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(11) | EP 0 940 096 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Device for adjusting the position of the quarter with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots |
| (57) The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of a quarter
(4) with respect to the shell (2) of a boot, particularly for ski boots. The device
is constituted by at least one lever (6) which is pivoted transversely and to the
rear with respect to the shell (2). The lever (6) has a first end (11) which interacts
with a jaw of a binding rigidly coupled to a ski; the first end acts in contrast with
at least one first flexible member (15). The lever has a second end (20) which selectively
interacts with the quarter (4). |
[0001] The present invention relates to a device for adjusting the position of the quarter with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots.
[0002] In conventional ski boots there is the strongly felt problem of being able to achieve a limited backward oscillation of the quarter or cuff during sports practice and, at the same time, a free oscillation of the quarter when sports practice ends, in order to obtain optimum walking conditions for the user.
[0003] Accordingly, US Patent 4,519,150 is known which discloses a ski boot composed of a shell to which a quarter is articulated, a lever being associated with the quarter in a rear region, the actuation of the lever allowing to activate a bar which has a threaded end which interacts with a complementarily threaded bush which can be placed on a suitable abutment which is rigidly coupled to the shell.
[0004] This solution allows to vary the flexibility of the quarter with respect to the shell, so as to be able to achieve, for example, optimum positioning thereof during skiing.
[0005] However, this solution has drawbacks, since it requires manual intervention for its activation by the user but does not allow to achieve optimum walking conditions because the quarter cannot oscillate freely with respect to the shell even when the device is deactivated.
[0006] Other devices are also known; for example, some have, at the cuff, suitable members which can be activated, for example by virtue of suitable levers which can be gripped by the user, and can be selectively positioned so as to allow the free oscillation of the quarter or limit it owing to their interaction with suitable raised portions which protrude externally at the shell. This protrusion, however, is a further drawback because it encumbers the aesthetic shape of the boot in addition to increasing its weight.
[0007] Furthermore, the activation of conventional devices is not always easy because the skier usually wears gloves and therefore finds it difficult to grip levers and other devices, especially in low-temperature conditions.
[0008] Very often these conventional devices are not activated because the skier forgets about them or activates them incorrectly as he does not realize their correct operation.
[0009] The aim of the present invention is therefore to solve the above described drawback and therefore solve the described technical problems by providing a device which allows the user to achieve free oscillation of the cuff or a limitation of the oscillation in order to be able to ski.
[0010] An object is to allow the skier to achieve these two different conditions for the oscillation of the quarter with respect to the shell automatically and therefore without having to act directly at suitable devices applied at the boot.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which associates with the preceding characteristics that of having modest manufacturing costs which allow to reduce overall costs in the manufacture of the boot.
[0012] Another important object of the invention is to provide a device whose activation during skiing and deactivation during walking can be achieved without any direct intervention of the skier on the boot.
[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a device which is reliable and safe in use and has modest manufacturing costs.
[0014] This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter from the following detailed description are achieved by a device for adjusting the position of the quarter with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots, characterized in that it is constituted by at least one lever which is pivoted transversely and to the rear with respect to the shell and has a first end which interacts with a binding rigidly coupled to a ski in contrast with at least one first flexible member and a second end which selectively interacts with the quarter.
[0015] Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which must be considered together with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of nonlimitative example a particular embodiment of the invention and in which:
Figure 1 is a rear view of a boot with the device according to the invention;
Figure 2 is a perspective view of some components of the device according to the invention;
Figure 3 is a partially sectional side view of a boot, taken at region in which the device of the invention is applied to the boot;
Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view of some components of the device according to the invention;
Figure 5 is a sectional view of the device in the condition that allows the free oscillation of the quarter;
Figure 6 is a partially sectional side view of the boot which is rigidly coupled to a binding in the condition allowing free oscillation of the quarter;
Figure 7 is a view, similar to Figure 6, of the condition in which the quarter is locked;
Figure 8 is a view, similar to Figure 7, of another embodiment of the device according to the invention;
Figure 9 is a detail view of the device of Figure 8 in the condition in which the quarter is not locked;
Figure 10 is a view, similar to Figure 8, of still another embodiment of the device according to the invention;
Figure 11 is a view, similar to Figure 10, of the condition allowing free oscillation of the quarter;
Figure 12 is a rear view of a boot to which a device according to a still further embodiment of the invention is applied;
Figure 13 is a partially sectional exploded side view of the device of Figure 12;
Figure 14 is a partially sectional side view of the device of Figure 13 in the condition allowing free oscillation of the quarter;
Figures 15 and 16 are views, similar to Figure 14, of the boot connected to a binding;
Figure 17 is a partially sectional side view of another embodiment;
Figure 18 is a plan view of three embodiments of the second spring of Figure 17;
Figures 19 and 20 are partially sectional side views of another embodiment;
Figures 21 and 22 are partially sectional side views of two embodiments for verticalizing the quarter;
Figures 23 and 24 are two side views and a rear view of another embodiment;
Figures 25 and 26 are partially sectional side views of another embodiment;
Figures 27, 28, 29 and 30 are partially sectional side views of another embodiment.
[0016] With reference to the above figures, and noting that they exemplify particular embodiments and are in variable scale the numeral 1 designates a ski boot which is constituted by a shell 2 to which a cuff or quarter 4 is articulated by virtue of suitable studs 3.
[0017] The numeral 5 designates a first embodiment of the device of the invention for adjusting the position of the quarter 4 with respect to the shell 2; the device is constituted by at least one lever 6 which is composed of a first arm 7 and a second arm 8 which are rotatably mutually associated, at one end, by virtue of a suitable first pivot 9 which is arranged transversely and to the rear at the shell 2.
[0018] The first arm 7 is arranged in a region that lies above the heel 10 of the shell 2; the first arm 7 has a first end 11 which is free and the lateral outer surface of which interacts with a jaw 12 of a binding 13 which is rigidly coupled to a ski 14.
[0019] The first end 11 of the first arm 7 interacts, at the inner lateral surface that lies opposite to the one that faces the jaw 12, in contrast with at least one flexible part, such as a first spring 15, which is partially accommodated at a suitable and complementarily shaped first seat 16 formed on the lateral surface of the shell 2 in the region that lies above the heel 10.
[0020] The first spring 15 thus forces the first end 11 of the first arm 7 to move away from the shell 2.
[0021] Two second springs 18a and 18b are arranged coaxially to the first pivot 9, preferably externally with respect to the pair of wings 17a and 17b of the second arm 8; the ends of the second springs interact by abutment with a suitable pair of raised portions 19a and 19b which protrude externally with respect to the wings 17a and 17b and so that the lateral surface of the first arm 7 faces the shell 2.
[0022] As an alternative, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, a single second spring 418 is used which is essentially flat and is arranged adjacent, in a rear region, to the first arm 407 and to the second arm 408 and associated therewith by virtue of rivets 437 arranged at its ends.
[0023] Advantageously, the second spring has, at its ends, either a pair of slots 438 for accommodating the rivets or a slot 438 and a hole 439.
[0024] The second arm 8 has a second free end 20 which lies to the rear and longitudinally with respect to the shell 2 at a suitable interspace 21 provided between the lateral surface of the shell and the inner lateral surface of the quarter or cuff 4.
[0025] The presence of the first spring 15 is such as to force outward the first free end 11 of the first arm 7; the first arm forces the second arm 8 against the shell 2 by virtue of the presence, on the first arm, of a lug 22 which protrudes radially from the region for pivoting to the first pivot 9; the lug 22 abuts against a facing abutment 23 formed in the interspace between the wings 17a and 17b.
[0026] In this condition, shown in Figures 3 and 5, the cuff or quarter 4 can oscillate freely with respect to the pivoting studs 3 and therefore allows optimum walking conditions for the user.
[0027] If the user instead wants to ski, as soon as he associates the boot at the binding, the jaw 12 of the binding forces the first end 11 of the first arm 7 to compress the first spring 15. In this manner, the first arm 7 rotates with respect to the pivot 9, loading the second springs 18a and 18b or the second spring 418, which force the second arm 8 to turn clockwise and therefore move away from the outer lateral surface of the shell 2, abutting against the inner lateral surface of the quarter or cuff 4.
[0028] In this condition, shown in Figure 6, the quarter can still rotate freely, but after its first forward flexing it is no longer able to oscillate freely because, as shown in Figure 7, the lower perimetric surface 24 of the cuff 4 interacts by abutment with the corresponding surface 25 of the second free end 20 of the second arm 8.
[0029] The described solution has been found to achieve the intended aim and all the objects, since a device has been obtained which automatically locks the cuff with respect to the shell in the skiing condition and therefore in the condition in which the boot is associated at the binding and at the same time allows, again automatically, the cuff to oscillate freely with respect to the shell so as to allow walking after disengagement from the binding.
[0030] The device therefore requires no direct intervention of the user on the device, since the device allows to lock the inclination of the quarter when this is necessary and therefore during skiing.
[0031] Once sports practice has ended and the boot has therefore been disengaged from the binding, the first spring 15 again pushes out the first free end 11 of the first arm 7, which by virtue of the presence of the lug 22 forces the second free end 20 of the second arm 8 against the shell 2.
[0032] This condition is achieved as soon as the user makes his first step and therefore rotates the quarter forward, thus eliminating the direct interaction between the surfaces 25 of the second end 20 and of the second arm 8 and the lower perimetric surface 24 of the quarter 4.
[0033] Transition from the free walking condition or from the skiing condition is therefore automatic both ways, thus sparing the user any manual intervention to preset or preselect the intended condition.
[0034] The solution can of course be the subject of numerous variations, all of which are within the scope of the claims. Thus, for example, Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a second embodiment of the device which has, at the second end 120 of the second arm 108, a second axial seat 126 at which a plate 128 is freely rotatably pivoted by virtue of a suitable second pivot 127; the plate 128 is essentially V-shaped and therefore forms a first tab 129 and a second tab 130 which are directed away from the shell 102 and are such as to interact respectively with a suitable second seat 131 formed in the inner lateral surface of the quarter 104 proximate to the lower perimetric surface 124, when the quarter 104 is rotationally locked, and with part of the lower perimetric surface 124 of the quarter 104 when the quarter can oscillate freely.
[0035] The two conditions are shown respectively in Figure 8, in which the quarter is prevented from performing a backward oscillation, and in Figure 9, in which this oscillation is allowed, thus allowing the user to walk.
[0036] With respect to the first embodiment, this second embodiment allows to verticalize the quarter even when the boot is associated at the binding 113.
[0037] Figures 19 and 20 illustrate a third embodiment of the device, in which there is a flap 440 which protrudes above the second free end 420 of the second arm 408 and allows to facilitate the abutment of the lower perimetric surface 424 of the quarter 404 against the corresponding surface 425 of the second end 420.
[0038] Figure 21 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the device, in which the plate 428 is freely rotatably pivoted transversely and internally with respect to the quarter 404, proximate to its lower perimetric surface 424, and has a first tab 429 which protrudes externally with respect to the quarter and a second tab 430 which is internal to the quarter.
[0039] In the condition in which the quarter 404 is locked, the second tab 430 is interposed between the inner lateral surface of the quarter and the flap 440.
[0040] When the skier, by using a ski-stick, rests the tip on the first tab 429, he can force the rotation of the plate 428 and therefore the counterclockwise rotation of the second arm 408 and therefore achieve the condition that allows the free oscillation of the quarter.
[0041] Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment similar to Figure 21, but in this case the flap 440 is actuable by the tip of a ski-stick inserted at the preset opening 441 which is defined in the quarter 404 at its lower perimetric surface 424.
[0042] Figures 10 and 11 illustrate a fifth embodiment of the device, in which the device 205 is constituted by a lever 206 which is formed monolithically and which is again transversely freely pivoted at the shell 202 by virtue of a first pivot 209; the lever 206 furthermore has a first end 211 which interacts with the jaw 212 of a binding 213 and with a suitable first spring 215 which is accommodated within a first seat 216 formed at the shell 202.
[0043] The lever 206 furthermore has a second end 220 which is forced, when the boot is not associated with the binding, to arrange itself laterally adjacent to the facing outer lateral surface of the shell 202. The configuration of the second end 220 forces it, when the jaw 213 forces the first end 211 adjacent to the shell 202, to arrange itself in a region below the lower perimetric surface 224 of the quarter 204, so as to prevent its further backward flexing.
[0045] Figures 12 to 14 illustrate a sixth embodiment of the device of the invention, designated by the reference numeral 305, in which the first arm 307 is again articulated to a second arm 308 by virtue of a first pivot 309; the first free end 311 of the first arm 307 interacts with a jaw of a ski binding with a first spring 315 accommodated within a suitable first seat 316 formed at the shell 302 in the region adjacent to the heel 310.
[0046] The first pivot 309 allows only the mutual articulation of the first and second arms; pivoting to the shell 302 occurs by using a third pivot 332, to which the first arm 307 is furthermore pivoted proximate to the articulation portion of the second arm 308.
[0047] A second essentially U-shaped spring 318 is arranged coaxially to the first pivot 309; the base 333 of the spring is arranged adjacent to the surface of the first arm 307 that is directed away from the shell 302, and two arms 334a and 334b protrude from the base and are partially wrapped coaxially around the first pivot, externally with respect to the wings 317a and 317b; their tips 335a and 335b are in contact with the second arm 308 at the lateral surface that is directed away from the shell 302.
[0048] By virtue of this arrangement, the second spring 318 pushes the second free end 320 of the second arm 308 toward the facing surface of the shell 302 and the second arm 308 finds its fulcrum in an intermediate region, at a raised portion 336 which protrudes transversely with respect to the outer lateral surface of the shell 302.
[0049] The rotation of the second end 320 of the second arm 308 has a stroke limit caused by the interaction between the lug 322, which protrudes from the first arm 307 in the region that is adjacent to the first pivot 309 and adjacent to the surface that faces the shell 302, and a complementarily shaped abutment 323 formed at the second arm 308 in the interspace between the wings 317a and 317b on the opposite side with respect to the shell 302.
[0050] The device according to the illustrated embodiment furthermore has a multiple articulation, such that once the boot 301 has been associated at the binding 313 and therefore once the jaw 312 has forced the first end 311 of the first arm 307 to compress the first spring 315, the raised portion 336 causes the second end 320 of the second arm 308 to arrange itself adjacent to the shell 302 so as to allow, as shown in Figure 15, the interaction between the lower perimetric surface 324 of the quarter 304 and the surface 325 of the second arm 308.
[0051] Once the binding has been disengaged from the boot, the first arm 307 arranges itself adjacent to the shell 302 and the second arm 308 is simultaneously rotated clockwise and separates from the shell 302 so as to allow, as shown in Figure 14, the free oscillation of the quarter 304.
[0052] Figure 16 illustrates an intermediate condition in which the skier associates the boot at the binding and the device is in the condition that allows the free oscillation of the quarter. However, the first time the quarter 304 is flexed forward, the second end 320 of the second arm 308 arranges itself adjacent to the shell and therefore the condition shown in Figure 15 reoccurs in which the oscillation of the quarter beyond a certain limit is prevented.
[0053] Figures 23, 24 and 25 illustrate a seventh embodiment in which the device is constituted by at least one lever 506 which is composed of a first arm 507 and a second arm 508 which are mutually rotatably associated at one end by virtue of a suitable first pivot 509 which is arranged transversely and to the rear at the shell 502.
[0054] Second tabs 542 of a U-shaped plate 543 are furthermore pivoted to the first pivot; the base of the plate is rigidly coupled to the shell 502 by virtue of suitable rivets 537.
[0055] There is a third spring 544 which is interposed between the outer surface of the shell 502 and the facing surface of the second arm 508.
[0056] Figures 25 and 26 illustrate an eighth embodiment in which the first pivot 609 is arranged at a pair of slots 638 formed on the second tabs 642 of the plate 643, approximately at right angles to the shell 602.
[0057] A single lever 606 is pivoted to the first pivot 609, and its ends 607 and 608 oscillate in contrast with a first spring 615 and a third spring 644 which interact with the shell 602.
[0058] Figures 27, 28, 29 and 30 illustrate a single lever 706 which is pivoted to the shell 702 by virtue of a first pivot 709; the free end 720 of the lever 706 again has a flap 740; the surface 724 of an insert 745 interacts by abutment with the surface 725 of the second end 720, and the insert is articulated, by virtue of a fourth pivot 746, to the lower end 747 of the quarter 704 with a second spring 718 interposed.
1. A device for adjusting the position of a quarter of a boot with respect to the shell
of said boot, particularly for ski boots, characterized in that it is constituted
by at least one lever which is pivoted transversely and to the rear with respect to
said shell and has a first end which interacts with a binding rigidly coupled to a
ski in contrast with at least one first flexible member and a second end which selectively
interacts with said quarter.
2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by at least
one lever which is composed of a first arm and a second arm which are rotatably mutually
associated, at one end, by virtue of a first pivot which is arranged transversely
and to the rear at said shell, said first arm being arranged in a region that lies
above the heel of said shell.
3. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that said first arm has a first
end which is free and the lateral outer surface of which interacts with a jaw of a
binding which is rigidly coupled to a ski, said first end interacting, at the inner
lateral surface that lies opposite to the one that faces said jaw, in contrast with
at least one flexible element, which is partially accommodated at a complementarily
shaped first seat formed on the lateral surface of said shell in the region that lies
above said heel.
4. The device according to claim 3, characterized in that said at least one flexible
element is a first spring, which forces said first end of said first arm to move away
from said shell.
5. The device according to claim 4, characterized in that two second springs are arranged
coaxially to said first pivot, externally with respect to a pair of wings provided
in said second arm, the ends of said second springs interacting by abutment with a
pair of raised portions which protrude externally with respect to said wings and so
that the lateral surface of said first arm faces said shell.
6. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that said second arm has a second
free end which arranges itself to the rear and longitudinally with respect to said
shell at an interspace provided between the lateral surface of the shell and the inner
lateral surface of said quarter or cuff.
7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that said first spring forces outward
said first free end of said first arm, said first arm forces said second arm against
said shell by virtue of the presence, on said first arm, of a lug which protrudes
radially from the region for pivoting to said first pivot, said lug abutting against
a facing abutment formed in the interspace between said wings.
8. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that at said second end of said
second arm there is a second axial seat at which a plate is freely rotatably pivoted
by virtue of a suitable second pivot, said plate being V-shaped and forming a first
tab and a second tab which are directed away from said shell.
9. The device according to claim 8, characterized in that said first and second tabs
interact respectively with a second seat formed in the inner lateral surface of said
quarter proximate to said lower perimetric surface, when said quarter is rotationally
locked, and with part of said lower perimetric surface of said quarter when the quarter
can oscillate freely.
10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is constituted by a lever
which is formed monolithically and which is transversely freely pivoted at said shell
by virtue of a first pivot, said lever having a first end which interacts with a jaw
of a binding and with a first spring, said lever having a second end which is forced,
when the boot is not associated with the binding, to arrange itself laterally adjacent
to the facing outer lateral surface of said shell, the configuration of said second
end being such that when said jaw forces said first end adjacent to said shell, said
second end arranges itself in a region below a lower perimetric surface of said quarter,
so as to prevent its further backward flexing.
11. The device according claim 10, characterized in that said first arm is articulated
to said second arm by virtue of a first pivot which allows only the mutual articulation
of said first and second arms, said device comprising a third pivot for pivoting said
first arm to said shell proximate to the articulation portion of said second arm.
12. The device according to claim 11, characterized in that a second U-shaped spring is
arranged coaxially to said first pivot, the base of said U-shaped spring being arranged
adjacent to the surface of said first arm that is directed away from said shell, two
arms protruding from the base and being partially wrapped coaxially around said first
pivot, externally with respect to a pair of wings provided in said second arm, their
tips being in contact with said second arm at the lateral surface that is directed
away from said shell.
13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that said second spring pushes
said second free end of said second arm toward the facing surface of said shell, said
second arm having its fulcrum in an intermediate region, at a raised portion which
protrudes transversely with respect to the outer lateral surface of said shell.
14. The device according to claim 13, characterized in that the rotation of said second
end of said second arm has a stroke limit caused by the interaction between a lug,
which protrudes from said first arm in the region that is adjacent to said first pivot
and adjacent to the surface that faces said shell, and a complementarily shaped abutment
formed at said second arm in the interspace between said wings on the opposite side
with respect to said shell.
15. The device according to claims 4 and 11, characterized in that it comprises a single
second spring which is flat and is arranged adjacent, in a rear region, to said first
arm and said second arm and is associated therewith by virtue of rivets arranged at
its ends, said second spring having, at its ends, either a pair of slots or a slot
and a hole for accommodating said rivets.
16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises a flap which
protrudes in an upward region with respect to said second free end of said second
arm which is suitable to facilitate the abutment contact of said lower perimetric
surface of said quarter on said corresponding surface of said second end.
17. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that
said plate is pivoted so that it can rotate freely transversely and internally with
respect to said quarter proximate to its lower perimetric surface and has a first
tab, which protrudes externally with respect to said quarter, and a second tab, which
lies inside said quarter.
18. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that when said quarter is locked,
said second tab is interposed between the inner lateral surface of said quarter and
said flap, said first tab interacting with the tip of a ski-stick which is suitable
to force the rotation of said plate and therefore the counterclockwise rotation of
said second arm in order to achieve the condition allowing the free oscillation of
said quarter.
19. The device according to claims 18, characterized in that the rotation of said second
arm is achieved by passing the tip of a ski-stick or of another pointed object through
a suitable opening which is formed in said quarter proximate to its lower perimetric
edge and is such as to allow said tip to interact with said flap that protrudes from
said second free end of said second arm.
20. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that said at least one lever is
composed of a first arm and a second arm which are mutually rotatably associated at
one end by virtue of a first pivot which is arranged transversely and in a rear region
at said shell, tabs of a U-shaped plate being pivoted to said first pivot, the base
of said plate being rigidly coupled to said shell by virtue of rivets, said device
comprising a spring which is interposed between the outer surface of said shell and
the facing surface of said second arm.
21. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that said first pivot is arranged
at a pair of slots formed in said tabs of said plate, approximately at right angles
to said shell, a single lever being pivoted to said first pivot, the ends of said
lever oscillating in contrast with a first spring and a third spring which interact
with said shell.
22. The device according to claim 20, characterized in that it comprises a single lever
which is pivoted to said shell by virtue of a first pivot, the free end of said lever
having a flap, the surface of an insert interacting by abutment with the surface of
said second end, said insert being articulated, by virtue of a fourth pivot, to the
lower end of said quarter with a second spring interposed.
23. The device according to claim 22, characterized in that said insert oscillates in
contrast with said second spring so as to allow to verticalize said quarter by counterclockwise
rotation once said second end of said lever has been pushed against said shell.
24. The device according to claim 16, characterized in that said flap is actuable by means
of the tip of a ski-stick inserted at a preset opening defined in said quarter at
the lower perimetric surface thereof.