Abstract: A snowboard boot incorporating techniques for making the process of tightening and loosening the laces of a snowboard boot more convenient for the wearer is disclosed. The snowboard boot may be provided with at least two independent lacing zones, the tensions of which are separately adjustable by the wearer. The zones may be secured by pulling on two laces, each of which tightens one of the two independent lacing zones. This arrangement allows the wearer to simultaneously tighten each zone, providing the wearer with the “feel” as though he or she is tightening a conventional single lacing zone snowboard boot. The laces may be simultaneously, yet independently secured by a lace lock at the upper and/or forward region of the snowboard boot. Slack may be created to facilitate loosening of the snowboard boot and easy removal of a foot from the snowboard boot by unhooking the lace from the lace guide without a corresponding distance of lace traveling through the lace lock.

Abstract: Connecting member for a sports boot closure and tightening device (4), comprising a base (25, 35) adapted to be fixed on the surface of the sports boot and a connecting element (31, 37) adapted for cooperation with a second connecting member, wherein the connecting element (31, 37) has a geometry such that its tangent (c, d; c?) to the zone where it connects with a second connecting element of the second connecting member is not perpendicular to the closure direction of the connecting member in the configuration in which it closes and tightens the sports boot.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combination of ski boots of various sizes and skis with a fitted binding, comprising a toe jaw and a heel jaw, the relative separation of which may be altered and fixed relative to the ski by means of a guide device arranged on the ski. The ski boots belong to at least two ski boot types (1, 1?, 1?), which differ in the length of the sole (a, b, c), each of which are suitable for the fitting of inner boots (3a to 3d, 3?a to 3?d, 3?a to 3?d) in at least two boot sizes. The skis comprise binding jaws, arranged to be adjustable such that the relative separation thereof may be matched to the differing lengths of sole, whereby markings on the types of ski boot and markings on the guide device of the binding permit an unambiguous matching of the sole length to the corresponding jaw separation.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that traverses snow and ice covered terrain. The device includes footwear that has the ability to mount directly to a sliding device or snowshoe and pivot without the need of a mounting plate or base plate. The footwear may also be configured for use in snowboard boot retaining bindings. The footwear may have strapless and detachable crampons. Additionally, the crampons may have a coating for repelling snow and ice covering exterior surfaces of the crampon. A configurable crampon may additionally be joined to a rear portion of the footwear. Furthermore, a mounting plate with a toe cleat and heel cleat are disclosed as being removably coupled with the mounting plate able to be attached to sliding or snowshoe devices in a quick-release manner and quick connecting manner. Also disclosed is a movable traction system that may be raised and lowered through a sliding surface.

Abstract: Series, combination of series and method to produce sports shoes of different size, in which each sports shoe of different size comprises a casing substantially rigid and defining an internal compartment for containing the user's foot, a sole associated below the casing and an inner boot disposed in the internal compartment, in order to make putting the foot into the casing more comfortable. The sole has always the same length for all the sports shoes, and the casing has a different size to each other so as to define, on each occasion, an internal compartment with a different volume for each of the sports shoes of different size, so as to cover a plurality of foot sizes, within a determinate range, keeping the length of the sole always the same.

Abstract: Ski boot comprising a shell (1; 21; 41; 61) surrounding the foot and an upper cuff (2; 22; 42; 62) articulated to the shell, comprising a device for fastening and unfastening the upper cuff relative to the shell, this device being connected to a fastening and unfastening member by a cable (10; 30; 50; 70), this fastening and unfastening device being in a first, fastened, configuration when the fastening and unfastening member is in a first position in which the upper cuff is kept in a predefined inclined position relative to the shell, and in a second, unfastened, configuration when the fastening and unfastening member is in a second position in which the upper cuff is able to move relative to the shell so that it can be stood up straight, wherein the connection between the cable (10; 30; 50; 70) and the boot fastening and unfastening member is such that moving the fastening and unfastening member from the first to the second position introduces tension into the cable, this cable being directly connected to a

Abstract: A shoe contains an adjustable space for the foot and several fluidically connected chambers. In order to adjust the space for the foot, the flowability of a magnetorheological liquid can be influenced by at least one device generating a magnetic field thereby adjusting the space for the foot resulting in a better fitting of the shoe.

