METHOD OF FOAMING SKI BOOTS

• US 3,834,044 A
• Filed: 03/16/1970
• Issued: 09/10/1974
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: John M. Powell, Robert R. Mcausland
• Original Assignee: John M. Powell, Robert R. Mcausland
• Inventors: McAusland, Robert R., Powell, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lawson, Patrick D.
• Application Number:
  US05/019,914
• Time in Patent Office: 1,639 Days
• Field of Search: 36/2.5 12/142
• US Class Current: 36/117.6
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0405 Linings, paddings or insertions; Inner boots

Abstract

A double-wall liner of flexible material is put on the foot of the wearer or a mandrel corresponding to the foot of the wearer, the outer wall of the liner having therein an injection opening for an uncured foaming material and one or more vent openings. The mandrel or wearer'"'"''"'"'s foot, with the liner thereon, is then inserted into a ski boot having one or more openings corresponding to the openings in the outer wall of the liner. The liner is keyed in position in the boot. The boot is then laced or buckled. An uncured resinous material and a catalyst therefor are mixed together and immediately injected into the liner through the injection opening. The foaming gas generated by reaction of the catalyst and resin foams the resin to produce an elastomeric foam which expands to fill the area between the walls of the liner and causes the outer wall of the liner to conform substantially to the inner surface of the boot and the inner wall of the liner to conform substantially to the mandrel or foot of the wearer. The foamed material is allowed to cure adequately in the liner before removal of the foot or mandrel from the liner. Stitching is provided along the instep of the liner to prevent the elastomeric foam from entering that portion of the liner, allowing that portion of the liner to expand laterally, and allowing the foaming gas to vent through the stitching into the atmosphere.

Claims

1. A method of custom fitting a boot to a mandrel corresponding to the foot of the wearer or to the foot of the wearer comprising:

providing an outer boot shell made of a substantially rigid material with an injection opening therethrough, providing a flexible, double-wall liner for the boot shell, the inner wall of which approximates the surface of the mandrel or foot of the wearer and the outer wall of which has an injection inlet adapted to register with the injection opening in the boot shell, inserting a mandrel or foot of the wearer in the liner, inserting the liner into the boot shell with the injection inlet registering with the injection opening, closing the boot shell around the liner, mixing an uncured foamable liquid resinous material and catalyst in a flexible closed container having an outlet tube, the resin and catalyst reacting to generate a foaming gas, connecting the outlet tube with the injection inlet of the liner in a closed system, the foaming gas generated by mixing of the resin and catalyst aiding to force the uncured foaming resin into the space between the walls of the liner.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the injection opening for injection of the foaming resin is located near the heel of the boot and liner.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the liner includes a vent opening having an outwardly protruding gas outlet secured thereto, the boot having a corresponding opening adapted to receive the outwardly protruding outlet.

4. A boot fitted to the foot of the wearer comprising, an outer boot of substantially rigid material having a sole and an upper and at least two plugged openings in the upper, including an injection opening and a vent opening, a flexible, double-wall liner having a toe section, foot section and leg section, a closeable slit running from the upper edge of the liner downwardly of the instep towards the toe section of the liner, allowing the foot to be inserted and removed from the liner, openings iN the outer boot of the liner corresponding to the injection and vent openings in the outer boot for entry of an uncured foam into the space between the walls of the double-wall liner and vent of foaming gas from the space between the walls of the double-wall liner, fittings secured around each of the openings in the outer wall of the liner having shoulder portions thereon adapted to key into the corresponding openings in the outer boot aiding and preventing upward movement of the heel portion of the liner in the boot during use, and a cured elastomeric foam between the walls of the liner which conform the inner wall of the liner substantially to the foot of the wearer and the outer wall of the liner substantially to the inner surface of the outer boot.

5. The boot of claim 4 wherein the liner includes stitched seams running substantially parallel to the slit, the seams allowing foaming gas to vent therethrough, thereby preventing formation of voids.

6. The boot of claim 4 wherein the outer boot includes a padded portion secured around the top of the leg section thereof, the padded section aiding and preventing upward movement of the double-wall liner in the boot.

7. The boot of claim 4 wherein the double-wall liner is removable from the outer boot.