Patent Application
20240268511
The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, preferably a shoe configured for fixation to a piece of sports equipment (e.g. ski or bicycle), in particular by means of a binding.
Sports shoes, such as snowboard shoes, have a sole and an upper. The upper in particular usually consists of a multitude of per se comparatively flexible individual parts. A firmness is then usually only achieved by assembling the individual parts and in particular the connection with the sole, in particular if at the same time the properties which are particularly important in the field of sports, such as for example a transmission of force to a piece of sports equipment, are adequately taken into account.
It is the object of the invention to propose a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, preferably configured for fixing to a piece of sports equipment (such as a ski, snowboard or bicycle), in particular by means of a binding, such as for example snowboard shoe, ski shoe or bicycle shoe, which can be manufactured in a simple manner and which, in particular, has comparatively advantageous properties in use, in particular with regard to a transmission of force.
This object is solved in particular by the features of claim 1.
In particular, the object is solved by a shoe, preferably a sports shoe, further preferably a shoe for fixing to a piece of sports equipment (e.g. snowboard, ski or bicycle), in particular a shoe configured by means of a binding (e.g. ski or snowboard binding or a appropriately configured bicycle pedal), such as, for example, a snowboard shoe, ski shoe or bicycle shoe, comprising a sole as well as an upper, wherein at least one (circumferential) section of the upper adjoining the sole is formed by an at least substantially inherently dimensionally stable frame and/or by a maximum of eight or a maximum of six or a maximum of four or a maximum of three or a maximum of two (optionally inherently monolithic) pieces or by only one (optionally inherently monolithic) piece.
According to an idea of the invention, a frame construction is proposed for the shoe or its upper. The upper is preferably (at least in the section adjoining the sole) inherently dimensionally stable. By this a reliable manufacture of the shoe or sports shoe can be carried out in an easy manner, in particular also with regard to positioning the upper relative to the sole.
By this, the geometry of the shoe can be adjusted particularly precisely, which is advantageous, for example, for the adaptation to a binding (e.g. a pin binding and/or ski-touring binding and/or clicker binding and/or step-in binding). Corresponding counterparts for the engagement with the binding can be positioned comparatively precisely.
In a synergistic manner, the overall stability is improved at the same time, which is advantageous in positioning with respect to the binding and also with respect to a transmission of force.
Under a respective piece is preferably to be understood a piece that is inherently monolithic. However, it can also be understood as a piece that forms a common (rigid) body that is built up by cohesively connecting individual parts (e.g. welding and/or gluing) in a material-locking manner. By a circumferential section of the upper shall be understood in particular a section which (directly) adjoins and (at the edge thereof or at an edge region thereof) circumvents the sole (and either has no or only minor interruptions, which in total preferably amount to less than 4 cm or less than 1 cm). By a dimensionally stable frame is to be understood in particular a frame which already in a pre-assembled state (when it is not yet connected to the sole) holds its shape, for example can be placed on a ground without changing its shape (for example without collapsing).
In embodiments, the upper may be formed flexibly (or yieldingly) (although in particular inherently dimensionally stable), that is, in particular, not rigid in the sense that the shoe essentially retains its shape upon any application of force (for example, by the athlete).
Preferably, the shoe (sports shoe) is not a snowboard and/or ski hard boot (or other hard boot, if applicable) or a soft boot, in particular a snowboard and/or ski soft boot.
In embodiments, the sports shoe may also be a touring ski, telemark, cross-country ski, hiking and/or trekking shoe.
The upper (or at least a basic framework thereof) may have a material thickness of less than 4 mm or less than 2 mm or less than 1 mm and/or at least 0.1 mm.
Preferably, the sole has a (in particular circumferential) edge groove (i.e. groove in an edge region) on the upper side, which is designed to receive a lower edge of the upper. The groove can be (at least approximately) V-shaped in cross-section and slope comparatively flatly towards the outside and/or possibly merge into an upstanding edge of the sole. An inner wall of the groove can run comparatively (for example vertically) steeply upwards (in cross-section).
With such a groove, a predefined position can be precisely set in a particularly simple manner. This can improve the connection to a binding system (e.g. a pin binding and/or ski touring binding and/or clicker binding and/or step-in binding).
Sole and upper can be cohesively connected to each other, in particular glued and/or welded to each other. Alternatively or additionally, sole and upper may be sewn together. Alternatively or additionally, sole and upper may be positively connected to each other, for example by means of pins engaging in recesses and/or by means of a screw connection.
The upper (or frame) can be open downwards (and then closed by the sole when the shoe is assembled). Alternatively or additionally, the upper can also be at least partially (possibly completely) closed downwards. Preferably, however, at least 50%, possibly at least 80% or at least 90% of a bottom surface of the upper is open downwards (towards the sole).
A rear section (adjoining the heel) of the upper may be formed by an at least substantially inherently dimensionally stable rear section and/or by a maximum of four or a maximum of three or a maximum of two (optionally inherently monolithic) pieces or by only one (optionally inherently monolithic) piece. The rear section can form a common (possibly monolithic) component together with the (circumferential) edge section. A section opposite the rear section of the upper is preferably open there (towards the front).
A (respective) side section of the upper may taper from top to bottom, at least in sections, so that the upper as a whole (in a side view) defines a V- or U-shaped recess (which opens towards the front), in particular at the level of an instep. The (respective) side section can form a common (possibly monolithic) component with the rear section and/or the circumferential edge section. By the (respective) side section, on the one hand, a stable reception of the foot can take place and, on the other hand, an effective transmission of force to a piece of sports equipment (possibly via a binding).
The shaft (or at least a basic framework thereof) can be formed by a maximum of eight or a maximum of five or a maximum of three or a maximum of two (possibly monolithic) pieces or by only one piece one (possibly monolithic) piece.
By a basic framework of the upper is to be understood in particular a structure which forms at least 50% by weight, optionally at least 80% by weight of the entire upper and/or covers an outer surface of at least 50% by area, optionally at least 80% by area. The basic framework of the upper is in particular its load-bearing (shape-defining) component.
The sole is preferably trough-shaped (in the form of a, in particular flat, trough). The upper can support itself on the inner walls of the sole or its trough shape (in particular be positioned by the edge groove explained above). The sole can also be made flat.
The sole can be formed as three-piece or two-piece or one-piece (possibly monolithic). Alternatively or additionally, the upper or at least a basic framework thereof can be formed as three-piece or two-piece one-piece, possibly monolithically.
The upper or at least a basic framework thereof may be formed at least (in relation to a total weight) predominantly from a thermally deformable material and/or a, in particular injection-moulded, plastic for example from PE (polyethylene) and/or EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) and/or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) and/or have a cover layer, possibly laminated, e.g. of leather. Alternatively or additionally, the sole can be formed at least predominantly from a thermally deformable material and/or a plastic, for example from PE and/or EVA and/or TPU, and/or a rubber and/or natural rubber and/or rubber-like material.
Under an at least predominant forming is preferably meant a forming of the respective material to at least 50% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight.
The above-mentioned object is further solved by a method for manufacturing a shoe, in particular of the above type, preferably a shoe configured for fixing to a piece of sports equipment by means of a binding, such as, for example, a snowboard shoe, a ski shoe or a bicycle shoe, comprising a sole as well as an upper, wherein at least one circumferential section of the upper adjoining the sole is formed by an at least substantially inherently dimensionally stable frame and/or is formed by a maximum of four or a maximum of three or a maximum of two pieces or by only one piece, wherein the upper and sole are connected to one another, preferably are cohesively connected, in particular are glued and/or welded to one another, and/or are sewn and/or are positively connected to one another, for example by means of pins engaging in recesses and/or a screw connection.
Eyes and/or hooks for fastening or guiding a lacing and/or at least one receptacle for a quick lacing system and/or for at least one buckle can be a (possibly monolithic) component of the upper (or, at least partially, be formed by separate elements).
In addition to the sole and the upper (or the basic framework of the upper), other components may be present, such as a lacing and/or a padding and/or one or more insoles and/or a tongue.
The sole may have a profile on the underside.
In embodiments, the sports shoe may comprise a means for engaging it with a binding of a piece of sports equipment.
According to the invention, a system comprising the sports shoe as well as a piece of sports equipment (e.g. ski, snowboard or bicycle) and/or a binding (e.g. ski and/or snowboard binding) is also proposed, wherein the sports shoe can be engaged with the piece of sports equipment (possibly via a corresponding binding) or the binding.
Overall, according to the invention, a reliable and stable shoe (sports shoe) can be manufactured in a comparatively simple manner. A consumption of raw materials (e.g. a consumption of glue) can be reduced.
The upper (or even the entire shoe) can be constructed from less than 20 parts or less than 10 parts (pieces) or even less than five parts (pieces).
Further embodiments will be apparent from the dependant claims.
In the following, the invention will also be described with respect to further features and advantages by means of an embodiment example, which will be explained in more detail with reference to the figures. Hereby show:
In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for identical and similarly acting parts.
The snowboard shoe has a sole 10 as well as an upper 11. The upper 11 has a (inherently dimensionally stable and monolithic) basic framework 12, as well as further components, such as in particular (for example sewn-on) fabric sections 13 (possibly with padding) connected to the basic framework 12, a tongue 14 as well as fastening devices 15 (in the form of eyes, loops and/or hooks) for a (not shown) lacing. At least some (in the present example according to
A circumferential section 16 adjoining the sole 10 is formed by the (monolithic) basic framework 12. The basic framework 12 has a recess 17 which extends at the level of the instep and widens towards the front. In the present case, by a certain amount of flection or a suitable flex can be achieved and still force can be transmitted by the shoe in an effective manner. A force conduction or transmission then preferably takes place in the rear area of the shoe or via a rear section 18 (of the base frame 12).
As can be seen further in
Lastly, it should be noted that all the parts described above, considered individually and in any combination, in particular the details illustrated in the drawings, are claimed to be essential to the invention. Modifications thereof are familiar to the person skilled in the art.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 2021 118 186.0 | Jul 2021 | DE | national |
This application is a Section 371 national phase patent application of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2022/068849, filed Jul. 7, 2022, which claims priority to German Patent Application No. 102021118186.0, filed Jul. 14, 2021, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2022/068849 | 7/7/2022 | WO |
