US20140373394A1

US20140373394A1 - Sport footwear, particularly a ski boot or the like

Info

Publication number: US20140373394A1
Application number: US14/313,168
Authority: US
Inventors: Rino Dal Bello; Carletto Battilana
Original assignee: Calzaturificio dal Bello SRL
Current assignee: Calzaturificio dal Bello SRL
Priority date: 2013-06-24
Filing date: 2014-06-24
Publication date: 2014-12-25
Also published as: ITUD20130088A1; EP2818069A1; EP2818069B1

Abstract

A sport footwear, such as a ski boot, or similar sport footwear, includes at least a rigid shell (20), which has a front aperture (26), a front toe-box (24), and a front end portion (22) between the front aperture (26) and the toe-box (24) along a longitudinal axis (X) of development of the shell (20). The sport footwear (10) has a weakening notch (27) made through the front end portion (22) of the shell (20) and configured to allow a volumetric variation of the shell (20) at least in correspondence to the front end portion (22).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention concerns a sport footwear, such as a ski boot, or similar footwear, such as a snowboard boot, trekking boot, or an ice-skating boot, provided with a closing mechanism which allows the selective clamping and release thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Sport footwear is known, such as ski boots, snowboard boots, trekking boots, or other similar sport footwear, which can be provided with an upper part, or cuff, and a lower part, or shell.
It is also known that the shell can be formed by two lateral portions that, crossing over and overlapping each other, can determine the closure of the ski boot in correspondence with the upper zone of the user's foot or ankle.
Shells are also known, formed by two lateral portions configured to determine a front aperture in the upper part of the shell starting from a median zone thereof. Such shells are closed at the front in the tarsal and metatarsal zone of the foot and the tibial zone of the leg by a rigid shaped covering element, also known in the field as tongue.
The rigid tongue can be bigger or smaller depending on the specific conformations of the shell and the ski boot, it can also affect the shin zone of the boot and its main function is structural, to support the weight of the user as he/she advances.
Moreover, the rigid tongue has the function of facilitating and simplifying the operations to put on or remove the ski boot before and after use. To this purpose, the rigid tongue is normally rotated toward the outside of the ski boot to allow the user to put it on or take it off more easily.
In the latter case, the shell, the upper cuff and the rigid tongue are configured to move in a coordinated way, so as to support both the foot and the leg of the user, optimizing the reaction of the ski boot to the bending and stresses of use.
Known ski boots are also provided with closing mechanisms attached to the shell and/or to the upper cuff, which selectively allow to clamp the ski boot for use during sporting activity, or to release it so that it can be put on or taken off.
Each known closing mechanism generally comprises a rack, defined by a series of alternate ridges and grooves and attached near one side of the opening of the ski boot, and an actuation lever attached near the opposite side of the opening of the ski boot with respect to the side where the rack is attached. The actuation lever is provided with one or more pegs suitable to cooperate with one or more of the grooves of the rack, chosen by the user, in order to obtain the clamping of the closing mechanism and the consequent closing of the opening of the shell by bringing together the two sides described above. The closing force depends on the groove of the rack in which the user puts the one or more pins of the actuation lever, according to his/her requirements.
Depending on the different closing force used in correspondence with the different closing mechanisms, the user is able to make an adjustment of the mechanical hold and rigidity of the ski boot during the sporting activity.
In particular, it is known that the greatest closing force is normally applied to the closing mechanism closest to the front part of the shell, that is, the closing mechanism that during use surrounds the metatarsal zone of the user's foot.
One disadvantage of known ski boots is that, once the closing mechanisms have been released or loosened, for example during a pause in the sporting activity, it is difficult to restore, upon restarting the activity, the desired adjustment of the mechanical hold and rigidity of the ski boots. The difficulty is greatest in correspondence with the closing mechanisms subjected to the greatest closing force.
Known ski boots in which the shell has the front aperture have the disadvantage that they have a front terminal portion, that is, the portion of the shell that surrounds the zone of the user's toes, which is rigid, and hence cannot be adjusted by closing mechanisms.
Another disadvantage of known ski boots is the difficulty that a user can find, whether an expert or not, in putting on and/or removing the boots, which difficulty is caused particularly by the fact that their structure is, and must be, mainly rigid and solid, taking into account the activities it must perform.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,722,122 describes a known ski boot that provides a shell which can be closed using closing systems with levers. The shell can have at the front part a short V-shaped notched portion, in a central and symmetrical position with respect to a longitudinal median axis of the boot, which is provided to prevent the bending and deformation under stress of the material when the boot is closed. Apart from the fact that the short V-shaped notched portion would not be suitable for this purpose due to its size and position, closing systems with levers do not overlap the short V-shaped notched portion, but are provided only astride the front aperture of the shell and therefore would not have any effect in possibly varying and adjusting the volume of the rigid front part of the ski boot, since they would only bring together the lateral edges of the front aperture of the shell.
European patent application publication EP 0 429 373 A; Austrian published patent application 511 723 A and U.S. Pat. No. 5,410,822 describe ski boots with shells of a known type, which do not, however, provide or render possible any volumetric adjustment of the terminal front part of the shell, which is always rigid and non-variable in shape.
There is therefore a need to perfect a ski boot or other similar sport footwear, that can overcome at least one of the disadvantages of the state of the art.
In particular, one purpose of the present invention is to obtain a ski boot or other similar sport boot, which can be adjusted and closed with a desired closing force also in the front end zone and which allows to obtain a desired adjustment of the mechanical hold and rigidity of the ski boot easily restorable even after the sporting activity has been suspended.
Another purpose of the present invention is to obtain a ski boot or similar sport boot which is easy to use and at the same time allows to simplify and facilitate the operations to put on and take off the ski boot.
The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the above purposes, a sport footwear, such as a ski boot, or similar sport footwear, made according to the present invention, comprises at least a rigid shell which has a front aperture, a front point and a front end portion, comprised between the front aperture and the point along a longitudinal median axis of development of the shell.
The sport footwear comprises a weakening notch or slit with an elongated shape, made through in the front end portion of the shell and configured to allow a volumetric variation of the shell at least in correspondence to the front end portion.
In this way the advantage is obtained, innovative with respect to the state of the art, of allowing the user to also carry out a desired adjustment of the closing force on the foot and the rigidity of the front end portion of the shell. This adjustment, possible thanks to a partial structural weakening due to the presence of the weakening notch, is not in fact possible in known sport footwear, provided with a front aperture and rigid front end portion and not volumetrically variable.
In some forms of embodiment, the weakening notch has an open profile communicating with the front aperture, of which it defines a terminal appendix, while alternative solutions provide that the weakening notch has a closed profile and is separate from the front aperture.
According to some aspects of the present invention, the weakening notch is delimited by reciprocally adjacent or overlapping edges.
Other forms of embodiment provide that the sport footwear comprises tie-rod, for example a front terminal closing mechanism, associated at the upper part to the weakening notch in order to define the desired volumetric variation, in particular acting in traction in a direction transverse to the longitudinal median axis.
In some forms of embodiment, the front terminal closing mechanism is provided in the front end portion in correspondence to the weakening notch, in particular overlapping it, that is, above and transversely astride it. The front terminal closing mechanism can be attached to lateral portions of the shell that laterally delimit the front aperture and can be configured to assume at least an unclamped condition and a clamped condition that brings together the lateral portions.
In some forms of embodiment, the weakening notch is inclined with respect to the longitudinal median axis.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch is at the side of the longitudinal median axis, that is, not aligned with the longitudinal median axis, or rather it is not central. Advantageously, the weakening notch can be provided on the internal side or on the external side of the boot, whether it is the right one or the left. Generally, we maintain that providing the weakening notch laterally allows a better closing of the boot, since it prevents the generation of localized pressure points on the user's foot, since it advantageously takes into account the typical conformation of the foot, which is not symmetrical but develops differently between the outside and the inside. Therefore, the lateral weakening notch adapts favorably to the non-symmetrical morphology of the foot, allowing the user to put on the boot comfortably, which does not generate painful local pressures. In particular, this lateral position of the weakening notch that even if the boot is closed hard, it does not generate deformations of the material of the front portion of the shell during closing, which can for example cause deformations protruding toward the inside of the boot and cause painful pressures on the toes or the foot in general.
In some forms of embodiment, the weakening notch is delimited by reciprocally adjacent or overlapping edges.
In some forms of embodiment, the front terminal closing mechanism comprises two elements which can be reciprocally brought together, and the shell comprises a support band or platelet for one of said elements, made in a single piece with one of the lateral portions of the shell in correspondence to one of the edges. The support band allows to anchor the closing of the boot in a wraparound and uniform way around the foot, contributing to prevent forming deformations of the material and painful pressure points on the foot.
In possible implementations of the present invention, the sport footwear can comprise a rigid or semi-rigid covering member attached to the front end portion of the shell and provided with a first lower segment configured to irremovably cover the front end portion, and with a second upper segment, hinged to the first lower segment and configured to selectively assume a closed condition, to cover the front aperture, and an open condition in which it is rotated toward the front end portion with respect to the front aperture.
This has the advantage for the user of being able to carry out the volumetric adjustment of the front end portion and to be able to maintain it stable, constant or fixed, even when the sport footwear is not in use. Indeed, thanks to the presence and the reciprocal articulation of the two segments of the covering member, also known as tongue, the user can take off or put on the boot even without loosening or unclamping the front terminal closing mechanism.
These and other aspects, characteristics and advantages of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following description, drawings and attached claims. The drawings, which are integrated and form part of the present description, show some forms of embodiment of the present invention, and together with the description, are intended to describe the principles of the disclosure. The various aspects and characteristics described in the present description can be applied individually where possible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of some forms of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a lateral perspective view of a ski boot according to forms of embodiment described herein;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a part of the ski boot in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3, 4 a and 4 b are plan views of forms of embodiment of the part of the ski boot in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of part of the ski boot shown in FIG. 4 b;

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b are lateral views of forms of embodiment of the ski boot in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a rear view of a component of the ski boot in FIG. 6 a.

To facilitate comprehension, the same reference numbers have been used, where possible, to identify identical common elements in the drawings. It is understood that elements and characteristics of one form of embodiment can conveniently be incorporated into other forms of embodiment without further clarifications.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

We shall now refer in detail to the various forms of embodiment of the present invention, of which one or more examples are shown in the attached drawing. Each example is supplied by way of illustration of the invention and shall not be understood as a limitation thereof. For example, the characteristics shown or described insomuch as they are part of one form of embodiment can be adopted on, or in association with, other forms of embodiment to produce another form of embodiment. It is understood that the present invention shall include all such modifications and variants.
FIG. 1 is used to describe forms of embodiment of a sport footwear, such as a ski boot, or similar sport footwear, according to the present invention, indicated in its entirety by the reference number 10.
In possible forms of embodiment, the ski boot 10 can be provided with a containing body, or shell 20, made of a rigid plastic or composite material and configured to contain, inside its own internal compartment 21, both the user's foot and part of the leg comprised between the malleolar zone and the knee. Generally, the shell 20 has an overall “L” shape, coordinated with the part of the foot and the leg comprised between the knee and the malleolar part to be surrounded and contained.
The shell 20 can be made by a production process of molding for example.
In some solutions, an upper part or upper cuff 60 can be provided, which is also rigid, and configured to reinforce the ski boot 10 in its rear and/or front part.
The upper cuff 60 can be pivoted on the shell 20 substantially in correspondence to the zone in which the user's ankle joint will be disposed during use, so that the upper cuff 60 can, when required, incline with respect to the shell 20.
Other forms of embodiment can provide that the shell 20 is configured to contain the user's foot and ankle, and that the upper cuff 60 is configured to contain the part of the leg comprised between the malleolar zone and the knee.
It is understood that the description which follows refers by way of example to the first solution above, and that what is described here can be adapted to other solutions by a person of skill in the art.
The shell 20 generally develops along a longitudinal median axis or direction X, between a front point or toe-box 24 and a heel 29 and can include a front end portion 22, that delimits a front terminal volume 23 of the internal compartment 21 comprised between the toe-box 24 of the shell 20 and the part of the latter which, during use, contains the user's metatarsal zone and toes.
In some forms of embodiment, described for example with reference to the attached drawings, the shell 20 can include two lateral portions 25 a, 25 b, that delimit from opposite sides a front aperture 26 which affects the shell 20 at the front from the upper end of the latter as far as the front end portion 22.
The front aperture 26 is configured to facilitate the insertion and extraction of the user's foot into and out of the internal compartment 21 of the shell 20, in particular putting the internal compartment 21 into direct communication with the outside during the operations to put on and take off the ski boot 10. For example, the front aperture 26 can be delimited by an open profile that can be essentially U-shaped. Moreover, the front aperture 26 develops along an essentially L-shaped surface, coordinated with an overall L-shape of the combination of the shell 20 and upper cuff 60.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, a rigid or semi-rigid covering member, such as a tongue 40, can be provided to completely cover the front aperture 26 in order to close the ski boot 10 and confer structural rigidity and resistance on it during use.
Moreover, the tongue 40 can be selectively removable, even partly, in order to allow the user to put on and take off the ski boot 10 more easily.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the ski boot 10 can include a plurality of closing mechanisms 30, configured to determine the closing and adjustment of the rigidity, and therefore the clamping and solid grip around the user's leg and foot.
This adjustment of the rigidity made by the closing mechanisms 30 can provide, in a known way, in the upper and front parts of the shell 20 (FIG. 1), to bring its lateral portions 25 a and 25 b reciprocally nearer, toward the inside of the front aperture 26.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the closing mechanisms 30 can also be configured to contact the tongue 40 and the upper cuff 60 when closed or clamped, and maintain the covering of the front aperture 26, as well as adjust the rigidity of the ski boot 10.
When opened or released, the closing mechanisms 30 allow to reduce pressure on the upper cuff 60 and/or the tongue 40, allowing the user to walk more easily, or to take off or put on the ski boot 10 more easily.
FIGS. 1 and 2 are used to describe forms of embodiment of the shell 20, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, in which, in the upper part of the front end portion 22, a weakening notch 27 can be made, positioned between the front aperture 26 and the toe-box 24 and delimited by two lateral edges 28 each forming part of a respective lateral portion 25 a, or 25 b.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch 27 can have an elongated shape.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch 27 can extend essentially in a direction coincident or substantially parallel to the longitudinal median axis X of development of the part of the shell 20 comprised between toe-box 24 and heel 29 and intended to contain the user's foot during use.
In some implementations, the weakening notch 27 can have a rectilinear or curvilinear development, or along a broken or mixed line, and can have a longitudinal section which is rectangular, triangular or any other regular or irregular shape, even oblong, oriented in a direction coincident or parallel to the longitudinal median axis X, or inclined or transverse to it, in particular lateral, that is, not centered. For example possible implementations provide that the weakening notch is inclined with respect to the longitudinal median axis X. Furthermore, other possible implementations provide that the weakening notch 27 is at the side of the longitudinal median axis X. In other possible implementations the weakening notch 27 is in a non-symmetrical position with respect to the longitudinal median axis X. The lateral or in any case non-symmetrical positioning of the weakening notch 27 can allow a better closure, without pressure points on the foot or toes, since the lateral disposition adapts very well to the non-symmetrical conformation typical of the foot. Moreover, even if the boot 10 is closed hard, this does not generate deformations of the material of the shell 20 and prevents further painful pressure for the user.
Other variant shapes of the weakening notch 27 can be provided, without departing from the field of the present invention.
Moreover, in other forms of embodiment, not shown in the drawings, a plurality of weakening notches 27 can be provided, depending on the specific requirements of the producer of the ski boot 10 or of the user.
Merely by way of example, FIGS. 1 and 2 are used to describe forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, of a weakening notch 27, substantially wedge-shaped and converging toward the toe-box 24 of the shell 20. For example, in possible implementations, the two lateral edges which delimit the weakening notch 27 can be convergent with respect to each other, toward the toe-box 24 of the shell 20, defining, for example, a V-shaped configuration, like an elongated nose, advantageously at the side of the longitudinal median axis X and possibly inclined, or slightly inclined, with respect thereto, that is, generally non-symmetrical with respect to the longitudinal median axis X.
In forms of embodiment described in the attached drawings, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch 27 has an open profile and communicates with the front aperture 26, of which it substantially defines a terminal appendix, but this does not exclude possible embodiments in which the weakening notch 27 can have a closed profile and therefore be separate from the front aperture 26.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch 27 is configured to define a weakening of the structure of the shell 20 in correspondence to the front end portion 22. This allows to modify the front terminal volume 23 delimited by said front end portion 22, and therefore a volumetric adjustment desired by the user, by a front terminal closing mechanism 30 a, for which some forms of embodiment are described in FIG. 3.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a (FIGS. 1 and 3) can be attached to the front end portion 22 of the shell 20 in correspondence to the weakening notch 27 and overlapping the same, that is, above and transversely astride the latter.
In particular, the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a acts as a tie-rod and is configured to selectively determine the reciprocal bringing together or distancing of the lateral edges 28, as will be clear hereafter.
The front terminal closing mechanism 30 a, in the specific example shown in FIG. 3, includes a rack 31, defined by a series of ridges 31 a and grooves 31 b, reciprocally alternate, and attached to a lateral portion 25 a, or 25 b of the shell 20.
The front terminal closing element 30 a can also include an actuation lever 32 attached to the other lateral portion 25 b, or 25 a, with respect to the one to which the rack 31 is attached.
