SHOE FOR A SKI BOOT AND RELATED PRODUCTION METHOD

Abstract

A shoe for ski boots, including a breathable portion with a first outer layer, suitable to interface with an inner wall of an associable ski boot, and a second inner layer, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer, said layers being at least partially pierced and comprising through holes through the same layers is provided. Advantageously, at overlapped portions of the first and second layer, the relevant holes, of the first and second layer are aligned with each other to completely pass through the succession of said layers of the breathable portion. At an inner side of the shoe, the shoe comprises a waterproofing portion shaped to allow the exit of vapour or water towards the outside of the shoe and of the containment volume and so as to prevent the entry of water or vapour from the outside of the shoe within said containment volume.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Italian Patent Application No. BS2014A000144, filed Aug. 5, 2014, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF APPLICATION

The present invention relates to a shoe for a boot for skiing, ski touring, telemark skiing and snowboarding, and the relative production method.

BACKGROUND

As is known (FIG. 1), a ski boot consists of an external structure suitable to contain the foot of the skier.

The external structure is typically comprised of plastic, synthetic and/or composite materials. A shoe is placed inside the external structure that is therefore interposed between the foot of the user and the inner side of the external structure boot, true and proper.

The shoe can have various types of construction.

For example, shoes are known with front or rear tongue. Shoes are also known with overlap construction, i.e., with overlapping or superimposed flaps.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the shoes are inserted inside the plastic structure with the possibility of being easily removed.

Usually the shoe is composed of several pieces, of characteristic hardnesses and thicknesses that can be different.

The main purpose of the shoe is to provide the user comfort, thermal insulation and water repellency. Comfort must be achieved by creating a thickness of soft material that prevents direct contact between the user's foot and the rigid shell, typically made of plastic or other materials, of the boot. Thermal insulation is essential in order to provide comfort while skiing/walking and to prevent the foot from becoming too cold. Water repellency is essential because, in the case of infiltration of water/snow inside the boot, it is necessary to prevent the user's foot from getting wet: in fact, in this case, the comfort and temperature of the foot would be significantly reduced because the exchange of heat with the outside would increase.

At the same time, it is necessary to provide the shoe adequate breathability to provide the formation and accumulation of sweat; in fact, in case of accumulation of sweat, the user's comfort would decline drastically because sweating is one of the leading causes of loss of thermal insulation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is currently not possible, with the techniques of the prior art, to provide a shoe that ensures the foot comfort, breathability, thermal insulation and water repellency.

In fact, thermal insulation and water repellency are often mutually incompatible with the breathability of the foot.

In current solutions, the shoe a closed hollow space that creates sweat accumulation. Sweating, as seen, it is also one of the causes of loss of comfort, as it can generate blisters and reduce the thermal insulation of the shoe.

Moreover, in current solutions, water repellency is not perfectly ensured, since there are closure parts of the shoe that are simply overlapped, without particular systems for locking them.

An example of a known shoe can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, which show a shoe in open configuration, comprising an external upper that envelopes the foot, on which are applied by gluing, seams, high-frequency welding, etc., paddings of different hardnesses, thicknesses and characteristics in order to contain the foot in the best way possible and provide maximum comfort.

The known technique requires that there be, inside the shoe, pierced materials/inserts to facilitate the transpiration of sweat. In fact, various layers are realised at least partially pierced, having different characteristics of materials and/or thicknesses depending on the position that the layer/insert assumes with respect to the foot.

As seen in FIG. 3, with the known construction technique it is, however, impossible or not advantageous to superimpose several pierced layers of semi-finished materials. The superimposition of pierced layers has the effect that some holes are not aligned with others and are therefore occluded, i.e., non-pass-through, with respect to the entire thickness of the shoe.

Therefore, the solutions of the prior art are a compromise between the transpiration/evaporation of the sweat of the foot and the waterproofing/water repellency of the shoe. This compromise is not, however, able to meet the needs of more demanding users who use boots continuously in harsh conditions. Therefore, there is a need to solve the drawbacks and limitations mentioned in reference to the prior art. This need is met by a shoe according to claim 1 and by a method for producing a shoe according to claim 13.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further characteristics and advantages of this invention will be more understandable from the following description of its preferred and non-limiting examples of embodiments, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ski boot equipped with a shoe according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, in open configuration, of a portion of shoe for ski boot according to a solution of the known art;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the portion of shoe of FIG. 2, along the section plane III-III of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a portion of shoe for ski boot according to an embodiment of this invention; FIG. 5 is a perspective view, in open configuration, of a portion of the shoe for ski boot of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the shoe portion of FIG. 5, along the section line VI-VI of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the shoe of FIG. 4, along the section plane VII-VII of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the shoe of FIG. 4, along the section plane VIII-VIII of FIG. 4.

