GB2152355A

GB2152355A - A ski boot walking attachment

Info

Publication number: GB2152355A
Application number: GB08400213A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Sibree Milledge
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-01-05
Filing date: 1984-01-05
Publication date: 1985-08-07
Also published as: GB8400213D0

Abstract

Downhill ski boots are uncomfortable to walk in because of the flat profile of their soles. The device reduces this discomfort by converting this profile into a curve over the fore- part of the boot allowing a more natural walking action. It is releasably attached to the underside of the boot by engaging with the standard ski boot toe and by elasticated cords or springs to the heel and/or instep. Ski boots force the wearer to stand with knees bent because of the angle of the leg to foot of the boot. The device, by raising the toe allows the knee to be straightened when standing. The device also reduces wear on the boot toe and in another aspect may incorporate a heel piece to protect the boot heel. It may be manufactured from plastic or other material. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Ski Boot and accessory device The modern downhill ski boot is rigid, has a flat sole of standard configuration front and back adapted for engagement with standard ski bindings, and a fixed angle between the axis of the leg section and the sole which is less than a right angle. Though excellent for its designed purpose, the boot is uncomfortable for walking in, especially on roads and pavements.

It is an object of the invention to provide means for lessening the discomfort.

According to one aspect, the invention provides, in combination, a downhill ski boot and an accessory device releasably attached to it, the device comprising a platform underlying at least part of the sole of the boot, at least forwardly of the instep of the foot, whereby in use of the boot the angle between the ground and the axis of the leg portion of the boot is increased. Preferably the height of the platform is such that the angle is increased to a right angle or thereabouts (preferably to within 10 or better to within 5 ). This then allows the wearer to stand with the knee straight. The height of the platform may for example be such as to raise the toe portion of the boot by between 1 cm and 3cm, preferably 2cm + 20%. Preferably the platform extends to the toe portion of the boot.

In a preferred form of the invention, the platform extends at least from the metatarsal heads of the foot to the toe portion of the boot and is of less height at the toe portion than at the metatarsal heads, whereby in use the boot can rock about the region of the metatarsal heads. The distance between metatarsal heads and tip of toe is normally about one quarter to one third of the length of the human foot; the length of the foot (for practical purposes in the present context) ranges from about 18cm to about 46cm; and it is in this sense that the references to metatarsal heads and their position should be construed.Thus the distance between the toe portion and the area about which the boot can rock may be between about 4cm and 15cm, or preferably between about 8cm and 1 2cm, or for a typical medium sized adult ski boot it conveniently is of a standard length of 10cm (say + 1cm).

Desirably this is also the length of the platform, though it may extend further towards the heel of the boot. Preferably the underside of the platform is curved substantially throughout its length from the metatarsal heads to the toe portion. This then additionally converts the profile of the sole into one partly resembling a Dutch clog allowing the wearer's weight to roll forward from the ball of the foot to the toe. The radius of curvature in the region of the toe portion is preferably much less than in the region of the metatarsal heads (e.g. 5cm to 1 Ocm radius of curvature as compared e.g. to 30cm to 80cm or more further back). Transversely the underside of the platform need not be curved; preferably the underside has a profiled tread for improved grip on snow and ice.

The device may be releasably attached to the boot in any desired way. Preferably however the device is adapted for engagement with the standard configuration at the front of the sole to position it, and held in engagement therewith by resilient means. Thus the device may have upstanding portions to abut the sides of the sole and the toe portion at the front. The upstanding portions may have a recurred lug or lugs to embrace the front of the sole in the manner of ski binding. The resilient means may take the form of a spring clip or an elasticated string captive in a transverse hole or sockets of the device and snapped over the top of the boot forwardly of the instep or behind the rear of the heel.

The combination of the ski boot with the device attached to it converts the boot into a comfortable walking boot.

An incidental advantage of the device is that it preserves the toe portion of the sole from wear.

Preferably the combination of boot and device has an additional accessory device in the form of a heel cap underlying the heel portion of the boot and releasably attached to the boot. The heel cap may be adapted for engagement with the standard configuration at the back of the heel to position it, and it may have a recurved lug or lugs to embrace the back of the heel, also in the manner of a ski binding, desirably also by resilient means.

Preferably the resilient means is an elasticated string fixed both to the front device and the heel cap and arranged to urge them towards one another whereby both are held to the front and back of the boot in the manner of ski bindings.

The platform and the heel cap if used, may be made of moulded synthetic plastics material, preferably honeycombed or otherwise shaped with voids for weight reduction or in any other suitable material including metal or rubber. In a preferred form a pair of the devices are adapted to intercalate and to bea snap fit one with the other for compactness and ease of storage.

According to a second aspect, the invention provides an accessory device adapted for releasable attachment to a downhill ski boot, the device having some or all of the features appertaining to the device mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs (whether or not in combination with a heel cap).

Several preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a form of ski boot walking attachment in perspective, Fig. 2 is a two part view of a downhill ski boot and the attachment of Fig. 1 in juxtaposition, Fig. 3 shows the attachment with a heel cap and its relation to a ski boot.

