Snowboard boot

• US 6,722,060 B2
• Filed: 08/03/2001
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/18/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Original Assignee: Shimano Inc
• Inventors: Okajima, Shinpei
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony D.
• Application Number:
  US09/921,307
• Publication Number:
  US 20020153700A1
• Time in Patent Office: 991 Days
• Field of Search: 361/15, 361/16, 361/171, 361/172, 361/173, 361/179
• US Class Current: 36/115
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/10 using parts which are fixed on the shoe, e.g. means to facilitate step-in
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/103 on the sides of the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/106 to the front and back of the shoe
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/20 in longitudinal or lateral direction relative to the board
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 10/24 Calf or heel supports, e.g. adjustable high back or heel loops

Abstract

A snowboard boot has a sole portion and an upper portion. The sole portion includes a mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of the base portion. The first and second rear catches are located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of the base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending from the heel section of the base portion. The upper portion includes a foot section fixedly coupled to the sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from the foot section. The first and second strap attachment members are integrally formed with the base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member.

Claims

1. A snowboard boot comprising:

a sole portion including a mid sole and an outer sole partially overlying said mid sole, said mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of said base portion, first and second rear catches located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of said base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending upwardly from said heel section of said base portion, said first and second rear catches being arranged and configured to be held by portions of a snowboard binding to couple said snowboard boot to the binding; and

an upper portion including a foot section fixedly coupled to said sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from said foot section,

said first and second strap attachment members and said first and second rear catches being integrally molded with said base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member, said first and second strap attachment members having first and second flexible connecting portions that are thinner as measured in a transverse direction relative to said snowboard boot than said base portion as measured in a vertical direction relative to said snowboard boot such that said base portion of said mid sole is more rigid than said first and second flexible connecting portions of said mid sole, said outer sole being molded around said mid sole to form a bottom boot surface of said snowboard boot.

2. A snowboard boot according to claim 1, wherein

said first and second strap attachment members further including first and second attachment portions located at free ends of said first and second flexible connecting portions, respectively.

3. A snowboard boot according to claim 2, wherein

each of said first and second attachment portions has a plurality of attachment holes.

4. A snowboard boot according to claim 2, further comprising

a boot strap having a first end coupled to said first attachment portion and a second end coupled to said second attachment portion, said boot strap being adjustable in length.

18. A snowboard boot according to claim 1, wherein said outer sole partially overlies exteriorly facing surfaces of said upper portion.

19. A snowboard boot according to claim 1, wherein

said front catch is a U-shaped member with a bight portion and a pair of leg portions coupled to said base portion of said mid sole.

20. A snowboard boot according to claim 1, wherein

said leg section of said upper portion is constructed of a flexible material.

5. A snowboard boot comprising:

a sole portion including a mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of said base portion, first and second rear catches located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of said base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending from said heel section of said base portion, said first and second rear catches including a plurality of first and second notches that extend in a longitudinal direction of said sole portion, respectively; and

an upper portion including a foot section fixedly coupled to said sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from said foot section,

said first and second strap attachment members being integrally formed with said base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member.

6. A snowboard boot according to claim 5, wherein

said first and second notches are elongated grooves that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said sole portion.

7. A snowboard boot according to claim 6, wherein

said first and second notches have substantially V-shaped transverse cross sections.

8. A snowboard boot according to claim 5, wherein

said first and second notches have first and second abutment surfaces angled relative to a bottom surface of said sole portion, respectively.

9. A snowboard boot comprising:

a sole portion including a mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of said base portion, first and second rear catches located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of said base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending from said heel section of said base portion, said first and second rear catches including a plurality of first and second notches that extend in a longitudinal direction of said sole portion, respectively, said first and second rear catch portions being integrally formed with said base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member; and

an upper portion including a foot section fixedly coupled to said sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from said foot section,

said first and second strap attachment members being integrally formed with said base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member.

10. A snowboard boot according to claim 9, wherein

said first and second notches are elongated grooves that extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of said sole portion.

11. A snowboard boot according to claim 10, wherein

said first and second notches have substantially V-shaped transverse cross sections.

12. A snowboard boot according to claim 11, wherein

said first and second notches have first and second abutment surfaces angled relative to a bottom surface of said sole portion, respectively.

13. A snowboard boot according to claim 12, wherein

said sole portion further includes an outer sole overlying exteriorly facing surfaces of said mid sole and said upper portion.

14. A snowboard boot according to claim 13, wherein

said first and second strap attachment members have first and second flexible connecting portions extending upwardly from said base portion and first and second attachment portions located at free ends of said first and second flexible connecting portions, respectively.

15. A snowboard boot according to claim 14, wherein

said outer sole overlies exteriorly facing surfaces of said first and second flexible connecting portions and a peripheral edge of said base portion.

16. A snowboard boot according to claim 15, wherein

each of said first and second attachment portions has an attachment hole.

17. A snowboard boot according to claim 16, further comprising

a boot strap having a first end coupled to said first attachment portion and a second end coupled to said second attachment portion, said boot strap being adjustable in length.

21. A snowboard boot comprising:

a sole portion including a mid sole and an outer sole partially overlying said mid sole, said mid sole having a base portion with first and second rear catches located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of said base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending upwardly from said heel section of said base portion, said first and second rear catches being arranged and configured to be held by portions of a snowboard binding to couple said snowboard boot to the binding; and

an upper portion including a foot section fixedly coupled to said sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from said foot section,

said first and second strap attachment members and said first and second rear catches being integrally molded with said base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member, said first and second strap attachment members having first and second flexible connecting portions that are thinner as measured in a transverse direction relative to said snowboard boot than said base portion as measured in a vertical direction relative to said snowboard boot such that said base portion of said mid sole is more rigid than said first and second flexible connecting portions, said outer sole being molded around said mid sole to form a bottom boot surface of said snowboard boot.