Abstract: A skate boot is described which includes an overlapping tension strap extending from the medial side of the outer sole to the medial lacing band, and the lacing passes through eyelets provided in the tension strap. The lacing bands are arranged such that in the bottom portion thereof below the tarsis, they are symmetrical to a line drawn approximately over the highest ridge of the dorsal of the foot, that is, at the first or second metatarsal and above the tarsis they are symmetrical with the axis of the anterior tibial tendon so that the lacing is evenly distributed on either side of the highest ridge of the foot in these areas. A liner is provided in the rear part of the boot such as to provide lateral support. The liner is relatively stiff but is provided with cutouts allowing the boot to flex in the dorsal-plantar flexion direction.

Abstract: A skate comprises a boot and an ice skate blade with fixed molded plastics support. The molded plastics support includes a boot receiving means having the outline of the sole of the boot and having a ridge adapted to be fixed to the base of the boot. The support may be fixed to the boot by way of a suitable adhesive, and the boot receiving portion of the support replaces the sole of the boot.

Abstract: A sole insert for use in footwear includes a toe plate portion, a metatarsal portion and a heel portion all formed in an integral molded member. The heel portion includes a thickened block-type reinforcing frame merging smoothly into a similarly constructed-type metatarsal portion of reduced thickness which in turn merges into the flat toe portion. The toe portion includes laterally extending weakened portion such that the insert will resist to torsional twisting but will flex about a lateral axis located in the toe portion.

Abstract: A toe binding for a cross country ski includes a rectangular plastic block for mounting on the ski, with a T-shaped groove in the top of the block for receiving a similarly shaped toe piece. One end of the toe piece is molded into or otherwise permanently attached to the sole of a cross country ski boot, the T-shaped front end of the toe piece extending forwardly. The toe piece is retained in the block by pins slidably mounted in the block for intersecting the groove above the toe piece. The pins are biased across the groove by a leaf spring, and can be moved out of the groove by a handle connected to the spring and pivotally connected to the block by a lever, the handle having a notch for receiving the tip of a ski pole, whereby the handle, lever, spring and pins can be moved.

Abstract: A sole construction for protective shoes comprises a protective mid-sole and an integrally molded insole and heel plug, the plug portion including a top surface, a recessed bed in the top surface, spaced-apart anchoring projections in the recessed bed and a slot extending through the insole laterally thereof adjacent the plug and communicating with the recessed bed. The mid-sole being coextensive with the insole and including a rearward extension adapted to pass through the slot in the insole and be received in the recessed bed. The rearward extension of the mid-sole includes complementary anchoring seats adapted to be selectively engaged by at least one of the anchoring projections in the bed.

Abstract: A skate boot comprises a lower, upper and an intermediate portion between the lower and the upper. The lower includes a sole, toe and heel portions made of a molded unitary rigid plastics material. The intermediate portion is connected to the lower and includes ankle and Achilles tendon portions of the boot and is made of a relatively flexible material. The upper including the eyelet bands and the upper tendon guard are made of a pliable material. The construction allows forward flexure and torsional flexibility in the ankle area, foot forming moldability in the upper area of the boot and impact resistant rigidity in the lower.

Abstract: A fastening device for ski-boots includes a lever which is mounted on a support base fixed to the boot, and a ring which is connected to a tightening unit through a tie rod and is engageable with one of a plurality of hook-shaped seats formed in the lever. The tie rod is adjustable in length so that the tightness of the fastening can be adjusted even when the device is in its working condition, that is, under load.

Abstract: A hinged sport boot having an upper boot portion with hinge openings in its sides and a lower boot portion with integral, headed, hinge pins projecting from its sides. The heads of hinge pins are slightly larger in size than the openings so that the pins must be forced through the openings to hingedly connect the upper and lower portions together. A locating depression is provided on the central outer surface of the head of each pin to properly locate a connecting tool used to connect the boot portions together. The invention is also directed toward a method for connecting the boot portions together.

Abstract: A skate base for a goal-tender's skate having blade support means and foot protective means. A skate boot is mounted on the skate base to provide the skate.

Abstract: A skate guard having a protective member and a holding member. The protective member has a longitudinal slot on one side for receiving a skate blade and a plurality of recesses on the opposite side. The holding member has means for snapping into any one recess to detachably connect the holding member to the protective member.

Abstract: A skate boot for use with a hockey skate. The boot has a molded support structure. The support structure includes a portion which is the sole of the boot and first and second support portions for supporting a steel runner. Attached to the molded support structure is a soft flexible sock adapted to receive the skater's foot. A removable cover portion is adapted to meet with the molded support structure to fully enclose the sock and to thereby provide protection for the skater's foot. The cover includes fastening means which fasten under the sole portion and behind the ankle of the skater such that the cover and the molded support structure provide an integral unit when assembled.