EP0753269A1 - Sportshoe for sliding - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot has a supple boot (2) with a leg (5) and a sole (4). This has a transversal slot (7), under the arch of the foot. A stud under the sole cooperates with a binding on the board. A rigid stirrup (4) passes through the slot and goes up on either side of the leg and is inclined backwards. A back part (15) surrounds the back of the leg and its base (17) is articulated on the stirrup, at the level of the ankles and its inclination backwards is limited. The stud is on the lower surface of the stirrup.

Description

Technical area

The invention relates to the field of shoes used during the practice of sliding sports, in particular on snow.

In the following, we will endeavor to describe the application of the invention to snowboarding while keeping in mind that the transposition to another sliding sport, such as cross-country skiing or alpine skiing is obvious for the tradesman.

Previous techniques

As we know, there are several techniques for snowboarding. We can cite in particular a first form called "alpine surfing" which is practiced on traditional downhill ski trails, on groomed snow. Furthermore, there is also known a second form called "artistic surfing" which takes place on particular tracks forming semi-cylindrical valleys, generally hollowed out, and which is commonly called by the English expression of "half pipe" . Finally, we also know that surfing is practiced on powder snow slopes.

It is quite obvious that each of these modes of use requires a certain number of qualities at the level of the articulation between the leg of the user and the board, in particular with regard to the bending forwards and the supports towards the back.

Chronologically, three different types of shoe have been proposed, to be combined with correspondingly different bindings.

First, the first shoes used to practice surfing were downhill ski boots, that is to say having a rigid shell, allowing a limited inclination of the leg forward. These shoes fit on bindings comprising two elements, namely a fixed stirrup in which the heel of the shoe comes to be embedded, and a front stop articulated in the shape of a stirrup, capable of hooking the front portion of the point of the shoe. Obviously, this type of shoe proves to be too rigid, especially in disciplines requiring large angulations of the tibia with respect to the foot, such as the practice in "half pipes". In addition, this type of shoe proves to be difficult for walking.

Subsequently, the use of flexible shoes has been proposed, most generally having the form of a boot, advantageously practical for walking. Unfortunately, given this flexibility, it was necessary to change the fasteners to allow them to ensure the taking of supports backwards. Thus, we have developed a number of bindings having a platform on which the shoe is fixed by several straps, and which comprises a rigid rear tile fixed substantially perpendicular to the board and which rises in the direction of the calf. Unfortunately, although satisfactory, this type of attachment constitutes a particularly complex molding part to produce, bulky and inconvenient for transport. In addition, it does not allow automatic putting on.

Finally, a third type of binding is known, associating a platform fixed on the board and which cooperates with complementary arrangements, advantageously retractable, integral with the shoe. We are dealing in this case with a relatively rigid boot, either close to a traditional ski boot, or having a sole made of hard material and a rigid rear rod to allow rear supports. Thus, it can be seen that the use of this advantageous type of binding requires the use of a rigid shoe, therefore having drawbacks for walking and not allowing optimum performance to be obtained during the practice of surfing.

Brief description of the invention

The problem which the invention proposes to solve is to combine the use of a flexible boot giving comfort qualities to the user, with a rigid frame allowing the taking of support towards the rear.

• une tige entourant le bas de la jambe et le pied de l'utilisateur,
• une semelle présentant un dégagement transversal au niveau de la voute plantaire,
• et un plot disposé sous la semelle, destiné à coopérer avec des moyens complémentaires de la fixation solidaire du dessus de la planche.

Thus, the invention relates to a shoe for practicing a sliding sport by means of a board of the type consisting of a flexible boot comprising:

• a rod surrounding the user's lower leg and foot,
• a sole with transverse clearance at the level of the arch of the foot,
• and a stud disposed under the sole, intended to cooperate with means complementary to the fastening secured to the top of the board.

• un étrier rigide monobloc passant sous la semelle, dans la partie médiane de celle-ci, et remontant de chaque côté de la tige selon une direction inclinée vers l'arrière et entourant l'arrière de la tige au niveau du calcanéum,
• et une gouttière entourant l'arrière de la jambe de l'utilisateur, le bas de cette gouttière étant articulé sur l'étrier rigide monobloc au niveau des malléoles, l'inclinaison de la gouttière étant limitée vers l'arrière, et en ce que la face inférieure de la portion de l'étrier rigide située sous la semelle reçoit le plot de coopération avec la fixation.

This shoe is characterized in that it comprises:

• a rigid monobloc stirrup passing under the sole, in the middle part thereof, and rising on each side of the rod in a direction inclined towards the rear and surrounding the rear of the rod at the level of the calcaneus,
• and a gutter surrounding the rear of the user's leg, the bottom of this gutter being articulated on the rigid monobloc stirrup at the malleoli, the inclination of the gutter being limited towards the rear, and in that the underside of the portion of the rigid stirrup located under the sole receives the pin for cooperation with the binding.

In other words, the shoe combines a flexible boot structure to favor the sensations of comfort of the user with a rigid frame and articulated only towards the front.

The invention consists in using an armature in two parts, the lower part of which comprises the attachment stud with fixing. Thus, the stirrup is, by its location, firmly secured to the shoe while ensuring the attachment to the board. In this way, sensations and efforts are directly transmitted, which improves the handling of the gliding board.

In other words, unlike all other types of existing shoes, the invention associates a flexible structure thus allowing easy walking with a rigid structure allowing the taking of the supports backwards and the attachment to the binding.

In an advantageous embodiment, the stud and the rigid stirrup form a one-piece assembly directly from the molding. In this way, the invention solves in a simple way the problem of effective attachment of the stud on the shoe.

Indeed, on all types of known shoes, the studs are generally attached under the sole, which requires special arrangements such as riveting or screwing.

In an advantageous form, the rigid stirrup passes in the release of the arch of the foot.

In an embodiment which makes it possible to resolve the problem of effective anchoring of the gutter articulation, the boot has a low portion including the sole and rising laterally up to the level of the malleoli, the articulation of the gutter and the rigid ridge being integral with this lower portion of the boot. In other words, the lower part of the rod includes the foot and is made of a semi-rigid material on which the stirrup is fixed to its upper end. Thus, the articulation carried by the top of the stirrup is supported and is anchored in this semi-rigid portion of the boot, which ensures effective support. In this way, the articulation of the gutter is improved.

In another embodiment, the stirrup-gutter assembly has means capable of authorizing its temporary uncoupling from the boot. Otherwise, when the user no longer needs the rigid articulated structure, he has the possibility of detaching it from the upper to find a simple and flexible boot which is particularly suitable for walking. Thus, it advantageously solves the problem of the combination of a shoe comfortable for walking and a shoe having rigid technical arrangements.

In a practical embodiment, the stirrup has a slot at the Achilles tendon, intended to allow the spacing of the arms of the stirrup and its decoupling from the boot. In other words, the stirrup constitutes an added part which is easily extractable by simple spacing and sliding of its two lateral parts.

In order to improve the transmission of forces between the leg and the surf, the gutter and the stirrup have straps intended to ensure the tightening of the bottom of the leg on the top of the rod. In this way, the leg is firmly secured to the gutter and therefore to the stirrup and thus to the fixing.

In a more sophisticated embodiment, the means intended to limit the inclination of the gutter towards the rear are disengageable. In this way, it is possible for the gutter to tilt strongly backwards, it is possible to overcome the rigidity towards the rear of the frame for the walking phases.

Brief description of the drawings

The manner in which the invention is implemented in its application to snowboarding as well as the advantages which result therefrom will emerge clearly from the description which follows, in support of the appended figures.

Figure 1 is a side view of a shoe according to the invention, the rigid frame being integral with the boot.

Figure 2 is a side view of the shoe according to the invention in which the rigid frame has been separated.

Figure 3 is a side view of the rigid frame in which the collar is removable.

Figure 4 is a summary perspective view of the frame according to the invention, in its removable version.

Way of realizing the invention

The surf boot (1) according to the invention, shown in FIG. 1, comprises two separate sub-assemblies, namely a boot (2) and a rigid frame (3).

The boot (2) conventionally consists of a sole (4) on which a rod (5) is attached. The sole is divided into three juxtaposed zones, namely a heel (6), a transverse clearance (7) corresponding to the arch of the foot, and a front part (8) formed of a skate. Advantageously, the lower surfaces of the heel (6) and the front pad (8) are located in the same horizontal plane. The high edges of this sole (4) are connected to the rod (5). The upper (5) of this boot comprises a lower part (9) which includes the heel up to the level of the calcaneus as well as the malleoli and is extended forward by a portion of low height which forms rising edges substantially up to halfway up the toes. This lower part of the rod is made of a semi-rigid plastic material or of synthetic leather, slightly deformable but having sufficient rigidity to receive the rigid frame (3).

On this lower part (9) of the rod (5), is sewn an upper portion (10) consisting of the two lateral flanks (11), surrounding the rear part of the leg, a lacing zone (12) located towards the front at the level of the tibia as well as the upper front end of the rod forming a protection of the toes.

This upper is of conventional design in the field of surf shoes so that it is not necessary to describe it here in detail.

The essence of the invention resides in the addition to this boot (2), of a rigid articulated structure (3).

In the illustrated form of the invention, this rigid frame is broken down into two separate sub-assemblies, namely a stirrup (14) and a gutter (15). The stirrup (14) has a certain symmetry in a vertical, longitudinal plane of the shoe. It is in contact with the sole at the clearance (7) corresponding to the arch of the foot. This lower portion (21) is extended on each side of the shoe by two arms (20) curved in the direction of the calcaneus passing over the malleoli.

In this embodiment, the stirrup is connected to the lower part of the boot (9) by sewing for example.

In a first embodiment (14), the two arms are connected at the level of the calcaneus. In this way, the stirrup surrounds the rear part of the shoe at the heel and is therefore firmly linked to the shoe.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4, the two arms (20) of the stirrup (14) are independent at the level of the Achilles tendon, which makes it possible to separate the rigid reinforcement (3) from the shoe at will. In practice, the two arms (20) are separated by a vertical rectilinear slot (22). In an advantageous arrangement, the slot will be locked by a fastener of the "hook velvet" type known under the registered trademark VELCRO or any similar means of securing. This arrangement is particularly advantageous when it is desired to use the surf boot as a walking boot.

