Ski boot for alpine skiing

Abstract

The invention relates to an alpine ski boot comprising a shell (300) and a cuff (200) including two lateral arms (201) on each side of the boot (1000), each arm (201) carrying an articulation device (100) having a main axis of rotation (101) allowing the cuff (200) to articulate with the shell (300). The invention is characterized in that it further comprises a travel-limiting device including two bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202) attached respectively to the cuff and the shell, and an elastic element (154) interposed between said bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the field of sliding sports, and in particular to sliding sports on snow.

[0002] The invention relates more particularly to an alpine ski boot comprising a device for articulating a collar on the shell of the boot presenting a good compromise between rigidity and management of the constraints appearing within the structure of the boot during skiing. Previous techniques

[0003] Traditionally, an alpine ski boot has a sole designed to cooperate with the elements of a binding to be secured to the upper face of a ski. The sole is topped with a shell, designed to cover and protect the foot, and a collar, designed to tighten the lower part of the leg. The collar and / or the shell generally include means for adjusting the tightening of the boot, in order to adapt the fit to the user's preference and type of practice. Finally, the interior of the boot is made more comfortable by the presence of a liner.

[0004] The collar is generally articulated on the shell by means of an articulation device. To do this, the collar has two lateral arms extending downwards, intended to come opposite the malleoli. The arms and the shell are pierced with openings crossed by an axis of rotation of the articulation, typically formed by a screw and a nut. In practice, the angular movement of the collar relative to the shell is small, of the order of a few degrees. This angular movement can be useful for walking with the boots on, but also when skiing, in particular during the flexion / extension phases of the skier's leg, providing the necessary impulse for the proper guidance of the skis when skiing. Examples of such boots are described in documents FR2663820 and US4601118, in which the position of the articulation of the collar relative to the shell is adjustable.

[0005] The shell and the cuff are generally made of the same plastic material, particularly a thermoplastic material. The material used is rigid, even very rigid, possibly reinforced with fibers, such as glass or carbon fibers, to ensure good support for the foot and leg and better performance when skiing. However, strong stresses can be applied to the joint during its rotation, particularly during the flexion / extension phases of the leg. The joint is in fact very stressed, which can lead to deformations or even rupture of the rigid materials constituting the shell and the cuff. On existing boot models, ruptures are often observed at the level of the arms of the cuff.Indeed, the need for rigidity in boots requires manufacturers to choose materials that exhibit low elastic deformation and are therefore prone to rupture when too much stress is applied to them. FR 2 663 820 A3 discloses a plastic ski boot.

[0006] The technical problem that the invention aims to solve is therefore to develop alpine ski boots offering a better compromise between rigidity and management of the constraints appearing within the structure of the boot. Statement of the invention

[0007] To solve these problems, the Applicant proposes an alpine ski boot comprising: a shell intended to envelop at least part of a user's foot, and a collar intended to tighten the lower part of the user's leg, the collar including two lateral arms on each side of the shoe, each arm carrying an articulation device comprising a main rotation axis allowing the articulation of the collar on the shell.

[0008] Such a shoe is characterized in that it further comprises a movement limiting device comprising: two support surfaces secured respectively to the collar and the shell, and an elastic element interposed between said support surfaces_configured so that a forward pivoting of the collar causes compression of the elastic element in contact with the support surfaces, and offset to another part of the arm of the collar relative to the main axis of rotation.

[0009] In other words, the Applicant has developed an alpine ski boot whose articulation comprises a main axis, allowing the effective rotation of the cuff relative to the shell, and an elastic element offset to another part of the cuff arm. This elastic element deforms during rotation of the cuff and exerts a restoring force in the direction opposite to the rotation of the cuff, which tends to return the cuff to its resting position. This recovery movement makes it possible to give more flexibility to the articulation and to accompany the rebound of the foot and leg, for example during skiing.

[0010] In fact, the bearing surfaces and the elastic element are arranged in such a way that a forward pivoting of the collar causes the compression of the elastic element in contact with the bearing surfaces.

[0011] The elastic element may, for example, be a spring or a viscoelastic element such as a part made of an elastomeric material, such as rubber. In addition to its deformation and stiffness, a viscoelastic element has the advantage of being able to absorb at least partially the stresses applied to the joint and to dissipate this absorbed energy, for example in the form of heat.

[0012] Thus, it is possible to modulate three parameters of the viscoelastic element according to the rigidity of the materials making up the shell and the cuff. These three parameters are the deformation of the material, its stiffness and its damping coefficient. The more deformable the element, the greater the angular displacement of the shoe will be, the more elastic the element is and the more dynamic the restoring force towards its resting position of the cuff will be. Finally, the higher the damping coefficient of the element, the more the stresses undergone by the structure can be absorbed.

[0013] The elastic element is then interposed between the support surfaces. These can be arranged in various ways, such as perpendicular to each other.

[0014] However, in a preferred embodiment, the bearing surfaces are flat and parallel to each other so that when the collar rotates, they move in parallel, exerting substantially equal but opposite forces on the elastic element. The compression of the elastic element is then more uniform and there is no risk of the latter being torn off or escaping from the area between the bearing surfaces.

[0015] In practice, the elastic element is positioned in a housing provided in the external face of the shell, said housing having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the elastic element to allow the latter to be mobile in the housing in order to follow the movements of the collar.

[0016] Several embodiments can be considered.

[0017] In some of these embodiments, the travel limiting device is in the form of a secondary axis located at the lower part of the arms of the collar. It comprises: a nut, a first portion of which is positioned against the internal face of the shell and a second portion of which passes through a first opening made in the shell, and a screw, the head of which is positioned on the external face of the arms and the body of which passes through a second opening, made in the arms, the screw cooperating with the nut to form an axis fixed relative to the shell. This axis is therefore independent of the rotation of the collar.

[0018] In particular, the first portion of the nut is positioned in a housing provided in the shell so as not to hinder or injure the user. In addition, the portion of the nut passing through the first opening is ribbed. These ribs ensure that the nut is locked in the shell. The nut can thus be force-fitted into the shell. It is then secured to the shell and cannot rotate in the opening of the shell.

[0019] In a first embodiment, the bearing surfaces comprise on the one hand a lug projecting from the internal face of the arms and on the other hand the screw and / or the nut, the forward pivoting of the collar causing the compression of the elastic element between the lug and the screw and / or the nut.

[0020] In practice, the second opening, made in the collar, is oblong in shape and has a height, measured perpendicular to the sole of the shoe, which is greater than the diameter of the body of the screw. This allows vertical movement of the collar relative to the shell. This movement allows adjustment of the lateral inclination of the collar, also called " canting » in Anglo-Saxon literature. The canting adjustment allows for optimizing edge grip by compensating for certain morphologies, such as bowed legs, through an inclination.

[0021] In a second embodiment, the bearing surfaces comprise on the one hand a lug projecting from the internal face of the arms and on the other hand a wall of the housing receiving the elastic element, the forward pivoting of the collar causing the compression of the elastic element between the lug and the wall of the housing.

[0022] In a third embodiment, the elastic element is integral with the internal face of the arms, the stop means comprise a wall of the housing receiving the elastic element, the forward pivoting of the collar causing the compression of the elastic element against the wall of the housing.

