Abstract: A combined sports shoe and roller skate includes a sole having a chamber in which is mounted a collapsible roller assembly, wherein the roller assembly has a seat pivotally connected with linking rods, positioning rods, rear arms, front arms, rollers and torsion spring at two sides and a control mechanism is mounted on the seat and composed of a locking bolt, an axle, a pawl, a torsion spring, a tension spring and a pushbutton, whereby the sports shoe can be converted into a roller skate as desired simply by depressing a pushbutton and the roller skate can be also converted into a sports shoe by collapsing the roller assembly into a chamber at the bottom of the sole.

Abstract: A dual-purpose roller skate comprises a boot, a sole plate provided with a plurality of receiving compartments, and a plurality of wheel sets equal in number to the receiving compartments. The wheel sets are pivoted to the receiving compartments of the sole plate such that the wheels of the wheel sets can be extracted from or retracted into the receiving compartments of the sole plate by an adjustment device.

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: A boot for a ski or an in-line roller skate has a flexible upper and a sole allowing the foot to flex during walking. Its sole has a rigid part in the rear region of the boot, over about one half of the length of the sole, this rigid part being designed so as to form an interface between the heel and a binding of the ski or in-line roller skate. The interface may be standard, that is to say independent of the boot size.

Abstract: A therapeutic shoe for shifting the weight exerted on the foot of a wearer in a frontward or rearward direction as required has a sole and an upper portion configured to retain the foot of the user in contact with the sole. A recessed track, formed in the lower surface of the sole, extends parallel to the length of the sole and along a major portion of its length. At least one support block is provided for attachment to the lower surface of the sole at any of a plurality of positions along the entirety of the recessed track. Also provided is a heel protection configuration.

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 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 method of making footwear. The method is suited generally to making skate boots and, more specifically, to making ice skates and in-line roller skates. The method comprises the steps of: (a) positioning a skin assembly over a structural inner shell component; (b) adhesively affixing the skin assembly to the structural inner shell component by applying pressure on the entire surface of the skin assembly; (c) perforating lace eyelets through the structural inner shell and the skin assembly; and (d) mounting a toe box and a tongue to the front portion of the structural inner shell component.

Abstract: An in-line roller skate, which comprises a rigid shell wherein a flexible inner shoe is housed. The latter is advantageously lined at the level of its leg portion by a cover, thereby defining with it a sheath substantially open downward in which the upper part of the shell is housed. In this way, when the skater's ankle bends forwards it is supported by the inner shoe as a result of the interference arising between the cover and the upper part of the shell. This allows a great freedom of movement in a longitudinal direction for the skater's ankle, which can be bent even in a very accentuated manner, differently from what occurs in the known skates, where the bottom of the leg is enclosed in a rigid leg portion. At the same time, good support is maintained in a lateral direction owing to the upper part of the shell which allows the transmission of the guiding movements. According to a preferred embodiment, the cover may be hinged to the shell in the malleolar regions.

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 that includes an upper, an outer sole and at least one fastening member adapted to cooperate with an associated fastening member of a sports article, such as a snowboard, ski, or skate. The upper is provided at its lower end with a continuous peripheral belt, at least semi-rigid, and each fastening member of the boot is fixed on the peripheral belt. The peripheral belt can be arranged on the inside or on the outside of the upper.

Abstract: A boot adapted to the practice of skating and a method of manufacturing such boot, the boot including a shell base equipped with a rigid sole adapted to be attached on the frame of a skate and a heel reinforcement part, and a flexible liner that is positioned inside the shell base including of a padded upper part surrounding the foot and at least one outer pocket portion. The shell base according to the invention has a rigid collar portion that extends the heel reinforcement and the pocket portion at least partially covers the collar portion so as to ensure at least partially the retention of the flexible liner in the shell base. The invention relates to a boot structure encompassing the essential functions of foot retention and controlled flexibility, and whose assembly is made easier.

Abstract: A one-piece quarter for a lasted skate boot. The quarter comprises a quarter medial portion and a quarter lateral portion. The quarter medial and quarter lateral portions each comprise, respectively, foxing medial and lateral portions. A tendon guard is disposed in the upper portion of the quarter. This tendon guard is preferably sewn to the quarter. Therefore, the guard is attached to the quarter along the junction line. According to the invention, with a quarter consisting of only one piece, there is no sewing line along the symmetry line. The skate boot provided with such a quarter features a stronger heel portion, without any risk of a broken sewing line. The skate boot is less expensive to manufacture, with at least one sewing step eliminated.

Abstract: A snowboard boot for use with a snowboard boot strap that is attachable thereto. In one aspect, the boot comprises a foot-shaped outer surface; and a strap mounting member that includes an attachment feature adapted to mount a portion of the strap to the snowboard boot the strap mounting member including a raised portion that protrudes beyond the foot-shaped outer surface of the boot, the raised portion including the attachment feature. In another aspect, the snowboard boot includes a boot upper having an outer surface, a sole, and an adjustable strap that is mounted to the outer surface of the boot upper, the strap being adjustable so that the strap can be selectively tightened and loosened over the outer surface of the boot upper. The outer surface of the boot upper is formed from at least first and second materials, the first material having a lower coefficient of friction than the second material, the first material being disposed to underlie a portion of the strap that is movable to tighten the strap.

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 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 grind shoe apparatus incorporating a variable friction grind plate complementally received in the recess of the shoe sole and having a downwardly facing trough and an outwardly facing rail with respective slide surfaces for contacting a support surface to slide therealong. Such plate further includes at least one speed control compartment positioned within one of such slide surfaces and having an insert removably carried therein for varying the frictional resistance occurring during sliding maneuvers.

Abstract: A boot for a gliding sport, consisting of a bootie with a soft upper (1) and of an intermediate rigid sole (4) itself at least partially covered by a flexible walking sole (9), and provided with a transverse metal bar (6) for connection to a binding. The boot further has bearing surfaces on either side of the bar. At least in the foot sole region, the bearing surface is a projection (7) of the intermediate rigid sole.

Abstract: Boot of the type including a rigid frame including of at least one rigid sole portion and a heel reinforcement affixed to the sole, and including an upper that is at least partially flexible, wherein it includes a part forming a cover that takes the shape of at least a portion of the rigid frame and is intended to is pulled on over at least the portion of the frame, the cover being equipped with connecting elements to the rigid frame. Advantageously, the boot includes a liner affixed to the part forming the cover, the outer wall of the liner constituting the inner wall of the part forming the cover.

Abstract: A grind shoe including a sole provided on its lower surface with a transverse gliding and wear reinforcement arranged in the sole central zone. The transverse reinforcement has the shape of a portion of a cylinder arranged transversely to the sole longitudinal axis, with a concave curvature oriented downwardly. The shoe also includes a longitudinal reinforcement arranged on either side of the transverse reinforcement and defining a longitudinal groove on either side of the transverse reinforcement.

Abstract: At a skate boot a headpiece is foreseen at the cap area of the boot which headpiece protects the foot of an ice-hockey player, specifically the goaltender against impacts and blows stemming from the puck. This headpiece prevents, furthermore, a lateral sliding off of a leg pad.

Abstract: A sole, especially for a sport boot, adapted to sports that require a foot movement or to gliding sports. The sole, especially an external sole, is constituted by a front part and a rear part. The rear part covers at least the base of the heel zone and is rigid and substantially non-flexible. Preferably, the rear part extends substantially up to the so-called metatarsophalangeal bending zone. The present invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a sole, especially a sole such as described hereinabove. In addition, it relates to a boot having a sole such as described hereinabove.

Abstract: A skate includes a boot having an upper portion for supporting the lower leg, ankle and foot, and a footbed for supporting the sole of a foot. The footbed includes anterior and posterior portions as well as a hinge located between the anterior and posterior portions. The hinge permits upward pivotal movement of the anterior and posterior portions of the footbed relative to each other. The skate also includes a blade, which may include an ice skating blade or wheels. The blade has anterior and posterior portions depending rigidly from the anterior and posterior portions of the footbed respectively.

Abstract: An ice-skate having a high shoe upper part, in particular in the area of sport, requires an increased spatial requirement for the ankle in the event of a pronounced forwards inclined movement. Therefore, it is recommended to form the closure edges in the upper shaft region so as to protrude in a convex manner in the direction of the foot middle plane, in order to increase the size of the surface and to place forward the closure parts in order to change the pulling effect thereof. Furthermore, lining or padding can be provided in the region of the extensions.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear with a sole having a downwardly opening recess removably mounting a low friction grind plate for sliding across a protruding feature on a supporting surface and including an accessible storage compartment for temporarily storing keys and the like.

Abstract: Grind shoe device of the present invention includes a shoe sole having downwardly facing heel and forefoot tread surfaces and a downwardly opening recess formed with longitudinal and transverse recess sections. A grind plate device is formed with transverse and longitudinal grind plate sections for receipt in the respective transverse and longitudinal recess sections, at least one of such grind plate sections being formed with a downwardly facing trough for grinding along a rail, curb or the like. The longitudinal grind plate section is flexible and in some embodiments is foiled of rigid sections of discrete rigid grind plate portions disposed to flex relative to one another to facilitate flexing of the sole. The method of the present invention involves the manufacturing of the sole with such downwardly facing recess and fabricating the grind plate device to be complementally received in its top side in such recesses.

Abstract: In-line roller skate including a chassis of which one longitudinal lower portion carries the wheels, on the one hand, and a boot formed by a shell overlaying a sole adapted to be fixed on an upper plate of the chassis, on the other hand, the volume of the upper being in communication with the outside so as to obtain the internal ventilation thereof by air supply, wherein it includes air passages interposed between an external collecting zone and the internal volume of the shell, these air passages being constituted by a ventilation chamber provided beneath an internal plantar support of the boot and communicating with the internal volume of the shell.

Abstract: A cushioned in-line skate shoe comprises: an in-line skate shoe body, including: an outer side wall which has an outer lower edge, an inner side wall which has an inner lower edge, a sole provided on a bottom of the shoe body and connected between the outer and inner lower edges, at least one outer hole and at least one inner hole formed on the outer lower edge and the inner lower edge, respectively; an air cushion foot pad including: an upper surface, a lower surface opposing to the upper surface, a circumferential edge which is formed between the upper and lower surfaces, a plurality of flexible columns connecting the upper surface and the lower surface to define a plurality of air chambers formed within the circumferential edge so as to rigidly support the air chambers, a plurality of transverse protrusions formed on the circumferential edge of the foot pad, thereby when the foot pad is positioned over and contact with the sole of the shoe body, the protrusions are inserted into the outer and inner holes o

Abstract: Footwear having one or more reinforcement features is disclosed. Footwear having two independent components constructed from a woven material with the strands oriented at specified angles to the plane of the sole of the footwear is disclosed. The footwear may also incorporate a substantially rigid structural collar in the area of the ankle or lower leg. Heel and/or forefoot straps that wrap downwardly and laterally around the heel and/or forefoot may be provided to limit flexing of the ankle and the footwear in a forward or backward direction, respectively. An internal reinforcement structure comprising a plurality of support strips arranged transversely to one another in a criss-cross arrangement is also disclosed.

Abstract: A skate for receiving a foot of a skater includes a frame holding in-line wheels. A rigid base is securely attached to the frame. An external heel counter extends upwardly from the base around the heel portion of the skate. An upper having an outer shell of substantially soft pliable material extends upwardly from the base. A substantially rigid internal heel counter is disposed beneath the outer shell. The internal heel counter extends around the heel area of the skate above the top of said external heel counter. A substantially rigid ankle support cuff is pivotally coupled to the internal heel counter and disposed beneath the outer shell.

Abstract: An article of athletic footwear with a sole incorporating low friction surfaces for sliding across a protruding feature on a supporting surface and walking surfaces for other athletic pursuits, and a method of making same.

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 sandal including a sole portion having a front end and a rear end and a pair of sides. The sole portion is comprised of a plurality of layers of elastomeric material including a planar lower layer, an angling intermediate portion, and an upper layer adapted to receive the foot of a wearer thereon. The sole portion includes a plurality of intermediate layers. The upper layer is provided with a pair of longitudinal slits adjacent to the rear thereof and four circular holes adjacent to the front thereof. A top strap has an upper section positionable over the instep of a wearer's foot and a lower section positioned through the slits and extending there beneath. The strap has four apertures adjacent to the forward edge thereof in the upper portion. Two cords with four central extents each have two upper extents extending through associated apertures of the strap and two lower extents looped around the holes in the upper layer. Four cylindrical sleeves encompass the cords.

Abstract: A grinding shoe apparatus for both normal running and walking activity and including a sole cavity for mounting a complementary plate configured with a plurality of bearing surfaces for sliding along rigid support surfaces and braking surfaces to control speed developed while sliding.

Abstract: Sport boot, especially for gliding sport, including an external sole adapted to be affixed to a sporting item, and from which an upper covering the foot extends, wherein the upper is composed of two portions the first of which is made of a relatively rigid material constituting a cradle which forms a rear envelope adapted to house the user's heel and is integral with the sole in the heel zone. A second portion of the upper is made of a relatively flexible material constituting a vamp for covering the forefoot of the user, which is adapted to be fixedly fastened to the free front portion of the sole, on the one hand, and to lateral zones of the rear envelope which affixed thereto, on the other hand, via a connection.

