Gaiter for sports shoes

Abstract

 A gaiter for sports shoes having an upper (2) provided with fasteners (8). The gaiter is constituted by a first semirigid element (11) that surrounds hermetically the upper and has first holes (15a, 15b) for access to the fasteners. The upper is also constituted by a second essentially nonrigid element (17) that is connected to the preceding one and surrounds the lower part of the leg. The gaiter thus conceived allows the user to modify the degree of fastening of the shoe at any time during sports practice without having to first disconnect the gaiter from the shoe.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a gaiter for sports shoes.

[0002] Nowadays sports shoes, such as for example mountaineering boots, are often used with gaiters adapted to protect the foot and the lower part of the leg against any infiltration of water and snow during sports practice.

[0003] These conventional gaiters are usually constituted by a single nonrigid quarter, made of plastics for example, and connected to the boot by a string, optionally made of steel, or by a strap, both of which pass below the plantar arch, and a U-shaped hook to be connected to the laces of the boot in the region that is closest to the toe.

[0004] The waterproofing of the lower part of the gaiter is entrusted exclusively to an elastic that must surround the boot in the lower region that is adjacent to the sole.

[0005] These conventional gaiters, however, have a considerable drawback: waterproofing in fact cannot be ensured, because the elastic cannot adhere perfectly to the upper of the shoe or boot.

[0006] Furthermore, the elastic must be sewn to the nonrigid quarter and therefore the presence of stitches worsens the problem, as water and snow can still penetrate through the holes formed in the nonrigid quarter.

[0007] Furthermore, it must be noted that the use of the gaiter in mountaineering boots entails the possible tearing of the string or of the strap that passes below the plantar arch due to its interaction with the rocks, making the gaiter unusable.

[0008] The accidental interaction of the nonrigid quarter made of plastics with snags, or a sharp tug during sports practice, may cause the tearing of the nonrigid quarter, for example at the region where the string for coupling the gaiter to the quarter is fixed.

[0009] The nonrigid quarter may also catch on the rocks and thus tear easily at its lower part that surrounds the upper of the shoe.

[0010] The possibility that the nonrigid quarter may catch in snags that are present in any rock face, is also increased in the region that is adjacent to the ankle of the shoe, because in this region there are elements, such as the string and the fixing strap, that do not cling to the upper of the shoe during the articulation of the foot.

[0011] These situations may also cause danger for the user if the string accidentally catches in a critical condition, such as during a climb.

[0012] US-4,461,098 discloses a gaiter that is essentially shaped like a sock and it is worn, or rather fitted, directly on the shoe.

[0013] This gaiter in fact has a lower end that is partially open to allow the protrusion of the sole in the heel and toe regions, whereas it surrounds the plantar arch of the sole.

[0014] However, this solution, too, has drawbacks, such as the possible breakage at the plantar arch region.

[0015] It is not always easy to put the gaiter on, especially when this operation must be performed at low temperatures, which cause the stiffening of plastics and its partial shrinkage.

[0016] Finally, the use of closure means, such as bands known by the trade-name Velcro, entails further problems, since said material is not waterproof and thus allows the passage of water.

[0017] US-4,713,895 discloses a gaiter for sports shoes that comprises a first part, which is adapted to completely cover the upper part and the heel of the shoe, and a second part that is adapted to cover the ankle and the lower part of the user's leg.

[0018] The connection of this gaiter to the shoe entails the presence, at its lower end, of bands known by the trade-name Velcro, which must be coupled to similar bands of Velcro that are associated at the outer lateral edge of the sole.

[0019] However, this gaiter, too, has some of the above-mentioned drawbacks, and therefore the permeability of Velcro to water, as well as the possible passage of water at all the holes formed by stitching the bands of Velcro to the gaiter.

[0020] EP 0 272 643 discloses a ski boot on the outside of whose shell a gaiter is associable. The gaiter also affects the lower part of the user's leg.

[0021] The gaiter is composed of a nonrigid quarter that is sewn to a semirigid element, which is detachably associable perimetrically to the shell. This solution, too, has drawbacks, such as the imperfect waterproofing of the boot and the fact that in any case the gaiter covers the fastening means of the boot, thus forcing the user to remove the gaiter if adjustments are required, as in the previous prior art.

[0022] The need to adjust the degree of fastening of the shoe is instead a requirement that is felt during sports practice, as, depending of the degree of effort that the climb requires, it is necessary to have tighter or looser securing of the foot.

[0023] Bearing in mind that these sports are usually practiced in cold weather, an additional problem is due to the user's need to remove his/her gloves before disengaging the gaiter from the shoe and thus act on the fastening means of the shoe.

[0024] The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the specified technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the mentioned prior art by providing a gaiter that allows to optimally protect the shoe with which it is associated from moisture and water, at the same time allowing the user to access the fastening means of the shoe without having to remove said gaiter.

[0025] Within the scope of this aim, an important object is to provide a gaiter that allows the user to act on the fastening means of the shoe at any time during sports practice and wearing gloves.

[0026] Another important object is to provide a gaiter that associates with the preceding characteristics that of not being subject to breakages while walking on rocky areas.

[0027] Another important object is to provide a gaiter that has no parts that protrude from the shoe, so that it cannot catch on snags or other obstacles during sports practice.

[0028] Another object is to provide a gaiter that associates with the preceding characteristics that of being reliable and safe in use and of low manufacturing costs.

[0029] This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a gaiter for sports shoes comprising an upper provided with fastening means, characterized in that it comprises a first semirigid element that surrounds hermetically said upper and has first holes for access to said fastening means, said gaiter comprising a second essentially nonrigid element that is connected to the preceding one and surrounds the lower part of the leg.

[0030] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some particular but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

figure 1 is a front view of the gaiter;

figure 2 is a perspective view of the gaiter and of the shoe with which it is to be associated;

figures 3 and 4 are sectional partial views of two different embodiments of the gaiter according to the invention;

figure 5 is a lateral perspective view of the gaiter associated with the shoe;

figure 6 is a view, similar to the preceding one, illustrating the fastening means of the shoe, which can be accessed although the gaiter is associated;

figures 7, 8, and 9 are views similar to those of figures 2, 5, and 6 respectively, of a further embodiment.

[0031] With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a shoe comprising an upper or shell 2 that has a longitudinal upper opening 3 that accommodates a tongue 9. Shell 2 forms first flaps 4a and 4b to be joined, and is connected to a cuff 5 which also has a front opening that forms second flaps 6a and 6b to be joined.

[0032] Shoe 1 has adapted fastening means, constituted for example by levers or by one or more laces 7 that can be fastened at adapted hooks or guides 8.

[0033] Advantageously, the fastening means is applied at the first flaps 4a and 4b and at the second flaps 6a and 6b.

[0034] The reference numeral 10 designates the gaiter, which is constituted by a first semirigid element 11 that is constituted by a wide band of plastics that hermetically surrounds cuff 5 of shoe 1 and has adapted sealing means, such as a gasket 12, that is recessed or injection-molded in place on the inside of the band proximate to its lower edge 13.

[0035] The first element 11 also has third flaps 14a and 14b that can overlap one another; adapted first holes 15a and 15b are formed proximate to the third flaps.

[0036] A second essentially nonrigid element 17 is connected at the upper edge 16 of first element 11 and surrounds the lower part of the user's leg.

[0037] The connection between first element 11 and second element 17 can be obtained by injection-molding first element 11 over second element 17 to ensure greater waterproofing or, as an alternative, by sewing or heat-sealing or equivalent processes. In this case, the presence of the sewing holes is not a problem, because these holes are formed on a part that is sufficiently spaced from the sole and is accordingly not in contact, for example, with the snow.

[0038] Second element 17 is also open at the third flaps 14a and 14b of first element 11 and can be closed by means of an adapted closure means, such as for example a band 18 made of the material known by the trade-name Velcro.

[0039] An additional fastening means can optionally be arranged at the upper edge 19 of second element 17. The additional fastening means can be, for example, a band 20 that surrounds the user's leg, can be tensioned at an adapted ring 21, and can be locked in the selected position, preferably using once again the material known by the tradename Velcro.

[0040] In order to associate gaiter 10 with shoe 1, the user may make second flaps 6a and 6b of the shoe protrude outside first element 11. The flaps can be passed through the appropriately provided holes 15a and 15b.

[0041] In this manner, third flaps 14a and 14b of first element 11 surround cuff 5 of shoe 1 and overlap. The flaps can be kept in their position if the user fastens the shoe by means of, for example, lace 7.

[0042] The tensioning of the lace therefore simultaneously entails the fastening of the shoe and the closure of first element 11, whose gasket 12 hermetically interacts with the shoe.

[0043] Second element 17 can then be closed at the front by means of bands 18 and 20.

[0044] It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a gaiter having been obtained which, in addition to ensuring optimum tightness against infiltrations of water and snow, allows the user to act on the degree of fastening of said shoe at any time during sports practice, and this occurs without having to act on the gaiter and without removing one's gloves.

[0045] The connection of first element 11 at cuff 5 of the shoe, allows the user to avoid having fabrics, hooks, strings, or other items which can be of hindrance or be subject to wear during sports practice if proximate to the sole.

[0046] The gaiter thus produced also has no parts that protrude from the shoe, and this considerably increases the safety the user can enjoy during the sports practice.

