US 4,901,455 A · Alpine ski boot

Abstract

A ski boot including an upper journalled on a rigid shell base around a journal axis so that the upper can undergo forward flexion around the journal axis in response to forward flexion of the leg of the skier. Also provided is a flexion control device which elastically opposes forward flexion of the upper. The flexion control device is an elastic element positioned between the shell base and the upper and extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the boot. One end of the elastic element is attached to the shell base at a linkage point spaced from the journal axis. Another portion of the elastic element is attached to the lower edge of the cuff at a support point by a retention element. These attachments are such that during forward flexion: the distance from the journal axis to the support is invariant, the distance from the journal axis to the linkage point is invariant, and the distance from the support point to the linkage point varies.

Claims51

Dependent claims

A ski boot comprising:

(a) a shell base;
(b) an upper adapted to engage the lower leg of a skier, wherein said upper is at least partially journalled on said shell base around a pivot axis so as to permit flexion of said upper with respect to said shell base;
and
(c) means for controlling said flexion of said upper, wherein said flexion control means is mounted to operate in compression upon forward flexion of said upper, and is attached to said shell base at a predetermined distance from said pivot axis at a linkage point, wherein said flexion control means is connected to said upper at a support point, wherein said flexion control means extends within a substantially vertical plane with respect to the plane of the sole of said ski boot, said flexion control means comprises means:
for maintaining a substantially invariant distance from said pivot axis to said support point during forward flexion of said upper;
for maintaining a substantially invariant distance from said pivot axis to said linkage point during forward flexion of said upper;
and
for varying the distance from said support point to said linkage point during forward flexion of said upper.

5 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Alpine ski boot

Life of this patent

Alpine ski boot

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims51