A SKI BOOT

Abstract

 A ski boot (1) comprising a rigid shell (2) which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has the lower part structured so as to fasten to a ski binding device; a rigid cuff (3) which is shaped so as to enclose the ankle of the user, and is pivotally jointed to the shell (2) so as to swing about a rotation axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a cuff-locking device (13) which is located on the cuff (3), above the heel, is structured so as to selectively rigidly lock the cuff (3) to the shell (2) to prevent any swinging movement of the cuff (3) on the shell (2), and comprises a swinging arm (17) which is pivotally jointed to the cuff (3) so as to swing on the midplane of the boot, extends downward so that the lower end (17a) thereof faces the shell (2), and is provided with a tooth (21) which protrudes from the lower end of the arm (17a) towards the shell (2), and is dimensioned so as to be able to fit like a latch into a coupling seat (22) on the shell (2).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a ski boot.

[0002] More in detail, the present invention relates to a ski boot for ski mountaineering, use to which the following disclosure will make explicit reference without however any loss of generality.

[0003] As is known, the most recent ski mountaineering boots basically comprise: a rigid shell made of plastic material, which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user and has the lower portion specifically structured to be fastened to the back of a downhill ski or the like by means of specific downhill ski binding devices; a rigid cuff made of plastic material, which is shaped so as to embrace the lower section of the user's leg from behind, and is hinged to the upper part of the shell so as to rotate about a transversal reference axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot and is moreover locally substantially coincident with the articulation axis of the ankle; an inner liner made of soft and thermal-insulating material, which is inserted into the shell and the cuff, and is shaped so as to accommodate and protect both the foot and the lower section of the user's leg; and a number of manually-operated closing members which are arranged on the shell and on the cuff and are structured so as to selectively close/tighten the shell and the cuff to immobilise the user's leg stably inside the inner boot.

[0004] More in detail, the lower portion of the shell is specifically structured so as to couple in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, with the toe piece and with the heel piece of a ski binding device for ski mountaineering, which in turn is structured to allow the skier to lift, when necessary, the heel of the ski boot from the beneath-located back of the ski, while always keeping the tip of the ski boot, or rather, the tip of the shell, firmly anchored to the ski.

[0005] Lastly, ski-mountaineering boots are provided with a cuff-locking device which is normally located on the area of the ski boot above the heel, and is structured to selectively and alternatively rigidly lock the cuff to the shell to prevent any swinging movement of the cuff on the shell; or to completely release the cuff from the shell so as to allow the cuff to swing freely on the shell.

[0006] In the latest ski-mountaineering boots, the cuff-locking device basically comprises a swinging arm which is hinged to the cuff above the heel, and extends downward skimming over the outer surface of the cuff, so that its distal end cantilevered protrudes beyond the lower edge of the cuff, above the rear part of the shell; and a spring which acts on the swinging arm so as to elastically push and hold the distal end of the swinging arm in abutment on the outer surface of the shell. The distal end of the arm, in turn, is shaped so as to be able to engage in a seat specifically formed in the outer surface of the shell, so that the swinging arm acts as a ratchet and prevents any swinging of the cuff on the shell.

[0007] Lastly the cuff-locking device usually also comprises a manually-operated control mechanism that allows the user to rotate the swinging arm by a few degrees overcoming the thrust of the spring, so as to move the distal end of the arm away from the shell and completely release the cuff from the shell.

[0008] Unfortunately, experimental tests highlighted that snow and ice tend to accumulate quickly in the space between the cuff and the swinging arm, thus making occasionally difficult to operate the cuff-locking device.

[0009] Aims of the present invention is to realize a cuff-locking device free from the drawbacks referred above and which is also cheap to produce.

[0010] In compliance with the above aims, according to the present invention there is provided a ski boot as defined in Claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any one of the dependent claims.

[0011] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, illustrating a nonlimiting embodiment thereof, in which:

• Figure 1 is a side view of a ski-mountaineering boot realized according to the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity;
• Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the rear part of the ski-mountaineering boot in Figure 1, in a second operating configuration; whereas
• Figure 3 is perspective view of the rear part of the ski-mountaineering boot in Figure 1, with parts removed for clarity.

[0012] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, reference numeral 1 denoted as a whole a ski boot and in particular a ski boot specifically structured for practising ski mountaineering.

[0013] The ski boot 1 basically comprises: a rigid shell 2 which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has the lower portion specifically structured/shaped so as to couple/engage in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner with a ski binding device (not shown) of known kind which, in turn, is structured to be rigidly fixed to the back of a general downhill ski or the like; and a rigid cuff 3, which is shaped so as to enclose the ankle section of the user's leg, and is hinged to the upper part of the shell 2 so as to freely swing about a transversal reference axis A which is locally substantially perpendicular to the vertical midplane of the boot (i.e. perpendicular to the plane of the sheet in figures 1 and 2), and moreover locally substantially coincident with the articulation axis of the user's ankle.

[0014] More in detail, the lower portion of shell 2 is provided with a front tip 4 and a rear heel 5 which are preferably structured to couple/engage in known manner respectively with the toe piece (not shown) and the heel piece (not shown) of a ski-mountaineering binding device of known type which, in turn, is structured to be rigidly attached to the back of a general downhill ski or the like.

[0015] Preferably, the lower portion of shell 2 also has a tread profile so ad to allow the user to walk on snow and ice.

[0016] In the example shown, in particular, shell 2 preferably consists of a substantially basin-shaped rigid casing 6 which is preferably made of nylon (polyamide), PEBAX (polyether amide) or similar plastic polymer, and which is shaped so as to internally accommodate the user's foot; and of a sole 7 which is preferably made of rubber or other elastomeric material, and is structured to cover the bottom wall of rigid casing 6.

[0017] As an alternative, the rigid casing 6 could also be made of a composite material preferably formed of one or more superimposed layers of carbon fibres and/or glass fibres and/or aramid fibres, appropriately interwoven and/or superimposed to one other and embedded in an epoxy, phenolic or polyester resin matrix preferably of the thermosetting type.

[0018] Preferably the shell 2 moreover comprises a metal-material, transversal stiffening insert 8 which is embedded in rigid casing 6 at the tip 4 of shell 2, and extends inside the casing 6 crosswise to the midplane of the ski boot so as to emerge/surface on the outside of casing 6 at the two lateral sides of tip 4, so as to be able to couple in known manner with the jaw of the toe piece of the ski-mountaineering binding device.

[0019] With reference to Figure 1, on the other hand the cuff 3 is fixed in freely rotatable manner onto shell 2, or rather onto the rigid casing 6, via two lateral connecting hinges 9, which are arranged on the outer and inner lateral sides of shell 2 and of cuff 3, aligned along axis A, so as to allow the cuff 3 to freely swing forward and backward on the shell while always remaining on a reference plane orthogonal to axis A and substantially coincident with the midplane of the boot.

[0020] Preferably the cuff 3 moreover consists of a roughly tubular rigid casing 10 which is preferably made of nylon (polyamide), PEBAX (polyether amide) or similar plastic polymers, and is substantially C-shape bent so as to embrace the lower section of the user's leg from behind. As an alternative, the rigid casing 10 could also be made of a composite material preferably formed of one or more superimposed layers of carbon fibres and/or glass fibres and/or aramid fibres, appropriately interwoven and/or superimposed to one another and embedded in an epoxy, phenolic or polyester resin matrix preferably of the thermosetting type.

[0021] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the ski boot 1 preferably furthermore comprises an inner liner 11 with a soft and thermal-insulating structure, optionally also of thermoformable type, which is inserted into the shell 2 and optionally also into the cuff 3 preferably, though not necessarily, in removable manner, and is shaped so as to accommodate and protect the user's foot and possibly also the lower section of the leg.

[0022] Additionally, the ski boot 1 is moreover provided with a manually-operated closing system 12 which is structured so as to be able to selectively close/tighten the shell 2 and the cuff 3 on user's leg to stably immobilise the user's leg inside the ski boot 1, or rather inside the inner liner 11; and with a manually-operated cuff-locking device 13 which is structured so as to be able to selectively rigidly connect the cuff 3 to the shell 2, thus to prevent the cuff 3 from freely swinging about the transversal axis A.

[0023] More in detail, in the example shown the closing system 12 preferably comprises: a manually-operated winch closing device 14, such as those currently marketed by the US company BOA TECHNOLOGY INC, which is located on the shell 2 preferably in the area over the instep, and is overall structured so as to be able to selectively close/ tighten the shell 2 on the foot of the user, thus to stably immobilise the user's foot inside the shell 2, or rather inside the inner liner 11; and a manually-operated lever closing buckle 15, which is arranged straddling the two lateral flaps of cuff 3, or rather of rigid casing 10, so as to be able to selectively pull the two lateral flaps one towards the other for tightening the cuff 3 on the lower section of the user's leg, in order to stably immobilize the lower section of the user's leg inside the cuff 3, or rather inside the inner liner 11.

[0024] According to an alternative embodiment, however, the winch closing device 14 could be replaced by one or more lever closing buckles of known type.

[0025] Preferably the closing device 12 moreover comprises a calf-immobilizing belt 16 which is looped over the top of cuff 3, roughly at calf height, and is manually adjustable in length so as to selectively close/tighten the top of cuff 3, or rather of inner liner 11, on the user's leg, while adjusting the upper part of the ski boot to the shape of the user's calf.

[0026] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, on the other hand the cuff-locking device 13 is located in the area of the boot above the heel, straddling the shell 2 and the cuff 3, and is structured so as to selectively

• rigidly lock the cuff 3 to the shell 2 preferably in a given position in which the cuff 3 is tilted forward with respect to the vertical of a predetermined angle, so as to prevent any swinging movement of cuff 3 on shell 2; or
• completely unlock/release the cuff 3 from the shell 2 thus to allow the cuff 3 to freely swing on the shell 2 about axis A, while remaining on the midplane of the boot.

[0027] In the example shown, in particular, the cuff-locking device 13 is preferably structured so as to be able to rigidly lock the cuff 3 to the shell 2 in a given downhill position in which the cuff 3 is tilted forward with respect to the vertical of an angle preferably, though not necessarily, raging between 3° and 30°.

[0028] More in detail, the cuff-locking device 13 is located on cuff 3, substantially astride the midplane of the boot, and basically comprises a swinging arm 17 preferably made of metal material, which is hinged to the inside of the cuff 3 so as to be able to freely pivot on the midplane of the boot, and extends downward inside the interspace 18 between the shell 2 and the cuff 3, while remaining substantially coplanar with the midplane of the boot, preferably in such a way that the lower end 17a of the arm cantilevered protrudes outside the interspace 18 and remains locally faced to and only very close to the outer surface of shell 2.

[0029] In other words, the upper end 17b of swinging arm 17 is preferably flag hinged to cuff 3 inside the latter, so that the whole swinging arm 17 can freely rotate inside the interspace 18, about a rotation axis B locally substantially parallel to rotation axis A of cuff 3 and also substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot.

[0030] In the example shown, in particular, the upper end 17b of swinging arm 17 is preferably hinged to a supporting plate 19 which, in turn, is fixed in manually-adjustable manner in abutment on the inner surface of cuff 3 by means of transversal fastening screws 20 which extend in pass-through manner through the casing 10 of cuff 3 before reaching and screwing into the supporting plate 19.

[0031] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the swinging arm 17 is moreover provided with a transversal lock tooth 21 which cantilevered protrudes from the lower end 17a of the arm towards the outer surface of shell 2, and is dimensioned so as to be able to fit like a latch into a coupling seat 22 specifically formed in the outer surface of shell 2, astride the midplane of the boot, so that the swinging arm 17, when lock tooth 21 engages coupling seat 22, acts as a ratchet and prevents any rotation of cuff 3 about axis A.

[0032] The swinging arm 17 is therefore movable inside the interspace 18 between a first operating position (see Figure 1) in which the swinging arm 17 is tilted/turned towards the shell 2 so that the lock tooth 21 is arranged in abutment on the outer surface of shell 2, thus to introduce the lock tooth 21 into the coupling seat 22; and a second operating position (see Figure 2) in which the swinging arm 17 is tilted/turned towards the cuff 3 so as to arrange the lock tooth 21 spaced apart from the outer surface of shell 2, thus preventing the introduction of tooth 21 into the coupling seat 22.

[0033] In the first operating position (see Figure 1) the swinging arm 17 thus prevents the cuff 3 from rotating about axis A. In the second operating position (see figure 2), instead, the swinging arm 17 allows the cuff 3 to freely rotate about axis A.

[0034] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the swinging arm 17 is furthermore provided with a hook-shaped appendage 23, which cantilevered protrudes from the lower end 17a of the arm, on the side opposite of lock tooth 21, and is substantially C-shape bent upward and towards the lower edge of cuff 3 preferably while remaining always substantially coplanar with the midplane of the boot, so that the distal end 23a of the appendage is arranged above the outer surface of the cuff 3.

[0035] Additionally, the cuff-locking device 13 comprises a manually-operated control mechanism 24 which is interposed between the distal end 23a of the hook-shaped appendage 23 and the outer surface of the cuff 3, and is structured so as to be able to vary, on command, the angle of swinging arm 17 inside the interspace 18, in order to move the swinging arm 17 between the first operating position and the second operating position.

[0036] More in detail, the control mechanism 24 is structured so as to be able to vary, between a maximum value and a minimum value, the distance of the distal end 23a of the hook-shaped appendage 23 from the beneath-located outer surface of the cuff 3.

[0037] When the distance between the distal end 23a of hook-shaped appendage 23 and the outer surface of the cuff 3 is at its minimum value, the swinging arm 17 is turned/tilted towards the shell 2 so that the lock tooth 21 is arranged in abutment on the outer surface of the shell 2, inside the coupling seat 22, i.e. it is arranged in the first operating position.

[0038] When the distance between the distal end 23a of hook-shaped appendage 23 and the outer surface of the cuff 3 is at its maximum value, the swinging arm 17 is turned/tilted towards the cuff 3 so that the lock tooth 21 is spaced apart from the outer surface of the shell 2 and from the coupling seat 22, i.e. it is arranged in the second operating position.

[0039] Acting on the manually-operated control mechanism 24, the user is therefore able to move the swinging arm 17 between the first operating position (see Figure 1) in which the swinging arm 17 prevents rotation of the cuff 3 about axis A; and the second operating position (see Figure 2) in which the swinging arm 17 allows the cuff 3 to freely rotate about axis A.

[0040] In the example shown, in particular, the manually-operated control mechanism 24 is preferably fixed directly to the distal end 23a of the hook-shaped appendage 23 of swinging arm 17.

[0041] More in detail, in the example shown, the manually-operated control mechanism 24 preferably comprises a small manually-operated lifting lever 25 which is butt-hinged to the distal end 23a of the hook-shaped appendage 23 so as to be able to freely rotate with respect to the hook-shaped appendage 23, preferably while remaining on the midplane of the boot, and is provided, close to the distal end 23a, with a cam-shaped lobed profile which is arranged stably in abutment on the outer surface of cuff 3, and is shaped so as to be able to vary/adjust, according to the angular position of the lever 25 with respect to the hook-shaped appendage 23, the distance between the distal end 23a of hook-shaped appendage 23 and the outer surface of cuff 3.

[0042] In other words, lever 25 has the proximal end hinged to the distal end 23a of hook-shaped appendage 23 so as to be able to freely rotate with respect to the hook-shaped appendage 23, about an reference axis C which is locally substantially parallel to the rotation axis B of swinging arm 17 and also locally substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot. The proximal end of lever 25 is moreover dimensioned so as to arrange itself in abutment on the outer surface of the cuff 3, and is provided with a cam-shaped lobed profile which is eccentric with respect to the rotation axis C of the lever, and is shaped so as to be able to vary/adjust, according to the angular position of the lever 25 with respect to the hook-shaped appendage 23, the distance between the outer surface of the cuff 3 and the distal end 23a of hook-shaped appendage 23 .

[0043] The distal end of lever 25 is instead shaped so as to be easily seizable by the user.

[0044] With reference to figures 1 and 2, preferably the cuff-locking device 13 lastly also comprises an elastic element 26 which is preferably located inside the interspace 18, and is structured to elastically push and keep the swinging arm 17 in the first operating position (see Figure 1); and the manually-operated control mechanism 24 is adapted to move the swinging arm 17 from the first operating position (see Figure 1) to the second operating position (see Figure 2) overcoming the thrust of elastic element 26.

[0045] More in detail, the elastic element 26 is preferably structured so as to elastically push and keep the lock tooth 21 of swinging arm 17 in abutment on the outer surface of the shell 2, so as to allow the tooth to engage the coupling seat 22.

[0046] In the example shown, in particular, the elastic element 26 is preferably interposed between swinging arm 17 and supporting plate 19, and preferably consists of a torsion coil spring 26, which is fitted on the pin 27 connecting the swinging arm 17 and the supporting plate 19, and has the two ends in abutment one on the proximal end 17b of swinging arm 17 and the other on supporting plate 19.

[0047] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the coupling seat 22 is preferably obtained on a metal-material, anchoring plate 28 which is partially recessed into the shell 2 at the heel, astride the midplane of the boot.

[0048] In the example shown, in particular, the anchoring plate 28 preferably has a substantially ribbon-like oblong shape and moreover extends downward astride the midplane of the boot, up to reach a metal-material, coupling plate 29 which, in turn, is rigidly fixed to the side of the rear heal 5 of shell 2, substantially astride the midplane of the boot, by means of an anchor screw 30, and is structured so as to be able to couple/engage in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner with the heel piece of the ski-mountaineering binding device.

[0049] Operation of ski boot 1 is easily inferable from what disclosed above and does not require further explanations.

[0050] The advantages resulting from the particular structure of the cuff-locking device 13 are remarkable.

[0051] First, the swinging arm 17 is arranged in a protected position, in the interspace 18 between the shell 2 and the cuff 3, where no snow or ice can accumulate.

[0052] Furthermore, the cuff-locking device 13 is very light and compact, with the advantages that this entails for the overall weight of the ski boot 1.

[0053] Last but not less important, the cuff-locking device 13 is particularly cheap to produce, with all advantages that this entails.

[0054] It is finally clear that modifications and variations may be made to the ski boot 1 described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0055] For example, according to an alternative embodiment, elastic element 26 of cuff-locking device 13 could consist of a pad made of an elastomeric material, a coil spring or a leaf spring appropriately interposed between the swinging arm 17 and the inner surface of the cuff 3.

Claims

1. A ski boot (1) comprising a rigid shell (2) which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has the lower part structured so as to fasten to a ski binding device; a rigid cuff (3) which is shaped so as to enclose the ankle of the user, and is pivotally jointed to the shell (2) so as to pivot about a axis rotation (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a cuff-locking device (13) which is located on the cuff (3), above the heel, and comprises a swinging arm (17) which is pivotally jointed to the cuff (3) so as to swing on the midplane of the boot, extends downward so that the lower end (17a) thereof faces the shell (2), and is provided with a tooth (21) which protrudes from the lower end of the arm (17a) towards the shell (2) so as to be able to fit like a latch into a coupling seat (22) on the shell (2) ;
the ski boot (1) being characterized in that the swinging arm (17) is hinged to the inside of the cuff (3), extends downward inside the interspace (18) between the shell (2) and the cuff (3) so that the lower end (17a) thereof faces the shell (2), and is provided with a hook-shaped appendage (23) which cantilevered protrudes from the lower end of the arm (17a), and is substantially C-bent upward and towards the cuff (3) so as to arrange the distal end (23a) thereof above the outer surface of the cuff (3); and in that the cuff-locking device (13) moreover comprises a manually-operated control mechanism (24) which is interposed between the distal end (23a) of the hook-shaped appendage (23) and the outer surface of the cuff (3), and is structured so as to be able to move the swinging arm (17) between a first operating position in which the tooth (21) of the swinging arm (17) is engaged in the coupling seat (22), and a second operating position in which the tooth (21) of the swinging arm (17) is spaced apart from the outer surface of the shell (3).

2. A ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the manually-operated control mechanism (24) is fastened on the distal end (23a) of the hook-shaped appendage (23).

3. A ski boot according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the swinging arm (17) extends downward inside the interspace (18) between the shell (2) and the cuff (3), up to cantilevered protrude with the lower end (17a) outside of said interspace (18).

4. A ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cuff-locking device (13) moreover comprises an elastic element (26) which is structured so as to elastically push and keep the swinging arm (17) in the first operating position; and in that the manually-operated control mechanism (24) is adapted to move the swinging arm (17) from the first operating position to the second operating position while overcoming the thrust of the elastic element (26).

5. A ski boot according to claim 4, characterized in that the elastic element (26) is located inside the interspace (18) between the shell (2) and the cuff (3).

6. A ski boot according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the elastic element (26) is structured so as to elastically push and keep the tooth (21) of the swinging arm (17) in abutment on the outer surface of the shell (2), so as to allow the tooth (21) to engage the coupling seat (22).

7. A ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swinging arm (17) has its upper end (17b) hinged on a supporting plate (19) which, in turn, is fixed in manually-adjustable manner in abutment on the inner surface of the cuff (3).

8. A ski boot according to claim 7, characterized in that the elastic element (26) is interposed between the swinging arm (17) and the supporting plate (19).

9. A ski boot according to any one of the claims from 2 to 9, characterized in that the manually-operated control mechanism (24) comprises a manually-operated lifting lever (25) which is butt-hinged to the distal end (23a) of the hook-shaped appendage (23) so as to freely rotate with respect to said hook-shaped appendage (23), and is provided with a cam-shaped lobed profile which is arranged in abutment on the outer surface of the cuff (3), and is shaped so as to vary/adjust the distance between the distal end (23a) of the hook-shaped appendage (23) and the outer surface of the cuff (3) according to the angular position of the lever (25) with respect to the hook-shaped appendage (23).

10. A ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the swinging arm (17) is made of metal material.

11. A ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the coupling seat (22) is made on an anchoring plate (28) which is made of metal material and is placed on the shell (2) at the heel, astride the midplane of the boot.

12. A ski boot according to claim 11, characterized in that said anchoring plate (28) has a substantially ribbon-like oblong shape and moreover extends downward astride the midplane of the boot.

Drawing