Patent US4561196A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
← Back to Patent Explorer
US4561196A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ski boot having upper with journalled distribution plate

Assignee: FRANCOIS SALOMON ET FILS SA BP Ets
•
Filing: 1982-05-10
•
Granted: 1985-12-31
•
Expires: 2002-05-10
📄 Original PDF 🌐 Google Patents 🔄 Sync Now

Abstract

Abstract A ski boot has a rigid base shell which is adapted to surround the foot of a skier and an upper adapted to surround the bottom of the leg of the skier. The upper is journalled along a first axis on said shell base and comprises at least two portions, one of which is in the form of a distribution plate journalled to the front cuff portion of the upper along a second, distinct axis. The distribution plate distributes the contact pressure which is normally created between the leg of the skier and the front upper edge of the cuff over a front upper zone of the cuff to enhance the comfort of the skier. The distribution plate helps to compensate for the difference in the angle of movement of the leg of a skier and of the upper when the skier exerts a forward flexion force while skiing.

Inventors

  • 👤 Roland Petrini
  • 👤 Jean-Louis de Marchi

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-03 18:48
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/04; A43B5/0427; A43B5/0429; A43B5/0431; A43B5/0433

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
A ski boot having a rigid shell base adapted to surround the foot of the skier and an upper adapted to surround the bottom of the leg of the skier, wherein said upper comprises a front cuff, wherein said front cuff is journaled along a first axis on said shell base, wherein said upper further comprises means for distributing the contact pressure between the leg and the front upper edge of the upper over a front upper zone of said upper, wherein said distribution means comprises a pressure distribution plate which is journaled about at least one additional axis located on said front cuff at said front upper zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 109 words
A ski boot having a rigid shell base adapted to surround the foot of the skier and an upper adapted to surround the bottom of the leg of the skier, wherein said upper comprises a front cuff, wherein said front cuff is journaled along a first axis on said shell base, wherein said upper further comprises means for distributing the contact pressure between the leg and the front upper edge of the upper over a front upper zone of said upper, wherein said distribution means comprises a pressure distribution plate which is journaled about at least one additional axis located on said front cuff at said front upper zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 52 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 1 wherein said distribution plate is positioned within at least a portion of the interior of said cuff, adjacent to a groove in said cuff which extends downwardly from said upper edge, said distribution plate being thereby adapted to support the tibia of said skier.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 32 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein said distribution plate is attached to said cuff along the at least one additional axis at approximately the midlength portion of said plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 27 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein said upper further comprises a rear spoiler which is journalled to said base shell along said first axis.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 24 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 4 comprising a latching hook on said upper for tightening said spoiler and cuff around said leg.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein said groove is located substantially coaxially with the longitudinal median plane of said boot.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 33 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 further comprising means for adjusting the position of the at least one additional journal axis at which the distribution plate is pivoted to said cuff.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 35 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 7 wherein said position adjusting means are adapted to adjust the position of said additional journal axis along a direction substantially parallel to the sole of said boot.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 25 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 8 wherein said position adjustment means comprises a guideway and apparatus for locking the axis along said guideway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 34 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 7 wherein said position adjusting means are adapted to adjust the position of said journal axis along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of said upper.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 25 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 10 wherein said position adjustment means comprises a guideway and apparatus for locking the axis along said guideway.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 7 wherein said at least one additional axis comprise two axes in the form of pivots located on opposite sides of said groove.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 14 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 12 wherein said pivots have intersecting axes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 14 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 12 wherein said pivots have coincident axes.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 31 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 12 wherein each of said pivots comprises a screw and a threaded bolt positioned within apertures in said cuff and in said distribution plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 20 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 15 wherein said screw comprises projecting teeth which cooperate with said cuff aperture.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 39 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein said at least one additional axis comprises a single pivot axis positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of said boot and substantially tangentially to the anterior generatrix of the cuff.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 52 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 17 wherein said single pivot axis comprises a cylindrical element extending across said groove and having ends which are positioned within apertures in wings extending outwardly from opposite sides of said groove and within a projection of said plate which is located between said wings.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 19 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 18 wherein said groove and said plate projection are both substantially V-shaped.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 32 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 19 wherein said cylindrical element comprises a central cylindrical pivot portion and wherein said ends comprise oppositely threaded portions attached to said cylindrical pivot portion.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 20 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 20 wherein said wing apertures are threaded to engage said oppositely threaded ends.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 47 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 17 wherein said single pivot axis comprises a cylindrical bead horizontally located at the bottom of said groove and a hook attached to said distribution plate, said hook including a cylindrical opening which is adapted to engage said cylindrical bead.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 17 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 22 wherein said bead is molded integrally with said upper.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 17 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 23 wherein said cylindrical bead is attached to said cuff.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 42 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 17 wherein said single pivot axis comprises a flexible stud extending perpendicularly from the exterior surface of said plate, said stud adapted to be inserted into an aperture located in said cuff beneath said groove.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 18 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 25 wherein said flexible stud is integrally molded with said plate.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 36 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 25 wherein said plate is rotatable about the stud within said cuff and along an axis which is substantially parallel to the plane of the sole of the boot.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 18 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 25 wherein said stud is attached to the plate after molding.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 15 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein each additional axis comprises a rivet.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 17 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 29 wherein each rivet is molded with said distribution plate.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 16 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 29 wherein each rivet is molded with said cuff.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 35 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 2 wherein said cuff includes two parts, a lower cuff part journalled directly to said shell base, and an upper cuff part journalled to said lower cuff part.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 21 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 32, wherein said cuff parts are journalled to each other along an adjustable axis.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 23 words
A ski boot in accordance with claim 33, wherein said distribution plate is pivotably journalled on said upper cuff part along two axes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 41 words
The ski boot defined by claim 1 wherein said one additional axis is oriented such that said pressure distribution plate flexes forward to substantially the same extent as said leg of said skier when said leg flexes forward in said boot.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 184 words
A ski boot having a rigid shell base adapted to surround the foot of a skier and an upper adapted to surround the bottom of the leg of the skier, wherein said upper comprises a front cuff, wherein said front cuff is journalled along a first axis on said shell base, wherein said upper further comprises means for distributing the contact pressure between the leg and the front upper edge of said upper over a front upper zone of said upper, wherein said first axis is misaligned with a journal axis of said leg of said skier around which said leg of said skier is adapted to pivot during forward flexion, wherein for a given forward flexion of said leg, said leg pivots forward to a greater extent than said front cuff, wherein said distribution means further comprises means for compensating for said misalignment of said journal axis of said front cuff and said journal axis of said leg so that said front upper zone of said upper flexes forward to substantially the same degree as said leg during forward flexion of said leg.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 184 words
A ski boot having a rigid shell base adapted to surround the foot of a skier and an upper adapted to surround the bottom of the leg of the skier, wherein said upper comprises a front cuff, wherein said front cuff is journalled along a first axis on said shell base, wherein said upper further comprises means for distributing the contact pressure between the leg and the front upper edge of said upper over a front upper zone of said upper, wherein said first axis is misaligned with a journal axis of said leg of said skier around which said leg of said skier is adapted to pivot during forward flexion, wherein for a given forward flexion of said leg, said leg pivots forward to a greater extent than said front cuff, wherein said distribution means further comprises means for compensating for said misalignment of said journal axis of said front cuff and said journal axis of said leg so that said front upper zone of said upper flexes forward to substantially the same degree as said leg during forward flexion of said leg.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 35 words
The ski boot to find claim 36 wherein said compensation means comprises a pressure distribution plate which is journaled around at least one additional axis located on said front cuff of said front upper zone.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3619914A Cited
US3729841A Cited
US3732635A Cited
DE2410063A1 Cited
US4104811A Cited
US4083127A Cited
US4280286A Cited
US4282660A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1988-12-30 1989-07-01 1989-12-31 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1992-12-30 1993-07-01 1993-12-31 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1996-12-30 1997-07-01 1997-12-31 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

Assigned Categories & Tags

No categories assigned to this patent yet.

Assign Category Tag