Abstract:
A ski-boot assembly with a rigid upper, an incomplete sole of the upper, and a front and/or rear means for cooperation with a removable sole assembly. A first removable sole assembly includes at least one curb part and a bearing plat; and a cooperation means that complements the front and/or rear cooperation means of the incomplete sole to form a boot with a sole whose configuration corresponds to standard ISO  5355  for Alpine ski-boots. A second removable sole assembly has at least one curb part and a sole cooperation means that complements the front and/or rear cooperation means of the incomplete sole to form a boot with a sole whose configuration corresponds substantially to standard ISO  9523  for touring boots. A locking means locks the first or the second removable sole assembly under the incomplete sole of the upper and includes a manual actuating means.

Description:
This application claims priority benefits from European Patent Application No. EP 06425203.4 filed Mar. 24, 2006. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a boot assembly of the ski-boot type, conforming to standard ISO 5355 for Alpine ski-boots, that can be adapted to touring by means of a conversion of its sole, in order to comply substantially with standard ISO 9523 for touring boots. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The problem of adapting a ski boot to walking mode is one of very long standing since a skier inevitably needs to walk while wearing his ski boots, either to reach the bottom of the mechanical lifts from the parking lot or his hotel or to reach a higher altitude not served by mechanical lifts. 
     A first solution, described in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,504, discloses a removable walking sole that is fitted over a standard ski boot. The advantage of this solution is that it offers a standard ski boot and thus, by definition, a boot fully adapted to skiing. Its drawback is that the solution does not provide a very high performance level for walking. 
     A different solution is described in document U.S. Pat. No. 4,542,599, in which a boot that is better adapted to walking is disclosed, a removable sole being added for skiing. The drawback of this solution is still that it is not possible to obtain an optimum solution for walking mode. Furthermore, skiing is unsafe because the removable sole, which occupies the entire lower surface of the boot plus the lateral edges, is difficult to fix satisfactorily and risks becoming detached when stressed while skiing. 
     A further prior-art document (FR2743700) discloses a sports boot for a gliding device that can be adapted to walking mode by the provision of removable front and rear means under the sole of the boot. Bearing plates are provided laterally under the boot, which are capable of interacting with special complementary plates of a ski binding. Slides are provided under the boot for fixing the removable parts. No means for locking the removable parts is described and screws are needed to hold them under the boot. A drawback of this solution arises from its incompatibility with existing standards. Indeed, it requires non-standard ski bindings with specific bearing plates. This system is more dangerous because it is ineffective in terms of the release action that allows the boot to be freed in the event of a twisting fall. Furthermore, when skiing, the removable parts interact on the front and the rear of the boot with the jaws of the ski binding and undergo very high stresses, which give rise to wear of the slides, resulting in the appearance of play between the removable part and the boot, which becomes detrimental to satisfactory guiding of the gliding device. Similarly, this solution does not make it possible to achieve a walking boot compliant with current standards. Lastly, it also requires a tool for the boot-conversion operations, which is not user-friendly. 
     In order to palliate the above drawbacks, a different solution is proposed in document FR2774266, which allows adaptation of a conventional ski boot to ski touring, for example, on the basis of a modification of the lower part of the sole only. Fixing elements, such as screws, are provided in order to hold the removable plates under the sole. The drawback of this solution arises from its non-user-friendliness, since adaptation of the boot requires a tool. Furthermore, as a small thin part is modified under the boot, this solution does not allow major adaptation of the boot. Indeed, the curbs still have the same dimensions, for example. Thus, this approach does not allow an adaptation of the boot compliant with or approaching the touring boot standard. 
     Lastly, there are further solutions somewhat removed from this specific subject that are disclosed in documents IT1220793 and IT1257619, which disclose front and rear parts of removable ski-boot soles to allow their adaptation to different sizes. These solutions also require screws for locking them, which is not user-friendly. These screws are screwed directly into the rigid plastic positioned under the sole of the boot and this device is not suited to numerous conversion operations because the plastic wears very quickly, becoming non-operational. Furthermore, said solutions do not address the adaptation of the boot to walking mode. 
     Nowadays, ski professionals, first-aiders or members of ski patrol, for example, and recreational high-mountain skiers need to access slopes that are not directly served by conventional mechanical lifts. They therefore need to walk at altitude to reach those slopes, which requires a high-performance walking boot, ideally a standard hiking boot, whose form is naturally optimized for walking and furthermore allows special adaptations with the aid of accessories, such as crampons, for example, which are not compatible other than with these standard hiking boots. Such skiers then put on their skis and descend what are frequently hazardous slopes. They thus also require a very high-performance and secure way in which to fix their boot to the ski. Existing touring ski-boot bindings are unsatisfactory. Such skiers in fact ideally require a standard ski boot combined with a standard Alpine ski binding. As observed previously, no prior-art solution meets this requirement satisfactorily. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A general object of the invention thus consists in providing a boot assembly that performs at a high level for both touring at high altitude and skiing downhill, one that is user-friendly and compact and, for example, eliminates the need to have two pairs of boots to carry and a different pair of skis for each type of boot. 
     More precisely, a first subject of the invention thus consists in a boot assembly that is sufficiently rigid to provide a good transmission of the skier&#39;s forces to a board for gliding, and which comprises standard bearing plates and curbs for interacting with the customary bindings provided on skis and can withstand the forces that arise under conditions of extreme use of the ski. 
     A second subject of the invention consists in a boot assembly that allows hiking-type walking at altitude, offering, in particular, satisfactory rolling of the foot and the opportunity to add on standard accessories such as crampons. 
     A third subject of the invention consists in a compact boot assembly in which the ski/walking mode conversion is easy and user-friendly, and can be implemented a great many times without giving rise to significant wear irrespective of the location and external conditions. 
     The invention is based on a boot assembly that comprises a rigid upper of the ski-boot type under which there is an incomplete sole capable of receiving at least a front and/or rear part of a removable sole, which can be positioned and locked mechanically, securely and without a specific tool, under this incomplete sole of the upper in order to complete it, the geometry of the incomplete sole of the rigid upper and of the removable sole parts being such that it is possible to comply not only with standard ISO 5355 for Alpine ski-boots but also substantially to comply with the requirements of standard ISO 9523 for touring boots. Fixing of the removable sole to the rest of the boot is such that it is also reliable and secure, just as if it were carried out with the aid of a number of screws, without presenting the drawback of the screwing operation that gives rise to rapid wear and is unsuitable for use on a great many occasions when there are series of fitting and removal operations. 
     The invention is more precisely defined by the claims. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These objects, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be set forth in detail in the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments that relate to the appended figures, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a partial perspective bottom view of a first removable sole element in a step in which it is being fixed to the incomplete sole of the boot upper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a partial perspective bottom view of a first removable sole element after it has been fixed to the incomplete sole of the boot upper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a partial perspective top view of a first removable sole element after it has been fixed to the incomplete sole of the boot upper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  shows a partial side view of a first removable sole element after it has been fixed to the incomplete sole of the boot upper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a partial perspective bottom view of the partially dismantled fixing mechanism of the incomplete sole of the boot upper in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  shows a partial perspective top view of the sole of the boot in accordance with a first variant of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  shows a partial side view of the boot in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 8 to 10  show perspective views of details of the sole-locking device in different configurations in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 11  shows a partial perspective bottom view of the boot in accordance with a second variant of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 12 to 17  show perspective views sectioned by a vertical longitudinal plane of details of the sole-locking device in different configurations in accordance with the second variant of the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 18  shows a partial perspective top view of the boot in accordance with a third variant of a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIGS. 19 and 20  show perspective views of details of the sole-locking device in different configurations in accordance with the third variant of the second embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The major concept of the solution proposed consists in being able to obtain, on the basis of a standard ski boot, by means of a simple conversion without a special tool and without significantly affecting certain parts of the boot or of the sole, a substantial modification of the sole of the boot in order to render it compatible with the ISO standard for touring boots. 
