US20090119952A1 - Boot with improved tightening of the upper - Google Patents
Boot with improved tightening of the upper Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20090119952A1 US20090119952A1 US12/269,364 US26936408A US2009119952A1 US 20090119952 A1 US20090119952 A1 US 20090119952A1 US 26936408 A US26936408 A US 26936408A US 2009119952 A1 US2009119952 A1 US 2009119952A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- boot
- reinforcement
- boot according
- medial
- lateral
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/08—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners
- A43B23/16—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners made of impregnated fabrics, plastics or the like
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
- A43B5/0411—Ski or like boots for cross-country
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
- A43B5/0427—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details
- A43B5/0482—Ski or like boots characterised by type or construction details made from materials with different rigidities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
- A43B5/0492—Telemark boots
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/16—Skating boots
- A43B5/1625—Skating boots made from materials with different rigidities
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
- A43C11/14—Clamp fastenings, e.g. strap fastenings; Clamp-buckle fastenings; Fastenings with toggle levers
Definitions
- the invention relates to an article of footwear, or boot, and, more particularly, to a boot adapted for walking, skiing, sports, and other activities.
- Boots of the aforementioned type can be used in fields such as cross-country skiing or telemark skiing, walking or running on flat terrain or in mountainous areas, mountaineering, snowboarding, snowshoeing, roller skating, skateboarding, cycling, ball-playing sports, or the like.
- a boot in the general sense of the term, can have a low upper, a high upper, or a mid-upper, i.e., an upper that extends above the ankle, one that is below the ankle, or one that extends up to the level of the ankle.
- a wearer desires the foot to be adequately supported. Indeed, good foot support in the upper results in a more efficient use of the boot.
- adequate support in a flexible boot such as that in a boot used in cross-country skiing, facilitates the transmission of sensory information received from the terrain or the transmission of forces during the rolling movement of the foot as the foot is raised from and returns to the ski during skiing.
- a device for tightening the upper is adapted to support the user's foot, especially in the area of the instep.
- a tightening device includes a linkage, such as a lace, on the one hand, and connections, such as eyelets or connections of another type, for the lace to the upper.
- connections are typically defined by keepers or guides that are associated with lateral and medial portions or quarters of the upper.
- the lace typically follows a path along which it runs alternatively from one quarter to the other. Thus, it suffices to pull on the lace to bring the quarters in a direction toward one another to tighten the upper on the foot or on the foot and lower leg. Then, blocking the lace keeps the upper tightened.
- a boot includes not only a conventional tightening device, i.e., one having a lace and keepers arranged to tighten the upper and to allow the upper to be loosened, but also a linkage provided to tighten the instep zone.
- This linkage extends from a lateral portion to a medial portion of the boot, along a transverse plane. The linkage adds tightening force to that exerted by the device. As a consequence, the foot is more tightly held in the area of the instep and/or in the area of the metatarsus. This means that the foot is biased toward the sole with greater force.
- the invention improves foot support in the boot or, in other words, the invention reduces, or even eliminates, ill-timed foot displacements within the boot, especially in the transverse direction.
- the invention provides for a more comfortable boot, whether in a static mode or in a dynamic mode, i.e., whether or not the wearer is in motion.
- a more comfortable boot whether in a static mode or in a dynamic mode, i.e., whether or not the wearer is in motion.
- the wearer of a boot according to the invention senses forces, received or transmitted through the boot, that are comfortable, such as forces occurring during cross-country skiing, walking, or while the wearer is engaged in other sports or activities.
- the invention provides a boot having a sole and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a heel to a front end, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and height-wise from the sole to an upper end.
- the boot according to the invention includes a reinforcement that is more rigid than the upper, at least in the region of the instep, the reinforcement including a lateral wall and/or a medial wall, and extending plumb with the instep, i.e., vertically beneath the instep. Further, the boot includes a transverse linkage provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion in a transverse plane of the boot.
- the transverse linkage is tensioned and reversibly kept tensioned by any known arrangement.
- the transverse linkage can include a lateral portion and a medial portion, as well as a reversible tightening mechanism.
- the reinforcement in the boot according to the invention, provides the foot with lateral and/or medial support, and the transverse linkage is capable of holding the user's foot on the lateral wall and/or medial wall.
- the transverse linkage biases the foot, not only toward the sole, but also toward the lateral and/or medial wall, i.e., toward the lateral portion and/or medial portion of the boot.
- the foot is transversely held better in the upper.
- the foot remains in contact better with the upper plumb with the instep, i.e., if not continuously, at least more often than with a prior art boot.
- the reinforcement is provided to have a bottom portion.
- the transverse linkage naturally biases the foot toward the bottom portion of the reinforcement.
- Improved foot support in the boot, especially in a transverse direction, in the area of the instep, is among the advantages of a boot according to the invention. Indeed, the foot moves substantially less, or not at all, in the boot. As a result, the transmission of sensory information or of steering impulses is improved. In other words, steering is more precise, especially when performing skating steps, in those embodiments of a boot for cross-country skiing. Indeed, it is when the leg thrusts laterally that the foot presses transversely in the area of the reinforcement.
- Another advantage resulting from the invention is increased comfort, particularly in the sense that injuries caused by unwanted movements are avoided.
- the boot according to the invention offers greater comfort, whether in static mode or in dynamic mode.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a boot according to a first embodiment of the invention, which shows a lateral portion;
- FIG. 2 is a view, similar to FIG. 1 , showing a device for tightening the boot upper;
- FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the boot of FIG. 1 , which shows a medial portion;
- FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective front view of the boot of FIG. 1 , which shows a reinforcement of the boot;
- FIG. 5 is a cross section along the line V-V of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the boot of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is a cross section, in the context of FIG. 5 , for a second embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is a cross section, in the context of FIG. 5 , for a third embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is a schematic, perspective view, in the context of FIG. 4 , for a fourth embodiment of the invention.
- FIG. 10 is a cross section, in the context of FIG. 5 , for the fourth embodiment of the invention.
- the first embodiment described hereinafter relates more particularly to boots intended for the practice of cross-country skiing or telemark skiing.
- the invention applies to other fields, such as those mentioned above.
- the first embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 .
- a cross-country ski boot is provided to receive the user's foot.
- the boot 1 includes a walking sole 2 , or external sole, and an upper 3 .
- the boot 1 extends lengthwise from a rear end 4 , or heel, to a front end 5 , or tip, and widthwise between a lateral portion 6 and a medial portion 7 .
- the upper 3 includes a lower portion 10 , provided to surround the foot, as well as a top portion 11 , provided to surround the ankle.
- the illustrated boot has a high upper.
- an upper of a boot according to the invention can have only the lower portion, which has a top edge extending below the ankle, i.e., a low upper, or a top edge extending up to the ankle, i.e., a mid-upper.
- the boot 1 extends height-wise from the sole 2 to an upper end 12 , i.e., up to the free end of the top portion 11 or of the upper 3 .
- the boot 1 is structured so as to enable proper bending of the leg and a good rolling movement of the foot, as well as the transmission of sensory information or steering forces.
- the upper 3 is relatively flexible.
- the sole can be relatively rigid, or it can be much more flexible.
- the boot 1 includes a lateral quarter 15 and a medial quarter 16 .
- the quarters 15 , 16 are adapted to cover the foot and, as such, they are the constituent elements of the lateral 6 and medial 7 portions.
- the quarters 15 , 16 are affixed to the sole by means of any of a number of known techniques or expedients, such as an adhesive, stitching, or any other equivalent.
- the quarters 15 , 16 are arranged such that the boot 1 has an opening 17 for inserting the foot.
- the opening 17 extends from the upper end 12 to the front end 5 .
- the opening 17 has an upper subdivision 18 adapted to allow the foot to pass through, and also to surround the ankle after the foot has been inserted within the boot.
- the opening 17 has a lower subdivision 19 that enables the size of the opening and the size of the fitting volume to vary in the area of the instep, between the upper end 12 and the front end 5 .
- the upper 18 and lower 19 subdivisions are continuous one another.
- the heel 4 corresponds to the rear end of the upper 3 , but also, by extension, to that portion of the upper that is located immediately above the sole and is plumb with the upper subdivision 18 of the opening 17 .
- the heel 4 of the boot envelops the user's heel.
- the upper 3 additionally includes a tongue 20 , which is arranged between the lateral quarter 15 and the medial quarter 16 , in the area of the lower subdivision 19 of the opening 17 , in order to provide the upper 3 with continuity.
- the tongue could be omitted, in which case, the quarters 15 , 16 can remain separate or overlapped.
- the quarters could be connected to one another via a gusset.
- the boot 1 optionally includes a flap 25 provided to reversibly cover the lower subdivision 19 of the opening 17 .
- the flap 25 extends from one quarter 15 , 16 to the other to improve the imperviousness of the boot.
- the flap 25 is fixedly connected to the medial quarter 16 .
- a reversible closure 26 makes it possible to also affix the flap 25 to the lateral quarter 15 .
- the reversible closure 26 includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper.
- any other structure could be provided to obtain the closure.
- a series of snap fasteners could be used.
- the boot 1 further includes a tightening device 30 , provided to reduce the opening reversibly.
- the tightening device 30 makes it possible to tighten the upper 3 reversibly, i.e., the tightening device can be used to selectively tighten or loosen the upper according to the needs or satisfaction of the wearer, or to enable the boot to be fixed upon or to be removed from the foot and/or lower leg of the wearer.
- the tightening device 30 includes, for example, a first linkage 31 , a second linkage 32 , as well as connections 33 for the linkages to the upper 3 .
- Each linkage runs from one quarter 15 , 16 to the other in the area of the lower subdivision 19 .
- This arrangement makes it possible to reversibly tighten the upper 3 toward the instep, in the area of the lower subdivision 19 of the opening 17 .
- the boot 1 is provided with a removable blocking mechanism 34 , not described in detail here, in order to keep the device 30 , and therefore the upper 3 , temporarily tightened.
- any other arrangement for maintaining the tightening level of the boot can be provided within the scope of the invention.
- the blocking mechanism could be eliminated and replaced with a knot made with the linkages.
- the boot 1 includes a reinforcement 40 that is more rigid than the upper 3 , at least in the area of the instep, the reinforcement 40 including a bottom portion 41 , a lateral wall or side 42 and/or a medial wall or side 43 , the reinforcement 40 extending plumb with the instep. Additionally, the boot 1 includes a transverse linkage 50 provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage 50 or strap extending from the lateral portion 15 to the medial portion 16 in a transverse plane W of the boot.
- the bottom portion 41 of the reinforcement 40 supports the foot directly or indirectly. Consequently, the lateral 42 and medial 43 walls or sides are opposite the lateral and medial zones of the foot.
- tightening the latter keeps the foot pressing directly or indirectly on the bottom portion 41 and on one or both walls 42 , 43 of the reinforcement. This ensures that the foot is held precisely in the vertical and transverse directions, at least in the area of the transverse plane.
- the reinforcement 40 of the first embodiment of the invention includes, not only the bottom portion 41 , the lateral wall 42 , and the medial wall 43 , but also a rear wall 44 . More specifically, the lateral, rear, and medial walls 42 , 44 , 43 are co-extensive one with another to form a continuous wall 45 extending from the heel 4 toward the front end 5 of the boot.
- the lateral wall 42 has a lateral top or upper edge 46 and a front end 47 .
- the medial wall 43 has a medial top or medial edge 48 and a front end 49 . Therefore, the continuous wall 45 ascends and then descends as it extends from the heel 4 to the front end 5 .
- the lateral 46 and medial 48 upper edges are plumb with, i.e., vertically beneath, the upper subdivision 18 of the foot insertion opening 17 . This enables a better transverse support of the ankle.
- the bottom portion 41 extends from the heel 4 to the front end 5 of the boot, beyond the lateral and medial front ends 47 , 49 of the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 of the reinforcement 40 .
- the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 of the reinforcement 40 extend over a reduced length of the boot. More specifically, the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 extend from the heel 4 to a position plumb with the instep, i.e., in the area of the tightening device 30 .
- the user's heel and instep are received in a rigid hollow form demarcated by the bottom portion 41 and the wall 45 , and the front end of the foot is received on a flat portion of the reinforcement 40 , at the front of the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 .
- the flat potion of the reinforcement 40 enables bending of the forefoot, or a rolling movement, especially in the area of the toes.
- the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 are substantially opposite one another, which, as explained below, makes it easier to position the transverse linkage 50 on the boot.
- the reinforcement 40 is made from known materials and techniques.
- the bottom portion 41 and the walls 42 , 43 , 44 form a unitary element, i.e., the bottom portion 41 and the walls 42 , 43 , 44 are made from one and only one piece of material.
- This element can include fibers of synthetic and/or natural materials embedded in a matrix.
- carbon and/or glass fibers, impregnated in thermosetting or thermoformable resin make the reinforcement 40 highly rigid, i.e., more rigid than the remainder of the upper, in particular the quarters 15 , 16 .
- the reinforcement 40 is produced by molding, i.e., injection molding or any of equivalent methods.
- the transverse linkage 50 is structured and arranged so as to be reversibly tightened between the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 .
- the transverse linkage 50 includes, for example, a lateral portion 51 , or first portion, a medial portion 52 , or second portion, as well as a first mechanism 53 for connecting the portions.
- the transverse linkage 50 is affixed to at least a portion of the reinforcement 40 .
- the first portion 51 extends along its length between a fastening end 54 and a free end 55 .
- the fastening end 54 is affixed to the lateral portion 6 by means, for example, of an articulation 56 having an axis 57 .
- the articulation 56 can include any element, such as a screw, a nut, a rivet, or the like.
- the first portion 51 is affixed directly to the reinforcement 40 , in fact to the lateral wall 42 of the reinforcement.
- the second portion 52 extends longitudinally between a fastening end 64 and a free end 65 .
- the fastening end 64 is affixed to the medial portion 7 by means of any of various expedients, such as an adhesive, stitching, welding, or any equivalent.
- the second portion 52 is affixed directly to the reinforcement 40 , in fact to the medial wall 43 of the reinforcement.
- the first connecting mechanism 53 is provided to removably connect the second portion 52 to the first portion 51 , the free end 55 of the first portion 51 being above the second portion 52 .
- This first connecting mechanism 53 includes, for example, a ratchet tightener 70 affixed to the second portion 52 , in the area of the free end 66 of the latter.
- the connecting mechanism 53 also includes a series of teeth 71 configured and arranged on the first portion 51 . The teeth 71 are distributed from the free end 55 to the vicinity of the articulation 56 .
- the first portion 51 is in the form of a rack, for example, made from a plastic material.
- the teeth 71 and the core 72 of the first portion 51 form a unitary element.
- the tightener 70 includes a base plate 73 provided to guide the first portion 51 .
- the base plate 73 here includes a first flange 74 and a second flange 75 connected to one another by a bridge 76 .
- the base plate 73 is affixed to the second portion 52 by a means such as a rivet or any equivalent.
- the tightener 70 includes a ratchet, articulated along an axis 77 between the flanges 74 , 75 .
- An elastic means such as a spring, constantly biases the ratchet toward the bridge 76 .
- the tightener 70 further includes a drive lever 78 , which includes a handling end 79 , on the one hand, and a drive end 80 provided with at least one tooth 81 , on the other hand.
- the tightener 70 also includes a release button 85 , which includes a handling end 86 provided to be actuated by hand.
- the drive lever 78 and release button 85 are articulated along the same axis 87 , between the flanges 74 , 75 .
- An elastic means such as a spring, constantly biases the lever 78 , such that the handling end 79 is biased toward the bridge 76 .
- the constituent elements of the tightener 70 each occupy the positions shown in FIG. 5 .
- the ratchet opposes a lengthening of the linkage 50 when the first portion 51 is positioned along the bridge 76 between the flanges 74 , 75 , in the base plate 73 . From there, the linkage 50 can be shortened, and the upper 3 can therefore be tightened by actuating the lever 78 . It suffices to turn it along the axis 87 , so that the tooth 81 , or teeth, drive the first portion 51 . Consequently, the transverse linkage 50 becomes shorter, and the boot is more tightly tightened in the area of the instep.
- the foot housed in the upper 3 is biased toward the reinforcement 40 .
- the foot is biased toward the bottom portion 41 and toward the lateral and medial walls 42 , 43 , in the area of the instep.
- the foot is held better, i.e., there are fewer height-wise and transverse clearances.
- a resulting advantage is greater steering precision.
- the transverse linkage 50 extends in a transverse plane W.
- the transverse plane W extends in the transverse direction of the boot and forms, together with a plane P parallel to the sole 2 , an angle a that is close to a right angle.
- the plane P which is tangent to the sole, is the plane which contains the portions of the sole in contact with the ground when the boot is supported thereon without external bias.
- the value of the angle a can be between 50 and 90 degrees.
- the value of the angle a can between 70 and 90 degrees, or between 70 and 80 degrees. This means that the value of the angle a is slightly less than 90 degrees. Consequently, the plane W intersects the plane P at the front of the heel 4 , approximately plumb with the intersection 88 of the upper 18 and lower 19 subdivisions of the foot insertion opening 17 . Thus, the transverse linkage 50 is connected to the upper 3 at the front of the heel 4 . Also, the plane W intersects the plane P at the front of the user's ankle when the foot is inside the boot. In other words, the plane W intersects the plane P, plumb with the tightening device 30 , at the front of the tops 46 , 48 of the walls 42 , 43 of the reinforcement 40 . This is the specific orientation of the plane W and, therefore, of the transverse linkage 50 , that generates the tightening efficiency. The tightening primarily occurs in a vertical plane, i.e., perpendicular to the plane P.
- the user can loosen the linkage, or even open it, as is the case in FIG. 2 .
- the user only needs to act with one finger on the handling end 86 of the release button 85 .
- the drive lever 78 is then not biased, its handling end 78 occupying the position closest to the bridge 76 shown in FIG. 5 .
- the reinforcement 40 and the lateral and medial quarters 15 , 16 each are a part of the lateral 6 and medial 7 portions of the upper 3 .
- the reinforcement 40 is located outside of the upper 3 .
- the quarters 15 , 16 extend along the wall 45 within the volume demarcated by the reinforcement. This provides the boot with a more pleasing appearance, and also simplifies its manufacture.
- the reinforcement 40 can be provided to be arranged further within the upper. In this case, the quarters 15 , 16 at least partially envelop the reinforcement 40 .
- the boot 1 includes a connector 89 for removable attachment to a gliding apparatus, such as a ski, via a binding.
- This attachment 89 for example, includes one or two transverse rods located, in certain embodiments, toward the front of the boot.
- FIGS. 7 to 10 Other embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 .
- the elements shared with the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Thus, the differences are described.
- the second embodiment features a boot 1 , which includes a sole 2 , a lateral portion 6 with a lateral quarter 15 , a medial portion 7 with a medial quarter 16 , and a tongue 20 . Also featured is a reinforcement 40 , which includes a bottom portion 41 , a lateral wall 42 and a medial wall 43 . Also found in this embodiment are a transverse linkage 50 , with a first portion 51 , a second portion 52 , and a connecting mechanism 53 .
- the first portion 51 is affixed directly to the reinforcement 40 , more precisely to the lateral wall 42 .
- the second portion 52 is affixed to the reinforcement 40 indirectly.
- the second portion 52 is affixed to the medial quarter 16 by any suitable expedient, such as an adhesive, welding, stitching, any equivalent means, or a combination of such means.
- the connection of the second portion 52 to the upper 3 is farther from the sole 2 than the connection of the first portion 51 .
- the connection of the transverse linkage 50 to the upper 3 is asymmetrical. This generates a slight difference in the tightening applied between the lateral portion 6 and the medial portion 7 .
- the tightening is a bit stronger toward the lateral portion 6 , in view of the flexibility of the quarters 15 , 16 with respect to the reinforcement 40 . This promotes precise support in the lateral direction.
- the boot 1 includes a sole 2 , an upper 3 , a lateral portion 6 with a lateral quarter 15 , a medial potion 7 with a medial quarter 16 , and a reinforcement 40 with a bottom portion 41 , a lateral wall 42 , and a medial wall 43 .
- a feature specific to the third embodiment is the structure of the transverse linkage 100 and its position.
- the transverse linkage 100 includes a first portion 101 , a second portion 102 , and a connection 103 for permanent connection of the first portion 101 to the second portion 102 .
- the portions 101 , 102 are permanently connected to one another by the connection 103 , shown in the form of an articulation.
- the connection 103 can include a rivet, a screw, or any equivalent.
- the second portion 102 is permanently affixed to the medial portion 7 , as described above for the portions 52 .
- a ratchet tightening mechanism 110 is permanently affixed to the lateral portion 6 .
- the transverse linkage 100 can be tightened, loosened, or opened. In this case, the first portion 101 is separated from the tightening mechanism 110 .
- this structure offsets the tightening mechanism transversely. Here, the offset is oriented toward the lateral portion 6 .
- the boot 1 includes a reinforcement 40 , which exclusively includes the bottom portion 41 , the lateral wall 42 and the medial wall 43 .
- a primary objective is to manage the transverse support forces. Consequently, the reinforcement 40 has an opening 120 toward the heel 4 . This promotes rear bending of the lower leg.
- a transverse linkage 130 of the boot 1 includes a single portion 131 and a tightening mechanism 140 .
- the linkage 130 extends around the upper 3 in the transverse plane W, in the manner of a belt.
- the portion 131 extends through a conduit 141 , or pathway, arranged in the area of the sole 2 .
- the linkage can be tightened, loosened, and opened.
- the linkage 130 connects the lateral 6 and medial 7 portions to one another.
- the structure of the linkage 130 is simplified.
- the invention is manufactured from materials and according to implementation techniques that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
- the structure of a transverse linkage can be inverted, in the sense that the specific characteristics associated with a lateral portion can be transposed to a medial portion, and vice versa.
Abstract
A boot including a sole and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a heel to a front end, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and height-wise from the sole to an upper end. The boot includes a reinforcement that is more rigid than the upper, at least in the region of the instep, the reinforcement including a lateral wall and/or a medial wall, and extending beneath the instep, the boot further including a transverse linkage provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion in a transverse plane of the boot.
Description
- This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 07 07951, filed on Nov. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to an article of footwear, or boot, and, more particularly, to a boot adapted for walking, skiing, sports, and other activities.
- Boots of the aforementioned type can be used in fields such as cross-country skiing or telemark skiing, walking or running on flat terrain or in mountainous areas, mountaineering, snowboarding, snowshoeing, roller skating, skateboarding, cycling, ball-playing sports, or the like.
- 2. Description of Background and Other Information
- A boot, in the general sense of the term, can have a low upper, a high upper, or a mid-upper, i.e., an upper that extends above the ankle, one that is below the ankle, or one that extends up to the level of the ankle. Generally speaking, a wearer desires the foot to be adequately supported. Indeed, good foot support in the upper results in a more efficient use of the boot.
- For example, adequate support in a flexible boot, such as that in a boot used in cross-country skiing, facilitates the transmission of sensory information received from the terrain or the transmission of forces during the rolling movement of the foot as the foot is raised from and returns to the ski during skiing. A device for tightening the upper is adapted to support the user's foot, especially in the area of the instep.
- Conventionally, a tightening device includes a linkage, such as a lace, on the one hand, and connections, such as eyelets or connections of another type, for the lace to the upper. These connections are typically defined by keepers or guides that are associated with lateral and medial portions or quarters of the upper. The lace typically follows a path along which it runs alternatively from one quarter to the other. Thus, it suffices to pull on the lace to bring the quarters in a direction toward one another to tighten the upper on the foot or on the foot and lower leg. Then, blocking the lace keeps the upper tightened.
- One objective that a good tightening device must achieve is holding the foot within the boot. In particular, when skating, i.e., cross-country skiing with skating steps, it is important to hold the foot adequately in a transverse direction of the boot, which enables the skier to exert a more precise transverse thrust. Thus, ill-timed movements of the foot in the boot, especially in the area of the instep, should be avoided.
- Indeed, when the foot moves within the upper, in the area of the instep or elsewhere, the sensory information or steering forces are transmitted less precisely. Consequently, performance, especially in sports, is adversely affected.
- Moreover, repeated foot movements in the upper can translate into friction that causes discomfort and injury to the foot.
- To improve foot support in the upper, it has been proposed to add a linkage to tighten the instep zone.
- Such an example is provided in the
document DE 77 29 564 U, in which a boot includes not only a conventional tightening device, i.e., one having a lace and keepers arranged to tighten the upper and to allow the upper to be loosened, but also a linkage provided to tighten the instep zone. This linkage extends from a lateral portion to a medial portion of the boot, along a transverse plane. The linkage adds tightening force to that exerted by the device. As a consequence, the foot is more tightly held in the area of the instep and/or in the area of the metatarsus. This means that the foot is biased toward the sole with greater force. - However, a boot according to the
document DE 77 29 564 U has shown that foot support is sometimes incomplete. In particular, undesired foot movements are still observed in the upper, in the area of the instep. - In other words, it is still desirable to improve foot support, especially transverse support, in a boot.
- In view of the above, among other features, the invention improves foot support in the boot or, in other words, the invention reduces, or even eliminates, ill-timed foot displacements within the boot, especially in the transverse direction.
- In addition, the invention provides for a more comfortable boot, whether in a static mode or in a dynamic mode, i.e., whether or not the wearer is in motion. Indeed, whether at rest or in motion, the wearer of a boot according to the invention senses forces, received or transmitted through the boot, that are comfortable, such as forces occurring during cross-country skiing, walking, or while the wearer is engaged in other sports or activities.
- To this end, the invention provides a boot having a sole and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a heel to a front end, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and height-wise from the sole to an upper end.
- The boot according to the invention includes a reinforcement that is more rigid than the upper, at least in the region of the instep, the reinforcement including a lateral wall and/or a medial wall, and extending plumb with the instep, i.e., vertically beneath the instep. Further, the boot includes a transverse linkage provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion in a transverse plane of the boot.
- The transverse linkage is tensioned and reversibly kept tensioned by any known arrangement. For example, the transverse linkage can include a lateral portion and a medial portion, as well as a reversible tightening mechanism.
- Therefore, the reinforcement, in the boot according to the invention, provides the foot with lateral and/or medial support, and the transverse linkage is capable of holding the user's foot on the lateral wall and/or medial wall. In other words, the transverse linkage biases the foot, not only toward the sole, but also toward the lateral and/or medial wall, i.e., toward the lateral portion and/or medial portion of the boot. As a result, the foot is transversely held better in the upper. In fact, the foot remains in contact better with the upper plumb with the instep, i.e., if not continuously, at least more often than with a prior art boot.
- Additionally, the reinforcement is provided to have a bottom portion. In this case, the transverse linkage naturally biases the foot toward the bottom portion of the reinforcement.
- Improved foot support in the boot, especially in a transverse direction, in the area of the instep, is among the advantages of a boot according to the invention. Indeed, the foot moves substantially less, or not at all, in the boot. As a result, the transmission of sensory information or of steering impulses is improved. In other words, steering is more precise, especially when performing skating steps, in those embodiments of a boot for cross-country skiing. Indeed, it is when the leg thrusts laterally that the foot presses transversely in the area of the reinforcement.
- Another advantage resulting from the invention is increased comfort, particularly in the sense that injuries caused by unwanted movements are avoided.
- Generally speaking, the boot according to the invention offers greater comfort, whether in static mode or in dynamic mode.
- Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings showing, by way of non-limiting examples, how the invention can be embodied, and in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a boot according to a first embodiment of the invention, which shows a lateral portion; -
FIG. 2 is a view, similar toFIG. 1 , showing a device for tightening the boot upper; -
FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of the boot ofFIG. 1 , which shows a medial portion; -
FIG. 4 is a schematic, perspective front view of the boot ofFIG. 1 , which shows a reinforcement of the boot; -
FIG. 5 is a cross section along the line V-V ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 is a side view of the boot ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is a cross section, in the context ofFIG. 5 , for a second embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 8 is a cross section, in the context ofFIG. 5 , for a third embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 9 is a schematic, perspective view, in the context ofFIG. 4 , for a fourth embodiment of the invention; -
FIG. 10 is a cross section, in the context ofFIG. 5 , for the fourth embodiment of the invention. - The first embodiment described hereinafter relates more particularly to boots intended for the practice of cross-country skiing or telemark skiing. However, the invention applies to other fields, such as those mentioned above.
- The first embodiment is described hereinafter with reference to
FIGS. 1 to 6 . - As shown in
FIG. 1 , a cross-country ski boot is provided to receive the user's foot. - As known, the
boot 1 includes a walking sole 2, or external sole, and an upper 3. Theboot 1 extends lengthwise from arear end 4, or heel, to afront end 5, or tip, and widthwise between alateral portion 6 and amedial portion 7. - As shown, the upper 3 includes a
lower portion 10, provided to surround the foot, as well as atop portion 11, provided to surround the ankle. Thus, the illustrated boot has a high upper. However, an upper of a boot according to the invention can have only the lower portion, which has a top edge extending below the ankle, i.e., a low upper, or a top edge extending up to the ankle, i.e., a mid-upper. - According to the first embodiment being described, the
boot 1 extends height-wise from the sole 2 to anupper end 12, i.e., up to the free end of thetop portion 11 or of the upper 3. - The
boot 1 is structured so as to enable proper bending of the leg and a good rolling movement of the foot, as well as the transmission of sensory information or steering forces. Thus, the upper 3 is relatively flexible. The sole can be relatively rigid, or it can be much more flexible. - As shown more clearly in
FIG. 2 , theboot 1 includes alateral quarter 15 and amedial quarter 16. Thequarters lateral 6 and medial 7 portions. - The
quarters quarters boot 1 has anopening 17 for inserting the foot. Theopening 17 extends from theupper end 12 to thefront end 5. On the side of theupper end 12, theopening 17 has anupper subdivision 18 adapted to allow the foot to pass through, and also to surround the ankle after the foot has been inserted within the boot. Theopening 17 has alower subdivision 19 that enables the size of the opening and the size of the fitting volume to vary in the area of the instep, between theupper end 12 and thefront end 5. The upper 18 and lower 19 subdivisions are continuous one another. - The
heel 4 corresponds to the rear end of the upper 3, but also, by extension, to that portion of the upper that is located immediately above the sole and is plumb with theupper subdivision 18 of theopening 17. Theheel 4 of the boot envelops the user's heel. - The upper 3 additionally includes a
tongue 20, which is arranged between thelateral quarter 15 and themedial quarter 16, in the area of thelower subdivision 19 of theopening 17, in order to provide the upper 3 with continuity. However, the tongue could be omitted, in which case, thequarters - In addition, the
boot 1 optionally includes aflap 25 provided to reversibly cover thelower subdivision 19 of theopening 17. Theflap 25 extends from onequarter - According to the first embodiment, the
flap 25 is fixedly connected to themedial quarter 16. Areversible closure 26 makes it possible to also affix theflap 25 to thelateral quarter 15. For example, thereversible closure 26 includes a slide fastener, such as a zipper. However, any other structure could be provided to obtain the closure. For example, a series of snap fasteners could be used. - The
boot 1 further includes a tighteningdevice 30, provided to reduce the opening reversibly. In other words, the tighteningdevice 30 makes it possible to tighten the upper 3 reversibly, i.e., the tightening device can be used to selectively tighten or loosen the upper according to the needs or satisfaction of the wearer, or to enable the boot to be fixed upon or to be removed from the foot and/or lower leg of the wearer. - As is known to one of ordinary skill in the art, the tightening
device 30 includes, for example, afirst linkage 31, asecond linkage 32, as well asconnections 33 for the linkages to the upper 3. Each linkage runs from onequarter lower subdivision 19. This arrangement makes it possible to reversibly tighten the upper 3 toward the instep, in the area of thelower subdivision 19 of theopening 17. Thus, it is possible to apply tightening to the user's foot. Theboot 1 is provided with aremovable blocking mechanism 34, not described in detail here, in order to keep thedevice 30, and therefore the upper 3, temporarily tightened. - Any other arrangement for maintaining the tightening level of the boot can be provided within the scope of the invention. In particular, the blocking mechanism could be eliminated and replaced with a knot made with the linkages.
- As shown in
FIGS. 1 to 6 , theboot 1 according to the invention includes areinforcement 40 that is more rigid than the upper 3, at least in the area of the instep, thereinforcement 40 including abottom portion 41, a lateral wall orside 42 and/or a medial wall orside 43, thereinforcement 40 extending plumb with the instep. Additionally, theboot 1 includes atransverse linkage 50 provided to tighten the instep zone, thelinkage 50 or strap extending from thelateral portion 15 to themedial portion 16 in a transverse plane W of the boot. - The
bottom portion 41 of thereinforcement 40 supports the foot directly or indirectly. Consequently, the lateral 42 and medial 43 walls or sides are opposite the lateral and medial zones of the foot. Thus, in view of the relative rigidity of thereinforcement 40 and the relative rigidity of the upper 3 in the region of the instep, as well as the location of thetransverse linkage 50, tightening the latter keeps the foot pressing directly or indirectly on thebottom portion 41 and on one or bothwalls - With particular reference to
FIG. 4 , thereinforcement 40 of the first embodiment of the invention includes, not only thebottom portion 41, thelateral wall 42, and themedial wall 43, but also arear wall 44. More specifically, the lateral, rear, andmedial walls continuous wall 45 extending from theheel 4 toward thefront end 5 of the boot. Thelateral wall 42 has a lateral top orupper edge 46 and afront end 47. Similarly, themedial wall 43 has a medial top ormedial edge 48 and afront end 49. Therefore, thecontinuous wall 45 ascends and then descends as it extends from theheel 4 to thefront end 5. In fact, the lateral 46 and medial 48 upper edges are plumb with, i.e., vertically beneath, theupper subdivision 18 of thefoot insertion opening 17. This enables a better transverse support of the ankle. - Still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the
bottom portion 41 extends from theheel 4 to thefront end 5 of the boot, beyond the lateral and medial front ends 47, 49 of the lateral andmedial walls reinforcement 40. In other words, the lateral andmedial walls reinforcement 40 extend over a reduced length of the boot. More specifically, the lateral andmedial walls heel 4 to a position plumb with the instep, i.e., in the area of the tighteningdevice 30. As a result, the user's heel and instep are received in a rigid hollow form demarcated by thebottom portion 41 and thewall 45, and the front end of the foot is received on a flat portion of thereinforcement 40, at the front of the lateral andmedial walls reinforcement 40 enables bending of the forefoot, or a rolling movement, especially in the area of the toes. - The lateral and
medial walls transverse linkage 50 on the boot. - The
reinforcement 40 is made from known materials and techniques. In a particular embodiment, thebottom portion 41 and thewalls bottom portion 41 and thewalls reinforcement 40 highly rigid, i.e., more rigid than the remainder of the upper, in particular thequarters - Alternatively, other materials, for example a plastic material loaded with particles and/or cut fibers, can be provided for the
reinforcement 40. In such a case, thereinforcement 40 is produced by molding, i.e., injection molding or any of equivalent methods. - To cooperate with the
reinforcement 40, thetransverse linkage 50 is structured and arranged so as to be reversibly tightened between the lateral andmedial walls FIG. 5 , thetransverse linkage 50 includes, for example, alateral portion 51, or first portion, amedial portion 52, or second portion, as well as afirst mechanism 53 for connecting the portions. - The
transverse linkage 50 is affixed to at least a portion of thereinforcement 40. - The
first portion 51 extends along its length between afastening end 54 and afree end 55. Thefastening end 54 is affixed to thelateral portion 6 by means, for example, of anarticulation 56 having anaxis 57. Thearticulation 56 can include any element, such as a screw, a nut, a rivet, or the like. - More specifically, according to the first embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the
first portion 51 is affixed directly to thereinforcement 40, in fact to thelateral wall 42 of the reinforcement. - The
second portion 52 extends longitudinally between afastening end 64 and afree end 65. Thefastening end 64 is affixed to themedial portion 7 by means of any of various expedients, such as an adhesive, stitching, welding, or any equivalent. - Still in a non-limiting manner, the
second portion 52 is affixed directly to thereinforcement 40, in fact to themedial wall 43 of the reinforcement. - The first connecting
mechanism 53 is provided to removably connect thesecond portion 52 to thefirst portion 51, thefree end 55 of thefirst portion 51 being above thesecond portion 52. This first connectingmechanism 53 includes, for example, aratchet tightener 70 affixed to thesecond portion 52, in the area of the free end 66 of the latter. The connectingmechanism 53 also includes a series ofteeth 71 configured and arranged on thefirst portion 51. Theteeth 71 are distributed from thefree end 55 to the vicinity of thearticulation 56. - The
first portion 51 is in the form of a rack, for example, made from a plastic material. Theteeth 71 and thecore 72 of thefirst portion 51, according to a particular embodiment, form a unitary element. - The
tightener 70 includes abase plate 73 provided to guide thefirst portion 51. Thebase plate 73 here includes a first flange 74 and a second flange 75 connected to one another by abridge 76. Thebase plate 73 is affixed to thesecond portion 52 by a means such as a rivet or any equivalent. - The
tightener 70 includes a ratchet, articulated along anaxis 77 between the flanges 74, 75. An elastic means, such as a spring, constantly biases the ratchet toward thebridge 76. - The
tightener 70 further includes adrive lever 78, which includes a handlingend 79, on the one hand, and adrive end 80 provided with at least onetooth 81, on the other hand. - The
tightener 70 also includes arelease button 85, which includes a handlingend 86 provided to be actuated by hand. - The
drive lever 78 andrelease button 85 are articulated along thesame axis 87, between the flanges 74, 75. An elastic means, such as a spring, constantly biases thelever 78, such that the handlingend 79 is biased toward thebridge 76. Thus, absent any outside bias, the constituent elements of thetightener 70 each occupy the positions shown inFIG. 5 . - The ratchet opposes a lengthening of the
linkage 50 when thefirst portion 51 is positioned along thebridge 76 between the flanges 74, 75, in thebase plate 73. From there, thelinkage 50 can be shortened, and the upper 3 can therefore be tightened by actuating thelever 78. It suffices to turn it along theaxis 87, so that thetooth 81, or teeth, drive thefirst portion 51. Consequently, thetransverse linkage 50 becomes shorter, and the boot is more tightly tightened in the area of the instep. - In this case, the foot housed in the upper 3 is biased toward the
reinforcement 40. In other words, the foot is biased toward thebottom portion 41 and toward the lateral andmedial walls - As can be understood particularly by means of
FIG. 6 , the tightening exerted by thetransverse linkage 50 is applied in the region of the instep, due to the localization of the linkage, but also as a consequence of its orientation. Indeed, thetransverse linkage 50 extends in a transverse plane W. The transverse plane W extends in the transverse direction of the boot and forms, together with a plane P parallel to the sole 2, an angle a that is close to a right angle. The plane P, which is tangent to the sole, is the plane which contains the portions of the sole in contact with the ground when the boot is supported thereon without external bias. For example, the value of the angle a can be between 50 and 90 degrees. More particularly, the value of the angle a can between 70 and 90 degrees, or between 70 and 80 degrees. This means that the value of the angle a is slightly less than 90 degrees. Consequently, the plane W intersects the plane P at the front of theheel 4, approximately plumb with theintersection 88 of the upper 18 and lower 19 subdivisions of thefoot insertion opening 17. Thus, thetransverse linkage 50 is connected to the upper 3 at the front of theheel 4. Also, the plane W intersects the plane P at the front of the user's ankle when the foot is inside the boot. In other words, the plane W intersects the plane P, plumb with the tighteningdevice 30, at the front of the tops 46, 48 of thewalls reinforcement 40. This is the specific orientation of the plane W and, therefore, of thetransverse linkage 50, that generates the tightening efficiency. The tightening primarily occurs in a vertical plane, i.e., perpendicular to the plane P. - Conversely, the user can loosen the linkage, or even open it, as is the case in
FIG. 2 . To this end, the user only needs to act with one finger on the handlingend 86 of therelease button 85. Thedrive lever 78 is then not biased, its handlingend 78 occupying the position closest to thebridge 76 shown inFIG. 5 . - Generally speaking, the
reinforcement 40 and the lateral andmedial quarters lateral 6 and medial 7 portions of the upper 3. According to the first embodiment of the invention, and in a non-limiting manner, thereinforcement 40 is located outside of the upper 3. Thus, thequarters wall 45 within the volume demarcated by the reinforcement. This provides the boot with a more pleasing appearance, and also simplifies its manufacture. However, according to an alternative embodiment according to the invention, thereinforcement 40 can be provided to be arranged further within the upper. In this case, thequarters reinforcement 40. - Also, the
boot 1 includes aconnector 89 for removable attachment to a gliding apparatus, such as a ski, via a binding. Thisattachment 89, for example, includes one or two transverse rods located, in certain embodiments, toward the front of the boot. - Other embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to
FIGS. 7 to 10 . For reasons of convenience, the elements shared with the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals. Thus, the differences are described. - The second embodiment, according to
FIG. 7 , features aboot 1, which includes a sole 2, alateral portion 6 with alateral quarter 15, amedial portion 7 with amedial quarter 16, and atongue 20. Also featured is areinforcement 40, which includes abottom portion 41, alateral wall 42 and amedial wall 43. Also found in this embodiment are atransverse linkage 50, with afirst portion 51, asecond portion 52, and a connectingmechanism 53. - For the second embodiment of the invention, the
first portion 51 is affixed directly to thereinforcement 40, more precisely to thelateral wall 42. Conversely, contrary to the first embodiment, thesecond portion 52 is affixed to thereinforcement 40 indirectly. In fact, thesecond portion 52 is affixed to themedial quarter 16 by any suitable expedient, such as an adhesive, welding, stitching, any equivalent means, or a combination of such means. It can be said that the connection of thesecond portion 52 to the upper 3 is farther from the sole 2 than the connection of thefirst portion 51. In other words, the connection of thetransverse linkage 50 to the upper 3 is asymmetrical. This generates a slight difference in the tightening applied between thelateral portion 6 and themedial portion 7. The tightening is a bit stronger toward thelateral portion 6, in view of the flexibility of thequarters reinforcement 40. This promotes precise support in the lateral direction. - The third embodiment of the invention is described with reference to
FIG. 8 , in which, once again, theboot 1 includes a sole 2, an upper 3, alateral portion 6 with alateral quarter 15, amedial potion 7 with amedial quarter 16, and areinforcement 40 with abottom portion 41, alateral wall 42, and amedial wall 43. - A feature specific to the third embodiment is the structure of the
transverse linkage 100 and its position. Thetransverse linkage 100 includes afirst portion 101, asecond portion 102, and aconnection 103 for permanent connection of thefirst portion 101 to thesecond portion 102. In fact, theportions connection 103, shown in the form of an articulation. Theconnection 103 can include a rivet, a screw, or any equivalent. - The
second portion 102 is permanently affixed to themedial portion 7, as described above for theportions 52. In addition, aratchet tightening mechanism 110 is permanently affixed to thelateral portion 6. Thetransverse linkage 100 can be tightened, loosened, or opened. In this case, thefirst portion 101 is separated from thetightening mechanism 110. Compared to the previous embodiments, this structure offsets the tightening mechanism transversely. Here, the offset is oriented toward thelateral portion 6. - The fourth embodiment is described with reference to
FIGS. 9 and 10 . In this case, theboot 1 includes areinforcement 40, which exclusively includes thebottom portion 41, thelateral wall 42 and themedial wall 43. A primary objective is to manage the transverse support forces. Consequently, thereinforcement 40 has anopening 120 toward theheel 4. This promotes rear bending of the lower leg. - A
transverse linkage 130 of theboot 1 includes asingle portion 131 and atightening mechanism 140. In fact, thelinkage 130 extends around the upper 3 in the transverse plane W, in the manner of a belt. In particular, theportion 131 extends through aconduit 141, or pathway, arranged in the area of the sole 2. Here again, the linkage can be tightened, loosened, and opened. Although it is not permanently affixed thereto, thelinkage 130 connects thelateral 6 and medial 7 portions to one another. Here, the structure of thelinkage 130 is simplified. - In any case, the invention is manufactured from materials and according to implementation techniques that are known to one of ordinary skill in the art.
- The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described hereinabove, but encompasses all of the technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.
- In particular, the structure of a transverse linkage can be inverted, in the sense that the specific characteristics associated with a lateral portion can be transposed to a medial portion, and vice versa.
Claims (19)
1. A boot comprising:
a sole;
an upper extending upwardly from the sole, said upper including an instep region;
a length extending longitudinally between a heel and a front end;
a width extending transversely between a lateral portion and a medial portion;
a height extending from the sole to an upper end;
the upper further including a reinforcement positioned at least in the instep region of the upper, the reinforcement comprising a lateral wall and/or a medial wall and extending plumb with the instep;
a transverse linkage configured and arranged to tighten the instep region, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion in a transverse plane of the boot.
2. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the reinforcement further includes a bottom portion positioned to support a foot of a wearer.
3. A boot according to claim, wherein:
the reinforcement includes a bottom portion extending from the lateral wall to the medial wall.
4. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the reinforcement further includes a rear wall positioned to extend behind a wearer's heel.
5. A boot according to claim 2 , wherein:
the bottom portion, the lateral wall and the medial wall of the reinforcement form a unitary element.
6. A boot according to claim 4 , wherein:
the bottom portion, the lateral wall, the medial wall, and the rear wall of the reinforcement form a unitary element.
7. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the reinforcement is located externally of the upper.
8. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transverse linkage is affixed at least to a portion of the reinforcement.
9. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transverse linkage includes a first portion, a second portion, as well as a mechanism for removably connecting the second portion to the first portion.
10. A boot according to claim 9 , wherein:
the first portion is affixed directly to the reinforcement and the second portion is affixed directly to the reinforcement.
11. A boot according to claim 9 , wherein:
the first portion is affixed directly to the reinforcement and the second portion is affixed indirectly to the reinforcement.
12. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transverse linkage includes a first portion, a second portion, and a permanent connection of the first portion to the second portion;
a tightening mechanism is permanently affixed to the lateral portion of the upper.
13. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transverse linkage extends around the upper in a transverse plane as a belt.
14. A boot according to claim 13 , wherein:
the transverse plane forms, together with a plane tangent to a lower surface of the sole, an angle a having a value between 50 and 90 degrees.
15. A boot according to claim 13 , wherein:
the transverse plane intersects a plane, tangent to a lower surface of the sole, plumb with a tightening device of the upper.
16. A boot according to claim 13 , wherein:
the transverse plane intersects a plane, tangent to a lower surface of the sole, approximately plumb with an intersection of upper and lower subdivisions of a foot insertion opening.
17. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the transverse linkage is connected to the upper in front of the heel.
18. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the upper includes a lower portion adapted to cover a foot of a wearer, and a top portion adapted to extend above an ankle of the wearer.
19. A boot according to claim 1 , wherein:
the boot is configured and arranged to be used for a gliding sport, said boot having a connection for connecting a front of the boot to a binding affixed to a gliding board.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
FR0707951 | 2007-11-13 | ||
FR0707951A FR2923362B1 (en) | 2007-11-13 | 2007-11-13 | IMPROVED ROD TIGHTENING SHOE |
Publications (1)
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US20090119952A1 true US20090119952A1 (en) | 2009-05-14 |
Family
ID=39485206
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US12/269,364 Abandoned US20090119952A1 (en) | 2007-11-13 | 2008-11-12 | Boot with improved tightening of the upper |
Country Status (6)
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US (1) | US20090119952A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP2060196B1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN101433388B (en) |
DE (1) | DE202008017700U1 (en) |
FR (1) | FR2923362B1 (en) |
RU (1) | RU2497423C2 (en) |
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US20130086818A1 (en) * | 2011-10-10 | 2013-04-11 | Salomon S.A.S. | Footwear with improved tightening of upper |
US20130091737A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Salomon S.A.S. | Footwear with improved upper |
US20130298426A1 (en) * | 2012-05-14 | 2013-11-14 | Elisha George Pierce | Tongueless Footwear With A Canopy |
US20140013630A1 (en) * | 2011-02-21 | 2014-01-16 | Salomon S.A.S. | Shoe for practicing sports involving gliding over the snow or for walking |
US20140151981A1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2014-06-05 | Salomon S.A.S. | Sports footwear with adjustable bending |
US20150096201A1 (en) * | 2013-10-09 | 2015-04-09 | Calzaturificio S.C.A.R.P.A. S.P.A. | Mountaineering boot |
US11291266B2 (en) | 2012-07-06 | 2022-04-05 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Cycling shoe |
CN114916744A (en) * | 2022-06-01 | 2022-08-19 | 陈林 | Warm-keeping combat boots for military police |
USD974005S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-01-03 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD975405S1 (en) | 2021-01-14 | 2023-01-17 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD975969S1 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-01-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD975970S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-01-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD980609S1 (en) | 2020-07-31 | 2023-03-14 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle shoe |
Families Citing this family (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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FR2965458B1 (en) * | 2010-09-30 | 2013-08-16 | Salomon Sas | REINFORCED SHOE |
FR2999059B1 (en) * | 2012-12-07 | 2015-01-30 | Salomon Sas | FORMING DEVICE APPLIED TO A SHOE |
CN105326150B (en) * | 2015-11-23 | 2017-01-25 | 陕西科技大学 | Adjustable hallux valgus pain relieving bent last shoe for old people |
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- 2007-11-13 FR FR0707951A patent/FR2923362B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2008
- 2008-10-20 DE DE202008017700U patent/DE202008017700U1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2008-10-20 EP EP08018316.3A patent/EP2060196B1/en not_active Not-in-force
- 2008-11-12 RU RU2008144760/12A patent/RU2497423C2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 2008-11-12 US US12/269,364 patent/US20090119952A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2008-11-12 CN CN2008101754180A patent/CN101433388B/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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Cited By (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140013630A1 (en) * | 2011-02-21 | 2014-01-16 | Salomon S.A.S. | Shoe for practicing sports involving gliding over the snow or for walking |
US20130086818A1 (en) * | 2011-10-10 | 2013-04-11 | Salomon S.A.S. | Footwear with improved tightening of upper |
US9049898B2 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2015-06-09 | Salomon S.A.S. | Footwear with improved upper |
US20130091737A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Salomon S.A.S. | Footwear with improved upper |
US20130298426A1 (en) * | 2012-05-14 | 2013-11-14 | Elisha George Pierce | Tongueless Footwear With A Canopy |
US11291266B2 (en) | 2012-07-06 | 2022-04-05 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Cycling shoe |
US20140151981A1 (en) * | 2012-11-30 | 2014-06-05 | Salomon S.A.S. | Sports footwear with adjustable bending |
US20150096201A1 (en) * | 2013-10-09 | 2015-04-09 | Calzaturificio S.C.A.R.P.A. S.P.A. | Mountaineering boot |
USD980609S1 (en) | 2020-07-31 | 2023-03-14 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Bicycle shoe |
USD975969S1 (en) | 2020-10-27 | 2023-01-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD974005S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-01-03 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD975970S1 (en) | 2020-12-23 | 2023-01-24 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
USD975405S1 (en) | 2021-01-14 | 2023-01-17 | Specialized Bicycle Components, Inc. | Shoe |
CN114916744A (en) * | 2022-06-01 | 2022-08-19 | 陈林 | Warm-keeping combat boots for military police |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP2060196A1 (en) | 2009-05-20 |
CN101433388A (en) | 2009-05-20 |
RU2497423C2 (en) | 2013-11-10 |
EP2060196B1 (en) | 2015-10-07 |
RU2008144760A (en) | 2010-05-20 |
FR2923362A1 (en) | 2009-05-15 |
DE202008017700U1 (en) | 2010-03-25 |
CN101433388B (en) | 2012-02-22 |
FR2923362B1 (en) | 2010-04-30 |
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Legal Events
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: SALOMON S.A.S., FRANCE Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CHOVINO, THIERRY;DONNADIEU, THIERRY;REEL/FRAME:021967/0242;SIGNING DATES FROM 20081204 TO 20081209 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |