CA2145436C - Ski boot having a thigh securing upper shaft - Google Patents
Ski boot having a thigh securing upper shaft Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2145436C CA2145436C CA002145436A CA2145436A CA2145436C CA 2145436 C CA2145436 C CA 2145436C CA 002145436 A CA002145436 A CA 002145436A CA 2145436 A CA2145436 A CA 2145436A CA 2145436 C CA2145436 C CA 2145436C
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- Prior art keywords
- shaft
- ski boot
- side flanges
- boot
- upper shaft
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- Expired - Lifetime
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
- A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
Conventional ski boots limit the area of bodily contact between the skier and his-her ski boots to a foot and ankle securing lower boot portion and a leg and ankle securing shaft.
In the ski boot according to this invention, the area of bodily contact between the skier and his-her ski boot comprises: a foot and ankle securing lower boot portion, a leg and ankle securing resiliently positioned leg securing shaft, a hinged thigh securing upper shaft, and a detachable handle bar for manual engagement by the skier. The ski boot comprises means to control and limit lateral tibial rotational movement. reducing the risk of spiral fractures.
In one embodiment. the upper shaft is urged upwardly, reducing muscular effort to maintain the flexed position and reducing stress onto the knee joint.
The boot is provided with a position for storage and handling, reducing overall size when not in use.
In the ski boot according to this invention, the area of bodily contact between the skier and his-her ski boot comprises: a foot and ankle securing lower boot portion, a leg and ankle securing resiliently positioned leg securing shaft, a hinged thigh securing upper shaft, and a detachable handle bar for manual engagement by the skier. The ski boot comprises means to control and limit lateral tibial rotational movement. reducing the risk of spiral fractures.
In one embodiment. the upper shaft is urged upwardly, reducing muscular effort to maintain the flexed position and reducing stress onto the knee joint.
The boot is provided with a position for storage and handling, reducing overall size when not in use.
Description
2,145,436 Disclosure Ski toot having a thigh securing upper shaft.
The comfortable and safer limits relating to the exchange of forces between a skier and his-her ski boots is determined by the effective area of bodily cowtact and by the amount of force exerted onto the various ski boot portions.
05 More particularly, the longitudinal leverage, providing forward-rearward weight distribution along the ski longitudinal axis; the lateral leverage, providing lateral weight distribution along the ski edges, generally known as ski edging and; the lateral rotational leverage exerted onto the ski , affecl_i ng the ski al i gnment wi th i is traj ectory .
In prior art ski boots, the area of bodily contact is limited to a foot and ankle securing lower boot portion and an ankle and leg securing shaft portion.
one embodiment of the ski boot according to this invention comprises:
a lower foot securing boot portion, a shaft, shaft side flanges, lower hinges, hingedly connecting the shaft side flanges to the foot securing boot portion, a leg securing element, securing the leg onto the shaft; a lower resilient element, urging the shaft towards a forward-rearward neutral position, 2,145,436 this position being referenced relative to the foot securing boot portion, and wherein the lower hinges are disposed adjacent to the ankle and wherein a torsionally responsive cuff joins the shaft side flanges, providing a controlled 05 torsional response related to the torsional limitations of the tibia;
an upper shaft, increas-ing the area of bodily contact between the skier and his--her ski boots, hingedly joining shaft side flanges to the upper shaft side flanges, the hinges being disposed adjacent to the knee; a thigh conforming uppE~r cuff, joining the upper shaft side flanges;
thigh securing upper cuff portions securing the thigh to the upper shaft, and wherein the lateral rotational displacement between the upper shaft and the foot enclosing boot portion causes a rotationally twisting movement of the shaft, representing the lateral rotational movement of the tibia;
means to control this lateral rotational movement; means to limit this lateral rotational movement and; means to enable the skier to farther increase bodily contact with the ski boot through manual engagement with a detachable shaft extension.
Spiral fractures which occur when a critical lateral tibial rotation between them foot and knee is exceeded, are a common and serious skier injury.
In prior art ski boots, the upper portions of the shaft do not represent the lateral rotational position of the tibia -z-2,145,436 and do not effE~ctively limit the lateral rotational movement of the tibia that may occur during an accidental spill, since the upper' portion of the shaft is not firmly engaged and aligned with the upper portion of the tibia.
05 In the ski boot according to this invention, the upper portions of them shaft are forced into alignment with the upper tibia, more particularly the knee and thigh, by the thigh engaging upper shaft.
The lateral torsional shaft characteristics of the ski boot according to this invention are substantially determined by and reside within a torsionally responsive cuff which joins the upper portions of the relatively rigid shaft side flanges.
various torsional characteristics can be achieved through a circumference graduated flex pattern, providing a desirable torsional response while maintaining the lateral shaft rigidity which facilitates edge control.
More particularly, the shaft lateral rigidity is determined by the rigidity of the appo~sed side walls of the torsionally responsive cuff and the lateral torsional rigidity is determined by 'the flexibility of the walls perpendicular to the side walls.
the lateral torsionaliy responsive cuff in one embodiment of this invention comprises a semi annular structure.
In addition to providing a controlled torsional response, 2,145,436 the ski boot according to this invention comprises means to impose limits onto the maximum shaft twist, further reducing the risk of spiral fractures. Another aspect of this ' invention is to integrate the lateral torsionally responsive 05 cuff with leg retaining means, securing the leg onto the lateral torsion ally responsive cuff.
Alpine skiers, when negotiating undulating terrain, prefer to maintain a flexed body position that facilitates major movements of the ankle, -the knee and the hip.
Maintaining this flexed position for a prolonged period of time, places a considerable stress onto the knee joints and thigh muscles.
In another embodiment of the ski boot according to this invention, the upper shaft provides an upward thrust onto the thigh, urging the skier's body towards an upright position, providing a reduction of muscular effort to maintain the flexed position and a reduction of rearwardly urged pressure exerted onto a rearward portion of the leg retaining means by the calf of the leg.
Z0 An upper shaft residing resilient element actuating a shaft residing cam, via a pushrod, provides an upward thrust onto , a portion of the thigh.
when in the seated position such as departure on a chairlift, this upward thrust does not supplement muscular effort to the extend that it impairs the ability to comfortably and safely take advantage of up-hill facilities _4_ 2,145,436 such as chairlifts.
