Shell bottom for a gliding shoe, gliding shoe comprising the same and collar

Abstract

Lower shell (2) for ski boot (1) comprising an enveloping part (3) intended to receive a user's foot, characterized in that it comprises a one-piece tongue (10) with the enveloping part extending substantially from a rear wall (5) of the enveloping part upwards, the tongue being intended to cooperate with a collar (4) articulated in rotation around the enveloping part.

Description

Technical field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a lower shell for a ski boot. The invention also relates to a ski boot, in particular a ski boot comprising such a lower shell and a cuff hinged around the lower shell. Prior art

[0002] Sliding sports are sports in which a user guides one or more boards attached to their feet. In these sports, variations in the terrain are felt through the feet and lower legs via sliding boots. Sliding boots typically consist of a lower shell that encloses the user's foot and a cuff that encloses the lower leg. The cuff is articulated around the lower shell along an axis of rotation roughly aligned with an axis passing through the user's ankles. Sliding boots play a crucial role in the user's perception of the terrain and in the impulses they transmit to the board(s).

[0003] Among snow sports, alpine skiing is a sport in which a skier guides a pair of skis attached to their feet across snowy terrain. When a skier links turns, they alternate between flexing and extending their legs. During flexion, the cuff pivots forward relative to the bottom of the boot, and during extension, it pivots backward. For good ski control, ski boots must offer specific characteristics such as support, elasticity, cushioning, and rebound to achieve dynamic, precise, and effortless ski guidance.

[0004] The rebound of a ski boot characterizes its ability to return to its initial position after the cuff has been flexed forward. Manufacturers strive to increase the rebound of ski boots. To this end, US patent 6026594 proposed ski boots incorporating an elastic strap capable of producing a relatively constant pressure on the user's shin. This pressure maintains a relatively constant tibial support on the ski boot during the leg flexion / extension movement, thus allowing for better ski control. However, the rebound achieved with such ski boots is still insufficient.

[0005] Furthermore, snowboard boots must also remain simple to use and manufacture. Existing snowboard boots do not meet all these requirements simultaneously. In particular, existing boots do not allow for sufficiently dynamic, efficient, and precise guidance of one or more snowboards.

[0006] WO 2014 / 064657 A1 (D1) discloses a ski boot shell lower comprising a wrap-around part and a tongue. Presentation of the invention

[0007] The aim of the invention is to provide a sliding shoe that remedies the above disadvantages and improves upon known sliding shoes of the prior art.

[0008] More specifically, an object of the invention is a simple-to-manufacture sliding shoe offering optimal rebound characteristics for guiding one or more sliding boards. Summary of the invention

[0009] The invention relates to a ski boot shell bottom comprising an enveloping part intended to receive a user's foot and a one-piece tongue with the enveloping part extending substantially from a rear wall of the enveloping part upwards, the tongue being intended to cooperate with a collar articulated in rotation around the enveloping part.

[0010] The wrap-around part can extend up to above a user's ankles, and the tongue can be connected to the wrap-around part at approximately ankle height.

[0011] The tongue may include at least one stiffening rib whose thickness decreases when moving along the tongue from bottom to top.

[0012] The tab can extend above the wrapping part.

[0013] The bottom of the hull can be obtained by plastic injection, in particular by polyurethane injection.

[0014] The tongue may include an overall rectangular shape, a height of the tongue being between 5 cm and 20 cm, and / or a width of the tongue being between 5 mm and 30 mm.

[0015] The bottom of the shell may include a defined space between the rear wall of the wraparound part and the tongue, a dimension of this space being between 2mm and 15mm.

[0016] The tongue can be generally inclined forward at an angle between 5° and 20° relative to a vertical axis.

[0017] The tab can be configured to flex when the collar pivots forward around the wrap-around portion.

[0018] The invention also relates to a sliding shoe comprising a bottom as defined above, the collar being articulated in rotation around the enveloping part, the tongue being linked to the collar.

[0019] The collar may include a back wall covered by the tab. The collar may include an opening into which an upper end of the tab is inserted.

[0020] The tab can be attached to the collar, in particular by means of at least one fixing screw.

[0021] The tongue may include an upper portion covered by a wall of the collar and a lower portion not covered by the collar.

[0022] The invention also relates to a ski boot collar, the collar comprising an enveloping part intended to receive a lower leg of a user and a one-piece tongue with the enveloping part extending substantially from a rear wall of the enveloping part downwards, the tongue being intended to cooperate with a lower shell articulated in rotation around the enveloping part. Presentation of the figures

[0023] These objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be described in detail in the following description of a particular embodiment, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures, among which: There figure 1 is a three-dimensional view of a ski boot according to one embodiment of the invention. figure 2 is a partial view of the ski boot of the figure 1 according to a cross-section in a longitudinal and vertical plane. The figure 3 This is a three-dimensional view of a ski boot collar. figure 4 This is a three-dimensional view of the lower part of a ski boot shell. figure 5 This is a view of the back of the ski boot. figure 6 This is a side view of the ski boot. figure 7 is a partial view of a ski boot according to a cross-section in a longitudinal and vertical plane and according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. Detailed description

[0024] There figure 1Figure 1 schematically illustrates a ski boot according to an embodiment of the invention. The ski boot is a ski boot, particularly an alpine ski boot. Alternatively, the boot could be any boot intended for use in any other sliding sport, that is, a sport where a user guides one or more boards with their feet by performing flexion and extension movements of the legs. For example, the ski boot could be any other snow-related footwear, such as a snowboard boot, a ski touring boot, or a cross-country ski boot.

[0025] For the purposes of this description, we assume that the shoe rests on a horizontal surface with its sole on it. We define a longitudinal axis X as an axis parallel to the axis along which the user's foot extends from the heel (at the rear) to the toes (at the front). The transverse axis Y is an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and passing through the user's two malleoli (ankle bones). The X and Y axes are horizontal. The vertical axis Z is an axis perpendicular to the X and Y axes. The front and rear are defined in relation to the longitudinal axis X: the front refers to an area closer to the toes, while the rear refers to an area closer to the heel. The top and bottom are defined in relation to the vertical axis Z. A top area refers to an area closer to the top, and a bottom area refers to an area closer to the bottom.

[0026] The ski boot 1 includes a lower shell 2 comprising a wraparound section 3 designed to accommodate, or in other words, to enclose, the user's foot. The ski boot 1 also includes a cuff 4 designed to enclose the lower leg of the user. The cuff is rotationally articulated around the lower shell, and specifically around the wraparound section 3, along an axis Y1 substantially parallel to the transverse axis Y and passing through the user's two malleoli.

[0027] The enveloping section 3 comprises a general shape that conforms to the shape of the foot. It includes, in particular, a rear wall 5 that conforms to the shape of the heel and the Achilles tendon. It also includes curved lateral walls that conform to the shape of the malleoli. The rear wall extends vertically along the entire height of the lower shell and laterally approximately to the level of the malleoli. As can be seen on the figure 6, this rear wall 5 may include a portion generally inclined forwards, in order to promote the user's tibia to rest on an opposite surface of the shoe, i.e. on a front surface of the shoe, in particular a front surface of the collar.

[0028] The lower shell 2 may also include attachment interfaces for use with a snowboard binding device. In the embodiment presented, the snowboard boot being a ski boot, it includes a front edge 6A and a rear edge 6B for use with the jaws of a binding device. In this case, the edges form at least part of the boot sole.

[0029] The enveloping part 3, which is also clearly visible on the figures 4 And 6The upper section extends upwards to just above the ankles. It includes a top opening 7 for inserting the foot into the lower part of the shell. This top opening 7 is extended across the top of the foot by a longitudinal opening 8, which can be closed using fastening devices (not shown), such as one or more tightening buckles. Two lateral flaps, positioned on either side of the longitudinal opening 8, can thus overlap the top of the foot, notably to ensure the ski boot is watertight.

[0030] Collar 4, clearly visible on the figure 3The collar 4 has a generally tubular shape. It comprises two lateral flaps 9 designed to overlap at the front of the lower leg, approximately at the level of the tibia. The collar 4 may also include fastening means for locking the two lateral flaps 9 to encircle the lower leg, for example, one or more tightening buckles. The collar 4 extends downwards approximately to the level of the malleoli, and upwards approximately to mid-height of the tibia or to one-third of the tibia's height. The rotational connection between the collar and the lower shell can be achieved by means of axes extending parallel to the Y1 axis. These axes are adapted to cooperate with openings made in the walls of the lower shell 2 and the collar 4, at the level of each of the user's malleoli.

[0031] The cuff and lower shell can preferably be made of plastic, particularly injection-molded plastic. For example, they can be made of polyurethane. Advantageously, the cuff and lower shell can be made from the same plastic material. The plastic material and the wall thickness of the cuff and lower shell are chosen to protect the foot and to give the ski boot the rigidity required for the specific ski sport. Alternatively, any other material can be used for the lower shell and / or cuff. The plastic material can be reinforced, for example, with fiberglass or carbon fiber. It is also possible for the cuff and / or lower shell to be formed from an assembly of several materials, obtained, for example, by over-injection, bi-injection, or co-injection.Preferably, the material constituting the collar and the bottom of the hull is not a foam (i.e., a material filled with air or gas bubbles). Advantageously, the plastic material has a flexural modulus between 100 and 500 MPa, preferably between 100 and 300 MPa.

[0032] The ski boot may also include a comfort liner (not shown) inserted inside the lower shell and cuff. The comfort liner prevents direct contact between the user's foot or lower leg and the lower shell and cuff.

[0033] The lower hull section 2 comprises a one-piece tab 10 with the wrap-around portion 3. "One-piece" means that the tab 10 and the wrap-around portion 3 form a single unit. The tab 10 and the wrap-around portion thus form a monolithic assembly, as opposed to an assembly formed by the joining of two separate parts. When the lower hull section is manufactured by plastic injection molding, the wrap-around portion and the tab can be produced during the same injection molding operation. The tab is held in place on the wrap-around portion by the cohesion of the plastic material.

[0034] The tongue 10 is connected to the rear wall 5 of the wrap-around section 3 via a lower end 11 of the tongue 10. The tongue therefore extends substantially to the rear of the lower shell 2. The connection between the tongue and the lower shell is positioned approximately at the midpoint of the wrap-around section 3. Thus, the tongue is connected to the wrap-around section approximately at the level of the malleoli, specifically at the level of the articulation axis between the lower shell and the collar. The connection between the tongue 10 and the wrap-around section 3 is positioned approximately at the center of the rear wall 5, equidistant from the two malleoli. Thus, the connection between the tongue 10 and the wrap-around section 3 is positioned approximately opposite the user's Achilles tendon.The tongue is positioned outside the outer section 3 and is therefore not intended to come into contact with the user's foot or with a sock inserted into the outer section. As we will see later, the tongue is designed to cooperate with the collar 4, specifically via its upper end 12.

[0035] The tab 10, which could also be called a "blade" or "appendage," extends substantially upwards from the rear wall 5 of the wraparound section 3. It extends substantially parallel to the rear wall 5, and therefore primarily parallel to the vertical axis Z. A gap 13 can thus be defined between the rear wall 5 of the wraparound section and the tab 10. One dimension of this gap 13, that is, the distance separating the tab 10 from the rear wall 5, can, for example, be between 2 mm and 15 mm. This gap 13 can be substantially constant along the height of the tab 10 opposite the rear wall 5. The tab 10 may not extend perfectly vertically. Advantageously, it can be generally inclined forwards at an angle A1 of between 5° and 20° with respect to the vertical axis Z.

[0036] The tab 10 extends upwards above the wrap-around portion 3 to cooperate with the collar 4. The upper end 12 of the tab is therefore positioned above the upper opening 7 of the wrap-around portion 3. The tab has a generally rectangular shape. A height H of the tab, measured along its principal direction of extension, can be between 5 cm and 20 cm. A width L of the tab, measured along the transverse axis Y, can be between 5 mm and 30 mm. Alternatively, the rear tab could be generally trapezoidal in shape, notably wider at its lower end 11 than at its upper end 12.

[0037] The tongue 10 is designed to work with the cuff to exert a restoring force on the cuff relative to the outer shell 3. The tongue thus modifies the boot's rebound characteristics. More specifically, the tongue is connected to the cuff in such a way that it flexes when the cuff pivots forward relative to the outer shell. The tongue incorporates mechanical features that generate a restoring force on the cuff, tending to return the cuff to a vertical position, as opposed to a more forward-leaning position. The tongue 10 therefore improves the boot's rebound characteristics. It is understood, then, that the tongue is an elastic tongue. It is capable of withstanding a flex whose amplitude is determined by the flex of the cuff around the bottom of the shell, without breaking or undergoing permanent deformation.

[0038] As can be clearly seen on the figure 5 The tongue 10 includes a stiffening rib 14 that can extend the entire height of the tongue. The rib 14 is arranged vertically in the center of the tongue and projects towards the rear. The rib has a decreasing thickness as it runs along the tongue from bottom to top. This rib shape gives the tongue flex properties that result in excellent boot rebound. The boot's rebound characteristics can be modified by adjusting the dimensions of the tongue, including its length, and / or its thickness, and / or the dimensions of the stiffening rib, and / or its attachment point on a wall of the lower shell. The decreasing profile of the stiffening rib can also be modified to alter the boot's performance.

[0039] According to the embodiment presented, and as can be clearly seen on the figure 2The tab is attached to the collar 4. The tab is attached to the collar by means of a fixing screw 15 passing through a hole provided at the upper end 12 of the tab, and a hole 16 provided at the rear of the collar. The fixing screw 15 cooperates with a connecting element 22, such as a nut, positioned from inside the collar. Advantageously, the connecting element 22 may include a tubular portion positioned through the holes provided in the tab and the collar, and a thread adapted to cooperate with the fixing screw 15. The tubular portion prevents direct contact between the thread of the fixing screw and the edges of the holes provided in the tab and the collar. The fixing screw extends substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis X. An upper portion of the collar is thus retained to the bottom of the hull by means of the tab.Note that this connection does not restrict the rotation of the collar relative to the lower shell's outer section 3, as the tongue 10 is flexible. Furthermore, it is possible to create a hole in the tongue larger than the diameter of the fixing screw 15 that passes through it. This allows for some relative movement between the tongue and the collar when the collar is tilted. Moreover, the materials used for the lower shell and the collar, which are preferably plastic, are flexible. Therefore, the collar's tilt relative to the outer section is also made possible by the deformation of the boot's materials.

[0040] The collar also includes a rear wall 17 covered by the tongue 10. This rear wall 17 has a substantially flat shape and is positioned inside the space 13 defined between the rear wall 5 of the enveloping part 3 and the tongue 10. The rear wall 17 of the collar therefore covers the rear wall 5 of the enveloping part, which forms a baffle to prevent snow from entering the shoe.

[0041] The collar also includes an opening 18 into which the upper end 12 of the tongue 10 is inserted. The opening 18 is positioned above the rear wall 17 and below the hole 16. An upper portion 20 of the tongue is thus covered by a second rear wall 19 of the collar, which overlies the first rear wall 17. The space between the two walls 17 and 19 forms a recess for receiving the upper end 12 of the tongue. By covering the upper end of the tongue, it is prevented from catching on any object and hindering the user's movements. Only a lower portion 21 of the tongue 10 is not covered by the collar and is visible from the outside of the shoe.

[0042] To manufacture the ski boot, the lower shell, including the outer section and the tongue, can be produced in one piece using plastic injection molding. Alternatively, the cuff can also be manufactured using plastic injection molding. The lower shell and the cuff are then assembled: the end of the tongue is inserted into opening 18, the cuff's rotating hinge is installed around the lower shell, and the tongue is secured to the cuff via hole 16.

[0043] When using the boot, for example for alpine skiing, the user alternates between flexing and extending their legs. When bending their legs, the cuff tilts forward relative to the outer part of the boot by pivoting around axis Y1. This pivoting causes the tongue 10 to flex. The elasticity of the tongue creates a force that tends to oppose the forward pivoting of the cuff. Then, when the user straightens their legs, the cuff returns to a more upright position. The force exerted by the tongue facilitates this return to the upright position and relieves the user. The user's muscles are less stressed during the leg extension phase, which allows for better preparation for the subsequent flexion phase.Furthermore, the spring-like action of the tongue maintains tibial support on the cuff throughout the leg's flexion and extension movement, essential for proper ski control. This provides the user with an enhanced rebound effect compared to conventional ski boots. The boot thus enables dynamic, precise, and effortless ski control.

[0044] The rebound of a shoe can be characterized by a laboratory test in which the shoe is held in place by its lower toe cap, positioned flat on the floor, and the cuff is then pulled forward. The cuff is then released and naturally returns to its initial position. An accelerometer is installed to measure the acceleration of the cuff's backward movement. The rebound can then be quantified based on the measured acceleration. Tests performed on a shoe according to the invention show that the rebound can be improved by approximately 40% compared to an identical shoe without a tongue.

[0045] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and variations are possible. For example, the tab is not necessarily connected to the collar by a fixed-type connection. The tab could be connected to the collar by a sliding connection. It could, for example, simply be inserted into the opening 18 and free to slide within this opening parallel to the direction in which the tab extends. Thus, when the collar is inclined forward, the tab comes into contact with the rear wall 19 of the collar. By reaction of the wall 19 of the collar on the tab, the latter produces a rearward restoring force tending to straighten the collar.

[0046] The tab can be attached to the collar in various ways; for example, by means of a single screw as described, or by means of several screws. The tab may have several holes suitable for cooperating with one or more screws to define a greater or lesser inclination of the collar relative to the bottom of the hull. The fixing screw 15 can be replaced by any equivalent fastening means, in particular a rivet, a pin, or a clip. According to another embodiment, the tab 10 could also be welded or bonded to the collar.

[0047] According to one embodiment, the fastening means for attaching the tongue to the collar can be arranged so as to be invisible from the outside of the shoe. According to the embodiment illustrated in the figure 7The hole 16 is arranged in the rear wall 17 of the collar and is extended by a blind hole in the second rear wall 19 of the collar. The hole 16 therefore does not open onto the outer face of the collar. The fastening means comprises a lug 23 passing through the hole 16 and the hole provided in the tongue, as well as a head 24 arranged on the side of the rear wall 17 of the collar. Advantageously, a countersink can be provided on the inner face of the wall 17 to accommodate the head 24 so as not to create a protrusion on the surface of the wall 17. The fastening means can be fixed to the rear wall 17 of the collar, for example, by screwing. The lug 23, by passing through the hole in the tongue 10, retains this tongue 10 so as to lock it in place when the shoe is flexed forward.

[0048] Furthermore, the lower shell can be made entirely of injected plastic. Alternatively, it can also include inserts, particularly metal inserts designed to stiffen certain parts of the lower shell. For example, a metal insert can be placed inside the tongue to increase its rigidity. The lower shell can also be made by combining different plastic materials, for example, using co-injection, over-injection, or bi-injection processes.

