The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. In particular, the invention relates to a system for selectable articulation and support characteristics between components of a boot.
A boot is a type of footwear that encases both the foot and a portion of the lower leg of a user. Boots are generally manufactured for a particular purpose or activity and therefore are designed to include characteristics consistent with the intended purpose. For example, a hiking boot is designed to support the ankle of a user while minimizing the overall weight. Likewise, a ski boot is designed to maximize a user's performance at a particular skiing activity.
Boots generally include a shell, a compression system, and a sole. The shell and compression system operate to encase and support the foot and lower leg of a user. Various well-known shell compression systems are utilized to allow users to insert and remove their feet in an open boot configuration and thus compress the shell around the foot in a closed boot configuration. For example, one shell system includes an independent upper shell and lower shell hingeably coupled to enable dorsiflexion and plantarflexion of the foot with respect to the lower leg. An alternative shell configuration includes a tongue member extending dorsally along the upper region of the foot. The sole of a boot is disposed on the bottom surface of the shell. The sole is generally composed of a rubber or plastic material. The sole may consist of a single piece or multiple blocks. The stiffness, configuration, and weight characteristics of the sole, shell, and compression have a significant effect on the overall performance of the boot.
Existing boot systems include a selectable articulation system affecting the articulation of the shell with respect to stiffness and range of ankle articulation, so as to facilitate sufficient walking/skinning performance in addition to optimal skiing performance. These articulation systems are generally switchable between a locked/supported configuration and an unlocked/free configuration. The locked configuration corresponds to supporting the shell components to facilitate optimal skiing characteristics. The unlocked configuration corresponds to enabling desired movement between the shell components to facilitate optimal walking and/or skinning. Unfortunately, these existing articulation systems often fail to properly provide optimal support in the locked configuration and often cause undesirable vibrations due to the dimensional freedom necessary to provide the unlocked configuration. In addition, existing systems are often cumbersome, with difficult selection between the locked and unlocked configurations.
Therefore, there is a need in the industry for a selectable boot articulation and support system with an efficient selection mechanism that provides desired support characteristics in the locked configuration.
The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for increasing articulation of a boot system, including releasing a dorsal coupler and laterally pivoting an instep member away from the dorsal coupler and instep region of the boot system.
Embodiments of the present invention represent a significant advance in boot articulation system technology. A “power strap” is a conventional external articulation selection system which may be used to increase stiffness (restrict freedom) of a particular boot. Existing integrated boot articulation systems generally include small complex operation mechanisms disposed on the rear portion of a boot, which significantly impede efficient selection between the articulation modes. Likewise, in order to provide the desired freedom in the unlocked configuration, existing integrated articulation systems reduce the overall stiffness and support of the boot system in the locked configuration, thereby negatively effecting overall performance. Existing systems are also generally limited to tongue-based boot shell systems rather than upper/lower-type boot shell systems.
These and other features and advantages of the present invention will be set forth or will become more fully apparent in the description that follows and in the appended claims. The features and advantages may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Furthermore, the features and advantages of the invention may be learned by the practice of the invention or will be obvious from the description, as set forth hereinafter.
The following description of the invention can be understood in light of the Figures, which illustrate specific aspects of the invention and are a part of the specification. Together with the following description, the Figures demonstrate and explain the principles of the invention. In the Figures, the physical dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity. The same reference numerals in different drawings represent the same element, and thus their descriptions will be omitted.
The invention generally relates to a selectable boot articulation and support system. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a boot system including an intercoupled upper and lower shell configured to encase a user's foot and lower leg. The boot system further includes an articulation system effecting the articulation between the upper and lower shell. The articulation system includes an instep member coupled and positioned with respect to the upper shell in a manner that facilitates selection between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. The unlocked configuration provides increased articulation and decreased stiffness between the upper and lower shell with respect to the locked configuration. The instep member may include a releasable dorsal coupling between portions of the upper shell. The instep member may also include one or more moveable lateral couplings with the upper shell. A second embodiment of the present invention relates to a method for increasing articulation of a boot system, including releasing a dorsal coupler and laterally pivoting an instep member away from the dorsal coupler and instep region of the boot system. Also, while embodiments are described in reference to a ski boot system, it will be appreciated that the teachings of the present invention are applicable to other areas.
The following terms are defined for use within this application:
Freedom—a measurement of movement within and/or between components. With respect to a boot system, a measurement of freedom may correspond to the amount of movement a user's foot may experience within and/or between component(s). For example, the amount a user may move their lower leg/ankle/foot within the upper shell (freedom within the upper shell) of a boot may be directly related to the selectable engagement of a boot articulation system.
Engagement/Disengagement—a state of selective coupling or decoupling between two components. The terms are used broadly such that engagement may include a selective tightening or adjustment within a physically coupled state. Likewise, disengagement may include an extension or slacking of a coupling within a physically coupled state.
Instep region—an anatomical region disposed on the dorsal side of a user's foot and lower leg corresponding to the region across which the user's foot performs dorsiflexion and plantarflexion with respect to the lower leg.
Reference is initially made to
The articulation system 120 selectively affects the freedom between the upper and lower shell 105, 110 including but not limited to articulation and stiffness properties. In particular, the articulation system 120 facilitates user selection between a locked (
The two moveable lateral couplings 126, 128 enable the instep member 124 to articulate between two positions corresponding to the locked and unlocked configurations of the articulation system. The slidable coupler 126 may be translatably free with respect to a channel or recess 106 (see
The locked or supported configuration (
Reference is next specifically made to
Although not illustrated various additional embodiments have been considered, including but not limited to alternative shell configurations, alternative shell geometries, alternative moveable lateral couplings, alternative coupling locations, alternative instep member geometries, alternative instep member articulation paths, etc. One alternative non-illustrated shell configuration may include the use of a tongue member in addition to or in the alternative of one of the first and second shell. One alternative non-illustrated articulation system may include replacing the illustrated slidable coupler 126 and rotatable coupler 128 by a single hinge type moveable coupler to enable the instep member 124 to laterally rotate away from the instep region of the system 100 in the unlocked or free configuration. Likewise, the slidable coupler 126 and rotatable coupler 128 may be replaced by a moveable or non-moveable single coupler. For example, if the single coupler is non-moveable, the articulation system may include bending of the instep member 124 with respect to the upper shell 105 to effectuate moving the instep member 124 away from the instep region.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/077,040 filed Jun. 30, 2008, the contents of which are incorporated by reference.
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Number | Date | Country | |
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20090320327 A1 | Dec 2009 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
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61077040 | Jun 2008 | US |