U.S. patent application number 09/537176 was filed with the patent office on 2002-05-30 for sports boot with flexible frame.
Invention is credited to Caeran, Marco.
Application Number | 20020062579 09/537176 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9544088 |
Filed Date | 2002-05-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020062579 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Caeran, Marco |
May 30, 2002 |
Sports boot with flexible frame
Abstract
A boot having an outer sole and an external upper covering the
user's foot and lower leg. The external upper has a flexible frame
made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material,
arranged along preferred directions of forces/supports affixed to
both the external upper and the outer sole. The flexible frame has
a dorsal portion extending from the outer sole substantially up to
the top end of the external upper, and at least one lateral arm
laterally connecting the upper end of the dorsal portion to one
side of the boot.
Inventors: |
Caeran, Marco;
(Montebelluna, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBLUM & BERNSTEIN, P.L.C.
1941 ROLAND CLARKE PLACE
RESTON
VA
20191
US
|
Family ID: |
9544088 |
Appl. No.: |
09/537176 |
Filed: |
March 29, 2000 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/115 ;
36/117.1; 36/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0482 20130101;
A43B 5/0405 20130101; A43B 7/20 20130101; A43B 5/0401 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/115 ;
36/117.1; 36/88 |
International
Class: |
A43B 005/04; A43B
007/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 30, 1999 |
FR |
99 04297 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sports boot, especially for gliding sports, comprising: an
outer sole and an external upper covering the user's foot and lower
leg, the external upper comprising a flexible frame made of a
flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, arranged along
preferred directions of forces/supports affixed to both the
external upper and the outer sole.
2. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the flexible frame
comprises a dorsal portion extending from the outer sole
substantially up to a top end of the external upper, and at least
one lateral arm laterally connecting the upper end of the dorsal
portion to one side of the boot.
3. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein said at least one
lateral arm comprises two substantially symmetrical lateral
arms.
4. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein each said lateral
arm is fixed to the outer sole by a connecting lug, substantially
in an area of the metatarsophalangeal joint of the foot.
5. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein at least one lateral
arm comprises a tightening arrangement.
6. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein the dorsal portion
laterally comprises at least one lug having a tightening
arrangement and is on a level with the top of the external
upper.
7. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein the dorsal portion
laterally comprises two substantially symmetrical lugs.
8. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the flexible frame
is fixed, at each of its lower ends, to the external upper and to
the outer sole.
9. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein for a conventional
assembly, with the upper lasting allowance between an insole and
the outer sole, each of the lower ends of the frame is fixed to the
lasting allowance.
10. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein each of the lower
ends of the frame is fixed by a seam on the lower end of the
external upper.
11. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the frame is fixed
on the external upper by a seam.
12. A sports boot according to claim 3, wherein each lateral arm is
fixed to the upper, and to the sole, respectively, only by its
connecting lugs and conserves an entire elastically deformable free
portion.
13. A sports boot, especially for gliding sports, comprising an
outer sole and an external upper overlying the outer sole and
covering the user's foot and lower leg, the external upper
comprising a flexible frame made of a substantially non-stretchable
material and affixed to the upper and sole, comprising a dorsal
portion, extending vertically at the rear of the lower leg, and
comprising at least one lateral portion, extending laterally along
the foot, connected to said dorsal portion and to the sole, at each
of its ends.
14. A sports boot, especially for gliding sports, comprising an
outer sole and an external upper overlying the outer sole and
covering the user's foot and lower leg, the upper including a
flexible frame made of a substantially non-stretchable material and
arranged so as to provide a predetermined moment of inertia along
predetermined directions.
15. A sports boot, especially for gliding sports, according to
claim 14, wherein the flexible fame comprises lateral arms in the
form of flat bands oriented so as to provide a predetermined moment
of inertia during a forward bending.
16. A sports boot according to clam 2, wherein the dorsal portion
comprises a recess at the level of the front portion of the heel of
the foot.
