Ski boot

Abstract: A ski boot which includes at least one quarter (124) associated with a rigid shell (102), has one or more soft elements (114) for embracing the upper metatarsal region (103) and/or the tibial region and/or the calf region. The soft elements are associated with the shell and/or with the quarter. One or more strengthening elements (134a,134b), for transmitting the efforts from the leg to the ski, are furthermore associated with the shell and/or with the quarter. The boot thus has regions with different rigidity according to the specific requirements of the athlete.

Description: The present invention relates to a ski boot. Known ski boots are generally constituted by at least one quarter associated with a shell. Both the shell and the quarter are usually manufactured by injecting thermoplastic material, and are made highly rigid in order to be able to optimally transmit the efforts of the leg to the ski. This rigidity, however, entails a reduced fit and comfort for the user. It is thus known to pivot the quarter to the shell at the lower lateral ends, so as to be able to follow the rotation of the leg with respect to the malleoli during flexing and extension. Even this solution, however, does not solve the problem completely, since both the foot and the leg interact at rigid elements, thus creating localized pressure regions which create discomfort for the user. Several devices are known for limiting said discomfort and they substantially comprise plates arranged inside the boot and adapted to distribute the pressure of contact with the tibia or with the calf or with the upper metatarsal region of the foot. All these solutions, beside the fact that they only partially solve the problem, increase the structural complexity of the boot, because they require several intermediate manufacturing steps for the assembly, thus increasing the overall costs of said boot. As a partial solution to this disadvantage, an Italian Patent Application No. 23756 A/80 of July 28, 1980 by this same Applicant, discloses an upper quarter structure, particularly for ski boots, the peculiarity whereof consists in that it comprises at least one band or stripe member which can be superimposed on the shell at the front upper region of the foot and is fixed to the shell at one end. An upper quarter portion is furthermore provided which is partially superimposed on said stripe member and embraces the shell at the leg articulation region, said upper quarter portion being, at one end, fixed to the shell at the region of superimposition on the stripe member. Closure levers are furthermore provided which act on the stripe member and on the upper quarter portion which is arranged at the end opposite to the shell fixing end of said at least one stripe member. Although this solution is undoubtedly valid, it only partially solves the double problem of having a rigid structure for the optimum transmission of the efforts to the ski and at the same time a soft structure in order to improve the fit for the athlete: although a better articulation of the upper quarter is allowed, said upper quarter in fact still interacts directly with the regions of the tibia and of the leg's calf and, together with the shell, with the instep and upper metatarsal region of the foot. Also as a partial solution to said disadvantage, the published European Patent Application No. 0 353 532 by this same Applicant, discloses a shell structure particularly for front-entry ski boots, the peculiarity whereof consists in that it has at least one transverse slot, defined at the foot's upper metatarsal region, which can be concealed by means of at least one stripe member which supports means for closing on the shell. Said slot furthermore affects at least the inner lateral region of the shell. Even this solution, however, does not solve the above described problems completely. US-A-4078322 discloses a ski boot as defined in the preamble of the appended claim 1, in which a rigid shell is provided including a pair of ankle plates upstanding from and forming a portion of a bifurcated top wall, in which a spat of softer material is connected to the shell to overlay the bifurcated top wall (i.e. at the upper metatarsal region), and in which a separate upper cuff element is connected to the ankle plates of the shell. The upper cuff however is provided in the same material throughout all its portions. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a ski boot which at the same time allows to optimally transmit the efforts from the leg to the ski and allows the skier to achieve an optimum fit and comfort which allows an optimum sports practice. Within the scope of the above aim, another important object is to provide a ski boot which is structurally composed of a limited number of components which allow an easy industrialization and therefore modest manufacturing time and costs. Another important object is to provide a ski boot which allows to achieve an optimum fit in the absence of specific elements such as spoilers or plates located in one or more parts thereof. Another important object is to provide a ski boot which allows to optimally embrace the foot and the leg of the skier without creating localized pressure points. Another object is to provide a ski boot wherein the foot can be easily inserted. Not least object is to provide a ski boot which is reliable and safe in use. This aim, these objects and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a ski boot, as defined in the appended claim 1. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of two particular but not exclusive embodiments, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a side view of the boot; figure 2 is a second side perspective view of the boot; figure 3 is an exploded view of the components illustrated in the preceding figures; figure 4 is a detail view of the lever arm; figure 5 is an exploded view of the components of a second embodiment for the boot; figure 6 is a partial view of the quarter according to a further aspect of the invention; figure 7 is a partially sectional side perspective view of the sole of the ski boot according to still a further aspect of the invention. With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a ski boot which is composed of a rigid shell 2 which has a longitudinal opening 5 at the foot's upper metatarsal region 3 and at the tibial region 4. Said shell furthermore has a sole 6 which has, at the front and at the back, respectively a standardized toe unit 7 and a standardized heel 8; said shell also has an upper quarter 9 which protrudes above the region 10 of the malleoli and thus embraces the leg of the skier laterally and rearward. Conveniently, a recess 12 is defined at the calf region 11 and at least partially affects its longitudinal extension. The insertion of an adapted innerboot 13 is naturally provided for inside the shell 2. The rigid shell 2 is preferably manufactured by injecting plastic material. A first soft element is associated with the shell 2 at the opening 5 and is constituted by a stripe or band member 14 which is advantageously provided with a first flap 15 and a with second flap 16 which can overlap one another approximately at the longitudinal median axis of the opening 5. Said band member 14 is for example made of leather or of a similar material, possibly even a synthetic one, which have softness characteristics. The perimetric edge 17 of said band member is associable, by sewing or by means of another known system, at the region of the shell 2 which is adjacent to the opening 5, so as to conceal said opening and thus arrange itself at the foot's upper metatarsal region 3 and at the region 4 of the lower part of the tibia. Advantageously, a first tab 18 and a second tab 19 protrude from the second flap 16, and an adapted inner seat for lever arms 20 is defined at the end of said tabs; said lever arms are connected to said first tab and to said second tab for example by means of adapted rivets 21. Said lever arms 20 are substantially U-shaped and have wings which protrude outside said seat defined on the first and second tabs; a pivot 22 is arranged between said wings and interacts with adapted racks 23 which are associated either at the first flap 15 or at the shell 2. The band member 14 therefore allows an optimum embracing of the metatarsal region and of the tibia, ensuring, by virtue of the presence of the lever arms 20, an optimum securing of said foot. A quarter 24 furthermore constitutes the ski boot 1 and is articulated by means of adapted studs 25 laterally to the upper quarter 9. Said quarter 24 is preferably made of composite material and is thus very rigid and embraces the upper quarter 9 both laterally and rearward. Second soft elements, constituted by a third flap 26 and by a fourth flap 27 which are for example made of leather, are associable in the region in front of the quarter 24 so as to cover the tibial region 4. Said third and fourth flaps, which can be mutually superimposed, thus allow to have a soft support for the tibia at the tibial region 4 as well. Conveniently, a third tab 28 and a fourth tab 29 protrude at the fourth flap 27, and adapted lever arms 20 are associated with the ends of said tabs in adapted seats defined similarly to what is described for the second flap 16; the pivots 22 of said lever arms 20 are associable with adapted racks 23 which are associated either with the quarter 24 or with the third flap 26. Advantageously, the quarter 24 has, at the rear region and in particular at the recess 12 defined on the upper quarter 9, an opening 30 which is identically shaped. A third soft element, constituted by an insert 31 which is also preferably made of leather, is associable at said opening 30. The ski boot 1 has further strengthening elements, constituted for example by a pair of bars 32 which can be inserted at the sole 6 and are preferably made of composite material, thus being suitable for compensating the weakening of the shell 2 due to the presence of the opening 5 defined on the metatarsal region 3 and the tibial region 4. Alternatively, as illustrated in figure 7, said strengthening elements can be constituted by a plate 35 which can be interposed between the sole 6 of the shell 2, the heel 36 and the tip 37 of the boot. Said heel and said tip, which are manufactured in elements which are separate from the sole, are associated with said sole by known means, retaining the plate 35. It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a ski boot having been provided which, by having regions with different rigidity, allows to achieve both an optimum fit for the foot and an optimum transmission of the efforts from the leg to the ski. Therefore, the presence of the soft elements allows the optimum embracing of the upper metatarsal region, as well as the optimum support of the tibia and of the calf of the athlete's leg, while the strengthening elements allow the optimum lateral hold of the boot and the optimum transmission of the efforts from said boot to the ski. The use of the soft elements, together with the presence of the lever arms inserted within the tabs provided on said soft elements, allows to achieve optimum securing without creating localized pressure regions which may cause aches to the skier. The absence of internal devices, for distributing the pressure on the foot and on the leg of the skier, allows to achieve a rapid and simple assembly thereof, thus reducing the manufacturing time. The ski boot according to the invention is 