(19)
(11) EP 0 329 621 A1

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
23.08.1989 Bulletin 1989/34

(21) Application number: 89830044.7

(22) Date of filing: 07.02.1989
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)4A41D 17/00
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE CH DE ES FR GB IT LI LU NL SE

(30) Priority: 11.02.1988 IT 5288088 U

(71) Applicant: PROPOSTA S.p.A.
I-10154 Torino (IT)

(72) Inventor:
  • Garrino, Giovanni
    I-10023 Chieri Torino (IT)

(74) Representative: Rambelli, Paolo et al
c/o JACOBACCI & PERANI S.p.A. Corso Regio Parco, 27
10152 Torino
10152 Torino (IT)


(56) References cited: : 
   
       


    (54) A gaiter, particularly for mountain sports


    (57) A gaiter, particularly for mountaineering activities, comprised of a band (2) of waterproof material which can be closed on itself to form a tube which surrounds the lower portion of the leg, includes a resilient strip (3) of expanded elastomeric material which is intended to surround at least the collar region of the footwear.




    Description


    [0001] The present invention relates to a gaiter which is intended particularly for use in mountain sports, of the type comprising a band of waterproof material which can be closed on itself to form a tube which surrounds the lower part of the leg and at least the collar region of the footwear worn by the person wearing the gaiter.

    [0002] The primary object of the invention is to produce a gaiter which provides a better seal against the penetration of snow and water into the footwear.

    [0003] Another object is to produce a gaiter which is more easily adaptable to footwear of different sizes, for example to a ski boot and to a walking boot, whilst at the same time retaining its sealing characteristics.

    [0004] These objects are achieved by virtue of a gaiter of the type mentioned above, characterised in that the end portion of the band which is intended to surround at least the collar region of the footwear is constituted by a resilient strip of expanded elastomeric material.

    [0005] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become clear from the detailed description which follows with reference to the appended drawings, provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

    Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gaiter according to the invention in its configuration of use fitted to a boot,

    Figure 2 is a section taken on the line II-II of Figure 1,

    Figure 3 is a partially-sectioned elevation taken on the arrow III of Figure 1, and

    Figure 4 is a plan view showing the shape of the gaiter of Figure 1.



    [0006] With reference to the drawings, a gaiter according to the invention, generally indicated 1, is constituted by a band 2 of relatively unextendable waterproof or waterproofed material. The material constituting the band 2 is of conventional type, such as for example, polyamide, Goretex (registered trade mark) or Cordura (registered trade mark).

    [0007] A strip 3 of resiliently stretchable expanded elastomeric material is sewn to the band 2. More particularly, the polychloroprene synthetic rubber known by the trade name Neoprene is a suitable material for the strip 3. The material constituting this strip conveniently has a surface skin 8 on both faces for preventing the penetration of water and the consequent impregnation of its internal microcellular structure. The surface of the strip which faces outwardly in use is preferably covered by a sheet 9 of two-way stretch fabric.

    [0008] The configuration of the gaiter shown in Figure 1, which is intended particularly for use in combination with a mountaineering boot, has a strip 3 of a depth sufficient to cover the collar region of the footwear and which is so shaped as also to extend over the region of the instep and at least part of the upper of the footwear.

    [0009] The gaiter is preferably provided with first closure means 4a, 4b constituted, for example, by a sliding-clasp fastener which extends along the longitudinal edges of the band 2, and second, independent closure means constituted, for example, by two microhook strips (VELCRO (registered trademark)) 5a and 5b which extend along the entire depth of the gaiter enabling the separate closure of the strip into a tubular shape.

    [0010] The transverse dimension of the strip is such that, in its closed configuration, it is resiliently stretched so that the strip adheres closely to the footwear, preventing any penetration.

    [0011] It is understood that the gaiter is provided with all the conventional closure and hook means such as for example, a hook member 6 which enables the strip to be fixed to the footwear and a strap 7 of known type.


    Claims

    1. A gaiter, particularly for mountaineering activities, of the type comprising a band (2) of waterproof material which can be closed on itself to form a tube which surrounds the lower portion of the leg and at least the collar region of the footwear, characterised in that the end portion of the band which is intended to surround at least the collar region of the footwear is constituted by a resilient strip (3) of expanded elastomeric material.
     
    2. A gaiter according to Claim 1, characterised in that the strip is constituted by an expanded elastomeric material having a surface skin (8) at least on the outwardly-facing surface of the strip.
     
    3. A gaiter according to Claim 2, characterised in that the strip includes a layer of two-way stretch fabric (9) adhering to the surface skin.
     
    4. A gaiter according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that first closure means (4a, 4b) extend along the longitudinal edges of the band finishing adjacent the strip and second closure means (5a, 5b) extend along the entire longitudinal edge of the gaiter.
     




    Drawing













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