US3826022A

US3826022A - Ski boot cleaning device

Info

Publication number: US3826022A
Application number: US00409267A
Authority: US
Inventors: J Grzech
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-10-24
Filing date: 1973-10-24
Publication date: 1974-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 1991-07-30

Abstract

Apparatus for cleaning foreign substances such as snow and ice from the sole of a ski boot includes a track mounted within a groove in the sole. A slider having a scraper on one end thereof and a handle on the other end thereof is slideably mounted in the track. The slider can be moved through the track by the handle thereby moving the scraper along the sole of the boot to remove the foreign substances therefrom. The track, slider and scraper can be recessed below the surface of the sole when not in use.

Description

United States Patent Grzech SKI BOOT CLEANING DEVICE Inventor: Joseph Leonard Grzech, 16

Cornhollow Rd., Roxbury Twp., NJ. 07876 Filed: Oct. 24, 1973 Appl. No.: 409,267

US. Cl...., 36/25 AL, 15/237 Int. Cl A43b 00/00 Field of Search 35/25 R, 2.5 AL; 15/112,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Leach 36/2.5 AL Spier 15/237 July 30, 1974 3,751,832 3/1973 Baryluk 36/25 AL Primary ExaminerPatrick D. Lawson 5 7] ABSTRACT Apparatus for cleaning foreign substances such as snow and ice from the sole of a ski boot includes a track mounted within a groove in the sole. A slider having a scraper on one end thereof and a handle on the other end thereof is slideably mounted in the track. The slider can be moved through the track by the handle thereby moving the scraper along the sole of the boot to remove the foreign substances therefrom. The track, slider and scraper can be recessed below the surface of the sole when not in use.

13 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PAIENIEM SBEETIUF 2 FIG.

SKI BOOT CLEANING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to boot cleaning apparatus and more particularly to apparatus mounted on the sole of a ski boot for removing snow and ice therefrom.

2. Description of the Prior Art A skier oftenmust remove accumulated snow and ice from the sole of his ski boots before the boots can be properly inserted in the ski bindings. This is usually attempted by scraping or rubbing the sole by hand. However because of the bulky clothing and particularly the gloves worn by the skier, it is usually difficult to adequately clean the boot sole by this method.

There have been other means suggested for cleaning the boot soles including the use of a scraper mounted on the skis as shown in US. Pat. No. 3,284,091 or the use of brushes mounted on the top of the boots as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,751,832. However these prior art devices suffer various disadvantages. Accordingly, it is an object ofthis invention to improve the means for removing foreign substances from the soles of ski boots and the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing object and others are achieved in accordance with this invention by boot cleaning apparatus including a track mounted within a groove in the boot sole. The groove terminates in a cavity orthogonal thereto at its front end. A track is mounted in the groove. A slider having a scraper on one end thereof and a handle on the other end thereof is slideably mounted in the track so that the scraper lies in close proximity to the surface of the sole. The slider can be moved through the track by applying a force to the handle thereby moving the scraper along the sole to remove accumulated substances. The track can be mounted below the surface of the sole and the scraper can be recessed in the cavity when the cleaning apparatus is not in use so that it does not interfere with the insertion of the boot into the bindings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be more fully comprehended from the following detailed description and accompanying drawing in which;

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the bottom of a ski boot sole having the apparatus of this invention mounted thereon;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view along line 2-2 of FIG. I with the top of the ski boot shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the sole and cleaning apparatus with the top of the ski boot shown in phantom;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view partly broken away of a portion of the slider and track shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is another perspective view partly in section, from a different direction, of the slider and track of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to FIG. 1 there is shown a view of the bottom or sole of a ski boot 12 having a cleaning or scraping device or apparatus 101 in accordance with this invention mounted thereon. A relative shallow rectangular channel or groove 14 is formed along a substantial portion of the length of sole 10. This channel l4 terminates near the front end of sole 10 in a cavity or relatively deep channel 16 which angles upward and forward in sole 10 as shown more clearly in the sectional view of FIG. 2. Cavity 16 is oriented substantially orthogonal to channel 14. Depending upon the desired width of the scraper, cavity 16 may extend the entire width of sole 10 as is shown in the illustrative embodiment. Channel 14 continues on the other end thereof to the rear edge 18 of sole 10. Because of the forward and upward inclination of cavity 16 a flange or lip 17 extends partially over the entrance of cavity 16 as viewed in FIG. I.

Mounted within channel 14 by well known techniques such as riveting or bonding is a track or guide 20 as shown more clearly in the perspective views in FIGS. 3 through 5. Track 20 comprises a substantially U-shaped channel with lips or flanges 22 extending from the legs to restrict the open side thereof for purposes to be explained subsequently. Flanges 22 are substantially flush with the surface 24 of sole 10.

A liner 60 shaped to the contour of cavity I6 is mounted within the cavity to provide strength thereto to prevent lip 17 from collapsing. Liner 60 extends the full length of the cavity 16, i.e., the full width 46 of sole 10, in the illustrative embodiment. However, this is not required. Liner 60 includes a rounded lip 62 at the forward and upward end of cavity 16 which provides a locking or detenting action as will be explained subsequently.

