WO2023084550A1

WO2023084550A1 - Modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings

Info

Publication number: WO2023084550A1
Application number: PCT/IT2022/050287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andrea BARONCINI; Bryan TURCHI
Original assignee: Baroncini Andrea
Priority date: 2021-11-15
Filing date: 2022-11-04
Publication date: 2023-05-19
Also published as: IT202100028874A1

Abstract

A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings and adapted to comprise a plurality of pieces, which can be assembled together by means of a plurality of joints and screws, so as to obtain comfortable footwear which is light for transport; said structure being adapted to accommodate the foot and a generic shoe of any size by virtue of the plurality of adjustments which modify the dimensions thereof.

Description

DESCRIPTION

"MODULAR BOOT ADAPTED TO ENGAGE WITH SKI BINDINGS"

Field of the art

The invention relates to an innovative boot adapted to make the transport thereof easier in ski areas. In fact, said invention is characterized by a modular boot which manages to contain the skier's foot, adapting to the measurements of the foot and the shoe worn.

Known art

In the sports sector there are various types of ski boots already present on the market which base their functionality on having a rigid structure in which to insert the foot and at the base of which there are two projections used for the classic attachment to skis.

Basically, the prior art includes boots which vary in structure and price for the use of certain materials (carbon, ABS) but do not in fact modify the general structure, making said boots very rigid and uncomfortable.

However, in recent years devices have entered the world panorama which modify the known art, as in the case of Dahu devices.

As can be noted, the Dahu Ski Boot is provided with an inner footwear making the product very similar to a traditional ski boot and does not eliminate the dimension of the device.

The solutions of the prior art have some limitations and drawbacks, both at a constructive and a practical level.

Firstly, each ski boot corresponds to a footwear size equal to those used every day. In this logic, the Dahus have tried to restrict the number of products for footwear by grouping up to 8 numbers together which do not adjust.

Secondly, the devices on the market can only be worn during sports activity and precisely by virtue of their rigidity and dimensions, they must be transported together with the remaining ski equipment.

Before carrying out the skiing activity, the currently existing ski boots must be worn on the sides of the slopes and, together with the peculiarities expressed previously, the skier wearing them on his feet must sometimes travel a long distance to reach the slopes. The gait assumed due to the use of boots can lead to postural pain and imbalances well before starting the sports activity.

Another drawback, albeit less significant, is due to the cost of the boot and its entire replacement once consumed and no longer usable for carrying out the sport activity.

Ultimately, the boot which is purchased by most people is not extremely performing because of the cheap material accessible to everyone, even to amateurs. Very frequently this type of equipment is rented in shops where the staff must replace the warehouse with new items every 4/5 years.

Therefore, the object of the patent is to create a comfortable and lightweight shoe which can facilitate the use of skis without necessarily having to wear the common rigid, tight boots. The invention in question involves the use of a modular boot adapted to wrap the skier's foot even when already wearing comfortable sports footwear.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, a modular boot is created adapted to engage with ski bindings which effectively solves the aforementioned problems.

The invention in question comprises an innovative boot adapted to make the life of the skier easier and more comfortable.

By virtue of the use of the modular boot, any user can to insert their own foot and their own shoe inside the structure object of invention. Said boot is adapted to ensure the necessary grip for skiing activities while maintaining a certain comfort for the skier both during descent and during the transport of said boot. The insole is divided into two parts, a front and a back, and is adapted to accommodate any type of shoe or boot present on the market; said insole is further adapted to compensate for the empty spaces through the use of a padding, to be applied on the front part of said insole.

The padding used inside the boot has a variable thickness depending on the user's needs.

In an embodiment thereof, the padding is constrained to the boot by a plurality of Velcro, making said thicknesses interchangeable with each other.

In order to engage the boot object of the invention to skis, two fixing plates are installed below and are interchangeable in the event of damage.

A tip is designed to protect the toe of the foot from any impact and effort during skiing, as well as to give rigidity to the entire structure of the boot. Said tip is engaged above the front insole part, creating a closed and rigid casing.

In an embodiment thereof, the tip comprises a cover fixed with a pin, adapted to make said tip tiltable in the opening and closing steps of the boot object of the invention.

By way of non-limiting example, the tip is closed and constrained using a system provided with a mini-hoist which pulls a steel wire through a slot which, rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise, presses the cover on the tip of the boot.

In order to ensure a complete adhesion, reducing the risks of slipping inside the boot, a plurality of non-slip plates are installed inside said insole, so as to stabilize the sole of the shoe during skiing.

By means of a plurality of screws, said fixing plates are replaceable and interchangeable with each other. A pin, placed along the longitudinal section line, is adapted to connect the front and back of the insole and is adapted to define the ideal size of the boot, making the boot become a single body with the shoe worn by the user.

The actual size of the boot is determined by two bushings frontally mirroring each other, centrally located on said pin, adapted to be adjusted by means of an Allen wrench.

To ensure the operation of the adjustment system, two coils, consisting of two contrast springs, are adapted to lock the boot in the desired position during said adjustment step.

Once the correct size has been identified on the user, two padded containment bands, installed at the ankle and shin, are adapted to increase the grip of the footwear on the foot and on the shoe worn by the skier.

In an embodiment thereof, said containment bands are fixed on one of the two parts of the bootleg in order to ensure a greater adhesion but, by way of non-limiting example, said containment bands exploit a toothed bar which, based on the adjustment, moves the central padding to the right or to the left, giving the skier the possibility to orient it at will.

To make the boot more comfortable and more integral with the skier's foot, a bootleg is engaged with said rear insole, and is adapted to increase the adhesion of the boot with the user's shin; said bootleg is further adapted to modify its inclination with respect to the insole, decisively reducing its dimensions during transport and increasing its performance during skiing.

In order to make the sport experience performing, while reducing the inconvenience due to the dimensions and weights of traditional boots, said boot comprises a plurality of devices adapted to tilt said bootleg. By tilting said bootleg, the skier can choose his set-up during the descent, while reducing the dimensions during transport. A hollow hole in the shape of a cross is located in the area called "spur", where there are further dowels corresponding to the operating inclinations.

An abutment star is adapted to engage in the hollow cross-shaped hole when the inclination of the bootleg corresponds to an operating inclination or the closing inclination of the boot.

To move the abutment star, an actuation pin is pressed which is adapted to unlock said abutment star through the pressure exerted on a common spring placed inside the spur hole.

The advantages offered by the present invention are apparent in the light of the description set forth herein and will be further clarified by the accompanying figures and the detailed description.

Description of the figures

The invention will be described below in at least one preferred embodiment by way of non-limiting example and with the aid of the accompanying figures, in which:

-FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the boot object of the invention.

The innovative boot comprises an insole divided into two parts, front 17 and rear 16, in order to provide a personalized adjustment on the skier who uses said boot.

A padding 18 and containment bands 12 are adapted to increase the adhesion of the boot to the user's ankle during skiing. The most original aspect is the possibility of orienting the inclination of the bootleg 13 at will which, during the transport of the footwear while travelling, can be completely lowered to reduce the dimensions in a suitcase.

A tip 10 is adapted to protect the front part of the foot from any impact during sport activity.

A plurality of non-slip plates 21 are adapted to fix the position of the user's shoe inside the boot object of the invention.

-FIGURE 2 shows a lower view of the boot object of the invention.

It is easy to see the insole division between the front 17 and rear 16, adapted to be adjusted by means of the central pin 20, located at the longitudinal axis of the footwear.

Two fixing plates 19 are installed below so as to engage said boot to ski bindings during the sport activity.

By virtue of the use of a plurality of screws 22, said fixing plates 19 are easily replaceable in the event of deterioration.

Two toothed bars 14 are used, in a variant of the invention, to increase the adhesion of the boot to the user's foot.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention will now be illustrated by way of non-limiting or binding example, using the figures which illustrate some embodiments in relation to the present inventive concept.

With reference to FIG.l, the boot object of the invention is illustrated in a perspective view which highlights its main features. The insole, divided into two parts, a front one 17 and a rear one 16, is adapted to accommodate any type of shoe present on the market; said insole 17,16 is further adapted to compensate for empty spaces through the use of a padding 18 to be applied on the front 17 of said insole.

The insole 17,16 in question has a minimum overall length of 350.09 mm, extendable by means of the adjustment of two bushings 11, fixed on a threaded and extendable central pin 20.

Two fixing plates 19 are installed below the boot, so as to engage said boot to ski bindings. Both fixing plates 19 have a width of 70 mm, so as to meet the standard measurements already commonly used in the most common ski bindings on the market.

A tip 10, engaged above the front insole part 17, is adapted to protect the foot, creating a closed and rigid casing.

Non-slip plates 21, installed on said insole 17,16, are adapted to stabilize the sole of the shoe inside the boot during skiing.

Two padded containment bands 12, installed at the ankle and shin, are adapted to increase the grip of the footwear to the foot and to the shoe worn by the user.

The padding 18 used can have a different thickness depending on the features of the user's foot, and is adapted to compensate for the empty spaces inside the footwear.

The bootleg 13 of the boot in question is engaged with the rear insole 16, and is adapted to increase the adhesion of the boot with the user's shin. Said bootleg 13 is further adapted to modify its inclination with respect to the insole 16,17, decisively reducing its dimensions during transport and increasing its performance during skiing. The bootleg has been designed with a lateral dimension of 129.12 mm, and with a maximum height of 346.15 mm.

A hollow hole in the shape of a cross, located in the area called "spur", comprises dowels corresponding to the operating inclinations of the bootleg 13. An actuation pin 15 is adapted to move said bootleg 13 by means of an abutment star, once pressed.

With reference to FIG.2, a lower view of the boot object of the invention is illustrated in order to highlight the components which contribute to the adjustment of the dimensions of said boot. A pin 20 is located along the longitudinal section line and is adapted to connect the front part 17 to the rear part 16 of the insole, defining the ideal size of the boot, making the boot become a single body with the shoe worn by the user.

The pin 20 used has a section of 8 mm and a length of 309 mm.

The two fixing plates 19 are installed below said insole 16,17 and are adapted to be replaced by virtue of the use of a plurality of screws 22.

Lastly, it is clear that the invention described up to now may be subjected to modifications, additions or variants obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of protection outlined by the attached claims.

Claims

CLAIMS A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of pieces, which can be assembled together by means of a plurality of joints and screws, so as to obtain a comfortable and lightweight boot to be transported; said boot being adapted to accommodate the foot and a generic shoe of any size by virtue of the plurality of adjustments which modify the dimensions thereof; said boot comprising:

- an insole divided into two parts, one front (17) and one rear (16), adapted to accommodate any type of shoe on the market; said insole (17,16) being further adapted to compensate for empty spaces through the use of a padding (18) to be applied on the front (17) of said insole;

- at least two fixing plates (19), installed below the boot, so as to engage said boot with skis;

- at least one tip (10), engaged above the front insole part (17), adapted to protect the foot, creating a closed casing;

- a plurality of non-slip plates (21), installed on said insole (17,16), adapted to stabilize the sole of the shoe during skiing;

- at least one pin (20), placed along the longitudinal section line, adapted to connect the front part (17) and rear part (16) of the insole defining the ideal size of the boot, making the boot become a single body with the shoe worn by the user; at least two bushings (11) frontally mirroring each other, centrally located on said pin (20), adapted to be adjusted by means of an Allen wrench, determining the actual size of the boot;

- at least two coils, consisting of two contrast springs, adapted to lock the boot in the desired position during the step of adjusting the size of the boot, pushing and then moving the front insole (17) away from the rear one (16);

9 - at least two padded containment bands (12), installed at the ankle and shin, adapted to increase the grip of the boot to the foot and to the shoe worn by the user;

- a bootleg (13), engaged with said rear insole (16), adapted to increase the adhesion of the boot with the user's shin; said bootleg (13) being adapted to modify its inclination with respect to the insole (16, 17), decisively reducing the dimensions thereof during transport and increasing the performance thereof during skiing;

- at least one hollow hole in the shape of a cross, in the area called "spur", in which dowels are present corresponding to the operating inclinations, or to the inclinations which the bootleg (13) can assume during the sport activity with respect to the insole (16, 17);

- at least one abutment star, adapted to engage in the hollow cross-shaped hole when the inclination of the bootleg (13) corresponds to one of the operating inclinations or the closing inclination of the boot, when the latter assumes the position of least dimensions for transport, or with the bootleg (13) parallel to the insole (16, 17);

- at least one actuation pin (15), adapted to move the abutment star once pressed;

- at least one spring, inside said hole, adapted to unlock said abutment star through the pressure of the actuation pin (15). A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that said tip (10) comprises a cover fixed with a pin, adapted to make the tip (10) tiltable in the opening and closing steps of the boot. A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to the preceding claim 1, characterized in that said tip (10) is closed and constrained by exploiting a system provided with a mini-hoist which pulls a steel wire passing through a slot which, rotating clockwise or counter-clockwise, presses the cover on the tip of the boot.

4. A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said fixing plates (19) are replaceable by virtue of the use of a plurality of screws (22).

5. A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said padding (18) used inside the boot can have different thicknesses depending on the user's needs.

6. A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said padding (18) is constrained to the boot by a plurality of Velcro, so as to make the padding (18) interchangeable with each other.

7. A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said containment bands (12) are fixed on one of the two parts of the bootleg (13) so as to ensure greater adherence.

A modular boot adapted to engage with ski bindings, according to any one of the preceding claims from 1 to 7, characterized in that said containment bands (12) exploit a toothed bar (14) which, based on the adjustment, moves the central padding (18) to the right or to the left to give the skier the possibility to orient it at will.

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