Ski Boot

Abstract

A ski boot having outer upper portions which can be pivoted about hinges with regard to the sole of the ski boot from an open position into a closed position. The outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp and the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter are coupled to one another by means of at least one rope- or cable traction element which transmits the closing movement of the one outer upper portion as a closing movement to the other outer upper portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of ski boot having outer upper portions which are pivotable about hinges with respect to the sole of the ski boot from an open position into a closed position.

Such type ski boots have become known in this particular art in more recent times under the designation "shell ski boots," wherein the term "shell" generally designates the outer upper portions of the boot which are fabricated usually from a very rigid or stiff plastic. These outer upper portions are either directly provided at their inner surfaces with a thick padding, or in their closed position they enclose an inner boot which is part of the ski boot proper, however can be detached from the sole and the outer upper portions.

The known ski boots of this type are associated with the following drawbacks: in order to be able to bring all of the outer upper portions into their closed position and to lock the same in such position, numerous manipulations are necessary and also there is required the clamping of a number of independent clamp elements. Consequently, putting on the boot is not only rendered more difficult, but also it is not readily possible to obtain the optimum closed position if there is considered the fact that a single closed position which is determined by fixed stops cannot be really optimum for all encountered situations and over a longer period of time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Hence, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved construction of ski boot of the aforementioned type in which all of the outer upper portions can be brought into the closed position so-to-speak with one manipulation, and additionally there is present a certain composite action between the outer upper portions in the closed position, contributing to the wearing comfort and especially to the support offered by the ski boot.

Now in order to implement this object, and others which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the ski boot of the previously mentioned type as proposed by the invention contemplates coupling together the outer upper portions arranged at the region of the vamp and the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter of the boot by means of at least one rope- or traction cable element, which transmits the closing movement of the one outer upper portion as a closing movement to the other outer upper portion.

In order to further facilitate getting into such type boot, the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp can be pivotable about a pivot axis located at the region of the tip of the boot and the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter can be pivotable about a pivot axis located at the region of the heel. Both pivot axes can be arranged transversely with respect to the lengthwise central plane of the ski boot. The rope- or cable traction element is advantageously connected on the one hand with one of the outer upper portions and guided about a first deflecting element arranged at the region of its pivot axis and then about a second deflecting element which is arranged offset with respect to the first deflecting element, and wherein both deflecting elements are connected to such outer upper portion. Further, the cable traction element or the like is guided over at least one additional deflecting element which is stationary with respect to the boot sole and at the other end is connected with the other outer upper portion. The one end of the traction cable can be connected via a spring, especially a tension spring with the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter of the boot, wherein at such outer upper portion there are attached the first and second deflecting elements.

According to another advantageous constructional embodiment of the invention, it is contemplated to construct the one end of the rope- or cable traction element so as to be adjustable and fixable with the associated outer upper portion in the direction of the cable traction element. Since with the ski boot of this development only the one outer upper portion needs to be directly arranged in its closed position, it is advantageous to provide the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter of the boot with an arresting strap or clamp or the like. This outer upper portion can be configured such that it possesses at its upper region an extension flap which can be bent or folded over in the manner of a collar, in its closed position engaging about a part of the tubular upper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a first exemplary embodiment of ski boot designed according to the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a similar showing of a further simpler constructional embodiment of ski boot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Describing now the drawings, the ski boot depicted in FIG. 1, by way of example, has been designated in its entirety by reference character 10 and will be understood to comprise a sole 11 at which there is connected an inner upper 12. The inner upper 12 is preferably fabricated from a weather-resistant material which, however, is pliable and comfortable to wear. In FIG. 1 the cap or toe box of the inner upper is designated by reference character 13, the tongue by reference character 14, and the quarter of the boot extending from the heel up to the region of the upper end of the inner upper 12 by reference character 15.

At the lower region of the quarter 15 there is secured by means of rivets 16 a hinge body or hinge element 17 at which there is anchored a pivot pin or shaft 18. Pivotably mounted upon the pivot pin 18 is a hinge eyelet 19 which is secured in any suitable manner to the lower end of an outer upper component or portion 20 in the form of a curved plate arranged at the region of the quarter 15 and in the closed position thereof enclosing the same. This outer upper portion can be extended by a flap 21 at its upper end confronting the observer of FIG. 1, this flap 21 in its closed position also engaging about the tongue 14 of the inner upper 12 and being arrestable or fixable in position by means of a single clamp-type closure 22 or equivalent structure.