Flanges

64 and 66 extend from lip 62 to the edge of lip 17 and to the end of track 20, respectively. Liner 60 can be formed as a separate piece part or can be formed as an integral part of track 20 which is bent or oriented at an angle with respect to the remainder of the track. Track 20 and liner 60 can be made of any suitable rigid material such as metal or available plastics and can have a lubricant coating or layer along the inner surfaces thereof if desired to improve the sliding of objects therethrough.

Mounted within track 20 for sliding movement therethrough is a slider 30. Slider 30 includes a rectangular body 32 adapted to fit within track 20 and be retained therein by lips 22. Body 32 can include a rib 33 along a surface thereof for stiffening it. On the rear end of body 32 is an upstanding handle 34 which abuts the heel or back 13 of ski boot l2 and the rear edge 18 of sole 10 when slider 30 is pushed fully forward in track 20 as indicated in phantom in FIG. 2. Handle 34 is adapted for grasping by the wearer of boot 12 for movement of slider 30 within track 20. Handle 34 can be configured as desired to avoid interfering with the clamps or bindings which are applied to the heel of boot 12 to hold it in the ski. For example, if necessary a groove can be formed within the rear edge 18 of sole 10 in which handle 34 can be recessed when slider 30 is pushed fully forward.

On the front end of slider 30 is a reduced width portion 36 which is folded back substantially and terminates in a blade or scraper 38. The width 37 of portion 36 must be less than the spacing 39 between lips 22 in order that slider 30 can slide through track 20 as shown. The fold in slider 30 has a cylindrical contour 40 adapted to fit within lip 62 of liner 60 with a detenting or'locking action to hold slider 30 in a fully forward position in track 20 until sufficient force is applied to handle 34. The top 41 of the cylindrical contoured fold 40, i.e., the portion of fold 40 contacting the inner wall surface of track 20, extends above or out of the plane of body 32 so that when slider 30 is pulled rearwardly, top 41 of fold 40 contacts the top or inner wall 42 of track 20 and tends to pivot scraper or blade 38 toward surface 24 of sole 10. This provides for a very close scraping or cleaning of surface 24 as will subsequently be described. Slider 30 advantageously can be made of a spring material such as spring steel in order to provide the desired flexibility for allowing the front portion thereof including scraper 38 to deflect into liner 60 mounted within cavity 16.

Appropriate stops can be utilized near the rear edge 18 of sole 10 to prevent slider 30 from being pulled completely out of track 20. For example, at the rear end of track 20, lips 22 could be extended toward each other until the space 43 therebetween along a small length of track 20 is less than the width 37 of portion 36 of slider 30. Thus fold 40 will be caught by lips 22 at this point to prevent further rearward motion of slider 30 in track 20. Other stops will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Scraper or blade 38 can have tapered ends and a wedge-shaped cross-section as shown and a length 44 substantially the same as the width 46 of sole 10. Such a configuration provides an efficient scraping action along surface 24. Of course other configurations can also be utilized for scraper 38. A simple upstanding rib or flange can be utilized as a scraper.

OPERATION When apparatus 101 is not in use, handle 34 abuts the rear edge 18 of sole 10 as indicated in phantom. The end portion 36 of slider 30 is flexed into liner 60 in cavity 16 with fold 40 being held or locked in lip 62 and blade 38 resting in cavity 16 between

flanges

64 and 66 flush with or below the surface 24 of sole 10 so as to not interfere with the fitting of boot 12 into a ski or with walking while wearing the boot. When accumulated ice or snow or other foreign matter is to be removed from surface 24, handle 34 is grasped and pulled away from edge 18 along the direction 48. This pulls fold 40 from its detented or locked position in lip 62 and moves slider 30 rearwardly through track 20. Blade 38 emerges from cavity 16 until it rests on surface 24. When slider 30 has moved a sufficient distance rearward, fold 40 contacts track 20 pivoting blade 38 toward surface 24 until it is in a close skimming or scraping position with respect thereto. Further rearward movement of slider 30 then moves blade 38 along surface 24 skimming or scraping away the accumulated.

snow and ice. Surface 24 is completely cleared when the rearward movement of slider 30 is arrested by appropriate stops. Handle 34 is then pushed toward edge 18 moving slider 30 toward the front of sole 10 When fold 40 reaches the edge of cavity 16, it contacts flange 64 of liner 60 or lip17 of sole l and is deflected thereby into cavity 16. Continued forward movement of slider 30 will force fold 40 into locking lip 62. Surface 24 is now clear and boot 12 can readily be inserted into a ski.

New boots can be provided with cleaning apparatus in accordance with this invention by forming groove 14, installing track 20, etc., as part of the manufactur- 6 ing process. The apparatus can also be provided in kit form and can readily be retrofitted on existing boots by a cobbler utilizing well known shoe repair and modification techniques. Track 20, slider 30, scraper 38, and

liner 60 can be made as piece parts in various sizes to fit various size boots. Alternatively, these parts could be made in a standard size which is designed for trimming or cutting to size for particular applications.

