Patent Grant
12082650
This application claims priority to Australian Provisional Patent Application Number 2023902585, filed 15 Aug. 2023, the specification of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
At least one embodiment relates to a ski boot and system. More specifically, at least one embodiment of a ski boot is described comprising an adjustable damping mechanism and instrumentation configured to sense characteristics of the adjustable damping mechanism and allow adjustment of characteristics of ski boot damping. One or more embodiments include a system using the ski boot and sensed data collected from the ski boot is also described.
Ski boots have, over time, taken on various mechanisms to assist a skier to ski in more proficient ways. Existing ski boots however, do not provide adjustable damping or flexion under load. Further, no objective basis may be integrated into existing ski boots for adjusting damping or flexion to suit an individual or to suit ski conditions. Some examples of attempts to modify ski boots are described further below.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,644,919 is directed to a signaling device for indicating improper position of a skier comprising means attachable to the body of the skier and including means responsive to the position of the skier operatively connected with indicating means for causing a signal to indicate when the skier is not in the proper position. In this case, measurement sensors (pressure and rotation) are used in analysis of the action of a skier to alert a skier to improper posture or positioning.
Ski boots have also been developed with mechanisms to monitor and/or adjust boot performance.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,747,235 describes a ski boot comprising a lever and damping arrangements between the body of a ski boot and a pivoted cuff or brace. U.S. Pat. No. 4,476,640 describes the use of a variable rated damper for adjusting the flex of a ski boot. CARV (https://getcarv.com/) produce a ski boot footbed that provides users with feedback that is instruction orientated. This product is not designed or capable of providing ski boot set up advice.
Sensors to sense boot characteristics have been described in the art. One example is U.S. Pat. No. 4,697,360 which describes an instrumented ski boot powered by on-board solar cells having sensors included for detecting proper closure of the boot or to activate ski binding release. U.S. Pat. No. 5,295,704 describes a ski binding with knee flex and ankle flex sensors for determining an angle of knee flex, together with a microprocessor for actuating a ski binding release mechanism. U.S. Pat. No. 5,636,146 describes systems for measuring skier performance using accelerometers and pressure sensors to determine loft time and speed. U.S. Pat. No. 6,095,547 describes active damping using piezoelectric systems within a ski together with active control using a CPU. U.S. Pat. No. 8,239,146 describes systems using sensors on rider knees and pressure sensors between the boots and legs of a wearer to measure ski performance.
Wireless systems and skiing are a more recent development. One example is described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,612,181 which describes a wireless system for monitoring and analysis of skiing.
Ankle flex during skiing and how that interacts with skier performance has been the subject of scientific research. These papers emphasized the importance of ankle flex on performance and reducing injuries. In one paper instrumented ski boots using rotary potentiometers were used to measure skiing ground forces and flexural angles during simulation and real skiing (“An Innovative Compact System to Measure Skiing Ground Reaction Forces and Flexural Angles of Alpine and Touring Ski Boots” published in Sensors, January 2023, authored by Nature in October 2022, authored by Giuseppe Zullo et al of University of Padua).
Despite the above advances in ski boot technology, none of the art to date has combined the element of ski boots with instrumentation to damper boot flex and sensing which monitors boot flex and provides analysis of the in-use data. Existing ski boots do not describe using the sensed information to modify the ski boot damper apparatus and hence, adjust flex rapidly, even in real time as skiing is occurring. The closest equivalent style of system may be a system called the ‘Fox live valve’ which is used on some mountain bikes to adjust suspension damping as described on the website: https://www.ridefox.com/content.php?c=livevalve-bike.
For a skier to maintain their balance, control of their skis and, to reduce fatigue, it may be useful to provide adjustment in response to sensed data to optimize skier performance, adjust for different ski conditions, ski styles, ski disciplines and, potentially to also reduce injuries, or at least provide the public with a choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the ski boot and system will become apparent from the ensuing description with the one or more embodiments that is given by way of example only.
At least one embodiment of the invention is a ski boot comprising an adjustable damping mechanism and instrumentation configured to sense characteristics of the adjustable damping mechanism and allow adjustment of characteristics of ski boot damping. A system is also described, by way of at least one embodiment, comprising the ski boot, a processor and a receiver and monitoring and adjustment of ski boot damping characteristics.
