Ski boot

Abstract

Ski boot comprising: a rigid foot-case, which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot; a rigid cuff, which is pivoted on the foot-case so as to be able to swing around a first rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a manually-operated cuff locking device, which is adapted to selectively lock the cuff to the foot-case in a predetermined down-hill position, and which comprises: a supporting plate positioned on the cuff, above the heel of the boot; a movable arm, which is pivoted on the supporting plate so that it can rotate about a second transverse axis, to and from a locking position in which the movable arm extends downwards and couples its lower end in a rigid and releasable manner to an anchoring structure integral with the foot-case; and a manually-operated locking member which is fixed to the movable arm with the capability of moving between a first operating position in which it immobilises the movable arm in the locked position, and a second operating position in which it allows the movable arm to move freely on the supporting plate.

1 . A ski boot ( 1 ) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-case ( 2 ), which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot; a substantially rigid cuff ( 3 ), which is adapted to embrace the user's lower leg, and is hinged to the foot-case ( 2 ) so as to be able to swing around a first rotation axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a manually-operated cuff locking device ( 15 ), which is adapted to selectively lock the cuff ( 3 ) rigidly to the foot-case ( 2 ) in a predetermined down-hill position;
 the cuff locking device ( 15 ) comprising: a supporting plate ( 16 ) located on the cuff ( 3 ), above the heel of the ski boot ( 1 ); and a movable arm ( 17 ), which is pivoted on the supporting plate ( 16 ) so as to be able to rotate around a second rotation axis (B), to and from a locking position in which the movable arm ( 17 ) extends downwards and couples its lower end ( 17   a ) in a rigid, though releasable manner to an anchoring structure ( 18 ) integral with the foot-case ( 2 );   the ski boot ( 1 ) being characterized in that the cuff locking device ( 15 ) additionally comprises a manually-operated locking member ( 21 ), which is attached to the movable arm ( 17 ) with the capability of moving between a first operating position in which the locking member ( 21 ) immobilizes the movable arm ( 17 ) in the locked position, and a second operating position in which the locking member ( 21 ) allows the movable arm ( 17 ) to move freely with respect to the supporting plate ( 16 ).   
     
     
         2 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the cuff locking device ( 15 ) additionally comprises: an elastic member ( 19 ), which is adapted to elastically bring and maintain the movable arm ( 17 ) in said locking position; and a manually-operated command lever ( 20 ), which is movably mounted on the movable arm ( 17 ) and is adapted to contact cooperate with the supporting plate ( 16 ) so as to selectively shift/move the movable arm ( 17 ) away from the locking position by overcoming the thrust of the elastic member ( 19 ), so as to decouple and move the lower end ( 17   a ) of the movable arm ( 17 ) away from the anchoring structure ( 18 ). 
     
     
         3 . The ski boot according to  claim 2 , wherein the command lever ( 20 ) is adapted to autonomously arrange the locking member ( 21 ) in the second operating position when the movable arm ( 17 ) is shifted/moved away from said locking position. 
     
     
         4 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking member ( 21 ) is structured so as to contact cooperate, when in the first operating position, with the supporting plate ( 16 ) to prevent any movement of the movable arm ( 17 ) from the locking position. 
     
     
         5 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the movable arm ( 17 ) is rocker pivoted on the supporting plate ( 16 ) so that its lower end ( 17   a ) and its upper end ( 17   b ) are arranged on opposite sides of said second rotation axis (B). 
     
     
         6 . The ski boot according to  claim 5 , wherein the movable arm ( 17 ) is provided with a major longitudinal segment extending from said second rotation axis (B) up to the lower end ( 17   a ) of the movable arm ( 17 ), and with a minor longitudinal segment extending from said second rotation axis (B) up to the upper end ( 17   b ) of the movable arm ( 17 ); the command lever ( 20 ) being located on the major longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ); the locking member ( 21 ) being at least partially located on the minor longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ). 
     
     
         7 . The ski boot according to  claim 6 , wherein the locking member ( 21 ) is shaped/structured so as to selectively wedge/fit between the minor longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ) and the supporting plate ( 16 ), in order to prevent any rotation/tilting of the minor longitudinal segment towards the same supporting plate ( 16 ). 
     
     
         8 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking member ( 21 ) is fixed on the movable arm ( 17 ) with the capability of sliding back and forth between said first and said second operating positions. 
     
     
         9 . The ski boot according to  claim 5 , wherein the locking member ( 21 ) extends on the movable arm ( 17 ) astride the second rotation axis (B), so that its first end is arranged on the major longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ), and its second end is arranged on the minor longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ). 
     
     
         10 . The ski boot according to  claim 9 , wherein the first end of the locking member ( 21 ) is adapted to contact cooperate with said command lever ( 20 ) and/or the second end of the locking member ( 21 ) is adapted to interpose/interlock between the minor longitudinal segment of the movable arm ( 17 ) and the supporting plate ( 16 ). 
     
     
         11 . The ski boot according to  claim 2 , wherein the command lever ( 20 ) is butt hinged to the movable arm ( 17 ) so as to rotate between a first operating position in which the command lever ( 20 ) arranges the movable arm ( 17 ) in said locking position, and a second operating position in which the command lever ( 20 ) arranges the movable arm ( 17 ) in an unlocking position in which the lower end ( 17   a ) of the movable arm ( 17 ) is away/detached from said anchoring structure ( 18 ). 
     
     
         12 . The ski boot according to  claim 11 , wherein the command lever ( 20 ) is butt hinged to the movable arm ( 17 ) so as to be able to rotate about a third rotation axis (C) substantially parallel to said second rotation axis (B). 
     
     
         13 . The ski boot according to  claim 12 , wherein the head ( 20   a ) of the command lever ( 20 ) is cam-shaped and is adapted to rest on the supporting plate ( 16 ) so as to locally move the movable arm ( 17 ) away from the supporting plate ( 16 ). 
     
     
         14 . The ski boot according to  claim 2 , wherein said elastic member ( 19 ) is adapted to pull the movable arm ( 17 ) elastically towards the supporting plate ( 16 ). 
     
     
         15 . The ski boot according to  claim 14 , wherein said elastic member ( 19 ) is interposed between the command lever ( 20 ) and the supporting plate ( 16 ).