The cap or toe box 13 of the inner upper 12 is covered by a metallic protection cap 22 which carries at its upper end a hinge or pivot eyelet 23 with a pivot pin or shaft 24. At the pivot pin 24 there is articulated in any suitable manner an outer upper portion 25 in the form of a curved plate which is arranged at the region of the vamp of the boot and which spans over such in its closed position.

At the inside of the outer upper portion 20 there is anchored at the region of its upper end an attachment element 26 which can be a threaded nipple or sleeve which may be adjustable in length. At the attachment element 26 there is secured one end of a spring e.g. a tension spring 27, the other end of which is connected with one end 28 of a suitable rope- or cable traction element 29, conveniently referred to hereinafter simply as cable traction element 29. Starting from this one end 28 of the cable traction element 29 it will be seen that the latter extends initially along the inside of the outer upper portion 20 downwardly in the direction of the pivot pin 18, then about a rotatably mounted deflecting roller or roll 30 arranged at and conveniently secured to the inside of the outer upper portion 20 and at the region of the pivot pin 18, then about a further rotatably mounted deflecting roller or roll 31 secured at the inside of the outer upper portion 20, however in spaced offset relationship from the aforementioned deflecting roller 30. From the region of the deflecting roller or roll 31 the cable traction element 29 departs between the outer upper portion 20 and inner upper 12 and is then guided in a zig-zag configuration about a set of further deflecting rollers or rolls 32-35. The deflecting rollers 32 and 34 are rotatably mounted at roller supports 36 and 37 riveted to the outer upper portion 25, whereas the deflecting rollers 33 and 35 are rotatably mounted at the roller supports 38 and 39 respectively, riveted to the inner upper 12. The front or other end 28a of the cable traction element 29 is blocked in any suitable and therefore not particularly illustrated fashion at the roller support 39.

Now if with the illustrated ski boot the clamp 22 is opened, then the outer upper portion 20 can be rocked or pivoted away in clockwise direction from the inner upper 12 and the quarter 15. Consequently, the deflecting roller 31 is also raised and the cable traction element 29 is extensively slackened so that also the outer upper portion 25 can rock away from the vamp of the inner upper 12. During the reverse movement, that is to say, during upwardly tilting of the outer upper portion 20, the deflecting roller 31 again descends and thereby once again tensions the cable traction element 29, resulting in pivoting back of the outer upper portion 25 into its closed position.

In FIG. 1 there has been only shown, for the purposes of simplifying the illustration, a cable traction element at the side of the boot confronting the observer. It should be understood however that the arrangement can be symmetrical with respect to the lengthwise central plane of the ski boot, so that also there can be secured to the attachment element 26 and to the tension spring 27 or at two such attachment elements and tension springs, two cable traction elements, of which the one extends towards the front at the left side and the other at the right side of the boot 10.

Finally, in dotted lines in FIG. 1, there is shown a heel padding or cushion 40 which is secured at the lower region at the inside of the outer upper portion 20. The purpose of this heel padding 40 resides in the features that, during the closing movement of the outer upper portion 20, it acts through the inner upper 12 upon the foot of the wearer in the sense that the wearer's foot will be pushed completely toward the front within the boot 10. In the closed position the heel padding or cushion portion 40 also again acts through the inner upper 12 in the manner that the heel of the foot will be pressed downwardly towards the boot sole, so that there prevails a feeling that the foot is positively and surely supported in the boot.

The exemplary embodiment of ski boot depicted in FIG. 2, and wherein the functionally corresponding components have been generally designated with the same reference characters, only differs from the exemplary embodiment of ski boot depicted in FIG. 1, in that the front end 28a of the rope- or cable traction element 29, in other words the heretofore designated cable traction element, is wrapped in a loop or sling 41 about a single roller or roll 42. This roller 42 is rotatably mounted at a roller support 43 which is riveted to the rear end of the outer upper portion 25. With this exemplary embodiment, and while assuming the same characteristics of the tension spring 25, the tension force which can be exerted upon the outer upper portion 25 during upward rocking of the outer upper portion 20, is somewhat less, however during downward rocking of the outer upper portion 20 it is possible to upwardly rock to a greater extent the outer upper portion 25, so that there is further facilitated the climbing into the ski boot in the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Also in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 2, there are applicable the comments which were made in conjunction with the embodiment of FIG. 1, namely also in this case there can be provided two cable traction elements 29 arranged essentially symmetrically with respect to the lengthwise central plane of the boot.

