Ski boot

Abstract

Ski boot (1) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-casing (2), which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot; a substantially rigid cuff (3), which is adapted to enclose the lower part of the user's leg, and is hinged to the foot-casing (2) so as to be able to swing about a first rotation axis (A) substantially perpendicular to a ski-boot midplane (M); and a manually-operated cuff closing device (8) that comprises: a plate-like body (17) with auxetic structure, separate and distinct / disjoined from the cuff (3), which is capable of stretching in an elastic and auxetic manner when subjected to traction in a predefined direction (d); a supporting cable assembly (18), separate and distinct from the cuff (3), which is adapted to support the plate-like body (17) in floating manner while keeping it suspended adjacent to the cuff (3), spaced above the foot-casing (2); and a manually-operated tensioning mechanism (19), which is at least partially located on the cuff (3) and is adapted to tension said supporting cable assembly (18), so that the latter can pull the plate-like body (17) towards the cuff (3) and simultaneously also tension the plate-like body (17) along said predefined direction (d).

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of Italian Patent Application No. 102024000023778 filed on October 24, 2024, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates to a ski boot.

[0003] More specifically, the present invention relates to a ski mountaineering or Telemark boot. Use to which the following description will make explicit reference, without thereby losing generality.STATE OF THE ART

[0004] As is known, ski mountaineering boots currently on the market comprise: a rigid foot-casing, generally made of plastic or composite material, which is shaped substantially in the form of a shoe so as to accommodate / contain the user's foot, and has the lower part specifically structured to be securely fastened on the back of an downhill ski or the like by means of a specific ski binding; and a rigid cuff, generally made of plastic or composite material, which is shaped so as to embrace the lower part of the user's leg from behind, and is hinged to the foot-casing so as to rotate about a transversal reference axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical midplane of the ski boot and is moreover locally substantially coincident with the articulation axis of the user's ankle.

[0005] In addition, ski mountaineering boots further comprise: a protective innerboot with a soft and thermal-insulating structure, which is inserted in removable manner into the foot-casing and the cuff, and is shaped so as to accommodate and protect both the foot and the leg of the user, roughly up to the height of the calf; a manually-operated foot-casing closing device, which is usually located on the upper part of the foot-casing and is adapted to close / tighten the foot-casing on the user's foot, so as to immobilise the user's foot inside the thermal-insulating innerboot; and a manually operated cuff closing device, which is located on the upper part of the cuff and is adapted to close / tighten the cuff on the user's leg, so as to immobilise the user's leg inside the thermal-insulating innerboot.

[0006] More specifically, in most ski mountaineering boots currently on the market, the upper part of the cuff is provided with a pair of projecting lateral flaps, which extend forwards on opposite sides of the ski-boot midplane and are bent one towards the other, so as to embrace / surround the user's leg approximately at high of the calf.

[0007] The cuff closing device, on the other hand, is usually made up of a transversal lever closing buckle, which extends like a bridge between the two lateral flaps of the cuff, so as to selectively pull the two lateral flaps one towards the other, tightening the user's leg; and of a tightening strap, which is manually adjustable in length, and is looped around the top of the cuff so as to close / tighten the mouth of the cuff in parallel with the lever closing buckle.

[0008] Finally, ski mountaineering boots are provided with a manually-operated cuff locking mechanism, which is generally located on the rear part of the cuff, straddling the vertical midplane of the ski boot, and is structured so as to be able, on choice and alternatively, to rigidly lock the cuff to the foot-casing in a predetermined downhill position, wherein the cuff is tilted forward by a given angle with respect to the vertical; or to release the cuff from the foot-casing so as to allow the cuff to freely swing back and forth relative to the foot-casing.

[0009] Unfortunately, the cuff closing device described above is disliked by some athletes / skiers, because it is considered too complicated to operate / adjust during sport competitions.

[0010] To meet the demands of this particular category of users, in the past there have been developed cuff closing systems in which the two lateral flaps of the cuff are pulled one towards the other by a series of tightening cables, that are actuated / tensioned directly by the locking arm of the cuff locking mechanism.

[0011] European patent EP3175731(B1) discloses one of these alternative cuff closing systems.

[0012] Unfortunately, although operating excellently, quick cuff closing systems, i.e. systems integrated with the cuff locking mechanism, are disliked by some users because, if not properly configured, they often tighten the cuff against the user's leg in excessive manner, with all comfort problems that this entails.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] Aim of the present invention is to provide a quick cuff closing system, which can overcome the aforementioned drawbacks and is desirably also lightweight and economical to produce.

[0014] In accordance with these aims, according to the present invention there is provided a ski boot as defined in Claim 1 and preferably, though not necessarily, in any one of the claims dependent thereon.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting embodiment thereof, in which: figure 1 is a front view of a ski boot realized in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, with parts removed for clarity's sake; Figures 2 and 3 are side views of the ski boot of Figure 1 in two different operating configurations, with parts removed for clarity's sake; Figure 4 is a plan view of the auxetic plate of the ski boot shown in the previous figures; whereas Figure 5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the ski boot shown in the previous figures, with parts removed for clarity's sake. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0016] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, number 1 denotes, as a whole, a ski boot that can advantageously be used for ski mountaineering or Telemark skiing.

[0017] The ski boot 1 firstly comprises: a substantially rigid foot-casing 2, which is roughly shaped in the form of a shoe so as to accommodate / contain the user's foot, and advantageously has the lower part specifically structured / shaped so as to couple / engage in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, with a ski binding of known type (not shown) or similar which in turn is rigidly fixed to the back of a generic downhill ski or the like; and a substantially rigid and oblong-shaped cuff 3, which is structured so as to enclose the lower part of the user's leg, and is pivotally joined to the foot-casing 2 so as to freely swing about a transversal rotation axis A, which is locally substantially perpendicular to the vertical midplane M of the ski boot, and is preferably also substantially coincident with the articulation axis of the user's ankle.

[0018] More specifically, the lower part of the foot-casing 2 is preferably provided with a front tip 4, which is advantageously structured so as to couple / engage in a stable, though be easily releasable, manner with the toe piece (not shown) of a ski binding, or rather of a mountaineering or Telemark ski binding, which in turn is stably fixed on the back a generic downhill ski or similar; and with a rear heel 5, which is advantageously structured so as to couple / engage in a stable, though be easily releasable, manner with the heel piece (not shown) of a ski binding, or rather of a mountaineering or Telemark ski binding, which in turn is stably fixed on the back of a generic downhill ski or similar.

[0019] Preferably, the lower part of the foot-casing 2 moreover has a lugged profile so as to grip on snow and / or ice, thereby allowing the user to walk on snow and ice with relative safety.

[0020] The cuff 3, on the other hand, is hinged to the foot-casing 2 as to freely swing forwards and backwards while remaining on a lying / oscillation plane that is orthogonal to the rotation axis A and advantageously also substantially coincident with the ski-boot midplane M.

[0021] In addition, the ski boot 1 furthermore comprises: a protective innerboot 6, preferably with a soft and / or thermal insulating structure, which is located inside the foot-casing 2 and preferably also inside the cuff 3, and is shaped / structured so as to accommodate and protect the foot and preferably also the lower part of the user's leg; and manually-operated closing means, which are structured so as to selectively hold / immobilise the foot and leg of the user inside the ski boot 1, or rather inside the protective innerboot 6.

[0022] More specifically, the protective innerboot 6 is structured / shaped so as to prevent the foot and advantageously also the leg of the user from coming into direct contact, respectively, with the foot-casing 2 and with the cuff 3. Preferably, the protective innerboot 6 is moreover structured / shaped so as to minimise heat loss to the outside.

[0023] The closing means, on the other hand, comprise: a manually-operated foot-casing closing device 7, which is preferably located on the upper part of the foot-casing 2, and is adapted to selectively hold / immobilise the user's foot inside the foot-casing 2, or rather inside the innerboot 6; and a manually-operated cuff closing device 8, which is located on the upper part of the cuff 3 and is adapted to selectively hold / immobilise the user's leg inside the cuff 3, or rather inside the innerboot 6.

[0024] In addition, the ski boot 1 is furthermore provided with a manually-operated cuff locking device 9, which is advantageously located on the cuff 3, and is structured so as to selectively lock / immobilise the cuff 3 relative to the foot-casing 2 in a predetermined downhill position, in which the cuff 3 is tilted forward with respect to the vertical by a given angle advantageously ranging between 5° and 25°.

[0025] More specifically, the cuff locking device 9 is preferably located on the rear part of cuff 3, advantageously substantially astride the ski-boot vertical midplane M, and is structured so as to selectively rigidly connect the cuff 3 to the foot-casing 2, in order to prevent any movement of the cuff 3 from said predetermined downhill position.

