EP3510886A1 - Footwear in which the upper includes a top portion - Google Patents

Abstract

Soft shoe (1) which comprises an outer sole (2) and a rod (3), the rod (3) itself comprising a lower portion (10) and a upper portion (11), the shoe (1) s' extending in length from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), in width between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and in height from the sole assembly (2) to a upper end (13), the lower portion (10) extending at the rear end (4), on the lateral side (6), the front end (5) and on the medial side (7), the upper portion (11) comprising a side wall (14) and a medial wall (15), the side (14) and medial (15) walls delimiting a rear opening (25), an upper opening (26) and a front opening ( 27), the upper opening (26) communicating with the rear opening (25) and with the front opening (27), the rod (3) comprising a cover (28) for closing the rear opening (25) , the cover (28) both connected to the rest of the rod (3) by a rear articulation (33) whose axis is transverse, the articulation (33) allowing the hood (28) to be tilted backwards or forwards. (1) comprises a clamping device (37) which biases the cover (28) forwards, and a means for limiting (38) the inclination of the cover (28) forwards.

Description

The invention relates to a sports shoe or walking, for which the rod is intended to cover the foot, ankle and part of the leg. This shoe can be used in areas such as snowboarding or snowboarding, snowshoeing, skiing on snow, running on flat or hilly terrain, some ball sports, or whatever.

For the intended uses, the shoe must have a certain flexibility. This is the case, for example, in snowboarding.

In this area it is useful, even necessary, that the shoe is adapted to the two situations that are walking and driving the board. Indeed, a user alternates the walking periods, for example between a parking place and a snowmobile, and the driving periods of the board, for example on slopes that can be long or short. This is true in most places of practice, such as mountainous areas, but also in the city, which can offer spaces suitable for snowboarding. All you need is a bit of snow in a sloping area, such as a park, a street ...

A soft shoe, such as those usually used in snowboarding, generally comprises an outer sole and a rod, the latter itself comprising a lower portion and a high portion. The rod can be tightened or loosened by any device known to adjust the hold of the foot and part of the leg. When the stem is loose walking is easy, especially because the movements of unwinding of the foot are quite free. And when the rod is tight is the conduct of the board is easy, especially because, although it is flexible, the rod allows the transmission of supports and sensory information. It can thus be said generally that a shoe such as those known gives satisfaction.

It is observed nevertheless that, in some cases of intense or sporting use, the transmission of the supports and the sensory information is not sufficiently precise, and that in fact the driving is less precise. It also happens that the user has difficulty in maintaining the best position for driving, that for which a slight inclination of the leg forward facilitates the transmission of supports and sensory information. This position is personal, specific to each user. As a result the driving is such that the user gets tired more than reason. Even by tightly tightening the rod, at least in the upper portion, the pipe remains hindered in the cases mentioned.

With respect to this, the general object of the invention is to improve a shoe intended for various practices, that is to say both for conventional uses and for sporting or intense uses, in the case where the upper comprises a low portion and a high portion.

More specifically, for example in the case of snowboarding, an object of the invention is to make the shoe easier to walk. However, it is also necessary that the shoe retains the characteristics necessary for a precise and / or comfortable conduct of the board for all uses.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to reconcile, on the same shoe, optimal skills for walking and driving. In other words it is to bring the user to be comfortable in the two antinomic situations that are the walking and driving of the sports machine.

To do this, the invention provides a flexible shoe which comprises an outer sole and a rod, the rod itself comprising a lower portion and a high portion, the shoe extending in length from a rear end to an end front, in width between a lateral side and a medial side, and in height from the soleing to an upper end, the lower portion extending at the rear end, the lateral side, the front end and on the medial side, the upper portion comprising a side wall and a medial wall, the side wall having a trailing edge, an upper edge and a leading edge, the medial wall having a trailing edge, an upper edge and a leading edge, the walls lateral and medial wall defining a rear opening, an upper opening and a front opening, the upper opening communicating with the rear opening and with the front opening, the stem comprising a cover for closing the rear opening, the cover having a lower edge, an upper edge, a lateral end and a medial end, the cover being connected to the rest of the rod by a rear articulation whose axis is transverse, the articulation allowing a tilt of the hood towards the rear or towards the front.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a clamping device which urges the hood forward, and a means of limiting the inclination of the hood forward.

With this structure the user can optionally open or close the rear opening. This means that it can enlarge the upper opening towards the rear, that is to say extend its limit towards the rear, or on the contrary maintain it in its natural state, which corresponds to the footprint of the bottom of the user's leg.

When the rear opening is open, the user can easily tilt the lower leg backwards. This configuration makes walking easier. Conversely, when the rear opening is closed, the lower leg of the user is maintained, and the forward tilt of the hood is limited. This means that an increase in the clamping intensity of the device does not increase the inclination of the hood forward when the limiting means is active. By the action of the limiting means, the deformation of the rod forward is limited. As a result, the forward tilt of the upper portion is limited. It also results that the shoe retains a sufficient flexibility, in the sense that the rod does not have a portion compressed to excess, especially to the junction of the low and high portions.

Among the advantages which result therefrom, one can cite a better transmission of supports, impulses, or sensory information, especially in the region of the toes towards the front end. Therefore, in the case of snowboarding, driving the board is facilitated, especially with regard to accuracy.

This advantageously results in greater versatility of the shoe, which corresponds to an improvement of the shoes according to the prior art. Indeed, the shoe of the invention facilitates walking, when the rear opening is open, but allows a precise and / or comfortable driving of a board, when the rear opening is closed. The shoe of the invention combines walking and driving skills.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure, selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, dans une configuration de tige totalement fermée,
• la figure 2 est similaire à la figure 1, dans une configuration de tige partiellement ouverte,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective arrière, qui montre la portion basse ainsi que la paroi latérale et la paroi médiale de la portion haute de la chaussure selon la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de côté, qui montre la portion basse, la paroi médiale, le capot et une languette de la chaussure selon la figure 1, dans une configuration de tige fermée,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, dans une configuration de tige ouverte,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 4, faisant apparaître en plus un dispositif de serrage du capot et un moyen de limitation de l'inclinaison du capot vers l'avant, dans une configuration de tige fermée,
• la figure 7 est similaire à la figure 6, dans une configuration de tige ouverte,
• la figure 8 est similaire à la figure 6, selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 9 est similaire à la figure 6, selon une troisième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 10 est similaire à la figure 6, selon une quatrième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 11 est similaire à la figure 6, selon une cinquième forme de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures illustrating, according to non-limiting embodiments, how the invention may be implemented, and in which :

• the figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe, according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a totally closed rod configuration,
• the figure 2 is similar to the figure 1 in a partially open shank configuration,
• the figure 3 is a schematic rear perspective view, which shows the lower portion as well as the side wall and the medial wall of the upper portion of the shoe according to the figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is a schematic side view, which shows the lower portion, the medial wall, the hood and a tongue of the shoe according to the figure 1 in a closed rod configuration,
• the figure 5 is a view similar to the figure 4 in an open rod configuration,
• the figure 6 is a view similar to the figure 4 , additionally showing a cover clamping device and means for limiting the inclination of the cover forwards, in a closed rod configuration,
• the figure 7 is similar to the figure 6 in an open rod configuration,
• the figure 8 is similar to the figure 6 according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 9 is similar to the figure 6 according to a third embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 10 is similar to the figure 6 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 11 is similar to the figure 6 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

The embodiments described below concern, for example, snowboard boots. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The first form is discussed below with the help of Figures 1 to 7 .

As shown in figure 1 , a snowboard boot 1 is provided to accommodate the foot of the user. In known manner the shoe 1 is a footwear element which comprises an outer sole 2 and a rod 3 secured to the sole. The shoe extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, between a rear end 4 and a front end 5, and in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

As shown in the rod 3 comprises a lower portion 10, provided to cover the foot, and a high portion 11, provided to surround the ankle and the lower leg.

According to the first embodiment described, the rod 3 has a top 12 at the lower portion 10, and an upper end 13 or free end at the upper portion 11. Thus the shoe extends in height since the soleing 2 to the top 12 of the front end 5, and from the outer sole 2 to the upper end 13 of the rear end 4 side.

The boot 1 is structured to allow inclinations of the lower leg during the driving of a board, a good unwinding of the foot during walking, transmissions of sensory information, and pulse transmissions for support or receptions. This is why the outer sole 2 and the rod 3 are relatively flexible.

The lower portion 10 extends at the rear end 4, the lateral side 6, the front end 5 and the medial side 7. As a result, the lower portion 10 has a continuity of structure at the periphery of the sole 2 .

The upper portion 11, as can be seen on the Figures 3 to 5 , it comprises a side wall 14 and a medial wall 15. The side wall is secured to the lower portion, and the medial wall is also secured to the lower portion. Without limitation, each of the walls 14, 15 of the upper portion 11 has a continuity of structure with the lower portion 10. This facilitates the manufacture of the rod 3.

In order to facilitate the description of the shoe, it is specified that the side wall 14 has a rear edge 16, an upper edge 17 and a front edge 18, and that the medial wall 15 has a rear edge 19, an upper edge 20 and a front edge 21. As a result, the lateral and medial walls 15 delimit a rear opening 25, an upper opening 26 and a front opening 27 in the upper portion 11. The upper opening 26 communicates with the rear opening 25 and with the front opening 27, to form together a larger opening which facilitates the passage of the foot or, in some cases such as walking, movements of unwinding of the foot.

As can be seen with the help of Figures 1 to 5 , the rod 3 comprises a cap 28 for closing the rear opening 25. The cover 28 has a lower edge 29, an upper edge 30, a lateral end 31 and a medial end 32. The cover 28 is connected to the rest of the rod 3 by a rear articulation 33 whose axis is transverse, the hinge being closer to the external sole assembly 2 than is the hood, the hinge 33 allowing inclination of the hood 28 towards the rear or towards the before. In a nonlimiting manner, the articulation is constituted by a thickness of flexible and inextensible material, by a hinge type structure, or by any equivalent means.

According to the invention, as understood by means of Figures 1 to 7 , the shoe 1 comprises a clamping device 37 which biases the cover 28 forwards, and a means 38 for limiting the inclination of the cover 28 towards the front.

Thus the user can open or close the rear opening 25. This means that he can enlarge the upper opening towards the rear, that is to say extend its limit towards the rear, or on the contrary the maintain in its natural state, which corresponds to the congestion of the lower leg of the user.

When the rear opening 25 is open, the user can easily tilt the lower leg backwards. This configuration makes walking easier. Conversely, when the rear opening is closed, the lower leg of the user is maintained, and the forward tilt of the hood 28 is limited. An increase in the clamping intensity of the device 37 does not increase the inclination of the hood 28 to the front as the limiting means 38 acts. By the action of the limiting means, the deformation of the rod 3 forward is limited. As a result, the forward inclination of the upper portion 11 is limited. It also follows that the shoe retains a sufficient flexibility, in the sense that the rod does not have any excessively compressed part, especially to the junction of the low portions 10 and high 11.

As we understand it with the help of Figures 1, 2 , 6 and 7 , the clamping device 37 comprises a link 39 which connects the lateral side 6 to the medial side 7, at the hood 28 and at the lower portion 10, facing the front opening 27. The link is for example a lace or cable, and can be tensioned by any known device such as a winding device 40, or any device fulfilling a tensioning function and / or a function of maintaining the voltage. Here, without limitation, the clamping device 37 comprises in particular the link 39, the winding device 37, as well as various loops located at the appropriate places on the rod 3. In particular, the hood 28 carries several passers-by, and the portion bass 10 carries several passersby. Thus structured, the clamping device 37 tightens the cover 28 around the lateral walls 14 and medial 15. Since the shoe 1 also comprises a tongue 41 disposed at the front opening 27, the clamping device 37 clamps together the hood 28, the tongue 41, and the side walls 14 and medial 15.

