Abstract:
Boot machining device for angular adjustment of a boot sole. The device includes a support frame, a substantially flat board, or flat frame, connected to the support frame and provided with an opening larger than the sole of the boot in order to provide access, securing arrangement fixed in the support frame for securing the boot in the device such that it is accessible from the top side, arrangement for adjusting and locking the angular position of the boot sole around a transverse axis of rotation, and a machining tool carrier for supporting a machining tool, said tool carrier is slidably arranged on the substantially flat board, or flat frame. The sole of the ski boot, after adjustment of the desired angle in transverse and/or longitudinal direction is machined to be substantially parallel by moving the tool carrier in the plane of the substantially flat board, or flat frame.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a boot machining device for angular adjustment of a boot sole. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Alpine skiing is performed by many peoples around the world. The alpine skier wears a pair of ski boots secured to a pair of skis by fastening devices. There are many different models of boots, skis and fastening devices available on the market to fit different skiers&#39; physical differences and needs. 
     In order to optimize the performance of the skier it is essential that the boot, the skies and the fastening devices fit together properly, and that the equipment are adjusted to fit the physical properties of the skier. 
     One feature of adjustment is the angle between the vertical axis of the ski boot, which correspond to vertical axis of the lower part of the leg of the skier, and the longitudinal and transverse axes of the ski. These angles are adjusted by grinding the flat sole of the boot that are aligned with the top surface of the ski to have a flat surface with the desired angle. Initially, before any grinding is done, the surface is substantially transverse to the vertical axis of the boot and after the grinding the surface is angled up to about 10° in relation to the non-grinded surface. 
     Up to now, these adjustments of the ski boots have been made the trial and error approach in a ski shop, by hand, using a conventional grinding machine. This way of angle adjustment is however inaccurate, and makes the adjustments, that in many cases are done in several steps, time consuming and complicated. 
     There is consequently a need for a flexible boot machining device that improves the accuracy of the angular adjustments, is more flexible and reduces the time for these adjustment procedures. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, defined in independent claims  1  and  10 , provides a boot machining device for angular adjustment of a boot sole that fulfils the needs described above, and a method for use of the device. 
     The boot machining device for angular adjustment of a boot sole comprises:
         a support frame,   a substantially flat board, or flat frame, connected to the support frame and provided with an opening larger than the sole of the boot in order to provide access to the bottom of the sole from the top side of the flat board, or flat frame;   securing means fixed in the support frame and intended for securing the boot in the device with the boot sole positioned in such a way that it is accessible from the top side of the board, or flat frame, via the opening in the substantially flat board, or flat frame;   means for adjusting and locking the angular position of the boot sole around a transverse axis of rotation in relation to the substantially flat board, or flat frame, and/or means for adjusting the angular position of the boot sole around a longitudinal axis of rotation in relation to the substantially flat board, or flat frame; and   a machining tool carrier intended for supporting a machining tool, said tool carrier is slidably arranged on the substantially flat board, or flat frame, to be movable in the plane of the surface of the board, or flat frame;   wherein the sole of the ski boot, after adjustment of the desired angles in transverse and/or longitudinal direction between the sole of the ski boot and the substantially flat board, or flat frame, is machined to be substantially parallel to the flat board, or flat frame, by moving the tool carrier in the plane of the substantially flat board, or flat frame.       

     The boot machining device according to the present invention provides a flexible and reliably device that makes it possible to do angular adjustments around one or two rotational axes. Furthermore the device makes it possible to use a portable hand held machining tool since the supporting frame in combination with the fastening means ensures that the ski boot is kept properly in the desired position while the substantially flat board in combination with the machining tool carrier provide guidance for the machining tool so that the sole could be easily machined to be parallel to the board. 
     The boot machining device according to the present invention makes it possible to do angular adjustments with high accuracy with a conventional hand held machining tool. As a result, the device could be made considerably small which makes it possible to bring the device to, for example, the ski slope where the ski boots are tested in combination with the skis, and further corrections and adjustments could be made in an efficient way. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the securing means for the boot comprises two jaws shaped to fit the toe and heel portion of the boot. At least one jaw is movable in the longitudinal direction of the intended position of the boot by rotation of a treaded shaft that is passing through a threaded portion in the support frame, said shaft is in one end turnably fastened to the jaw, and in the opposite end provided with a lever, or knob, to facilitate turning of the shaft. The shape of the jaws ensures that the jaws grip, and maintain, the boot in the intended position. Furthermore the movable jaw, or jaws, makes it possible to secure and release the boot in the device in an easy and reliably way. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the means for adjusting and locking the angular position of the boot sole around a transverse axis of rotation comprises adjustment devices placed in each longitudinal end of the flat board, or flat frame, that is turnable around an axis of rotation placed close to the longitudinal centre of the board, or flat frame, each adjustment device comprising a rod extending in transverse direction of the intended position of the boot parallel to the transverse axis, said rod is slidably arranged in a vertical slot in a section perpendicular to, and secured in, the substantially flat board, or flat frame, in order to make it possible to adjust the vertical position of each end of the board, or flat frame, and lock the board, or flat frame, in the desired position by clamping means. This embodiment provides a range of adjustment that is defined by the length of the slots. The longitudinal centre of the boot is preferably positioned close to the rotational axis of the board. Furthermore this arrangement is very user friendly since angular adjustments around the transverse axis could be made without removing any components of the device, or repositioning of the boot in relation to the supporting frame. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the device comprises an angle adjustment indicator arranged in relation to at least one adjustment device. The indicator facilitates adjustment of the board, and makes it possible to record the exact angular adjustments that have been made for a specific boot. This is a huge benefit since the recorded figures makes it possible to re-create these adjustments on boots for a specific skier later on. The adjustment range around the transverse axis is between −10° to +10°. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the means for adjusting the angular position of the boot sole around a longitudinal axis of rotation comprises the two treaded shafts that is used for securing the boot and a second shaft turnably attached to the other jaw, said shafts are positioned coincident with the longitudinal axis of the boot when it is in the intended position so that the boot could be turned around these shafts to the desired angular position where it is locked by a locking device. This embodiment of the invention provides a boot machining device with a simple, and reliable, design without extra components that adds weight, and makes the device more complex. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the longitudinal adjustment angle is indicated on at least one longitudinal end of the boot machining device. This embodiment provides an adjustment angle indicator that is visible from the longitudinal ends of the boot machining device. The adjustment range around the longitudinal axis is between −10° to +10°. 
     Furthermore, in some cases it is possible to use manufacturing marks on the boot as an indicator for the vertical direction of the boot and for calibration of the boot machining device before any angular adjustments of the boot in relation to the flat board is done to increase the accuracy of the adjustments further. If these marks are usable, the calibration procedure is facilitated. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the machine tool carrier comprises a substantially flat carrier plate aligning and sliding on the surface of the substantially flat board, or flat frame, guiding devices used to maintain the carrier plate in contact with the board, or flat frame, and fastening means for fastening the machining tool to the machine tool carrier. This embodiment of the invention is useful since it ensures that the tool carrier is kept in the intended position sliding on the flat board even though the flat board not is placed horizontally and/or the surrounding conditions, when the boot machining device is used for example in the ski slop, are difficult. This embodiment of the invention improves the accuracy of the machining of the sole considerably. 
     In one embodiment of the invention, the machine tool carrier further comprises two parallel rods extending in the transverse direction of the intended position of the boot, said rods are passing through holes in the fastening means in order to provide guidance for the fastening means in the transverse direction. This embodiment of the invention improves the accuracy of the machining of the sole considerably. 
     The machining tool either is a hand held powered tool such as a grinding machine, a router machine or a cutting machine, or a stationary powered rotating machine tool mounted on the machining tool carrier. One of the major advantages with the present invention is that it could be used in combination with a conventional portable hand held tool, preferably a plunge router, a cutting machine, or a stationary mounted machining tool. If desired, the machining tool could be released from the boot cutting device during transportation of the boot machining device, and if the machining tool breaks, the boot machining device could be used with another machining device. 
     The present invention furthermore relates to a method for angular adjustment of a sole of a ski boot by use of a boot machining device according to claim  1 . The method comprises the steps:
         a) securing the boot in a support frame;   b) calibrate the sole of the ski boot to be substantially parallel to a substantially flat board, or flat frame, of the device;   c) adjust the angular position of the boot sole around a transverse axis of rotation in relation to the substantially flat board, or flat frame, and/or adjust the angular position of the boot sole around a longitudinal axis of rotation in relation to the substantially flat board, or flat frame; and   d) secure the boot in relation to the support frame when the desired angular positions are achieved;   e) machine the sole by moving a machining tool in the plane of the substantially flat board, or flat frame, until the entire sole is machined and substantially parallel to the substantially flat board, or flat frame;       

     The use of this method for angular adjustments of the sole of a ski boot ensures that the desired adjustment angles could be performed with the required accuracy, and recorded for re-creation later on. 
     Further advantages and details of the invention will be recognised in the detailed description. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       One embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of the boot machining device and a machining tool. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective view of the boot machining device without the machine tool carrier and machining tool. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates the device and a ski boot sole secured in the intended position but without the flat board. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the machining tool carrier and the machining tool in one of the angled positions. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In  FIG. 1 , a first embodiment of a boot machining device  10  according to the present invention is illustrated. The boot machining device  10  comprises a supporting frame  11  shaped as a box with a rectangular bottom  12 , two longitudinal side walls  13 , two end walls  14  and a substantially flat board  15  movably arranged on the top side of the supporting frame  11 . All side walls  13  and  14  have centrally positioned openings  16  in order to facilitate the positioning of a ski boot within the supporting frame  11 , make it possible to visually see that the ski boot is correctly positioned in the device  10  and to reduce the overall weight of the boot machining device  10 . The bottom  12 , side walls  13  and end walls  14  are put together by a number of screws  17  to form the rigid support frame  11 . 
     The flat board  15  is rectangular and provided with an opening  19  of at least the same size as the size of the boot sole of a ski boot for an adult. The flat board  15  is slightly wider than the box shaped support frame  11  and extend a distance outside the support frame  11 . Along the longitudinal sides of the flat board  15  an elongated section  18  extend perpendicularly from the bottom side of the flat board  15  outside the longitudinal side walls  13  of the support frame  11 . In order to make it possible to adjust the angular position of the flat board  15  in relation to the support frame  11 , each longitudinal end of the flat board  15  is provided with means for adjusting the angular position of the flat board  15  that is turnable around a transverse axis of rotation placed in the longitudinal centre of the elongated section  18 , which means that if one end of the flat board  15  is moved upwards, the opposite end of the board  15  is moved a similar distance downwards. 
     In the illustrated embodiment of the device  10  the means for adjustment of the angular position of the board  15  consist of an adjustment device  20  placed in relation to each corner of the flat board  15 . Each adjustment device  20  comprises a slot  23  shaped like a circular arc and positioned at constant radial direction from the axis of rotation placed in the longitudinal centre of the elongated section  18 . The slot  23  is arranged in the elongated section  18  close the longitudinal end of the elongated section  18  in the area where the side wall  13  and the elongated section  18  overlap each other. Each adjustment device furthermore comprises a knob  25  with a treaded rod, not visible in the figures, extending in substantially transverse direction of the intended position of the boot parallel to the transverse axis of rotation through the slot  23  and a threaded hole in the upper corner of the side wall  13 . Thereby the rod  22  is able to slide in the slot  23 . The length of the slots  23  defines the adjustment range for the flat board  15  around the transverse axis. An angle indicator  21  is provided in relation to at least one adjustment device  20 . The adjustment device  20  is locked in the selected position by turning the knob  25  thereby locking the flat board  15  and the elongated section  18  in relation to the side wall  13  of the supporting frame  11 . 
     On top of the flat board  15  a machining tool carrier  30  intended for supporting a machining tool  40  is slidably arranged on the substantially flat board  15  to be movable in the plane of the board  15 . The carrier comprises a sliding plate  45  aligning the surface of the board  15 , and a machine sole  31  arranged above the sliding plate  45 . From the machine sole  31  two vertically adjustable supporting rods  32  extend upwards. These supporting rods  32  could be a part of the machining tool  40 , or the tool carrier  30 , and are used for adjusting the vertical position of the cutting tool used for the machining of the boot sole. 
     In order to ensure the desired accuracy of the machined boot sole the machine tool carrier  30  must be kept in the desired position, in direct contact with the surface of the board  15 . This is achieved by gripping means arranged to grip the longitudinal edges of the flat board  15 . The gripping means comprises two rods  33  extending parallel to the transverse axis of rotation and having a length longer than the width of the flat board  15 . The rods  33  extend through holes, or grooves, in the machine sole  31 , and in each end through a rod spacer  36  and a tool carrier side plate  34 . The position and space between the transversal rods  22  are specific for the machining tool used in combination with the tool carrier  30 . The side plates  34  are provided with a protruding flange  35  that grip the edge along the longitudinal sides of the flat board  15  to ensure that the tool carrier  30  is held in contact with the surface of the board  15 . The rods  33 , that in this embodiment are secured in the machine sole  31 , slides smoothly through the side plates  34  and the rod spacer  36  arranged in relation to each side plate  34  in order to provide guidance in transversal movements of the machine sole  31 . The side plates provide guidance during longitudinal movements of the tool carrier  30 . Preferably the surfaces of the tool carrier sliding plate  45  in contact with the flat board  15  and machine sole  31  are smooth to reduce the friction between the surfaces to provide a steady longitudinal and transversal movement of the machining device  40 . 
