Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to an improved sports shoe for a gliding sport, such
as skiing, skating, snowboarding and the like.
Background Art
[0002] It is known that a sports shoe for a gliding sport generally comprises a rigid shell
to which a partially pivoting cuff is mounted.
The shell and/or the cuff of the sports shoe generally comprise a pair of flaps closable
by means of fastening buckles, which are mounted transversely to these flaps, approximately
at the upper surface of the foot and/or the lower portion of the leg.
[0003] Known sports shoes suffer the drawback that; they often lack of safety locking devices
aimed at preventing the accidental activation of the fastening buckles during the
sports activity. This unwanted opening of the fastening buckle might be due, for example,
to brushing against the ground surface or hitting an object. Such events may seriously
prejudice the safety of the user, since they determine a sudden fall in the functionality
of the sports shoe and, therefore, in the controllability of the gliding member, which
is associated to the sports shoe. Furthermore, such accidental openings may provoke
also the breakage of the fastening buckle.
[0004] In order to overcome these drawbacks, some known sports shoes comprise safety mechanical
devices which include some blocking elements, which can be positioned manually by
the user into suitable seats arranged on the fastening buckle. These blocking elements
are able to prevent any accidental and unwanted opening of the fastening buckle during
the sports activity.
[0005] A drawback of such conventional solutions consists in that positioning of such blocking
elements entails a remarkable increase of the time which is required for closing the
fastening buckle. This drawback is somehow worsened by the fact that the positioning
of such blocking elements must often be performed in a very precise manner, which
cannot be accomplished easily when the user is wearing gloves, as it often happens.
[0006] Moreover, the fastening buckles which comprise these known safety mechanical devices
are often relatively unaestethic, cumbersome, difficult to use and complex in fabrication.
This leads to an increase in design and production times and costs; as a matter of
fact, it is well known that the fastening buckles comprising these safety mechanical
devices are much more expensive than the traditional ones. Moreover, the practice
has shown that, often, the increase of the structural complexity of the fastening
buckles implies a decrease of their structural sturdiness and resistance to stress
or accidental impacts.
Disclosure of the Invention
[0007] Therefore the aim of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which allows
to achieve an effective protection of the fastening buckles against accidental opening
and, at the same time, a high level of ease of use without complicating the structure
of the fastening buckles.
[0008] Within this aim, an object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe,
comprising one or more protection elements for preventing the fastening buckles of
the sports shoe from accidental openings, which are particularly easy to manufacture
and quick to handle for any user, even when wearing gloves.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which comprises
one or more protection elements that are able to increase the overall aesthetic appearance
of the sports shoe.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which comprises
one or more protection elements that do not to increase the structural complexity
of the fastening buckles.
[0011] Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a sports shoe, which
comprises one or more protection elements that are structurally simple and can be
designed and manufactured at relatively low cost.
[0012] The above aim and objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter
are achieved by a sports shoe for a gliding sport, which comprises:
an upper and/or a shell and/or a cuff, which are provided with at least a first flap
and a second flap, which are closable over each other by means of at least a fastening
buckle; and
at least a protection element, which is associated to the fastening buckle for preventing
the fastening buckle from accidental openings, characterised in that such protection
element comprises at least a strap, which is associated to the upper and/or shell
and/or cuff and which is arranged, so as to wrap around and/or cover, at least partially,
the fastening buckle.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the sports shoe according to the present
invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of some particular
embodiments thereof, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a skate comprising the sports shoe, according to
the present invention;
Figure 2 is another perspective view of a skate comprising the sports shoe, according
to the present invention, shown in an open configuration.
Ways of carring out the Invention
[0014] The sports shoe according to the present invention will be described hereinafter
with particular reference to its use in skating, particularly in-line skating. This
is only for sake of simplicity and it does not imply any limitation of the scope of
the present invention. In fact, the sports shoe according to the present invention
can be advantageously used without distinction in many other gliding sports, such
as skiing, snowboarding and the like.
[0015] With reference to the figures, reference numeral 1 designates an in-line skate, which
comprises a gliding member 200 that includes a frame 2 supporting a plurality of wheels
3. The gliding member 200 is associated to the sports shoe 5. The sports shoe 5 comprises
preferably a shell 4 which is connected to a cuff 7. The sports shoe 5 may also comprise
an upper 8 which covers, at least partially, the shell 4 and the cuff 7. The shell
4 and the cuff 7 are preferably made of a rigid material, for example plastics, so
as to allow an excellent transmission of the forces from the foot and the leg of the
user to the frame 2. The upper 8 is preferably made of soft materials such as leather,
rubber, fabric or plastic soft materials. Preferably, a liner 6, also made of soft
material, is placed inside the shell 4 and the cuff 7. The cuff 7 and the liner 6
are provided with a first and a second pair of flaps, respectively designated by reference
numerals 10 and 9. Also the upper 8 and the shell 4 can be advantageously provided
with a third pair of flaps 13a and 13b and a fourth pair of flaps (not shown). The
first pair of flaps 10 comprises at least a first flap 10a and a second flap 10b,
which can be closed over each other by means of a fastening buckle 11, which is positioned,
in this case, at the lower portion of the leg 12 and transversely to the flaps 10a
and 10b. Of course, the fastening buckle 11 can be placed advantageously also in different
positions, with the aim of closing the second, third and/or fourth pair of flaps,
according to the needs.
[0016] The sports shoe 5 comprises at least a protection element 14, aimed at protecting
the fastening buckle 11 from impacts or accidental opening. The protection element
14 comprises at least a protection strap 150, which is connected and/or associated
to the upper 8 and/or the shell 4 and/or the cuff 7. The protection strap 150 is arranged
so as to wrap around and/or cover, at least partially, the fastening buckle 11. In
figure 2, the protection strap 150 is integrally connected with the flaps 13a and
13b of the upper 8 and it is associated respectively to the flaps 10a and 10b of the
cuff 7. Of course, depending on the position of the fastening buckle 11, the protection
strap 150 can be connected and/or associated also with said second, third and/or fourth
pair of flaps, according to the needs. The protection strap 150 comprises preferably
at least a first portion 15a, which is associated to the first flap 10a.
[0017] The first portion 15a is temporarily connectable to the second flap 10b by means
of removable interconnection means. For example, such interconnection means can comprise
some layers of temporarily connecting material, such that known with the brand name
of VELCRO™. These layers can be advantageously positioned on the outer surface 16a
of the first portion 15a and on a predefined portion (not shown) of the surface of
the second flap 10b. According to another embodiment of the present invention (not
shown), the protection strap 150 may comprise the first portion 15a, which extends
over the fastening buckle 11, when it is connected to the second flap 10b.
[0018] Preferably, as illustrated in figure 2, the protection strap 150 comprises also a
second portion 15b, which is associated to the second flap 10b. The second portion
15b is advantageously separated and arranged in an opposite position with respect
to the first portion 15a. Advantageously, as illustrated in figure 2, the first portion
15a is temporarily connectable to the second portion 15b by means of suitably removable
connection means, which can be obtained by stitching or gluing some layers of appropriate
material on the outer surface 16a and also on an outer surface 16b of the second portion
15b.
[0019] Also in this case, the first portion 15a extends over the fastening buckle 11, when
the interconnection between the first portion 15a and the second portion 15b is realised.
Preferably, in both of the above described embodiments of the present invention, the
first portion 15a has a width, which is approximately equal or greater than the width
of the fastening buckle 11, so as to cover it entirely.
[0020] The sports shoe 5, according to the present invention, may also comprise additional
fastening buckles (not shown) that are arranged close and beside the fastening buckle
11. In this case, the first portion 15a has a width that is suitable for wrapping
around and/or covering all such fastening buckles.
[0021] For this aim, the width of the first portion 15a is approximately equal or greater
than the extension given by the sum of the width of the fastening buckle 11, the width
of each of the additional fastening buckles and the intermediate distances between
the fastening buckle 11 and/or the additional fastening buckles. As it is possible
to notice, the protection elements 14 can be used in a very easy and quick manner.
[0022] Operation is as follows: with reference to figure 2, the user, by opening the fastening
buckle 11, may pull apart the first and second pairs of flaps 9 and 10 of the liner
6 and the cuff 7, thus being able to introduce the foot into the sports shoe 5. The
fastening buckle 11 allows closing over each other the first flap 10a and the second
flap 10b of the cuff 7. The protection of the fastening buckle 11 may be guaranteed
by positioning the first portion 15a over the fastening buckle 11 and temporarily
connecting it to the second portion 15b. The interconnection of the portions 15a and
15b can be achieved by simply overlapping, at least partially, the outer surfaces
16a and 16b.
[0023] It has been shown in practice that the sports shoe, according to the present invention,
allows to achieve the intended aim and objects.
[0024] In fact, the protection element 14 provides an effective protection against accidental
openings of the buckles 11 and, at the same time, can be operated by the user in an
extremely easy and quick manner, even wearing gloves. It should be noticed that the
protection element 14 is also effective from an aesthetic point of view, since the
protection strap 150 may be easily used as a base for decorative, graphic elements
or for trade or advertising signs, thus obtaining additional, highly visible space
for decoration. Moreover, since it is completely separated from the fastening buckles
11, the protection element 14 does not influence at all the structural complexity
of the fastening buckle 11, which maintains its structural sturdiness and complexity
and its overall size substantially unchanged. Thus, also the production times and
costs of the fastening buckle 11 do not change in relation to the presence of the
protection element 14. Finally, the protection element 14 is structurally simple and
can be manufactured at relatively low costs.
1. A sports shoe (5) for a gliding sport, which comprises:
an upper (8) and/or a shell (4) and/or a cuff (7), which are provided with at least
a first flap (10) and a second flap (9), said first flap and said second flap being
closable over each other by means of at least a fastening buckle (11);
at least a protection element (150), which is associated to said fastening buckle
for preventing said fastening buckle from accidental openings;
characterised in that said protection element comprises at least a protection strap (150), which is associated
to said upper and/or shell and/or cuff and which is arranged, so as to wrap around
and/or cover, at least partially, said fastening buckle.
2. The sports shoe according to claim 1, characterised in that said strap comprises at least a first portion, which is associated to said first
flap and which is temporarily connectable to said second flap portion by means of
removable interconnection means.
3. The sports shoe according to claim 2, characterised in that said strap comprises a second portion, which is associated to said second flap, said
second portion being separated from said first portion and being arranged in an opposite
position with respect to said first portion.
4. The sports shoe according to claim 3, characterised in that said first portion is temporarily connectable to said second portion by means of
said removable interconnection means, said first portion extending over said fastening
buckle, when said first portion is connected to said second portion.
5. The sports shoe according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said first portion has a width, which is approximately equal or greater than the
width of said fastening buckle, so as to cover said fastening buckle.
6. The sports shoe according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises two or more additional fastening buckles, which are positioned substantially
closed and beside said fastening buckle, said first portion having a width which is
suitable to wrap around and/or cover said fastening buckle and said additional buckles.
7. A gliding device comprising at least a gliding member characterised in that it comprises, a sports shoe, according to one or more of the preceding claims, which
is associated to said gliding member.
1. Sportschuh (5) für einen Gleitsport, welcher aufweist:
ein Obermaterial (8) und/oder eine Schale (4) und/oder eine Manschette (7), welche
mit mindestens einer ersten Klappe (10) und einer zweiten Klappe (9) versehen sind,
wobei die erste Klappe und die zweite Klappe mittels mindestens einer Befestigungsschnalle
(11) übereinander geschlossen werden können;
mindestens ein Schutzelement (150), welches der Befestigungsschnalle zugehörig ist,
um ein unbeabsichtigtes Öffnen der Befestigungsschnalle zu verhindern;
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Schutzelement mindestens einen Schutzriemen (150) aufweist, der dem Obermaterial
und/oder der Schale und/oder der Manschette zugehörig ist und so angeordnet ist, dass
er die Befestigungsschnalle umhüllt und/oder zumindest teilweise verdeckt.
2. Sportschuh nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Riemen mindestens einen ersten Abschnitt aufweist, welcher der ersten Klappe
zugehörig ist und sich mittels einer lösbaren Verbindungseinrichtung vorübergehend
mit dem zweiten Klappenabschnitt verbinden lässt.
3. Sportschuh nach Anspruch 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Riemen einen zweiten Abschnitt aufweist, welcher der zweiten Klappe zugehörig
ist, wobei der zweite Abschnitt vom ersten Abschnitt getrennt ist und in gegenüberliegender
Position bezüglich dem ersten Abschnitt angeordnet ist.
4. Sportschuh nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Abschnitt sich mittels der lösbaren Verbindungseinrichtung mit dem zweiten
Abschnitt vorübergehend verbinden lässt, wobei sich der erste Abschnitt über die Befestigungsschnalle
erstreckt, wenn der erste Abschnitt mit dem zweiten Abschnitt verbunden ist
5. Sportschuh nach einem oder mehreren der vorgehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der erste Abschnitt eine Breite aufweist, die ungefähr gleich groß oder größer als
die Breite der Befestigungsschnalle ist, so dass die Befestigungsschnalle verdeckt
wird.
6. Sportschuh nach einem oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass er zwei oder mehr zusätzliche Befestigungsschnallen aufweist, welche im Wesentlichen
nahe bei und neben der Befestigungsschnalle positioniert sind, wobei der erste Abschnitt
eine Breite aufweist, die sich für ein Einhüllen und/oder Verdecken der Befestigungsschnalle
und der zusätzlichen Schnallen eignet.
7. Gleitvorrichtung, welche mindestens ein Gleitelement aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie einen Sportschuh nach ein oder mehreren der vorhergehenden Ansprüche beinhaltet,
der dem Gleitelement zugehörig ist.
1. Chaussure de sport (5) pour sport de glisse, comprenant :
une tige (8) et/ou une coque (4) et/ou une manchette (7), qui sont pourvues d'au moins
un premier rabat (10) et un deuxième rabat (9), ledit premier rabat et ledit deuxième
rabat pouvant être rabattus l'un au-dessus de l'autre à l'aide d'au moins une boucle
de serrage (11) ;
au moins un élément de protection (150), qui est associé à ladite boucle de serrage
pour empêcher ladite boucle de serrage de s'ouvrir accidentellement ;
caractérisée en ce que ledit élément de protection est constitué par au moins une sangle de protection (150)
qui est associée à ladite tige et/ou coque et/ou manchette et qui est disposée de
manière à envelopper et/ou couvrir, au moins partiellement, ladite boucle de serrage.
2. Chaussure de sport selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que ladite sangle comporte au moins une première partie, qui est associée audit premier
rabat et qui peut être accouplée temporairement avec ladite deuxième partie de rabat
à l'aide d'un moyen d'accouplement amovible.
3. Chaussure de sport selon la revendication 2, caractérisée en ce que ladite sangle comporte une deuxième partie, qui est associée audit deuxième rabat,
ladite deuxième partie étant séparée de ladite première partie et étant disposée dans
une position opposée par rapport à ladite première partie.
4. Chaussure de sport selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que ladite première partie peut être accouplée temporairement avec ladite deuxième partie
à l'aide dudit moyen d'accouplement amovible, ladite première partie s'étendant par-dessus
ladite boucle de serrage, lorsque ladite première partie est accouplée avec ladite
deuxième partie.
5. Chaussure de sport selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que ladite première partie a une largeur approximativement égale ou supérieure à la largeur
de ladite boucle de serrage de façon à couvrir ladite boucle de serrage.
6. Chaussure de sport selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte deux boucles de serrage supplémentaires ou davantage, placées sensiblement
près et à côté de ladite boucle de serrage, ladite première partie ayant une largeur
qui convient pour envelopper et/ou couvrir ladite boucle de serrage et lesdites boucles
supplémentaires.
7. Dispositif de glisse comprenant au moins un élément de glisse, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend une chaussure de sport selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes,
qui est associée audit élément de glisse.