Patent Publication Number: US-7707694-B2

Title: Positioning mechanism for positioning means, in particular of a shoe

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of AUSTRIAN Patent Application No. A 846/2005 filed on May 18, 2005. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to a positioning mechanism for releasably fixing at least one position of a positioning means which can be displaced more or less linearly relative to a positioning means fixedly connected to a structure, for example a shoe, which provides a mount for at least one displaceable coupling means, which, under the action of a spring arrangement, engages in a female coupling part of the positioning means connected to the structure in a position which fixes the position of the positioning means relative to one another. 
   2. The Prior Art 
   Patent specification EP 1 169 932 A2 discloses a fixing means which can be positioned in several positions spaced apart from one another in the linear direction, in particular a shoe clasp for a sports shoe. A base plate is used to mount a bearing means in a linear guide system, which mounts a positioning means provided with a toothed contour on a top face. The bearing means is provided with a pivotable catch element in the form of a rocker, which, under the action of a spring, engages by means of catch projections in catch recesses provided in the base plate spaced apart from one another in the direction in which the bearing means is moved. By pivoting the rocker against the action of the spring about a pivot axis of the bearing means, the catch element can be disengaged from the catch recesses and the positioning element can therefore be moved in a linear direction relative to the base plate. 
   Another document, U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,156 A, discloses a clasp arrangement for a shoe, whereby a positioning element provided with a toothed contour on a top face is mounted so that it can be moved in a linear direction on a base plate secured to a region of the shoe. The base plate and the positioning element have mutually facing sets of support teeth which engage to fix a position. The positioning element is of a rocker-type design and is pivotable about an axis. The teeth are held in engagement by a spring-biasing action. When a force is applied to the rocker-type positioning element opposing the spring bias, the engagement is released in order to move the positioning element in a linear direction with respect to the base plate, thereby enabling a new position to be assumed. 
   Another document, U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,253 A, likewise discloses a positioning mechanism for a positioning means, in particular a shoe clasp. In this instance, a tooth element can be moved in a linear direction between two positions on a base plate attached to the shoe. The base plate has two circular orifices spaced at a distance part from one another in the linear direction, which are connected to one another by a slit. Facing the shoe interior and adapted to the cross-section of the orifices, a locking bolt is mounted in the tooth element so that it can rotate. Depending on the respective position of the locking bolt, a lock can be obtained in one of the two circular orifices due to flattened regions in the side of the cylindrical cross-section and the locking bolt can be pivoted by an angle of 90°, permitting two possible positions. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The objective of the invention is to propose a positioning mechanism for fixing at least one position between positioning means which can be linearly moved relative to one another, which is easy to operate and, being of the smallest possible construction, enables a reliable positioning action and is versatile in its application. This objective is achieved by the invention due to the fact that the connecting element is provided in the form of a link chain with a plurality of inter-connected link parts, and the individual link parts are articulatingly connected to one another by means of several link connections forming several link axes oriented parallel with one another, and the link axes of the link connections are oriented essentially horizontally and extend transversely to the longitudinal extension of the connecting element and transversely to the binding longitudinal axis. The surprising advantage of this is that the positioning mechanism incorporating the specified features can be used to satisfy various demands in terms of function within the range of functions to be fulfilled, whilst requiring only slight modifications to the main components of the positioning mechanism. 
   Accordingly, one embodiment is possible whereby, in the locking position, the positioning means are disposed overlapping one another at least in certain regions on different structures, for example of a shoe shell and/or a shoe shaft of the shoe, which are displaceable relative to one another, as a result of which the positioning mechanism lends itself particularly well in terms of adaptability to various design requirements which are commonplace in the sports sector. 
   In another advantageous embodiment, one of the positioning means is attached to the structure and has a guide system in which the other positioning means is mounted so that it can be linearly displaced, resulting in a compact construction. 
   The fact that the positioning means is provided with several female coupling parts spaced at a distance apart from one anther results in an extended positioning range. 
   In another embodiment, the female coupling part is provided in the form of a circular orifice or bore, which, in terms of manufacturing, reduces the complexity involved in achieving a high positioning accuracy for key components. 
   Another option is to provide a cut-out in an end face of the positioning element with an insertion slit connecting it to the orifice, since this enables the positioning element and hence the structures to be rapidly and completely released. 
   In other advantageous embodiments, the coupling recess is provided in the form of a circular, rectangular or square cut or a bore in the positioning means and several of the coupling recesses are connected to one another by means of a connecting slit, thereby satisfying the requirements which have to be fulfilled for different intended purposes in different design variants. 
   The coupling means is of a bolt-type design and has a shaft and an operating button disposed on an end region of the shaft, and a coupling projection is provided at the opposite end region, which makes mass production economical whilst ensuring that the coupling means has the requisite strength even though it is small in terms of its dimensions. 
   In one embodiment, a height of the coupling projection corresponds more or less to a depth of the positioning seat plus an insertion depth of the coupling projection in the female coupling part so that the torque acting on the coupling means is kept low, which means that the coupling means can be made to a smaller dimension and its guide system in the positioning means can also be rendered simple. 
   Another option in this respect is for the height of the coupling projection to be smaller than a distance between a base web of the positioning means incorporating the female coupling part and the structure, in which case an appropriate space is left free for the coupling projection between the structure and the positioning means. 
   In other embodiments, the coupling projection is provided in the form of a circular coupling disc or a rectangular or square coupling plate, and the coupling projection is offset in a stepped shape in the vertical direction, thereby resulting in design variants which can be used in different applications of the positioning mechanism. 
   It is also of advantage if the positioning means secured to the structure is provided in the form of a C-shaped section, which is used to mount the other positioning means so that it can be displaced, because this results in an exact and reliable guiding action. 
   In other advantageous embodiments, the adjustable positioning means has two bolt-shaped coupling means in an axially aligned position which can be adjusted relative to one another and the coupling means are mounted so that they can be moved into bores of guide legs of the positioning means and/or the bores constitute the positioning seats and the female coupling parts are provided in the form of oppositely lying side legs of the positioning means extending parallel with the guide legs, and spaced apart bores are disposed in the direction in which the positioning means are displaced, and the coupling means are biased into an engaged position with the female coupling parts or the bores of the other positioning element by means of a clasp spring element disposed between them in a groove-shaped recess of the positioning element, thereby offering another different construction of the positioning mechanism proposed by the invention which enables a very close stagger between the positions of the positioning means. 
   Embodiments in which a spring force of the spring system acts between an annular surface of the operating head surrounding the shaft and a surface of the positioning means facing it or an annular contact surface of a bore provided in the positioning means partially accommodating the operating head ensure that the spring system is configured exactly for different requirements with regard to the adjustment of the coupling means. 
   In another option, one of the positioning means may be provided in the form of a toothed bar section with saw-tooth teeth, thereby enabling additional positioning points irrespective of how the positioning means are positioned relative to one another. 
   Advantage may also be had from other embodiments in which the coupling means is mounted so that it can be displaced in the releasing and a locking direction in a bore of a guide plate disposed on the positioning means and the guide plate is mounted on the positioning means so that it can be displaced in the direction perpendicular to the releasing and locking direction of the coupling means, enabling full and rapid release. 
   It is also of advantage if one of the positioning means is provided in the form of a rotary bearing, as a result of which the positioning mechanism can be used to effect a change of position in the region of mutually connected structures of the shoe which are rotatable, especially at the articulation point of the shoe shaft on the shoe shell, thereby enabling an angular position of the pivot axis to be varied by reference to the support surface of the shoe, thus permitting “canting” to compensate for anatomical aspects, for example an O or X leg position. 
   Finally, in other embodiments, the rotary bearing is provided in the form of a bearing bore disposed in the coupling means in the direction of the longitudinal extension and a bearing bolt mounted in it and constitutes the axis of rotation, and the coupling means can be displaced on the bearing bolt in the axial direction against the action of a compression spring, which means that standard components may be used for the positioning mechanism. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     To provide a clearer understanding, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to examples of embodiments illustrated in the appended drawings. Of these: 
       FIG. 1  shows a shoe with the positioning mechanism proposed by the invention disposed in different regions; 
       FIG. 2  shows the positioning mechanism proposed by the invention between the shoe shell and the shoe shaft, viewed in section; 
       FIG. 3  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line III-III indicated in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line IV-IV indicated in  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  shows another embodiment of the positioning mechanism proposed by the invention, viewed in section along line V-V indicated in  FIG. 7 ; 
       FIG. 6  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line VI-VI indicated in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line VII-VII indicated in  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a front view showing another embodiment of the positioning mechanism; 
       FIG. 9  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line IX-IX indicated in  FIG. 8 ; 
       FIG. 10  shows another embodiment of the positioning mechanism proposed by the invention between the shoe shell and the shoe shaft, viewed in section along line X-X indicated in  FIG. 11 ; 
       FIG. 11  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line XI-XI indicated in  FIG. 10 ; 
       FIG. 12  shows another embodiment of the positioning mechanism in the region of the pivot bearing of the shoe shaft on the shoe shell; 
       FIG. 13  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line XIII-XIII indicated in  FIG. 14 ; 
       FIG. 14  shows the positioning mechanism in section along line XIV-XIV indicated in  FIG. 13 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Firstly, it should be pointed out that the same parts described in the different embodiments are denoted by the same reference numbers and the same component names and the disclosures made throughout the description can be transposed in terms of meaning to same parts bearing the same reference numbers or same component names. Furthermore, the positions chosen for the purposes of the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc,. relate to the drawing specifically being described and can be transposed in terms of meaning to a new position when another position is being described. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments illustrated and described may be construed as independent inventive solutions or solutions proposed by the invention in their own right. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates a positioning mechanism  1  for releasably fixing two positioning means  2 ,  3  which can be displaced approximately linearly relative to one another in at least one position. The positioning means  2 ,  3  of the positioning mechanism  1  are secured to a structure of a shoe, preferably a sports shoe, such as a ski shoe or board shoe, for example, and one of the positioning means  2  is secured to a shoe shell  4  and the other positioning means  3  is secured, for example, to a shoe shaft  5  which moves relative to the shoe shell  4 . A design of this type is used in particular with a ski shoe  6  or snowboard shoe or similar footwear because shoes of this type are provided with a shoe shaft  5  extending higher which is mounted on the shell structure as a separate shoe structure so that it can pivot about a pivot axis  8  extending more or less perpendicular to a support surface  7  and perpendicular to a longitudinal extension. 
   On this type of shoe  6 , e.g. a ski or snowboard shoe, etc., it is necessary to provide a means of fixing the pivotable shoe shaft  5  on the one hand, but it must be possible to adjust to different positions on the other hand or also it must be possible for the fixing to be released in order to permit a so-called “FLEXING” during which a relative displacement between the structures is capable of opposing resistances caused merely by the material and design, which significantly enhances the comfort of this type of shoe  6  when worn. 
   These functions are made possible by the positioning mechanism  1  acting between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  more or less above a heel region, which is provided with a coupling means  9  by means of which a relative displacement—indicated by double arrow  10 —between the positioning means  2 ,  3  and hence between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  is fixed and released. 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example, the positioning mechanism  1  is designed to fix a position between the shoe shell  3  and the shoe shaft  4  for a predefined position or to release the ability to move relative to one another. 
   The positioning mechanism  1  is also designed so that the ability to move relatively basically causes no change in the relative position between the shoe shell  3  and shoe shaft  4 . 
   As may also be seen from  FIG. 1 , the fastening means  11  for this type of shoe is provided in the form of a plurality of clasps  12  on the shoe shaft  3  and/or the shoe shell  4  with adjustment options in order to adapt the shoe to the shape of the foot on the one hand and adjust individual tension forces on the other hand. In the embodiment illustrated as an example, this objective is achieved using the positioning mechanism  1  on the clasp  12 , as will be described in more detail below. 
   However,  FIG. 1  illustrates yet another application of the positioning mechanism  1  in the region of the pivot axis  8  on which the shoe shaft  5  is mounted on the shoe shell  4  so that it can pivot. Accordingly, the positioning mechanism  1  is used to adjust the relative position between the pivot axis  8  and a thrust bearing of the shoe shaft  5  to permit what is referred to as “CANTING”, i.e. by changing the relative position of the pivot axis  8 , a lateral angular position can be imparted to the shoe shaft  5  with respect to the shoe shell  4  in order to compensate for anatomical deviations in the foot position. The positioning mechanism  1  in the region of the pivot bearing  8  will be described in more detail below. 
     FIG. 2 to 4  provide detailed illustrations of the positioning mechanism  1  between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  based on a preferred embodiment. 
   In the area where the positioning mechanism  1  is disposed, an extended gap  13  is provided between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5 , formed by an outward bulge of the shoe shaft  5 , affording an approximately U-shaped casing for accommodating the positioning means  2  secured to the shoe shaft. 
   The positioning means  2  is provided in the form of a section  14  with a U-shaped cross-section comprising a base web  16  facing a terminal wall  15  of the shoe shaft  5  and side legs  17  on either side, which form mounting flanges  18  for securing it to the shoe shell adapted to its contour and which are joined to the shoe shell  4  by rivets, for example. 
   Provided in the base web  16  as a female coupling part  20  is a circular orifice  19  in which a disc-shaped coupling projection  21  of the coupling means  9 , provided in the form of an essentially bolt-type design, engages. A V-shaped cut-out  23  is also provided in the base web  16  between an upper end face  22  and the orifice  19 . In the region of the orifice  19 , an insertion slit  24  connects the cut-out  23  to the orifice  19 . A width  25  of the insertion slit  24  is slightly bigger than a diameter  26  of a shaft region of the coupling means  9  and is approximately half as big as a diameter  27  of the disc-shaped coupling projection  21 . 
   In the fixing position, the coupling projection  21  projects by an insertion depth  28  into the orifice  19 , the diameter of which is slightly bigger than the diameter  27  of the coupling projection  21 . 
   The coupling means  9  is mounted in the positioning means  3  secured to the terminal wall  15  lying opposite the positioning means  2 , extending through it, so that it can be displaced—as indicated by double arrow  29 . The positioning means  3  is penetrated by means of a slot  30  extending in the vertical direction. This also enables the coupling means  9  to be displaced in a direction—indicated by double arrow  31 —perpendicular to the displacement direction—indicated by double arrow  29 . 
   In an end region  32  projecting beyond the positioning means  3 , the coupling means  9  has a cylindrical operating head  34  extending beyond the diameter  28  of a shaft  3 , which projects into and slides in a bore  35  of a guide plate  36  mounted on the positioning means  3 —as indicated by double arrow  31 —in order guide the coupling means  9  axially. 
   The coupling means  9  is biased by means of a spring system  39 , e.g. a spiral compression spring, curved plate spring, etc., on a surface  37  of the positioning means  3  and an annular surface  38  of the operating head  34  facing it, whilst a stop flange  40  extending out from the shaft  33  restricts the movement of the coupling means  9  due to an abutment on a rear face  41  of the positioning means  2 . 
   In this position, the stop flange  40  sits in a positioning seat  42  provided in the positioning means  3 , as a result of which the coupling means  9  is supported against the displacement forces which occur between the positioning means  2 ,  3 . 
   Due to the effect of the spring system  39 , when the coupling means  9  is in the non-operated position, the disc-shaped coupling projection  21  is positioned in the orifice  19  forming the female coupling part  20 . 
   In order to release the resultant fixing, the coupling means  9  is displaced against the action of the spring system  39  by pressing on the operating head  34  in the direction of the shoe shell  4 . As a result, the coupling projection  21  moves out of the female coupling part  20  into a free space  43  of the positioning means  2  disposed between the shoe shell  4  and the base web  16  and the flange  40  is moved out of engagement with the positioning seat  42 . Consequently, another displacement of the coupling means  9  is possible with the guide plate  36 —indicated by arrow  44 . All in all, therefore, the coupling means  9  is moved from the region of the positioning means  2  via the insertion slit  23  into the position illustrated by broken lines in  FIG. 4 , thereby releasing the positioning action. 
   Due to the fact that the guide plate  36  bearing the coupling means is mounted so that it can move in the axial direction is able to move in a vertical direction relative to the positioning means  3 —indicated by arrow  44 —when the positioning mechanism  1  is unlocked, the relative position between the positioning means  2 , 3  and hence between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  does not change but provides the comfortable walking and standing function of the shoe  6 . 
   In order to set a new position, it is necessary to overcome the spring force of the spring system  39  by pressing on the operating head  34  and pushing towards the bottom end position, after which, once the pressure on the operating head  34  has been lifted, the coupling projection  21  latches in the female coupling part  20  and the flange  40  latches in the positioning seat  42 . 
     FIGS. 5 to 7  illustrate another embodiment of the positioning mechanism  1 , disposed on a structure of the shoe  6 . In the embodiment illustrated as an example here, the positioning mechanism  1  is used as a means of releasably fixing the relative position of the positioning means  2 ,  3 , which can be displaced linearly with respect to one another, in at least two positions in order to adjust individual tension forces on the fastening means  11 , e.g. the clasp  12  of the shoe  6 . 
   The positioning means  2  is secured to a structure  45  of the shoe  6 , for example a flap covering the step-in opening in the ankle region, so that it can not move, e.g. is screwed, riveted, bonded to it, and provides a mount for the positioning means  3 , which is displaceable relative to it, in a linearly extending guide system  46 . On a top face  47 , the latter is provided with teeth  49  spaced apart in an adjustment direction—arrow  48 —the tooth geometry of which is designed to accommodate a clamping clasp  50  of the clasp  12  made from a round material for example and prevent it from slipping. The clasp  12  is disposed on another structure  51  lying opposite the structure  45 , for example the other flap, and is provided in the form of what might be termed a lever clasp  52 , which provides a mount for the clamping clasp  50 . 
   The displaceable positioning means  3  also has coupling means  9  mounted so as to be displaceable—as indicated by double arrow  29 —in a direction perpendicular to the displacement direction—indicated by arrow  48 —comprising the operating head  34 , shaft  33  and coupling projection  21 . In order to accommodate the coupling means  9  and its axial guide, a guide seat  55  is provided in the positioning means  3  in the form of stepped bores  53 ,  54 . 
   Disposed on a bottom face  56  of the positioning means  3  in the region of the guide seat  55  is a countersunk bore  57  disposed coaxially with a longitudinal mid-axis  57  of the coupling means  9  serving as the positioning seat  42 , which, when the female coupling part  20  of positioning means  2  is in the locked position, is positioned lying exactly opposite in the positioning means  3 . A diameter  58  of the countersunk bore  57  is slightly bigger than the diameter  27  of the disc-shaped coupling projection  21 . A depth  59  of the countersunk bore  57  more or less corresponds to half the height  60  of the coupling projection  21 . 
   Consequently, in the position fixing the displacement, the coupling projection  21  engages both in the female coupling part  20  of the positioning means  2  and in the positioning seat  42  of the positioning means  3 , which means that the insertion depth  28  likewise corresponds to approximately half of the height  60  of the coupling projection  21 . 
   This design guarantees that the positioning elements  2 ,  3  are fixed in the intended position, thereby preventing a high torque on the coupling means  9 , which would otherwise have to be absorbed by the guide seat  55  of the coupling means  9  in the positioning means  3 . 
   The positioning means  2  secured to the structure  45  more or less has the shape of an elongate hat contour, with the base web  16  facing the positioning means  3  and with angled side legs  17  in the end regions, which space the base web  16  apart from the structure  45  to form the free space  43 . 
   A distance  61  between the base web  16  and the structure  45  is slightly bigger than the height  60  of the coupling projection  11 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example here, three of the circular orifices  19  are provided as female coupling parts  20  at a distance  62  apart in the base web  16  of the positioning means  2  in the displacement direction of the positioning means  3 , with a diameter  28  that is slightly bigger than the diameter  27  of the coupling projection  21 . 
   The orifices  19  are linked by the connecting slit  63 , which has a width  25  that is slightly bigger than the diameter  26  of the shaft  33  of the coupling means  9 . 
   As is the case in the drawings described above, the coupling means  9  is biased in the operating direction by means of the spring system  39  in the direction opposite that needed for release purposes—indicated by arrow  42 —and in this position the coupling projection  21  is in a position in which it engages both in the countersunk bore  57  of the positioning means  3  and in the orifice  19  and thus fixes one of the three possible positions, for example. 
   In order to release this fixing, it is necessary to move the coupling means  9  against the force of the spring system  39 —indicated by arrow  42 —in the direction of the structure  45  until the coupling projection  21  is in the region of the free space  43 , as indicated by broken lines. This enables the positioning means  3  to be released and moved into one of the other positions, during which the shaft  33  of the coupling means  9  can be moved through the connecting slit  63 . 
   With this embodiment of the positioning mechanism  1 , since the positioning means  3  can be positioned in several positions relative to the positioning means  2 , another adjustment option is possible due to the relative position between the positioning means  2 ,  3  in addition to the control which is possible by selecting a specific tooth  49  for hooking into the clamping clasp  50 . This enables the relative position of the structures  45 ,  52  to be varied with respect to one another within a wide range so that the user of the shoe  6  can find the position which best suits him depending on the individual shape of the foot. 
     FIGS. 8 and 9  illustrate another embodiment of the positioning mechanism  1 , comprising positioning means  2 ,  3  which can be displaced linearly with respect to one another, the relative position of which can be set to at least one position and released by means of at least one coupling means  9 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example, the positioning mechanism  1  is used as a means of adjusting the relative position of the structures  45 ,  52 , as described in the case of the embodiment described as an example above with respect to the flaps of the step-in opening of the shoe  6 . The positioning means  2  of the positioning mechanism  1  in which the positioning means  3 , e.g. a toothed rack section  64 , is mounted so that it can be displaced—as indicated by double arrow  48 —is attached to the structure  45 . The lever clasp  52  is disposed on the other structure  52 . A clamp connection is produced between the lever clasp  52  and the toothed rack section  64  by means of the clamping clasp  50 . 
   In the embodiment illustrated as an example, the positioning means  2  attached to the structure  45  is provided in the form of a C-shaped section  66 , the contour of which forms the guide system  46  for the positioning means  3  which is mounted so that it can be displaced in the positioning means  2 . Disposed in side legs  67 ,  68  of the section  66  are bores  69  spaced at a distance apart in the direction of the longitudinal extension, which constitute the female coupling parts  20  for mounting what in this specific example of an embodiment are two oppositely lying coupling means  9  which can be displaced in bores  70  of the positioning means  3 , in the direction perpendicular to the displacement direction—indicated by arrow  48 . 
   The positioning means  3  is provided on the top face  47  of teeth  49  spaced apart in the displacement direction—indicated by arrow  48 —for hooking into the clamping clasp  50  and the structure  45  has a continuous groove  71  extending in the longitudinal direction, in which the spring system  39  provided in the form of a clasp spring element  72  is disposed. It is secured on a groove base  73  in the region of the oppositely lying coupling means  9  and is bent in a U-shape forming lateral resilient legs  74  for biasing coupling means  9  projecting into the groove  71 . 
   The coupling means  9  comprise guide legs  75 ,  76  provided with a collar and extending through the bores  70  and, in the locking position, locking bolts  77  extending through the side legs  67 ,  68  of the positioning means  2  in the bores  69 , biased by the clasp spring element  72  in the direction of the side legs  67 ,  68 . In the latched state, they project beyond end faces  78  of the side legs  67 ,  68  and are of a rounded design in this region. However, the bores  70  in the guide legs  75 ,  76  also serve as positioning seats  42  for the locking bolts  77 , as a result of which the displacement forces acting between the positioning means  2 ,  3  cause only a slight torque due to the fact that the distance of the forces is kept low. 
   In order to release the locked position to move the positioning means  3  into another desired position, the locking bolts  77  are moved by simultaneously pressing them against the action of the clasp spring element  72  in the direction of a longitudinal mid-plane  79 —indicated by arrow  80 —until they are aligned with the end faces  78  of the side legs  67 ,  68 . Due to the rounded design in the end region, the positioning means  3  can be pushed—as indicated by arrow  48 —because the rounded design causes a further flexing of the locking bolts  77  so that they can slide along an internal wall  81  of the side legs  67 ,  68  until they reach the new position. Due to the action of the clasp spring element  72 , the locking bolts  77  automatically latch in the next position following the initial position. If a further adjustment is desired, the procedure described above is repeated. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11  illustrate another embodiment of the positioning means  2  and the coupling means  9  incorporating the coupling projection  21  of the positioning mechanism  1  which is mounted so that can be moved into the other position, although this is not illustrated. 
   This embodiment enables positioning in a desired position, even if the position of the relatively positionable positioning means deviates laterally with respect to the positioning means  2  attached to the structure  45 . This is specifically necessary for positioning the shoe shaft relative to the shoe shell whenever the shoe shaft assumes a lateral inclination relative to the shoe shell due to a so-called “canting” position such as often encountered in the case of ski shoes. 