The elements, or parts of elements, in common between the embodiments described below will be indicated with the same reference numbers.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the above figures, the reference number 4 globally indicates a shoe for ski boot 8.

For the purposes of this invention, it should be clarified that the term ski boot must be considered in the broad sense, encompassing any type of ski, ski touring or telemark skiing or similar boot.

Typically the ski boot 8 comprises a shell 10 and a cuff 12, hinged to the shell 10, in correspondence of the malleolus of the user's foot.

The boot 8, of any type, comprises an inner wall 16 suitable to interface with said shoe 4, which constitutes an interface between the boot 8 and the user's foot. Said inner wall 16 defines a compartment of the boot suitable to contain the shoe.

The shoe 4 comprises a breathable portion 20 equipped with a first outer layer 24, suitable to interface with an associable ski boot 8, and a second inner layer 28, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer 24.

The overlapping layers 24,28 can be fixed together, for example by fusion or gluing.

The overlapping layers 24,28 are at least partially pierced, and comprise holes 32 that pass through the same layers 24,28. In other words, the holes of each layer 24,28 are not blind, but pass through a thickness of the layer itself.

The fusion or gluing for the mutual fixing of the layers 24,28 is such as not to occlude said holes 32 of the same layers.

Advantageously, at overlapping portions of the first and second layer 24,28, the relevant holes 32 of the first and second layer 24,28 are mutually aligned so as to pass altogether through the succession of said layers 24,28 of the breathable portion 20.

According to an embodiment, said aligned holes 32 of the first and second layer 24,28 are mutually concentric. Preferably said aligned holes 32 of the first and second layer 24,28 are equal to each other. For the purposes of this invention, there is no preferred geometric shape for said holes 32; for example, they can be cylindrical holes.

The purpose of said holes 32 passing as a whole through the breathable portion 32 is that of ensuring the breathability of the shoe 4, in particular from the inside to the outside, so as to prevent the accumulation of sweat inside the shoe 4 itself.

The number and type of layers constituting the breathable portions 20 can vary.

For example, in an embodiment, the shoe 4 comprises a third inner layer 36 at least partially overlapped and associated to the first outer layer 24 and/or second inner layer 28, said third inner layer 36 comprising pass-through holes 32.

For the purposes of the breathability of the shoe 4, at overlapping portions of the third inner layer 36, overlapping the first outer layer 23 and/or the second inner 28, the relevant holes 32 of said overlapped layers 24,28,36 are mutually aligned so as to pass altogether through the succession of said layers of the breathable portion 20.

As mentioned above, the layers 24,28,36 may be different, also comprising for example a fourth or a fifth layer, and, preferably, each layer is shaped and conformed in such a way as to fulfil a function, for example, of ergonomic padding for a specific portion of the user's foot.

The layers 24,28,36 of the breathable portion 20 are made of different materials and/or have different density and/or thicknesses.

According to an embodiment, at least one of said layers 24,28,36 of the breathable portion 20 of the shoe 4 is made of a thermo-formable material.

Thermo-formable material means a material suitable to be formed under the action of heat so as to maintain the conformation also following its subsequent cooling. The shoes are thermo-formed by fitting the shoe to the user: in this way, the shoe can actually take the shape of the user's foot and therefore can be shaped to measure.

In order for the thermoforming to take place in a comfortable manner, it is necessary that the material forming the layers 24,28,36 is thermo-formable at a sufficiently low temperature so that they can be heated, and thus thermo-formed, while the user is wearing the shoe without being his being burned. According to an embodiment, on the first outer layer 24, on the side opposite to the second inner layer 28, there is applied a pierced and breathable upper 40.

The upper 40, which therefore interfaces with the inner wall 16 of the boot 8, has the function of protecting the shoe 4 from rubbing against said inner wall 16 without, at the same time, affecting the breathability of the shoe 4 in any way.

The upper 40 thus has the function of protecting the shoe from wear due to rubbing with the external structure.

This material/layer can be added after the forming of the raw material constituting the breathable portion 20 (in roll or sheet) or it can be done by subsequent overlapping (sock type).

At an inner side 44 of the shoe 4, directly facing a containment volume 48 of a user's foot delimited by the shoe itself, the shoe 4 comprises a waterproofing portion 52 shaped so as to allow the exit of water or vapour towards the outside of the shoe 4 and of the containment volume 48 and so as to prevent the entry of water or vapour from the outside of the shoe 4 within said containment volume 48.

For example, the waterproofing portion 52 is formed in such a way as to be folded and sealed as a bag, having a front access portion 56 so as to cover an associable user's foot at least up to the height of an ankle of said foot.

According to an embodiment, said waterproofing portion 52 is folded and sealed by seams and wherein said seams are waterproofed.

For example, said waterproofing portion 52 comprises fabric such as GORE-TEX® or the like.

The waterproofing portion 52 could be associated with at least one of said layers 24,28,36 of the breathable portion 20 of the shoe 4 by (specify: gluing?).

By interposing, between the foot and the breathable portion 20 of the shoe 4, a membrane with a water-repellent technology (for example, GORE-TEX®), one obtains a perfect breathability of the foot while ensuring total water repellency.

It is clear that the shoe 4 is composed of several parts, such as for example an insole 60, which is also preferably provided with holes 32 and suitable to realise a comfortable support for the sole of the foot. Moreover, the shoe may include a tongue 64 and an upper structure 68 suitable to embrace the tibial zone of the user. The shoe 4 can also comprise further inserts or padding 72 suitable to absorb impacts and rubbing with parts of the foot, such as for example the malleolus or the tip of the foot, which is particularly stressed in use.

We will now describe the method of producing a shoe for ski boot according to this invention.

Said method comprises the steps of:

• • preparing a breathable portion 20 comprising a first outer layer 24, suitable to interface with an associable ski boot 8, and a second inner layer 28, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer 24,
  • piercing holes in said first and second layer 24,28, at least at the mutually overlapping portions, so as to make aligned holes 32 through the same overlapping layers of the breathable portion 20,
  • preparing, at an inner side 44 of the shoe 4, directly facing a containment volume 48 of a user's foot delimited by the shoe 4, a waterproofing portion 52 shaped so as to allow the exit of vapour or water towards the outside of the shoe 4 and of the containment volume 48 thereof and so as to prevent the entry of water or vapour from the outside of the shoe 4 within said containment volume 48.

For example, the step of piercing the breathable portion 20 can be easily performed by subjecting the breathable portion in open configuration, and thus planar, to the action of a roller provided with external pins suitable to pierce the breathable portion: in this way each pin has the possibility to fully pierce the breathable portion 20 through the overlapping of layers 24,28,36 that compose it, ensuring that the holes 32 are aligned with each other. In this way, the effective breathability of said breathable portion 20 is ensured due to the fact that the openness of the holes 32 is always ensured and there is no risk that the holes may be offset from each other so as to mutually occlude one another in the transition from one layer to another.

According to a further embodiment, the method also comprises the step of suitably shaping the overlapping and mutually associated layers 24,28,36 of the breathable portion 20 so to obtain a thickness variation of the breathable portion 20 according to the portion of the user's foot intended to come into contact with it,

• • associating the waterproofing portion 52 to the breathable portion 20.

The step of shaping the overlapping layers 24,28,36 involves, for example, a step of removing the excess material, or skiving of the layers, according to known technique. However, to date, this skiving technique has never been applied to a shoe having a breathable portion 20 completely or partially pierced that envelopes the foot and is composed of multiple thicknesses and densities.

This type of construction, when applied to the known technique, undoubtedly presents an advantage of breathability.

As can be appreciated from the description, the shoe according to the invention allows overcoming the drawbacks presented in the prior art.

In particular, the shoe according to the invention allows meeting the user's needs in terms of breathability of sweat at the same time comfort, thermal insulation and waterproofing from the outside. In fact, the presence of multiple overlapped and pierced layers with aligned, pass-through holes, first allows a good breathability of the foot and thus allows the sweat the possibility of exiting through said aligned and pass-through holes.

At the same time, the presence of a waterproofing portion, such as an inner water-repellent membrane, ensures the water repellency of the shoe, i.e., it prevents water from penetrating from the outside of the shoe and coming in contact with the user's foot.

All the comfort characteristics of the shoe remain unchanged in terms of inner/outer layers and padded portions so as to absorb the impact of the foot against the boot.

The shoe is light overall and comfortable to wear.

The method of producing the shoes is also simple, fast and inexpensive to implement.

A person skilled in the art, in order to satisfy contingent and specific needs, may make numerous modifications and variations to the shoe and the shoe production method described above, all however contained within the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A shoe for ski boots, comprising:

a breathable portion with a first outer layer, suitable to interface with an inner wall of an associable ski boot, and a second inner layer, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer, said layers being at least partially pierced and comprising through holes through the same layers, wherein, at overlapping portions of the first and second layer, the relevant holes of the first and second layer are mutually aligned so as to pass altogether through the succession of said layers of the breathable portion, and

wherein, at an inner side of the shoe, directly facing a containment volume of a user's foot delimited by the shoe, the shoe includes a waterproofing portion shaped so as to allow the exit of vapour or water towards the outside of the shoe and of the containment volume and so as to prevent the entry of water or vapour from the outside of the shoe within said containment volume.

2. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said aligned holes of the first and second layer are mutually concentric.

3. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said aligned holes of the first and second layer are equal to each other.

4. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the shoe further comprises a third inner layer at least partially overlapped and associated to the first outer layer, and/or the second inner layer, said third inner layer including through holes, wherein at portions of the third inner layer overlapping the first outer layer, and/or the second inner layer, the corresponding holes of the overlapping layers are mutually aligned so as to pass altogether through the succession of said layers.

5. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein said layers of the breathable portion have different materials, and/or thickness and/or density.

6. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein on the first outer layer, on the side opposite to the second inner layer, there is applied a pierced and breathable upper.

7. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproofing portion is formed in such a way as to be folded and sealed as a bag, having a front access portion so as to cover an associable user's foot at least up to the height of an ankle of said foot.

8. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproofing portion is folded and sealed by seams and wherein said seams are waterproofed.

9. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproofing portion comprises GORE-TEX® type fabric.

10. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the waterproofing portion is associated with at least one of said layers of the breathable portion of the shoe by gluing.

11. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said layers of the breathable portion of the shoe is made of a thermo-forming material.

12. A ski boot comprising a shoe according to claim 1, said shoe being accommodated inside a compartment of the boot delimited by an inner wall of the boot so as to face the first outer layer of the shoe to said inner wall of the boot.

13. A method of manufacture of a shoe for a ski boot comprising the steps of:

preparing a breathable portion comprising a first outer layer, suitable to interface with an associable ski boot, and a second inner layer, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer,

piercing holes in said first and second layer, at least at the mutually overlapping portions, so as to make aligned holes through the same overlapping layers of the breathable portion,

preparing, at an inner side of the shoe, directly facing a containment volume of a user's foot delimited by the shoe, a waterproofing portion shaped so as to allow the exit of vapour or water towards the outside of the shoe and of the containment volume thereof and so as to prevent the entry of water or water vapor from the outside of the shoe within said containment volume.

14. The method of manufacture of a shoe for a ski boot according to claim 13, further comprising the steps of:

suitably shaping the overlapping and mutually associated layers of the breathable portion so to obtain a thickness variation of the breathable portion according to the user's foot portion intended to come into contact therewith, and

associating the waterproofing portion to the breathable portion.

15. Method of manufacture of a shoe for a ski boot according to claim 13, including the step of making a shoe such that it has:

a breathable portion with a first outer layer, suitable to interface with an inner wall of an associable ski boot, and a second inner layer, at least partially overlapped and fastened to the first outer layer, said layers being at least partially pierced and comprising through holes through the same layers, wherein, at overlapping portions of the first and second layer, the relevant holes of the first and second layer are mutually aligned so as to pass altogether through the succession of said layers of the breathable portion, and

wherein, at an inner side of the shoe, directly facing a containment volume of a user's foot delimited by the shoe, the shoe includes a waterproofing portion shaped so as to allow the exit of vapour or water towards the outside of the shoe and of the containment volume and so as to prevent the entry of water or vapour from the outside of the shoe within said containment volume.