U.S. patent application number 15/051649 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-16 for base for a ski boot and ski boot incorporating such a base.
This patent application is currently assigned to K-2 Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is K-2 Corporation. Invention is credited to John Erik Svensson.
Application Number | 20160166003 15/051649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49274441 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160166003 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Svensson; John Erik |
June 16, 2016 |
BASE FOR A SKI BOOT AND SKI BOOT INCORPORATING SUCH A BASE
Abstract
A base is provided for a ski boot comprising a sole and an
outsole element that is positioned in a predetermined position
relative to a longitudinal axis (L). The outsole element is
positioned on the sole by using two projections that are carried by
one or other of the sole and the outsole element and that locate in
holes or cavities defined by the other. Preferably, the projections
are carried by the outsole element and locate in holes or cavities
defined by the sole. The projections may be integrally formed with
the outsole element or the sole. Alternatively, they may be formed
by injected pins, rivets, fasteners, t-nuts, or screws.
Inventors: |
Svensson; John Erik;
(Vashon, WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
K-2 Corporation |
Seattle |
WA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
K-2 Corporation
Seattle
WA
|
Family ID: |
49274441 |
Appl. No.: |
15/051649 |
Filed: |
February 23, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13662248 |
Oct 26, 2012 |
9265300 |
|
|
15051649 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/25R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/0486 20130101;
A43B 13/122 20130101; A43B 5/0411 20130101; A43B 5/0413 20130101;
A43B 5/0427 20130101; A43B 13/36 20130101; A43B 13/026 20130101;
A43B 13/023 20130101; A43B 5/0417 20130101; A43B 5/0421 20130101;
A43B 21/36 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04 |
Claims
1. A base for a ski boot comprising a sole and an outsole element
that is positioned in a predetermined position relative to a
longitudinal axis of the sole by two projections that are carried
by one or other of the sole and the outsole element and that locate
in holes or cavities defined by the other.
2. The base as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the
projections is carried by the outsole element.
3. The base as claimed in claim 1, wherein both projections are
carried by the outsole element and locate in holes or cavities
defined by the sole.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of application Ser. No.
13/662,248, filed Oct. 26, 2012; the entire disclosure of said
application is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a base for a ski boot,
preferably but not exclusively a Nordic ski boot, and to a ski boot
incorporating such base.
[0003] Although the word "boot" is used throughout this
specification and in the claims, it should be interpreted broadly
to include shoes and any form of footwear suitable for wear when
taking part in skiing.
[0004] Ski boots are a specialized form of footwear that is used in
skiing to provide a way of attaching the skier's feet to his/her
skis via ski bindings. The ski boot should position the skier's
body over the ski properly. The base of such a boot usually
comprises rigid cleats or outsole elements that are used to fasten
the boot to a ski binding. These outsole elements also comprise a
walking surface for the boot. It is therefore important for the
base of the boot, which incorporates the outsole elements, to
provide strength and torsional stiffness yet still be sufficiently
flexible for the intended form of skiing and for ease of walking.
It is also important for the base to incorporate the outsole
elements in a manner which retains them securely in a correctly
orientated manner in order that the base will connect correct to a
ski binding so that in use the boot is orientated correctly with
respect to the ski. Conventionally, outsole elements are bonded to
a previously formed sole and it is often difficult for the boot
maker to judge exactly where to position the outsole elements
relative to the sole to ensure that they are bonded in the correct
position. The boot maker has to decide where the longitudinal axis
of the sole lies and then locate and bond the outsole elements to
the sole relative to this axis. Even a slight misalignment of the
outsole elements can make connection to a ski binding difficult and
significantly reduce the performance of the boot in use so that
location of the outsole elements with precision is important.
[0005] It is an aim of the present invention to overcome or
substantially mitigate the aforementioned problem and to provide a
base and a ski boot incorporating such a base to which the outsole
elements have been attached with precision.
SUMMARY
[0006] 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.
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there
is provided a base for a ski boot comprising a sole and an outsole
element that is positioned in a predetermined position relative to
a longitudinal axis of the sole by two projections that are carried
by one or other of the sole and the outsole element and that locate
in holes or cavities defined by the other.
[0008] Preferably, at least one of the projections is carried by
the outsole element. Advantageously, both projections are carried
by the outsole element and locate in holes or cavities defined by
the sole.
[0009] Preferably also, toe and heel outsole elements are provided
that are each provided with at least two projections that locate
into holes or cavities defined by toe and heel portions of the sole
respectively.
[0010] Preferably also, the projections are integrally formed with
the outsole element. Alternatively, the projections are formed by
injected pins, rivets, fasteners, t-nuts, or screws that are
secured to the outsole element and that locate into the cavities or
holes defined by the sole. In a further variation, the projections
are formed by injected pins, rivets, fasteners, t-nuts, or screws
that are secured to the sole and that locate into cavities or holes
defined by the outsole element.
[0011] Preferably also, the holes or cavities are moulded into the
sole during its production.
[0012] Preferably also, the sole comprises a fibre-reinforced
composite structure.
[0013] Preferably also, the fibre-reinforced composite structure
comprises a laminate wherein a plurality of layers of woven fabric
comprising warp carbon fibre yarns and weft carbon fibre yarns are
encapsulated within a polymer matrix, which is preferably an
epoxy-based resin.
[0014] Preferably also, the outsole elements comprise rigid
elastomeric elements that are bonded to the sole via an
adhesive.
[0015] Preferably also, an additional outsole element comprising a
rigid bar is fastened to the sole adjacent or at a forward end of
said toe outsole element via at least two fasteners.
[0016] Preferably also, the outsole element comprising the rigid
bar is fastened to the sole at the forward end of said toe outsole
element, the fasteners penetrating through the toe outsole element
into the sole.
[0017] Preferably also, the fasteners penetrate through the
sole.
[0018] Preferably also, the base comprises a heel portion
integrally formed with an upstanding portion that is adapted to
wrap up around the back and sides of the heel of the ski boot.
[0019] Preferably also, the upstanding portion is adapted for
connection to an ankle cuff.
[0020] Preferably also, the heel portion of the sole defines an
interior cavity. Advantageously, a resilient pad is secured within
the cavity to provide heel lift and to cushion the foot during
use.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention there
is provided a base for a ski boot comprising a sole made from a
fibre-reinforced composite structure and an outsole element that is
detachably connected to a structural portion of the sole by at
least one fastener that locates in a hole or cavity defined by the
sole in a predetermined position relative to a longitudinal axis of
the sole.
[0022] Preferably, the fastener is a releasable fastener allowing
the outsole element to be attached to or detached from the sole as
desired.
[0023] According to a third aspect of the present invention there
is provided a ski boot incorporating a base in accordance with the
first aspect of the present invention.
[0024] Preferably, the ski boot has a flexible fabric upper.
[0025] Preferably also, the base comprises a heel portion
integrally formed with the sole, which heel portion is wrapped up
around the back and sides of the heel of the ski boot.
[0026] Preferably also, the heel portion is connected to an ankle
cuff in a hinged manner.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] 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:
[0028] FIG. 1 is perspective view from above and one side of a base
for a ski boot in accordance with the first aspect of the present
invention;
[0029] FIG. 2 is perspective view from below and said one side of
the base shown in FIG. 1;
[0030] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the base shown in FIGS. 1 and
2 along with a cuff for attachment to the base;
[0031] FIGS. 4a and 4b are schematic representations, to an
enlarged scale, of two layers of a laminate used to form the base
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and illustrating the manner in which the
layers are orientated relative to a longitudinal axis of the base;
and
[0032] FIG. 5 is a side view of a ski boot in accordance with the
second aspect of the present invention that incorporates a base as
shown in FIGS. 1 to 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] FIGS. 1 to 3 of the drawings show a base 1 adapted for use
on a Nordic ski boot and an example of such a boot 2 having an
upper 3 is shown in FIG. 5. However, it should be appreciated that
the invention is not limited to such ski boots and by appropriate
choice of outsole elements, as described below, a ski boot with a
universal boot upper 3 or shell can be produced for use in various
types of skiing, e.g., downhill, cross-country, ski-jumping,
Telemark, etc.
[0034] The upper 3 is configured to encase a wearer's foot and is
equipped with appropriate conventional fastening arrangements which
will not be described here as the present invention is primarily
concerned with the base 1 of the boot 2. The base 1 comprises a
one-piece sole 4 defining heel and toe portions 5 and 6
respectively and a mid-section 7 that is located between the heel
and toe portions 5 and 6 in a position anatomically beneath the
location of the metatarsal bones and the plantar arch of a person
wearing the ski boot 2. The heel and toe portions 5 and 6 are
adapted to be secured to one or more rigid elastomeric outsole
elements 8, 9, 10 to form a base 1 that can then be connected to
the upper 3 during manufacture of the boot 2. Generally, therefore,
the heel and toe portions 5 and 6 of the sole 4 lie adjacent
respective heel and toe outsole elements 5 and 6. In the
illustrated embodiment, the heel and toe outsole elements 8 and 9
respectively are permanently bonded to the heel and toe portions 5
and 6 of the sole 4 to form a base 1 of unitary construction that
can then be secured to the upper 3. However, the outsole element 10
comprises a rigid bar 11 and is fastened, possibly in a releasable
manner via releasable fasteners 12, to the sole 4 at a forward end
of the toe outsole element 8. The fasteners 12 therefore penetrate
through the toe outsole element 9 into the sole 4. Preferably, the
fasteners 12 also penetrate through the sole 4 so that they can be
unfastened and the outsole element 10 detached and replaced, if
necessary. In an alternative arrangement (not shown) the outsole
element 10 may be secured directly to the sole 4 adjacent a forward
end of the toe outsole element 9, which in this case does not need
to extend as far as the front tip of the sole 4.
