Ski boot

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention is a ski boot system including a shell and an elongated hollow region disposed substantially sagitally within the base or bottom of the shell. The elongated hollow region is rigidly coupled at the proximal and distal ends to a secondary support structure of the shell that extends dorsally on at least one side of the boot, thereby forming a lateral triangular rigid coupling. The lateral triangular rigid coupling increases the torsional support of a user's foot and lower leg disposed within the shell. An optional second lateral triangular coupling may extend dorsally on the opposite side of the ski boot so as to balance medial and lateral torsional support. The elongated hollow region may be formed internally within the base or created by rigidly coupling a rigid member to a lengthwise U-shaped region.

1 . A ski boot system comprising:
 a shell configured to encase a foot and a portion of a lower leg, wherein the shell includes an upper portion and a lower portion rotatably coupled to one another at a lateral location so as to form a primary support structure, wherein the shell includes a base, toe, and heel, and wherein the shell further includes an independent secondary support structure that is coupled to both the upper and lower portions at the lateral location; and   an elongated hollow region disposed within the base of the shell, wherein the elongated hollow region extends substantially sagitally between the toe and heel, and wherein the secondary support structure is rigidly coupled to the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region so as to form a lateral rigid triangular coupling between the elongated hollow region and the lateral location.   
     
     
         2 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the shell includes a second lateral location substantially opposite the lateral location at which the primary support structure and secondary support structure rotatably couple to one another, and wherein the secondary support structure is rigidly coupled to the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region so as to form a second lateral rigid triangular coupling substantially opposite the lateral rigid triangular coupling. 
     
     
         3 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the primary and secondary support structures are injection molded together. 
     
     
         4 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary support structure is composed of a material that is more flexurally rigid than the primary support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary support structure is in part encased by the primary support structure. 
     
     
         6 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated hollow region includes a U-shaped region and a rigid member rigidly coupled to the U-shaped region in at least four locations so as to form the elongated hollow region between the U-shaped region and the rigid member. 
     
     
         7 . The ski boot support system of  claim 6 , wherein the cross-sectional open side of the U-shaped region is plantar oriented. 
     
     
         8 . The ski boot support system of  claim 6 , wherein the cross-sectional open side of the U-shaped region is dorsal oriented toward the foot. 
     
     
         9 . The ski boot support system of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid member includes carbon-fiber. 
     
     
         10 . The ski boot support system of  claim 6 , wherein the rigid coupling between the U-shaped region and the rigid member includes a mechanical keyed coupling system. 
     
     
         11 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary support member includes a recess within lateral rigid triangular coupling. 
     
     
         12 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the elongated hollow region is cross-sectionally curved. 
     
     
         13 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is disposed between a foot and a sole of the ski boot support system. 
     
     
         14 . The ski boot support system of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid coupling between the secondary support structure and the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region include encircling portions of the hollow region with the secondary support structure. 
     
     
         15 . A ski boot system comprising:
 a shell configured to encase a foot and a portion of a lower leg, wherein the shell includes an upper portion and a lower portion rotatably coupled to one another at a lateral location so as to form a primary support structure, wherein the shell includes a base, toe, and heel, and wherein the shell further includes an independent secondary support structure that is coupled to both the upper and lower portions at the lateral location;   an elongated hollow region disposed within the base of the shell, wherein the elongated hollow region extends substantially sagitally between the toe and heel, and wherein the secondary support structure is rigidly coupled to the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region so as to form a lateral rigid triangular coupling between the elongated hollow region and the lateral location; and   wherein the elongated hollow region includes a plantar oriented U-shaped region and a rigid member rigidly coupled to the U-shaped region in at least four locations so as to form the hollow region between the U-shaped region and the rigid member.   
     
     
         16 . A method of manufacturing and assembling a ski boot that increases the torsional rigidity comprising the act of:
 providing a shell configured to encase a foot and a portion of a lower leg, wherein the shell includes an upper portion and a lower portion rotatably coupled to one another at a lateral location so as to form a primary support structure, wherein the lower portion includes a base, toe, and heel, and wherein the shell further includes an independent secondary support structure that is coupled to both the upper and lower portions at the lateral location, and wherein the base includes a substantially sagittal U-shaped region;   coupling a rigid member to the U-shaped region in at least four locations so as to form an elongated hollow region between the U-shaped region and the rigid member, wherein the elongated hollow region extends substantially sagittally between the toe and heel; and   coupling the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region to the secondary support structure so as to form a lateral rigid triangular coupling between the elongated hollow region and the lateral location.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further including the act of coupling the dorsal and proximal ends of the hollow region to the secondary support structure so as to form a second lateral rigid triangular coupling between the elongated hollow region and a second lateral location, wherein the second lateral triangular coupling is substantially opposite the lateral triangular coupling. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of coupling a rigid member to the U-shaped region includes engaging the rigid member into a key lock region of the U-shaped region. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of coupling a rigid member to the U-shaped region includes inserting at least four coupling members through the rigid member into the base. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the act of coupling the dorsal and proximal ends of the elongated hollow region to the secondary support structure includes encircling portions of the elongated hollow lengthwise region with the secondary support structure.