U.S. patent application number 10/939220 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for apparatus for tightening top of foot in leisure sports boot fixing heel to sole.
This patent application is currently assigned to ELLIM CORPORATION LIMITED. Invention is credited to Jong Gu Lee.
Application Number | 20060037215 10/939220 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36103519 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060037215 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lee; Jong Gu |
February 23, 2006 |
Apparatus for tightening top of foot in leisure sports boot fixing
heel to sole
Abstract
Disclosed is an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a
leisure sports boot having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a
boot upper rim forming the top end of the boot and having a
U-shaped front surface; a boot upper being extended between the
sole and the boot upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper
forming an outer appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot;
a top of foot protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot
upper rim; and a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims
in a zigzag shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the
apparatus includes a top of foot tightening means installed inside
the top of foot protection upper, for compressing the top of the
foot to the sole, a wire passing through the top of foot tightening
means, and pulling the top of foot tightening means to the top of
the foot so that the heel can be fixedly adhered to the sole, and a
wire fixing device connected to both ends of the wire, for
selectively pulling or releasing the wire.
Inventors: |
Lee; Jong Gu; (Seoul,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Ladas & Parry
26 West 61st Street
New York
NY
10023
US
|
Assignee: |
ELLIM CORPORATION LIMITED
|
Family ID: |
36103519 |
Appl. No.: |
10/939220 |
Filed: |
September 10, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0447 20130101;
A43C 11/16 20130101; A43C 11/165 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101; A43B
5/0401 20130101; A43C 11/1493 20130101; A43B 5/0445 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/050.5 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 19, 2004 |
KR |
10-2004-0065399 |
Claims
1. An apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports
boot having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot upper rim
forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped front
surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the boot
upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
comprising: a top of foot tightening means installed inside the top
of foot protection upper, for compressing the top of the foot to
the sole; a wire passing through the top of foot tightening means,
and pulling the top of foot tightening means to the top of the foot
so that the heel can be fixedly adhered to the sole; and a wire
fixing device connected to both ends of the wire, for selectively
pulling or releasing the wire.
2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a pair of sole
holes are formed on the sole of the boot to pass through the right
and left sides, bottom end holes and rear holes are formed in pairs
on the bottom end and the rear portion of the inside upper of the
boot, and four holes are formed at one side top end of the inside
upper of the boot, wherein the wire fixing device is installed on
the wire passing through the four holes, and the wire passing
through the bottom end holes and the rear holes draws the top of
foot tightening means inside the boot.
3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wire fixing
device comprises a round inside plate, and a round outside plate
performing a relative rotation to the inside plate, wherein a
plurality of rotary gears are installed inside the inside plate,
when the outside plate is rotated in the clockwise direction, the
wire is drawn into the inside plate and tightened, and, when the
outside plate is outwardly pulled from the inside plate, rotation
of the rotary gears is stopped and the wire is loosened.
4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a tube is further
installed outside the wire, for preventing a friction resistance of
the wire.
5. An apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports
boot having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot upper rim
forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped front
surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the boot
upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
comprising: a pair of fixed band units having their one-side
portions fixed to both side edges of the sole and their other-side
portions provided with a ring unit; and a movable compression band
unit formed with a predetermined length, installed so that the
tightening band can pass through both ends, and outwardly drawn
when the tightening band is pulled, one side of the middle portion
of which passing through the ring unit, both ends of which
outwardly sliding from the boot upper through the boot upper
rim.
6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein one-side portions
of the fixed band units are fixed to the edges of the bottom end of
the boot upper.
7. An apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports
boot having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot upper rim
forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped front
surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the boot
upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
comprising: a top of foot compression band being formed with a
predetermined length, and having its one end fixed to one side edge
of the sole and its other end outwardly slide from the boot upper
through the boot upper rim; a connection ring unit having its one
end fixed to the other side edge of the sole and its other end
formed in a ring shape, so that the top of foot compression band
can pass through the ring; and coupling members installed at the
end and center of the top of foot compression band,
respectively.
8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the coupling
members are a pair of male and female Velcro magic tapes.
9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein one end of the top
of foot compression band is fixed to the edge of the bottom end of
one side boot upper.
10. An apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in leisure sports
in a boot having a sole and an upper, the apparatus comprising: a
top of foot tightening band installed outside the upper, for
compressing the top of the foot to the sole; a wire passing through
the top of foot tightening band and pulling the top of foot
tightening band to the top of the foot, so that the heel can be
fixedly adhered to the sole; and a wire fixing device connected to
both ends of the wire, for selectively pulling or releasing the
wire.
11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the top of foot
tightening band is installed inside the upper.
12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the wire fixing
device comprises a round inside plate, and a round outside plate
performing a relative rotation to the inside plate, wherein a
plurality of rotary gears are installed inside the inside plate,
when the outside plate is rotated in the clockwise direction, the
wire is drawn into the inside plate and tightened, and, when the
outside plate is outwardly pulled from the inside plate, rotation
of the rotary gears is stopped and the wire is loosened.
13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein a tube is further
installed outside the wire, for preventing a friction resistance of
the wire.
14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein one end of the top
of foot compression band is fixed to the edge of the bottom end of
one side boot upper.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119
from Korean Patent Application No. 2004-65399, filed on Aug. 19,
2004, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for tightening
a top of a foot in a leisure sports boot fixing a heel to a sole,
and more particularly to, an apparatus for tightening a top of a
foot which can tighten a tightening band for fixing an upper
portion of an ankle in a boot to make the foot and the boot adhered
to each other in order to prevent edge control failure by foot
movement in the boot in a snowboard controlling a speed and a
direction by movement of gravity center and up/down right/left
motions of feet.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] Snowboarding has gained great popularity every year and has
been widely distributed as leisure sports. As popularity of
snowboarding gests grown as sports, there are increasing demands on
precise equipments for high level operations.
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a boot bound on a
snowboard. A binder 30 is used to connect or disconnect the boot 20
to/from the snowboard 10. When the user moves on a skiing ground,
the user disconnects the boots 20 from the snowboard 10 and carries
them. When the user wants to snowboard, he/she mounts the boots 20
on the snowboard 10 by using the binders 30.
[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, the binder 30 consisting of a pair of
bands fixed on the board 10 for tightening the boots 20 includes a
frame 32 fixed on the board 10, a heel fixing means 34 connected to
the frame 32 for covering a heel of the boot 20, and a plurality of
bands 36 and 38 coupled to the frame 32 and the heel fixing means
34 to be extended, connected or disconnected.
[0008] That is, the boot 20 is put on the frame 32 with its heel
adhered to the heel fixing means 34, and the plurality of bands 36
and 38 are expanded or contracted through a detachable hole 40,
thereby connecting the boot 20 to the board 10.
[0009] To enjoy snowboarding, the user wears liners 50 for ankle
protection before wearing the boots 20. After wearing the liners
50, the user tightens bands (not shown) of the liners 50 to make
the liners 50 and the feet adhered to each other.
[0010] In a state where the user wears the liners 50 for protecting
the upper portions of the ankles to efficiently enjoy snowboarding,
the user prevents movement of the feet and the liners 50 by
tightening the bands (not shown), wears the boots 20 over the
liners 50, tightens tightening bands 60 to make the feet, the
liners 50 and the boots 20 adhered to each other, and fixes the
boots 20 on the board 10 by using the binders 30. As a result, the
feet, the liners 50, the binders 30, the boots 20 and the board 10
are adhered to each other, so that the user can enjoy
snowboarding.
[0011] However, when snowboarding on snow, the user takes various
postures on the snowboard 10 to change a direction or increase a
speed. Especially, in order to increase the speed with the least
resistance, the user descends in a state where the snowboard is
inclined at a predetermined angle to the front or rear portion.
Here, loads are concentrated on the ankles or tiptoes.
[0012] When the user inclines one side edge of the snowboard 10 by
inclining himself/herself to the rear portion for rear or heel side
rotations, supporting means can be installed near calves to reduce
muscular loads. Conversely, when the user inclines the other side
edge of the snowboard 10 for front or tiptoe side rotations, as
shown in FIG. 2b, the heels are separated from the bottoms of the
boots 20, the snowboard 10 is not inclined to the front portion as
the user expected, and loads are seriously applied to muscles of
the calves.
[0013] Especially, if the heels are not adhered to the bottoms of
the boots 20, it is very disadvantageous in freestyle postures
requiring strong force of the ankles and feet such as rapid
rotations or high difficulty performance. That is, the user cannot
show various and difficult techniques.
[0014] In addition, when the user mostly uses muscles of the ankles
or calves, he/she may be injured. It would cause a big problem in
dangerous situations.
[0015] The aforementioned problems are also generated in golf,
mountain climbing, or inline skating.
[0016] In the case of golf, the player fixes both feet on the
ground and moves only the waist and shoulders in swing. Therefore,
if the feet move or are separated from the ground, the user cannot
take a stable posture. Generally, when a beginner concentrates on
the tiptoes in swing, the heels of the feet are separated from golf
boots, so that he/she cannot take a stable posture.
[0017] In the case of mountain climbing boots, even if the user
tightens tightening bands, heels are separated from the boots on a
slope, and thus loads are applied to tops and ankles of the
feet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is achieved to solve the above
problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports boot
fixing a heel to a sole which allows the user to take various
postures, reduces loads on muscles of an ankle and a calf by making
the foot and the boot adhered to each other even when the user is
inclined to the front, and precisely transfers wanted techniques of
the user to tiptoes.
[0019] In order to achieve the above-described object of the
invention, an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure
sports boot having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot
upper rim forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped
front surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the
boot upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
includes: a top of foot tightening means installed inside the top
of foot protection upper, for compressing the top of the foot to
the sole; a wire passing through the top of foot tightening means,
and pulling the top of foot tightening means to the top of the foot
so that the heel can be fixedly adhered to the sole; and a wire
fixing device connected to both ends of the wire, for selectively
pulling or releasing the wire.
[0020] A pair of sole holes are formed on the sole of the boot to
pass through the right and left sides, bottom end holes and rear
holes are formed in pairs on the bottom end and the rear portion of
the inside upper of the boot, four holes are formed at one side top
end of the inside upper of the boot, the wire fixing device is
installed on the wire passing through the four holes, and the wire
passing through the bottom end holes and the rear holes draws the
top of foot tightening means inside the boot.
[0021] The wire fixing device includes a round inside plate, and a
round outside plate performing a relative rotation to the inside
plate. A plurality of rotary gears are installed inside the inside
plate, when the outside plate is rotated in the clockwise
direction, the wire is drawn into the inside plate and tightened,
and, when the outside plate is outwardly pulled from the inside
plate, rotation of the rotary gears is stopped and the wire is
loosened.
[0022] Preferably, a tube is further installed outside the wire,
for preventing a friction resistance of the wire.
[0023] According to another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports boot
having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot upper rim
forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped front
surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the boot
upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
includes: a pair of fixed band units having their one-side portions
fixed to both side edges of the sole and their other-side portions
provided with a ring unit; and a movable compression band unit
formed with a predetermined length, installed so that the
tightening band can pass through both ends, and outwardly drawn
when the tightening band is pulled, one side of the middle portion
of which passing through the ring unit, both ends of which
outwardly sliding from the boot upper through the boot upper
rim.
[0024] One-side portions of the fixed band units are fixed to the
edges of the bottom end of the boot upper.
[0025] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure sports boot
having a sole forming the bottom of the boot; a boot upper rim
forming the top end of the boot and having a U-shaped front
surface; a boot upper being extended between the sole and the boot
upper rim, and consisting of an outside upper forming an outer
appearance and an inside upper adhered to a foot; a top of foot
protection upper installed inside the U-shaped boot upper rim; and
a tightening band tied between the boot upper rims in a zigzag
shape outside the top of foot protection upper, the apparatus
includes: a top of foot compression band being formed with a
predetermined length, and having its one end fixed to one side edge
of the sole and its other end outwardly slide from the boot upper
through the boot upper rim; a connection ring unit having its one
end fixed to the other side edge of the sole and its other end
formed in a ring shape, so that the top of foot compression band
can pass through the ring; and coupling members installed at the
end and center of the top of foot compression band,
respectively.
[0026] Preferably, the coupling members are a pair of male and
female Velcro magic tapes.
[0027] One end of the top of foot compression band is fixed to the
edge of the bottom end of one side boot upper.
[0028] According to yet another aspect of the present invention, an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a boot consisting of a
sole and an upper, the apparatus includes: a top of foot tightening
band installed outside the upper, for compressing the top of the
foot to the sole; a wire passing through the top of foot tightening
band and pulling the top of foot tightening band to the top of the
foot, so that the heel can be fixedly adhered to the sole; and a
wire fixing device connected to both ends of the wire, for
selectively pulling or releasing the wire.
[0029] Preferably, the top of foot tightening band is installed
inside the upper.
[0030] In accordance with the present invention, the apparatus for
tightening the top of the foot in the leisure sports boot fixing
the heel to the sole improves edge control capability.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] The above aspects and features of the present invention will
be more apparent by describing certain embodiments of the present
invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, in
which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional
boot bound on a snowboard;
[0033] FIGS. 2a and 2b are partially-cut side views illustrating
variations of a fixing state of a heel in the conventional boot in
edge control;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a boot bound on a
snowboard and an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 4 is a partially-cut side view illustrating the boot
fixing a heel to a sole in accordance with the first embodiment of
the present invention;
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially-cut perspective views
illustrating the boot fixing the heel to the sole in accordance
with the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIGS. 7a and 7b are using state views illustrating
variations of a fixing state of the boot and the heel in edge
control in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention;
[0038] FIG. 8 is a partially-cut perspective view illustrating an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fixes a heel to a
sole in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention;
[0039] FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a boot fixing the
heel to the sole in accordance with the second embodiment of the
present invention;
[0040] FIG. 10 is a partially-cut perspective view illustrating an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fixes a heel to a
sole in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention;
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a golf boot and
an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fix a heel to a
sole in accordance with the present invention; and
[0042] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the apparatus for
tightening the top of the foot in the golf boot fixing the heel to
the sole in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0043] An apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in a leisure
sports boot fixing a heel to a sole in accordance with preferred
embodiments of the present invention will now be described in
detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0044] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a boot bound on a
snowboard and an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot in
accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4
is a partially-cut side view illustrating the boot fixing a heel to
a sole in accordance with the first embodiment of the present
invention, FIGS. 5 and 6 are partially-cut perspective views
illustrating the boot fixing the heel to the sole in accordance
with the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 7a
and 7b are using state views illustrating variations of a fixing
state of the boot and the heel in edge control in accordance with
the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0045] The aforementioned drawings all illustrate a snowboard boot.
The size and shape of the snowboard boot 100 are dependent upon a
specific binding system. Here, a general boot will now be
exemplified.
[0046] As illustrated in the drawings, the snowboard boot 100 is
connected to a binder 104 and adhered to the surface of a snowboard
102 (partially shown). The boot 100 includes a sole 110 and a boot
upper rim 120 at its upper and lower portions. A boot upper 130 is
extended from the sole 110 to the boot upper rim 120. The boot
upper 130 safely covers the foot and the circumference of the ankle
of the user.
[0047] The boot upper 130 consists of an outside upper 132 made of
a natural or synthetic leather for forming an outer appearance, and
an inside upper 134 made of a soft fiber material, for contacting
the foot. If necessary, a waterproof layer or cushion layer is
additionally formed between the outside upper 132 and the inside
upper 134.
[0048] The boot upper 130 tightly fixes the foot of the user by a
tightening band 140. Here, a groove is formed at the front portion
of the boot upper 130 by using the boot upper rim 120 as a
boundary. Therefore, the boot upper rim 120 is U-shaped when seen
from the front portion. A top of foot protection upper 150 for
protecting the top of the foot when the tightening band 140 is
tightened is installed in the groove.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 5 to 9, an inner packaging drawing unit
122 through which the tightening band 140 passes is incorporated
with the boot 100 in the length direction of the boot 100 on the
boot upper rim 120, and a plurality of inner packaging holes 124
are formed so that the tightening band 140 can be outwardly
extended through the inner packaging drawing unit 122.
