ski boot comprising a base sole intended to receive a skier's shoe and a device for connecting to the lower leg of the skier, said connection device comprising a fixing member intended to be attached to the skier's leg, characterized in that it comprises:

1. a lever part fixed by a pivot connection to the sole, the connection device being mounted on the lever part and being arranged so that the fixing member is movable in translation and/or in rotation with respect to the part lever;
2. a link connected at a first point, by a first connection, to one of the sole and the lever part and connected at a second point, by a second connection, to the other of the sole and the lever part, the first connection being a pivot connection and the second connection being arranged to allow movement of the second point with respect to the other of the sole and the lever part;
3. a deformable member arranged to exert a force against a movement of the second point with respect to a rest position of the second point.

As in the known solution, the lever part is pivotally mounted relative to the sole so as to offer significant freedom of movement to the skier's leg during bending movements. The connecting device allows at least one degree of freedom, chosen from translation and rotation, of the fixing member via which the skier's lower leg is secured to the ski boot. The lever part can then pivot and/or move in translation relative to this fixing member, which is thus not stressed relative to the lower leg during the skier's flexion movements. The combination of the link and the deformable member makes it possible to absorb the significant forces linked to the pivoting of the lever part and to further improve the skier's control of the skis during practice and in particular during the descent. Finally, taking into account the positioning of the lever part and the use of a link, it is possible to avoid the use of an enveloping part and to opt for a simple design of the lever part. In this way, the skier can be equipped with a light shoe which he can position without difficulty on the sole, and in particular without having to insert his foot into such an enveloping part. This lever piece has only a low aesthetic impact and can be easily integrated into a gaiter. Finally, this lever part plays no role in maintaining the calf, so that it can be standardized and its shape can be chosen to be easily industrializable, the adjustment of the ski boot to the skier's calf can be carried out at level of the connecting device and/or at the level of the link.

Advantageously, the connecting device can be mounted at an upper end of the lever part. Preferably, the fixing member may include at least one elastic band or a Velcro system making it possible to secure the skier's lower leg to the ski boot.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the sole has a receiving zone intended to receive said skier's shoe, and the lever part is a rear lever part fixed, via said pivot connection, to the sole behind the reception zone. reception. If necessary, the fixing member can extend in front of said rear lever part and the connection between the link and the sole can be located in front of the connection between the link and the rear lever part. Alternatively, the lever piece can be fixed, via said pivot connection, to the sole at the level of the landing zone, for example at the level of the skier's malleolus, or even in front of the landing zone.

If desired, the rear lever piece can be arranged to extend only to the rear of a calf of a skier when the skier's boot is positioned at the level of the receiving area of the sole and when the leg lower part of the skier is secured to the binding member. For example, the rear lever part may have a half-shell shape open towards the front of the ski boot. Preferably, the rear lever part is made by injection or extrusion, for example of plastic material or a composite material, in particular plastic reinforced with carbon fibers.

Advantageously, the lever part, in particular a lower end of the lever part, can be mounted on the sole to be able to pivot around a transverse axis, in particular substantially horizontal and perpendicular to an overall direction of the reception zone of the skier's boot and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the skier's ankle. For example, the sole may include an arm extending behind the receiving zone, the lever part being pivotally mounted on said arm.

Advantageously, the link is pivotally mounted on the sole or on the lever part around an axis of rotation passing through the first point and substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lever part with respect to the sole.

In one embodiment of the invention, the second connection, and/or the deformable member, is arranged to allow rotation of the lever part, in particular around an axis of rotation defined by the pivot connection between the sole and the lever part, between an angle of at least 15°, in particular 30°, and an angle of at least -30°, in particular at least -55°, on either side of the rest position . This ensures that the ski boot is suitable for use in different skiing practices, including ski touring. In the context of the present invention, a negative movement of the lever part corresponds to a rotation of the lever part towards the rear of the ski boot while a positive movement corresponds to a rotation towards the front of the ski boot. ski.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the other of the sole and of the lever part comprises a slide and in which the second point of the link is slidably mounted in said slide. Preferably, the slide can extend in a direction substantially identical to the direction of extension of the other of the sole and the lever part. In other words, the slide defines start of travel and end of travel positions of the second point of the link, and therefore of the lever part with respect to the sole.

