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(11) | EP 2 082 657 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Sports boot such as a ski boot or suchlike |
| (57) Sports boot comprising a lower part (12), able to contain a user's foot, an upper
part (13) pivoted along a first axis of pivoting (F) on the lower part (12) and able
to contain the ankle joint, and a clamping device (11) comprising at least a lever
element (20) slidingly associated with the upper part (13), pivoted to the lower part
(12) by means of pivoting elements along a second axis of pivoting (S), different
from the first axis of pivoting (F), and able to selectively clamp the upper part
(13) with respect to the lower part (12). The pivoting elements (23, 123) are configured
in such a manner that the movement of the upper part (13) with respect to the lower
part (12) around the first axis of pivoting (F) determines the displacement of the
second axis of pivoting (S) between a first pivoting position in which it is at a
first distance (D1), close-up, from the first axis of pivoting (F), and a second pivoting
position, in which it is at a second distance (D2), distanced, from the first axis
of pivoting (F).
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention concerns a sports boot, such as for example a ski boot, or suchlike, having a clamping device which allows to selectively configure the sports boot at least between a first closed and clamped position, used when the sport is being practiced, and a second open and unclamped position, which facilitates operations to put in/remove the foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sports boots with a central entrance are known, such as for example ski boots, whether it be for Alpine skiing, downhill skiing, snowboarding or other, which comprise a rigid shell and cuff, the latter being pivoted on the shell in correspondence with the malleolar zone of the foot.
[0003] These known sports boots can assume, by means of the selective actuation of a suitable clamping mechanism, a first clamped condition, or condition of use, in which the cuff is kept with a desired rigidity in a determinate position with respect to the shell, and a second unclamped condition, in which the cuff can rotate backward by some degrees with respect to the shell, to facilitate putting on the boot, walking, and taking the boot off.
[0004] The selective clamping mechanisms of known sports boots normally comprise a lever, or bar, pivoted on a determinate pivoting axis in correspondence with the inner rear part of the shell.
[0005] The lever is also slidingly housed on a mating seating made on the inner rear part of the cuff, so that a rotation of the latter with respect to the shell determines a reciprocal sliding of the lever in the seating of the cuff, with a consequent rotation of the lever around its axis of pivoting.
[0006] The different position of the axis of rotation of the cuff from the axis of pivoting of the lever with respect to the shell causes the cuff to be clamped, after a determinate angle of rotation.
[0007] In fact, once the coupling play between the lever and the relative seating has been closed by the elastic deformations of the materials and the respective different inclinations of the components, the reciprocal sliding of the two is prevented, stopping the rotation of the cuff.
[0008] Also because of the sizes of the lever, which must be limited so as to guarantee the comfort of the boot in all circumstances, the rotation of the cuff with respect to the shell is not always sufficient to guarantee optimum articulation in walking, with the sports boot in its second unclamped condition.
[0009] Furthermore, this limitation entails continuous stresses on the selective clamping mechanism, so that over time the lever or other internal components may break, which are not easy to replace and therefore definitively compromise the correct functioning of the sports boot.
[0010] Purpose of the present invention is therefore to achieve a sports boot which can be selectively configured between a first clamped condition, or condition of use, and a second unclamped condition, or walking condition, which is simple and economical to make, which can be put on and taken off easily, and in which the clamping means is conformed so as to improve the conditions of articulation during walking, and to resist, over time, the mechanical stresses to which they are subjected, reducing the risk of compromising the correct functioning of the sports boot.
[0011] The Applicant has devised, tested and embodied the present invention to overcome the shortcomings of the state of the art and to obtain these and other purposes and advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention is set forth and characterized in the independent claim, while the dependent claims describe other characteristics of the invention or variants to the main inventive idea.
[0013] A sports boot according to the present invention comprises a lower part or shell, able to contain the user's foot, and an upper part or cuff, pivoted to the shell on a first axis of pivoting, and able to contain the ankle joint.
[0014] The sports boot according to the present invention also comprises a clamping device able to selectively clamp the shell with respect to the cuff.
[0015] In accordance with the above purpose, the clamping device comprises at least a lever element, pivoted to the shell on a second axis of pivoting, distanced from the first axis of pivoting of the cuff.
[0016] The lever element is slidingly associated with the cuff so as to define at least a first clamped condition of the sports boot, in which it cooperates with the cuff, in order to keep the latter in a determinate clamped position with respect to the shell, and a second unclamped condition of the sports boot, in which it allows the cuff to rotate freely with respect to the shell and follows the rotation thereof.