[0023] In a fourth embodiment, the elastic element is integral with the inner face of the arms. The stop means comprise the screw, the forward pivoting of the collar causing the compression of the elastic element against the body of the screw. Description of figures

[0024] The manner of carrying out the invention, as well as the advantages which result therefrom, will emerge clearly from the description of the embodiments which follow, supported by the appended figures in which: [ Fig. 1 ] There figure 1is a side view showing the external face of an alpine ski boot according to a first embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.2 ] There figure 2 is a side view showing the inner face of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , [ Fig.3 ] There figure 3 is a front view of the articulation device of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , [ Fig.4 ] There figure 4 is an exploded perspective view of the external side of the articulation device of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , And [ Fig.5 ] There Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the inner side of the articulation device of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , [ Fig.6 ] There figure 6 is a sectional view of the articulation device at rest of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , [ Fig.7 ] There figure 7is a sectional view of the articulation device during rotation of the main rotation axis of the alpine ski boot of the figure 1 , [ Fig.8 ] There figure 8 is a sectional view of the articulation device at rest according to a second embodiment of the invention, [ Fig.9 ] There figure 9 is a sectional view of the articulation device of the figure 8 , when rotating the main rotation axis of the alpine ski boot, [ Fig. 10 ] There figure 10 is a sectional view of the articulation device at rest according to a third embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 11 ] There figure 11 is a sectional view of the articulation device of the figure 10 , when rotating the main rotation axis of the alpine ski boot, [ Fig. 12 ] There figure 12 is a sectional view of the articulation device at rest according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, [ Fig. 13 ] There figure 13is a sectional view of the articulation device of the figure 12 , when rotating the main rotation axis of the alpine ski boot, [ Fig. 14 ] There figure 14 is a perspective view of the external side of an alpine ski boot provided with an articulation device according to a fifth embodiment. Fig. 15 ] There figure 15 is a sectional view of the articulation device of the alpine ski boot of the figure 14 , And [ Fig. 16 ] There figure 16 is a sectional view of the articulation device of the figure 14 , when rotating the main rotation axis of the alpine ski boot.

[0025] In the sectional views of the figures 6 to 13 , 15 And 16 , the shoe is oriented so that its front part is on the left, and its back part is on the right in the diagrams. Detailed description of the embodiments

[0026] As illustrated on the figures 1 And 2, a shoe 1000 for the practice of alpine skiing has a sole 400, topped with a shell 300 and a necklace 200.

[0027] The hull 300 conforms to the shape of the foot, while the collar 200 surrounds the lower leg. The collar 200 has two side flaps 205, 206 on which adjustment means are fixed 207, 208 the tightening of the shoe 1000, typically tightening buckles not shown in the figures. Other adjustment means may also be present on the top of the hull 300, but these are not shown in the figures. The adjustment means 207, 208 of the shoe tightening 1000 are presented for example in the form of a system of loops present on one of the side flaps 205, 206 coming to hook adjustment notches located on the opposite flap 205, 206.

[0028] The necklace200 extends to the level of two arms 201 lateral ones intended to come opposite the user's malleoli. To do this, the arms 201 are typically between 3 and 7 cm high and between 3 and 5 cm wide. As shown in the figures 1 And 2 , arms 201 may have an elongated trapezoidal shape. The necklace 200 can then cover a portion of the hull 300, especially at arm level 201.

[0029] The necklace 200 is hinged in rotation on the hull 300 of the shoe 1000 thanks to an articulation device 100. The necklace 200 can thus tilt back and forth by an angle of a few degrees during the skier's flexion movements, particularly when skiing.

[0030] To do this, as illustrated on the figures 3 to 5 , the articulation device 100has a main axis of rotation 101. The latter is located at the level of the upper part of the arms 201 of the collar. A first opening with a diameter between 1 and 4 cm is made in the arms 201 of the necklace 200 and a second opening of smaller diameter, typically between 0.2 and 1 cm, is provided in the shell 300. A nut can be positioned at the internal part of the hull 300, opposite the second opening. A screw is inserted through the first and second openings so as to cooperate with the nut. The main axis of rotation 101 may also include means for maintaining a minimum distance between the screw and the nut so as to allow free rotation of the collar 200 compared to the hull 300.These means prevent the screw from rubbing on the collar, and the latter from rubbing excessively on the hull. Thus, the forces generated by the collar are not applied directly to the screw or the buttress, but through these additional means. These means can, for example, be a spacer and / or a washer.

[0031] Advantageously, a finishing piece can be positioned outside the terminal portion of the collar arm, opposite the second opening. The finishing piece then receives the support of the screw head and makes it possible to limit the wear of the terminal portion of the collar arm. The finishing piece also has an aesthetic purpose and protects the articulation device from impacts and scratches.

[0032] The articulation device 100 also includes a travel limiter device 151, for example located on the lower portion of the arms 201.There are several embodiments of the travel limiter device 151. In any case, the latter has two support surfaces 152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313 secured respectively to the collar and the shell, and an elastic element 154, 164, 174, 184 interposed between said support surfaces 152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313. The elastic element can, for example, be a piece of rubber or a spring.

[0033] According to a first embodiment illustrated in figures 3 to 7 , the travel limiting device 151 appears as a secondary connecting axis connecting the hull 300 and the necklace 200.

[0034] To do this, a first opening 302 with a diameter typically between 0.5 and 3 cm is provided in the hull 300 and a second opening 203 with a diameter between 0.2 and 2 cm is provided in the arms 201 of the necklace 200. The second opening203 may have an imprint intended to accommodate the head of a screw.

[0035] A nut 152 comprising a first portion of round or parallelepiped shape, with a width between 1 and 5 cm, is positioned at the level of the internal face of the shell 300. This first portion of the nut is larger than the opening made in the shell so as not to pass through the latter. The first portion of the nut 152 may also have an imprint cooperating with a tool for adjusting the travel limiter device 151. In another variation, the nut 152 can be inserted into a housing 158 of the inner face of the hull, as illustrated in the Figure 5 , preventing its rotation and also making it possible to limit the total thickness of the travel limiting device 151 by not letting the nut protrude 152from the inner face of the hull 300. This also prevents discomfort or injury to the user, by avoiding the presence of protruding parts inside the shoe. The nut 152 also has a second portion crossing the first opening 302 arranged in the hull 300. This second portion is preferably circular or rectangular in section with a diameter or length between 1 and 3 cm.

[0036] The second portion of the nut 152 is hollow tubular in shape and may have a thread on all or part of its internal wall. Preferably, the nut 152 has a total length of between 0.2 and 0.5 cm and an opening sized to receive a screw 153. Advantageously, the nut 152 is made of a plastic or metal material, typically steel. Preferably, the perimeter of the second portion of the nut 152is ribbed. It can therefore be force-fitted into the first opening 302 arranged in the hull 300. The ribs thus prevent the nut from 152 does not disengage or rotate in the first opening 302. The second portion of the nut 152 may or may not exceed the first opening 302. According to a variant not shown, the shell can be directly tapped to receive the screw 153. The nut 152 is thus replaced by the tapping of the hull.

[0037] A screw 153 having a head with a diameter typically between 0.5 and 3 cm and a length between 1 and 3 cm is inserted through the second opening 203 held in the arms 201 of the collar. The head of the screw 153 has an imprint cooperating with a tool for adjusting the travel limiter device 151,such as a wrench or screwdriver. Advantageously, the screw 153 is made of a plastic or metal material, typically steel.

[0038] The body of the screw may have a thread along all or part of its length. The screw 153 can also include a thread lock, that is to say that a portion of the thread is covered with an adhesive to limit play, leaks and corrosion.

[0039] The screw 153 is thus screwed into the second portion of the nut 152. The axis formed by the screw 153 and the nut 152 is attached to the hull 300 and the necklace 200 is mobile relative to the assembly formed by the axis and the hull 300. So, the opening 203 arranged in the collar 200 preferably has a diameter greater than that of the screw body 153 in order to allow the necklace 200to rotate forward or backward freely, or even to have the possibility of tilting to the right or left in relation to the hull 300, especially when the main articulation device 100 includes a canting adjustment ring, allowing the lateral tilt of the shoe to be changed.

[0040] An elastic element is interposed between the collar 200 and the hull 300. This elastic element can be a viscoelastic element 154 made of an elastomeric material such as rubber. The viscoelastic element 154 has a substantially parallelepiped shape with a width of between 2 and 5 cm, a length of between 1 and 3 cm and a thickness of between 0.1 and 0.7 cm. Advantageously, the corners of the viscoelastic element 154 can be rounded. Of course, other shapes could be considered for the viscoelastic element154, such as a circular shape. The viscoelastic element 154 also has a central opening 156 allowing the body of the screw to be received 153 and / or the second portion of the nut 152. In some embodiments, the viscoelastic element 154 includes a protuberance 155, preferably made of the same material as the rest of the part. The protrusion 155 has a height between 0.5 and 1 cm and cooperates with a light 204 held in the arms 201. The protuberance 155 is thus visible from the outside of the shoe 1000. Its function is similar to that of a visual marker allowing the correct positioning of the viscoelastic element to be checked. 154 between the necklace 200 and the hull 300.

[0041] When the travel limiter device 151is at rest, as illustrated in the figure 6 , the viscoelastic element 154 is positioned in the center of a dwelling 301 of the shell, the width and length of which are greater than the dimensions of the viscoelastic element 154, so that the latter can move around the accommodation 301 both according to the width and length of the accommodation 301. The screw 153 passes through the opening of the viscoelastic element 154 and is housed in the nut 152. Alternatively, it is the nut 152 which can be force-fitted into the opening of the viscoelastic element 154. The ribs of the nut 152 then allow the viscoelastic element to be maintained 154 on the second portion of the nut 152 to prevent it from coming out or turning in the housing 301.

[0042] In this embodiment, the bearing surfaces comprise on the one hand a lug202 and on the other hand the screw 153 and / or the nut 152 passing through the viscoelastic element 154. These bearing surfaces are substantially parallel to each other. Thus, the viscoelastic element is compressed between the two bearing surfaces.

[0043] The spur 202 is positioned on the inner face of the collar arms 200. The lug has a prismatic shape and is advantageously made of the same material as the collar, typically thermoplastic material, for example TPU with a height of between 0.5 and 1 cm. An edge of the prism is arranged perpendicular to the upper face of the viscoelastic element 154 and parallel to the central axis of the screw 153. Alternatively, other shapes can be considered for the spur 202, since the lug can form a support surface for the viscoelastic element.

[0044] At rest, even if it can come into contact with it, the dewclaw 202 does not exert any force on the viscoelastic element 154 and the latter is therefore not compressed. On the other hand, when rotating the collar 200 forward relative to the hull 300, the necklace 200 undergoes a quasi translation of its lower part towards the rear corresponding to the arrow F, allowing the lug to be moved 202 in contact with the viscoelastic element 154. The greater the rotation, the more the lug 202 is moved back. It then compresses the viscoelastic element 154 against the body of the screw 153 and / or the nut 152, as illustrated on the figure 7 .

[0045] Preferably the dewclaw 202 extends across the entire width of the viscoelastic element 154 so as to compress the viscoelastic element 154 uniformly.

[0046] In a second embodiment illustrated in figures 8 And 9 , the travel limiting device 161 has a viscoelastic element 164 positioned in a dwelling 311 arranged in the hull 310. The support surfaces allowing the viscoelastic element to be compressed 164 are on the one hand, the edge of the spur 212 arranged perpendicular to the upper face of the viscoelastic element 154 and on the other hand a side wall 303 housing 311 arranged in the external face of the hull 300. These bearing surfaces are substantially parallel to each other.

[0047] At rest, the dewclaw 212 is not in contact with or at least does not exert any force on the viscoelastic element 164 and the latter is therefore not compressed. On the other hand, when rotating the collar 210 forward, the edge of the spur 212is displaced in contact with the viscoelastic element 164. The more the collar rotates 210 is important and the more the spur 212 is translated backwards, according to the arrow F visible on the figure 9 . It then compresses the viscoelastic element 164 against the side wall 303 of accommodation 311, as illustrated on the figure 9 .

[0048] Alternatively, the viscoelastic element 164 can be positioned in contact with a protrusion protruding from the hull 310, the spur 212 then compresses the viscoelastic element 164 against the protuberance.

[0049] The third embodiment illustrates, at figures 10 And 11 , support surfaces with on the one hand, the internal face of the collar 220, whose viscoelastic element 174 is secured by a screw 173pressed into a blind hole in the viscoelastic element 174, and on the other hand, a side wall 313 housing 321 arranged in the external face of the hull 320. The support surfaces are perpendicular here.

[0050] Thus, at rest, the viscoelastic element 174 is not compressed. On the other hand, as illustrated in the figure 11 , when rotating the collar 220 forward, the viscoelastic element 174 is translated backwards according to the arrow F at the same time as the necklace 220, until it comes into contact with the side wall 313 housing 321. The more the collar rotates 220 is important and the more the viscoelastic element 174 is compressed against the side wall 313.

[0051] According to a fourth embodiment illustrated in figures 12 And 13 , the travel limiting device181 has a viscoelastic element 184 positioned between the collar 230 and the hull 330. The support surfaces allowing the viscoelastic element to be compressed 184 are on the one hand, the internal face of the collar 230, whose viscoelastic element 184 is integral. In fact, only part of the upper face of the viscoelastic element 184 is attached to the collar 230. On the other hand, the bearing surfaces include the body of a screw 183 and / or the body of a nut 184. Alternatively, the second bearing surface may be formed by a side wall of a housing 331 arranged in the external face of the hull 300 or by a protuberance against which the viscoelastic element 184 comes to a stop. The support surfaces are perpendicular here.

[0052] Thus, at rest, the viscoelastic element 184is not compressed. As shown in the figure 13 , when rotating the collar 230 forward, the viscoelastic element 184 is translated backwards according to the arrow F at the same time as the bottom of the collar 230, until it comes into contact with the body of the screw 183. The greater the rotation, the more viscoelastic the element 184 is compressed against the body of the screw 183.

[0053] According to a fifth embodiment illustrated in the figures 14 to 16 , the support surfaces can be on the one hand, the external face of the hull 340 against which the viscoelastic element 194 is secured at least in part at its lower face and on the other hand, a side wall of the 191 collar arm 240. The support surfaces or more precisely the surfaces between which the viscoelastic element is constrained are here perpendicular.

[0054] Thus, at rest, the viscoelastic element 194 is not compressed. On the other hand, as illustrated in the figure 16 , when rotating the collar 240 forward, the arm 191 of the collar moves back according to arrow F, and comes into contact with a lateral portion of the viscoelastic element 194. This lateral portion of the viscoelastic element is not integral with the shell 340, it can be compressed.

[0055] For all these embodiments, the compression of the elastic element 154, 164, 174, 184, 194 allows at least partial absorption of the stresses applied to the articulation device 100, especially on the main axis 101 when rotating the collar 200, 210, 220, 230, 240. In fact, the elastic element 154, 164, 174, 184, 194 exerts a restoring force in the direction opposite to the rotation of the collar 200, 210, 220, 230, 240, which tends to bring back the necklace 200, 210, 220, 230, 240towards its resting position. This recovery movement allows for more flexibility in the joint and supports the rebound of the foot when skiing.

[0056] In practice, the choice of the material of the viscoelastic element, and its shape and dimensions, as well as the geometry of the device, makes it possible to influence the amplitude of the movement of the cuff. Furthermore, by selecting a more or less elastic material, it is possible to influence the rebound properties of the cuff at the end of flexion, and to influence the recovery movement for the opposite movement. The choice of the material and its damping factor makes it possible to influence the dissipation of part of the kinetic energy linked to the movement of the cuff, by shear effects inside the viscoelastic element. It is thus possible to dampen all or part of the vibrations that can propagate in the boot during skiing.

[0057] To conclude, the invention makes it possible to develop alpine ski boots that offer a good compromise between rigidity and management of constraints within the structure when skiing.

Claims

1. Ski boot for alpine skiing (1000, 2000) comprising: - a shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340) for wrapping at least a portion of a user's foot, and - a collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) for tightening the lower part of the leg of the user, the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) including two lateral arms (201) on each side of the ski boot (1000, 2000), each arm carrying a hinge device (100) comprising a main rotational axis (101) allowing the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) to be hinged to the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340), characterised in that it further comprises a snubber (151, 161, 171, 181, 191) comprising: - two bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313, 240, 340) secured respectively to the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) and to the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340), and - an elastic member (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) interposed between said bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313, 240, 340), configured so that forward pivoting of the collar causes the elastic member to be compressed in contact with the bearing surfaces, and offset on another part of the arm of the collar with respect to the main rotational axis (101).

2. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313, 240, 340) and the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) are disposed in such a way that forward pivoting of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) causes the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) to be compressed in contact with the bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313, 240, 340).

3. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) is viscoelastic.

4. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the bearing surfaces (152, 153, 202, 212, 303, 313, 240, 340) are planar and parallel to each other.

5. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) is positioned in a housing (301, 311, 321, 331) arranged in the outer face of the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340), said housing (301, 311, 321, 331) having dimensions greater than the dimensions of the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194).

6. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) is made of an elastomeric material.

7. Ski boot according to claim 1, characterised in that the snubber (151, 161, 171, 181, 191) comprises: - a nut (152, 182), a first portion of which is positioned against the inner face of the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340) and a second portion of which passes through a first opening (302) arranged in the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340) and - a screw (153, 173, 183) the head of which is positioned on the outer face side of the arms (201) and the body of which passes through a second opening (203, 213, 223), arranged in the arms (201), the screw cooperating with the nut (152, 182) to form a fixed axis with respect to the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340).

8. Skit boot according to claim 7, characterised in that the portion of the nut (152, 182) passing through the first opening (302) is ribbed.

9. Ski boot according to claim 7, characterized in that the bearing surfaces comprise on the one hand a lug (202, 212) projecting from the inner face of the arms (201) and on the other hand the screw (153, 173, 183) and / or the nut (152, 182), forward pivoting of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) causing the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) to be compressed between the lug (202, 212) and the screw (153, 173, 183) and / or the nut (152, 182).

10. Ski boot according to claim 5, characterised in that the bearing surfaces comprise on the one hand a lug (202, 212) projecting from the inner face of the arms (201) and on the other hand a wall (303) of the housing (301, 311, 321, 331) receiving the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194), the forward pivoting of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) causing the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) to be compressed between the lug (202, 212) and the wall (303, 313) of the housing (301, 311, 321, 331).

11. Ski boot according to claims 5 and 7, characterised in that the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) is integral with the inner face of the arms (201), and in that the stop means comprise the screw (173), the forward pivoting of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) causing the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) to be compressed against the body of the screw (173).

12. Ski boot according to claim 5, characterised in that the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) is integral with the inner face of the arms (201), the stop means comprise a wall of the housing (301, 311, 321, 331) receiving the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194), the forward pivoting of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) causing the elastic element (154, 164, 174, 184, 194) to be compressed against the wall of the housing (301, 311, 321, 331).

13. Ski boot according to claim 7, characterised in that the second opening (203, 213, 223) is of oblong shape having a height, measured perpendicularly to the sole of the ski boot (1000, 2000), which is greater than the diameter of the body of the screw (153, 173, 183), to allow vertical movement of the collar (200, 210, 220, 230, 240) with respect to the shell (300, 310, 320, 330, 340).

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