[0026] In other words, the cuff locking device 9 is configured so as to, on choice and alternatively: rigidly connect the cuff 3 to the foot-casing 2 in the aforementioned downhill position; or completely unlock / release the cuff 3 from the foot-casing 2 so as to allow the cuff 3 to freely swing back and forth on the foot-casing 2 about the rotation axis A, while remaining on the ski-boot vertical midplane M.

[0027] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in particular, the foot-casing 2 has a hollow structure substantially in the form of an oblong basin, and is preferably mainly made of plastic and / or composite material.

[0028] More specifically, the foot-casing 2 preferably comprises: a substantially rigid shell 10, which is preferably made of plastic and / or composite material, and is shaped substantially in the form of an oblong basin so as to accommodate / contain the user's foot, advantageously roughly up to the height of the ankle; and preferably also a sole 11 made of vulcanised rubber or another elastomeric material with a high friction coefficient, which advantageously has a lugged profile, and is firmly fixed to the bottom wall of the shell 10 preferably by gluing.

[0029] Additionally, the foot-casing 2 preferably moreover comprises a rigid front insert 12 and optionally also a rigid rear insert (not visible in the figure).

[0030] The rigid front insert 12 is preferably made of metallic material, and is stably embedded / incorporated in the bottom wall of shell 10 roughly at the tip 4 of the foot-casing 2. The rigid insert 12, additionally, is shaped / structured so as to surface / emerge outside the shell 10 on opposite sides of the tip 4 of the foot-casing 2, advantageously in a substantially specular position with respect to the ski-boot midplane M, so as to be able to couple / engage in known manner with the toe piece (not shown) of the ski mountaineering binding.

[0031] The rigid rear insert, on the other hand, is preferably made of metallic material, and is embedded in the shell 10 at the heel 5 so as to surface / emerge outside the shell 10 and be able to couple / engage in known manner with the heel piece (not shown) of the same ski mountaineering binding.

[0032] Preferably, the ski boot 1 is furthermore provided with a protective gaiter 13, advantageously with a flexible and waterproof structure, which is secured to the upper part of the foot-casing 2, or rather to the upper part of shell 10, so as to prevent snow and ice from entering the foot-casing 2.

[0033] More specifically, the protective gaiter 13 is preferably made of a waterproofed fabric or similar sheet material, and is firmly fixed to the upper part of the foot-casing 2, or rather to the upper part of shell 10, advantageously by gluing, so as to substantially entirely cover a large longitudinal slit (not shown in the figures), which extends in a roughly sagittal direction along the upper part of the foot-casing 2, or rather of shell 10, while remaining above the user's instep and preferably also astride the ski-boot vertical midplane M.

[0034] Preferably, the protective gaiter 13 moreover is oblong in shape and is substantially L-bent so as to also extend substantially vertically, to cover the anterosuperior part of the innerboot 6.

[0035] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, similarly to the foot-casing 2, the cuff 3 is preferably also mainly made of plastic and / or composite material.

[0036] More specifically, the cuff 3 preferably comprises a concave and oblong supporting body 14, substantially rigid and preferably made of plastic and / or composite material, which is shaped substantially like a saddle or semi-tube so as to cover the rear part of the user's leg, from the ankle substantially up to the height of the calf, and ends inferiorly in a fork-like structure adapted to embrace the top of foot-casing 2.

[0037] The lower part of the cuff 3, or rather the fork-like structure of supporting body 14, is preferably fixed in free rotatable manner to the foot-casing 2, or rather to the shell 10, via a pair of connecting hinges 15 advantageously made of metallic material, which are located on the inner and outer lateral sides of the foot-casing 2 and of the cuff 3, aligned along the transversal rotation axis A.

[0038] The protective innerboot 6, on the other hand, is preferably shaped substantially in the form of a boot, and is preferably dimensioned so as to accommodate and protect the foot and the lower part of the leg of the user, advantageously roughly up to the top of the cuff 3.

[0039] Preferably, the protective innerboot 6 is moreover inserted into the foot-casing 2 and advantageously also into the cuff 3 in a manually removable / extractable manner.

[0040] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, the foot-casing closing device 7, in turn, is advantageously adapted to close / tighten the foot-casing 2 onto the user's foot, so as to immobilise the user's foot within the foot-casing 2, or rather within the innerboot 6.

[0041] More specifically, the foot-casing closing device 7 is preferably located on the upper part of the foot-casing 2, advantageously at least partially beneath the protective gaiter 13, and preferably includes a manually-operated cable-winding winch 16, which advantageously protrudes outside the ski boot 1 through the gaiter 13, and is provided with a flexible cable (not shown in the figures) that cooperates with other mechanical member (not shown in the figures) located on or inside the foot-casing 2, or rather on or inside the shell 10, advantageously beneath the gaiter 13, so as to selectively immobilise the user's foot inside the foot-casing 2, or rather inside the innerboot 6.

[0042] In the example shown, in particular, the foot-casing closing device 7 is preferably structurally substantially identical to that described in European patent application EP3192386(A1), the content (description and drawings) of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0043] Being a component already known and readily available on the market, the foot-casing closing device 7 will not be further described.

[0044] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, the cuff closing device 8 on the other hand comprises: a plate-like body or piece 17 with auxetic structure, which is separate and distinct / disjoined from cuff 3, or rather from supporting body 14, and is capable of stretching and simultaneously also widening in an elastic and auxetic manner when subjected to traction along a predetermined direction d; a supporting cables assembly 18, separate and distinct from cuff 3, which is adapted to support the plate-like body 17 in a floating manner, while keeping it suspended adjacent to the cuff 3, spaced above the foot-casing 2; and a manually-operated tensioning mechanism 19, which is at least partially located on the cuff 3 and is adapted to selectively tension said supporting cables assembly 18, so that the latter can pull the plate-like body 17 towards the cuff 3, or rather towards the innerboot 6 that engages the cuff 3, and simultaneously also stretch the plate-like body 17 at least along said auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d.

[0045] More specifically, the supporting cables assembly 18 is adapted to keep the plate-like body 17 suspended adjacent to the cuff 3 and advantageously also astride the ski-boot midplane M, so that the auxetic-behaviour stretching direction of the plate-like body 17 is transversal, or more conveniently substantially orthogonal, to the longitudinal axis B of the cuff 3, or rather of supporting body 14.

[0046] Preferably, the supporting cables assembly 18 is furthermore attached / connected to the floating plate-like body 17 on opposite sides thereof, advantageously in a stable though easy releasable manner.

[0047] In the example shown, in particular, the supporting cables assembly 18 advantageously includes one or more flexible and preferably also substantially inextensible cables, which are adapted to support the plate-like body 17 in floating manner while keeping it suspended adjacent to the cuff 3, spaced above the foot-casing 2 and advantageously also astride the ski-boot vertical midplane M.

[0048] The tensioning mechanism 19, in turn, is selectively adapted to tension one or more cables of said supporting cables assembly 18, so that the latter can pull the plate-like body 17 towards the cuff 3, or rather towards the innerboot 6 engaging the cuff 3, and simultaneously also stretching the plate-like body 17 at least along said auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d.

[0049] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, in particular, the floating plate-like body 17 has a macroscopic reticular structure with auxetic behaviour, advantageously of a two-dimensional type, which is adapted to stretch and simultaneously also widen in an elastic and auxetic manner when two opposite side edges 17a and 17b of the same plate-like body 17 are moved away from each other.

[0050] In other words, the floating plate-like body 17 is structured / shaped such that its auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d is substantially perpendicular to the centreline of the same plate-like body 17. Clearly, the opposite side edges 17a and 17b of the plate-like body 17 are located on opposite sides of said centreline.

[0051] Additionally, the floating plate-like body 17 preferably has an arched profile, and is preferably also elastically flexible so as to be able to C- bend / flex in elastic manner.

[0052] The supporting cables assembly 18, in turn, is preferably coupled, advantageously in an easily removable manner, to the opposite side edges 17a and 17b of the floating plate-like body 17 and, when tensioned, is adapted to move said opposite side edges 17a and 17b away from each other.

[0053] With reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in particular, the supporting cables assembly 18 is preferably adapted to keep the plate-like body 17 suspended adjacent to the cuff 3, substantially astride the ski-boot vertical midplane M, so that the opposite lateral edges 17a and 17b of the plate-like body 17 are arranged one facing the outer lateral side and the other facing the inner lateral side of the cuff 3.

[0054] In other words, the supporting cables assembly 18 is preferably adapted to keep the plate-like body 17 suspended adjacent to the cuff 3, with its auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d substantially perpendicular to the midplane M.

[0055] Preferably, the floating plate-like body 17 is moreover dimensioned so that its opposite side edges 17a and 17b are arranged on opposite sides of the ski-boot vertical midplane M, both suitably spaced from the facing inner and outer lateral sides of the cuff 3.

[0056] In other words, the side edge 17a of the floating plate-like body 17 is preferably facing the outer lateral side of cuff 3, or rather of supporting body 14, spaced apart from the latter. Similarly, the side edge 17b of the floating plate-like body 17 is preferably facing the inner lateral side of cuff 3, or rather of supporting body 14, spaced apart from the latter.

[0057] With reference to Figure 4, in the example shown, in particular, the floating plate-like body 17 preferably has a monolithic structure, i.e. it is made in a single piece, and is preferably made of plastic material, advantageously by means of injection moulding.

[0058] More specifically, the plate-like body 17 is preferably made of polyurethane (TPU) or other elastomer advantageously of thermoplastic type, and / or has a nominal thickness preferably ranging between 2 and 6 mm (millimetres).

[0059] The central part of the plate-like body 17, additionally, is preferably divided into a plurality of contiguous plane sectors 17c, each of which has a macroscopic reticular structure, advantageously two-dimensional, which is capable of stretching and simultaneously also widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body 17 is subjected to traction along said auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d, and furthermore differs from that of the immediately adjacent plane sectors 17c advantageously in terms of shape and / or dimensions.

[0060] More specifically, the central part of the floating plate-like body 17 preferably comprises, within each plane sector 17c, a series of through openings of predetermined shape, which are arranged adjacent to one another according to a predetermined regular geometric pattern, so as to form a two-dimensional lattice having auxetic behaviour.

[0061] In other words, these through openings are preferably shaped so as to form, within the plane sector 17c, a series of nodes which are interconnected by oblong curved links or branches, that are advantageously substantially L-bent and straighten when the floating plate-like body 17 is subjected to traction in the direction d.

[0062] Clearly, shape and dimensions of the through openings vary from one plane sector 17c to another.

[0063] In a less sophisticated embodiment, however, the floating plate-like body 17, or rather the central part of the floating plate-like body 17, may have the same macroscopic reticular structure, advantageously two-dimensional, throughout its entire extent.

[0064] With reference to Figures 1 to 4, in turn said supporting cables assembly 18 is preferably attached / connected to the floating plate-like body 17 on opposite sides of the latter, advantageously in a stable though easily releasable manner.

[0065] More specifically, the tensioning mechanism 19 is preferably at least partially located on the rear part of cuff 3, advantageously spaced above the heel 5 of the foot-casing 2.

[0066] The supporting cables assembly 18, on the other hand, is preferably configured so as to connect, advantageously in an easily releasable manner, the two opposite side edges 17a and 17b of the floating plate-like body 17 directly to the tensioning mechanism 19.

[0067] Preferably, the cuff 3 is moreover provided with two fairleads that are placed, respectively, on the outer lateral side and on the inner lateral side of cuff 3, or rather of supporting body 14, advantageously near the top of the cuff 3 and / or roughly at calf height, and are engaged in a pass-through and free slidable manner by one or more cables of said supporting cables assembly 18.

[0068] More specifically, in the example shown the supporting cables assembly 18 preferably comprises: a first cable 20 with a flexible and preferably also substantially inextensible structure, which connects the (outer) side edge 17a of the plate-like body 17 to the tensioning mechanism 19, running grazed over the outer lateral side of cuff 3, and advantageously also engaging in a pass-through and free slidable manner a first fairlead 21 located on the outer lateral side of cuff 3; and a second cable 22 with a flexible and preferably also substantially inextensible structure, which connects the (inner) side edge 17b of the plate-like body 17 to the tensioning mechanism 19, running grazed over the inner lateral side of cuff 3, and advantageously also engaging in a pass-through and free slidable manner a second fairlead (not visible in the figures) located on the inner lateral side of the cuff 3.

[0069] More specifically, the flexible cable 20 preferably extends in a zig-zag manner between the (outer) side edge 17a of the floating plate-like body 17 and the facing outer lateral side of the cuff 3, while engaging, in succession and in a free slidable manner, a first series of cable guide members 24 that are located alternately on the floating plate-like body 17 and on the cuff 3, advantageously according to a quincunx configuration.

[0070] In the example shown, in particular, the flexible cable 20 preferably engages, in succession and in free slidable manner, a pair of first cable-guide members 24 located on the floating plate-like body 17, advantageously close to its (outer) side edge 17a, or more conveniently close to the two ends of its (outer) side edge 17a; and a second cable-guide member 24 located on the cuff 3, or rather on the supporting body 14, adjacent to the longitudinal edge of the same cuff 3.

[0071] Similarly, the flexible cable 22 preferably extends in a zig-zag manner between the (inner) side edge 17b of the floating plate-like body 17 and the facing inner lateral side of the cuff 3, or rather of the supporting body 14, while engaging in succession and advantageously also in free slidable manner, a second series of cable-guide members 25, which are located alternately on the floating plate-like body 17 and on the cuff 3, advantageously in a quincunx configuration.

[0072] In the example shown, in particular, also the flexible cable 22 preferably engages, in succession and in free slidable manner, a pair of first cable-guide members 25 located on the floating plate-like body 17, advantageously close to its (inner) side edge 17b, or more conveniently close to the two ends of its (inner) side edge 17b; and a second cable-guide member 25 located on the cuff 3, or rather on the supporting body 14, close to the longitudinal edge of the same cuff 3.

[0073] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, the tensioning mechanism 19, on the other hand, is preferably integrated in the cuff locking device 9.

[0074] More specifically, the cuff locking device 9 preferably comprises: a movable arm 26 with a rigid and oblong structure, which is butt-hinged or rocker-hinged on the rear of the cuff 3, or rather on the rear of supporting body 14, so as to freely rotate about a transversal rotation axis C locally parallel to the transversal axis A, to and from a lowered or locking position in which the movable arm 20 extends downward, advantageously while remaining locally substantially skimmed over the outer surface of the cuff 3, and engages its distal end 26a in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, to an anchoring structure 27, which is stably placed on the rear part of the foot-casing 2, or rather of the shell 10; and advantageously also an elastic member (not visible in the figures), which is structured so as to elastically bring and maintain the movable arm 26 in the aforementioned lowered or locking position.

[0075] The supporting cables assembly 18, in turn, is preferably connected to the movable arm 26, so as to be tensioned when the movable arm 26 is in / is placed in said lowered or locking position.

[0076] More specifically, the movable arm 26 is preferably pivotally joined on the rear of cuff 3, or rather on the rear of supporting body 14, so as to rotate on a lying and traversing plane that is substantially coincident, or at least substantially parallel, to the ski-boot vertical midplane M.

[0077] The anchoring structure 27, in turn, is preferably located on the rear part of foot-casing 2, or rather of shell 10, substantially astride the lying and traversing plane of the movable arm 26, i.e. substantially astride the ski-boot vertical midplane M.

[0078] The distal end 26a of the movable arm 26, on the other hand, is preferably structured so as to couple, when the arm 26 is in the lowered or locking position, in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner to the anchoring structure 27, so as to rigidly secure the cuff 3 to the foot-casing 2.

[0079] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, in particular, the movable arm 26 is preferably pivotally joined to the rear of cuff 3, or rather on the rear of supporting body 14, so as to freely rotate about the transversal axis C between said lowered or locking position (see Figure 2), and a raised or unlocking position (see Figure 3) wherein the movable arm 26 is rotated upwards with respect to the lowered position by a given angle advantageously greater than 120°.

[0080] In other words, in the raised or unlocking position (see Figure 3), the movable arm 26 extends cantilevered from a support base 28 upwards, advantageously while remaining more or less grazing the outer surface of the cuff 3, and leaves the cuff 3 free to swing back and forth.

[0081] Preferably, the movable arm 26 of the cuff locking device 9 is furthermore butt-hinged or rocker-hinged to an advantageously substantially plate-like, support base 28, separate and distinct from the cuff 3, which is rigidly fixed to the cuff 3, spaced above the heel 5 and advantageously also substantially astride the ski-boot midplane M.

[0082] Moreover, the support base 28 is preferably oblong in shape, is preferably made of metallic material, and is preferably secured to the cuff 3 in a manually adjustable manner.

[0083] Clearly, in a different embodiment, the support base 28 may be integrated / incorporated into the body of the cuff 3, or rather into the supporting body 14.

[0084] The elastic member of the cuff locking device 9, in turn, is preferably interposed between the movable arm 26 and the support base 28 or alternatively the cuff 3, and is adapted to exert, on the movable arm 26, an elastic force that tends to bring and maintain the movable arm 26 in elastic manner in said lowered or locking position, i.e. with the distal end 26a abutting against the anchoring structure 27.

[0085] More specifically, the elastic member (not visible in the figures) of the cuff locking device 9 is preferably structured so as to bring and hold, in elastic manner, the movable arm 26 equally and alternatively in said lowered or locking position (see Figure 2) and in said raised or unlocking position (see Figure 3).

[0086] With reference to Figures 2 and 3, furthermore, at least one flexible cable of said supporting cables assembly 18 is preferably coupled / attached to the movable arm 26 of the cuff locking device 9 in an eccentric position with respect to the rotation axis C, so that the movable arm 26, (only) when arranged in the lowered or locking position, can tension the supporting cables assembly 18, in order to pull the plate-like body 17 towards the cuff 3, or rather towards the innerboot 6 engaging the cuff 3, and simultaneously also stretching the plate-like body 17.

[0087] More specifically, in the example shown, cables 20 and 22 are preferably both coupled / attached to the movable arm 26 of the cuff locking device 9 at a predetermined distance from the transversal rotation axis C, so as to be tensioned when the movable arm 26 is in the lowered or locking position (see figure 2), and to be loose when the movable arm 26 is in the raised or unlocking position (see Figure 3).

[0088] In the example shown, in particular, cables 20 and 22 of the supporting cables assembly 18 are two different and consecutive segments of a same / single, flexible and preferably also substantially inextensible cable, which is inserted in a pass-through and free slidable manner into a through opening realized on the movable arm 26 of the cuff locking device 9, in an eccentric position with respect to the transversal rotation axis C.

[0089] Preferably, said same / single cable is moreover closed in a loop and, advantageously, a segment thereof extends skimmed over and straddling the support base 28 of the cuff locking device 9.

[0090] Operation of the ski boot 1 is easily inferable from the foregoing description and does not require further explanation.

[0091] The advantages connected to the particular structure of the cuff closing device 8 are noteworthy.

[0092] The auxetic structure of the floating plate-like piece or body 17 enables the cuff closing device 8 to adapt more effectively to the morphology of the user's leg, thereby improving wearing comfort.

[0093] When subjected to traction along the auxetic-behaviour stretching direction d, in fact, the floating plate-like body 17 expands transversely to said stretching direction d, increasing the resting surface on the cuff 3 and / or on the protective innerboot 6.

[0094] Consequently, the pressure exerted on the front part of the user's leg is distributed over a larger area, resulting in increased comfort.

[0095] Furthermore, the elastic properties of the floating plate-like piece or body 17 remain substantially constant over time for a significantly longer period than any piece of stretchable synthetic tissue, with all the advantages that this entails.

[0096] Additionally, being provided with a plurality of contiguous plane sectors 17c having each a reticular structure with auxetic behaviour different from one another, the plate-like piece or body 17, in addition to elongating and widening in an auxetic manner when subjected to traction, is moreover capable of three-dimensionally deforming like a saddle so as to adapt more efficiently to the profile of the front part of the cuff 3 or the protective innerboot 6.

[0097] The use of the supporting cables assembly 18, in turn, reduces the overall weight of the cuff closing device 8 and, consequently, of the ski boot 1, with all the advantages that this entails during sport competitions.

[0098] Last but not least, if the tensioning mechanism 19 is integrated in the cuff locking device 9, the cuff closing device 8, i.e. the floating plate-like body 17 and the supporting cables assembly 18, may be quickly removed from the cuff 3 without the use of screwdrivers or other tools, with all the advantages that this entails.

[0099] In other words, the cuff closing device 8 is mounted on the cuff 3 in a stable, though easy manually removable manner, and can be easily mounted also on ski boots already on the market.

[0100] It is finally clear that modifications and variations may be made to the ski boot 1 and to the cuff closing device 8 without thereby departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0101] For example, with reference to Figure 5, the tensioning mechanism 19 preferably consists of manually-operated cable-winding winch 30, which is rigidly fixed to the cuff 3, or rather to the supporting body 14, advantageously substantially astride the boot vertical midplane M.

[0102] The supporting cables assembly 18, on the other hand, is preferably at least partially formed by the flexible cable 31 of the cable-winding winch 30.

[0103] In the example shown, in particular, once out of the cable-winding winch 30, the flexible cable 31 preferably engages in free slidable manner and in succession the cable-guide members 24 and 25 located alternately on the floating plate-like body 17 and on the cuff 3.

[0104] Preferably, the flexible cable 31 of the cable-winding winch 30 is furthermore arranged so as to engage, in a pass-through and free slidable manner, also the fairleads 21 located on the outer and inner lateral sides of the cuff 3.

