Device and method for adjusting the shell of a ski boot to a foot

Abstract

The invention relates to a device and to a method for producing a shell (2) of a ski boot (1) that in some areas is adapted to a foot, or a leg, of a user, comprising a lower and/or upper shell part (3, 3′) made of a plastic material, and a heating element (10) for sectionally heating the lower and/or upper shell part (3, 3′) above the softening temperature of the plastic material. The heating element (10) has an outer adhesion-promoting layer (11) for connecting the heating element (10) to one of the shell parts (3, 3′) of the ski boot (1).

1 . A device for producing a shell of a ski boot that in some areas is adapted to a foot, or a leg, of a user, comprising a lower and/or upper shell part made of a plastic material, wherein a heating element for sectionally heating the lower and/or upper shell part above the softening temperature of the plastic material is provided, characterized in that the heating element comprises an outer adhesion-promoting layer for an adhesion connection of the heating element to one of the shell parts of the ski boot, wherein as an adhesion-promoting layer there are provided a layer of an adhesive comprising a reglueable pressure-sensitive adhesive, or a silicone layer, or an adhesion-promoting layer based on van der Waals forces. 
     
     
         2 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein as a reglueable pressure-sensitive adhesive an acrylate-based pressure-sensitive adhesive is provided. 
     
     
         3 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the silicone layer consists of an addition cross-linked two-component silicone rubber which is vulcanizable at room temperature. 
     
     
         4 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a heating film, preferably with a film thickness of less than 3 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a silicone heater in which a heating conductor layer is accommodated between two silicone layers preferably provided with (glass) fabric inlays. 
     
     
         6 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein in the heating film or in the silicone heater there is accommodated an etched conducting track, a strand or a wire, preferably made of an alloy containing copper and nickel, as a heating conductor layer. 
     
     
         7 . The device according to  claim 6 , wherein the heating conductor layer is accommodated between two insulating films preferably made of polyimide. 
     
     
         8 . The device according to  claim 4 , wherein on the side of the heating film or of the silicone heater which side faces away from the adhesion-promoting layer there are provided a covering layer, preferably a textile fabric, and/or an insulating layer. 
     
     
         9 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the heating element comprises a temperature sensor. 
     
     
         10 . The device according to  claim 1 , wherein the adhesion-promoting layer substantially extends completely over a contact surface of the heating element. 
     
     
         11 . A method for producing a shell of a ski boot that is adapted to a foot, or leg, of a user and comprises a prefabricated lower shell part—which comprises a substantially plate-shaped sole area—and/or an upper shell part made of a plastic material, wherein a shell part is heated at least sectionally, wherein the foot of the user is accommodated in the lower and/or upper shell part in the heated state, characterized in that in a region of one of the shell parts deviating from the sole area a heating element will be attached by means of an adhesion connection between the heating element and the shell part achieved via a reglueable pressure-sensitive adhesive, a silicone layer, or via van der Waals forces, before the shell part will be heated in some areas by means of the heating element. 
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the foot or the leg of the user is inserted into the lower and/or upper shell part prior to heating the shell part. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the lower and/or upper shell part is heated up to at least 50° C., preferably up to a temperature between 50° C. and 100° C., in particular between 60° C. and 90° C.