U.S. patent application number 14/399923 was filed with the patent office on 2015-05-21 for ski boot.
The applicant listed for this patent is CALZATURIFICIO S.C.A.R.P.A. S.p.A.. Invention is credited to Davide Parisotto.
Application Number | 20150135556 14/399923 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46466775 |
Filed Date | 2015-05-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150135556 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Parisotto; Davide |
May 21, 2015 |
SKI BOOT
Abstract
A ski boot comprising a rigid shell made of plastic or composite
material, which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the
user, and at least a first and a second removable front sole which,
alternatively to each other, are adapted to be fixed in a rigid and
stable although easily removable manner to the lower wall of the
shell substantially at the tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot; the
shell being provided with a first transversal stiffening plate made
of metal material which is embedded within the lower wall of the
shell, close to the tip of the shell, and is structured/shaped so
as to partially emerge/crop out on the outer surface of the lower
wall of the shell substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area
of the foot; the first and second removable front soles comprising:
an upper plate-shaped socle which has the upper face shaped so as
to be removably coupled to the lower wall of the shell
substantially at the tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot, and a
second transversal stiffening plate made of metal material which,
in turn, is embedded within the upper plate-shaped socle close to
the front end of the socle, so as to be aligned below the
transversal stiffening plate of the shell, and is further shaped so
as to emerge/crop out on the surface of the upper face of the socle
substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area of the foot, so as
to rest directly on the transversal stiffening plate of the
shell.
Inventors: |
Parisotto; Davide; (Casella
d'Asolo, IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CALZATURIFICIO S.C.A.R.P.A. S.p.A. |
ASOLO |
|
IT |
|
|
Family ID: |
46466775 |
Appl. No.: |
14/399923 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
May 8, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2013/053716 |
371 Date: |
November 7, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/117.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/246 20130101;
A43B 5/0427 20130101; A43B 13/36 20130101; A43B 5/0496 20130101;
A43B 5/0474 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/117.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 8, 2012 |
IT |
TV2012A000077 |
Claims
1. Ski boot comprising a rigid shell which is made of plastic or
composite material and is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of
the user, and at least a first and a second removable front sole
which, alternatively to one another, are adapted to be fixed in a
rigid and stable although easily removable manner on the lower wall
of the shell substantially at the tarsal-phalangeal area of the
foot; said first and said second removable front sole being
structured for being fixed on the back of the ski by means of a
ski-binding device; the ski boot being characterised in that the
shell is provided with a first transversal stiffening plate made of
metal material which is embedded within the lower wall of the
shell, close to the tip of the shell, and is structured/shaped so
as to partially emerge/crop out on the outer surface of the lower
wall of the shell substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area
of the foot; and in that both the first and the second removable
front sole comprise: an upper plate-shaped socle which has the
upper face shaped so as to removably couple with the lower wall of
the shell substantially at the tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot,
and a second transversal stiffening plate made of metal material
which, in turn, is embedded within the upper plate-shaped socle
close to the front end of the socle, so as to be aligned below the
transversal stiffening plate of the shell, and is furthermore
shaped so as to emerge/crop out on the surface of the upper face of
the socle substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area of the
foot, so as to rest directly on the transversal stiffening plate of
the shell.
2. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the first
removable front sole also comprises a slab of elastomeric material
which is fixed on the lower face of the upper plate-shaped socle so
as to form a single block with the socle; said single block being
overall shaped/structured so as to meet the standards for
mountaineering ski boots.
3. Ski boot according to claim 2, characterised in that the slab of
elastomeric material has a knobbed profile.
4. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that also the
second removable front sole comprises a slab of plastic or
elastomeric material which is fixed on the lower face of the upper
plate-shaped socle so as to form a single block with the socle;
said single block being overall shaped/structured so as to meet the
standards for downhill ski boots.
5. Ski boot according to claim 4, characterised in that the slab of
plastic material is made of a polymeric material which has a
sliding friction coefficient lower than that of the elastomeric
material of the slab of elastomeric material of the first removable
front sole.
6. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised by also comprising
at least one first anchoring screw which is adapted to lock/retain
the upper plate-shaped socle of the first or second removable front
sole in abutment on the lower wall of the shell.
7. Ski boot according to claim 6, characterised in that said first
anchoring screw is adapted so as to engage in pass-through manner
the upper plate-shaped socle of the first or second removable front
sole and the transversal stiffening plate embedded in the upper
plate-shaped socle, and then to screw directly in the emerged
portion of the transversal stiffening plate of the shell.
8. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the
transversal stiffening plate of the shell is provided with two
projecting overhangs or protrusions which jut out while remaining
on opposite sides of the vertical centre plane of the boot (M), up
to emerge/crop out on the outer surface of the lower wall of the
shell, substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area of the
foot.
9. Ski boot according to claim 8, characterised in that the two
projecting overhangs or protrusions of the shell transversal
stiffening plate are arranged in a specular position on opposite
sides of the vertical centre plane of the ski boot (M).
10. Ski boot according to claim 8, characterised in that the
transversal stiffening plate of the first and of the second
removable front sole is shaped so as to emerge/crop out from/on the
surface of the upper face of the upper plate-shaped socle at two
areas/portions which are located on opposite sides of the vertical
centre plane (M) of the ski boot, each aligned at the distal end of
a corresponding projecting overhang or protrusion of the shell
transversal stiffening plate, to abut on the distal end of said
projecting overhang or protrusion.
11. Ski boot according to claim 10, characterised by comprising at
least two first anchoring screws which are arranged on opposite
sides of the vertical centre plane (M) of the ski boot, and each of
said first anchoring screws is structured so as to engage in
pass-through manner the upper plate-shaped socle at a corresponding
emerged area/portion of the transversal stiffening plate of the
first or second removable front sole, and then directly screw into
the underlying projecting overhang or protrusion of the transversal
stiffening plate of the shell.
12. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised by also comprising
at least a first and a second removable back heel which,
alternatively to one another, are adapted to be fixed in a rigid
and stable although easily removable manner on the lower wall of
the shell substantially at the heel of the foot.
13. Ski boot according to claim 12, characterised in that both the
first and the second removable back heel comprise an upper
plate-shaped socle which has the upper face shaped so as to be
removably coupled with the lower wall of the shell substantially at
the heel of the foot.
14. Ski boot according to claim 13, characterised in that the first
removable back heel also comprises a slab of elastomeric material
which is fixed on the lower face of the upper plate-shaped socle so
as to form a single block with the socle; said single block being
overall shaped/structured so as to meet the standards for
mountaineering ski boots.
15. Ski boot according to claim 13, characterised in that the
second removable back heel also comprises a slab of plastic or
elastomeric material which is fixed on the lower face of the upper
plate-shaped socle so as to form a single block with the socle;
said single block being overall shaped/structured so as to meet the
standards for downhill ski boots.
16. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised by also comprising
a rigid cuff which is shaped so as to enclose the ankle of the user
and is hinged on the shell so as to rotate about an axis (A)
substantially perpendicular to the vertical centre plane (M) of the
ski boot.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a ski boot.
[0002] More in details, the present invention relates to a
multi-purpose ski boot, which may be used for mountaineering and
for downhill skiing.
BACKGROUND ART
[0003] As is known, downhill skiing and mountaineering are highly
specialized sports, which require the use of specific equipment
that cannot be used in other contexts without putting one's safety
at serious risk. Ski boots are certainly included among the
specific equipment for each sport.
[0004] Indeed it is known that although the ski boots in both
sports have a very similar basic structure, they significantly
differ in the lower part of the boot, which is traditionally
intended to be fixed to the back of the ski by means of specific
ski-binding devices for each sport.
[0005] More in detail, the ski boots in both sports essentially
consist of a rigid shell made of plastic or composite material,
which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the skier and has
its lower part specifically structured to be fixed to the back of
the ski by means of specific ski-binding devices; of a rigid cuff
made of plastic or composite material, which is shaped so as to
embrace the lower section of the skier's leg from behind and is
hinged to the upper part of the shell so as to rotate/swing about a
transversal reference axis, which is locally substantially
coincident with the articulation axis of the ankle; of an inner
liner made of soft and thermal insulating material, which is
removably inserted into the shell and cuff, and is shaped so as to
envelop and protect both the foot and the lower section of the
skier's leg; and lastly of a series of manually-operated closing
buckles, which are conveniently distributed on the shell and cuff,
and are structured so as to selectively close/tighten the shell and
cuff so as to stably immobilize the skier's leg inside the
liner.
[0006] Obviously, considering that the movements the skier should
be able to carry out on the skies significantly vary from one sport
to the other and that the ski-binding device should solely
accompany these movements, the structure of the ski-binding device
substantially varies from one sport to the other. This implies that
the shape of the lower part of the shell changes radically
depending on whether or not the ski boot is intended for
mountaineering or for downhill skiing.
[0007] More in detail, the shell of the ski boot is equipped at the
bottom with a front sole and with a back heel, which are
specifically structured/shaped to be coupled to, respectively, a
toe-piece and a heel-piece which are integral with the back of the
ski, and are specifically structured to allow the skier to carry
out movements which are typical in downhill skiing or movements
which are typical in mountaineering.
