US3822491A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ski boot hinged on sole
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-11-15
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Granted: 1974-07-09
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Expires: 1993-11-15
Abstract
Abstract A ski boot that includes an upper that supports the skiers foot, ankle, and lower leg as a relatively rigid unit, a separate rigid sole with means for the sole to be attached to the ski, a hinge that connects the sole to the upper, and means to adjust the effective rigidity of the total boot and to adjust the angle of forward lean by constraining motion about the hinge.
Inventors
- 👤 R Rathmell
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 20:23
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/04; A43B5/0427; A43B5/0468
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
58 words
A ski boot that includes an upper that can support the skiers foot, ankle, and lower leg as a relatively rigid unit, a separate sole with means to attach the sole to the ski, a hinge that connects the upper to the sole, and means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
58 words
A ski boot that includes an upper that can support the skiers foot, ankle, and lower leg as a relatively rigid unit, a separate sole with means to attach the sole to the ski, a hinge that connects the upper to the sole, and means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A ski boot as in claim 1, wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge may be removed and replaced, or replaced by constraining means with different stress/strain or elastic characteristics.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
A ski boot as in claim 1, wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge can be unlatched and latched again, either in the same position or in a new position to give a different degree of forward lean to the skiers lower leg.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
A ski boot as in claim 1, wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole can be adjusted to vary the stress-strain or elastic characteristics.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A ski boot as in claim 1 wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge include one or more pneumatic devices wherein the volume and pressure of the gas in the device affects the rigidity of the ski boot.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
A ski boot as in claim 5 wherein the pneumatic device(s) include one or more compressible containers that can be inflated to a greater or lesser degree to affect the angle of forward lean or the rigidity of the ski boot, said container(s) being located beneath the upper and over the sole.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ski boot as in claim 6 wherein more or less liquid hydraulic fluid may be substituted for gas to affect the rigidity of the ski boot.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
74 words
A ski boot as in claim 1 wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge includes two compressible containers that are located on opposite sides of the hinge and between the bottom of the upper and the top of the sole, said containers being filled with more or less fluid, and said containers being connected by a conduit that can permit fluid flow between the containers.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
74 words
A ski boot as in claim 1 wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper is a pivoted yoke that resists being elongated when stressed in tension, and the said yoke can be set to limit or constrain upward travel of that part of the upper it engages or is connected to, or it can be pivoted to an unlatched position which allows more free movement of the upper relative to the sole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A ski boot as in claim 9 wherein the pivoted yoke has means for adjusting its effective length.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
A ski boot as in claim 9 wherein the pivoted yoke has elastic members that cause the yoke to shorten when the corresponding position of the upper is moved closer to the sole.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
51 words
A ski boot as in claim 1 wherein the means to constrain movement is a flexible member which offers resistance to elongation when stressed in tension but offer substantually no resistance when strained compressively, said member being connected both to the sole plate and the upper portion of the ski boot.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
A ski boot as in claim 12 wherein the flexible member is connected to a concealed mechanism in the sole that has means to change the effective point of connection and/or the effective tension on the flexible member for any given angle of forward lean of the upper relative to the sole.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
A ski boot as in claim 13 wherein a pivoted yoke engages the toe of the upper and the flexible member constrains upward movement of the heel.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
86 words
A ski boot as in claim 1 wherein the means to constrain movement of the upper relative to the sole about the hinge includes two flexible containers that are located on opposite sides of the hinge and between the bottom of the upper and the top of the sole, said containers being inflated with more or less fluid, and being connected by a conduit that permits fluid flow between the containers, and the said conduit is equipped with means to regulate or stop the fluid flow.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-07-08 | 1978-01-07 | 1978-07-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-07-08 | 1982-01-07 | 1982-07-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-07-08 | 1986-01-07 | 1986-07-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |