U.S. patent application number 09/528171 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-04 for footwear.
Invention is credited to Joubert, Michel, Roy, Patrice.
Application Number | 20020083622 09/528171 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25679612 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020083622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Joubert, Michel ; et
al. |
July 4, 2002 |
FOOTWEAR
Abstract
A boot comprising a sole with an upper which includes an
asymmetrical medial and lateral quarter. Strategically located pads
are provided on the inner of the upper on opposite sides of the
metatarsal in the vamp area and around the ankle. Flexible
compressible inserts are provided in the medial dorsal area and in
the posterior lateral area, providing compression and extension in
the sagittal plane. A scewered lacing arrangement is provided with
the lower segment of the lacing extending with the median axis of
the lacing approximately at the fourth metatarsal bone and the
upper segment of the lacing being provided in the anterior area of
the ankle. A light-weight tongue follows the contours of the gap
formed by the lacing and is connected to the lateral quarter of the
upper along the side thereof and at the front is anchored to a toe
box which has a rear edge forming a parabolic outline coincident
with the joints between the metatarsus and the phalanges. A footbed
is provided which has a deep heel cavity, a pronounced parabolic
arch and a cuboid bump.
Inventors: |
Joubert, Michel;
(Trois-Rivieres, CA) ; Roy, Patrice; (Sherbrooke,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OGILVY RENAULT
1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL
QC
H3A2Y3
CA
|
Family ID: |
25679612 |
Appl. No.: |
09/528171 |
Filed: |
March 17, 2000 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
09528171 |
Mar 17, 2000 |
|
|
|
PCT/CA98/00872 |
Sep 18, 1998 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/117.6 ; 36/71;
36/88 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/1495 20130101;
A43B 7/142 20130101; A43B 19/00 20130101; A43B 7/144 20130101; A43B
7/141 20130101; A43B 5/0405 20130101; A43B 7/145 20130101; A43B
7/1445 20130101; A43B 17/02 20130101; A43B 7/1415 20130101; A43B
7/20 20130101; A43B 17/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/117.6 ; 36/88;
36/71 |
International
Class: |
A43B 019/00 |
Claims
1. In a boot having a sole, an upper, including a medial quarter
and a lateral quarter, the improvement including a plurality of
pads on the interior of the upper, wherein the pads include at
least a medial metatarsal pad between the base and the head of the
first metatarsal bone, a lateral metatarsal pad near the head of
the joints between the metatarsus and the phalanges, a medial
malleolal pad having a vertical component between the Achilles
tendon and the ankle and a horizontal component below the ankle, a
lateral malleolal pad having a vertical component between the
Achilles tendon and the ankle, and a horizontal component just
below the ankle for the purpose of blocking the foot within the
boot to provide a rigid lever with the gliding runner.
2. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the medial metatarsal pad
and the lateral metatarsal pad are positioned asymmetrically and
have a quadrilateral outline with a convexly curved dome
surface.
3. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the vamp pad is
crescent-shaped and has a convex surface facing the dorsal portion
of the foot.
4. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the medial and lateral
malleolar pads are somewhat J-shaped and include the horizontal
component and the vertical component.
5. A boot as defined in claim 4, wherein the medial and lateral
malleolar pads are J-shaped and have an upper horizontal portion
which extends over the ankle to further block the foot in the boot
and prevent movement of the foot relative to the boot when the foot
is being lifted.
6. A boot as defined in claim 4, wherein the medial and lateral
malleolar pads are asymmetrically located and are placed to limit
the pronation about the subtalar joint axis.
7. A boot as defined in claim 1, wherein a footbed is provided
within the boot, wherein the footbed includes a pronounced
parabolic arch with the apex of the arch in the cuneiform medial
and a cuboid bump is provided on the top surface of the footbed in
the lateral portion thereof, and coincident with the cuboid of the
foot.
8. A boot for use with gliding runners, the boot having a sole and
an upper, including a medial quarter and a lateral quarter, the
improvement including a footbed extending over the sole wherein the
footbed includes a relatively deep recess in the area of the
calcaneum and the calcaneum slopes at 5.degree. from the horizontal
to the frontal plane, thus opposing the pronation force about the
subtalar joint axis, a pronounced parabolic arch extending so that
the apex of the arch is in a cuneiform medial, and a cuboid bump is
provided on the surface of the footbed in the lateral portion
thereof, and relative to the location of the cuboid in the
foot.
9. A boot as defined in claim 8, wherein a forward portion of the
footbed has a 7.degree. slope in the frontal plane from the
horizontal but excluding the first metatarsal bone and the forward
portion extends below the heads of the fourth and fifth metatarsal
bones, including the toe.
10. A boot as defined in claim 9, wherein the forward portion has a
thickness of 3 mm, the arch is a parabola, the apex of which in the
case of a 91/2 size boot is 33 mm high measured from the surface of
the footbed.
11. A boot as defined in claim 8, wherein the cuboid bump is a
semi-cylindrical shape with the axis of the cylinder extending
transversely of the axis of the footbed.
12. A boot as defined in claim 11, wherein the cuboid has an apex
of 4 mm high over the top surface of the footbed.
13. A boot for use with gliding runners, the boot having a sole and
an upper, the upper having a medial quarter and a lateral quarter
and defining a first pair of parallel fastening rows around the
front edge of each quarter, at least in the vamp area of the boot,
and the median axis of the rows extends between he third and the
fourth metatarsal bones of the foot.
14. A boot as defined in claim 13, wherein the front edges of the
lateral and medial quarters include a second pair of fastening rows
above the first pair, wherein the second pair of fastening rows are
offset from the first pair and aligned with the anterior portion of
the ankle.
15. A boot as defined in claim 13, wherein the fastening rows are
provided with a series of lacing eyelets.
16. A boot as defined in claim 14, wherein a lacing band extends
about the rear of the boot and includes forward projections
overlapping the medial and lateral quarters respectively and lacing
fingers extending towards the second fastening rows and the lacing
fingers including lacing hooks to receive and accommodate a boot
lace.
17. A boot as defined in claim 14, wherein a tongue is provided
which is attached to a vamp portion of the upper and the tongue
includes a contour which follows a gap defined between he first
pair of fastening rows and around to the offset second pair of
fastening rows.
18. A boot as defined in claim 17, wherein the tongue is fastened
along its lateral edge to the lateral quarter and extends between
the lateral portion of the first metatarsal bone to the medial
portion of the fifth metatarsal bone.
19. A boot as defined in claim 16, wherein the lacing band is fixed
to a portion of the upper coincident with the area of the Achilles
tendon and a pair of fingers extend forwardly of the band,
overlapping over the medial quarter and lateral quarter
respectively.
20. A boot having a sole and an upper including an medial quarter
and a lateral quarter, the improvement comprising a medial cut out
in the medial dorsal area and a lateral cut out defined in the
lateral quarter aligned in a common axis with the medial dorsal and
the posterior lateral area in order to permit flexion and extension
in the sagittal plane along said axis.
21. A boot as defined in claim 20, wherein each insert is fixed in
each cut out area of the respective quarters and each insert is a
compressible energy return means made of a corrugated plastic
material with the ribs of the corrugated plastic material extending
at right angles to the sagittal plane.
22. A boot as defined in claim 21, wherein the inserts have an oval
outline.
23. A boot for use with gliding runners, the boot having a sole
with a toe portion and a heel portion, and an upper, the
improvement comprising a rigid toe box having a lower edge
coincident with the toe portion of the sole, and a rear edge of the
toe box being asymmetric and having a parabolic outline between a
portion coincident with the joint of the first metatarsal bone and
the respective phalange of the foot, and another portion coincident
with the joint of the fifth metatarsal bone and the respective
phalange.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT/CA98/00872 filed
Sep. 18, 1998 designating the United States and claiming priority
of Canadian Patent Application Serial Number 2,215,771 filed Sep.
18, 1997 and Canadian Patent Application Serial No. 2,239,738 filed
Jun. 5, 1998.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a footwear, and
particularly to a boot to be used with a runner such as a boot for
an ice, inline, or roller skate, cross country ski, snowboard,
etc.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] The developments of skate boots in the last twenty years
have been in the direction of a more rigid boot partly because of
the advent of molded plastic shells for the construction of skate
boots. Such techniques have allowed a more rigid construction of
the uppers, presumably to increase performance, and to improve the
protection of the skater. However, there is little consideration
for the anatomy or the biomechanics of the foot. The foot is a very
complex biomechanical structure with scores of articulates bones,
cartilage and muscles. When the foot is encased in a conventional
molded plastic shell, little of the mechanical advantages of the
complex leverage movements can be transferred to the runner, i.e.
blade inline rollers or cross country ski, because of the rigidity
of the shell and the instability of the foot within the
slipper.
[0006] The rigid shell forming the upper, in conventional molded
skate boots, is uncomfortable. Various soft inner boots or slippers
have been designed for use with such rigid boots to be adapted and
to be formed to the foot of the wearer. However, the skate is not
therefore responsive to the thrust of the foot. Some of the force
being transferred to the foot laterally, or torquewise, is loss due
to the movement of the slipper relative to the shell.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a boot
which is comfortable while providing stability for the foot,
thereby providing a high degree of performance.
[0008] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
boot which is designed respecting anatomy and biomechanical aspects
of the foot.
[0009] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
boot which has a relatively rigid upper and provided with selected
flexible portions to allow suitable flexion extension about the
ankle.
[0010] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
boot which better blocks the foot and ankle in the boot to prevent
power loss.
[0011] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
boot with a rigid shell which surrounds the foot and is in contact
with the foot only through selected, strategically located, pads
which effectively suspend the foot in the shell.
[0012] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
rigid toe box for a boot which respects the asymmetric anatomy of
the articulated structure of the foot.
[0013] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
boot upper having a lateral quarter and a medial quarter which are
asymmetric and mostly rigid.
[0014] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
pair of flexible compressible wall portions provided in the lateral
and medial quarters but aligned in a plane containing the general
flexion and extension movements of the foot in relation to the
ankle.
[0015] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
pair of fastening rows and tongue which extend in the lower part
over the vamp, on either side of an axis extending parallel to and
between the third and fourth metatarsal bones. The upper part of
the lacing is provided on either side of an axis which is aligned
with the upper anterior portion of the ankle and which is offset
from the axis of the lacing in the lower part thereof.
[0016] It is a further aim of the present invention to provide a
tongue which extends from the toe box in the area of the vamp and
which is coincident with the lacing on the lower part of the upper
and which extends offset to be oriented with the lacing in the
upper part of the upper.
[0017] It is yet a further aim of the present invention to provide
an improved inner sole or foot bed in the boot.
[0018] It is an aim of the present invention to provide a boot
suitable for gliding sports which provides an improvement in
comfort, adaptability, foot stability and performance.
[0019] In one aspect of the present invention there is provided a
toe box having a rigid one piece shell for a boot having a sole
with a toe portion, a heel portion, the toe box having a lower edge
coincident with the sole in the toe portion and the rear edge
thereof defines the extent of the shell which is asymmetric and has
a somewhat parabolic outline between a portion coincident with the
joint of the first metatarsal shaft and the respective phalange,
and another portion coincident with the joint of the fifth
metatarsal bone and the respective phalange.
[0020] A construction in accordance with another aspect of the
present invention comprises an upper for a boot having a medial
quarter and a lateral quarter and defining a first pair of parallel
fastening rows along the front edges of each quarters, at least in
the vamp area of the boot, and the median axis of the rows extends
between the third and fourth metatarsal bones of the foot.
[0021] More specifically the front edges of the lateral and medial
quarters include a second pair of fastening rows above the first
pair that are offset from the first pair and aligned with the
anterior portion of the ankle.
[0022] In a further construction of the present invention the
medial quarter and the lateral quarter are each provided with a
flexible compressible area aligned in a common axis which extends
in the medial dorsal area and posterior lateral area in order to
permit flexion and extension of the foot about the axis of the
ankle during the skating action.
