Patent Application
20250057282
Applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. ยง 119 of Austrian Application No. A50657/2023 filed Aug. 17, 2023, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference.
The invention relates to a buckle for a lacing device of a boot, for example a sports boot or ski boot, in particular a racing ski boot. The invention also relates to a lacing device for a boot and a boot.
The buckle comprises a base part and a grip lug, wherein the base part can be placed with its underside against a shell of a boot and can be attached to the shell, wherein the base part has at least a first receiving extension on its upper side facing away from the shell, and wherein a swivel element is formed on the grip lug, wherein, in an engagement position, the swivel element is latched at least in certain regions in the first receiving extension to form a swivelable first latching connection, or a swivelable joint arrangement, so that the grip lug can be swiveled in the engagement position by means of the swivel element from an open engagement position into a closed engagement position.
Generic buckles are well known to experts and are used to adjust and fix the fit of a boot, in particular a ski boot, to a user's foot.
However, the known buckles have the disadvantage of a comparatively high construction, i.e. they protrude from the shell. This is disadvantageous because protruding components can be knocked off or at least damaged by contact with the ground, especially with snow and stones. This represents a considerable safety risk both in ski racing and on ski tours. The known buckles also have the disadvantage that they open automatically or unintentionally, especially when they come into contact with the floor. This is also extremely safety-critical and impairs wearing comfort.
Lacing devices are also known to experts. DE1273371B discloses a lacing device with a meandering rope. Using such lacing devices, it has become possible to achieve a comparatively good load distribution on the user's instep.
However, the known lacing devices have the disadvantage that they cannot be sufficiently adapted to a user's foot. In DE102013112017B4, a lacing device with adjustable deflection means was proposed, but this adjustability is not very user-friendly.
The object of the present invention was to overcome these disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved buckle, an improved lacing device and an improved boot, which are individually adjustable in a simple manner and also offer a high degree of safety and, in particular, do not open or loosen unintentionally.
This object is solved by a buckle of the type mentioned above in that at least one first latching extension is configured on the upper side of the base part, and in that the grip lug is configured with at least one latching element corresponding to the first latching extension, the first latching extension and the latching element being configured in such a way, that in the closed engagement position, the latching element is latched at least in a region on the first latching extension to form a releasable second latching connection, so that in the closed engagement position, the grip lug is secured against leaving the engagement position and against swiveling, in particular against automatic or unintentional swiveling, into the open engagement position.
Such a buckle enables safe use because the double safety mechanism in the closed engagement position prevents unintentional lifting or loosening or swiveling into the open engagement position or even completely out of the engagement position. In addition, the first latching connection enables pre-fixing in the open engagement position, so that unintentional leaving of the open engagement position is also made more difficult. Such a buckle is therefore not only extremely convenient to use, but also extremely secure.
The engagement of the latching element of the grip lug in the latching extension on the base part enables an extremely low construction height of the buckle when closed. Preferably, a total construction height of the buckle in the closed state corresponds at least substantially to a construction height of the base part with its first receiving extension and first latching extension projecting from the top. Such a low construction height is advantageous because it prevents or at least reduces the risk of bumping or threading on edges, the floor or similar. Preferably, the construction height of the buckle in the closed engagement position is a maximum of 1.5 cm, preferably a maximum of 1.3 cm, particularly preferably a maximum of 1.0 cm. Such low construction heights have previously only been possible with deflection means for deflecting pulling means up to ropes.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the grip lug is configured with a lead-through, the lead-through being arranged so as to extend at least substantially parallel to a swivel axis of the swivel element, and the lead-through being configured to receive and deflect a rope- or strap-shaped pulling means of a lacing device, in particular permanently or non-detachably or non-threadably.
Preferably, a pulling means may be permanently accommodated in the lead-through so that no unintentional unthreading can occur.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the lead-through is configured in the area of the swivel element, or in the swivel element, or in a sleeve in the swivel element. This means that when swiveling in the engagement position from the open to the closed engagement position, the tensioning path covered by the pulling means during swiveling is comparatively small. This makes the buckle ideal for fine adjustment or presetting. Such a buckle may be configured in a lacing device as the first buckle or as one of the first buckles to be closed.
Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the lead-through is arranged in a distance from the swivel element or from a swivel axis of the swivel element in the radial direction, in particular in a sleeve. It is therefore conceivable that the lead-through is arranged at a distance from the swivel element, for example in the center or essentially in the center of the grip lug. This means that when swiveling in the engagement position from the open to the closed engagement position, the tensioning path covered by the pulling means during swiveling is comparatively large. This makes the buckle ideal for final rough adjustment in particular. Such a buckle may be configured as the last buckle to be closed in a lacing device. When such a buckle is opened, the swiveling into the open engagement position causes a comparatively large loosening, so that a user can reach a loosened rest or pause position with a single lever movement.
According to an advantageous advancement, it is conceivable that the lead-through or the swivel element in the area of the lead-through or the sleeve is formed from an electrically non-conductive material, in particular from plastic, and that the remaining part of the grip lug is formed from an electrically conductive material, in particular aluminum.
This is particularly advantageous when the buckle is used in a lacing device and when the pulling means, which may be arranged in the lead-through, is used. If the pulling means is formed from an electrically conductive material, for example as a steel cable that is not plasticized, i.e. not coated with plastic, the electrically non-conductive lead-through can provide electrical isolation from the remaining electrically conductive part of the grip lug. This prevents corrosion from occurring due to potential differences between the pulling means and the grip lug. A grip lug formed from a material combination of electrically non-conductive lead-through and electrically conductive, in particular metallic, grip parts combines the advantages of corrosion resistance and stability, thus improving the service life. Although sheathed steel cables also improve corrosion resistance when new, they are susceptible to wear as the plastic used for plasticizing is comparatively soft. The sheathing can be easily damaged and become partially or completely detached over time, meaning that even sheathed steel cables can subsequently suffer corrosion damage.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the latching element is configured as at least one aperture in the grip lug, or that the latching element is configured as a bolt in the grip lug.
Both variants enable or favor a particularly flat or low construction height of the buckle and thus increase safety.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that a second receiving extension and a second latching extension are configured on the upper side of the base part, the second receiving extension and the first latching extension being configured on the same extension. It goes without saying that other receiving and latching extensions may also be configured.
This allows further adjustment positions to be created, thus further improving the adjustability and wearing comfort of a boot configured with such a buckle.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that a tooth bar is configured by the first latching extension and the second latching extension and optionally by further latching extensions.
This allows further adjustment positions to be created, thus further improving the adjustability and wearing comfort of a boot configured with such a buckle.
A tooth bar may also be configured in several parts, for example with sliding and/or elastic toothings facing each other. A tooth bar may consist of two or more components, wherein a slightly displaceable inner part of the tooth bar may be arranged in an outer part of the tooth bar. In particular, if the latching element is configured as a bolt, fixing in the closed engagement position can be improved by means of a tooth bar, in particular by means of a tooth bar with elastic or displaceable toothings. Interlocking toothings of a tooth bar may prevent a bolt held in it from being unintentionally lifted out or levered out in the closed engagement position.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the base part is in one piece and can be connected in a fixed position to a shell of a boot, wherein the at least one first receiving extension and the at least one first latching extension are integrally formed onto the base part.
This type of construction is particularly simple and therefore reliable to use. Buckles with one-piece base bodies may be arranged in particular on inner foot shell portions, especially upper shell portions of a boot.
In general, the base part can be permanently attached to the shell of a boot by means of a screw or rivet connection, for example.
Alternatively, it may be provided that the base part is multi-part and has a first base part portion which can be connected in a fixed position to a shell of a boot, wherein the first base part portion is coupled via a further swivel element to a second base part portion which can be placed against the shell of a boot, wherein the at least one first receiving extension and the at least one first latching extension are integrally formed onto the second base part portion.
Such a construction may include many adjustment options and adjustment positions and can make it easier to put on a boot. In addition, the two-part or multi-part construction can improve pressure distribution on the shell.
Buckles with multi-part base bodies may be arranged in particular on outer shell portions of the foot, especially the lower shell portions of a boot.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the buckle comprises an intermediate plate, wherein the intermediate plate is arranged on the underside of the base part and can be positioned between a shell of a boot and the base part, wherein the intermediate plate has a tongue projecting beyond the base part, wherein the tongue can be brought into direct contact with the shell.
Such an intermediate plate may have a dual function. For example, it may be used to improve the even load distribution of compressive forces that are transferred to a boot by a buckle and/or a pulling means. It may also serve as wear protection and protect the shell of a boot from abrasion or chafing from a pulling means.
The invention further relates to a lacing device for a boot, in particular for a ski boot, which can be attached to a shell of a boot, wherein the shell comprises a forefoot shell for receiving a user's foot, and wherein the forefoot shell has a first shell portion on the inside of the foot and a second shell portion on the outside of the foot. The lacing device comprises at least one buckle, a rope- or ribbon-shaped pulling means and two anchoring points, wherein the pulling means extends in a meandering manner starting from the anchoring points and is arranged to pass through the at least one buckle.
The object of the invention is solved by such a lacing device in that the at least one buckle is configured according to any of the claims or according to the description in this document.
To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the previous parts of the description.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that three buckles, in particular three buckles according to any of the claims, are configured, wherein two buckles can be arranged on the first shell portion, and wherein the two anchoring points and the third buckle can be arranged on the second shell portion.
Advantageously, each of the three buckles serves here as a deflection means, wherein one buckle can be arranged together with the anchoring points on one shell portion, in particular on a lower shell portion, and the other two buckles can be arranged on a second shell portion, in particular on an upper shell portion.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the pulling means is guided at least in some areas over the tongue of the intermediate plate and rests at least in some areas on the tongue, so that a force acting from the pulling means on a shell, in particular on a first shell portion of a forefoot shell on the inside of the foot, of a boot is guided and distributed via the tongue onto the shell, the pulling means resting on the tongue, so that there is no or only little direct contact between the shell and the pulling means.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the intermediate plate is configured on a buckle arranged on the first shell portion, the tongue of the intermediate plate extending to an outer edge or at least to a close region of the outer edge of the first shell portion.
Preferably, the tongue does not overlap the first shell portion, but only extends to the edge or outer edge of the first shell portion. A distance between the outer edge and the tongue may be between 0 and 1.5 cm, preferably between 0 and 1 cm, in particular between 0 and 0.5 cm.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that a buckle is attached to the second shell portion, wherein the base part, in particular the second base part portion, extends over an instep area up to the first shell portion.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that the rope or ribbon-shaped pulling means is formed from an electrically conductive material or has an electrically conductive surface.
According to an advantageous advancement, it may be provided that at least one of the anchoring points is configured with an adjustable, in particular in a continuous manner, fine or superfine adjustment device, by means of which a length of the pulling means can be varied.
With such a fine or superfine adjustment device, the length of the pulling means can be slightly extended or shortened so that the fit of the boot can be additionally optimized when the lacing device is closed. In this context, fine or superfine adjustment means a small adjustment travel compared to the change in position caused by adopting different latching positions in a multi-stage buckle. The continuous adjustment in particular can be made in the single-digit millimeter range using the fine or superfine adjustment device. Such a micro-adjustment device, in particular a continuous one, may be configured with a screw or an eccentric, for example.
The invention also relates to a boot, in particular a ski boot, with a shell, in particular a hard shell, comprising a forefoot shell for receiving a user's foot, wherein the forefoot shell has a first shell portion on the inside of the foot and a second shell portion on the outside of the foot, wherein the first shell portion and the second shell portion are spaced apart from one another in an instep region, or wherein the first shell portion is configured as an upper shell portion and the second shell portion is configured as a lower shell portion, and the first shell portion overlaps the second shell portion at least in certain areas in an instep region, starting from an inner boot edge in the direction of an outer boot edge.
The object of the invention is solved by such a boot in that it is configured with at least one buckle according to any of the claims or according to the description in this document and/or in that the boot is configured with a lacing device according to any of the claims or according to the description in this document.
To avoid unnecessary repetition, reference is made to the previous parts of the description.
Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which show simplified, schematic representations. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
In the drawings,
By way of introduction, it should be noted that in the various embodiments described, the same parts are provided with the same reference signs or the same component designations, wherein the disclosures contained in the entire description can be transferred analogously to the same parts with the same reference signs or the same component designations. Moreover, the specifications of location, such as at the top, at the bottom, at the side, chosen in the description refer to the directly described and depicted figure and in case of a change of position, these specifications of location are to be analogously transferred to the new position.
The boot 3 comprises a forefoot shell 31 for receiving a foot of a user, wherein the forefoot shell 31 has a first shell portion 32 on the inside of the foot and a second shell portion 33 on the outside of the foot. As is known per se, ski boots 3 usually also have a further shell area to accommodate the ankle and at least part of a user's lower leg. Sports or climbing boots may also be configured as low boots, as is well known.
The first shell portion 32 on the inside of the foot and the second shell portion 33 on the outside of the foot of the forefoot shell 31 may be spaced apart in an instep region. This variant is not shown in the figure, but is known in particular from ski touring boots, for example from EP3153047B1, or climbing boots.
