US3738025A - Ski boot having variable stiffness - Google Patents

Ski boot having variable stiffness Download PDF

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Publication number
US3738025A
US3738025A US00276561A US3738025DA US3738025A US 3738025 A US3738025 A US 3738025A US 00276561 A US00276561 A US 00276561A US 3738025D A US3738025D A US 3738025DA US 3738025 A US3738025 A US 3738025A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
slot
boot
shell
flexure
stiffness
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Expired - Lifetime
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US00276561A
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English (en)
Inventor
A Hanson
C Hanson
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Globeride Inc
Original Assignee
Hanson Industries Inc
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Publication of US3738025A publication Critical patent/US3738025A/en
Assigned to WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT reassignment WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT AS COLLATERAL SECURITY, ASSIGNOR ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENT, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED. (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HANSON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED
Assigned to DAIWA SEIKO, INC., A CORP. OF JAPAN reassignment DAIWA SEIKO, INC., A CORP. OF JAPAN ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE EACH QUITCLAIM, SELL, REMISE, RELEASE, TRANSFER, CONVEY AND ASSIGN THE ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: HANSON INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED A CO CORP.
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Expired - Lifetime 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
    • A43B5/0427—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details
    • A43B5/0452—Adjustment of the forward inclination of the boot leg
    • A43B5/0454—Adjustment of the forward inclination of the boot leg including flex control; Dampening means
    • A43B5/0458—Adjustment of the forward inclination of the boot leg including flex control; Dampening means with the actuator being disposed at the front side of the boot

