Abstract: A high top athletic shoe has partial quarters terminating in spaced relationship to each other, in combination with a rear subassembly with inner and outer portions. The inner portion includes a substantially rigid lower counter portion and a soft, flexible Y-shaped upper rear portion forming a tendon engager, integral with but movable relative to the lower portion for flexing thereof between a forward foot-engaging position and a rearward foot entry position. The outer portion comprises a relatively rigid, U-support element pivotally mounted on both sides of the shoe, and movable between a lowered position beneath the counterpoint of the foot and spaced rearwardly of the inner portion, and an upper position snugly engaging the inner portion being retained in this latter condition by a connectable tensile strap extending around the U-support at the rear of the shoe.

Abstract: An adjustable shoe to properly fit a wear's heel, midfoot, forefoot and toes. The lower edges of first and second body members are securely attached to the first and second side edges, respectively, of a sole member from a point conterminous with the midline of the toe end of the sole member to points on the first and second side edges, respectively, of the sole member spaced from the midline of the heel end of the sole. A first attachment structure adjustably secures the heel end portions of the body members relative to one another. A second attachment structure adjustably secures the forefoot portions of the body members relative to one another.

Abstract: A shoe has an artificial tendon system, including an elastic band extending through a passageway in the midsole of the shoe. One end of the elastic band is attached to the midsole within the passageway near the forefoot area and the other end is attached near the heel area of the shoe. When the shoe is used, extension of the elastic band stores energy during heelstrike and early propulsion and releases energy during toeoff.

Abstract: An aquatic exercise boot is provided for interchangeable and comfortable use by men, women and children alike. The aquatic exercise boot permits a large range of movement and increased resistive forces, torque and torsion. The aquatic exercise boot serves as fluid resistors to water flow as the aquatic boot is moved through the water. The aquatic exercise boot can have a ankle assembly with an expansion joint and pivotable side fins, a leg assembly with a calf-engaging clam shell and an aquatic leg section, and a foot assembly with an aquatic foot section and a curved aquatic sole.

Abstract: Rear closing device for rear-entry ski-boots, comprising a lever arrangement easily and readily operated between the opened and clamped positions and permitting adjusting of clamping position of boot leg in relation to shell and hence of inclination of boot leg.

Abstract: The boot comprises an upper (4) hinged (5) with a shell (1). A mechanism allows the upper to be locked to the shell or to be pivoted. This mechanism consists of two links (7, 8) hinged with each other and, on the one hand, with the shell (10) and, on the other hand, with the upper (11). The pin (9) hingeably connecting the links together is accommodated, on the one hand, inside a notch (19b) in the top link (8) and, on the other hand, in a fixed oblong aperture (16). The notch (19b) leads into an oblong aperture (19a) in the top link (8). The mechanism is kept in this locked position by a spring (26). A lever (27) enables the oblong aperture (19a) to be brought opposite the hinging point (9) so that this pin is able to slide inside the superimposed apertures (16, 19a).

Abstract: An apparatus for closing and tightening a boot on the foot and the lower leg of a skier. The apparatus is to be used with a boot including first and second parts. One of the parts is displaceable with respect to the other of the parts. The apparatus includes at least one linking element, a traction apparatus for applying a traction force to the at least one linking element, and an apparatus for changing the direction of the at least one linking element. One portion of the at least one linking element is attached to the first part of the boot and the other portion is attached to either the second part of the boot or the foot. The traction apparatus is positioned on the boot, and the direction changing apparatus changes the direction of the at least one linking element as the at least one linking element extends from the first part of the boot to either the second part of the boot or the foot. In addition, the direction changing apparatus is positioned on the traction apparatus.

Abstract: A riding boot has lengthwise pleats down the back secured together by Velcro fasteners. In the event a rider falls from a horse and the rider's foot is caught in a stirrup, the Velcro fasteners burst open allowing the pleats to unfold so that the rider's foot can be substantially instantaneously released from the boot thereby reducing the risk of injury.

Abstract: The ski boot comprises a quarter formed of two complementary parts which partly overlap each other when closed along two vertically extending lateral centerlines. The rear part of the quarter is pivoted to the boot shell, and the quarter front part may be pivoted to the rear part, being guided by a cam arranged to slide over a stud which is rigidly attached to the shell and may be rotatably adjusted, the rotation of the rear part of the quarter, additionally to closing onto the front part, also moving a cuff-line member which closes the skier's foot instep.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a ski boot, in particular a rear entry one incorporating a foot instep securing device, which comprises a boot shell having a front leg portion and rear leg portion hingedly connected thereto, and having interiorly a strap associated with one end of said shell and extending over the foot instep. This ski boot comprises a closure element connected to the front leg portion and adapted to perform simultaneously both the fastening of the front leg portion and rear leg portion together, and fastening of the strap onto the foot instep.