     To recap, the standard sole of hiking boots is made from a flexible rubber-type material forming studs on its underside in order to provide good grip on the ground, and has a rounded front shape in order to allow satisfactory rolling of the foot during walking and a front curb height unlike that of a standard ski-boot sole that is made from a rigid material for providing a good link with a ski binding, and furthermore has a flat, smooth lower surface with sliding surfaces called “bearing plates” that are necessary for implementing the release function that consists in freeing the boot from the grip of a ski binding, for safety reasons, in the event of a fall. 
     A first significant element of the solution is thus that it allows substantial conversion of the geometry of the sole of the boot in order to achieve the major conversion of the ISO standard for Alpine ski-boots to touring boots, in which there are significant differences. To that end, the solution is based on three principal elements: an initial upper that has only an incomplete sole and two removable sole assemblies of different geometry that can be fixed to and combined with said incomplete sole in order to form an operational boot that has a sole configuration either of a ski boot or of a hiking boot. Depending on the solution, the two removable sole assemblies thus form a significant part of the final sole obtained and, in particular, form a major part or even all of the front and possibly rear curbs of the boot finally obtained. 
     Furthermore, a second major element of the concept of the invention arises from the fact that this conversion must be possible on a great number of occasions, which rules out, for example, any solution comprising a screwing operation into the plastic of the boot itself, since such an operation gives rise to rapid wear. Lastly, this fixing of the removable soles has to be easy, rapid and secure so that fitting can be carried out automatically under all circumstances, at any location and irrespective of the weather conditions, for example, while still obtaining a result that guarantees that the attached removable soles will not become detached from the boot during a phase involving intensive forces when walking or when skiing downhill. 
     The following embodiments illustrate, by way of examples, possible combinations of a removable sole according to the invention and an incomplete sole of the boot upper and different means for locking without a screwing operation into the plastic itself of the boot, adaptable to numerous uses. 
       FIGS. 1 to 5  show a first embodiment of the invention in which a rigid upper (partially shown) of the ski-boot type comprises an incomplete sole  1  on which a removable sole element  11  can be fixed so as to extend over a front part of the boot to a sufficient degree to include the standard elements under the sole of the boot, such as the bearing plates for the ski-boot soles. 
     The principle of attaching the removable element  11  relies on the one hand on interaction with the front part  2  of the incomplete sole  1  of the boot upper and, on the other, interaction with a mechanism  3  for fixing and locking the incomplete sole  1  at the rear of the removable element  11 . In its front part, the removable element  11  comprises a curb  12  that comprises a vertical inner lip  13  and hooks  14  that interact with complementary forms at the front surface  2  of the incomplete sole  1 . This interaction is maintained under pressure by the second fixing means  3  of the two elements  1 ,  11  arranged under the boot. This second fixing means  3  comprises truncated parts  4  produced in a metal member  5  mounted in rotation in a space  6  of the incomplete sole  1  of the upper of the boot. The spindle  5  is held in its housing by a cover  7  and can be rotated manually or, possibly, with the aid of a thin rigid element such as a coin, via its lateral ends  8 . It can occupy two positions: a first position in which the flat of the truncated parts  4  is vertical and allows positioning or removal of the hooks  15  of the removable sole  11  in a location  9  provided in the sole  1 ; and a second position obtained by a half-turn rotation of the spindle  5  by actuating the end  8 , in which the rounded surface at the truncated parts  4  of the spindle  5  comes to bear against the complementary rounded forms of the hooks  15  of the removable sole  11  in order to hold them in their housing  9  and thus to lock the removable sole  11 . It is released by means of a further half-turn rotation of the spindle  5  in the opposite direction, a member  10  exerting a pushing force through the effect of a spring compressed on the end part  16  of the removable sole  11 , in order to promote its disengagement. As illustrated, in particular, in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the removable element  11  represents a very large proportion of the final composite sole, forming, in particular, all the front curb  12  of the boot thus assembled. This solution therefore makes it possible to impose, on the boot finally assembled, the form of its sole and thus the standard to be complied with. 
