US20030110664A1 - Sports shoe - Google Patents

Sports shoe Download PDF

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Publication number
US20030110664A1
US20030110664A1 US10/296,890 US29689002A US2003110664A1 US 20030110664 A1 US20030110664 A1 US 20030110664A1 US 29689002 A US29689002 A US 29689002A US 2003110664 A1 US2003110664 A1 US 2003110664A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
shell
sports shoe
cuff
user
leg
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US10/296,890
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English (en)
Inventor
Francesco Caeran
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Benetton Group SRL
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Assigned to BENETTON GROUP S.A. reassignment BENETTON GROUP S.A. ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: CAERAN, FRANCESCO
Publication of US20030110664A1 publication Critical patent/US20030110664A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
    • A43B5/0415—Accessories
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/08—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners
    • A43B23/16—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like
    • A43B23/17—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like made of plastics

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an improved sports shoe for practicing a gliding sport, such as skiing, skating, snowboarding and the like.
  • the present invention relates to a sports shoe, which provides an optimal management of the forces transmitted between the leg of the user and a gliding device (such as a ski, a skate or the like) associated to the sports shoe, so as to ensure more comfort, improved performances and more safety during the sports activity.
  • a gliding device such as a ski, a skate or the like
  • a sports shoe of the known type comprises a rigid shell member, which is connected at the bottom to a sole and which is pivotally mounted to a substantially rigid cuff.
  • the shell and the cuff are designed, so as to surround respectively the foot and the lower portion of the user's leg (i.e. approximately the tibial and calf regions).
  • the assembly comprising the sole, the shell and the cuff constitutes, in practice, a force transmission structure, which allows consolidating the forces that are transmitted between the foot/lower portion of the user's leg and the gliding device.
  • FR-A-2119653 discloses a ski boot provided with shell and a cuff that are joined in a single element, which is composed of mutually associated portions made of different materials.
  • the main drawback of such a ski boot is its considerable overall weight, due to the fact that multiple layers of rigid materials are used in the force transmission structure of the ski boot.
  • FR-A-2653310 discloses a sports shoe which is provided with reinforcing means for improving the rigidity of the force transmission structure of the sports shoe.
  • a pair of rigid U-shaped brackets is used for providing rigidity to the cuff of the sports shoe.
  • EP-A-645101 discloses a sports shoe, which is provided with a force transmission structure comprising a plurality of support elements, which are associated to the shell and the cuff.
  • the aim of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which is capable of making the sports activity more comfortable for the user and providing, at the same time, a good manoeuvrability of a gliding device, associated to the sports shoe.
  • an object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which uses a force transmission structure that is relatively light and low-weight and is provided with a high level of rigidity, at the same time.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which is structurally simple and can be produced with relatively low manufacturing costs.
  • a sports shoe for practicing a gliding sport which comprises a force transmission structure for consolidating the forces transmitted between a gliding device, associated to the sports shoe, and the foot and the lower portion of the user's leg accomodated in the sports shoe, the force transmission structure comprising:
  • a relatively rigid shell associated to the sole of the sports shoe and extending beyond it for surrounding, at least partially, the user's foot;
  • a cuff associated to the shell and extending beyond it for surrounding, at least partially, the lower portion of the user's leg characterised in that the force transmission structure comprises force conveying means for concentrating the forces, transmitted between the gliding device and the foot and the lower portion of the user's leg, in a predefined stress region, which extends approximately from the rear region of the lower portion of the leg to the anklebone region.
  • FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the sports shoe, according to the present invention in a first embodiment
  • FIG. 2 is a partially sectioned top view of the sports shoe, according to the present invention in a second embodiment
  • FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the sports shoe, according to the present invention in a third embodiment
  • FIG. 4 is a side perspective view of a detail related to the sports shoe of FIG. 3.