Advantageously, the slide can be provided on the lever part and the link can be connected at its first point, where appropriate a lower point, by the first connection, to the sole and connected at its second point, where appropriate a higher point , via the second connection, to the lever piece, the second point being slidably engaged in the slide.

Alternatively, the slide can be provided on the sole and the link can be connected at its first point, where appropriate a higher point, by the first connection, to the lever part and connected at its second point, where appropriate a point lower, by the second connection, to the sole, the second point being slidably engaged in the slide.

Advantageously, the link comprises a frame comprising two uprights arranged on either side of the lever part and connected together by a transverse spacer passing in the slide. The portion of said spacer engaged in the slide thus forms the second point. For example, the spacer could be an upper spacer connecting two upper ends of the uprights of the link, said spacer being slidably mounted in a slide of the lever part.

Preferably, the link may comprise two tabs each extending transversely from one of the uprights of the link, in particular from a lower end of said upright, said tabs being inserted in a cylinder of the sole, for example positioned under the zone of landing or above the landing zone of the sole. The portions of the legs engaged in the cylinder thus form the first point. Alternatively, it could be provided that each tab is engaged in a dedicated orifice provided in the sole, said orifices being provided in particular on each side of the receiving zone. As a further variant, it could be provided that the link comprises a lower spacer connecting two lower ends of the amounts of the link, said lower spacer being pivotally mounted in said cylinder.

If desired, the link may include a member for adjusting the spacing of the amounts of the link. For example, the spacer could be formed by two cylinders each extending from the upper ends of one of the amounts of the link, one of the cylinders being inserted slidingly into the other of the cylinders, the one or each cylinder being equipped with one or more members for locking the relative position of said cylinders, such as for example a retractable pin provided on one cylinder and holes provided on the other cylinder.

In another example, the link may comprise a single amount arranged on one side of the lever part and comprising a tab or a piston engaged in the slide.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the deformable member comprises an elastically deformable member arranged to return the second point to its rest position.

Advantageously, the deformable member comprises a spring, in particular a compression spring, mounted in the slide and fixed, on the one hand, to the second point of the link and, on the other hand, to the other of the sole and the part lever.

Preferably, the link and/or the spring comprises a member for disengaging the spring and the second point of the link. For example, the link could be fitted with a hook at the second point and the spring could be provided with a pin inserted into said hook when the link is engaged on the spring. Other disengagement members could be provided, such as for example by equipping the link with a piston engaged in the slide and cooperating with the spring, the frame of the link and the piston being fixed to each other by removable fixing means, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Alternatively, the deformable member may include a torsion spring arranged at the level of the pivot connection between the sole and the lever part, and fixed to said sole and to said lever part.

According to another example of embodiment, the link could be arranged to surround the other of the sole and the lever piece, and the second point of the link could be connected to the other of the sole and the lever piece by a elastic forming said deformable member.

According to yet another embodiment, the deformable member may include a spring mounted on the link.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the deformable member may include a shock absorber arranged to exert a force against a movement of the second point of the link in a given direction. For example, the deformable member may include one or more cylinders, provided in the slide or on the link.

In one embodiment of the invention, the connecting device comprises a member for holding the fixing member, said holding member being connected to the lever part by a slide connection. For example, the lever part may include a slide in which a part of the holding member slides.

According to an exemplary embodiment, the fixing member is connected to said holding member by a pivot connection, in particular along an axis of rotation substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the lever part with respect to the sole.

Advantageously, the fixing member and the holding member are provided with means for removable fixing of the fixing member on the holding member, such as snap-fastening means.

