Abstract: This ski boot comprises a boot shell, a front gaiter and a rear gaiter associated therewith and a gaiter closure device. The gaiter closure device presents a lever element pivoted, at one end, to either of the gaiters for rotation about the pivot axis between an open and a closed position. The lever element supports an assembly for adjusting the working length of a cable interconnecting the gaiters. The adjustment assembly has a slider engageable with the cable and movable along a direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis for adjusting the working length of the cable with the lever element in the open position.

Abstract: A device for fitting fixings to the upper of a ski-boot comprises a plate-shaped base fixed to a respective fitting, and a plate-shaped counterbase which is essentially snap-engaged with the plate-shaped base from within the upper through a hole formed therein. The easy assembly and firm anchorage of the fitting to the upper is thus achieved.

Abstract: This ski boot comprises a fastening and tension device consisting of a cogged strap of which the teeth are cycloidal segments parallel to the strap plane. These teeth cooperate with drive studs carried by a rotary disc coupled to a control knob. The studs are disposed at spaced angular intervals on a circumference so that they describe cycloids corresponding to the teeth with respect to the strap.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot (1), the rod of which has a front collar (4) and a rear cap (5) arranged about a common axis (6), and the foot accommodating shell (2) of which houses, in its interior, a tarsal support casing (12). The collar (5) and the cap (6), on the one hand, and the casing (12), on the other hand, are respectively kept in position pressing against a skier's leg and against the kick portion of his foot, with a flexible brace (112) cooperating with an element (26) exerting traction by winding, allowing a phase of rapid approach, then a phase for the adjustment of the pressure applied to the skier's foot and leg.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for overlapping closure flaps of an athletic boot comprises at least one cable arranged to overlap the flaps and travel interiorly of the boot to a position remote from the overlapping flaps. The cable then exits the interior of the boot and is connected to a latch for pulling the end of the cable to draw it about and close the overlapping flaps.

Abstract: Winding device for adjusting the length and tension of the braces on a rear entry ski boot for tightening the skier's foot and closing the boot shank on the skier's leg. The device comprises a control button turnably mounted on the boot and having an axle offset with respect to its rotation axis, a toothed pinion turnably mounted on the offset axle, and a toothed ring coaxial with the control button and having one tooth more than the pinion. The pinion turns inside the ring. The braces cooperate with winding grooves via anchoring devices carried by the pinion and ring, respectively.

Abstract: In a tensioner assembly including a lever, a tie having a hook-up member and an interlobing mechanism between the lever and the tie, which mechanism comprises a latch axially movably on the lever toward and away from an abutment seat formed on the tie member.

Abstract: A ski boot having a lower shell and upper outer and inner shells being spaced apart to define front and rear openings within which are tiltably mounted front and rear cuffs. A band is wound around the outer peripheries of said shells and cuffs; there being a device for tightening said band. There is a forward inclination angle adjusting mechanism for adjusting the angle of forward inclination of the skier's leg including means for adjusting the length of the portion of the band extending across the front cuff and being arranged for moving circumferentially. Said boot may also include a forward inclination pressure adjusting mechanism to adjust the pressure applied to the skier's leg by the boot when the skier moves forwardly. The boot of the present invention may contain either the forward inclination angle adjusting mechanism or the forward inclination pressure adjusting mechanism or both.

Abstract: Device for tightening a strap (1) for the upper of a ski boot. The strap has driving teeth (4) on one side and retaining teeth (5) on the other side. The retaining teeth engage with a fixed tooth (6) forming an abutment carried by an anchoring piece (2), while the driving teeth are engaged by a rib (9) on a control member (3), which rib exerts a longitudinal thrust on one of the driving teeth during pivoting movement of the control member (3) in a first, strap tightening direction. The control member (3) also comprises a projection (10) for denotching the retaining teeth.

