SKI BOOT WITH IMPROVED WEARABILITY

Abstract: Ski boot having a shell (2), a rear quarter (4) and a front quarter (3), at least the rear quarter being pivoted to the shell. The rear quarter is also articulated to a element of the boot, such as the front quarter, the shell or a flap by means of rods (5).

Description: The present invention relates to a ski boot with improved wearability. Numerous devices are currently known which, applied to ski boots, allow the securing of the quarters and/or of the foot using traction elements such as cables. Mention is made, by way of example, of the system disclosed in the French patent application publication No. 2345097, wherein the rear quarter is connected by means of a band or a cable to a foot instep presser. Mention is furthermore made of the published German patent application No. 2317408, which discloses a complicated system for connecting the rear quarter and the foot presser by means of a cable guided by pulleys. Regarding the securing of the quarters, the problem of having to recover a substantial portion of the cable in order to allow the successive stroke for the complete opening of the rear quarter is particularly felt. In known devices the takeup is usually performed manually by the skier by acting on knobs which actuate winders or by means of automatic takeup devices. In the first case, besides a long time required to complete the winding operation, disadvantages due to scarce practicality in operation are also observed. In the second case these known devices are rather complicated and bulky, their cost being high. This bulk furthermore spoils the aesthetical line of the boot and increases its weight, these being all negative factors for the skier. Ski boots are furthermore known having inside flap which can be rigidly associated with the shell or with an inner shoe arrangeable internally to said boot. A disadvantage observed in these known types of boot resides in the fact that, with the quarters open, the flap may arrange itself inclined with respect to the axis perpendicular to the resting plane of the boot, with its free end orientated so as to partially occlude the opening for the insertion of the foot in the shell. This arrangement therefore does not allow the easy insertion of the foot and can force the skier to intervene manually to move the flap backwards. As a partial solution to this disadvantage it is necessary to provide a rear quarter which has a wider opening stroke to allow a better insertion of the foot and an easier intervention on the flap. The disadvantage which consequently arises resides in that it is necessary to use quarter closure devices adapted to takeup a considerable amount of cable, forcing the skier to a prolonged adjustment operation, the devices being bulky and unaesthetical. Furthermore, during the closure of the quarters there occurs a sliding between the outer surface of the flap and the inner surface of the rear quarter: the friction between them can complicate the closure of the quarters on the part of the skier, as he may have to exert a greater effort for their mutual approach. EP-A-0 232 218 shows a rear-entry ski boot having a pair of rods which are connected to the ski boot rear quarter and which are mutually pivoted to one another at a pivot point. A first cable is connected at one end thereof to the pivot point of the pair of rod, is slidably guided at pins attached to the rear quarter, and then is connected at its other end to a tensioning lever which is pivoted also to the rear quarter. An instep foot presser is also provided and a second cable is connected thereto at one end thereof, while the other end of the second cable is rigidly connected to a middle portion of the first cable. In this ski boot, the pair of rods is provided at the exterior of the rear quarter and they thereby constitute a considerably bulky arrangement thereat particularly when the ski boot is open. The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a system for securing the quarters and/or the foot in a ski boot having a reduced bulk which allows to maintain the aesthetical lines of the boot as neat as possible. Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a boot having an inner flap wherein the insertion of the foot is always easy, maintaining a limited opening stroke of the quarters. Another important object is to provide a boot wherein the presence of the rear flap does not constitute a hindrance in closing the quarters. Still another object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristics that of optimally securing the heel of the skier's foot in its interior. Not least object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristic that of allowing an easy release of the heel upon the opening of the quarters. Another important object is to provide a boot which is extremely simple from a manufacturing point of view. Yet another object is to provide a boot which has considerable simplicity in use combined with high reliability. Not least object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristics that of having at the same time modest costs. The intended aim and objects are achieved by a ski boot as defined in the appended claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a boot according to the invention; figure 2 is a cross section view taken at the articulation between two rod-like elements of the boot of figure 1; figure 3 is a view, similar to figure 1, of a boot according to another aspect of the invention; figure 4 is a view, similar to figure 2, related to the boot illustrated in figure 3; figure 5 is a schematic perspective view of the interaction between the traction element and the pairs of rod-like elements, related to the boot of figure 3; figure 6 is a lateral elevation view of a boot according to a third aspect of the invention; figure 7 is a perspective view of a boot according to a fourth aspect. With reference to figures 1 and 2, a ski boot, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a front quarter 3 and a rear quarter 4 associated to a shell 2. The rear quarter 4 is pivoted to the shell 2 and is articulated to the front quarter 3 by means of two pairs of rods, indicated by the reference numerals 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b. The rods 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b are articulated to one another in pairs at one end, and are articulated at the other end respectively to the rear quarter 4 and to the front quarter 3 above their pivoting stud 7. Said rods are articulated at the related inner surfaces of said front quarter and rear quarter or at the outer surface of the shell. At the point of articulation between each of said two pairs or rods there is associated therewith the end of a traction element constituted by a cable 8 guided to affect a presser 9 arranged at the region 10 of the skier's foot instep. The presser can be alternatively constituted by a flap associated with the shell or with the inner shoe at the heel region, the cable acting in said region. The operation of the device is as follows: as the rear quarter 4 approaches the front quarter 3, correspondingly the articulation points of the rods 5a and 6a approach the articulation points of the rods 5b and 6b. This produces a lifting of the points of articulation between the pairs of rods 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b which stretches the cable 8, and said cable in turn secures the region 10 of the foot instep by exerting a pressure on the presser 9; the action can be alternatively exerted on the heel. Figure 3 illustrates a boot 101 wherein at the points of articulation between each of the pairs of rods 105a, 105b and 106a, 106b there is rotatably interposed a pulley 111 at which the cable 108 is guided and is thus free to slide. Said cable is thus guided to affect a presser 109a arranged at the foot instep region 110 and a presser 109b arranged at the foot heel region 112. The simultaneous securing of the two regions 110 and 112 is thus achieved without forcing the skier to actuate means for taking up the cable. Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the boot according to the invention, wherein a single cable 208 is again used and affects both pulleys 211 interposed between the mutually articulated ends of the two pairs of rods. Only the rods 205a and 205b have been indicated for the sake of simplicity. Said cable is rigidly associated at its ends internally to the rear quarter 204; it subsequently affects a first guiding element 213 provided internally to the rear quarter proximate to the stud 207, then the pulley 211, then a second guiding element 214 provided internally to the front quarter 203 and arranged facing the first guiding element 213, then a third guiding element 215 again arranged internally to the front quarter 203 proximate to its upper end 216. The cable 208 finally affects a tensioning element such as a lever 217. During the mutual approaching of the quarters there is an automatic takeup of a certain portion of the cable 208 which in any case allows the securing of the quarters. The fine adjustment and the subsequent tensioning can be performed by using the lever 217 or similar closure devices. Naturally the cable can also be not rigidly associated with the rear quarter but instead it can affect the region 212 of the heel and/or 210 of the instep of the foot. Figure 7 illustrates another embodiment wherein four pairs of rods, indicated by the reference numerals 305a, 305b, 305c, 305d and 306a, 306b, 306c, 306d, are articulated to the front quarter 303 and to the rear quarter 304 and are mutually articulated to form two diamonds, one for each side of the boot. Each of the diamonds has two opposite vertices, one articulated to the front quarter 303 and the other to the rear quarter 304. Pulleys 311a, 311b, 311c and 311d, are associated with the other two vertices. The boot comprises a first cable 308a which is guided at the pulleys 311a and 311b and at adapted guiding elements to affect the regions 310 and 312 respectively of the instep and of the heel of the foot. A second cable 308b interacts with an element for its tensioning such as a level 317 external to the boot, then it affects a first and a second guiding element, indicated by the reference numerals 313 and 314, internal to the rear quarter 304, and finally the pulleys 311c and 311d to be then rigidly associated internally to the front quarter 303. The mutual approach of the quarters thus allows to simultaneously achieve their closure and the optimum securing of the foot inside the boot. Naturally the adjustment of the degree of opening and/or closure of the flap can be obtained either by varying the length of at least one rod or by using a variable-length rod or by varying the position of at least one articulation point. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a boot having been provided with a quarter opening system which is extremely functional and compact and allows an easy introduction of the foot in particular because the flap does not obstruct the opening. The movement which can be imparted to the flap, during the quarter closure step, furthermore allows to achieve the optimum and rapid securing of the heel.

Claims: Ski boot comprising a shell (2), a rear quarter (4;304), and a front quarter (3;303), at least said rear quarter being pivoted to said shell, said ski boot further comprising at least a pair of rod-like elements (5a,5b,6a,6b;105a,105b,106a,106b;305a-d,306a-d) mutually pivoted at a pivot point (111;311a-d) and a traction element (8;108;308a,b) interconnected between said pivot point and at least one foot presser (9;109a,109b;310,312) of said boot, characterized in that the free ends of each of said pair of rod-like elements are pivoted respectively: at the inner lateral surface of said rear quarter; and at the inner lateral surface of said front quarter or at the outer lateral surface of said shell, so that in the closed position of the rear quarter and the front quarter, the rod-like elements are located internally of the ski boot. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two pairs of said rod-like elements (5a,5b and 6a,6b) each having one rod (5a,6a) pivoted to said rear quarter (4) and another rod (5b,6b) pivoted to said shell (2), said traction element (8) having its ends connected to the respective said pivot points of said two pair of rod-like elements, said traction element extending from both sides of said pivot points downwardly therefrom to engage a pair of opposite studs (7) which pivot said rear quarter to said shell, said traction element extending forwardly from said studs and engaging a foot instep presser (9). Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises two pairs of said rod-like elements (105a,105b and 106a,106b) each having one rod (105a,106a) pivoted to said rear quarter and another rod (105b,106b) pivoted to said front quarter, a pulley (111) being provided at each respective said pivot point of said two pairs of rod-like elements, said traction element (108) extending in a loop and engaging said pulleys and a foot instep presser (109a) and a heel presser (109b). Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that to said front quarter (303) and rear quarter (304) there are articulated four pairs of rods (305), mutually articulated in pairs, to define a diamond-shaped configuration. Ski boot according to claim 4, characterized in that said four pairs of rods (305) have two mutually opposite vertices articulated to said inner lateral surfaces of said front quarter (303) and rear quarter (304), pulleys (311) being associated at the other two vertices. Ski boot according to claim 4, characterized in that said four pairs of rods (305) have two mutually opposite vertices articulated to said inner lateral surfaces of said front quarter (303) and said rear quarter (304), pulleys (311) being associated at the other two vertices, and furthermore comprising a first cable (308a), having a loop-like configuration, which is guided at said pulleys, arranged at the vertex of the diamond directed towards the upper end of said front quarter and said rear quarter, and then at adapted guiding elements to affect the foot instep (310) and heel (312) regions. Ski boot according to claim 4, characterized in that said four pair of rods (305) have two mutually opposite vertices articulated to said inner lateral surfaces of said front quarter and said rear quarter, pulleys (311) being associated at the other two vertices, and furthermore comprising a second cable (308b) which interacts with an element for its tensioning, such as a lever (317) external to the boot, subsequently affecting a first (313) and a second (314) guiding element internal to said rear quarter (304), and finally affecting said pulleys (311c, 311d) arranged at the vertex of the diamond oriented towards said pivoting stud to be then rigidly coupled internally to said front quarter. Ski boot comprising a shell (2), a rear quarter (204), and a front quarter (203), at least said rear quarter being pivoted to said shell, said ski boot further comprising at least a pair of rod-like elements (205a,205b) mutually pivoted at a pivot point (211) and a traction element (208) interconnected between said pivot point and means (217) for tensioning said traction element, characterized in that the free ends of each of said pair of rod-like elements are pivoted respectively: at the inner lateral surface of said rear quarter; and at the inner lateral surface of said front quarter or at the outer lateral surface of said shell, so that in the closed position of the rear quarter and the front quarter, the rod-like elements are located internally of the ski boot, said means for tensioning being provided on one of said quarters and said traction element extending therefrom and being slidable connected at a point on the other of said quarters, thereby an actuation of said means for tensioning provides a closing of said rear quarter to said front quarter. Ski boot according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises two pairs of said rod-like elements (205a,205b) each having a pulley (211) interposed between the mutually articulated ends thereof, said traction element having both of its ends connected internally to said rear quarter (204), said traction element having a loop-like path which is specular with respect to the middle plane longitudinal to said front quarter (203) and rear quarter and which affects a first guiding element (213) arranged internally to said rear quarter proximate to the stud (207) for pivoting to said front quarter, then said pulley (211), subsequently a second guiding element (214) which is arranged internally to said front quarter proximate to said pivoting stud, then a third guiding element (215) arranged internally to said front quarter proximate to its upper end, and finally which is connected to said means for tensioning said traction element which comprises a tensioning lever (217) articulated to said rear quarter, wherein the actuation of said tensioning lever provides a closing of said rear quarter to said front quarter.

Inventors: BAGGIO, GIORGIO, GONELLA, MARIO, SARTOR, MARIANO
Applicants: NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5