Alternatively, and as shown in
The exemplary embodiment of the boot 3 is configured with a lacing device 2 on its forefoot shell 31. The lacing device 2 comprises at least one buckle 1, a rope- or strap-shaped pulling means 18, in particular an unsheathed steel cable, and two anchoring points 30 or two fixed points to which the two ends of the pulling means 18 are attached. Starting from the anchoring points 30, the pulling means 18 runs in a meandering pattern and is arranged to run through the at least one buckle 1.
By means of the two anchoring points 30, the pulling means 18 can be fixed at both ends and thus permanently connected to the shell 7 of the boot 3. The anchoring points 30 can be fixed to the shell 7 in a non-detachable manner, for example using rivets, but also in a detachable manner, for example using a screw connection. It may be provided that at least one of the anchoring points 30 is configured with an adjustable, in particular in a continuous manner, fine or superfine adjustment device, by means of which a length of the pulling means 18 can be varied. This may be a device for micro-adjustment or fine adjustment of the tension and length of the pulling means 18. Various mechanisms are conceivable here, for example such a fine or superfine adjustment device can be actuated by means of a screw or an eccentric.
Various embodiments, views and positions of the buckle 1 are shown in
The base parts 4 of the buckles 1 shown have at least one first receiving extension 9 on their upper side 6. A swivel element 10 is configured on each of the grip lugs 8. In an engagement position 11, the swivel element 10 is latched at least in part in the first receiving extension 9 to form a swivelable first latching connection, so that the grip lug 8 can be swiveled in the engagement position 11 by means of the swivel element 10 from an open engagement position 12 into a closed engagement position 13.
It is further provided that at least one first latching extension 14 is configured on the upper side 6 of the base part 4, and in that the grip lug 8 is configured with at least one latching element 15 corresponding to the first latching extension 14, wherein the first latching extension 14 and the latching element 15 are configured such that, in the closed engagement position 13, the latching element 15 is latched at least in certain regions on the first latching extension 14 to form a releasable second latching connection. This secures the grip lug 8 in the closed engagement position 13 against unintentional or unwanted leaving the engagement position 11 and against swiveling into the open engagement position 12. In the closed engagement position 13, when both the first and second latching connections are engaged, the grip lug 8 can only be released by intentionally applying a force to the underside of the grip lug 8.
In
In
In
The buckles 1 shown in the exemplary embodiment in
It may be provided that the grip lug 8 is configured with a lead-through 16, the lead-through 16 being arranged so as to extend at least substantially parallel to a swivel axis 17 of the swivel element 10, and the lead-through 16 being configured to receive and deflect the rope- or strap-shaped pulling means 18 of the lacing device 2. It is not absolutely necessary for the lead-through 16 to be closed over its entire axial length.
It may also be provided that the lead-through 16 is configured in the area of the swivel element 10, or in the swivel element 10, or in a sleeve 19 in the swivel element 10. The lead-through 16 can be at least essentially congruent or identical with the swivel axis 17 of the swivel element 10. This is shown, for example, in the first and third buckles in
Alternatively, it is also conceivable that the lead-through 16 is arranged at a distance from the swivel element 10, in particular in a sleeve 19. The lead-through 16 may be at a distance from the swivel axis 17 of the swivel element 10. This, for example, is provided according to the second buckle in
It may also be provided that the lead-through 16, or the swivel element 10 in the region of the lead-through 16, or the sleeve 19 is formed from an electrically non-conductive material, in particular from plastic, and that the remaining part of the grip lug 8 is formed from an electrically conductive material, in particular from aluminum. In the first and third buckles in
It may also be provided that the rope or ribbon-shaped pulling means 18 is formed from an electrically conductive material or has an electrically conductive surface. Advantageously, the pulling means 18 is not sheathed with a plastic, a material or fabric, etc. This is because plasticized or sheathed steel cables cannot be visually inspected for any damage to the pulling means 18 or steel cable. In addition, sheaths are comparatively soft and can therefore be easily damaged and become partially or completely detached.
It may further be provided that the latching element 15 is configured as at least one aperture 20 in the grip lug 8, as in the first and third buckle 1 in
Alternatively, it may be provided that the latching element 15 is configured as a bolt 21 in the grip lug 8, as in the second buckle 1 in
It may also be provided that a second receiving extension 22 and a second latching extension 23 are configured on the upper side 6 of the base part 4, the second receiving extension 22 and the first latching extension 14 being configured on the same extension.
