System and method for thermal control in ski boots
AssigneeBoot Cap LLC
InventorCalvin Michael Thorpe
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Systems, methods and devices for limiting the transfer of thermal energy in ski boots and slowing thermal energy conduction through the ski boots are provided. Devices may have an upper shell and a side band and an attachment device for attaching the device to the toe box area of ski boot. The devices may further comprise materials that are intended to limit the transfer of thermal energy.
Claims16
A device for limiting transfer of thermal energy of a ski boot, the ski boot having a toe box portion, a toe end, a sole, and a vamp portion, the device comprising:
- an upper shell configured to cover a top section of the toe box portion of the ski boot;
- a side band integrally connected to the upper shell, the side band further configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the ski boot;
- and
- a strip attached to a middle upper edge of the upper shell of the device, the strip configured to extend onto the vamp portion of the ski boot and to cover an overlap area of the ski boot, the strip further configured to be placed under at least one securing buckle on the ski boot,
- wherein the device is thickest and includes a first thickness at a junction where the upper shell meets the side band, and wherein the device tapers in thickness in a longitudinal direction along the upper shell from a toe end to a terminal top edge of the upper shell, from the first thickness to a second thickness that is thinner than the first thickness, the second thickness disposed toward the terminal top edge of the upper shell that is closest to a vamp portion of the ski boot when the device is positioned on the ski boot, and
- wherein the device is comprised of a foam material that limits the transfer of thermal energy therethrough such that the device is configured to limit the transfer of thermal energy from an inside of the toe box portion of the ski boot to outside air by providing an insulative buffer in cold conditions.
A method of making a device for limiting the transfer of thermal energy through a ski boot, the method comprising the steps of:
- forming an upper shell of the device, the upper shell comprising a foam material;
- forming a side band integrally connected to the upper shell, the side band comprising the foam material;
- and
- attaching a strip to a middle upper edge of the upper shell, the strip configured to extend onto a vamp portion of the ski boot and to cover an overlap area of the ski boot, the strip further configured to be placed under at least one securing buckle on the ski boot,
- wherein the upper shell is configured to cover a top section of a toe box portion of the ski boot,
- wherein the side band is configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the ski boot, and
- wherein the device is configured to limit the transfer of thermal energy from an inside of the toe box portion of the ski boot to outside air by providing an insulative buffer in cold conditions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.