US3875687A

US3875687A - Ski boot muff

Info

Publication number: US3875687A
Application number: US486577A
Authority: US
Inventors: Donald H Henderson
Original assignee: Donald H Henderson
Current assignee: SKI THERMICS Inc A CORP OF NEW HAMPSHIRE
Priority date: 1974-07-08
Filing date: 1974-07-08
Publication date: 1975-04-08
Anticipated expiration: 1992-04-08

Abstract

An insulating covering for use on ski boots in unusually cold weather with provision at toe and heel for ski bindings.

Description

O United stateS Patent 1 1 1111 3,875,687 Henderson Apr. 8, 1975 1 SKI BOOT MUFF 3,012,343 12/1961 Dinkel 36/7.4

, 4 [76] Inventor: Donald 1-]. Henderson, Holderness 3 820 25 6/1974 Kopacs' 36/7 5 R School, Plymouth, NH. 03264 [22] Filed: July 8, 1974 Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson 1 pp No: 486,577 Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Thomas N. Tarrant, Esq.

[52] U.S. Cl 36/7.l R [51] Int. Cl A43b 3/16 ABSTRACT [58] Field of Search 36/7.l R, 7.2, 7.4, 7.3,

36/25 AL, 2.5 R An insulating covering for use on ski boots in unusually cold weather with provision at toe and heel for ski [56] References Cited bindings.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 253.402 2/1882- Martin 36/7.1 R 5 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SKI BOOT MUFF BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to wearing apparel and in particular to an insulating covering for ski boots.

2. Description of the Prior Art In modern day skiing, the ski boot designed for downhill skiing has a requirement of holding the foot immovably rigid as though integral with the boot. The boot is then secured rigidly to the ski so that the foot and the ski can be made to act as one. Some cushioning is commonly provided over the ankle bones, but the remainder of the boot has little insulation since most insulation tends to provide undesired flexibility. The use of plural thick socks also introduces undesired flexibility.

For most average skiing, the boot material and a customary amount of insulating sock are adequate. However, for skiing at temperatures below about 15F for extended time intervals, more insulation becomes extremely desirable.

U.S. Pat. to Werner No. 3,027,660 depicts a separable covering for addition over ice skates. This patent does not approach the problem of an insulating cover for a boot which must leave available the means for attaching and separating a separable runner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides an insulating covering for ski boots which is discontinuous at toe and heel for attachment of ski bindings. The bottom is a thin layer which may be elasticized to improve adaptation to different boots. The top is cinctured to provide a snowproof barrier above the boot top.

Thus it is an object of the invention to provide novel means for insulating ski boots.

It is a further object of the invention to provide exterior insulation for a ski boot which is readily separable from the boot.

Further objects and features of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description together with the Drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view ofa ski boot with an insulating cover according to the invention showing the toe.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ski boot with an insulating cover according to the invention showing the heel.

FIG. 3 is a cross section along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention provides a removable thermally insulating jacket for a ski boot. As depicted in the drawing, entire upper of ski boot 11 is enclosed with thermal layer 14 such as A inch to /2 inch thick wool felt. Other insulating materials such as flexible foam plastic may be used. Thermal layer 14 is secured to durable water repellent covering 15 such as nylon fabric.

Secured to covering 15 and passing under sole 16 of ill ski boot 11 is sole portion 17 depicted as a thin elasticized fabric extending under sole l6. Sole portion 17 may be a continuous layer as shown or straps of elasticized webbing. Covering 15 is brought together over the top of ski boot 11 by shirring or suitable gathering or elasticizing means to form cincture 18 against snow.

As depicted in FIG. 2, scuffguard 20 is secured to the exterior of covering 15 on the side of ski boot 11 that would contact the other ski boot of a pair being worn. Scuffguard 20 is desirably a smooth tough plastic such as vinyl. However, it may be a hard plastic or any material commonly used for scuffguards.

In order to attach and remove insulating jacket 21 from ski boot 11, a zippered opening 22 is provided down the side of jacket 21. While this zippered opening could be down the back or front, the side opening has been found convenient. Opening 22 may be snapped, laced, hooked or otherwise fastened.

Opening 24 is left at the toe of jacket 21 to permit access to ski boot 11 for a toe binding. Similarly, opening 25 is left at the heel of jacket 21 to permit access to ski boot 11 for a heel binding. These apertures are suitably about two inches wide by about one-half inch high. The exact dimensions are not critical as long as the bindings may attach. I

Most of the securing of one part of jacket 21 to another part is preferably by stitching. Riveting, cementing, snapping and other conventional securing methods may be used as desired.

While the invention has been described with relation to a specific embodiment, various ornamental designs are contemplated as well as obvious variations in materials and layout. Thus it is intended to cover the invention within the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A removable insulating covering to be worn over a ski boot comprising:

a. water repellent outer fabric;

b. an insulating layer attached to the inner surface of said outer fabric;

c. a fabric piece connected across the bottom of said outer fabric for passing under the sole of a ski boot;

d. a scalable opening in said outer fabric to facilitate puting said covering on and off; and

e. apertures in the heel and toe portions of said covering to provide access to the boot for ski bindings.

2. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 further comprising a cinctured top portion for contacting a skiers leg above the boot top sealing out snow.

3. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 further comprising a scuff plate secured to the outer fabric where a skiers boots might contact each other in walking or skiing.

4. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 wherein said apertures are substantially onehalf inch in height for access of said bindings.

5. A removable insulating covering according to claim 4 wherein said covering is continuous about a ski boot except for apertures at heel, toe and leg entry

Claims

1. A removable insulating covering to be worn over a ski boot comprising: a. water repellent outer fabric; b. an insulating layer attached to the inner surface of said outer fabric; c. a fabric piece connected across the bottom of said outer fabric for passing under the sole of a ski boot; d. a sealable opening in said outer fabric to facilitate puting said covering on and off; and e. apertures in the heel and toe portions of said covering to provide access to the boot for ski bindings.

2. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 further comprising a cinctured top portion for contacting a skier''s leg above the boot top sealing out snow.

3. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 further comprising a scuff plate secured to the outer fabric where a skier''s boots might contact each other in walking or skiing.

4. A removable insulating covering according to claim 1 wherein said apertures are substantially one-half inch in height for access of said bindings.

5. A removable insulating covering according to claim 4 wherein said covering is continuous about a ski boot except for apertures at heel, toe and leg entry points.