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 wherein the ski boot is again composed of a rigid shell 102 which has, at the upper metatarsal region 103 and at the tibial region 104, a longitudinal opening 105 at which a first soft element, constituted by a band member 114 of the previously described type, is associated. In this case also, the shell 102 has an upper quarter 109 at the rear region of which the recess 112 is defined. Strengthening elements, such as bars 132, are similarly associable at the sole 106. Differently from the previously described embodiment, the quarter 124 is constituted by a body 133 which embraces, laterally and rearward, the skier's leg, and is made for example of the same material which constitutes the shell 102. It is still possible to associate the insert 131, at the opening 130 defined in the rear region of the calf, and the third and fourth flaps 126 and 127, made of soft material, with said body 133. In order to allow the optimum transmission of the lateral efforts of the boot, strengthening elements are associable at least laterally with the body 133 of the quarter 124; said strengthening elements are advantageously constituted by a pair of plates 134a and 134b which are associable with, and shaped complementarily to, the lateral regions of the body 133. Conveniently, the body 133 which constitutes the quarter 124 is articulated to the shell 102 at the malleolar region 110 together with the pair of plates 134a and 134b. Said plates are preferably made of composite material. Figure 6 illustrates a different solution, wherein the quarter 224 is again composed of a body 233 which embraces the skier's leg rearward and laterally and with which a third flap 226 and a fourth flap 227, made of soft material, are associated. A strengthening element 234 is associable with the body 233 and embraces said body laterally and rearward. The materials and the dimensions which constitute the individual components of the ski boot may naturally be the most appropriate 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: A ski boot, comprising a rigid shell (2;102) and at least one quarter (24;124;224) which is articulated with said shell, the ski boot having an upper metatarsal region (3;103), a tibial region (4;104), and a calf region (11), said shell having an upper quarter (9;109) which protrudes above the malleolar region and said shell having lateral rigid portions, said shell having a longitudinal opening (5;105) which extends in the shell at the upper metatarsal region and at the tibial region, the ski boot further comprising a first soft band member (14;114), having a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of the lateral rigid portions of said shell, which is connected to the shell and which is arranged at the upper metatarsal region to cover the longitudinal opening thereat, the ski boot being characterized in that it further comprises a second soft band member (26,27;126,127;226,227), having a rigidity which is less than the rigidity of said quarter, which is connected to the quarter (24;124;224) and which is arranged at the tibial region to cover the longitudinal opening thereat, said first soft band member and said second soft element having at least one seat for securing means. The ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that said first soft band member comprises a first flap (15) and a second flap (16) which can be mutually superimposed approximately at the longitudinal median axis of said longitudinal opening. The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second soft band member comprises a third flap (26) and a fourth flap (27) which can be mutually superimposed approximately at the longitudinal median axis of said longitudinal opening at said tibial region. The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said quarter comprises a body (133;233) which is made of the same material as said shell, and in that at least one strengthening element (134a,134b;234) is connected to said body. The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that a recess (12;112) is defined on said upper quarter (9;109) of the shell at the calf region (11) and at least partially affects the longitudinal extension of said upper quarter, said quarter (24;124) further comprising a rear portion which is provided with an opening (30;130) which overlies said recess (12;112) defined on said upper quarter (9;109), a third soft element, constituted by an insert (31;131), being connected to said quarter (24;124) and being arranged at said opening (30;130). The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first soft band member (14;114) is arranged so as to extend at the upper metatarsal region and at the lower part of the tibial region. The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said securing means comprise racks (23) connected to the ski boot and lever arms (20), said lever arms comprising pivots (22) for releasably engaging in said racks, said lever arms being connected to said soft elements in seats defined at tabs (18,19,28,29) thereof, said pivots being arranged outside said seats. The ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, comprising means for strengthening the sole (6,106) of said shell. The ski boot according to claim 8, wherein said strengthening means comprise a pair of bars (32;132) inserted in the sole of said shell. The ski boot according to claim 8, wherein said strengthening means comprise a plate (35) interposed between the sole (6) of said shell and the heel (36) and tip (37) of the boot.

Inventors: FOSCARO GIANCARLO, POZZEBON ADOLFO, POZZOBON ALESSANDRO, FOSCARO, GIANCARLO, POZZEBON, ADOLFO, POZZOBON, ALESSANDRO
Applicants: NORDICA SPA, NORDICA S.P.A.
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5