Abstract: A pad (30) for the protection and support of the Achilles tendon of the foot is provided for an over-the-ankle shoe (10). The pad (30) is formed of resiliently yieldable material and is disposed between the exterior upper (26) of the shoe and an interior linear (28). The pad (30) extends vertically from the top (38) of the shoe downward sufficiently to cover the most exteriorly prominent section of the Achilles tendon, and extends horizontally at least far enough to protect the Achilles tendon from strain or injury, while allowing for flexure of same.

Abstract: This invention is concerned with a ski boot, in particular a rear entry one incorporating a foot instep securing device, which comprises a boot shell having a front leg portion and rear leg portion hingedly connected thereto, and having interiorly a strap associated with one end of said shell and extending over the foot instep. This ski boot comprises a closure element connected to the front leg portion and adapted to perform simultaneously both the fastening of the front leg portion and rear leg portion together, and fastening of the strap onto the foot instep.

Abstract: Shoe having an upper part made of supple material and which consists of two side pieces (3,4) attached to the two side edges of the sole (1), and a tongue (5) attached to the front edge of the sole, quick fastening means (7,8,9,10,12,13) being provided to join the tongue (5) to the two side pieces (3,4) at the front and to join the two side pieces (3,4) together at the back in a detachable and adjustable manner.

Abstract: A ski boot with rear entry including a rigid shell integrally formed with a front part of an upper, opened towards the rear throughout its height and of a sort to be closed by a shield articulated on the boot in such a way as to be provided with at least two degrees of freedom, which permits every movement thereof, albeit limited, both in rotation and in translation in a substantially vertical plane, when the fastening means are in a closed position. It is possible, hence, to ensure the best possible fitting of the shield to the shape of the ankle and of the lower part of the calf. The shield may be articulated on the boot through its lower end in such a way as to permit play.

Abstract: This boot comprises an upper pivotable on a lower portion of the boot and adapted to be locked by means of interconnecting means comprising a rack rigid with the upper and a lever fulcrumed to the rack in two guide members in which the pivot pin of the lever is adapted to move parallel to the rack. The lever has an eccentric hub acting as a cam upon a toothed strap, and can be set in three specific position, namely a turn down position in which it engages the boot and the strap is urged against the rack while a male element of the lever engages a female element rigid with the lower portion of the boot, a partially raised position in which the male and female elements are released from each other but the strap is still in engagement with the rack, and a fully raised position in which the strap is released from the rack, the intermediate position being an inoperative or operative position, the third position being an adjustment position.

Abstract: Ski boot of the rear entry type, comprising an upper constituted by a forward cuff (4) solid with the shell (2) of the boot and open to the rear, and by a rear hood (9) swingable about two axes (8) of articulation located on either side of the lower part of the shell, these two elements being assembled to one another by a single hook located in the vicinity of the top end of the upper. The rear hood (9) is in two parts, viz., an upper channel-shaped part (9b) to be inserted into the interior of the cuff (4) between the edges (7) of the latter, and a yoke-shaped lower part (9a), covering the lower portion of these edges (7) and fixed for pivoting movement outside the cuff (4) on the two axes (8) of articulation, the join (11) between these two parts straddling, on each side, the corresponding edge of the cuff.

Abstract: An athletic shoe for runners, joggers, and the like includes a backtab at the upper heel/counter portion of the shoe which extends somewhat along both the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The backtab is characterized as a cushioning member and it includes a cut-out or notch to accommodate the Achilles tendon of the foot to reduce or substantially eliminate stress and pressure on the Achilles tendon which may result in aggravation or injury to the tendon.

Abstract: The device comprises a settable elastic U-like link element housed in a receiving seat defined in the rear cuff of the ski boot and coupled to an engagement element protruding from the seat and adapted to engage, with the rear cuff in the closed position, with a retaining element provided rearwardly on the shell of the ski boot.