17. A sports boot according to claim 16, wherein the dorsal portion
comprises a notch whose lower end opens out on the recess.
18. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein the dorsal portion
constitutes a rear piece, and the dorsal portion including at least
one lug, and at least one lateral arm constitutes a front piece,
and wherein the front piece includes appropriate fixing means for
fixing the front piece on the rear piece, at the level of the
dorsal portion.
19. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein each external
lateral arm is furthermore connected to the dorsal portion by a
connecting lug oriented substantially along the flexion fold.
20. A sports boot according to claim 2, wherein the dorsal portion
has a bottom portion that is flared so as to surround the heel.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a reinforcement system, a
frame for a sports boot, especially gliding sports, of the flexible
type such as a boot for snowboard, roller skate, in-line skate, ice
skate, cross country ski boot, short ski, telemark, etc.
[0003] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information
[0004] Boots of the aforementioned type are adapted to ensure a
linkage between the user's foot and the gliding apparatus, namely,
a skate, snowboard, ski, etc., so as to enable the practice of the
sport considered. In particular, they must be rigid enough to
transmit the forces exerted by the user's leg to the gliding
apparatus and/or to provide rigid supports in certain directions
necessary for the practice of the sport, while being sufficiently
flexible to allow certain flexional movements of the leg with
respect to the foot and not to hinder certain movements in other
directions.
[0005] In fact, the intention is to reconcile completely
conflicting requirements, i.e., guaranteeing a certain comfort and
a certain flexible retention of the foot and leg, and allowing them
to take various positions as a function of the situations
encountered or desired during the practice of the sport, on the one
hand, and guaranteeing, for the user's foot and leg, firm supports
which must be especially powerful as the gliding apparatus (skate,
ski, snowboard, etc.) is larger, or as the sport is often fast
paced and/or involves more or less acrobatic movements.
[0006] Thus, the lever arms resulting from the dimensions of the
sports apparatus induce forces on the foot or leg that are
sometimes very substantial. Furthermore, the foot and/or leg also
require to be retained forwardly and rearwardly, but also laterally
and/or torsionally depending on the type of sport, these firm
retention requirements being contradictory to the notion of
comfort.
[0007] Similarly, in snowboarding, alpine skiing, or skating, a
rearward leg support is generally sought, this support being more
or less rigid depending on the sport that is practiced.
[0008] Historically, ski boots have evolved from relatively
flexible structures (leather boots) to boots made of extremely
rigid plastic materials. Snowboarding involves either boots with
rigid structure borne of alpine technology, or supple boots of snow
boots.
[0009] With respect to the supple or flexible boots, they generally
ensure the foot retention by deformation of the upper (made of
leather, fabric, flexible plastic), by bringing the latter closer
to the foot/lower leg by means of a lacing system which tends to
press the foot against the sole and rear of the boot.
[0010] It is also known from the document FR 2 902 735, for
example, to have an external rigid frame arranged on the exterior
of the boot and adapted to centralize the forces and supports
during the practice of the sport. This external frame is generally
made of a rigid rear stiffener affixed to a more or less rigid
sole, and of a collar adapted to surround the lower leg and
journalled on the rear stiffener. Such constructions are known
especially in skates, as well as in snowboards. The journalled
collar can be arranged on the inside or on the outside.
[0011] These constructions have made it possible to particularly
improve the manufacture of flexible boots by combining the aspects
of comfort, rigidity, and foot/leg retention.
[0012] However, they sometimes present problems of discomfort at
the level of the journalled collar. furthermore, the rigid
materials that are used for the rigid portions tend to weigh down
the boot.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] An object of the present invention is to overcome the
aforementioned disadvantages, and to provide a new flexible boot
structure that is easy and inexpensive to implement, that allows a
good transmission of the forces and supports, and that has
appropriate rigidity along certain predetermined directions for the
practice of the sport, while respecting the flexible structure of
the boot to the maximum.
[0014] This object is achieved in the boot according to the
invention, which is of the type having an outer sole and an
external upper covering the foot and lower leg, in that the
external upper has a flexible frame made out of a flexible,
substantially non-stretchable material arranged along preferred
directions of forces/supports affixed to both the upper and
sole.
[0015] Surprisingly, the linkage of the frame to the sole and upper
makes it possible to notably reinforce the latter at the level of
the frame, despite the flexibility of the fame, and to transmit the
selected efforts/supports.
[0016] Furthermore, the choice of a flexible material allows an
easy implementation on the upper.
[0017] Preferably, the assembly of the flexible material to the
upper is done by stitching.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention will be better understood and other
characteristics thereof will become apparent from the following
description, with reference to the annexed schematic drawing, in
which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot incorporating a
flexible frame according to the invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a flexible frame, the boot
being schematically shown in dotted lines;
[0021] FIG. 3 shows a flattened boot upper incorporating the
flexible frame, before assembly;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a perspective bottom view showing the assembly of
the flexible frame to the sole, with the upper not being shown;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view along the line V-V
of FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a boot incorporating a
flexible fame according to an alternative embodiment of the
invention; and
[0025] FIG. 7 is perspective view of a flexible frame according to
the same alternative embodiment, the boot being schematically shown
in dotted lines.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] FIG. 1 shows a boot, in this case a snowboard boot
incorporating a flexible frame 10 according to the invention, shown
in dotted lines in is figure. The application to a snowboard boot
is only shown by way of a non-limiting example, and the invention
can be used on any other sports boot, especially for gliding
sports, such as a ski boot, cross country ski boot, skate boot,
etc., in which similar or identical problems must be resolved.
[0027] The boot 1 has an external upper 2 adapted to cover the
user's foot/leg and capable of being tightened on the user's
foot/leg by a lacing 3 or any other closing means, and a bottom
assembly or external sole 4.
[0028] It can also have an inner liner 5 depending on the type of
boot.
[0029] A flexible frame 10, shown more particularly in FIGS. 2-4,
is arranged within-the external upper 2 and fixed to both the outer
sole 4 and to the external upper 2, by an insole 7, as shown in
FIG. 5, for example.
[0030] This flexible frame 10, constituted by a band-shaped
material, has a dorsal portion 11 at the rear which extends
substantially from the outer sole 4 up to the level of the top end
of the upper, at about mid-height of the tibia.
[0031] The dorsal portion 11 has, at its lower end 12, a flared
portion adapted to surround the heel and ensure an efficient
retention thereof.
[0032] This lower end 12 is furthermore provided with brackets 13
for its assembly to the outer sole 4.
[0033] Similarly, the upper end 14 of the dorsal portion 11 is
flared so as to allow a covering of the calf and a better support
distribution.
[0034] The upper end 14 of the dorsal portion 11 is connected on
each side to the outer sole 4 by a lateral arm 15 substantially in
the form of a C in this case.
[0035] Furthermore, each lateral arm 15 is provided with a vertical
connecting lug 16 adapted to ensure its linkage with the outer sole
4.
[0036] Preferably, the linkage of the vertical lug 16 with the
outer sole 4 occurs substantially at the level of the foot
metatarsophalangeal joint for an optimum transmission of the forces
that are generated during practice.
[0037] Depending on the type of sport that is practiced, this
linkage can be arranged at the front or rear of the
metatarsophalangeal joint.
[0038] Finally, each lateral arm 15 is connected to the dorsal
portion 11 in the area of the flexion fold and in the area of the
upper end 14, respectively, of the dorsal portion 11, by a
connecting lug 17, oriented substantially along the flexion fold,
and a second connecting lug 18.
[0039] Each of the portions 11, 15, 17, 18, of the flexible frame
10 is made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material,
i.e., a material that is substantially non-stretchable for the
normal values of forces applied during the practice of the sport
considered. In practice, materials such as polyvinyl chloride,
polyamide, polyethylene, or polyurethane can be used.
[0040] Preferably, although not necessarily, the frame 10 has an
integral or a unitary, one-piece structure.