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 snowboard boot for freestyle riding includes, as usual, a soft boot-shaped inside portion and a boot-shaped outside portion that is provided with a soft shaft. To transmit the force for backside turns with legs bent to the side, a rigid insert is provided between the inside portion and the outside portion that extends about the heel area. At the height of the ankle a rigid back portion embracing the calf is movable on the insert about an area positioned approximately in the longitudinal center plane of the boot.

Abstract: A device for a gliding sport, such as an in-line roller skate, equipped with an energization device including a boot whose sole is associated with an upper plate of a frame on a lower portion of which the gliding device, such as skating wheels, are arranged.

Abstract: A combination boot and skate having an interfacing mechanism for releasably securing the plate of the skate to the sole of the boot. A rigid stirrup piece is rotatably mounted in the plate having a contour that complements that of the upper part of the boot. The stirrup is rotatable to a boot engaging position and held in that position by a releasable lock to restrain the boot against lateral and longitudinal movement when the skate is in use.

Abstract: The present invention relates to shoe using a moulded bottom provided with a series of slots on the edges, or with through openings on the sole, for the application of a closed upper, made up of a fabric or leather strap that embraces the back and the neck of the foot.

Abstract: A process for attaching a shoe upper to a sole by employing staples includes forming apertures near the edge of the sole so that ends of the upper can be inserted into the apertures and attached to the sole by way of staples after the edge of the sole has been displaced. The edges of the sole are preferably adhered to the staples so that the staples remain hidden behind the edges that form the periphery of the shoe sole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plastic moulded monolithic sandal using an upper that comprises a continuous base band, with no holes or incisions, directly fixed to the sole, as well as one or more transversal closing straps, each of them composed of two separate ends capable of overlapping and closing.

Abstract: A first embodiment of a flexing base skate (10) includes an upper shoe portion (12) mounted on a base (14). The base includes a forefoot region (20) secured to a forward frame segment (26) carrying forward wheels (18a, 18b). A heel region (24) of the base is secured to a rearward frame segment (28) that carries rearward wheels (18c, 18d). The base defines and flexes at a reduced thickness metatarsal head portion (22), with the skater's heel and the rearward frame segment elevating freely relative to the forward frame segment. A spring (72) incorporated into the base biases the skate to the unflexed configuration. The forward frame section overlaps the rearward frame section for lateral stability. An alternate embodiment provides a rigid full length frame (112) and a flexible base (104) mounted only at the forefoot region (106) to the frame. The base (104) flexes at a metatarsal head portion (108), and is constructed to form an integral spring biasing the base against the frame.

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 includes 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 method of making a grinding shoe involving constructing a sole of high friction material having a downwardly facing high friction surface interrupted medially by an upwardly raised recess having opposite sides curved outwardly to form flares and making a plate to conform to such recess and securing such plate thereto to provide a downwardly facing low friction grind surface.

Abstract: A reusable pedicure slipper is made up of a sole upon which a foot is supported and first and second cords. The first cord is used to separate the toes of the foot and can either be wrapped around the individual toes or form loops in which the individual toes are placed. The second cord is positioned behind the first cord and is tied around the ankle of the user to help secure the sole to the foot of the user.

Abstract: The skate boot construction includes a unitary plastic heel/ankle counter insert which may be secured externally or internally to a soft boot mounted on a skate truck. The insert includes two spaced side portions joined by a U-shaped heel section which extend along the sides of a skater's foot. Above the side portions and the heel section are two forwardly projecting side flaps joined by an arcuate back section which are connected to the spaced side portions by two outwardly bowed hinge sections positioned over a skater's ankle bones. An arcuate slit extends through the heel/ankle counter between the heel section and arcuate back section and runs for a distance along either side of the heel/ankle counter. End slits extend transversely above and below each end of the arcuate slit. Cutaway portions below the side flaps extend inwardly toward the end slits and with the end slits define the edges of the bowed hinge sections.

Abstract: A method of assembling a boot to the chassis of a sports article and a boot/chassis assembly so assembled. The boot includes a rigid outer sole and an upper that is at least partially flexible and the method includes mounting the flexible upper on an inner assembly sole by means of a first assembly arrangement, thus forming a first sub-assembly; obtaining a second flexible upper/outer sole sub-assembly by assembling the elements via a second assembly arrangement; obtaining the assembly of the second sub-assembly on the chassis by means of a third assembly arrangement located between the assembly sole and the chassis.

Abstract: An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.