While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that various modifications thereto might be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A ski boot including:

a sole;

a scraper adapted for cleaning foreign substances from said sole; and

means for mounting said scraper on said sole for sliding movement therealong in close proximity thereto so that said foreign substances can be removed from said sole.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sole has a groove along a substantial portion of the length thereof; and

said mounting means comprises a guide means mounted within said groove, and a slider slideably mounted in said guide means and having said scraper mounted on one end thereof in close proximity to said sole, said slider including a handle on the other end thereof by which said slider can be moved through said guide means to move said scraper along said sole.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sole has a cavity along the forward end of said groove, said cavity having dimensions sufficient for receiving said scraper therein; and

said slider comprises a flexible member having a rounded end adapted to contact an edge of said cavity and deflect said end and said scraper into said cavity when said slider is moved forward through said guide, whereby said scraper and said mounting means can be placed in recessed positions within said sole except when said scraper is being utilized.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said scraper and said cavity have lengths extending the entire width of said sole so that said entire width can be cleaned by said scraper.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said guide means includes a portion extending into said cavity, said portion including a locking means thereon for receiving said rounded end of said slider and locking said scraper in said recessed position.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 wherein said guide means comprises a channel-shaped member having a bottom side mounted along the inner wall surface of said groove and upstanding sides extending toward said surface of said sole, said rounded end of said slider has a radius greater than the height of said sides so that said rounded end contacts said inner wall and slides therealong when said slider is moved through said channel-shaped member, said scraper being connected to said rounded end in overlaying relationship across said slider, whereby said scraper is pivoted downward into close proximity to said sole.

7. Apparatus in'accordance with claim 6 wherein said rounded end has a width less than the width of the remainder of said slider;

LII

said channel-shaped member includes flanges extending inwardly toward each other from said upstanding sides, said flanges being separated along a first section of said member by a distance greater than said width of said rounded end and less than the width of said remainder of said slider so that said slider is locked within said member and can move through said member with said scraper in overlaying relationship outside said member, and said flanges are separated along a second section of said member at the rear end thereof by a distance less than said width of said rounded end, so that said second section prevents further rearward movement of said slider and scraper along said sole. 8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a liner in said cavity adapted to receive said end and said scraper therein, said liner including a rounded lip locksaid sole has a recess along the rear edge thereof adapted for receiving said handle therein when said slider is moved completely forward in said guide means.

11. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said scraper has tapered ends and a wedge-shaped cross-section.

12. Apparatus for cleaning foreign substances such as snow and ice from the soles of boots comprising, in combination:

a track adapted for mounting on said sole;

a slider adapted for being slideably mounted in said track and including means for moving said slidcr along said track; and

a scraper mounted on said slider so as to be positioned in proximity to said sole when said track is mounted thereon, said scraper being adapted for moving along said sole and cleaning said substances therefrom when said slider is moved through said track.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 12 wherein said track is adapted for mounting within a groove in said sole so that said apparatus can be mounted in a recessed position within said sole.

Claims

1. A ski boot including: a sole; a scraper adapted for cleaning foreign substances from said sole; and means for mounting said scraper on said sole for sliding movement therealong in close proximity thereto so that said foreign substances can be removed from said sole.

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein said sole has a groove along a substantial portion of the length thereof; and said mounting means comprises a guide means mounted within said groove, and a slider slideably mounted in said guide means and having said scraper mounted on one end thereof in close proximity to said sole, said slider including a handle on the other end thereof by which said slider can be moved through said guide means to move said scraper along said sole.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sole has a cavity along the forward end of said groove, said cavity having dimensions sufficient for receiving said scraper therein; and said slider comprises a flexible member having a rounded end adapted to contact an edge of said cavity and deflect said end and said scraper into said cavity when said slider is moved forward through said guide, whereby said scraper and said mounting means can be placed in recessed positions within said sole except when said scraper is being utilized.

7. Apparatus in accordance with claim 6 wherein said rounded end has a width less than the width of the remainder of said slider; said channel-shaped member includes flanges extending inwardly toward each other from said upstanding sides, said flanges being separated along a first section of said member by a distance greater than said width of said rounded end and less than the width of said remainder of said slider so that said slider is locked within said member and can move through said member with said scraper in overlaying relationship outside said member, and said flanges are separated along a second section of said member at the rear end thereof by a distance less than said width of said rounded end, so that said second section prevents further rearward movement of said slider and scraper along said sole.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 3 including a liner in said cavity adapted to receive said end and said scraper therein, said liner including a rounded lip locking portion for receiving said end of said slider to lock said end and said scraper in said recessed position.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8 wherein said liner extends the entire length of said cavity and conforms to the contour of said cavity to provide strength thereto.

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said sole has a recess along the rear edge thereof adapted for receiving said handle therein when said slider is moved completely forward in said guide means.

12. Apparatus for cleaning foreign substances such as snow and ice from the soles of boots comprising, in combination: a track adapted for mounting on said sole; a slider adapted for being slideably mounted in said track and including means for moving said slider along said track; and a scraper mounted on said slider so as to be positioned in proximity to said sole when said track is mounted thereon, said scraper being adapted for moving along said sole and cleaning said substances therefrom when said slider is moved through said tRack.