[0041] The flexible frame 10 is fixed to the external upper 2 and
to the outer sole 4 in two ways.
[0042] Initially, it is affixed to the upper 2 by various seams, or
stitchings, 20, 21, respectively.
[0043] The seams 20 constitute the assembly of each edge of the
dorsal portion 11 to the external upper 2, whereas the seams 21
constitute the assembly of each of the connecting lugs 16, 17, 18
of each lateral arm 15 to the upper, thereby preserving a
possibility of longitudinal mobility of the lateral arms 15 with
respect to the external upper 2.
[0044] These seams 20, 21 can be triple, as shown in the figures,
or single, double, etc.
[0045] The seams 21 can be merged with the continuous seams 22 of
the upper for aesthetic reasons. The assembly of the lower ends of
the free to the upper can be made by a low peripheral seam 24, as
shown in FIG. 3, and/or by means of the insole 7 on which these
ends 13, 16 are fixed by adhesion and/or nails 24.
[0046] Surprisingly, and despite the flexibility of the material
used for the flexible frame 10, the linkage thereof with the upper
and the outer sole contributes to the stiffening of the upper, the
transmission of the forces, and a certain energizing of the upper
in forward bending.
[0047] Indeed, the dorsal portion 11, combined with the lateral
arms, makes it possible to provide a rear support, due to the
non-stretchability of the material used.
[0048] Likewise, the non-stretchability of the material and the
relative freedom of the lateral arms 15, in conjunction with their
C-shape, make it possible to ensure an elastic rearward return of
the upper following a forward bending. Additionally, the lateral
arms 15 offer a certain resistance to forward bending, and
therefore a certain rigidity due to the fact that this flexional
force occurs along a zone of great moment of inertia of the lateral
arms. Other forms or arrangements of the lateral arms can be
provided to provide a maximum moment of inertia with respect to the
directions of the forces applied, for which rigidity is
desired.
[0049] Finally, the assembly of the lateral arms to the sole in the
area of the metatarsophalangeal joint allows a transmission of the
forces along a preferred metatarsophalangeal joints/leg
direction.
[0050] FIG. 6 shows a snowboard boot that incorporates a flexible
frame 10 according to an alternative embodiment, and is shown in
dotted lines in this figure. The intrinsic characteristics of the
flexible frame 10, as well as the modes for attaching the frame 10
to the external upper 2 and on the outer sole 4, which have been
described previously, also apply to this alternative
embodiment.
[0051] This alternative embodiment is distinguished mainly by the
singular geometry of the reinforcement which is the object of the
present description, and by the specific tightening means. Indeed,
the lateral arm 15 of the flexible frame 10 has a tightening means
31, such as guides or keepers for the lace. Moreover, the dorsal
portion 11 has, at least laterally, a lug 32 having tightening
means 33 which, in this case, are hooks for the passage of the lace
3. This lug 32 is located on a level with the top of the external
upper 2, above the ankle joint. The dorsal portion 11 can
advantageously have two lugs 32, 32a, which are substantially
symmetrical.
[0052] The general tightening arrangement, composed of the lace 3,
can advantageously pass in guides 102, 103, 31, 33, respectively,
located alternately on the external upper 2 and on the flexible
fame 10. This constructive arrangement makes it possible to combine
a powerful tightening in the area of the guides 31, located on the
lateral arm 1 for the instep girth, and in the area of the guides
33 located on the lug 32 for the tibia, and to combine a
substantial tightening at the level of the guide 102, located on
the external upper 2 for the ankle, and in the area of the guide
103 for the toes.
[0053] The alternating of the guides or keepers of the lace that
are positioned on the external upper 2 and on the flexible frame 10
can be different from the arrangement described.
