FR2623724A1 - SNOW SKATE - Google Patents

Abstract

Device comprising a pair of specially designed boots for sliding or walking over snow more freely than with skis. Each boot 1 is equipped with a special sole 2 which is curved in its front part 3. A slipper matching the foot is included in an upper shell, the sole 2 connecting the assembly, the lengths and widths being variable in proportion to the different foot sizes. The various uses may give rise to modifications in form and structure of the two parts. This device is intended for moving principally over snow.

Description

 The present invention relates to the equipment and accessories used to move on snow or any other coating.

 More specifically, it relates to equipment designed for the practice of sliding sports, using a particular type of shoe, making it possible to slide like a ski without having the constraints related mainly to the length and the weight thereof. this.

 I1 already exists equipment made up of shorter ski boards equipped with traditional bindings necessary just to use ski boots and sticks retort would make any skier. From the user's point of view, the constraints linked to the rigidity of ski boots do not allow these systems to be used on relatively flat terrain. On the other hand, the length of the skis requires the use of disengageable safety bindings.

 The present invention is a reconsideration of the evolution of a skier on all kinds of terrain. It allows not only a normal evolution in descent but also the fran chisserrent of obstacles, the rise on all surfaces and this, without using sticks.

 This new autonomy opens up very wide areas of activity where the skier can practice collective sports, progress on uneven terrain, or, more simply, walk and take a few strides.

 From the manufacturing point of view, the current systems dissociate the ski / binding / boot elements, while the present invention is characterized in that the functions are provided by an autonomous element, being both "footwear element" and " sliding element "without having, by the same token, to use fixings. The invention therefore associates freedom of evolution for the user, with, for him, increased security linked to the absence of "leverage" that constitwe nn ski, and to the almost total impossibility of crossing these same sis , characteristics which should be added to the simplicity of design.

 To this end, the invention relates to a pair of ski-boots, adjustable by any means, traditionally from the front, from the rear or laterally, and provided with a special sole by its shape and its composite material. , synthetic and / or natural ... The foot is kept closed: ent against the "sole" by various tightening means which can go from the traditional lace to the hook by eccentric.

 In the same way as for walking or running, the shoe can be low - of the tennis type - or higher - basketball and its structures can be of different composition, ranging from the most flexible - elastomer - to the most rigid - composite shells.

 In an advantageous embodiment, the sole is integral with the shoe but during the description we will observe the multiple features that can characterize this invention.

 The invention is therefore in the form of a shoe provided with an opening for threading the foot, with a tightening system for holding it, the assembly being provided with a waterproof protection. This shoe is itself provided with a specific sole, which plays the role of skate, its structure is either rigid or flexible, or both alternately by a process of progressive adjustment or not.

 The front of the sole is curved upwards cutting a traditional spatula. The rear also has an inclination that may or may not be regulated, the lateral edges have structures allowing a "grip" on various Corsican terrains do this with ski edges but their material is not necessarily the only cause grip; their shape can also influence: in fact, the lower skate, in cross-dirty cut, can have a concave shape in the middle allowing better support during the execution of a movement approaching the "skater's step".

 As for shoes, the lengths can vary not only according to the sizes, but also according to the desired effect - sporting use or "walk" - or finally according to the user, beginner, confirmed, man, woman or child.

It also appears obvious that this general system
can not only be used on snow fields, that one can use all types of drag lifts or chairlifts but also that one can use this invention in all snowy places even insufficiently for skiing.

 The lightness and compactness of the device allow the user to face perilous situations with more ease than with skis, so he can jump over an obstacle, run on a non-slip passage, and perform all reflex movements not yet possible with skis - and poles, which he can equip but which are not essential.

 The speed of evolution can be very low, allows movements to be carried out without the momentum necessary for the good practice of ski-piste or cross-country-which constitutes a good learning in these activities but can constitute an end in itself, the possibility of practicing a ball sport, for example the hands being free and the body movements much more "natural".

 Moreover, the present invention also relates to any specific arrangements for its use, any equipment directly linked to this device such as specially arranged terrains, traced courses comprising various obstacles such as bump fields, speed lanes, springboards, semi-snowy areas or icy, etc ... In short, any complex resulting directly from the practice of the invention and manifestly erected for this purpose.

 Finally, the invention itself can be equipped with accessories - integrated or not - which modify its applications.

 However, other features and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description of some exemplary embodiments thereof.

This description is given with reference to the attached drawing for information only, and on which
Figure I is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the device according to the invention. (Only one of the two shoes being represented.).

 Figure 2 is a sectional view along line II-II of Figure I, but on a different scale.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 2 ',
FIG. 4 is a partial plan view from above of all of FIGS. 1 to 3.

 Figure 5 is a schematic view showing a phase of the opening necessary to fit the foot.

 Figure 6 is a schematic view of another embodiment rréser.tant also a phase of the opening necessary to put the foot.

 Figure 7 is a top plan view of the front part of an embodiment of the device according to the invention and having another type of opening.

 Figure 8 is a sectional view along line III-I7I of Figure 2 showing a possible embodiment of the sole.

 Figure 9 is a sectional view along line III-II of Figure 2 showing a possible embodiment of the sole.

 Figure 10 is a partial elevational view showing a possible embodiment of the sole.

 Figure II is a perspective view of another embodiment of this sole.

 Figure I2 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of Figure I of the front part of an embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure I3 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of Figure I of the rear part of an embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure I4 is a schematic sectional view of the rear part of the device according to the invention.

 Figure I5 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of Figure I of the front part of an embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure I6 is a partial sectional view along line II-II of Figure I of the rear part of an embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure I7 is a schematic sectional view along line III-III of Figure 2 of an embodiment according to the invention.

 Figure 18 is an elevational view of an embodiment according to the invention.

In the embodiment shown in the figures
I to II, the device according to the invention comprises a footwear part I, the base of which is fixedly connected to the internal part of a sole 2 having two front 3 and rear 4 ends raised relative to the central part.

As shown in FIG. 2, the part fitting the foot consists of flexible elements 5 usually used in sports shoes as well as a more rigid structure 6 of leather, synthetic or composite. The sole 2 has in its sliding part a coating 7 wU the very material of the sole allows sufficient sliding.
This pet sole has a concave part in the middle 8, fig. 3, which makes it possible to increase the bearing capacity on deep snow, to decrease the surfaces in contact on hard and tolerated snow, and to increase the grip during movements intended to launch 1 user by swinging-oscillating his legs, pushing the snow violently on both sides.

 Figure 4 highlights the areas indicated in 9 & 10 which form the rigid core of the sole and which may have certain types of advantages (see Fig. I2 to I5).

 Figures 5 to 7 show various types of closure / opening with clamping adjustment that the invention implements.

traditional laces II can be subjected to a global protection in waterproof fabric I2 or in more rigid material fixed by Velcro I3 or wedged, Fig.5. A shell-liner assembly, designated by the global reference I4, allows the Fied to be inserted from the rear, Fig. 6, or conventionally, Fig. 7, by tightening by means of eccentric hooks, releasable for complete opening. thus it is possible to consider the footwear assembly and the lower shoe as a single piece, Fig. 8 & 9, to which metallic inserts or derivatives can be added in a combinatorial way. the shape and positioning n of these I6 inserts will determine the precise functionality of the assembly, allowing several uses depending on the terrain and / or users.

 FIG. 10 signifies the variability of the length depending on the models or the inherent possibility of a model to vary in length, as the inserts I6 allow the width to be modulated. Thus, the user has the possibility of choosing between short length allowing very free evolutions even at reduced speed - with a longer length giving more longitudinal stability at higher speed.

 It seems interesting to underline the fundamental difference from skiing or practicing a particular sport, whether or not it is a board sport.

 There are indeed differences, both in terms of launch, evolution and braking. If the launch requires a movement approaching the "no skater", the general development calls for specific innovations in sliding sports (wobbling, bending of the legs, bust-pelvis offset to anticipate turns ...) as well than in postures related to athletics in general since, as we have seen, the greatest degrees of freedom are preserved.

 Braking, slowing down and stopping are obtained by tilting the sole perpendicular to the support surface, that is to say not only lateral as with skis, but also rear by tilting the body weight behind the knees, pushing the ground forward with his legs. The rear part supporting the whole body weight then acts as a powerful brake comparable to that used on the stop systems of skis, after a stall or a fall.

 In this regard, Figure II shows the possible configuration of the sole according to the invention with the presence of a rear edge I7 inclined downwards, fixed or movable, one of the possible applications of which could be the equipment of the rescuers piloting the sleigh-stretchers used for rapa sort injured skiers. The long skis traditionally used for this type of use can be replaced by any device according to the invention since only the guidance and braking functions are necessary, without requiring the length conventional skis generating speed and cluttering maneuvers. The downwardly curved side parts I8 provide effective directional guidance for reduced floor space while the tilting of the body back pushes the spoiler I7 like a brake. The momentum necessary for the descent is made possible by simple bending of the legs, which has the effect of releasing the spoiler I7 from the ground and making it possible to slide on the flat part I9 provided with a spatula.

 Figures I2 to I5 show the possibilities offered by the development of zones 9 & 0 mentioned in Fig. 4.

 FIG. I2 is a partial sectional view of the front along the line II-II of FIG. I of another embodiment according to the invention showing the possibility of adjusting the angle of the spatula relative to the shoe by means of a wheel 20 moving by rotation a rod 21 connected by an axis perpendicular to it to the spatula itself.

 This process makes it possible to adjust the penetration of the spatula into more or less deep snow, and makes it possible to vary the uses of the same device.

 Figure I3 is a partial sectional view of the rear along line II-II of Figure I of another embodiment according to the invention showing the possibility of adjusting the angulation of the rear part 4 according to the same process described in Figure I2. The rear part 4 can thus be raised, this offering advantages specific to each position: the more the rear part 4 rises towards the shoe, the more the ground surface is reduced, increasing the freedom of evolution, the lower part allowing a grip more important, an increase in braking capacity and increased longitudinal stability.

 FIG. I4 is a diagram illustrating the possibility that the rear part 4 can pass under the horizontal axis delimited by the lower part of the sole 2 at the level of shoe I, this in particular for the uses described in FIG. II.

Figure I5 is a partial front view in section of another embodiment according to the invention showing the possibility of integrating into the system described in Figure I2 a flexibility adjustment by means of a compression spring 23 connected with a spatula by a rod 24, itself more or less compressed by the action of a wheel / threaded rod / stopper assembly designated by the global reference 25.

 Figure I6 is a partial view of the rear in section illustrating the same principle as that described above in Figure I5 but applied to the rear of the device.

 Figures I2 to I6 show possible and combinable embodiments according to the invention.

 An adjustment of the vertical axial inclination (axis II-II of Figure I) between the shoe and the sole allows, as shown in Figure I7 in section along line III-III of Figure 2 to overcome physiological differences possible in another embodiment; n according to the invention.

 More simply, FIG. 18 shows another embodiment according to the invention comprising a part designated by the reference 27 constituting a sliding sole connected by means of straps or any other means to the shoes of the user. Specific shoes can also be adapted these soles by means of a specially designed hook.

The design of these soles must allow their use at all levels of skiing, that is to say, both on drag lifts or chairlifts and on the slopes, as a specific and autonomous team.

 Moreover, many other embodiments can be envisaged both with regard to the exact nature of the means of variation in length, width and inclination of the lane, of the types of materials used, and of the type of closure and tightening of the footwear part. Furthermore, the present invention relates to all the equipment and accessories generated by itself, accessories "grafted" to the sole as anti-skid systems, for example, or various environmental arrangements in order to use the invention of specific way.

Claims (9)

 I - Device allowing an individual to move freely on snow or any other surface, and this by means of shoes specially designed to slide or arch more freely than with ski equipment, characterized in that a waterproof shoe I is covered with a sole 2 curved forward 3 and, or not, back.  2 - Device according to claim I, characterized in that each shoe comprises an opening and tightening system designated by the references II to I5 in Figures 5 to 7, combinable with each other.  3 - Device according to claim I, characterized in that each sliding part 2 necessarily comprising a spatula, may have differences in length, FIG. IO, width, Fig. 8 & 9, and / or inclination of the ends, Fig. Fig. 12 to I6.  II to Ió, this in a fixed or adjustable manner by means of interchangeable elements I6 and / or of incorporated adjustment systems,  4 - Device according to claim 3 characterized in that kills the rigidity of the parts of the sole can be easily disengaged, to possibly allow snow-free use.  5 - Device according to one of claims I to 4, characterized in that the shoe I can be detached from the sole 2, and connected to it by means of hooks 28, FIG.  I8, using specific shoes or not.  6 - Device according to one of claims I to 5, characterized in that the inclination of the shoe relative to the sole 2 can be adjusted longitudinally and laterally and this by means of knobs 26 blocking the sole relative to the shoe I.  7 - Device according to one of claims I to 6, characterized in that it comprises a set of several soles of different lengths, widths and shapes, which allows to obtain a versatility of the material.  8 - Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that accessories can be adapted to the sole and / or to the shoe so as to modify its appearance and / or functionality.  9 - Any modification made to the direct environment of the invention for its exclusive use. I to 9.  IO - A pair of shoes, characterized in that the general design allows applications according to one of the claims