Alternatively or cumulatively, the holding member may include a ball joint mounted to pivot and slide in a slide of the lever part.

Advantageously, the holding member comprises a hoop provided with two opposite legs, the fixing member being fixed to each of said legs, and the holding member comprises a member for adjusting the spacing of said legs.

In one embodiment of the invention, the ski boot comprises a gaiter fixed to the sole and/or to the lever part. The gaiter can form a waterproof envelope, tubular in shape with a barrel, a lower opening, an upper opening and an opening for putting on shoes. Advantageously, the gaiter may include an insulating layer, as a fixed lining by gluing or as a removable lining of the waterproof envelope.

The invention also relates to a footwear assembly comprising a ski boot according to the invention and a light shoe, intended to receive a foot of a skier, the light shoe being intended to be received on the base sole of the shoe ski.

If desired, the light shoe comprises a rigid sole provided with a first part of removable fixing means, the second part of these removable fixing means being carried by the base sole. For example, the removable fixing means could be screws, snap-fit fixings, slides or any similar means, at the front and rear of the sole.

The present invention is now described using examples that are purely illustrative and in no way limiting the scope of the invention, and from the appended drawings, drawings in which the different figures represent:

represents, schematically and partially, an exploded view of a ski boot according to one embodiment of the invention;

represents, schematically and partially, a perspective view of the ski boot of the after assembly;

represents, schematically and partially, a side view of the ski boot of the after assembly;

represents, schematically and partially, a variant execution of a link of the shoe of the ; And

represents, schematically and partially, a variant execution of a link of the shoe of the .

In the description which follows, identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references. In addition, the terms "front", "rear" must be interpreted in the context of the orientation of the ski boot as it has been represented, corresponding to the orientation of a ski boot mounted on a binding of a ski.

We represented in an exploded view of a ski boot 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. There represents a perspective view of the shoe 1, after assembly, while the represents a sectional view of this shoe 1, after assembly and after a skier equipped with a light shoe 10 has equipped himself with this shoe 1.

The shoe 1 comprises a base sole 2 provided with a reception zone 21 of a light shoe 10 worn by a skier.

In the example described, the light shoe 10 can be a shoe intended for practicing a sport other than skiing, such as a running shoe or a cycling shoe. For this purpose, the shoe 10 may include a rigid sole provided with means of attachment to the sole 2 (not shown).

The base sole comprises an arm 22, extending on either side of the receiving zone 21 towards the rear of this receiving zone 21.

The shoe 1 also comprises a lever part 3, a lower end of which is pivotally mounted on the arm 22. In the example described, the lower end of the lever part 3 comprises a pair of lateral pins 31 engaged with the orifices 23 provided in a slot in the arm 22 accommodating this lower end. The lateral pins 31 and the orifices 23 thus form a pivot connection between the arm 22 and the lever part 3 around a transverse axis Y1-Y1 to the shoe 1. In the example described, this pivot connection is placed at the rear of the reception zone 21, the lever part 3 thus being a rear lever part 3. The axis Y1-Y1 is perpendicular to an axis X-X of extension of the reception zone 21, defining the front-rear orientation of the shoe 1, and therefore parallel to the axis of rotation of the skier's ankle. It will be possible to design other types of pivot connection between the arm 22 and the rear lever part 3, and in particular other arrangements of the lever part 3 vis-à-vis the sole 2, in front of zone 21 or at level of this zone 21, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

In the example described, the rear lever part 3 is a beam extending exclusively to the rear of the skier's calf when the skier's shoe 10 is positioned at the level of the reception zone 21. Other shapes could be designed of the rear lever part 3, and in particular a form of half-shell open towards the front or towards the rear and intended to receive the skier's calf, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The rear lever part 3 comprises a first slide 32, transverse and formed by a slot passing through the rear lever part 3 from one side face of this part 3 to the other. The rear lever part 3 comprises a second slide 33, front and formed by a groove, in this case non-through, formed in a front face of the part 3.