Abstract: An article of footwear, particularly a ski boot or the like, having an integral one-piece shell molded from a relatively rigid plastic material. The shell has a lengthwise split in the cuff portion to provide overlapping flap members which completely enclose the wearer's foot. The flap members are resiliently spreadable for insertion or removal of the wearer's foot. The front of the shell has a depending skirt portion with a lower free edge which overlies a rearwardly extending vamp. The skirt portion has a downwardly opening slot with adjustable transverse fastener means for flex control at the front of the shell. The cuff portion of the shell is assymetrical at its upper end so that the shell is higher at the inside and the rear than at the outside and the front. An integral one-piece liner of soft flexible material is disposed within the shell. The liner is split lengthwise to permit spreading of the liner when the flap members of the shell are spread apart.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a plastics material shell, wherewith are associated a raised upper and a raised vamp, this latter being effective to cover the skier's leg front along the tibia and engage laterally the skier's leg, the raised upper and vamp being both hinged to said shell for pivoting about a substantially horizontal axis extending perpendicularly to the shell centerline.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises a continuous shell surrounding the foot (bottom of the shell) and the front of the bottom of the leg (upper) and respectively having zones of differnt rigidity and a rear cover or spoiler pivoted on said shell approximately in the malleolar zone surrounding the rear of said bottom of the leg and serving as cover for closing the boot on the foot, as well as means for rearwardly supporting the leg when in position of use. Means are provided for connecting said rear cover or spoiler and the monobloc upper bottom of shell assembly.A member is also provided for supporting the upper formed by the rear cover and the upper, said member being able to occupy a first active position for limiting the rearward angular movement of said upper, and a second inactive position allowing this upper freedom of angular movement.In active position of use, the support member removably mounted on the rear closing cover is in direct contact with the rigid bottom of the shell.

Abstract: A shoe, more particularly for toddlers, comprises at the back, from bottom to top, successive zones of decreasing rigidity and increasing flexibility, namely a first zone comprising, from inside to outside, a soft lining, a foam filling, an inner reinforcement, a flexible body and an upward extension of the outer sole; a second zone comprising, from inside to outside, the soft lining, the foam filling, the inner reinforcement and the flexible body; a third zone comprising, from inside to outside, the soft lining, the foam filling and the flexible body; and a fourth zone comprising a foam cushion surrounded by the soft lining. The sole preferably also comprises an upward extension at the front. The foot is perfectly protected and supported, very comfortably and softly.

Abstract: A removable shoe to be worn over a cast that extends over the foot of a person, which shoe provides protection to the cast and by use of a heel wedge internal or external to the shoe provides an improved walking action.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasably mounting closure buckles to ski boots, said apparatus including a mounting pad integrally molded with the shell of the boot and having an undercut interior surface for slidably engaging flanges depending from a buckle stand assembly to secure the buckle stand assembly and the closure buckle pivotally mounted therein to the boot. The apparatus further includes a mechanism for releasably latching the buckle stand assembly in position on the mounting pad.

Abstract: A sports boot such as used for skiing has an upper shell interconnected in the ankle region to a lower vamp shell by a pair of side primary pivots. The lower edge of the upper shell has an integrally molded front receptacle which faces a front receptacle integrally molded into the upper edge of the lower vamp shell. The receptacles hold a replaceable resilient insert, the vertical extent of which determines the forward lean angle of the upper shell, and the resiliency of which controls the flex characteristics of the upper shell when pivoted relative to the lower shell. The ends of the receptacles form overlapping stop flanges which abut a replaceable bumper having a vertical extent which controls the maximum rear lean angle of the upper. Rear entry into the boot is provided by a rear door connected by a pair of side door pivots to the upper, and which overlaps a separate replaceable heel door with interior padding for holding down the wearer's heel.

Abstract: A plastic ski boot shell having an opening for foot entry, a buckle on one side of the entry opening for engaging one portion of an endless locking cable, and cable retaining structure on the other side of the entry opening for engaging and retaining another portion of the endless cable. The cable retaining structure is integral with and constitutes a continuation of the shell, the retaining structure being composed of the same plastic material as the shell. The retaining structure permits ready engagement or disengagement of the endless cable.

Abstract: A skiing boot comprises an upper which has a rear portion that extends upwardly and forwardly and is formed at least at its upper end with a substantially central slot, which is adapted to be closed by means comprising ribs, such as rails, beads or the like extending along both sides of said slot, and a slider, which is adjustably mounted on said ribs and adapted to be fixed in any desired position, if desired.

Abstract: Ski boot with a semi-rigid shell and flex-adjusting means. A vertical split portion in the shell is provided with apertures on each side of the split spaced along its length. A clip including two spaced parallel legs is inserted from the inside of the boot into a selected pair of apertures to limit the extent of separation of the split in response to pressure on the boot, thus controlling the flex of the boot.

Abstract: A golf overshoe which is fabricated of flexible rubber or plastic which fits over a pair of golf shoes, with the heel and sole portions of the overshoe formed as an open section to provide for clearance for the spikes of a golf shoe about which the overshoe is fitted. The rear section of the overshoe, fitting about the rear of a golf shoe is divided to form an overlap and strap is fastened by a snap fastener to hold the attached section in position.