Without limitation, still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the limiting means 38, of the inclination of the cover 28 towards the front, comprises a flexible and inextensible lateral link 42 which extends between the wall 14 of the upper portion 11 and the lateral end 31 or the lower edge 29 of the cap 28, and comprises a flexible and inextensible medial link 43 which extends between the medial wall 15 of the upper portion 11 and the medial end 32 or the lower edge 29 of the hood. Each of the links 42, 43 is secured to the wall 14, 15 and the cover 28 only by its ends. Thus the central portion of each link 42, 43 is mounted floating between a wall and the hood.

Here the lateral link 42 is a strap, and the medial link 43 is a strap. Each strap is secured to the side wall 14 or medial 15, and the cover 28, by a seam 44 or any equivalent means. More specifically, and still in a nonlimiting manner, one end of a strap is secured at the rear edge of a wall, and the other end of this strap is secured at one end of the hood or the lower edge hood, on the same side of the shoe. This is a simple structure and easy to manufacture.

It is now very simple to explain the use of the shoe 1 according to the first embodiment, particularly using the Figures 6 and 7 .

When the clamping device 37 is de-energized, as is the case on the figure 7 , the cover 28 can tilt back, and the tab can move forward. The links 42, 43 are in this case relaxed. It is then easy to put on, take off, or walk.

When the clamping device 37 is in tension, as is the case on the figure 6 , the cover 28 is biased in a tilting direction forward, and the tongue is pulled back. The links 42, 43 are in this case in tension, since the limiting means acts to limit the tilting the hood forward. The foot and the lower part of the leg are held in the shoe, but the upper maintains a certain flexibility, which allows the user to optimize his driving efforts. The flexibility preserved allows a better support, a better transmission of sensory information including the toes. Driving a board is therefore more accurate.

The other embodiments of the invention are now presented using the Figures 8 to 11 . For the sake of convenience, the elements common with the first form are designated by the same references.

For the second form, according to figure 8 , there is therefore a shoe 1, especially with a sole 2, a rod 3, a lower portion 10, a high portion 11, a hood 28, a clamping device 37 and a limiting means 38.

What is specific to the second embodiment, with respect to the first, is that the useful length of the flexible lateral link 42 is adjustable, and that the useful length of the flexible medial link 43 is adjustable. In a nonlimiting manner, each link 42, 43 consists of a strap whose length is adjustable by a loop 47 or any equivalent means. Alternatively, it is possible to use a link whose length is not adjustable, but for which the position of an end is adjustable, by means of latching, screwing, interlocking, hooking, or other. This embodiment makes it possible to adjust the inclination of the hood 28 relative to the sole 2. As a result the user can find a driving position that is most comfortable for him.

For the third embodiment, according to the figure 9 , there is still a shoe 1, especially with a sole 2, a rod 3, a lower portion 10, a high portion 11, a cover 28, a clamping device 37 and a limiting means 38.

What is specific to the third embodiment, with respect to the first, is that the limiting means 38, of the inclination of the cover 28 towards the front, comprises a lateral shim 51 disposed on the side wall 14 of the upper portion 11 or on the lateral side 6 at the lower portion 10, and comprises a medial wedge 52 disposed on the medial wall 15 of the upper portion 11 or on the medial side 7 at the lower portion 10. Each shim 51, 52 may have, to oppose a tilting of the cover 28 forward, a flat abutment surface, curved, or other. In addition, and not mandatory, the position of the lateral wedge is adjustable, and the position of the medial wedge is adjustable. This allows the user to give the shoe ergonomics that suits him, that is to say, to adjust the inclination of the hood 28 which promotes the most accurate or least tiring driving.

For the fourth embodiment, according to the figure 10 , there is still a shoe 1, especially with a sole 2, a rod 3, a lower portion 10, a high portion 11, a cover 28, a clamping device 37 and a limiting means 38.

What is specific to the fourth embodiment, with respect to the first embodiment, is that the limitation means 38, of the inclination of the cover 28 towards the front, comprises one or more lateral rings 55 threaded on the link. 39 of the clamping device 37 between the hood 28 and the low portion 10, and comprises one or more medial rings 56 threaded on the link 39 of the clamping device 37 between the cover 28 and the lower portion 10. This is another structure that limits the inclination of the hood forward, and adjust the angle value between the hood and the sole. The adjustment is conditioned by the length and / or the number of rings.

For the fifth embodiment, according to the figure 11 , there is still a shoe 1, especially with a sole 2, a rod 3, a lower portion 10, a high portion 11, a cover 28, a clamping device 37 and a limiting means 38.

What is specific to the fifth embodiment, compared to all the others, is that the shoe comprises means 58 for limiting the inclination of the hood 28 towards the rear. It is actually an additional means, added to the shoe to allow intense back support, such as those that can occur in extreme use cases as seen in competition, or otherwise. In a nonlimiting manner, the limiting means is in the form of a stay, which extends from the lateral side 6 to the medial side 7 bypassing the hood 28 at the rear end 4. The stay may or may not be adjustable in length.

In all cases the invention is made from materials and according to processing techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular, any other structure can be provided for the clamping devices or the means for limiting the inclination of the cover.

Claims (11)

Soft shoe (1) which comprises an outer sole (2) and a rod (3), the upper (3) itself comprising a lower portion (10) and an upper portion (11), the shoe (1) s' extending in length from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), in width between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and in height from the sole (2) to a upper end (13), the lower portion (10) extending at the rear end (4), the lateral side (6), the front end (5) and the medial side (7), the upper portion (11) comprising a side wall (14) and a medial wall (15), the side wall (14) having a trailing edge (16), an upper edge (17) and a leading edge (18), the wall medial shaft (15) having a trailing edge (19), an upper edge (20) and a leading edge (21), the lateral (14) and medial (15) walls delimiting a rear opening (25), an upper opening (26), ) and an opening (27), the upper opening (26) communicating with the rear opening (25) and with the front opening (27), the rod (3) comprising a cover (28) for closing the rear opening ( 25), the cap (28) having a lower edge (29), an upper edge (30), a lateral end (31) and a medial end (32), the cap (28) being connected to the rest of the stem ( 3) by a rear articulation (33) whose axis is transverse, the articulation (33) allowing a tilt of the cover (28) towards the rear or towards the front,
characterized in that it comprises a clamping device (37) which biases the cover (28) forwards, and a means (38) for limiting the inclination of the cover (28) towards the front. Soft shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the hinge (33) of the cover (28) is closer to the sole assembly (2) than is the cover (28). Soft shoe (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the clamping device (37) comprises a link (39) connecting the lateral side (6) to the medial side (7) at the hood (28) and at the lower portion (10), facing the front opening (27). Soft shoe (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the limiting means (38), of the inclination of the cover (28) towards the front, comprises a flexible and inextensible lateral link (42). which extends between the side wall (14) of the upper portion (11) and the lateral end (31) or the lower edge (29) of the hood (28), and comprises a flexible and inextensible medial link (43) which extends between the medial wall (15) of the upper portion (11) and the medial end (32) or the lower edge (29) of the cover (28). Soft shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the effective length of the flexible lateral link (42) is adjustable, and in that the useful length of the flexible medial link (43) is adjustable. Soft shoe (1) according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the lateral link (42) is a strap, and in that the medial link (43) is a strap. Soft shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the limiting means (38), the inclination of the hood (28) towards the front, comprises a lateral shim (51) disposed on the side wall (14) of the upper portion (11) or on the lateral side (6) at the lower portion (10), and comprises a medial wedge (52) disposed on the medial wall ( 15) of the upper portion (11) or on the medial side (7) at the lower portion (10). Soft shoe (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the position of the lateral wedge (51) is adjustable, and in that the position of the medial wedge (52) is adjustable. Soft shoe (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that the limiting means (38), the inclination of the cover (28) towards the front, comprises one or more side rings (55) threaded on the link (39) of the clamping device (37) between the cover (28) and the lower portion (10), and comprises one or more medial rings (56) threaded on the link (39) of the clamping device (37) between the hood (28) and the lower portion (10). Soft shoe (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a means (58) for limiting the inclination of the cover (28) towards the rear. Soft shoe (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a tongue (41) disposed at the front opening (27).

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