Cycling shoes, particularly triathlon shoes, with an improved opening

Abstract

This cycling shoe, particularly for triathlon, comprises an upper (2) forming an opening for the insertion of a cyclist's foot, the upper comprising a vamp (3) deformable between an open and a closed position. The upper (2) includes at least one insert (9) that exerts stress on the vamp in the open position. Figure for abbreviation: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: CYCLING SHOES, IN PARTICULAR TRIATHLON SHOES, WITH IMPROVED OPENING Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cycling shoe, advantageously but not exclusively intended to be worn during triathlon events. Prior art

[0002] In triathlon events, it is necessary to limit the transition times between events. This is particularly the case between the swimming event and the cycling event.

[0003] Thus, during this transition, the cycling shoe must facilitate the insertion of the athlete's foot.

[0004] Indeed, cycling shoes have an upper whose vamp must be manually deformed when putting them on. Statement of the invention

[0005] Thus, the aim of the invention is to propose a cycling shoe, in particular a triathlon shoe, which makes it easier to put on and which, thus, during triathlon events, makes transitions easier.

[0006] The subject of the invention is therefore a cycling shoe, in particular a triathlon shoe, comprising an upper forming an opening for the insertion of a cyclist's foot, the upper comprising an upper deformable between an open position and a closed position.

[0007] The upper comprises at least one insert urging the upper into the open position.

[0008] According to another characteristic, the insert is made from a carbon sheet.

[0009] In one embodiment, the shoe comprises a single insert made from of a carbon sheet and placed on one inner side of the rod.

[0010] Alternatively, the shoe comprises several inserts, each made from a strip of carbon and placed on the inner side of the upper. Brief description of the drawings

[0011] Other aims, characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description, given solely by way of non-limiting example, and made with reference to the appended drawings in which:

[0012] [Fig.l] is a side view of a triathlon shoe according to the invention;

[0013] [Fig.2] is a side view of a triathlon shoe according to another embodiment;

[0014] [Fig.3] shows the opening formed by the upper of a triathlon shoe according to the state of the art;

[0015] [Fig.4] shows the opening formed by the upper of a triathlon shoe according to the invention.

[0016] Detailed description of at least one embodiment

[0017] Reference will first be made to [Fig. 1] which illustrates a first example of embodiment of a cycling shoe according to the invention, designated by the general numerical reference 1.

[0018] Shoe 1 is a road cycling shoe, intended to be used in particular during triathlon events, during cycling activities, in order to facilitate transitions between swimming and cycling activities, by facilitating the insertion of an athlete's foot.

[0019] As can be seen, a cycling shoe comprises an upper 2 forming an opening O for the insertion of the cyclist's foot.

[0020] At the front, the upper 2 comprises a vamp 3 comprising two flaps 4 and 5, the internal flap 4 being intended, when closed, to be folded down against the external flap 5.

[0021] An ergonomic clamping system 6 ensures that the rod is held in the closed position.

[0022] In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the ergonomic tightening system 6 comprises a rotating wheel 7 which engages with a cable 8 secured to the internal flap of the upper in order to provide a uniform tightening force.

[0023] Of course, other closure systems can be used, for example strap, hook and loop closure, Velcro® type, etc.

[0024] It should be noted, however, that the closure system ensures a distribution of the tightening force on the athlete's foot, while optimizing the transfer of forces during pedaling, in particular during traction.

[0025] In order to facilitate the transitions between swimming and cycling activities, and in other words to facilitate the insertion of the athlete's foot into the shoe 1, the upper is provided with one or more inserts urging the upper into the open position.

[0026] In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 1], the upper comprises a single insert consisting of a carbon sheet 10 secured to the internal flap of the upper.

[0027] Such a carbon sheet has sufficient rigidity to stress, in the rest position, that is to say when the tightening system is not implemented, the internal flap of the upper in the open position.

[0028] On the other hand, when tightening, when the internal flap 4 of the upper is folded against the flap 5 and tightened by means of the tightening system 6, the rigidity of the insert 9 participates in the transmission of the forces applied to the pedal, in particular in traction.

[0029] The insert 9 is inserted into the upper being secured in a manner appropriate for the intended use.

[0030] It can be, for example, glued, advantageously heat-sealed, or sewn.

[0031] In the embodiment of [Fig.l], the insert 9 is formed from a single carbon sheet.

[0032] Of course, with reference to [Fig. 2], it is not outside the scope of the invention when the upper comprises several inserts each made from a strip, such as 11, fixed to the internal edge of the upper while being, as described previously, fixed by sewing, by gluing, etc.

[0033] It will be noted that in the embodiments envisaged, the insert is made from a material which combines the advantages of rigidity, flexibility and lightness, while being inextensible.

[0034] Thus, in the absence of tightening, the upper is stressed in the maximum sensitive opening position, while being able to be opened further if necessary and, when tightened, the insert conforms to the shape of the foot without creating a hard point detrimental to the comfort of the shoe. The inextensible nature of the insert allows, during pedaling, in particular when climbing, to contribute to the efficiency of pedaling.

[0035] Of course, it does not depart from the scope of the invention when the insert(s) are made from any other suitable material, such as a plastic material having the same characteristics of rigidity, flexibility and lightness, while being inextensible, and providing the same advantages.

[0036] Similarly, when one or more carbon inserts are used, the carbon sheet can take any shape depending on the pattern of the shoe, or have localized openings or cutouts.

[0037] With reference to [Fig. 3], which illustrates a conventional triathlon shoe, the opening O, i.e. the distance between the internal flap and the external flap of the shoe, for a shoe according to the state of the art, without an insert, is approximately 3.5 mm.

[0038] With reference to [Fig. 4], which corresponds to [Fig. 1], it has been found that a shoe provided with an insert according to the invention has, at rest, an opening O of at least 5 mm, which, thanks to the subsequent increase in the size of the opening of the upper, considerably facilitates the insertion of the foot and, therefore, facilitates transitions during triathlon events.

Claims

Claims

1. Cycling shoe, in particular triathlon shoe, comprising an upper (2) forming an opening for the insertion of a cyclist's foot, the upper comprising an upper (3) deformable between an open position and a closed position, the upper (2) comprising at least one insert (9) urging the upper into the open position, characterized in that the insert is made from a carbon sheet.

2. Shoes according to claim 1, comprising a single insert made from the carbon sheet placed on the internal side of the upper.

3. Shoe according to claim 1 comprising several inserts each made from a carbon strip (11) placed on the internal side of the upper.

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