Definitions

  • a ski boot having variable stiffness is provided with a transverse slot in ankle portion which narrows in response to forward lean pressure. Stiffness of boot is controlled by rotating an oval rod positioned within the slot to limit the extent of deformation of the slot.
  • a stiffness control or flexure system which when incorporated in a ski boot, enables a skier to adjust the stiffness of his boots while on the mountain, in response to snow or slope conditions, or his own personal preference.
  • the flexure system of the invention is intended primarily for incorporation in a ski boot of the type employing a substantially rigid outer shell, typically formed of a plastic material.
  • a typical boot of this type is described in the copending application of Alden B Hanson and Chris A. Hanson, Ser. No. 216,080, filed Jan. 7, 1972. Since the flexure system is associated with the portion of the boot immediately adjacent the forward surface of the wearers ankle, it is particularly designed for use in boots having an unobstructed front surface in which the flexure system can be installed.
  • the invention depends for its effectiveness on the presence in the ankle portion of the boot of at least one and preferably several transverse slots in the wall of the shell.
  • the slots extend through or materially reduce the thickness of the shell wall and thereby permit greater flexibility in the ankle portion of the shell than would otherwise obtain.
  • Each rod can be rotated to a position in which its width substantially fills the slot, thereby in effect eliminating the slot and the flexibility resulting therefrom.
  • FIG. 1 is a front view of a boot embodying the invention, showing three flex rods positioned in the instep area of a ski boot;
  • FIG. 2 is a view from the left side of the ski boot of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a partial section along the line 3-3 of FIG. 1, showing the operation of the boot when the flex rods are set for maximum stiffness;
  • FIG. 4 is a view similar to that of FIG. 3 showing the flex rods adjusted for minimum stiffness
  • FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the flex rods used in the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the slot used to rotate the flex rod for adjustment ofthe stiffness of the boot.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 represent a typical ski boot in which the invention can be used to advantage.
  • the boot as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises an exterior shell 10 having a sole portion 11 and an upper or foot receiving portion 12 formed of a substantially rigid plastic material. Entry to the boot for the wearers foot is provided by rear access opening 13 which is closed by buckles 14.
  • the front ankle portion 15 of upper 12, i.e., the portion immediately adjacent the wearers instep, is provided with three horizontal or transverse side stiffening ribs 17 and a vertical front stiffening rib 18 extending from the lowermost of the side stiffening ribs to the toe portion 19 of the boot.
  • a continuation of front stiffening rib 18 also extends from the uppermost side rib to the top of the shell 10.
  • Each of side stiffening ribs 17 houses a flex rod 21, illustrated in FIG. 5, which is rotatably held within the rib and can be rotated by engaging slot 22 in flex rod 21 with a suitable instrument, such as a coin.
  • the wall 16 in the ankle portion 15 of shell 10 is substantially uniform in thickness except'in the areas of the side stiffening ribs 17 and front stiffening rib 18.
  • Each of side stiffening ribs 17 has a hollow chamber 23 adapted to receive its rod 21, the chamber extending through the shell wall 16 in the ankle portion, thereby creating a slot in said wall associated with each flex rod, into which slot each flex rod partially extends.
  • a flex rod useful in the invention is generally cylindrical in shape and has an oval cross-section, with a major axis (X, FIG. 3) and a smaller minor axis (Y, FIG. 4) at an angle thereto.
  • the major axis of the flex rod should be substantially equal to the width of its associated slot in the unstressed state, thereby substantially preventing the slot from becoming narrower and thereby increasing the resistance of the shell to forward flexure.
  • the flex rod is rotated so that its minor axis is within the slot, the slot can be distorted by forward lean until the walls of the slot bear on the flex rod and further flexing is prevented.
  • the particular flex rod shown in FIG. 5 can be made from a circular cylinder by cutting portions of the cylinder to create two parallel plane surfaces diametrically opposite each other.
  • flex rod 21 extends out of the stiffening rib with which it is associated. This provides the user with means for rotating the flex rod as necessary to adjust the stiffness of the boot.
  • the other end, i.e., 26, of flex rod 21 is entirely contained within its associated side stiffening rib.
  • FIG. 3 illustrates the position of flex rods 21 when adjusted so as to provide maximum stiffness in the boot.
  • each flex rod is positioned with its major axis X within the slot associated with the stiffening rib.
  • the flex rod occupies substantially all of the slot when the boot is in its rest or undistorted condition.
  • each stiffening rib When the flex rods in each stiffening rib are rotated to the position shown in FIG. 4, the stiffness of the boot is at its minimum. As shown, the minor axis Y of each flex rod is located within its associated slot in shell wall 16. Accordingly, pressure on the top of the boot permits the boot to compress in an accordion or bellows fashion, thereby causing ankle portion 15 of the shellv to flex in the manner shown in FIG. 4.
  • each of ribs 17 is provided with a small longitudinal channel 27 which creates a hinge effect, allowing the opposing'walls of chamber 23 to flex towards each other until contact with flex rod 21 is made.
  • the front of the boot is provided with a front stiffening rib 18 extending from the uppermost side rib 17 to the top 20 of shell and from the lowermost rib to the toe 19 of the shell.
  • a front stiffening rib is an advantageous adjunct to the invention but it is not a necessary feature thereof.
  • a ski boot comprising a substantially rigid outer shell, including an ankle portion covering the forward surface of a wearers ankle, and means for controlling the stiffness of said shell against flexure in a forward direction, said means comprising:
  • adjustable control means associated with said slot to I limit the compression thereof on the application of forward pressure and thereby to control the stiffness of said shell.
  • control means includes an elongated generally cylindrical member hav-' ing a generally oval cross-section, said member being rotatably positioned longitudinally within said slot to limit the extent of compression thereof caused by flexure of said ankle portion.
  • each said slot has associated therewith an external transverse rib, spanning said slot, said rib serving as a housing for said cylindrical member.

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  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
US00276561A 1972-07-31 1972-07-31 Ski boot having variable stiffness Expired - Lifetime US3738025A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US27656172A 1972-07-31 1972-07-31

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3738025A true US3738025A (en) 1973-06-12

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ID=23057128

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00276561A Expired - Lifetime US3738025A (en) 1972-07-31 1972-07-31 Ski boot having variable stiffness

Country Status (7)

Country Link
US (1) US3738025A (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
JP (1) JPS5146458B2 (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
AT (1) AT329407B (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
CA (1) CA967741A (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
CH (1) CH553548A (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
DE (1) DE2262453C2 (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)
IT (1) IT974333B (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png)

Cited By (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3807060A (en) * 1973-03-05 1974-04-30 Hanson Ind Inc Ski boot having multi-directional flexure means and canting means
US3832792A (en) * 1973-02-20 1974-09-03 M Kastinger Skiing boot
FR2345960A1 (fr) 1976-04-01 1977-10-28 Salomon & Fils F Perfectionnements apportes aux chaussures de ski
FR2480575A1 (fr) * 1980-04-17 1981-10-23 Salomon & Fils F Dispositif de reglage de la flexion de la tige d'une chaussure de ski
FR2539278A1 (fr) * 1983-01-14 1984-07-20 Salomon & Fils F Chaussure de ski alpin a dispositif de controle de flexion
EP0217423A1 (fr) * 1985-10-03 1987-04-08 Lange International S.A. Chaussure de ski
EP0287816A1 (de) * 1987-04-22 1988-10-26 Raichle Sportschuh AG Skischuh
US4910890A (en) * 1986-06-20 1990-03-27 Salomon S.A. Alpine ski boot having a supporting flexion element and internal foot tightening apparatus
US5063693A (en) * 1985-06-12 1991-11-12 Salomon S.A. Alpine ski boot having a supporting flexion element
US5490337A (en) * 1993-05-07 1996-02-13 Dolomite S.P.A. Article of sport footwear, in particular a ski boot
US20020055696A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2002-05-09 Salomon S.A Joint protective article
US20030208928A1 (en) * 2002-05-13 2003-11-13 Adidas International B.V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US20040148799A1 (en) * 2002-05-13 2004-08-05 Adidas International Marketing B. V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US9232828B2 (en) 2012-10-31 2016-01-12 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with customizable stiffness
US9468261B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2016-10-18 Nike, Inc. Article with adjustable stiffness tongue
US9474324B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2016-10-25 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with adjustable stiffness

Families Citing this family (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS51122608A (en) * 1975-04-19 1976-10-26 Daido Steel Co Ltd A gas replacement arrangement in continuous atmosphere heat treating f urnaces
FR2308436A1 (fr) * 1975-04-25 1976-11-19 Cit Alcatel Traitement des tubes en cuivre et alliages en vue de l'elimination des produits carbones subsistant a leur surface
JPS5929643B2 (ja) * 1975-09-13 1984-07-21 ダイドウセイコウ カブシキガイシヤ 連続雰囲気熱処理炉
US4186501A (en) * 1976-11-19 1980-02-05 S.A. Etablissements Francois Salomon & Fils Ski boot
US4282660A (en) * 1980-02-20 1981-08-11 Hanson Industries Incorporated Leg-size adjusting form fitting boot
US4282658A (en) * 1980-02-20 1981-08-11 Hanson Industries Incorporated Anti-bowing form fitting boot
US4317297A (en) * 1980-03-13 1982-03-02 Hanson Industries Incorporated Footwear with adjustable flexure
CH645000A5 (fr) * 1980-04-17 1984-09-14 Salomon Sa Chaussure de ski.
CH639250A5 (fr) * 1980-10-03 1983-11-15 Lange Int Sa Chaussure de ski.
DE3277843D1 (en) * 1981-09-19 1988-01-28 British Oxygen Co Ltd Heat treatment of metals
JPS58110617A (ja) * 1981-09-19 1983-07-01 ザ・ビ−オ−シ−・グル−プ・ピ−エルシ− 金属熱処理方法
JPS58126901A (ja) * 1982-01-21 1983-07-28 株式会社ウイテック　ジャパン グリ−ン・ボデイからバインダを除去する方法
CH644501A5 (fr) * 1982-02-18 1984-08-15 Lange Int Sa Chaussure de ski.
JPS59178330U (ja) * 1983-05-17 1984-11-29 三菱マテリアル株式会社 脱ろう用加熱炉
JPS6070102A (ja) * 1983-08-19 1985-04-20 Tohoku Metal Ind Ltd 雰囲気焼結方法
CH653531A5 (fr) * 1983-08-29 1986-01-15 Lange Int Sa Chaussure de ski.
AT386510B (de) * 1984-08-01 1988-09-12 Koeflach Sportgeraete Gmbh Skischuh
JPS6159639U (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png) * 1984-09-26 1986-04-22
AT395514B (de) * 1984-11-23 1993-01-25 Koeflach Sportgeraete Gmbh Skischuh

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3535800A (en) * 1968-03-26 1970-10-27 Rieker & Co Ski boot
US3552044A (en) * 1968-12-30 1971-01-05 Sports Technology Conformable pad filled with elastomeric particles

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3535800A (en) * 1968-03-26 1970-10-27 Rieker & Co Ski boot
US3552044A (en) * 1968-12-30 1971-01-05 Sports Technology Conformable pad filled with elastomeric particles