Fig. 4 shows a pair of attachments to indicate the way they may be intercalated for stowage when not in use.

Claims

1. A device for downhill ski boots releasably attached to the fore-part of the underside of the boot so as to render the boot more comfortable to walk

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Ski Boot and accessory device The modern downhill ski boot is rigid, has a flat sole of standard configuration front and back adapted for engagement with standard ski bindings, and a fixed angle between the axis of the leg section and the sole which is less than a right angle. Though excellent for its designed purpose, the boot is uncomfortable for walking in, especially on roads and pavements. It is an object of the invention to provide means for lessening the discomfort. According to one aspect, the invention provides, in combination, a downhill ski boot and an accessory device releasably attached to it, the device comprising a platform underlying at least part of the sole of the boot, at least forwardly of the instep of the foot, whereby in use of the boot the angle between the ground and the axis of the leg portion of the boot is increased. Preferably the height of the platform is such that the angle is increased to a right angle or thereabouts (preferably to within 10 or better to within 5 ). This then allows the wearer to stand with the knee straight. The height of the platform may for example be such as to raise the toe portion of the boot by between 1 cm and 3cm, preferably 2cm + 20%. Preferably the platform extends to the toe portion of the boot. In a preferred form of the invention, the platform extends at least from the metatarsal heads of the foot to the toe portion of the boot and is of less height at the toe portion than at the metatarsal heads, whereby in use the boot can rock about the region of the metatarsal heads. The distance between metatarsal heads and tip of toe is normally about one quarter to one third of the length of the human foot; the length of the foot (for practical purposes in the present context) ranges from about 18cm to about 46cm; and it is in this sense that the references to metatarsal heads and their position should be construed.Thus the distance between the toe portion and the area about which the boot can rock may be between about 4cm and 15cm, or preferably between about 8cm and 1 2cm, or for a typical medium sized adult ski boot it conveniently is of a standard length of 10cm (say + 1cm). Desirably this is also the length of the platform, though it may extend further towards the heel of the boot. Preferably the underside of the platform is curved substantially throughout its length from the metatarsal heads to the toe portion. This then additionally converts the profile of the sole into one partly resembling a Dutch clog allowing the wearer's weight to roll forward from the ball of the foot to the toe. The radius of curvature in the region of the toe portion is preferably much less than in the region of the metatarsal heads (e.g. 5cm to 1 Ocm radius of curvature as compared e.g. to 30cm to 80cm or more further back). Transversely the underside of the platform need not be curved; preferably the underside has a profiled tread for improved grip on snow and ice. The device may be releasably attached to the boot in any desired way. Preferably however the device is adapted for engagement with the standard configuration at the front of the sole to position it, and held in engagement therewith by resilient means. Thus the device may have upstanding portions to abut the sides of the sole and the toe portion at the front. The upstanding portions may have a recurred lug or lugs to embrace the front of the sole in the manner of ski binding. The resilient means may take the form of a spring clip or an elasticated string captive in a transverse hole or sockets of the device and snapped over the top of the boot forwardly of the instep or behind the rear of the heel. The combination of the ski boot with the device attached to it converts the boot into a comfortable walking boot. An incidental advantage of the device is that it preserves the toe portion of the sole from wear. Preferably the combination of boot and device has an additional accessory device in the form of a heel cap underlying the heel portion of the boot and releasably attached to the boot. The heel cap may be adapted for engagement with the standard configuration at the back of the heel to position it, and it may have a recurved lug or lugs to embrace the back of the heel, also in the manner of a ski binding, desirably also by resilient means. Preferably the resilient means is an elasticated string fixed both to the front device and the heel cap and arranged to urge them towards one another whereby both are held to the front and back of the boot in the manner of ski bindings. The platform and the heel cap if used, may be made of moulded synthetic plastics material, preferably honeycombed or otherwise shaped with voids for weight reduction or in any other suitable material including metal or rubber. In a preferred form a pair of the devices are adapted to intercalate and to bea snap fit one with the other for compactness and ease of storage. According to a second aspect, the invention provides an accessory device adapted for releasable attachment to a downhill ski boot, the device having some or all of the features appertaining to the device mentioned in the foregoing paragraphs (whether or not in combination with a heel cap). Several preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a form of ski boot walking attachment in perspective, Fig. 2 is a two part view of a downhill ski boot and the attachment of Fig. 1 in juxtaposition, Fig. 3 shows the attachment with a heel cap and its relation to a ski boot. Fig. 4 shows a pair of attachments to indicate the way they may be intercalated for stowage when not in use. Claims

2. A device as claimed in 1 wherein the attachment is by engagement to the standard skiboot toe and by elasticated cords or spring ciips attached to the standard boot heel and/or boot instep and/or ankle.

3. A device as claimed in 1 wherein a heel piece is included. This heel piece engages with the heel of the boot and is attached to the toe piece by elasticated cords or springs.

4. A device as claimed in 1 wherein a pair of devices may be made so as to intercalate the one with the other for ease of storage when not in use.