BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This appiication claims priority of co-pending utility application for United States Letters Patent. Seπal No 08/626876, filed 96/04/03 b> applicant for an INNER FIT SYSTEM ™ (ol Snowooot™ Company of ana the present invention relates to boots useα for snow-based recreauonaJ activities. More particularly, the present invention relates to substanually pliable ana flexile boots used for snowboarding - wherein the functional dictates of biomechanical support are wedded with a Liner-less construction, and novel alternate means for providing both foot alignment, insole and outsole support to provide for maximal force transduction and filtering - in combination with comfort heretofore uncontemplated for snowboaπiers. No known footgear has combined the novel features denning the cutting edge of biomechanics with space age stylism in the snowboard boot arena outside of the teachings of the present inventor.

In combining comfort with operational functionality, snowboard boot technology has involved in parallel with that commonly associated with conventional athletic footgear, and related apparel, as outlined in aforementioned co-pending utility application for United States Letters Patent, Seπal No. 08/626876. However, in a creating the next step in biodynamics for the snowboard user, the instant invention has likewise been focused upon winterized means for protecting and supporting a users's foot. To date, no previous disclosure exists which has combined solutions to these concurrently existing problems, without generating limiting artifacts of the process of its creation, or further constraints such as lack of comfort or functionality.

Likewise, the instant appiication incorporates by reference copending utility application for United States Letters Patent, Serial No. 08/087.283, filed 93/07/08, and subject to an assignment to Snowboot Company™ ['"283 APP."]. The '283 APP. teaches the use of air (or related transduction means) capable of communicating in predetermined spaced relation about a user's foot. The '283 APP. disclosed proprioceptive enhancement based upon such foot-bracing means. The present invention builds upon such biomechanics and enhances tbe efficiency of a user's movements, which providing the support values needed for the particularly onerous requirements of winter sport.

The '283 APP. culminated yet another lines of technical disclosures, which disclosures generally comprise pneumatic braces having rigid outer shell member and associated inflatable liners aiitjags for bracing an injured body part of Limb. By way of example, United States Letters Patent No. 5, 125,400 ("Johnson") issued 30 June 1992, and assigned to AIRCAST INCORPORATED of New Jersey, disclosed improvements in an orthopedic brace. However, the "unitary aircell" concept shown by this patent - while effective for remedial bracing - has no place in the snowboarding area, which requires exercise friendly means for supporting. This same pitfall was the difference between the '283 APP. and other salient references which are attempted to incorporate air-bladder into footwear. See. for example. U.S Letters Patent Nos 4.995.173 (HJGH TECH FOOTWEAR] and 4.361.969 [SHOE WITH PNEUMATIC CUSHIONING CHAMBER], both of which were subject to these aforementioned pitfalls.

As highlighted in co-pending utility application for United States Letters Patent, SeπaJ No. 08/626876, filed 96/04/03, since people began traveling down inclined planes having surfaces covered with snow, the advent of user friendly technology has lingered just slightly behind the cutting edge of performance. When early alpine and Nordic pioneers first strapped segments of trees to their primitive foot-gear, the concepts of camber, and edging technology antedated creation of ski boots by some time. It took centuries before any steps were taken to contribute to the comfort of the user's foot Synthetic materials science provided plastics and rubbers for years before the biodynamics of ankle and arch support were even considered.

_ ι _

The modern world continues to follow this trend, despite the fact that today biomechanics measures wear and tear on the user's body in ways that five years ago were only theory. A longstanding problem, in all of the ski-related industries, has been balancing the need for equipment which helps the user to make mechanically efficient turns with comfortable, aesthetically pleasing devices consonant with the level of the sophisticated users' equipment in other (more mainstream) fields of athletic endeavor.

Meanwhile, the entire paradigm of the ski world has itself evolved, and today's avant guard have cast their wei hty alpine ski equipment aside to focus upon the spon whose only true analogy may be found in the world of surfing. United States Letters Patent No. 5,085,455 (assigned to "Look" S.A.) claims a "sporting board with two boot bindings." This type of snowboard eliminates any need for ski poles or other encumbrances traditionally encountered in skiing. However, the users' ability to maintain control over both lateral and forward movements becomes critical. As in surfing, only the users' skill in maintaining both the correct pressure of the snowboard, and constant adjustment with the terrain separates artistry from accident.

Thus, snowboards are removably attached to users' feet and provide new and challenging requirements for control and maneuverability across the difficult and often unpredictable snow covered downhill run. Unfortunately, prior to the instant disclosure - nothing has been offered for consideration by tbe prior art which addresses both the longstanding ski boot problems reviewed above and the demands of the today's' version of skiing. United States Letters Patent No. 5,435,080 ("Meiselman") issued 25 July 1995 and leaves unaddressed the most prominent concerns attended to by the Novel Enhanced Snowboard Boot Construction and Method of the present invention. Attempting to bridge the dichotomy between hard and soft boots, Meiselman glues a rigid lower portion to a flexible upper portion and then attaches various "support members." What is lacking is any mechanical assurance that conforms the boot to the structure and biomechanicai dynamics of the users' foot When the foot is contorted under the stress and strain of snowboarding it slips • both longitudinally and laterally - providing massive discomfort and even blistering, and the snowboarder struggles to carve turns. Clearly, an immediate need is present to prevent these problems.

In aforementioned co-pending utility application for United States Letters Patent Serial No. 08626,876 applicant revolutionized snowboard boot technology. In accordance with the rudiments of said teaching, the instant application offers for consideration both an improved heel fixing means and air pod insets heretofore unknown and uncontemplated in the instant field of art.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a snowboard boot construction featuring both an air imbued liner-less construction, and a water-proof, non-compressible air suction cup system generatin enhanced control over the ball of the ankle and precluding longitudinal movement of same, while aligning the Achilles tendon without inhibiting free lateral movem nt of the ankle thereby preventing the foot from lifting through turns.

Another objective is to provide a snowboard boot construction featuring a supplemental outer means for bracing in addition to an air suction cup system working to absorb the shock and compression inherent in snowboarding.

Yet another objective is to provide a snowboard boot construction featuring a BATRAY ™ AIRPOD in combination with an improved shim pad to further customize and ameliorate structural integrity and fit in combination with proven speed lacing system which distributes pressures evenly through the boot and is not susceptible to cold induced breakage.

Still a further objective is to provide an air imbued snowboard boot construction featuring vertical stirTeners for back side edge control without compromising orthogonal flexatton values to ensure maximum horizontal snowboard movement in a heat insulated, gusset lined, uniquely outsoled device, produced by cold process manufacturing resulting in a water-sealed sole and upper bond which is readily pulled on and off.

The foregoing objective are attained, generally, in a novel enhanced snowboard boot construction havmg B A I RAY ™ AIRPOD, an air suction cup system for fixed ly cradling the ball of n users' ankle, wherein the materials provide warmth, waterproof, and support values which - in combination with the outer bracing system • accord a performance and protection level to the user which readily enables mostly stoked operations under the most extreme and winterized conditions.

Hereafter the invention is described with reference to the following drawings in which like reference designators denote common elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a full lateral (outer) view of an embodiment of the present invention incorporating both the air suction cup system and the BATRAY ™ AIRPOD within a snowboard boot construction accordmg to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cut-away partial sagittal section, quasi-perspective vie of the embodiment shown in Fig. I, with the center portion of the heel counter peeled back to show the location of the air pod suction cup system relative to a user's foot in a snowboard boot construction according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 is a plan view showing details of a bladder used as an aspect of the air suction cup system, which is incorporated into a snowboard boot construction according to the present invention, in combination with the other elements.

Fig. 4 sho s a shun pad, in a separated view, which pad is likewise incorporated into a snowboard boot construction according to the present invention, in combination with the other elements.

Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a snowboard boot incorporating all of said features, according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 6 depicts an embodiment of a snowboard boot incorporating all of said features, according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 7 depicts an embodiment of a snowboard boot incoiporaiing all of said features, according to the teachings of the present invention.