[0008] Obviously, the dimensional specifications of the sole and
heel of the ski boot are regulated by two separate international
sets of incompatible standards, one which is binding for downhill
ski boots (in this case standard ISO 5355) and the other which is
binding for mountaineering ski boots (in this case standard ISO
9523 and the dimensional specifications required for coupling to
Dynafit mountaineering ski-binding devices or the like).
[0009] With the intent to make one same ski boot compatible both
with ski-binding devices for downhill skiing and ski-binding
devices for mountaineering, certain ski boot manufacturers have
developed and marketed ski boots in which the front sole and back
heel are removably fixed to the lower part of the shell by means of
a series of locking screws. This contrivance allows equipping the
boot with two separate front sole and back heel sets, which can be
alternatively positioned on the lower part of the shell depending
on the skier's needs.
[0010] The first front sole and back heel set is specifically
structured/dimensioned to meet international standard ISO 5355,
which is binding for downhill ski boots, while the second front
sole and back heel set is specifically structured/dimensioned to
meet international standard ISO 9523, which is binding for
mountaineering ski boots, and more particularly, the dimensional
specifications required for coupling to Dynafit mountaineering
ski-binding devices or the like. Mountaineering ski-binding devices
are briefly described for example in European Patent
EP-0199098.
[0011] A ski boot equipped with two separate removable front sole
and back heel sets is described in application PCT
WO2009/003904.
[0012] Unfortunately, the use of these types of ski boots has
underlined certain criticalities, which have strongly penalized
their distribution on the market. According to more careful, expert
skiers, the above-described ski boot is indeed not capable of
providing the user with the same dynamic behaviour and reactivity
as a regular ski boot with a sole and heel made in a single piece
with the shell, with all the problems this involves.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0013] Aim of the present invention is to produce a ski boot which
is compatible with downhill ski-binding devices and with
mountaineering ski-binding devices, and which is capable of
providing the skier with the same dynamic behaviour as that of a
traditional ski boot with sole and heel made in a single piece with
the shell.
[0014] In compliance with the above aims, according to the present
invention there is provided a ski boot as defined in claim 1, and
preferably, though not necessarily, in any one of the claims
dependent thereon.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting
embodiment thereof, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a mountaineering ski boot
realized according to the teachings of the present invention, in a
first operating configuration and with the lower part sectioned
along the centre plane;
[0017] FIG. 2 shows a section view of the ski boot shown in FIG. 1,
according to the sectional line D-D;
[0018] FIG. 3 shows a partly exploded view on enlarged scale of the
lower part of the ski boot shown in FIG. 1;
[0019] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged and partly exploded view of the
lower part of the ski boot shown in FIG. 1, in a second operating
configuration;
[0020] FIG. 5 shows a section view of the ski boot shown in FIG. 4,
according to the same sectional line used in FIG. 2.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0021] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, number 1 indicates as a
whole a ski boot structured to be coupled both to a specific
ski-binding device for downhill skiing and to a ski-binding device
for mountaineering.
[0022] Ski boot 1 essentially consists of a rigid outer shell 2
made of plastic or composite material, which is shaped so as to
accommodate the whole foot of the user; of a removable front sole
3, which is fixed in a rigid and stable although easily removable
manner, to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, more or less at the
tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot, and which cantilevered juts out
beyond the ogival tip of shell 2; of a removable back heel 4 which
is fixed in a rigid and stable although easily removable manner to
the lower wall 2a of shell 2, at the heel of the foot; and of a
rigid cuff 5 made of plastic or composite material, which is
preferably substantially C-shaped so as to embrace the lower
section of the user's leg from behind, and is hinged to the upper
part of shell 2 so as to freely swing about a transversal reference
axis A which is locally substantially perpendicular to the vertical
centre plane M of the ski boot (that is perpendicular to the plane
of the sheet in FIG. 1), and is also locally substantially
coincident with the articulation axis of the user's ankle.
[0023] More in detail, cuff 5 is freely rotationally fixed to shell
2 by means of two connecting hinges 6 which are arranged on the
external and internal lateral sides of shell 2 and cuff 5, aligned
along axis A, so as to allow cuff 5 to freely swing on shell 2
while always remaining on a reference plane which is orthogonal to
axis A and substantially coincident with the centre plane M of the
boot.
[0024] In the example shown, in particular, shell 2 and cuff 5 are
preferably, though not necessarily, made of nylon (polyamide),
PEBAX (polyester-amide) or similar plastic polymers.
[0025] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, ski boot 1 preferably also
comprises a second removable front sole 3' which is adapted to be
fixed in a rigid and stable although easily removable manner to the
lower wall 2a of shell 2, in place of the removable front sole 3,
i.e. more or less at the tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot; and a
second removable back heel 4' which is fixed in a rigid and stable
although easily removable manner to the lower wall 2a of shell 2,
in place of the removable back heel 4, i.e. at the heel of the
foot.
[0026] Similarly to the removable front sole 3, also the second
removable front sole 3' cantilevered juts out beyond the ogival tip
of shell 2.
[0027] With reference to FIG. 1, ski boot 1 is also equipped with
an inner liner 7 which is preferably made of soft, thermal
insulating material, is housed inside shell 2 and cuff 5
preferably, though not necessarily, in a removable manner, and
lastly is shaped so as to embrace and protect the foot and the
lower section of the user's leg; and optionally also with a
protective, oblong-shaped tongue 8 which is preferably, though not
necessarily, made of plastic or composite material, and is arranged
resting on shell 2 in the area above the instep of the foot and the
lower section of the leg, to cover a longitudinal gap (not shown)
which extends along the upper part of shell 2, while remaining
locally substantially coplanar to the centre plane M of the boot.
This longitudinal gap allows the upper part of shell 2 to
temporarily widen so as to facilitate the insertion of the foot of
the user into liner 7.
[0028] In other words, the protective tongue 8 is substantially
L-shaped and extends grazing to shell 2 in the area immediately
above the instep of the foot and the tibia-astragalus junction of
the ankle, and then ascends along the leg up to reach and insert
below the cuff 5, so as to cover the lower section of the
tibia.
[0029] Again with reference to FIG. 1, ski boot 1 also comprises
one or more manually-operated, mechanical ski-boot closing devices
9 which are structured so as to selectively close/tighten shell 2
and cuff 5 so as to immobilize the user's leg inside boot 1, or
better, liner 7.
[0030] In the example shown, in particular, the mechanical ski-boot
closing devices 9 preferably, though not necessarily, consist of a
series of lever closing buckles 9 which are arranged crosswise on
shell 2 and/or on cuff 5 and/or on protective tongue 8,
substantially astride the longitudinal gap of shell 2, so as to
selectively close/tighten shell 2 and cuff 5 to stably immobilize
the user's leg inside liner 7.
[0031] Ski boot 1 is preferably also provided with a
manually-operated cuff locking device 10 which is structured so as
to selectively: [0032] rigidly lock cuff 5 to shell 2 so as to
prevent' any swinging movement of cuff 5 on shell 2; or [0033]
totally release cuff 5 from shell 2 so as to allow cuff 5 to freely
swing both forwards and backwards about axis A.
[0034] The cuff locking device 10 and the lever closing buckles 9
are components already widely known in the sector of ski boots, and
hence will not be further described.
[0035] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, unlike currently known
ski boots, the rigid shell 2 of boot 1 is internally provided with
an oblong transversal stiffening plate 12 made of metal material,
which is embedded in a rigid and non-removable manner within the
lower wall 2a of the shell, close to the tip of shell 2, in a
substantially horizontal position and locally substantially
perpendicular to the vertical centre plane M of the ski boot, and
is also provided with two projecting overhangs or protrusions 12a
which jut out downwards while remaining on opposite sides of the
centre plane M of the boot, up to emerge/crop out on the outer
surface of the lower wall 2a of the shell, i.e. outside shell 2,
immediately above the sole 3, 3' which is momentarily fixed to the
lower wall 2a of shell 2.
[0036] In other words, the transversal stiffening plate 12 is
embedded within the lower wall 2a of the shell, close to the tip of
shell 2 and astride the vertical centre plane M of the ski boot,
and the distal ends of the two projecting overhangs or protrusions
12a of the transversal stiffening plate 12 emerge/crop out on the
outer surface of the lower wall 2a of the shell substantially at
the metatarsal-phalangeal area of the foot.
[0037] In the example shown, in particular, the two projecting
overhangs or protrusions 12a of the transversal stiffening plate 12
are preferably arranged in a specular position on opposite sides of
the centre plane M of the ski boot, and preferably, though not
necessarily, are substantially cylindrical in shape or are
substantially truncated-conical in shape, and tapered towards the
distal end.
