Gliding device

• US 20030151213A1
• Filed: 01/15/2003
• Published: 08/14/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Benetton Group SPA (Benetton Family)
• Original Assignee: Benetton Group SPA (Benetton Family)
• Inventors: Poloni, Mario, Balconi, Claudio
• Granted Patent: US 6,860,492 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 280/11.19
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1691 characterised by the higher part of the upper, e.g. surrounding the ankle, by the quarter or cuff
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders

Abstract

A gliding device comprising a gliding member (200) and a sports shoe (5) associated to the gliding member. The sports shoe comprises an upper (8) and protection means for protecting the foot and the lower portion of the user'"'"'s leg against impacts and other accidental events. Such protection means comprises one or more protection elements (12), which are associated at least to the upper.

Claims

1. A gliding device, such as skate, a roller and the like, comprising:

a gliding member;

a sports shoe associated to said gliding member, said sports shoe comprising at least a sole and an upper, which extends upwardly of said sole, said upper comprising at least a soft portion made of soft material;

protection means for protecting the foot and the lower portion of the user'"'"'s leg against impacts and other accidental events;

characterised in that said protection means comprises one or more protection elements, which are rigidly associated at least to the soft portion of said upper.

2. The gliding device according to claim 1, characterised in that said protection elements are arranged so as to protrude externally from the soft portion of said upper.

3. The gliding device according to claim 2, characterised in that the soft portion of said upper comprises a first flap and/or a second flap, which cover at least partially the internal side and/or the external side of the user'"'"'s foot, respectively, said protection elements protruding externally at least from said first flap and/or said second flap.

4. The gliding device according to one or more of preceding claims, characterised in that said protection elements comprise one or more shaped protection strips.

5. The gliding device according to claim 4, characterised in that said protection strips are provided with a predefined thickness so as to constitute, in co-operation with said sole, a protection layer, which protects externally said upper, at least partially.

6. The gliding device according to one or more of the claims 4 and 5, characterised in that one or more of said protection strips are arranged above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the lateral metatarsus region of the foot of the user.

7. The gliding device according to one or more of the claims 4-6, characterised in that one or more of said protection strips are arranged above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the lateral heel region of the user'"'"'s foot.

8. The gliding device according to one or more of the claims 4-7, characterised in that one or more of said protection strips are arranged above the lateral edge of said sole, approximately at the anklebone region of the user'"'"'s foot.

9. The gliding device according to one or more of the claims 4-8, characterised in that one or more of said protection strips are counter-shaped at the bottom, so as to co-operate with the lateral edge of said sole and form an easement with the lateral edge of said sole.

10. The gliding device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that said protection elements are made of abrasion-resistant materials.