[0054] In most sports, especially snowboarding, where flexible
boots are used, it is necessary to maintain a good rear support on
the boot. To achieve this object, the flexible frame 10 is
constituted of at least two pieces which overlap one another in the
area of the calf, thus creating an overlap 104. This specific
assembly is shown in FIG. 7. The dorsal portion 11 has a first rear
piece 110. Additionally, a front piece 111 has at least one lug 32
or at least one lateral band 15. This front piece 111 has
appropriate fixing means 112, such as seams which make it possible
to fix the front piece 111 on the rear piece 110, in the area of
the dorsal portion 11.
[0055] The rear piece 110 can advantageously be made of a slightly
less flexible material than the front piece 111, so as to better
transmit the rear supports on the gliding apparatus. Additionally,
the great flexibility of the front piece 111 makes it possible to
properly cover the foot while retaining it laterally. The lateral
band 15 can be advantageously connected, at least on the inner
side, to the dorsal portion 11 of the front piece 111 by
appropriate means, such as seams. The lateral band 15 can be made
of a more flexible material than the front piece 111, for example,
a more flexible plastic material or a non-stretchable textile
strap. Respecting is constructive arrangement makes it possible to
improve the internal lateral bending of the boot, which can be
useful in snowboarding.
[0056] The flexible frame 10 can be made integral or in one-piece.
In this case, the objects related to rear support and internal
lateral bending, which have been previously described, are achieved
by variations in the thickness of the flexible frame 10 and/or by
hot forming processes which make it possible to obtain stiffening
ribs in the flexible frame 10.
[0057] The dorsal portion 11 can advantageously include a
substantially vertical notch 113 located substantially in an axial
plane of the boot. This, notch 113, located on a level with the top
of the external upper 2, makes the rear support more comfortable by
locally softening the top of the external upper 2, at the level of
the calf. Moreover, the dorsal portion 11 can advantageously
include a recess 30 at the level of the front portion of the heel
of the foot. The dorsal portion 11 is then connected to the outer
sole 4 by at least one band 120 that extends laterally in the
vicinity of the ankle. This recess 30 makes it possible to clear a
space for the heel, and thus to better adapt the dorsal portion 11
to the morphology of the rear portion of the user's foot. This
recess 30 can be advantageously completed by a notch 134 whose
lower end opens out on the recess 30. It allows the dorsal portion
11 to adapt perfectly, because the notch 134, which is arranged
substantially vertical and arranged substantially along the axial
plane of the boot, conforms to the geometry of the Achilles tendon
of the user's foot.
[0058] In the same preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the dorsal
portion 11 includes te recess 30. The fixing means 112, which make
it possible to fix the two constituent pieces 110, 111 of the
flexible fame 10 to one another, are then positioned above the
recess 30.
[0059] The flexible frame 10 can be asymmetrical and only have one
lateral arm 15 and/or one lug 32. In this case, guides of the lace
will be arranged on the external upper 2 in order to reconstitute
the symmetry in the lacing area.
[0060] For snowboarding, and especially for jumps, the following
geometry can be advantageously retained; two symmetrical arms 15,
one lug 32 on the lateral side, i.e., on the external side, and a
band 120 on the same side. Respecting this arrangement facilitates
the lateral bending on the internal side of the boot, while
stiffening the lateral bending on the external side and maintaining
a good rear support.
[0061] In all of the described embodiments, the flexible frame 10
can be arranged on the outside as well as on the inside of the
external upper 2.
[0062] The shape and construction of the flexible frame can also be
modified depending on the intended sport. Thus, if essentially
asymmetrical forces are to be transmitted, the frame will have a
corresponding asymmetrical shape, and will possibly have only one
lateral arm.
[0063] The particular ease of use of such a flexible frame is also
noted, since the use of a flexible, although substantially
non-stretchable material allows a very easy implementation by a
mere seam or adhesive.
[0064] The present invention is not limited to the described
embodiments and encompasses all of the similar or equivalent
embodiments.
[0065] Moreover, the invention is not limited to the described
embodiments but applies also to any boot in which similar or
equivalent problems must be solved.
[0066] The instant application is based upon French Patent
Application No. 99.04297, filed Mar. 30, 1999, 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.
* * * * *