[0038] With reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the removable front sole
3 instead essentially consists of a rigid plate-shaped socle 13,
which is made of plastic or composite material, and has the upper
face 13a shaped so as to be coupled and removably locked/engaged on
the lower wall 2a of shell 2, more or less at the tarsal-phalangeal
area of the foot, and preferably also so as to partly cover the
lower part of the ogival tip of shell 2; and of a slab 14 of
elastomeric material and preferably with knobbed profile, which is
fixed in a non-removable manner to the lower face 13b of socle 13
so as to substantially cover the whole surface of the lower face
13b of socle 13 thus forming a single block with socle 13. When the
upper face 13a of socle 13 is coupled to the lower wall 2a of shell
2, the slab 14 of elastomeric material forms the front tread of ski
boot 1.
[0039] The monolithic body formed by the socle 13 and the slab 14
of elastomeric material is also structured so as to be stably
retained in abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a rigid and
stable although easily removable manner, by means of a suitable
number of anchoring screws 15, and is globally shaped/structured so
as to meet, when the sole 3 is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell
2, the international standards in force for mountaineering ski
boots (currently international standard ISO 9523 and the
dimensional specifications required for coupling to Dynafit
mountaineering ski-binding devices or the like).
[0040] In addition to the above description, with reference to
FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the removable front sole 3 also comprises an
oblong transversal stiffening plate 16 made of metal material,
which is rigidly embedded in a non-removable manner within socle
13, close to the front end of the socle 13 and preferably in a
substantially horizontal position and locally substantially
perpendicular to the vertical centre plane M of the boot, so as to
be aligned below the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2 when sole 3 is
fixed to the lower wall 2a of the shell.
[0041] The stiffening plate 16 is also shaped so as to emerge/crop
out from/on the surface of the upper face 13a of socle 13 at two
areas/portions 16a which are located on opposite sides of the
centre plane M of the boot, each aligned at the distal end of a
corresponding projecting overhang 12a of the stiffening plate 12,
so that the stiffening plate 16 can rest directly on the two
projecting overhangs or protrusions 12a of the stiffening plate 12
of the shell when sole 3 is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell
2.
[0042] In other words, the stiffening plate 16 of sole 3 is
embedded within socle 13, astride the vertical centre plane M of
the boot, and is shaped/structured so as to emerge/crop out on the
surface of the upper face 13a of socle 13 at two areas/portions 16a
which are substantially located at the metatarsal-phalangeal area
of the foot, on opposite sides of the centre plane M of the boot,
so as to rest directly on the transversal stiffening plate 12 of
shell 2.
[0043] Lastly, the stiffening plate 16 of the removable front sole
3 is structured so that the two axial ends 16b of the same plate
project from the lateral sides of socle 13, on opposite sides of
the vertical centre plane M of the ski boot, and are shaped so as
to be able to coupled to the clamp locking member of the toe-piece
of a traditional mountaineering ski-binding device so as to allow
the clamp locking member to grasp and retain/lock the stiffening
plate 16, and what integral with the latter, with the modes
envisaged by the international standards in force for
mountaineering ski boots (currently international standard ISO 9523
and the dimensional specifications required for coupling to Dynafit
mountaineering ski-binding devices or the like).
[0044] In other words, the shape of the two axial ends 16b of the
stiffening plate 16 and the position of the two axial ends 16b of
the stiffening plate 16 on the lateral sides of socle 13, are such
so as to meet, when sole 3 is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell
2, the international standards in force for mountaineering ski
boots (currently international standard ISO 9523 and the
dimensional specifications required for coupling to Dynafit
mountaineering ski-binding devices or the like).
[0045] Instead with regard to the anchoring screws 15, in the
example shown the ski boot 1 is equipped with a series of anchoring
pass-through screws 15 which are structured so as to engage the
monolithic body formed by socle 13 and slab 14 of elastomeric
material, in a pass-through manner, and to then be screwed into the
lower wall 2a of shell 2 so as to lock/retain socle 13 stably in
abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2.
[0046] More in detail, ski boot 1 comprises at least two main
anchoring screws 15 which are arranged on opposite sides of the
vertical centre plane M of the ski boot, and are structured so as
to engage the monolithic body formed by socle 13 and slab 14 of
elastomeric material in a pass-through manner at the two emerged
areas/portions 16a of the stiffening plate 16, so that the stem 15a
of each main anchoring screw 15 can engage the stiffening plate 16
of sole 3 in a pass-through manner at a respective emerged
area/portion 16a of the stiffening plate 16, and then can be
directly screwed into the projecting protrusion or overhang 12a
below of the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2.
[0047] Thereby, each main anchoring screw 15 is capable of
locking/retaining the stiffening plate 16 directly in abutment on
the distal end of a respective projecting protrusion or overhang
12a of the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2.
[0048] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, similarly to the removable
front sole 3, the removable back heel 4 essentially consists of a
rigid plate-shaped socle 18 which is made of plastic or composite
material, and has the upper face 18a shaped so as to be coupled and
removably locked/engaged on the lower wall 2a of shell 2, more or
less at the heel of the user; and of a slab 19 of elastomeric
material and preferably with knobbed profile, which is fixed in a
non-removable manner to the lower face 18b of socle 18 so as to at
least partly cover the lower face 18b of socle 18 thus forming a
single block with the latter.
[0049] When the upper face 18a of socle 18 is coupled to the lower
wall 2a of shell 2, the slab 18 of elastomeric material forms the
back tread of ski boot 1.
[0050] In the example shown, in particular, socle 18 is fixed to
the lower wall 2a of shell 2, at the heel of the user, and is
preferably, though not necessarily, provided with a flat projecting
tailpiece which juts out towards the tip of shell 2 while remaining
on the centre plane M of the boot, so as to cover the middle area
of the lower wall 2a of the shell which is located immediately
below the arch of the foot of the user. This flat tailpiece of
socle 18 is also preferably dimensioned so as to slide/insert below
the removable front sole 3, so as to remain trapped between the
lower wall 2a of shell 2 and the front sole 3.
[0051] Similarly to the slab 14 of elastomeric material of the
front sole 3, the slab 19 of elastomeric material is also
preferably, though not necessarily, shaped so as to substantially
cover the whole surface of the lower face 18b of socle 18, flat
tailpiece included, thus also sliding below the removable front
sole 3.
[0052] Furthermore, similarly to the removable front sole 3, the
monolithic body formed by socle 18 and slab 19 of elastomeric
material is also structured so as to be stably retained in abutment
on the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a rigid and stable although
easily removable manner, by means of a convenient number of
anchoring screws 20, and is overall shaped/structured so as to
meet, when heel 4 is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, the
international standards in force for mountaineering ski boots
(currently international standard ISO 9523 and the dimensional
specifications required for coupling to Dynafit mountaineering
ski-binding devices or the like).
[0053] In other words, ski boot 1 is also equipped with a second
group of anchoring pass-through screws 20 which are structured so
as to engage the monolithic body formed by socle 18 and slab 19 of
elastomeric material, in a pass-through manner, and to then be
screwed into the lower wall 2a of shell 2 so as to lock/retain
socle 18 stably in abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2.
[0054] More in detail, the anchoring pass-through screws 20 are
structured so as to engage the monolithic body formed by socle 18
and slab 19 of elastomeric material, in a pass-through manner, and
to then be screwed into specific bushes 21 or other metal inserts
fixed or embedded within the lower wall 2a of shell 2 so as to
lock/retain socle 18 stably in abutment on the lower wall 2a of
shell 2.
[0055] Again with reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, in addition, the
removable back heel 4 also comprises a back stiffening plate 22
made of metal material, which is fixed in a rigid and stable
although easily removable manner, to the back edge of the lower
wall 2a of shell 2 by means of at least one anchoring screw 23, so
as to be arranged astride the centre plane M of the ski boot,
immediately below the heel of the user. This stiffening plate 22 is
also shaped/structured so as to be coupled to the locking member of
the heel-piece of a traditional mountaineering ski-binding device,
so as to allow the locking member to grasp and retain/lock the
stiffening plate 22, and what is integral with the latter, with the
modes envisaged by the international standards in force for
mountaineering ski boots (currently international standard ISO 9523
and the dimensional specifications required for coupling to Dynafit
mountaineering ski-binding devices or the like).
[0056] In other words, position and shape of the back stiffening
plate 22 are such so as to meet, when the back stiffening plate 22
is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, the international
standards in force for mountaineering ski boots (currently
international standard ISO 9523 and the dimensional specifications
required for coupling to Dynafit mountaineering ski-binding devices
or the like).
[0057] With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, the second removable front
sole 3' instead consists essentially of a rigid plate-shaped socle
33 which is made of plastic or composite material, and has the
upper face 33a shaped so as to be coupled and removably
locked/retained on the lower wall 2a of shell 2, more or less at
the tarsal-phalangeal area of the foot, and preferably also so as
to partly cover the lower part of the ogival tip of shell 2; and of
a slab 34 of plastic material, which has a sliding friction
coefficient lower than the one of the elastomeric material used in
the front sole 3, and is fixed in a non-removable manner to the
lower face 33b of socle 33 so as to substantially cover the whole
surface of the lower face 33b of socle 33 thus forming a single
block with socle 33. The plastic material which forms slab 34 also
has a rigidity which is preferably higher than that of the
elastomeric polymeric material which forms the slab 14 of the
removable front sole 3.