[0023] In another aspect of the present invention there are
provided spaced apart pads fixed to the interior of the upper
wherein the pads include at least a medial metatarsal pad between
the base and the head of the first metatarsal shaft, in the
horizontal, a lateral metatarsal pad near the head of the fifth
metatarsal bone, in horizontal, a vamp pad in the dorsal area of
the metatarsus and phalange joints, a medial ankle pad having a
vertical component and a horizontal component just behind and below
the ankle protrusion and an asymmetrical lateral ankle pad having a
vertical component and a horizontal component and extending in the
boot just behind and below the ankle.
[0024] In a further aspect of the present invention there is
provided an inner sole being a relatively deep recess in the heel
portion of the sole with a 5 varus in the frontal plane, a
pronounced parabolic arch extending so that the apex of the arch is
at the medial cuneiform while the front of the foot pad has a 7
varus in the frontal plane with the exclusion of the first
metatarsal shaft in a cuboid bump relative to the location of the
cuboid is provided in the lateral portion of the foot bed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Having thus generally described the nature of the present
invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and
in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a boot in accordance with
the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a side elevation taken from the medial side of the
boot;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a front elevation thereof;
[0029] FIG. 4 is a side elevation taken from the lateral side of
the boot;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation thereof;
[0031] FIG. 6 is a side elevation taken from the medial side
showing the spatial arrangement of the pads and foot bed of the
present invention;
[0032] FIG. 7 is a front elevation of the spatial arrangement shown
in FIG. 6;
[0033] FIG. 8 is a side elevation taken from the lateral side of
the spatial arrangement shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;
[0034] FIG. 9 is a rear elevation thereof;
[0035] FIG. 10a is a front elevation view of another embodiment of
the lateral malleolar pad;
[0036] FIGS. 10b, 10c, and 10d represent rear, front, and side
views of the malleolar pad shown in FIGS. 10a in position on the
foot shown in dotted lines;
[0037] FIG. 11a is a front elevation of a medial malleolar pad of
the same embodiment as that shown in FIGS. 10a; and
[0038] FIGS. 11b through 11d represent rear, front, and side views
of the medial malleolar pad in position on a foot shown in dotted
lines.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 5 there is shown a skate 10
including a boot 12, a blade support 14, and blade 16. The blade
support 14 and the blade 16 are of conventional construction. It is
also understood that the boot 12 can be utilized with an inline
roller skate support with similar advantages.
[0040] It is also contemplated that the boot 12 can be adapted for
use with other so called gliding sports such as cross country
skiing, specially when using equipment for the skating technique.
The boot 12 could also be adapted for other gliding sports such as
snow-boarding, skiing, etc.
[0041] The boot 12 includes an upper formed with a rigid toe box
18, a lateral quarter 20 and a medial quarter 22. A sole 24 is also
provided to which the blade support is fixed.
[0042] The toe box 18 includes a lower edge 26 coincident with the
edge of the sole 24, the toe box 18 extends rearwardly on the
medial side and on the dorsal portion to cover the first metatarsal
shaft and must extend laterally rearwardly to cover the fifth
metatarsal bone.
[0043] The rear edge 28 of the box 18 defines a somewhat parabolic
curve in the area of the vamp to coincide with the joints of the
second, third, and fourth metatarsal heads. The toe box 18 should
be one-piece molded, rigid plastic material with means provided for
fastening the tongue 38 as will be described.
[0044] The upper includes a lateral quarter 20 and a medial quarter
22 which may be two asymmetric independent pieces joined together
in the area of the Achilles tendon or may be a one piece molded
plastic shell.
[0045] The lateral quarter 20 includes an eyelet row 30 which is
aligned with the fourth metatarsal bone. The lateral quarter is
fixed along its edge to the sole 24 and forwardly along the rear
edge 28 of the toe box 18. The upper portion of the forward edge
30a of the lateral quarter 20 is offset from the alignment of the
eyelet row 30 in order that it would be symmetrical with the
anterior portion of the ankle.
[0046] The medial quarter 22 as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 includes
an eyelet row 32 which is aligned with the second metatarsal bone.
The gap between the eyelet rows 30 and 32 is offset with respect to
the longitudinal axis of the boot as best seen in FIG. 3. The
medial quarter 22 is joined at its lower edge to the sole 24 and at
its forward edge to the rear edge 28 of the toe box 18. The upper
edge 32a of the medial quarter 22 is offset from the alignment of
the eyelet row 32 and along with the upper forward edge 30a of
quarter 20 to form a gap which is in alignment with the anterior
portion of the ankle, that is with the longitudinal axis of the
boot. Thus, in appearance the lacing gap appears to be scewered
when seen from the front view as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.
[0047] A lacing band 34 having forwardly extending pairs of fingers
34a and 34b is loosely mounted to the rear of the boot with the
fingers extending forwardly and presenting lacing hooks 40. The
lacing band 34 is fixed at least at one point to the rear portion
of the upper, at least in the area of the Achilles tendon. The
fingers 34a and 34b on either side of the boot 12 are not directly
connected to their respective quarters 20 and 22. Thus, when it is
necessary to mount the boot the lacing 31 is first passed through
the pairs of eyelets 30 and 32 and then crossed over the hook 40 of
fingers 34a and 34b on either side of the boot. This lacing pattern
was designed to maximize the blocking of the foot by use of pads
44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 as will be described.
[0048] The tongue 38 is attached in the vamp portion to the toe box
18 at its rear edge 28. The tongue 38 extends from the lateral
portion of the first metatarsal shaft to the medial portion of the
fifth metatarsal bone. The tongue 38 is fixed along its lateral
edge to the lateral quarter 20 in order to best anchor the tongue
38 and prevent it from floating. The tongue 38 includes a contour
that follows the gap between the lower eyelet rows 30 and 32 and
the gap formed between the upper edges 30a and 32a to extend over
the curved gap portion between them to just pass over the
malleolus.
[0049] Although not shown on the top edge of the tongue 38 may be
folded outwardly to receive the bottom edge of a shin pad. Tongue
38 is lighter than a conventional boot tongue, thereby contributing
to the reduction weight of the boot. The tongue is also designed to
provide a better anatomical fit.
[0050] It is necessary to provide a boot having a rigid boot
thereby providing a rigid lever in order to obtain the maximum
propulsion force in the power stroke. However, conventional rigid
boots are uncomfortable and do not allow certain important
movements necessary for skating.
[0051] It is known that the axis of the subtalar joint permits
complex eversion/inversion and adduction and abduction. The axis of
the subtalar joint completes the function of the ankle when
pressure is applied as well as when pressure is released. However,
under pressure, the extension of the ankle draws the head of the
astragalus in adduction causing the pronation of the axis of the
subtalar joint. Since skating is partially non-weight bearing, it
is thus possible to block the pronation about the subtalar joint
axis without limiting the amplitude of necessary ankle movement.
This is in order to obtain a rigid lever without restraining the
mobility of the ankle.
[0052] At the beginning of a power stroke the ankle has an
extension movement of between 100 and 250. However, this extension
provokes the adduction of the head of the astragalus causing a
pronation movement which is proportional to the loss of power
energy. By blocking the subtalar joint the skate acts more like a
rigid lever. However, when one changes speed, the ankle must be
mobile. Thus, by stabilizing and fixing the foot within the boot
while allowing the movement of the ankle, the general skating
efficiency can be improved.
[0053] Since the skating stroke is partially non-weight-bearing, as
compared to walking or running, the movements of the foot can be
limited by blocking the foot within the skate so as to provide the
rigid lever.
[0054] The axis of the ankle is of the pronation/supination type to
provide mainly flexion and extension of the foot. During skating,
the ankle must be allowed to move between 10.degree. and 25.degree.
either in flexion or in extension but no greater. More
specifically, the ankle pivots at an angle to the longitudinal axis
of the boot and the plane of this flexion/extension is referred to
as a dorsal medial flexion in the gliding portion of the stroke
while the ankle must flex 10.degree. to 25.degree. in the post
lateral direction in the same plane during the power phase of the
stroke. Thus, the medial quarter 22 includes a cutout portion with
a compressible insert 23 provided therein. The compressible insert
23 may be of a somewhat oval outline and made of a corrugated
plastic material with the ribs of the corrugated plastic member 23
extending in the same direction as the pleats formed in the skin
during flexion otherwise known as the "resting skin tension lines".
