Foot securing device for a footwear, particularly for ski boots

Abstract: This foot securing device, particularly for ski boots accommodating at least one presser (2), comprises a gap element (5) accessible from the outside of the boot. The grip element (5) actuates first means (11) adapted to adjust the pressure exertable on the presser at the metatarsal region. These first means interact with the presser (2) upon the actuation of second means (20), activatable from the outside of the boot (1) and adapted to tension at least one traction element (18 )affecting the presser at the foot instep region (4). The device thus allows the upper surface of the foot to be secured in two separate points by means of a single actuation, while allowing a separate securing adjustment at the two points.

Description: The present invention relates to a foot securing device for a footwear, particularly for ski boots which internally contain at least one presser, as described in the preamble of the appended claim 1 and shown in WO-A-8 7 054 74. Various devices which allow the foot to be secured inside a ski boot are currently known. Some, for example, allow only the metatarsal region to be secured by means of a lever associated with a stem having opposite threads and arranged transversely to the shell; said stem interacts with two half-pressers which are specular with respect to the longitudinal middle plane of the boot and can be moved towards or away from each other. Devices are also known which act by compression on a pawl which interacts with a presser inside the shell. However, even in this case the securing action is only exerted at a single point, and the structure is considerably complicated, leading to hardly negligible bulks. A ski boot of the type described for example in DE-U-8408172.4 is also known which comprises a shell having a longitudinal slot in which a wedge-like element is slidably arranged and interacts with an also wedge-like surface provided on the upper part of the inner shoe. However, even this known type of device has disadvantages: the pressure is difficult to adjust, as it is not easy to position the wedge-like element inside the slot. The position it assumes is furthermore deemed unstable in view of the considerable stresses imparted while skiing. U.S. patent 4620377 in the name of the same assignee (corresponding to EP-A-85106274.5, filed on 5.22.1985) assumed included herein as reference, discloses a device comprising a kinematism which interacts in two separate points spaced along the longitudinal extension of a presser arranged inside the shell, in order to at least partially solve the above problems. Though undoubtedly valid, said device provides, however, a common adjustment for the two points, so that their adjustment cannot be selected independently and it is furthermore impossible to maintain the presetting of the adjustment on the metatarsal region. The device is furthermore constructively complicated. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a device in which the degree of foot securing can be independently adjusted in at least two separate regions of said foot. Within the scope of the above described aim, an important object is to provide a device which allows the user to rapidly, easily and simultaneously secure at least two separate foot regions. A further object is to provide a device which associates the preceding characteristics with the possibility of maintaining the preselection of the degree of adjustment imparted at both foot regions and in particular at the metatarsal region. Not least object is to provide a device which is reliable and safe in operation and is at the same time also structurally simple. The above described aim and objects, as well as others which will become apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a foot securing device particularly for ski boots, as defined in the appended claims. The characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of some particular but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a partially sectional side view of the device applied to the shell of a ski boot in the condition in which the means for tensioning a traction element affecting the foot instep region of a presser are not activated; figure 2 is a view, similar to the preceding one, of the condition in which said means are activated; figure 3 is an exploded view of some components of the device; figure 4 is a sectional view, taken along a longitudinal middle plane of the boot, of further means which interact with said presser; figure 5 is a view, similar to the previous one, of a second embodiment; figures 6, 7 and 8 are views, respectively similar to figures 1, 2 and 3, of a third embodiment; figures 9 and 10 are views, similar to those of figures 1 and 2, of a fourth embodiment; figure 11 is a lateral perspective view of the device according to the previous embodiment; figure 12 is a top view of the device of figure 11; figure 13 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the device, taken along a transverse middle plane of the boot; figure 14 is a top plan view of the presser of the device of the preceding figure; figure 15 is a view, similar to that of figure 2, of the device according to its fifth embodiment; figures 16 and 17 are views, respectively similar to figures 14 and 13, of a sixth embodiment. With reference to the above described figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates the shell or quarter of a ski boot, and 2 indicates a presser arranged inside it. The presser 2 is arranged at the skier's foot upper surface and comprises a first metatarsal region 3 and a second foot-instep region 4. The presser 2 is furthermore freely longitudinally movable inside the boot. First means for adjusting the degree of pressure exertable on the presser 2 are associated with said shell or quarter 1 at the first metatarsal region 3; said first means