It may also be provided that a tooth bar 24 is configured by the first latching extension 14 and the second latching extension 23 and optionally by further latching extensions. This variant is shown for the second buckle 1 in
In particular, if the engagement element 15 is configured as a bolt 21, fixing in the second latching position or in the closed engagement position 13 can be improved by means of a tooth bar 24, in particular by means of a tooth bar 24 with elastic or displaceable toothing. Interlocking toothings of a tooth bar 24 may prevent a bolt 21 held therein from being unintentionally lifted out or levered out in the closed engagement position 13.
It may also be provided that the base part 4 is in one piece and can be connected in a fixed position to a shell 7 of a boot 3, wherein the at least one first receiving extension 9 and the at least one first latching extension 14 are integrally, i.e. virtually in one piece, formed onto the base part 4. This variant is shown for the first and third buckles 1 in
Alternatively, it may be provided that, according to the second buckle 1 in
It may also be provided that, as shown in
It may therefore also be provided that the pulling means 18 is guided at least in some areas over the tongue 29 of the intermediate plate 28 and rests at least in some areas on the tongue 29, so that a force acting from the pulling means 18 on a shell 7, in particular on a first shell portion 32 of a forefoot shell 31 on the inside of the foot of a boot 3, is guided and distributed via the tongue 29 to the shell 7. The pulling means 18 can rest on the tongue 29 so that there is no direct contact between the shell 7 and the pulling means 18. Since the tongue 29 may also have a function as wear protection for the shell 7, it may be configured to be replaceable as a spare part, for example. Alternatively or additionally, the intermediate plate 28 may also be made of a harder or more abrasion-resistant material compared to the shell 7.
It may be provided that the intermediate plate 28 is configured on a buckle 1 arranged on the first shell portion 32, wherein the tongue 29 of the intermediate plate 28 extends to an outer edge or at least to a close region of the outer edge of the first shell portion 32.
As shown in
When putting on a boot 3 with the buckle arrangement and lacing device 2 shown in
So that a user can comfortably step into the boot 3 with his foot or forefoot, it may be useful that all buckles 1 are initially unthreaded, i.e. are not in the engagement position 11. Even if all of the grip lugs 8 are not in the first latching connection, they are attached to the lacing device 2 or boot 3 by means of the pulling means 18 and therefore cannot get lost. If individual buckles 1 are nevertheless left in the engagement position 11, these are preferably in the open engagement position 12 and not in the closed engagement position 13, as this would prevent the shell portions 32, 33 from being pushed apart. Preferably, the middle or second buckle 1 is in the open engagement position 12 when stepping into the boot 3 and the first and third buckles 1 of the same construction are each completely unthreaded, i.e. the grip lug 8 is detached from the base part 4. The next step is illustrated in
A user now only has to move the grip lug 8 of the second or middle buckle 1 into the desired engagement position 11 in the tooth bar 24. The adjustment path or the tensile force that is covered or applied by swiveling or closing the grip lug 8 of the second or middle buckle 1 may be comparatively greater than that previously applied by the first and third presetting buckle 1. This means that the second or middle buckle 1 can act as the main buckle 1 and the boot 3 can be brought from a loosened latched state into a tightened state of use with just one movement of the grip lug 8 of the second or middle buckle 1. For this purpose, it is also conceivable that the lead-through 16 is arranged at a distance from the swivel element 10. The lead-through 16 may be at a distance from the swivel axis 17 of the swivel element 10. The radial distance between the swivel axis 17 and the lead-through 16 corresponds to the tensioning path of the pulling means 18 when swiveling from the open engagement position 12 to the closed engagement position 13.
In an operational state, all buckles 1 are closed as shown in
The exemplary embodiments show possible embodiment variants, and it should be noted in this respect that the invention is not restricted to these particular illustrated embodiment variants of it, but that rather also various combinations of the individual embodiment variants are possible and that this possibility of variation owing to the technical teaching provided by the present invention lies within the ability of the person skilled in the art in this technical field.
The scope of protection is determined by the claims. Nevertheless, the description and drawings are to be used for construing the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different exemplary embodiments shown and described may represent independent inventive solutions. The object underlying the independent inventive solutions can be taken from the description.
All indications regarding ranges of values in the present description are to be understood such that these also comprise random and all partial ranges from it, for example, the indication 1 to 10 is to be understood such that it comprises all partial ranges based on the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e. all partial ranges start with a lower limit of 1 or larger and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, for example 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.
Finally, as a matter of form, it should be noted that for ease of understanding of the structure, elements are partially not depicted to scale and/or are enlarged and/or are reduced in size.
Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| A50657/2023 | Aug 2023 | AT | national |
