GB1106958A - Improvements in or relating to pads for conforming to irregular shapes, particularly for boots - Google Patents

Abstract

The space between a foot and a loose-fitting boot is filled with pads each comprising an outer flexible covering containing a quantity of discrete particles and a lubricant coating material mixed with the particles, the coating material causing the particles to adhere to one another and being present in an amount less than the void volume of the particles, although sufficient to form a coating over substantially the entire outer surface of the particles. In the ski boot illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 (Figs. not shown), the upper of rigid material, e.g. fibreglass or metal, includes a side flap (18) hinged to the sole at (19) and secured by strap (20) and clamp (21). The construction shown in Figs. 3-11 includes a main boot portion (27) and a side flap (28) hinged at (29). Portion (27) and flap (28), which are secured in closed position by clamps (40), each comprise a lower portion (30, 36) to which an ankle portion (31, 37) is pivoted at (32) and joined by flexible members (39). Pads (42) and (43), (44) and (45), (48) and (49), and (50) are provided at the ankle, sides, heel, and instep respectively. The material in the pads must conform to the shape of the foot and retain this shape, but must not set. The discrete particles are preferably hollow spheres of phenolic resin preferably less than 0.125 inch in diameter, e.g. varying in diameter from 0.0002 - 0.005 inch with an average diameter of 0.0017 inch. The coating liquid must be non-evaporating, non-toxic, non-allergenic, and odourless. Wax, viscous liquid, or grease, e.g. silicone base grease, may be used in the ratio of 20 parts of particles to 1 part of liquid by weight. The boot with the pads only partially filled is placed on the foot and the pads then filled through valves (57) by means of a syringe (60). The syringe can also be used to remove filler material. To provide a definite clamping action air bags (55) with filling valves (56), may be arranged in the pads at one side of the boot. Filler bars (75) may be slid between a pad and the boot to increase the pressure.