EP0861609A1 - Sportshoe with rigid structure - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot includes the rigid frame (10) with a sole (11), a collar (13), that surrounds the ankle, and a heel stiffener (12). There is a flexible joint (14) between these parts that is flexible longitudinally and transversally. The supple cover (30) is threaded over the frame and is joined to the frame by holes (34) in a foot (33), extending from the cover, that clips on to studs on the lower surface of the sole (11). The cover is joined to an inner boot (20) and the outer wall of the inner boot forms the inner wall of the cover.

Description

The present invention relates to a sports shoe and in particular for sliding sports such as than roller skating, inline skating, ice skating or snowboarding, i.e. a shoe having to meet both contradictory requirements for ankle strength and flexibility in determined directions.

Thus in skating, or for walking, hiking in the mountains, an ankle outfit will be sought. transverse direction and a certain freedom of pivoting or bending in longitudinal direction at least forward.

In snowboarding and certain types of inline skating, on the contrary, a some possibility of bending the ankle in transverse direction will be sought, while bending in longitudinal direction will be more limited.

In order to solve these problems, such shoes generally have a rigid frame, consisting of at least one rigid sole part associated with a heel counter fixed to said sole.

Depending on the case, they also include a rigid collar intended to surround the user's ankle in order to keep it in transverse direction.

Inline skate shoes are generally made in the form of a plastic shell comprising a shell base surrounding the foot and an articulated collar on the shell base, and a slipper removable disposed inside said shell.

Such a rigid, massive and visible framework gives the shoe a rigid, warm and uncomfortable that one seeks to avoid.

Some shoes known by US 5,437,466 are made of a flexible material upper, made according to known techniques in flexible sports shoes and glued inside a rigid external frame.

The disadvantage of such a construction is that the external framework remains visible and that the assembly by gluing the flexible rod to the rigid external framework is delicate and not removable. The same remark is valid for walking type sports shoes with a so-called "shell" sole.

Furthermore, the assembly of a flexible structure to a rigid structure using other methods classics such as sewing is also tricky due to the difference in hardness between the materials.

Other skate shoes having the "soft", that is to say flexible, external appearance are formed a rigid structure and a flexible rod connected to each other by a so-called rod injection process which hides the rigid structure. Such a technique is extremely complex and expensive and moreover not removable.

Furthermore, most of the known sports shoes are each specific for a given sport and cannot be easily used or transformed for the practice of another sport.

The object of the present invention is to remedy the above drawbacks and to provide a structure for shoe combining the advantages of the aesthetics and comfort of a flexible shoe and the advantages of stiffness, holding the ankle of a rigid shoe.

The aim of the present invention is also to provide a new mounting method and assembly of a sports shoe having a rigid frame which is faster and less expensive than traditional assembly processes, and which allows greater versatility of said shoe.

This object is achieved in the shoe according to the invention which is of the type consisting of at least part of rigid sole and a heel counter secured to said sole, as well as an at least partially upper flexible, by the fact that it comprises a cover-shaped part matching the shape of at least one part rigid frame and intended to be threaded over at least said part of the frame, said cover being provided with means of connection to said removable or fixed rigid frame.

The cover-shaped part thus gives the shoe the desired flexible appearance, while being compatible with a rigid frame.

Furthermore, such a solution is extremely simple and inexpensive since it avoids all bonding problems by gluing or sewing and overcomes the bonding problems of a flexible part to a rigid part, the form of enveloping cover itself serving as a connecting means.

Finally, it allows a certain standardization of the products, these being able to have a rigid framework common and a completely different external appearance by the use of cover-shaped parts different, or, conversely, the products which, thanks to the cover-shaped part, can have an aesthetic similar for rigid frames of different characteristics.

In all cases, the means of connection of the cover to the rigid frame can be either detachable so as to make it removable, either fixed, the cover then not being removable.

The removability of the cover-shaped part makes it very easy to change in case of wear, or if wishes to modify the aesthetics of the product.

According to a particular advantageous embodiment, the shoe comprises a flexible liner and this liner is integral with the cover-shaped part, the outer wall of the liner then constituting the inner wall of the cover-shaped part.

Such a construction makes it possible to secure the liner to the rigid frame by means of the part in form of cover and therefore ensures a certain fixity of said liner relative to the frame.

• la figure 1 est une vue de côté d'une chaussure selon l'invention en cours de mise en place de la partie formant housse,
• la figure 2 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 montrant la mise en place de la partie formant housse sur l'ossature rigide,
• la figure 3 est une vue similaire aux figures 1 et 2, montrant l'assemblage final d'une chaussure selon l'invention à un châssis de patin,
• la figure 4 est une vue de détail, en perspective montrant la liaison de la partie en forme de housse à l'ossature rigide,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 4 selon un autre mode de réalisation,
• les figures 6 et 7 sont des vues de côté montrant différents exemples de réalisation de l'ossature rigide,
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective d'une ossature rigide revêtue d'une partie formant housse selon un autre mode de réalisation,
• la figure 9 est une vue en coupe selon IX-IX de la figure 8,
• la figure 10 est une vue similaire à la figure 9 selon un autre mode de réalisation,
• la figure 11 est une vue de côté d'une chaussure munie d'une partie formant housse selon la figure 8.
• la figure 12 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 montrant l'application de l'invention à une chaussure de marche,
• la figure 13 est une vue en coupe selon XIII-XIII de la figure 12,
• la figure 14 est une vue en perspective d'un exemple de réalisation d'ossature rigide,
• la figure 15 est une vue similaire à la figure 14 selon un autre exemple de réalisation,
• la figure 16 est une vue en coupe selon XVI-XVI de la figure 12,
• la figure 17 est une vue en coupe longitudinale partielle d'une chaussure selon un exemple d'application à une chaussure de ski alpin,
• la figure 18 est une vue similaire à la figure 17 selon un autre exemple d'application,
• la figure 19 est une vue similaire à la figure 16 selon un autre mode de réalisation,
• la figure 20 est une vue de côté de la chaussure de la figure 19.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the attached schematic drawing, illustrating by way of nonlimiting example, several embodiments and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a side view of a shoe according to the invention during the fitting of the cover part,
• FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the positioning of the cover part on the rigid frame,
• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2, showing the final assembly of a shoe according to the invention to a skate frame,
• FIG. 4 is a detailed perspective view showing the connection of the cover-shaped part to the rigid frame,
• FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 according to another embodiment,
• FIGS. 6 and 7 are side views showing different embodiments of the rigid frame,
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a rigid frame coated with a cover forming part according to another embodiment,
• FIG. 9 is a sectional view along IX-IX of FIG. 8,
• FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 9 according to another embodiment,
• FIG. 11 is a side view of a shoe provided with a cover forming part according to FIG. 8.
• FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the application of the invention to a walking shoe,
• FIG. 13 is a sectional view along XIII-XIII of FIG. 12,
• FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rigid framework,
• FIG. 15 is a view similar to FIG. 14 according to another exemplary embodiment,
• FIG. 16 is a sectional view along XVI-XVI of FIG. 12,
• FIG. 17 is a view in partial longitudinal section of a boot according to an example of application to an alpine ski boot,
• FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 according to another example of application,
• FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 16 according to another embodiment,
• FIG. 20 is a side view of the shoe of FIG. 19.

As particularly shown in Figures 1 to 3, the shoe according to the invention is, according to a first embodiment, consisting of a rigid frame 10, a flexible liner 20 and a part forming a cover 30 connected to the bootie 20.

The rigid frame 10 comprises a rigid sole 11 provided at the rear with a heel counter 12 also rigid and a part 13 in the form of a collar, intended to surround the ankle of the user and connected to the buttress heel 12, on each side, by a leg-shaped connecting zone 14 designed so as to allow some flexion, in the longitudinal direction, of the shoe. Depending on the type of shoe, the sole 11 may be only partially rigid, for example to allow walking.

Furthermore, the heel counter 12 has, at its lower part, a peripheral rim 15 protruding from the surface of said buttress 12.

The value whose flange 15 projects relative to the surface of the buttress corresponds substantially to the thickness of a wall of the cover portion.

The flexible liner 20 is constituted in a manner known per se of a flexible rod 21 assembled by sewing and mounted on a first assembly 22.

The cover portion 30 is, in this case, constituted by a flexible wall whose outline corresponds substantially to the outline of part 12, 13, 14 of the framework to be covered and which is assembled to flexible liner 20 by its upper and lateral edges by means of a seam 31.

