Patent Grant
8132343
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 07.08747, filed on Dec. 14, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed to a sports boot having a base or lower part, referred to as a shell base, and an upper part, referred to as a collar. More particularly, the invention is directed to a device that allows a blocking and an unblocking of the collar relative to the shell.
2. Background and Other Information
Devices of the aforementioned type are known in the prior art. For example, French Patent Application Publication No. 2 661 076, and family member U.S. Pat. No. 5,136,794, disclose a ski boot equipped with such a device.
In such boot, the blocking device is located in the rear zone of the boot and interacts between the collar portion and the shell base portion of the boot via a rocking element mounted on a pivot pin. The rocking element, affixed to the collar, in particular by means of its pivot, is provided to be capable of alternatively occupying two predetermined angular positions, one to oppose the pivoting of the collar with respect to the shell base in the front-to-rear direction, and the other to allow the collar to pivot freely in that direction. To this end, the rocking element has a support zone at the end of a free arm that extends downward on the side of its pivot and in correspondence with an abutment with which the shell base is provided. Thus, for a given angular position of the rocking element, its free arm cooperates with the abutment of the shell base via its support zone and pivotally blocks the collar in the front-to-rear direction; conversely, for another given angular position of the rocking element, its free arm retracts from the abutment of the shell base, and allows the collar to pivot in the front-to-rear direction.
The blocking device of this boot is satisfactory but has a mechanical weakness in the area of the pivot of the rocking element. Indeed, because the rocking element does not include a counter-support on its free arm, all of the forces to which the free arm is subjected are entirely taken up by its pivot pin. However, due to its cylindrical shape and its small diameter, the pivot pin offers resistance and a reduced support surface in particular in the location of its ends, which are encased in the upper, on both sides of the rocking element. Also, taking into account the intensity and the repeated occurrence of the forces directed in the front-to-rear direction during the sporting activity, it is often noted that the ends of the pivot and their housings become oval in the collar, which can be the origin of the breakage of the pivot pin in certain cases. Further, the intensity of the forces in the front-to-rear direction forces the pivot pin to bend until causing its permanent deformation, in particular when the collar of the boot has a large housing on the side opposite the support zone of the free arm of the rocking element, which cooperates with the abutment of the shell base.
Furthermore, the blocking device described in the aforementioned documents is particularly bulky, because the collar includes an enlargement, or cap, that covers the device.
Finally, the pivot pin is in the center of the rocking element, i.e., halfway between the support zone and the upper portion which is connected to the means allowing for the actuation. Consequently, the amplitude of movement of the actuating means must be equal to that which is necessary for disengaging from the support zone. This results, among other things, in making the device bulky.
The invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. In particular, the invention provides a blocking device that ensures a good distribution of forces without the risk of damaging its components.
In addition, the invention provides a blocking device that is well-integrated into the structure of the boot.
Further, the invention provides a blocking device that is less bulky than the prior art.
Still further, the invention provides a device that is inexpensive to manufacture.
Further still, the invention provides a blocking device that requires few parts for its manufacture.
To these and other ends, the invention more particularly is directed to a boot that includes a shell base and a collar, an articulation provided between the collar and the shell base so that the collar can pivot with respect the shell base along an articulation axis that is perpendicular to, or substantially perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis of the boot, or the longitudinal vertical median plane of the boot (which extends in a direction between the front and rear of the boot), the boot further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base. The device for blocking the rearward rotation includes the following: a rocker that is rotationally mounted, with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the first pivot being oriented along a first axis and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end and a lower end, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the ends; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other end including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever rotationally mounted with respect to the rocker around a second pivot, the second pivot being oriented along a second axis parallel to that the first axis, and the second pivot being positioned between the first pivot and the support base, the lever including an actuation plate and a cam surface.
The invention also is directed to a boot that includes a shell base and a collar, articulation provided between the collar and the shell base so that the collar can pivot with respect to the shell base along an articulation axis that is perpendicular to, or substantially perpendicular to, the longitudinal axis or longitudinal median plane, and further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base, the device for blocking of the rearward rotation includes the following: a rocker rotationally mounted with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the pivot being directed along a first axis A1 and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end E1 and a lower end E2, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the two ends E1 or E2; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other of the ends E2 or E1 including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever rotatably mounted with respect to the rocker around a second pivot, the second pivot being oriented along a second axis A2 parallel to the first axis A1, and the second pivot being positioned between the first pivot and the support base, the lever including an actuation plate and a cam surface.
In one preferred embodiment, the rocker is rotationally mounted on the collar; the first pivot is positioned in the vicinity of the upper end E1 and the support base is positioned in the vicinity of the lower end E2.
The blocking device is capable of being in a blocking state in which it blocks the rearward rotation of the rotational movement of the collar with respect to the shell base, or in a release state, in which such rotation is not blocked.
Advantageously, the first support surface of the support base corresponds to the other of the ends E2 or E1, and the ratio between the distance d1 separating the first pivot from the first end E1 and the distance d4 separating the first pivot from the second end E2 is between 0.15 and 0.35 or, in a more particular embodiment, between 0.2 and 0.3. In one embodiment of the invention, this ratio is substantially equal to 0.23±0.02.
Advantageously, the ratio between the distance d2 separating the first pivot from the second pivot and the distance d4 separating the first pivot from the lower end E2 is between 0.2 and 0.5 or, in a more particular embodiment, between 0.3 and 0.4. In one embodiment of the invention, this ratio is substantially equal to 0.36±0.02.
Advantageously, the rocker can pivot between a blocking position in which, during the rearward rotational movement of the collar, the first support surface comes in contact with an edge arranged on the shall base, and a release position, in which the rocker does not block the rearward rotation of the collar, and the amplitude of the rotational movement of the rocker corresponds to an angle β whose value is between 3°<β<25° or, in a more particular embodiment, between 5°<β<15°.
Advantageously, the blocking device further includes a return mechanism, which returns the blocking device to the blocking state. Such return mechanism can include a spring positioned in the area of the upper end E1.
Advantageously, the lever enables the blocking device to switch from the blocking state to the release state, when the plate of the lever is rotationally actuated by the user by an amplitude that corresponds to an angle α, whose value is between 90° and 160° or, in a more particular embodiment, between 120° and 150°. In one embodiment of the invention, the value of this angle is substantially equal to 135±2°.
Advantageously, the cam surface includes an initial portion located at a distance C1 from the second pivot, an end portion located at a distance C2 from the second pivot. When the devices are in the release state, the end portion is in support against the rolling surface and C1<C2<10 mm.
Advantageously, the support base includes a second support surface which, when the blocking device is in the blocking state, is capable of being in contact with an abutment arranged on the collar.
The invention will be better understood from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:
The invention encompasses any type of boot for which it is desirable, or necessary, to block movement of the upper, such as, for example, snowboard boots, mountaineering boots, and other types of boots.
The boot 1, oriented along the longitudinal axis L, which axis can be regarded as lying within a longitudinal median plane of the boot, includes a shell base 2 and a collar 3. The shell base 2 includes a sole 15, as well has sides 16 extending upwardly from the sole 15. The sides 16 define, together with the sole 15, a cavity that is provided to receive the user's foot. The upper portion of the shell base provides an opening used for inserting and withdrawing the foot. A collar 3 extends the shell base 2 in the direction of the user's leg. The collar 3 is fixed to the shell base 2 by means of two articulations 17, such as pins or rivets, e.g., that are opposite one another, i.e., one on the medial side of the boot, the other on the lateral side thereof. Connecting the collar 3 to the shell base 2 enables it to pivot along the axis defined by the two articulations, i.e., in the front-to-rear and rear-to-front directions. The pivoting of the collar 3 with respect to the shell base 2 has an amplitude less than 30°, or less than about 30°, and it enables the user to walk more easily. Indeed, when the user's foot is inserted in a boot which covers the ankle joint, movement of the ankle joint is blocked. The collar/shell base articulation returns a certain amount of front-to-rear freedom of movement for the ankle.
The shell base 2 and the collar 3 are generally made of synthetic materials, such as plastics. They are not necessarily made in a single piece, but can be made up of an assembly of various elements.
Certain sporting activities require the ankle joint to be immobilized, or at least limited in its amplitude of movement, as is the case with skiing and certain mountaineering activities. For this reason, the boot 1 is equipped with a blocking device 20, whose function is to block the articulation of the collar 3 with respect to the shell base 2.
The blocking device 20 is positioned in the rear zone of the boot 1. It is fixed to the collar 3 and acts on the shell base 2.
Other arrangements are encompassed by the invention, such as, e.g., an arrangement by which the blocking device 20 is positioned on the shell base 2 and acts on the collar 3.
The blocking device can be in the blocking state or in the release state; the latter can also be referred to as the released state.
In the released state, the device does not limit the rearward rotation of the collar 3 with respect to the shell base 2, and it does not prevent the forward rotation thereof. This is the “WALKING” position, in which the user must not only be able to bend forwards, he/she must also be able to make the ankle articulation pivot rearward each time he/she places the front foot on the ground. Therefore, the user needs the articulation of the ankle to function forward without limit.
On the other hand, in the “SKIING” position, the user must be able to take advantage of the firmest possible rear support. For this reason the rear support, i.e., the blocking of the rearward movement of the collar 3 with respect to the shell base 2, is provided in the form of abutments.
With reference to
The rocker 4 is in the form of an elongated element, which extends from an upper end E1, or first end, to a lower end E2, or second end. The rocker 4 further includes a support base 10 located in its lower portion. A second pivot 7 is located between the first pivot 6 and the support base 10. The support base 10 includes a first support surface 18 that is capable of coming in contact with the shell base 2, and a second support surface 19 that is capable of coming in contact with an abutment 24 arranged on the collar 3.
The first pivot 6 is positioned in the vicinity of the upper end E1. The ratio between the distance d1 separating the first pivot 6 from the first end E1 and the distance d4 separating the first pivot 6 from the second end or from the lower end E2 is between 0.15 and 0.35. Preferably, this ratio is between 0.2 and 0.26. In other words, the mathematical equation can be expressed as follows:
0.2×d4<d1<0.26×d4
In the embodiment shown in
Advantageously, due to the small ratio between d1 and d4, ranging between 0.1 and 0.3 or, in a more particular embodiment, between 0.2 and 0.26, the upper end E1, in its movement around the first pivot 6, has an amplitude of movement much lower than that of the lower end E2. As described below, switching the blocking device to the released state generates an outward movement of the end E2, whereas the upper end E1 is actuated by an inward movement. The inward movement of the upper end E1 requires that a corresponding cavity be provided in the collar 3 to enable the end E1 to enter in the collar. Consequently, the small d1/d4 ratio requires the cavity being provided in the collar to be relatively small. Thus, although a boot according to the invention includes a blocking device, the blocking device does not generate any unnecessary volume, and it can blend well in the general appearance of the boot.
The support base 10 of the rocker includes a first support surface 18, which merges with the second end E2, as well as a second support surface 19 in the blocking state. The first support surface 18 is in contact with an edge 11 arranged in the shell base 2, whereas the second support surface 19 is in contact with an abutment 24 arranged in the lower portion of collar 3. The support base 10 occupies a projecting position with respect to the remainder of rocker 4. Thus, it can easily become wedged between the abutment 24 of the collar and the edge 11 of the shell base. As shown in
In the “SKIING” position, when the user needs rear support, the forces transmitted between the collar 3 and the shell base 2 are transmitted mainly through contact surfaces, which include the abutment 24 and the second support surface 19, on the one hand, and the edge 11 and the first support surface 18, on the other hand. A proportion of these forces can also pass through the second pivot 6. In order to limit this proportion, one can provide for the first pivot 6 to have a vertical play.
The second pivot 7 is located between the support base 10 and the first pivot 6, i.e., between the second support surface 19 and the first pivot 6. The lever 5 is pivotally mounted around the second pivot 7. The second pivot 7, which also takes the form of a metal rod or a rivet, or any other known expedient, is oriented along an axis A2.
The lever 5 is in the form of a crampon extended by a manipulatable part, shown in the drawing in the form of a plate 13 that is used for its actuation by a user. The two arms 25 of the lever are positioned on opposite sides of the rocker 4. Each of the arms 25 is bored with an opening provided to receive the second pivot 7, and each of their external surfaces constitutes a cam surface 26 provided to come in contact with a rolling surface arranged on the collar 3. As shown in the drawing, each of the cam surfaces 26 is a surface of the lever itself, i.e., the cam surfaces and the manipulatable part are unitary with the lever, i.e., the cam surfaces simultaneously move with the remainder of the lever 5.
The blocking device also includes a return mechanism 14 provided to return the lower portion of the rocker 4, i.e., the support base 10, against the boot. In the embodiment illustrated in
The cam surface 26 arranged on each arm 25 has a first portion 21, which is at a distance C1 from the second pivot 7, and a second portion 22, which is at a distance C2 from the second pivot 7. In the illustrated embodiment, the distances C1 and C2 are different, the cam surface 26 therefore constituting an eccentric cam surface, i.e., the distance between the surface 26 and the second pivot 7 varyies as it extends therearound. When the blocking device is in the blocking state, it is the first portion 21 of the cam surface 26 that is opposite the rolling surface 23, arranged on the collar 3.
In the blocking state, i.e., in the “SKIING” position, the lever 5 is pressed against the rocker 4 and closely follows its shape. Thus, there is integration of the lever 5 of the rocker 4 in the continuity of the collar 3 and of the shell base 2.
The rocker 4 is mounted so as to pivot with respect to the collar 3 around the first pivot 6, whereas the lever is mounted so as to pivot with respect to the rocker 4 around the second pivot 7. As will be evident in the following description, the rotation of the lever 5 causes the rocker 4 to pivot by the effect of the cam surfaces 26 arranged on the arms 25. That is, as evident in the illustrated embodiment, rotation of the lever 5 causes the rocker 4 to move in the same direction, which means that if the lever 5 is rotated clockwise, the rocker 4 is caused to move clockwise, and if the lever 5 is rotated counter-clockwise, the rocker 4 is caused to move counter-clockwise.
In the released state, the abutment 24 of the collar and the edge 11 of the shell base are free for relative movement with respect to one another, and they can come closer to one another. There is no more rear support. That is, in the released state no rear support force is transmitted to the shell base. It is then easier to walk; due to the absence of rear support, the user can place the foot flat in front of him/her.
The rotational movement of the rocker 4 is generated by the user's action on the lever 5. The lever is shown in
In the released position, it is the second portion 22 of the cam surface 26 that is in support against the rolling surface 23.
The invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described herein, which are presented by way of example, but it encompasses all equivalent embodiments.
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|---|---|---|---|
| 07 08747 | Dec 2007 | FR | national |
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| 20090178304 A1 | Jul 2009 | US |