[0035] The outsole elements 8, 9, 10 locate between the sole 4 and
a ski binding and least one of them, namely, element 10 in the
present example, is adapted for attachment to a Nordic ski binding.
In other embodiments (not shown), one or more of the other outsole
elements 8, 9 may also be adapted for securement to a ski binding
in place of or in addition to the outsole element 10 to fit the
base for attachment to different types of ski boot. In addition,
the heel and toe outsole elements 8 and 9 provide walking surfaces
that contact the ground when the boot 2 is not connected to a ski
binding.
[0036] The construction of the base 1 will now be described in more
detail.
[0037] The sole 4 has a fibre-reinforced composite structure
wherein a majority of the fibres in the mid-section 7 of the sole 4
are angled at an acute angle with respect to a longitudinal axis L
of the sole 4. In the present example, this is achieved by
manufacturing the sole 4 in the form of a laminate wherein a
plurality of layers 13 of woven fabric comprising warp yarns 14 and
weft yarns 15 are encapsulated within a polymer matrix. Preferably
the warp yarns 14 and the weft yarns 15 are both carbon-fibre yarns
and the polymer matrix is preferably an epoxy-based resin. The sole
4 is therefore moulded in a known manner, for example, using a
vacuum bag moulding process wherein a plurality of polymer-coated
fabric layers 13 are laid up one on top of the other over a rigid
mould to which suction is applied and the polymer is cured using
heat and pressure applied via a flexible membrane or bag. The
individual fibres of the fabric layers 13, which generally align
along the longitudinal axis of the yarn in which they are
incorporated, are therefore encapsulated by the polymer matrix so
that the resulting moulded sole 4 has strength yet retains
flexibility.
[0038] Preferably, some of the fabric layers 13, such as the layer
shown in FIG. 4a, are arranged so that the fibres forming either
the warp yarns 14 (as in FIG. 4a) or the weft yarns 15 in the
mid-section 7 of the sole 7 are substantially aligned with the
longitudinal axis L of the sole. However, the majority of the
fabric layers 13, such as the layer shown in FIG. 4b, are arranged
so that the warp yarns 14 and the weft yarns 15 are angled at an
acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis L of the sole 4,
typically at .+-.45.degree..+-.20.degree. to the axis L.
[0039] In addition to the laminate structure of the sole 4
described above, the sole 4 is preferably moulded with a heel
portion 5 that comprises upstanding portions 16 which wrap up
around the back and sides of the heel of the ski boot 3. The
upstanding portions 16 at the sides of the sole 4 are provided with
moulded-in holes 17 to enable an ankle cuff or part of an ankle
cuff 18, as shown in FIG. 3, to be connected to the sole 4, for
example, by rivets 19, in a hinged manner. The part of the cuff 18
shown in FIG. 3 may be made of woven carbon fibre material similar
to the sole 4, the rest of the cuff 18 being made from other fabric
and comprising a fastener as shown in FIG. 5. The upstanding
portion at the rear of the sole 4 forms a heel counter that
provides a direct transfer of loads from the cuff 18 of the boot 2
into the base 1 of the boot, which is a significant advantage. The
three-dimensional shape of the heel portion 5 of the sole 4 also
increases the torsional stiffness of the boot 2 and increases its
bending or flexural stiffness, which increases the performance of
the boot 2 in use as indicated above.
[0040] In addition to the foregoing, the heel portion 5 of the sole
4 is moulded to define an interior cavity 20 into which is bonded a
resilient pad 21. The pad 21 is dimensioned to provide a
predetermined heel lift and made of a suitable material that will
cushion the foot during use.
