U.S. patent application number 09/797841 was filed with the patent office on 2001-09-06 for sole-support assembly for a boot.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.. Invention is credited to Basso, Fabio.
Application Number | 20010018805 09/797841 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 8848028 |
Filed Date | 2001-09-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010018805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Basso, Fabio |
September 6, 2001 |
Sole-support assembly for a boot
Abstract
A sole assembly for boots adapted to any of a plurality of
sporting activities, which enables the user to customize his/her
boot depending on the sport involved. A flexible sole is associated
with a foot support with which a fastening arrangement, adapted to
ensure a removable fastening of the support on the bottom surface
of the sole, are associated.
Inventors: |
Basso, Fabio; (Asolo,
IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1941 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
8848028 |
Appl. No.: |
09/797841 |
Filed: |
March 5, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/10 ; 36/117.6;
36/15; 36/89 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0401 20130101;
A43B 7/1464 20220101; A43B 23/16 20130101; A43B 13/36 20130101;
A43B 7/142 20130101; A43B 1/0081 20130101; A43B 7/1425 20130101;
A43B 5/0405 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/10 ; 36/117.6;
36/89; 36/15 |
International
Class: |
A43B 007/14; A43B
007/20; A43B 005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 6, 2000 |
FR |
00.03198 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A support/sole assembly for boots adapted to any of a plurality
of sporting activities, and particularly snowboard boots, in-line
roller skate boots, alpine ski boots, walking and hiking boots,
gliding boots, etc., said assembly comprising: a boot liner; a sole
directly constituting a boot inner sole or an outer sole of said
liner, said sole having an upper surface in direct or indirect
contact with a foot of a wearer, and a bottom surface, said sole
being made of a flexible material; at least one support; a
fastening system ensuring a removable fastening of said support on
said bottom surface of said sole, said fastening system including a
fastening arrangement associated with said support.
2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sole includes, on
a bottom surface, a fastening arrangement complementary of said
fastening arrangement of said support.
3. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said sole includes a
housing associated with said support.
4. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support comprises
at least two support elements affixed to one another.
5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least two support
elements have different thicknesses.
6. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least two of said
support elements have different rigidities.
7. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said
support elements is housed in a recess associated with said
support.
8. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one said
support element is housed in a through recess associated with said
support.
9. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein at least one of said
support elements has a shock-absorbing function.
10. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said support
comprises a support element having a shock-absorbing function in a
heel area.
11. An assembly according to claim 9, wherein said support
comprises a support element having a shock-absorbing function in a
metatarsophalangeal joint area.
12. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said support
comprises a support element constituted of a rigid material, which
comprises a portion encompassing a toe zone, a portion that
encompasses a heel zone, and a portion that connects said zones by
a lateral external zone of said sole.
13. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein said support element
is elongated and rigid, and is positioned between a heel and a
metatarsophalangeal joint along an approximate longitudinal axis of
a foot.
14. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said fastening system
is of a self-gripping type.
15. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said fastening
arrangement of said support is complementary with a fastening
arrangement arranged on a reinforcement, said fastening arrangement
being inserted between said support and said sole.
16. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said fastening
arrangement of said sole is complementary with said fastening
arrangement arranged on a reinforcement, said fastening arrangement
being inserted between said support and said sole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a wedge-sole assembly for
boots adapted to any type of sporting activity, and more
particularly snowboard boots, alpine ski boots, in-line roller
skate boots, walking or hiking boots, gliding boots, etc. The
invention enables the user to customize his/her boot according to
the sport involved.
[0003] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0004] In the state of the prior art, there are numerous systems
for sole customization that are permanently adhered to the sole, as
well as soles that are molded to the shape of the foot. These
devices are adapted to an orthopedic type medical use, and are
intended only to correct defects in the anatomy and/or foot
movement. However, the inventions described in U.S. Pat. Nos.
4,316,333 and 4,841,648 include a removable wedge, or support,
system with a Velcro.RTM. type quick-fastening that is positioned
on top of the inner sole of the boot. The user can vary the
correction of the sole himself by interchanging the wedges selected
from a standard set of wedges adapted for this purpose.
