Ski boot

• US 4,843,740 A
• Filed: 04/18/1988
• Issued: 07/04/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 04/22/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Raichle Boots AG (Kneissl & Friends GmbH)
• Original Assignee: Raichle Sportschuh AG
• Inventors: Walkhoff, Klaus
• Primary Examiner(s): Kee Chi, James
• Application Number:
  US07/182,997
• Time in Patent Office: 442 Days
• Field of Search: 36/117-121, 36/54, 36/28, 36/29, 36/51
• US Class Current: 36/118.6
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0458 with the actuator being disposed at the front side of the boot A43B5/0464 takes precedence

Abstract

There is provided a ski boot formed of plastic material and having a sole and a shaft consisting of a front shaft part having a shell and a rear shaft part articulated on the shell at the heel. The front shaft part is provided with zones of weakness in the arch and shin areas which increase the flexibility of the front shaft part in the longitudinal direction of the boot. Stiffening elements are provided in the zones of weakness extending transversely to the boot axis and having a variable effect on the flexibility of the front shaft part of the boot. The zones of weakness are formed by wave-like elevations and depressions on the front shaft part, the elevations projecting against the outer side of the boot so as to define hollow spaces sealed against the front side of the boot and accommodating therein the stiffening elements.

Claims

1. In a ski boot formed of plastic material and having a sole and a shaft, the shaft consisting of a front shaft part having a shell and a rear shaft part articulated on the shell in the region of the heel, the front shaft part having zones of weakness arranged in the arch and shin areas which increase the flexibility of the front shaft part in the longitudinal direction of the boot and stiffening elements in the zones of weakness extending transversely relative to the longitudinal axis of the boot, the stiffening elements having a variable effect on the flexibility of the front shaft part, said zones of weakness being formed by wave-like elevations and depressions on the front shaft part, the elevations projecting against the outer side of the boot so as to define hollow spaces sealed at least against the front side of the boot and accommodating therein the stiffening elements, the improvement comprising means for the common adjustment of the stiffening elements from the exterior of the ski boot.

2. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein front shaft part includes a tongue covering the shell in the arch and shin area fastened on said shell, said zones of weakness being formed within said tongue.

3. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said the hollow spaces for said zones of weakness are cylindrically shaped and each stiffening element is rotatably supported around the axis thereof, and wherein said stiffening elements exhibit a different compression behavior in directions extending transversely relative to their axis of rotation.

4. The ski boot as defined in claim 3, wherein each said stiffening element comprises a stiffening ridge formed of a material with low elasticity, said stiffening bridge being pivotable around its axis of rotation and having a rectangular cross-section.

5. The ski boot as defined in claim 4, wherein the space between the stiffening bridge and the inside wall of the hollow space is filled with a material of high elasticity.

6. The ski boot as defined in claim 4, wherein said hollow spaces are sealed against the outside of the boot at least together with face walls formed on the stiffening bridges on the face sides thereof.

7. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said adjusting mechanism comprises lever arms formed on said stiffening elements, said lever arms projecting from the hollow spaces of said zones of weakness towards the interior of the boot, and the ends of said lever arms being operatively connected to each other and with an adjusting member.

8. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffening elements are in the form of elastic, airtight balloon elements which operatively communicate among one another and to a pump.

9. The ski boot as defined in claim 8, wherein said pump has a check and venting valve and is operable from the outside of the boot.

10. The ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said stiffening elements are mounted on a flexible threaded spindle rotatably supported in an abutment in the front shaft part, said stiffening eements being displaceable along the threaded spindle by rotating the latter by means of a rotary handle.

11. The ski boot as defined in claim 10, wherein said stiffening elements have a circular segment-shaped cross-section.