     In  FIG. 3  the flat board  15  is removed to more clearly illustrate the interior of the device  10  where securing means  50  are arranged close to the top of the box shaped supporting frame  11  to secure the ski boot in the device  10 . The securing means  50  comprises two jaws  51  provided with recesses  52  shaped to grip the toe and heel portions of a ski boot and two treaded shafts  53  extending in opposite longitudinal directions coinciding with the longitudinal axis of rotation for the device  10  from respective jaw  51  and through a treaded passage  54  in respective longitudinal end wall  14  so that the jaws  51  are moved in longitudinal direction towards and away from each other by rotation of the treaded shafts  53 . The ends of the shafts  53  opposite the jaws  51  are provided with a lever  55  to facilitate turning of the shafts  53 . Each jaw  51  has a width smaller than the interior width of the support frame  11 . The securing means  50  furthermore comprises two guiding rods  56  extending in parallel direction to the longitudinal axis of rotation from a first support device  57  through holes  58  in respective jaw  51  to a second support device  57  before they exits the supporting frame  11  via guiding slots, not visible in the figures, in one of the longitudinal end walls  14  of the supporting frame  11 . Thereby the entire securing means  50 , and ski boot secured between the jaws  51 , are turnable around the two treaded shafts  53 , i.e. turnable around the longitudinal axis of the ski boot. The two ends of the guiding rods  56  that extend through the guiding slots in the side wall  14  are treaded and provided with locking knobs  59  that are used for locking the securing means in the desired angle in relation to the flat board by rotating the knob  59 . The angular adjustment angle is indicated on at least one of the longitudinal end walls  14  to facilitate adjustments and recording of the adjustments. The angular settings can be read out as fractions of degrees or millimeters on the side of the sole. 
     Once the angular adjustments have been completed, the bottom of the sole is machined to the parallel to the flat board  15 . The machining tool  40  illustrated in the drawings is a hand held electrically, or air powered, cutting machine or plunge router. Alternatively a stationary, rotating device could be arranged on the tool carrier. The machining of the boot sole is done by a cutting tool  41  placed in the end of a shaft  42 . The cutting machine  40  is secured in the machining tool carrier  30  with the shaft  42  extending in the substantially perpendicular direction upwards from the substantially flat board  15 . The distance between the boot sole is adapted to fit with the length of the shaft  42  so that the shaft extend through the opening  19  in the flat board  15  and further down to the boot sole. During use, the cutting tool  41  is rotated at high speed and the cutting machine  40  moved within the plane of the flat board  15  in order to cut piece by piece of the sole until the sole is completely parallel to the board  15 . 
     In the toe and heel portion of a ski boot a protruding shoulder extend in forward and backward direction. These protruding shoulders are used in order to make it possible for the fastening devices on the skis to grip the ski boot in a reliably manner. When the bottom of the boot sole has been machined during angular adjustments around the longitudinal axis, the right and left side of these protruding shoulders will have different heights. These differences will have a negative impact on the fastening of the ski boot to the ski and preferably the top side of these protruding shoulders is machined to uniform thickness. 
     The fastening devices are designed for ski boot soles with a wedge shaped cut away portion in the toe and heel portion of the sole bottom. During the angular adjustments of the sole, these cut away portions will be partly, or completely, eliminated. The guiding rods  33  for the machining tool carrier  30  that extends in the transverse direction of the device  10  are therefore led through the side plates  34  via grooves  44  with a shape that makes it possible to reposition the tool carrier  30  from its normal position aligning the flat board  15  to two positions where the tool carrier  30  is angled in relation to the board  15 , illustrated in  FIG. 4 . One of these positions are used for cutting a new wedge shaped cut away portion in the toe, while the second position is used for forming the cut away portion in the heel of the ski boot. The side plates  34  are furthermore provided with a clamping device comprising a treaded shaft, a nut and a knob  45  placed close to the centre of the plate  34  in order to make it possible to secure the tool carrier  30  in the selected angular position. Also when tool carrier  30  is the two angled positions, the tool carrier  30  is movable along the transversely directed guiding rods  33  to be able to machine the complete width of the sole. 
     While one presently preferred embodiment of the invention has been described herein, it is to be understood that the invention is not so limited but covers and includes any and all modifications and variations that are encompassed by the following claims.