[0001] The invention relates to the field of ski equipment, with particular reference to
ski boots.
[0002] The technical evolution of materials and technologies has deeply transformed skis,
safety bindings and boots, which, in turn has caused even radical changes of the skiing
from the beginnings up till now.
[0003] In this context, the ski boots have become an essential element of the interaction
between the limb and the ski for the guiding of the latter.
[0004] Recently, a new type of ski, called "carving", has been released, different from
the traditional ski in the conformation of the sides, which are curved, so that the
ski width is considerably bigger in the extremity areas than in the central area.
[0005] This feature, called "side-cut" in the jargon, can be smaller or bigger in relation
to different models, the intended use and the technical level of the skier for whom
the ski is destined, and it is combined with the considerably smaller ski length with
respect to the one considered suitable for each skier according to the old reference
parameters.
[0006] The "side-cut" allows a self-steering effect of the ski when it is disposed on one
edge, that is inclined with respect to the ground.
[0007] This, together with a better manageability resulting from the smaller length and
weight with respect to other ski models, makes it easier and less tiring for the skier
to enter the turn and to change the trajectory quicker.
[0008] Although it is less stable in straight trajectory at high speed than the traditional
ski, the carving ski has practically replaced the traditional one on the market, due
to the above mentioned qualities, appreciated by the beginner-medium level skiers,
who can observe the increase of their abilities, as well as the advanced level skiers,
who, bending strongly the body position and, consequently, the skis, can make also
turns of small radius, making them with well rounded trajectories and with limited
skidding of the outer ski, to which the maximum pressure is applied.
[0009] Obviously, in order to maintain balance with the very inclined body position, it
is necessary to have a suitable speed, so that the created centrifugal force is sufficient
to contrast the overturning moment determined by the body barycenter, when it falls
out of the resting base.
[0010] The boots of known type prevent any ankle movement, so that the foot is integral
with the leg, leaving the latter with a limited possibility to bend forward, therefore
the transversal inclination, which can be imposed to the ski with respect to the ground,
depends on the inclination of the limb and consequently, of the body, which needs,
as it has already been said, as higher speed, as the inclination is bigger, to be
kept in balance.
[0011] It is known that the production of skis takes into consideration also the inclination
of the run to be covered and first of all, the trajectory of the ski on the run.
[0012] Actually, skiing the run diagonally, the angle between the ski and the ground increases
together with the increase of the inclination, with the same body position, while
the inclination angle is not affected by the bigger or smaller run inclination, when
the ski is situated on the maximum inclination line.
[0013] The relation between the ski transversal inclination, the limb and the body inclination,
and the speed necessary to keep balance remains anyway valid, although the values
of the parameters concerned, variable in each moment, determine results clearly different
from one situation to another.
[0014] The object of the present invention is to propose a ski boot with a variable configuration,
which is to be used with carving skis, and which has a device for inclining transversally
the boot sole with respect to the bootleg, so as to increase the transversal inclination
of the ski outer to the turn, with respect to the inclination of the relative limb
and the body, in order to utilize at best the characteristics of the skis also at
a speed lower than the one currently needed to keep the balance in an analogous situation.
[0015] Another object of the present invention is to propose a device which is controlled
by the forward longitudinal bending of the leg over the ankle, so that the inclination
of the boot sole increases, according to a prefixed relation, by increasing the bending
angle, and vice-versa for the return to the initial position.
[0016] A further object of the present invention is to propose a ski boot, equipped with
the device, which does not obstacle movements with skis or without.
[0017] A yet further object of the present invention is to propose a ski boot, equipped
with a device of simple conception, sure working, reduced dimensions and limited weight.
[0018] The characteristic features of the invention will be better explained in the following
description of some preferred embodiments, in accordance with the contents of the
claims and with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:
- Figure 1 is a lateral, schematic view of a first embodiment of the proposed ski boot,
in a first operation position;
- Figure 1A is a lateral view of an inner device of the boot of Figure 1, in the corresponding
operation position;
- Figure 2 is a rear view of the boot in the position of Figure 1;
- Figure 2A is a rear view of the device of Figure 1A in the corresponding operation
position;
- Figure 3 is a prospective view of the mechanism of Figures 1A and 2A;
- Figure 4 shows the boot of Figure 1 in a second operation position;
- Figure 4A is a view, analogous to Figure 1A, of the inner device in the position corresponding
to the one of the boot of Figure 4;
- Figure 5 is a rear view of the boot in the position of Figure 4;
- Figure 5A is a rear view, analogous to Figure 2A, of the device in the position corresponding
to the one of the boot of Figure 5;
- Figure 6 is a schematic, lateral view of a second embodiment of the proposed boot;
the continuous and broken lines show respectively the same positions of the boot as
Figures 1 and 4 of the first embodiment;
- Figure 7 is a rear view of the boot of Figure 6, in the position corresponding to
the one indicated with continuous line in said Figure;
- Figure 8 is a partial, rear view of the boot of Figure 6, in the position corresponding
to the one indicated with broken line in said Figure;
- Figures 9 and 9A are enlarged and longitudinal section views of an additional member
of the boot of Figure 6, in two respective operation positions.
[0019] Having regards to the above described Figures, the reference S indicates the proposed
ski boot, as a whole, especially designed to be used with the carving skis, mentioned
in the introductory note.
[0020] The Figures show only the left boot, but it is obvious that the following description
is valid also for the right boot, which is symmetrically identical.
[0021] Figures from 1 to 5A refer to a first embodiment of the boot S, including a bootleg
1, a lower shell 2, made integral with the sole 3 and a device 100.
[0022] The bootleg 1 and the lower shell 2 are connected to each other, as it will be better
described later on, by the device 100, and are joined, in the intermediate area, by
a soft sleeve 4, made preferably of heat insulating material, which is capable of
resuming the continuity of the limb housing, assuring at the same time, a suitable
protection of the limb against cold and preventing the entrance of water and snow.
[0023] The shape of the sole 3 is similar to the shape of a traditional boot sole, intended
to be hooked to a ski by a relative safety binding of known type.
[0024] The Figures do not show the hooks for opening and closing the boot, since they are
known and are not relevant to the invention.
[0025] The device 100 includes a rigid covering 101, made e.g. of light metal alloy, which
extends from the outer side of the boot S to the rear part thereof.
[0026] In the outer side area of the bootleg 1, the covering 101 forms a circular sector
102, whose center is coaxial with a first hinge joint 10, which is made in the device
100 and whose horizontal axis T is arranged transversally to the boot S and situated
at a level almost coinciding with the ankle articulation, when the foot P wears the
boot.
[0027] Two guides 103a, 103b, made in the circular sector 102, extend along relative circumference
arcs of different radius, concentric with the axis T of the first joint 10.
[0028] Corresponding cursors 104a, 104b, fastened to the side of the bootleg 1, engage sliding
with the guides 103a, 103b.
[0029] Inside the covering 101, the cursors 104a, 104b are integral with an arm 105, introduced
freely into a housing 106 formed by the covering 101.
[0030] The arm 105 is pivoted on the first joint 10, situated below (Figures 1 and 2).
[0031] Therefore, the bootleg 1 is allowed a tilting motion on a plane vertical, longitudinal
to the boot S, along a semicircular trajectory, concentric with the ankle articulation,
forward as well as backward, beginning from the condition, in which the leg is more
or less vertical (Figure 1).
[0032] If there is no limb and/or stress, the bootleg 1 is maintained in a substantially
vertical position by suitable return means 115, including e.g. a pulling spring, whose
one end is fastened to the arm 105 and whose other end is fastened to the covering
101 (Figure 1) .
[0033] The spring is extended when the bootleg 1 bends forward (Figure 4), but a slight
elastic reaction performed by the spring does not affect considerably the effort necessary
to move.
[0034] The covering 101 extends from the area of the first joint 10 toward the rear part
of the boot S and folds toward the center of the boot, thus forming a substantially
square portion 101a, which supports a second hinge joint 20, made in the device 100
and having its axis L orthogonal and coplanar with the axis T of the first joint 10.
[0035] Thus, the axis L is more or less coinciding with the ankle articulation.
[0036] The lower shell 2 is rigidly cantilevered to the pin 21 of the second joint 20, so
as to swing, together with the sole 3, on a vertical plane, transversal to the boot
S, perpendicular to the tilting plane of the bootleg 1.
[0037] The device 100 includes also a mechanism 30, housed inside the covering 101 and interconnecting
the first joint 10 and the second joint 20.
[0038] The mechanism 30 is operated by the tilting motion ion of the bootleg 1 with respect
to the first joint and aimed at driving the lower shell 2 into rotation, together
with the sole 3, with respect to the second joint 20, with a prefixed angular ratio
and with such a direction, that for a certain forward tilting of the bootleg 1 an
inclination of the sole 3 corresponds, which brings the inner lateral side 3a of the
latter to a lever lower than the outer lateral side 3b (Figure 5).
[0039] The mechanism 30 moves backwards, when the bootleg 1 is brought back to the vertical
position, bringing the whole lower shell 2 and sole 3 group back to the initial position.
[0040] The backwards bending of the limb from the vertical position causes the moving back
of the body weight, which is always counterproductive for skiing, and for this reason
the stroke of the bootleg 1 in this direction is limited and the action of the mechanism
30 is performed in a different way in that moment.
[0041] According to the shown, non limiting example, the mechanism 30 includes a double
profile cam 31, keyed onto the pin 11 of the first joint 10, integrally with the arm
105.
[0042] The cam 31 is introduced into a slot 32, made in a floating plate 33, hinged to a
lever 34, which is arranged perpendicular to the cam - plate group and made radially
integral with the pin 21 of the second joint 20 (Figure 3).
[0043] The cam 31 touches contemporarily, without clearance, the upper horizontal wall 32a
and the lower horizontal wall 32b of the slot 32, and its double profile is such that
it remains in contact with the slot during the whole programmed angular movement,
so as to avoid uncontrolled movements of the sole 3, which could cause serious damages
during the boot S use.
[0044] It is quite obvious that any other embodiment of the mechanism 30, different from
the described one, must satisfy the same condition.
[0045] As it is clearly seen in Figures 1A, 2A, 3, 4A, 5A, the forward tilting motion of
the bootleg 1 causes a coinciding swinging motion of the arm 105 and consequently
of the cam 31, which determines the rising of the floating plate 33 and thus the operation
of the lever 34, with a resulting rotation of the pin 21 of the second joint 20 and
consequently of the lower shell 2 together with the sole 3.
[0046] It has been supposed, in a purely approximate way, that a forward tilting of the
bootleg 1 of 25÷30°, that is more or less as much as allowed by the ankle, causes
a transversal swing movement of the lower shell 2 and of the sole 3 by more or less
8÷10°.
[0047] The exact values will be defined by the practical tests conducted by an expert in
the field.
[0048] Figures from 6 to 9A refer to a second embodiment of the boot S, likewise including
a bootleg 1, a lower shell 2, a sole 3 and a device 200.
[0049] The device 200 includes a first joint 110, having the axis T arranged like the one
of the first embodiment, that is horizontal, transversal to the boot S and coinciding
with the ankle articulation.
[0050] The first joint 110 is shaped in such a way, as to fasten mutually the bootleg 1
and the lower shell 2 from the outer side as well as from the inner side (see Figure
7).
[0051] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the bootleg 1 can tilt with respect to the
lower shell 2 on a longitudinal vertical plane, but it is integral with the latter
along a transversal plane.
[0052] The sole 3 is produced separately with respect to the lower shell 2 and is connected
thereto by a relative second joint 120, whose axis L is still horizontal and orthogonal
to the axis T of the first joint 110, but it is situated on a lower level, so that
the sole 3 can tilt with respect to the lower shell 2 on a vertical plane, transversal
to the boot S, perpendicular to the swinging plane of the bootleg 1.
[0053] The second joint 120 includes a pair of protrusions 121a, 121b, situated in front
and behind the lower shell 2, and coupled with corresponding attachments 122a, 122b
formed by the sole 3, by relative pins, not shown.
[0054] A membrane 14 can be situated between the lower shell 2 and the sole 3, in order
to prevent the snow from entering the gap therebetween, and consequently to avoid
the risk that the ice formation could prevent movement of the sole.
[0055] The effective necessity of the membrane will be checked by the practical tests conducted
by an expert in the field.
[0056] The device 200 according to the second embodiment does not have the covering, because
the circular sector with the relative guides and cursors is not necessary for guiding
the bootleg swing motion, and the relative interconnection mechanism 300 for determining
the sole 3 movement, likewise situated near the boot S outer side, is uncovered.
[0057] The mechanism 300 includes, e.g. a toggle, in which a first arm 301 is integral with
the bootleg 1 and extends downwards, below the axis T of the first joint 110.
[0058] An end of a connecting rod 302 is hinged to the first arm 301, and the other end
thereof is hinged to a corresponding wing 303 formed by the sole 3.
[0059] As it is shown with broken line in Figure 6, the forward tilting of the bootleg 1
causes a corresponding rotation of the first arm 301, which results in the raising
of the wing 303 and consequently, in the rotation of the sole 3 on the pins of the
second joint 120, such that the inner lateral side 3a of the sole 3 is at a lower
level with respect to the relative outer lateral side 3b (Figure 8).
[0060] Since the movements of the arm 301 and of the wing 303 are on perpendicular planes,
at least one of the constraints, by which the connecting rod 302 is hinged to these
elements, can be advantageously of spherical type.
[0061] As it has already been mentioned in relation to the first embodiment, also in this
case the movements of the mechanism 300 must be without clearances, for the already
explained reasons.
[0062] Figures 9 and 9A show a rocker member 40, connected to the sole 3, in a housing 41
made preferably in the heel area.
[0063] At one of its ends, the rocker member 40 has formed thereon one or more conical push
rods 42, turned upwards and aimed at entering, when the boot S is detached from the
ski, corresponding recesses 44 made in the lower shell 2, due to the action of a spring
43.
[0064] In this condition, (Figure 9), the sole 3 is fastened to the lower shell 2, allowing
to walk in a more stable way, although the bootleg cannot swing.
[0065] When the boot is bound to the ski 90 (Figure 9A), an abutment 45 made in plate 91
of the rear binding 92, pushes the end of the rocker member 40, opposite to the push
rods 42, thus disengaging the latter and bringing the boot S to the operation conditions,
as programmed.
[0066] The practical use of a pair of boots S with carving skis, according to any of the
two embodiments taken into consideration, allows to utilize the self-steering effect
of the skis in order to perform turns very easily: keeping the skis parallel, at a
certain distance one from the other, a sufficient support base is obtained and a good
body balance stability is acquired.
[0067] With the forward bending of the limb outer to the turn to be taken, the skier imposes
a tilting motion to the bootleg 1 and, due to what above, the transversal inclination
of the respective ski, thus facilitating the gripping of the inner lamina, without
the necessity of high speed, since the body inclination, in transversal direction,
remains small.
[0068] The only use difference between the first and the second embodiment of the boots,
lies in the fact that according to the first embodiment, the lower shell is inclined
transversally with respect to the bootleg and consequently, the ankle must follow
this movement, while according to the second embodiment, only the sole is inclined
transversally and consequently, the ankle remains motionless.
[0069] As it is known, the ski outer with respect to the turn is more "loaded" by the body
weight, thus the left boot, shown in the examples, will be decisive in the conduction
of the turns to the right, and vice-versa for the right boot.
[0070] The ski, which from time to time is inner with respect to the turn, is suitably kept
ahead of the other one, so as to maintain the bootleg 1 in a substantially vertical
position, and consequently, with the device 100, 200 inactive, although the inner
ski, being less loaded, has little effect on the trajectory and therefore, even an
accidental small inclination in counter-step would not be too harmful.
[0071] A slalom is run by coordinating the weight change with the change of the forward
bending of the tibia and the alternate movement of the skis, so that the inner one
is ahead the outer one; these movements are simultaneous, almost consequent, thus
they are extremely easy to perform, also at high speed, as well as harmonious to see.
[0072] Elastic and/or absorbing means, not shown, can be associated to the above described
boots, according to both, first and second embodiment.
[0073] The elastic means are aimed at increasing the effort required to operate the mechanisms
30, 300 during the forward bending of the bootleg 1, and the absorbing means are aimed
at stabilizing the position imposed to the sole 3 by the mechanisms, reducing return
swing caused by the run irregularities.
[0074] The calibrating range of the elastic means and the absorbing means is preferably
adjustable from a minimum to a maximum, chosen by the skier according to his/her weight,
the conditions of the run and/or snow from among the values prefixed by the producer
in sight of the results of suitable practical tests.
[0075] The above mentioned elastic means and absorbing means can be housed, e.g. in a position
corresponding to the second hinge joint 20, 210, with suitable construction solutions
of substantially known type.
[0076] The elastic means and absorbing means can also act as return for bringing the bootleg
1 back to the vertical position in absence of the limb and/or stresses, similar to
what has been said in relation to the return means 115 of the first described embodiment,
which in this case would be unnecessary and thus eliminated.
[0077] According to a constructive variant, not shown, the boot described as the first embodiment
can have means for locking the device 100, which means can be operated manually by
the skier, e.g. by a lever.
[0078] The locking means keep the bootleg 1 in a suitable position, so as to use it as a
traditional boot.
[0079] With the boot described as the second embodiment, the same result can obtained simply
by removing the abutment 45 from the rear binding, in order to prevent the unhooking
of the push rods 42.
[0080] According to another variant, not shown, there can be means, operated manually, for
releasing the swing movement of the bootleg 1 from the device 100, 200, which moves
the sole 3 inclination, so as to walk easily, when the skis are removed, contrary
to the traditional boots.
[0081] The advantages of the proposed boot result evident from the above description.
[0082] The proposed boot obtains all the objects mentioned in the introduction and can offer
advantages for skiers of medium-beginner level, as well as of advanced level.
[0083] The undeniable bigger constructive complexity with respect to a traditional boot,
can be reduced to a minimum by suitable industrialization studies, and likewise, the
technical-functional needs can be surely resolved by the usual technologies and "know-how"
of the field.
[0084] It is to be pointed out that the inner side of the boots, in both embodiments, has
been maintained without protrusions and/or extensions, so as to avoid undesired difficulties,
both with and without the skis.
[0085] Consequently, the proposed boot is a very "technical" element of the ski equipment,
which is capable of interacting actively with the carving skis, in order to utilize
at best their dynamic characteristics.
[0086] It is assumed that the cost increase with respect to the traditional boot, can be
contained and surely justified by the offered advantages and consequently, it will
not be an obstacle to a positive market reaction.
1. Variable configuration ski boot, of the type including a bootleg (1), a lower shell
(2), connected to the bootleg, and a sole (3), fastened to the lower shell, characterized in that it includes a device (100, 200), having: a first hinge joint (10, 110), which allows
tilting motion of said bootleg (1) with respect to the related lower shell (2) on
a horizontal axis (T), transversal to the boot (S) and situated at a level almost
coinciding with the ankle articulation, when the foot (P) wears the boot (S); a second
hinge joint (20, 120), having a horizontal axis (L) arranged perpendicular to the
first one, and allowing swinging of said sole (3) with respect to the bootleg (1)
on a plane orthogonal to the tilting of the latter; a mechanism (30, 300), operated
by the tilting motion of said bootleg (1) with respect to said first joint (10, 110)
and making said sole (3) swing with respect to said second joint (20, 120) with a
prefixed angular ratio and in such a direction, that a forward swing of said bootleg
(1) is corresponded by an inclination of the sole (3), which brings the inner lateral
side (3a) of the latter to a lower level with respect to the related outer lateral
side (3b).
2. Boot, as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said sole (3) is separated from said lower shell (2), with the latter being fastened
to said bootleg (1) bilaterally by said first hinge joint (110) and in that said sole (3) is articulated to said lower shell (2) by said second hinge joint (120),
having its axis (L) at a lower level with respect to said axis (T) of said first joint
(110) and including a pair of protrusions (121a, 121b), situated in front and behind
said lower shell 2, and coupled with corresponding attachments (122a, 122b) formed
by said sole (3), by relative pins.
3. Boot, as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said mechanism (300) is situated in a position corresponding to the outer side of
the boot (S) and includes a toggle, in which a first arm (301) is integral with the
bootleg (1) and extends downwards, below said axis (T) of the first joint (110), with
an end of a connecting rod (302) being hinged to the first arm (301), without clearance,
and the other end thereof being hinged, without clearance, to a wing (303) formed
by said sole (3), with said arm (301) being driven into rotation by said tilting motion
of the bootleg (1) and causing the sole (3) inclination, by relative movements determined
by said connecting rod (302) and wing (303).
4. Boot, as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that at least one of the constraints, fastening said connecting rod (302) to said arm
(301) and wing (303), is of spherical type.
5. Boot, as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that a membrane (14) is situated between said lower shell (2) and said sole (3) for separating
the gap between the lower shell and the sole from the outer environment.
6. Boot, as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that it includes a rocker member (40), connected to said sole (3) in the heel area, and
having, at one of its ends, at least one conical push rod (42), turned upwards and
aimed at entering, when the boot (S) is detached from the ski (90), a corresponding
recess (44) made in said lower shell (2), due to the action of a spring (43), thus
preventing swinging of said sole (3), which is resumed, when the boot is fastened
to the ski (90), by the abutment (45) made in the ski rear binding (92), and pushing
the other end of said rocker member (40), thus making it rotate sufficiently to disengage
said conical push rod (42) from the related recess (44).
7. Boot, as claimed in claim 1, in which said sole (3) is integral with said lower shell
(2), characterized in that said device (100) includes a rigid covering (101), which extends from the outer side
of said boot (S) to the rear part thereof, to define: a circular sector (102), having
at least two guides (103a, 103b), made therein and extending along relevant circumference
arcs of different radius, concentric with said first joint (10), with corresponding
cursors (104a, 104b) being engaged sliding with said guides (103a, 103b) and fastened
to the outer side of said bootleg (1) and made integral, inside said covering (101),
with an arm (105) pivoted on said first joint (10); a seat for said second hinge joint
(20), situated in the rear part of said boot (S) and having its axis coplanar with
said axis (T) of the first hinge joint (10), likewise almost coinciding with said
ankle articulation, with said second joint (20) supporting, cantilevered thereto with
possibility of tilting motion on a relevant axis (L), said lower shell (2) and the
sole (3) fastened thereto.
8. Boot, as claimed in claim 1 or 7, characterized in that said mechanism (30) is housed inside said covering (101) and includes a double profile
cam (31), keyed onto the pin (11) of said first hinge joint (10), integrally with
said arm (105), with said cam (31) being engaged, without clearance, with the upper
horizontal wall (32a) and the lower horizontal wall (32b) of a slot (32), made in
a floating plate (33), hinged to a lever (34), which is arranged perpendicular to
the cam (31) and plate (33) and radially integral with the pin (21) of said second
joint (20), to which said lower shell (2) together with the sole (3), integral therewith,
are fastened; said cam (31) being set into rotation by swinging of said bootleg (1)
and causing the inclination of the lower shell (2) together with the sole (3), integral
therewith, due to the relative movements imposed to said plate (33), lever (34) and
pin (21).
9. Boot, as claimed in claim 1 or 7, characterized in that it includes return elastic means (115), keeping said bootleg (1) in a more or less
vertical position, if it is not subjected to any forces.
10. Boot, as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that said elastic means (115) include a pulling spring, whose one end is fastened to the
arm (105) and whose other end is fastened to the covering (101).
11. Boot, as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 7, characterized in that said bootleg (1) and lower shell (2) are joined, in the middle area, by a soft sleeve
(4), which is made of heat insulating material, and which restores the continuity
of the limb housing, defined by said bootleg (1) and lower shell (2).
12. Boot, as claimed in claim 1 or 2 or 7, characterized in that it includes elastic means, which contrast the tilting motion of said bootleg (1)
with respect to said lower shell (2), to increase the effort required to operate the
mechanisms (30, 300).
13. Boot, as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that it includes absorbing means, connected to said elastic means, to stabilize the position
imposed to said sole (3) by the mechanisms (30, 300).