The actuation lever 32 can cooperate with the rack 31 to achieve the selective clamping of the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a.
The clamping provides that the driving of the actuation lever 32 determines a desired closing force to which a determinate bringing together or distancing of the lateral portions 25 a and 25 b, and consequently of the lateral edges 28, corresponds. The bringing together or distancing of the lateral edges 28 determines a variation in the front terminal volume 23.
It is clear that in this way, thanks to the presence of the weakening notch 27, the user is able to carry out an adjustment of the rigidity of the front end portion 22 of the shell 20 according to his/her own requirements.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the weakening notch 27 can be configured so that the lateral edges 28 are reciprocally overlapping, or can be overlapping, when the actuation lever 32 is driven.
In possible implementations, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, one or more variants of closing mechanisms 30 can be provided.
For ease of description and clarity of the drawings, FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are also used to describe forms of embodiment and variants of the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a alone, indicated respectively with the reference numbers 130 a and 230 a.
It is understood that such forms of embodiment can be applied also to other closing mechanisms 30 with which the ski boot 10 is equipped.
The front terminal closing mechanism 130 a in FIG. 4 a includes a screw regulator 33, instead of the rack 31 and the actuation lever 32.
The screw regulator 33 can be provided with two threaded elements, for example a pin 35 threaded externally and positioned inside a bushing 36 threaded internally, configured to move reciprocally after the screwing or unscrewing of one of them, for example of the bushing 36.
The pin 35 and the bushing 36 can each be attached or connected to one of the lateral portions 25 a and 25 b, determining, after the screwing or unscrewing thereof, respectively the bringing together or distancing of the lateral edges 28.
Other embodiments can include a protection lever 34, which surrounds the screw regulator 33 to protect it from any possible knocks or damage that could compromise its functionality.
As an alternative to the threaded elements cited above, the screw regulator 33 can include reciprocally engaging toothed members, such as for example a worm screw which acts on a pair of racks, each solid to a lateral portion 25 a, 25 b.
The variant terminal closing mechanism 230 a, described for example with reference to FIG. 4 b, includes a rack 31 that, unlike what has been described heretofore, is attached to a support band or platelet 37 made for example by molding, in a single piece with the shell 20.
This has the advantage of reducing the work steps, since parts normally made separately can be made with a single molding operation, consequently reducing production costs of the ski boot 10. Moreover, the provision of the support band 37 further allows to improve comfort of the closing, because it surrounds the foot better and more uniformly.
FIGS. 4 b and 5 are used to describe forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, of the support band 37 positioned in the front end portion 22 near the weakening notch 27.
Moreover, in some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, and merely by way of example shown in FIG. 5, the weakening notch 27 can have an arched oblong shape with the function of limiting the stresses acting on the lateral edges 28 because of the effect of the closing force exerted by the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a, 130 a, 230 a.
Moreover, this configuration can be intended to allow one lateral edge 28 to overlap over the other during the clamping of the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a.
With reference to the attached drawings, the tongue 40 can be divided into a first lower segment 41, positioned as upper covering of the front end portion 22 of the shell 20, and a second upper segment 42, positioned to cover the front aperture 26 in the remaining part of the shell 20.
This solution is only used as an example of a possible embodiment of the tongue 40, which can also be in a single piece, or divided into more than two segments, the latter for example to facilitate the user in walking when the closing mechanisms 30 are loosened or unclamped.
Moreover, while in the attached drawings the tongue 40 is positioned below the closing mechanisms 30, alternative forms of embodiment can be provided in which the tongue 40 is positioned above these.
FIG. 6 a is used to describe forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, of the tongue 40 in which the first lower segment 41 is attached to the shell 20 by an attachment member, such as a rivet 43, one or more brackets, one or more screws, or pins, or other attachment member suitable for the purpose.
This attachment is made so as to allow the reciprocal movement of the lateral portions 25 a, 25 b of the shell 20 and in particular of the lateral edges 28 of the weakening notch 27 due to driving the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a, 130 a, 230 a.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the second upper segment 42 of the tongue 40 can be mobile with respect to the first lower segment 41, for example it can be pivoted on it to rotate forward with respect to the front aperture 26.
The second upper segment 42 can therefore selectively assume a closed position, covering the front aperture 26, during the sporting activity for example, and an open position in which it is completely rotated forward to free the front aperture 26, putting it into direct communication with the outside of the ski boot 10.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the second upper segment 42 can be substantially L-shaped, for example curved in correspondence to the joint of the user's ankle.
A forward rotation of the second upper segment 42 facilitates the user in putting on and taking off the ski boot 10, and in walking when wearing the ski boot 10.
The configuration of the tongue 40 as described above advantageously allows the user to carry out the volumetric adjustment of the front end portion 22 by the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a, 130 a, 230 a, as previously described, and to maintain the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a clamped even when the ski boot 10 is not being used.
Indeed, the articulation of the second upper segment 42 with respect to the first lower segment 41 allows the user to put on or take off the ski boot 10 even when the front terminal closing mechanism 30 a is clamped in the desired position of use.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, a protection element, such as a hood 44, shown for example in FIGS. 6 a and 6 b, can also be provided, interposed between the second upper segment 42 and the front aperture 26.
In possible implementations, the hood 44 can be a continuation of the first lower segment 41 of the tongue 40, thus covering at least a part of the front aperture 26 of the shell 20.
The hood 44 acts as protection to prevent water or snow entering inside the ski boot 10 when the second upper segment 42 of the tongue 40 is rotated forward in the open position and the front aperture 26 can communicate directly with the outside, uncovering the user's leg.
The hood 44 can be attached laterally with respect to the front aperture 26 to the lateral portions 25 a and 25 b.
It can be made of an elastic flexible material, for example elastically deformable during the operations of putting on and taking off the ski boot 10.
For example, the hood 44 can be defined by a sheet of fabric of natural or synthetic fibers, or mixed, or by a sheet of leather or imitation leather, or by a sheet of plastic or composite material, or in any case a flexible or deformable material.
In some forms of embodiment, described by way of example with reference to FIG. 6 b, two pivoting cavities 45 can be provided in the first lower segment 41, in proximity to the base of the hood 44, only one of which is visible in the drawing.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the pivoting cavities 45 are configured to allow the connection of the second upper segment 42 of the tongue 40 to the first lower segment 41, for example by a motion articulation member, such as a hinge 46.
In FIG. 7 possible forms of embodiment of the hinge 46 are described, positioned in this case internally to the second upper segment 42 of the tongue 40.
In some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the hinge 46 can include an attachment element 47 and a clip 48, assembled with each other to allow the second upper segment 42 of the tongue 40 to be able to both rotate and translate with respect to the first lower segment 41.
In the specific case shown in FIG. 7, the clip 48 is provided with first pivoting appendices 49 configured to be inserted in the pivoting cavities 45 cited above.
Moreover, in some forms of embodiment, which can be combined with all the forms of embodiment described here, the clip 48 can be provided with second translation appendices 50, configured to translate, sliding, inside one or more translation cavities, such as eyelets 51 (only one of which is shown in the drawing), made in the attachment element 47.
In this way, the second upper segment 42 can both rotate around a pivoting axis defined by the first pivoting appendices 49 and also translate along the eyelets 51.
While the rotation, as said above, allows to facilitate putting on and removing the ski boot 10 and walking, the translation allows the second upper segment 42 to adhere with greater precision to the user's ankle and shin, guaranteeing optimal comfort during use.
It is clear that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the ski boot 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of ski boot, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.

