WO2004077978A1

WO2004077978A1 - Shoe with rapid closure, ice skate comprising such a shoe and rapid closure device for said shoe

Info

Publication number: WO2004077978A1
Application number: PCT/FR2004/000318
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roger Ours
Original assignee: Roger Ours
Priority date: 2003-02-20
Filing date: 2004-02-12
Publication date: 2004-09-16
Also published as: FR2851429A1; FR2851429B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe with a rapid closure and flexible upper, comprising an opening (2) for placing the foot in the shoe and at least one rapid closure means (S) for bringing the two sides (2a, 2b) of the opening together when the foot is in. Said closure device comprises a lever (5) with hooks, articulated on a base (7), fixed to one edge (2a) of the opening, a hooking body (10), associated with the lever is fixed to the opposing side (2b) of the opening, whilst a connecting means is provided between the hooking body and the lever. The base (7) has the form of a U, covering and enclosing the edge (2a) of the opening, the base (7c) of the U coming into contact with the rim of said edge (2a) to avoid a rotation of the support relative to the upper. The base (7) is secured to the upper by a single fixing body (8) the length (L) of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the opening being reduced.

Description

QUICK TIGHTENING SHOE, ICE SKATE HAVING SUCH A SHOE, AND QUICK TIGHTENING DEVICE FOR SUCH SHOE.

The invention relates to a quick-tightening shoe, with a flexible upper, comprising a notch making it possible to engage the foot in the shoe, and at least one quick-tightening device making it possible to bring the two edges of the notch together when the foot is fitted, this tightening device comprising a lever with hooks, articulated on a base fixed on one edge of the notch, a hooking member associated with the lever being fixed on the opposite edge of the notch, while a means connection is provided between the latching member and the lever. The invention relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an ice skate shoe, as well as an ice skate comprising such a shoe.

The shoes concerned with flexible upper differ from skate shoes with a rigid shell and an inner boot, as well as ski boots also with a rigid shell.

A shoe with a flexible upper makes it possible to hug the user's foot well and offers greater comfort than a shoe with a shell or rigid upper. More particularly, in the case of skating shoes with a rigid shell and an inner liner, the foot can play inside the shoe so that the skating is not very reliable as regards the grip of the edge. The skater thus equipped does not have the possibility of directing his evolution in optimal conditions. Skating shoes with a flexible upper that adapt better to the foot improve the edge grip and the ability for the skater to direct their progress.

However, the closure and tightening of shoes with a flexible upper, in particular ice skating shoes, need to be improved both to reduce the time required to close and tighten the shoe and to improve comfort and maintain tightening. . The speed of closing and tightening is sought in particular for ice skates which are rented in ice rinks which welcome schoolchildren. In fact, many young children find it difficult to put on and lace up skates with relatively flexible uppers. As a result, the monitors must help the children to put on their shoes, which results in a significant loss of time.

It has been proposed to replace the eyelets, provided at the edge of the notch for the passage of laces, by fast loops of the hook type. This solution is an improvement but lacing and tightening still require significant time, and is not successful by all children.

It has also been proposed to install quick-tightening devices on boots with a relatively flexible upper similar to those used in ski boots with a rigid shell. This solution has not been found satisfactory. The base of the lever fixed at the edge of the notch is relatively long for fixing at several points preventing rotation of the base. The rod is stiffened, which is an inconvenience for the user. The resulting stiffness can even lead to injury to the user's foot. In addition, the closure thus produced on a shoe with a flexible upper was not reliable and could open.

The object of the invention is, above all, to provide a quick-tightening shoe, in particular an ice-skating shoe, which retains the advantage of the relative flexibility of the upper while avoiding excessive rigidity due to the fixing of the based. The object of the invention is also to provide a shoe with quick tightening, with a relatively flexible upper, which allows quick fitting and tightening with good closure reliability.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a quick-tightening shoe, of the kind defined above, is characterized in that the base for the articulation of the lever of the tightening device has the shape of a U styling and enclosing the edge of the notch, the bottom of the U coming into contact with the edge of this edge to prevent rotation of the support relative to the rod, and the base is secured to the rod by a single member fixing, in particular of the rivet type. The length of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch can be reduced, which avoids substantially stiffening the corresponding area of the rod, generally called the eyelet. The hooking member associated with the lever is fixed in the same way to the edge of the notch using a U-shaped base with a single fixing member.

Preferably, the length of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch is at most equal to about 2.5 cm.

The base is attached only to the part of the eyelet that it sandwiches in its U shape which allows good positioning and good tensile strength when tightening. The attachment base of the lever or of the attachment member may comprise at least one tongue adjoining the bottom of the U and extending against the outer face of the edge of the notch under the extensible link.

According to another arrangement of the invention, which can be used independently or in combination with the preceding arrangements, a quick-release shoe, of the kind defined above, is characterized in that the connecting means comprises a flexible link and has an elasticity sufficient to maintain a substantially constant closing tension. Preferably, the flexible link forms a closed contour.

This closed contour in the tight position can form a loop whose width corresponds substantially to the space existing between two eyelets, hooks or fast loops of a conventional shoe. The closure of a shoe of medium size can thus be carried out with only three spaced clamping devices. For large sizes, a fourth clamping device can be added.

The flexible link is advantageously extensible, able to lengthen during tightening and to maintain the closing tension. The connecting means is constituted by this single flexible extensible link. The elongation of the flexible link which can be stretched when tightened can be of the order of 0.5 cm to 1 cm. The flexible link extensible may be made of elastomeric material, in particular rubber, or of urethane material.

According to a variant, the flexible link is inextensible, and the connection means comprises, in addition to the flexible link, at least one block of elastic material sandwiched between the fastening member and the inextensible link.

Preferably, the fastening member on the edge opposite the lever has a snap, in particular formed by an elastic tongue, capable of being erased during the insertion of the flexible link in the fastening member and at s oppose his exit.

The connecting means, by its sufficient elasticity, keeps the shoe closed under permanent tension and makes the closure particularly reliable, with good comfort of use. The invention also relates to an ice skate comprising a shoe with a flexible upper and a quick-tightening device as defined above.

The invention also relates to a quick tightening device for a shoe with flexible upper as defined above, this tightening device comprising a lever with hooks, articulated on a base suitable for being fixed on an edge of the notch and, on the side opposite, an attachment member associated with the lever, a connecting means being provided between the lever and the attachment member, this clamping device being characterized in that the base for the articulation of the lever of the clamping device has the shape of a U to cap and enclose the edge of the notch, the bottom of the U coming into contact with the edge of this edge to prevent rotation of the support relative to the rod, and the base is subject to the rod by a single fixing member, in particular of the rivet type, the length of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch being reduced.

The invention consists, apart from the arrangements set out above, in a certain number of other arrangements which will be more explicitly discussed below in connection with exemplary embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings, but which are not in no way limiting. On these drawings ^' • Fig. l is a front view of an ice skate with shoe according to the invention, the rapid clamping devices being in the released position.

Fig.2 is a schematic section along line II-II of Fig.l.

Fig.3 is a partial section, on a larger scale, similar to Fig.2 showing the clamping device in the closed position.

Fig.4 is a perspective view with part cut away from one edge of the notch of the shoe and clamping device in the partially open position.

Fig.5 is a schematic side view of a portion of the rod illustrating the attachment of the base of a lever, which is not shown. Fig.6, finally, is a section of a detail of an alternative embodiment.

Referring to the drawings, in particular to FIG. l, we can see a shoe C ice skate P with a relatively flexible rod 1. A steel blade A is fixed under the sole. Shoe C is of the rising shoe type and the upper 1 is designed to reach the ankles of the user. The rod 1 has a notch 2 limited by two edges 2a, 2b which meet at the bottom 3 closed. In a conventional manner, a tongue 4 adjoining the lower part 3 and free on its sides is provided to cover the part of the foot located opposite the notch 2 when the shoe is tight.

The shoe C comprises, in the example illustrated, three identical rapid clamping devices S, spaced along the edges of the notch 2, making it possible to bring the two edges 2a, 2b together when the foot is put on.