Another aspect of this invention is that the upward thrust is dependent on the angular position between the shaft and the upper shaft and wherein the relationship between upper 05 shaft position and upwarcl thrust is determined by pre selected angula.rly geometrical features of a cam and more particularly is determined by the pressure exerted onto the cam by the pushrod and the cam surface curvature at the point of pushrod to cam surface engagement.
Spacial limitations place severe restrictions on the location and structure of the resilient element.
One object of this invention to provide a plurality of resilient elements, co-ordinately cooperating, urging pressure onto t:he cam via a common pushrod. In one embodiment of this invention, the resilient elements comprise coil springs while in other embodiments these resilient elements comprise elastomers.
The use of ski poles is most clearly associated with Nordic skiing.
In Alpine skiing, the significance of ski pole action is limited to relatively low speed events.
More recent skiing styles discourage the use of ski poles, which may pose a safety hazard to the skier and to skiers in the immediately surrounding area.
2,145,436 An other aspect: of this invention is to provide a ski boot wherein the outside shaft: side flanges are upwardly outwardly extended to provide shaft attached detachable handles allowing manual reinforcement of leg action.
05 ski boots having an upper shaft, according to this invention, if not provided with means to retract the upper shaft, pose inc:onvenience in off slope handling and transportation, sufficient to deter skiers from taking advantage of the safety and performance features associated with a ski boor: having an upper shaft.
The ski boot according to this invention provides means to rotate the upper shaft into a storage position, restoring the boot to more conventional dimensions.
summarizing objects and advantages of this invention:
It is an object of this invention to provide a ski boot having a shaft wherein the forward-rearward movements are limited to within safe values.
Another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot shaft having a controlled lateral torsional response.
still another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot shaft having stop motion means limiting lateral shaft rotation.
Another object is to further increase the skier's bodily contact with the boot by providing a shaft attached handle for manual engagement by the skier.
2,145,436 , another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot having an upper shaft, providing an upward thrust onto a portion of the thigh.
nother object of this 'invention is to provide a ski boot 05 wherein the upward thrua>t is determined by the angular position between the shaft, the upper shaft and a shaft residing cam. , Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot having a hinged upper shaft which can be rotated into a position restoring the boot to dimensions more commonly associ ated wi th~ pri or art: ski boots .
These and more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from t:he following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part:
thereof, wherein identica-I elements will be identified by the same numerals in each of the drawings shown.
1t will be undE~rstood that .although ski boots are generally used in pairs, only one boot will be shown and described in detail.
Brief description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a ski boot showing the boot in a position responding to a relatively upright position of the skier.
Figure 2 is a ~'orward elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 1.
_7_ 2,145,436 Figure 3 is a section taken along the plane of line 3-3 of figure 1, showing a boot residing housing enclosing a lower resilient element, a lateral rotation limiting element and linkage elements.
05 Figure 4 is a side elev<~tior~al view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position responding to a flexed position of the skier.
Figure 5 is a forward elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 4.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the upper resilient elements and pushrod.
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the ski boot showing the boot in a position responding to the flexed position of the skier and wherein shaft twisting has altered the alignment between the lower boot portion and the upper shaft .
Figure 9 is a plan view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 8. , Figure 10 is a section taken along the plane of line lo-to of figure 8, showing the linkage in the lateral rotation limiting position.
_g_ 2,145,436 Figure 11 is a sectiona-~ view of a torsional responsive cuff taken along the plane of line 11-11 of figure 2, showing a circumference graduated wall thickness.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of a torsionai responsive cuff 05 taken along the plane of line 12-12 of figure 5, showing another embodiment of tine torsional responsive cuff.
Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in the flexed position and wherein the shaft is extended and comprises a handle bar for rnanual engagement.
Figure 14 is a forward elevational view of a ski boot, showing the boot in the flexed position, comprising a handle bar providing manual ski boot engagement.
Figure 15 is a side elevational view, showing the boot in the storage position.
Figure 16 is a forward elevational view, showing the boot in the storage position.
m the Drawings:
Referring to the drawings with the aid of reference numerals:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a ski boot having a hinged shaft wherein the shaft is urged towards a neutral position by a lower resilient element, and a hinged upper shaft according to this invention, wherein the upper shaft is urged towards an upright position, showing the boot in a position corre~.;ponding to a relatively upright position of the skier.
_g_ 2,145,436 , shown are foot enclosing portion 20 having a forwardly disposed toe portion 21, a rearward disposed heel portion 22, a lower sole portion 23, side portions 24-25 of which 24 is identified by a solic:f reference line and of which 25 is 05 identified by a partially dotted reference line.
Portion 20 comprises a longitudinally elongated housing 26, attached onto the upper boot surface, enclosing a lower resilient element.
The ski boot comprises shaft side flanges 27-28 of which only 28 is shown with a continuous reference line and 27 is is shown with a~ partially dotted reference line.
Flanges 27-28 are hingedly attached to the outer surface of opposed boot side portions 24-25 through shaft lower hinges 29-30. Flanges 27-28 engage the lower resilient element via a linkage comprising arms 31-32, which are proximate hingedly attached to an -intermediate portion of side flanges 27-28 via hinges 33-34 and are distal hingedly attached to housing 26 residing lower resilient element via cross-bar 35 which forms part of the linkage and which extends through longitudinally elongated apertures of housing 26 and through longitudinally elongated apertures of a lateral rotation limiting element identified as 36.
The lower resilient element, in a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a single compression-tension spring of which the forward portion is attached to a forward housing portion.
2,145,436 various different resilient elements may be utilized providing a variety of desirable responses.
Element 36 provides a mare positive limitation of lateral torsional shaft rotation than is provided by 05 the torsional responsive cuff, generally identified as 37, ' which joins laterally opposed shaft side flanges 27-28 a short distance below the upper termination of 27-28.
Cuff 37 comprises a forwardly disposed semi annular portion 38, extending forwardly of shaft side flanges 27-28. Portion 38 determines the shaftlateral characteristics and the shaft torsional characteristics. Torsionally responsive cuff 37 further comprises a leg conformable rearwardly disposed flexible portion 39, extending rearwardly of shaft side flanges 27-28, attachably and detachably securing the leg onto portion 38. Shaft side flanges 27-28 are urged towards a neutral position in rvespect to boot portion 20 by the housing residing lower resilient element.
The upper portions of shaft side flanges 27-28 are hingedly attached to upper shaft side flanges 40-41 by upper hinges 42-43. upper shaft side flanges 40-41 are joined by thigh conforming rigid upper cuff 44, imparting rigidity to the upper shaft.
A flexible thigh conformable upper cuff portion 45 attachably and detachably secures the upper shaft to the thigh.
2.145,436 zn another embodiment of this invention, upper shaft side flanges 40-41 comprise upper resilient elements 50-51 actuating pushrods 52-5:~ which are ~fongitudinal slidably attached to the surface of upper shaft side flange 40 via 05 pushrod guides 54-55 and to the surface of upper shaft side flange 41 via pushrod guides 56-57.
The pushrods are urged onto the outer surface of shaft residing cams 58-59. The earn contacting surfaces of pushrod portions 60-61 are advantageously tipped with self lubricating plastic, providing low friction slidable engagement.
shaft residing cams 58-59 are angularly graduated, having minimum diameters at 62-63 and maximum diameters at 64-65, gradually vary the force urged upwardly onto the upper shaft, depending on the angular position between shaft side flanges 27-28 and upper .shaft side flanges 40-41.
A rearward downwardly rotation of the upper shaft slidably engages pushrods 52-53 with the surface of cams 58-59, providing a progressively increasing upward thrust onto the upper shaft.
the cams are shaped to provide minimal upward thrust onto the upper shaft when the upper shaft is rotated forwardly, outside of the active operational range, facilitating storage. upper resilient elements 50-51 more commonly comprise compression springs which urge shaft side flanges 27-28 and upper shaft side flanges 40-4I towards _12_ 2,145,436 longitudinal alignment and provide an upward thrust onto the thigh when the skier is in the flexed position.
The engagement between ~rhe shaft residing cam and upper shaft residing resilient element, is shown in figure 1, 05 wherein the upper shaft is upwardly urged relative to the shaft, indicating the basic principle of one aspect of this invention. It is obvious that many different embodiments can be envisioned by anyone skilled in the art.
More particularly, the resilient element may be shaft residing while the cam may be upper shaft residing.
Furthermore, in one embodiment of this invention, shaft side flanges comprise tubular structures enclosing the resilient elements and forming part of the shaft side flanges while in other embodiments of this invention, the upper shaft side flanges comprise tubular structures. enclosing the resilient element, forming part of the upper shaft side flanges.
Figure 2 is a -Frontal elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in the position of figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section taken along the plane of line 3-3 of figure 1, showing before mentioned elements and more particularly lateral shaft rotation limiting element 36.
Element 36 is longitudinal slidably secured onto the inside surface of housing 26, providing longitudinal alignment between housing 26 and element 36. Other portions of element 36 may be slidably secured to the outside surface of housing 26, reducing snow invasion into the housing.
2,145,436 compression-tension spring i'0, which comprises the lower resilient element, is lungit:udinal slidably retained within housing 26 and is forwardly attached to boot residing housing 26 at 71 and is rearwardly attached to an 05 intermediate portion of cross-bar 35, at 72, urging the shaft via linkage arms 31-32 towards a neutral position.
Housing residing longitudinally elongated apertures 73-74, which are disposed in opposed housing side flanges, guide cross-bar 35 through the full forward-rearward range of shaft forward-rearward movement. The forward-rearward limits of elongated longitudinal apertures 73-74 determine the maximum forward-rearward position of cross-bar 35 and the , forward-rearward limits of the shaft position, limiting forward rearward ankle movement to within safe limits.
The attachment between cross-bar 35, linkage arms 31-32 and lower resilienit element attachment point 72 is sufficiently flexible to allow angular movement of cross-bar 35 relative to the ski boot longitudinal axis.
Shaft rotation limiting element 36 is longitudinal slidably secured to the inner and outer surfaces of boot residing housing 26.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view, showing the boot responding to a flexed position of the skier. when thigh securing portions 44-45 are moved downwardly-rearwardly, into the flexed position, the upward thrust exerted onto the thigh increases at a ratio determined by the forces F°
2,145,436 exerted onto the outer surface curvature of cams 58-59 by upper resilient elements 50-51 and further depends on the compressive characteristics of the resilient element.
Relative to the positiorE shown in figure 1, a downward 05 pressure exerted onto 4'~ has caused a downward-rearward movement of 45. The angularly graduated cam to pushrod engagement has caused the upward thrust exerted by 4S onto the skier's thigh to increase.
various desirable leg to thigh angle to forte characteristics can be realized through various angularly graduated cam profiles.
Figure 5 is a frontal e-Ievational view, showing the boot in the posi ti on of= fi gure ~~, more parti cul arl y i ndi cati ng the position of the hinged upper shaft in the flexed position.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the boot shown in figure 4, more particularly indicating longitudinal alignment between the boot portion and the upper shaft by showing a common longitudinal axis a-a.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of one upper shaft side flange, a pushrod and resilient elements, providing a more detailed view of the upper resilient element shown and described in reference to figures 2, 2, 4, 5 and 6 and more particularly showing an alternative embodiment of the resilient element comprising a plurality of resilient element portions, co-ordinatedly actuating a common pushrod.
_15_ 2,145,436 The portions being identical, only one portion is provided with reference numerals.
As shown, pushrod 52 is slidably attached to upper shaft side flange 40 via pushrod guides 54-55 and is actuated 05 simultaneously by a plurality of resilient elements of which onl y one i s i denti fi ed e:~s~ 50 . ~esi 1 i ent e1 ement 50 i s forwardly attached to pushrod 52 at 66 and is rearwardly urged onto pushrod guide 55 at 67, urging pushrod 52 forward relative to upper shaft attached pushrod guides which slidably attach the pushrods to the upper shaft.
This embodiment more particularly provides a resilient response within the longitudinal spacial limitations of a.
ski boot and is advantageously disposed within a longitudinally elongated tubular upper shaft portion. The embodiment further show:~~ an alternative to the slidable engagement between the pushrods and cams.
In the embodiment shown in figure 7, pushrod 52 rollably engages cam 58, shown in previous figures through roiiable member 68, providing a lc~w Friction engagement between the pushrod and they cam.
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the ski boot shown in the flexed position and wherein the lower boot portion and upper shaft portions are lateral rotationally displaced.
a torque between lower boot portion 20 and upper shaft side flanges 40-41 has caused shaft side flange 27 to move forwardly relative to shaft side flange 28 2,145,436 and has caused shaft side flange 28 to move rearwardly relative to shaft side v=lange 27. The relative forward movement of 27 and the relative rearward movement of 28 is resisted by the degree of flexibility of lateral torsionally 05 responsive cuff 37.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, lateral torsional responsive cuff 37 comprises a forwardly disposed portion 38 and a rearwardly disposed, flexible leg conformable portion 39 for securing the leg onto portion 38 Figure 9 is a plan view of the ski boot shown in figure 8, more particularly showing the angular relationship between lower boot portion 20 and the upper shaft portions as expressed by the angle between dotted line a-a, which represents the lower ski boot portion longitudinal axis and dotted line b-b, which represents the upper shaft longitudinal axis.
Figure 10 is a section taken along the plane of line 10-10 of figure 8, showing shaft rotation limiting element 36 in a rotation limiting position. As shown, linkage arm 31 is , prevented from further forward movement by the forward termination of lateral rotation limiting element 36 residing aperture 75 while linkage arm 32 is prevented from further rearward movement by the rearward termination of lateral rotation limiting element residing aperture 76. Slidable y engagement between rotation limiting element 36 and housing 26 prevents 36 from rotating.
2,145,436 For clarity, as. shown, apertures 75-76 are juxtaposed to each other and are of the same length. Protection against injury may advantageously be further improved by sizing and positioning the apertures, taking into account the 05 particular tibial lateral rotational limitations of the skier.
Further shown in figure ~.0 is an alternative embodiment of lower resilient: element 70 to housing attachment wherein the forwardly disposed portion of the lower resilient element is longitudinal adjustably attached to a forward portion of housing 26.
Resilient element 70 is forwardly attached to longitudinal slidable portion 80 which is threadedly engaged onto rotatable threaded rod 81. Threaded rod 81 is longitudinal threadedly secured to aForward portion of the housing by retaining "0" ring 82 a.nd external knurled adjustment knob 83. The embodiment shown provides convenient visually observable adjustment of the forward rearward angle of the ski boot shaft, relative to the lower boot portion.
Figure 11 is a section taken along the plane of line 11-11 of figure 2, showing a cross-section of the lateral torsional responsive cuff comprising a forwardly disposed semi annular portion 38 wherein the torsional twisting rigidity and the lateral rigidity are related to the circumferentially graduated cross-sectional thickness of portion 38.
2,145,436 The cross-sectional thickness of 38 as shown is maximal towards side flanges 27-28, providing maximum lateral rigidity and is minimal towards the most forward area of portion 38 and is identified as 84, providing a controlled 05 torsional rigidity which minimally affects the shaft lateral rigidity.
peg conformable flexible portion 39 secures the leg onto portion 38.
Portion 39 is flexible and calf conformable and may be attached or det=ached to provide leg entry and exit.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of portion 38 and a leg securing portion 39, wherein the leg securing portion is shown in the position for foot and leg entry and foot and leg exit.
In the embodimEant shown, portion 38 comprises a plurality of individual layers, anterior layer 84 and posterior layer 85, yieldably adhesively bonded together by resilient layer 86 and rigidly secured together onto side flanges 27-28.
The resilience of the bonding layer allows limited shear movement in for'wardly disposed portion 38 while attachment to the shaft side flanges prevents any shear movement around flanges 27-28, providing a shaft having a lateral rigidity and a twisting rigidity, wherein the ratio between the lateral rigidity and the twisting rigidity is dependent on the structural properties of the cuff.
2.145,436 Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in the flexed position, showing the outside shaft side flange having an upwardly extended bar element, providing an increased area of skier t:o ski boot bodily contact, 05 facilitating manual reinforr_ement of skier to ski boot bodily contact. The upwardly extended bar element, identified as 90, upwardly terminates in handle area 91 and is detachably secured to shaft side flange 28 by fasteners at 92-93.
Fi gu re 14 i s a frontal ~e1 ev<~ti onal vi ew of the boot shown i n the flexed position having an upwardly extended shaft side flange and the bar element. , Figure 15 is a side elewational view of the boot, showing the boot during storage or transportation and wherein hinged upper shaft sicle flanges 40-41 are rotated downwardly forwardly into a non open°ational mode, eliminating the increase in boot height resulting from an operational upper shaft .
The upper resilient elements in combination with upper shaft hinges 42-43 and associated cams provide upward thrust to the upper shaft for upper shaft positions rearwardly of an in-line position with the shaft.
No resilient resistance is provided for upper shaft positions forwardly of an in-line position with the boot shaft, allowing the upper shaft to be placed into a forward storage and handl i ng posi ti on .
2.145,436 Figure 16 is a frontal k~levational view of the boot, showing the boot in the storage position.
It is obvious that many alternative embodiments can be envi si oned wi thout depar~ti nc~ from the spi ri t of thi s 05 invention. Therefore, tt~e scope of this invention is not limited to the exact embodiments shown, but only as indicated in the appended claims.
__ 21
The comfortable and safer limits relating to the exchange of forces between a skier and his-her ski boots is determined by the effective area of bodily cowtact and by the amount of force exerted onto the various ski boot portions.
05 More particularly, the longitudinal leverage, providing forward-rearward weight distribution along the ski longitudinal axis; the lateral leverage, providing lateral weight distribution along the ski edges, generally known as ski edging and; the lateral rotational leverage exerted onto the ski , affecl_i ng the ski al i gnment wi th i is traj ectory .
In prior art ski boots, the area of bodily contact is limited to a foot and ankle securing lower boot portion and an ankle and leg securing shaft portion.
one embodiment of the ski boot according to this invention comprises:
a lower foot securing boot portion, a shaft, shaft side flanges, lower hinges, hingedly connecting the shaft side flanges to the foot securing boot portion, a leg securing element, securing the leg onto the shaft; a lower resilient element, urging the shaft towards a forward-rearward neutral position, 2,145,436 this position being referenced relative to the foot securing boot portion, and wherein the lower hinges are disposed adjacent to the ankle and wherein a torsionally responsive cuff joins the shaft side flanges, providing a controlled 05 torsional response related to the torsional limitations of the tibia;
an upper shaft, increas-ing the area of bodily contact between the skier and his--her ski boots, hingedly joining shaft side flanges to the upper shaft side flanges, the hinges being disposed adjacent to the knee; a thigh conforming uppE~r cuff, joining the upper shaft side flanges;
thigh securing upper cuff portions securing the thigh to the upper shaft, and wherein the lateral rotational displacement between the upper shaft and the foot enclosing boot portion causes a rotationally twisting movement of the shaft, representing the lateral rotational movement of the tibia;
means to control this lateral rotational movement; means to limit this lateral rotational movement and; means to enable the skier to farther increase bodily contact with the ski boot through manual engagement with a detachable shaft extension.
Spiral fractures which occur when a critical lateral tibial rotation between them foot and knee is exceeded, are a common and serious skier injury.
In prior art ski boots, the upper portions of the shaft do not represent the lateral rotational position of the tibia -z-2,145,436 and do not effE~ctively limit the lateral rotational movement of the tibia that may occur during an accidental spill, since the upper' portion of the shaft is not firmly engaged and aligned with the upper portion of the tibia.
05 In the ski boot according to this invention, the upper portions of them shaft are forced into alignment with the upper tibia, more particularly the knee and thigh, by the thigh engaging upper shaft.
The lateral torsional shaft characteristics of the ski boot according to this invention are substantially determined by and reside within a torsionally responsive cuff which joins the upper portions of the relatively rigid shaft side flanges.
various torsional characteristics can be achieved through a circumference graduated flex pattern, providing a desirable torsional response while maintaining the lateral shaft rigidity which facilitates edge control.
More particularly, the shaft lateral rigidity is determined by the rigidity of the appo~sed side walls of the torsionally responsive cuff and the lateral torsional rigidity is determined by 'the flexibility of the walls perpendicular to the side walls.
the lateral torsionaliy responsive cuff in one embodiment of this invention comprises a semi annular structure.
In addition to providing a controlled torsional response, 2,145,436 the ski boot according to this invention comprises means to impose limits onto the maximum shaft twist, further reducing the risk of spiral fractures. Another aspect of this ' invention is to integrate the lateral torsionally responsive 05 cuff with leg retaining means, securing the leg onto the lateral torsion ally responsive cuff.
Alpine skiers, when negotiating undulating terrain, prefer to maintain a flexed body position that facilitates major movements of the ankle, -the knee and the hip.
Maintaining this flexed position for a prolonged period of time, places a considerable stress onto the knee joints and thigh muscles.
In another embodiment of the ski boot according to this invention, the upper shaft provides an upward thrust onto the thigh, urging the skier's body towards an upright position, providing a reduction of muscular effort to maintain the flexed position and a reduction of rearwardly urged pressure exerted onto a rearward portion of the leg retaining means by the calf of the leg.
Z0 An upper shaft residing resilient element actuating a shaft residing cam, via a pushrod, provides an upward thrust onto , a portion of the thigh.
when in the seated position such as departure on a chairlift, this upward thrust does not supplement muscular effort to the extend that it impairs the ability to comfortably and safely take advantage of up-hill facilities _4_ 2,145,436 such as chairlifts.
Another aspect of this invention is that the upward thrust is dependent on the angular position between the shaft and the upper shaft and wherein the relationship between upper 05 shaft position and upwarcl thrust is determined by pre selected angula.rly geometrical features of a cam and more particularly is determined by the pressure exerted onto the cam by the pushrod and the cam surface curvature at the point of pushrod to cam surface engagement.
Spacial limitations place severe restrictions on the location and structure of the resilient element.
One object of this invention to provide a plurality of resilient elements, co-ordinately cooperating, urging pressure onto t:he cam via a common pushrod. In one embodiment of this invention, the resilient elements comprise coil springs while in other embodiments these resilient elements comprise elastomers.
The use of ski poles is most clearly associated with Nordic skiing.
In Alpine skiing, the significance of ski pole action is limited to relatively low speed events.
More recent skiing styles discourage the use of ski poles, which may pose a safety hazard to the skier and to skiers in the immediately surrounding area.
2,145,436 An other aspect: of this invention is to provide a ski boot wherein the outside shaft: side flanges are upwardly outwardly extended to provide shaft attached detachable handles allowing manual reinforcement of leg action.
05 ski boots having an upper shaft, according to this invention, if not provided with means to retract the upper shaft, pose inc:onvenience in off slope handling and transportation, sufficient to deter skiers from taking advantage of the safety and performance features associated with a ski boor: having an upper shaft.
The ski boot according to this invention provides means to rotate the upper shaft into a storage position, restoring the boot to more conventional dimensions.
summarizing objects and advantages of this invention:
It is an object of this invention to provide a ski boot having a shaft wherein the forward-rearward movements are limited to within safe values.
Another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot shaft having a controlled lateral torsional response.
still another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot shaft having stop motion means limiting lateral shaft rotation.
Another object is to further increase the skier's bodily contact with the boot by providing a shaft attached handle for manual engagement by the skier.
2,145,436 , another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot having an upper shaft, providing an upward thrust onto a portion of the thigh.
nother object of this 'invention is to provide a ski boot 05 wherein the upward thrua>t is determined by the angular position between the shaft, the upper shaft and a shaft residing cam. , Still another object of this invention is to provide a ski boot having a hinged upper shaft which can be rotated into a position restoring the boot to dimensions more commonly associ ated wi th~ pri or art: ski boots .
These and more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from t:he following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings forming a part:
thereof, wherein identica-I elements will be identified by the same numerals in each of the drawings shown.
1t will be undE~rstood that .although ski boots are generally used in pairs, only one boot will be shown and described in detail.
Brief description of the Drawings:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a ski boot showing the boot in a position responding to a relatively upright position of the skier.
Figure 2 is a ~'orward elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 1.
_7_ 2,145,436 Figure 3 is a section taken along the plane of line 3-3 of figure 1, showing a boot residing housing enclosing a lower resilient element, a lateral rotation limiting element and linkage elements.
05 Figure 4 is a side elev<~tior~al view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position responding to a flexed position of the skier.
Figure 5 is a forward elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 4.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 4.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the upper resilient elements and pushrod.
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the ski boot showing the boot in a position responding to the flexed position of the skier and wherein shaft twisting has altered the alignment between the lower boot portion and the upper shaft .
Figure 9 is a plan view of the ski boot, showing the boot in a position identical to that shown in figure 8. , Figure 10 is a section taken along the plane of line lo-to of figure 8, showing the linkage in the lateral rotation limiting position.
_g_ 2,145,436 Figure 11 is a sectiona-~ view of a torsional responsive cuff taken along the plane of line 11-11 of figure 2, showing a circumference graduated wall thickness.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of a torsionai responsive cuff 05 taken along the plane of line 12-12 of figure 5, showing another embodiment of tine torsional responsive cuff.
Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in the flexed position and wherein the shaft is extended and comprises a handle bar for rnanual engagement.
Figure 14 is a forward elevational view of a ski boot, showing the boot in the flexed position, comprising a handle bar providing manual ski boot engagement.
Figure 15 is a side elevational view, showing the boot in the storage position.
Figure 16 is a forward elevational view, showing the boot in the storage position.
m the Drawings:
Referring to the drawings with the aid of reference numerals:
Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a ski boot having a hinged shaft wherein the shaft is urged towards a neutral position by a lower resilient element, and a hinged upper shaft according to this invention, wherein the upper shaft is urged towards an upright position, showing the boot in a position corre~.;ponding to a relatively upright position of the skier.
_g_ 2,145,436 , shown are foot enclosing portion 20 having a forwardly disposed toe portion 21, a rearward disposed heel portion 22, a lower sole portion 23, side portions 24-25 of which 24 is identified by a solic:f reference line and of which 25 is 05 identified by a partially dotted reference line.
Portion 20 comprises a longitudinally elongated housing 26, attached onto the upper boot surface, enclosing a lower resilient element.
The ski boot comprises shaft side flanges 27-28 of which only 28 is shown with a continuous reference line and 27 is is shown with a~ partially dotted reference line.
Flanges 27-28 are hingedly attached to the outer surface of opposed boot side portions 24-25 through shaft lower hinges 29-30. Flanges 27-28 engage the lower resilient element via a linkage comprising arms 31-32, which are proximate hingedly attached to an -intermediate portion of side flanges 27-28 via hinges 33-34 and are distal hingedly attached to housing 26 residing lower resilient element via cross-bar 35 which forms part of the linkage and which extends through longitudinally elongated apertures of housing 26 and through longitudinally elongated apertures of a lateral rotation limiting element identified as 36.
The lower resilient element, in a preferred embodiment of this invention comprises a single compression-tension spring of which the forward portion is attached to a forward housing portion.
2,145,436 various different resilient elements may be utilized providing a variety of desirable responses.
Element 36 provides a mare positive limitation of lateral torsional shaft rotation than is provided by 05 the torsional responsive cuff, generally identified as 37, ' which joins laterally opposed shaft side flanges 27-28 a short distance below the upper termination of 27-28.
Cuff 37 comprises a forwardly disposed semi annular portion 38, extending forwardly of shaft side flanges 27-28. Portion 38 determines the shaftlateral characteristics and the shaft torsional characteristics. Torsionally responsive cuff 37 further comprises a leg conformable rearwardly disposed flexible portion 39, extending rearwardly of shaft side flanges 27-28, attachably and detachably securing the leg onto portion 38. Shaft side flanges 27-28 are urged towards a neutral position in rvespect to boot portion 20 by the housing residing lower resilient element.
The upper portions of shaft side flanges 27-28 are hingedly attached to upper shaft side flanges 40-41 by upper hinges 42-43. upper shaft side flanges 40-41 are joined by thigh conforming rigid upper cuff 44, imparting rigidity to the upper shaft.
A flexible thigh conformable upper cuff portion 45 attachably and detachably secures the upper shaft to the thigh.
2.145,436 zn another embodiment of this invention, upper shaft side flanges 40-41 comprise upper resilient elements 50-51 actuating pushrods 52-5:~ which are ~fongitudinal slidably attached to the surface of upper shaft side flange 40 via 05 pushrod guides 54-55 and to the surface of upper shaft side flange 41 via pushrod guides 56-57.
The pushrods are urged onto the outer surface of shaft residing cams 58-59. The earn contacting surfaces of pushrod portions 60-61 are advantageously tipped with self lubricating plastic, providing low friction slidable engagement.
shaft residing cams 58-59 are angularly graduated, having minimum diameters at 62-63 and maximum diameters at 64-65, gradually vary the force urged upwardly onto the upper shaft, depending on the angular position between shaft side flanges 27-28 and upper .shaft side flanges 40-41.
A rearward downwardly rotation of the upper shaft slidably engages pushrods 52-53 with the surface of cams 58-59, providing a progressively increasing upward thrust onto the upper shaft.
the cams are shaped to provide minimal upward thrust onto the upper shaft when the upper shaft is rotated forwardly, outside of the active operational range, facilitating storage. upper resilient elements 50-51 more commonly comprise compression springs which urge shaft side flanges 27-28 and upper shaft side flanges 40-4I towards _12_ 2,145,436 longitudinal alignment and provide an upward thrust onto the thigh when the skier is in the flexed position.
The engagement between ~rhe shaft residing cam and upper shaft residing resilient element, is shown in figure 1, 05 wherein the upper shaft is upwardly urged relative to the shaft, indicating the basic principle of one aspect of this invention. It is obvious that many different embodiments can be envisioned by anyone skilled in the art.
More particularly, the resilient element may be shaft residing while the cam may be upper shaft residing.
Furthermore, in one embodiment of this invention, shaft side flanges comprise tubular structures enclosing the resilient elements and forming part of the shaft side flanges while in other embodiments of this invention, the upper shaft side flanges comprise tubular structures. enclosing the resilient element, forming part of the upper shaft side flanges.
Figure 2 is a -Frontal elevational view of the ski boot, showing the boot in the position of figure 1.
Figure 3 is a section taken along the plane of line 3-3 of figure 1, showing before mentioned elements and more particularly lateral shaft rotation limiting element 36.
Element 36 is longitudinal slidably secured onto the inside surface of housing 26, providing longitudinal alignment between housing 26 and element 36. Other portions of element 36 may be slidably secured to the outside surface of housing 26, reducing snow invasion into the housing.
2,145,436 compression-tension spring i'0, which comprises the lower resilient element, is lungit:udinal slidably retained within housing 26 and is forwardly attached to boot residing housing 26 at 71 and is rearwardly attached to an 05 intermediate portion of cross-bar 35, at 72, urging the shaft via linkage arms 31-32 towards a neutral position.
Housing residing longitudinally elongated apertures 73-74, which are disposed in opposed housing side flanges, guide cross-bar 35 through the full forward-rearward range of shaft forward-rearward movement. The forward-rearward limits of elongated longitudinal apertures 73-74 determine the maximum forward-rearward position of cross-bar 35 and the , forward-rearward limits of the shaft position, limiting forward rearward ankle movement to within safe limits.
