Abstract: An article of footwear can include a sole structure, an upper, and a printed layer. The upper can be coupled to the sole structure. The printed layer can be disposed on the upper and include a plurality of printed materials each having a different hardness than an adjacent printed material. The plurality of printed materials can be arranged on the upper such that a stiffness of the upper is gradated from a toe portion of the upper to a heel portion of the upper, and a stiffness of the heel portion is greater than a stiffness of the toe portion.

Abstract: An article of footwear includes an intermediate covering portion with an adjustable volume. The intermediate covering portion is closed around the instep of the foot. The article also includes a tensioning system that can be used to change the volume of the intermediate covering portion. The tensioning system includes a tension balancing member to balance loads across different portions of the intermediate covering portion.

Abstract: An item of footwear such as a boot (10) includes a stiff lower part (12) that extends around part of a wearer's foot, a stiff upper part (16) that extends around the wearer's lower leg, and one or more limit elements (66,72,80,88) that extend between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16). The lower part (12) and upper part (16) are movable relative to each other when the ankle moves and the relative movement is inhibited selectively by the limit elements (66,72,80,88). The limit elements (66,72,80,88) are displaceable between a free condition in which the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) are movable relative to each other, and lock condition in which the relative movement between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) is inhibited.

Abstract: A ski boot composed of a lower part or foot portion and an upper part or leg portion, suitable to enclose the lower part of the skier's leg, wherein the leg portion is hinged to the foot portion so as to rotate with respect to the foot portion around hinges defining a rotation axis. The leg portion comprises a closing lever suitable to block and/or unblock selectively the rotation of the leg portion with respect to the foot portion, and operatively connected to a base and an arm engageable in abutment against a pin fixed to the foot portion. The closing lever in the open configuration mutually moves the base and the arm away from each other forcing the latter against the pin to prevent a rotation of the leg portion backwards. The boot comprises traction means which operatively connect the base, the arm, and a fastening on the foot portion, the arm being placed between the base and the fastening. Said traction means comprise a cable at least partially extensible.

Abstract: Protective footwear, such as a motorcycle or motocross boot, can have a supple, leather boot feel. Disclosed footwear can have a hinged coupling between a foot engagement structure and a lower-leg engagement structure to promote anatomically correct flexion in a wearer's ankle. The lower-leg engagement portion can define a ledge having a lowermost face configured to abut and matingly urge against an uppermost face of a ledge of the foot engagement portion to limit an extent of pivoting of the hinged coupling. The hinged coupling, in some instances, can include a pair of opposed bushings, each defining an internal thread configured to matingly engage a corresponding outer thread on a stud. The stud can retain the lower-leg engagement portion and the foot engagement portion in a pivotable relationship to each other. The opposed bushings can be keyed to matingly engage either a lateral portion of the foot engagement portion or a medial portion of the foot engagement portion.

Abstract: Ski boot with rigid shell comprising a lower shell (30) and a cuff (20) articulated in rotation to the lower shell (30), characterized in that it comprises at least a connecting ring (10) connecting the cuff (20) to the lower shell (30), this connecting ring (10) comprising a locking surface (11) collaborating with an opening (31) in the lower shell (30) so as to prevent the connecting ring (10) from rotating relative to the lower shell (30), and a rotation surface (12) collaborating with an opening (24) in the cuff so as to guide the rotation of the cuff (20) relative to the lower shell (30) about this second surface.

Abstract: Protective footwear, such as a motorcycle or motocross boot, can have a supple, leather boot feel. Disclosed footwear can have a hinged coupling between a foot-engagement structure and a lower-leg engagement structure to promote anatomically correct flexion in a wearer's ankle. The lower-leg engagement portion can define a ledge having a lowermost face configured to abut and matingly urge against an uppermost face of a ledge of the foot-engagement portion to limit an extent of pivoting of the hinged coupling. The hinged coupling, in some instances, can include a pair of opposed bushings, each defining an internal thread configured to matingly engage a corresponding outer thread on a stud. The stud can retain the lower-leg engagement portion and the foot-engagement portion in a pivotable relationship to each other. The opposed bushings can be keyed to matingly engage either a lateral portion of the foot-engagement portion or a medial portion of the foot-engagement portion.

Abstract: A sports boot including an upper extending above the ankle joint and at least one rigid collar extending around the wearer's lower leg, the boot including a device for adjusting the volume of the collar to better accommodate the shape of the user's calf. The adjustment device includes a wedge, or collar extension, positioned inside the collar, the wedge being fixed to the collar by means of at least one pivot and by means of a fastening mechanism enabling the relative displacement of the wedge with respect to the collar as well as a deformation of the wedge. The fastening mechanism includes a plate equipped with a cylindrical body having an axis A1 and received in a first circular opening provided in the collar and a rivet received in a second circular opening provided in the wedge and received in a third circular opening having an axis A2 provided in the body, the axis A2 and the axis A1 being non-coaxial.

Abstract: A sport boot, such as a snow ski boot, that includes a shell having a rigid foot portion. The foot portion includes a heel pocket and an instep region that is largely immovable relative to the heel pocket due to the rigidity of the foot portion. The boot also includes a highback support region that snugly engages the leg of a user during use. A heel-track is located on the dorsal side of the boot between the highback support region and the heel pocket. The heel-track provides a concave space that receives the user's heel when the user is putting-on and taking-off the boot to counter the relative immovability of the instep region of the boot against the engaging action of the user's foot. The sport boot can also include a special boot liner having an expandable dorsal region, and, optionally, other features that compliment the heel-track of the shell.

Abstract: There is disclosed a ski boot system. In an embodiment, an outer shell has right and left side portions formed by a longitudinal split. A hinged connection is provided between the portions. The open configuration allows placement of an inner liner into the shell. The closed configuration restricts removal of the liner from the shell. A selectively fastenable connector extends between the right and left side portions. The selectively fastenable connector permits selective positioning of the shell between open and closed configurations. The liner of a ski boot includes a wall of material defining inner and outer surfaces. The outer surface defines an exterior having dimensions sized to compressively fit within the shell. The inner surface defines an interior having dimensions sized to receive a foot. A shape memory foam forms at least a portion of the wall of material and is configured to conform to the foot.

Abstract: A ski boot includes a base shell; a sole; an upper shell that has at least a fastening clip and that is articulated to the base shell with pins provided in the region of the malleoli; an inner boot, wherein the base shell defines a slot having two strips coupled one to the other with a gaiter and is provided with at least one fastening device; a first tongue joined to the base shell in the proximity of a tip thereof, the first tong being manufactured from a material of differentiated rigidities, the portion of the first tongue in the area of the free end having a lower rigidity that the portion joined to the base shell; and a removable second tongue configured to cover the first tongue and having a greater rigidity than the first tongue.

Abstract: A device for adjusting the position of the bootleg with respect to the shell, particularly for ski boots. The first end of a blade is associated internally and at the rear with respect to the bootleg, the blade interacting selectively, at the second end, with a tooth of a slider. The latter is arranged adjacent to the heel and movable axially with respect to the shell in contrast to an elastically deformable element.

Abstract: A ski boot, designed for ski mountaineering, includes a rigid shell and sole, an inshoe of soft material, and a leg portion pivotally secured to the shell. A lever is located on one side of the leg portion for operating a traction cable located on the other side of the leg portion. The remote end of the traction cable is engaged with, or secured to, a retention element on the leg portion. A spoiler is pivotally mounted at the rear of the shell, and is interposed between the rear of the leg portion and the rear of the inshoe. A lug, or similar coupling element, is formed on the lever. The lever is mounted for pivotal movement in the horizontal direction, between an opened, and closed, configuration or condition. When the lever is in its closed configuration, the lug engages the leg portion and the spoiler, and blocks their pivotal movement, or articulation, relative to the shell.

Abstract: A sports boot comprising a part comprising at least two superposed layers of plastics and comprising an opening that can be closed by catching means distributed on either side of this opening, wherein one of the two layers has one or more recesses lying on an axis in order to define a deformation axis of the shell, allowing that part of the shell that is around this axis to move away in order to enlarge the opening and make it easier to put the boot on and to take it off.

