Ski boot

Abstract: A ski boot of the type having a shell with overlapping flaps or of the rigid monolithic type, with at least one closure point on the instep and/or on the metatarsal region and a front quarter (105) and a rear quarter associated with the shell. A band-like element (115) is associated with the front quarter. The front quarter has one or more partially mutually superimposed tabs (112) inside which there is at least one tongue (120) which protrudes from the band-like element. The band-like element, which interacts with tension-producing devices (116), has rivets (131) engaging respective slots (132) in the front quarter (103)

Description: The present invention relates to a ski boot. Known ski boots currently have essentially three types of design. A ski boot of the rear-entry type is constituted by a monolithic rigid shell with which a front quarter and a rear quarter are associated; the rear quarter can be tilted down to allow the easy insertion of the foot from the rear. A boot of the front-entry type has a shell with overlapping flaps with which a single quarter is associated; the quarter has front tabs which can partially overlap and interact with closure means such as levers. Finally, a boot of the mixed-structure type, as defined in the preamble of the appended claim 1, comprises a shell with overlapping flaps with which a front quarter and a rear quarter are associated. This last type of design is currently the most interesting, since attempts are made to combine in said structure the advantages typical of front entry, i.e. the optimum embracing of the foot, with those of rear entry, i.e. better comfort. This solution is so far not yet optimum in known boots. Another disadvantage observed in said known types of ski boot consists of the fact that they require, for the closure of the front quarter, conventional levers which are structurally complex, not easily manufactured industrially, and add considerable weight to the boot. The front quarter is furthermore subjected to deformations during skiing in said known types of boot. The aim of the present invention is therefore to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a ski boot of the mixed type in which it is possible to bring close together and secure the flaps of the front quarter in a rapid and simple manner, eliminating the use of conventional closure levers which are structurally complicated and have high manufacturing costs. An object of the invention is also to ensure an optimum embracing of the leg for a better control of the ski. Within the scope of the above described aim, another important object is to provide a ski boot in which the front quarter has a compact structure in which the tabs of the flaps are effectively prevented from sliding one over the other when flexing the legs while skiing. Still another important object is to provide a ski boot which has a reduced number of components and is easy to industrialize. Not least object is to provide a ski boot which associates with the preceding characteristics that of being economical as well as 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 claims. Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed 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 perspective view of the front quarter; figure 2 is a partially sectional view, similar to the preceding one, of the band-like element with the tongue; figure 3 is a view of the front quarter associated with the band-like element; figure 4 is a side view of the ski boot according to the invention; figure 5 is a front perspective view of the front quarter according to a second aspect of the invention; figure 6 is a partially sectional perspective view of the band-like element according to the second aspect of the invention; and figure 7 is a front perspective view of the band-like element of figure 6 associated with the quarter of figure 5. With reference to the above figures, the ski boot, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a shell 2 of the type with overlapping flaps or of the rigid monolithic type, which comprises a closure point at the foot instep region 3 and/or a second closure point at the metatarsal region 4, said closure occurring for example by means of adapted known levers arranged transversely to said shell or by means of pressers and/or cables if a rigid monolithic shell is used. The structure 1 furthermore comprises a front quarter 5 and a rear quarter 6 which are associated with the shell 2. The front quarter 5 is preferably constituted by a first element 7 and by a second element 8 which are laterally associated with the shell 2 for example by means of adapted rivets which pass at adapted holes 9a and 9b defined proximate to the lower perimetric edge 10. Both said first element and said second element have, at the front perimetric edge 11a and 11b, respectively a first tab 12 and a second tab 13. Said first tab and said second tab are arranged mutually parallel, are at least partially superimposed approximately at the median region of the front quarter 5, and are mutually secured thereat by virtue of adapted means such as for example a lever 23. This arrangement of said first tab and of said second tab causes the flaps 14a and 14b of said first element and of said second element to arrange themselves mutually face to face. The ski boot is furthermore constituted by at least one band-like element 15 which is arranged externally to said first element and to said second element and at least partially embraces them and covers the region of the flaps 14a and 14b. The ends of at least one cable 16 are associated with the lateral ends of said band-like element, and said cable can be put under tension by virtue of adapted tension-producing means 17 which can be associated for example preferably at the rear quarter 6. The band-like element 15 can be connected laterally to the first element and to the second element for example by means of adapted rivets which can slide at a first slot 18 and at a second slot 19, formed respectively on said first element 7 and on said second element 8, as it will be discussed later. The band-like element 15 is furthermore provided, approximately at its own median axis, with a tongue 20 which protrudes therefrom and which, by means of an adapted opening 21 defined transversely to said first element and to said second element in a region adjacent