As already mentioned, while the inner upper can be formed from a pliable, flexible, light and comfortable to wear material, the outer upper portions 20 and 26 are formed of a relatively bending- resistant material, for instance sheet metal with or without a plastic coating, or from a reinforced plastic.

The exemplary embodiments of ski boots disclosed herein not only afford advantages during opening and closing thereof, but also during use when skiing. It should be appreciated that during skiing there cannot be avoided, as is known, pivotal movements of the lower leg with regard to the foot, since such movements constitute part of the proper ski technique. Now if the lower leg is bent forwards, in other words as such would arise when leaning forward on the skiis, then there firstly occurs, due to the coupling with one another of the upper portions or components 20 and 25, an increased tension force which acts upon the outer upper portion 25, and secondly an increased action of the heel padding 40, so that the sole of the foot is forced to bear against the sole of the boot. When returning to the normal position, there of course decreases the previously increased tension force which, in turn, can be adjusted to a value corresponding to the individual requirements by displacement of the attachment element 26.

By virtue of the spring arranged at the region of the Achilles heel between the inner upper and the outer upper portion, it is possible to also obtain for the described embodiments of ski boots well-defined bending characteristic for the upper part of the tubular-like upper, resulting in optimum comfort during skiing and increased safety during a fall towards the front (absorption of energy). By adjusting the attachment element such bending characteristics can be accommodated to the individual requirements (skill of the skier, properties of the snow, and so forth).

While there is shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A ski boot having a sole, a quarter, a vamp and outer upper portions, said outer upper portions being pivotable about hinges with respect to the sole from an open position into a closed position, one of the outer upper portions being arranged at the region of the quarter and the other outer upper portion being arranged at the region of the vamp, the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp and the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter being coupled with one another by at least one cable traction element which transmits the closing movement of the one outer upper portion as a closing movement to the other outer upper portion.

2. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, further including means for pivotably mounting the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp about a pivot axis located at the region of the tip of the ski boot, and means for pivotably mounting the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter about a pivot axis located at the region of the heel of the ski boot, both pivot axes extending substantially transversely with respect to the lengthwise central plane of the ski boot.

3. The ski boot as defined in claim 2, further including a first deflecting element arranged at the region of the pivot axis of said one outer upper portion arranged at the region of said quarter and a second deflecting element arranged offset with respect to the first deflecting element, the cable traction element being connected at one end with said one outer upper portion and being guided about the first and second deflecting elements, both of said deflecting elements being secured at said one outer upper portion, at least one further deflecting element stationarily arranged with respect to the sole of the boot, and the cable traction element being guided about said further deflecting element and being connected at its other end with the other outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp.

4. The ski boot as defined in claim 3, further including a spring for connecting the one end of the cable tension element with said one outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter.

5. The ski boot as defined in claim 3, further including means for adjusting and fixing the connection location of the one end of the cable traction element with the associated outer upper portion in the direction of the cable traction element.

6. The ski boot as defined in claim 4, further including clamp closure means for locking in closed position the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the quarter of the boot.

7. The ski boot as defined in claim 4, further including a set of said further deflecting elements, said cable traction element following the second deflecting element being guided in zigzag configuration over said set of further deflecting elements, said set of further deflecting elements being secured in alternating fashion stationarily with respect to the sole of the ski boot and at the outer upper portion arranged at the region of the vamp of the boot, and wherein the other end of the cable traction element is anchored at a given location.

8. The ski boot as defined in claim 7, wherein the given anchoring location is defined by said outer upper portion which is located at the region of the vamp of the boot.

9. The ski boot as defined in claim 7, wherein said given anchoring location is a location which is stationary with respect to the sole of the ski boot.

10. The ski boot as defined in claim 2, wherein said outer upper portions comprise curved plates formed of a bending- resistant material, said ski boot being provided with a flexible inner upper anchored to the sole, said outer upper portions at least partially enclosing the flexible inner upper in the closed position thereof.

11. The ski boot as defined in claim 10, wherein said outer upper portions are formed of a material selected from metal or reinforced plastic.

12. The ski boot as defined in claim 10, wherein the outer shaft portion arranged at the region of the quarter is provided at its inside with a pressure padding which acts through the flexible inner upper at the heel of the foot of the user.

13. The ski boot as defined in claim 4, wherein the connection location of the spring is adjustable and fixable at the traction cable element in the direction thereof at the region of the quarter of the ski boot.