DE202016106635U1 - Tongue for an inner shoe of a sports shoe - Google Patents

Abstract

Tongue for an innerboot (C) of a sports shoe comprising at least one outer layer and one inner layer, the outer layer comprising, on the one hand, a flexible element (11), at least one part of which is connected to the inner shoe, and, on the other hand, a reinforcing element (12 ) fixed to said flexible element (11), characterized in that the reinforcing element (12) extends only over the upper portion of the outer layer.

Description

The invention relates to the perfecting of sports shoes and in particular of the tongue of the inner boot of alpine ski boots, cross country ski boots, touring ski boots or snowboard boots.

Some sports shoes, in particular alpine ski boots, are equipped with an inner boot, which on the one hand has insulating properties and, on the other hand, means for protecting the foot against impacts as well as against compressive loads caused by the rigid outer shell of the boot.

This liner, which is generally to be removed from inside the shoe cup, is intended to facilitate putting on the shoe by allowing the tongue to be pulled forward, improving the skier's comfort, providing a firm grip on the foot and serving as a support for the tibia, to guide the ski efficiently and sensitively thanks to the precise transfer of mechanical pressure through the shoes to the skis.

Especially in the front part of the shaft, the inner shoe generally contains a tongue that rests on the foot, extends upward above the instep and covers the tibia.

This tongue is designed to absorb impacts and to adjust the shoe internal volume to the foot of the user.

Such a tongue, especially in the documents FR 2823077A1 . FR 2827485A1 and US 2014/157625 is described, includes a reinforcing member which is mounted on a flexible filling member which extends from the lower part of the tongue to its upper end.

Since the stiffness of the reinforcing element counteracts the suspension of the leg forward and this element is firmly connected to the tongue over the entire length, means for reducing the stiffness in the form of, for example, one in width at certain points or at least in the intermediate region at the level of the Rists the reinforcing element narrowed area or transverse grooves or slots are provided so that especially in touring skis no excessive, the comfort of the leg impairing pressure arises and the suspension of the leg forward is possible.

However, these solutions are unsatisfactory because the means for reducing stiffness are used on the reinforcing element itself, the lower part of the tongue often rests rigidly on the foot and has no room to move when high pressure forces act, resulting in an unpleasant feeling or injury can lead.

Consequently, these means of reducing stiffness do not provide the freedom of movement required in certain situations and eventually prove to be too stiff, while at the same time being very sensitive in use since they tend to rupture upon repeated use.

The reinforcing element is also generally made of hard and solid materials, such as high-strength thermoplastics, to provide the required stiffness of the tongue, thereby making the tongue, and thus also the inner shoe, heavier in terms of dynamics from a dynamic point of view Area.

However, the weight of the liner is inconsistent with the desired increase in comfort and material performance, especially in the liner used by cross-country skiers.

Disclosure of the invention

The present invention is intended to overcome the technical problems of the current state of the art by offering a perfected tongue which allows a large spring clearance in the middle region, while at the same time achieving a satisfactory stiffness in the upper region.

This object is achieved according to the invention by means of a tongue for the inner boot of a sports shoe, which comprises at least one layer of a flexible element of which at least one part is connected to the inner shoe, and on the other hand a reinforcing element which is fastened to said flexible element , characterized in that said reinforcing element extends only over the upper portion of the layer.

According to another feature, the resilient element also extends over the upper part of the innerboot.

According to another feature, the flexible element has a central kinked part which is connected to the reinforcing element.

In this case, the middle kinked part has an X-shape.

According to a special variant, the resilient element covers the lower part of the reinforcing element.

The central kinked part is preferably stiffer than the lower part of the flexible element and less rigid than the reinforcing element.

In another variant, the reinforcing element was sewn to the outside of the flexible element.

The reinforcing element is preferably made of polypropylene composite.

According to another feature, the reinforcing element comprises an axial reinforcement.

This reinforcement is preferably formed from an elevation on the outside of said reinforcing element.

According to a preferred variant, the reinforcing element has an arcuate cross-section which is intended to bend the flexible element so that it adapts to the tibia.

The lower edge of the reinforcing element is preferably limited by a corrugation of the central axis.

The layer formed by the flexible element and the reinforcing element is covered on the inside by a filling element.

According to a first variant, the reinforcing element is integrated in the flexible element.

Another object of the invention is an inner boot comprising a tongue as described above.

Another object of the invention is a shoe with liner, which comprises a tongue as defined above.

The invention increases the flexibility of the tongue in the middle region at the instep and provides good stiffness in the upper part to effectively protect the tibia from bumps.

