Sports boot with variable rigidity

• US 6,371,494 B1
• Filed: 01/10/2000
• Issued: 04/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Salomon SA (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Salomon SA (Anta International Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Marechal, Laurent, Portaud, Gabriel, Bonaventure, Laurent
• Primary Examiner(s): STASHICK, ANTHONY D
• Application Number:
  US09/479,879
• Time in Patent Office: 827 Days
• Field of Search: 280/11.19, 280/11.221, 361/15, 361/16, 361/171, 361/172, 361/178, 361/182, 361/189, 361/191, 36/45, 36/48, 36/51
• US Class Current: 280/11.19
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0411 for cross-country
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0429 Adjustment of the boot to calf or shin, i.e. fibula, tibia
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0443 to the instep of the foot, e.g. metatarsals; Metatarsal clamping devices
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0496 boots for touring or hiking skis
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1616 Inner boots
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1666 characterised by the upper
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 3/00 Hooks for laces making from sheet metal B21D53/46; Guards for hooks

Abstract

A sports boot, particularly for gliding sports, of the type including a rigid sole, an external upper, and a removal liner, the external upper including a first portion made of a rigid and substantially non-flexible material including at least one heel stiffener; a second portion, attached to the first portion and/or to the sole, made of a substantially rigid and flexible material; a third portion attached to the second portion and made of a flexible material. The second portion includes a collar adapted to at least partially surround the user'"'"'s ankle, and a vamp. The third portion includes a saddle attached to the vamp, and on which a device for tightening the forefoot is arranged. The third portion can also include two flaps attached to the collar, and on which a tightening device is arranged.

Claims

1. A sport boot comprising:

a rigid sole, an external upper, and an independent internal liner;

the external upper comprising;

a rigid portion comprising a heel stiffener;

a flexible saddle occupying a substantial portion of the external upper extending above a foot of a wearer;

a vamp connecting the flexible saddle to the rigid portion, the vamp being more flexible than the rigid portion and more rigid than the saddle.

2. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the saddle is made by having been molded flat or by cutting a sheet of plastic material or fabric.

3. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the vamp comprises a toe cap and two extensions adapted to ensure retention in an instep girth area.

4. A boot according to claim 1, wherein a device for tightening a forefoot is arranged on the saddle.

5. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the saddle includes a lateral saddle and a medial saddle connected to one another at their end that is the closest to the front of the boot, and defining between them a central opening allowing introducing a foot of a wearer into the boot.

6. A boot according to claim 3, wherein the saddle is made of a flexible plastic material, and wherein cutouts are provided thereon.

7. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the vamp comprises a toe cap and two extensions adapted to ensure retention in an instep girth area, wherein a device for tightening a forefoot is arranged on the saddle, and wherein at least one guide for the tightening device is arranged on each of the two extensions.

8. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the stiffener and the sole are part of an integral single piece called cradle.

9. A boot according to claim 2, wherein the vamp is attached directly to the rigid sole on a front portion of the vamp, and to the heel stiffener on a rear portion of the vamp.

10. A boot according to claim 9, wherein the rigid sole and the heel stiffener define a sole/stiffener subassembly, and wherein the vamp is attached to the sole/stiffener sub-assembly by means of rivets.

11. A boot according to claim 3, wherein the saddle is stitched on the vamp.

12. A boot according to claim 3, wherein the saddle is made of a synthetic material.

13. A boot according to claim 2, wherein slits are provided extending through the vamp.

14. A boot according to claim 1, wherein slots are provided in the stiffener.

15. A boot according to claim 2, wherein the external upper further comprises a collar adapted to at least partially surround an ankle of a wearer, and the collar is fastened to the stiffener with at least two fastening elements located on opposite sides of the heel stiffener in a malleoli area of a wearer of the boot.

16. A boot according to claim 15, wherein the fastening elements allow pivoting of the collar relative to the heel stiffener.

17. A boot according to claim 15, wherein a third fastening element is located at a rear of the heel stiffener.

18. A boot according to claim 2, wherein the external upper further comprises a collar adapted to at least partially surround an ankle of a wearer, and wherein a rear opening is provided in the collar.

19. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion of the external upper includes a flange extending upwardly from the rigid sole in a front portion of the rigid sole.

20. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid portion, the saddle, and the vamp are not superimposed, except in zones that are necessary for their attachment to one another.

21. A roller skate including a chassis equipped with wheels and to which a boot is attached according to claim 1.

22. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the independent internal liner includes a removable connection for rendering the internal liner removable from the boot.

23. A boot according to claim 22, wherein the removable connection comprises a screw.

24. A sport boot, including a boot for a gliding sport, said boot comprising:

an external upper and an independent internal liner positioned within said external upper, said external upper comprising at least first, second, and third portions;

said first portion being rigid and substantially non-flexible, said first portion including a sole and at least one heel stiffener extending upwardly from said sole, said second portion comprising a vamp, and said third portion comprising a saddle;

said vamp being attached to said first portion, said vamp being more rigid than said heel stiffener and more flexible than said saddle;

said saddle being flexible and being connected to and extending transversely from at least parts of said vamp, said saddle extending over a forefoot of a wearer;

said external upper further comprising a device for tightening the boot on a forefoot of the wearer.

25. A sport boot according to claim 24, wherein said third portion including through holes for ventilating the boot during use of the boot.

26. A sport boot according to claim 24, wherein said external upper further comprises a collar adapted to at least partially surround an ankle of a wearer.

27. A sport boot according to claim 24, wherein said saddle includes a central opening defining a lateral saddle and a medial saddle, and wherein said device for tightening the forefoot comprises a lacing and respective pluralities of lacing guides affixed on said lateral saddle and said medial saddle.

28. A sport boot according to claim 27, wherein said device for tightening the forefoot further comprises a rearmost lacing guide on a medial side of said vamp and a rearmost lacing guide on a lateral side of said vamp.

29. A sport boot comprising:

a rigid sole, an external upper, and an independent internal liner;

said external upper comprising;

a rigid portion comprising a heel stiffener, said heel stiffener having transversely opposed sides extending upwardly along opposite sides of a heel of a wearer;

a vamp connected to and extending upwardly from a forward part of said rigid portion, said vamp having transversely opposed sides extending forwardly from said transversely opposed sides of said heel stiffener;

a saddle extending transversely from said transversely opposed sides of said vamp to be positioned above a foot of a wearer;

said vamp being more flexible than said heel stiffener and more rigid than said saddle.