This is a continuation in part of applicant's application S.N. 104,611 filed January 4, 1980 entitled "A Sport Shoe With A Dynamic Cuff Assembly", applicant's application S.N. 104,283 filed December 17, 1979 entitled "A Dynamic Internal Fitting System For A Sport Shoe", applicant's application S.N. 104,282 filed December 17, 1979 entitled "Sport Shoe With Dynamic Tongue Assembly", applicant's application S.N. 50,436 filed June 20, 1979 entitled "A Dynamic Internal Fitting System With A Movable Foot Bed For A Sport Shoe", and applicant's application

886,946 filed March 15, 1978 entitled "A Dynamic Internal Fitting System For A Sport Shoe".

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to internal fitting systems for sport shoes in general and in parti¬ cular to a novel internal fitting system for a ski boot or the like.

A conventional ski boot as presently used in downhill skiing comprises a relatively rigid exterior lower shell member, an upper cuff member and a relatively soft interior liner. The shell member and cuff member are designed to provide iriechanical protection and support for a foot, ankle and lower leg and to provide a stable means for releasably securing the ski boot to a ski. Frequently, the shell member and the cuff member are

pivotably coupled in the proximity of the ankle. Boots constructed with a pivoting cuff member generally provid restraint against excess sideways and rearward bending a the ankle while providing limited forward bending of the leg relative to the foot. Less commonly, boots are con¬ structed without a pivoting cuff member and forward bending is restricted or accomplished by providing for a separation of the upper forward section of the cuff memb The relatively rigid exterior lower shell memb and upper cuff member in conjunction with the relatively soft interior liner, in addition to providing mechanical support, must also provide a restraint against upward, forward, rearward and sideways movement of the foot. This restraint is desirable to minimize foot discomfort and fatigue from recurring pressure areas and continual movement of the foot in the boot. It is also necessary to control the skis during various skiing maneuvers and in various terrain and snow conditions. Further, it is essential for -minimizing foot movement in order to maxi- mize energy transmission between the foot and the releas binding in a potential injury-producing fall.

In practice, the magnitude of restraint required from one moment to the next will vary as the skiing conditions and the maneuvers being executed chang Ideally, the boot should provide for a close, though relatively loose, comfortable fit that provides circula¬ tion and warmth during the tracking phase of skiing whil also providing for at least a momentary tighter fit during the turning phase or other forceful maneuvers of skiing.

Except for the inventions disclosed in appli¬ cant's previously filed applications, the design of conventional ski boots 'generally does not adequately compensate for the dynamic conditions that prevail in downhill skiing. With conventional boots, during a turn when skiing on packed snow, forward bending at the ankle is usually accompanied by a tendency for hindfoot

upward movement and forefoot sideways movement because ski control and turning are usually accomplished by down¬ ward and sideways force applied to the forward leading edges of the skis. In powder snow, the forward leading edges are kept raised for planing on top of the snow with a tendency for forefoot upward and sideways movement. When maneuvering in snow of different consistencies or in bumpy or mogly terrain, the skier alternates, frequently and rapidly, between forward and rearward bending in the boots. As a result of this movement, ski control is significantly reduced. In most injury-producing fall conditions, excess movement of a foot in a boot also reduces energy transmission between the foot and the ^' - release binding. Because shell molds are expensive to manufacture, it has been the practice to supply a limited number -of shell sizes. Manufacturers then rely upon buckles with numerous and complex adjustment and liners of various configurations and constructions to provide a close, comfortable and warm fit, to compensate for innumerable foot sizes and shapes, and to achieve the necessary foot restraint. However, these fitting arrangements are generally unsatisfactory. The use of buckles with numerous and complex adjustments usually results in a noncomforming fit. The buckle closure required to provide a close fit usually results .in uncomfortable pressure areas because of the consequent distortion of the relatively rigid shell. Additionally, conventional buckle arrangements usually do not adequately restrain the foot from sideways movement at the hindfoot and forefoot.

The use of liners of various configurations and constructions also frequently results in a nonconforraing fit. Because of the difficulty in supplying liner con- figurations that will accommodate the wide range of varia¬ tion of foot sizes and shapes such as a splay or wide forefoot, wide base, angulated heel, halux valgus, boney prominences, spurs, high longitudinal arch or one foot in

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size variance with the other foot, liners are generally manufactured to conform to only a limited range of size and shape. Manufacturers then rely upon various liner constructions to provide a close comfortable fit. Among the constructions used there are included molded and sheet foam rubber, urethane foam, wax, cork, plastic beads, and other various flow materials. The numerous materials used is indicative of the unsatisfactory results obtained. In spite of the above fitting arrangements, conventional boots do not provide adequate adjustment for comfort and restraint and a relatively large inven¬ tory of many shells and liner configurations and construc tions is necessary to satisfy customer requirements. Moreover, a satisfactory fit in the ski shop is still often unsatisfactory on the ski slope because the foot is not necessarily fitted for skiing conditions.

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SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, a principal object of the present invention is a sport shoe and boot fitting system, and in particular a ski boot fitting system which reduces the number of shell sizes, liner configurations and constructions required to achieve a close, comfortable and warm fit, which provides necessary foot restraint over a wide range of foot sizes and foot shapes and which dyna¬ mically adjusts the fit of the boot to a foot and leg during all skiing maneuvers. Another object of the present invention is a fitting system that requires only one adjustment to.fit the boot to a foot.

Another object of the present invention is a fitting system that dynamically tightens the fit of the boot with forward lean and loosens the fit of the boot with rearward lean.

Still another object of the present invention is a fitting system of the type described above in which the principal means for dynamically adjusting the fit of the boot is a movable tongue assembly comprising an upper section and a lower section, means for movably coupling the lower section to the upper section and means for movably coupling the upper section to the boot. Still another object of the present invention is a fitting system comprising a movable tongue assembly as described above with means adjustably coupling the tongue assembly to the boot for adjusting the fit of the boot to different sized feet.

In use, during forward lean, the upper section is rotated toward the toe of the boot about a pivot axis formed by the means provided for coupling the upper section to the boot. As the upper section is pivoted ^' forwardly, a lower portion of the upper section and the lower section are pivoted rearwardly and downwardly for pressing a lower extremity rearwardly and downwardly toward the heel of the boot to momentarily tighte the

fit. In one embodiment, the upper and lower sections are movably coupled at the lateral edges thereof and, in an alternative embodiment, the upper and lower sections are pivotably coupled at the mid-point thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The above and other objects, features and advan¬ tages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the accompanying drawing in which :

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of a ski boot according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a tongue assembly in a ski boot according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a transverse cross-sectional view of the coupling assembly coupling the tongue assembly to the boot. Fig. 4A is a partial enlarged elevation view of a tongue-adjusting slot according to the present invention. Fig. 5 is a front elevation view of the tongue assembly shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation view of the tongue assembly of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a ski boot incorporating an alternative tongue assembly according to the present invention.

Fig. .8 is a front elevation view of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the adjustable coupling assembly coupling the tongue assem- bly of Figs. 7 and 8 to the ski boot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring to Figs. 1-6, there is provided in accordance with the present invention a ski boot designate generally as 1. In the ski boot 1 there is provided a lower shell member 2 and an upper cuff member 2. The lowe shell member 2 is provided with a sole portion 4 , a heel cup 5 and a forward overlying portion 6 for covering and protecting the forward portion and toes of a foot enclosed thereb .

The cuff member 3 is pivotably coupled to the shell member 2 as by a rivet or the like 7. In a closed position it may move from a position as shown in Fig. 2 to a position approximately twenty degrees forward of a vertical line extending through the rivet 7 perpendicular to the plane of the sole portion 4 of the lower shell member 2. The cuff member 3 is restrained from pivoting rearwardly by the. overlap of the front of the cuff member 3 on the lower shell member 2.

For warmth and comfort there is provided, extend ing throughout the interior of the shell member 2 and cuff member 3, a liner designated generally as 8. The liner 8 is provided with a forward section 9 and a rearward sectio 10. The forward section 9 and the rearward section 10 are split along a lateral line designated generally as 11 for facilitating the entry of a foot into the boot. To insure warmth and a close comfortable fit, the liner sections 9 an 10 are slightly overlapped, as shown by the dotted line at 12.

Immediately behind the instep portion of the boot there is provided a movable tongue assembly designated gene rally as 15. In the tongue assembly 15 there is orovided an upper section 16 and a lower section 17. The lower sec¬ tion 17 is movably coupled to the upper section 16 at a first point 18 and at a second point 19 located intermediat said sections 16 and 17 and near the right and left lateral edges thereof. The shape of the lower section 17 is such that it extends over a substantial portion of the instep

and forefoot for minimizing forward and sideways movement of a foot.

The upper and lower sections 16 and 17 are coupled at points 18 and 19 by resilient material used in fabricating the upper and lower sections. Alternatively, they may be pivotably coupled as by a rivet with other suitable means being provided for providing a resilient coupling between the two sections.

In addition to being resiliently coupled, upper and lower sections 16 and 17 are separated by a clearance space designated generally as 19a along a line extending from the first point 18 over the instep portion thereof to the second point 19. The separation between the upper and lower sections 16 and 17 comprises a predetermined distance along a line extending from the midpoint of the lower edge of the upper section and the midpoint of the upper edge of the lower section, which predetermined distance corresponds to a predetermined maximum distance of movement of said upper section 16 toward the toe of said boot relative to said lower section 17.

