U.S. patent application number 14/485350 was filed with the patent office on 2015-04-09 for sports boot with articulating lace guide.
This patent application is currently assigned to K-2 CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is K-2 Corporation. Invention is credited to Treu M. Hahnenberger, William B. Hall.
Application Number | 20150096202 14/485350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52666339 |
Filed Date | 2015-04-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150096202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hahnenberger; Treu M. ; et
al. |
April 9, 2015 |
SPORTS BOOT WITH ARTICULATING LACE GUIDE
Abstract
A sports boot includes a sole fixed to an upper having an ankle
portion and a forefoot portion. Lateral and medial articulating
cable or lace guides are provided in the upper generally between
the ankle portion and the forefoot portion. Each of the cable
guides define a flexible and elongate arcuate channel for guiding
the cable, preferably having fluted ends. Installation panels are
provided adjacent each end of the flexible channels. An
intermediate installation panel extends outwardly from the arcuate
channel and does not significantly interfere with flexure of the
arcuate channel. Therefore, the portion of the flexible channel
away from the installation panels forms a natural hinge. The
channel may be configured to flex such that the spacing between the
ends of the channel may vary by more than three centimeters. The
upper may be provided with deep U-shaped cutouts that generally
co-extend with the U-shaped cable guide.
Inventors: |
Hahnenberger; Treu M.;
(Seattle, WA) ; Hall; William B.; (Seattle,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
K-2 Corporation |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
K-2 CORPORATION
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
52666339 |
Appl. No.: |
14/485350 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61877893 |
Sep 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/114 ;
24/439 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0482 20130101;
A43B 23/027 20130101; Y10T 24/264 20150115; A43C 11/165 20130101;
A43C 3/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/114 ;
24/439 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/12 20060101
A43C011/12; A43B 23/02 20060101 A43B023/02; A43C 11/20 20060101
A43C011/20; A43B 5/00 20060101 A43B005/00 |
Claims
1. A cable guide comprising: (i) a flexible U-shaped channel having
a first end and a second end; (ii) a first installation panel
co-formed with the tubular channel and disposed on the first end of
the tubular channel; (iii) a second installation panel co-formed
with the tubular channel and disposed on the second end of the
tubular channel; and (iv) an intermediate installation panel
disposed at an intermediate location on the U-shaped channel and
extending away from the first and second installation panels.
2. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein the first and second
installation panels extend on opposite sides of the first end of
the U-shaped channel.
3. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein the first end of the
tubular channel and the second end of the tubular channel are
fluted.
4. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein the cable or lace
guide comprises a unitary injection molded thermoplastic
component.
5. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein at least 30% of the
U-shaped channel length is not adjacent any of the first, second or
intermediate installation panels.
6. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein 30% to 70% of the
U-shaped channel is not adjacent either of the first and second
installation panels.
7. The cable or lace guide of claim 1, wherein the tubular channel
is sized and configured to extend around a corresponding U-shaped
cutout in a portion of sports boot upper.
8. A sports boot comprising: an upper fixedly attached to a sole
portion, wherein the upper includes a forefoot portion and an ankle
portion, wherein the upper defines a front opening having a first
portion extending downwardly from a top edge of the upper and a
second portion extending forwardly from the first portion, wherein
the upper further defines a pair of U-shaped cutouts disposed on
opposite sides of the front opening and extending at a downward
angle; a pair of cable or lace guides fixed to the upper, each
guide being disposed along one of the pair of U-shaped cutouts,
wherein each of the pair of guides comprises: (i) a flexible
U-shaped channel having a first end and a second end; (ii) a first
installation panel co-formed with the flexible channel and disposed
on the first end of the flexible channel; and (iii) a second
installation panel co-formed with the flexible channel and disposed
on the second end of the flexible channel; and (iv) an intermediate
installation panel disposed at an intermediate location on the
flexible channel and extending away from the first and second
installation panels; wherein an intermediate portion of the
flexible channel disposed between the first and second installation
panels is not constrained from flexing such that the intermediate
portion of the flexible channel comprises a natural hinge.
9. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein for each cable or lace guide
the first installation panels extends on opposite sides of the
first end of the flexible channel.
10. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein for each cable or lace
guide the first end of the flexible channel and the second end of
the flexible channel are fluted.
11. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein for each cable or lace
guide comprises an injection molded thermoplastic.
12. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein for each cable or lace
guide at least 30% of the flexible channel length is not adjacent
any of the first, second or intermediate installation panels.
13. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein for each cable or lace
guide 30% to 70% of the flexible channel is not adjacent either of
the first and second installation panels.
14. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein the upper further comprises
a tongue portion that extends along the front opening and includes
at least one crossing guide fixed thereto, the boot further
comprising a reel and cable closure system having a cable that
engages the pair of cable or guides and the at least one crossing
guide, and a locking reel configured to tension the cable to secure
the front opening.
15. The sports boot of claim 8, wherein the upper further comprises
a pair of flexible panels, each flexible panel being fixed to the
upper and spanning an associated one of the U-shaped cutouts.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional
Application No. 61/877,893, filed Sep. 13, 2013, the entire
disclosure of said application is hereby incorporated by reference
herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The construction of sports boots, and in particular, boots
for winter sports, has been evolving over time. Sports boots often
present a large number of competing objectives that a designer must
consider. Low weight, comfort, responsiveness, ease of
entry/egress, durability, and ruggedness are all priorities. Sports
boots are typically worn and actively in use for extended periods,
requiring that the boots be comfortable. However, in many
applications and especially in boots for snow/winter sports, the
boots must also be responsive to the user, and configured such that
attached sports equipment, for example, skis, snowboards, and the
like, can be readily and precisely controlled. Also, because sports
boots are typically subjected to rigorous usage and difficult
environments, it is important that they be constructed ruggedly and
for endurance.
[0003] Sports boots are typically secured to the user with a lacing
or cable system. A typical cable system, for example, utilizes a
cable that is slidably disposed through rigid cable guides
installed on either side of the boot front opening, and optionally
through one or more crossing guides installed on the boot tongue. A
tightening mechanism having a spool is attached to the boot, for
example, on the tongue or ankle portion of the upper, and the cable
is attached to the spool to permit ready tightening and loosening
of the cable. The tightening mechanism is located on a portion of
the boot that can be easily accessed by the user. For example, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,934,599, to Hammerslag, which is hereby incorporated by
reference, discloses a cable-type lacing system wherein the
tightening mechanism is externally disposed on the back of the boot
upper. Another particular embodiment of a spooling cable-type
lacing system with a snow sports boot is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
7,386,947, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Such systems,
however, require a suitable external surface for mounting the
tightening mechanism.
[0004] A particular difficulty with prior art sports boots using
cable guides is that the guides increase the rigidity of the boot
upper, reducing the ability of the upper to flex. For example,
typical snow sports activities require extensive dorsiflexion and
plantar flexion about the user's ankle. It is desirable that the
ankle portion of the boot upper be able to readily accommodate such
flexion with respect to the forefoot portion of the upper.
[0005] In conventional boots, deep forward dorsiflexion at the
ankle causes the boot upper to buckle in the region near the user's
ankle, wherein portions of the boot upper buckle or bend inwardly
and outwardly to accommodate the flexure. This buckling not only
limits the user's range of motion but can be very uncomfortable
because it generates local stresses on the user's foot and
ankle.
[0006] In particular, rigid cable guides attached along the edges
of the front opening undesirably interfere with flexure of the
boot, and can cause discomfort to the user's foot during use.
[0007] Sports boots are typically worn for extended periods and are
subject to vigorous use by the user. It is important to improve the
comfort and responsiveness of the boot, both to enable the user to
continue in a selected activity for extended periods, and to
optimize performance in a competitive environment.
SUMMARY
[0008] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of
concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in
the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify
key features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to
be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
[0009] A cable or lace guide is disclosed having a flexible
U-shaped channel with opposite ends that may be fluted. The guide
includes first and second installation panels at the opposite ends
of the flexible channel, and one or more intermediate installation
panels that are disposed only on the outer side of the flexible
channel, such that they do not significantly interfere with flexing
the channel.
[0010] In an embodiment the first and second installation panels
extend on either side of the ends of the flexible channel. The
cable or lace guide may be formed unitarily from a composite or
thermoplastic material, for example, by injection molding.
[0011] In an embodiment, significant portions along the length of
the flexible channel are not adjacent any of the installation
panels, for example, at least 30% of the length of the flexible
channel may be disposed away from any of the installation panels.
In another example, 30% to 70% of the length of the flexible
channel may be not adjacent to either of the first or second
installation panel.
[0012] In an embodiment the tubular channel is sized to extend
around a corresponding U-shaped cutout in the upper.