[0005] The inventions described in French Patent Publication No.
2,315,870 and U.S. Pat. No. 2,311,925 disclose pads, or wedges,
that can be optionally stacked and arranged on top of the boot sole
due to special quick-fastening systems.
[0006] However, all these systems position the foot supports, i.e.,
wedges, on top of the sole. The supports thus used must be made of
a special material, therefore relatively expensive, to be in
contact with the foot. Moreover, this relates to an orthopedic
use.
[0007] Other inventions described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,985,919 and
880,245 disclose supports that are positioned beneath the sole.
They disclose rigid pieces, located beneath the sole, that are
adapted to fix the curve of the sole in the area of the plantar
arch. These pieces, riveted on the sole, are used for orthopedic
purposes.
[0008] None of these aforementioned systems provides an adaptation
of the sole to the type of sport involved.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One of the objects of the present invention is to propose a
foot support device that enables the user to customize the sole
according to the sporting activity to be undertaken.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to propose a device whose
support wedges are not required to be made of expensive materials
resisting contact with the foot.
[0011] According to the invention, the sole assembly includes at
least one foot support with which fastening systems, adapted to
ensure a removable fastening of the support on the bottom surface
of the sole, are associated. This invention makes it possible to
equip either a boot inner sole, or the outer sole of a liner
positioned within a boot.
[0012] In a first embodiment, the foot support covers the entire
sole.
[0013] In a second embodiment, the foot support cooperates with
only a portion of the sole.
[0014] In a third embodiment, the foot support covers the entire
sole and includes support elements with different thicknesses and
rigidities.
[0015] In a fourth embodiment, the foot support and the sole serve
to maintain a reinforcement of the upper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0016] The invention will be better understood and other advantages
thereof win become apparent from the description, with reference to
the annexed drawings that are an integral part thereof. The
description shows, by way of non-limiting examples, certain
preferred embodiments.
[0017] FIG. 1 schematically shows a side view of a boot liner in
the first embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 2 schematically shows a side view of a first
application of the second embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 3 shows a transverse view of a second application of
the second embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 4 schematically shows a transverse view of a liner in a
third embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows a bottom view of the support of a first
application of the third embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 6 shows a bottom view of the support of a second
application of the third embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of the support of a third
application of the third embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 8 shows a transverse view of an improvement to the
previous embodiments.
[0025] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a reinforcement described
in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a liner CH, provided with a sole 1, within
which is located the foot P, shown in dotted lines, as well as a
wedge, or sole support, 4 that forms, together with the sole 1, the
sole assembly of the invention. A fastening arrangement 10 adapted
to ensure a removable fastening of the sole support 4 on the bottom
surface 3 of the sole 1 is associated with the support 4. In the
embodiment shown in the figure, the sole 1 includes, on its bottom
surface 3, a fastening arrangement 11 that is complementary with
the fastening arrangement of the sole support 4. In this
embodiment, the fastening system 10, 11 is of the self-gripping
type, i.e., Velcro.RTM. or hook-and-loop fastening type. The loop
portion of the self-gripping fastening system is preferably
positioned on the sole 1 of the liner CH to prevent the
self-gripping system from getting dirty during an occasional walk
while wearing the liner alone. Other embodiments can be envisioned;
for example, if the fastening system is arranged on the sole
support 4 only, it can be of the self-adhesive type that can be
repositioned.
[0027] In practice, in this embodiment, the fastening system 11,
i.e., the loop portion of the self-gripping system, is fixed, by
appropriate means such as neoprene glue, on the entire bottom
surface 3 of the sole 1. The fastening arrangement 11 can be
positioned directly on the sole 1 of the liner CH or on an attached
rubber or leather sole. The sole support 4 is integral, or unitary,
and has a constant or variable thickness, and covers the entire
bottom surface 3 of the sole 1. The fastening arrangement 10, i.e.,
the hook portion of the self-gripping system, is fixed by
appropriate means such as neoprene glue, on the upper surface of
the sole support 4. The bottom portion 3 of the sole 1 and the
support 4 have surfaces that are almost identical and
complementary. The self-gripping loop/hook portions could be
inverted.
[0028] The user wishing to modify his/her liner CH first removes it
from the boot. Then, the support 4 is fastened on the bottom
surface 3 of the sole 1, or the support 4 is replaced with another
model of support due to the removable fastening system 10, 11. The
user then repositions the liner CH, equipped with the support 4, in
the boot CH.
[0029] The foot P exerts on the upper surface 2 of the sole 1,
shown in dotted lines, by direct or indirect contact, a pressure
that strengthens the fastening system 10, 11. The sole support 4,
which presses against the top of the boot sole, is compressed by
this pressure. Each sole support is designed so as to provide
certain characteristics that are necessary for practicing the
specified sport.
[0030] The sole support 4 could advantageously have a
shock-absorbing characteristic to increase the user's comfort
during the sporting activity.
[0031] The sole support 4 could have a variable thickness so as to
adjust at best the volume of the liner to the user's foot. It can
also have more or less rigid zones to improve the sole torsional
strength along certain directions.
[0032] This embodiment also applies to a boot inner sole.
[0033] The various fastening systems 10, 11 previously described
also apply to the figures and descriptions that follow and are
therefore designated by the same reference numerals.
[0034] In FIG. 2, the sole support elements 4, 44, 54 do not cover
the entire bottom surface 3 of the sole 1.
[0035] The support elements 4, which is positioned in the area of
the metatarsophalangeal joints, has a shock-absorbing function.
This support element 4 can be made of plastic gum or
shock-absorbing gel about 3 to 5 millimeters thick. Advantageously,
it has an elliptical shape.
[0036] The sole support element 44 is positioned in the area of the
plantar arch. It is made of a rigid plastic material such as a
thermoformed polyethylene about 2 millimeters thick. It has a
raised edge 44a adapted to conform to the shape of the plantar
arch, and an approximately planar zone 44b adapted to improve the
fastening on the sole.
[0037] The support element 54 is positioned in the heel area. It
has a rigid shell made of a thermo-injected plastic about 1
millimeter thick, which envelops the lateral and rear portions of
the heel as well as the bottom of the heel.
[0038] So that the foot is properly supported on the sole support
element(s) and the boot sole, the sole 1 must be made of flexible
materials of the type that is also normally used for the soles of
liners. The flexibility of the sole 1 makes it possible, among
other things, to better exploit the shock absorbing functions of
certain elements 4. Thus, the pressure exerted by the foot P
compresses the element 4 while eliminating the difference in
thickness of the support elements 4, 44, 54. Therefore, the sole 1
will deform to take support on the support elements 4, 44, 54, and
to take support on the boot in the area of the zones of the sole 1
which are not equipped with a support element. Not using a flexible
material for the sole 1 considerably diminishes the efficiency of
the invention due to the loss of transmission of the supports and
to the reduction in the stability of the foot.
[0039] In FIG. 3, the sole 1' represents the inner sole of a boot.
The inner sole 1' includes on its bottom surface 3 a housing 31
associated with the support element 4. The bottom surface 3 of the
sole 1 includes a fastening arrangement 11, at least in the area of
the housing 31. The support element 4 is maintained in the housing
31 by an appropriate fastening arrangement 10. In the case where
the constituent material of the support element 4 is more
compressible than the material of the inner sole 1', the depth of
the housing 31 is equal to or less than the thickness of the
support element 4. This makes it possible to compress the support
element 4. Otherwise, the depth of the housing 31 is greater than
the thickness of the support element 4. The foot P compresses the
inner sole 1' which has a firm support when the element 4 is placed
in contact with the boot sole.
[0040] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 applies, in a
non-limiting manner, to the inner sole of a boot, as well as to the
outer sole of a liner.
[0041] In FIG. 4, the support element 4 includes at least two
support elements 12, 39 affixed to one another. This affixation can
be obtained by an adjusted, but removable assembly between the two
support elements 12, 39. But it can also be obtained by fastening
the two support elements 12, 39 by appropriate means, such as
neoprene glue, on the fastening arrangement 10, such as the hook
portion of the hook-and-loop fastening system. The support elements
12, 39 have different thicknesses and different rigidities. This
makes it possible to use the shock-absorbing function of one of the
support elements 12, 39. If the support element 12 is thicker than
the support element 39, the shock-absorbing function is ensured by
the material of the support element 12, and the support element 39
is more rigid than the support element 12. Inversely, if the
support element 12 is thinner than the thickness of the support
element 39, the shock-absorbing function is ensured by the material
of the support element 39, and the support element 12 will be more
rigid than the support element 39.
[0042] The support element 12 here is housed in a recess 13
associated with the support element 4. The support element 39 is
affixed to the support element by gluing on the support that is
constituted by the self-gripping fastening arrangement 10. The
support element 14 can also be fixed directly on the support
element 4 by appropriate means such as neoprene glue. The support
elements 12, 14 have shock-absorbing functions and are positioned
in the area of the metatarsophalangeal joint and of the heel of the
foot, respectively.
[0043] FIGS. 5, 6, 7 show sole supports pre-assembled by the
manufacturer, which are each adapted to specific sporting
activities.
[0044] FIG. 5 shows a support in which the shock-absorbing function
is most important. It is more specifically adapted to the
snowboarding style for performing jumps, whether the jump is
performed from a springboard, known as "big air," or in an
artificial channel, also known as "half pipe." The support 4
includes a support element 12 having a shock-absorbing function in
the heel area. The support 4 includes a support element 14 having a
shock-absorbing function in the area of the metatarsophalangeal
joint. The support elements 12, 14 are made of a soft gel about 5
millimeters thick, for example.
[0045] The support element 32 is made of a flexible PVC foam about
2 millimeters thick, for example. The support element 33,
positioned in the area of the plantar arch, is made of a hard PVC
foam, for example, about 1.5 millimeters thick.
[0046] These support elements 12, 14 are affixed to the support 32
according to a fastening mode similar to that described in FIG. 4
for the support element 12.
[0047] As is readily understood, such a support that is flexible
and has elements that are also shock-absorbing, is adapted more
particularly to any sporting activity involving numerous jumps and
landings on hard surfaces, especially roads and sidewalks, but also
small impacts repeated on these same hard surfaces. The liner or
the sole equipped with such a flexible support can be used in
particular in inline roller skating for a so-called "aggressive"
style, or for gliding boots, known as "grind," adapted to glide on
the edges of low walls, guardrails, etc. The use of the invention
is advantageous for the so-called "grind" gliding boots especially
as they often lack a shock-absorbing function in the outer sole of
the boot.
[0048] The specific materials mentioned above are given only as
non-limiting examples.
[0049] FIG. 6 shows a support whose construction is similar to
those described previously, but has a different geometry. The
support is of the "hard" type and is adapted in this case to a
snowboarding style that requires a good control of the pressures
exerted on the board. The support elements 12, 14 are of the
shock-absorbing type and are made of a soft gel about 3 millimeters
thick.
[0050] The support 4 includes a support element 34 constituted of a
relatively rigid material, and which includes a portion 34a that
encompasses the toe zone, a portion 34b that encompasses the heel
zone and a portion 34c that connects these two zones by the lateral
outer zone of the sole. The support element 34 here is made of a
hard PVC foam about 3 millimeters thick. The support element 35
positioned on the remaining surface, including the plantar arch, is
made of a less rigid material, for example, soft PVC foam about 2
millimeters thick. This lateral asymmetry in rigidity causes an
asymmetry on the control. The objective of such a sole geometry,
with its rigid support element 34, is to improve the front control
due to the portion 34a, and the rear control due to the portion
34b, with respect to the transmission of the supports produced by
the foot. The portion 34c ensures homogeneity of the supports
between the two front and rear positions, and a good transfer
between the front and rear supports. Such a hard support can be
used advantageously in snowboarding on trails, where it is
necessary to control the board with precision in edge setting,
therefore on front and rear supports of the foot. Moreover, the
portion 34c improves the lateral control on the outer side, which
is particularly adapted to snowboarding, especially when gliding
upward in half pipes. Indeed, during this activity, the snowboarder
is mainly in support on the outer side of the boot that is located
at the rear of the board, and needs a substantial lateral bending
on the medial side on the other boot.
[0051] FIG. 7 shows a support of intermediate hardness adapted to
snowboarding for a multipurpose usage. One still has the support
elements 12, 14 which have a shock-absorbing function in the area
of the heel and of the metatarsal bones. The support 4 includes a
through recess 30 in which a removable support element 36 is
housed. This support element 36 includes fastening means adapted to
fix it on the bottom surface of the sole. The use of one of the
support elements shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 7 therefore makes it possible
to transform the boot and to adapt it to various snowboarding
activities. The support element 36 can be made in the same material
as that of the support element 38, i.e., a hard PVC foam about 1.5
millimeters thick. The support element 36 can advantageously be
elongated and constituted of a rigid material and will be
positioned between the heel and the metatarsal bones, along the
approximate longitudinal axis of the foot. Thus, the user can
change the support element 36 only, depending on the desired
torsional rigidity. The support 4 can also include a support
element 37, positioned in the area of the plantar arch, which has a
shock-absorbing function.
[0052] FIGS. 8 and 9 shows a reinforcement 17 that has a certain
rigidity along the bending direction of the liner. The
reinforcement 17 includes at least one arm 43 that is maintained
laterally against the liner by at least one guide 40, 41, 42 made
on the liner. The end of this guide 40, 41, 42 can advantageously
include a device, such as lacing guides 50, for tightening the
liner. The lower end of the arm 43 includes a fastening member 16
that is inserted between the support 4 and the sole 1.
[0053] Either the reinforcement 17 is fixed on the bottom surface 3
of the sole 1 by the fastening member 16 that is complementary of
the fastening member 11 arranged on the sole 1, or the
reinforcement 17 is fixed on the support 4 by the fastening member
16 that is complementary of the fastening member 10 of the support
4. In this case, the support 4 must cover the fastening member 16
entirely. The two fastening methods can be combined
advantageously.
[0054] Each arm 43 of the reinforcement 17 has a geometry such that
it has high forward bending inertia, and low lateral bending
inertia. For example, the arm 43 is made of plastic such as
polyurethane or polyethylene about 2 millimeters thick and
approximately 3 centimeters wide. The arm 43 has a profile that
presents a curvature 45 that connects the top 46 of the arm, whose
direction is approximately that of the top of the upper of the
liner CH, to the bottom of the arm 43, whose direction is
approximately that of the instep. The linkage between the bottom 47
of the arm and the fastening member 16 is positioned in the area of
the metatarsal bones. However, the previously described curvature
enables a certain deformation of the arm 43 toward the front, with
a return toward the rear. The reinforcement 17 is essentially
adapted to snowboarding.
[0055] By way of a non-limiting example, a series of standard
supports can be provided for the user. In the preferred embodiment,
one will provide specific supports adapted respectively to distinct
sporting activities, as explained with reference to FIGS. 5-7.
Thus, the snowboarder can optimize his/her pair of snowboard boots
at will to perform "big air" jumps one day, and practice on trail
the next day, simply by changing the support. Similarly, the
in-line skater can select a so-called "aggressive" skating style
and a "recreational" skating style with the same skates simply by
changing the support. Likewise, the city resident can use these
gliding boots to glide on guardrails and, by changing the supports,
obtain a boot adapted for long walks in the city. One can envision
a whole host of distinct applications making it possible to
optimize a multi-purpose footwear element for each specific
activity. The supports are easy to use by the user especially as
they constitute a complete and independent assembly covering the
entire inner sole or liner of the footwear element.
[0056] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments
described hereinabove, which are provided for guidance only, but
also encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments. It applies
to any type of boot in which similar or identical problems must be
resolved.
[0057] The instant application is based upon French Patent
Application No. 00.03198, filed Mar. 6, 2000, the disclosure of
which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety,
and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119.
* * * * *