Apparatus for testing ski boot fit

[57] ABSTRACT

Apparatus including a pair of coil spring supported ski boot bindings mounted for limited rotational movement in a horizontal plane as well as bending movement forward and backward and from side to side to provide 3° of freedom of movement to simulate positions that will be encountered in skiing and permit the user thereof to duplicate the feel of his ski boots that will be felt on the slopes.

Claims, 6 Drawing Figures

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U.S. Patent Dec. 30,1975

3,929,329

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3,929,329

APPARATUS FOR TESTING SKI BOOT FIT

The purchase and fitting of ski boots usually takes place at stores located far from the ski slopes and many times occurs at a time of year when the slopes are not suited for skiing. As a result the skier in trying on ski boots is merely able to walk around a bit in the hope that by this means he can determine if a pair of boots is a proper fit. As usually happens, the ski boots fitted in this manner do not fit properly and this is only discovered when the skier is on the slopes and is able to put the boots through the maneuvers and positions, heretofore only found in actual skiing on the slopes.

According to the parallel style of skiing, the turn is performed by the use of two basic motions. The first of these is leaning forward sharply from the ankles, thus unweighting equally the heels of the skis. While the skis remain and the heels thereof unweighted, the shoulders are rotated sharply in one direction or the other, the body remaining rigid, so that the shoulder motion is transmitted to the skis, driving the same around in a parallel turn. Thus, at least these motions should be applied to a pair of ski boots being fitted to the skier’s feet so as to establish the fit and comfort thereof in so doing.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide apparatus on which these motions and others can be duplicated and actual ski positions be simulated by a wearer of ski boots being fitted.

Another object of the invention is to provide a machine on which the basic motions of skiing can be performed at convenient times and places and in a manner to more completely test the fit of ski boots being fitted to the wearer under simulated skiing conditions.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

FIG. 1 is a frontal elevational view in perspective of the apparatus of this invention mounted by a user;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation thereof;

FIG. 3 is a view along line 3—3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a view along line 4—4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a view along line 5—5 of FIG. 3; and, FIG. 6 is a view along 6—6 6-6 of FIG. 4.

The apparatus 10 comprises a stationary base portion 12 supporting for limited rotation in a horizontal plane a pair of independent left and right boot platforms 14 and 16 respectively. To either side of platforms 14 and 16 are mounted support members 18 and 20 having extensible portions 22 and 24 respectively. Each extension terminates in a suitable hand grip such as a ball 26. The boot platforms 14 and 16 are supported respectively upon coil springs 28 and 30 which allow movement of the boot platforms in two degrees of freedom about an axis longitudinally of the boot platforms and about an axis normal thereto. The upper ends of springs 28 and 30 are fixedly secured to the boot platforms 14 and 16 respectively while the springs are secured to the base to permit limited movement in a horizontal plane. As best seen in FIG. 5 the lowermost coil 35 of spring 30 is secured to the base 12 by means of clips 32 and 34 as by means of screws 36. Clips 32 and 34 provide a sliding fit to the coil of spring 30 so as to permit rotational movement thereof in a horizontal plane. Mounted on the lowermost coil 35 of spring 30 in diametrically opposed relation is a floating washer 38. An arcuate section of tubing 40 of metal and the like is positioned over the washer 38. Adjacent either end of the arcuate portion is positioned a pin 42 and 44 which passes through the arcuate tube and through the coil 35 of spring 30. A small spring 46 and 48 is screwed inside one or the other side of tube 40 past and via pins 42 and 44. The exposed ends of springs 46 and 48 provide resilient contact with brackets 32 and 34 and the positioning of the springs determines the range of travel.

On top of each boot platform is mounted a pair of ski bindings 50 of any suitable design to secure the boots 52 on the feet of a wearer. The wearer secures the boots in the bindings and with the help of the support handles 26 supports himself upon the boot platforms. In this position the wearer can rotate the boots through all three degrees of freedom to test the fit and comfort of the boots being worn.

Thus, there is provided a novel, mechanically sound and rugged device for checking the fit of ski boots to the individual wearer’s feet prior to actual use on the ski slopes. While there has been illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is susceptible of modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims.