Ski boot and tightening device

Abstract

Sports shoe comprising a rigid outer shell, an inner comfort liner, received inside said shell, as well as means for tightening said shell; said tightening means comprising at least one cable (32) having a first end, called the proximal end, which is connected to a cable winding device (31), said cable comprising a second end, called the distal end (322); said distal end of the cable being connected to a tensioning mechanism (350, 350', 350'') which comprises at least two distinct states, namely a maximum tension state and a minimum tension state; said tensioning mechanism comprises an operating member which can take the form of a pivoting lever (352, 314) capable of pivoting between a closed position which places said tensioning mechanism in the maximum tension state and an open position which places said tensioning mechanism in the minimum tension state.Alternatively, said tensioning mechanism may comprise a ratchet device (313) and a toothed strap to which the distal end (322) of the cable is attached. Preferably, the transition of the tensioning mechanism from the minimum tension state to the maximum tension state moves said distal end of the cable by a distance D of between 10 and 70 mm. Abstract figure: fig.1.

Description

Title of the invention: Ski boot and tightening device

[0001] The present application relates to alpine ski boots, in particular, ski boots comprising a rigid shell in which a comfort inner liner is inserted.

[0002] There are currently different types of shell for alpine ski boots, including so-called "rear entry" boots and so-called "front entry" boots. The biggest difference between these types of boots lies in the way the boot is put on. In the first case, an articulated spoiler opens towards the rear, allowing the foot to be inserted through the back of the boot. In the second case, it is the front of the boot, and in particular the top of the forefoot of the boot, which opens, or widens, to allow the foot to be inserted. However, there are many other differences between these two types of boots. In particular, with regard to the closure and / or tightening of the shell. In the case of "rear entry", the different elements that make up the shell are not very deformable, and it is the fact that they are articulated relative to each other that allows the shell to be closed over the user's foot.Independently, a tightening device ensures the adaptation of the internal volume of the boot to the user's foot. This tightening device quite often works with the help of one or more cables. The Nordica NS 770 alpine ski boot “registered trademark” from 1983 is an example of this type of boot. The shell is closed by a ratchet and notched strap device while the tightening of the forefoot is carried out by a cable and winder device which does not deform the outer shell of the boot since it only affects the inner liner.

[0003] In the case of "front entries", the closing of the shell and the tightening of the user's foot are concomitant. Indeed, parts of the shell deform to modify the internal volume of the shell: on the one hand to enlarge the volume and allow the introduction of the foot and on the other hand to reduce it and adapt it to the morphology of the user's foot. Due to the rigidity of the shell and the need to be able to deform it, powerful tightening mechanisms are used for this type of shoe. These are in particular the loop hooks, rack and pinion and knee mechanism which are used. This type of shoe is currently the most used by manufacturers for the excellent compromise between comfort and performance which it allows to obtain. The use of loop hook and rack type devices has the advantage for the user of allowing the tightening force to be memorized.In fact, the latter can easily remember, from one time to the next, that he must place the loop of the hook on a particular tooth of the rack.

[0004] The invention falls within the scope of boots of this type and aims to improve their comfort, performance and ease of use. To this end, the use of a cable and winder tightening device is envisaged. Winder devices certainly have some advantages in terms of ease of use and also in that they allow continuous variation of the tightening force. However, their main disadvantage is that they make it almost impossible for the user to memorize the tightening force between two skiing sessions. On the other hand, the advantage of continuous tightening of the boot makes a rapid loosening / tightening sequence more complex. Typically, during the downhill phases of ski slopes, skiers seeking performance are willing to tighten their ski boots well beyond the usual comfort.However, between phases of skiing down the slopes, for example during time spent in the ski lifts, it may be useful to relax the tightening forces exerted on the shell of the boot. This loosening is all the more appreciated by skiers because after a phase of intense effort, the feet tend to swell.

[0005] The objective of the invention is therefore to improve ski boots equipped with a rigid shell which is tightened by cable and a device with a winder. In particular, the objective of the invention is to allow the user to make a loosening / tightening sequence easier and faster.

[0006] The objective of the invention is achieved by providing a sports shoe comprising a rigid outer shell, a comfortable inner liner, received inside said shell, as well as means for tightening said shell; said tightening means comprising at least one cable having a first end, called the proximal end, which is connected to a cable winding device, said cable comprising a second end, called the distal end; said distal end of the cable being connected to a tensioning mechanism which comprises at least two distinct states, namely a maximum tension state and a minimum tension state; said tensioning mechanism comprises an operating member which may take the form of a pivoting lever capable of pivoting between a closed position which places said tensioning mechanism in the maximum tension state and an open position which places said tensioning mechanism in the minimum tension state.Alternatively, said tensioning mechanism may comprise a ratchet device and a toothed strap to which the distal end of the cable is attached. Preferably, the transition of the tensioning mechanism from the minimum tension state to the maximum tension state moves said distal end of the cable by a distance D of between 10 and 70 mm.

[0007] The invention will be better understood on reading the description and the drawing in which:

[0008] [Fig.l] [Fig.l] represents a side view of a ski boot according to a first embodiment of the invention.

[0009] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a side view of the cable tensioning mechanism of [Fig.l] when it is in the maximum voltage state.

[0010] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a side view of the tensioning mechanism of [Fig.l] when it is in the state of minimum voltage.

[0011] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] is a view of a second embodiment of the invention.

[0012] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] is a view of a third embodiment of the invention.

[0013] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] is a view of an alternative cable tensioning device.

[0014] [Fig.l] describes a boot 1 intended for downhill skiing. This shoe comprises a rigid external structure, called shell 2, inside which is inserted an inner liner. The inner liner is not permanently attached to the outer shell and can be removed from the latter. This is a so-called "front entry" shoe. The outer shell 2 consists of two main parts: the bottom of the shell 21 and the collar 22. The bottom of the shell 21 is designed to receive the user's foot and to envelop it from the toes to the heel. The bottom of the shell thus covers the entire forefoot of the user up to the instep.

[0015] The collar 22 is fixed to the bottom of the shell 21, using at least two axial fixing means 231, 232 located respectively on the medial side and the lateral side of the shoe. The medial axial fixing means 231 and the lateral axial fixing means 232 are substantially coaxial, placed opposite the medial malleolus, respectively lateral malleolus of the user. The axial fixing means can be of any type known in the field, for example rivets or screws. [Fig.l] being a side view, only the lateral axial fixing means 232 is visible there. The collar is equipped with several tightening means 221, 222, 223 which are in this embodiment of known type and will not be described here in detail. These are two lever / buckle / rack devices 221, 222 and a lower leg tightening strap 223.

[0016] The upper front part of the bottom of the shell 21 defines an opening which serves, on the one hand, to facilitate the introduction of the foot and, on the other hand, to adapt the interior volume of the shoe 1 to the shape of the user's foot. This opening is made between two portions of the bottom of the shell which are movable relative to each other. In practice, these two movable portions are, on the one hand, the upper flap 212, and on the other hand, the lower flap 213. The upper flap 212 is an integral part of the bottom of the shell 21, it is located on the medial side of the shoe. The lower flap 213 is also an integral part of the bottom of the shell and is placed on the lateral side of the shoe.

[0017] The means for tightening the bottom of the shell are constituted by a lacing system which comprises a cable 32, an anchoring means 35 for the cable 32, a plurality of loops 331, 332, 333 and a cable winder 31. Under the action of the tightening device, the medial flap 212 overlaps the lateral flap 213. The relative movement of the upper flap 212 with respect to the lower flap 213 in the tightening direction is achieved thanks to the traction exerted by the portion of the cable 32 which is fixed on the lateral side of the shoe by means of the anchor 35. The cable 32 stretches between a proximal end, connected to the spool of the winder, and a distal end 322. From the distal end 322 and up to the proximal end, the cable passes alternately in an anterior medial loop 331 of the medial flap, then in the lateral loop 333 of the lateral flap, finally in the posterior medial loop 332 of the medial flap.

[0018] Figures 2 and 3 show in detail the anchor 35 which allows the distal end 322 of the cable 32 to be fixed to the shell. According to the invention, the anchor 35 consists of a tension mechanism 350 capable of being placed in two distinct states, namely a maximum tension state, shown in [Fig. 2] and a minimum tension state, shown in [Fig. 3]. The tension mechanism 350 comprises a base 351 which in particular allows the mechanism to be secured to the shell. Tabs 356 projecting from the base 351 serve to retain the rotation axes 354 of the lever 352. A tie rod 353 is pivotally mounted on the lever 352 via the axis 355.

[0019] When the tensioning mechanism is in the maximum tension state ([Fig.2]), the cable 32 is tensioned by the action of the reel 31. The lever 352 is, for its part, in a closed position. To guarantee the stability of this closed position, the axis 355 is located below the rotation axes 354 of the lever, relative to the direction of the force exerted by the cable on the tie rod 353.

[0020] To move the tensioning mechanism into the minimum tension state, the user manipulates the lever 352 to move it from the closed position ([Fig.2]) to the open position ([Fig.3]). This manipulation has the effect of moving, by a distance D, the distal end 322 of the cable 32. Since the reel 31 is not operated jointly, the tension of the cable is reduced compared to what it was in the maximum tension state. In the present case, the distance D corresponds to twice the distance A separating the rotation axes 354 from the axis 355. This distance is chosen so that the transition from the maximum tension state to the minimum tension state ensures a significant relaxation of the tightening force on the shell. In practice, the distance A is between 5 and 25 mm, which leads to a distance D between 10 and 50 mm.

[0021] In practice, after putting on his shoe, the user ensures that the tensioning mechanism is in the maximum tension state. Then he operates the winder 31 by turning the wheel until he obtains the tightening which suitable for skiing. Subsequently, when he is in the ski lifts or taking a break, he has the possibility of releasing the pressure exerted on his foot by the shell. The pressure is released simply by opening the lever 352. The tension of the cable 32 is then reduced. The latter is re-tensioned just as simply by closing the lever.

[0022] [Fig. 4] describes a second embodiment of the invention in which the bottom of the shell 21 as well as the collar 22 are both equipped with a tightening means with a reel 31, 31' and a cable 32, 32'. A first tensioning mechanism 350, similar to that described in FIGS. 1 to 3, is used to anchor the distal end 322 of the cable 32. This first tensioning mechanism 350 is fixed to the bottom of the shell 21. A second tensioning mechanism 350' is used to anchor the distal end 322' of the cable 32' to the collar 22.

[0023] [Fig. 5] describes a third embodiment in which the tightening means comprise two cables 32, 32'. The proximal ends of the two cables 32, 32' are both connected to a single reel 31, while their distal ends 322, 322' are each secured to a separate tensioning mechanism. One of these tensioning mechanisms is fixed to the bottom of the shell 21, the second of these tensioning mechanisms 350' is fixed to the collar 22.

[0024] [Fig. 6] shows an alternative embodiment of the invention in which the cable tensioning mechanism 35 is constituted by a ratchet device 350”. Since this alternative differs from the previously described embodiment only by the cable tensioning mechanism, only the latter will be described below. This comprises a notched band 311 at the end of which the distal end 322 of the cable 32 is secured. Each tooth 3111 of the notched band 311 is capable of coming into contact with a retaining tooth arranged under the ratchet 313. Thus the notched band 311 can be immobilized in different positions under the effect of a cable tension exerted in the direction T. Each position of the notched strap determines a different cable tension. The cable tensioning mechanism 350” of the cable 32 is fixed to the bottom of the hull by means of the base 312 and it is operated by lever 314.Advantageously, the tensioning mechanism makes it possible to move the distal end 322 of the cable 32 by a distance D of between 1 and 70 mm, i.e. over the entire length of the notched strap 311.

[0025] The invention is not limited to the embodiments and variants described above. It indeed concerns all equivalent variants.

Claims

Claims

1. Sports shoe (1) comprising a rigid outer shell (2), an inner comfort liner, received inside said shell, as well as means for tightening said shell; said tightening means comprising at least one cable (32) having a first end, called the proximal end, which is connected to a cable winding device (31), said cable comprising a second end, called the distal end (322); characterized in that said distal end of the cable is connected to a tensioning mechanism (350, 350', 350”) which comprises at least two distinct states.

2. Sports shoe according to the preceding claim characterized in that said at least two distinct states of the tension mechanism (350, 350', 350”) comprise a maximum tension state and a minimum tension state.

3. Sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said tension mechanism (350, 350', 350”) comprises an operating member.

4. Sports shoe according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said operating member comprises a pivoting lever (352, 314).

5. Sports shoe according to the preceding claim characterized in that said lever (352) is capable of pivoting between a closed position which places said tension mechanism in the maximum tension state and an open position which places said tension mechanism in the minimum tension state.

6. Sports shoe according to claim 4 characterized in that said tensioning mechanism comprises a ratchet device (313) and a notched strap (311) and in that said distal end (322) of the cable is fixed to said notched strap.

7. Sports shoe according to one of claims 5 or 6 characterized in that the passage of the tension mechanism (350, 350', 350”) from the minimum tension state to the maximum tension state moves said distal end of the cable by a distance D of between 10 and 70 mm.

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