Advantageously, the frame is snapped on, then fixed on the boot. For this purpose, the stirrup and the gutter have straps to secure the frame and the boot.

As already said, the lower part (21) of the stirrup (14) which is located in the recess corresponding to the arch of the foot, receives a stud (19) intended to cooperate with the fixing. In a known manner, this stud (19) can take any shape allowing an effective attachment with the fixing, namely a partially frustoconical or trapezoidal shape or even a shape of groove comprising a transverse or longitudinal axis or finally a localized rib comprising an axis protruding from said rib.

Of course, the invention covers other variants of the arrangement of the stirrup. One could cite in particular a provision not illustrated in which the stirrup passes, not in the release of the arch of the foot, but directly under the heel (6).

This stirrup (14) has at the malleoli, two axes of articulation (16) directed towards the outside of the shoe.

The second part of the rigid frame is constituted by a gutter (15) whose lateral portions (17) are articulated on said axis (16) provided for this purpose on the stirrup. These two lateral portions (17) are connected to a posterior zone (18) bearing on the rear of the rod (5) from the top of the calcaneus to the top vicinity of the boot.

One of the objectives of the invention is to allow the support to be taken towards the rear. For this purpose, the assembly consisting of the gutter and the stirrup, has means for limiting its tilt backwards.

In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the gutter has, at the lower portion of its rear edge, an articulated lever (30), the lower part (34) of which faces the upper part of the stirrup (14 ), when the lever is at rest.

Advantageously, this lever (30) is equipped with a spring (32) disposed between the upper part (31) of the lever (30) and the rear of the gutter (15). In the rest position, the spring (32) pushes the upper part (31) of the lever (30) so that the lower part (34) of the lever (30) is in contact with the stirrup (14) and prevents the hinge towards the rear of the gutter. On the other hand, when the user presses on the upper part (31) of the lever (30), the spring compresses and the lever pivots about the axis (33) located in the lower part of the gutter (15). At this time, the lower part (34) of the lever (30) disengages from the stirrup (14) and therefore allows the gutter (15) to tilt backwards.

In the variants illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, the gutter (14) is removable from the bracket (15) by spacing its lateral portions. The engagement and the maintenance in position is carried out in a manner known to the skilled person.

For the sake of clarity of the drawings, we have not shown the various straps which can connect the lateral parts of the gutter at the level of the lower leg, or join the arms (20) of the stirrup at the level of the neck of the foot.

As can be seen, the surf shoe according to the invention has multiple advantages.

On the one hand, it combines a rigid frame with a flexible boot. In this way, this shoe jointly performs technical functions allowing a sporting practice of surfing as well as a comfort function particularly appreciated when walking.

On the other hand, on the boot, and especially its lower extension by the attachment pin to the binding allows an effective transmission of support and forces between the shoe and the surf.

Of course, this description and the advantages which emerge therefrom can easily be transferred to alpine skis or cross-country skis, and more generally to all board sports using a board.

Claims (9)

Shoe (1) for practicing a sliding sport by means of a board, of the type consisting of a flexible boot (2) comprising: - a rod (5) surrounding the lower leg and the user's foot, - a sole (4) having a transverse clearance (7) at the level of the arch of the foot, - And a stud (19) disposed under the sole, intended to cooperate with means complementary to the fastening secured to the top of the board, characterized in that it also comprises: - a rigid monobloc stirrup (14) passing under the sole (4) in the middle part thereof, and rising on each side of the rod (5) in a direction inclined towards the rear and surrounding the rear of the stem at the level of the calcaneus, - And a gutter (15) surrounding the rear of the user's leg, the bottom (17) of this gutter being articulated on the rigid stirrup (14) in one piece at the malleoli, the inclination of the gutter being limited backwards, and in that the lower face (21) of the portion of the rigid stirrup (14) located under the sole (4) receives the stud for cooperation (19) with the fixing. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the stud (19) and the rigid stirrup (14) form a one-piece assembly directly from molding. Shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that the rigid stirrup (14) in the clearance (7) of the arch of the foot. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the boot (2) has a low portion (9) including the sole (4) and rising laterally to the level of the malleoli, the articulation (16) of the gutter (15) and the rigid stirrup (14) located at the level of the malleoli. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stirrup-gutter assembly (14, 15) has means capable of authorizing its temporary uncoupling from the boot. Shoe according to claim (5), characterized in that the stirrup has a slot (22) at the level of the Achilles tendon, intended to allow the separation of the arms (20) of the stirrup (14) and its uncoupling boot (2). Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gutter (15) has means capable of authorizing its temporary uncoupling from the stirrup (14). Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the gutter and / or the stirrup have straps intended to ensure the tightening of the bottom of the leg on the top of the upper. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the means intended to limit the inclination of the gutter towards the rear are disengageable.

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