[0049] The boot may also include means for adjusting the flex, that is, means for adjusting the boot's resistance to forward bending. These adjustment means may be achieved by means of fixing screws passing through the upper and the cuff, particularly at the rear walls 5 and 17.

[0050] The shoe described above comprises a single tongue extending from the back of the shoe. Alternatively, it could comprise several similar tongues. For example, the shoe could include two tongues positioned on either side of a longitudinal median plane of the shoe, each of these tongues being attached to the collar.

[0051] The tab(s) extend upwards to connect the wraparound section to the collar above it. "Upwards" means that the tab can be oriented in any direction to ensure a connection between the wraparound section and the collar. Depending on the position of the tab(s)' anchor points on the bottom of the hull and on the collar, the tab(s) can be angled at varying angles relative to the vertical axis. For example, the tab(s) can be angled at approximately 30° to the vertical axis, or even up to approximately 45°.

[0052] Finally, according to the invention, the tab is a single piece with the enveloping part of the collar. The tab extends primarily downwards from the collar and cooperates with the bottom of the hull to flex following a forward rotation of the collar. The tab will then optionally be fixed to the bottom of the hull and / or inserted via its lower end into an opening provided in the bottom of the hull.

[0053] The various versions described above can be freely combined. Thanks to this invention, we therefore have a shoe that is simple to manufacture and has optimal rebound characteristics for sliding sports.

Claims

1. Lower shell (2) for a gliding boot (1) comprising an enveloping part (3) intended to receive a user's foot, characterized in that it comprises a tongue (10) which is monobloc with the enveloping part and extends substantially from a rear wall (5) of the enveloping part and upwards, the tongue being intended to cooperate with a collar (4) articulated in rotation about the enveloping part.

2. Lower shell (2) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the enveloping part (3) extends to above the user's ankles, and in that the tongue (10) is connected to the enveloping part substantially at the height of the ankles.

3. Lower shell (2) according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (10) comprises at least one stiffening rib (14) the thickness of which decreases as it runs along the tongue from bottom to top.

4. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (10) extends above the enveloping part (3).

5. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is obtained by plastic injection moulding, in particular by polyurethane injection moulding.

6. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (10) comprises a generally rectangular shape, a height (H) of the tongue being between 5 cm and 20 cm, and / or a width (L) of the tongue being between 5 mm and 30 mm.

7. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a space (13) defined between the rear wall (5) of the enveloping part (3) and the tongue (10), a dimension of this space being between 2 mm and 15 mm.

8. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue is generally forwardly inclined by an angle (A1) of between 5° and 20° with respect to a vertical axis (Z).

9. Lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tongue (10) is configured to flex when the collar (4) pivots forwards about the enveloping part (3).

10. Gliding boot (1), characterized in that it comprises a lower shell (2) according to one of the preceding claims and a collar (4), the collar being articulated in rotation about the enveloping part, the tongue (10) being connected to the collar.

11. Gliding boot (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the collar (4) comprises a rear wall (17) covered by the tongue.

12. Gliding boot (1) according to either of Claims 10 and 11, characterized in that the collar (4) comprises an opening (18) into which an upper end (12) of the tongue is inserted.

13. Gliding boot (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the tongue (10) is fastened to the collar, in particular by means of at least one fastening screw (15).

14. Gliding boot (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the tongue (10) comprises an upper portion (20) covered by a wall (19) of the collar and a lower portion (21) not covered by the collar.

15. Collar (4) for a gliding boot, the collar comprising an enveloping part intended to receive a user's lower leg, characterized in that it comprises a tongue (10) which is monobloc with the enveloping part of the collar and extends substantially from a rear wall of the enveloping part and downwards, the tongue being intended to cooperate with a lower shell (2) articulated in rotation about the enveloping part.

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