Ski boot device

Ski boot device for ski boots (1). Ski boots have a front sole section (3) with a front interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a front ski binding, and a rear sole section (4), in a common plane (8), with a rear interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a rear ski binding. The ski boot device of the present invention is attached to the ski boot and comprises a toe portion formed and attached to the ski boot sole (3) without interfering with the front interaction surface during binding or releasing, a heel portion formed and attached to the heel (4) of the ski boot without interfering with the rear interaction surface during binding or releasing; and a support portion (10A, 10B) provided intermediate the toe portion and heel portion and having a shaped profile which extends below the common plane and provides a contact surface during walking.

This application is a § 371 National Stage Entry of PCT/GB2016/050776 filed Mar. 21, 2016 entitled “Ski Boot Device.” PCT/GB2016/050776 claims priority to GB1504669.1 filed Mar. 19, 2015. The entire contents of these applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

The present invention relates to a ski boot device wearable with a ski boot during both skiing and walking.

Ski boots are formed with a front sole section and a rear sole section in a generally common plane. Ski boots are made to enable releasable engagement with ski bindings mounted on skis so that skis can be put on and taken off for skiing. The ski boots are also made so that they are releasable from the bindings in the event of a skiing mishap.

Modern alpine ski boots have rigid flat soles and attach to a ski through flanges at both the toe and heel using a spring-loaded binding. In this respect, the front sole section is a planar unit and includes a front interaction surface or area associated with binding and releasing from a front ski binding and the rear sole section is a planar unit and includes a rear interaction surface or area associated with binding and releasing from a rear ski binding.

In one example, the front binding of a ski has a left/right movable unlocking portion that unlocks the binding in the event of a fall. This is typically about 60 mm from the front of the ski boot when the front sole section engages with the binding. The rear sole section portion clips into the rear of the binding and engages and presses down on a resilient clip that pushes the boot upwards when the binding is unlocked.

The lower contact surface of such a ski boot presents a flat planar contact surface during walking. Consequently, it is necessary to walk in a rather rigid manner without the usual rolling action associated with walking in shoes. Thus, walking in ski boots is not particularly comfortable, especially since the ski boot itself does not flex. Moreover, walking in slippery conditions is potentially hazardous. To assist with walking in these ski boots, the very front of the front sole section and the very rear of the rear sole section are typically bevelled.

Attachments for ski boots to aid traction when walking are known. For example, crampons are used in winter outdoor pursuits, such as climbing and hiking, for traction on snow and ice, and similar aids for attachment to the sole of a ski boot for improved traction when walking are known, for example detachable rubber soles which attach to the toe and heel portions of the boot.

However, known traction aids for ski boots have the disadvantage that they must be detached from the ski boot in order for the ski boot to be fitted into the bindings of a ski, with the consequent need for storage of the aids during skiing. Then they must be attached again after skiing and prior to walking.

The present invention seeks to provide a ski boot device which can be used with a ski boot during both skiing and walking without the need for detachment or attachment.

According to the present invention there is provided a ski boot device for use with a ski boot during both skiing and walking, wherein the ski boot has a front sole section and a rear sole section in a generally common plane, wherein the front sole section includes a front interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a front ski binding and the rear sole section includes a rear interaction surface associated with binding and releasing from a rear ski binding, the ski boot device comprising:—a toe portion for attachment to the front of the ski boot and formed to attach without interfering with the front interaction surface during binding or releasing; a heel portion for attachment to the rear of the ski boot and formed to attach without interfering with the rear interaction surface during binding or releasing; and a support portion provided intermediate the toe portion and heel portion and having a shaped profile which extends below said generally common plane and provides a contact surface during walking with the ski boot device attached to the ski boot.

In one embodiment, the support portion has a side member extending along a respective side of the ski boot when the device is attached to the ski boot; wherein each side member has a fixed rear section with the lower surface providing a rear part of said shaped profile; wherein each side member has a front section with the lower surface providing a front part of said shaped profile; and wherein the front section is slidably mounted on the side member to be movable towards the front of the device to a walking position in which the front section interferes with the front interaction surface during binding or releasing and towards the rear of the device to a skiing position in which the front section does not interfere with the front interaction surface during binding or releasing.

Preferably, the ski boot device further comprises a latch arrangement for latching the front section in said walking position and said skiing position.

In one embodiment, a front end of each side member extends to join said toe portion and a rear end of each side member extends to join said heel portion.

Preferably, each side member, toe portion and heel portion comprise an integrally formed unitary member. This makes production simpler.

Conveniently, the toe portion includes front attachment means for fastening the ski boot device to the front of the ski boot and the heel portion includes rear attachment means for fastening the ski boot device to the rear of the ski boot.

Preferably, the front attachment means comprises an adjustable strap arrangement to fasten the toe portion to the front of the ski boot. Consequently, the ski boot device can be used with different sizes of ski boot.

In another preferred embodiment, the rear attachment means comprises a clasping element to receive and engage with the rear of the ski boot.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the clasping element is clasping element is slidably movable towards and away from the rear of the ski boot. Consequently, the ski boot device can be used with different sizes of ski boot.

It is preferred that the ski boot device further comprises a bridge member spans between said side members, generally central to the ski boot when the device is attached to the ski boot, the bridge member providing an additional contact surface during walking. This provides additional integrity to the ski boot device.

In an alternative embodiment, the support portion comprises a side member extending along a respective side of the ski boot when the device is attached to the ski boot, and wherein the lower surface of the side member provides said shaped profile.

Preferably, a front end of each side member extends to join said toe portion and a rear end of each side member extends to join said heel portion.

Conveniently, each side member, toe portion and heel portion comprises an integrally formed unitary member.

In a preferred embodiment, the side members are identical. This makes production of the ski boot device simpler and cheaper.

In one embodiment, the toe portion includes front attachment means to enable screw fixing of the toe portion into the side or lower surface of the front sole section, and the heel portion includes rear attachment means to enable screw fixing of the heel portion into the side or lower surface of the rear sole section.

In another aspect of the present invention, the toe portion is integrally formed with the front sole section of the ski boot and the heel portion is integrally formed with the rear sole section of the ski boot.

Preferably, the ski boot device further comprises a bridge member spanning between said side members, generally central to the ski boot when the device is attached to the ski boot, the bridge member providing an additional contact surface during walking.

It is preferred that said shaped profile comprises a curve.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a ski boot comprising a ski boot device as hereinabove described.

In the drawings, like numbered components bear the same reference numerals.

FIG. 1Ashows a partial side view of a ski boot1with a front flange2for fastening in known manner into a front binding (not shown) mounted on a ski, and with a rear flange5for fastening in known manner into a rear binding (not shown) mounted on a ski. The ski boot further includes a front sole section3and a rear sole section4. The front sole section and rear sole section lie in a generally common plane schematically shown by line8and the ski boot has a longitudinal axis along its length from front to rear and a transverse axis perpendicular thereto across the width of the ski boot.

FIG. 1Bis a view of the ski boot from below showing just the lower surface of the front sole section and rear sole section, the common plane being the plane of the paper.FIG. 1Balso shows a hatched area6which comprises the front interaction surface of the front sole section which can be acted on by the front binding during a binding or release operation. The hatched area6extends by a longitudinal distance A from the front edge of the front sole section and forms a front portion of the front sole section. A rear portion6′ of the front sole section extends a longitudinal distance C from the rear edge of the front sole section.FIG. 1Bfurther shows a hatched area7which comprises the rear interaction surface of the rear sole section which can be acted on by the rear binding during a binding or release operation. The hatched area7extends by a longitudinal distance B from the rear edge of the rear sole section and defines a rear portion of the rear sole section. An unhatched area7′ extends by a longitudinal distance D from the front edge of the rear sole section to the hatched area7and defines a front portion of the rear sole section. The distances A and B are typically in the range from 50 to 100 mm, for example 60 to 90 mm, depending on the type of binding on the ski. It can also be seen from the dotted line9that the front sole section3and rear sole section4together with the dotted line define a lower perimeter or footprint of the ski boot.

It will be appreciated that there are many types of ski boots and ski bindings. The present invention relates to ski bindings which have front and rear bindings into which the ski boot is mounted. Whilst the front sole section and rear sole section are shown as solid surfaces, it will be appreciated that the soles can comprise a series of transverse ridges or other profiling.

FIG. 2shows a perspective view from below of a first embodiment of a ski boot device of the present invention. The ski boot device comprises an integrally formed first side member generally identified by the reference number10A and an integrally formed mirror image second side member generally identified by the reference number10B. Each side member10A and10B has a generally square cross section, like a rail, with a front end portion (a toe portion)12A,12B having a flattened profile on a forward lower surface and a rear end portion (a heal portion)14A,14B having a flattened rear profile on the lower surface. Each side member10A,10B includes an intermediate portion15A,15B (support portion) intermediate the front end portion and rear end portion which has a shaped profile in the form of a curve.

Each end portion12A,12B,14A,14B includes a transverse aperture11which provides an attachment means. Accordingly, a screw13can be inserted through the aperture11in the front end portion12A,12B of each side member so it can be screwed into the side of the front sole section3with the flattened profile on the lower surface lying in the plane8. It will be seen that the longitudinal dimensions of the intermediate portions15A and15B are selected such that they, together with flattened profile of the end portions12A,12B, do not interfere with the interaction surface of the front sole section. Thus, a release operation of the front binding is not inhibited.

Similarly, a screw13can be inserted through the aperture11in the rear end portion14A,14B of each side member so it can be screwed into the side of the rear sole4with the flattened profile on the lower surface lying in the plane8. It will be seen that the longitudinal dimensions of the intermediate portions15A and15B are selected such that they, together with flattened profile of the end portions14A,14B, do not interfere with the interaction surface of the rear sole section. Thus, a release operation of the rear binding is not inhibited.

It will be seen that the shaped profile of the intermediate portions15A and15B extends below the plane8. Consequently, when the ski boot device is screwed to the front and rear sole sections as above and a user walks, the intermediate portions function as a support portion for the ski boot device and the lower surfaces of the intermediate portions contact the surface on which the user is walking. Moreover, due to the curved profile, easier walking is facilitated with the ski boot in comparison with walking in the ski boot with just the front sole section and rear sole section. In addition, the curved profile is chosen such that it does not interfere with skiing when the ski boot is fixed in the ski bindings. Finally, the intermediate portions15A and15B lie outside the lower perimeter of the ski boot described with reference toFIG. 1B.

The form of shaped profile of the intermediate portions is selected to enable walking in ski boots more comfortable, convenient and easier than without the ski boot device attached to the ski boot. The profile can therefore take many different forms. For example, the profile can be symmetrical relative to the toe and heel portion such that the two side members can be identical. Moreover, the lower surface of the intermediate portions does not have to be a continuous surface but can instead can have lateral ridges or a castellated appearance.

FIG. 3shows a perspective view from below of a second embodiment of a ski boot device of the present invention which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIG. 2except that it has a bridge portion16spanning between the intermediate portions15A and15B approximately midway between the end portions12A,12B and14A,14B. By having a bridge portion, a further lower contact surface is provided during walking with a ski boot having the ski boot device attached. In addition to providing extra support for the person walking in the ski boot, it also assists with the integrity of the ski boot device. The bridge portion16does not interfere with a release operation of the binding of a ski because it does not extend into the interaction surfaces associated with the front and rear sole sections. The side members10A and10B together with the bridge portion16are preferably formed as an integral single piece device although the bridge portion can be fixed to the side members by other means which will be readily apparent to the person skilled in the art.

FIG. 4Ashows a plan view from below of a third embodiment of a ski boot device of the present invention which is integrally formed with the front and rear sole sections andFIG. 4Bshows a side view of the ski boot device ofFIG. 4A. With the first and second embodiments described above, the ski boot device is screwed into the sides of the front sole section and rear sole section. The third embodiment is similar to the first embodiment except that the end portions of the side members are integrally formed with the front sole section and rear sole section.

Thus, the front end portion described above is formed integrally with the part of the front sole section remote from the front to form a combined front end portion and front sole section3A. Similarly, the rear end portion described above is formed integrally with the part of the rear sole section remote from the rear to form a combined rear end portion and rear sole section4A. Intermediate support portions15AA and15BB extend from these combined parts3A and4A and have a shaped profile as with the first and second embodiments. Other aspects of the third embodiment are also the same. In this respect, it can be seen that the intermediate support portions, as with the first and second embodiments, extend longitudinally along the outside perimeter defined by the front sole section and rear sole section by an amount which will not interfere with the skiing action of a user when wearing skis, for example by contacting the snow when performing carving turns. These lateral extensions are shown as distances C and D inFIG. 4Aand may be from 0 to 10 mm. It is apparent that the ski boot device of this embodiment is preferably an integrally formed single piece device. The ski boot device of this embodiment can be attached to the remainder of the ski boot in conventional manner, as is well known to those skilled in the art.

FIG. 5shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a ski boot device of the present invention which is similar to the embodiment shown inFIGS. 4A and 4Bexcept that it has a bridge portion16A spanning between the intermediate support portions15AA and15BB at a position approximately midway between the front sole section3A and rear sole section4A. As with the embodiment shown inFIG. 3, by having a bridge portion, a further lower contact surface is provided during walking with a ski boot having the ski boot device and it also assists with the integrity of the ski boot device.

It will be apparent that instead of the bridge member16B inFIG. 5, the bridge member can be omitted along with a central part of the intermediate support portions15AA and15BB such that the ski boot device is formed of a first integrally formed single piece device comprising the front sole section3A and forward parts of the intermediate portions15AA and15BB and a second integrally formed single piece device comprising the rear sole section4A and rearward parts of the intermediate portions15AA and15BB.

It will be apparent that the ski boot devices described above tend to be appropriate to certain types and sizes of boots and bindings. In order to provide a more universal ski boot device of the present invention, the fifth embodiment shown inFIGS. 6 to 11has been developed which enables the ski boot device of the present invention to be used with different types of binding and different sizes of ski boots.

Referring toFIGS. 6 to 11, a frame is formed to have a pair of parallel side members20A,20B which provide a support portion for the ski boot device. At the toe portion towards the front end, the side members extend towards each other in a curved manner to define a toe portion in the form of a flat curved plate21as shown inFIG. 6. Just to the rear of the flat curved plate, a front boot holder22extends upward from the upper surface of the side members in a loop, as can be seen in the cross section shown inFIG. 9. The front boot holder22has a profile corresponding to the front portion of a ski boot. This forms a front attachment means for fastening the ski boot device to the front of the ski boot. The front boot holder is open at the front so that the front of the ski boot can be inserted into the curved front boot holder with the very front of the front sole section of the ski boot resting on the flat curved plate21with the front flange2of the ski boot able to engage the front binding of a ski. The lower portion of the ski boot is shown in dotted outline inFIG. 7.

It can be seen that the lower surface of the flat curved plate provides a support for the front of the ski boot but is dimensioned such that it and the front boot holder do not interfere with the front interaction surface so as not to interfere with a release operation of the front binding. Instead, an open area is provided in the region of the front sole section so there will not be any interference with a release operation of a binding. In this respect, the gap to the front section described below is a minimum of 130 mm to ensure a release operation of the front binding in the event of an accident.

In a preferred embodiment, the front boot holder22is adjustable by having an adjustable strap arrangement to fasten the toe portion to the front of the ski boot. For example, it can be a flexible looped member comprising two parts which overlap each other with a cooperative velcro layer on each part to enable the length of the front boot holder to be varied for different size ski boots and yet hold the ski boot tightly. Alternatively, the flexible member can be in the form of a strap which cooperates with a ratchet mechanism to enable the length of the strap to be varied and yet tensioned. The person skilled in the art will be aware that the strap and ratchet mechanism can be similar to that used for buckles on ski boots.

At the heel portion towards the rear end, the side members extend towards each other in a curved manner and upwards to define a heel portion in the form of a curved rear boot holder23. The rear boot holder23has a profile corresponding to the rear portion of a ski boot, as can be seen inFIG. 10. This forms a rear attachment means for fastening the ski boot device to the rear of the ski boot. The lower surface30of the rear boot holder23is substantially flat in the region of the rear sole section, in the same plane as the flat curved plate21, and is open at the rear so that the rear of the ski boot can be inserted into the rear boot holder with the rear flange5of the ski boot able to engage the rear binding of a ski. The lower portion of the ski boot is shown in dotted outline inFIG. 7. It will be noted that the rear boot holder23does not interfere with a release operation of the rear binding as it does not interfere with the rear interaction surface. Instead, an open area is provided in the region of the rear sole section so there will not be any interference with a release operation of the binding.

In a preferred embodiment, the rear boot holder23acts as a clasping element to hold the rear of the ski boot. Moreover, it is preferably adjustable. In such an embodiment, the rear boot holder23comprises a separate element from the side members20A,20B. The rear boot holder23can then be attached to the ends of the side members20A,20by longitudinal bolts (not shown) inserted through apertures31formed in the rear of the rear boot holder. The bolts can then screw into bolt receivers (not shown) formed in the rear ends of the side members20A,20B. In this way, the rear boot holder can be connected to the side members20A and20B and moved longitudinally by turning and adjusting the bolts. Thus, an adjustable arrangement is provided to fasten the heel portion to the rear of the ski boot. Alternative arrangements for connecting the rear boot holder to the side members in an longitudinally adjustable manner can be devised, the details of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art.

The upper surface of each side member20A,20B is formed with a longitudinal rail24on the outer peripheral edge of the frame as can be seen inFIGS. 6 and 9. The rails24extend from the front end of the side members20A,20B, where they extend to form the toe portion, to a position at the heel portion where the rear portion (the rear boot holder) meets the side members.

The frame is formed with a bridge portion24spanning between the side members20A,20B at a position slightly to the rear of a substantially central midpoint between the front and rear of the side members20A,20B. The bridge portion includes rearward extending arms24A and24B integrally formed with the side members to provide an additional support surface for when the ski boot device is mounted to and worn on a ski boot. It will be noted however that the arms24A and24B do not extend to a position where they could interfere with the rear interaction surface. Indeed, with the frame formed in this way, an open area is provided in the region of the rear sole section so there will not be any interference with a release operation of a binding.

The lower surfaces of the side members extend from the position where they meet the rear boot holder to the position substantially central between the front and rear of the side members20A,20B and have a curved profile portion which is a similar profile to that shown in the other embodiments. This part of the frame forms a rear section25of the support portion provided by the side members20A and20B. The lower surfaces of the forward part of the side members is substantially flat and is in the same plane as the lower surface of the front plate21and the lower surface30of the rear boot holder23. Preferably the frame as described above is formed as a single integrally formed piece.

A single piece integrally formed front section26of the support portion, shown particularly inFIG. 11, is formed by a base27having side pieces28, which each have an overturned lip29at the upper end. The width of the base27matches the width between the side members20A and20B. The base has a front part32which extends fully from the side pieces to span the space between the side pieces, and a rear part33which extends only partly from both of the side pieces. Overall, the front and rear parts of the base provide a curved lower profile in a longitudinal direction, as shown inFIG. 11, which matches the curved profile of the rear section25. The base27has a planar upper profile so that the gap between this upper profile and the overturned lips29matches the height of the forward part of the side members whereby the front section26can snugly slide onto the side members20A,20B from the front with the overturned lips29engaging with the rails24and with the aforementioned planar upper profile of the base engaging the lower flat surface of the side members. Consequently, the front section26can slide longitudinally along the side members from a front walking position shown inFIG. 7to a rear skiing position shown inFIG. 8.

With this embodiment of the invention, the curved profile of the support portion of the above described embodiments is formed by the rear section integrally formed as part of the side members20A and20B, and the slidable front section when the front section is in the front position shown inFIG. 7which comprises the position for walking. Whilst in this position, the front section would interfere with the front interaction surface. However, the front section can be moved longitudinally to a position adjacent the heel portion, shown inFIG. 8, which does not interfere with the front or rear interaction surfaces. This comprises the position for skiing.

As shown inFIG. 11, a latch arrangement is provided for latching the front section in the walking position or the skiing position. The latch arrangement comprises a latch member formed with a pair of longitudinal and forward facing arms40extending from a transverse connecting member41. Each arm includes a pin43to connect the arms40to the side pieces28of the front section26so that the latch arrangement can pivot about the pins. The transverse connecting member41includes upstanding latch brackets42which can fit into gaps44provided in the rear part33of the base.

Consequently, when the latch arrangement is pushed inwardly towards the base, it pivots about the pins43and the upstanding latch brackets42pass into the gaps44and frictionally engage with the side surfaces of the gaps44thereby locking the front section against the sliding movement along the rails thereby locking the position of the front section26. Pulling the latch arrangement outwardly from the base unlocks the position of the front section enabling it to be slidably moved between the walking and skiing positions. Alternative arrangements for locking the position of the front section can be devised, the details of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. Preferably, the latch arrangement is a single integrally formed piece.

The ski boot device may be made from any sufficiently durable material, for example military grade plastics and rubbers.

It will be apparent that the present invention is capable of modification, the details of which will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, whilst the fifth embodiment is described with a front boot holder22and a rear boot holder23, one or both of these can be omitted with the ski boot device being screwed into the sides of the front sole3or rear sole4in similar manner to that shown inFIG. 2. Likewise, one or both of the holders can be omitted with the ski boot device being integrally formed with the front sole and rear sole in a similar manner to that shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. It will be apparent that one or both of the front boot holder22and rear boot holder23can be used to tighten the ski boot device onto a ski boot. It is further apparent that any of the above embodiments can be formed to be an integral part of a ski boot.