[0041] After moulding of the sole 4 as described above, the outsole
elements 8 and 9 are bonded thereto to form the base 1 that can
then connected to a boot upper 2, which is preferably a flexible
fabric upper, in a conventional way. The outsole elements 8 and 9
are preferably made of a resilient material, such as rubber or a
similar synthetic material, so as to cushion the foot during
skiing. When this material is softer it gives a smoother, softer
feeling in the ice conditions. It is also more comfortable during
walking before and after skiing, especially on hard surfaces like
cement and asphalt. If this material is harder it gives a more
stable, direct, rigid contact platform that is an advantage in
unstable softer snow conditions.
[0042] It is important for the outsole elements 8, 9 and 10 to be
orientated correctly with regard to the longitudinal axis L of the
sole 4 so that the boot can be properly attached to a ski binding
and sit in the correct alignment with regard to the ski. This is
often a difficult procedure and slight misalignment of the outsole
elements 8 and 9 can seriously affect the ski binding attachment
capability of the resulting boot and the ski alignment with respect
to the boot.
[0043] In order to facilitate the correct alignment of the outsole
elements 8, 9 and 10, during manufacture the sole 4 is moulded with
three pairs of cavities or holes 22, 23 and 24 in addition to the
through-hole 17 for attachment of the cuff 18. However, the holes
17, 22, 23 and 24 could be drilled or punched through the sole 4
after moulding, possibly in predetermined positions marked on the
sole 4 during the moulding process by indentations or other
markers. The pairs of cavities or holes 22, 23 and 24 are precisely
located in the sole 4 with respect to the longitudinal axis L. The
first pair 22 is located respectively towards the front and rear
ends of the toe portion 6 of the sole 4 whereas the second pair 23
is located respectively towards the front and rear ends of the heel
portion 5 of the sole 4. Both of the pairs of cavities or holes 22,
23 align along the longitudinal axis L of the sole 4 and are used
to locate the outsole elements 8 and 9 in the correct positions on
the sole 4. To this end, each of the outsole elements 8 and 9 is
provided with a pair of projections 25 and 26, respectively, that
can be fitted into the respective pair of cavities or holes 22, 23
during attachment of the elements 8 and 9 to the sole 4. This
ensures that the outsole elements 8 and 9 are positioned and
orientated correctly with regard to the sole 4. The projections 25
and 26 may be unitary with the moulded material forming the rest of
the elements 8 and 9 or may comprise injected pins, rivets,
fasteners, t-nuts, screws or other secure alignment fastening means
than can be located into the cavities or holes 22 and 23. In some
embodiments, either or both of the outsole elements 8 and 9 may be
detachably connected to a structural portion of the sole 4 by at
least one fastener that locates in a hole or cavity 22, 23 defined
by the sole 4 in a predetermined position relative to a
longitudinal axis L of the sole 4. The fastener may also be
removable fastener allowing the outsole element to be attached to
or detached from the sole as desired.
[0044] It will be appreciated that although the illustrated
embodiment shows the projections 25 and 26 moulded into the outsole
elements 8 and 9 and the holes or cavities 22 and 23 formed in the
sole 4, in some embodiments the projections could be carried by the
sole 4 to locate in holes or cavities formed in the outsole
elements 8 and 9. Such projections may be moulded into the sole 4
or comprise injected pins, rivets, fasteners, t-nuts, screws or
other secure alignment fastening means that are fastened to the
sole 4. It will also be appreciated that the projections of each
pair need not both be carried by the sole or by an outsole element.
In some cases, a projection and a hole or cavity may be carried by
both the sole 4 and the outsole element.
[0045] In the case of the pair of holes 24, these are located at
the forward end of the sole 4 on either side of the longitudinal
axis L and accommodate the fasteners 12 used to secure the outsole
element 10 that comprises the rigid bar 11. These holes 24 are
therefore preferably through holes so that the fasteners 12 can
penetrate through the sole 4 rather than being cavities or blind
holes, which is a possibility with the pairs of cavities or holes
22 and 23. In the present embodiment, the outsole element 10 sits
beneath the toe outsole element 9; and in order to align the two
elements 10 and 9 together, a pair of projections 27 on one, in
this case the element 10, that locate in cavities or holes (not
shown) in the other may also be provided.
[0046] Hence, the outsole elements 8, 9 and 10 and the sole 4 can
all be precisely aligned together relative to the centreline of the
medial to lateral balance point of a ski. In particular, the
outsole elements 8, 9 and 10 and the sole 4 can all be precisely
aligned together in a forward and aft manner to form a base 1 that
is individually adapted for a particularly sized upper to achieve a
particular skier's optimal forward, aft balance point, side-to-side
alignment and ideal power transfer zone and pivot point. Hence, a
ski boot 2 can be manufactured to a skier's precise
requirements.
[0047] 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.
* * * * *