The shoe 1 comprises a connecting device 4 intended to connect the lower leg J of the skier to the shoe 1, the connecting device 4 being mounted at an upper end of the rear lever part 3, opposite the lower end.

For these purposes, the connecting device 4 comprises a fixing member 41 intended to be attached to this lower leg J. In the example shown in , the fixing member 41 is an elastic band 41 through which the lower leg J of the skier passes and to which it is thus secured. We could consider other types of fixing members, such as a Velcro system or a set of laces, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The connecting device 4 comprises a member 42 for holding the fixing member 41 to the rear lever part 3 and allowing the fixing member 41 to slide and pivot with respect to this rear lever part 3.

The holding member 42 comprises for this purpose a hoop 43 provided with two opposite lugs 43a, the fixing member 41 being fixed to each of said lugs 43a by a pivot connection, these pivot connections defining an axis of rotation Y2-Y2 of the fixing member substantially parallel to the axis Y1-Y1. It will be noted that the fixing of the fixing member 41 to the lugs 43a is carried out by removable fixing means, such as clips. In this way, the skier can first equip himself with the fixing member 41 and then put on the rest of the ski boot 1.

It may in particular be provided that the legs 43a are arranged in a movable manner relative to each other, so that their spacing is adjustable and that the arch 43 includes a member for locking this spacing.

The holding member 42 also comprises a lug 44 slidably mounted in the slide 33 of the rear lever part 3.

The shoe 1 includes a link 5 connecting the sole 2 to the rear lever part 3.

In the example described, the link 5 is formed by an armature comprising two uprights 51 extending on either side of the rear lever part 3. The upper ends of the uprights 51 are connected together by a transverse spacer 52. The link 5 further comprises two tabs 53 each extending transversely from a lower end of one of the uprights 51.

Each of the tabs 53 is inserted into a transverse cylindrical tube 24 provided under the sole 2, so that the link 5 can pivot with respect to the sole 2 around a transverse axis Y3-Y3. The legs 53 and the tube 24 thus form a pivot connection between the link 5 and the sole 2.

As a variation to the example shown, as shown in , it could be planned to replace the tabs 53 with another spacer 54 intended to be inserted into the tube 24. If necessary, the link 5 could be made in two parts 55 and 55' each comprising an amount 51 and a part of the spacers 52 and 53. Each part of these spacers can be inserted into the other part of the spacers to slide there, so that the spacing between the two uprights 51 can be adjustable, the link 5 then comprising a locking member of this spacing, for example formed by orifices made in one of the parts 55 and retractable pins made in the other of the parts 55'.

The spacer 52 is slidably mounted in the slide 32 of the rear lever part 3.

The slide 32 thus defines start and end positions of the spacer 52 in the slide, and therefore delimits the minimum and maximum travel angles of the rear lever part 3 with respect to the sole 2, when of its rotation around the axis Y1-Y1.

The shoe 1 comprises an elastically deformable member 6, formed in the example described by a compression spring 6 mounted in the slide 32. This spring 6 is fixed on the one hand to the rear lever part 3, above the slide 32, and on the other hand to the spacer 52 of the link 5. This spring 6 is thus arranged to return the link 5 to a rest position.

In the example described, the link 5, the slide 32 and the spring 6 are dimensioned so that the rear lever part 3 can move towards the front of the shoe 1 at a maximum angle of 30° from this rest position, and towards the rear of the shoe 1 at a maximum angle of 55° from this rest position.

As shown in , the link 5 may include a piston arranged 56 arranged in the slide 32 and provided with a hook and the spring 6 may be provided with a pin 61 inserted in this hook 57. This pin 61 and this hook together form a disengagement allowing the link 5 to be disengaged from the spring 6 by manually releasing the pin 61 from the piston 56.

As a variant of the embodiment shown in has , one could conceive of positioning the slide 32 and the spring 6 on the sole 2 and connecting the connecting rod 5 in a pivoting manner to the rear lever part 3, without leaving the framework of the present invention.

The assembly formed by the sole 2, the rear lever part 3, the connecting device 4 and the link 5 associated with the spring 6 thus takes on the mechanical functions of a ski boot, ensuring comfort for the skier with regard to the efforts that it transmits to the ski, via the lever part 3, without these efforts causing friction or heating at the level of its tibia and allowing it significant control of the skis, including for large amplitude bending movements. This ski boot 1 can be associated with a gaiter (not shown), for example fixed to the sole 2 and/or to the rear lever part 3 and making it possible to fulfill the insulation and waterproofing functions of a ski boot. classic skiing.

The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set for itself, and in particular by proposing a ski boot combining a lever piece pivotally mounted on a sole, facing a zone for receiving a skier's shoe, on which is movably mounted, according to at least one degree of freedom, a device for connecting to the skier's lower leg, the sole and the lever part being connected together by a connecting rod and a spring. This ski boot thus makes it possible to maintain the advantages of modern ski boots while improving the ergonomics and fit of the skier, by facilitating the integration of the ski boot into an aesthetic model and by improving the industrialization of the shoe. ski.

In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means. In particular, we could consider other modes of mounting the connecting device on the lever part, for example by means of a ball joint mounted to pivot and slide in a slide of the lever part. We could also consider using a torsion spring or even an elastic band or even a cylinder as an elastically deformable member or as a shock absorber making it possible to oppose a movement of the lever part from its rest position.

Claims (10)

Ski boot (1) comprising a base sole (2) intended to receive a boot (10) of a skier and a connecting device (4) to the lower leg of the skier, said connecting device comprising a fixing member (41) intended to be attached to the skier's leg, characterized in that it comprises:

1. a lever part (3) fixed by a pivot connection (23, 31) to the sole, the connecting device being mounted on the lever part and being arranged so that the fixing member is movable in translation and/or in rotation opposite the lever piece;
2. a link (5) connected at a first point (53, 54), by a first connection (24, 53), to one of the sole and of the lever part and connected at a second point (52), by a second connection (32, 52), to the other of the sole and the lever part, the first connection being a pivot connection and the second connection being arranged to allow movement of the second point with respect to the other of the sole and the lever piece;
3. a deformable member (6) arranged to exert a force against a movement of the second point with respect to a rest position of the second point.

Ski boot (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the second connection (32, 52) and/or the deformable member (6) is arranged to allow rotation of the lever part (3) between an angle of at least minus 15° and an angle of at least -30° on either side of the rest position Ski boot (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the other of the sole (2) and the lever part (3) comprises a slide (32) and in which the second point (52) of the link (5 ) is slidably mounted in said slide. Ski boot (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the link (5) comprises a frame comprising two uprights (51) arranged on either side of the lever part (3) and connected together by a spacer (52). ) transverse passing in the slide (32). Ski boot (1) according to one of claims 3 or 4, in which the deformable member (6) comprises a spring (6) mounted in the slide (32) and fixed, on the one hand, to the second point ( 52) of the link (5) and, on the other hand, to the other of the sole (2) and the lever part (3). Ski boot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the link (5) and/or the spring (6) comprises a disengagement member (57, 61) of the spring and of the second point (52) of the link . Ski boot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the connecting device (4) comprises a holding member (42) of the fixing member (41), said holding member being connected to the part lever (3) by a slide connection. Ski boot (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the fixing member (41) is connected to said holding member (42) by a pivot connection. Ski boot (1) according to one of claims 7 or 8, in which the holding member (42) comprises a hoop (43) provided with two opposite lugs (43a), the fixing member (41) being fixed to each of said tabs, and in which the holding member comprises a member for adjusting the spacing of said tabs. Ski boot (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a gaiter fixed to the sole (2) and/or to the lever part (3).