to said first tab and to said second tab, is caused to pass below said tabs, as illustrated in figure 3. The purpose of the tongue 20 is to effectively retain the band-like element, providing a third point for locking it in addition to the two points provided by the two lateral rivets. An engagement means can be provided at the terminal end of said tongue 20 and is constituted by a raised portion 22 which abuts at the perimetric front edges 11a and 11b of said first tab and of said second tab. The purpose of the raised portion 22 provided at the end of the tongue 20 is to lock the mutual sliding of the first tab and of the second tab during the oscillation steps of the front quarter. The raised portion 22 may be provided to give greater compactness thereto. The band-like element furthermore allows to bring close and secure the flaps 14a and 14b of the front quarter 5 by means of the application of a longitudinal traction to said band-like element which leads to a pressure on the flaps to be secured. This allows to eliminate the conventional closure levers with a very simple and economical device which also has a reduced weight. It has thus been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects, a structure of ski boot having been provided which allows to bring close and secure the flaps of the front quarter by means of the use of cables and tension-producing devices for the band-like element which are constructively very simple and economical. The use of the band-like element, together with the presence of the tongue, furthermore allows to make the front quarter very compact, since the band-like element is also locked along its median axis, preventing the swaying thereof during the opening of the boot; the mutual sliding of the first tab 12 and of the second tab 13 during the forward and backward flexing of the quarter is furthermore prevented. 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. Figures 5-7, for example, illustrate a ski boot, according to a second aspect of the invention, wherein similar reference numbers, added of 100 with respect to the reference numerals of figures 1-4, designate similar elements. In this case too, a band-like element 115 is arranged over the front quarter 105 in a manner substantially similar to what has been described above. The band-like element 115, however, has a pair of holes 130; each hole 130 has a rivet 131; in the figures, only the right hand side hole and rivet are illustrated. Each rivet 131 is adapted to slide in a corresponding slot 132 formed on each side of the front quarter, respectively on the first element 107 and on the second element 108. The engagement between the rivets 131 and the slot 132 provide a limit stop for the sliding between the band-like element 115 and the front quarter 105. The materials and dimensions which constitute the individual components of the structure 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: A ski boot of the mixed-type, comprising a shell (2) of the type with overlapping flaps or of the rigid monolithic type, with at least one closure point on the instep (3) and/or on the metatarsal region (4), a front quarter (5;105) and a rear quarter (6) associated with said shell, the rear quarter being pivotally connected to said shell, characterized in that said front quarter is constituted by two lateral elements (7,8;107,108) having respective facing flaps (14a,14b;114a,114b) and respective first and second tabs (12;112,113) which are at least partially mutually superimposed approximately at the median region of said front quarter, the ski boot further comprising at least one band-like element (15;115) which is laterally connected in a slidable manner with said first and second elements and which is arranged externally to said first and second elements and at least partially embraces said elements so as to cover the region of the flaps thereof, said band-like element interacting with tension-producing devices (16,17;116) for applying pressure to and securing said flaps of the front quarter. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that said first element (7;107) and said second element (8;108) are laterally associated with said shell by means of adapted rivets, said tabs being connected to said first element and said second element at the front perimetric edge (11a,11b;111a,111b) thereof. Ski boot according to claim 2, characterized in that said first tab and said second tab are arranged mutually parallel, said band-like element having at least one tongue (20;120) arranged below said tabs. Ski boot according to claim 3, characterized in that said tongue has a means (22;122) for engagement with said one or more tabs. Ski boot according to any of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that said first tab and said second tab are mutually coupled or associated with one another in a sliding manner, said tabs being mutually secured by virtue of adapted lever means (23;123). Ski boot according to any of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that said tongue is arranged below said first tab and said second tab through an opening (20;121) which is defined transversely to said first element and to said second element in the region adjacent to said first tab and to said second tab. Ski boot according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that said tongue has, at its terminal end, an engagement means which is constituted by at least one raised portion (22;122) which abuts at the perimetric front edges of said first tab and of said second tab. Ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said band-like element (115) is laterally associated in a slidable manner with said first element (107) and with said second element (108) by adapted rivets (131) which can slide at a first and second slots (132) which are provided transversely to said first element and to said second element. Ski boot according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ends of at least one cable (16;116) are associated with the lateral ends of said band-like element, said cable being put under tension by virtue of adapted tension-producing devices (17) associated with said rear quarter.

Inventors: SARTOR MARIONO, TONEL VALERIO, SARTOR, MARIONO, TONEL, VALERIO
Applicants: NORDICA SPA, NORDICA S.P.A
Application year: 1991
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5