Patent Application
20250107590
The present invention relates generally to the field of ski boot devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to an improved ski boot buckle with adjustable components to firmly secure the foot and heel area to the bottom on the ski boot. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, this invention relates to improvements in ski boot devices. Generally, individuals have difficulty maintaining heel contact with the sole of the ski boot while skiing. Further, individuals have difficulty with the heel of their foot rising during forward flex while skiing due to vibrations, ultimately disconnecting contact between the boot and the ski. Users need an easier way to prevent the constant disconnecting of the boot from the ski binding to alleviate disturbance from the activity and distortion of the feeling of the snow.
Further, after gathering all the equipment and making their way to the slopes, skiers should not have their hobby or activity interrupted by equipment mishaps. Often, when skiing down the slopes, there is a vibration in the ski equipment from forcing the heel upward which can create an unsteady platform. Without a boot strap or similar device, the skier is at an increased risk for injury due to the unsteady platform and increased chances of the boot becoming detached from the ski.
Accordingly, there is a demand for an improved ski boot device that provides users a ski boot buckle to firmly secure the heel of the foot to the bottom of the boot while skiing. More particularly, there is a demand for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that creates a safer, more comfortable boot while improving the performance of skiers.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that provides users with an adjustable strap to create a safer, more comfortable ski experience. There is also a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that comprises an adjustable buckle to secure the users foot and heel to the bottom of the boot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that enables users to secure the strap and buckle to prevent the boot from becoming detached from the equipment while skiing. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents vibration from forcing the heel upward while skiing in the boot. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that reduces the chance of injury to skiers.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a ski boot including an inside buckle device. The device is a fastening strap device for securing a skier's foot to the inside of their boot. The ski boot including an inside buckle device comprises an adjustable strap component that provides users with the ability to change the size and tautness of the device through the attached buckle component. The strap is attached to a tension line component that secures the device to the boot. Further, the tension line is attached to the tension knob component on the outside of the boot. This ensures the users foot and heel remain in the desired position while in use.
In this manner, the ski boot including an inside buckle device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a device that provides safer, more comfortable ski experience. More specifically, the device can eliminate the vibrations of the boot and ski from forcing the heel upward while completing a ski slope. The device can reduce the likelihood of the boot becoming detached from the ski while in use. Furthermore, the device can be applied to the interior or exterior of the ski boot through an interior to exterior opening on the boot.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a ski boot including an inside buckle device. The device is a fastening strap that is attached to a ski boot to create a safer and more comfortable ski experience. The ski boot including an inside buckle device comprises an adjustable strap component that comprises an attached buckle component. Additionally, the strap component is attached to a tension line component that secures the device to the boot. Further, the tension line is attached to the tension knob component on the outside of the boot to ensure the user's foot remains in the desired position. Additionally, an interior to exterior opening on the boot enables users to attach the device to both the interior or exterior of the boot.
In one embodiment, the ski boot including an inside buckle device comprising the following components: an adjustable strap comprised of a buckle, a tension line, a hook component and a tension knob to secure the users foot or heel into the desired position inside the boot. Optional items may be added to create additional functionality, or increase safety, as needed.
In one embodiment, the ski boot including an inside buckle device comprises an adjustable strap component. The strap is typically a synthetic material that stretches over the width of the user's foot. The material used should be comfortable and forgiving to not cut off circulation to the foot to prevent discomfort while in use. Additionally, the adjustable strap component comprises a buckle component to secure the strap into the desired position. Typically, the buckle component moves (i.e., slides) along the strap component to secure the strap component to the desired width of the user's foot, enabling the device to be used on feet of all sizes.
In one embodiment, the adjustable strap component is attached to the tension knob component through the tension line. Further, there is a tension line connected to both ends of the adjustable strap component through a plastic hook. Additionally, the tension line component is typically a steel line, from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm in diameter, or any other durable means as is known in the art. The tension line component connects the adjustable strap to the tension knob that is placed on the back of the boot.
In one embodiment, the ski boot including an inside buckle device comprises a tension knob component. Further, the adjustable strap component is connected to the tension knob component through the tension line component. Additionally, the tension knob component is adjusted to secure the device into the proper position once the user's foot.
During use, at least one adjustable strap component comprising at least one buckle component, is tightened or loosened to meet the width of the user's foot inside of the boot. Then, at least one tension knob component, on the back of the boot, is adjusted until the adjustable strap meets the desired tautness. As a result, the adjustable strap secures the foot and heel inside of the boot, preventing the heel from rising while skiing down a slope.
