Abstract: A load-carrying device including a rear panel supporting a load and two carrying mechanisms, the ends of each carrying mechanism being connected to the rear panel. The carrying mechanisms include a second extensible zone located in the area of the front portion of the torso of the wearer, the second extensible zone having anisotropic extensibility properties, such that the transverse tensile force required to obtain a 25% elongation of a panel forming the second extensible zone is less than the longitudinal tensile force required to obtain a 25% elongation of such panel.

Abstract: A rotatable adjustment part adapted to be affixed to a first component of a sports article. The adjustment part comprises a groove for receiving a portion of a retaining wall associated with the sports article so as to keep the tightening part on the retaining wall, when the tightening part is separated from the first component of the sports article.

Abstract: An article of footwear, or shoe, including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the upper including a vamp extending lengthwise from a rear zone to a front zone, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and heightwise from the outer sole assembly to an apex, the shoe including a first device for tightening a first subdivision of the vamp and a second device for tightening a second subdivision of the upper. For at least one of the first and second subdivisions, the tightening device includes a linkage extending from an anchoring point in relation to the upper to a blocking point in relation to the upper, the anchoring point being located in the area of the vamp, the blocking point being located in the area of the vamp.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a boot, including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end of the upper, the upper including a lateral quarter and a medial quarter, the boot including a first tightening device, which itself includes a linkage and a quick-locking device, the boot including a cover flap. The flap demarcates a storage space capable of receiving the quick-locking device.

Abstract: An article of footwear, such as a boot, including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a heel to a tip, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and heightwise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end, the boot having an opening for inserting the foot, and including a reinforcement which is integral with the upper and is more rigid than the remainder of the upper, at least in the region of the instep, the reinforcement including a lateral and/or a medial edge extending over a reduced length of the boot at least plumb with the instep, the boot including a transverse linkage provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion. The linkage includes a first subdivision extending in the longitudinal direction of the boot, over a distance between 25% and 70% of the length thereof.

Abstract: An article of footwear including an outer sole assembly and a flexible upper, the outer bottom assembly extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, width-wise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise between a surface of contact with the ground and a surface for connecting to the remainder of the shoe, the outer sole assembly having, from the rear end to the front end, a rear zone, a central zone, a metatarsal zone, and a front zone, the article of footwear including a counter which reinforces the upper at least above the rear zone. The counter includes a lateral flange and a medial flange, the medial flange being lengthier than the lateral flange.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a binding for retaining a boot on a gliding board, such as a ski, which includes a retaining device, a lower abutment surface, and a vertical spacer. The retaining device supports an upper abutment surface adapted to be in contact with at least one upper surface of a front portion of the boot. The lower abutment surface is adapted to be in contact with at least a portion of the sole of the boot. The lower abutment surface is connected to the retaining device so as to define an engagement height for the boot corresponding to the difference in height between the upper abutment surface and the lower abutment surface. The vertical spacer is rigid and includes a predetermined adjustment height. The vertical spacer is arranged relative to the retaining device and the lower abutment surface, so that the adjustment height of the vertical spacer makes it possible to adjust the engagement height.