   In this embodiment, a rectangular coupling projection  82  with stepped side edges  83  and a rectangular female coupling part  84  are provided. The female coupling part  84  has angled side edges  85 , so that when the coupling projection  82  is engaged, it is positioned by legs  86  of the side edges  85  projecting towards one another in the female coupling part  84 . A lateral clearance between the female coupling part  84  and the coupling projection  82  thus permits a lateral variance from a congruent center position of the positioning means  2 ,  3 , indicated by arrows  87 ,  88 —and the engagement in the female coupling part  84  is guaranteed due to the fact that the dimension of a width  89  is adapted to a total width  90  of the coupling plate  82 . This embodiment therefore obviates the need to make positioning means  2 ,  3  specifically for such an application. 
   Generally speaking, it should be pointed out that the external shape of the positioning means  2 ,  3  can naturally be adapted to the specific intended application, i.e. both a flat and a curved external shape is possible. 
   There is also no restriction as regards the materials which may be used and these will depend on manufacturing and strength properties. 
     FIGS. 12 to 14  illustrate the positioning mechanism  1  for varying the relative position between the pivot axis  8  disposed on the shoe shell  4  and a thrust bearing  91  provided on the shoe shaft  5 , whereby a lateral variance can be applied to the orientation of vertical axes  92 ,  93  of the shoe shaft  5  and the shoe shell  4 . Furthermore, due to the fact that such bearing points forming the pivot axes  8  are provided on both sides of the shoe  6  for orienting the adjustment ranges of the positioning mechanisms  1 , e.g. one in a horizontal orientation and the other in a vertical orientation extending perpendicular thereto, it is also possible, in addition to setting the lateral variance, to pivot the shoe shaft  5  about the vertical axis  92  depending on the pre-set positions determined by the positioning mechanism  1 . 
     FIGS. 12 and 13  provide detailed illustrations of the situation in which the positioning mechanism  1  is used in the region of the pivot axis  8 , which can be equated with the embodiments already described above and differs due to the fact that a smaller displacement path  94  between two positions  95 ,  96  of the positioning means  3  which can be displaced linearly with respect to the positioning means  2  is sufficient in this application. The positioning means  2  is attached to the shoe shaft  5  and has two circular female coupling parts  84  partially overlapping and a mid-distance  97  forms the displacement path  94 . The positioning means  2 , which is linearly displaceable—as indicated by double arrow  98 —provides a mount for the positioning means  3 , in which the coupling means  9  comprising the operating head  34 , shaft  33  and coupling projection  21  is displaceable in the direction perpendicular to the displacement direction—as indicated by double arrow  29 . 
   The coupling means  9  also has a bearing bore  99  into which projects a bearing bolt  100  constituting the pivot axis  8 , which is attached to the shoe shell  4  by means of a head plate  101 . This provides a rotary bearing  102  for the coupling means  9  and hence also for the positioning means  2 ,  3 , whereby the positioning means  2  is connected to the shoe shaft  5 . This enables the shoe shaft  5  to pivot relative to the shoe shell  4 . 
   The movement of the coupling means  9  on the bearing bolt  100  in the direction of the shoe shell  4  in order to move the coupling projection  21  out of engagement with the female coupling part  84  and switch between the positions  95 ,  96 , and hence also vary the relative position between the shoe shell  4  and shoe shaft  5  via the bearing bolt  100  of the rotary bearing  102 , is effected against the action of a compression spring  103  disposed in the operating head  34  by pressing on the operating head  34 ,—as indicated by arrow  104 . The coupling projection  21  thus moves into the free space  43  between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  so that the shaft  33  moves into the region of the female coupling parts  84 . A diameter  105  of the shaft  33  is smaller than a slit width  106  in the transition region of the female coupling parts  84 , thereby enabling the displacement between the positions  96 ,  97  and hence the displacement of the positioning means  3  with the coupling means  9  relative to and linearly with respect to the positioning means  2 . 
   Due to the mounting of the bearing bolt  100  in the coupling means  9 , however, the relative position between the shoe shell  4  and the shoe shaft  5  can also be varied depending on the positions  95 ,  96  pre-defined by the positioning mechanism  1 , thereby achieving the “canting” which is often required with shoes of this type. 