This part 30 thus delimits with the external wall 23 of the liner a part in the form of a cover, open downwards and can be slid onto the rigid frame 10.

At its lower end the cover portion 30 is also provided, on each side, with a tab 33, provided with hooking or connecting means 34. In the embodiment shown on Figures 1 to 3, these connecting means 34 are constituted by holes. The cover 30 can also have in the front / rear bending zones of the ankle more flexible or elastic zones 35, as well as reinforcements 36 in the most exposed areas, for example at the level of the sole.

The final assembly of a shoe according to the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 3.

First, as shown in Figure 1, the cover 30 is threaded on the rigid frame 10, until that the liner 20 comes to bear against the upper face of the sole 11. At this time the edge lower rear of the cover 30 bears against the edge 15 of the heel counter. The role of this ledge 15 is in fact double, namely constituting a stop for the correct positioning of the cover 30 and forming a continuous surface with the wall of said cover. This rim can also be drawn so as to simulate a flexible shoe sole.

Then just fold the tabs 33 under the rigid sole 11 and fix them to perfect assembling the liner 20 and the cover 30 to the rigid frame 10.

As shown in Figure 4, the connection of the legs 33 to the rigid sole 11 can be performed using pins 16 provided on the underside of said sole and able to be inserted into holes associates 34 of legs 33.

The connection can also be carried out using additional hook-and-loop means respectively 35, 36 provided on the legs 33 as shown in FIG. 5.

In both cases, these connecting means 33, 34; 35, 36 are detachable and therefore allow easy replacement of the cover in case of wear or if you want to change the aesthetics of the shoe. Obviously, the connecting means can also be provided fixed and not detachable if the removability of the cover is not sought.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, a recess 17 may also be provided at the level of the underside of the sole 11, so as to receive and accommodate the legs 33 without additional thickness.

The shoe thus finished can then be assembled to a chassis 40 in any manner known per se, such rivet or using screws 41 passing through the first mounting 22, the sole 11 of the frame rigid and screwed into said chassis, as shown in Figure 3. The advantage of such an assembly is that does not require any heavy assembly means such as gluing. Furthermore, the assembly of the shoe to the chassis allows at the same time to part the actual assembly of the shoe, that is to say the rigid frame thereof with the rod, and therefore save an additional assembly operation.

Furthermore, such a construction has the advantage that the cover portion 30 ensures also additional support of the liner part 20 relative to the chassis.

Figures 6 and 7 show other embodiments of a rigid frame 100, 200 respectively.

In the case of Figure 6, the rigid frame 100 is, like the frame 10, consisting of a sole 111 and a collar 113 connected to the heel stiffener 112 of the sole 11 by two connecting zones lateral leg-shaped 114, each provided with a notch 115 and a curved light 116 for promote flexion in the longitudinal direction in the postero-anterior direction.

Depending on the case, damping or resilient means can be implemented inside said indentations and lumens 115, 116, to provide cushioning or some elasticity in bending.

In the case of FIG. 7, the collar 213 consists of an independent part articulated at 214 on the heel counter 212. The collar 213 is further extended on each side by a tab 215, fixed at 216, on said heel counter 212 and providing elastic return energy in the event of forward bending.

Of course other modes of connection and / or articulation, or even of energization of the collar on the buttress could be provided without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Similarly, the articulation of the collar on the buttress along a substantially transverse axis 214 could be replaced by a joint along a longitudinal axis, for a snowboarding application for example, in order that the preferred directions of pivoting or bending of the collar are transverse.

Other modes of elastic stress on the collar could also be envisaged.

In the case of Figure 7, the rigid frame 200 is provided with multiple perforations 220 in order to lighten it.

Figures 8 to 11 illustrate yet another embodiment in which the cover 330 is independent of the liner 320 and therefore has an inner wall 331 and an outer wall 332 covering the entire upper part of the rigid frame 310.

In this case, the internal wall 331 can descend to the level of the sole, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, or on the contrary be limited to a certain overlap area 333 at the edge of the edge upper rigid frame as shown in Figure 8.

The mounting and fixing of such a cover 330 are exactly similar to what has been described previously.

