Abstract: A sporting shoe equipped with a device to control the flexion of the toe includes a localized low friction protection body, particularly for a technical boot designed for practicing the sport of motorcycling, removable, attached along one side of the shoe with the use of reciprocal holder and engaging at least part of the point and of the side. The protection body is hinged to a second element, placed at the back, fixed along the external side of the shoe or a part of it, with the cooperation of a third element ovelapping the first two, which, engaging the second, provides two opposite stops that limit the run of the protection body and of the toe part of the relative shoe, or of a part thereof with respect to the back part.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a sole, an upper and a coupling member coupled to the sole. The sole has a longitudinal axis and a support projection extending downwardly from the sole. The upper includes a foot section fixedly coupled to the sole and an upwardly extending leg section. The support projection is arranged and configured to secure the coupling member against forward and rearward longitudinal movement. Preferably, the sole includes an outer sole and a mid sole constructed of a more rigid material than the outer sole. Preferably, a front coupling member is fixedly coupled to a toe section of the mid sole and a rear coupling member is fixedly coupled to a heel section of the mid sole. Preferably, the heel section has the support projection to secure the rear coupling member against forward and rearward longitudinal movement.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding arrangement. The snowboard boot includes an upper portion, a sole portion, at least one rear catch and a front catch. The sole portion has a forward to rearward longitudinal axis extending between a toe section and a heel section. The rear catch is located at the heel section of the sole portion. The front catch is coupled to the toe section. The front catch has a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from the toe section and a tongue portion extending laterally between the leg portions. The tongue portion has a forward to rearward dimension that is larger than forward to rearward dimensions of the leg portions to longitudinally secure the boot relative to the binding.

Abstract: A snowboard boot has a sole portion and an upper portion. The sole portion includes a mid sole having a base portion with a front catch coupled to a toe section of the base portion. The first and second rear catches are located at first and second lateral sides of a heel section of the base portion, and first and second strap attachment members extending from the heel section of the base portion. The upper portion includes a foot section fixedly coupled to the sole portion and a leg section extending upwardly from the foot section. The first and second strap attachment members are integrally formed with the base portion of said mid sole as a one-piece, unitary member.

Abstract: A ski boot, in particular a telemark boot, having a shell made of plastic material and in turn having a bottom wall, two lateral walls, a toe portion, and a flexible portion extending crosswise with respect to the shell, from one side to the other of the bottom wall at the metatarsus; and a frame embedded in the shell and having, integrally, two longitudinal elements extending along respective lateral walls from a rear portion of the shell to an intermediate portion of the bottom wall adjacent to respective lateral ends of the flexible portion, and a transverse structure connected integrally to respective front ends of the longitudinal elements and defined by a flat bottom portion embedded in the bottom wall, and by a top portion extending along the connecting portion between the toe portion and the flexible portion.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system has a boot and a binding configured to be releasably coupled together. The boot has an upper potion, a sole portion, a front catch and at least one rear catch. The binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement and a front binding arrangement. The rear binding arrangement selectively engages at least one rear catch of the heel of the boot. The front binding arrangement selectively engages the front catch that extends downwardly from of the sole portion of the boot. The front binding arrangement and the front catch are arranged to limit forward and rearward movement of the boot relative to the binding and prevent premature release of the front catch from the front binding arrangement.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system includes a binding and a boot configured to be releasably coupled together. The snowboard binding includes a base member, a rear binding arrangement, and a front binding arrangement. The snowboard boot includes an upper portion, a sole portion, at least one rear catch and a front catch. The sole portion has a toe section, a mid section and a heel section. The rear catch is located at the heel section of the sole portion. The front catch is coupled to the toe section and has a pair of leg portions extending downwardly from the toe section of the sole portion, and a tongue portion extending laterally between the leg portions. The toe section has a pair of front catch guide surfaces located forwardly and laterally of the front catch to guide the front catch toward the front binding arrangement.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot has a curb intended to allow the boot to be held on a ski by either a front binding or a rear binding. The curb has a flange (4) which is nonremovably secured to the lower part of the boot and a removable curb piece (8; 16; 16′) fixable either immediately underneath the flange, wherein the overall height of the boot measured from a lower surface of the curb piece to the top of the boot is maximized or immediately above the flange wherein the overall height of the boot from the lower surface of the boot adjacent the flange to the top of the boot is minimized.

Abstract: Reinforcement element made of a composite material constituted of a layer of inextensible textile material and a layer of polymeric material assembled to the layer of textile material during a molding or vulcanizing step. The textile material is a woven or mesh material, and the textile material is a polyester, polyamide, polypropylene or glass fiber based material. The polymeric material can be a thermosetting material, such as rubber or silicone, or an injected thermoplastic, such as polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, or polypropylene. Advantageously, the polymeric material is at least partially transparent. The composite material can be incorporated in a boot or a binding using tightening straps. The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such reinforcement element.

Abstract: A reinforcement for a boot, in particular a sports boot, more particularly a cross-country ski boot. The boot reinforcement makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, efficiency, durability, lightness, cost, foot protection, and industrial workability. To achieve this goal, the boot reinforcement according to the invention includes a front zone A from the front end up to the beginning of the plantar arch, a median zone B corresponding to the plantar arch, a rear zone C. The reinforcement includes, at least in the zones B and C, at least one “sandwich” structure constituted by at least one core inserted between at least two layers, and, in the zone A, it is flexible in a substantially longitudinal direction and torsionally stiff. The layers of the sandwich structure are made of composite, carbon fibers/polymeric resin, whereas the core of this sandwich structure is made of synthetic foam, wood or honeycomb.

Abstract: A snowboard binding is provided that is relatively easy to step-in and step-out of. The snowboard binding preferably has a highback that provides a tight fit between a soft boot and the highback. The snowboard binding has a base plate, a first binding member and a second binding member. The first binding member is coupled to one of the front and rear portions of the base plate. The second binding member is coupled to the other of the front and rear portions of the base plate. The second binding member is coupled to the base plate at a location that is longitudinally spaced from the first binding member. The second binding member includes a catch member movably relative to the base plate and a latch member movable movably relative to the base plate. The latch member is arranged to selectively hold the catch member in a plurality of engagement positions having different heights above the base plate.

Abstract: An alpine ski boot has a flexible upper and a sole permitting the flexing of the foot during walking. The boot comprises essentially a flexible upper (1), an intermediate sole (2) having rigid extremities (7, 8) extending beyond the upper at the front and at the rear and of a form which enables holding by holding elements of a standard ski binding, and a flexible sole (3) preferably of rubber. The intermediate sole is, preferably, made of a semi-rigid plastic, providing a flexible zone or a joint.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a snowboard boot for use in a system for mounting a rider to a snowboard, the system comprising a snowboard binding to be mounted to the snowboard and an interface having at least one mating feature adapted to be releasably engaged by the snowboard binding, the interface including at least one strap adapted to releasably mount the interface to the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot comprises a boot upper and a sole including a recess, disposed rearwardly of the arch area, that is adapted to receive the interface so that the interface does not protrude below the sole when the interface is mounted to the snowboard boot. In another embodiment, the interface includes a base adapted to pass under the sole of the boot and having a non-planar contoured upper surface, and the boot recess periphery includes at least one bottom-facing non-planar contoured surface that is adapted to mate with the non-planar contoured upper surface of the interface.

Abstract: A sole for a sports boot, such as for cross-country skiing, and, more particularly, a sole for a sports boot which makes it possible to improve the torsional stiffness, flexional flexibility, efficiency of the boot, durability, lesser weight, protection of the foot, cost savings, industrial workability. To this end, the sole has a front portion, a rear portion more rigid in longitudinal bending than the front portion, and a reinforcement. The front portion has a front half-sole affixed to the reinforcement, the rear portion has a rear half-sole affixed to the reinforcement, and the front and rear half-soles are assembled to one another in a junction zone, preferably by cementing and/or riveting and/or welding. In practice, the reinforcement is made of a composite material. The front half-sole is first fixed on the front portion of the reinforcement. The rear half-sole is then fixed by cementing on the rear portion of the reinforcement, such that its front portion overlaps the rear of the front half-sole.

Abstract: A boot, preferably for skiing and other sports activities, designed for performance as well as comfort. The preferred embodiment of the boot includes rigid upper and lower frames with a conformable cuff and shell. The boot is open in front to allow an inner flexible boot to be easily inserted as well as removed. A controlled flex unit controls the movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame while maintaining the lateral stability of the boot.

Abstract: A boot and binding assembly is arranged for use with a ski. The boot has a toe portion, a flexible sole and a heel portion. A rigid interconnect member is mounted to the toe portion underneath the sole of the boot. The binding includes a toe piece, a latch assembly, raised portions and a release mechanism. During use, the toe portion mates with the toe piece on the ski while one end of the interconnect member releasably mates with a latch assembly on the ski. When the interconnect member is secured to the ski by the latch, a skier can lift the heel portion away from the ski by flexing the sole. This enables a skier to execute cross-country and telemark style skiing manoeuvres. The latch assembly may include a pivoting member which holds the rearward end of the interconnect member. The toe portion preferably has lateral edges for facilitating securement beneath the toe piece. Preferably, a cord and handle assembly is provided as the release mechanism to facilitate disengagement of the boot from the binding.

Abstract: A sport boot sole of the type having on its lower surface two connecting members, offset one with respect to the other in the longitudinal direction of the boot, and arranged substantially transversely, wherein the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion, and the second connecting member is arranged behind the first connecting member, and substantially in front of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone (&Dgr;). Advantageously, the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion of the toes or right in front of this end portion.

Abstract: A snowboard boot including at least one recess adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement member on a binding, and an interface for interfacing a snowboard boot to a binding. The interface comprises a body having at least one recess arranged to be disposed along an outer surface of the snowboard boot, the recess being adapted to mate with a corresponding engagement member on the binding. The interface may be molded of a non-metallic material and bonded to a snowboard boot.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a binding system having two active sides is disclosed, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.

Abstract: Alpine ski boot, the lower part of the boot of which comprises, at the front and/or at the rear, a kerb of standardized height intended to allow the boot to be held on a ski by a front binding and a rear binding, in which the kerbs consist, over part of their height, of a part (4) nonremovably secured to the lower part of the boot (2) and, over the remainder of the height, at the choice of the user, of a removable attached piece (8) that can be fixed under the part nonremovably secured to the lower part of the boot or of a removable attached piece (9) that can be fixed on the top of the part nonremovably secured to the lower part of the boot. This allows the boot to be raised off the ski.

Abstract: A boot for a ski or an in-line roller skate has a flexible upper and a sole allowing the foot to flex during walking. Its sole has a rigid part in the rear region of the boot, over about one half of the length of the sole, this rigid part being designed so as to form an interface between the heel and a binding of the ski or in-line roller skate. The interface may be standard, that is to say independent of the boot size.

Abstract: Boot intended to engage with a sports article fitted with left/right identification means (5) which are recognizable by detection means, particularly a ski binding. The identification means consist of at least one piece of magnetic material, for example a permanent magnet (5), housed in the sole (2) asymmetrically with respect to the longitudinal mid-axis of the boot.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, the binding system has two active sides, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.

Abstract: A sport boot sole having at least one arrangement for connecting the boot to a sport article along an axis substantially transverse to the longitudinal axis of the boot, this connecting arrangement having an anchoring device in the sole, wherein the anchoring device is arranged along a plane essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the sole and is independent. Advantageously, each connecting arrangement is constituted by a substantially U-shaped buckle having a transverse arm defining the articulation axle and two lateral arms, and each lateral arm is anchored along a substantially vertical direction inside the sole.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement. In one embodiment, the binding system has two active sides, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.

Abstract: A support device, for shoes to be associated with a sports implement such as a ski, a roller skate or an ice skate, includes a rigid shell which partially surrounds the shoe laterally, to the rear and in a lower region and can be interposed between the shoe and an element for engaging the sports implement, the rigid shell having means for detachable locking to the shoe.

Abstract: A sport boot sole of the type having on its lower surface two connecting members, offset one with respect to the other in the longitudinal direction of the boot, and arranged substantially transversely, wherein the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion, and the second connecting member is arranged behind the first connecting member, and substantially in front of the metatarsophalangeal articulation zone (&Dgr;). Advantageously, the first connecting member is arranged in the area of the front end portion of the toes or right in front of this end portion.

Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard having a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback and an upper. The base includes a binding-receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.

Abstract: A vibration absorbing device, particularly for use in shoes or sports implements, is constituted by a mesh which has a vertical warp and two faces, has no filling, is elastically deformable and is embedded or coated with at least one layer of plastic material which is adapted to change its deformability.

Abstract: A boot for a gliding sport, consisting of a bootie with a soft upper (1) and of an intermediate rigid sole (4) itself at least partially covered by a flexible walking sole (9), and provided with a transverse metal bar (6) for connection to a binding. The boot further has bearing surfaces on either side of the bar. At least in the foot sole region, the bearing surface is a projection (7) of the intermediate rigid sole.

Abstract: A structural interface for a sports shoe is described. An implementation of the structural interface includes a lateral beam member and a medial beam member connected together by a bridge member. The lateral and medial beam members may each include at least one mounting location for connection means and/or attachment devices. The connection means or attachment devices mate with sports apparatus, for example, snowboard bindings or bike pedals.

Abstract: A structural interface for a sports shoe is described. An implementation of the structural interface includes a lateral beam member and a medial beam member connected together by a bridge member. The lateral and medial beam members may each include at least one mounting location for connection means and/or attachment devices. The connection means or attachment devices mate with sports apparatus, for example, snowboard bindings or bike pedals.

Abstract: A boot binding apparatus for a snowboard where the snowboard boot includes a first securement in the form of a front hook member and a second securement in the form of a rear hook member which are imbedded within the sole of the snowboard boot. The snowboard boot is flexible in order to bend in the same manner as a conventional soft boot. The boot binding apparatus includes a front latching mechanism and a rear latching mechanism with the front latching mechanism including a latching hook member with this latching hook member facing toward the toe edge of the snowboard. The rear latching mechanism is movable between a latching position and an unlatching position with the rear latching mechanism being continuously biased toward the latching position. The latching hook member of the front latching mechanism may also be movable and continuously biased in a direction toward the toe edge of the snowboard.

Abstract: Sole for a cross-country, touring or Telemark ski shoe the front section of which comprises, for the purpose of binding a shoe of this type onto a cross-country, touring or Telemark binding between ball area and rear end, in particular at its rear end, means for engaging a clamping element so that the front sole section can be clamped between its front definition and the aforementioned engaging means. Into the front section of the sole is embedded a reinforcing element. The latter extends between the front definition of the sole and the engaging means for the clamping element in such a manner that the resulting tensional load vector lies above the zero line of the reinforcing element, which extends approximately parallel thereto.

Abstract: The boot is one wherein the rear part of its sole (13), between the heel and approximately the middle of the sole, and the lower rear part of the upper (12) are rigid, while the rest of the upper (11) and of the sole (16) are flexible. This boot makes it possible to walk with ease and can be fixed on a gliding board while perfectly fulfilling its function as an interface between the leg and the binding.

Abstract: A boot for use with a snowboard having a binding for attachment to the boot. The boot includes a base, a highback, and an upper. The base includes a binding-receiving plate for attaching the boot to the binding on the snowboard. The base also has toe and heel ends. The base is formed with a toecap at the toe end and has a heel counter at the heel end. Tread projects from the bottom of the base for traction when the boot is not attached to the snowboard. The highback extends upwardly from the heel counter of the base. The highback provides aft support to the user. The upper is fixedly attached to the base and is arranged and configured to receive the foot and ankle of the user. The upper has a rearward side adjacent the highback. The upper is more flexible than the base and the highback. A base strap is connected to opposing sides of the base and extends across a portion of the upper.