EP0652716A1 - Structure pour chaussure - Google Patents

Structure pour chaussure

Info

Publication number
EP0652716A1
EP0652716A1 EP93914556A EP93914556A EP0652716A1 EP 0652716 A1 EP0652716 A1 EP 0652716A1 EP 93914556 A EP93914556 A EP 93914556A EP 93914556 A EP93914556 A EP 93914556A EP 0652716 A1 EP0652716 A1 EP 0652716A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
boot
assembly
chamber
foot
footwear
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP93914556A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Mark Andrej Kovac
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of EP0652716A1 publication Critical patent/EP0652716A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
    • A43B23/07—Linings therefor
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B5/00—Footwear for sporting purposes
    • A43B5/04—Ski or like boots
    • A43B5/0405—Linings, paddings or insertions; Inner boots

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a footwear assembly.
  • the invention has particular application to a footwear assembly having an adjustable liner for closely conforming to the unique footshape of an individual wearer.
  • the invention is of particular relevance to ski boots and particular reference will be made to such an application.
  • the invention is applicable to other sporting shoes such as running shoes, basketball boots, roller blades, hiking boots etc, and it will be understood that the invention is applicable to all footwear, including orthotic footwear.
  • Ski boots are known to utilise support/cushioning means for cushioning the user's foot from the rigid inner surface of the boot casing.
  • Orthotic footwear is also well known and patient-specific orthotic inserts are provided for podiatric treatment. It is thus well known to shape support/cushioning means to conform to the footshape of an individual user, however known systems are not simple to operate and can also require specialist orthotic assistance to establish user-specific cushioning means conforming to the unique footshape of an individual.
  • known support/cushioning means cannot be re ⁇ shaped to conform to the unique footshapes of different individuals or to allow for the fact that the footshape of one person varies with age, time, temperature and in accordance with other factors.
  • the present invention aims to provide a footwear assembly which will be reliable and efficient in use.
  • This invention in one aspect resides broadly in a footwear assembly including:- an adjustable outer boot or shoe, and support means for supporting a foot as hereinafter defined within the outer boot or shoe, the support means including at least one flexible chamber containing particulate material.
  • foot can include the ankle and the lower leg.
  • the assembly includes an exhaust valve for the exhaust of fluid from the chamber.
  • the flexible chamber can be of any suitable shape and manner of construction as is suitable for providing a cushioning layer between a foot and the outer boot or shoe, and can be a bag-like chamber or a bladder. It is preferred that the chamber includes an outer lining adapted to substantially juxtapose the inner surfaces of the outer boot or shoe and an inner lining adapted to substantially juxtapose the surface of a foot when positioned within the outer boot or shoe.
  • the chamber may extend to substantially surround a foot but it is preferred that the assembly includes a lower flexible chamber adapted to support the sole of the foot within the outer boot or shoe. In a preferred embodiment the assembly includes at least one upper flexible chamber adapted to support other surfaces of the foot within the outer boot or shoe.
  • the chambers may be independent of each other with each including an exhaust valve. Alternatively the chambers can be in fluid communication whereby fluid from each the chamber is exhaustible through the exhaust valve.
  • the chambers may each contain only one compartment, but preferably at least the upper chambers include a plurality of baffles between the outer and inner linings to form a plurality of discrete compartments therein.
  • the compartments are in fluid communication and contain particulate material.
  • the baffles are inclined to the outer and inner linings.
  • the baffles may comprise a single membrane or alternatively the baffles may comprise a membrane looped from one of the outer or inner linings to the other lining and back to constitute an envelope.
  • the envelopes contain particulate material.
  • the footwear assembly may also include an inner foot enclosure adapted to fit within the outer boot or shoe, the outer surface of the inner foot enclosure constituting the outer lining.
  • the footwear assembly also includes cushioning means adjacent the inner lining and constituting an inner surface of the inner foot enclosure.
  • Fluid may be exhausted from the chamber or chambers by applying a pumping action or a vacuum source or suction to the exhaust valve.
  • the assembly includes pump means for exhausting fluid from the chamber.
  • the pump may be built in or otherwise attached or affixed to the outer boot or shoe.
  • the fluid is air
  • the pump means is a vacuum pump
  • the valve is a two-way valve and the chamber freely communicates with the atmosphere in one position of the two-way valve.
  • the assembly may include reservoir means forming a closed fluid system with the chamber, the exhaust valve is a two-way valve, and the pump means is operable to transfer fluid between the chamber and the reservoir in accordance with the condition of the two- way valve.
  • the particulate material can be any suitable small and preferably uniform grained material. Sand, grain husks or grain such as rice etc can be used. However it is preferred that the particulate material comprises resilient pellets.
  • the resilient pellets may be polystyrene beads or the like. Alternatively the resilient pellets may be encapsulations of a shock-absorbent gaseous fluid, liquid or gel-like substance.
  • this invention resides broadly in a ski boot including:- an adjustable outer casing, and an inner boot assembly within the casing; wherein the inner boot assembly includes an outer surface adapted to substantially juxtapose the inner surface of the casing, an inner surface adapted to substantially juxtapose the surface of a foot as hereinbefore defined when the foot is positioned within the inner boot assembly, and support means located between the outer and inner surfaces, the support means including at least one flexible chamber containing particulate material.
  • the ski boot includes an exhaust valve for the exhaust of fluid from the chamber.
  • this invention resides broadly in a method of supporting a foot as hereinbefore defined in footwear, the method including:- providing a footwear assembly having an adjustable outer boot or shoe and support means within the outer boot or shoe, the support means including at least one flexible chamber containing fluid and particulate material; positioning a foot within the support means; removing substantially all fluid from the chamber, and tightening the outer boot or shoe about the support means.
  • FIGS 1 and 2 are perspective views of a ski boot in accordance with the invention with the heel piece respectively closed and open;
  • FIG 3 is a side view of the ski boot of FIG 2;
  • FIGS 4 and 5 are respectively an exploded perspective view and a side view of the inner boot and heel in accordance with the invention;
  • FIGS 6 and 7 illustrate a flexible chamber support in expanded and exhausted conditions respectively
  • FIG 8 is a partial cross-sectional elevation through the wall of the inner boot
  • FIG 9 is a cross sectional elevation of a ski boot in accordance with the invention.
  • FIGS 10 and 11 illustrate alternative baffle arrangements within a flexible chamber, and
  • FIGS 12 and 13 are cross-sectional elevations of a flexible chamber having a single membrane baffle and illustrate the disposition of the pellets in the chamber in the expanded and exhausted conditions respectively.
  • a ski boot 11 has a fixed outer casing 12 incorporating a sole, toe, side, upper and tongue portions.
  • Outer heel casing 13 is pivotally mounted to casing 12 about pivots 14.
  • the outer casings are adjustable to tighten or loosen the fit of the ski boot about the foot by means of clamps 15, 16 and 17.
  • Inner boot 18 and inner heel 19 fit closely within the outer casings and are seen in greater detail in FIGS 4 and 5.
  • Inner boot 18 is adapted to abut the sole, toes, sides, arch, ankle and shin of a user, and inner heel 19 is adapted to abut the user's heel, rear ankle and the lower back leg.
  • inner boot 18 includes a sole support chamber 20, a pair of side support chambers 21 and a tongue support chamber 22.
  • Inner heel 19 has a heel support chamber 23.
  • FIGS 6 and 7 schematically illustrate the principle of operation of a support chamber in accordance with the invention.
  • a flexible relatively flat sandwich-like bag 25 forms a support chamber 51 which is partially filled with particulate material 26.
  • Support chamber 51 communicates with atmosphere through a valve 27 shown schematically open in FIG 6 and closed in FIG 7. If pressure is applied to support chamber 51 by an object being pressed into the support chamber with valve 27 open, air will be forced out of chamber 51 and the support chamber will form a complimentary or negative shape of the object.
  • particulate material 26 will be compressed under the force of atmospheric pressure and form a rigid mass having a shape conforming with the object and the surface against which the support chamber bears.
  • the upper surface of support chamber 51 has adopted the shape of the sole of the foot.
  • Particulate material 26 is preferably pellet-like or granular. It may be coarse grained sand and rice, lentils or other grains have been found to be suitable as has grain husks. It is preferable that the particulate material is light and resilient so that the boot or shoe is not heavy and incorporates shock absorbing properties.
  • the type of expanded foam pellets used for bean bag fill has been found to be suitable.
  • the pellets can be shock absorbent beads or encapsulations of air, liquid or a gel.
  • the pellets are preferably spherical and optionally have a diameter of between 1 and 3 millimeters.
  • the support chamber is made from a fluid proof or air proof material which is flexible and able to be thermally or chemically sealed. Vinyl, other plastics and rubber sheeting is suitable.
  • the wall of inner boot 18 and inner heel 19 is made of an outer stiffening lining 29 adapted to conform to and fit snugly within the outer casing of the ski boot.
  • Stiffening lining 29 may be made from leather, plastics or other material suitable for retaining shape whilst being pliable enough to conform the shape of the inner boot to the interior of the outer casing.
  • a support chamber as described above is sandwiched between stiffening lining 29 and an inner lining 28 which is adapted to fit snugly around the user's foot.
  • Inner lining 28 may be a cloth covered layer of foam or other smooth cushioning material.
  • FIG 9 is a cross sectional elevation through the ski boot illustrated in FIG 3, the ski boot has a fixed outer casing 12, sole 30 and outer heel casing 13 in which the inner boot and inner heel fit snugly.
  • a user's foot 31 is shown within the ski boot and supported by sole support chamber 20, tongue support chamber 22 and heel support chamber 23. Side support chambers 21 are not seen in FIG 3.
  • Sole support chamber 20 and tongue support chamber 22 are seen sandwiched between outer stiffening lining 32 and inner lining 33 of the inner boot, and heel support chamber 23 is seen sandwiched between outer stiffening lining 34 and inner lining 35 of the inner heel.
  • Valve 24 is connected to tongue support chamber 22 and the support chambers are interconnected by ports 36 and 37 for evacuation through valve 24.
  • FIG 10 illustrates a single membrane baffle 38 between side walls 39 and 40 of a support chamber to form compartments 42 in the support chamber. Apertures 41 in baffle 38 allow for evacuation of air and allow air to flow between compartments so that during fitting foot movement can force air between compartments.
  • a double sided baffle 43 is illustrated in FIG 11 between side walls 44 and 45 and forms compartments 48 in the support chamber.
  • Baffle 43 has apertures 46 to allow for the passage of air or other liquid as described above.
  • Baffle 43 is formed by looping a single membrane from one side wall back on itself to form an envelope or enclosure 47 and affixing an opposite side of the looped baffle to the other sidewall. Particulate material can be placed in envelope 47 as well as in compartments 48.
  • the baffles are disposed at an angle to the sidewalls and may be affixed adhesively or by thermal or chemical bonding.
  • the apertures are sized to allow free passage of air therethrough but are smaller than the minimum dimension of the pellets to prevent migration of pellets between compartments.
  • FIGS 12 and 13 illustrate the disposition of pellets in a flexible chamber having a single membrane baffle in the expanded and exhausted conditions respectively.
  • pellets partially fill compartments 49 to a level 50 above the lowermost point of connection of the upper baffle.
  • the baffles are angled to the sidewalls as described above, particulate material will be disposed throughout the entire height of vertically aligned support chambers such as the sides, tongue, heel and upper support chambers.
  • FIG 13 it is seen that upon compression the pellets completely fill compartments 49.
  • a user's foot is inserted in the inner boot and with the valve allowing free communication with the atmosphere, the foot is pushed with a massaging action against the sole and the outer casing tightened as the foot is settled into the support.
  • a pump is applied to the valve to exhaust air from the support chambers.
  • the support is first moulded to the shape of the foot and leg and then set in the unique individual shape.
  • the footwear assembly in accordance with the invention will be seen to possess a number of advantages. It is particularly beneficial in ski boots in providing a uniquely tailored support for an individual skier.
  • the invention is simple to use and can be re-used allowing for hired ski boots to accommodate a range of users with the same "personalised" fit as has hitherto been available in only high performance ski boots.
  • the support can be remoulded to adapt to changes in foot shape of the same user as such changes occur from time to time.
  • the footwear support is also advantageous in providing fine control during high performance skiing where firmly fitting boots are most desirable.
  • the footwear support of this invention provides a close fitting mould which is contoured to the particular shape of a user's foot and bears on the foot with uniform pressure thereby lessening the occurrence of pressure spots and decreasing the likelihood of blistering caused by movement of the foot within the boot or shoe.
  • the nature of the pellets can be varied to provide advantageous effects.
  • Utilisation of relatively hard pellets can provide a stippled surface which is beneficial in stimulating blood circulation in a manner similar to that provided in spike-soled sandals.
  • Utilisation of smaller pellets of shock-absorbing material can provide a relatively hard sole chamber having good shock-absorbing properties and reducing the likelihood of stress fractures for joggers and long-distance runners.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

