Abstract: An intramedullary nail is provided having a top end and a distal end. Pivotally mounted jaws are located at the distal end which, when closed, are adapted to be secured about fixed supports in a fractured bone to be healed. The jaws can be fixed into position about the fixed supports.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a rigid outer shell and an inner shell which is relatively flexible. The inner shell features a relatively flexible saddle region which extends over the metatarsal and/or instep portions of a wearer's foot. Tensile elements, such as cables or straps, cooperate with the saddle to provide a variable supporting force to the wearer's foot. The tensile elements extend from the saddle, under the sole of the inner shell and terminate on the heel spoiler. This construction enables a foot supporting tensioning force to be applied to the tensile elements by pivoting the heel spoiler to the closed position. The tensile elements are slackened and the foot supporting force is released as a result of opening the heel spoiler.In another embodiment the ski boot features a hinged inner sole. The inner sole is secured to the outer shell in the phalanx region of the sole, and also is hingedly connected to the heel spoiler in the heel region of the inner sole.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a rigid outer shell and an inner shell which is relatively flexible. The inner shell features a relatively flexible saddle region which extends over the metatarsal and/or instep portions of a wearer's foot. Tensile elements, such as cables or straps, extend over the saddle and cooperate with buckle mechanisms to provide a variable supporting force to the wearer's foot. The inner shell also comprises an ankle support structure which grasps the wearer's leg at a point just above the malleolus and cooperates with the heel spoiler to maintain the wearer's heel in contact with the sole of the boot.In another embodiment the ski boot features a hinged inner sole. The inner sole is secured to the outer shell in the phalanx region of the sole, and also is hingedly connected to the heel spoiler in the heel region of the inner sole. A hinge, either mechanical or natural, is disposed adjacent to or in common with the fastening point.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a rigid outer shell and an inner shell which is relatively flexible. The inner shell features a relatively flexible saddle region which extends over the metatarsal and/or instep portions of a wearer's foot. Tensile elements, such as cables or straps, extend over the saddle and cooperate with buckle mechanisms to provide a variable supporting force to the wearer's foot. The inner shell also comprises an ankle support structure which grasps the wearer's leg at a point just above the malleolus and cooperates with the heel spoiler to maintain the wearer's heel in contact with the sole of the boot.In another embodiment the ski boot features a hinged inner sole. The inner sole is secured to the outer shell in the phalanx region of the sole, and also is hingedly connected to the heel spoiler in the heel region of the inner sole. A hinge, either mechanical or natural, is disposed adjacent to or in common with the fastening point.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a rigid outer shell and an inner shell which is relatively flexible. The inner shell features a relatively flexible saddle region which extends over the metatarsal and/or instep portions of a wearer's foot. Tensile elements, such as cables or straps, extend over the saddle and cooperate with buckle mechanisms to provide a variable supporting force to the wearer's foot. The inner shell also comprises an ankle support structure which grasps the wearer's leg at a point just above the malleolus and cooperates with the heel spoiler to maintain the wearer's heel in contact with the sole of the boot.In another embodiment the ski boot features a hinged inner sole. The inner sole is secured to the outer shell in the phalanx region of the sole, and also is hingedly connected to the heel spoiler in the heel region of the inner sole. A hinge, either mechanical or natural, is disposed adjacent to or in common with the fastening point.

Abstract: A spring structure for a ski boot includes a leaf spring element overlying the instep and shin cuff elements of the boot. The spring is affixed at its lower end to the toe element, hingedly mounted at an intermediate portion to a hinge pin affixed to the shin cuff, and coupled at its upper end to the shin cuff, preferably by an elastic strap. The lower portion of the spring structure is bowed inward and downward so that as the hinge pin moves forward in response to forward lean, the lower portion of the spring flexes inward and downward. The inward flexing of the lower portion of the spring produces a torque about the hinge pin and urges the upper portion of the spring to deflect outward. This outward deflection is resisted by the coupling of the upper spring end of the cuff, causing the upper portion to deflect concavely outward so that the spring assumes an "S" shape. The spring geometry provides a rising rate spring and prevents the top of the spring from contacting the shin of the wearer.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a ski boot closure for rear-entry ski boots. In this closure mechanism a latch mechanism having a lever, which is movable between open and closed positions, operates a cable system having height and length varying strands. The cable system originates in the latch mechanism and passes around either side the calf cuff of the boot to become secured to the shin cuff. The boot is opened as an adjustment of the latch mechanism lengthens the cable strands surrounding the calf cuff. Conversely, the boot as closed as an adjustment of the latch mechanism shortens the cable strands surrounding the calf cuff thus causing the calf and shin cuffs of the boot to be moved into frictional engagement.

Abstract: A ski boot has a base element forming sole, toe and instep portions and which mounts a shin cuff element, a calf cuff element, and a heel seat element with three triangularly located hinging connections. The heel seat element engages a wearer's heel to aid in closure of the cuff elements and to facilitate removal of the boot. A cuff closure automatically engages when the cuff elements are moved to closed positions, and is readily releasable for ease in boot removal. An adjustable instep closure automatically tightens, by way of strap elements coupled with the rear cuff element, upon closure of the boot. The closure mechanism relaxes the instep closure tension when the skier leans forward. The shin cuff element and the toe portion of the base element movably and replaceably seat a forward lean control element so that it may readily be removed and replaced, and the mounting can be adjustable for selecting the forward lean resistance.

Abstract: A ski boot has a base element forming sole, toe and instep portions and which mounts a shin cuff element, a calf cuff element, and a heel seat element with three triangularly located hinging connections. The heel seat element engages a wearer's heel to aid in closure of the cuff elements and to facilitate removal of the boot. A cuff closure automatically engages when the cuff elements are moved to closed positions, and is readily releasable for ease in boot removal. An adjustable instep closure automatically tightens, by way of strap elements coupled with the rear cuff element, upon closure of the boot. The closure mechanism relaxes the instep closure tension when the skier leans forward. The shin cuff element and the toe portion of the base element movably and replaceably seat a forward lean control element so that it may readily be removed and replaced, and the mounting can be adjustable for selecting the forward lean resistance.