Each quick release device includes a lever

5 with hooks 5a, 5b, 5c spaced apart, provided on the rear face of the lever. This lever 5 is articulated around an axis 6 (Figs.2 and 3) substantially parallel to the neighboring edge 2a, on a metal or plastic base 7, fixed on the edge 2a.

The base 7 has substantially the shape of a U-shaped clamp which comes to cap, and sandwich between its two branches 7a, 7b, an area of the edge 2a. This area is called the eyelet because, in a classic shoe where the tightening is carried out with laces crossing eyelets, the latter are fixed there. The edge edge 2a bears against the bottom 7c of the base 7, which connects the two branches 7a, 7b. The fixing of the base 7 on the shoe is carried out with a single fixing member 8, such as a rivet, which passes through holes provided opposite in the branches 7a, 7b and in the corresponding part of the shoe. The base 7 is blocked in rotation around the rivet 8 by the bottom 7c bearing against the edge edge 2a.

The length L of the branches 7a, 7b in a direction orthogonal to the bottom 7c can be relatively reduced, for example at most equal to about 2.5 cm. A small extent of the edge 2a is covered by these branches. As a result, the flexibility of the edge 2a is little affected by the base 7.

The outer branch 7a is integral with a yoke 9 constituted by two wings between which is housed the articulated end of the lever 5. The yoke 9 supports the axis 6.

A hooking member 10, associated with the lever 5, is fixed to the opposite edge 2b of the notch, at the same level as the associated lever 5.

This attachment member 10 comprises a base 11 in the form of a U-shaped clamp similar to the base 7, so as to sandwich the edge 2b, the edge of which abuts against the bottom of the U. The base 11 is fixed by a single rivet 12 and is locked in rotation by the contact of the edge 2b with the bottom links. The dimension M (FIG. 3) of this base 11 in a direction orthogonal to the edge edge 2b is reduced, for example at most equal to approximately 2.5 cm, since only one rivet 12 is necessary for its fixing. This reduced dimension M avoids substantially stiffening the edge 2b.

The hook 10 with its base 11 can be made of metal or plastic.

A connecting means is provided between the lever 5 and the hook 10. This connecting means, according to Figs. 1 to 5, is constituted by a link T in an extensible material which is not very elastic, capable of lengthening during tightening and of maintaining a closing tension. Advantageously, the extensible link T forms a closed contour 13, for example circular or rectangular in the free state. The T link is made in particular of elastomer, rubber or urethane. The link T can be provided for a maximum extension of 0.5 cm to 1 cm, thus giving the tension necessary for the correct closure of the device and keeping it always closed by this permanent tension. This closing tension remains substantially constant despite slight variations in the distance between the edges 2a, 2b when using the tight shoe. When the lever 5 is in the closed position, the mean plane of the closed contour 13 (Fig. 3) is located between the axis 6 and the edges 2a, 2b so that the tensile force exerted on the lever 5 tends to apply this lever against the upper of the shoe and to keep the device closed. The extensible link T makes it possible to compensate for the difference between two hooks 5a, 5b of the lever and to maintain an acceptable tightening tension.

The width h (Fig.l) of the loop formed by the closed contour 13 engaged around the hook 10 and the lever 5 can correspond to the space between two eyelets or fast loops used in a conventional shoe. It is thus possible to ensure the tightening of an ordinary shoe with only three tightening devices S instead of six or seven hooks or eyelets in a conventional shoe, without having to pull laces. The desired tension for good tightening is automatically obtained.

For large sizes, four devices S can be provided instead of the three illustrated in Fig.l. Alternatively, for a large size, we could only use the three clamping devices S in Fig.l and complete with a quick loop between the loops to keep the same lacing space. A single pull on the lace and the closing of the three loops gives an efficiency and a speed without equal compared to the traditional solutions. The hook 10 advantageously comprises an elastic tongue 14 partially closing the cavity of the hook 10. This tongue 14 can be moved apart to engage the link T in the hook 10. It then returns to the position illustrated in Fig.3 preventing a fortuitous exit from the link T.

To prevent the T link from damaging the outer edge side

2a corresponding to the area of the eyelet, as illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5, a tongue 15 adjoining the base 7 is provided at each end of the bottom 7c to cover the part of the outer face of the edge 2a under the link T .

The operation of the clamping device results from the foregoing explanations. To fit, the levers 5 are brought back towards the edge 2b, by rotation in the opposite direction of the clock according to Fig.2, so that the link T is not taut and that the notch 2 is opened to the maximum.

After engaging his foot in shoe C, and correctly positioning the tongue 4, the user chooses the hook 5a, 5b, 5c to be used and folds the lever 5 towards the closed position as illustrated in Fig.3, obtaining a satisfactory tightening tension, which will be maintained during use. The bases 7 and 11 allow good positioning and good tensile strength.

Fig. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment according to which the connection means comprises a flexible link Ta inextensible, and at least one elastic block 16, for example made of rubber, sandwiched between the fastening member 10 and the inextensible link Ta. The block 16 can be compressed over several millimeters, for example at least 5mm, which gives elasticity to the closure.

The tightening tension given by the elasticity of the connecting means ensures closure without injuring the foot. The retained flexibility of the eyelet also reduces the risk of foot injury.

The clamping device according to the invention is simple, quick and reliable. The link T, Ta can be changed very easily and quickly.

Claims

1. Quick-fitting shoe, with flexible upper, comprising a notch (2) making it possible to engage the foot in the shoe, and at least one quick-tightening device (S) making it possible to bring the two edges (2a, b) of notch when the foot is on, this tightening device comprising a lever (5) with hooks, articulated on a base (7) fixed on an edge (2a) of the notch, a hooking member (10) associated with the lever being fixed on the opposite edge (2b) of the notch, while a connecting means is provided between the hooking member and the lever, characterized in that the base (7) for the articulation of the lever ( 5) of the clamping device (S) has the shape of a U covering and enclosing the edge (2a) of the notch, the bottom (7c) of the U coming into contact with the edge of this edge (2a) to prevent a rotation of the support relative to the rod, the length of the branches (7a, 7b) of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch being reduced ite.

2. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening member (10) associated with the lever is fixed to the edge (2b) of the notch using a base (il) in the form of U-shaped clamp, so as to sandwich the edge (2b), the edge of which abuts against the bottom of the U.

3. Shoe according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the length (L, M) of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch is at most equal to about 2.5 cm.

4. Shoe, characterized in that the fixing base (7, 11) of the lever or of the fastening member comprises at least one tongue (15) adjoining the bottom of the U and extending against the outer face of the edge notch (2) under the extendable link (T).

5. Shoe according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting means comprises a link flexible (T, Ta) and has sufficient elasticity to maintain a substantially constant closing tension.

6. Shoe according to claim 5, characterized in that the link (T, Ta) forms a closed contour (13).

7. Shoe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the flexible link (T) is extensible, able to lengthen during tightening and to maintain the closing tension, the connecting means being constituted by this single flexible link extensible.

8. Shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that the elongation of the flexible extensible link (T) when tightening is of the order of 0.5cm to 1cm.

9. Shoe according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the link (T) is made of elastomeric material.

10. Shoe according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the flexible link (Ta) is inextensible, and that at least one block

(16) elastic is sandwiched between the attachment member (10) and the inextensible link (Ta).

11. Shoe according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the fastening member (10) on the edge (2b) opposite the lever has a snap, in particular formed by an elastic tongue (14), able to be erased during the insertion of the flexible link (T, Ta) in the attachment member (10) and to oppose its exit.

12. Ice skate comprising a shoe with flexible upper according to one of the preceding claims.

13. Quick clamping device for a shoe with flexible upper according to one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a lever (5) with hooks, articulated on a base (7) suitable for being fixed on an edge of the notch and , on the opposite side, a hooking member (10) associated with the lever, a connecting means being provided between the lever and the attachment member, characterized in that the base (7) for the articulation of the lever (5) of the clamping device (S) has the shape of a U to cover and grip the edge (2a) of the notch, the bottom (7c) of the U coming into contact with the edge of this edge (2a) to prevent rotation of the support relative to the rod, the length (L) of the branches of the U in a direction orthogonal to the edge of the notch being reduced.