Une chaussure, ou une chaussure de sport, comporte une enveloppe réglable (12, 13, 30), un compartiment souple (23) qui supporte le pied (31) dans cette enveloppe et qui contient un matériau particulaire ayant la forme de billes élastiques, ainsi qu'une soupape de sortie (24) permettant de faire sortir l'air du compartiment pour donner un moulage pratiquement rigide du pied placé dans cette chaussure.
EP93914556A 1992-07-07 1993-07-07 Structure pour chaussure Withdrawn EP0652716A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPL3421/92 1992-07-07
AUPL342192 1992-07-07
PCT/AU1993/000331 WO1994001013A1 (fr) 1992-07-07 1993-07-07 Structure pour chaussure

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0652716A1 true EP0652716A1 (fr) 1995-05-17

Family

ID=3776277

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP93914556A Withdrawn EP0652716A1 (fr) 1992-07-07 1993-07-07 Structure pour chaussure

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0652716A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2139351A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO1994001013A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
AT1054U1 (de) * 1994-02-22 1996-10-25 Tyrolia Freizeitgeraete Innenschuh für einen skischuh
DE102009036597A1 (de) * 2009-08-07 2011-02-17 Oped Ag Abstützeinrichtung zur Abstützung einer Fußaufstandsfläche
FR2973237A1 (fr) 2011-03-31 2012-10-05 Oreal Procede de traitement cosmetique fractionne utilisant un laser ou des micro-aiguilles
TWI633848B (zh) * 2017-04-11 2018-09-01 研能科技股份有限公司 鞋用充氣及充電裝置

Family Cites Families (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1815853A1 (de) * 1968-01-02 1969-07-31 Rosemount Eng Co Ltd Polsterkissen
DE1962632A1 (de) * 1969-12-13 1971-06-16 Franz Heili Schuh,insbesondere Skischuh
US4083127A (en) * 1977-03-17 1978-04-11 Hanson Industries Incorporated Adjustable, pressure-compensating, custom fitting pads having predetermined amount of fitting material and their use in boots
DE3404554C2 (de) * 1984-02-09 1985-12-19 Albert 6000 Frankfurt Klein Skistiefel der an die Fußform des Benutzers anpaßbar ist
FR2588452B1 (fr) * 1985-10-11 1987-12-11 Porcher Pierre Chaussure de ski a serrage atmospherique
US4654986A (en) * 1986-02-07 1987-04-07 George Frederick W Vacuum fitting ski boot
FR2597729B1 (fr) * 1986-04-29 1991-05-31 Tardeglio Marcel Chausson a depression pour chaussures a coques rigides.
US4724627A (en) * 1986-12-03 1988-02-16 Sff, Inc. Sports boot for skiers and the like
IT1242744B (it) * 1990-07-10 1994-05-17 Cesare Corletto Scarpetta a calzabilita' migliorata.

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9401013A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1994001013A1 (fr) 1994-01-20
CA2139351A1 (fr) 1994-01-20

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