The attachment between cross-bar 35, linkage arms 31-32 and lower resilienit element attachment point 72 is sufficiently flexible to allow angular movement of cross-bar 35 relative to the ski boot longitudinal axis.
Shaft rotation limiting element 36 is longitudinal slidably secured to the inner and outer surfaces of boot residing housing 26.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view, showing the boot responding to a flexed position of the skier. when thigh securing portions 44-45 are moved downwardly-rearwardly, into the flexed position, the upward thrust exerted onto the thigh increases at a ratio determined by the forces F°
2,145,436 exerted onto the outer surface curvature of cams 58-59 by upper resilient elements 50-51 and further depends on the compressive characteristics of the resilient element.
Relative to the positiorE shown in figure 1, a downward 05 pressure exerted onto 4'~ has caused a downward-rearward movement of 45. The angularly graduated cam to pushrod engagement has caused the upward thrust exerted by 4S onto the skier's thigh to increase.
various desirable leg to thigh angle to forte characteristics can be realized through various angularly graduated cam profiles.
Figure 5 is a frontal e-Ievational view, showing the boot in the posi ti on of= fi gure ~~, more parti cul arl y i ndi cati ng the position of the hinged upper shaft in the flexed position.
Figure 6 is a plan view of the boot shown in figure 4, more particularly indicating longitudinal alignment between the boot portion and the upper shaft by showing a common longitudinal axis a-a.
Figure 7 is a side elevational view of one upper shaft side flange, a pushrod and resilient elements, providing a more detailed view of the upper resilient element shown and described in reference to figures 2, 2, 4, 5 and 6 and more particularly showing an alternative embodiment of the resilient element comprising a plurality of resilient element portions, co-ordinatedly actuating a common pushrod.
_15_ 2,145,436 The portions being identical, only one portion is provided with reference numerals.
As shown, pushrod 52 is slidably attached to upper shaft side flange 40 via pushrod guides 54-55 and is actuated 05 simultaneously by a plurality of resilient elements of which onl y one i s i denti fi ed e:~s~ 50 . ~esi 1 i ent e1 ement 50 i s forwardly attached to pushrod 52 at 66 and is rearwardly urged onto pushrod guide 55 at 67, urging pushrod 52 forward relative to upper shaft attached pushrod guides which slidably attach the pushrods to the upper shaft.
This embodiment more particularly provides a resilient response within the longitudinal spacial limitations of a.
ski boot and is advantageously disposed within a longitudinally elongated tubular upper shaft portion. The embodiment further show:~~ an alternative to the slidable engagement between the pushrods and cams.
In the embodiment shown in figure 7, pushrod 52 rollably engages cam 58, shown in previous figures through roiiable member 68, providing a lc~w Friction engagement between the pushrod and they cam.
Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the ski boot shown in the flexed position and wherein the lower boot portion and upper shaft portions are lateral rotationally displaced.
a torque between lower boot portion 20 and upper shaft side flanges 40-41 has caused shaft side flange 27 to move forwardly relative to shaft side flange 28 2,145,436 and has caused shaft side flange 28 to move rearwardly relative to shaft side v=lange 27. The relative forward movement of 27 and the relative rearward movement of 28 is resisted by the degree of flexibility of lateral torsionally 05 responsive cuff 37.
In the preferred embodiment of this invention, lateral torsional responsive cuff 37 comprises a forwardly disposed portion 38 and a rearwardly disposed, flexible leg conformable portion 39 for securing the leg onto portion 38 Figure 9 is a plan view of the ski boot shown in figure 8, more particularly showing the angular relationship between lower boot portion 20 and the upper shaft portions as expressed by the angle between dotted line a-a, which represents the lower ski boot portion longitudinal axis and dotted line b-b, which represents the upper shaft longitudinal axis.
Figure 10 is a section taken along the plane of line 10-10 of figure 8, showing shaft rotation limiting element 36 in a rotation limiting position. As shown, linkage arm 31 is , prevented from further forward movement by the forward termination of lateral rotation limiting element 36 residing aperture 75 while linkage arm 32 is prevented from further rearward movement by the rearward termination of lateral rotation limiting element residing aperture 76. Slidable y engagement between rotation limiting element 36 and housing 26 prevents 36 from rotating.
2,145,436 For clarity, as. shown, apertures 75-76 are juxtaposed to each other and are of the same length. Protection against injury may advantageously be further improved by sizing and positioning the apertures, taking into account the 05 particular tibial lateral rotational limitations of the skier.
Further shown in figure ~.0 is an alternative embodiment of lower resilient: element 70 to housing attachment wherein the forwardly disposed portion of the lower resilient element is longitudinal adjustably attached to a forward portion of housing 26.
Resilient element 70 is forwardly attached to longitudinal slidable portion 80 which is threadedly engaged onto rotatable threaded rod 81. Threaded rod 81 is longitudinal threadedly secured to aForward portion of the housing by retaining "0" ring 82 a.nd external knurled adjustment knob 83. The embodiment shown provides convenient visually observable adjustment of the forward rearward angle of the ski boot shaft, relative to the lower boot portion.
Figure 11 is a section taken along the plane of line 11-11 of figure 2, showing a cross-section of the lateral torsional responsive cuff comprising a forwardly disposed semi annular portion 38 wherein the torsional twisting rigidity and the lateral rigidity are related to the circumferentially graduated cross-sectional thickness of portion 38.
2,145,436 The cross-sectional thickness of 38 as shown is maximal towards side flanges 27-28, providing maximum lateral rigidity and is minimal towards the most forward area of portion 38 and is identified as 84, providing a controlled 05 torsional rigidity which minimally affects the shaft lateral rigidity.
peg conformable flexible portion 39 secures the leg onto portion 38.
Portion 39 is flexible and calf conformable and may be attached or det=ached to provide leg entry and exit.
Figure 12 is a sectional view of still another embodiment of portion 38 and a leg securing portion 39, wherein the leg securing portion is shown in the position for foot and leg entry and foot and leg exit.
In the embodimEant shown, portion 38 comprises a plurality of individual layers, anterior layer 84 and posterior layer 85, yieldably adhesively bonded together by resilient layer 86 and rigidly secured together onto side flanges 27-28.
The resilience of the bonding layer allows limited shear movement in for'wardly disposed portion 38 while attachment to the shaft side flanges prevents any shear movement around flanges 27-28, providing a shaft having a lateral rigidity and a twisting rigidity, wherein the ratio between the lateral rigidity and the twisting rigidity is dependent on the structural properties of the cuff.
2.145,436 Figure 13 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in the flexed position, showing the outside shaft side flange having an upwardly extended bar element, providing an increased area of skier t:o ski boot bodily contact, 05 facilitating manual reinforr_ement of skier to ski boot bodily contact. The upwardly extended bar element, identified as 90, upwardly terminates in handle area 91 and is detachably secured to shaft side flange 28 by fasteners at 92-93.
Fi gu re 14 i s a frontal ~e1 ev<~ti onal vi ew of the boot shown i n the flexed position having an upwardly extended shaft side flange and the bar element. , Figure 15 is a side elewational view of the boot, showing the boot during storage or transportation and wherein hinged upper shaft sicle flanges 40-41 are rotated downwardly forwardly into a non open°ational mode, eliminating the increase in boot height resulting from an operational upper shaft .
The upper resilient elements in combination with upper shaft hinges 42-43 and associated cams provide upward thrust to the upper shaft for upper shaft positions rearwardly of an in-line position with the shaft.
No resilient resistance is provided for upper shaft positions forwardly of an in-line position with the boot shaft, allowing the upper shaft to be placed into a forward storage and handl i ng posi ti on .
2.145,436 Figure 16 is a frontal k~levational view of the boot, showing the boot in the storage position.
It is obvious that many alternative embodiments can be envi si oned wi thout depar~ti nc~ from the spi ri t of thi s 05 invention. Therefore, tt~e scope of this invention is not limited to the exact embodiments shown, but only as indicated in the appended claims.
__ 21
Claims (21)
1. A ski boot, providing increased body contact, comprising:
a shaft having juxtaposed side flanges and upper ends, hinging means, an upper shaft having juxtaposed side flanges and lower ends, and a thigh supporting upper cuff, wherein the upper shaft juxtaposed side flange lower ends are hingedly secured onto the shaft juxtaposed side flange upper ends via the hinging means and wherein the upper shaft juxtaposed side flanges are secured to the upper cuff.
a shaft having juxtaposed side flanges and upper ends, hinging means, an upper shaft having juxtaposed side flanges and lower ends, and a thigh supporting upper cuff, wherein the upper shaft juxtaposed side flange lower ends are hingedly secured onto the shaft juxtaposed side flange upper ends via the hinging means and wherein the upper shaft juxtaposed side flanges are secured to the upper cuff.
2. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the hinging means comprises hinges having a range of angular movement, exceeding 90 degree of arc, allowing the upper shaft to be rotated into a storage position.
3. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the upper cuff comprises thigh securing means.
4. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper cuff is flexible, attachably and detachably securing the upper shaft to the thigh.
5. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the upper cuff is rigid, imparting rigidity to the upper shaft.
6. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, comprising a pushrod, one or more resilient elements, and a cam, wherein the one or more resilient elements exert a thrust onto the pushrod, relative to a side flange, and wherein the pushrod exerts a linear thrust onto the cam, which translates said thrust into an angular thrust, urging the upper shaft to rotate upwardly.
7. A ski boot as defined in claim 6, wherein the cam comprises and axially graduated surface providing an angle dependent ratio between the linear and angular thrust, facilitating the upper shaft to be rotated downwardly and be locked into a storage position.
8. A ski boot as defined in claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one resilient element comprises a spring element.
9. A ski boot as defined in claim 6 or 7, wherein the at least one resilient element comprises an elastomer element.
10. A ski boot as defined in claim 8 or 9, wherein the pushrod comprises a self lubricating plastic tip, which slidably engages the cam.
11. A ski boot as defined in claim 8 or 9, wherein the pushrod comprises a rollable member, which rollably engages the cam.
12. A ski boot as defined in claim 10 or 11, wherein the cam is an integral portion of the shaft juxtaposed side flanges and wherein the pushrod is longitudinal slidably secured to the upper shaft juxtaposed side flanges.
13. A ski boot as defined in claim 10 or 11, wherein the cam is an integral portion of the upper shaft juxtaposed side flanges and wherein the pushrod is longitudinal slidably secured to the shaft juxtaposed side flanges.
14. A ski boot as defined in claim 12, comprising a tubular element integral with the upper shaft juxtaposed side flanges and wherein the pushrod is disposed within the tubular element.
15. A ski boot as defined in claim 13, comprising a tubular element integral with the shaft juxtaposed side flanges and wherein the pushrod is disposed within the tubular element.
16. A ski boot as defined in claim 1, wherein the shaft further comprises a cuff having a transversely graduated rigidity, a forward cuff portion, and rigid cuff side flanges, wherein the cuff side flanges are integral with the shaft side flanges, and wherein the transverse rigidity of the forward portion is less than the transverse rigidity of the side flanges, providing a torsionally responsive twistable shaft having a controlled twisting rigidity.
17. A ski boot as defined in claim 16, further comprising shaft twist limiting means.
18. A ski boot as defined in claim 17, wherein the shaft twist limiting means comprises linkage arms and rotation twist limiting stop means.
19. A ski boot as defined in anyone of claim 1 through 18, comprising a handle, wherein the handle is integral with the shaft.
20. A ski boot as defined in anyone of claim 1 through 18, comprising, a bar element having an upper and lower bar area, and a handle, wherein the lower bar area is demountably secured to the ski boot shaft and wherein the upper bar area is integral with the handle and wherein the handle is oriented upwardly outwardly.
21. A ski boot as defined in anyone of claim 1 through 18, comprising a bar element having an upper and lower bar area, and a handle, wherein the lower bar area is integral with the ski boot shaft and wherein the upper bar area is integral with the handle and wherein the handle is oriented upwardly outwardly.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002145436A CA2145436C (en) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-03-24 | Ski boot having a thigh securing upper shaft |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002145436A CA2145436C (en) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-03-24 | Ski boot having a thigh securing upper shaft |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2145436A1 CA2145436A1 (en) | 1996-09-25 |
| CA2145436C true CA2145436C (en) | 2004-05-11 |
Family
ID=4155498
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002145436A Expired - Lifetime CA2145436C (en) | 1995-03-24 | 1995-03-24 | Ski boot having a thigh securing upper shaft |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2145436C (en) |
-
1995
- 1995-03-24 CA CA002145436A patent/CA2145436C/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2145436A1 (en) | 1996-09-25 |
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| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20150324 |