# US 2023/0053676 A1 · System and method for thermal control in ski boots > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2023/0053676 A1 - Document ID: US20230053676A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/793,407 - Filed: 2021-01-18 - Published: 2023-02-23 - Earliest claimed: 2020-01-17 - Assignees: Boot Cap LLC - Inventors: CALVIN MICHAEL THORPE - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20230053676A1 ## CPC - A43B 1/0081: {made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material (hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493)} - A43B 5/18: Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes - A43B 3/0078: {provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration (A43B23/24 takes precedence)} - A43B 3/20: Heel-less overshoes - A43B 5/0415: {Accessories (A43B5/0403, A43B5/0413, A43B5/0494 take precedence)} - A43B 5/0486: {characterized by the material} - A43B 7/12: Special watertight footwear (overshoes A43B3/16) - A43B 7/34: with protection against heat or cold - A43C 19/00: Attachments for footwear, not provided for in other groups of this subclass - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A device for limiting transfer of thermal energy of ski boots, 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; and a side band integrally connected to the upper shell and further configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the ski boot; wherein the device is comprised of a material that limits the transfer of thermal energy, and wherein the device is configured to limit the transfer of thermal energy from the inside of the ski boot's toe box portion to the outside air. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the device further comprising an attachment device configured to connectively attach the device to the ski boot. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of foam. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is comprised of closed cell EVA foam. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device has a thermal resistance R value between about 1 and about 14. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, the thickness of the device measures between 0.1 and 10 millimeters thick. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein a lower edge of the upper shell and an upper edge of the side band form a curve that roughly conforms to the curve of the toe end of the ski boot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a strap attached to each side of a bottom edge of the side band of the device and is configured to slide under the sole of the ski boot. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2, wherein the attachment device is configured to be adhered to the underside of the device and the top section of the toe box portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a strip attached to a middle upper edge of the upper shell of the device wherein the strip is configured to extend onto the vamp portion of the ski boot to cover an overlap area of the ski boot and wherein said strip is configured to be placed under at least one securing buckle on the ski boot. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The device of claim 10, wherein the strip is comprised of a water resistant material and is configured to protect the overlap area of the ski boot by resisting water penetration into the inside of the ski boot. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device is thickest where the upper shell meets the side band of the device and thins in the direction of the edge of the upper shell that, when positioned on ski boot, is closest to the vamp of the ski boot. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a bottom lip that extends away from the toe end of the ski boot and connects to a bottom edge of the side band of the device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the upper shell comprises a first shell and a second shell, wherein the first shell is connected to the side band and the second shell is connected to the opposite side of the first shell and wherein the first shell connects to the side band at a lower angle than the angle at which the first shell connects to the second shell such that the first shell appears flatter on the ski boot than the second shell. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1, wherein the upper shell further comprises a debossed logo placed on the outer side of the upper shell, such that the logo is visible when the device is placed on the ski boot. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The device of claim 15, wherein the attachment device comprises an adhesive. ### Claim 17 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 wherein said upper shell is configured to cover a top section of the toe box portion of the ski boot, said top section of the toe box portion comprising an area that covers a majority of a top section of the toe box portion of the ski boot spanning lengthwise from the lower edge of the vamp portion of the ski boot to the upper edge of the toe end of the ski boot and across the upper shell of a width of the toe box portion of the ski boot; said side band being configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the ski boot, said set of side sections extending from the top of the side of the toe box to the sole and extending from the center of the toe end along both sides of the toe box such that the upper shell and the side band of the device cover a majority of the toe box portion of the ski boot; and, an attachment device configured to connectively attach the device to the ski boot; wherein the device is comprised mostly of a material that limits the transfer of thermal energy. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the device is comprised of closed cell foam. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the attachment device is configured to adhere the underside of the upper shell to the outer section of the toe box portion of the ski boot. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, the attachment device comprises double coated lamination polyester tape with acrylic adhesive. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein the attachment device further comprises a strip attached to a front under side of the upper shell of the device that is configured to secure to the device by being configured to be placed under at least one buckle of the ski boot. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17, wherein a proximal side of the side band ends at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees from a line perpendicular with a bottom edge of the side band wherein said bottom edge of the side band is configured to be parallel with the sole of the ski boot. ### Claim 23 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 consisting essentially of: said upper shell being configured to cover a top section of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot, said top section of the toe box portion comprising an area that covers a majority of a top section of the toe box portion of the ski boot spanning lengthwise from lower edge of the vamp portion of the ski boot to the upper edge of the toe end of the ski boot and spanning width-wise across the width of the ski boot; said side band being integrally connected to the upper shell and further configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot, said set of side sections extending from the top of the side of the toe box to the sole and extending from the center of the end along both sides of the toe box such that the upper shell and the side band of the toe cover a majority of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot; and an attachment device configured to connectively attach the device to the ski boot; wherein the device is comprised of a material that limits the transfer of thermal energy. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the attachment device connects the upper shell of the toe cover to the top section of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot by means of an elastic band attached to a bottom edge of the side band in at least two places such that the elastic band is configured to stretch underneath the sole of the ski boot. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the attachment device is further configured to connectively attach the upper shell of the toe cover to the top section of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot. ### Claim 26 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the side band's proximal edge ends at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees from a line perpendicular with a bottom edge of the side band of the toe cover wherein the bottom edge of the side band is parallel with the base of the ski boot. ### Claim 27 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the device has a thermal resistance R value between about 3-7. ### Claim 28 (depends on 23) The device of claim 23, wherein the device is between 0.1 and 10 millimeters thick. ### Claim 29 (depends on 1) The device of claim 1 consisting essentially of: the upper shell being configured to cover a top section of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot, said top section of the toe box portion comprising an area that covers a majority an area of the ski boot spanning lengthwise from lower edge of the vamp portion of the ski boot to the upper edge of the toe end of the ski boot, and across the width of the toe box portion of the ski boot; the side band being integrally connected to the upper shell and further configured to cover a majority of a set of side sections of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot, said set of side sections extending from the top of the side of the toe box to the sole and extending from the center of the toe end along both sides of the toe box such that the upper shell and the side band of the device covers a majority of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot; and an attachment device configured to connectively attach the upper shell of the device to the top section of the toe box portion of the shell of the ski boot; wherein the device is comprised of a material that limits the transfer of thermal energy; wherein the device has a thermal resistance R value between about 1-14; wherein the device is between 0.1 and 10 millimeters thick; and, wherein the upper shell's upper edge ends at an angle between about 5 and about 15 degrees from a line perpendicular with a bottom edge of the side band of the device, and wherein the bottom edge of the side band is parallel with the base of the ski boot. ### Claim 30 A method of making a device for limiting the transfer of thermal energy of ski boot, the method comprising the steps of: forming an upper shell of the device, forming a side band to be integrally connected to the upper shell, and connecting an attachment device configured to connectively attach the device to the ski boot to the device; wherein the upper shell is configured to cover a top section of the toe box portion of the ski boot, and 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. ### Claim 31 (depends on 2) The device of claim 2 wherein said attachment device is an adhesive.