[0017] According to a characteristic feature of the present invention, the shell comprises pivoting means with respect to which the lever element is pivoted to the shell. The pivoting means is conformed in such a manner that the movement of the cuff with respect to the shell around the first axis of pivoting determines the movement of the second axis of pivoting with respect to the first, so that it is thus possible to vary the distance between the second axis of pivoting and the first axis of pivoting.
[0018] In this way, the lever element can selectively define a first pivoting position in which the second axis of pivoting is near to the first axis of pivoting of the cuff to the shell, and a second pivoting position, in which the second axis of pivoting is distanced from the first axis of pivoting of the cuff.
[0019] Advantageously, the lever element assumes its first pivoting position in a clamped condition of the sports boot, whereas it assumes its second pivoting position in an unclamped condition of the sports boot.
[0020] With the present invention we therefore have: between the first clamped condition and the second unclamped condition of the sports boot, the distance varies between the second axis of pivoting of the lever element and the first axis of pivoting of the cuff.
[0021] In this way, in the unclamped condition of the sports boot, the second axis of pivoting of the lever element, being farther from the first axis of pivoting of the cuff, guarantees a greater degree of freedom of rotation of the latter with respect to the shell.
[0022] This distancing allows the lever element to follow the rotation of the cuff for a greater angle before becoming clamped, with a consequent extra-travel on opening of the cuff, so as to increase the amplitude of articulation and consequently to facilitate walking with the sports boot.
[0023] The extra-travel on opening is such that the stresses on the clamping mechanism are limited to a minimum and consequently the operating duration is increased, without providing external reinforcements or oversizing.
[0024] In one form of embodiment, Applicant has found experimentally that the extra-travel of the cuff can be as much as 20° or more compared with the opening of traditional cuffs.
[0025] According to a variant, the pivoting means comprises at least an eyelet inside which the lever is slidingly pivoted. Advantageously, the eyelet is inclined by a determinate angle α with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane, so as to facilitate the substantially automatic movement of the lever element with respect to the eyelet, according to the specific operating condition of the sports boot, and to guarantee that the position of the second axis of pivoting is maintained in the clamped condition of the boot.
[0026] According to another variant, the pivoting means comprises an intermediate element pivoted on one side to the shell and on the other side articulated to the lever element in correspondence with the second axis of pivoting.
[0027] In this way, the intermediate element defines with the lever element a knee-type articulation, so that it is possible to selectively bring closer and distance the second axis of pivoting and the first axis of pivoting, guaranteeing the extra-travel on opening of the cuff with respect to the shell.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0028] These and other characteristics of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferential form of embodiment, given as a non-restrictive example with reference to the attached drawings wherein:
- fig. 1 shows a cross section of a detail of a sports boot according to the present invention, in a first operating condition;
- fig. 2 shows a cross section of the detail in fig. 1, in a second operating condition;
- fig. 3 shows an enlarged detail of fig. 1;
- fig. 4 shows a variant of the detail in fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERENTIAL FORM OF EMBODIMENT
[0029] With reference to figs. 1 to 3, a first form of embodiment of a sports boot according to the present invention, in this case a ski boot, shown only partly, is denoted in its entirety by the reference number 10. In this case, the sports boot 10 is of the type substantially comprising a lower part or shell 12, rigid, inside which the user's foot is able to be placed, and an upper part or cuff 13, also rigid and able to contain the ankle joint and the lower part of the user's leg, substantially up to the calf.
[0030] The lower part 13 is pivoted to the shell 12 on a first axis of pivoting "F", disposed in correspondence with the malleolar zone, and is therefore able to rotate partly with respect to the shell 12.
[0031] The sports boot 10 also comprises closing hooks of a substantially known type and not shown here.
[0032] The traditional closing and opening operations respectively determine a closed condition and an open condition of the sports boot 10, and allow the boot to be put on, removed and correctly used.
[0033] The sports boot 10 is also provided with a clamping device 11 for the reciprocal clamping of the cuff 13 and the shell 12.
[0034] The device 11 comprises a lever element, or bar 20, pivoted on a second axis of pivoting "S" by means of its pin 19, to the shell 12.
[0035] In the embodiment shown in figs. 1-3, the shell 12 comprises a pivoting block 23 for the bar 20, which block 23 comprises two eyelets 17, of which only one is visible in the drawings. The ends of the pin 19 are able to slide in the eyelets 17.
[0036] The pivoting block 23 on which the eyelet 17 is made is attached or anchored to the shell 12, by means of traditional attachment means, such as screws, rivets, welding or other, not shown here.
[0037] According to a variant, the pivoting block 23 is made in a single piece with the shell 12, for example directly during the molding or forming step.
[0039] In this way, the second axis of pivoting S is selectively mobile, so as to define a first pivoting position in which it is at a first distance D1 with respect to the first axis of pivoting (fig. 1), and a second pivoting position in which it is at a second distance D2 from the first axis of pivoting F (fig. 2).
[0040] The first distance D1 is less than the second distance D2 so that, in the first pivoting position, the second axis of pivoting S is close to the first axis of pivoting F, whereas in the second pivoting position the second axis of pivoting S is distanced from the first axis of pivoting F.
[0041] According to a variant, the two eyelets 17 are equally inclined by a determinate angle α with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane substantially parallel to the insole of the shell 12.
[0042] In this case, the bar 20 is disposed substantially at the height of the user's tendon and is partly housed slidingly in a coordinated sliding seating 21 provided on an intermediate surface of the cuff 13.
[0043] The housing of the bar 20 in the sliding seating 21 is such that the rotation of the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12 around the first axis of pivoting F determines the relative sliding of the bar 20 in the sliding seating 21 and the rotation of the bar 20 around its second axis of pivoting S, in any one of its pivoting positions.
[0044] The bar 20 is operationally connected to a selector 22, of a substantially known type, which is disposed outside the cuff 13.
[0045] The selector 22 cooperates with a portion of the bar 20, for example a shaped eyelet made on the latter, to allow the user to select a first clamped condition of the boot 10, in which the bar 20 is rotationally constrained and reciprocally clamps the cuff 13 and the shell 12 (fig. 1), and a second unclamped condition of the boot 10, in which the bar 20 is rotationally unconstrained and allows the free rotation of the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12 (fig. 2).
[0046] According to a variant, the selector 22 is of the type able to define an intermediate clamping condition in which it partly limits the rotation of the bar 20 and consequently the rotation of the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12.
[0047] In this case, when the sports boot 10 is in its first clamped condition, the pin 19 is positioned in the eyelet 17 so that the second axis of pivoting S is at a distance D1 from the first axis of pivoting F, defining the first pivoting position.
[0048] On the contrary, when the sports boot 10 is in its second unclamped position, the pin 19 tends to slide in the eyelet 17 so that the second axis of pivoting S moves to the distance D2 from the first axis of pivoting F, defining the second pivoting position.
[0050] As shown in fig. 1, the sports boot 10 is in its clamped position and the pin 19 is disposed in the eyelet 17, so as to define the first pivoting position of the second axis S.
[0051] As shown in fig. 2, by acting first on the selector 22 and then by rotating and opening the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12 around the first axis of pivoting F, the bar 20 rotates around its second axis of pivoting S and slides inside the sliding seating 21.
[0052] Once the amplitude of rotation of the cuff 13 closes the play between the bar 20 and the relative sliding seating 21, the bar 20 is clamped in the seating 21 and is drawn by the rotation of the cuff 13.
[0053] Continuing the rotation of the cuff 13, the pin 19 slides in the eyelet 17, varying the position of the second axis of pivoting S, until it reaches the distance D2 and moves to the second pivoting position.
[0054] This variation in the pivoting position allows a further relative sliding of the bar 20 in the seating 21 and therefore a further rotation and opening of the cuff 13.
[0055] In a particular form of embodiment, the cuff 13 has an extra-travel of about 20° with respect to traditional solutions with fixed pivoting axes.
[0056] Inversely, with a closing rotation of the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12, the bar 20 receives an axial thrust from the cuff 13, so that the pin 19 slides in the eyelet 17 until it returns the second axis of pivoting S to the distance D1 from the first axis of pivoting F, and from here allows the normal closing rotation of the cuff 13.
[0057] In the form of embodiment shown in fig. 4, instead of the pivoting block 23 an intermediate lever 123 is provided, which is pivoted on one side to the shell 12 and on the other side connected to the pin 19 of the lever 20,defining the position of the second axis of pivoting S.
[0058] In particular, the intermediate lever 123 rests with its lower part on the shell 12, on a surface inclined by a determinate angle α with respect to a hypothetical horizontal plane substantially parallel to the insole of the shell 12.
[0059] The angle α allows to keep the position of the second axis of pivoting S in the clamped condition of the boot.
[0060] In this second form of embodiment the sports boot 10 according to the present invention functions as follows.
[0061] As shown in fig. 4, the sports boot 10 is in its clamped position and the intermediate lever 123 keeps the pin 19 in a position such as to define the first pivoting position of the second axis S.
[0062] By acting first on the selector 22 and then by rotating and opening the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12, around the first axis of pivoting F, the bar 20 rotates around its second axis of pivoting S and slides inside the sliding seating 21.
[0063] Once the amplitude of rotation of the cuff 13 closes the play between the bar 20 and the relative sliding seating 21, the bar is clamped in the seating 21 and is drawn by the rotation of the cuff 13.
[0064] Continuing the rotation of the cuff 13, the pin 19 generates a moment on the intermediate lever 123 which rotates with respect to the point where it pivots to the shell 12, varying the position of the second axis of pivoting S, until it reaches the distance D2 and moves to the second pivoting position.
[0065] Inversely, with a closing rotation of the cuff 13 with respect to the shell 12, the bar 20 receives an axial thrust from the cuff 13, so that the pin 19 determines the inverse rotation of the intermediate lever 123 with respect to the point where it pivots to the shell 12, until it returns the second axis of pivoting S to the distance D1 from the first axis of pivoting F, and from here allows the normal closing rotation of the cuff 13.
[0066] It is clear, however, that modifications and/or additions of parts may be made to the sports boot 10 as described heretofore, without departing from the field and scope of the present invention.
[0067] For example, it comes within the field of the present invention to provide that said eyelet 17 is disposed substantially parallel to said hypothetical horizontal plane.
[0068] According to a variant, the eyelet 17 has a linear or shaped development, to define different conditions and positions of the second axis of pivoting S, so as to further increase, or vary in amplitude and rigidity, the extra-travel of the cuff 13 on opening.
[0069] According to another variant, the bar 20 is made at least partly of flexible material, but in any case suitable to guarantee a sufficient level of structural rigidity.
[0070] According to another variant, the selector 22 comprises a lever mechanism connected to the bar 20 so as to define said clamped, unclamped or intermediate conditions of the sports boot.
[0071] According to another variant, the selector 22 comprises a rotatable knob connected to the bar 20 so as to define said clamped, unclamped or intermediate conditions of the sports boot.
[0072] It also comes within the field of the present invention to provide that the clamping device 11 comprises elastic means connected to the pin 19, which determines an elasticized movement of the pin 19 inside the eyelet 17, to move between one and the other of the two pivoting positions.
[0073] It is also clear that, although the present invention has been described with reference to some specific examples, a person of skill in the art shall certainly be able to achieve many other equivalent forms of sports boot such as a ski boot or suchlike, having the characteristics as set forth in the claims and hence all coming within the field of protection defined thereby.
1. Sports boot comprising a lower part (12), able to contain a user's foot, an upper
part (13) pivoted along a first axis of pivoting (F) on said lower part (12) and able
to contain the ankle joint, and a clamping device (11) comprising at least a lever
element (20) slidingly associated with said upper part (13), pivoted to said lower
part (12) by pivoting means along a second axis of pivoting (S), different from said
first axis of pivoting (F), and able to selectively clamp said upper part (13) with
respect to said lower part (12), characterized in that said pivoting means (23, 123) is configured in such a manner that the movement of
said upper part (13) with respect to said lower part (12) around said first axis of
pivoting (F) determines the displacement of said second axis of pivoting (S) between
a first pivoting position in which it is at a first distance (D1), close-up, from
said first axis of pivoting (F), and a second pivoting position, in which it is at
a second distance (D2), distanced, from said first axis of pivoting (F).
2. Sports boot as in claim 1, characterized in that said pivoting means comprises a pivoting block (23) associated with said lower part
(12), and on which at least a pivoting eyelet (17) is made, in which said lever element
(20) is pivoted.
3. Sports boot as in claim 2, characterized in that said pivoting block (23) is attached or anchored to said lower part (12) by means
of attachment means.
4. Sports boot as in claim 2, characterized in that said pivoting block (23) is made in a piece with said lower part (12).
5. Sports boot as in any claim from 2 to 4, characterized in that said pivoting eyelet (17) has a substantially arched development.
6. Sports boot as in any claim from 2 to 4, characterized in that said pivoting eyelet (17) has a substantially linear development.
7. Sports boot as in any claim from 2 to 6, characterized in that said pivoting eyelet (17) is substantially parallel to a horizontal plane.
8. Sports boot as in any claim from 2 to 7, characterized in that said pivoting eyelet (17) is inclined by a determinate angle (α) with respect to
a horizontal plane.
9. Sports boot as in claim 1, characterized in that said pivoting means comprises an intermediate element (123) pivoted on one side to
said lower part (12) and on the other side connected to said lever element (20), defining
the position of said second axis of pivoting (S).
10. Sports boot as in claim 9, characterized in that said intermediate lever (123) rests with its lower part on the lower part (12), on
a surface inclined by a determinate angle (α) with respect to a horizontal plane.