  • the sports shoe according to the present invention will be described hereinafter with particular reference to its use as a ski boot. This is only for sake of simplicity and it does not imply any limitation of the scope of the present invention. In fact, the sports shoe according to the present invention can be advantageously used without distinction in many types of gliding sports, such as skiing, snowboarding, skating and the like.
  • the sports shoe according to the present invention is designated by reference number 2 .
  • the sports shoe 2 comprises a force transmission structure 300 for consolidating the forces which are transmitted between a gliding device (not shown), associated to the sports shoe 2 , and the lower portion of the leg (i.e. the tibial and calf regions) and the foot of the user accomodated in the sports shoe 2 .
  • the force transmission structure 300 comprises a relatively rigid sole 201 (FIGS. 1 and 3), which is aimed at interfacing the sports shoe 2 with the gliding device.
  • the force transmission structure 300 comprises also a relatively rigid shell 2 a , which comprises a toe portion 200 a and a heel portion 200 b .
  • the shell 2 a is associated to the sole 201 and extends beyond it, so as to surround, at least partially, the user's foot.
  • a cuff 2 b is also provided.
  • the cuff 2 b is advantageously associated to the shell 2 a and extends beyond it, so as to surround, at least partially, the leg of the user.
  • the force transmission structure 300 comprises force conveying means 301 for concentrating the forces (see dotted arrows 5 a in FIG. 1), transmitted between the gliding device and the foot and the leg of the user, in a predefined stress region 1 .
  • the predefined stress region 1 extends approximately from the rear region 700 of the lower portion of the leg to the anklebone region 701 .
  • the predefined stress region 1 may extend approximately from the rear region 700 of the lower portion of the leg to the internal and/or external malleoli regions of the user's foot.
  • the advantages brought about by the force transmission structure 300 are remarkable. Thanks to the use of the force convey means 301 , a substantially anisotropic transmission of forces occurs through the sports shoe 2 . Lines of force are in practice concentrated on the predefined stress region 1 , which works as a force short-circuit path. This fact allows avoiding a distributed transmission of forces 5 a through the shell 2 a and the cuff 2 b . In this manner, the shell 2 a and the cuff 2 b need to be reinforced only at the predefined stress region 1 , in order to ensure a satisfactory level of rigidity of the force transmission structure 300 . As a result, the shell 2 a and the cuff 2 b can be realised so as to be overall thinner and lighter.
  • the force conveying means 301 comprise predefined relief regions 6 a and/or first support elements 6 b and/or second support elements 6 c , which can cooperate, so as to obtain the conveyment of the forces 5 a on the predefined stress region 1 .
  • the predefined relief regions 6 a may comprise one or more contoured portions 113 a of the cuff 2 b and/or the shell 2 a , which are made, at least partially, of soft or lightweight materials (see FIGS. 1 and 2).
  • the portions 113 a cannot transmit stresses, since they are made of soft materials. Thus, with a suitable design, they actively contribute to the conveyance of the forces 5 a through the predefined stress region 1 . Nevertheless, the use of the portions 113 a has the remarkable advantage of lowering the overall weight of the force transmission structure 300 and the advantage of being particularly suitable for aestethic design.
  • the predefined relief regions 6 a may comprise also one or more contoured openings 110 obtained on the cuff 2 b and/or on the shell 2 a . Also the openings 110 cannot transmit stresses and contribute to the weight lowering of the force transmission structure 300 .
  • the position of the contoured openings 110 may be selected according to the needs.
  • a first contoured opening 110 a and/or a second contoured opening 110 b may be obtained respectively on a first and/or a second lateral region of the shell 2 a , respectively at the internal and external lateral side of the sports shoe 2 .
  • the first contoured opening 110 a may be delimited by the toe portion 200 a , the heel portion 200 b , the sole 201 and/or a first lateral edge 500 of the shell 2 a , which extends beyond the sole 201 .
  • first contoured opening 110 a may be delimited also by a frontal portion 118 of the shell 2 a , which is aimed at surrounding, at least partially, the metatarsal region of the user's foot.
  • second contoured opening 110 b may be designed as the first contoured opening 110 a .
  • it may be delimited by the toe portion 200 a , the heel portion 200 b , the sole 201 and/or a second lateral edge 501 of the shell 2 a (FIG. 2) and, additionally, by the front portion 118 of the shell 2 a.
  • the front portion 118 can advantageously support suitable closing means 117 that may comprise one or more locking devices (as illustrated in FIG. 4) or other different arrangements, such as tension wire mechanisms or lace arrangements or the like.
  • the closing means 117 can discharge their closing pressure onto the front portion 118 , which may be suitably curved, so as to follow the shape of the user's foot.
  • the front portion 118 (see arrow 600 of FIG. 3) can be movably connected to the toe portion 200 a . This arrangement is particularly useful for ensuring more comfort to the user during sports activity.