   It should also be pointed out that, depending on how the positioning mechanism  1  is mounted and the orientation of the displacement direction between the positioning means  2 ,  3 , a change in position can be obtained between the shoe shell  4  and shoe shaft  5  both in the vertical direction and in the horizontal direction, thereby permitting a rotary pivoting movement of the shoe shaft  5  relative to the shoe shell  4 . 
   The embodiments illustrated as examples represent possible design variants of the positioning mechanism  1  and it should be pointed out at this stage that the invention is not specifically limited to the design variants specifically illustrated, and instead the individual design variants may be used in different combinations with one another and these possible variations lie within the reach of the person skilled in this technical field given the disclosed technical teaching. Accordingly, all conceivable design variants which can be obtained by combining individual details of the design variants described and illustrated are possible and fall within the scope of the invention. 
   For the sake of good order, finally, it should be pointed out that, in order to provide a clearer understanding of the structure of the part-feeding system, it and its constituent parts are illustrated to a certain extent out of scale and/or on an enlarged scale and/or on a reduced scale. 
   The objective underlying the independent inventive solutions may be found in the description. 
   Above all, the individual embodiments of the subject matter illustrated in  FIGS. 1 ;  2 ,  3 ,  4 ;  5 ,  6 ,  7 ;  8 ,  9 ;  10 ,  11 ;  12 ,  13 ,  14  constitute independent solutions proposed by the invention in their own right. The objectives and associated solutions proposed by the invention may be found in the detailed descriptions of these drawings. 
   LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS 
   
       
         1 . Positioning mechanism 
         2 . Positioning means 
         3 . Positioning means 
         4 . Shoe shell 
         5 . Shoe shaft 
         6 . Shoe 
         7 . Support surface 
         8 . Pivot axis 
         9 . Coupling means 
         10 . Double arrow 
         11 . Fastening means 
         12 . Clasp 
         13 . Gap 
         14 . Section 
         15 . Terminal wall 
         16 . Base web 
         17 . Side leg 
         18 . Mounting flange 
         19 . Orifice 
         20 . Female coupling part 
         21 . Coupling projection 
         22 . Support surface 
         23 . Cut-out 
         24 . Insertion slit 
         25 . Width 
         26 . Diameter 
         27 . Diameter 
         28 . Insertion depth 
         29 . Double arrow 
         30 . Slot 
         31 . Double arrow 
         32 . End region 
         33 . Shaft 
         34 . Operating head 
         35 . Bore 
         36 . Guide plate 
         37 . Surface 
         38 . Annular surface 
         39 . Spring system 
         40 . Stop flange 
         41 . Rear face 
         42 . Positioning seat 
         43 . Free space 
         44 . Arrow 
         45 . Structure 
         46 . Guide system 
         47 . Top face 
         48 . Arrow 
         49 . Tooth 
         50 . Clamping clasp 
         51 . Structure 
         52 . Lever clasp 
         53 . Bore 
         54 . Bore 
         55 . Guide seat 
         56 . Bottom face 
         57 . Countersunk bore 
         58 . Diameter 
         59 . Depth 
         60 . Height 
         61 . Distance 
         62 . Distance 
         63 . Connecting slit 
         64 . Toothed rack section 
         65 . 
         66 . Section 
         67 . Side leg 
         68 . Side leg 
         69 . Bore 
         70 . Bore 
         71 . Groove 
         72 . Clasp spring element 
         73 . Groove base 
         74 . Resilient leg 
         75 . Guide leg 
         76 . Guide leg 
         77 . Locking bolt 
         78 . End face 
         79 . Longitudinal mid-axis 
         80 . Arrow 
         81 . Internal wall 
         82 . Coupling projection 
         83 . Side edge 
         84 . Female coupling part 
         85 . Side edge 
         86 . Leg 
         87 . Arrow 
         88 . Arrow 
         89 . Width 
         90 . Total width 
         91 . Thrust bearing 
         92 . Vertical axis 
         93 . Vertical axis 
         94 . Displacement 
         95 . Position 
         96 . Position 
         97 . Mid-distance 
         98 . Double arrow 
         99 . Bearing bore 
         100 . Bearing bolt 
         101 . Head plate 
         102 . Rotary bearing 
         103 . Compression spring 
         104 . Arrow 
         105 . Diameter 
         106 . Slit width