[0013] A sports boot is disclosed that includes a sole and an upper
fixed to the sole, wherein the upper defines a front opening having
a first portion extending down from the top of the upper and a
second portion extending forwardly from the first portion, and also
defines a pair of oppositely disposed U-shaped cutouts. A pair of
cable guides are fixed to the upper, each disposed along one of the
pair of U-shaped cutouts. The cable guides include (i) a flexible
U-shaped channel having a first end and a second end, (ii) a first
installation panel co-formed with the tubular channel and disposed
on the first end of the tubular channel, and (iii) a second
installation panel co-formed with the tubular channel and disposed
on the second end of the tubular channel; and (iv) an intermediate
installation panel disposed at an intermediate location on the
U-shaped channel and extending away from the first and second
installation panels.
[0014] In an embodiment, the upper further comprises a tongue
portion that extends along the front opening and includes at least
one lace guide fixed thereto, the boot further comprising a reel
and cable closure system having a cable that engages the pair of
guides and the lace guide, and a locking reel configured to tension
the cable to secure the front opening. A pair of flexible panels
may be fixed to the upper that span the U-shaped cutouts.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
become better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sports boot having an
upper with articulating U-shaped cable guides installed in the
ankle portion of the front opening, in accordance with the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a detail perspective view of the ankle portion of
the sports boot shown in FIG. 1 with one of the articulating cable
guides shown in phantom;
[0018] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the U-shaped articulating cable
guide for the sports boot shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 3B is a plan view of the U-shaped articulating cable
guide shown in FIG. 3B, shown flexed to bring the ends of the cable
guide into close proximity;
[0020] FIG. 4A is a side view of the boot shown in FIG. 1 in a
natural or unflexed position; and
[0021] FIG. 4B is a side view of the boot shown in FIG. 4A in a
flexed position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] A currently preferred embodiment of the present invention
will now be described with reference to the Figures, wherein like
numbers indicate like parts. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a
sports boot 100, for example, a snowboard boot, in accordance with
the present invention. The sports boot 100 comprises a sole portion
102 and an upper 110 that is fixedly attached to the sole portion
102. For example, the sole portion 102 may be attached to the upper
110 by any combination of stitching, adhesives, attachment
hardware, and/or co-forming. A liner 104 (top portion visible) is
shown inserted in the sports boot 100. Such liners are known in the
art, and generally increase user comfort.
[0023] The upper 110 includes a forefoot portion 112 and an
upwardly extending ankle portion 114. The forefoot portion 112 and
ankle portion 114 cooperatively define a front opening 116 to
facilitate entry and exit from the sports boot 100. The opening has
a first portion that extends downwardly from a top end of the upper
110 generally along the user's leg, and a second portion that
extends forwardly from the first portion. A tongue 118 extends
along the front opening 116.
[0024] In this embodiment the forefoot portion 112 and the ankle
portion 114 define a pair of deep U-shaped cutouts 120 generally
near or adjacent the user's ankle on both the lateral and medial
sides (only the medial side is visible in FIG. 1). The U-shaped
cutout 120 is optionally spanned with a flexible panel 122 that is
fixed to the upper 110. It will be appreciated by persons of skill
in the art that the U-shaped cutout 120 greatly increases the
flexibility dorsiflexure/plantarflexure of the sports boot 100,
reducing resistance to such flexure, and therefore improving the
user's comfort. In particular for sporting activities such as
snowboarding, wherein the rider must typically and repeatedly flex
his/her ankle, the U-shaped cutout can reduce or eliminate
uncomfortable buckling in the upper 110, particularly in the ankle
region of the upper 110.
[0025] The boot 100 further comprises a reel and cable closure
system 130 comprising a locking reel mechanism 132 fixed to an
upper portion of the tongue 118, and a cable 134 that is adjustably
coiled onto the locking reel mechanism 132. In the current
embodiment, an upper pair of conventional cable guides 136 are
installed on the upper 110 on opposite sides of the front opening
116 on the ankle portion 114, and a lower pair of conventional
cable guides 136 are installed on opposite sides of the front
opening 116 on the forefoot portion 112 of the upper 110. Although
conventional cable guides 136 are shown in this exemplary
embodiment, it is contemplated that these cable guides 136 may
alternatively be replaced by an articulating (or flexing) cable
guide such as the articulating lace guide disclosed below to
further increase the flexibility of the boot 100.
[0026] One or more crossing guides 138 (two shown) are fixedly
installed on the tongue 118 at longitudinally spaced-apart
locations, and are configured to receive and guide the cable 134
across the front opening 116.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the boot 100 showing a flexure
region of the boot 100 near the ankle. A U-shaped cable guide 140
is shown in phantom, and is installed in the upper 110, along the
U-shaped cutout 120. The U-shaped cable guide 140, therefore
extends generally between the forefoot portion 112 of the upper 110
and the ankle portion 114 of the upper 110. The U-shaped cable
guide 140 is fabricated and configured to be flexible and
compliant, to improve the comfort and flexibility of the boot 100,
as discussed below.
[0028] The flexible panel 122 generally spans the region between
the arms of the U-shaped cable guide 140. The flexible panel 122
may comprise an elastic material, for example, a thin neoprene, or
a woven fabric panel having rubber strands embedded therein.
Alternatively, the flexible panel 122 may comprise any woven or
non-woven fabric member.
[0029] FIG. 3A is a plan view of the U-shaped cable guide 140 shown
in isolation. The U-shaped cable guide 140 includes a flexible
elongate channel 142 having fluted openings 144 on both ends. In
the current embodiment, the flexible elongate channel 142 is
tubular, although it is contemplated that it may alternatively be
constructed as an open channel with retaining members spanning the
open channel, or wherein the open channel is covered by a panel or
by a portion of the upper 110. The U-shaped cable guide 140 is
therefore configured such that the fluted openings 144 of the
flexible elongate channel 142 are movable to bring them closer
together or farther apart, and, further, the flexible elongate
channel 142 may be twisted such that the fluted openings 144 can be
moved relative to each other out of the original plane of the cable
guide 140.
[0030] Two first installation panels 146 are co-formed with the
flexible elongate channel 142 underlying the fluted openings 144.
The size of the first installation panels 146 may be selected to
accommodate a particular application. Preferably, the first
installation panels 146 extend outwardly on either side of the
flexible elongate channel 142. The first installation panels 146 in
the current embodiment are substantially flat and may be provided
with apertures (not shown) and/or elongate cutouts 147 for
stitching or other attachment means, as are known in the art. The
first installation panels 146 may be formed from a soft material
and are thin panels to permit stitching therethrough without
preformed apertures or elongate cutouts 147. Alternatively, or in
addition, the installation panels 146 may be attached to the upper
110 with an adhesive coating for fixing the U-shaped cable guide
140 to the upper 110.
[0031] A longitudinal center portion 143 of the flexible elongate
channel 142 is not abutted by either of the first installation
panels 146. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the flexibility
of the center portion 143 of the channel 142 is not diminished or
hindered by the first installation panels 146. In current
embodiments, the center portion 143 of the flexible elongate
channel 142, i.e., the portion of the channel 142 that is not
directly adjacent the first installation panels 146, comprises
between 30% and 70% of the length of the channel 142. In another
embodiment, less than half of the length of the flexible elongate
channel 142 is directly adjacent either of the first installation
panels 146, and more than half of the length of the channel 142 is
not adjacent either of the first installation panels 146.
[0032] A co-formed intermediate installation panel 148 extends
distally from one side of a small subsection of the center portion
143 of the flexible elongate channel 142. In particular, the
inwardly facing periphery of the center portion 143 (the side of
the center portion 143 facing the fluted openings 144) is not
significantly hindered from flexure. Therefore, the center portion
143 of the channel defines a natural hinge, such that the cable
guide 140 is an articulating guide. Moreover, only a relatively
small portion of the outwardly facing periphery of the center
portion 143, e.g., less than half, is adjacent the intermediate
installation panel 148. Therefore, the intermediate installation
panel 148 does not significantly interfere with flexure of channel
142. The intermediate panel 148 may similarly be provided with
apertures for stitches or the like 147. In alternative embodiments,
a plurality of narrower, spaced-apart intermediate installation
panels extends outwardly from the channel 142.
[0033] It will now be appreciated that the flexible elongate
channel 142 may readily be flexed such that the first installation
panels 146 are substantially adjacent, as illustrated in FIG. 3B.
In a particular embodiment, the shape and material for the U-shaped
guide 140 are selected to accommodate changing the distance between
the fluted openings 144 by at least 3 centimeters. For example, the
channel 142 is configured such that the fluted openings 144 are
movable between a first position wherein the distance D1 between
the fluted openings 144 is at least 4 centimeters (FIG. 3A) to a
second position wherein the distance D2 between the fluted openings
144 is 1 centimeter or less (FIG. 3B).
[0034] In an exemplary embodiment, the length of either leg of the
flexible elongate channel 142 (i.e., half of the length of the
channel 142) is greater than the distance between the fluted
openings 144 when the flexible elongate channel 142 is
unflexed.
[0035] The U-shaped cable guide 140 in a current embodiment is
integrally formed, for example, by injection molding, from a
relatively soft and flexible material, for example, a pliable
plastic or composite material. Suitable materials include
thermoplastics such as nylon, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and
the like. The material must also be sufficiently tough to withstand
abrasion from the cable 134 during tightening of the cable 134 with
the closure system 130 and during use.
[0036] FIG. 4A illustrates the sports boot 100 (with the U-shaped
cable guide 140 shown for illustration) in a relaxed or unflexed
position. FIG. 4B illustrates the sports boot 100 in the flexed
position, for example, the position wherein the user's knees are
bent and leaning forward. The U-shaped cable guide 140 flexes such
that the fluted openings 144 move closer together to accommodate
the flexure of the user's ankle without generating undesirable
resistance to the flexure. In particular, the U-shaped cutout 120
and U-shaped cable guide 140 allow the sports boot 100 to assume a
deep forward flex without any significant resistance from the
U-shaped cable guide 140.
[0037] The flexibility of the U-shaped cable guide 140 also allows
the guide 140 to be installed with the distance (and angle) between
the fluted openings 144 adjusted at the time the boot 100 is
assembled. Therefore, for example, the same guide 140 design can be
used with different boots and installed to meet the needs of the
particular boot.
[0038] It will also be appreciated that the U-shaped cable guide
140 is flexible to permitting twisting flexure of the channel 142.
The elongate tube 142 may be flexed, for example, such that one
fluted opening 144 moves outwardly or laterally and the other
fluted opening 144 moves inwardly or medially.
[0039] In a particular embodiment, the shape and material for the
U-shaped guide 140 are selected to accommodate changing the
distance between the fluted openings 144 by at least 3 centimeters.
For example, the openings 144 may be configured to flex
sufficiently to allow the fluted openings 144 to be flexed between
a first position wherein the fluted openings 144 are 1 centimeter
apart and a second position wherein the fluted openings 144 are 4
centimeters apart.
[0040] A boot 100 in accordance with the present invention provides
consistent boot flexure that is not constrained by rigid, or
relatively stiff, cable guides. The fluted openings 144 and
flexible installation provide a broad range of cable angles that
the U-shaped cable guide 140 can accommodate. It will be
appreciated by persons of skill in the art that the installation
panels 146, 148 provide for a slimmer profile due to less stack up
and layering in the boot construction, and they do not
significantly interfere with flexure of the flexible elongate
channel 142.
[0041] The U-shape and flexibility of the guide 140 also provides
better closure due to the ankle portion 114 of the upper and the
lower or forefoot portion 112 being able to close partially
independently when the cable 134 is tightened. In particular, the
U-shaped cutouts 120 (seen most clearly in FIG. 2) partially
decouples the tension in the forefoot portion 112 and ankle portion
114 of the upper somewhat.
[0042] In addition, user comfort is improved. For example, with
snowboard boots, the comfort of the snowboard binding strap may be
improved by reducing the amount of hard plastic under the ankle
strap.
[0043] It will also be appreciated by persons of skill in the art
that removable liners are frequently used with sports boots 100,
such as liner 104 shown in FIG. 1. Such liners typically envelope
the user's foot and may comprise, for example, a compressible
polymeric material such as neoprene with a fabric covering, and
optionally with a thin sole portion. Such liners 104 frequently
include a front opening and tongue construction for ease of use and
to allow the user to adjust the tightness of the liner 104. A
flexible cable or lace guide similar to the cable guide 140
discussed above may also, or alternatively, be provided on the
liner 104. In an exemplary embodiment, the liner 104 includes a
fabric or non-cable type lace with a slidable lace lock as are
known in the art. It is contemplated that one or more articulating
lace guides as discussed above may be provided on the liner front
opening to improve user comfort.
[0044] It will now be appreciated that sports boot in accordance
with the present invention, such as sports boot 100, provide
improved flexibility in the ankle region of the upper, thereby
minimizing buckling of the boot material in that region when the
user flexes forward in the ankle joint. The U-shaped cutouts 120
replace relatively stiff and inflexible upper material in this
region, and the flexible U-shaped cable guide 140 permits the cable
(or lace) to perform the desired function of securing and
tensioning the front opening 116 of the upper in this region, while
also retaining flexibility to permit comfortable flexure of the
ankle.
[0045] While illustrative embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be appreciated that various changes can be made
therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention.
* * * * *