Description

BOOTS FOR FIXING PASSIVE SPORTS EQUIPMENT

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a boot for fixing passive sports equipment, and more particularly, to a boot for fixing passive sports equipment, which allows users to enjoy exciting sports like jumping, inline skating, ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, etc., with their shoes on, especially, allows users to play in a more natural position by bending their ankle joints in a front-to-back direction.

Background Art [2] Sports that people play with shoes on include exciting sports like jumping, inline skating, ice skating, snowboarding, skiing, etc. In most cases, users play these sports by fixing their feet in exclusive boots for the corresponding sports, with their own shoes off. [3] The aforementioned exclusive boots are provided in a shape with foot and ankle portions fixed. [4] Generally, to walk or run, you set one foot forward and take a step forward from the air with the other foot while moving the center of the weight, so that the ankle of the foot touching the ground is naturally bent.

Disclosure of Invention

Technical Problem [5] However, conventional exclusive boots mounted to sports equipment has a structural problem that makes it impossible to bend one's ankles due to a structure in which the ankles are fixed, enclosed, so as to be protected. [6] Hence, if a user plays sports while wearing boots, the ankles are not free, and this causes strain to the muscles of the legs and waist for bearing the weight and causes easy fatigue to them. [7] Moreover, if the user's feet get bigger along with the growth of the whole body, they can buy and use new shoes of a bigger size. On the other hand, every sports equipment are rather expensive, and, thus, if you have to buy new sports equipment for every change in the foot size of children or youths who are in the fast-growing stage, this leads to economic burdens.

Technical Solution [8] It is an object of the present invention to provide a boot for fixing passive sports equipment, which allows users to enjoy exciting sports while wearing their own shoes, and can reduce the cost of repurchase of high-priced sports equipment by allowing users to continue using the same sports equipment even if they have to buy new shoes

as their feet get bigger. [9] It is another object of the present invention to provide a boot for fixing passive sports equipment, which can safely protect one's ankle portions while making it easy to bend the ankle joints because they use the boot for fixing purpose, having their sports shoes put on.

Advantageous Effects

[10] According to the thus-constructed boot for fixing passive sports equipment of the present invention, the following effects can be obtained. [11] First, a user can play sports in a more comfortable position since the boot is used, being mounted to passive equipments, especially, the user can bend the ankles smoothly. [12] Second, comfortableness and stability can be obtained because more safely is provided to the ankles even while the user is playing sports wearing his or her own shoes. [13] Third, even if the feet get bigger as the human body grows, the boot for fixing purpose can be used by adjusting the length of the boot according to the size of the shoes without buying new boots.

Brief Description of the Drawings [14] Figs. 1 and 2 are an exploded view and illustration showing a boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. [15] Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional illustrative view showing a cut-away section of a binding portion, i.e., an essential part of the boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. [16] Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing a cut-away section of a hinge portion, i.e., an essential part of the boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. [17] Figs. 5 to 9 are illustrative views showing embodiments of a boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [18] Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in more details with reference to the accompanying drawings. [19] <Embodiments>

[20] Figs. 1 and 2 are an exploded view and illustration showing a boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 3 is a cross- sectional illustrative view showing a cut-away section of a binding portion, i.e., an essential part of the boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. Fig. 4 is an exploded view showing a cut-away section of a hinge

portion, i.e., an essential part of the boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention. Figs. 5 to 9 are illustrative views showing embodiments of a boot for fixing passive sports equipment in accordance with the present invention.

[21] As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the boot 1 according to the present invention comprises a first body 2 for placing passive sports equipment thereunder and mounting shoes thereto, a second body 20 connectively mounted to the back of the first body 2 by a hinge portion 30, and a binding portion 8 provided at the front of the first body 2 and second body 20 to fix and bind the shoes or the ankles.

[22] The above-described first body 2 has a bottom portion 3 and side portions 4 and 5 formed at both sides of the bottom portion 3, and a pull lever of the binding portion 8 is fixed to the outer side of one 4 of the side portions and a locking member 10 is provided at the outer side of the other side portion 5.

[23] The above-described binding portion 8 is formed by using the well-known art. A binding member 9 is fixed to one side of the pull lever. The surface of the binding member 9 is formed in a serrated shape. The locking member 10 is adapted to be stopped at the serration of the binding member 9 all the time by a spring to prevent from unlocking or prevent the binding member 9 from loosened and make the binding member 9 loosened only when the locking member 19 is manipulated.

[24] As shown in Fig. 3, the above-described other side portion 5 has a guide portion 11 formed at one side of the locking member 10 and an inner through hole 12 formed inside the guide portion 11 and penetrating the side portion 5 inward and outward. An end portion 9a of the above-described binding member 9 is inserted inside the side portion 5 through the inner through hole 12 formed at the side portion 5.

[25] A reinforcing member 6 is formed at an inner corner where the above-described bottom portion 3 and the side portions 4 and 5 come in contact with each other, and a plurality of binding holes 13 is formed at the bottom portion 3.

[26] The above-described reinforcing member 6 is configured to increase the durability of the first body 2 and increase clamping force and adhesive power upon mounting shoes within the first body 2.

[27] The above-described binding hole 13 is a means for binding to passive sports equipment, and is fixed by riveting or a bolt.

[28] At the back sides of the above-described both side portions 4 and 5, a first hinge binding member 7 is extended to the region where the anklebone of the foot is placed.

[29] As shown in Fig. 1, the above-described second body 20 has side portions 23 and

24formed at both sides of a rear portion 21. A binding portion 8 is formed at both of the side portions 23 and 24. Especially, the binding portion 8 has the same construction as the binding portion 9 formed at the first body 2, and a description thereof will be

omitted.

[30] A second hinge binding member 25 is extended to a lower surface of the above- described both side portions 23 and 24.

[31] Additionally, a reflecting member 22 may be further formed at the rear surface and outer side of the above-described second body 20. The reflecting member 22 is reflected by light in the night to increase recognizability so that once can easily find out the location of a person who is playing sports. Also, the reflecting member 22 may be formed of a luminous material to further increase reconizability in the night.

[32] The above-described hinge portion 30 will be described in more details with reference to Fig. 4.

[33] The hinge portion 30 interconnects the first hinge binding member of the first body

2 and the second hinge binding member 25 of the second body 20, that is, couples them in a way that they are bendable.

[34] A long hole 31 is formed on the above-described first hinge binding member 7, a corrugated inner wall 32 is formed at one side of the long hole 31 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long hole 31, and a fastening hole 36 is formed on the above-described second hinge binding member 25.

[35] The above-described long hole 31 is preferably formed inclined forward and downward because the positon of the anklebone is different depending on the structure of the human body or the size of the shoe. Especially, if the human body grows or the shoe size gets bigger, the center of the joint region is placed at a back upper side. In order to cope with this change, the long hole 31 is formed inclined forward and downward.

[36] A nut member 33 is fit into the above-described long hole 31 and the fastening hole

36, a bolt 38 is fastened to the outer side of the nut member 33. A washer 37 may be further inserted between the second hinge binding member 25 and the bolt 38.

[37] The above-described nut member 33 has a corrugation 34 formed at a width corresponding to that of the above-described corrugated inner wall 32. A tube portion 35 is formed at the other side of the nut member 33, and a female screw is formed on the tube portion 35.

[38] A screw portion 39 is formed on the above-described bolt 38, and a tie slot 40 is formed at the head thereof so as to be rotatable by a tool, such as a metal coin or a driver.

[39] A cushion member 50 is mounted inside the above-described second body 20 to cover the ankle.

[40] In the above-described cushion member 50, cushion side portions 52 are formed, respectively, at both sides of a cushion rear portion 51, and a cushion extension 53 is formed at any one of the cushion side portions 52 to fully cover the ankle.

[41] Moreover, the above-described cushion member 50 is fixed to the second body 20 by any fixing means 55, such as riveting, especially, the cushion rear portion 51 is mounted to the rear portion 21 of the second body 20, thereby always opening the front side. [42] Hereinafter, the operation and effects of the present invention will be described with reference to Figs. 2 to 9.

[43] A user wears a boot 1, with his or her own shoe 100 on.