In at least one embodiment, there is provided a ski boot configured to control and adjust a forward flex and a rearward rebound movement of a ski boot while the ski boot is in-use, the ski boot comprising:
In at least one embodiment, there is provided a system comprising:
Advantages of the above ski boot and system, by way of one or more embodiments, may relate to the ability to collect data on forward flex and rearward rebound movement in-use and optionally, the ability to adjust the forward flex and rearward rebound movement quickly and even automatically whilst skiing. Many other possible advantages have been identified by the inventor that are outlined further below, by way of one or more embodiments.
Further aspects of the ski boot and system will become apparent from the following description, by way of one or more embodiments, that is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
As noted above, by way of one or more embodiments, described herein is a ski boot comprising an adjustable damping mechanism and instrumentation configured to sense characteristics of the adjustable damping mechanism and allow adjustment of characteristics of ski boot damping. A system is also described, by way of at least one embodiment, comprising the ski boot, a processor and a receiver and monitoring and adjustment of ski boot damping characteristics.
For the purposes of this specification, the term ‘about’ or ‘approximately’ and grammatical variations thereof mean a quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length that varies by as much as 30, 25, 20, 15, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, or 1% to a reference quantity, level, degree, value, number, frequency, percentage, dimension, size, amount, weight or length.
The term ‘substantially’ or grammatical variations thereof refers to at least about 50%, for example 75%, 85%, 95% or 98%.
The term ‘comprise’ and grammatical variations thereof shall have an inclusive meaning—i.e. that it will be taken to mean an inclusion of not only the listed components it directly references, but also other non-specified components or elements.
In at least one embodiment, there is provided a ski boot configured to control and adjust a forward flex and a rearward rebound movement of a ski boot while the ski boot is in-use, the ski boot comprising:
As noted above, in at least one embodiment, the ski boot is configured to control and adjust a forward flex and a rearward rebound movement of a ski boot while the ski boot is in-use.
The term ‘forward flex’ and grammatical variations thereof as used herein refers to movement of the cuff relative to the shell in a forwards direction i.e. the front of the cuff moves closer to a toe of the shell commensurate with a skier articulating rotation of their lower leg forwards so that the skiers knee moves forwards over their foot or toes of their foot.
The term ‘rearward rebound movement’ and grammatical variations thereof as used herein refers to movement of the cuff relative to the shell in a rearwards or aft direction i.e. the front of the cuff moves away from a toe of the shell commensurate with a skier articulating rotation of their lower leg rearwards so that the skiers knee moves back from over their foot or toes of their foot.
The characteristics of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement controlled, in at least one embodiment, may be selected from: the extent of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement, the speed of forward flex or rearward rebound movement, the acceleration of forward flex or rearward rebound movement, and combinations of these characteristics.
As noted above, by way of at least one embodiment, the shell is configured to receive and retain a foot of a skier.
In one or more embodiments, the shell may comprise a shoe shape and form with a base that a foot stands on and an enclosure over the foot of a skier. The shell may have a toe or front end, a heel or rear end and sides. While a shoe type configuration is described, the shell may be defined more widely as the foot holding region of the ski boot.
In use, by way of one or more embodiments, the shell may have a securing member that may be configured to retain a skier's foot within the shell during use but which may be loosened to allow the skier to remove the shell when not skiing. The securing members may for example be straps, buckles or a BOA style ratchet tensioning mechanism.
As noted above, by way of at least one embodiment, the cuff is configured to secure to the lower leg of a skier.
The cuff may be secured to the lower leg/shin calf area of a skier.
The cuff may have a securing member that may be configured to retain the cuff to the skier's lower leg/shin calf area during use but, which may be loosened to allow the skier to remove the cuff when not skiing. The securing member may for example be straps, buckles or a BOA style ratchet tensioning mechanism.
While a cuff only type configuration is described, by way of one or more embodiments, the cuff may be defined more widely as the lower leg holding region of the ski boot or an upper part of the ski boot.
The adjustable damper, as noted above, is coupled to the shell and the cuff and is configured to control forward flex or rearward rebound movement of the ski boot, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.
The adjustable damper itself may also be termed a bias mechanism, a suspension mechanism or a shock. These terms and grammatical variations thereof are used collectively herein and, reference to one or the other, is not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.
The adjustable damper may be gas, hydraulic or spring driven.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper may be in terms of: return speed (slow/fast), bias strength or resistance to movement, bias range of motion, adjustment of start or a neutral position, adjustment of an end or maximum flex position, and combinations thereof. These adjustments may lead to the above stated changes in the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement characteristics.
Examples of adjustable dampers that may be used to form the ski boot described may comprise: strut dampers (gas driven), spring dampers (air spring or coil spring), suspension dampers, coil over shock dampers, elastomer shock dampers, hydraulic shock dampers, automotive shock dampers, mountain bike shock dampers.
The adjustable damper may be: a pull shock damper, a compression shock damper, a dual ended shock damper (i.e. works in both a tension and compression direction).
The ski boot may comprise one adjustable damper.
The ski boot may comprise more than one adjustable damper.
The ski boot may comprise multiple adjustable dampers. For example, one adjustable damper may be used to control compression damping movement and an alternative adjustable damper may be used to control tension or pull damping or the rebound movement.
The adjustable damper, shell and cuff may be coupled together in a manner configured to control the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement of the ski boot, according to one or more embodiments of the invention.
Coupling of the cuff, the shell and the adjustable damper may be located about:
In at least one embodiment, a lower portion of the cuff and an upper portion of the shell may be linked together at the first pivot axis about the position of the skier's ankle when the skier wears the ski boot.
Coupling of the cuff and shell about the first pivot axis may be a direct coupling. That is, the cuff and the shell may directly link to each other at the first pivot axis.
Coupling of the cuff and shell at the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis may as noted above be indirect with the adjustable damper linking the shell to the cuff.
The second pivot axis may be located distant to the first pivot axis. The second pivot axis may be located outside of the shell of the ski boot. The second pivot axis may be located generally below the first pivot axis. The second pivot axis may be located in a position that allows sufficient clearance for engagement of a ski binding.
In at least one embodiment, the adjustable damper may be a dual tension and compression adjustable damper. One end of the damper may be coupled to the shell of the ski boot and an opposing end of the adjustable damper may be coupled to the cuff. The point at which the cuff and adjustable damper connect may be the second pivot axis. The third pivot axis may be located where the adjustable damper and shell couple together.
The forward flex may cause rotation of the cuff forwards about the first pivot axis relative to the shell which, in turn causes a distance between the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis to reduce and hence cause a compression force on the adjustable damper.
The rearward rebound movement may cause rotation of the cuff rearwards about the first pivot axis relative to the shell which, in turn causes the distance between the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis to increase and hence cause a tension force on the adjustable damper.
The adjustable damper may be a pull shock damper. In one or more embodiments, forward flex may cause rotation of the cuff forwards about the first pivot axis relative to the shell which, in turn may cause a distance between the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis to increase and hence cause a tension force on the adjustable damper. Rearward rebound movement may cause rotation of the cuff rearwards about the first pivot axis relative to the shell which, in turn may cause the distance between the second pivot axis and the third pivot axis to decrease and hence cause a compression force on the adjustable damper.
The adjustable damper may be mounted on one side or both sides of the ski boot; on a back or heel end of the ski boot; on a toe end or front of the ski boot; or within the ski boot i.e. in the shell of the ski boot or in the cuff of the ski boot, or in a sole of the ski boot.
The cuff, or the shell, or both the cuff and the shell, need not be directly coupled to the adjustable damper. Indirect coupling may occur for example via a cable coupling the cuff or the shell to an end of the adjustable damper.
The first, second or third pivot axis or the pivot axes may be made of pivot bearings. The pivot bearings may have a low clearance. The pivot bearings may be attached to the cuff, or the shell, or both the cuff and the shell.
When the adjustable damper is not coupled to the shell and the cuff, the cuff may rotate relative to the shell with little to no resistance. Expressed an alternative way, all restriction or damping of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement of the cuff relative to the shell may be removed by disengagement of the adjustable damper.
The first, the second, and the third pivot axes described may transfer rotational movement of the cuff relative to the shell into lateral movement of the adjustable damper.
The cuff may be configured to rotate forward and aft around the pivots as forward flex and rearward rebound movement occurs.
Lateral and vertical stiffness of the ski boot may be designed/engineered into the pivot axes, the shell, the cuff and the adjustable damper arrangement.
The adjustable damper may be coupled to the shell and the cuff in three distinct modes:
As noted above, by way of one or more embodiments, the ski boot comprises a measuring sensor that collects data about the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement of the ski boot.
The sensor may be configured to store, transmit or, store and transmit, the sensed data of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement during use of the ski boot.
The sensor may measure the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement indirectly by measuring movement of the adjustable damper.
The sensed data of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement may be measured by sensing: range of motion (ROM) and/or speed of motion and/or acceleration forward and aft of the cuff relative to the shell.
The sensor may sense movement of the cuff and may be configured to store, transmit or, store and transmit, measured movement data collected about movement of the cuff during use of the ski boot.
Multiple sensors may be used and not a single sensor. Reference to a singular sensor, unless otherwise stated, should not be seen as limiting and also encompasses multiple sensors.
The sensor (or sensors) may be one or more rotational sensors. The rotational sensor or sensors may be located on or about the pivot axis or axes. The rotational sensor or sensors may be located in or on the cuff or a part thereof.
The adjustable damper itself may be digitized and adjustable damper travel may be used as the sensor. Digitized adjustable dampers exist in the art in cycling applications and may be modified for use in the context of a ski boot to provide the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement characteristics.
The sensor or sensors may also sense the forward flex and the rearward rebound characteristics via cables or strain gauges.
The ski boot or sensor may further comprise a signaling means that communicates sensed data collected from the sensor as a communicated signal. The communicated signal may be received by a processor. The communicated signal may be a wireless signal. The processor may be a smartphone, laptop or other device.
Sensed data may be stored on the ski boot.
The sensed data could be analyzed via an application on the processor and the adjustable damper then automatically adjusted or recommendations made to the user to manually adjust the adjustable damper. Recommendations for adjustment may be presented to the skier via their processor.
As noted above, in one or more embodiments, the ski boot may comprise a means to adjust the adjustable damper in response to the sensed data provided by the sensor.
The adjustable damper may control the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement by controlling characteristics selected from: an extent of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement; a speed of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement; an acceleration of the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement; and combinations of these characteristics.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper may be achieved by adjusting the adjustable damper: return speed, bias strength or resistance to movement, bias range of motion, adjustment of start or a neutral position, adjustment of an end or maximum flex position, and combinations thereof.
The forward flex and the rearward rebound movement damping may be adjusted by increasing or decreasing the amount of air or fluid or element (such as nitrogen) within the adjustable damper.
The rearward rebound movement damping may be adjusted via a valve within the adjustable damper. The rebound may be adjusted from fast to slow or vice versa.
The adjustable damper may be adjusted manually or automatically.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper may be completed using, for example, mechanical servos, magnetic valves, by manually adding air via a shock pump, or by screwing open or closing valves that effect dampening.
Adjustment may be to make the boot more flexible by increasing the range of flex controlled by the adjustable damper. Forward flex and range of motion may for example be increased by reducing the damping forces provided by the adjustable damper.
Adjustment may be to increase the boot stiffness by decreasing the range of flex controlled by the adjustable damper. Forward flex and range of motion may for example be decreased by increasing the damping forces provided by the adjustable damper.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper movement may occur during use of the ski boot.
The adjustable damper may be adjusted manually.
The adjustable damper may be adjusted automatically.
For example, the ski boot is not like a traditional ski boot where characteristics of forward flex and rebound are inherent to the ski boot design and not adjustable or only adjustable using tools which is generally completed at a ski retail outlet.
The above described ski boot may be adjusted between ski runs or when the skier stops part way through a ski run. The ski boot may adjust itself automatically in response to sensed information about the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement of the ski boot.
Sensing of sensed data and adjustment of the adjustable damper may occur at an instant of time. Sensing of sensed data and adjustment of the adjustable damper may occur over a time period.
The adjustable damper may be configured to be disengaged from the shell, or the cuff, or both the shell and the cuff. When the adjustable damper is disengaged, the cuff may rotate relative to the shell with little to no resistance.
When disengaged, the cuff and shell are no longer controlled in regards to forward flex and rearward rebound movement. Once disengaged, the cuff may move in an unrestrained manner relative to the shell. This may be useful as noted above for ski touring modes of use.
The compression force and rebound speed (tension force) of the adjustable damper does not change if the ski boot neutral forward lean angle is increased or decreased i.e. by using alternative shell or cuff shock mounts, the neutral forward lean angle of the ski boot can be adjusted forward and aft without inducing any compression or tension forces on the damper.
By contrast, traditional over lapping plastic ski boots do increase or decrease the force and rebound speed of the boot when the forward lean angle is increased or decreased from the neutral position. This is an inherent limitation of the traditional overlapping plastic ski boot.
The ski boot may further comprise a liner.
The liner may be removable from the shell and the cuff.
The liner may fit inside at least the shell. The liner may fit inside both the cuff and the shell. The liner may keep the lower leg warm.
The liner may also provide padding between the skier's lower leg and the cuff and shell of the ski boot.
The liner may be articulated. Articulation may be to allow for easy range of motion of the lower leg.
The ski boot may further comprise a water resistant gaiter.
The gaiter may be attached to the cuff and/or the shell. The gaiter may be removably attached to the cuff and/or the shell. The gaiter may be independent to the liner if used.
The gaiter may be used resist or prevent moisture from entering the cuff, the shell and the liner if used. The gaiter, if used, may be configured to not interfere with lower leg movement.
The shell and the cuff of the ski boot may be made from a variety of semi rigid or rigid materials. It is envisaged that the shell and cuff may be made from materials familiar to skiers. Examples of materials that may be used to form the cuff and the shell may include: polyurethane, polyamide, polypropylene, carbon fiber, and combinations thereof.
In one or more embodiments, there is provided a system comprising:
The processor may be a mobile phone, tablet, computer or other device. The processer may be a smartphone.
The processor may gather the sensed data from the sensor around the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement.
The processor may assimilate other ski data relating to the skier in addition to the sensed data and the other ski data may be linked to the sensed data received from the ski boot.
For example, in at least one embodiment, the other ski data may be selected from: number of days skied per year, number of ski runs per day, difficulty of ski runs, locations skied by resort, town and country. This other ski data may be linked to the sensed ski data received from the ski boot.
The other ski data may also comprise measuring speed/position using for example, a GPS sensor. This speed/position data could allow analysis of a particular route/run. For racing applications a skier could test different damper settings and see their effects on performance.
The other ski data may also be non-real-time adjustment data. For example, in at least one embodiment, the initial set-up for a location/ski session may be derived from other ski data selected from: personal historical data, location weather, location ski conditions, crowd-sourced information such as other people's inputs/outputs in the same location/conditions.
The sensed data sensed and assimilated together may be used to build a profile of an individual skier. This profile may be paired with product recommendations to best suit the skier or used to alter ski equipment settings.
The sensed data may be used by a ski retailer to match ski equipment to individual users based on historical in-use data.
The sensed data could identify when an individual has endured extreme range of motion movement, speeds and or forces which are the precursors to serious accidents and injuries. This information could be used to mobilize a medical response or a search and rescue. The information could be used to build profiles around what forces induce what injuries and or provide some evidence as to if an injure actually occurred while skiing at a specific resort or area.
The sensed data may be transmitted when pulled from the processor at a moment of time.
The sensed data may be transmitted continuously to the processor over a time period.
Signal transmission of the sensed data sensed from the ski boot during use may occur in real time while the skier is skiing.
Signal transmission of the sensed data may occur in at an instant of time. For example, in one or more embodiments, the sensed data may be transmitted at specific moments while the skier is skiing e.g. every 15, 30, 45 or 60 seconds. Measurement and transmission may occur multiple times a second. In one example, by way of at least one embodiment, measurement and transmission may occur up to 1000 times per second. The sensed data may be transmitted when pulled by the processor from the sensor at a moment of time. For example, in at least one embodiment, the skier may complete a ski run and using their smartphone and an app thereon, request the sensed data to be transmitted to their smartphone, the sensed data being collected up to the moment of transmission to the smartphone.
Transmission of the sensed data may occur over a period of time. For example, in one or more embodiments, the sensed data may be transmitted continuously over a time period while the skier is skiing e.g. over a time period of 15, 30, 45 or 60 seconds, or 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, or 60 minutes, or 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 hours, or over 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 7 days.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper to change forward flex and rearward rebound movement may occur in real time while the skier is skiing.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper may occur at a moment of time e.g. when the skier completes a ski run and after the processor analyses the sensed data and sends a signal to adjust the adjustable damper.
Adjustment of the adjustable damper in response to the sensed data may occur in real time while the skier is skiing.
Alternatively, by way of one or more embodiments, adjustment of the adjustable damper in response to the sensed data may occur at a moment of time.
The system may automatically alter the adjustable damper function. For example, in at least one embodiment, the system may automatically alter the adjustable damper to correspondingly adjust the forward flex and the rearward rebound movement in response to the sensed data.
The system may alternatively provide recommendations to the skier for the skier to manually adjust the adjustable damper. For example, in at least one embodiment, the system may provide a recommended range of motion or rebound speed for the skier to then adjust the adjustable damper accordingly to meet the recommended range or speed.
The system may provide further ski data information to the skier.
The system may advise a skier to change a characteristic of the adjustable damper as a skier gains or loses strength or, alternatively, improves or loses their technique. This may be over time such as between ski seasons, or during a season of skiing.
The system may identify and then notify a skier that they are becoming fatigued. The system may identify user fatigue for example based on: the number of runs, the forces that are being generated, the number of days skied consecutively, the skiers historical data and noted changes in forces generated during a day's skiing.
The system may advise a skier to set up their ski boots different from each other i.e. left boot different to a right boot. This variation may be due to injury, lack of mobility, deformity, muscle unbalance and or an inconsistent ski technique.
The system may advise a user of the best compression force for different snow conditions such as: hard on piste snow versus soft off piste snow or other snow condition.
The system may advise a user of the best rebound speed for different snow conditions such as: hard on-piste snow vs soft off-piste snow or other snow condition.
The system may advise a user of the best compression forces and rebound speeds for different ski turn radius: short fast turns on hard smooth snow versus wide long turns on hard smooth snow e.g. slalom ski racing turns vs downhill ski racing turns.
Selected advantages of the above ski boot and system, by way of one or more embodiments, may be as follows below.
One or more embodiments of the invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more said parts, elements or features, described herein.
Further, by way of at least one embodiment, where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which the embodiments relate, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
The above described ski boot and system are now described by reference to specific examples and the items and numbering listed below:
By way of one or more embodiments,
In more detail, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, the ski boot 1 comprises a shell 4 configured to receive an retain a foot of a skier (not shown); a cuff 5 configured to secure to the lower leg of a skier; and an adjustable damper 6. Movement of the cuff 5 relative to the shell 4 is controlled in a forward flex direction 2 and a rebound direction 3.
As best seen in
The adjustable damper 6 may be adjusted manually or automatically in response to sensed data measured by the sensor 7.
The shell 4 has a shoe shape and form with a base 10 that a foot stands on and an enclosure over the foot of a skier. The shell 4 has a toe or front end 8, a heel or rear end 9 and sides. The shell 4 may have straps 11, buckles or a BOA style ratchet tensioning mechanism.
The cuff 5 secures to the lower leg of a skier. The cuff 5 may be secured using straps 11, buckles or a BOA style ratchet tensioning mechanism.
The adjustable damper 6 is coupled to the shell 4 and the cuff 5. In the Figures shown, by way of one or more embodiments, the adjustable damper 6 is a dual direction gas or spring driven shock. Adjustment may be in terms of return (slow/fast), bias strength or resistance to movement, bias range of motion. These adjustments lead to the above stated changes in forward flex 2 and rebound 3 characteristics. While one adjustable damper 6 is shown in the Figures located at the rear 9 of the ski boot 1, multiple adjustable dampers (not shown) may be used. Further, the one or multiple adjustable dampers may be located elsewhere about the ski boot 1.
Coupling of the cuff 5 and shell 4 shown in the Figures is located about the ankle joint of a skier's foot when fitted to the ski boot 1 The cuff 5 and shell 4 may rotate relative to each other about a first pivot axis 12 and this first pivot axis 12 is located about the position of the skier's ankle. The cuff 5 and the shell 4 are also coupled together via a second pivot axis 15 located distant to the first pivot axis 12. The second pivot axis 15 is located outside of the shell 4 of the ski boot. One end of the adjustable damper 6 is coupled to the shell 4 of the ski boot 1 at an upper extending portion of the shell 4. An opposing end of the adjustable damper 6 is coupled to the cuff 5 about a lower portion 13 of the cuff 5. The point at which the cuff 5 and adjustable damper 6 connect is the second pivot axis 15.
A third pivot axis 18 is located where the adjustable damper 6 and the shell 4 couple together. This may allow the adjustable damper 6 to rotate slightly as rotation occurs between the cuff 5 and shell 4.
As shown in
As rebound movement 3 occurs, the cuff 5 is drawn rearwards or aft relative to the toe end 8 of the shell 4 and, in doing so, causes rotation of the cuff 5 relative to the shell 4 about the first pivot axis 12, in turn also causing tension (or compression in
A metal cuff 20 is also shown in
A system 100 using the ski boot 1 is now described with reference to
The system 100 may comprise the above ski boot 1 and a processor 110 that receives and analyses sensed adjustable damper movement 120. This may be sensed and sent while the ski boot 1 is in use; a receiver 150 that receives a signal from the processor 110 and which, via the means to adjust the adjustable damper 6, adjusts the adjustable damper 6 movement.
The processer 110 may be a smartphone. The processor 110 may gather ski data 120 from the ski boot 1 around forward flex 2 and rebound 3 along with other sensed characteristics as may be sensed. For example, the processor 110 may assimilate external ski data 130 relating to the skier such as: number of days skied per year, number of ski runs per day, difficulty of ski runs, locations skied by resort, town and country. This other ski data 130 may be linked to the sensed ski data 120 received from the ski boot 1 by the processor 110.
The ski data 120, 130 may be used to build a skier profile 140 for an individual skier. This profile 140 may be paired with product recommendations to best suit the skier or used to alter ski equipment settings.
Signal transmission of ski data 120 sensed from the ski boot 1 may occur in real time while the skier is skiing at an instant of time or over a period of time.
The system 100 may automatically alter adjustable damper function. For example, the system 100 may automatically alter the adjustable damper 6 forward flex 2 or rebound 3 characteristics in response to the sensed ski data 120, 130 and 140. The system 100 may alternatively provide recommendations to the skier for the skier to manually alter the adjustable damper 6 function.
In this example, trial ski runs were completed using the above described boot, ski data collected on range of motion (ROM), according to one or more embodiments of the invention. The ROM was then used to change the shock settings i.e. an increase or decrease in the forward compression is equivalent to a decrease or increase in ROM. An increase in the rebound dampening is equivalent to a higher average ROM with a condensed ROM spread.
The left and right boot in
Aspects of the ski boot and system, according to one or more embodiments of the invention, have been described by way of example only and it should be appreciated that modifications and additions may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claims herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023902585 | Aug 2023 | AU | national |
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|---|---|---|---|
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| 20060086006 | Forrest | Apr 2006 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| 711420 | Feb 2017 | CH |
| 0117430 | Sep 1984 | EP |
| WO-2010092414 | Aug 2010 | WO |
| Entry |
|---|
| Erickson, G., ‘Reducing ski vibrations using a magnetic damper’, Masters Thesis, Colorado School of Mines, Arthur Lakes Library 2008 (65 pages). |
| Giuseppe Zullo et al., University of Padua, “An Innovative Compact System to Measure Skiing Ground Reaction Forces and Flexural Angles of Alpine and Touring Ski Boots” published in Sensors, Jan. 2023. |
| ‘Fox live valve’, https://www.ridefox.com/content.php?c=livevalve-bike. 2022. |
| CARV—Become a Better Skier, https://getcarv.com/. Retrieved Dec. 14, 2023. |
| International-type search report issued in AU2023902585 on Aug. 15, 2023 (19 pages). |