The invention further contributes to a reduction in the tongue weight by more than half and also allows the increase in comfort and the improvement of the wearer and the performance of the liner, especially in touring skis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following description, reference being made to the figures in the appendix.

shows a side view of an inner boot comprising a tongue according to a manufacturing method of the invention.

is a side view of a variant of the tongue according to the invention.

is a cross section through the tongue of ,

is a top view of the tongue of ,

is a rear view of the tongue according to the invention without filling whereas shows a rear view of the tongue according to the invention with a filling element.

For the sake of clarity, identical or similar elements on all figures are identified by identical reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREPARATIONS

The types of fabrication illustrated in the above and below illustrations are, of course, non-limiting examples. It is expressly intended to combine the different types of production together to develop other types of production.

The on illustrated liner C is intended to be used in the shell of an alpine ski boot or touring ski boot (not shown) or in a ski boot with a joint for comfortable running of the skier. The shell is equipped with a locking system in this case, so that the shaft does not pivot backwards in the skiing mode, and with a release system to pivot backwards, and to make it easier for the skier to run.

Such an inner shoe in particular comprises a tongue 1 extending over the front part of the liner, covering part of the foot top, but especially the instep, and extending rearwardly from the front of the liner to cover at least a portion of the tibia.

The tongue is with a handle 15 equipped, which serves both for handling and for gripping the inner shoe and thus for pulling out of the shoe cup.

Lateral flaps R, which are supported by the shank of the liner C, lie down in front of the tongue 1 to the front and partially obscure.

How on the ff., includes the tongue 1 at least one layer, on the one hand in the lower part of a flexible element 11 contains, and on the other hand in the upper part of a reinforcing element 12 , The reinforcing element 12 is the stiffest part of the tongue.

According to the invention, the flexible element, as on the and can be seen from at least two parts, a lower part 11a which rests in the inner shoe C on the forefoot, and a medium bent or bent part extending this 11b covering the foot. The middle kinked part 11b essentially has an X-shape, like on shown.

In another manufacturing method, the flexible element may be connected directly or indirectly over a portion of its circumference, for example over the lateral regions, to the inner or outer liner.

In another embodiment of the invention is the flexible element 11 in at least the lower part of the innerboot and the reinforcing element 12 positioned on the upper part, wherein the lower part of the innerboot is the part covering the foot of the user, and the upper part is the part covering the lower leg area of the user.

The from the flexible element 11 and the reinforcing element 12 formed layer of the tongue 1 is located in the tongue surface. It may, for example, be covered on the outside or inside with tissue and / or with a filling piece, in particular on the inside, which is in contact with the user's tibia in order to increase its comfort.

The construction of the layer of tongue 1 that the flexible element 11 and the reinforcing element 12 contains areas with varying stiffness. The stiffness of the lower part does not equal the stiffness of the upper part. The stiffness of the lower part is preferably lower than the stiffness of the upper part. In addition, the tongue may gradually become stiffer from the front of the foot to the tibia to protect it.

The middle curved part 11b of the flexible element 11 can be just as stiff as the bottom part 11a , The stiffness of the kinked middle part 11b is larger than that of the lower part 11a , but basically the middle kinked part 11b less and less stiff than the reinforcing element 12 ,

The flexible element 11 for example, with the reinforcing element 12 by sewing or sticking to the middle bent part 11 connected. This middle part 11b of the flexible element 11 may possibly be the reinforcing element 12 Cover all or part of one of the sides.

In a preferred production, the middle part covers 11b the lower part of the reinforcing element 12 on the inside opposite the shin of the user.

In one variant, the flexible element covers 11 the reinforcing element 12 not, and the unit consisting of the flexible member and the reinforcing member is sewn together by edge processing.

The tongue 1 is connected via the lower part with the front portion of the liner, while the lateral flaps R on the shaft of the liner partially cover it in the upper part, as on you can see.

The middle part 11b shows lateral rejuvenation 110 to simplify the suspension.

This middle bent part 11b for easier tongue suspension 1 is made of a semi-rigid material such as polyethylene, which is stiffer than the material of the lower part 11a of the flexible element 1 is, which in turn may for example consist of a textile foam, which is less stiff than the material of the reinforcing element 12 which is the upper part of the tongue 1 forms.

The middle kinked part 11b is on its outside at least partially with a piece or a skin 14 made of elastically deformable material (PVC, leather, elastomer ...) covered. The skin 14 which the middle part 11b and covering the instep, protects the semi-rigid material of the kinked portion of the tongue from abrasion during use of the liner, particularly during walking.

In the presented production method, the reinforcing element comprises 12 an axial reinforcement 13 , This reinforcement is here by an elongated increase 13a on the outer surface in front of the reinforcing element 12 educated. The shape of the reinforcement ensures a good support of the tibia against the tongue of the liner and thus against the shell of the ski boot, so that the forces of the skier are better distributed to the liner and thus on the ski. The lateral areas of the reinforcement allow for proper positioning and wedging of the two lateral flaps R of the innerboot shaft after the shoe has been closed.

In the other unillustrated forms, the reinforcing element must 12 not necessarily have this reinforcement.

In general, the reinforcing element has 12 an arcuate cross-sectional area, the intended to conform to the shape of the leg, and in particular that of the tibia.

In the up shown variant, the lower edge of the reinforcing element 12 through a wave or curl 120 limited to the central axis, which allows an increasing stiffening of the bottom-up resilient tongue.

An innerboot is generally composed of multiple layers and generally includes an outer layer that provides support to the innerboot and an inner layer that contacts the foot as an inner and comfort lining.

To improve the comfort and to adapt the inner boot to the volume of the shoe, a padding element is inserted between the outer layer and the inner lining of the shoe.

In a similar construction of the inner shoe wall, the tongue in its overall thickness may consist of a textile inner layer which is in contact with the user's foot and lower leg area (not shown in the figures), an intermediate filling element mainly of foams 16 ( ) and an outer layer. Depending on the invention, the outer layer consists of the flexible element 11 and the reinforcing element 12 ,

The intermediate element for padding and filling 16 is generally glued to the inside of the tongue layer, the invention according to the compliant element 11 and the reinforcing element 12 includes. This intermediate filling element can also consist of several sublayers and only the reinforcing element 12 cover.

The filling element 16 can be covered with a lining that comes into contact with the foot of the user. This lining is intended to contact the user's foot or lower leg area and is generally made from textiles that provide comfort and thermal insulation to the innerboot. It can consist of a single material or of several pieces of fabric joined together.

According to a variant not shown, the tongue comprises at least two, preferably three layers, one of which consists of the intermediate filling element. Depending on the variant of the invention, however, it may comprise further layers without falling outside the scope of the invention.

The outside of the layer, which consists of the flexible element 11 and the reinforcement 12 According to the invention could be covered with a textile lining.

The one for the reinforcement 12 used materials may be fiber-reinforced composites.

The composite used preferably comprises a matrix, for example a thermoplastic matrix, as is the case with a polypropylene matrix, and possibly a reinforcing material, which may contain, for example, long polymer fibers.

The use of this special composite simplifies the recycling of such a tongue, since it is made exclusively from materials of the same family.

The fibers of reinforcement 12 preferably extend continuously over the entire surface of the reinforcing element, which allows the use of long fibers.

In a second production, the composite may be interspersed with short fibers. Of course, other materials should also be considered. It is possible to use plastics such as polyethylene, polyamide or polyurethane, but also materials with carbon, glass, aramid or natural fibers which can be used alone or in combination with other fibers.

The fibers used may be equally aligned in each of the superposed layers of the composite panel used to make the reinforcing element. In addition, each layer may contain a combination of crossed and mutually perpendicular fibers. Above all, it can contain longitudinal and transverse fibers.

The reinforcing element 12 can be achieved from a single composite layer or in another variant by superposition of multiple layers, which layers have the same or different thicknesses and can consist of identical or different materials. The superimposition of the different material layers is symmetrical, so that a flat plate is formed, which is then curved.

The density of the material forming the reinforcing element is preferably between 0.8 and 0.9 g / cm ³ . This is the case, for example, with polypropylene fiber composite dipped in polypropylene resin.

The use of such a reinforcing element leads to the required stiffness of the tongue and at the same time reduces the space requirement of the same. The weight savings are achieved through the use of a reinforcing element, which is less thick than the prior art reinforcing means, and has the same if not higher stiffness. The amount of material required to reinforce the shoe is minimized, thereby reducing the weight of the tongue and generally the weight of the liner.

When using a composite with polypropylene matrix and polypropylene reinforcement, the material thickness of the reinforcing element is 12 1 mm throughout, while in the case of a conventional plastic reinforcing means the material thickness is about 3 mm. At the same density of the reinforcing element 12 and the conventional reinforcing means is the weight of the reinforcing member 12 about one-third less than that of the conventional reinforcing agent.

Depending on the manufacturing method of the invention, the manufacturing process for the reinforcement comprises 12 from tongue 1 a first step in the manufacture of a flat composite panel. This flat plate is punched depending on the predefined shape so that it forms the upper stiff part of the tongue.

