Systems and processes for ski boot tightening, loosening, and customization

Abstract

A ski boot adjustment system includes an adjustment mechanism which tightens and loosens a portion of a ski boot, a triggering device that selectively actuates the adjustment mechanism, and a controller that monitors pressure in the portion of the ski boot during operation of the adjustment mechanism. A user can use the triggering device and adjustment mechanism to customize the fit of the ski boot in different regions thereof. The adjustment mechanism can include air bladders, automated motorized straps, or other tightening features. The triggering device can be a manually operated trigger on the ski boot or a remote computing device in wireless communication with the controller, such as a smartphone operable by the user, a transmitter within a ski mat onto which the user steps, or another form of transmitting device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A ski boot adjustment system, comprising:
 an adjustment mechanism configured to tighten and loosen a portion of a ski boot;   at least one triggering device configured to selectively actuate the adjustment mechanism; and   a controller mounted within the ski boot and configured to monitor pressure in the portion of the ski boot during operation of the adjustment mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pressure sensor mounted within the portion of the ski boot in communication with the controller, wherein the pressure sensor outputs a pressure reading corresponding to a pressure level in the portion of the ski boot, and the controller is configured to receive the pressure reading and output a signal when the pressure reading falls within a predetermined range.   
     
     
         3 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 2 , further comprising a light mounted within an exterior wall of the ski boot, wherein the output signal of the controller actuates the light. 
     
     
         4 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes an air bladder in the ski boot and the triggering device is manually operable and mechanically coupled to the air bladder. 
     
     
         5 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes a plurality of air bladders disposed within different interior regions of the ski boot, at least one pump for inflating the plurality of air bladders, at least one valve for deflating the plurality of air bladders, and a plurality of pressure sensors for measuring pressure within each of the plurality of air bladders, and wherein the at least one pump and the at least one valve are selectively actuated by the controller. 
     
     
         6 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 5 , wherein the plurality of air bladders include four air bladders disposed in a front foot region, an ankle region, a rear leg region, and a shin region of the ski boot, and each of the four air bladders is mechanically coupled to an automated pump controlled by the controller to selectively inflate the air bladders. 
     
     
         7 . A ski hoot adjustment system according to  claim 5 , wherein the at least one triggering device includes a remote triggering device separate and apart from the ski boot and in wireless communication with the controller, wherein the controller selectively actuates the adjustment mechanism based on a communication from the remote triggering device. 
     
     
         8 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 7 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes at least one gyroscope in communication with the controller for measuring an orientation and a movement of the ski boot, and the controller is configured to monitor the orientation and the movement of the ski boot based on communication from the gyroscope, and to selectively actuate the adjustment mechanism based on at least one of the orientation or the movement. 
     
     
         9 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one triggering device includes a mat containing a transmitter configured to emit an electromagnetic signal receivable by the controller, and wherein the controller is configured to selectively actuate the adjustment mechanism responsive to receipt of the electromagnetic signal, and based on a condition of the plurality of air bladders and at least one preset condition. 
     
     
         10 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 9 , wherein the present condition is at least one of a distance between the ski boot and the transmitter in the mat or a time period during which the ski boot is within the distance of the transmitter in the mat. 
     
     
         11 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 7 , wherein the at least one triggering device includes a remote computing device which is separate and apart from the ski boot and in wireless communication with the controller, wherein the controller selectively actuates the adjustment mechanism based on a communication from the remote computing device. 
     
     
         12 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 11 , wherein the remote computing device is a smart phone operable by a user to selectively actuate, via wireless communication with the controller, the adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         13 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 12 , wherein the smart phone is operable by the user to configure an initial pressure setting in at least one of the plurality of air bladders. 
     
     
         14 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 12 , wherein the smart phone is operable by the user to reset a current pressure setting in at least one of the plurality of air bladders to a previously set pressure setting. 
     
     
         15 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 12 , wherein the smart phone is operable by the user to customize a trigger for actuating the adjustment mechanism based on at least one of an orientation of the ski boot or a particular movement of the ski boot. 
     
     
         16 . A ski boot adjustment system according to  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment mechanism includes at least one automated adjustable strap selectively actuated by the controller. 
     
     
         17 . A ski boot adjustment system, comprising:
 an adjustment mechanism configured to tighten and loosen a portion of a ski boot; and   a triggering device operatively disposed in a mat adjacent at least one of an entrance to a building or a parking location, wherein the triggering device actuates the adjustment mechanism.   
     
     
         18 . A method for tightening and loosening a ski boot, comprising:
 setting, by a remote computing device in wireless communication with a controller in a ski boot, a trigger which actuates the controller to actuate an adjustment mechanism in the ski boot, wherein the adjustment mechanism is configured to tighten and loosen the ski boot.   
     
     
         19 . A method for tightening and loosening a ski boot according to  claim 18 , wherein the trigger is at least one of an orientation of the ski boot or a movement of the ski boot. 
     
     
         20 . A method for tightening and loosening a ski boot according to  claim 19 , wherein the trigger includes a time period of at least one of the ski boot in the orientation or repeating the movement.