Ski boot with a normalized sole

A ski boot possesses a foot portion and sole constructed for comfortable and easy walking. A separately formed normalized sole attachment for the ski boot interlocks securely therewith and renders the boot compatible to substantially any ski binding.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Ski boots having soles insertable in ski bindings or fastenings are well 
known in the prior art. The soles of such boots are normalized or 
conformable in relation to the ski binding. Such soles require certain 
rigid projections and dimensions particularly in the areas of the toes and 
heels. Normalized ski boot soles present an obstacle to regular walking 
without skis but are absolutely essential for adapting the boots to ski 
bindings. In particular, a normalized sole: 
is longer than a non-ski boot sole because of the need for projecting 
portions at the front and back, and this increased length prevents correct 
movements in walking, causing some instability. The projections also 
create increased weight which further inhibits regular walking; 
is flat without pronounced recesses which, in non-ski boots, are necessary 
to prevent sliding; 
at its bottom is provided with an anti-friction area which rests on a 
sliding plate joined to the front fastening of the ski. In regular 
walking, the anti-friction area can be damaged and at the same time 
damaging the sliding plate; 
is formed of materials of substantial hardness which weight the foot and 
make walking uncomfortable. Also they tend to form a layer of snow under 
the sole of the boot obstructing correct contact of the boot with the 
binding. 
In short, the normalization of the sole of the ski boot is very obstructive 
to normal walking but is however quite necessary for keeping the bottom 
properly joined to a ski. 
In accordance with this invention, a structure is provided which completely 
satisfies the opposing requirements for easy regular walking without skis 
while having the boot readily applicable to substantially any ski 
fastening by means of a normalized sole. The normalized sole, according to 
the invention, is in the form of a separately formed attachment rigidly 
and removably connected to the foot portion of the ski boot which 
possesses a regular walking sole.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring to the drawings in detail wherein like numerals designate like 
parts, a ski boot formed of injection molded plastics is illustrated 
having an external foot portion 1 and an inner stuffing 2 projecting above 
the leg portion of the external foot portion. The foot portion 1 includes 
a regular walking sole 3 without front and back projections and includes 
transverse grooves as shown to form a good anti-slip tread suited to 
walking on snow or ice. 
The foot portion 1 is also provided at its rear with a locking groove 4 
horizontally extending along substantially the entire heel 5. The groove 
is preferably tapered in cross section. 
The foot portion 1 above its walking sole 3 has a continuous peripheral 
profiled projecting step or ledge 5', adapted for complementary engagement 
with a profiled top edge 7 of an upstanding marginal wall 7' rising from 
the normalized sole 6, now to be described. 
The ski boot also comprises a separately formed detachable sole 6 which is 
normalized to fit substantially any ski fastener. The sole 6 is formed of 
quite rigid material. It has a marginal edge 7 projecting upwardly to 
receive inwardly thereof the sole of foot portion 1 and to lock the sole 
of the foot portion against lateral displacement on the normalized sole 6. 
Similarly, a rear upstanding edge portion 8 of the normalized sole has an 
internal rib 9 which interfits and locks with the groove 4 of foot portion 
1. The arrangement prevents both vertical and rear longitudinal 
displacement of the foot portion 1 relative to the normalized sole 6. 
The front of the normalized sole 6 is provided with two straps 10, 10' 
interengageable through a lever 11 and which engage within a transverse 
groove 12 at the front of foot portion 1. Moreover, the internal upper 
surface of the sole 6 is ribbed for exact complementary engagement with 
the anti-slip sole 3 and also the internal portion of the heel of sole 6 
is truncated pyramid-shaped and complementary to the heel 5 of foot 
portion 1 which is of like shape for precise interfitting and centering. 
The boot according to the invention is used as follows: 
In the absence of the normalized sole attachment 6, the boot can be used 
for regular walking and is quite comfortable and secure and relatively 
lightweight. For skiing, the foot portion 1 is applied to the normalized 
sole 6 by first engaging the back groove 4 with the rib 9 and subsequently 
locking down the front of the foot portion by means of the straps 10, 10'. 
After the boot foot portion 1 is firmly secured to the sole attachment 6, 
it is transformed into a ski boot having a properly normalized sole 
allowing clamping by any ski binding in the traditional way. When the 
skier has finished skiing and wishes to take off the skis, he can release 
the bindings and then release the lever 11 and slip the foot portion 1 
from the sole 6. It is also possible to release the lever 11 before 
releasing the ski bindings, and so release the boot foot portion from the 
sole 6 which remains fixed to the skis. 
From what has been said it is clearly apparent that the ski boot according 
to the invention possesses the following advantages: 
(1) It provides a higher grade of security since the anti-friction area of 
the normalized sole 6 is never placed on the ground and subjected to 
damage. 
(2) It enables application of the boot to any ski binding or fastener. 
(3) It enables comfortable walking since the foot portion 1 is separable 
from the normalized sole 6 and the sole 3 of the foot portion does not 
possess the awkward front and back projections of the normalized sole, is 
lighter and softer, has anti-slip grooves, and is formed of less rigid 
materials. 
(4) It avoids the formation of a layer of snow under the sole. 
(5) In case of damage, it allows replacing only the sole 6 with obvious 
savings. 
(6) It allows making the foot portion 1 from plastics materials of any 
grade without being subject to regulations which are more stringent for 
the normalized sole which connects with the skis. 
The invention has been described in a preferred form, but it is understood 
that modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the 
subjoined claims. For example, other types of locking means may be used 
between the foot portion 1 and normalized sole 6 including other 
mechanical systems, electromagnets, adhesives, hydraulics and the like. 
Moreover, the described embodiment, while relating to a ski boot, does not 
preclude extending the invention to other types of footwear where a 
normalized sole is required.