Abstract: An article that includes a strap for retaining or tightening a foot or a boot, the strap including a section for covering the foot or the boot, the covering section including a frame and a comfort element. The comfort element includes a synthetic material molded over the frame. In a particular embodiment, the article is a retaining device for a sports apparatus, such as a snowboard binding for a snowboard.

Abstract: Sport footwear, in particular ski boot, having passage openings (16, 19) for the wearer's foot provided frontally in the lower shell (10) and the leg-piece (20). At least the opening (19) in the leg-piece (20) is capable of being closed by two flaps (22, 23), of which at least one is in the form of a pad (23) coupled to the remaining portion (25) of the leg-piece (20) with a clearance fit allowing said pad (23) to freely rotate in view of enabling the wearer's foot to be most smoothly and conveniently introduced in and subsequently extracted from the footwear.

Abstract: A sports boot including an upper extending above the ankle joint and at least one rigid collar extending around the wearer's lower leg, the boot including a device for adjusting the volume of the collar to better accommodate the shape of the user's calf. The adjustment device includes a wedge, or collar extension, positioned inside the collar, the wedge being fixed to the collar by means of at least one pivot and by means of a fastening mechanism enabling the relative displacement of the wedge with respect to the collar as well as a deformation of the wedge. The fastening mechanism includes a plate equipped with a cylindrical body having an axis Al and received in a first circular opening provided in the collar and a rivet received in a second circular opening provided in the wedge and received in a third circular opening having an axis A2 provided in the body, the axis A2 and the axis A1 being non-coaxial.

Abstract: Sport shoe to be used for sports involving a sliding movement, comprising a rigid shell inside which the foot is inserted; two pressure pieces, i.e. a heel piece and a toe piece, situated on the bottom of the shell and able to fix it to the bindings of sports equipment for performing a sliding movement. At least one pressure piece is movably connected to the shell so as to be able to move towards the shell in response to an external force causing them to move together.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telemark ski boot system configured to enable efficient releasable rotatable coupling to a ski binding at a pivot location corresponding to the metatarsal region. One embodiment of the present invention related to a telemark ski boot system including a shell, a sole, and a binding interface system. The sole is coupled anatomically below the shell and includes a bottom sole surface defining the bottom most portion of the boot. The binding interface system is contained between the shell and bottom of the bottom sole surface and horizontally below the metatarsal region of the boot. In addition, the binding interface system is contained within the two dimensional footprint of the boot. Alternatively or in addition, the binding interface system is contained within the three dimensional space of the shell and sole. The binding interface system may be a rigid cleat.

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a shell (10) and preferably also a leg piece (20), and features, at least at some portions thereof that do not include the sole (15), a composite structure formed of two layers (30, 40; 30A, 40A) that are made of preferably synthetic materials having different mechanical properties. At least the interfacing surface (34, 34A) of the layer (30) made of mechanically stronger materials is provided with protruding elements (36) that remain inseparably adhering to the interfacing surface (42, 42A) of the other layer (40).

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising an upper or casing, to cover a tarsal zone and a metatarsal zone of the user's foot, and a tongue associated with the casing, to be bent forward due to the thrust generated by a tibial segment of the user's leg, during sporting activity. The casing, in correspondence with a metatarsal zone thereof, comprises at least a through slit which allows the progressive elastic flexion of the casing due to the effect of the bending forward of the tongue.

Abstract: The invention relates to a lasted footwear for enclosing a human foot having a heel, an ankle and medial and lateral sides. The footwear comprises an outer shell for receiving the foot and an inner lining mounted in the outer shell. The inner lining is less rigid than the outer shell and has an inner surface adapted to contact the foot in use and an outer surface being affixed to the outer shell. The outer shell is made of a multi-layer composite sheet that is thermoformed for defining a foot-receiving cavity having a three-dimensional geometry that conforms to the foot. The multi-layer composite sheet has a first layer of thermoformable foam having a core and first and second opposite surfaces and a second layer of fibers. One of the first and second opposite surfaces of the layer of thermoformable foam has a skin formed by exposing the surface to temperatures between 200° F. and 300° F. The invention also relates to a method of making a lasted skate boot comprising such an outer shell.

Abstract: A boot for alpine skiing has a shell and sole. The heel has a seat for the insertion of a removable insert for engagement by the heel fixing unit of a standardized “Dynafit” binding. The seat is a recess and the insert has the shape and dimensions corresponding to those of the seat. The result is a smooth contour of the heel when the insert is placed within the seat. A pair of friction strips is secured to the bottom of the sole with projections from each strip fitting within recess in the sole. The strips are elongated and, when secured, are perpendicular to one another.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a board adapted to a sporting activity, and a boot therefor. The device includes a base, a lateral edge, a rear support element, and at least one linkage for holding the boot above the base. The edge and the rear support element each have an inner surface. One or several of the inner surfaces of the device has at least one friction plate that projects at least partially with respect to the inner surface, the friction plate being provided at least to oppose a movement of the boot in relation to the base.

Abstract: A device including a cover and a shaft inserted in the thickness of the front portion of the sole, and constituting a journalled system, adapted to ensure control of the flexural rigidity of a shoe, in particular a snowboard boot, or adapted to ensure the protection of the front surface of the shoe, partially or in its entirety. All of the elements forming the system can be removable. The journal which it determines provides the cover with a front-to-rear mobility which is presented, in closed position, against the front surface of the shoe. Connected to the latter by a retaining mechanism specific to the shoe, the cover offers, due to the properties and the shaping of its constituent materials, a resistance to the crushing and flexural and torsional deformation of the shoe in its front portion during use.

Abstract: A boot having a sole and an upper, the boot extending longitudinally between a heel and a tip, the upper having an outer envelope and an inner envelope, the boot having a mechanism for tightening the inner envelope, the mechanism for tightening the inner envelope having keepers affixed to the inner envelope and at least one lace. The mechanism for tightening the inner envelope has at least one rear keeper affixed to the outer envelope, the rear keeper being located substantially toward the heel of the boot.

Abstract: A laced boot having a boot lace and sections of the boot lace run in a continuous one-piece manner as follows: a first section runs from the metatarsal area of the sole over the instep of the boot; a second section runs from the metatarsal area of the sole around the outside of the upper above a heel area of the boot; and a third section runs from the same position of the upper to the instep and back to the cited position of the upper and the three named sections form a triangle, viewed from the side of the boot that covers the ankle joints of the foot.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot is provided that consists of a rigid sole and a shell-less substantially flexible upper portion that is attached to the sole. The boot is secured to the wearer's foot by laces or buckles. The boot is further secured to the wearer's mid-foot area by semi-rigid securing ears closed by a lever actuated ribbed nylon strap. The sole is comprised of rigid plastic and the heel and toe portions of the sole may conform to the requirements of ISO 5355 for ski boots. The ski boot has a plastic cuff that surrounds the upper portion of the ski boot that follows the movement of the lower leg and provides lateral support to the ankle while introducing minimal or no restriction to the fore and aft flexion of the ankle.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention contemplated herein describe a contoured skate boot having contour seams formed therein for introducing preferential biases in the boot material. By strategically creating notches in the boot upper material and subsequently rejoining the edges of each notch, the boot upper may be biased to conform to the complex contours of a skater's foot and ankle. Moreover, by introducing boot contours such that the boot is able to closer approximate the natural contours of a skater's foot, fewer stiffeners and less padding is required to result in a comfortable fit while providing increased control of the boot. Additionally, by reducing the quantity of stiffeners and volume of padding, a lighter boot is provided, thus resulting in a more efficient energy transfer from the skater through the skate.

Abstract: An inflatable liner for a boot, such as a snowboard boot. An oily chalk like substance consisting of 90% sweet starch, 9% lubricant, and 1% stearate is included between two sheets of plastic that make up bladder of the liner. The bladder is attached to the EVA of the liner before the EVA is folded, stitched, heated and molded. This allows the bladder to be attached while the EVA is still flat and allows attachment to be performed by machine stitching. The bladder is partially inflated before the EVA is heated and molded. The oily chalk like substance and the partial inflation of the bladder allows the installed bladder to pass through the heating and molding steps of the EVA without the two sheets that make up the bladder melting together. The design and installation of the bladder minimizes the amount of slipping of a wearer's foot and heel within the boot.

Abstract: The combination of a boot having a boot shell with a heel region and a step-in step-out aid having an elevated position and an inserted position cooperating with the boot shell, wherein the aid is at least one elongated heel wedge displaceably mounted in the heel region of the boot shell. The aid in its elevated position protrudes out of the boot shell, and in its inserted position at least partially fills the space between the boot shell and a person's heel that has been inserted into the boot shell.

Abstract: A sports boot, in particular a ski boot, which is capable of being connected to a sports tool, e.g. a ski, movable along the ground, wherein the center of the pad axis is located between the longitudinal axis of the sports ski and the inner edge of the ski. The axis of symmetry (S1) of the shell is rotated by an angle (?) relative to the axis of symmetry (S2) of the sole plate (2) so that the center of the heel is located between the axis of symmetry (SX) of the ski and the inner edge (Ki) of the ski.

Abstract: A snowboard boot strap anchor is described. The strap anchor includes a raised portion having at least three mounting locations, and a thin base portion associated with the raised portion for attachment to an upper portion of the snowboard boot. Also described is a snowboard boot strap mounting system. The system includes a first strap anchor having a raised portion containing at least three mounting locations, the strap anchor including a base portion for attachment to the snowboard boot upper, an ankle strap arrangement having a first distal end for attachment to the first strap anchor, and a fastener device for connecting the first distal end of the ankle strap arrangement to the first strap anchor by mating with a selected mounting location.

Abstract: A sports boot including a sole, an upper, at least one flap fixed to the sole or to the upper, the flap covering at least partially a portion of the upper, and at least two keepers and a lace for reversibly tightening the upper, by a relative bringing together or spacing apart the keepers. At least one keeper of the boot is fixed to the flap so as to be located between the flap and the upper.

Abstract: A snowboard boot (200) includes an upper boot (204) secured to an outsole (206). The boot upper includes a vamp opening (208) that is closed by a tongue (210) and a selectively securable vamp fastener (216). The tongue (210) carries a pocket (218) on a lower end (212) thereof, and first and second snap fasteners (222) on an upper end (214) thereof. A semi-rigid tongue stiffener (202) can be selectively secured to an anterior side of the tongue (210) utilizing the pocket and snap fasteners to selectively increase the stiffness of the boot and resistance to forward flexure by a predetermined degree.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports shoe (1), in particular a ski boot (2), having a shell part (3) made from plastics. A shell base (11) of the shell part (3) forming support surface (12) an inner shoe (10) or foot (9) is provided in the form of an impact- and/or vibration-damping ribbed fitting, consisting of a shell wall and a ribbed lattice formed on a surface thereof remote from the support surface (12). Certain regions of this ribbed fitting are enclosed by a bending- and/or torsion-resistant profiled element (43) extending in a longitudinal direction substantially between a heel- and a ball-bearing region (32, 33) and secured between block elements (29) and the ribbed fitting by means of clamping and fixing means.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a board adapted to a sporting activity, and a boot therefor. The device includes a base, a lateral edge, a rear support element, and at least one linkage for holding the boot above the base. The edge and the rear support element each have an inner surface. One or several of the inner surfaces of the device has at least one friction plate that projects at least partially with respect to the inner surface, the fiction plate being provided at least to oppose a movement of the boot in relation to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for metabolic cooling and insulation of a user in a cold environment. In its preferred embodiment the apparatus is a highly flexible composite material having a flexible matrix containing a phase change thermal storage material. The apparatus can be made to heat or cool the body or to act as a thermal buffer to protect the wearer from changing environmental conditions. The apparatus may also include an external thermal insulation layer and/or an internal thermal control layer to regulate the rate of heat exchange between the composite and the skin of the wearer.

Abstract: A boot having a sole and an upper, the upper having an outer envelope whose base is fixed to the sole, in the area of the periphery of the sole. The upper of the boot has an inner envelope fixed, only by its base, to the base of the outer envelope and/or to the sole, in the area of the periphery of the sole.

Abstract: A skate boot for receiving a human foot, the skate boot comprising a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion comprising an opening facing rearwardly and upwardly of the skate boot for allowing insertion of the foot in the internal cavity.

Abstract: A sports boot made up of an upper having first and second elements assembled by bonding and use of a mechanical device. A part of one of the elements permanently covers the mechanical device in order to seal it and to hide the mechanical device from view, in order to create a more visually appealing boot.

Abstract: A flexible boot liner (100) having a flexible upper (101) and a semi-rigid sole (140) that provides durability, walkability, and a dimensionally stable fit within a boot (90). The sole includes a lasting board (160) that is fixedly attached to the upper and a nonskid outsole (142). Secondary cushioning devices such as an air cell (144) may also be incorporated into the sole. The upper is of hybrid construction including a relatively flexible bottom portion (120) thermoformed from an ethylene vinyl acetate foam that covers the foot and the malleoli of the user, and a semi-rigid upper portion (110) that wraps about the lower leg of the user. A strap assembly (150) is provided to secure the liner about the foot of the user.

Abstract: Among other things, the present invention provides apparatus and methods for manufacturing footwear pieces. In various cases, the apparatus include a footwear form that includes a location mark corresponding to a location of a strap rivet. The footwear form is an inner portion of a footwear mold, and the footwear mold is comprised of an upper portion and a lower portion that substantially encompass the footwear form.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises an essentially stiff outer boot and a soft inner boot (49) or inner lining for receiving the foot of a skier. The sole (13) of the outer boot is made of an essentially rigid material, preferably plastics, comprising an elastic zone (15) in the metatarsal region of the sole (13). The elastic zone (15) divides the sole (13) into front and rear sole portions (19, 17). An intermediate upper shell portion (29) is provided between the front and rear shell portions (27, 21) of the outer boot, which is designed such that front and rear shell portions (27, 21) are pivotable with respect to each other. The heel portion (23) and rear sole portion (17) are designed to be in an essentially rigid relationship such that a maximum force can be applied to the elastic zone (15) of the boot. When the skier leans forward the front and rear shell portions (27, 21) pivot relative to each other.

Abstract: A footbed for sport footwear made of a shell, which defines the general shape of the footwear. The footbed has a sole portion and a padding wall for partially separating the sides and back of a wearer's foot from the shell. The padding wall partially cups the wearer's heel and extending from the back of the wearer's foot along each side of the heel, along each side of the midfoot and along each side of the forefoot. The footbed is adapted for determining the size of the footwear in terms of width. The footbed may further comprise a toe wall portion for determining the size of the footwear in terms of length.

Abstract: The sports boot has, on the one hand a first part (1) in a first material and a second part (17) superposed on said first part and in a second material, and, on the other hand, reinforcement means (10, 11, 12, 13). The reinforcement means are at least partly formed by at least one frame (13) in synthetic material reinforced with mineral or synthetic fibers and positioned at least partially between said parts.

