Patent Description:
As is well known, downhill skiing or ski touring boots must allow the skier to pass alternately and repeatedly between a skiing configuration and a walking configuration easily, quickly and comfortably.

Specifically, such boots include a leg portion, which hugs the tibial portion of the user's leg and is hinged to a foot portion, which instead contains the user's foot and is fitted with a sole.

In the skiing configuration, the leg portion is perfectly secured to the foot portion, that is to say it does not rotate in relation thereto, allowing for precise and safe skiing.

In the walking configuration, the leg portion is unlocked in relation to the foot portion: the rotation of the leg portion in relation to the foot portion thus ensures better and more comfortable walking compared to traditional boots, as it follows the natural rotation of the ankle.

As seen, the rotation of the leg portion may be locked and unlocked by reversibly fixing the leg portion to the foot portion.

The passage from the walking configuration to the skiing configuration should be as quick and as easy as possible because the skier, during downhill skiing, has to switch between the two configurations many times, depending on the route to be taken.

Some solutions of the prior art provide that the movement of the main selection lever, which is designated for switching from the skiing configuration to the walking configuration and vice versa, is also operatively connected to the adjustment levers of the leg portion and/or of the foot portion of the boot. In this manner, when the main selection lever is positioned for opening, that is, the leg portion is unlocked so that it may rotate in relation to the foot portion, the adjustment levers for the leg portion and/or the foot portion open or in any case are loosened. This configuration allows for greater comfort for the user since, with a single movement of the main lever, it may move into the skiing configuration, in which the leg portion is locked in rotation and the adjustment levers are all correctly tensioned, and also into the walking configuration, in which not just the leg portion is free to rotate, but at the same time the adjustment levers are open, allowing a greater freedom of movement of the foot and of the tibial portion in relation to the boot during the walk.

This known solution, however, is not exempt from disadvantages.

In particular when passing into the walking configuration, opening the adjustment lever of the leg portion and/or of the foot portion makes it so that, when the user has to return to the skiing position, the mechanism is not able to recover the previous adjustments of said adjustment levers. The main reason is due to the fact that, once opened, the adjustment levers tend to unhook with respect to the related racks, for which reason the user is then subsequently forced to restore, by trial and error, the correct tension of said adjustment levers.

Since the passage from the skiing configuration the walking configuration may be performed numerous times within an hour, it is clear that the solutions of the prior art turn out to be particularly inconvenient for the user, who must remember again and again (or restore by trial and error) the correct adjustment tension which is obtainable via the adjustment levers.

The problem is further aggravated where the same main selection lever turns out to be operatively connected to a plurality of adjustment levers; in fact, in such a case the "memory" problem of the adjustment of the adjustment levers brings about further inconveniences and losses of time from the side of the user. Solutions according to prior art are disclosed, for example, by <CIT> and <CIT>.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a downhill skiing/ski touring boot that solves the aforementioned disadvantages with respect to the known art.

This need is satisfied by a downhill skiing or ski touring boot according to claim <NUM>.

Further features and advantages of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred, non-limiting embodiments thereof, in which:.

Elements or parts of elements common to the embodiments described hereinafter will be indicated with the same numerical references.

With reference to the above figures, reference sign <NUM> denotes a ski boot in its entirety, comprising a lower part or foot portion <NUM> suitable for enclosing the user's foot, and an upper part or leg portion <NUM> suitable for enclosing the lower part of the skier's leg.

It should be noted that the definition of ski boot should be considered in a general, non-limiting way: thus, the term "ski boot" means a boot for downhill skiing, ski touring, or even a boot of the "Telemark" type.

The scope of protection of the present invention is therefore not limited to a specific type of ski boot.

In addition, the definitions of foot portion and leg portion should also be considered in a general and non-restrictive way: the present invention does not have any kind of limitation with respect to the shapes, sizes, materials, or type of leg portion and foot portion, and therefore types of leg portion and foot portion that at least partially enclose the foot and lower part of the leg, especially the skier's shin, are also covered by the invention.

The leg portion <NUM> is hinged to the foot portion <NUM> so as to rotate in relation to the foot portion <NUM> around hinges <NUM> which define a rotation axis X-X.

Specifically, the leg portion may rotate forwards, towards a tip <NUM> of the boot <NUM>, and backwards, towards the rear or heel <NUM> of boot <NUM>.

The type of hinge <NUM> may be different; preferably there are two hinges <NUM> arranged on opposite sides with respect to the leg portion <NUM>.

The hinges <NUM> identify a rotation axis X-X that may, in one embodiment, be horizontal, that is to say parallel to the sole <NUM> of the boot <NUM>.

The leg portion <NUM> comprises a selection lever <NUM> suitable for selectively locking and/or unlocking the rotation of the leg portion <NUM> in relation to the foot portion <NUM>, depending on whether the user wishes to pass from the skiing configuration to the walking configuration, respectively.

In the skiing configuration the leg portion <NUM> will be locked in relation to the boot <NUM>, while in the walking configuration the leg portion <NUM> will be free to rotate back and forth, around the relevant hinges <NUM>, so as to accommodate, to the greatest possible extent, the natural rotation of the user's ankle.

The leg portion <NUM> is provided with at least one adjustment lever <NUM> that is operatively connected to at least one hook <NUM> which may be engaged on teeth <NUM> of a rack <NUM>.

The adjustment lever <NUM> and the rack <NUM> are fixed to opposite flaps <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> which are mutually closable in a known way.

The at least one adjustment lever <NUM> is operable in rotation so as to mutually approach or distance said flaps <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> from each other, based on the mutual position between the hook <NUM> and the tooth <NUM> of the rack <NUM> on which said hook <NUM> is engaged.

Advantageously, the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to means <NUM> for locking/unlocking the rotation of the leg portion <NUM> in relation to the foot portion <NUM>.

For example, the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to a support <NUM> and to a post <NUM> which may be engaged in abutment against a peg <NUM> fixed to the foot portion <NUM>.

The selection lever <NUM> and the post <NUM> are integral with the leg portion <NUM>, while the peg <NUM> is integral with the foot portion <NUM>.

The peg <NUM> is a cylindrical element arranged along a transverse direction T-T substantially perpendicular to the post <NUM>.

Said transverse direction T-T may be, for example, parallel to and offset from the rotation axis X-X defined by the hinges <NUM>.

The selection lever <NUM>, in the passage from the opening configuration to the closing configuration, mutually distances the support <NUM> and the post <NUM> from each other, placing an abutment end <NUM> of the latter against the peg <NUM> to prevent a rotation of the leg portion <NUM> backwards, towards the heel <NUM>.

Preferably, the abutment end <NUM> of the post <NUM> is at least partially counter-shaped with respect to the peg <NUM> and the selection lever <NUM> is kinematically connected to the post <NUM> by means of a connecting rod <NUM>.

For example, in the closing configuration of the selection lever <NUM>, the foot portion <NUM> comprises at least one end-stroke (not shown) in the forward rotation of the leg portion <NUM>.

It is also possible to provide that, in the closing configuration of the selection lever <NUM>, the leg portion <NUM> comprises at least one end-stroke (not shown) in the forward rotation towards the foot portion <NUM>.

Advantageously, the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to said at least one adjustment lever <NUM> and/or to said rack <NUM> in such a way as to bring the flaps <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> closer together when arranged in a skiing configuration and, vice versa when arranged in a walking configuration.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the adjustment lever <NUM> is slidably mounted on a base <NUM> fixed to one of said flaps <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM>, wherein the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to the adjustment lever <NUM> so as to cause the translation thereof in relation to said base <NUM>.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the rack <NUM> is slidably mounted on a base <NUM> fixed to one of the flaps <NUM>, <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM>, wherein the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to the rack <NUM> so as to cause the translation thereof in relation to said base <NUM>.

For example, the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to said at least one adjustment lever <NUM> and/or to said rack <NUM> by means of at least one cable or rope <NUM>, so as to pull the cable or rope <NUM> in the passage from the opening configuration to the closing configuration of the selection lever <NUM>.

Through this connection, opening the selection lever <NUM> simultaneously allows the rotational unlocking of the leg portion <NUM> in relation to the foot portion <NUM> so as to allow walking, and also the loosening of the adjustment lever <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> and/or of the foot portion <NUM> to further facilitate walking and make it more comfortable/ergonomic. This loosening, in fact, makes it possible to distance the flaps <NUM>, <NUM> from each other.

At the same time, closing the selection lever <NUM> simultaneously allows the rotational locking of the leg portion <NUM> in relation to the foot portion <NUM> so as to allow skiing, and also the closing or the tensioning of the adjustment lever <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> and/or of the foot portion <NUM>. This closing, in fact, makes it possible to bring the flaps <NUM>, <NUM> closer together.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the selection lever <NUM> is operatively connected to a plurality of adjustment levers <NUM> and/or racks <NUM>, said operative connection being of the parallel type.

Thanks to this arrangement in parallel, it is possible to maintain the memory of the adjustment of the individual adjustment levers <NUM>; that is, it is possible to tighten the two or more adjustment levers <NUM> entirely asymmetrically and independently from one another.

In accordance with one possible embodiment, the leg portion <NUM> is provided with a flexible upper closing band (not shown) that is operatively connected to said selection lever <NUM>. Said flexible upper closing band is provided, for example, with Velcro® closing means.

The operation of a boot according to the present invention will now be described.

Specifically, in the opening configuration of the selection lever <NUM>, the leg portion <NUM> is free to rotate around the respective hinges <NUM>, along the axis of rotation X-X. The rotational movement of the leg portion <NUM> will be guided by the rotation of the user's ankle.

Furthermore, the loosening of the adjustment levers <NUM> of the leg portion <NUM> and/or of the foot portion <NUM> subsequent to the opening of the selection lever <NUM> further facilitates the walking and renders it more comfortable/ergonomic, since this loosening makes it possible to distance the flaps <NUM>, <NUM> from one another.

In fact, in the opening position of the selection lever <NUM>, the adjustment levers <NUM> reduce their pulling since the adjustment lever <NUM> or the rack <NUM> is able translate on the related bases <NUM> in such a way as to increase the distance between said flaps <NUM>, <NUM>.

When the selection lever <NUM> is moved to the closing position, the post <NUM> places its abutment end <NUM> against the peg <NUM> in such a way as to block the rotation of the leg portion <NUM> towards the heel <NUM>.

Furthermore, thanks to the kinematic connection between the selection lever <NUM> and the adjustment levers <NUM>, when the selection lever <NUM> is arranged in a closing position, not only is the rotation of the leg portion <NUM> with respect to the foot portion <NUM> impeded, but the adjustment levers <NUM> are also tightened in such a way as to permit skiing with the proper adjustments provided by the user.

In fact, in the closing position of the selection lever <NUM>, the adjustment levers <NUM> increase their tightening since the adjustment lever <NUM> or the rack <NUM> is able to translate on the related bases <NUM> in such a way as to bring said flaps <NUM>,<NUM> together.

It should be pointed out that, every time the selection lever moves, the user never loses the adjustment of the degree of pulling of the adjustment levers <NUM> carried out beforehand for the correct skiing configuration. This is due to the fact that the engagement between the hooks <NUM> and the related teeth <NUM> of the rack is never lost during the opening/closing movement of the selection lever <NUM>.

Furthermore, thanks to the fact that the kinematic connection between the selection lever <NUM> and the adjustment levers <NUM> is of the parallel, it is possible to maintain the memory of the adjustment of the individual adjustment levers <NUM>, that is, it is possible to tighten the two or more adjustment levers <NUM> entirely asymmetrically and independently from one another.

Independent adjustment in this case means that the tightening of one adjustment lever <NUM> does not have an influence on the tightening of the other and vice versa.

As may be appreciated from that which has been described, the present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art.

In particular, the present invention makes it possible to smoothly pass from the skiing configuration to the walking configuration with the simple operation of a single selection lever operatively connected both to the locking/unlocking means and to the adjustment levers of the boot.

It should be pointed out that, when the selection lever is brought into an opening or unlocking configuration, the user never loses the adjustments previously made with the adjustment levers since the hooking or engagement of the hooks or cables of said adjustment levers with respect to the related racks is maintained.

In this way, the user, with the operation of the sole selection lever, will be able to pass repeatedly from one configuration to the other in an extremely smooth and rapid manner.

Advantageously, the operative connections between the selection lever and the plurality of adjustment levers is in parallel, not in series. In this way, the closing forces applied by the adjustment levers are independent of one another, and therefore, despite the repeated operations of the selection lever, the boot always maintains the same level of adjustment and tensioning given in an independent manner by the individual adjustment levers.

A person skilled in the art, for the purpose of satisfying contingent and specific needs, may make numerous modifications and variations to the solutions described above.

Claim 1:
Ski boot (<NUM>) comprising a lower part or foot portion (<NUM>), suitable to enclose the user's foot and an upper part or leg portion (<NUM>), suitable to enclose the lower part of the skier's leg,
- wherein the leg portion (<NUM>) is hinged to the foot portion (<NUM>) so as to rotate in relation to the foot portion (<NUM>) around a hinge (<NUM>) defining a rotation axis (X-X), forwards, towards a tip (<NUM>) of the boot (<NUM>), and backwards towards a heel (<NUM>) of the boot (<NUM>),
- wherein the leg portion (<NUM>) comprises a selection lever (<NUM>) suitable for selectively locking and/or unlocking the rotation of the leg portion (<NUM>) in relation to the foot portion (<NUM>) depending on whether the user wishes to pass from a skiing configuration to a walking configuration, respectively,
- wherein the leg portion (<NUM>) is provided with at least one adjustment lever (<NUM>) operatively connected to at least one hook (<NUM>) engageable on teeth (<NUM>) of a rack (<NUM>), the adjustment lever (<NUM>) and the rack (<NUM>) being fixed to opposite flaps (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the leg portion (<NUM>) which are mutually closable, the at least one adjustment lever (<NUM>) being operable so as to mutually approach or distance said flaps (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the leg portion (<NUM>) from each other,
- wherein the selection lever (<NUM>) is operatively connected to locking/unlocking means (<NUM>) of the rotation of the leg portion (<NUM>) with respect to the foot portion (<NUM>), characterized in that
- the selection lever (<NUM>) is operatively connected to said at least one adjustment lever (<NUM>) and/or to said rack (<NUM>), so as to bring the flaps (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the leg portion (<NUM>) closer together when arranged in a skiing configuration, and vice versa when arranged in a walking configuration,
wherein the adjustment lever (<NUM>) is slidably mounted on a base (<NUM>) fixed to one of said flaps (<NUM>,<NUM>) of the leg portion (<NUM>), and wherein the selection lever (<NUM>) is operatively connected to the adjustment lever (<NUM>) so as to cause the translation thereof in relation to said base (<NUM>) .