Boot for ice climbing

Abstract

A sports boot, particularly for ice climbing. The boot has an upper, a rigid sole directly fixed to the upper, and climbing crampons directly fixed to the rigid sole. The rigid sole can be made of a composite material or metal. It is provided with threaded inserts capable of receiving screws for fixing the crampons.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 01.07418, filed Jun. 5, 2001, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is hereby claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a boot for climbing vertical ice adapted to receive crampons.

[0004] 2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

[0005] Boots adapted to the aforementioned type of activity are typically mountain boots or climbing boots adapted to receive ice crampons.

[0006] These boots have a rigid outer sole that is substantially non-deformable, particularly in flexion, with attachment surfaces at the front and at the rear adapted to cooperate in a known manner with so-called ice crampons, which are removable and which are positioned before climbing.

[0007] In a known boot of this type, crampons specifically adapted for this activity are mounted in cavities provided in the walking sole.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the present invention is to propose a boot provided for climbing ice that is as light as possible and as efficient as possible.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the present invention in that the sports boot, particularly the ice climbing boot, has an upper onto which a rigid sole is directly fixed, the crampons being directly fixed to the rigid sole.

[0010] One thus obtains a boot specific to the intended activity, which is particularly light while having the rigidity required for holding the crampons and practicing the sport, because it is not burdened with a conventional sole, which is heavy.

[0011] Furthermore, the crampons are fixed much closer to the foot, which increases the efficiency of the unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] The invention will be better understood and other advantages will be better seen through the description that follows, with reference to the attached schematic drawing showing, by way of non-limiting examples, several embodiments and in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a boot according to the invention;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side view of the boot of FIG. 1;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 of a boot according to another embodiment;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 according to a conventional mounting; and

[0018] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 according to another embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the boot according to the invention includes an upper 2, a rigid sole 10, and crampons 20 directly fixed to the rigid sole 10.

[0020] In the case shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the upper 2 is mounted on an insole 3, according to a strobel mounting, i.e., the insole 3 is relatively flexible and seals the lower end 2a of the upper 2 by a peripheral stitching 4 that assembles the lower end 2a to the insole 3. The upper/insole 3 assembly thus mounted is then assembled to the rigid sole 10 by gluing, the glue being applied between the insole 3 and the rigid sole 10.

[0021] The rigid sole 10 comprises a plate of composite material, about 5 millimeters thick.

[0022] It has a rigidity of 100 daN, or about 100 daN, comprised preferably between 80 daN and 120 daN, or about 80 daN and about 120 daN.

[0023] The material used, for example, is a composite material constituted of various layers or materials of glass, carbon or aramid fibers embedded in resins, such as epoxy or polyester.

[0024] The rigid sole 10 could also be made of a rigid material, such as metal, aluminum, etc. The advantage of a construction using a composite material is that this material offers the best compromise between rigidity and lightness.

[0025] Whether the rigid sole 10 is made of a composite material or of a metal, it has internally threaded inserts 11 capable of receiving screws 12 for fixing the crampons 20. These inserts 11 are fixed through the outside of the boot.

[0026] As shown in the drawing, the crampons 20 can be formed of two series of crampons, the front 21 and rear 22, respectively. They can also be of made of a single piece.

[0027] Fixing the crampons 20 to the sole by means of screws allows a removable mounting, so as to replace them in case of deterioration or to possibly insert a gaiter for covering the boot (not shown in the drawing) between the upper and the crampon.

[0028] The crampons 20 can also be fixed to the sole 10 by riveting.

[0029] Furthermore, a shock-absorbing element 15 is inserted between the upper 2 and the sole 10 in the area of the heel. This shock-absorbing element made of light foam also has a dampening function, compensates for the difference in altitude, commonly called DH, between the heel support 13 and the foot metatarsal support 14, and therefore duplicates the conventional construction of boots.

[0030] In this case, the outer sole 10 is preformed so as to duplicate the difference in height DH between the heel support 13 and the front support 14, and therefore has a profile that is adapted to the lower profile of the upper.

[0031] Likewise, a shock-absorbing element 16 is provided at the front between the rigid sole 10 and the upper 2. It could also be omitted since shock-absorption is performed only at the heel.

[0032] The embodiment of FIG. 3 differs from that of FIGS. 1 and 2 in that no shock-absorbing element is provided in the area of the heel, nor in the area of the metatarsi. In this case, therefore, the rigid sole 10 has a substantially flat profile and the transmittal of the forces from the foot to the crampon or from the crampon to the foot is more direct.

[0033] FIG. 4 shows an upper assembly that is different from that shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, namely a conventional assembly. In this case, the upper 2 is mounted on a rigid insole 3, its lower ends 2a are folded and glued to the insole 3. The advantage of such a construction is that the rigid insole 3 further reinforces the rigidity of the assembly.

[0034] FIG. 6 shows an assembly that is different from that of FIGS. 1-4.

[0035] In this case, the upper 2 is mounted on a flexible insole 3 made of felt, for example, its lower ends 2a are folded and glued to the insole 3. The upper/insole 3 assembly thus mounted is then assembled to the rigid sole 10 by gluing, the glue being applied between the insole 3 and the rigid sole 10.

[0036] In this case,. the inserts 11 for mounting the crampons 20 are directly fixed from the insole 3, i.e., starting on the inside of the boot and extending through the rigid sole 10, and the crampons 20 are therefore fixed by screws 12 screwed into the inserts 11, directly in the insole and the rigid sole 10.

[0037] As a result, the construction is lightened to the maximum since the felt insole 3 is lighter than a more rigid insole.

[0038] Furthermore, the fixing of crampons 20 reinforces the upper 2/insole 3/rigid sole 10 assembly.

[0039] In this embodiment, no shock-absorption is provided in the area of the heel, and the rigid sole 10 has a flat profile, as in the case of FIG. 3, which allows for a more direct transmittal of the forces.

[0040] The present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described hereinabove by way of non-limiting examples, but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.

Claims

1. A sports boot for ice climbing, said boot comprising:

an upper;

a rigid sole directly fixed to the upper; and

climbing crampons directly fixed to said rigid sole.

2. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole is made of a composite material.

3. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole is made of metal.

4. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole has a rigidity comprised between 80 and 120 daN.

5. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole has a profile adapted to the lower profile of the upper.

6. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the rigid sole is provided with threaded inserts capable of receiving screws for fixing the crampons.

7. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the crampons are fixed by rivets the rigid sole.

8. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the boot upper is mounted to a rigid insole according to a conventional mounting principle.

9. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein the upper is strobel-mounted to a flexible insole.

10. A sports boot according to claim 1, wherein means for absorbing shocks are provided between a lower surface of the upper and the rigid sole.