     Incidentally, the standard shape of the rear parts of the two ski-boot and hiking-boot soles is very similar and the only change in respect of the front part of the sole allows the two standards substantially to be complied with. In a variant, a further removable sole element may be provided in the rear part and fixed using a locking device similar to that described above. 
       FIGS. 6 to 20  illustrate three variants of a second embodiment of the invention in which the removable sole extends substantially over the entire incomplete sole of the upper of the boot, being composed of a front part connected to a rear part, it being possible for the two parts to be locked together by a locking mechanism positioned in the central zone under the incomplete sole of the boot upper. In each of these variants, the front and rear parts of the removable sole also interact with the ends of the incomplete sole of the upper, in particular to form standard curbs, in accordance with one of the standards selected (Alpine ski-boot or touring boot). 
       FIGS. 6 to 10  illustrate a first variant embodiment of such a solution, in which the removable sole  31  is therefore composed of a front sole  32  connected by lateral members  36  to a rear sole  33 . Each sole part  32 ,  33  comprises, toward its ends, hooks  34  that interact with complementary parts  27  of the incomplete sole  21  of the boot, and in its central part a catch  35  capable of interacting with a locking device  23  of the incomplete sole  21  of the boot upper, shown partially in the figures for reasons of clarity. The lateral members  36  are sufficiently flexible to allow the two sole parts  32 ,  33  to move closer together slightly in order to position the removable sole  31  in its fixing position, in which its hooks  34  interact with the complementary parts  27  of the incomplete boot sole  21 . At the front, the latter comprises a front curb part  22 , and at the rear a rear curb part  26 , forms  27  at the front and at the rear that complement the hooks  34 , and in the central zone a locking device  23  for the removable sole  31 . This locking device  23  comprises a circular plate  25  mounted in rotation and manually actuable by a button  28  arranged under its lower surface and accessible between the two lateral members  36  connecting the two parts  32 ,  33  of the removable sole. Longitudinal locking members or rods  24 , which are diametrically opposed, are fixed to the periphery of the plate  25  and are guided so as to remain substantially extended in the longitudinal direction of the boot. The functioning of the locking of the removable sole is more precisely shown in  FIGS. 8 to 10 . The two complementary sole parts  21  and  31  are brought together progressively until they make contact, the rods  24  being in an open position, shown in  FIG. 9 . When the removable sole has been correctly positioned, a simple quarter-turn rotation of the circular plate  25  makes it possible to extend the rods  24  and to bring them into their locking configuration, illustrated in  FIG. 10 , in which they assume a position between the catches  35  of the removable sole  31 , thus preventing any release of the sole. 
     In a variant embodiment, the ends of the front and rear parts  32 ,  33  of the removable sole  31  may have a different form and include, for example, all the front and/or rear curbs in a similar manner to the first embodiment described above. In this variant, the linking members  36  between the two parts  32 ,  33  of the removable sole  31  are elastic in order for it to be possible for them to be extended during positioning of the removable sole  31 , bearing on the front and rear surfaces of the incomplete sole  21  of the boot upper. 
       FIGS. 11 to 17  illustrate a second variant of this second embodiment, which differs principally in terms of its locking device  23 ′. The removable sole is also composed of two, front and rear, parts  32 ′,  33 ′, each having an extension  36 ′ a ,  36 ′ b  and a locking device  23 ′ provided directly on these extensions. This locking device  23 ′ comprises a lock  25 ′ mounted in rotation about a spindle  26 ′ on an extension  36 ′ a , a part  24 ′ of which can interact with a step or tooth  35 ′ of the other longitudinal central extension  36 ′ b , thus making it possible to lock the spacing between the two elements  32 ′,  33 ′ of the removable sole held with the ends of the incomplete sole  21 ′ and to prevent longitudinal movement and release thereof. 
     This variant embodiment advantageously offers an additional level of safety in that it comprises a safety lever  29 ′ that comes to rest on the manual actuation surface  28 ′ of the lock  25 ′ in its locked position in order to hold this position securely.  FIG. 12  thus shows the sole in the locking configuration.  FIGS. 13 to 17  illustrate different steps in the unlocking of the removable sole. The user begins by actuating the safety lever  29 ′ before he can actuate the lock  25 ′ by pressing on its control surface  28 ′ in order to rotate it about a horizontal, transverse spindle  26 ′ and to release the tooth  35 ′ from the extension  36 ′ b , which can then be withdrawn longitudinally rearward. 
       FIGS. 18 to 20  illustrate a third variant of the second embodiment of the invention, in which the removable sole is still composed of two, front and rear parts  32 ″,  33 ″ comprising, respectively, extensions  36 ′ a  and  36 ″ b  on which is directly provided a locking means  23 ″, comprising, on the one hand, a member  25 ″ mounted on a first extension  36 ″ a  so as to be movable in transverse translation, actuable by a button  28 ″ and comprising a ring  24 ″ that is able to interact with one of the circular teeth  35 ″ included within the second extension  36 ″ b .  FIG. 19  illustrates the device in a locked position. In order to unlock the removable sole, a user presses manually on the button  28 ″ in order to move the member  25 ″ sideways in order to cause the ring  24 ″ to leave the corresponding tooth  35 ″. In this configuration, the extensions  36 ′ a  and  36 ″ b  may be moved longitudinally one with respect to the other and the attached sole  31 ″ can thus be removed. The return spring  26 ″ returns the member  25 ″ to the locking configuration and prevents unintentional unlocking. 
     The last two variants are distinguished from the preceding embodiments in that the locking means  23 ′,  23 ″ is mounted directly on the elements of the removable sole and not on the incomplete sole of the upper. Furthermore, these two solutions offer a supplementary advantage in that it is possible to adjust the length of the removable sole by virtue of regulating the spacing provided between the two, front and rear, parts of the removable sole, which can be locked at different distances from one another, which renders it compatible with boots of different sizes. To that end, a plurality of teeth  35 ′,  35 ″ is provided in each of these variants. 
     These different solutions have been presented by way of examples, but the concept of the invention may be implemented by means of other configurations, particularly those obtained by combining the different variant embodiments described above. For example, a means for securing the manual actuating means in the locked position of the sole, such as the lever  29 ′ of the variant embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 11 to 17 , may also be implemented in all the other variant embodiments. 
     Lastly, the solution thus satisfactorily achieves the objectives sought and offers the following advantages:
         although a single removable-sole assembly  11 ,  31 ,  31 ′ or  31 ″ has been shown in the figures for reasons of simplicity, provision is made for two removable-sole assemblies of different geometry that are nevertheless suitable for combination with the incomplete sole  1 ,  21 ,  21 ′,  21 ″ of the rigid upper;   thus, a ski boot formed by the use of a first removable-sole assembly may be converted with the aid of a second removable-sole assembly so as to obtain a sole that is substantially compatible with the standard for touring boots, which allows easy walking and optional fastening, under the boot, of standard accessories provided for hiking boots, such as crampons. One and the same boot assembly thus makes it possible to ski in complete safety and also allows an optimum walking mode;   this conversion of the ski sole to a touring sole, and vice versa, is simple and can be carried out anywhere, even without a tool;   one point that the various solutions described share is that they allow conversion based on a fixing means that includes a locking means adapted to a number of situations, i.e. allowing a great many conversion operations such as, for example, several conversions per day of use of the boot, without giving rise to significant wear of the boot&#39;s components. This technical effect enables us to call this essential element of the invention, bearing in mind its technical function, a “locking means for numerous uses”. Of necessity, this locking means for numerous uses comprises no operation of screwing through the plastic of the boot. One result obtained by means of this technical effect is that it provides a compact boot assembly that can be used for a conversion for each uphill/downhill change. In the case of a solution involving a screwing operation, the user opts for a skiing or walking mode for his boot, which he preserves over a long period of use;   the boot obtained is secured, and the sole is properly locked on and cannot be released accidentally. The fixing achieved is as reliable and as secure as a fixing performed by means of screwing on the removable soles.