  • the predefined relief regions 6 a comprise also one or more third contoured openings 111 that are provided on the heel portion 200 b of the shell 2 a and/or one or more fourth contoured openings 112 (FIGS. 1 and 3) provided on the cuff 2 b .
  • Functionality and the advantages of the third and the fourth contoured openings 111 and 112 are basically similar to those described for the second contoured openings 110 .
  • the force conveying means 301 comprise also first support elements 6 b and second support elements 6 c.
  • the advantage of using the first support elements 6 b and/or the second support elements 6 c basically consists in that these elements contribute to ensure a preferred path for the stresses transmitted during the sport activity. Further, they have the important function of suitably reinforcing the predefined stress region 1 . In this manner, the remaining portions of the shell 2 a and the cuff 2 b can be realised remarkably thinner and lighter, without reducing the overall rigidity and sturdiness of the force transmission structure 300 .
  • the first support elements 6 b are associated to the shell 2 a and the cuff 2 b , so as to surround, at least partially, the rear region 700 of the lower portion of the user's leg and/or cover, at least partially, the anklebone region 701 of the foot.
  • the first support elements 6 b can be made of various materials, according to the needs. For example, metal materials and/or plastic materials and/or carbon materials and/or light alloy materials and/or resilient materials can be advantageously used.
  • the first support elements 6 b can be designed according to various shapes, depending on the needs. According to a preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG.
  • the first support elements 6 b comprise a first strip 302 a associated to the cuff 2 b and the shell 2 a .
  • the first strip 302 a is substantially half-U-shaped and is rigidly connected to the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b .
  • a second strip 302 b may also be used, substantially half-U-shaped, which is also rigidly connected to the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b .
  • the second strip 302 b is associated to the first strip 302 a , so as to provide a substantially U-shaped support arrangement to surround the rear region 700 of the lower portion of the leg.
  • a third strip 303 substantially U-shaped, may be used.
  • connection with the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b can occur in different manners, according to the needs.
  • a first pair of bores 107 may be provided approximately in the median area of the wings of the strip 303 , to permit the passage of a first pair of hinge pins 108 .
  • a second pair of bores 115 may be provided near the free ends 105 of the third strip 303 , in such a way as to permit the positioning of a second pair of hinge pins 106 , for interconnection with the shell 200 a .
  • the third strip 303 is attached in a non pivoting way to the shell 200 a , since it presents four points of restraint with the same. This ensures an improved preferential path for stresses transmitted during the sports activity.
  • the second support elements 6 c comprise preferably one or more reinforcing ribs provided on the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b .
  • these reinforcing ribs are provided on the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b , so as to surround, at least partially, the rear region 700 of the user' leg and/or cover, at least partially, the anklebone region 701 .
  • the shell 2 a and/or 2 b cuff as well as the predefined relief regions 6 a can be covered, at least partially, by one or more layers of soft or lightweight materials (not shown).
  • the sports shoe 2 can also comprise an inner boot 113 , which might be removable or fixed to the sole 201 and/or the shell 2 a and/or the cuff 2 b .
  • the inner boot 113 may comprise one or more waterproof layers.
  • the inner boot 113 can be in direct contact with external environmental agents, for example through the openings 110 , 111 , 112 , which can be particularly useful for this aim.
  • the inner boot 113 can be visible on the outside of the sport shoe 2 and, therefore, this fact can be used for design purposes. Thereby, a higher flexibility in design is possible and innovative solutions also from the aestethic point of view can be easily realised.
  • force conveying means 301 allows the transmission of forces between the user's leg and foot and the gliding device to occur in a more controlled manner.
  • structural designing constraints, aimed at ensuring rigidity to the force transmission structure 300 of the sports shoe 2 can be remarkably reduced.
  • soft and lighter materials can be easily used for the realisation of the sports shoe 2 , without compromising its capability of driving the gliding device to which it is associated. All these facts determine more comfort for the user during the sports activity and improve performances in terms of manoeuvrability of the gliding device.
  • more flexibility in design is achieved and innovative aestethic solutions are possible without reducing the safety and the comfort of the user.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
US10/296,890 2001-04-26 2002-04-22 Sports shoe Abandoned US20030110664A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITTV01A000053 2001-04-26
IT2001TV000053A ITTV20010053A1 (it) 2001-04-26 2001-04-26 Elemento di rinforzo particolarmente per calzature sportive

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20030110664A1 true US20030110664A1 (en) 2003-06-19

Family

ID=11460057

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/296,892 Abandoned US20030159313A1 (en) 2001-04-26 2002-04-22 Sports shoe for practising a gliding sport
US10/296,890 Abandoned US20030110664A1 (en) 2001-04-26 2002-04-22 Sports shoe

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US10/296,892 Abandoned US20030159313A1 (en) 2001-04-26 2002-04-22 Sports shoe for practising a gliding sport

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (2) US20030159313A1 (fr)
EP (2) EP1381294A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2002316866A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE20206595U1 (fr)
IT (1) ITTV20010053A1 (fr)
WO (2) WO2002087371A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170208892A1 (en) * 2016-01-22 2017-07-27 Apex Sports Group, Llc Exoskeletal boot

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE60214609T2 (de) * 2002-12-11 2007-09-13 Tecnica S.P.A., Giavera Del Montello Sportschuh mit starrer schale zur verbesserung des benutzerkomforts
CH696512A5 (fr) * 2003-03-24 2007-07-31 Lange Int Sa Chaussure de sport, en particulier pour planche de glisse.
FR2976161B1 (fr) * 2011-06-09 2015-07-31 Salomon Sas Chaussure a tige ameliore.
IT202100007082A1 (it) * 2021-03-24 2022-09-24 Tecnica Group Spa Scarpone da sci, in particolare scarpone da sci alpinismo

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2159526B2 (de) 1971-01-22 1977-02-03 Schischuh aus kunststoff
FR2653310A1 (fr) 1989-10-24 1991-04-26 Rossignol Sa Chaussure de ski en matiere plastique.
FR2654903B1 (fr) * 1989-11-24 1992-04-03 Rossignol Sa Chaussure de ski en matiere plastique.
FR2656775B1 (fr) * 1990-01-05 1992-04-03 Rossignol Sa Chaussure de ski en matiere plastique.
FR2660167B1 (fr) * 1990-03-27 1992-06-05 Rossignol Sa Chaussure de ski perfectionnee en matiere plastique.
US5588228A (en) 1993-09-10 1996-12-31 Nordica S.P.A. Sports shoe with a reinforcing shell-frame
FR2743988B1 (fr) * 1996-01-30 1998-03-20 Salomon Sa Chaussure de sport
IT1294151B1 (it) * 1997-07-31 1999-03-22 Benetton Sportsystem Spa Struttura di calzatura sportiva
CH691339A5 (fr) * 1997-09-09 2001-07-13 Lange Int Sa Chaussure de sport.

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170208892A1 (en) * 2016-01-22 2017-07-27 Apex Sports Group, Llc Exoskeletal boot
US10130138B2 (en) * 2016-01-22 2018-11-20 Apex Sports Group, Llc Exoskeletal boot

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1381294A1 (fr) 2004-01-21
ITTV20010053A0 (it) 2001-04-26
WO2002087373A1 (fr) 2002-11-07
AU2002316866A1 (en) 2002-11-11
WO2002087371A2 (fr) 2002-11-07
WO2002087371A3 (fr) 2004-03-25
DE20206595U1 (de) 2002-08-08
US20030159313A1 (en) 2003-08-28
ITTV20010053A1 (it) 2002-10-26
EP1424914A2 (fr) 2004-06-09

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Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AS Assignment

Owner name: BENETTON GROUP S.A., ITALY

Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CAERAN, FRANCESCO;REEL/FRAME:013793/0354

Effective date: 20021118

STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION