FOOT SECURING DEVICE, PARTICULARLY FOR SKI BOOTS

Abstract: The foot securing device comprises, inside the shell (2), a single traction element such as a cable (10). This cable (10) has a first portion (10a) which embraces a presser (9) in the metatarsal region (8) and is inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell (2). Conveniently, the first portion (10a) of the cable (10) extends from the inner part of the foot adjacent to the big toe towards the outer part thereof in the direction of the instep. The cable (10) furthermore has a second portion (10b) extending rearwardly with respect to the boot, which affects the region of the heel of the foot, and/or with a third portion (10c) extending transversely above said presser (9) in the foot instep region (6). Advantageously, a spool for tensioning the cable is associated therewith.

Description: The present invention relates to a foot securing device, particularly for ski boots. Devices are currently known which separately or simultaneously provide securings of the instep, of the heel and of the metatarsal region. In particular, the securing of the metatarsal region occurs by means of traction elements such as, for example, cables or bands which cross the foot transversely. FR-A-2 407 681 shows a ski boot having an internal cable which extends transversely across a foot presser at the metatarsal region. Such an arrangement of the cable creates a distribution of pressure which affects a limited region of the foot, that is to say, only the transverse section of the metatarsal region. The disadvantage found in such known types of ski boots resides in the fact that such a localization creates an uncomfortable feeling of "cutting" on the user's foot at the metatarsal and/or tarsal region. FR-A-2 570 579 shows a ski boot having a cable which engages and extends transversely across a foot presser exclusively at the foot instep region thereof, i.e. there being no engagement at the metatarsal region. EP-A-0 165 525 discloses a ski boot with a cable which, while not engaging the metatarsal region, extends across the foot instep region of a foot presser and which also spans the heel region of a user's foot. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types, by providing a device which allows the securing of one or more regions of the foot inside a ski boot, optimizing, in particular, the distribution of the pressures at the metatarsal region. Within the scope of the above described aim, a further important object is to provide a foot securing device which allows the self-adjustment of the tension of a possible traction element at the various affected regions of the foot. Another important object is to provide a securing device which is structurally simple and simplified in actuation. Not least object of the present invention is to provide a device which can be easily obtained starting from elements and materials commonly available on the market, and which is furthermore competitive from a merely economical point of view. The aim and the objects described above, as well as others which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a ski boot foot securing device comprising a foot presser arranged inside the ski boot shell which affects at least the foot instep and the metatarsal region of the foot, and a single traction element also arranged inside the shell which is connected in at least two points to said shell and which extends and engages over the presser to block a user's foot, said traction element including tensioning means and having a first portion extending transversely and above said presser at said foot instep, and a second portion extending rearwardly with respect to the boot and affecting the region of the heel, the device being characterized in that said traction element further comprises a third portion which embraces said presser at the metatarsal region and which extends in an inclined direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shell. Advantageously, said first portion of said traction element extends from the inner part of the foot adjacent to the big toe towards the outer part thereof in the direction of the instep. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description of a particular, but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 is a partially cross sectioned lateral elevation view of a ski boot incorporating a foot securing device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view of the arrangement of the traction element; Figure 3 is a view of a means for the tensioning of said traction element; Figures 4 and 5 are views of another embodiment of the arrangement of the traction element; Figures 6 and 7 are views of a further embodiment related to the path of said traction element. With reference to the figures described above, the reference numeral 1 indicates a ski boot, essentially consisting of a shell 2 whereto are hinged, in a per se known manner, a front quarter 3 and a rear quarter 4. An inner shoe 5 is provided inside the boot 1, and a presser 9 is interposed between said inner shoe and the shell 2, at the foot instep region 6 and at the metatarsal region 8, the foot being schematically indicated by the dotted line 7. Said presser contributes, together with a traction element composed of a cable 10 and arranged inside the boot 1, to constitute the foot securing device. The cable 10 is provided with one end rigidly associated with the shell 2 at its lateral surface 11 embracing the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe. The cable 10 then defines a third portion 10a which, starting from the region adjacent to the big toe, embraces the presser 9 at the region 8 of the foot in the direction of the outer malleolus, thus arranging itself inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell 2. After the third portion 10a, the cable 10 has a second portion 10b which extends affecting the rear portion of the boot, said second portion 10b being followed by a first portion 10c. At the heel region, said cable 10, however, projects out of the shell and re-enters the same through adapted holes 13, to define a half eyelet 14 to be gripped by a traction device consisting for example of a lever or of any other mechanism capable of exerting the required traction on said cable 10. The first portion 10c of the latter extends transversely above the presser 9 at the region 6 of the foot instep, the terminal end of said portion being rigidly associated with the shell 2 at the lateral surface 15 adjacent to the outer part of the foot proximate to the region 6. Advantageously, a means for the fine tensioning of said cable 10 is associable with one of the ends thereof, and consists of a spool 16, rotatably associated with the shell 2, which is provided with an inwardly threaded axial seat 17 which cooperates with a complementarily threaded bush 18 rigidly associated with the terminal end of said cable 10. The use of the device is extremely simple; in fact, by providing the traction of the half eyelet 14, a securing action is exerted simultaneously on the metatarsal region and on the foot instep. In the first case, furthermore, the arrangement of the portion 10a allows to achieve an optimum distribution of pressures on the metatarsal and tarsal region, increasing the characteristics of comfort of the boot. It should be furthermore observed that the use of a single cable allows the self-adjustment of its tension at the regions more highly stressed, according to the specific conditions of use. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the aim and the objects intended, a device having been provided which allows to obtain a perfect securing action with an optimum distribution of pressures, especially at the metatarsal region. Moreover, the presence of a single cable allows the same to be arranged in an optimum manner on the affected regions, ensuring the homogeneity of the securing action. Naturally, the invention is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept. Thus, for example, figures 4 and 5 illustrate another embodiment wherein, inside the boot 101, a traction element is provided, consisting of a cable 110 having a third portion 110a the end whereof is associated with the shell at the lateral surface 111 which embraces the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe. The portion 110a then embraces the presser 109 at the metatarsal region 108 in the direction of the outer malleolus, thus arranging itself inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell 102. The cable 110 then defines a second portion 110b which rearwardly embraces the boot at the heel region 119 whereat, a suitable presser is arrangeable. At said second portion 110b, a return element 120 is provided which can consist, for example, of the lateral pivoting element of the front quarter 103 to the shell 102. The portion 110b is followed by a first portion 110c which extends transversely above the presser 9 at the foot instep region 106, said first portion 110c extending laterally at the outer malleolar region of the foot until it returns to the region 119 of the heel wherein its end is associated with an adapted means for its tensioning, consisting of a spool 116 or of any other mechanism capable of performing the required traction on said cable 110. Figures 6 and 7 illustrate, in a second embodiment, a right boot 201 provided with a foot securing device comprising a cable 210 which is provided with a third portion 210a the end whereof is rigidly associated with the lateral surface 211 of the shell 202 embracing the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe. Said portion 210a then embraces the presser 209 at the metatarsal region 208 in the direction of the outer malleolus, said portion 210a then being arranged inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the shell 202. The cable 210 then cooperates with a return element 220, consisting for example of the pivoting element of the front quarter 203 to the shell 202. The cable 210, following the portion 201a, further has a portion 210c which extends transversely and above said presser 209 at the foot instep region 206 towards the inner malleolus. The portion 210c is followed by a further portion 210b which extends rearwardly with respect to the boot at the heel region 219, its terminal end being returned to the metatarsal region 208 and then connected to a means for tensioning, consisting, for example, of a spool 216 which winds said cable or, in any case, of any other mechanism capable of exerting the desired traction. These embodiments also allow to achieve the aim and the objects intended, said foot securing device being furthermore particularly simple and economical. Naturally, all the components of the securing device can be provided with the shapes and dimensions which are most adapted to the specific requirements, the materials which compose the same being similarly any according to the requirements.

Claims: Ski boot foot securing device comprising a foot presser (9,109,209) arranged inside the ski boot shell (2,102,202) which affects at least the foot instep (6,106,206) and the metatarsal region (8,108,208) of the foot, and a single traction element (10,110,210) also arranged inside the shell (2,102,202) and connected in at least two points to said shell and which extends and engages over the presser (9,109,209) to block a user's foot, said traction element (10,110,210) including tensioning means (16,116,216) and preferably having a first portion (10c,110c,210c) extending transversely and above said presser (9,109,209) at said foot instep (6,106,206), and a second portion (10b,110b,210b) extending rearwardly with respect to the boot (1,101,201) and affecting the region (119) of the heel, the device being characterized in that said traction element (10,110,210) comprises a third portion (10a,110a,210a) which embraces said presser (9,109,209) at the metatarsal region (8,108,208) and which extends in an inclined direction with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shell (2,102,202). Device according to claim 1, characterized in that said traction element (10,110,210) extends from the inner part of the foot adjacent to the big toe towards the outer part thereof in the direction of the instep. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that said third portion (10a,110a) of said traction element (10,110) has an end connected with the lateral surface (11) of the shell (2,102) at the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe, said third portion (10a,110a) embracing said presser (9,109) at the metatarsal region (8,108) in the direction of the outer malleolus, thus arranging itself inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shell (2), said second portion (10b) extending from said third portion (10a) to affect the rear region of the boot at the heel region, said second portion (10b) exiting from and reentering into said shell (2) through a pair of holes (13) provided at the heel region of said shell (2) to thereby define a half eyelet (14) adapted to be gripped by a traction device capable of exerting a required traction on said traction element (10), said first portion (10c) extending back from said second portion (10b) again inside said shell (2) transversely across said presser (9) at the instep region (6) thereof and having a terminal end connected with the shell (2) at the lateral surface (15) adjacent to the outer part of the foot proximate to the instep (6). Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in said third portion (110a) of said traction element (110) has an end connected with the lateral surface (111) of the shell (102) at the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe, said third portion (110a) embracing said presser (109) at the metatarsal region (108) in the direction of the outer malleolus, thus arranging itself inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shell (102), said second portion (110b) extending from said third portion (110a) to affect the rear region of the boot at the heel region (119) and extending over a presser arranged at said heel region (119) and then interacting with a return element (120) consisting of the lateral pivoting element of the front quarter (103) to shell (102), said first portion (110c) extending from said second portion (110b) transversely above said presser (109) at the foot instep region (106), said first portion (110c) extending further laterally at the outer malleolar region of the foot until it returns to the heel region (119), the end of the first portion of the traction element being associated with means (116) for its tensioning. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in said third portion (210a) of said traction element (210) has an end connected with the lateral surface (211) of the shell (202) at the inner part of the foot in a region adjacent to the big toe, said third portion (210a) embracing said presser (209) at the metatarsal region (208) in the direction of the outer malleolus, thus arranging itself inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said shell (202), said third portion (210a) interacting with a return element (220) from which follows said first portion (210c) extending transversely and above said presser (209) at the foot instep region (206) in the direction of the inner malleolus, said first portion (210c) being followed by said second portion (210b) which extends rearwardly with respect to the boot (201) at the heel region, the terminal end of said second portion (210b) being returned to the metatarsal region (208) and then connected to means (216) for the tensioning of the traction element (210). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said traction element is a cable (10,110,210). Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that means for the fine tensioning of said traction element (10,110,210) are associable therewith, said means consisting of a spool (16,116,216), rotatably associated with the shell (2,102,202), and provided with a inwardly threaded axial seat (17) which cooperates with a complimentarily threaded bush (18) which is rigidly associable with one of the terminal ends of said traction element.

Inventors: SARTOR, MARIANO
Applicants: NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5, A43B21, A43B23