To movably couple the tongue assembly 15 to the boot 1, the upper section 16 is coupled to the lower shell member 2 by means of a pair of rivet-type pin members 20 and 21. For adjusting the position of the tongue assembly 15 relative to the heel cup 5, the pin members

20 and 21 are each provided with an internal head 21a and an external head 21b for fixedly attaching the upper section 16 in a tongue-adjusting slot designated generally as 22. The tongue-adjusting slot 22 is provided with a lower elongated slot portion 23 and a plurality of shorter slot portions 24, 25 and 26 extending generally upwardly and vertically therefrom. Each of the slot portions 24, 25 and 26 are provide with a pair of inwardly projecting wall portion 27 and 28. As seen more clearly in Fig. 4A, the inwardly projecting wall portions 27 and 28 are provided for securing the pins 20 and 21 in the slots 24, 25 and 26. The heads 21b on the ends of the pins 20 and

10

21 from being withdrawn inwardly from the slots 24-26.

Typically, the upper and lower sections 16 and 1 of the tongue assembly 15 are fabricated with a padding 16a of a relatively soft interior foam-like material and a relatively rigid exterior shell 16b to which the interio padding 16a is affixed.

Referring to Fig. 6, during forward lean the upper section 16 is pivoted about the axis of the pin members 20 and 21 toward the toe of the boot 1. As shown by the broken lines, as the upper section 16 is pivoted toward the toe of the boot 1,- a lower portion of the upper -section 16 and the lower section 17 are pivoted rearwardly and downwardly for pressing a lower extremity rearwardly and downwardly toward the heel cup 5 at the lower rear end of the shell 2. Alternatively, the lower section 17 can be removed so that the lower portion ^" of the upper section 16' can pivot rearwardly in conjunction with the upwardly pivoting foot bed as disclosed in S.N. 50,436 for pressing a leg and foot toward the heel cup. During rearward lean the upper- section 16 and lower sectio 17 are rotated in the opposite direction to relieve pressure from the leg and foot. The space 19a between the upper and lower sections 16 and 17 provides a clearance for permitting the pivoting of the upper and lower section 16 and 17 together during forward lean.

To adjust the tongue for different sized feet, the pins 20 and 21 are moved from one of the slots 24, 25 and 26 to another of the slots by pushing the pins past the wall portions 27 and 28 and into the slot 23. When the desired fit is achieved, the pins are again pushed past the wall sections 27 and 28 into the desired slot.

Thus, the ski boot provides for a close fit during the tracking phase of skiing while providing for a momentary tightening during the turning phase or other forceful maneuvers of skiing.

Referring to Figs. 7-11, there is provided in another embodiment o-f the present invention an alternative movable tongue assembly designated generally as

clarity, features of Figs. 7-11 which are identical to features shown in Figs. 1-6 bear the same identifying notation.

In the tongue assembly 30 there is provided an upper section 31 and a lower section 32. The upper and lower section 31 and 32 are movably resiliently coupled at the midpoint of the upper edge of said lower section 32 and the lower edge of said upper section 31. Extending from said midpoint to the lateral edges thereof, the upper and lower sections are split so as to provide a pair of clearance spaces 33 and 34 between the upper and lower sections 31 and 32.

^~ Along the midline of the upper and lower sections 31 and 32, the sections 31 and 32 are resiliently coupled by means of a resilient spring-like member 35. The spring¬ like member 25 is coupled to the lower section 32 by means of one or more lower attaching members, such as a rivet 36. Similarly, the upper end of the member 35 is attached to the upper section 31 by means of a removable attaching _* member such as a spring screw 37. As seen in

Fig. 10, above the spring screw 37 there is provided one or more holes 38. The holes 38 are provided for moving the location of the spring screw 37 for changing the force required to change the shape of the resilient member 35.

As in the tongue assembly 15, the tongue assembly 30 is provided with a pad 16a comprising an interior padded foam-like material and an exterior rigid shell 16b to which the padded material is attached. For attaching the upper section 31 to the shell 2, the upper section 31 is provided with a pair of pin members 20 and 21 for fitting in a slot 22 provided therefor in the shell 2 as described above with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4.

In use, except for the fact that the upper and lower-sections 31 and 32 of the embodiment of Figs. 7-11 move about an axis through the midpoint of the tongue sections rather than about an axis through the lateral

edges thereof, a movement of the upper section 31 causes a corresponding rearward and downward movement of the lower section 32 for pressing a lower extremity downwardly and rearwardly toward the heel cup 5 as described above with respect to the embodiment of Figs. 1-4.

While multiple embodiments of .the present inven¬ tion are described, it is contemplated that still other changes and modifications- to the embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present inven¬ tion. Accordingly, it is intended that the embodiments described be used only for purposes of illustrating the invention and that the scope of the invention should be determined only be reference to the claims hereinafter provided and their equivalents.