Cited By (26)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3832792A (en) * 1973-02-20 1974-09-03 M Kastinger Skiing boot
US3807060A (en) * 1973-03-05 1974-04-30 Hanson Ind Inc Ski boot having multi-directional flexure means and canting means
FR2345960A1 (fr) 1976-04-01 1977-10-28 Salomon & Fils F Perfectionnements apportes aux chaussures de ski
FR2480575A1 (fr) * 1980-04-17 1981-10-23 Salomon & Fils F Dispositif de reglage de la flexion de la tige d'une chaussure de ski
US4777742A (en) * 1983-01-14 1988-10-18 Salomon, S.A. Ski boot with spring action flex control
FR2539278A1 (fr) * 1983-01-14 1984-07-20 Salomon & Fils F Chaussure de ski alpin a dispositif de controle de flexion
US4694593A (en) * 1983-01-14 1987-09-22 Salomon S.A. Ski boot with spring action flex control
US5063693A (en) * 1985-06-12 1991-11-12 Salomon S.A. Alpine ski boot having a supporting flexion element
EP0217423A1 (fr) * 1985-10-03 1987-04-08 Lange International S.A. Chaussure de ski
US4910890A (en) * 1986-06-20 1990-03-27 Salomon S.A. Alpine ski boot having a supporting flexion element and internal foot tightening apparatus
EP0287816A1 (de) * 1987-04-22 1988-10-26 Raichle Sportschuh AG Skischuh
US4843740A (en) * 1987-04-22 1989-07-04 Raichle Sportschuh Ag Ski boot
US4864744A (en) * 1987-04-22 1989-09-12 Raichle Sportschuh Ag Ski boot
CH680699A5 (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png) * 1987-04-22 1992-10-30 Raichle Sportschuh Ag
US5490337A (en) * 1993-05-07 1996-02-13 Dolomite S.P.A. Article of sport footwear, in particular a ski boot
US20020055696A1 (en) * 2000-11-09 2002-05-09 Salomon S.A Joint protective article
US20030208928A1 (en) * 2002-05-13 2003-11-13 Adidas International B.V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US20040148799A1 (en) * 2002-05-13 2004-08-05 Adidas International Marketing B. V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US6807753B2 (en) * 2002-05-13 2004-10-26 Adidas International B.V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US6983553B2 (en) 2002-05-13 2006-01-10 Adidas International Marketing B.V. Shoe with tunable cushioning system
US9232828B2 (en) 2012-10-31 2016-01-12 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with customizable stiffness
US9345283B2 (en) 2012-10-31 2016-05-24 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with customizable stiffness
US9468261B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2016-10-18 Nike, Inc. Article with adjustable stiffness tongue
US9474324B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2016-10-25 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with adjustable stiffness
US10292456B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2019-05-21 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with adjustable stiffness
US10905198B2 (en) 2012-12-07 2021-02-02 Nike, Inc. Article of footwear with adjustable stiffness

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE2262453A1 (de) 1974-02-14
DE2262453C2 (de) 1982-02-18
IT974333B (it) 1974-06-20
JPS4944843A (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png) 1974-04-27
JPS5146458B2 (US06272168-20010807-M00014.png) 1976-12-09
CH553548A (de) 1974-09-13
CA967741A (en) 1975-05-20
AT329407B (de) 1976-05-10
ATA1111472A (de) 1975-07-15

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AS Assignment

Owner name: WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT, COLORADO

Free format text: AS COLLATERAL SECURITY, ASSIGNOR ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENT, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:HANSON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:003930/0403

Effective date: 19811110

Owner name: WELLS FARGO BUSINESS CREDIT

Free format text: AS COLLATERAL SECURITY, ASSIGNOR ASSIGNS THE ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENT, SUBJECT TO CONDITIONS RECITED.;ASSIGNOR:HANSON INDUSTRIES, INCORPORATED;REEL/FRAME:003930/0403

Effective date: 19811110

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Owner name: DAIWA SEIKO, INC. P.O. BOX 1 14-16 MAESAWA, 3-CHOM

Free format text: ASSIGNOR AND ASSIGNEE EACH QUITCLAIM, SELL, REMISE, RELEASE, TRANSFER, CONVEY AND ASSIGN THE ENTIRE INTEREST UNDER SAID PATENTS AND APPLICATIONS;ASSIGNOR:HANSON INDUSTRIES INCORPORATED A CO CORP.;REEL/FRAME:004085/0150

Effective date: 19821008

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