[0105] In this embodiment, therefore, the tensioning mechanism 19 is completely separate and distinct from the cuff locking device 9, and can be operated independently of the latter.

[0106] Finally, in a less sophisticated and non-shown embodiment, the tensioning mechanism 19 may comprise a lever closing buckle which is firmly and stably fixed to the cuff 3, advantageously substantially astride the vertical midplane M.

Claims

1. Ski boot (1) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-casing (2), which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot; a substantially rigid cuff (3), which is adapted to enclose the lower part of the user's leg, and is hinged to the foot-casing (2) so as to be able to swing about a first rotation axis (A) substantially perpendicular to a ski-boot midplane (M); a protective innerboot (6), which is located within the foot-casing (2) and is shaped / structured so as to accommodate and protect at least the user's foot; and manually-operated closing means, which are adapted to hold the user's foot and leg within the ski boot (1), and comprise a manually-operated cuff closing device (8) that is adapted to selectively hold the user's leg within the shell (3); the ski boot (1) being characterised in that the cuff closing device (8) comprises: a plate-like body (17) with auxetic structure, separate and distinct / disjoined from the cuff (3), which is capable of stretching in an elastic and auxetic manner when subjected to traction in a predefined direction (d); a supporting cable assembly (18), separate and distinct from the cuff (3), which is adapted to support the plate-like body (17) in a floating manner while keeping it suspended adjacent to the cuff (3), spaced above the foot-casing (2); and a manually-operated tensioning mechanism (19), which is at least partially located on the cuff (3) and is adapted to tension said supporting cable assembly (18), so that the latter can pull the plate-like body (17) towards the cuff (3) and simultaneously also tension the plate-like body (17) at least along said predefined direction (d) .

2. Ski boot according to claim 1, wherein said supporting cable assembly (18) is adapted to keep the plate-like body (17) suspended adjacent to the cuff (3), such that said predefined direction (d) is transversal to the longitudinal axis (B) of the cuff (3).

3. Ski boot according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said supporting cable assembly (18) is attached / connected to the plate-like body (17) on opposite sides thereof, advantageously in a stable though easily releasable manner.

4. Ski boot according to claim 3, wherein the plate-like body (17) has a macroscopic reticular structure with auxetic behaviour, which is adapted to stretch and simultaneously also widen in elastic and auxetic manner when a pair of opposite side edges (17a, 17b) of said plate-like body (17) are moved away from each other; said supporting cable assembly (18) being attached / connected to the plate-like body (17) at said pair of opposite side edges (17a, 17b).

5. Ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting cable assembly (18) is adapted to keep the plate-like body (17) suspended adjacent to the cuff (3), substantially astride the ski-boot midplane (M).

6. Ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plate-like body (17) has a monolithic structure and / or is made of plastic material.

7. Ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least a portion of said plate-like body (17) is divided into a plurality of contiguous plane sectors (17c), each of which has a macroscopic reticular structure with auxetic behaviour, which structure is capable of stretching and simultaneously also widening in elastic manner when the plate-like body (17) is subjected to traction, and moreover differs from that of the adjacent plane sectors (17c).

8. Ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said supporting cable assembly (18) comprises one or more flexible cables (20, 22, 31), which are adapted to support the plate-like body (17) in floating manner while keeping it adjacent to the cuff (3), spaced above the foot-casing (2); the tensioning mechanism (19) being adapted to tension at least one of said flexible cables (20, 22, 31).

9. Ski boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ski boot (1) additionally comprises a manually-operated cuff locking device (9), which is located on the cuff (3) and is structured so as to selectively lock / immobilize the cuff (3) relative to the foot-casing (2) in a given downhill position, wherein the cuff (3) is tilted forward with respect to the vertical.

10. Ski boot according to claim 9, wherein the tensioning mechanism (19) is integrated in said cuff locking device (9).

11. Ski boot according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the cuff locking device (9) comprises: a movable arm (26) with a rigid and oblong structure, which is butt-hinged or rocker-hinged at the back of said cuff (3), so as to freely rotate about a second rotation axis (C) substantially parallel to said first rotation axis (A), from and to a lowered or locking position wherein said movable arm (20) extends downward and engages its distal end (26a) in a rigid and stable, though releasable manner, on an anchoring structure (27) integral with the foot-casing (2).

12. Ski boot according to claim 11, wherein said supporting cable assembly (18) is connected to said movable arm (26), so as to be tensioned when the movable arm (26) is in said lowered or locking position.

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