Patent Application
20240306761
The present invention relates to a ski boot, a ski for use with the ski boot, and a system comprising the ski boot and ski.
In alpine skiing, especially downhill skiing, it is desirable for the skier to be able to apply pressure to various parts of the ski by shifting weight and changing leg angle. Particularly in downhill skiing, shifting pressure to the edges and front of the ski allows the skier to have more control over the behavior of the ski in turns. Applying pressure to the rear of the ski results in improved acceleration or a more comfortable ride in deep snow.
Typically, alpine skis are used in conjunction with ski boots, which are held onto the ski by a safety binding. In recent decades, ski boots have evolved from stiff leather boots to hard-shell boots. In these hard-shell boots, the skier's foot and lower leg are clamped as tightly as possible, allowing direct control of the ski boot and thus the ski by the skier.
The disadvantages of this development are that with ever harder ski boots, the comfort for the skier inevitably suffers. This may be bearable for the top athlete—for the recreational skier it is primarily painful. Particularly in the case of a foot shape that does not conform to the standard or in the case of feet of different sizes, the selection and fitting of a ski boot represents a challenge. Another disadvantage of conventional ski boots is that due to their hardness and the restricted freedom of movement of the skier, normal walking is hardly possible.
The problem is therefore to provide a ski boot that overcomes these disadvantages without sacrificing ski control and handling, and in particular even improves these properties.
This problem is solved by a ski boot according to claim 1. This ski boot comprises the following elements:
Thus, while the described ski boot is capable of providing excellent control of the ski by the skier when necessary, such as in turns, the need to build the entire ski boot from hard or stiff material is eliminated when compared to a conventional hard shell boot. Rather, apart from the sole and part of the shaft, soft and flexible material can be used, as will be described later. This allows the ski boot to be comfortably designed and flexibly adapted, especially to different foot shapes. In addition, the traction element allows increased freedom of movement when the knee is stretched through, so that walking with the ski boot is made easier.
In an advantageous embodiment, the traction element is attached to the shaft in an area remote from the sole. In particular, the half of the shaft facing away from the sole, preferably the “uppermost” quarter of the shaft, is remote from the sole. Such an attachment point increases the leverage or strengthens the effect of the traction element and thus leads to improved pressure transmission and ski control.
According to an analogous consideration, the traction element in the toe area is attached to or in the sole or base frame. This increases the pressure transfer to the toe area of the sole when the lower leg or the shaft is tilted and improves ski control.
It is particularly advantageous that the traction element is deflected a further time in the toe area of the sole and is fastened in particular in a part of the sole that is remote from the ground, i.e. the “upper” part of the sole. For this purpose, the stiff material of the sole can be pulled up to the height of the skier's toes and the traction element within the sole can also be guided up to this height and fastened there. In such a construction, an inclination of the shaft towards the toe area has the effect that the traction thus caused on the traction element pulls the toe area of the sole towards the ground or towards the ski, i.e. “downwards”, in the intended use. This in turn increases the pressure exerted on the ski in the toe area and improves ski control, especially in turns.
In general, it is advantageous if the traction element is partially guided in a channel in the sole or between the sole and the base frame. This ensures that the traction element actually exerts a force on the sole and that the traction does not dissipate in the form of a deformation of the softer base frame.
In one embodiment, the traction element runs around a bend of a channel in which the traction element is guided during the deflection and/or the further deflection. Alternatively or additionally, a roller can be rotatably mounted in the bend, over which the traction element is guided. In principle, it is advantageous for the bend to have a radius of at least 1 cm, preferably at least 2 cm. This protects both the traction element and the sole material in the bend from excessive abrasion.
In an advantageous embodiment, the traction element comprises one or more bands. Examples are described below in connection with the figures. Advantageously, the traction element has low elongation, in particular a Young's modulus greater than 1000 MPa. Preferred materials for the traction element include polyester, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, UHMWPE/Dyneema, aramid/Kevlar/Twaron, LCP/Technora, steel fibers, elastic fibers and/or carbon fibers.