Furthermore, Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the possibility of inserting a cushion 340 of foam additional between the internal wall 331 of the cover 330 and the rigid frame 310.

In the case of FIG. 9, the cushion 340 is connected to the internal wall 331 of the cover, for example at by means of hook-and-loop means, while in the case of FIG. 10 the cushion 340 is connected to the frame rigid.

Such a cushion 340 provides additional comfort and cushioning and is more easily removable.

Figures 12 to 20 illustrate the application of the present invention to the production of sports shoes step type or multipurpose use. Each time similar or equivalent elements will be designated by the same references increased by 100.

First of all, FIG. 12 shows a walking shoe 400 made up of a rigid frame 410, a flexible upper 420 comprising a cover part 430 and an outer sole 440.

The rigid frame 410 is in the case shown substantially identical to that shown in the figures 1 to 3, and is in this case constituted by a sole part 411, rigid, provided with the bitter of a buttress heel 412 also rigid, and of a part 413 in the form of a collar intended to surround the ankle the user and connected to the heel counter 412, on each side, by a flexible connection zone 414 intended for allow some flexion in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

A peripheral rim 415 is also provided projecting from said buttress 412.

The rod 420 is a flexible rod, preferably of the type mounted on the form using a first of mounting 422. In the example shown, the flexible rod 420 is provided at the front with a nozzle 421 relatively rigid integral with the first assembly 422, and provided with assembly pins 423 thus as will be explained later.

The cover portion 430 consists of a flexible wall, the outline of which corresponds to that of the part 412, 413, 414, of framework to be covered, and which is assembled to the flexible rod 420 by its edges upper and lateral by means of a seam 431.

As before, this cover forming part 430 is provided on each side with a tab. 433 carrying the connection hooking means 434 similar to those already described for example in FIG. 4.

Finally, the outer sole 440, which here replaces the chassis of the previous embodiments, is a walking sole consisting in this case of two front and rear parts 441 and 442 respectively.

The final assembly takes place in an identical manner to what has already been described in connection with FIGS. 1 to 11, and is shown schematically in Figures 13 and 16.

First of all, the cover 430 is threaded on the rigid frame 410 until it comes to bear against the edge 415 of the buttress, the pins 423 are positioned in associated holes in the sole 411, then the legs 433 are folded down and fixed under the rigid sole of the frame by the hooking means 434, and the assembly is finalized by screwing screws 445 passing through the parts of the outer sole 441, 442, the sole 411 of the rigid frame and the first mounting 422.

Thus, and as previously, the fixing of the part intended to be in contact with the ground of the shoe, namely in this case the tread 440, simultaneously assembles the flexible rod with rigid frame and saves an assembly operation at the rod of the shoe itself.

This unique assembly operation drastically reduces manufacturing costs.

In particular the assembly of the outsole to the rigid frame, without having to resort to a bonding, is particularly advantageous due to the difference in hardness of the parts to be assembled and the time related to the drying of the glue.

It will be noted that the walking sole can also be obtained by molding with the rigid frame 410. In this case, the sole part 411 of the frame and the step sole part may be provided with suitable housings for fixing screws of the first mounting 422 in order to carry out the assembly from the flexible rod to the rigid frame 410.

Of course, the rigid frame 410 can be produced in different ways as shown in particular in Figures 14 and 15.

Thus, in the case shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the framework 510 also includes a sole part 511 and a collar part 513 connected by a flexible connection zone 514 to a heel counter 512.

On the other hand, the flexible connection zone 514 has cutouts 515 and lights 516 intended for increase the flexibility of this area.

Likewise, the sole part 511 has at the front, substantially in the region of the articulation. metatarsophalangeal, a substantially transverse softening groove 517 intended to facilitate the bending of this sole part when walking. This front area can also be made of other way to facilitate flexion and be particularly multi-material.

At the rear, the heel counter can be hollowed out at its lower part at 518, to allow the setting place of a cushioning material between the sole part 511 and the tread sole proper. The recess 518 can be simply peripheral as shown in the drawing or extend over any the heel part, actually incorporating the recess 519.

An additional recess 519 can also be provided in said sole part 511 always for the provision of additional depreciation means.

Finally, the sole portion 511 may include different types of fixing holes, in this case oblong holes 520 arranged longitudinally for fixing the assembly to a sliding member such as a roller skate frame, and two sets of three or four circular holes 521 for fixing by screws parts of walking soles.

In this particular case, the shoe can allow two very different uses. Playing a sport sliding by fixing a suitable chassis, or practicing walking, or other sport, by fixing a outsole or adapted to another type of sport. So here we get a shoe completely versatile.

Figures 17 and 18 illustrate these last two alternatives.

Thus, FIG. 17 shows a shoe on the frame 710 from which we have mounted, using screws 745, two tips 741, 742, alpine type intended to transform it into an alpine ski boot, while that Figure 18 shows the same shoe on the frame 710 which is fixed, by screws 845, a 840 cross-country ski sole to transform it into a cross-country ski boot.

In each of these cases the rigid frame 710 comprises at the front, and possibly at the rear, a peripheral projection 715 intended to facilitate the attachment of the insole parts respectively 741, 742, 840. In the case of FIG. 18, the sole 840 is in one piece and only hangs on the front projection 715, moreover it covers the cover part 730.

FIG. 15 represents another embodiment where the framework 610 is "low" and does not include collar part, but simply a heel buttress 612 extending in height substantially up to level of the malleoli.

In these shown in this figure 15, which could also be applied to other modes of embodiment, the walking sole 640, made of non-slip material, is molded onto the sole part 611 of the rigid frame with suitable stud profiles.

Finally, FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate a final embodiment in which the tread sole 940 has a shape going up along the sides of the shoe.

In this case, the sole 940 has side walls 941 provided at their upper ends. lugs 942 intended to be clipped into corresponding housings provided on the rigid frame 910.

In order to perfect the plating of the lateral walls of the sole 941 against the sides of the shoe, the latter will preferably be preformed according to a narrower profile than that of the rigid frame 910.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments described here by way of non-limiting examples, but encompasses all equivalent embodiments thereof.

It also applies to any type of shoe in which the same problems or similar problems must be resolved.

Claims (15)

Shoe of the type comprising a rigid frame (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 910) consisting of at least one part of a rigid sole and a heel counter fixed to said sole, and comprising an at least partially flexible rod, characterized in that it comprises a part (30, 330, 430, 730, 930) in the form of a cover conforming to the shape of at least part of the rigid frame (10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510, 610, 710, 930) and intended to be threaded on at least said part of the frame, said cover being provided with means of connection (34, 35, 36, 434, 934) to said rigid frame. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid framework also includes a collar part (13, 113, 213, 313, 413, 913) intended to surround the user's ankle and connected to the heel counter (12, 112, 212, 312, 412, 912). Shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that the connection (14, 114, 214, 314, 414, 914) of the collar portion at the heel counter is flexible in at least certain directions. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection of the collar part to the buttress heel is flexible in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. Shoe according to claim 3, characterized in that the connection of the collar part to the buttress heel is flexible in the transverse direction of the shoe. Shoe according to claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the connection (214) of the collar part to the buttress is articulated. Shoe according to claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the connection of the collar part to the buttress is produced by zones (14, 214, 314, 414, 914) of the deformable collar / buttress elastically. Shoe according to Claims 3 to 7, characterized in that the cover-like part comprises elastic parts (35) at the bending zones of the rigid framework. Shoe according to claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover-like part is externally connected to the rigid framework at the level of the lower part (17) of the sole (11). Shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that the connecting means of the part in form of cover to the sole part are constituted by removable hooking means of hook-and-loop type or similar (16, 34, 35, 36, 434, 934). Shoe according to claims 1 to 10, characterized in that wedging means (340) are interposed between the internal face of the rigid frame and the cover-shaped part. Shoe according to claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the shoe has a liner (20, 420, 920), and in that this liner (20, 420, 920) is integral with the part in the form of cover (30, 430, 930), the outer wall of the liner constituting the inner wall of the shaped part cover. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is assembled to a chassis (40) of a sports article and in that this assembly simultaneously performs the assembly of the rod to the rigid frame of the shoe. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is assembled to a sole or part of the sole and in that this assembly simultaneously performs the assembly of the upper to the rigid frame of the shoe. Shoe according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that it comprises different means of assembly to different chassis of sporting goods and / or sports soles.

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