U.S. patent application number 13/805993 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for boot, especially ski boot or snowboard boot.
This patent application is currently assigned to DEELUXE SPORTARTIKEL HANDELS GMBH. The applicant listed for this patent is Wagner Harald. Invention is credited to Wagner Harald.
Application Number | 20130205622 13/805993 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44627588 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130205622 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harald; Wagner |
August 15, 2013 |
BOOT, ESPECIALLY SKI BOOT OR SNOWBOARD BOOT
Abstract
A boot is disclosed having at least two fastening devices,
including lacing systems, and a boot body. The boot body has an
upper zone for at least partially enclosing a wearer's calf and
shin; a lower zone for at least partially enclosing the wearer's
forefoot; and a middle zone located between the upper zone and the
lower zone, which encloses the wearer's heel and ankle joint. The
middle zone can be fastened, by being laced with one of the lacing
systems, independently of the upper zone and independently of the
lower zone.
Inventors: |
Harald; Wagner; (Oberaudorf,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harald; Wagner |
Oberaudorf |
|
DE |
|
|
Assignee: |
DEELUXE SPORTARTIKEL HANDELS
GMBH
Kufstein
AU
|
Family ID: |
44627588 |
Appl. No.: |
13/805993 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
June 29, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2011/060908 |
371 Date: |
January 29, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/117.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/003 20130101;
A43B 5/0401 20130101; A43B 5/0427 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/117.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 30, 2010 |
DE |
1020100177665.6 |
Claims
1. A boot, having at least two fastening devices including lacing
systems, and a boot body comprising: an upper zone for at least
partially enclosing a wearer's calf and shin; a lower zone for at
least partially enclosing the wearer's forefoot; and a middle zone
located between the upper zone and the lower zone, which encloses
the wearer's heel and ankle joint, wherein the middle zone can be
fastened, by being laced with one of the lacing systems,
independently of the upper zone and independently of the lower
zone.
2. A boot according to claim 1, wherein: the boot body is divided
between the upper zone and the middle zone and between the lower
zone and the middle zone by a flexible region.
3. A boot according to claim 1, wherein: the upper zone and the
lower zone can be fastened, by being laced, jointly by means of a
single fastening device, comprising one of the lacing systems
(50b).
4. A boot according claim 1, wherein: the upper zone and the lower
zone can be fastened, by being laced, independently of one another
by means of independent fastening devices, comprising two of the
lacing systems.
5. A boot having a first lacing system and a boot body comprising:
an upper zone for at least partially enclosing a wearer's calf and
shin; a lower zone for at least partially enclosing the wearer's
forefoot; and a middle zone located between the upper zone and the
lower zone, which encloses the wearer's heel and ankle joint, the
middle zone being capable of being laced with the first lacing
system, independent of the upper zone and independently of the
lower zone.
6. A boot according to claim 5, wherein the upper zone and the
lower zone can be laced jointly by means of a second lacing
system.
7. A boot according to claim 5, wherein the upper zone and the
lower zone can be laced independently of one another by second and
third lacing systems.
8. A boot according to claim 5, wherein the boot body comprises a
first flexible region between the upper zone and the middle zone
and a second flexible region between the lower zone and the middle
zone.
9. A boot according to claim 1, wherein: a stiffness of the boot is
adjustable by means of a tongue which has reinforcements.
10. A boot according to claim 1, wherein: a stiffness of the boot
is adjustable by means of lacings in the upper zone and the lower
zone.
11. A boot according to claim 5, wherein: a stiffness of the boot
is adjustable by means of a tongue which has reinforcements.
12. A boot according to claim 5, wherein: a stiffness of the boot
is adjustable by means of lacings in the upper zone and the lower
zone.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a boot, especially a ski boot or
snowboard boot, according to the preamble of patent claim 1.
[0002] Such boots are known from the prior art and are used in
various fields of sport, mention being made, for example, of
mountain climbing, skiing and snowboarding. An important feature of
such boots is that in use the boot ensures secure support, the boot
enclosing both the forefoot and the heel as well as at least part
of the shin and the calf.
[0003] Such a boot is known, for example, from DE 10 2007 002
367.9, that boot offering good support provided that the boot is
closed completely. However, it has been found to be disadvantageous
that the boot offers low flexibility and, in addition, when optimum
support is provided in the heel region, a forefoot region and shin
and calf region may possibly be constricted.
[0004] The object of the invention is to solve the problems
mentioned above and to provide a boot, especially a ski boot or
snowboard boot, which on the one hand offers optimum support,
especially in the heel region of a foot, and additionally ensures
that a forefoot region and/or a calf or shin region are not
constricted, while the boot nevertheless offers high stability
while at the same time being flexible.
[0005] That object is achieved by a boot according to patent claim
1.
[0006] In particular, the object is achieved by a boot, especially
a ski boot or snowboard boot, having at least two fastening
devices, especially lacing systems, and a boot body having an upper
zone for at least partially enclosing a wearer's calf and shin, a
lower zone for at least partially enclosing the wearer's forefoot,
and a middle zone located between the upper zone and the lower
zone, which encloses the wearer's heel and ankle joint, wherein the
middle zone can be fastened, especially laced, independently of the
upper zone and independently of the lower zone.
[0007] An important aspect of the invention is firstly that the
boot body has different zones, namely an upper zone for at least
partially enclosing a wearer's calf and shin and a lower zone for
at least partially enclosing the wearer's forefoot, as well as a
middle zone arranged between those two zones, that is to say
between the upper zone and the lower zone, which encloses the
wearer's heel and ankle joint, wherein the middle zone is
disconnected from the upper and lower zones in such a manner that
the middle zone can be fastened, drawn together or loosened and
especially laced independently of the upper zone and independently
of the lower zone. A further important feature of the invention is
further that the boot according to the invention is equipped with
at least two fastening devices, or tightening devices, which are
preferably in the form of lacing systems, at least one fastening
device, preferably lacing system, being associated with the middle
zone so that the middle zone can be closed or opened using a
fastening device provided specifically for that zone, namely
especially a lacing system provided for that middle zone. Because
the middle zone encloses both the heel and the ankle joint of the
wearer completely or at least partially, it is possible by lacing
the middle zone to ensure that a foot located in the boot can be
secured in the shoe in the optimum manner and finds optimum support
in the shoe because, by means of optimum lacing that is adapted to
an individual foot, the foot can be positioned perfectly in the
heel region and the ankle joint region of the shoe and secured and
held there in a manner that is comfortable for the wearer.
[0008] According to an embodiment of the invention, the boot body
is divided between the upper zone and the middle zone and also
between the lower zone and the middle zone with the formation of a
flexible region, the flexible region also being referred to as the
flex region.
[0009] By dividing, or separating, the upper zone from the middle
zone and by correspondingly dividing, or separating, the lower zone
from the middle zone it is possible in an extremely advantageous
manner to use those three zones independently of one another when
enclosing a wearer's foot and his calf and shin, it being possible,
for example, to achieve securing and comfortable support of a foot
in the boot according to the invention by lacing the middle zone,
which encloses the wearer's heel and ankle joint, while the upper
zone, which at least partially encloses a wearer's calf and shin,
and the lower zone, which at least partially encloses the wearer's
forefoot, can be fastened and opened wholly independently of one
another and especially independently of the middle zone, which is
associated with the wearer's heel and ankle joint.
[0010] According to an embodiment of the invention, the upper zone
and the lower zone can be fastened, that is to say preferably
laced, jointly by means of a single fastening device, preferably
using a single lacing system. It is advantageously possible
according to this embodiment, in addition to rapid and simple
securing of a foot in the boot according to the invention by means
of the middle zone of the boot body, also to enclose the wearer's
calf and shin and his forefoot with the upper zone and the lower
zone, respectively, of the boot body and to fit those two zones of
the boot body snugly or loosely, as desired, to the wearer's leg
and forefoot. In that manner, the boot according to the invention
can be put on quickly and rendered functional by fastening the
middle zone, while a wearer's leg and forefoot can be enclosed
separately and simply in an individually adjustable, desired
manner.
[0011] According to an alternative variant of the invention it is
likewise possible that the upper zone and the lower zone can be
tightened and fastened, especially laced, independently of one
another by means of independent fastening devices, especially
lacing systems. According to this alternative form of embodiment of
the invention, both the upper zone and the lower zone of the boot
body have an associated individual fastening device, which in turn
is in the form of a lacing system. According to this variant
embodiment, it is thus possible in an advantageous manner to choose
an independent lacing tightness for each zone of the boot body, the
flexible region between the different zones ensuring that a force
transmission through a particular lacing system actually only takes
place substantially to the zone associated with the lacing system
in question.
[0012] It should be mentioned here that the materials of the
individual zones of the boot body can be adapted independently of
one another to the best possible wearing comfort, it being possible
as an alternative also to use identical materials for two or even
all three zones. It should further be noted that the boot body can
be in the form of a shell, for example, which then in turn has the
above-mentioned flex regions.
[0013] It is further within the scope of the invention that the
stiffness of the boot is adjustable by means of a tongue which
optionally has reinforcements, the stiffness of the boot likewise
being adjustable by means of preferably different lacings and
lacing tightnesses in the upper zone and the lower zone, the lacing
and lacing tightness for the middle zone serving to secure the foot
in the boot, or shoe, in the optimum manner.
[0014] Because optimum support of the foot in the boot is achieved
by lacing of the middle zone, it is accordingly possible by loosely
lacing especially the upper zone, but also the lower zone, to
ensure a high freedom of movement while at the same time having
good heel support and stabilising the ankle joint, with the result,
for example, that specific maneuvers, for example in snowboarding,
are made possible and, in addition, the riding comfort is
increased.
[0015] Further embodiments of the invention will become apparent
from the subsidiary claims.
[0016] The invention will be described below on the basis of two
exemplary embodiments, which are explained in greater detail on the
basis of the figures, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a diagrammatic representation of a first
embodiment of the invention; and
[0018] FIG. 2 shows a diagrammatic representation of a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a boot according to the
invention, namely a snowboard boot, having a boot body 20, the
shell of which is divided into a middle zone 1, a lower zone 2.1
and an upper zone 2.2. Between the middle zone 1 and the upper zone
2.2 and between the middle zone 1 and the lower zone 2.1 there is
in each case a flexible region 30, which is referred to as the flex
region. The boot 10 according to the invention further has on its
front side a tongue 40. According to the embodiment shown in FIG.
1, a lacing system 50a is associated with the middle zone 1, with
which lacing system 50a the boot 10 according to the invention can
be secured and laced in the region of a wearer's heel and ankle
joint in order to secure and hold the wearer's heel and ankle joint
in the boot 10 and thus ensure that a wearer of the boot 10 has an
optimum seat in the shoe, or boot. In summary, the construction of
the boot according to FIG. 1 can be described as follows:
[0020] The boot construction consists of 3 zones. Zone 1 encloses
the heel and ankle joint, zone 2.1 encloses the forefoot, and zone
2.2 encloses the calf/shin region (shaft). Between zone 1 and zone
2.1 and between zone 1 and zone 2.2 there is a division of the
shell, which serves as the flex region. Each zone can be laced
separately as required. Zone 1 serves to secure the foot in the
shoe, and the fit, flex and comfort can be controlled by way of the
lacing zones 2.1 and 2.2.
[0021] In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, zones 2.1 and 2.2 are
laced by means of one lace (lacing system); zone 1 is laced
separately. The stiffness of the boot can be controlled by way of
the tongue. The stiffness of the tongue can optionally be changed
by means of additional reinforcements (TPS shield or the like).
[0022] The 3-part division of the boot is so designed that the heel
zone (1) is separate from the forefoot zone (2.1) and the shaft
zone (2.2) and is laced separately. By means of that construction,
zone 1 supports the heel and thereby stabilises the ankle joint.
That means that the most important function of a snowboard boot:
heel support and stabilisation of the ankle joint, is ensured by
the lacing of one zone. That means that, when zone 1 is laced, the
boot is already ready for use and fully functional. The separate
lacing of the forefoot zone and of the shaft zone serves to
increase the comfort and to further improve the fit. In addition,
the stiffness of the boot can be changed by way of the lacing of
zones 2.1 and 2.2; loose lacing means a softer flex, tight lacing
ensures a stiffer flex.
[0023] Because the stabilisation of the heel is ensured by zone 1,
the boot as a whole can be made softer, with the result that better
freedom of movement is ensured with the same level of heel support,
which increases the trick potential and the riding comfort.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of a boot 10 according to
the invention having a boot body 20 which is in the form of a shell
and is divided into a middle zone 1, a lower zone 2 and an upper
zone 3, between which there are flexible regions 30. For lacing the
middle zone 1 there is provided a lacing system 50a, by means of
which the middle zone 1 can be laced around a wearer's foot so that
his heel and ankle joint are secured firmly in the boot 10.
According to this embodiment, a further lacing system 50c' is
provided for fastening the lower zone 2, which lacing system 50c'
extends from the lower zone 2 over the tongue 40 to a grip element
of the lacing system 50c'. It should be mentioned here that the
lacing systems 50a of zone 1, 50b of zone 2.1 and 2.2 and the
lacing system 50c'' of zone 3 can also have such a grip element in
order to facilitate lacing of the boot 10, or of the particular
zones with which the lacing systems are associated. As mentioned
above, according to the embodiment of FIG. 2 a specific lacing
system 50c'' is accordingly associated with the upper zone 3, with
which lacing system 50c'' the upper zone 3 can be fastened
independently and separately from the middle zone 1 and the lower
zone 2.
[0025] In summary, the embodiment of FIG. 2 is accordingly as
follows:
[0026] The boot construction consists of 3 zones. Zone 1 encloses
the heel and ankle joint, zone 2 encloses the forefoot, and zone 3
encloses the calf/shin region (shaft). Between zone 1 and zone 2
and between zone 1 and zone 3 there is a division of the shell,
which serves as the flex region. Each zone can be laced separately
as required. Zone 1 serves to secure the foot in the shoe, and the
fit, flex and comfort can be controlled by way of the lacing zones
2 and 3.
[0027] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the forefoot (zone 2)
is laced by means of a lace (lacing system) on the inside of the
boot, the heel (zone 1) is laced separately on the outside, and the
shaft (zone 3) is laced over the tongue; all 3 zones can be laced
separately from one another with different tightnesses. The
stiffness of the boot can be controlled by way of the tongue. The
stiffness of the tongue can optionally be changed by means of
additional reinforcements (TPS shield or the like).
[0028] The 3-part division of the boot is so designed that the heel
zone (1) is separate from the forefoot zone (2) and the shaft zone
(3) and is laced separately. By means of that construction, zone
(1) supports the heel and thereby stabilises the ankle joint. That
means that the most important function of a snowboard boot: heel
support and stabilisation of the ankle joint, is ensured by the
lacing of one zone. That means that, when zone 1 is laced, the boot
is already ready for use and fully functional. The separate lacing
of the forefoot zone and of the shaft zone serves to increase the
comfort and to further improve the fit. In addition, the stiffness
of the boot can be changed by way of the lacing of zones 2 and 3;
loose lacing means a softer flex, tight lacing ensures a stiffer
flex.
[0029] Because the stabilisation of the heel is ensured by zone 1,
the boot as a whole can be made softer, with the result that better
freedom of movement is ensured with the same level of heel support,
which increases the trick potential and the riding comfort.
[0030] It should be pointed out here that all the parts described
above are claimed as being fundamental to the invention on their
own and in any combination, especially the details shown in the
drawings. Modifications thereof are familiar to the person skilled
in the art.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0031] 1 middle zone [0032] 2 lower zone [0033] 2.1 lower zone
[0034] 2.2 upper zone [0035] 3 upper zone [0036] 10 boot [0037] 20
boot body [0038] 30 flexible region [0039] 40 tongue [0040] 50a
lacing system (zone 1) [0041] 50b lacing system (zone 2.1, 2.2)
[0042] 50c' lacing system (zone 2) [0043] 50c'' lacing system (zone
3)
* * * * *