Abstract: Boot formed of a shell base (1) and a shank (2, 3) articulated on this shell base. The foot is gripped diagonally by means of a cord (5) passing over a pressure distributor (6), on which cord there acts a stretcher (7) mounted on the rear part (3) of the shank. The cable (5) forms a loop on the pressure distributor (6), sliding in a return device (11). One of the strands (5a) of the loop passes under the articulation (4), while the other strand (5b) passes above this articulation, in a manner such that there is neither any increase in the compression of the instep, nor any relaxation, during forward flexion.

Abstract: A ski boot with a rigid shell having a foot retention system that is adapted to maintain the forefoot. At least one maintenance element at least partially surrounds the foot by forming a flexible arc between the plantar support zone and the top of the foot. The maintenance element includes at least two flexible elements that straddle a sensitive part of the foot. An activation mechanism adjusts the flexible elements to modify their position against the forefoot.

Abstract: The normal oxford type shoe of a man or woman includes a sole and heel. A separate heel is usually attached to the back half of the sole. Most shoes have some arch support built in the shoe to conform to the arch of the foot. The improvement comprises a heel connected to a plate under the arch and a spring steel plate under the arch and the heel area. The original heel of the shoe is removed.

Abstract: A skiing boot, particularly for cross country skiing, is constructed of an upper and a sole. A binding mechanism for pivotally binding the skiing boot to a ski is located toward the front, on the bottom of the sole, in the region of the toe. Extending rearwardly from the ski boot binding mechanism to the heel is a longitudinally extending, V-shaped groove which is formed in the bottom of the sole. The V-shaped groove extends at an angle of about 1.degree.-3.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of the sole and lies on the outer side and intersects the longitudinal axis in the toe region. Preferably, the ski binding mechanism is located about 9 to 13 millimeters from the front edge of the sole.

Abstract: There is provided a ski boot having two support elements arranged between the shaft and the inner show of the ski boot which overlap the region of the instep in the nature of a saddle. Each support element is engaged by a pulling element which in each case grips across the other support element and is extended to a rotary lock by way of a reversing element. The pulling elements can be wound in the rotary lock so that the inner shoe, within the region of the support elements is painlessly and snugly forced or pressed against the foot. The front end regions of the support elements are supported on a guide element with free displaceability in the lengthwise direction of the boot and transverse thereto. The spacing of the support elements from the boot shaft is adjustable transversely to the boot sole by means of an adjusting member.

Abstract: To exert a balanced and symmetrical pull on the bootleg of a ski boot, a boot fastening cable is run over a plurality of lay pulleys arranged at symmetrical locations on the ski boot and over a guide on a rear mounted lever with the ends of the cable secured to opposite sides of the ski boot.

Abstract: The boot comprises an upper (8) hinged on a shell (1). A device enables the upper to be locked and its inclination to be adjusted in the locked position. This device comprises a cam (10) cooperating with a stop (24) integral with the shell (1). This cam can be actuated by means of a button (15) and it may be retracted by means of a cam lever (18) against the action of a spring (23) so as to release the upper (8).

Abstract: The lever structure has an essentially longitudinal body which is not intended to be coupled to a boot. A first seat is provided on the body for accommodating a terminal end of a traction element associated with a presser arranged inside a ski boot. The other end of the body constitutes a transmission point for the traction element during tensioning, and a pair of longitudinal wings protrudes from the body at the transmission point to define a guide for the tensioning element, thereby allowing tensioning of the traction element proportional to the distance between the seat and the transmission point of the traction element.

Abstract: Ski boot comprising an articulated shank equipped with means of connection to the lower part, which means of connection make it possible to fix or release the shank for rotation, to regulate the inclination of the shank and the elasticity of an elastic element. The connection is supplied by a threaded bar (4) capable of being driven to rotate by a knurled wheel (14). The locking of the shank (5) in rotation is ensured by a lock (6). The elastic element is formed by a cylindrical sleeve (17) whose expansion is more or less inhibited by a sliding rigid sleeve (22).

Abstract: Ski boot having a shell, a rear quarter and a front quarter, at least the rear quarter being pivoted to the shell. The rear quarter is also articulated to an element of the boot, such as the front quarter, the shell or a flap by means of rods.

Abstract: A ski boot composed of a rigid sole (1), on the front of which a shell in the form of a shoe (2) is articulated, and of an upper composed of a front part (4) fixed to the shell and of a rear part (6) articulated at the rear of the sole. The rear part (6) is connected to the shell by means of two pivots (15, 16), each interacting with a slot comprising at least two segments (17a and 17b). The first segment (17a) is in the form of an arc of a circle centered approximately on the axis of articulation (7) of the rear part of the upper. The boot closes automatically as a result of the pressure of the foot and likewise opens automatically and widely during the forward bending of the leg accompanied by the lifting of the heel.

Abstract: Ski boot having an articulated shank comprising means for fixing or releasing the shank for rotation, means for adjusting the inclination of the shank and an elastic element (15), the elasticity of which is adjustable. The adjustable inclination is achieved by means of a shank in two parts, the length of which is adjustable by means of a button (12). The locking or the release for rotation is obtained by means of a sliding locking member (24) interacting with a V-shaped bolt (16) itself interacting with cut-outs (19) in a cradle fixed to the shank (2). The elasticity of the elastic element (15) is ensured by the displacement of a sliding rigid sleeve (19) around the elastic element (15), which displacement is controlled by a button (32).

Abstract: An athletic shoe, particularly a tennis shoe, with wear-resistant parts provided in the area of the outsole to increase the wear resistance of the sole material. The wear resistance of the outsole, particularly in the toe area or in other peripheral areas of the outsole, is significantly increased and yet a sufficient braking effect is maintained by the material of the outsole or of the edge of the outsole. This is achieved by molding parts made of one of such materials as an oxide ceramic, metal carbide, metal nitride or hard metal into the outsole in an upwardly directed edge (3) of toe area (4) of outsole (2) or by subsequently inserting them into the outsole in such a way that the outer surface of the parts ends approximately flush with an outer side of the edge surface of outsole.

Abstract: Footwear comprises a sole consisting of upper and lower members (2, 3) bonded together. The upper member 2 has a plurality of holes 4 penetrating it. The lower member 3 has the top formed with grooves 5 each having a stem 6 communicating with each hole and an end 7 open on the side of the lower member. The top of the upper member communicates with the side of the lower member through ventilation holes 8 consisting of the holes 4 and grooves 5.

Abstract: The shoe sole incorporating spring apparatus comprises a shoe sole with a cavity in its upper side, the planform of the cavity being essentially that of the foot of a wearer of a shoe incorporating the sole. Two elliptical springs are situated entirely in the cavity, one spring located under the heel of the user, termed the heel spring, the other under the ball of the user's foot, termed the toe spring. The springs are contoured in planform to fit snugly but freely in the cavity. A flexible bridge piece fits over the springs. The planform of the bridge conforms closely to that of the cavity, allowing free motion of the bridge to the cavity. The springs and bridge are made of acetal plastic. The spring rates of the springs are attuned to the weight of the wearer, reaching full deflection under forces which are a factor times the weight of the wearer. The factor ranges from 1 to 4 with 3 being a preferred factor for the heel spring and 1.