The insert 23 could be made of other compressible flexible
materials including compressible metals having memory, an air
bladder or other spring-like materials. The insert 23 can be sewn
or otherwise adhered along its edges to the cutout edge in the
medial quarter 22. The center of the insert can be located at a
point considered a medial dorsal to the junction of the cartilage
to the head of the astragalus. It is also contemplated that the cut
outs in the medial and lateral quarters respectively are sufficient
to allow for ankle mobility. The compressible inserts 21, 23 are
therefore optional and may be used as an energy return
mechanism.
[0055] A similar lateral compressible insert 21 is provided in the
lateral quarter and the center of this insert is fixed to the apex
of the peroneus and the Achilles tendon. This insert 21 permits
planter flexion during the power stroke.
[0056] The compressible inserts 21 and 23 act in the two
directions, that is in compression and extension. When the insert
is compressed, greater mobility results. When compression pressure
on the insert is released the extension of the insert acts as a
spring providing synergy to the flexion of the ankle by way of the
kinetic thrust which it provides. The compressible inserts are
mainly designed to allow specific sagittal plane mobility of the
ankle in gliding sports.
[0057] A plurality of distinct pads are strategically located on
the inner surface of the upper of the boot 12. These pads can be
glued to the inner shell and covered by a liner such as a leather
liner similar to a conventional construction of the boot. Although
the location of these pads are shown in dotted lines in FIGS. 2
through 5, they are shown in FIGS. 6 to 9 in their relative
position to the foot. Medial pad 44 and lateral pad 46 are provided
in asymmetric relation on either side of the foot. Even though pads
44, 46 are identical, they are located in asymmetrical relation as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 for instance. The medial metatarsal pad 44
has a somewhat quadrilateral shape and is located coincident with
the base and the head of the first metatarsal shaft. The pad must
be convex in the area of contact with the foot in the horizontal
axis and must also be convex in its vertical axis, thus it must
have somewhat of a dome shape. The lateral metatarsal pad 46 is
located in a position coincident with the location between the
tubercle and the head of the fifth metatarsus in a horizontal axis.
The pad 46 must be convex both in the vertical and horizontal axes.
When the boot is laced the medial metatarsal pad 44 and the lateral
metatarsal pad 46 protect the first metatarsal bone and the fifth
and fourth metatarsal bones, respectively. When the boot is laced
the pads 44, 46 will provide a stabilizing force to prevent
movement of the foot relative to the boot.
[0058] The lacing and metatarsal pads add a plantar flexorial force
on the medial and lateral columns of the foot. Thus, the pads 44
and 46 increase the rigid lever effect and provide mechanical
advantages to the longitudinal flexors.
[0059] The vamp pad 48 is located in the vamp area of the boot
which covers the proximal portions of the second to the fifth
phalanges in the dorsal area of the metatarsal-phalangeal joints.
This pad 48 is generally crescent-shaped. The pad 48 acts to
prevent movement of the foot forwardly in the boot. This pad is
fixed to the tongue at its junction with the toe box.
[0060] The lateral malleolar pad 52 extends between the Achilles
tendon and the ankle in the vertical axis filling up the concave
area therein and extends downwardly to the post-lateral upper
tubercle of the calca-neum by forming a hook. The horizontal
component of the malleolar pad 52 extends forward to end just above
the cuboid.
[0061] The medial malleolar pad 50 extends between the Achilles
tendon and the ankle. The malleolar pad 50 has an overall J-shape
with a horizontal component extending forwardly into proximity with
the tubercle of the scaphoid. Pads 50 and 52 block the foot within
the shell of the boot and will prevent the adduction of the head of
the astragalus and will support the sustentaculum tali, limiting
the pronation about the subtalar joint axis. These two pads 50 and
52 are asymmetric and follow the anatomical form of the foot. Pads
50 and 52 further fill the concave area on either side of the foot
behind the ankle and form a wedge to block the foot on the inside
of the boot. Thus, it can be seen that these pads will prevent
relative movement of the foot in the boot, thereby contributing to
the reduction on energy loss. Each pad 50, 52 is compatible with
the right or left foot.