The manufacturing process comprises a second step in which the flat composite sheet is placed in a mold in which it is bent by heating. This profile, in particular on is adapted to the anatomy of the foot and tibia. The design of the part can be molded by forming the elongated profile of the axial reinforcement 13 whose relief is directed to the outside of the tongue can be improved. This second step is achieved thanks to the thermoplastic matrix of the flat plate by heat forming.

In a variant, the wetting 13 made separately and then attached and, for example, by gluing on the outer surface of the reinforcing element 12 be attached.

The edge of this plate can be with a textile band 17 be occupied to protect against injury and accidental bumping on the sharp edge of the edge.

The tongue 1 The invention is then at its lower part 11a glued or sewn to the inside of the inner shoe C, the middle part 11b and the reinforcing element 12 remain free to move.

• – sie ist einfach aufgebaut;
• – sie ist durch die Benutzung von Verstärkungsfasern in Kombination mit steifen Kunststoffen beständig gegen Abrieb und mechanische Krafteinwirkungen;
• – sie kann leicht recycelt werden, da sie aus Bestandteilen besteht, die ausschließlich aus Materialien ein und derselben Familie gebildet werden, wodurch die langwierige Phase der Vorsortierung entfällt;
• – sie ist leicht: Durch die Benutzung des Verstärkungselements kann das Gewicht des Materials, das für die erwünschte Steifigkeit der Zunge erforderlich ist, verringert werden. Auch die Verstärkung selbst besteht aus leichtem Material.

The tongue according to the invention consequently has the following advantages:

• - it is simple;
• - It is resistant to abrasion and mechanical forces through the use of reinforcing fibers in combination with rigid plastics;
• It is easy to recycle as it consists of components made up exclusively of materials belonging to the same family, thus eliminating the lengthy pre-sorting phase;
• It is light: By using the reinforcing element, the weight of the material required for the desired stiffness of the tongue can be reduced. The reinforcement itself is made of lightweight material.

The upper portion of the innerboot, and in particular the lateral flaps R, can be constructed by adding reinforcing elements, the structure of which is the structure of the reinforcing element 12 The invention according to the above description, stiffened and possibly covered with a textile layer.

These reinforcing elements could be used to reinforce the back of the user's calf height at the calf height, again with the aim of reducing weight and providing good transfer of forces from the liner to the shoe.

In this case, the upper edge of the liner, which is the reinforcing element 12 the tongue, the side flap R and the shaft unit comprises, made in a similar construction with similar materials and thus comparable stiffness characteristics.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• FR 2823077 A1 [0006]
• FR 2827485 A1 [0006]
• US 2014/157625 [0006]

Claims (18)

Tongue for an innerboot (C) of a sports shoe, which comprises at least one outer layer and one inner layer, wherein the outer layer on the one hand a flexible element ( 11 ), of which at least one part is connected to the inner shoe, and on the other hand a reinforcing element ( 12 ) attached to said flexible element ( 11 ) Is fixed, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) extends only over the upper portion of the outer layer. Tongue according to claim 1, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) above a central kinked part ( 11b ) of the flexible element ( 11 ) is positioned. Tongue according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle bent part ( 11b ) is stiffer than the lower part ( 11a ) of the flexible element and less rigid than the reinforcing element ( 12 ). Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the middle bent part ( 11b ) is X-shaped. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element ( 11 ) extends over the upper part of the liner. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element the lower part of the reinforcing element ( 12 ) covered. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible element ( 11 ) and the reinforcing element ( 12 ) are sewn together by edge processing. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) to one of the surfaces of the flexible element ( 11 ) is set. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcing element is made of matrix-fiber composite material. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) has a density of 0.8 to 0.9 g / cm ³ . Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said reinforcing element ( 12 ) consists of polypropylene. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) has a uniform material thickness. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) an axial reinforcement ( 13 ) by an increase ( 134a ) on the outside of the reinforcing element ( 12 ) is formed. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcing element ( 12 ) has an arcuate cross-section to the flexible element ( 11 ) so that it adapts to the tibia. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower edge of the reinforcing element ( 12 ) by a corrugation ( 120 ) of the central axis is delimited. Tongue according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the (by the flexible member 11 ) and the reinforcing element ( 12 ) formed on the inside layer with a filling element ( 16 ) is covered. Inner shoe (C) for a ski boot, which has a tongue ( 1 ) according to one of the preceding claims. Ski boot equipped with an inner boot (C) according to the preceding claim.

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