Abstract: A method and kit are provided for the customization of footwear comprising an upper which is partially or totally made of thermoformable material. The method provides for selectively heating the portions made of thermoformable material of the footwear, while leaving the remaining portions of the footwear at a substantially unchanged temperature, and for applying to the thermoformable material portions a pressure sufficient to adapt their shape to the specific morphology of the user's foot. This allows to customize even footwear comprising delicate portions, which would be damaged if subjected to high temperatures. The method may provide for customizing a footbed, partially or totally made of thermoformable material, to the specific morphology of the user's foot sole. The kit is compact, preferably transportable and capable of autonomously carrying out all the steps of the method.

Abstract: A shell for a ski boot of the kind comprising an outer shell made of a substantially rigid material and an inner liner made of a substantially soft material is provided. The shell is provided with a gaiter made of a waterproof material, and the lower edge of the gaiter is secured to the inner surface of the shell and the gaiter extends beyond the upper edge of the shell. Preferably, the base of the shell comprises a removable portion so that a through-opening is obtained in the base of the shell, which through-opening guarantees an easy access to the inner space of the shell for accurate securing of the gaiter to the inner surface of the shell.

Abstract: A ski boot of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer shell and a cuff articulated to the shell is provided and further includes a locking device which can be switched between a first configuration, in which the rotation of the cuff relative to the shell is allowed, and a second configuration, in which the rotation of the cuff relative to the shell is prevented. The locking device of the ski boot also includes deadlocking means which prevents the locking device from being accidentally moved from the configuration in which it is, specifically when it is in the second configuration.

Abstract: A ski boot is provided of the type including a substantially soft inner liner, a substantially rigid outer shell and a cuff articulated to the shell, and further including a spoiler articulated to the shell and arranged between the inner liner and the cuff. The ski boot includes a locking device for selectively allowing or preventing rotation of the cuff relative to the shell and, at the same time, for selectively allowing or preventing the movements of the spoiler relative to the cuff, and consequently also relative to the shell.

Abstract: Apparatus for the customization of footwear, in particular sports footwear, having an element made of thermoplastic material is provided. A method for the customization of footwear using the apparatus is also provided. The apparatus has a heating assembly, for heating the thermoplastic element above a predetermined threshold temperature, and a shaping assembly, for shaping the thermoplastic element while its temperature is above the threshold value, which assemblies are both carried by a common frame. Due to the fact that the heating assembly and the shaping assembly are carried by a single, common frame, it is possible to ensure proper heating and subsequent shaping of the element made of thermoplastic material.

Abstract: A method and corresponding arrangement for customization of footwear, more particularly sports footwear, comprising an element made of a thermoplastic material, are provided. The method includes heating the element made of thermoplastic material until its temperature rises above a predetermined threshold and locally applying, from the outside of the footwear, a traction force to the element made of thermoplastic material, the traction force being oriented towards the outside of the footwear, so as to locally deform the thermoplastic material to adapt it to the morphology of the particular user. Correspondingly, the system comprises heating means, intended to heat the element made of thermoplastic material, and shaping means, arranged outside the footwear and intended to locally engage the outer surface of the element made of thermoplastic material and to apply a traction force to the element made of thermoplastic material, the traction force being oriented towards the outside of the footwear.

Abstract: A closure device for a sports footwear s provided. The device facilitates insertion of the user's foot into the footwear and extraction of the same from the footwear. The closure device can switch from a closed position, in which the user's foot is immobilized within the footwear, to an open position in which the user's foot can be inserted into the footwear or extracted therefrom, and the device can be locked in a fixed position both when it is in its closed position and when it is in its open position. In particular, when it is in its open position, the closure device is locked in a position in which it does not hinder the operations of inserting the user's foot into the footwear and of extracting the user's foot from the footwear.

Abstract: A locking device for sports footwear is adapted to lock two mutually hinged portions of sports footwear or to release them from each other. The locking device may be used in a ski boot for locking or releasing the shell and cuff relative to each other. The locking device comprises a male member and a female member, which members comprise respective engaging elements adapted to cooperate with each other, and actuating elements for moving the members from a configuration in which the male member is disengaged from the female member to a configuration in which the male member is engaged with the female member. The engaging elements of the male member and/or the engaging elements of the female member have a tapered or conical shape, whereby it is possible to make a coupling without clearance between the male member and the female member when the members are engaged.

Abstract: A tightening device is provided for footwear, in particular, for sports footwear of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer element and a substantially flexible inner element. The tightening device comprises a strap element and the strap element is configured so that—when it is tensioned—it is capable of applying pressure directly both onto the outer element and to the inner element, whereby the pressure is applied more efficiently and uniformly and the user's comfort is thus increased. In addition, the strap element has a substantially continuous surface, which increase the stability of the tightening device and eliminates the risk of an incorrect positioning also in the case of high stresses during sports practices.

Abstract: Sports footwear, in particular to a ski boot, having an adjustable rear spoiler is provided. The spoiler is connected by respective connecting elements to the side elements attached to or integral with the cuff of the sports footwear and the distance of the connecting elements from each other can be adjusted by acting on a single, common adjusting device. Thus, adjustment of the volume inside the cuff, which receives the ankle and the lower portion of the calf of a user, takes place in an extremely simple and quick manner and without the risk of asymmetries in the adjustment.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for determining the dynamic characteristics of a ski boot comprising the steps of selecting at least three parameters suitable to represent some dynamic characteristics of the boot, experimentally determining the values assumed from each of the parameters, and finally determining the dynamic behavior of the ski boot on the basis of the combination of the values measured in the previous step. Also claimed is an apparatus for determining a parameter of dynamic behavior of a ski boot.

Abstract: Skate, either an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a frame carrying on or more sliding elements, and a skate boot provided with a sole, said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion, wherein said fastening portion is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region in the longitudinal direction of said frame.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for determining the dynamic characteristics of a ski boot comprising the steps of selecting at least three parameters suitable to represent some dynamic characteristics of the boot, experimentally determining the values assumed from each of the parameters, and finally determining the dynamic behaviour of the ski boot on the basis of the combination of the values measured in the previous step. Also claimed is an apparatus for determining a parameter of dynamic behaviour of a ski boot.

Abstract: Skate, either an in-line roller skate or an ice skate, comprising a frame carrying on or more sliding elements, and a skate boot provided with a sole, said boot being fastened to said frame through a fastening portion, wherein said fastening portion is located between said sole and said frame in a substantially central region in the longitudinal direction of said frame.