EP1457124A1 - Laced boots - Google Patents

Abstract

A winter sports lace-up boot for e.g. snowboarding has a first lace section (11f, 11g) that extends from the sole (1) centre section (3) over the instep. The lace has a second section (11e, 11h) that extends from the sole (1) centre section (3) above the heel around the shaft (6) outer face, and a third section (11d, 11i) from the same point on the shaft to the instep and back to the same point on the shaft. Each of the three lace sections forms a triangle covering the ankle zone (F2, F4).

Description

The invention relates to a lace-up boot according to the preamble of claim 1. Such an ankle boot is from EP 0 474 708 B1, WO 99/09850 A1 and DE 298 14 659 U1 known.

Lace-up boots, such as snowboard boots, inline skate boots, Hiking boots, mountain boots etc., are by a shoelace, by several deflecting elements, e.g. eyelets, threaded through two opposite tabs of the boot is laced with the ends of the shoelace fixed be it by a lacing or a holding or Clamping device.

Most lace-up boots and especially snowboard boots are made of flexible material, which is for convenience and also a relatively large degree of mobility for the user of the foot leaves what is desired especially when snowboarding is. On the other hand, the connection between the foot and boots and snowboard are so firm that the driver necessary forces can be transferred to the snowboard, especially on the front and rear edge. For this, it would be necessary, in itself, the boot shaft for forward and backward movements, based on the Longitudinal direction to make the boot relatively stiff, but what again limits comfort, especially while walking.

Another requirement for a good fit of the boot and thus for a good power transmission during snowboarding on the front edge is a good heel hold of the Foot in the boot. In other words, above all Heel area of the foot also on the inside of the Sole of the boot will rest when the driver's ankle angled forward to apply force to the leading edge of the snowboard.

For this purpose, EP 0 705 544 B1 also proposes a lashing strap with low elasticity for lacing to be provided in the longitudinal direction from the instep area of the boot runs to the heel area and thus the heel down and pushes in the back. In addition there is another tension belt provided that the outside of the forefoot area around the shaft of the boot and thus the flexible shaft itself supports against kinking to the rear.

Similar straps are also from FR 49631, EP 0 646 334 A1, EP 0 057 170 A2, US 2,660,812 A, US 5, 408, 761 A, US 5,499,461 A and US 459,616 A are known.

The US 5,291,671 A shows a lace-up boot, the additional for the conventional lacing a peripheral cable has that from the midfoot area through the sole of the boot runs through and from there on both sides around the shaft of the boot, this cable loops in the instep area forms on which it can be tensioned.

However, such additional tension belts require a higher one technical effort and have the disadvantage in practice that the user, in order to have a good grip, often so tight that blood circulation to the foot is impaired is. This also affects convenience and increases the risk of accidents. In addition to tensioning the lacing in further steps one or more tension belts can be tensioned.

EP 0 746 214 B1 shows a shoe with a shoelace, starting from the sole area over the Top of the shoe runs and also has a section from the sole area around the heel area and a section that is approximately from the heel area runs horizontally to the instep area. Finally, too a section is provided that goes from the instep area to the sole Heel area runs so that the three sections mentioned form a triangle in the side view, however the upper, substantially horizontal section below of the ankle of the foot and thus below the ankles of the foot. For a boot with a shaft that surrounding part of the user's shin is one such lacing is therefore not suitable.

The object of the invention is the lace-up boot of the beginning to improve the type mentioned in that at simpler Handling and for comfort a good hold of the foot in the boot is guaranteed and in particular a good heel hold.

This object is achieved by the specified in claim 1 Features solved. Advantageous refinements and developments the invention can be found in the subclaims.

a) ein erster Abschnitt verläuft vom Mittelfußbereich der Sohle über den Ristbereich;

b) ein zweiter Abschnitt vom Mittelfußbereich der Sohle um die Außenseite des Schaftes in einer Höhe im Bereich oder oberhalb des oberen Sprunggelenkes des Fußes; und

c) ein dritter Abschnitt von derselben Stelle des Schaftes zum Rist und zurück zu der genannten Stelle des Schaftes.

The basic principle of the invention is to guide the shoelace in such a way that the forces required for good grip are applied solely by the shoelace. For this purpose, the shoelace is guided so that sections of the shoelace run as follows:

a) a first section runs from the midfoot area of the sole over the instep area;

b) a second section from the midfoot area of the sole around the outside of the shaft at a height in the area or above the upper ankle joint of the foot; and

c) a third section from the same point on the shaft to the instep and back to the said point on the shaft.

All of these sections are integral of the laces. They clamp in the side view about a triangle, in which, again in side view seen the ankles and the ankles of the foot lie.

The shoelace is preferably provided by a tensioning mechanism curious, as for example from US 2002/0095750 A1 is known. It is a winding mechanism with ratchet, on the winding mandrel both ends of the Laces are wound up. The laces are here preferably a thin wire rope with high tensile strength and low bending stiffness, easy on you Small diameter winding mandrel can.

The one-piece design of the shoelace also has that Advantage that automatically with certain movements of the foot certain sections of the laces are retightened. If, for example, the shaft is bent forward, it is extended the above second section what automatically a Shortening the first and third sections has, so that in the result, especially with increased submission and thus pressure on the front edge of the snowboard Heel is pressed down and back more.

To the above to form three sections are different Guided tours possible. So the first and the second section in the midfoot area of the sole on both sides via a Be redirected; but you can also through the Run the sole through to the other side and for example be guided in sleeves in the sole, in one embodiment then these sleeves inside the sole cross.

According to a development of the invention can be provided be some or all of the above three sections to protect the outside of the boot in flexible sleeves are guided, for example in wound spiral springs or a coat of a known Bowden cable. For clarification it should be noted that the one-piece training of the laces on the above relates to three sections. Further sections of a conventional lacing in which opposite side tabs of the boot can be drawn towards one another, alternatively either integrally formed with the three sections mentioned be or as separate shoelaces or separate shoelaces be led.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Seitenansicht eines Ausführungsbeispieles eines Schnürstiefels nach der Erfindung mit Darstellung eines Fußes;

Fig. 2-5

eine Seitenansicht von links, eine Rückansicht, eine Vorderansicht und eine Seitenansicht von rechts eines Schnürstiefels nach einem ersten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 6-10

eine Seitenansicht von links, eine Rückansicht, eine Vorderansicht, eine Seitenansicht von rechts und eine Ansicht der Unterseite eines Schnürstiefels nach einem zweiten Ausführungsbeispiel der Erfindung;

Fig. 11

eine Schnittansicht eines Abschnittes des Schnürsenkels; und

Fig. 12 und 13

eine Seitenansicht von links und eine Rückansicht eines dritten Ausführungsbeispiels der Erfindung.

The invention is explained in more detail below on the basis of exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

is a schematic side view of an embodiment of a laced boot according to the invention with a foot;

Fig. 2-5

a left side view, a rear view, a front view and a right side view of a laced boot according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 6-10

a side view from the left, a rear view, a front view, a side view from the right and a view of the underside of a laced boot according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 11

a sectional view of a portion of the shoelace; and

12 and 13

a left side view and a rear view of a third embodiment of the invention.

First, reference is made to FIG. 1, in which schematically a foot F is shown in side view. The essential Bones of the foot are an F1 shin, which is attached to an upper ankle F2 connects an ankle F3, then - from top to bottom - over a lower ankle F4 a heel bone F5 follows. Adjacent to the lower ankle F4 the foot goes over a scaphoid F6 and metatarsal F7 to toe bones, namely a basic toe member F8, a toe middle link F9 and a toe end link F10. There are also joints between the latter bones, that are no longer labeled. In the area of the sole of the foot one differentiates a heel area F11 that below of the heel bone F5 and is convex in the side view is arched outward, a metatarsal area F12, the below the scaphoid F6 and the metatarsal F7 lies and is concave inwards, as well as a forefoot area F13 with the balls of the feet and toes.

For the purposes of the later description of the boot still referred to an instep area F14, the front Top of the foot approximately at the level of the two ankles F2 and F4 lies on an upper heel area F15, the one on the back of the foot in the area of the upper ankle and on which the side contour of the convex Area of the heel and ankles at first concave area of the calf merges. The individual muscles and tendons are not for the sake of clarity shown.

For a good grip of the foot in the boot is above all important but also problematic with most boots, that the heel area F11 is always in contact with the inside a sole 1 of the boot. The sole 1 becomes corresponding the above division of the foot areas also into one Forefoot area 2, a midfoot area 3 and one Heel area 4 divided, also as heel area an area denoted by 4 'is referred to as from the heel bone F5 up to the upper ankle F2 extends. On the sole 1 is a in a known manner the foot surrounding top 5 attached to which a shaft 6 connects vertically upwards. The shaft 6 is defined here so that it is level with the upper Ankle F2 connects to the upper part 5 and one essential area of the tibia F1 covered. This The area is shown as the shin area 6 'in FIG. 1. The upper part 5 and the shaft 6 form tabs 7 and 8 (cf. also Fig. 4 and 8), which are spaced from each other and between which there is a so-called tongue 9. By a Lacing these flaps 7 and 8 are pulled towards each other, so that the upper part 5 and the shaft 6 tight around the foot nestle and hold it well in the boot.