In a further embodiment, the traction element comprises a mechanical tension element and/or an electromechanical tension element, which is designed to adjust a length and/or a tension of the traction element. The adjustment can be done in steps, e.g. by engaging, by a tensioning buckle or steplessly, e.g. by turning a screw in a thread. In the case of an electromechanical tension element, the ski boot additionally comprises a power source, e.g. a battery, which is electrically connected to the electromechanical tension element for supplying the latter with power. Advantageously, the ski boot further comprises a sensor for measuring the length or tension of the tension element and a controller arranged to control the tension element in response to a signal from the sensor. This allows the tension element to be automatically adjusted, for example, to a defined length or tension for a particular skier or a particular skiing situation.
Advantageously, the mechanical tension element and/or the electromechanical tension element is designed to loosen or release the traction element (12) for a walking mode of the ski boot. In particular, the shaft shall be pivotable in the walking mode by at least 4 degrees, preferably at least 8 degrees, relative to the base frame. This enables ergonomic walking with the ski boots.
In one embodiment, the shaft comprises a rigid element on the heel side to which the traction element is attached. The rigid element can extend, for example, on the heel side, i.e. on the back of the lower leg, to the end of the shaft remote from the heel (“upper” end of the shaft). Preferably, the rigid element is a hollow element, in particular a hollow profile made of aluminum, through which the traction element is passed. Such a heel-side stiff element allows further parts of the shaft, which run around the lower leg (“forward”), for example, to be made of soft material. This in turn increases the comfort and adaptability of the ski boot.
Advantageously, the base frame, sole and/or shaft comprises at least one of the following materials: plastic, carbon, polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, polyurethane, spandex, PET, aramid, UHMWPE, aluminum, titanium, steel.
Furthermore, it is advantageous that the ski boot comprises a locking device for locking the shaft at a definable angle to the base frame. In particular, the locking device can be designed to prevent an increase in the angle between the shaft and the base frame. The locking may be achieved, for example, by a second traction element, such as a strap or wire, which extends across the angle between the shaft and the base frame and may be locked at a defined length. In another embodiment, the locking device comprises fixing elements, such as steel or plastic screws, spacer-holding screws, or steel, aluminum, carbon, or plastic fixing parts. The locking device can be loosened for walking and increases the shaft angle for easier walking.
In an advantageous embodiment, the ski boot comprises an upper structure that is insertable into the base frame and the shaft and that rests against the skier's foot during intended use. Advantageously, the upper structure comprises a closure for closing and/or adjusting the upper structure to the skier's foot. This may comprise, for example, a zip fastener, a hook and loop fastener, a hook and loop fastener, laces and/or press studs. Furthermore, it is desirable that the upper structure has at least one of the following properties: waterproof, moisture-wicking, wind-repellent, flexible, warming. Thus, the described upper structure primarily serves to provide comfort and adaptability of the ski boot to the skier. The comfort can be further increased by the upper structure additionally comprising a heating element, in particular a battery-operated heating element.
In an advantageous embodiment, the ski boot additionally comprises at least one holding element, the ends of which are attached to the base frame and/or the shaft and which is set up to hold the base frame and/or the shaft on the skier's foot. The at least one holding element thus ensures that the foot is firmly seated in the ski boot and that the ski boot follows the movements of the foot or lower leg accordingly.
Advantageously, the at least one holding element comprises a mechanical adjustment element and/or an electromechanical adjustment element that is variable in length in order to hold the base frame or the shaft on the skier's foot in a non-slip manner. The adjustment element thus enables the ski boot to be adapted to different feet, as well as easy entry into and exit from the ski boot. In a particularly advantageous embodiment, the mechanical adjustment element and/or the electromechanical adjustment element comprise a cable that can be adjusted via a twist lock.
Analogous to the tension element described above, the electromechanical adjustment element can also be set up for automatic or remote-controlled adjustment of the at least one holding element. For this purpose, the ski boot can in turn comprise a sensor for measuring the length or the tension of the adjustment element, as well as a control unit that is set up to control the adjustment element as a function of a measured value of the sensor. Such a control unit is particularly useful for adapting the ski boot to changing slope conditions, a changed foot circumference or a changed hardness of the ski boot, e.g. as a result of temperature changes.
Advantageously, the at least one holding element comprises at least one of the following bands:
Each of these straps contributes to a secure fit of the ski boot on the skier's foot without compromising comfort.
For a particularly good fit of the ski boot or to stabilize the skier's ankle, the ski boot can additionally comprise an ankle bandage. Such an ankle bandage encloses the skier's ankle in the intended use and can be inserted into the shaft and the base frame, if necessary together with the skier's foot. In the intended use, the ankle bandage is held by the at least one holding element, in particular by the ankle strap. The ankle bandage may comprise a padded material. Further, the ankle bandage may comprise a second heating element.
As described further above, the ski boot may include a control unit. This can additionally be equipped with a radio receiver which is set up to receive a radio signal from an external transmitter, in particular from a cell phone or from a ski pole with Bluetooth transmitter. The controller is then adapted to control the tension or length of at least one of the following elements: the tension element, the locking device, the electromechanical tension element, the at least one strap, the electromechanical adjustment element. This allows a remote controlled adjustment of the ski boot to the foot, to changing environmental conditions or to a desired ride characteristic. Additionally, the control system may be arranged to control a heating power of the heating element or the second heating element, if present. In general, a remote or automatic control avoids the skier having to bend down to the ski boot and handle it. This in turn increases the comfort for the skier.
In an advantageous embodiment, the ski boot additionally comprises a toothing on the traction element, which is accessible from an outer side of the sole. In particular, the toothing is designed in such a way that, in the intended use, it is engaged with a ski toothing as a counterpart, which is attached to a ski. At the same time, the connection between the toothing and the ski toothing must be designed to be detachable. In particular, the toothing is designed to be compatible with conventional safety bindings, i.e. the connection between the toothing and the ski toothing disengages when the safety binding releases and releases the ski boot.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a ski comprising a ski traction element. The ski traction element extends from a binding region of the ski within the ski into a ski front portion and/or into a ski rear portion, where it is attached. Further, the ski traction element has a ski toothing that is externally accessible in the binding region and is adapted to be engaged with the toothing of the ski boot described above. Via the ski toothing and the ski traction element, a pull caused by the skier on the traction element in the ski boot is transmitted to the ski. In the ski, the ski traction element is designed, i.e. guided and fastened, in particular in such a way that it leads to a stiffening of the ski, which in turn improves ski control by the skier and cornering behavior. The same materials can be used for the ski traction element as for the traction element in the ski boot.
Advantageously, the ski traction element runs in a part of the ski that is close to the ground, i.e. for the larger part in the half of the ski cross-section that is close to the ground. For example, the ski traction element may be guided between a base and a core of the ski.
In one embodiment, the ski traction element is attached to the front part of the ski, in particular in a shovel of the ski. Preferably, the ski element is attached in the third of the shovel close to the ground. This prevents the shovel from being bent away from the ground when the ski traction element is pulled, but at the same time enables effective stiffening of the ski when the ski traction element is pulled. In the intended use with the ski boot, the ski traction element thus causes a pull on the front part of the ski when the shaft is inclined towards the toe area and, in particular, stiffens the front part of the ski.
Alternatively or additionally, the ski traction element can be fixed in the rear part of the ski. In this case, the ski comprises a deflection for the ski element in the ski, whereby the ski traction element is guided into the ski rear part via the deflection. In intended use with the ski boot, the ski traction element causes a pull on the ski rear part when the shaft is inclined towards the toe area and, in particular, stiffens the ski rear part.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a system comprising a ski boot, in particular the ski boot having teeth on the traction element, a ski as described above, and a ski binding attached to the ski and adapted to retain the ski boot in the intended use.
Further embodiments, advantages and applications of the invention result from the dependent claims and from the following description regarding the figures. Thereby showing:
A low-stretch band 12 is arranged on the shaft, which increases the pressure, by tilting and bending the shaft 4 forward, i.e. towards the toe area, on the sole 3.
The shoe upper structure 13 is made of a waterproof, warming, moisture-wicking, cut-resistant, aesthetically pleasing composite material. The shoe upper 13 is provided with a zipper 14 for closing.
In general, therefore, from the point of view of the inventor, embodiments of the present invention can be used to create a ski boot which is configured in such a way that
Particularly noteworthy are the enormous advantages for special foot anatomy, different dimensions of left and right feet, feet with high ridges, a special bone anatomy, wide feet, narrow feet, long feet, short feet, anatomy differences of left and right feet, as well as differences in the lower part of the legs in sizes, widths, as well as anatomy and muscle formation, since, depending on the needs of the individual foot and leg anatomy, the bands can be varied in number and width, arranged and tensioned.
The wearing comfort, the desired hold in the ski boot, the hold of the heel, the hold over the instep, the hold in the shaft and the pressure on the ski, can thus be increased enormously in general for both feet and also individually for each foot.
Straps (traction element) for tension and pressure generation from the shaft to the shoe sole or binding area, binding plate or ski are preferably different from the straps for locking the feet (holding elements) and are preferably very low stretch.
The tension of the individual straps and foils which is adjusted according to the anatomy of the foot, positioning, riding comfort and skill to achieve the pressure on the feet and lower leg, is achieved by means of mechanical parts, such as buckles, hand wheels, wheels, shafts, drum wheels, flexible shafts, tensioning wheels, turnbuckles, cords, ropes.
For increased comfort, it is possible to add electromechanical elements, batteries, micromotors and their electronic control.
The respective strap tension and thus the pressure on the foot and lower leg can be applied by hand, by means of mechanical parts, such as hand wheels, rotating wheels, tensioning wheels, flexible shafts, ropes, cords, drum wheels, or buckles.
A particularly convenient solution of the tension of the individual belts is offered by an additional electromechanical solution with batteries, micromotors and their electronic control. The battery elements fixed in/on the ski boot, ski pole or in the ski jacket pocket, in a belt pocket serve to drive the micromotors, but can also be used to heat special upper boot materials, straps or the sole.
The control can be attached to the ski boot, through a mobile phone app or a control in the ski pole or in the ski jacket pocket or in a belt pocket also by Bluetooth transmission.
The shaft, which can be adjusted at an angle to the sole and is resistant to bending, can generate pressure on the ski boot sole, the binding, the binding plate and also additionally the ski by tilting forward, or also additionally by correspondingly, arranged bands (traction element). The one to several bands are attached to the shaft and the sole.
A flexurally rigid, but movable to the sole, padded shaft generates a variable, different pressure on the sole, or the binding plate, or the ski, by a forward leg pressure. The pressure is generated by a bending of the knee, thereby a forward bending movement of the leg, and thereby a pressure on the shaft, forward and therefore through the bands attached to the rear part of the shaft, which lead to the sole of the ski boot.
Several, but at least one band, in one or more parts, can be used.
The band tension (traction element) from the shaft to the sole, the binding area or the ski, can also be increased by additional mechanical and supplementary electromechanical elements.
Another design to keep the pressure constant is that a locking of the shaft, variable in an angle to the sole, according to the comfort and style of riding and a change in leg bending position, gives a more constant pressure through the strap attached to the shaft to the sole, binding plate or ski.
In particular, the upper structure should be made of a waterproof, windproof, hard or soft, insulating, warming, cut-resistant material. The materials can be freely chosen according to functionality and aesthetics, as they do not serve to generate pressure or to adapt to the anatomy of the foot. A multi-layered shoe upper is possible, which also consists, among other things, of materials that transport moisture away from the foot to the outside, an insulating layer, a warming fabric and an outer layer that serves for aesthetics. For additional foot warmth can also be introduced heat-forming elements or fabrics in the upper or the sole or the bands, heatable by means of electromechanical parts, such as a battery.
The upper of the shoe can be equipped for closing with zipper, Velcro and hook straps, light adhesive material, laces, buckles, snaps.
Another additional comfort or pressure distribution enhancing solution is an insole, which can be very comfort oriented or soft, but can also achieve a performance enhancing optimal pressure distribution from the foot to the sole, similar to a modern running shoe.
An ankle bandage or similar sock structure, e.g. made of an elastic, partially elastic, stiff, nonslip, moisture-wicking, warming and/or partially padded material, can be located for increased wearing comfort, easier ski boot entry, improved retention positioning in the boot, around the foot and under the straps (retention elements). This sock structure can be woven, knitted, interlaced yarns and can also be provided with warming fabric inserts or can also have inserted heating materials or gel/heating pads for warming the feet.
There is no actual shoe tongue, so that the step-in comfort can be significantly increased, even with a high instep.
While preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the present application, it should be clearly noted that the invention is not limited to these and may be carried out in other ways as well within the scope of the following claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2021/052878 | 2/5/2021 | WO |