[44] That is to say, with every binding portion 8 unbound, the shoe 100 is mounted to the first body 2, and with the calf region placed inside the second body 20, the binding of the binding portion 8 is carried out. [45] Since the calf region is covered by the cushion member 50 stored in the second body 20, the user can feel comfortable without any abnormal pressure to the ankle and calf. [46] Once the binding portion 8 performs binding, the end portion 9a of the binding member 9 penetrates through the inner through hole 12 formed at any one of the side portions 5 and 26 and is positioned inside the side portions 5 and 26, thereby providing an aesthetic appearance. [47] Further, the position of the anklebone changes depending on the size of the human body (foot) or the size of the shoe 100. At this time, the hinge portion 30 is adjusted according to the user's condition. [48] The hinge portion 30 can move the nut member 33 by loosening the bolt 38 by easily available tools, such as a coin or driver, and applying a predetermined force to the second body 20. [49] Especially, the nut member 33 can be moved with the feeling of "clicking", by servi ng as a kind of stopper as the corrugated inner wall 32 and the corrugation 34 engage with each other. [50] By clamping the bolt 38 again, with the hinge portion 30 positioned under the user's condition (in a position in which it is easy to move the ankle joints), the adjusting of the hinge portion 30 is finished. [51] Hereinafter, the boot 1 in accordance with the present invention will be described in embodiments in which the boot 1 is actually mounted to sports equipment. [52] The attached drawing Fig. 5 shows an embodiment in which the boot 1 according to the present invention is mounted to a jumping apparatus 60. The jumping apparatus 60 has a plate spring mounted thereto, by which the user can play sports, such as a standing jump or walking. [53] The attached drawing Fig. 6 shows an embodiment in which the boot 1 according to the present invention is mounted to an inline skate 61. The inline skate 61 has a plurality of wheels arranged in a row on a frame, by which the user can play sports on

the typical ground surface.

[54] The attached drawing Fig. 7 shows an embodiment in which the boot 1 according to the present invention is mounted to an ice skate 62. The ice skate 62 has a straight blade mounted on a frame, by which the user can play sports on the ice.

[55] The attached drawings Figs. 8 and 9 show an embodiment in which the boot 1 according to the present invention is mounted to a snowboard 63 and a ski 64. The user can play sports on the snow.

[56] In other words, the boot according to the present invention is used, mounted to passive sports equipment, and when enjoying the above-mentioned sports, the user can smoothly bend the ankle from the hinge portion 30 in a front-to-back direction.

[57] As described above, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be implemented in some other concrete forms without departing from the technical spirit or essential characteristics thereof. Accordingly, it should be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative but not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims rather than the detailed description, and it should be appreciated that the meaning and scope of the claims and all the modifications derived from the claims and the equivalents thereof are all included in the scope of the present invention. Mode for the Invention

[58] In order to achieve the above-described object, there is provided a boot for fixing passive sports equipment according to the present invention, comprising: a first body having side portions formed at both sides of a bottom portion, a binding portion formed at the outer side of both side portions, and a first hinge binding member formed at a back upper side of both side portions; a second body coupled to the first hinge binding member of the first body by a hinge portion, and having side portions formed at both sides of the rear portion, a binding portion formed at the outer side of both side portions and a second hinge binding member formed at a lower side of both side portions; and a cushion member mounted to the rear portion of the second body and having cushion side portions formed at both sides of a cushion rear portion and a cushion extension formed at any one of the cushion side portions.

[59] Furthermore, the hinge portion comprises: a long hole formed on the first hinge binding member of the first body; a corrugated inner wall formed at one side of the long hole in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the long hole, a fastening hole formed on the second hinge binding member; a nut member fit into the long hole and the fastening hole and having a corrugation formed corresponding to the corrugated inner wall and a female screw formed on a tube portion; and a bolt fastened to the nut member from outside the second hinge binding member and having a tie slot

formed to be rotated by a coin.

[60] Furthermore, the long hole is formed inclined forward and downward.

[61] Furthermore, the first body and the second body have inner through holes, respectively, at one of the side portions of the first body and one of the side portions of the second body, so that the binding member of the binding portion can penetrate through the inner through hole.

[62] Furthermore, the first body has a reinforcing member formed at an inner corner where the bottom portion and the side portions come in contact with each other.

[63] Furthermore, a reflecting member is further provided at the outer side of the second body. Industrial Applicability

[64] As described above, the boot for fixing passive sports equipment according to the present invention can be used with shoes on.

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