Fig. 1(a) shows sections through the bladder depicted in Fig.3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILEDDESCRIPTIONOFPREFERREDEMBODIMENTS

The present inventor has discovered that combining a sealed flexile outer covering with a plurality of complementary support systems provides the best means for enabling a user to a*imiM. performance while minimizing inherent strain and biomechanical inefficiencies. By combining biodynamic shaping and selective placement of various inner and outer means for fortifying a user's foot position, with proven means for cradling and foot-bracing, the present invention has revolutionized snowboard boots.

The present invention is described in detail hereunder, referring to an embodiment thereof shown in Figs. 1 to 7. The ornamental aspects have separate design protections schemes in place .

Turning now to Fig. 1 through Fig. 4, elements of the snowboot according to the present invention are shown with the snowboot shown generally at 101. At 102, the air suction cup pocket is shown. This assembly 102, is imbued with air, and incorporated within the present invention to provide foroptimalhandlingofauser'sfoot. The air suction cup pocketcomprises a bladder 103 (shown in Fig.3)in addition to.shim pad 115.

Materialsusedwiththeairpocketsincludethepolyethylenes, polyurethanes and the like materials. Bladder 103 includesa recess 107, and ankle support means 105, which projects to hold a user's foot.Fig 3 shows air pockets 99, constructed in conjunction with polyurethane set ins 84. Ankle recess 107, supports a user's foot such that heel recess 113, and achilles tendon recess 111 receive and hold a user's foot. Fig 1(a) shows a polyurethane/air ratio, with, for example 81 showing a width of 7 units, 79 being 6 units, 83 being 15 units, and 77 being 18 units, 75 being 13 units and 73 being proportioned thereto. C-C shows bladder 103 in cross-section, while A-A, and B-B shows different sections of same. Fig. 4 likewise illustrates shim pad/Tongue 115 which bracingly engages a user's foot, in conjunction with bladder 103 and air pod bat ray (not shown). Fig.5 through Fig. 7 likewise depict other models of

models of snowboard boots ("snowboots®") according to the present invention.

Those of skill in the art will be readily familiar with both the materials and methods used to produce the present invention. A cold-process manufacturing method seals the units and provides a completely water sealed sole and upper bond - which teachings have been derived from the tennis shoe and sneaker arts.

Likewise, the outer sole used with the SNOWBOOTS® of the present invention provides for matingly engaging relation with any known snowboard binding _? while still enabling a user to walk without stearic hinderance to the ground interfering with a normal stride.

Further, a gusset is placed between the side wall and shim pad/tongue 1 1 5 to prevent any moisture seepage through its section and the lacing area. A neoprene layer lines the polyurethane in the shim pad/tongue 1 15 and prevents laces and binding straps from harming the shin of the user. The toe box likewise sports the lined neoprene construction, and measures between about 4 and about 5 mm in an embodiment illustrated herein. This provides for heat insulation to maintain the circulation within a user's foot and provide for optimum performance and no pain.

SNOWBOOTS taught by this invention prevent the user's ankle from slipping and sliding laterally, which generally produce blisters and serious discomfort in users. The vertical stiffness inherent in this construction enables the back of the boot to bend enough for maximal horizontal movement, required in snowboarding.

The lacing system includes washers on lacing hooks at the top of the boot to prevent hook pull out, and rings lined (with bronze, for example) to prevent cold weather breakage.

The toe box portion is additionally fitted with a BAT RAY AIRPOD, or inflatable plastic membrane providing both support and insulation. The present inventor has discovered that placing same such that it engages the dorsal portion of a user's foot in the front section adjacent the toe box holds a user's foot in place without compromising the ability to maneuver the snowboard.

In effect , the polyurethane suction cup lining creates an ankle bracing system which provides a liner-less construction, with rubber preventing the leakage or seepage of water and the unique L-shaped ankle system holds down a users ankle by wrapping around both the ankle and calcaneous complex - in addition to bracing and supporting the achilles tendon.

Having described preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications may be effected therein by one skilled in the art without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.