Abstract: A closure system for a boot or other footwear includes a tension member that is disposed within the boot and routed or guided about a path within the boot via one or more guides. The closure system also includes an adjustment member that is disposed within the boot and operably coupled with the tension member. The closure system further includes a reel based closure device having a knob that is operable to tension the tension member and to release tension from the tension member. Tensioning of the tension member adjusts a fit of the adjustment member about a foot within the boot to secure the foot within the boot and loosening of the tension member adjusts the fit of the adjustment member about the foot to allow the foot to be more easily removed from the boot.

Abstract: A pressure fixing device applied to a shoe is disclosed. The pressure fixing device includes an inflatable shoe tongue, a first air pump and a control module. The control module drives the air to flow out of the inflatable shoe tongue according to a second enabling signal so that the inflatable shoe tongue tends to shrink and moves toward the wear space to attach to a user's instep. The control module drives the first air pump to pump the air flowing into the inflatable shoe tongue according to a first enabling signal, so that the inflatable shoe tongue tends to expand due to the air inflated and moves away from the wear space to enlarge the opening, by which the user can wear or take off the shoe easily.

Abstract: An article of footwear can include a tensioning system with a multilayered upper and a relatively narrow strobel. One layer of the upper can be attached to an outer periphery of the strobel. Another layer of the upper can be attached to a portion of the sole structure. In addition, a lacing region can be formed by folding a laminated structure including the second layer. A third layer of the upper can provide a bootie within the article of footwear configured to receive a foot.

Abstract: Ski boot comprising a rigid shell which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has a lower part structured to couple with a ski binding device; a rigid cuff which is shaped so as to surround the lower part of the leg of the user, and is pivotally jointed to the shell thus to be able to pivot about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot, and shell closing means adapted to selectively tighten the shell on the foot of the user; the shell comprising a substantially basin-shaped casing which is superiorly provided with a main opening from which the leg of the user comes out, and with a longitudinal slit that branches from said main opening and extends along the casing towards the front tip of the shell; the shell closing means being placed at the longitudinal fissure.

Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.

Abstract: A ski boot with an element in shell form at least partially contains a plastic compound material. The compound material contains a mixture of caprolactam polyamide and ionomers, such that cations and anions of the ionomers form ion bonds. Elastic components of the compound material form a physical network that is soluble between 60° C. and 100° C., and therefore the element in shell form of the ski boot at least partially containing the compound material can undergo thermoforming below 100° C.

Abstract: An article of footwear with adjustable stiffness is provided. The article of footwear in the form of a snowboard boot is provided with adjustable tensioning systems that are disposed on either side of an inner liner of the snowboard boot. The adjustable tensioning system includes a comb body structure having flex portions made of a plurality of extending fingers with a flexibility that can be controlled by the adjustable tensioning system. Depending on the level of tension applied by the tensioning system, or lack thereof, a range of flex profiles having varying amounts of stiffness are available to the wearer to adjust the overall stiffness of the snowboard boot.

Abstract: A sports monitoring system and method. One disclosed system can be used during skiing and includes a controller transceiver that can be hand held, two ski boot pressure monitor/transmitters, and earphones connectable to the controller/transceiver. The system can be used to provide, through the earphones, sound indicative of pressure applied or not applied by a skier toward a portion of a boot while skiing. The system may also include a proximity sensor mounted within one of the ski boot pressure monitor/transmitters. The system can thereby provide sound responsive to the proximity detector's detection of one boot being at or not at a distance, or within or outside of a distance range, with respect to the other boot.

Abstract: A footwear includes an outer member, an inner lining, an instep member, and a lace. The outer member defines an outer surface of the footwear. The inner lining is positioned within the outer member. The instep member extends across an instep portion of the inner lining. The instep member can be positioned between the outer member and the inner lining or embedded within the inner lining. The lace is coupled to the instep member and to the outer member. Applying a tension force to the lace causes the instep member to apply a force against the instep portion of the inner lining, thereby applying an instep force against an instep portion of a user's foot that is positioned in the footwear. The instep force against the user's foot holds the user's foot against a bottom and rear portion of the footwear.

Abstract: A three point step-in snowboard binding includes medial and lateral binding pin engagers that interact with corresponding pins in a boot. The binding latches the boot after the snowboarder steps into the binding, and remains latched until a release control is actuated.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a boot having a forward lean system is provided that includes medial and lateral side cable members on the boot wherein the cable members are attached to a forward portion of the boot at only one general position. The forward lean system also includes a tension adjustment member connected to the cable members for altering the length of the cable member, thereby providing adjustable forward lean.

Abstract: A ski boot comprises an essentially stiff outer boot and a soft inner boot (49) or inner lining for receiving the foot of a skier. The sole (13) of the outer boot is made of an essentially rigid material, preferably plastics, comprising an elastic zone (15) in the metatarsal region of the sole (13). The elastic zone (15) divides the sole (13) into front and rear sole portions (19, 17). An intermediate upper shell portion (29) is provided between the front and rear shell portions (27, 21) of the outer boot, which is designed such that front and rear shell portions (27, 21) are pivotable with respect to each other. The heel portion (23) and rear sole portion (17) are designed to be in an essentially rigid relationship such that a maximum force can be applied to the elastic zone (15) of the boot. When the skier leans forward the front and rear shell portions (27, 21) pivot relative to each other.

Abstract: An inner tightening mechanism adapted to equip an article of footwear having a flexible or semi-rigid upper, and an article of footwear incorporating such tightening mechanism. 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 stabilization device for an athletic shoe or sneaker having two elongate straps for wrapping around a foot within the shoe. The straps are attached to the inside sidewalls of the shoe and exit the shoe through lateral slits adjacent to the sole. Each strap then passes through a buckle, and the two straps are attached to each other with a VELCRO material. Two lateral support bumpers, integral with the shoe near the sole and which project outwardly on the lateral sidewall, provides further projection against foot injuries. The upper shoe component having a sufficiently stiff consistency to prevent acute angles that form during inversion stresses.

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: The snowboarding boot of the invention includes a boot shell having a toe portion, a heel portion, an ankle portion, and a top portion. In the preferred embodiment, a selectively inflatable bladder is disposed at each of these portions to allow the user of the snowboarding boot to selectively adjust the secureness of the fit between his foot and the boot. In one embodiment, each of the bladders is connected together so that inflation of one bladder provides fluid pressure to all of the bladders. In another embodiment, each of the fluid bladders is separate allowing the user to adjust the inflation pressure of each bladder individually.

Abstract: An articulated ski boot for releasable attachment to a binding mounted on an alpine ski is presented. The ski boot has a sole which preferably is formed of first and second rigid portions with a hinge connecting the two portions such that the first portion is upwardly pivotable when the sole is free from the binding (walking mode). The boot has a substantially rigid boot upper adapted to receive a foot and which is attached to the sole. A truss member is pivotally connected to the boot upper and pivots between the walking mode and a locked skiing mode in which the sole portions are prevented from pivoting. The ski boot also includes means for securing the skier's forefoot and heel to the sole to substantially reduce toe and heel lift.

Abstract: An articulated ski boot for releasable attachment to a binding mounted on an alpine ski is presented. The ski boot has a sole which preferably is formed of first and second rigid portions with a hinge connecting the two portions such that the first portion is upwardly pivotable when the sole is free from the binding (walking mode). The boot has a substantially rigid boot upper adapted to receive a foot and which is attached to the sole. A truss member is pivotally connected to the boot upper and pivots between the walking mode and a locked skiing mode in which the sole portions are prevented from pivoting. The ski boot also includes means for securing the skier's forefoot and heel to the sole to substantially reduce toe and heel lift.

Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp. In a modified form, the boot further comprises another elastic strap, which is adapted to draw the ball of the foot downwardly toward the insole.

Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp.

Abstract: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp. In a modified form, the boot further comprises another elastic strap, which is adapted to draw the ball of the foot downwardly toward the insole.

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: A boot comprises an upper, an outsole affixed to the upper, and an insole affixed within the boot. The upper includes a vamp, a counter, and a shaft. A flexible but substantially inelastic liner is affixed to the insole and to the upper, to and around an upper portion of the shaft, but is not affixed to the vamp, to the counter, or to a lower portion of the shaft. An ankle strap and an instep strap are affixed within the boot. The instep strap is affixed below the ankle strap. Being elastic, the ankle and instep straps are adapted to restrain a foot of a wearer so as to limit movement of the foot away from the counter, further into the vamp.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a forefoot/midfoot compression member for a footwear device. The compression member comprises an instep counter and an arm mechanism for rigidly supporting the instep counter. The arm mechanism is disposed along only one of the medial or lateral aspects of the footwear device. The arm mechanism is adjustable to move the instep counter to a desired position and a retention mechanism is provided to retain the arm mechanism in the desired position. In another aspect, the invention relates to a retention member for a liner for a footwear device. The retention member includes a plate that mounts to the liner. A post extends from the plate through a bore defined in a wall for the footwear device where it is secured with a fastener. In another aspect, the invention relates to a retention member for an article of footwear within a footwear device.