Container for electric and electropneumatic devices

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a container for electric and electropneumatic devices which has the peculiarity of being composed of a watertight box-like structure (2) which can be removably applied to a ski (7), to a ski binding (8) or to a ski boot (5). The box-like structure (2) contains electric and electropneumatic devices which are electrically and pneumatically connectable to a ski boot (5) using connectors (12), which are removably coupleable with the boot (5). Outside the structure (2), one or more controls (14) are provided for the operation of the electric and electropneumatic devices on the part of the skier.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for electric and electropneumatic devices which is particularly applicable in the field of skiing.

[0002] Ski boots are currently known which are provided with electric devices, such as for example batteries adapted to allow the heating of the boot or the closure thereof by means of an electric motor reducer according to European Patent Application No 86114866.6 by the same Applicant, associated with the quarters or with the base. Other electric devices are also associable with the ski boots, such as for example a compressor.

[0003] In European Patent Application No. 86112047.5 submitted by the same Applicant, included herein by reference, a securing device is illustrated wherein an electric compressor supported by the boot is operatively associated with means for securing the foot inside said boot.

[0004] All these devices, however, are bulky, increasing the overall dimensions of the boot, thereby also increasing its overall weight.

[0005] Thus, besides an aesthetic alteration, there is also a reduction in comfort for the skier, with the further disadvantage that should one of such devices require maintenance the skier can no longer use the boots, since said devices are accommodated therein.

[0006] The aim proposed by the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in the prior art by providing an invention which allows the use of electric devices, such as batteries, compressors, motor reducers etc., without increasing the intrinsic dimensions of the boot.

[0007] Within the scope of this aim, a further important object of the present invention is to provide a device which allows rapid and easy operation and maintenance of such devices.

[0008] The aim and the objects intended, as well as others which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a container, characterized in that it consists of a watertight box-like structure removably applicable to a ski, to a ski binding, or to a ski boot, said structure containing electric and electropneumatic devices which are electrically and pneumatically removably connectable to a ski boot, said structure being provided with one or more controls for the operation of said electric and electropneumatic devices.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a particular but not exclusive embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a lateral view of the container associated with the ski;

Figure 2 is a partial cross section view of the container;

Figure 3 is a view along a transverse cross section of the element connecting the container to the boot;

Figures 4, 5 and 5 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the container can be associated temporarily with the boot and subsequently with the ski;

Figure 7 is a third embodiment of the invention, illustrating a different arrangement of the container on the binding.

[0010] With reference to the above described figures, the container 1 consists of a watertight box-like structure 2, preferably in the shape of a parallelepipon, containing electric and electropneumatic devices consisting for example of batteries 3 and of a compressor 4 including a small electric motor for operation.

[0011] Such batteries can be required, for example, to power a resistor or a motor reducer assigned to various adjustments of a ski boot 5, the compressor 4 allowing instead the necessary inflation of any air chambers for securing the foot inside the boot.

[0012] The box-like structure 2 is removably associable with a plate 6 rigidly coupled to a ski 7 in a rear region adjacent to the rear binding 8.

[0013] Advantageously, in fact, this box-like structure 2 can be provided, on its surface, with one or more magnets adapted to removably couple to said plate 6.

[0014] Naturally, the possible solutions for allowing the temporary coupling between said structure 2 and the ski 7 may provide, for example, slideable guides or other means according to specific requirements.

[0015] Electric supply conductors 9 and a fluid delivery tube 10 respectively lead out from the batteries 3 and from the compressor 4, and are included, within the structure 2, in an element for connection to the boot consisting of a cable 11, preferably of vulcanized rubber, within which said tube 10 and said conductors 9 are axially incorporated or sunk.

[0016] Said cable thus leads out of the box-like structure 2 and is provided at its end with a plug 12 removably associable with a first socket 13 preferably protrudingly arranged at the rear region of the boot 5.

[0017] Said socket 13 is advantageously of the pull-out type, to allow the release of the ski if the skier falls.

[0018] Alternatively, said socket 13 can be of the locking type, so as to retain the ski in case of fall.

[0019] Controls for operating said batteries 3 and said compressor 4 protrude from the box-like structure 2, at the opposite surface with respect to the one intersecting with the plate 6, and consist of a pair of switches 14, the function whereof is to activate and deactivate the devices contained within the structure 2, and of a second socket 15 for recharging the batteries 3.

[0020] The sealing accommodation for a removable cover 16 is provided at said second socket 15.

[0021] The use of the container is obvious: once the container is associated with the plate 6 of the ski 7 and the plug 12 is connected to the first socket 13, the skier, by merely acting on the switches 14, can obtain the heating of the boot and/or the optimum securing of the foot inside said boot.

[0022] Once he has finished skiing, the user can remove the container from the ski, taking it for example indoors to recharge the batteries 3.

[0023] It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the aim and the objects intended, an invention having been provided which consists of a container which accommodates in its interior all the electric and electropneumatic devices which in the prior art had to be accommodated in the boot itself.

[0024] This thus allows to obtain a boot having a much smaller weight and improved aesthetic appearance.

[0025] The removability of said container with respect to the ski and its removable coupling with respect to the boot allow the skier to use the boots even if the container is to undergo maintenance or if it is necessary to recharge the batteries 3.

[0026] This removability allows, for example, not to have to take the wet boots indoors to recharge the batteries.

[0027] The use of a container furthermore allows to provide a unified electric system for all sizes and different models of boot without excessive problems of bulk.

[0028] Naturally, the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept.

[0029] Thus, for example, figures 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a first variated embodiment, wherein the container 101 again consists of a box-like structure 102 removably associable with a plate 106 rigidly associated with a ski 107, said box-like structure 102 being provided, at the surface associable with said plate, with protruding contacts 117 and with a delivery valve 118 for the compressor which are removably associable, by insertion, with complementarily shaped sockets 113 provided, for example, at the base 119 of the boot 105.

[0030] Such an arrangement thus allows the skier to use the devices provided inside the container only when actually needed, it being then possible to store the container on the ski without a cable being required for connection to the boot.

[0031] The arrangement of the container 101 on the base 119 furthermore allows a better and easier operation of the switches 114.

[0032] Figure 7 instead illustrates a second variated embodiment of the invention, wherein the container 101 is again provided with a watertight box-like structure 202 which is removably associable with a plate 206 which is rigidly associated with, and protrudes from, the rear binding 208 of the ski 207.

[0033] Naturally, the devices contained inside the box-like structure may be any, according to the specific requirements, the dimensions and the materials which compose the container and the elements for connection to the boot being the most pertinent according to the specific requirements.

[0034] Moreover, the controls for the operation of said devices can consist of sensors, internal to the box-like structure, adapted to receive a signal from an infrared-ray, radio or ultrasound remote control.

Claims

1. Container (1,101,201) for electric and electropneumatic devices, characterized in that it consists of a watertight box-like structure (2,102,202) removably applicable to a ski (7,107,207), to a ski binding (8,108,208), or to a ski boot (5,105), said structure (2,102,202) containing electric and electropneumatic devices (3,4) which are electrically and pneumatically removably connectable to a ski boot (5,105), said structure (2,102,202) being provided with one or more controls (14,114) for the operation of said electric and electropneumatic devices (3,4).

2. Container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said watertight box-like structure (2,102,202) has a preferably parallelepipedal shape, and contains devices (3,4), said box-like structure (2,102,202) being locatable at a metal plate (6,106,206) rigidly associated with a ski (7,107,207) and adjacent to a rear binding (8,108,208) for the boot (5,105), said structure (2,102,202) being provided, on the surface facing said plate (6,106,206), with means for its temporary coupling thereto.

3. Container (1,101,201) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that from said devices (3,4) there protrude at least power supply conductors (9) and a fluid delivery tube (10), said conductors (9) and said tube (10) being included, inside said structure (2), within a cable (11) leading out of said structure (2) and provided at its end with a plug (12) for connection to a first projecting socket (13) of the boot (5).

4. Container (1,101,201) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said box-like structure (2) is provided, at the opposite surface with respect to the one interacting with said plate (16), at least one control (14,114) consisting of a second socket (15) for recharging batteries (3) and of at least one more switch (14) for the activation and deactivation of said electric and electropneumatic devices (3,4).

5. Container (101) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a box-like structure (102) provided, at the surface removably associable with said plate (106), with protruding contacts (117) and with a delivery valve (118) for a compressor, said contacts (117) and valve (118) being removably connectable to predisposed sockets (113) provided at the base (119) of said boot (105), the same being accommodated, when not in use, in predisposed seats provided on said plate (106).

6. Container (201) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said box-like structure (202) is associable with a plate (206) rigidly associated with, and rearwardly projecting from, the rear binding (208) for the boot.

7. Container (1,101,201) according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said structure is provided with one or more controls for the operation of said electric and electropneumatic devices (3,4), consisting of sensors arranged inside said structure (2,102,202) and adapted to receive a signal from an adapted infrared-ray, radio or ultrasound remote control.

Drawing