Patent Publication Number: US-4928408-A

Title: Ski boot with improved wearability

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a ski boot with improved wearability. 
     Numerous devices are currently known which, applied to ski boots, allow the securing of the quarters and/or of the foot using traction elements such as cables. 
     Mention is made, by way of example, of the system disclosed in the French patent application publication No. 2345097, wherein the rear quarter is connected by means of a band or a cable to a foot instep presser. 
     Mention is furthermore made of the published German patent application Ser. No. 2317408, which discloses a complicated system for connecting the rear quarter and the foot presser by means of a cable guided by pulleys. 
     Regarding the securing of the quarters, the problem of having to recover a substantial portion of the cable in order to allow the successive stroke for the complete opening of the rear quarter is particularly felt. 
     In known devices the takeup is usually performed manually by the skier by acting on knobs which actuate winders or by means of automatic takeup devices. 
     In the first case, besides a long time required to complete the winding operation, disadvantages due to scarce practicality in operation are also observed. 
     In the second case these known devices are rather complicated and bulky, their cost being high. 
     This bulk furthermore spoils the aesthetical line of the boot and increases its weight, these being all negative factors for the skier. 
     Ski boots are furthermore known having inside a flap which can be rigidly associated with the shell or with an inner shoe arrangeable internally to said boot. 
     A disadvantage observed in these known types of boot resides in the fact that, with the quarters open, the flap may arrange itself inclined with respect to the axis perpendicular to the resting plane of the boot, with its free end orientated so as to partially occlude the opening for the insertion of the foot in the shell. 
     This arrangement therefore does not allow the easy insertion of the foot and can force the skier to intervene manually to move the flap backwards. 
     As a partial solution to this disadvantage it is necessary to provide a rear quarter which has a wider opening stroke to allow a better insertion of the foot and an easier intervention on the flap. 
     The disadvantage which consequently arises resides in that it is necessary to use quarter closure devices adapted to takeup a considerable amount of cable, forcing the skier to a prolonged adjustment operation, the devices being bulky and unaesthetical. 
     Furthermore, during the closure of the quarters there occurs a sliding between the outer surface of the flap and the inner surface of the rear quarter: the friction between them can complicate the closure of the quarters on the part of the skier, as he may have to exert a greater effort for their mutual approach. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the disadvantages described above in known types by providing a system for securing the quarters and/or the foot in a ski boot having a reduced bulk which allows to maintain the aesthetical lines of the boot as neat as possible. 
     Within the scope of this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a boot having an inner flap wherein the insertion of the foot is always easy, maintaining a limited opening stroke of the quarters. 
     Another important object is to provide a boot wherein the presence of the rear flap does not constitute a hindrance in closing the quarters. 
     Still another object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristics that of optimally securing the heel of the skier&#39;s foot in its interior. 
     Not least object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristic that of allowing an easy release of the heel upon the opening of the quarters. 
     Another important object is to provide a boot which is extremely simple from a manufacturing point of view. 
     Yet another object is to provide a boot which has considerable simplicity in use combined with high reliability. 
     Not least object is to provide a boot which associates with the preceding characteristics that of having at the same time modest costs. 
     The intended aim and objects are achieved by a ski boot comprising a shell, a rear quarter and a front quarter, at least said rear quarter being pivoted to said shell, characterized in that said rear quarter is furthermore articulated to an element of said boot by means of rigid articulation means. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment, illustrated only by way of nonlimitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a partially sectioned perspective view of a boot according to the invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a cross section view taken at the articulation between two rod-like elements of the boot of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 is a view, similar to FIG. 1, of a boot according to another aspect of the invention; 
     FIG. 4 is a view, similar to FIG. 2, related to the boot illustrated in FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the interaction between the traction element and the pairs of rod-like elements, related to the boot of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 6 is a lateral elevation view of a boot according to a third aspect of the invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a boot according to a fourth aspect; 
     FIG. 8 is a partially sectioned and cutout lateral elevation view of a boot according to a fifth embodiment; 
     FIG. 9 is a view similar to the preceding one of the same boot with the quarter in closed position; 
     FIG. 10 is a view similar to the preceding ones of a boot according to a sixth embodiment; 
     FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 10 of the same boot with the quarter in closed position; 
     FIG. 12 is a view similar to the preceding ones of a boot according to a seventh embodiment; 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 are views, similar to the preceding ones, of a boot according to an eighth embodiment, respectively with the quarter in closed and open positions; 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 are views, similar to the preceding ones, of a boot according to a further embodiment respectively with the quarter in closed and open positions. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a ski boot, generally indicated by the reference numeral 1, comprises a front quarter 3 and a rear quarter 4 associated to a shell. 
     The rear quarter 4 is pivoted to the shell 2 and is articulated to the front quarter 3 by means of two pairs of rods, indicated by the reference numerals 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b. 
     The rods 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b are articulated to one another in pairs at one end, and are articulated at the other end respectively to the rear quarter 4 and to the front quarter 3 above their pivoting stud 7. 
     Said rods are articulated at the related inner surfaces of said front quarter and rear quarter or at the outer surface of the shell. 
     At the point of articulation between each of said two pairs or rods there is associated therewith the end of a traction element constituted by a cable 8 guided to affect a presser 9 arranged at the region 10 of the skier&#39;s foot instep. 
     The presser can be alternatively constituted by a flap associated with the shell or with the inner shoe at the heel region, the cable acting in said region. 
     The operation of the device is as follows: as the rear quarter 4 approaches the front quarter 3, correspondingly the articulation points of the rods 5a and 6a approach the articulation points of the rods 5b and 6b. 
     This produces a lifting of the points of articulation between the pairs of rods 5a, 5b and 6a, 6b which stretches the cable 8, and said cable in turn secures the region 10 of the foot instep by exerting a pressure on the presser 9; the action can be alternatively exerted on the heel. 
     FIG. 3 illustrates a boot 101 wherein at the points of articulation between each of the pairs of rods 105a, 105b and 106a, 106b there is rotatably interposed a pulley 111 at which the cable 108 is guided and is thus free to slide. 
     Said cable is thus guided to affect a presser 109a arranged at the foot instep region 110 and a presser 109b arranged at the foot heel region 112. 
     The simultaneous securing of the two regions 110 and 112 is thus achieved without forcing the skier to actuate means for taking up the cable. 
     FIG. 6 illustrates a further embodiment of the boot according to the invention, wherein a single cable 208 is again used and affects both pulleys 211 interposed between the mutually articulated ends of the two pairs of rods. 
     Only the rods 205a and 205b have been indicated for the sake of simplicity. 
     Said cable is rigidly associated at its ends internally to the rear quarter 204; it subsequently affects a first guiding element 213 provided internally to the rear quarter proximate to the stud 207, then the pulley 211, then a second guiding element 214 provided internally to the front quarter 203 and arranged facing the first guiding element 213, then a third guiding element 215 again arranged internally to the front quarter 203 proximate to its upper end 216. 
     The cable 208 finally affects a tensioning element such as a lever 217. 
     During the mutual approaching of the quarters there is an automatic takeup of a certain portion of the cable 208 which in any case allows the securing of the quarters. 
     The fine adjustment and the subsequent tensioning can be performed by using the lever 217 or similar closure devices. 
     Naturally the cable can also be not rigidly associated with the rear quarter but instead it can affect the region 212 of the heel and/or 210 of the instep of the foot. 
     FIG. 7 illustrates another embodiment wherein four pairs of rods, indicated by the reference numerals 305a, 305b, 305c, 305d and 306a, 306b, 306c, 306d, are articulated to the front quarter 303 and to the rear quarter 304 and are mutually articulated to form two diamonds, one for each side of the boot. 
     Each of the diamonds has two opposite vertices, one articulated to the front quarter 303 and the other to the rear quarter 304. 
     Pulleys 311a, 311b, 311c and 311d, are associated with the other two vertices. 
     The boot comprises a first cable 308a which is guided at the pulleys 311a and 311b and at adapted guiding elements to affect the regions 310 and 312 respectively of the instep and of the heel of the foot. 
     A second cable 308b interacts with an element for its tensioning such as a level 317 external to the boot, then it affects a first and a second guiding element, indicated by the reference numerals 313 and 314, internal to the rear quarter 304, and finally the pulleys 311c and 311d to be then rigidly associated internally to the front quarter 303. 
     The mutual approach of the quarters thus allows to simultaneously achieve their closure and the optimum securing of the foot inside the boot. 
     FIGS. 8,9 partially illustrate a boot according to a further embodiment, comprising a rear quarter 1001 pivoted to a shell 1003 by means of adapted studs 1002. 
     At the heel region 1004, the shell 1003 has a flap 1005 protruding longitudinally to the boot and elastically articulated to said shell 1003. 
     An articulation is located between the inner surface 1006 of the rear quarter 1001 and the outer surface 1007 of the flap 1005 and is constituted by a rod 1008 articulated at its ends at adapted lugs 1009 and 1010, protruding respectively from the surfaces 1006 and 1007. 
     As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, by virtue of the elastic articulation of the flap 1005 to the shell 1003, the rod 1008 imparts to the flap 1005 a movement every time a movement is imparted to the rear quarter 1001. 
     If therefore the quarters are open, the flap does not occlude the opening for inserting the foot in the boot, while with the quarters closed the flap 1005 optimally secures the heel inside the shell. 
     Naturally, instead of a single rod 1008, it is possible to have a pair of rods each articulated to one side of the flap and to a pair of lugs protruding from the rear quarter. 
     FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate a further embodiment wherein a plurality of seats 1111, for a complementarily shaped pivot 1112 provided at the end of a first rod 1108a, is provided on the inner surface 1106 of the rear quarter 1101. 
     At its other end said rod is articulated to one end of a second rod 1108b which is in turn articulated at its other end at the lug 1110 protruding from the flap 1105. 
     A traction element 1113, e.g. a cable, is interposed between the pivot 1112 and the end of the second rod 1108b articulated to the lug 1110; the element 1113 may also be elastically deformable. 
     The function of element 1113 is the following: in opening the quarters, the cable 1113 moves back the flap 1105, which is not directly moved by the rods 1108a and 1108b since they are mutually articulated and would require an excessive rotation of the rear quarter 1101 to move back the flap sufficiently. 
     In this case instead, when the quarters approach each other, the first rod 1108a arranges itself approximately parallel to the quarter 1101, the second rod 1108b transmitting the rotation imparted by said quarter to the flap 1105. 
     During this step the cable 1113 slackens, as the interspace between the pivot 1112 and the end of the second rod 1108b, articulated to the lug 1110, decreases. 
     FIG. 12 illustrates another embodiment wherein a rod 1208 is freely pivoted to both sides of said flap 1205 and is pivoted at its free end laterally to the inner surface 1206 of the rear quarter 1201. 
     Advantageously, the pivoting point of said rod to the rear quarter is adjacent to the front perimetral edge 1214 of the quarter 1201 in a region slightly overlying the stud 1202 for pivoting to the shell 1203. 
     Therefore a rotation imparted to the quarter 1201 corresponds to a rotation of the flap 1205 in the same direction. 
     FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate a further embodiment in which an articulation means is provided at each side of said shell 1303 interposed between the latter and the rear quarter 1301 which embraces said shell. 
     Each of said articulation means is constituted by a first, by a second and by a third rod, respectively indicated by the reference numerals 1308a, 1308b and 1308c. 
     All said rods, having appropriate lengths, are articulated to one another at one end and are, at the other end, respectively articulated laterally to the flap 1305, at the inner lateral surface 1306 of the rear quarter 1301 proximate to its lower lateral perimetral edge 1315, and at the outer surface 1316 of the shell 1303 in a region preferably overlying the stud 1302. 
     Also in this case a rotation imparted to the rear quarter 1301 corresponds to a rotation in the same direction imparted to the flap 1305, which can be angularly diversified depending on the relative lengths of the various rods. 
     FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate a further embodiment wherein the reference numeral 1401 indicates a rear quarter of a ski boot pivoted rearwardly to the shell 1403 at an adapted pivot 1417 arranged transversely to said quarter 1401 in a region overlying the region of the heel 1418. 
     Also in this case the articulation means is constituted by a first, by a second and by a third rod, respectively indicated by the numerals 1408a, 1408b and 1408c. 
     Said rods are mutually articulated at a same end, and are respectively articulated at the opposite end laterally to the flap 1405, at the inner surface 1406 of the rear quarter 1401 adjacent to the lower lateral perimetral edge 1415 thereof, and at the outer lateral surface 1416 of the shell 1403. 
     Similarly to the preceding embodiment, the rotation imparted to the rear quarter 1401 imposes, due to the particular coupling of the rods, a rotation to the flap 1405. 
     The dimensions of the rods naturally affect the degree of rotation which can be imparted to the latter with respect to the one imparted to the rear quarter 1401. 
     Naturally the adjustment of the degree of opening and/or closure of the flap can be obtained either by varying the length of at least one rod or by using a variable-length rod or by varying the position of at least one articulation point. 
     It has thus been observed that the invention achieves the intended aim and objects, a boot having been provided with a quarter opening system which is extremely functional and compact and allows an easy introduction of the foot in particular because the flap does not obstruct the opening. The movement which can be imparted to the flap, during the quarter closure step, furthermore allows to achieve the optimum and rapid securing of the heel. 
     Naturally the invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all within the scope of the same inventive concept. 
     Naturally the materials and the dimensions of the individual components of the boot may also be the most pertinent according to the requirements of the state of the art.