Abstract: The invention concerns a soft boot for sports use, particularly for snowboarding, of the type provided with laces or other mechanical devices capable of allowing the maximum opening/closure of the outer shell of the boot, for the purpose of making easier the insertion and extraction of the inner boot. This soft boot is characterized by the fact that it provides for the application on the top surface of a plate of elastic material which extends longitudinally from the toe of the boot to the base of the legging.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: The boot for gliding sports, particularly for skiing, comprises a rigid shell (2) for partially surrounding a user's foot, a collar (3) articulated on the shell (2), and an inner boot, said shell (2) including an open part that makes it easier to put the boot on and to take it off. The boot also comprises at least one flexible element (6) covering said open part so as to close the boot, and a semirigid element (7, 8) superposed over said flexible element (6), and means (9) for fixing said elements on the rigid shell (2).

Abstract: An article of footwear comprises a shell (10) and preferably also a leg piece (20), and features, at least at some portions thereof that do not include the sole (15), a composite structure formed of two layers (30, 40; 30A, 40A) that are made of preferably synthetic materials having different mechanical properties. At least the interfacing surface (34, 34A) of the layer (30) made of mechanically stronger materials is provided with protruding elements (36) that remain inseparably adhering to the interfacing surface (42, 42A) of the other layer (40).

Abstract: A skate boot for ice skate or in-line roller skate comprising an upper having portions thereof made of compressed foam material. In a preferred embodiment, the skate boot is constructed with two preformed quarter panels made of compressed foam material having wherein the inner surface of each panel is shaped to substantially conform to the anatomical shape of a corresponding side of the human foot. Such a construction provides a skate boot, which is comfortable, long lasting, and exhibits flexibility and support. Such a construction also provides added flexibility to the skate designers to vary the dynamic properties of the skate and also the ornamental features of the skate. A method of making such a skate boot is also disclosed.

Abstract: A snowboard boot strap anchor is described. The strap anchor includes a raised portion having at least three mounting locations, and a thin base portion associated with the raised portion for attachment to an upper portion of the snowboard boot. Also described is a snowboard boot strap mounting system. The system includes a first strap anchor having a raised portion containing at least three mounting locations, the strap anchor including a base portion for attachment to the snowboard boot upper, an ankle strap arrangement having a first distal end for attachment to the first strap anchor, and a fastener device for connecting the first distal end of the ankle strap arrangement to the first strap anchor by mating with a selected mounting location.

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising a sole on which a shell divided into a heel unit and a separate toe unit is associated; the heel unit and the toe unit are mutually associated so that they can slide along a substantially longitudinal axis and comprise an adjustment device for increasing the overall volume of the sports shoe by means of a forward movement of the toe unit.

Abstract: A method of decorating a shell portion of a boot, particularly a ski boot, as well as a boot thus decorated, the method of which includes the following:

Abstract: A comfort upper for footwear adapted in particular to equip a sports boot and an inner liner for a sports boot. The upper includes a stiffener, positioned between the inner lining and the outer covering, which is made of a thermoformable material. The upper also includes a comfort element, positioned between the inner lining and the stiffener, which is softer than the stiffener and which is possibly made of thermoformable material. This comfort element includes perforations enabling the thermoforming of the stiffener by propulsion of hot air within the footwear.

Abstract: The upper part (3) of the shell (1), manufactured as one piece from polymer material, of a footwear is divided on the front into two pairs of flaps (6A, 7A; 6B, 7B) by a longitudinal separating line (5) and by a transverse slit provided opposite the user's heel. Two removable inserts (11, 12) are provided, which may even be manufactured using a type of polymer material different from that of the shell (1), have parts (13, 15; 14, 16) which are designed to interfere both with the outer surface and with the inner surface of the said flaps (6A, 7A; 6B, 7B) and also have interconnecting parts (17, 18) which are designed to be retained by the twfo sections (8A, 8B) of the transverse slit. USE: Ski boots and skating boots, safety footwear and the like. ADVANTAGES: No infiltration (e.g. of water and snow) into the boot; more efficient manufacturing of the boot.