SKI BOOT WITH REAR LEVER PART

Abstract

A ski boot comprising a sole designed to accommodate a boot of a skier and a connecting device having a fastening member to be fastened to the leg of the skier, which ski boot has: a lever part that is fastened to the sole via a pivot connection, the fastening member being movable relative to the lever part, a connecting rod that is connected at a first point to one of the sole and the lever part via a first pivot connection and at a second point to the other of the sole and the lever part via a second connection enabling the second point to be moved, and a deformable member that is arranged to prevent the second point from moving relative to a rest position.

Claims

1. A ski boot comprising a base sole intended to receive a shoe of a skier and a connecting device to the skier's lower leg, said connecting device comprising a fixing member intended to be attached to the skier's leg, wherein the fixing member comprises: a. a lever part fixed by a pivot connection to the sole, the connecting device being mounted on the lever part and being arranged so that the fixing member is movable in translation and/or in rotation opposite the lever piece; b. a Mette rod connected at a first point, by a first connection, to one of the sole and of the lever piece and connected at a second point, by a second connection, to the other of the sole and the lever piece, the first connection being a pivot connection and the second connection being arranged to allow movement of the second point with respect to the other of the sole and the lever piece; and, c. a deformable member arranged to exert a force against a movement of the second point with respect to a rest position of the second point.

2. The ski boot according to claim 1, in which the second connection and/or the deformable member is arranged to allow rotation of the lever part between a angle of at least 15 and an angle of at least 30 on either side of the rest position.

3. The ski boot according to claim 2, in which the other of the sole and the lever part comprises a slide and in which the second point of the link is slidably mounted in said slide.

4. The ski boot according to claim 3, in which the link comprises a frame comprising two uprights arranged on either side of the lever part and connected together by a transverse spacer passing in the slide.

5. The ski boot according to claim 3, in which the deformable member comprises a spring mounted in the slide and fixed, on the one hand, at the second point of the link and, on the other hand, at the other of the sole and the lever part.

6. The ski boot according to claim 5, wherein the link and/or the spring comprises a disengagement member of the spring and the second point of the link.

7. The ski boot according to claim 1, in which the connecting device comprises a holding member of the fixing member, said holding member being connected to the lever part by a slide connection.

8. The ski boot according to claim 7, in which the fixing member is connected to said holding member by a pivot connection.

9. The ski boot according to claim 7, in which the holding member comprises a hoop provided with two opposite tabs, the fixing member being fixed to each of said tabs, and in which the holding member comprises a member for adjusting the spacing of said tabs.

10. The ski boot according to claim 1, wherein it comprises a gaiter fixed to the sole and/or to the lever part.

11. The ski boot according to claim 4, in which the deformable member comprises a spring mounted in the slide and fixed, on the one hand, at the second point of the link and, on the other hand, at the other of the sole and the lever part.

12. The ski boot according to claim 8, in which the holding member comprises a hoop provided with two opposite tabs, the fixing member being fixed to each of said tabs, and in which the holding member comprises a member for adjusting the spacing of said tabs.

Description

[0042] The present invention is now described with the aid of examples that are purely illustrative and in no way limiting on the scope of the invention, and based on the attached drawings, wherein the various figures show:

[0043] FIG. 1 shows, schematically and partially, an exploded view of a ski boot according to one embodiment of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 2 shows, schematically and partially, a perspective view of the ski boot of FIG. 1 after assembly;

[0045] FIG. 3 shows, schematically and partially, a side view of the ski boot of FIG. 1 after assembly;

[0046] FIG. 4 shows, schematically and partially, one variant of a connecting rod of the boot of FIG. 1; and

[0047] FIG. 5 shows, schematically and partially, one variant of a connecting rod of the boot of FIG. 1.

[0048] In the following description, identical elements, by structure or function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references. Furthermore, the terms front and rear must be interpreted in the context of the orientation of the ski boot as shown, corresponding to the orientation of a ski boot mounted on a ski attachment.

[0049] [FIG. 1] shows an exploded view of a ski boot 1 according to one embodiment of the invention. [FIG. 2] shows a perspective view of the boot 1 after assembly, while [FIG. 3] shows a cross-sectional view of the boot 1 after assembly and after a skier wearing a lightweight boot 10 has put on that boot 1.

[0050] The boot 1 comprises a base sole 2 provided with a receiving zone 21 for a lightweight boot 10 worn by a skier.

[0051] In the example described, the lightweight boot 10 can be a boot for a sport other than skiing, such as a running boot or a cycling boot. To this end, the boot 10 may comprise a rigid sole fitted with means of attachment to the sole 2 (not shown).

[0052] The sole comprises an arm 22, extending on either side of the receiving zone 21 towards the rear of this receiving zone 21.

[0053] The boot 1 also features a lever part 3, a lower end of which is pivotably mounted on arm 22. In the example described, the lower end of lever part 3 comprises a pair of side pins 31 engaging holes 23 in a slot in the arm 22 accommodating this lower end. The side pins 31 and the holes 23 thus form a pivot connection between the arm 22 and the lever part 3 around an axis Y1-Y1 transverse to the boot 1. In the example shown, this pivot connection is located at the rear of the receiving area 21, so that the lever part 3 is a rear lever part 3. The Y1-Y1 axis is perpendicular to an X-X axis of extension of the receiving zone 21, defining the front-rear orientation of the boot 1, and therefore parallel to the axis of rotation of the skier's ankle. Other types of pivot connection between the arm 22 and the rear lever part 3, and in particular other arrangements of the lever part 3 in relation to the sole 2, in front of zone 21 or at the level of this zone 21, can be designed without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0054] In the example described, the rear lever part 3 is a beam extending exclusively to the rear of the skier's calf when the skier's boot 10 is positioned at the receiving zone 21. The rear lever part 3 can be designed in other shapes, in particular a half-shell shape open to the front or rear and designed to receive the skier's calf, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0055] The rear lever part 3 features a first, transverse slideway 32, formed by a slot passing through the rear lever part 3 from one side face of this part 3 to the other. The rear lever part 3 features a second, front-facing slideway 33 formed by a groove, in this case not a through groove, in a front face of the part 3.

[0056] The boot 1 comprises a linking device 4 for connecting the skier's lower leg J to the boot 1, the linking device 4 being mounted at an upper end of the rear lever part 3, opposite the lower end.

[0057] To this end, the linking device 4 comprises a fastening member 41 designed to be attached to this lower leg J. In the example shown in [FIG. 4], the fastening member 41 is an elastic band 41 through which the skier's lower leg J passes and to which it is thus secured. Other types of fastening members, such as a Velcro system or a set of laces, are also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0058] The linking device 4 comprises a member 42 for holding the fastening member 41 to the rear lever part 3 and allowing the fastening member 41 to slide and pivot with respect to this rear lever part 3.

[0059] To this end, the holding member 42 comprises a hoop 43 provided with two opposing lugs 43a, the fastening member 41 being fixed to each of said lugs 43a by a pivot connection, these pivot connections defining an axis of rotation Y2-Y2 of the fastening member substantially parallel to the axis Y1-Y1. Note that the fastening member 41 is attached to the lugs 43a by removable attachment means, such as clips. In this way, the skier can first equip himself with the fastening member 41 and then put on the rest of the ski boot 1.

[0060] In particular, the lugs 43a may be arranged so as to be movable relative to one another, so that their spacing is adjustable, and the hoop 43 comprises a locking device for this spacing.

[0061] The retaining member 42 also features a pin 44 slidably mounted in the slideway 33 of the rear lever part 3.

[0062] The boot 1 features a connecting rod 5 linking the sole 2 to the rear lever part 3.

[0063] In the example described, the connecting rod 5 is formed by a frame comprising two uprights 51 extending on either side of the rear lever part 3. The upper ends of the uprights 51 are connected by a transverse spacer 52. The connecting rod 5 also features two lugs 53, each extending transversely from a lower end of one of the uprights 51.

[0064] Each of the lugs 53 engages in a transverse cylindrical tube 24 beneath the sole 2, so that the connecting rod 5 can pivot relative to the sole 2 about a transverse axis Y3-Y3. The lugs 53 and tube 24 thus form a pivot connection between the connecting rod 5 and the sole 2.

[0065] Alternatively, as shown in [FIG. 4], the lugs 53 could be replaced by another spacer 54 for insertion into the tube 24. If required, the connecting rod 5 could be made in two parts 55 and 55, each comprising an upright 51 and part of spacers 52 and 53. Each part of these spacers can be inserted into the other part of the spacers to slide therein, so that the distance between the two uprights 51 can be adjusted, the connecting rod 5 then comprising a member for locking this distance, for example formed by orifices provided in one of the parts 55 and retractable pins provided in the other of the parts 55.

[0066] The spacer 52 is slidably mounted in the slideway 32 of the rear lever part 3.

[0067] The slideway 32 thus defines the start and end positions of travel of the spacer 52 in the slideway, and thus delimits the minimum and maximum angles of deflection of the rear lever part 3 with respect to the sole 2, as it rotates about the axis Y1-Y1.

[0068] The boot 1 features an elastically deformable member 6, formed in the example described by a compression spring 6 mounted in the slideway 32. This spring 6 is attached on the one hand to the rear lever part 3, above the slideway 32, and on the other hand to the spacer 52 of the connecting rod 5. This spring 6 is thus designed to return the connecting rod 5 to a rest position.

[0069] In the example described, the connecting rod 5, slideway 32 and spring 6 are dimensioned so that the rear lever part 3 can deflect towards the front of the boot 1 at a maximum angle of 30 from this rest position, and towards the rear of the boot 1 at a maximum angle of 55 from this rest position.

[0070] As shown in [FIG. 5], the connecting rod 5 may comprise a piston 56 arranged in the slideway 32 and provided with a hook, and the spring 6 may be provided with a pin 61 inserted in this hook 57. This pin 61 and hook together form a disengagement member, enabling the connecting rod 5 to be disengaged from the spring 6 by manually disengaging the pin 61 from the piston 56.

[0071] As an alternative to the embodiment shown in [FIG. 1] to [FIG. 3], the slideway 32 and spring 6 could be positioned on the sole 2 and the connecting rod 5 pivotably connected to the rear lever part 3, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0072] The assembly formed by the sole 2, the rear lever part 3, the linking device 4 and the connecting rod 5 associated with the spring 6 thus assumes the mechanical functions of a ski boot, ensuring comfort for the skier in terms of the forces he transmits to the ski, via the lever part 3, without these forces causing friction or overheating at his shin, and allowing him significant control of the skis, including for flexion movements of great amplitude. This ski boot 1 can be fitted with a gaiter (not shown), for example attached to the sole 2 and/or rear lever part 3, to provide the insulation and waterproofing functions of a conventional ski boot.

[0073] The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives it has set, and in particular by proposing a ski boot combining a lever part pivotably mounted on a sole, opposite a zone for receiving a skier's boot, on which is movably mounted, with at least one degree of freedom, a device for connecting to the skier's lower leg, the sole and the lever part being connected together by a connecting rod and a spring. This ski boot retains the advantages of modern ski boots, while improving ergonomics and fit, making it easier to integrate the ski boot into an aesthetic model, and improving the industrial scaling-up of the ski boot.

[0074] In any case, the invention is not limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to any equivalent means and to any technically operative combination of these means. In particular, other ways of mounting the linking device on the lever part may be envisaged, for example by means of a ball joint pivotably and slidably mounted in a slideway of the lever part. A torsion spring, an elastic, or a cylinder can also be used as a resiliently deformable member or as a damper to oppose movement of the lever part from its rest position.