In the invention, the lacing consists of one piece continuous laces 11, which in a special way is carried out to ensure the required good hold. Generally speaking, the shoelace 11 is a traction element, that is flexible, but only very lengthways allows little stretch. It can be a conventional one Trade laces from textile or synthetic fibers. It can but it is also a wire rope. The shoelace 11 is at its two ends on a winding mechanism 12 attached, which in turn in the upper part of the tongue 9 is attached. By turning the winding mechanism 12 the two ends of the laces 11 on one Winding mandrel (not shown) wound up, causing the effective length of the laces is shortened. The winding mechanism 12 has a locking device with which the winding mandrel can be locked, as well as a release device for loosening the laces. A winding mechanism of this Art is described, for example, in US Pat. No. 6,289,558 B1 and therefore need not be explained in more detail here. Of course can also other known means and facilities used to lock the ends of a shoelace be it a simple knot or other known Clamping devices.

1 runs in the illustrated embodiment the shoelace 11 starting from the winding mechanism 12 to both lobes 7 and 8 in a first, in essential horizontal section 11a or 11l to a Guide 13a and 13b, respectively on tabs 7 and 8 is appropriate. From there the shoelace runs over curved second sections 11b and 11k along the guides 13a or 13b, from there in a straight line, to the middle of the Tongue sections 11c and 11j to pass over. There, these third sections 11c and 11j intersect on a guide 14 attached to the tongue 9, which approximately opposite the instep area F14 of the foot. From the second Guide 14 run the laces as essentially horizontal fourth sections 11d and 11l to the outer rear of the boot to a third guide 15 which the upper heel area F15 is opposite. The sections of the laces also cross on the third lead 15 and run diagonally downwards in fifth Sections 11e and 11h up to the central region 3 of the sole 1. There is one in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 fifth guide 16a or 16b attached in the form of a deflection, from where a sixth section 11f or 11g runs obliquely upwards to a sixth guide 17, that on tongue 9 opposite instep area F14 and is attached near the guide 14.

From the sixth guide 17 on which the shoelace again crosses, sections 11m and 11q run obliquely forward towards the forefoot area 2 to seventh Guides 18a and 18b on tabs 7 and 8 and from there over curved sections 11n and 11p to a last one Section 11o, which is substantially across the forefoot area runs and the latter sections 11n and 11p connects with each other.

The laces 11 as a whole are made in one piece, i.e. all mentioned sections 11a-11q are with each other connected.

As can be clearly seen from FIGS. 1, 2 and 5, form sections 11e, 11f, 11i on one side and 11d, 11g and 11h on the other side, respectively Triangle that is in the projection of the side views (Fig. 1, 2 and 5) essentially the two hocks F2 and F4 and thus includes the ankle F3 and between Instep area F14, upper heel area F15 and midfoot area F12 is effective such that the boot is special close to the foot in the critical upper heel area F15 and thus particularly well against the heel the sole presses and prevents it from lifting off the sole. At the same time, those introduced into the instep area F14 act Forces to counteract these unwanted movements, but without pinching the foot too much.

The shoelace 11 can slide on all guides 13-17, so that the side desired especially when snowboarding There is mobility of the shaft. Is too this makes it easy to tighten the laces 11, especially if preferably the guides made of material consist of one in connection with the laces 11 has a low coefficient of friction. Suitable for the guides therefore metals and plastics.

The embodiment of Figures 6-10 differs differs from that of Figures 1-5 essentially in that the sections leading to the midfoot area 3 of the sole 1 of the shoelace 11 through a bore with sleeve 19 and 20 run across sole 1 instead via the guides 16a attached to the side of the sole and 16b to be redirected. Accordingly, it follows a different order of the sections, where - like 10 that can be seen across the sole 1 Cross over the running sections. The ones running there Sections are designated by reference numerals 11r and 11s. They can be guided in sleeves 19 and 20, which are essentially run across the boot sole 1.

In the embodiment of Figures 1-5, the laces run proceeding from the winding mechanism 12 as follows: Section 11a - Guide 13a - Section 11b - Section 11e - guide 14 - section 11d - guide 15 - section 11e - guide 16a - section 11f - guide 17 - section 11m - guide 18b - section 11n - section 11o - section 11p - guide 18a - section 11q - guide 17 - section 11g - guide 16b - section 11h - guide 15 - section 11i - guide 14 - section 11j - guide 13b - section 11k - guide 13b - section 11l back to the center mechanism 12th

The sections 11m, 11n, 11o, 11p and 11q can if necessary also be omitted if a lacing in the forefoot area is not required. In this case it works the section 11f via the guide 17 directly into the Section 11g about.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 7-10, the Laces starting from the winding device 12 as follows: Section 11a - Guide 13a - Section 11b - Section 11c - guide 14 - section 11d - guide 15 - Section 11e - Sleeve 20 - Section 11r - Section 11g - Tour 17 - Section 11q - Tour 18a - Section 11p - Section 11o - Guide 18b - Section 11n - Section 11m - guide 17 - section 11f - sleeve 19 - section 11s - section 11h - guide 15 - section 11i - section 11j - section 11k - section 11l back to the winding device 12. Here too the sections 11m, 11n, 11o, 11p and 11q and the guides 18a and 18b omitted become.

If you use a thin wire with a shoelace Diameter of the order of 1 mm or less, so there is a risk that this when tightening the Shoelaces, but also for later use, in the The outer material of the laced boot cuts in, which is usually made of leather and / or textiles. To protect against this are some or all sections of the shoelace in one Protective cover performed, which is shown schematically in Fig. 11 is. This can be, for example, a wound one Act coil spring 21, inside of which the laces 11 slides. The coil spring can additionally, such as known in Bowden cables, with a protective jacket 22nd be surrounded by plastic.

Figures 12 and 13 show a further embodiment the invention with various alternatives. In the first Alternatives are those from the guide 14 up to the shaft 6 extending sections 11c and 11j deviating from that Embodiments described so far outside the Shaft 6 led around and cross at the back of the shaft in a further guide 15a, from where it substantially horizontally forward to the winder 12 go as shown by broken lines 11c and 11j as well as 11a and 11b. This is the entire laces integrally.

Alternatively, the laces can also be split. The sections 11f, 11g; 11e, 11h; 11d, 11i according to the exemplary embodiments of Figures 1-10 are a first Wrapping device 12a performed in the instep area of the boot is arranged and attached to the tongue of the boot is. A second independent shoelace is 11z in the upper region of the shaft 6 essentially horizontally guided around the shaft and in a second winding device 12b wound up. This winding device 12b can be attached to the side of the shaft 6, as in Figures 12 and 13 can be seen. But it can also be in front be attached to the tongue like the winder 12 of the previous embodiments.

In a corresponding manner, the forefoot area can also exciting sections 11o, 11p, 11q a separate laces with additional (not shown) winding device form. It is essential that the three on both Sections of the boot present sides that the above. Form a triangle, form a one-piece laces, which is tensioned and locked with a winding device becomes.

Claims (10)

Lace-up boots with a sole (1) which has a forefoot area (2), a midfoot area (3) and a heel area (4),
with an upper part (5) connected to the sole (1), which has a toe, an instep and a heel area,
with a shaft (6) which adjoins the upper part (5) with a shin area (6 '), and
with at least one shoelace (11) which is held in sections on guides (12-17),
characterized in that the shoelace (11) has at least the following sections: a first section (11f, 11g) which runs from the midfoot area (3) of the sole (1) over the instep area of the upper part (5), a second section (11e, 11h) which runs from the midfoot area (3) of the sole (1) around the outside of the upper (6) above the heel area (4 '), and a third section (11d, 11i), which runs from the shaft (6) above the heel area (4 ') and above an upper ankle joint (2) of a foot to the instep area, the three named sections forming a triangle in the side view, in which ankle joints (F2, F4) of a foot lie, and wherein the shoelace (11) is integrally formed in one piece in the three mentioned sections. Lace-up boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second section (11f, 11g; 11e, 11h) are guided on both sides of the sole (1) via deflections (16a, 16b). Lace-up boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and the second section (11f, 11g; 11e, 11h) are guided through a bore (19, 20) running transversely through the sole (1). Lace-up boot according to claim 3, characterized in that the bores (19, 20) intersect in the interior of the sole (1). Lace-up boot according to claim 3, characterized in that sleeves are arranged in the bores (19, 20), through which corresponding sections (11r, 11s) of the lace (11) are guided. Lace-up boot according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some sections of the lace (11) are guided in flexible sleeves (21). Lace-up boot according to claim 6, characterized in that the flexible sleeves (21, 22) are formed by coiled spiral springs. Lace-up boots according to claim 1, characterized by a winding device (12), in which the ends of the laces (11) can be wound up. Lace-up boot according to claim 1, characterized in that the third section (11d, 11i) is followed by at least a fourth section (11a, 11b, 11c, 11j, 11k, 111) which is guided over the shaft and in one piece with one of the first , second or third sections is connected. Lace-up boot according to claim 1, characterized in that at least a fifth section (11o, 11p, 11q, 11m and 11n) is provided, which is guided over the upper part (6) to the toe area (2) and integrally with one of the first, second or third sections is connected.

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