advantageously comprise a grip element, such as a knob 5, rigid with a bush 6 rotatably associated with said shell or quarter 1. Said bush 6 is internally hollow and has a thread 7 for a complementarily threaded head 8 of a pawl 9 which, because of the engagement between its head 8 and the thread 7, is axially slidable with respect to said bush and has an end 10 rigidly associated with a small base plate 11. Towards the second foot-instep region 4, said plate has a pair of wings 12 slidably associated with the presser 2 by means of rivets 13 slidably extending through adapted longitudinal slots 14 of the presser. On the opposite side with respect to said wings 12, said plate has an arc-like configuration which selectively interacts with a raised portion 15 having a triangular shape in a longitudinal cross section with the inclined surface 16 directed towards the curved end of the plate 11. One or more small bridges 17 protrude at the second foot-instep region 4 of the presser 2 and slidably accommodate a traction element for example constituted by a cable 18 which can be tensioned by means of adapted second means which can be activated from the outside of the boot and are constituted for example by adapted circular and/or vertical levers and/or manual and/or electric winding assemblies, as schematically shown at 20. The operation of the device is as follows: if the skier acts at said second means 20 and therefore tensions the cable 18, the foot is secured at the second foot-instep region 4 and the presser 2 is also moved backwards. This backward motion moves the inclined surface 16 of the raised portion 15 to interact with the curved end of the plate 11, lowering the presser 2 at the first metatarsal region 3. The first time the skier performs this operation, he may adjust the degree of pressure exertable at the first metatarsal region 3 by acting at the knob 5. When the second means 20 are deactivated and the cable 18 is therefore slackened, the foot is immediately released, since the presser 2 can move towards the tip of the boot under the action of the pressure of the foot itself, though the adjustment of the degree of pressure which can be imparted at the first metatarsal region 3 remains preset. It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a device having been provided which allows the user to independently adjust the foot securing degree at the foot-instep and metatarsal regions. Said device furthermore allows to rapidly and easily simultaneously secure and/or release the foot, the securing action occurring at two separate points. Since the adjustment of the pressure at the metatarsal region can remain preselected, the subsequent operations for securing the foot merely require the skier to actuate said second means 20 to tension the cable 18. The invention is naturally susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept. Thus, for example, figure 5 illustrates a second embodiment in which a tab element 119 is slidably associated above and longitudinally to the presser 102 and is interposed between said presser and the shell or quarter 101. At the end affecting the first metatarsal region 103 said tab has a wedge-like shape with a decreasing thickness towards the second foot-instep region 104. At the first region 103 said tab has a longitudinal seat 120 for the threaded end portion 110 of a pawl 109 rotatably associated with the shell or quarter 101 and rigid with the knob 105. A small plate 111 has a threaded hole 125 engaging the end portion 110 of the pawl 109 and is interposed between the tab element 119 and the knob 105 which protrudes from the shell or quarter 101; said plate has a wedge-like configuration with a decreasing thickness in the opposite direction with respect to the tab element 119, that is away from the second foot-instep region 104. The plate 111 can move along a plane which is perpendicular to the axis of the pawl 109 by virtue of the thread engagement between the latter and the plate 111. At the region 104, the tab element 119 has a curled shape 121 in which the cable 118 is slidably passed. The operation is as follows: tensioning of the cable 118 moves the tab element 119 away from the tip of the boot so as to secure the foot at the second foot-instep region 104. The other end with the wedge-like configuration simultaneously interacts with the plate 111 and presses at the first metatarsal region 103, said pressure being adjustable by means of the knob 105. Figures 6, 7 and 8 illustrate a third embodiment, in which the plate 211 has a pair of lateral wings 212a and 212b directed towards said quarter or shell 201. A pair of connecting rods 222a and 222b is articulated at one end to said wings and, at their other end, to a pair of raised portions 223a and 223b protruding from the presser 202 specularly to its longitudinal middle axis. When the cable 218 is tensioned, the presser 202 moves backwards and consequently increases the pressure exertable at the first metatarsal region 203 by virtue of the rotation of the connecting rods 222a and 222b with respect to the wings 212a and 212b and to the raised portions 223a and 223b. In this case, too, as in the first embodiment, the plate 211 may be moved in a direction approximately perpendicular to the underlying presser 202. For this purpose, the plate 211 is advantageously connected to a pawl 209 having a threaded head 208 which can be screwed in a bush 206 similarly to what has been described for the first embodiment. The bush 206 can be actuated by means of a knob 205 advantageously provided with a pivoted lever 255 which is movable between an actuation position, indicated in solid lines in figure 6 and with broken lines in figure 7, and a closed position, indicated with solid lines in figure 7, for using the boot. The lever 255 is preferably insertable in a seat of the shell (not illustrated in the figures for the sake of simplicity) when it is in closed position in order to avoid unwanted rotations. Figures 9, 10, 11 and 12 illustrate a fourth embodiment wherein an end of the presser 302, adjacent to the tip of the boot, is associated with the overlying shell or quarter 301 preferably by means of an adapted elastic fork 324. Connecting rods 322a and 322b are articulated to the lateral wings 312a and 312b of the plate 311 and are rotatably associated, at their other end, with the ends of an essentially U-shaped tension element 325. The base of said U-shaped tension element 325 is directed towards the second foot-instep region 304, and had a ring 326 connected thereto for slidably accommodating the cable 318. Thus, when said cable is tensioned the ring 326 slides with respect to the presser 302 and moves the tension element 325 which rotates the connecting rods 322a and 322b with respect to the plate 311, pushing the presser 302 at the first metatarsal region 303 against the foot (see the arrows in figs. 10, 11). In this case, too, the degree of pressure exertable on the presser at said first region 303 can be adjusted with first means constituted by a knob 305 actuating a bush 306 rotatably associated with said shell or quarter 301 and engaging with a threaded head 308 of a pawl 309 rigidly associated with, and protruding from, the plate 311, thereby imparting an axial movement thereto. Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate a fifth embodiment, wherein the presser 402 has a longitudinal notch 427 at the first metatarsal region 403; said notch defines a pair of elastically deformable and mutually approachable flaps 428a and 428b. A pair of slots 414a and 414b is provided on said flaps 428a and 428b again at the first metatarsal region 403; said slots are inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the presser and converge with respect thereto at the end directed towards the second foot-instep region 404. The first means for adjusting the degree of pressure exertable at the first metatarsal region 403 again comprise a knob 405 which actuates a bush 406 rotatably associated with the shell or quarter 401 and engages, by means of a thread, with a pawl 409 which is thus axially movable with respect to said bush and is rigidly associated with a plate 411. Said plate is slidably associated with the underlying slots 414a and 414b, provided on the flaps 428a and 428b, by means of adapted rivets 413 passsed through suitable holes in said plate and slidable in said slots. A tension imparted to the cable 418, which passes under a bridge 417 formed on the presser 402, again moves the presser 402 away from the tip of the boot, causing the flaps 428a and 428b to approach one another by elastic deformation by virtue of the presence of the rivets 413. The presser is thus laterally compressed on the foot, and the vertical action to be obtained on said foot is achieved by actuating the knob 405. Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a sixth embodiment, wherein the presser 502 has a longitudinal notch 527 at the first metatarsal region 503 which again defines a pair of elastically deformable and mutually approachable flaps 528a and 528b. A pair of shoulders 529a and 529b protrudes from said flaps at the first metatarsal region towards the overlying shell or quarter; said shoulders, at their sides looking away from the notch 527, have a curved, outwardly convex shape. Furthermore, the shoulders define two aligned holes 535a and 535b accommodating a threaded stem 530 freely rotatable therein and having opposite threads engaging in complementarily threaded sleeves 531a and 531b, arranged at the longitudinal notch 527. Said threaded stem 530 is rotatably associated with said shell or quarter 501 at one end and protrudes therefrom at the other end where the stem is associated with an actuating lever 532. The second means can be activated from the outside of the boot by means of adapted tensioning elements 533 acting on one end of a cable 518 which embraces said shoulders 529a and 529b at their curved surface, then crosses at the second foot-instep region 504 and is subsequently secured, for example to the shell or quarter, at its other end 540. When the cable 518 is tensioned, the flaps 528a, 528b are moved mutually closer until they abut against the sleeves 531a and 531b, the position whereof has been preselected by means of the lever 532. Said sleeves 531a and 531b naturally cannot rotate with respect to the stem 530 but can only move when said stem is rotated, e.g. by virtue of the engagement in a suitable slot in the inner side of the boot. The materials and dimensions of the individual components which constitute the device may naturally be the most pertinent according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the scope of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: An item of footwear with a foot securing device which comprises at least one presser, first means (11;111;119;211;311;411;530) for exerting pressure in the footwear at a first metatarsal region (3;103;203);303;403;503) thereof, second means (20;533) for exerting pressure on said presser at a second foot instep region (4;104;204;304;404;504) of the footwear, said first means including a grip element (5;105;205;305;405;532) accessable outside of the footwear for adjusting the pressure exerted at said first metatarsal region, said second means including at least one traction element (18;118;218;318;418;518) affecting said second foot instep region and means (20;533) accessable outside of the footwear for tensioning said traction element, characterized in that said first means also exerts pressure on said presser, and in that said presser is free to move longitudinally with respect to said footwear and upon actuation of said second means for exerting pressure the presser moves longitudinally in order to automatically actuate said first means for exerting pressure on said presser. Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that said first means comprise a hollow bush (6; 206; 306; 406) rotated by said grip element (5; 205; 305; 405) and rotatably associated with said footwear (1; 201; 301; 401), said bush being internally threaded (7) and engaging with a complementarily threaded head (8; 208; 308) of a pawl (9; 209; 309; 409) which is axially slidable with respect to said bush and has an end (10) arranged inside said footwear. Footwear according to claim 2, characterized in that said end (10) of said pawl (9; 209) arranged inside said footwear (1; 201) is rigidly coupled to a plate (11; 211). Footwear according to claim 3, characterized in that said plate (11) has a pair of wings (12) extending towards said second foot-instep region (4), said wings being slidably associated with said presser (2) by means of rivets (13) slidable at longitudinal slots (14) provided on said presser. Footwear according to claim 4, characterized in that said plate (11) has, on the opposite side with respect to said pair of wings (12), a curved end which is arranged facing a raised portion (15) and selectively interacts therewith, said raised portion protruding from said presser (2) and having a wedge-like configuration with the vertex directed towards said second foot-instep region (4). Footwear according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said presser (2) defines at least one bridge (17) at said second foot-instep region for slidably guiding said traction element (18) connected to said second means (20) activatable from the outside of said footwear (1). Footwear according to the preceding claims, characterized in that said traction element comprises a cable (18). Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that a tab (119) is longitudinally slidable above said presser (102) and has, at the end affecting said first metatarsal region (103), a wedge-like configuration with a decreasing thickness towards said second foot-instep region (104). Footwear according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises a pawl (109) rigid with and rotated by said grip element (105), said pawl being rotatably associated to said footwear (101) and having a threaded end (110) accommodated in a longitudinal seat (120) provided in said tab and engaging with a plate (111) interposed between said end (110) and said boot (101), said plate having a wedge-like configuration with its vertex directed towards the tip of said footwear. Footwear according to claims 8 to 9, characterized in that said tab (119) has, at said second foot-instep region (104), a curled end (121) engaging with said traction element (118). Footwear according to claim 3, characterized in that said plate (211) has a pair of lateral wings (212a; 212b) directed towards the footwear shell or quarter (101) and externally articulated to one end of a pair of connecting rods (222a; 222b) which are pivoted to said presser (202) at their other end. Footwear according to claim 3, characterized in that the end of said presser (302) adjacent to the tip of said boot (301) is associated with the overlying shell or quarter preferably by means of an adapted fork (324). Footwear according to claim 12, characterized in that said plate (311) has a pair of lateral wings (312a; 312b) directed towards said shell or quarter (301) and externally articulated to one end of a pair of connecting rods (322a; 322b) rotatably associated, at their other end, with the corresponding ends of a U-shaped tension element (325). Footwear according to claim 13, characterized in that the base of said tension element (325) is directed towards said second foot-instep region (304) and engaged in at least one ring slidably guiding said traction element (318). Footwear according to claim 3, characterized in that said presser (402; 502) has, at said first metatarsal region (403; 503), a longitudinal notch (427; 527) which defines a pair of elastically deformable and mutually approachable flaps (428a; 428b; 528a; 528b). Footwear according to claim 15, characterized in that a pair of slots (414a; 414b) is provided on said pair of flaps (428a; 428b), said slots being inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of said presser (402) and converging with respect thereto towards said second foot instep region (404). Footwear according to claim 16, characterized in that said plate (411) is slidably associated with said underlying pair of flaps (428a; 428b) by means of rivets (413) which are slidable within said pair of inclined slots (414a; 414b). Footwear according to claim 17, characterized in that a pair of shoulders (529a; 529b) protrudes from said pair of flaps (528a; 528b) towards said shell or quarter (501) and at said first metatarsal region (503), said shoulders defining curved surfaces looking away from said notch (527). Footwear according to claim 18, characterized in that a threaded stem (530) is rotatably associated at said shoulders (529a; 529b), said stem having opposite threads engaging with complementarily threaded sleeves (531a; 531b) moving with respect to said threaded stem and being arranged at said notch (527). Footwear according to claim 19, characterized in that said threaded stem 530 has an end rotatably associated with said shell or quarter (501) and the other end connected to an actuation lever (532) which protrudes from said shell or quarter. Footwear according to claim 20, characterized in that said traction element (518) connected at one end to said shell or quarter (501) embraces said shoulders (529a; 529b) at their curved surface and crosses itself at said second foot-instep region (504) and is then connected to said second means (533).

Inventors: BAGGIO GIORGIO, BAMBACE ALESSANDRO, DE BORTOLI GIUSEPPE, BAGGIO, GIORGIO, BAMBACE, ALESSANDRO, DE BORTOLI, GIUSEPPE
Applicants: NORDICA SPA, NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1989
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5