Abstract: A skateboard shoe having a sole with four sole pads; each sole pad having differing durometer values: a lateral pad and a toe pad comprised of a low durometer value (Shore A) material, a medial pad comprised of a moderate durometer value (Shore A) material, and a heel pad comprised of a hard durometer value (Shore A) material.

Abstract: Skate shields have a resiliently flexible protective shell with an upper portion curved so as to cover a medial side of the boot from near the toe to the instep and at least from the sole plate on the inner (medial) side of the boot over the boot to the outer (lateral) side of the boot. The protective shells are asymmetrically shaped, their continuity being broken in a location away from the medial side. The lower, inner medial edge of the upper shell is curved to contact and follow the medial side edge of the sole plate while a tongue extends transversely under the sole plate to hook the shield along the sole plate medial edge. The front end rests on the reinforced toe of the skate.

Abstract: Roller skates (10) having an improved appearance and function as walking shoes by providing at least one skate wheel (210) that can be pivoted by at least 60 degrees up inside the sole (100) of the skate to facilitate walking, and/or providing a skate with user replaceable, friction operated side brakes (410). Preferred skates have multiple such pivoting wheels coupled by a common, pivoting support arm (230), and provide a mechanism that positions the wheels substantially coplanar with the sole of the skate while in the walking position, and substantially perpendicular to the sole of the skate while in the skating position. It is also preferred that the skate wheels pivot about an axis passing through a portion of the wheels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multifunctional shoe which includes a shoe, a locating part, a sliding device and a locking device. The shoe has a sole provided with at least an accommodation. The locating part is fixed by a fixing member inside the accommodation and is a hollow body with the opening thereof is directed downward, thereby forming a mounting opening at the bottom of the sole. The sliding device contains a wheel and a wheel base. The wheel base corresponds to the locating part in form so that it can be received in the locating part. The locking device is located at the side of the locating part. A lock pin is disposed inside the locking device and is controllable from the outside of the sole to be axially moved. The sliding device is fixed inside the locking device while the small part of the wheel projects from the sole for sliding purpose; moreover, the sliding device can be stored or disassembled without projection on the sole for walking purpose.

Abstract: A grind rail apparatus coupleable to an underside of a footwear for grinding is provided. The grind rail apparatus includes a body having an upper side and a lower side, the upper side of the body coupled to the underside of the footwear. The grind rail apparatus also includes a plurality of rails extending from the lower side of the body.

Abstract: A snowboard boot includes a heel member and a leg member positioned above the heel member. The heel member and the leg member are secured to the boot so that the leg member is capable of movement relative to the heel member about an axis of rotation that is vertically inclined no more than ±45° and that lies within a plane that is inclined relative to a longitudinal plane which divides left and right sections of the boot.

Abstract: An improved hinge system for pivotally coupling a skate lower portion to a skate upper cuff. The multi-hinge design incorporates a four link chain mechanism that greatly increases the number of design options for a hinged boot. The pivot axis defined by the four link chain can be designed to shift through a path of travel that generally coincides with the path of travel of the anatomical pivot axis defined by the user's foot and leg. The upper cuff and boot lower portion account for two of the four links of the four link mechanism. The other two links are either rigid bars with pin connections on both the upper cuff and the lower portion, or roller links with a pin connection to the upper and a slot like sliding surface on the lower portion. A slider link can be substituted for the roller and a slide surface can be substituted for the slot.

Abstract: An improved cuff hinging structure of an in-line roller skate includes a plurality of wheels set straight under a chassis, a base portion mounted on the chassis, and a cuff connected to the boot of the base portion through pivots on an ankle support cuff, providing excellent resilience for the cuff and thus enhancing the durability of the skate.

Abstract: A shoe and a wheel device include one end detachably secured together with a projection-and-lock notch engagement. A toe member and a separate heel member are engaged on the front and the rear portions of the shoe. A latch is attached to the wheel device for latching and securing the heel member and the rear portion of the shoe to the wheel device. A quick release lock device is attached to the middle portion of the wheel device and engageable with the heel member for locking the heel member and the middle portion of the shoe to the wheel device.