In another embodiment, a method of securing a skier's foot or heel inside the desired ski boot. The method includes the steps of providing a ski boot including an inside buckle device with at least one adjustable strap comprised of a buckle, at least one tension line, and at least one tension knob. The method also comprises installing the device on the exterior or interior of the desired ski boot. Further, the method comprises inserting the user's foot into the ski boot. The method also comprises adjusting the strap component to the appropriate foot width using the buckle component. Finally, the method comprises tightening the device using the tension knob installed on the exterior of the boot until the desired tautness is met.
Accordingly, the ski boot including an inside buckle device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that eliminates vibration of the ski boot. More specifically, the ski boot including an inside buckle device can be applied to a ski boot to prohibit the detachment of the boot from the ski. Furthermore, the device can be applied to establish a safer and more comfortable ski experience. In this manner, the ski boot including an inside buckle device helps reduce the chance of injury while skiing.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that provides users with an adjustable strap to create a safer, more comfortable ski experience. There is also a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that comprises an adjustable buckle to secure the users foot and heel to the bottom of the boot. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that enables users to secure the strap and buckle to prevent the boot from becoming detached from the equipment while skiing. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a device that prevents vibration from forcing the heel upward while skiing in the boot. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a ski boot including an inside buckle device that reduces the chance of injury to skiers.
The present inventions, in one exemplary embodiment, is comprised on a ski boot including an inside buckle device. The device is a fastening strap that is installed to a ski boot to create a safer and more comfortable ski experience. Additionally, the device provides skiers with an opportunity of improved performance. More specifically, the ski boot including an inside buckle device is comprised of an adjustable strap component that comprises a buckle component. The strap component is used to secure the strap around the user's foot when in use. Further, the adjustable strap component is attached to a tension line component that secures the device to the boot. Further, the tension line is attached to the tension knob component on the outside of the boot to ensure the user's foot remains in the desired position.
The method of the present invention also includes a novel method of securing a skier's foot or heel to the desired ski boot. The method includes the steps of providing a ski boot including an inside buckle device with at least one adjustable strap comprised of a buckle, at least one tension line, and at least one tension knob. The method also comprises installing the device on the exterior or interior of the desired ski boot. Further, the method comprises inserting the user's foot into the ski boot. The method also comprises adjusting the strap component to the appropriate foot width using the buckle component. Finally, the method comprises tightening the device using the tension knob installed on the exterior of the boot until the desired tautness is met.
Accordingly, the ski boot including an inside buckle device of the present invention is particularly advantageous as it provides a device that eliminates vibration of the ski boot. More specifically, the ski boot including an inside buckle device can be applied to a ski boot to prevent the detachment of the boot from the ski. Furthermore, the device can be applied to establish a safer and more comfortable ski experience. In this manner, the ski boot including an inside buckle device helps reduce the chance of injury while skiing. In this manner, the ski boot including an inside buckle device, provides a universal solution to disconnection of the ski boot.
Referring initially to the drawings,
Generally, the present invention is directed to a ski boot including an inside or interior buckle device 100 that has particular utility in securing a skier's foot 10 inside of the desired ski boot 20. In the present invention, the ski boot including an inside or interior buckle device 100 can enable users to maintain constant heel 10 contact with the footbed of the boot 20, providing stability and comfort.
As shown in
In use, the adjustable strap component 110 is adapted and secured using at least one buckle component 112. Typically, the buckle component 112 moves (i.e., slides) along the adjustable strap component 110 to secure the adjustable strap component 110 to the desired width of the user's foot 10. Further, the buckle component 112 is typically a durable material, such as but not limited to, a metal clasp, that is easily maneuvered over the adjustable strap component 112. Further the plurality of buckle components 112 can be any suitable size and shape as is known in the art.
Further, the adjustable strap component 110 is secured to the boot 20 through at least one tension line component 114. The tension line component 114 is attached to the adjustable strap component through at least one hook component 116. Typically, at least one hook component 116 is attached to each end of the adjustable strap component 110. Further, the hook component 116 is typically a durable, synthetic material, such as but not limited to, a plastic loop, that can easily contain the tension line component 114. Additionally, the tension line component 114 is preferably a steel line, from 0.3 mm to 0.7 mm in diameter, or any other durable means as is known in the art. The material of the tension line component 114 should prevent the loosening of the device 100 while in use. When installed on the boot, the tension line component 114 is attached through the hook component 116 at both ends of the adjustable strap component 110. Moreover, the tension line component 114 is woven through at least one interior/exterior opening 30 on the boot 20.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different users may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “ski boot including an inside buckle device”, “ski boot device”, “boot device”, and “device” are interchangeable and refer to the ski boot including an inside or interior buckle device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the ski boot including an inside or interior buckle device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the ski boot including an inside or interior buckle device 100 as shown in
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/587,237, which was filed on Oct. 2, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63587237 | Oct 2023 | US |
