Multifunctional telemark boot

Abstract

Multifunctional Telemark boot ( 1 ) suitable for permitting a bending action in correspondence with an articulation of the metatarsus phalange of the foot, the boot ( 1 ) being provided with a containing hull ( 2 ) for the foot, and with a flexible articulation ( 7 ) which is arranged substantially in correspondence with a point ( 4 ) of the hull ( 2 ) in order to permit the bending action; a control device ( 10 ) of the bending action being associated with the hull ( 2 ) and being arranged in correspondence with the said flexible articulation ( 7 ) in order to control a bending action of the hull ( 2 ) itself.

1 . Telemark boot suitable for permitting a bending action in correspondence with an articulation of the metatarsus phalange of the foot, the boot comprising a containing hull for the foot, and a flexible articulation which is arranged substantially in correspondence with a point of the hull in order to permit the said bending action of the hull; the boot being characterised by the fact that it comprises control means of the bending action which are associated with the hull and which are arranged in correspondence with the said flexible articulation.  
   
   
       2 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said control means of the bending action comprise at least two collapsible chambers which are defined by respective walls made of flexible material which are elastically correlated in relation to each other.  
   
   
       3 . Telemark boot according to  claim 2 , wherein the collapsible chambers are arranged one after the other along and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the boot itself; the said walls being connected along respective flexible hinges which are arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       4 . Telemark boot according to  claim 3 , wherein the collapsible chambers are arranged partially overlapping along the said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       5 . Telemark boot according to  claim 3 , wherein the collapsible chambers are arranged totally overlapping along the said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       6 . Telemark boot according to  claim 4 , wherein the so means of the bending action comprise stiffening means which are associated with the said walls made of flexible material and are arranged parallel to the said longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       7 . Telemark boot according to  claim 6 , wherein said stiffening means comprise a number of flaps which are arranged parallel to the so axis and which are distributed externally to the hull.  
   
   
       8 . Telemark boot according to  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening means comprise a number of shaped ribs which are arranged along the sad axis and which are distributed externally to the hull.  
   
   
       9 . Telemark boot according to  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening means comprise a number of flaps, which are arranged parallel in relation to each other and transverse to the sad axis, and which are distributed between two successive collapsible chambers.  
   
   
       10 . Telemark boot according to  claim 7 , wherein the stiffening means comprise an external moulding which is suitable for increasing a resistance to bending action of the hull.  
   
   
       11 . Telemark boot according to  claim 10 , wherein the moulding is arranged parallel to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       12 . Telemark boot according to  claim 11 , wherein the moulding is S-shaped and is arranged along the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       13 . Telemark boot according to  claim 10 , wherein the moulding is arranged at an incline in relation to the longitudinal axis.  
   
   
       14 . Telemark boot according to  claim 13 , of comprising a further moulding which is arranged at an incline in relation to the longitudinal axis and which is crossed with the sad moulding.  
   
   
       15 . Telemark boot according to any of the  claim 6 , wherein the stiffening means comprise a support arch which is arranged transverse to the longitudinal axis, and which extends from one side to the other of the said hull.  
   
   
       16 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a determined number of tongues which are integral with the sad hull and which define a determined number of preferential bending lines of the flexible articulation.  
   
   
       17 . Telemark book according to  claim 16 , wherein the control means comprise two pairs of tongues which extend opposite the hull one pair towards the other transverse to a longitudinal axis of the hull and which define two preferential bending lines; the tongues of each pair of tongues defining in relation to each other and with the hull three respective loops of variable extensions towards the point.  
   
   
       18 . Telemark boot according to  claim 16 , wherein the control means comprise a frontal loop which is defined by two tongues which are arranged on opposite sides of the hull.  
   
   
       19 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise two tongues, which extend from said point on respective sides of said hull, and an intermediate flexible bridge which is arranged between said tongues.  
   
   
       20 . Telemark boot according  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a valve which can be activated by the control means themselves in order to regulate the flow of air into or out of the sa hull.  
   
   
       21 . Telemark boot according  claim 1 , wherein the means of control comprise a flexion bracket which is coupled to said flexible articulation and which extends longitudinally towards a collar of the hull.  
   
   
       22 . Telemark boot according to  claim 21 , wherein the flexion bracket is engaged in correspondence with the flexible articulation, and is further engaged on the collar.  
   
   
       23 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a flexible frame which is arranged in order to cover said flexible articulation.  
   
   
       24 . Telemark boot according to  claim 23 , wherein the flexible frame is defined by a plate which is provided with a number of shaped holes.  
   
   
       25 . Telemark boot according to  claim 23 , wherein the flexible frame is defined by one or two sinuous ribs which extend along a longitudinal axis of said hull.  
   
   
       26 . Telemark boot according to  claim 23 , wherein the flexible frame is defined by a number of semi-cylindrical bodies which are arranged transverse to an along a longitudinal axis of said hull and are laterally connected to each other.  
   
   
       27 . Telemark boot according to  claim 23 , wherein the flexible frame is defined by a box-shaped body which is provided with an external shaped wall.  
   
   
       28 . Telemark boot  claim 26 , wherein the said flexible frame extends as far as a collar of the said hull.  
   
   
       29 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a pair of vibrating elements which are arranged on the opposite sides of the hull and are provided with respective forks which face one another with their tips.  
   
   
       30 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a pair of vibrating elements which are arranged on the opposite sides of said hull and are provided with respective forks which face one another with their tips.  
   
   
       31 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a concave wall which is open towards the outside and which defines a shaped housing which is arranged transverse to a longitudinal axis of said hull.  
   
   
       32 . Telemark boot according to  claim 31 , wherein the control means comprise a cushion made of gelatinous material which is arranged inside the housing.  
   
   
       33 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise two flat appendixes, which extend opposite the point, and which are suitable for progressively entering in contact with each other in order to increase the bending action of the hull.  
   
   
       34 . Telemark according  claim 1 , wherein the sod control means comprise an elastic element which is arranged inside the sad hull and which is suitable for exerting a supplementary elastic action.  
   
   
       35 . Telemark boot according to  claim 34 , wherein the elastic element is embedded in a sole of said hull and comprises two comb plates which are hinged in relation to each other to form, in correspondence with a respective hinge, a torsion spring which is arranged transverse to a longitudinal axis of the hull; the two comb plates exerting a distending elastic action of the sole.  
   
   
       36 . Telemark boot according to  claim 34 , wherein the elastic element comprises two torsion springs which present a common torsion axis which is transverse to a longitudinal axis of said hull and two connecting bridges which are arranged between the two opposite sides of the hull in order to connect between them the two torsion springs; the two torsion springs exerting a distending elastic action of the sole.  
   
   
       37 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a shaped elastic plantar which is provided with a flexible portion which is arranged substantially in correspondence with said articulation, and with a compensating portion which is arranged in an intermediate position between the flexible portion itself and the point.  
   
   
       38 . Telemark boot according to  claim 37 , wherein the flexible portion defines a cavity which is open towards the sole and which defines an apex of maximum depth which is substantially in correspondence with the articulation.  
   
   
       39 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise an insert which is applied to the sole in such a way that it may be uncoupled, and which presents a number of overhanging outlines for coupling and stiffening.  
   
   
       40 . Telemark boot according to  claim 39 , wherein the overhanging outlines are arranged transverse to the axis in order to render the insert integral with the sole, and they present determined shapes in order to modulate the bending action control characteristics of the means of control.  
   
   
       41 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the means of control comprise a stiffening fork which is laterally associated with the sole.  
   
   
       42 . Telemark boot according to  claim 41 , wherein the fork comprises two arms which are provided with respective shaped overhanging outlines which are able to be coupled to the sole, and a connecting head between the two arms which presents includes variable dimensions.  
   
   
       43 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the control means comprise a bellows which is arranged in correspondence with the flexible articulation, and plate means which are arranged on the side of the bellows and which are made of plastic material or tissue to contribute to modifying the control characteristics of the control means in relation to the bending action of the Telemark boot.  
   
   
       44 . Telemark boot according to  claim 43 , wherein the plate means comprise, for each side of the Telemark boot two plates which define a channel in relation to each other and which is able to be filled with material of a determined density.  
   
   
       45 . Telemark boot according to  claim 44 , wherein each plate defines a respective notch, which is wedged inside the channel in such a way as to replace the filling material of the channel itself.  
   
   
       46 . Telemark boot according to  claim 1  wherein the control means comprise a bellows, and a number of bulged elements which are made of a material of a determined density and which are associated with the bellows.  
   
   
       47 . Telemark boot according to  claim 46 , wherein the first bulged element of the bulged elements presents, in plan view, a substantially triangular shape, and extends along a median line of the hull as far the bellows.  
   
   
       48 . Telemark boot according to  claim 46 , wherein a second and third bulged element of the bulged elements are arranged in correspondence with an end point of the hull which is opposite the bellows in relation to the first bulged element.  
   
   
       49 . Telemark boot according to  claim 46 , wherein the bulged elements have a variable rigidity in relation to their own thickness and their own width, and they are made of plastic material.  
   
   
       50 . Telemark boot according  claim 1 , wherein the so control means comprise a furrow which is obtained though the end point of the so hull, and a piezo-electric pad, which may be arranged in such a way as to fill the furrow, and which is suitable for being heated in such a way as to obtain the deformation which is due to stress and bending action.