Abstract: A skate boot having a sole and an upper, the upper having a medial quarter and a lateral quarter and defining a first pair of parallel fastening rows around the front edge of each quarter, at least in the vamp area of the boot. The median axis of the rows extends between the third and the fourth metatarsal bones of the foot.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate is described, which consists of a chassis (2) equipped with at least two rollers (3) and which has two platforms (4, 5) and a boot (1) with a flexible upper resting on the platforms and connected to these platforms by a rigid part consisting of a footbed (17) connected to the inside of the flexible upper. The sole is thus securely held between the rigid footbed and at least the rear platform of the chassis.

Abstract: A skate boot is disclosed which comprises a foot element adapted to be mounted to a ground engaging skating implement and for receiving at least partially the foot of a skater, and an articulated cuff for encircling and supporting the ankle of a skater. The articulated cuff is partially inserted in the foot element and slidably coupled to the foot element to permit unrestrained limited pivotal motion of the articulated cuff relative to an axis coinciding approximately with the pivot axis of the skater's ankle.

Abstract: A skate boot featuring an exterior toe protector and a method of manufacture. The skate boot is provided with a toe cover adapted to be pulled and stretched over a last allowing the skate boot to be formed in a similar fashion as a skate boot featuring an interior toe protector. The toe protector has a pair of lateral extensions which overlap the frontal edges of the lateral supporting portions of the skate boot and a pair of cutout areas to surround the same lateral supporting portions of the skate boot.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention is a removable strap for a snowboard boot to preventing the rider's foot from lifting in the boot. The ankle strap enables a soft boot to be used with both a strap-less step-in binding system, and a strap binding system. Another aspect is a snowboard binding including a strap adapted to releasably secure the snowboard boot and constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider. A further aspect is an apparatus comprising a snowboard boot and a strap attached thereto. The strap is arranged to prevent the rider's heel from lifting in the snowboard boot, and is constructed and arranged to avoid creation of a pressure point at an instep bone of the rider.

Abstract: A boot is constituted, on the one hand, of a shell (1), a cuff (2) joined to the shell, the shell and the cuff presenting zones of differing rigidity (18, 19a, 27, 28). The zones of lesser rigidity (14, 16, 18) of the shell permitting the support, on the sides of the shell, of a rigid heel zone (5) extending toward the front by a lateral oblique band (10) carrying the buckles (11, 12). The rigid zone of the cuff comprises two lateral flaps (19) and at least a collar (20) wherein the rearward portion of the collar is connected to the heel by a joining component (24) regulating the flexing and the rear support. The surface of the rigid zones is minimal.

Abstract: A rotary foot device and shoe arrangement includes a mounting structure formed integral with the sole of a shoe, and a rotary foot device fastened to the mounting structure for enabling the shoe to be rotated with the mounting structure relative to a part of the rotary foot device on the floor by the user.

Abstract: A roller skate shoe includes a shoe base having two receiving cavities provided thereunder at a front portion and a rear portion of the shoe base respectively, a roller arrangement fittedly received in each receiving cavity including a supporting frame securely mounted on a ceiling of the receiving cavity having a supporting member extended downwardly, a T-shaped wheel frame including a vertical wheel arm rotatably mounted on the supporting member and a horizontal wheel axle for rotatably supporting two wheels at two ends thereof, and a resilient element for applying an urging pressure against the wheel frame so as to normally retain the wheel frame slid out of the receiving cavity, and a locker means for securely locking the wheel frame in a rotatably movable manner selectively between a folded position and an unfolded position.

Abstract: A skate boot featuring an exterior toe protector and a method of manufacture. The skate boot is provided with a toe cover adapted to be pulled and stretched over a last allowing the skate boot to be formed in a similar fashion as a skate boot featuring an interior toe protector. The toe protector has a pair of lateral extensions which overlap the frontal edges of the lateral supporting portions of the skate boot and a pair of cutout areas to surround the same lateral supporting portions of the skate boot.

Abstract: A footwear is disclosed which comprises a molded shell for supporting and at least partially enclosing a wearer's foot. The shell has an inner side, an outer side, a sole portion covering the bottom area of the wearer's foot, lateral and medial quarters projecting upwardly from each side of the sole portion and a heel counter surrounding the back of the wearer's foot and linking the lateral and medial quarters together. An outer skin like covering is affixed to the outer side of the shell and a frontal toe portion substantially covers the toe area of the wearer. A tongue covers the upper frontal area of the footwear; and finally a ground engaging supporting element is mounted to the bottom of the shell. More specifically, an ice skate boot and an in-line roller skate are disclosed having shell and an outer skin.

Abstract: A convertible shoe for skating device includes: a shallow shell, a pair of flexible reinforcing members respectively secured to the shallow shell, and a pair of convertible upper members each detachably fastened to each flexible reinforcing member for forming a skate shoe; whereby upon detachment of one pair of old upper members, another pair of new upper members of different decorative features or designs may be provided to substitute the old upper members for diversified selectivity and comfortable wearing of the skate shoes.

Abstract: Ski boot whose upper consists of a variable-volume plastic shell (1) provided with at least one tightening device (5, 6). The outer side (A) of the shell has zones (A′, A″) which are of substantially lower rigidity than the rest of the shell and lie on either side of a stronger band (15) which extends obliquely from the heel to the front end of the shell and bears one of the parts of the tightening device. The effect of said band is to keep the foot bearing against the inner side of the shell, and thus to improve edge setting.

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: Quick release grinding shoe device formed in its arch region with a fastener passage and a downwardly extending first locking element for complemental receipt of a quick release grinding plate formed its front extremity with a longitudinally projecting fastener to be received in the fastener passage, a second locking element to slidably pass through the first locking element, and a rotatable washer included in the second locking element to lock the grind plate to the arch region of the grinding shoe.

Abstract: A wheel seat assembly of a roller skate includes a sole body fixed on the bottom of a shoe. The sole body is provided with receiving chambers for securing casings therein. The casing defines an axial hole and at least two positioning holes. A roller seat is pivotally mounted in the casing by a pivot member. The pivot member is fitted with a catch member and an elastic member. The catch member may be selectively locked into one of the positioning holes of the casing by an urging action of the elastic member. The roller seat has a roller rotatably mounted therein by a rotation shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is an athletic shoe sole which facilitates sliding the foot along the surface of the ground. The shoe is designed for skipping on wood, metal, marble, or concrete, which represent materials commonly used in the construction of floors found in gymnasiums and athletic facilities. The improved sole contains a permanently attached insert covering the area distally from the arch of the foot to the toes lying generally beneath the ball of the foot. The low traction insert is of UHMW or alternatively of a thermoplastic nylon construction which enables the wearer to slide the feet along the floor in a fluid forward motion when skipping. The insert is permanently affixed to the sole of the shoe within a pocket formed in the out-sole of the shoe. Application of an aerosol silicone lubricant and release agent on the insert portion of the out-sole before use further decreases the friction between the out-sole and the ground surface, thereby enhancing the sliding capabilities of the shoe.

Abstract: According to the invention, this footwear part (1) comprises a structural part (2) formed by a rigid sole (10), an enclosing edge (11) integral with the front part of this sole (10) and a sleeve part (12) integral with the rear part of this sole (10) and shaped so as to enclose the ankle and the lower leg of the user. This sleeve part (12) is separate from the edge (11) and has walls offset toward the inside of the sole (10) relative to the wall of the edge (11), in such a manner that there are, on either side of this structural part (2), two slots (20), oriented substantially in a longitudinal direction, in which an upper (3) made from flexible or semi-flexible material may be engaged.