[0047] The shape of the gaiter also allows its quick and easy coupling to the shoe. The use of a direct injection-molding of first plastic element 11 on second element 17, which is optionally made of waterproofed fabric, allows to achieve optimum waterproofing, also by virtue of the possible overlap of third flaps 14a and 14b.

[0048] The gaiter according to the invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept.

[0049] Thus, for example, cuff 5 can be applied or articulated to shell 6 instead of being formed monolithically therewith.

[0050] Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate a further embodiment of a shoe 101 that has an upper or shell 102 that lies above the region 122 of the malleoli of the user. Retention means, such as hooks or guides 108 for tensioning means such as one or more laces 107, are associated at region 122.

[0051] In this case, too, gaiter 110 is constituted by a first element 111 that is similar to the previous embodiment and has adapted first holes 115 that are slightly larger than those of the previous embodiment.

[0052] First element 111 again has third flaps 114a and 114b, at the tips of which an engagement means, such as a hook 123 that interacts with a retention means, such as a second hole 124, are optionally respectively associated.

[0053] In this embodiment, too, there is a sealing element, such as a gasket, at the lower edge 113 of first element 111.

[0054] Gaiter 110 is also constituted by a second element 117 that has the same characteristics as in the previous embodiment.

[0055] This solution, too, allows to achieve the intended aim and objects, as it is sufficient to place first element 111 so that first holes 115 are located for example at hooks 108, so as to allow to achieve, together with the fastening of the shoe by means of lace 107, also the fastening of third flaps 114a and 114b and thus achieve impermeabilization of the shoe.

[0056] The materials and the dimensions that constitute the individual components may of course be the most pertinent according to the specific requirements.

[0057] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

1. Gaiter for sports shoes comprising an upper (2,102) provided with fastening means (8,108), characterized in that it comprises a first semirigid element (11,111) that surrounds hermetically said upper and has first holes (15a, 15b) for access to said fastening means, said gaiter comprising a second essentially nonrigid element (17,117) that is connected to the preceding one and surrounds the lower part of the leg.

2. Gaiter according to claim 1, characterized in that a cuff (5) is associated with said upper (2), said upper (2) having a longitudinal upper opening (3) that forms first flaps (4a, 4b) to be joined and is optionally connected to said cuff (5), which also has a front opening that forms second flaps (6a, 6b) to be joined, said fastening means comprising adapted levers or at least one lace (7) that can be fastened at adapted hooks or guides (8) and are applied at said first and second flaps; and in that said first element (11) is constituted by a wide band of plastics that surrounds hermetically said cuff (5) of said shoe, said first element having means for forming a seal on said upper or shell, such as a gasket (12) that is recessed or directly injection-molded on the inside of said wide band proximate to its lower edge.

3. Gaiter according to claim 2, characterized in that said first element (11) has third flaps (14a, 14b) that can mutually overlap and proximate to which said first holes (15a, 15b) are formed.

4. Gaiter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second essentially nonrigid element (17) that surrounds said lower part of said leg is connected at the upper edge of said first element.

5. Gaiter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connection between said first element (11) and said second element (17) can be obtained by direct injection-molding of said first element on said second element or by sewing or welding or equivalent processes.

6. Gaiter according to claim 3, characterized in that said second element (17) is open at said third flaps (14a, 14b) of said first element and can be closed by one or more adapted closure means, such as a band (18) that is preferably made of the material known by the trade-name Velcro.

7. Gaiter according to claim 6, characterized in that an additional fastening means can be arranged at said upper means of said second element and is preferably constituted by a band (20) that surrounds said leg, can be tensioned at an adapted ring, and can be locked in the selected position, preferably by using again said material known by the tradename Velcro.

8. Gaiter according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is associable with said shoe by making said second flaps (6a, 6b) of said shoe protrude outside said first element (11), said second flaps passing through said first holes (15a, 15b) to allow the overlap of said third flaps of said first element that surround said cuff.

9. Gaiter according to claim 8, characterized in that said third flaps (14a, 14b) are kept mutually fastened by the actuation of said fastening means of said shoe.

10. Gaiter according to claim 1, for sports shoes comprising an upper (102) that reaches above the malleolar region (122) of the user, said fastening means being associated thereat and comprising retention means such as hooks or guides (108) for tensioning means such as at least one lace (107); characterized in that first holes (115) are formed on said first element (111), some of said fastening means being located and accessible at said first holes.

11. Gaiter according to claim 10, characterized in that said first element has third flaps (114a, 114b), an engagement means, such as a hook (123), being associated with the tips of said flaps, said grip means interacting with a retention means such as a second hole (124).

Drawing