Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 33
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A ski boot having an instep, comprising: (a) an upper comprising a front portion having a bottom portion; (b) a shell base having two lateral sides; (c) means for controlling the rigidity and flexional characteristics of said boot, wherein said control means comprises: (i) a flexion band comprising an arch having two ends, wherein said arch extends across said instep of said boot, and two substantially horizontal lateral arms each attached to one end of said arch and extending along one lateral side of the shell base, and connected to said bottom portion of said front portion of said upper; and (ii) means for maintaining a portion of said flexion band at a fixed position with respect to said shell base, wherein said fixed position is substantially in a zone in which said arch is connected to each of said lateral arms; and (d) a journal, spaced from said fixed position, wherein said upper is adapted to pivot at least partially on said shell base around said journal, wherein each lateral arm extends continously between said fixed position and said journal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A ski boot having an instep, comprising: (a) an upper comprising a front portion having a bottom portion; (b) a shell base having two lateral sides; (c) means for controlling the rigidity and flexional characteristics of said boot, wherein said control means comprises: (i) a flexion band comprising an arch having two ends, wherein said arch extends across said instep of said boot, and two substantially horizontal lateral arms each attached to one end of said arch and extending along one lateral side of the shell base, and connected to said bottom portion of said front portion of said upper; and (ii) means for maintaining a portion of said flexion band at a fixed position with respect to said shell base, wherein said fixed position is substantially in a zone in which said arch is connected to each of said lateral arms; and (d) a journal, spaced from said fixed position, wherein said upper is adapted to pivot at least partially on said shell base around said journal, wherein each lateral arm extends continously between said fixed position and said journal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The ski boot defined by claim 1 wherein said shell base has a top portion and said arch is slidably mounted on said top portion of said shell base.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 1 wherein said arch has a constant cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 1 wherein said arch has a variable cross-section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 1 wherein said shell base further comprises a shoulder positioned on at least one portion of said shell base, wherein said shoulder abuts at least a portion of said flexion band.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 5 wherein one end of said arch comprises an internal end and wherein the said arch comprises a lateral internal portion extending from a substantially median point along the length of said arch to said internal end of said arch, and wherein said lateral internal portion of said arch comprises said portion of said arch abutting said shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
80 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 6 wherein the other end of said arch comprises an external end, and wherein said arch further comprises a lateral external portion extending from a substantially median point along the length of said arch to said external end of said arch, wherein said lateral internal portion of the arch abutting said shoulder of said shell base is of constant cross-section, and wherein said lateral external portion of the arch is of variable cross-section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 1 wherein said maintenance means comprises two fixed rivets, wherein said rivets define first and second deformation zones adapted to be deformed to different extents.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 8 wherein said first deformation zone comprises the portion of said lateral arms extending from said end connected to said upper to said rivet, and wherein said second deformation zone comprises the portion of said arch extending between said rivets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ski boot as defined by claim 1 wherein said boot further comprises adjustment means for adjusting the position of said maintenance means, wherein said adjustment means are positioned on each side of said boot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
55 words
The ski boot defined by claim 10 further comprising first and second deformation zones, wherein said first deformation zone comprises a portion of said lateral arms extending from said end connected to said upper to said adjustment means, and wherein said second deformation zone comprises a portion of said arch extending between said fixed positions.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
The boot defined by claim 1 wherein said lateral arms are elastically deformable and comprise a first deformation zone, and wherein said arch extending between said fixed positions is deformable and comprises a second deformation zone.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The boot defined by claim 12 wherein said journal element extends through said upper and attaches said upper to said shell base.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
147 words
A ski boot having an instep portion, comprising: (a) a shell base having two lateal sides; (b) an upper at least partially journalled at a journal point on said shell base, comprising a front portion having a bottom portion; and (c) a flexion band integral with said upper, comprising: (i) an instep portion, extending across said instep of said boot and having two ends; and (ii) two substantially horizontal lateral arms each extending from one of said ends of said instep portion of said flexion band to said bottom portion of said front portion of said upper; and (d) means for maintaining a portion of each lateral arm of said flexion band in a fixed position with respect to said shell base, wherein said fixed position is spaced from said journal point and wherein each lateral arm extends continuously between said fixed position and said journal point.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
147 words
A ski boot having an instep portion, comprising: (a) a shell base having two lateal sides; (b) an upper at least partially journalled at a journal point on said shell base, comprising a front portion having a bottom portion; and (c) a flexion band integral with said upper, comprising: (i) an instep portion, extending across said instep of said boot and having two ends; and (ii) two substantially horizontal lateral arms each extending from one of said ends of said instep portion of said flexion band to said bottom portion of said front portion of said upper; and (d) means for maintaining a portion of each lateral arm of said flexion band in a fixed position with respect to said shell base, wherein said fixed position is spaced from said journal point and wherein each lateral arm extends continuously between said fixed position and said journal point.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
The boot defined by claim 14 wherein said maintenance means extends through said lateral arms and connects said lateal arms with said shell base.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The boot defined by claim 14 wherein said boot comprises malleoli zones and said journal point is positioned in said malleoli zones of said boot.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The boot defined by claim 16 wherein said maintenance means comprise rivets.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The boot defined by claim 14 wherein said shell base comprises a top portion and wherein said instep portion of said flexion band is slidably mounted on said top portion of said shell base.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The boot defined by claim 14 wherein said upper further comprises a cuff having a lower portion, and a groove positioned between said lower portion of said cuff and said instep portion of said flexion band.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The boot defined by claim 17 further comprising force transmission means for transmitting a force of flexion from said lower portion of said cuff to said instep portion of said flexion band.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
26 words
The boot defined by claim 20 wherein said force transmission means engages said groove and is adapted to be adjusted along the length of said groove.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The boot defined by claim 21 wherein said lower portion of said cuff is adapted to slide over said shell base and contact said flexion band in response to forward flexion of said boot.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
39 words
The boot defined by claim 22 wherein said groove has a notch at each lower portion thereof and an intermediate portion between said notches, ends, wherein said notch has a width greater than said intermediate portion of said groove.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The boot defined by claim 22 further comprising retaining means for retaining said force transmission means at any point along the length of said groove.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
23 words
The boot defined by claim 22 wherein said lateral arms are elastically deformable and elastically deform in response to forward flexion said boot.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
23 words
The boot defined by claim 25 wherein said flexion band is elastically deformable and elastically deforms in response to flexion of said boot.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The boot defined by claim 26 wherein said force transmission means comprises at least one cursor.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
46 words
the boot defined by claim 27 wherein said cuff comprises a lower edge and said flexion band comprises an upper edge and wherein said cursor is adpated to contact and slide over said lower edge of said cuff and said upper edge of said flexion band.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
41 words
The boot defined by claim 28 wherein said cursor comprises upper and lower tightening flaps adapted to grip, respectively, said bottom portions of said lower edge of said cuff and said top portion of said lower edge of said flexion band.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
25 words
The boot defined by claim 29 wherein said cursor further comprises tightening means for actuating said tightening flaps to grip said cuff and flexion band.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The boot defined by claim 30 wherein said cursor comprises a rounded portion and said lower edge of said cuff and said upper edge of said flexion band comprises rounded guide tracks adapted to engage said corresponding rounded portion on said cursor.