Abstract: A boot has a rigid core (1, 2) consisting, in some areas, of the inside surface of the boot into which a liner is received and of an envelope of supple material (11, 12) covering the rigid core, and making up the inside surface of the boot in the areas where the rigid core is absent. The rigid core comprises means of reinforcement (3, 4, 5, 6, 7) that are not covered by the aforementioned envelope of supple material (11, 12).

Abstract: An inner tightening mechanism adapted to equip an article of footwear having a flexible or semi-rigid upper. The inner tightening mechanism includes a retention band that is connected to the inner surface of the upper by at least two anchoring points fixed on the lateral and medial sides, respectively, of the flexion in the direction of the heel, and at least one anchoring point is positioned substantially above the sole.

Abstract: A roller skate includes a frame having a slot and a lateral orifice formed in a front portion and communicating with each other, and a number of cavities formed around the orifice of the frame. A heel portion is secured on the frame. A toe portion includes a rack slidably received in the frame, and two fasteners for limiting the sliding movement between the toe portion and the heel portion. A gear is rotatably disposed in the frame and engaged with the rack of the toe portion. A knob is keyed to the gear for rotating the gear to adjust the toe portion relative to the heel portion.

Abstract: A boot comprising a sole with an upper which includes an asymmetrical medial and lateral quarter. Strategically located pads are provided on the inner of the upper on opposite sides of the metatarsal in the vamp area and around the ankle. Flexible compressible inserts are provided in the medial dorsal area and in the posterior lateral area, providing compression and extension in the sagittal plane. A scewered lacing arrangement is provided with the lower segment of the lacing extending with the median axis of the lacing approximately at the fourth metatarsal bone and the upper segment of the lacing being provided in the anterior area of the ankle. A light-weight tongue follows the contours of the gap formed by the lacing and is connected to the lateral quarter of the upper along the side thereof and at the front is anchored to a toe box which has a rear edge forming a parabolic outline coincident with the joints between the metatarsus and the phalanges.

Abstract: A shell, particularly for sports shoes, such as for example skates, has a size, preselected during production, that is obtained by selectively connecting a separate front toe portion and a separate rear heel portion to a central body for supporting the sole of the foot.

Abstract: A domed protrusion is foreseen at the inner instep side of the shell of a skate boot which facilitates the getting up of the skater from a sidewise splits. Such a skate boot is specifically suitable as ice-hockey goalkeeper's skate boot.

Abstract: A speed lacing device for an article of footwear having a rigid portion comprising a curved neck and a fastening tail that together define an almost-friction-free sliding surface for a lacing cord, the lacing cord being in contact with the sliding surface in either a state of tension or a state of relaxation. The speed lacing device also having a flexible portion that extends from the rigid portion to form an upper half of a closed loop through which the lacing cord is threaded.

Abstract: A roller skate includes a sole plate holding two wheel holders and a stop holder in front and rear receiving chambers in an outsole, two wheel assemblies respectively pivoted to the wheel holders and turned between an extended position extended out of the outsole for skating and a received position received inside the outsole for enabling the roller skate to function as a normal shoe for walking, lock control means adapted to lock the wheel assemblies between the extended position and the received position, and a stop alternatively set in a stop holder at the back side of one wheel holder between the working position and the non-working position.

Abstract: A fastening device for footwear includes a base on footwear and a first hook extends from a top surface of the base. A locking member is pivotally connected the base and a recess is defined in an end of the locking member. The first hook extends through a notch in an underside of the locking member. Two slots are defined through the underside of the locking member. A plate is movably received in the recess in the locking member with two second hooks thereof movably received in the two slots. A third hook extends from the underside of the plate so as to be engaged with the first hook. A biasing member extends from an end of the plate so as to contact against an inner surface of the recess.

Abstract: A wheel assembly for a roller skate includes a pivotal seat having a first end secured to a base of the roller skate, a wheel seat having a first end pivotally connected to a second end of the pivotal seat by a pin, and a wheel rotatably mounted to a second end of the wheel seat. A first elastic member has a first end attached to the pivotal seat and a second end attached to a mounting member on the wheel seat for biasing the wheel seat to a storage position in the base. A stopping member includes a first end mounted to the pin and a second end through which the mounting member is extended. A second elastic member is mounted around the pin for biasing a stop of the stopping member to a position for releasably engaging with the wheel seat to prevent the wheel seat from moving into the storage position in the base when the wheel seat and the wheel are extended beyond the base for skating.

Abstract: A heeling apparatus includes a shoe with a unique feature in the heel that allows one to walk, run, or roll seamlessly. The appearance is that of normal footwear because of the covert wheel assembly. The stealth wheel in the heel gives one the ability to roll or slide in areas you could only walk. Heeling is a new activity that employs a unique method of rolling and requires a newly learned skill set of balance, positioning, and coordination.

Abstract: A load-bearing apparatus including a raised front portion, the so-called shovel, that maintains the direction of the apparatus while allowing gliding. The lower surface of the shovel includes a protuberance that is oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis. The protuberance is connected to one of the edges of the shovel by a gliding surface that has a substantially continuous slope.

Abstract: A boot having an outer sole and an external upper covering the user's foot and lower leg. The external upper has a flexible frame made of a flexible, substantially non-stretchable material, arranged along preferred directions of forces/supports affixed to both the external upper and the outer sole. The flexible frame has a dorsal portion extending from the outer sole substantially up to the top end of the external upper, and at least one lateral arm laterally connecting the upper end of the dorsal portion to one side of the boot.

Abstract: Roller skate structure including a locating seat assembly composed of a locating seat, two nuts, a linking plate, a stop body, a compression spring, a torque spring, a pivot shaft and a C-shaped retainer ring. Two pivot plates downward extend from the locating seat. A lateral end of each pivot plate is formed with a stop through hole. A middle portion of each pivot plate is formed with a pivot hole. One side of one pivot plate is provided with a projecting post having a slide through hole. Two ends of the linking plate are respectively formed with a driving hole and a driven hole. The stop body includes a stop head and a small diameter driven post extending from the end face of the stop head. The pivot shaft is a two-step cylindrical member. The circumference of the large diameter section of the pivot shaft is formed with a spring hooking hole. The circumference of the small diameter section thereof is cut with a plane linking face. An inner end of the pivot shaft being formed with an annular retainer groove.

Abstract: A flexible skate boot having lower and upper portions made of leather, synthetic leather or similar material is provided with a flexible ankle encircling cuff made of synthetic moldable plastic material capable flexing designed in amounts in the forward and aft and lateral directions to act as an energy storage and release device and without wrinkling so as to minimize discomfort and abrasion on the user's ankle and extend the useful life of the boot. The tongue portion of the boot has a similar molded synthetic flexible panel separating the upper and lower sections of the tongue, the tongue panel being aligned with the flexible ankle encircling cuff which separates the upper and lower parts of the boot from each other. The parts are designed to essentially lock the tongue in the desired frontal position to prevent tongue migration from the desired frontal position during skating.

Abstract: Skates attachable to sneakers. The device includes a sneaker body and a lower functional unit (such as an ice-skate unit, a roller skate unit, etc.), assembled with or disassembled from each other. The sneaker body has a sole and a large sole under the sole, and the sole has recesses and a tenon formed in each recess, and one of the tenons has an insert hole in its sidewall. The lower functional unit has plural connect members with mortises engaging the tenons. Each connect member has a stop plate in front of the mortise, with an aperture formed between them for a safety pin and a spring fitted around the pin to fit therein. The safety pin passes through the hole of the stop plate and a lateral hole of the inner wall of the mortise, with its outer end inserting in the insert hole of the tenon.

Abstract: A skating boot adapted to be affixed to a chassis, the boot including a flexible, at least partially padded upper, shaped to envelope the foot and the lower leg, and a reinforcing portion including at least one rigid sole connected to the chassis and a heel reinforcement. The flexible upper includes a front foot covering portion having a rear scallop at least in the heel zone. A rear cuff, independent of the covering portion, includes a heel enveloping portion and a rising portion to envelope the lower leg. The front foot covering portion and the rear cuff are assembled detachably to form a flexible upper whose length can be adjusted. The boot is adaptable to a variety of sizes and foot morphologies, while ensuring a uniform enveloping and the same level of comfort, regardless of the adjustment length adopted.

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 sports boot, particularly for gliding sports, of the type including a rigid sole, an external upper, and a removal liner, the external upper including a first portion made of a rigid and substantially non-flexible material including at least one heel stiffener; a second portion, attached to the first portion and/or to the sole, made of a substantially rigid and flexible material; a third portion attached to the second portion and made of a flexible material. The second portion includes a collar adapted to at least partially surround the user's ankle, and a vamp. The third portion includes a saddle attached to the vamp, and on which a device for tightening the forefoot is arranged. The third portion can also include two flaps attached to the collar, and on which a tightening device is arranged.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate including a soft, pliable, and comfortable shoe body having structural foot support components positioned in selected strategic areas such as the ball, heel and ankle areas. The shoe body may be made of a material that allows air circulation for coolness. In one embodiment, the structural components are made of semi-rigid plastic which may be heat moldable to conform to the user's foot. The sole of the shoe may also include heat moldable materials so that it can be anatomically formed to the user's foot. The shoe is mounted on a frame that supports a plurality of in-line roller wheels and includes structure for easily removing and replacing the wheels. The shoe-frame connection may be laterally and longitudinally adjustable. A speed control or brake, which applies a frictional force downwardly onto some or all of the in-line roller wheels, is mounted on the frame. Canting adjustment is provided to allow the ankle support to be canted laterally or longitudinally.

Abstract: A roller skate shoe incorporates a wheel lock releaser arrangement which includes a locking member movably attached to a shaft for locking up a wheel frame from being slid rotatably with respect to a supporting frame of the roller skate shoe. The locking member includes an operation button extended to an exterior of a shoe base for operating the locking member. A resilient member is adapted for applying an urging pressure against the locking member so as to normally retain the locking member in a locking position. At the locking position, the locking member is engaged with the wheel frame such that the wheel frame is locked for a rotational movement. For operating the roller skate shoe, a player must press the operation button inwardly to disengage the locking member with the wheel frame, so as to unlock the wheel frame from being slid out of the receiving cavity.

Abstract: Grind shoe apparatus including a sole mounting a grind plate in the arch area. The grind plate is formed with a downwardly opening concave slide trough and is configured to form clearance spaces at the front and rear thereof. The plate may be formed on the lateral side with an upwardly and outwardly incline side slide surface.

Abstract: A convertible shoe that can be used for walking or for in-line skating having an extendable and retractable wheel mechanism. The convertible shoe has cavities in the sole of the shoe capable of storing and enclosing the retracted wheel mechanism. The wheel mechanism allows the wheels to be held perpendicular to the walking surface of the sole when the wheel mechanism is extended, and parallel to the walking surface of the sole when the wheel mechanism is retracted. With the wheel mechanism extended, the convertible shoe can be used for in-line skating. With the wheel mechanism retracted and stored in the sole, the convertible shoe can be used for walking.

Abstract: A skate having a fitting portion adapted to be fixed on the plate of a chassis supporting the gliding element for the practice of the so-called “aggressive” skating. The fitting portion includes a soft portion forming an upper, for a boot or low shoe, mounted on a rigid sole called the insole, a hard cradle adapted to receive the soft portion and formed of an integral shell cut at its front and lateral portion corresponding to the top of the foot and defining a sole adapted to be fixed on the chassis, from which extends, on the one hand, a heel stiffener capable of receiving a hinged rigid collar and, on the one hand, a protective band peripherally bordering the from and sides of the sole, in the extension of the heel stiffener, and an arrangement for assembling the soft portion on the hard cradle.