Inner boot tongue of a ski boot

• US 5,575,090 A
• Filed: 02/15/1996
• Issued: 11/19/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 09/07/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lange International SA (Chartreuse et Mont Blanc SAS)
• Original Assignee: Lange International SA (Chartreuse et Mont Blanc SAS)
• Inventors: Condini, Alessandro
• Primary Examiner(s): KAVANAUGH, JOHN T
• Application Number:
  US08/601,818
• Time in Patent Office: 278 Days
• Field of Search: 36/54, 36/55, 36/93, 36/88, 36/91, 36/92, 36/90, 36/119, 36/10, 36/71, 36/3 R, 36/3 A, 36/3 B, 36/28, 36/29, 36/45, 36/115, 36/131, 36/72 R, 36/77 R, 36/77 M
• US Class Current: 36/54
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/26 Tongues for shoes
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0405 Linings, paddings or insertions; Inner boots
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/125 provided with a vapour permeable member, e.g. a membrane A43B23/022 takes precedence

Abstract

The part of a boot in question, in particular an inner-boot tongue of a ski boot, is essentially constituted by an outer part (1) made of impermeable semi-rigid plastic having an alveolate structure (6), covered directly by a foam-type padding (4) and by a woven or knitted liner (5). The air contained in the alveoles of the alveolate structure forms a particularly effective damper cushion in dynamic compression.

Claims

1. A ski boot containing an inner boot, said inner boot having a sole and an upper part and wherein said upper part has a padded part comprising;

an outer part which is made of impermeable semi-rigid plastic;

an alveolate structure on the inside of the outer part having alveoles hermetically closed on the outside by said outer part;

a foam-padding lying directly on the open side of the alveoles, so that the alveoles are taken in sandwich between said outer part and the foam-padding;

and an inner liner lying on the foam-padding, in such a manner that during dynamic compression of the padded part the foam penetrates further into the alveoles, compressing thereby the air trapped in said alveoles, so that instantaneous overpressures are damped.

2. A ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foam-type padding is an open-cell foam.

3. A ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the padded part is a tongue.

4. A ski boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein the liner is made from a woven or knitted material.

5. A ski boot as claimed in claim 3, wherein the foam-type padding is an open-cell foam.

6. A ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alveolate structure has a honeycomb configuration.

7. A ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the alveolate structure has a waffle configuration.