[0062] In fact, foot movement is transmitted directly to the boot
while the cut out portions including compressible inserts 21 and 23
will provide mobility to the boot in response to the foot
movements. The cut out portions in the medial and lateral quarters
respectively are sufficient to allow proper ankle mobility. The
compressible inserts 21, 23 are therefore optional and may be used
as an energy return mechanism.
[0063] Although not shown, a further pad can be provided in the end
of the toe box 18 to eliminate the necessity of manufacturing half
sizes or to compensate for the growing foot of a child.
[0064] The pads 44, 46, 48, 50 and 52 form an arrangement of
strategically located pads within the upper that provide protection
and comfort to the foot. It also blocks or stabilizes the foot
along with the foot bed, to permit a rigid lever effect which
permits suitable ankle mobility. Furthermore it is contemplated
that a thinner rigid liner may be used as a result, thereby
contributing to reducing the weight of the boot.
[0065] An inner sole or foot bed 54 is provided. First of all, a
deep, narrow recess 53 is shown in dotted lines and located in
their calcaneum bed portion 56. Recess 53 may be 8 mm to 9 mm deep.
The surface of the calcaneum slopes at 5.degree. to the frontal
plane, thus opposing the pronation force about the subtalar joint
axis and providing mechanical advantage to the power muscles In
view of this mechanical advantage during the gliding stroke, the
axis need not have a large amplitude of movement. In fact the
movement of this axis must be restricted. By positioning the
calcaneum at a slope of 5.degree. the subtalar joint can be
maintained in a position of supination. The muscle leverage is thus
increased and the amplitude of movement of the forefoot is
decreased, thereby stabilizing the forefoot portion and increasing
the force of the power stroke. By relocating the calcaneum at a
5.degree. angle, the functional axes of the foot are reoriented,
thereby optimizing the stability of the foot. The deep recess 53
provides sidewalls which limit the lateral movement of the
calcaneum within the boot and further controls the pronation force
around the axis of the subtalar joint.
[0066] The arch 58 of the foot bed 54 is in the form of a parabola
extending from the planter tubercle medial of the calcaneum to the
head of the first metatarsal bone. The apex of this parabola is
located under the medial cuneiform. The height of the apex is
determined by the size of the boot (for a 91/2 North American men
size, the apex is 33 mm high).
[0067] The forward portion of the innersole has a 7.degree. slope
in the frontal plane but excluding the first metatarsal bone. This
provides the most efficient leverage for the power stroke in the
skating cycle. The foot bed 54 includes a forward portion which
extends below the heads of the fourth and fifth metatarsal bones
including the toe. The foot bed extension has a thickness of about
3 mm. A cuboid bump 60 of semi-cylindrical shape has an apex of
about 4 mm and is located as shown in FIG. 8.
[0068] The material used for the foot bed 54 must be flexible,
light and resilient. A multifoam material is used for the top
surface layer of the footbed 54 as well as the portion that extends
under the toes. The main portion of the footbed 54 is preferably
make of "Aliplast" material.
[0069] Referring now to FIGS. 10a through 10d and FIGS. 11a through
11d there is shown another embodiment of the malleolar pads 150 and
152 which can be compared to the malleolar pads of the embodiments
shown in FIGS. 2 through 9. The malleolar pads 150 and 152 have an
extension 150a and 152a which projects forwardly and downwardly to
form a C-shape pad surrounding the respective medial and lateral
malleolars as shown in FIGS. 10a through 10b and FIGS. 11a through
11d. The malleolar pads 150 and 152 of this embodiment apply
especially to boots which are used in gliding sports such as
downhill skiing, telemark skiing, cross country skiing and
snowboarding. The upper extension 150a and 152a of these pads
opposes the heel lift effect experienced in such boots. Most such
gliding sports require substantial foot lifting movements to
require lifting of substantial weights such as the boot harness and
ski. There is a tendency therefore of the heel to move upwardly
within the boot. The C-shaped malleolar pads 150 and 152 of this
embodiment will have the effect of blocking the foot and stabilize
it within the boot and reduce any heel lifting effect.
* * * * *