Ski boot

• US 8,960,711 B2
• Filed: 12/09/2011
• Issued: 02/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: K2 Sports (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Original Assignee: K2 Corporation (Newell Brands Inc.)
• Inventors: Svensson, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shriver, II, J. Allen
• Assistant Examiner(s): JOHNS, HILARY LYNN
• Application Number:
  US13/316,408
• Publication Number:
  US 20130147160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,173 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 280/636
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0413 Adaptations for soles or accessories associated with soles for cross-country bindings
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0421 located underneath the sole
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0484 permitting easy replacement of parts
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32549 including limit means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/32581 Pin and slot

Abstract

A ski boot comprises a sole portion (2) that is attached to one or more separate outsole elements (3, 4, 5) for location between the sole portion (2) and a ski binding. At least one of the outsole elements (3, 4, 5) is adjustably mounted on the sole portion (2) prior to a secure fixing of said outsole element (3, 4, 5) to the sole portion (2) by at least one fastener (13) so as to be adjustable in forward, rearward, lateral and medial directions relative to the sole portion (2) and so as to be rotatable clockwise and counter clockwise relative to a centerline of the boot. Preferably, at least one of the outsole elements (5) is adapted for attachment to the ski binding. Advantageously, a plurality of outsole elements (3, 4, 5) is provided that are adjustably mounted on the sole portion (2) independently of the other outsole elements.

Claims

1. A ski boot comprising a sole portion that is attached to one or more separate outsole elements for location between the sole portion and a ski binding, at least one of which outsole elements is adjustably mounted on the sole portion prior to a secure fixing of said one or more outsole elements to the sole portion by at least one fastener wherein a position of the at least one outsole element on the sole portion is adjustable without engaging the ski binding, the positional adjustability being in at least two of:

(i) a forward/rearward direction relative to the sole portion, (ii) a lateral/medial direction relative to the sole portion, and (iii) a clockwise/counterclockwise direction relative to a centerline of the ski boot.

2. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of said one or more outsole elements attaches the one or more outsole element to the ski binding.

3. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more outsole elements comprise a plurality of outsole elements, each of which is adjustably mounted on the sole portion so as to be adjustable independently of the other outsole elements in the forward/rearward direction, the lateral/medial direction and the clockwise/counterclockwise direction.

4. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more outsole elements comprise a first outsole element located at a toe end of the sole portion.

5. The ski boot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first outsole element is located in a position anatomically beneath the location of the metatarsal bones of a person wearing the ski boot.

6. The ski boot as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first outsole element is dished and extends upwardly around side edges of the sole portion.

7. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more outsole elements comprise a second outsole element located at a heel of the sole portion.

8. The ski boot as claimed in claim 7, wherein the second outsole element comprises portions for securement to the ski binding.

9. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more outsole elements include a third outsole element comprising a mounting bar for securement to the ski binding.

10. The ski boot as claimed in claim 9, wherein the one or more outsole elements further comprise a first outsole element located at a toe end of the sole portion and wherein the third outsole element is mounted on the first outsole element and is attached to the sole portion through the first outsole element.

11. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more outsole elements comprises a first part that is located adjacent the sole portion and one or more second parts that project from the first part and are adapted to contact the ski binding.

12. The ski boot as claimed in claim 11, wherein the first part and the one or more second parts are comprised of materials with a different hardness.

13. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more outsole elements is canted.

14. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more outsole elements provides a predetermined heel lift.

15. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more outsole elements is secured to the sole portion by at least one fastener that passes through an aperture formed in the sole portion.

16. The ski boot as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the one or more outsole elements is secured to the sole portion by a pair of fasteners that respectively pass through a pair of apertures formed in the sole portion.

17. The ski boot as claimed in claim 15, wherein the aperture comprises a slot dimensioned so as to permit the one or more outsole elements to be adjusted relative to the sole portion in the forward/rearward and the lateral/medial directions.

18. The ski boot as claimed in claim 17, wherein the aperture is substantially cruciate in shape.