[0050] Still referring to FIGS. 4 to 9, a pair of outer packaging
drawing units 126 are externally protruded from the boot upper rim
120 corresponding to the ankle of the user, and a plurality of
outer packaging holes 128 are formed on the outer packaging drawing
unit 126. The tightening band 140 passes through the inner
packaging holes 124 and the outer packaging holes 128. The ankle of
the user can be firmly fixed by tightening the tightening band
140.
[0051] The tightening band 140 is tied outside the top of foot
protection upper 150 in a zigzag shape, and fixed by knots. In
accordance with the present invention, as depicted in FIGS. 3 and
4, the tightening band 140 can be tightened or loosened by a boa
latching system 160.
[0052] The boa latching system 160 includes a round inside plate
162 adhered to the top of foot protection upper 150, and a round
outside plate 164 performing a relative rotation to the inside
plate 162. A plurality of rotary gears (not shown) are installed
inside the inside plate 162. Accordingly, when the outside plate
164 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the tightening band 140
is pulled into the inside plate 162 to tightly fix the boot
100.
[0053] Conversely, when the outside plate 164 is outwardly pulled
from the inside plate 162, prevention of the rotation and inverse
rotation of the rotary gears (not shown) is released, to loosen the
tightening band 140.
[0054] In accordance with the present invention, a top of foot
tightening unit 200 for tightening the top of the foot inside the
boot 100 is installed in addition to the top of foot protection
upper 150 installed outside the boot 100.
[0055] The top of foot tightening unit 200 consists of a top of
foot tightening means 210 positioned on the top of the foot, for
compressing the top of the foot, a wire 220 connected to one side
of the top of foot tightening means 210, for pulling the top of
foot tightening means 210, and a wire fixing device 230 connected
to both ends of the wire 220, for selectively fixing or unfixing
the wire 220.
[0056] The top of foot tightening means 210 is formed in a
predetermined size and shape to cover the top of the foot of the
user. As illustrated in FIG. 5, at least four tightening holes 212
are formed on the polygonal top of foot tightening means 210, so
that the wire 220 can pass through the tightening holes 212.
Otherwise, as shown in FIG. 6, the edges of the horizontal sides of
the top of foot tightening means 210 are sewed, so that the wire
220 can pass between the sewing lines 214.
[0057] A ring-shaped rivet 216 is installed outside the tightening
hole 212 in order to firmly pull the top of foot tightening means
210 without transforming the tightening hole 212 by the wire 220.
The top of foot tightening means 210 can be made of a natural
leather or a synthetic vinyl such as polyurethane, but is
preferably made of silicon to stably protect the top of the
foot.
[0058] Still referring to FIG. 4, sole holes 240 passing through
the right and left sides of the sole 110 of the boot 100 are formed
in pairs on both sides, bottom end holes 242 are formed in pairs on
both sides at one side of the inside upper 134 adjacent to the sole
110, rear holes 244 are formed in pairs on both sides at the rear
portion of the inside upper 134, and four top end holes 246a to
246d are formed on one side top end of the inside upper 134. The
top end holes 246c and 246d are also formed on the outside upper
132.
[0059] Accordingly, one side of the pair of wires 220 passing
through the tightening holes 212 of the top of foot tightening
means 210 passes through the bottom end holes 242, and the other
side thereof passes through the rear holes 244, so that the top of
foot tightening means 210 can be inclined at a predetermined angle
to the sole 110 for stably protecting the top of the foot.
[0060] A variety of tightening devices can be used for the wires
220 passing through the top end holes 246c and 246d. Preferably,
the wire fixing device 230 of the present invention is the boa
latching system 160. The boa latching system 160 can easily tighten
and loosen the wire 220.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 4, a tube 222 is installed between the
outside upper 132 and the inside upper 134, so that the wire 220
can slide inside the tube 222. The tube 222 protects the upper 130
of the boot 100 from the wire 220, and minimizes a friction
resistance when the wire 220 slides inside.
[0062] In addition, the wire fixing device 230 is installed at one
side top end of the boot upper 130 because the binder 104 is
installed at the bottom end of the side of the boot 100. That is,
the binder 104 is installed at the side of the boot 100, so that
the user can easily operate the wire fixing device 230.
[0063] The binder 104 can be formed in various structures and
shapes according to the specific binding system. It is thus
impossible to decide an installation space of the binder 104 at the
side of the boot 100. Therefore, the position of the wire fixing
device 230 can be changed. A plurality of magnetic wire fixing
device mounting units can be installed at the side of the boot 100
in order to freely change the position of the wire fixing device
230 according to the various structures and shapes of the binder
104.
[0064] The operation of the apparatus for tightening the top of the
foot in the leisure sports boot fixing the heel to the sole in
accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention will
now be briefly described.
[0065] The user wears the boots by using the boa latching systems.
First, the user wears liners 106 and firmly fixes the liners 106 to
the feet by using the bands, or puts the liners 106 into the boots
100 and wears the boots 100 over the liners 106. After wearing the
boots 100 over the liners 106, the user pulls the tightening bands
140 by rotating the outside plates 164 of the boa latching systems
160 in the clockwise direction.
[0066] The user fixes the top of foot tightening units 200 to the
ankles by using the wire fixing devices 230. For this, the user
rotates the wire fixing devices 230 in the clockwise direction, so
that the wires 220 can be wound inside the wire fixing devices 230
and pulled to the wire fixing devices 230. When the wires 220 are
pulled to the wire fixing devices 230, the wires 220 passing
through the bottom end holes 242 and the rear holes 244 are tightly
pulled, and the top of foot tightening means 210 compress the tops
of the feet closely to the soles 110. Accordingly, even when the
user edge-controls the snowboard 102 to the front portion, as shown
in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the heels are not separated from the bottom,
but stably adhered to the bottom.
[0067] FIG. 8 is a partially-cut perspective view illustrating an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fixes a heel to a
sole in accordance with a second embodiment of the present
invention, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating a boot
fixing the heel to the sole in accordance with the second
embodiment of the present invention. Here, the outer packaging
drawing unit formed on the boot upper rim 120 is not fixed to the
boot 100, but installed to be slidable on the boot 100.
[0068] In accordance with the second embodiment of the present
invention, a top of foot tightening unit 300 includes a fixed band
unit 310 fixed to the sole 110, and a movable band unit 320 being
supported on the fixed band unit 310 and outwardly sliding on the
boot 100. One side of the fixed band unit 310 is fixed to the sole
110 or the inside of the inside upper 134, and the other side
thereof is provided with a ring unit 312. Both ends of the movable
band unit 320 are provided with an outer packaging drawing unit
126. The movable band unit 320 is formed with a predetermined
length, for passing through the ring unit 312 of the fixed band
unit 310. The outer packaging unit 126 is outwardly protruded from
the boot 100 to slide. An outer packaging hole 128 is formed inside
the outer packaging drawing unit 126, so that the tightening band
140 can pass through the outer packaging hole 128.
[0069] The operation of the apparatus for tightening the top of the
foot in the leisure sports boot fixing the heel to the sole in
accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention will
now be briefly described with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
[0070] The user draws the tightening bands 140 by using the boa
latching systems 160. After wearing the boots 100 over the liners
106, the user rotates the outside plates 164 in the clockwise
direction, so that both tightening bands 140 can be wound inside
the inside plates 162 of the boa latching systems 160 and drawn by
the same tension.
[0071] When the tightening bands 140 are pulled toward the centers
of the outer packaging drawing units 126 through the outer
packaging holes 128 of the outer packaging drawing units 126, the
movable band units 320 outwardly slide. When the movable band units
320 installed to pass through the ring units 312 outwardly slide,
the ring units 312 of the fixed band units 310 are pulled to the
soles 110, and thus the interval between the ring units 312 is
reduced. Therefore, the movable band units 320 passing through the
ring units 312 compress the ankles of the user, to firmly fix the
heels to the soles 110.
