TENSIONING DEVICE FOR A SKI BOOT AND SKI BOOT EQUIPPED THEREWITH

Abstract

In a tensioning device for adjustably varying the perimeter or receiving volume of a ski boot, and a ski boot with such a tensioning device, the tensioning device includes a support plate to be fastened to the ski boot. The tensioning device further includes a winding device with at least one spool for the winding in and out of at least one tensioning cable as needed, wherein the winding device is fastened to or is fastenable to the support plate. The support plate has at least one fastener that is configured to be connected with at least one corresponding anchor on the ski boot, wherein the at least one corresponding anchor on the ski boot in an alternative use is configured for the fastening of a lever-operable tensioning buckle to the ski boot or for the fastening of an associated component of a lever-operable tensioning buckle.

Claims

1. A tensioning device (1) for adjustably varying the perimeter or receiving volume of a ski boot (2), the tensioning device (1) comprising a support plate (3), which is provided to be fastened to the ski boot (2), a winding device (4) with at least one spool for the winding in or out of at least one tensioning cable (5) as needed, said winding device (4) being fastened to or fastenable to the support plate (3), wherein the support plate (3) has at least one fastening means (6), which is configured to be connected with at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot (2), wherein the at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot (2) is provided in an alternative use for the fastening of a lever-operable tensioning buckle (8) to the ski boot (2) or for the fastening of an associated component of a lever-operable tensioning buckle (8).

2. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) comprises at least two first openings (9) in the support plate (3), wherein the at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot comprises at least two second openings (10), and wherein the first and second openings correspond in terms of position such that the support plate (3) is fastenable to the ski boot by means of connection means (11), said connection means (11) preferably being provided to pass through corresponding pairs of first and second openings (9, 10).

3. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) comprises a first and a second fastening means (6) arranged at a distance to one another, and wherein those two fastening means (6) and the winding device (4) define a triangle arrangement (12) composed of three corners on the support plate (3), wherein the winding device (4) is positioned at the third corner and this third corner is located between the first and second corners with the fastening means (6) if a normal intersects the third corner on a straight line connecting the first and second corners.

4. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein a base plate (22) of the winding device (4) is connected with the support plate (3) in a tear-proof manner, in particular is connected with the support plate (3) by means of at least one screw or rivet, preferably by means of at least three screws or rivets.

5. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning device (1) is provided to be fastened to a cuff (13) of a ski boot (2), said cuff (13) being provided to surround the lower leg section of a user of the ski boot (2).

6. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) is additionally provided as an anchor point (14) for at least one, in relation to the winding device (4), distal end of the at least one tensioning cable (5), or wherein the support plate (3) has a first and a second fastening means (6) which are additionally each provided as anchor points (14) for the distal ends of a first and a second tensioning cable (5) of the winding device (4).

7. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the two fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) is additionally provided as a deflection means (23) for a tensioning cable (5) of the winding device (4) configured as a closed loop (24), or wherein the support plate (3) has a first and a second fastening means (6) which are additionally each provided as deflection means (23) for a tensioning cable (5) of the winding device (4) configured as a closed loop (24).

8. The tensioning device according to claim 7, wherein a receiving channel (26) is formed in an upper side (25) of the support plate (3) to be faced away from a ski boot (2), the receiving channel extending in its longitudinal direction at least partially between the first and the second fastening means (6) and being provided to receive a portion of the tensioning cable (5).

9. The tensioning device according to claim 8, wherein the receiving channel (26) is configured as a slit (27) in the upper side (25) of the support plate (3), said slit (27) being at least partially coverable by a cover element (28) in radial direction to the longitudinal slit axis (29).

10. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the support plate (3) is dimensionally contoured in such a way that the support plate corresponds to the dimensional surface contour of the ski boot (2) at the fastening location for the support plate (3).

11. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) comprises at least one positively acting first coupling element (15), preferably at least one latching hook (16), on the lower side of the support plate (3) or in a circumferential section of the support plate (3), which can be positively engaged with at least one positively acting second coupling element (17) on the ski boot (2), preferably with at least one corresponding recess (18) or undercut on the ski boot (2), such that with a positive engagement of a first and a corresponding second coupling element (15, 17) a lifting of the support plate (3) from the ski boot is inhibited or prevented.

12. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein at least one load distribution element (19), in particular a shim or pressure distribution plate, is assigned to the at least one fastening means (6), said at least one load distribution element (19) being provided to increase the dimensional stability of the support plate (3) in its at least one fastening section in relation to a ski boot (2).

13. The tensioning device according to claim 1, wherein the support plate (3) has a cavity (20) on its upper side (25) closest to the winding device (4), in which the winding device (4) is at least partially received, or by which cavity (20) the winding device (4) is at least partially surrounded.

14. A ski boot (2) comprising a front foot shell (21) for receiving a user's foot, a cuff (13) for receiving the user's lower leg section, wherein the cuff (13) is connected with the front foot shell (21) in an articulated manner, and a tensioning device (1) for adjustably varying the perimeter or receiving volume of the ski boot (2), the tensioning device (1) comprising a support plate (3), which is fastened to the ski boot (2), a winding device (4) with at least one spool for the winding in or out of at least one tensioning cable (5) as needed, said winding device (4) being fastened to or fastenable to the support plate (3), wherein the support plate (3) has at least one fastening means (6), via which at least one fastening means (6) the support plate (3) interacts with at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot (2) and is thereby rigidly connected with the ski boot (2), wherein the at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot (2) is provided in an alternative use for the fastening of a lever-operable tensioning buckle (8) to the ski boot (2) or for the fastening of an associated component of the lever-operable tensioning buckle (8).

15. The ski boot according to claim 14, wherein the at least one fastening means (6) on the support plate (3) comprises at least two first openings (9) in the support plate (3), wherein the at least one corresponding anchoring means (7) on the ski boot comprises at least two second openings (10), and wherein the first and second openings correspond in terms of position such that the support plate (3) is fastenable to the ski boot by means of connection means (11), said connection means (11) preferably being provided to pass through corresponding pairs of first and second openings (9, 10).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0033] In the drawings,

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a ski boot known in the prior art with a plurality of lever-operable tensioning buckles on the outer shell body of the ski boot for the individual adjustment of the receiving volume of the ski boot;

[0035] FIG. 2 shows the ski boot according to FIG. 1, wherein the pair of lever-operable tensioning buckles on the ski boot cuff has been substituted by a tensioning device comprising a manually operable winding device for a tensioning cable;

[0036] FIG. 3 shows a further embodiment of a ski boot cuff with a tensioning device mounted thereon in the form of a tensioning cable winding device, in oblique view from below;

[0037] FIG. 4 shows the ski boot cuff according to FIG. 3 in side view;

[0038] FIG. 5 shows a tensioning device in a non-mounted state with a winding device for a two-strand loop configuration;

[0039] FIG. 6 shows a support plate of the tensioning device without winding device;

[0040] FIG. 7 shows the ski boot cuff according to FIG. 4 with removed tensioning device; and

[0041] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a support plate of a tensioning device with a winding device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0042] It is worth noting here that the same parts have been given the same reference numerals or same component configurations in the embodiments described differently, yet the disclosures contained throughout the entire description can be applied analogously to the same parts with the same reference numerals or the same component configurations. The indications of position selected in the description, such as above, below, on the side etc. refer to the figure directly described and shown, and these indications of position can be applied in the same way to the new position should the position change.

[0043] FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a known ski boot 2 for Alpine skiing. Such a ski boot 2 comprises a front foot shell 21 for receiving a user's foot and a cuff 13, also called a ski boot cuff, connected with the front foot shell 21 in an articulated manner, said cuff being provided for receiving the user's lower leg section. The cuff 13 and the front foot shell 21 define outer shell parts or an outer shell body of the ski boot 2, said shell parts or said shell body preferably being made from injection-molded plastic, in particular hard plastic. The front foot shell 21 can be configured in an overlap fashion, that is to say with wing sections overlapping one another in the instep region. The cuff 13 also has an overlap construction, wherein the cuff flaps in the front region of the cuff 13 overlap in the closed or tightened state of the cuff 13. An inner boot 30 can be received in the outer shell body, the former being provided for the soft elastic surrounding or embedding of the user's lower leg section and foot.

[0044] At least one lever-operable tensioning buckle 8 is configured on each of the front foot shell 21 and on the cuff 13 of this known ski boot 2 in order to be able to vary the receiving volume or the fit of the ski boot 2 in accordance with a user's requirements. Such a tensioning buckle 8 can comprise an operating lever 31, a coupling element 32, a latch or tooth strap 33, and a support plate 34, said support plate 34 being provided at least for the pivotable mounting of the operating lever 31.

[0045] The tensioning buckles 8, in particular their support plates 34, are connected via anchoring means 7 with the ski boot 2, in particular with the cuff 13 or with the front foot shell 21. The anchoring means 7 on the ski boot 2 can comprise openings 10 which are formed in the cuff 13 or in the front foot shell 21. The anchoring means 7 further comprise screws or rivets which pass through these openings 10 and potentially also the support plates 34 and ensure a tear-proof fastening of the lever-operable tensioning buckles 8 on the surface of the ski boot 2.

[0046] In the known ski boot 2 shown by way of example, two lever-operable tensioning buckles 8 are positioned on the cuff 13 and on the front foot shell 21 respectively.

[0047] FIG. 2 shows an embodiment of a ski boot 2 with a tensioning device 1 comprising a winding device 4 for at least one tensioning cable 5. The tensioning device 1 is thereby fastened to the cuff 13 of the ski boot 2. Alternatively or in combination therewith, such a tensioning device 1 can be provided on the front foot shell 21. By actuation, in particular by rotary actuation, of the winding device 4, the at least one tensioning cable 5 can be at least wound in and potentially wound out to thus be able to vary the tension of the at least one tensioning cable 5 and thereby be able to vary or adjust the perimeter or receiving volume of the ski boot 2. The winding out or in of the at least one tensioning cable 5 is performed by means of at least one rotatably mounted cable spool, also referred to simply as a spool. Anti-twist locks as known in the art, such as pawls, release mechanisms, a rotatable and potentially axially adjustable actuating knob and the like, can also be configured in or on the winding device 4. In particular, a winding device 4 as known in the art, such as from EP0056953B1, can be used as a sub-component of the tensioning device 1.

[0048] The tensioning device 1 further comprises a support plate 3 to which the winding device 4 is fastened or fastenable, preferably, however, is permanently mounted to the support plate 3, such as by means of a screw or rivet connection.

[0049] The support plate 3 comprises at least one fastening means 6 with which the support plate 3 is preferably permanently fastenable to the outer surface of the cuff 13 and/or the front foot shell 21. This fastening is preferably undertaken during manufacturing or assembly of the ski boot 2. At least one anchoring means 7 formed on the ski boot 2 is used for the fastening of the support plate 3, where said anchoring means corresponds functionally with the at least one fastening means 6 on the support plate 3. In an alternative use or in an alternative embodiment of the ski boot 2, for example according to FIG. 1, the at least one anchoring means 7 on the ski boot 2 is provided for fastening at least one lever-operable tensioning buckle 8 to the ski boot 2 or for fastening at least one corresponding component of a lever-operable tensioning buckle 8, for example a latch or tooth strap 33.

[0050] The at least one shell or boot-side anchoring means 7, which in particular can comprise a plurality of openings 10, is thus provided either for the permanent fastening of at least one lever-operable tensioning buckle 8 or for the permanent fastening of the support 3 of the tensioning device 1. The at least one corresponding fastening means 6 on the support plate 3 can comprise a plurality of openings 9-FIG. 3, 6, 8which correspond with regard to position and size with one or more of the openings 10 in the cuff 13FIG. 7or in the front foot shell 21.

[0051] It is expedient if the anchoring means 7 which are usable for fastening two separate lever-operable tensioning buckles 8 are alternatively used as anchoring means 7 for the support plate 3 of the tensioning device 1, as can be seen, for example, in FIG. 3-8.

[0052] According to the embodiment in FIG. 3-8, it can be expedient if the tensioning device 1, which is preferably mountable on the cuff 13, comprises at least two first openings 9 in the support plate 3 and the at least one corresponding anchoring means 7 has at least two second openings 10 on the ski boot 2 or on its shell body. The first and second openings 9, 10 correspond in terms of location or position, such that the support plate 3 is fastenable to the ski boot 2 by means of at least one connection means 11, for example screws or rivets. The connection means 11, which are indicated schematically by dash-dotted lines, are preferably provided to pass through corresponding pairs of first and second openings 9, 10 and in so doing permanently fasten the tensioning device 1 or its support plate 3 to the ski boot.

[0053] As can best be seen in FIG. 3, it can be expedient if the tensioning device 1 comprises a first and a second fastening means 6 spaced apart from one another on the support plate 3, wherein these two fastening means 6 and the winding device 4 define a triangle arrangement 12 composed of three corners on the support plate 3, as is indicated in FIG. 3 by dash-dotted lines. The winding device 4 is positioned at the third corner, which is furthest away from the boot tip. Said third corner of the triangle arrangement 12 is located between the first and second corner comprising the fastening means 6 for the support plate 3 if a normal intersects the third corner on a straight line connecting the first and second corners. Accordingly, it can be provided that the winding device 4 is further away from the boot tip than the two fastening means 6 for the support plate 3. The handling with the at least one tensioning cable 5 of the winding device 4 can thereby be improved for the user of the ski boot 2.

[0054] As can be seen from FIG. 5, 6, a base plate 22 of the winding device 4 can be connected with the support plate 3 in a tear-proof manner. This connection can, in particular, be performed by means of at least one screw or rivet, for example by means of at least three screws or rivets. This non-positive connection is thus established at least between the support plate 3 and the winding device 4. Alternatively, it can be provided that this screw or rivet connection also incorporates the shell body of the ski boot 2, in particular the cuff 13 (FIG. 4), and thus a permanent and rigid connection is formed between the base plate 22, the cuff 13, and the support plate 3 located between them. A high-strength mounting of the winding device 4 on the cuff 13 can thus be achieved, and in particular a reduction of bending or shearing strains on the support plate 3 can be achieved.

[0055] As can be derived from FIG. 2, at least one of the two fastening means 6 on the support plate 3 or for the support plate 3 can additionally be provided as an anchor point 14 for at least one, in relation to the winding device 4, distal end of the at least one tensioning cable 5. By means of the at least one anchor point 14, at least one force transmission point for at least one end of at least one tensioning cable 5 is established on the support plate 3. According to the example, the support plate 3 has a first and a second fastening means 6, which are each additionally provided as anchor points 14 for the two distal ends of a first and a second tensioning cable 5 of the winding device 4.

[0056] Based on the embodiment represented in FIG. 5, it can be provided that at least one fastening means 6 is additionally provided on the support plate 3 or for the support plate 3 as a deflection means 23 for a tensioning cable 5 of the winding device 4 configured as a closed loop 24. According to the embodiment shown, the support plate 3 can have a first and a second fastening means 6, which are each additionally provided as retaining or deflection means 23 for a tensioning cable 5 of the winding device 4 configured as a closed loop 24. The tensioning cable 5 has a two-strand configuration for the formation of a robust and simple loop 24 outside of the winding device 4, wherein both cable strands can be wound in or out by means of at least one cable spool in the winding device 4. The closed loop 24 is located respectively outside of a housing of the winding device 4. This winding device 4 can be implemented in the style of the winding device according to EP0056953B1 and comprise only one tensioning cable, the two ends of which are received within the winding device.

[0057] As can be seen from FIGS. 3-6 and 8, the support plate 3 of the tensioning device 1 can form a receiving channel 26 in an upper side 25 of the support plate 3 to be faced away or facing away from a ski boot 2. The receiving channel 26 is intended for the relative movement receipt or slidable retention of partial sections of the tensioning cable 5. The receiving channel 26 extends in its longitudinal direction at least partially between the first and the second fastening means 6 for the support plate 3. The receiving channel 26 can be configured in a tunnel-like fashion or in a through bore fashion according to the embodiment in FIG. 3-6.