[0058] Similarly to slab 14 of the removable front sole 3, the slab
34 of plastic material also concurs to form the front tread of ski
boot 1 when the removable front sole 3' is fixed to the lower wall
2a of shell 2.
[0059] In the example shown, in particular, slab 34 of sole 3' is
preferably made of nylon (polyamide), PEBAX (polyester-amide) or
similar plastic polymers.
[0060] Alternatively, slab 34 of sole 3' could also be made of
elastomeric material, such as for example TPU (thermoplastic
polyurethane).
[0061] The monolithic body formed by socle 33 and slab 34 of
elastomeric material is also structured so as to be stably retained
in abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a rigid and stable
although easily removable manner, by means of a convenient number
of anchoring screws, and is overall shaped/structured so as to
meet, when sole 3' is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, the
international standards in force for downhill ski boots (currently
international standard ISO 5355).
[0062] In addition to what above, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5,
the second removable front sole 3' also comprises an oblong
transversal stiffening plate 36 made of metal material, which is
rigidly embedded in a non-removable manner within socle 33, close
to the front end of socle 33 and preferably in a substantially
horizontal position and locally substantially perpendicular to the
vertical centre plane M of the boot, so as to be aligned below the
stiffening plate 12 of shell 2 when the sole 3' is fixed to the
lower wall 2a of the shell.
[0063] The stiffening plate 36 of sole 3' is also shaped so as to
emerge/crop out from/on the surface of the upper face 33a of socle
33 at two areas/portions 36a which are located at opposite sides of
the centre plane M of the boot, each aligned at the distal end of a
corresponding projecting overhang 12a of the stiffening plate 12,
so that the stiffening plate 36 can rest directly on the two
projecting overhangs or protrusions 12a of the stiffening plate 12
of the shell when sole 3' is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell
2.
[0064] In other words, the stiffening plate 36 of sole 3' is
embedded within socle 33, astride the vertical centre plane M of
the boot, and is shaped/structured so as to emerge/crop out on the
surface of the upper face 33a of socle 33 at two areas/portions 16a
which are substantially located at the metatarsal-phalangeal area
of the foot, on opposite sides of the centre plane M of the boot,
so as to rest directly on the transversal stiffening plate 12 of
shell 2.
[0065] Instead, as regards the locking of the removable front sole
3' on the lower wall 2a of the shell, the monolithic body formed by
socle 33 and slab 34 of plastic material is structured so as to be
stably retained in abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a
rigid and stable although easily removable manner, by means of the
same anchoring screws 15 which serve to lock the removable front
sole 3' on the lower wall 2a of shell 2.
[0066] In other words, the anchoring pass-through screws 15 are
structured so as to engage the monolithic body formed by socle 33
and slab 34 of elastomeric material, in a pass-through manner, and
to then be screwed into the lower wall 2a of shell 2 so as to
lock/retain socle 33 stably in abutment on the lower wall 2a of
shell 2.
[0067] More in detail, also in this case, at least two main
anchoring screws 15 are arranged in specular position on opposite
sides of the centre plane M of the boot, and are structured so as
to engage the monolithic body formed by socle 33 and slab 34 of
plastic material in a pass-through manner at the two emerged
areas/portions 36a of the stiffening plate 36, so that the stem 15a
of each main anchoring screw 15 can engage the stiffening plate 36
of sole 3' in a pass-through manner at a respective emerged
area/portion 36a of the stiffening plate 36, and then to be
directly screwed into the projecting protrusion or overhang 12a
below of the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2.
[0068] Thereby, each main anchoring screw 15 is capable of
locking/retaining the stiffening plate 36 directly in abutment on
the distal end of a respective projecting protrusion or overhang
12a of the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2.
[0069] With reference to FIG. 4, similarly to the second removable
front sole 3', the second removable back heel 4' essentially
consists of a rigid plate-shaped socle 38 which is made of plastic
or composite material, and has the upper face 38a shaped so as to
be coupled and removably locked/engaged on the lower wall 2a of
shell 2, more or less at the heel of the user; and of a slab of
plastic material, which has a sliding friction coefficient lower
than the one of the elastomeric material used in the back heel 4,
and is fixed in a non-removable manner to the lower face 38b of
socle 38 so as to substantially cover the whole surface of the
lower face 38b of socle 38 thus forming a single block with socle
38. The plastic material which forms slab 39 also has a rigidity
which is preferably higher than that of the elastomeric polymeric
material which forms the slab 18 of the removable back heel 4.
[0070] Similarly to slab 18 of the removable back heel 4, the slab
38 of plastic material also concurs to form the back tread of ski
boot 1 when the removable back heel 4' is fixed to the lower wall
2a of shell 2.
[0071] In the example shown, in particular, slab 39 of heel 4' is
preferably made of nylon (polyamide), PEBAX (polyester-amide) or
similar plastic polymers.
[0072] Alternatively, slab 39 of heel 4' could also be made of
elastomeric material, such as for example TPU (thermoplastic
polyurethane).
[0073] In the example shown, in particular, socle 38 is removably
fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, at the heel of the user, and
is preferably, though not necessarily, equipped with a flat
projecting tailpiece which juts out towards the tip of shell 2
while remaining on the centre plane M of the boot, so as to cover
the middle area of the lower wall 2a of the shell which is located
immediately below the arch of the foot of the user. This flat
tailpiece of socle 38 is also preferably dimensioned so as to
slide/merge below the removable front sole 3', so as to remain
trapped between the lower wall 2a of shell 2 and the front sole
3'.
[0074] Similarly to the slab 34 of elastomeric material of the
front sole 3', the slab 39 of elastomeric material is also
preferably, though not necessarily, shaped so as to substantially
cover the whole surface of the lower face 38b of socle 38, flat
appendix included, thus also sliding below the removable front sole
3'.
[0075] Furthermore, similarly to the removable front sole 3', the
monolithic body formed by socle 38 and by the slab of elastomeric
material 39 is also structured so as to be stably retained in
abutment on the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a rigid and stable
although easily removable manner, by means of a convenient number
of anchoring screws, and is overall shaped/structured so as to
meet, when heel 4' is fixed to the lower wall 2a of shell 2, the
international standards in force for downhill ski boots (currently
international standard ISO 5355).
[0076] More in detail, in the example shown, the monolithic body
formed by socle 38 and slab 39 made of plastic material is
preferably structured so as to be stably retained in abutment on
the lower wall 2a of shell 2 in a rigid and stable although easily
removable manner, by means of the anchoring screws 20 and 23 which
serve to lock the back heel 4 on the lower wall 2a of the
shell.
[0077] The general operation of ski boot 1 is easily inferable from
the above description, and therefore does not require further
explanations.
[0078] Instead with regard to the coupling of the removable front
soles 3 and 3', experiments have shown that the direct contact
between the metal stiffening plate 12 inside shell 2 and,
selectively and alternatively, the metal stiffening plate 16
embedded within the removable front sole 3, or the metal stiffening
plate 36 embedded within the removable front sole 3', gives the
front part of ski boot 1 higher structural rigidity than the
standard one of current ski boots with removable sole and heel.
[0079] This localized increase of the structural rigidity of the
ski boot makes the dynamic behaviour and reactivity of ski boot 1
practically identical to those encountered in ski boots with sole
and heel made in a single piece with the shell.
[0080] There are several advantages resulting from the particular
structure of shell 2 and of the two different removable front soles
3 and 3'. Ski boot 1 may be employed in complete safety, both in
downhill skiing and in mountaineering, thus ensuring dynamic
behaviour and reactivity which are practically identical to those
of ski boots with sole and heel made in a single piece with the
shell.
[0081] Lastly, it is apparent that modifications and variants may
be made to the above-described ski boot 1 without departing from
the scope of the present invention.
[0082] For example, rather than being equipped with two separate
projecting overhangs or protrusions 12a which jut out downwards up
to emerge/crop out on the outer surface of the lower wall 2a of the
shell, in a different embodiment the transversal stiffening plate
12 of shell 2 could be shaped/structured so that the middle inner
portion thereof can emerge/crop out on the outer surface of the
lower wall 2s of the shell, astride the vertical centre plane M of
the boot, and substantially at the metatarsal-phalangeal area of
the foot. Obviously, the dimensions of this middle portion are to
be sufficient to ensure stable resting of the removable front soles
3 and 3' on the transversal stiffening plate 16, 36.
[0083] Also in this case, at least one of the main anchoring screws
15 is adapted to lock/retain any one of the removable front soles 3
and 3' in abutment on the lower wall 2a of the shell, by engaging
the monolithic body formed by socle 13 or 33 and slab of
elastomeric material 14 or 34, and the transversal stiffening plate
16, 36 embedded within socle 13 or 33, in a pass-through manner, to
then be screwed directly into the beneath located emerged central
portion of the stiffening plate 12 of shell 2.
* * * * *