US3419974A - Ski boot - Google Patents

Description

R. B. LANGE Jam 7, 1969 SKI BOOT Sheet I of? Filed March 14, 1966 Fig.

Robert B. Lange ml? @wvw I ATTORNEYS Jan. I, 1969 R. B. LANGE 3,419,974

I SKI BOOT Filed March 14', 1966 Sheet 2 or 2 INVENTOR I Robert B. Lange ATTORNEY-j United States Patent Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A plastic ski boot having an outer shell of a thickness great enough to deform the interior thereof while maintaining theexterior dimension stable and the method of performing this operation.

This invention relates to a plastic ski boot and more particularly to a plastic ski boot wherein the parts are constructed and arranged so that maximum perfection in fitting is obtained.

Plastic ski boots are now well known to the ski manufacturing arts. Refer to my co-pending application S.N. 441,398. The advantages and disadvantages of plastic ski boots are many and varied with the advantages more than outweighing the disadvantages. Some of the principal advantages are their resistance to water, their rigidity during skiing, their resistance to scuffing from ice and ski edges, and the ease with which they can be manufactured of a variety of colors.

In the manufacture of boots of the plastic type the molds and lasts constitute a major expense. Additionally, perfection of fit is of major importance. The ski boot is the principal connection between the ski and the skier and for this reason control is established and is limited by the efiiciency with which the boot operates as a connection between the leg and the ski.

Many skiers develop bone spurs and other foot imperfections as a result of the constant pressures which are applied to the foot as a result of skiing. One :of the principal objectives of this invention is to provide a ski boot which can be manufactured in standard sizes but which can be fit to perfection at the retail store. In general, this objective is accomplished by making a plastic ski boot shell having thicker gauge plastic at those portions of the boot where bone spurs are likely to occur and through the use of heated instruments, depressions can be formed in the plastic shell without seriously effecting boot strength.

Another objective of this invention is to provide a plasticski boot which has a hinging capability without the necessity of a two-piece unit.

Another objective of this invention is to provide an inner liner for a plastic ski boot which forms pockets for removable sponge rubber pads for the additional comfort of the skier.

A still further objective of this invention is to provide the above-mentioned liner with Velco attachments so that the sponge rubber padding is maintained in its proper position by maintaining the proper positioning between the liner and the boot.

These and other objectives of the invention will become more apparent when the following description is read in light of the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective of one form of the invention;

FIG. 2 is the assembling of the boot shown in FIG- URE 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded side elevation of a further embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a schematic showing how the depressions can be formed in the boot shell.

Referring now to the drawings where like numerals indicate like parts, the numeral 10 indicates the boot of this invention. The outer shell is indicated by the numeral 12. The shell is comprised of an integral unit having a sole portion 14, an upper 16, an ankle gaiter portion 18 and having the normal foot opening defined by flaps 20 and 22. For purposes of clarity, the buckles and other fasteners normally used with boots have not been shown in FIGURE 1.

The outer 12 is cast as one unit. That portion connecting the upper 16 and the ankle gaiter portion 18 is narrowed at 24 and 26. These narrowed portions provide a limited hinging action between the two elements. On either side of the narrowed portion the boot is formed with accordion- like bellows deformations 28 and 30 which aid and limit the hinging movement between 16 and 18. Note that a plurality of Velco female elements 32 are secured to the interior of the boot shell.

The inner liner of the 'boot is indicated by the numeral 40. This liner is made of Corfam and is comprised of three basic elements; a foot receiving portion 42, an ankle portion 44 and a tongue 43. The tongue of course closes the opening defined by flaps 20 and 22. Ankle portion 44 has a return flap which extends downwardly as shown by the numeral 48 to define pockets around the ankle. The pockets are for the reception of foam rubber padding elements 50. The inner liner 40 is inserted within the interior of the boot outer shell 12 and isfirmly secured thereto by way of an epoxy glue. The remaining element of the boot is an innersole 48 of conventional construction.

As previously stated, one of the principal features of this invention is the use of a thick gauge plastic at certain places in the outer shell and in particular at those areas where bone spurs are likely to occur. Specifically the thick gauge is used at that area opposite the ball of the boot indicated at 62 and at that area opposite the little toe generally designated by the numeral 64. Likewise, the thickened plastic is used in ankle section of the boot opposite the protruding ankle bone. The area 64 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 4. Note how the area of the outer shell nearest the small toe is thickened as at 66. In the event a depression must be made in this area, heated instrument 68 is applied to the interior of the thermosetting material and a depression of desired depth is formed by the instrument. No change in the 'outer configuration of the boot since the mold 70 will hold that portion rigid. Through the use of this method, sales personnel at the retail outlet of the boots can manufacture and alter a boot to exactly fit the person buying the boots.

The embodiment in FIGURE 3 is constructed similarly to that of the embodiment shown in 1, 2 and 4 with thickened portions of the plastic judiciously -selected at those boot surfaces adjacent areas of the foot likely to cause trouble. In this embodiment, however, the outer shell is cast in three different molds, namely, 76, a gaiter portion 78 and a bellowed section 80. The bellowed section 80 is made with flanged portions 82 and 84 which are respectively secured to those portions of the gaiter and lower shell indicated by the and 92. The member 80 can be manufactured of polypropylene. By way of a pivot stud through the apertures 94 and 96 a pivot action is obtained and is limited and controlled by the polyproplene hinge.

As mentioned previously, the molds for such plastic boots constitute a major cost. Likewise, since accurate fitting of ski boots is of utmost importance, the retailers of such equipment heretofore were required to maintain a substantial stock of inventory. By utilizing the structure and methods of this invention the number of molds necessary can be reduced as well as the amount of inventory any one retailer must maintain. This can be accomthickness suflicient to withstand such deformations. The

outer dimensions of the boot of course need not be changed.

In a general manner, while there has been disclosed in the above description, what are deemed to be the most practical and efiicient embodiments and methods of the invention, it should be well understood that the inven tion is not limited to such embodiments and methods as as there might be changes made in the arrangement, disposition, and form of the parts and methods Without departing from the principle of the present invention as comprehended within the scope of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A plastic ski boot comprising a thermoplastic outer shell of substantial thickness, said shell comprising an elongated foot-receiving portion, a sole and an upper member integral with said sole, a gaiter, means pivotally connecting said upper and said gaiter, said outer shell having portions of greater thickness than adjacent portions thereof whereby said portions of greater thickness can be deformed without weakening the outer shell, a liner portion insertable in said shell, said liner having a pocket formed therein, and a plurality of resilient pads removably secured in said pocket.

2. The ski boot recited in claim 1 wherein a plurality of fastening devices are mounted to the interior of said shell and a like number of mating fastening devices are mounted on the exterior of said liner opposing said firstmentioned fastening devices, and means causing said fastening devices to removably grip one another.

3. The method of sizing a plastic ski boot to the foot of a wearer comprising the steps of selecting a boot approximating the size of the foot of a wearer, comparing the foot dimensions of said wearer with the interior dimensions of said boot, applying a heated form to the interior of said boot, while maintaining the exterior dimensions of said boot stable, at locations Where a greater interior space is required and exerting an outwardly directed pressure against said area until a depression is formed of an amplitude desired as a result of said comparison.

4. The method of sizing a plastic ski boot comprising the steps of permanently deforming the interior dimensions of the boot with heat and pressure while maintaining the exterior dimensions of the boot stable.

5. A plastic ski boot comprising a thermoplastic outer shell of substantial thickness, said shell comprising an elongated foot-receiving portion, a sole and an upper member integral with said sole, a gaiter, means pivotally connecting said gaiter with respect to said upper and said sole, said outer shell having portions of greater thickness than adjacent portions thereof whereby said portions of greater thickness can be deformed without weakening the outer shell, a liner portion insertable in said shell, said liner having a pocket formed therein, and a plurality of resilient pads removably secured in said pocket.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,904,787 4/1933 Hitzler et al. 12142 2,279,304 4/ 1942 Curtis et al 12-142 2,531,763 11/1950 Andre 362.5 3,237,319 3/1966 Hanson 36-2.5 3,239,952 3/1966 Lange ct a1. 36-2.5

PATRICK D. LAWSON, Primary Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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