Abstract: A manipulation element for closing and latching the rear spoiler of a ski boot onto the lower leg of a skier. The boot includes a cable which attaches the boot to a manipulation element. The manipulation element actuates the cable to close and latch the rear spoiler onto the lower portion of the leg. The manipulation element includes an element for actuating the cable to close and latch the boot. This actuating element is journalled on the rear spoiler, and includes a protective enclosure journalled on the actuating element for at least partially enclosing the cable along at least a portion of the length of the cable to protect the cable from damage.

Abstract: A boot for wear while skiing or skating has a sole block for attachment to a ski binding or the like, a first part forming a partial enclosure affixed to the sole block and forming sides, a toe and a rear portion of a boot, enclosing the user's foot and lower leg but for the upper portion of the instep and front of the shin. A second part forms a partial cover removably attachable over the first enclosure to define a protective covering for weatherproofing. The user's foot and leg are structurally affixed only to the first enclosure part. A lower belt is attached to the sole block and crosses the user's instep. An upper belt surrounds the user's shin, attaching the same to the upper rear part of the boot.

Abstract: A downhill ski boot (1), the upper (3) of which has a front collar (4) and a rear cap (5) placed mutually around an axis (6). The collar (4) and the cap (5) are kept in a position pressing against the skier's leg by tension on a cable (8) which is anchored by one end on the collar (4) or the cap (5) and on its other end on means (19) which allow traction to be applied to it by winding under the action of the elastic solicitation means for the reel in a direction winding up the flexible cable (8) and under the action of manual pulling means (81) allowing additional windup for adjustment of the pressure applied to the skier's leg. This arrangement permits a precise adaptation of the upper (3) of the boot for any leg conformation.

Abstract: The boot closure described herein includes a case housing a rotatable shaft pon which are wound straps for drawing front and rear halves of the boot upper together. The closure includes a lever connected through a pair of ratchets to the shaft, so that the straps may be tightened by moving the lever back and forth. The ratchet system may be disengaged by lifting the lever, when removal of the boots is desired.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ski boot of the type comprising a shell, at least one spoiler and clamping means constituted by a lever, a clamping member, a toothed piece designed to cooperate with said clamping member, and whereinthe toothed piece is housed between two parallel side walls molded with the boot, and defining between them an open chamber on the edge of the spoiler or of the shell, and the height of which substantially coincides with the height of the toothed piece;and the end of said chamber:is, on the one hand, extended at the top by a streamlined structure which is progressively joined to the front of the spoiler or of the shell;and on the other hand, comprises a split part, perpendicular to the walls and situated plumb with the beginning of said streamlined structure.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a ski boot, in particular a rear entry one incorporating a foot instep securing device, which comprises a boot shell having a front leg portion and rear leg portion hingedly connected thereto, and having interiorly a strap associated with one end of said shell and extending over the foot instep. This ski boot comprises a closure element connected to the front leg portion and adapted to perform simultaneously both the fastening of the front leg portion and rear leg portion together, and fastening of the strap onto the foot instep.

Abstract: The device is composed of a vertical axle positioned in a case made rigid with the rear half-shell of the quarter of ski footwear. The axle having at a middle region thereof, an inclined tooth gear which is actuated by a ratchet lever to cause its co-directional rotation with winding of stays having second ends associated with the front portion of the quarter thus effecting the closure of the boot. The lower end of said axle includes a thread portion adapted to cause upward movement of a block which in turn causes tensioning of cables associated with an element positioned on the foot instep, thereby causing tightening of the same. Also provided are a means of releasing the inclined tooth gear with consequent opening of the boot quarter, and a means of adjusting the tension exerted by the upward movement of the block on the cables.

Abstract: The ski boot is closed by a device acting both as a closing and a tightening device. This device comprises a worm-screw mounted in one of the two portions of the boot and cooperating with a cogged strap rigid with the other portion, the cogged strap being kept in meshing engagement with the worm-screw by guide means adapted to be moved away from the strap for releasing same or quickly bringing a selected portion of the strap in front of the worm-screw.

Abstract: The invention comprises flexible handles which are adjustable in length, and which are attached to athletic shoes. The handles may be attached at various points on each shoe, adjusted to the desired length, and the wearer can grasp the handles to aid and augment exercises, and muscle toning routines.

Abstract: A rear entry ski boot formed of an upper having a cuff and a rear spoiler. At least a portion of the upper is journalled on a shell base along a generally transverse axis. The boot further includes a foot retention apparatus within the shell base; and a closure apparatus for closing the upper around the lower leg of the skier. The closure apparatus is connected to the foot retention apparatus by means of a traction circuit.

Abstract: A foot retaining device in a ski boot comprises a pressure element arranged within an outer shell of the ski boot at the neck area of the user's foot, and a cable embracing the pressure element and having one end fixed to the outer shell and another end wound on a winding reel operable by a knob accessible from the outside of the ski boot. The reel and knob are arranged at a rear portion of the ski boot. Rotation of the winding reel causes the pressure element to increase or decrease pressure on the user's foot. Ratchet gears are provided for retaining the winding reel and cable in position in use.

Abstract: Integrated closure system for a ski or other boot preferably intended for use with a boot having two portions adapted to be drawn together by the closure system. The closure system includes at least one traction cable adapted to be connected at one of its ends to a location provided on at least one of the two portions. The system further includes a traction assembly comprising a cable stretcher and a return element adapted to be mounted on one portion of the boot. The cable stretcher is activated by a control element which can assume at least two positions, namely, an open position in which it frees a length of the traction cable to allow for the opening of the boot, and a closed position in which the traction cable is subjected to a tractional force to draw the two portions towards one another. The return element is adapted to transfer the tractional force exerted on the traction cable by the cable stretcher along an appropriately selected direction to assure good closure of the boot.

Abstract: A device for progressively adjusting the relative positions of two elements, comprising a rack (5), a control knob (4) rotatably mounted on a support (3) above the rack and having its lower face turned toward the latter, a spiral rib (15) centered on the rotational axis (xx') of the control knob and the spiral rib, which axis is inclined with respect to the plane of the rack. The device is applicable to the tightening of ski boots.

Abstract: Adjustable toggle type attachment device for a ski boot, with a series of notches constituting a rack fixed to an element to be tightened, and a tightening lever connected through a traction element to another element to be tightened. An abutment longitudinally adjustable in a continuous manner is provided on the lever, and the traction element is supported thereon.

Abstract: A ski-boot fastening device for allowing the fastening tension to be adjusted under load includes a ring or other similar hook means and a tensioning unit which acts on the hook means through a tie rod comprising a rod-shaped element having a section with a plurality of transverse notches which are longitudinally aligned along the section, a substantially plate-shaped body with a hole extending parallel to the line of action of the tie rod and having dimensions so as to couple with at least the notched section of the rod-shaped element, and a seat formed in the substantially plate-shaped body. The seat opens into the hole in the plate-shaped body, and a locking member is mounted in the seat and guided for movement transverse the hole against the action of spring means so as to releasably engage a notch of the notched section of the rod-shaped element.

Abstract: The ski binding clamp mechanism includes a base plate 5 which is to be attached to a ski 1, as well as a clamping unit 7 which is guided in lengthwise displaceable manner along the ski. A locking arrangement 15 latches the clamping unit 7 to the base plate 5 in predetermined displacement positions. The locking arrangement 15 has a locking member 21 movably attached to the clamping unit 7 and is held by a spring 17 in mating engagement with a complementary locking member 23 of base plate 5. A double arm lever 27, pivotally attached to the clamping unit 7 and having an operating arm 33 and a disengaging arm 35, disengages the locking arrangement 15 against the resistance of spring 17. The disengaging arm 35 is substantially shorter than the operating arm 33 in order to facilitate the disengaging action. A locking projection 41 prevents undesired disengagement of the locking arrangement 15 when lever 27 is latched in the operating position of the ski binding clamping mechanism.

Abstract: A boot for wear by a user while skiing has a sole member for attachment to a ski binding, a first half shell, rigidly attached to the sole member and forming the sides and rear of the boot, and a second half shell, removably attachable to the first half shell and forming the front and top of the boot. Attachment belts mounted inside the first half shell affix the user's foot and leg only to the first half shell, which forms the back and sides. The second half shell provides support and stiffening for the first half shell when attached thereto, without directly contacting the user's foot or leg.

Abstract: A fastening mechanism for joining together separable portions of an article including, for each portion, a track with sliders connected together by bridge connectors to limit the movement of the sliders along the track, the sliders and/or bridge connectors on opposite tracks being connected by adjustable lacing means.

Abstract: A shoe closure intended particularly for ski boots contains two pull straps adapted to be fastened on corresponding parts of the shoe and a rotatable actuating member with two driving members arranged eccentrically with reference to the axis of rotation of the actuating member. The ends of the pull straps which face each other have only half the width of the remainder of the straps and are located adjacent and alongside each other. Each pull strap has a groove which is open toward the other pull strap, the depth of such groove corresponding to the eccentricity of the driving members, and the driving members engage in the groove so that a largely direct and effective and closing is made possible in a simple manner.

Abstract: A ski boot consists of a foot portion and a leg portion connected in articulated relationship. A stiffening element at the front of the boot formed of resilient material has substantially the profile of the boot and is attached at least partially to the foot portion and/or the leg portion thereof.

Abstract: The hydraulic device comprises a pumping element which, through a selector assembly, is caused to communicate with one or more driving members provided on a boot and wherewith there is connected a respective hook element for effecting the fastening of the boot, the selector assembly being adapted to allow the releasing of one or all the fastening elements by connecting the respective driving members to a reservoir of a selected working fluid.

Abstract: The device comprises a pressure band engageable with the front upper portion of an inner shoe attached with one end to a side area of the boot, whereas the other end thereof is connected to a tension band, effective to be operated by a skiing stick. On the tension band there acts a releasable lock serrated portion adapted to allow the free translatory movement of the tension band in one direction and to prevent the translation of the tension band in the opposite direction. Tension on the tension band causes compression of the inner shoe by the pressure band against the user's foot.

Abstract: This fastener for closing two opposed closure flaps of a sports footwear, notably a ski boot, comprises on a first flap of the footwear a coupling member adapted to interconnect these flaps, means for anchoring one end of the coupling member to a catch member secured to the one flap, a binding lever pivoted to a support fixed to the other flap of the footwear and having pivoted thereto the other end of the coupling member and comprising beyond its pivot point a rigid extension lying substantially within the plane and thickness of the binding lever extension for interlocking substantially in a common plane the end of the lever extension and the binding lever in their closed and fold-down position which is also the closed position of the fastener itself.

Abstract: The closure device comprises a box-like body associated with one of the ski boot flaps to be brought together and provided with a knob for actuating a spool whereon at least one small cable associated with the other of the flaps to be brought together is wound. Also provided is a ratchet gear mechanism driven by the knob to lock the spool at any selected position as the knob is turned in one direction, and to release the spool as the knob is rotated in the opposite direction.

Abstract: This buckle fastener for ski boots or other sports footwear comprises a closing wireform adapted to be tensioned by a latch. The latch is pivoted to the end of an arm having its other end pivoted to one boot portion. In the closed position the latch is locked by a hook cooperating with the pivot pin connecting the arm to the boot. Means are provided on the latch for releasing this hook to open the fastener.

Abstract: The fastener comprises two fastener members, one of which consists of a tension strap and the other of a strap retainer. One of the fastener members is provided with teeth, which are interengageable with a tensioning lever, which is associated with the other fastener member. Strap-restraining means are also provided, which comprise a locking pawl that is mounted on said other fastener member and cooperates with said teeth.The teeth have inclined tooth spaces and in order to facilitate the operation of the fastener are provided either on the tension strap on its inner side facing the shoe or on the strap retainer on its outer side facing away from the shoe. That part of the strap-restraining means which cooperates with the tension strap extends away from the shoe and is firmly connected to the strap retainer.

Abstract: A closure assembly for footwear including ski boots in which a closure member having a lever end, engagement tooth and latch end is associated with a slotted tooth section molded on the footwear shell to open and close sections of the footwear.

Abstract: A strap tensioning buckle for a strap-like pull element on ski boots or the like comprises a tensioning lever pivotable to a tightening position and hinged onto an eye fixed to a base plate or other structure on the boot, two arms adjacent to the hinge axis and distant from each other by a clearance equal at least to the width of the pull element and allowing between them a passageway for the element, and a clamping device for holding the pull element.

Abstract: An adjustable emergency fan belt is provided which substitutes in an emergency as a fan belt. The emergency fan belt has a plurality of belt links that may be used in any combination with a main belt to produce a belt of various lengths. Installation of the belt around the fly wheels is relatively simple and requires no mechanical skill or tools.

Abstract: The buckle includes an anchor secured on one side portion of the front of a ski boot and a buckle structure coupled to the opposite side portion of the ski boot. The buckle structure includes a flexible metal strip coupled at one end to the said opposite portion of the ski boot and having its other end pass through a manually operable lever drive mechanism capable of incrementally driving the strip through the drive mechanism. With this arrangement, the lever drive mechanism can be manually hooked to the anchor on the one side of the ski boot and then actuated to incrementally drive the strip through the mechanism thereby tightening the boot to any desired degree. By providing a continuous smooth engaging surface on the strip, the drive mechanism effectively can adjust the degree of tightening through an infinite number of incremental positions.

Abstract: A fastener for footwear having two opposed lacing flaps has a rotatable elongated body member having two oppositely disposed groups of two or more arms. The arms of each group are pivotally and eccentrically connected to the body member and are arranged in a series along the body member which allows pivotal movement of the arms along a substantially common axis opposite that of the other group. The arms are engageable with the flaps. Rotation of the body member alters the relative positions of the axes to draw the flaps together and the body member can be locked at a selected position of rotation.

Abstract: The boot has closing flaps and a fastening. The fastening includes a first tension member guided alternately between the closing flaps by guides, to cover an insertion opening in the upper part of the boot located in the vicinity of the instep, as well as a tightening fastener connected to the end of the first tension member. The tightening fastener includes a tightening lever located on one closing flap and a fastening clip on the other closing flap. The clip is connected to the first tension member. The tightening lever is connected to one end of a second tension member also guided alternately between the closing flaps by guides.

Abstract: Fastening loops are attached directly to a vamp side or to leg strap extensions for engagement with fastening levers on the opposite side of the vamp. The interior surface of the vamp or of each strap extension is recessed to form flush engaging elements, any one of which can be connected with the inward end of a fastening loop so that the latter is adjustably held on the vamp or on a strap extension. No uncomfortable projections are created on the interior surface of the vamp or strap extensions and the outer surface is smooth for improved appearance and/or to accept visible indicia.

Abstract: A connector for a removable ski boot fastening loop embodies an engagement element for the loop on one side of the boot vamp and provided at its base with a guide and retaining groove into which the loop is removably inserted by forceable snapping.

Abstract: A buckle for securing a pair of opposed closure flaps of an athletic boot comprises a catch mounted to one of the flaps and a latch mounted adjacent to the catch on the opposite flap. A wireform is mounted to the latch by means of a shaft pivoted on the latch, the shaft being threaded into a wireform holder to permit for longitudinal micro-adjustment of the wireform. The pivotal connection between the post and latch is arranged to permit limited play for alignment of the wireform and catch and includes a biasing member which urges the wireform and shaft toward the flaps when the buckle is disengaged.