[0058] According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the receiving channel 26 can also be configured as a slit 27 in the upper side 25 of the support plate 3, in particular in the material of the support plate 3. This slit-like receiving channel 26 enables a simple insertion of a tensioning cable 5, especially if the tensioning cable 5 is configured as a closed loop 24 (for example according to FIG. 4 or 5) outside of the winding device 4. According to an expedient further embodiment, this slit 27 can be at least partially coverable by a cover element 28 in radial direction to the longitudinal slit axis 29. The at least one cover element 28 can thereby be positively connectable with the support plate 3 by means of at least one latch coupling 35. An undesired falling out of the tensioning cable 5 from the slit-like receiving channel 26 can be prevented by a cover element 28 mounted on the support plate 3. Furthermore, the cover element 28 can be connected with the support plate 3 in a hinge-like manner.

[0059] As can be seen in particular from FIG. 3-8, the support plate 3 of the tensioning device 1 is dimensionally contoured or formed in such a way that it (largely) corresponds to the dimensional surface contour of the ski boot 2, in particular to the dimensional surface contour of the cuff 13 at the fastening location for the support plate 3.

[0060] As is shown in particular in FIG. 5, 6 purely by way of example, the at least one fastening means 6 on the support plate 3 can comprise at least one positively acting first coupling element 15 on the lower side of the support plate 3 or in a circumferential section of the support plate 3. This at least one first coupling element 15 can be formed by at least one latching hook 16 or by another protrusion that establishes a positive locking effect. This at least one first coupling element 15 can be put into positive engagement with at least one positively acting second coupling element 17 on the ski boot 2, in particular on or in its cuff 13. The at least one positively acting second coupling element 17 is preferably formed by at least one corresponding recess 18 or undercut on the ski boot 2, in particular on its cuff 13. The mutually corresponding configurations and positions are implemented in such a way that upon positive coupling of a first and a second coupling element 15, 17, a lifting of the support plate 3 from the ski boot 2 or from its cuff 13 is inhibited or prevented.

[0061] FIG. 2-5 show example embodiments of load distribution elements 19 which can be designated as sub-components of the at least one fastening means 6 for the support plate 3. In particular, at least one shim or pressure distribution plate can be assigned to the at least one fastening means 6. The at least one load distribution element 19 is designed such that it contributes to increasing the dimensional stability of the support plate 3 in its at least one fastening section in relation to a ski boot 2, in particular in relation to its cuff 13.

[0062] As can be seen in particular by consulting FIGS. 5 and 6 together or FIGS. 5 and 8 together, the support plate 3 can have or form a cavity 20 on its upper side 25 closest to the winding device 4. This cavity 20 is formed in such a way that the winding device 4 or its housing can be at least partially received therein, or such that the winding device 4 can be at least partially surrounded by the cavity 20. The robustness of the tensioning device 1 or its winding device 4 can thus be improved.

[0063] The example embodiments show possible embodiment variations, although it is to be noted here that the invention is not limited to the specifically represented embodiment variations of the same, but rather various combinations of the individual embodiment variations with one another are possible, and that given the technical teachings provided by the present invention this variation possibility is within the ability of the skilled person in this technical field.

[0064] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. The description and the drawings should, however, be consulted when construing the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the various example embodiments as shown and described can constitute separate inventive solutions. The problem to be solved by the individual inventive solutions can be derived from the description.

[0065] As a matter of form and by way of conclusion, it is noted that, to improve understanding of the structure, elements have partially not been shown to scale and/or enlarged and/or shrunk.

[0066] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0067] 1 Tensioning device [0068] 2 Ski boot [0069] 3 Support plate [0070] 4 Winding device [0071] 5 Tensioning cable [0072] 6 Fastening means [0073] 7 Anchoring means [0074] 8 Tensioning buckle [0075] 9 First openings [0076] 10 Second openings [0077] 11 Connection means [0078] 12 Triangle arrangement [0079] 13 Cuff [0080] 14 Anchor point [0081] 15 First coupling element [0082] 16 Latching hook [0083] 17 Second coupling element [0084] 18 Recess [0085] 19 Load distribution element [0086] 20 Cavity [0087] 21 Front foot shell [0088] 22 Base plate [0089] 23 Deflection means [0090] 24 Loop [0091] 25 Upper side [0092] 26 Receiving channel [0093] 27 Slit [0094] 28 Cover element [0095] 29 Longitudinal slit axis [0096] 30 Inner boot [0097] 31 Operating lever [0098] 32 Coupling element [0099] 33 Latch or tooth strip [0100] 34 Sole plate [0101] 35 Latch coupling