[0072] FIG. 10 is a partially-cut perspective view illustrating an
apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fixes a heel to a
sole in accordance with a third embodiment of the present
invention.
[0073] In accordance with the third embodiment of the present
invention, a special fixing device such as a boa latching system is
not used. Here, a top of foot tightening unit 400 includes a top of
foot compression band 410 fixed to the sole 110 or one side bottom
end of the inside upper 134, and formed with a predetermined
length, a connection ring unit 420 installed at the sole 110 or the
other side bottom end of the inside upper 134, and formed in a ring
shape so that the top of foot compression band 410 can pass through
the ring, and a coupling member 430 for fixing the top of foot
compression band 410.
[0074] The coupling member 430 includes Velcro magic tapes. A male
Velcro magic tape 432 and a female Velcro magic tape 434 are
installed at the end and center of the top of foot compression band
410, for fixing the top of foot compression band 410. The female
and male of the Velcro magic tapes 432 and 434 can be changed. In
this embodiment, the coupling member 430 consists of the Velcro
magic tapes, which is not intended to be limiting. It is also
possible to use slide fasteners or buttons which can detachably
connect the top of foot compression band 410.
[0075] The apparatus for tightening the top of the foot in the
leisure sports boot fixing the heel to the sole can be applied to
mountain climbing boots, inline skating boots and golf boots as
well as snowboard boots.
[0076] FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views illustrating a golf
boot and an apparatus for tightening a top of a foot which fix a
heel to a sole in accordance with the present invention. That is,
the apparatus for tightening the top of the foot has been applied
to the golf boot. As illustrated in FIG. 11, a top of foot
fastening unit 500 includes a top of foot compression band 510
positioned on the top of the foot, for fastening the top of the
foot, a wire 520 connected to the top of foot compression band 510,
for drawing the top of foot compression band 510, and a wire fixing
device 530 connected to both ends of the wire 520, for selectively
fixing or unfixing the wire 520. A cushion member can be installed
inside the top of foot compression band 510 to protect the top of
the foot.
[0077] As described above, the technical ideas of the present
invention are based on the structure of installing the top of foot
tightening means for covering the ankle inside the boot and
compressing the top of the foot to fix the heel to the sole in
addition to the tightening band installed at the front portion of
the boot for controlling the boot, and easily connecting or
disconnecting the top of boot tightening means by selectively
pulling or loosening the wire connected to the top of foot
tightening means by the wire fixing device, so that the user can
efficiently edge-control the snowboard by movement of gravity
center and up/down right/left motions of feet. It will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made without departing from the basic technical
ideas of the present invention. For example, the apparatus for
tightening the top of the foot can use the general tightening band
instead of using the wire and the wire fixing device. That is, the
apparatus for tightening the top of the foot includes a pair of
fixed band units having their one-side portions fixed to both side
edges of a sole of a boot and their other-side portions provided
with a ring unit, and a movable compression band unit formed with a
predetermined length, installed so that the tightening band can
pass through both ends, and outwardly drawn when the tightening
band is pulled, one side of the middle portion of which passing
through the ring unit, both ends of which outwardly sliding from a
boot upper through a boot upper rim.
[0078] As discussed earlier, in accordance with the present
invention, the apparatus for tightening the top of the foot have
the following advantages:
[0079] First, the user can stably perform edge control by pulling
the tightening bands for fixing the ankles in the boots. Therefore,
the user can freely perform high level techniques such as rapid
rotations or difficult performances when snowboarding on snow.
[0080] Second, loads on muscles of the ankles or calves are reduced
by fixing the heels to the soles. Accordingly, the user is hardly
injured, and can properly cope with accidents.
[0081] Third, the force or sense of the user are precisely
transferred to the tiptoes without loss. As a result, the user can
confidently show techniques.
[0082] The foregoing embodiment and advantages are merely exemplary
and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The
present teaching can be readily applied to other types of
apparatuses. Also, the description of the embodiments of the
present invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit
the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and
variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
* * * * *