Claims

1.-16. (canceled)

17. A sport footwear, comprising at least a rigid shell (20) having a front aperture (26), a front toe-box (24), and a front end portion (22) between the front aperture (26) and the front toe-box (24) along a longitudinal axis (X) of development of the rigid shell (20), and further comprising:

a weakening notch (27) having an elongated shape and made through the front end portion (22) of the shell (20) and configured to allow a volumetric variation of the shell (20) at least in correspondence to the front end portion (22); and

a tie-rod (30 a, 130 a, 230 a) associated at an upper part to the weakening notch (27), to define the desired volumetric variation, the tie-rod being configured to act in traction in a direction transverse to the longitudinal median axis (X) and comprising at least a front terminal closing mechanism (30 a, 130 a, 230 a) provided in the front end portion (22) overlapping the weakening notch (27), the front terminal closing mechanism (30 a, 130 a, 230 a) being attached to lateral portions (25 a, 25 b) of the shell (20) which laterally delimit the front aperture (26) and being configured to assume at least an unclamped condition and a clamped condition in which the lateral portions (25 a, 25 b) are brought near each other.

18. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) is made in the upper part of the front end portion (22) of the shell (20).

19. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) has a shape chosen from a group comprising at least a rectilinear shape, a curvilinear shape, a wedge shape, a shape having a broken line, and a mixed line shape.

20. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) has an open profile and communicates with the front aperture (26), of which it defines a terminal appendix.

21. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) has a closed profile and is separated from the front aperture (26).

22. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) is delimited by reciprocally adjacent or overlapping edges (28).

23. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) is inclined with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X).

24. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) is at a side of the longitudinal median axis (X).

25. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the weakening notch (27) is in a non-symmetrical position with respect to the longitudinal median axis (X).

26. The sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the tie-rod (30 a, 130 a, 230 a) is configured to act by traction in a direction transverse to the longitudinal median axis (X).

27. The sport footwear as in claim 22, wherein the front terminal closing mechanism (230 a) comprises two reciprocally approachable elements (31, 32), wherein the shell (20) comprises a support band (37) for one of the elements (31, 32) made in a single piece with one of the lateral portions (25 a, 25 b) of the shell in correspondence to one of the edges (28).

28. The sport footwear as in claim 17, further comprising a rigid or semi-rigid covering member (40) attached to the front end portion (22) of the shell (20) and having a first lower end segment (41) configured to irremovably cover the front end portion (22), and a second upper segment, hinged to the first lower segment (41) and configured to selectively assume a closed condition, to cover the front aperture (26), and an open condition in which it is rotated toward the front end portion (22) with respect to the front aperture (26).

29. The sport footwear as in claim 28, further comprising a protection element (44) interposed between the second upper segment (42) of the covering member (40) and the front aperture (26) of the shell (20) and configured to protect the front aperture (26) when the second upper segment (42) is in the open position.

30. The sport footwear as in claim 28, wherein the protection element (44) is made of a material which is elastic, flexible and elastically deformable, and selected from a group comprising at least a sheet of hide or leather, a hide or leather substitute, a sheet of plastic or composite material, and similar or comparable flexible materials.

31. The sport footwear as in claim 28, wherein the second upper segment (42) is hinged to the first lower segment (41) by a motion articulator (46) configured to determine a rotational and translational motion of the second upper segment (42) with respect to the first lower segment (41).

32. The sport footwear as in claim 31, wherein the motion articulator comprises a hinge (46) attached internally to the second upper segment (42) by an attachment element (47) and provided at least with a hook (48) having at least one first pivoting appendix (49) and at least one second translation appendix (50), the at least one first pivoting appendix (49) being configured to couple with a corresponding pivoting cavity (45) made in the first lower segment (41) of the covering member (40), and the at least one second translation appendix (50) being configured to translate inside a translation cavity (51) of the attachment element (47).

33. A sport footwear as in claim 17, wherein the footwear is a ski boot.