Abstract: A footwear upper having a collar assembly that is joined at its forward edge to the lower portion of the upper by a flexible region of material so that the collar may flex forward and rearward in relation to the lower portion of the upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper includes a neck portion that is telescopically overlapped by the collar. In another aspect, the upper includes a gusset that extends between the lower portion and the collar, with at least a portion of the gusset being substantially hidden from view.

Abstract: A ski boot comprising a conventional rigid sole from which there protrudes, from the area of the forefoot and approximately up to the area of the arch of the foot, a shell open in the direction of the area of the heel of the sole, thereat and to which there is rearwardly and slideably connectable a buttress element interacting with adjustment and guiding elements of the axial position with respect to the sole and to which a height-adjustable cuff is rotatably connectable.

Abstract: A ski boot for ski mountaineering or telemark skiing including a shell of plastic material and a sole. A first longitudinal cut in the shell defines two sides which allow the entry of the foot of the skier. A second cut in the shell, transverse to, and opening into the first cut, is formed in the front section of the shell. The first and second cuts form a longitudinal slot in the shell; stops are located at opposite ends of the slot. In the preferred embodiment, a peg with an enlarged head is slit within the slot to adjust the flexibility of the boot in the longitudinal direction. In the alternative embodiment, a gaiter and a profiled element are located in the area of the first cut and the second cut in the shell. A peg with an enlarged head is slid with aligned slots in the shell, gaiter, and profiled element, to adjust the flexibility of the shell in the longitudinal direction.

Abstract: A Multifunctional telemark boot (10) includes a shell (2); a sole (13) which is integral with the shell (2), and which is made up of a heel (4) and a toe (5) which are separated from each other by an insole arch (6). A flexible articulation (7), is part of the shell (2), and is arranged substantially in correspondence with the toe (5) in order to permit a flex of the shell (2). A stiffening device (11) is associated with the sole (13) in order to selectively impede the flex of the shell (2) and to configure the telemark boot (10) itself for different uses other than telemark.

Abstract: A boot that includes a shell base and a collar, an articulation provided between the collar and the shell base, such that the collar can pivot with respect to the shell base about an articulation axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and further including a device for blocking the rearward rotation of the collar with respect to the shell base, the devices for blocking the rearward rotation including the following: a rocker mounted so as to rotate with respect to either the collar or the shell base, around a first pivot, the pivot being oriented along a first axis and the rocker having an elongated shape between an upper end and a lower end, and the first pivot being positioned in the vicinity of one of the two ends; a support base, positioned in the vicinity of the other of the ends, including a first support surface, which is capable of coming in contact with either the shell base or the collar; and a lever mounted so as to rotate with respect to the rocker around a second pivo

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention relates to a ski boot system including an upper shell, lower shell, and an articulation system. The upper and lower shell function to enable a user to move their encased foot in various dimensions/orientations corresponding to anatomical supination, pronation, dorsiflexion, and plantarflexion. The articulation system selectively affects the articulation freedom between the upper and lower shells in locked and unlocked configurations. The articulation system includes a lower shell coupler and an upper shell coupler coupled to the lower and upper shells, respectively. The locked configuration of the articulation system includes engaging the upper and lower shell couplers to restrict freedom between the upper and lower shell. The lower shell coupler is coupled within a recess in the lower shell that substantially restricts movement to a single orientation corresponding to coronal rotation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support system for use in relation to an articulation region of a boot. Embodiments of the present invention relate to a boot with a dorsal metatarsal articulation region that allows for articulation in the sagittal plane such as a telemark ski boot. One embodiment of the present invention relates to a telemark ski boot, including a shell, an articulation region, and an articulation support system. The articulation support system includes at least one tensile rigid region extending transversely between the proximal and distal sides of the articulation region. The tensile rigid region impedes rotation of the rear portion of the shell about the toe portion in a frontal plane. This form of rotation is often referred to as torsional rotation. The articulation support system may include one or more of a cable, an integrated shell portion, a material mesh, and/or other tensile rigid components which maintain bending flexibility.

Abstract: A footwear designed for a plurality of sports for protecting a user's feet and legs includes a first rigid shell defining a body (2) adapted to receive a user's foot and extending along an elongation direction (8); a second rigid shell defining an upper (4) designed to receive the user's leg and extending substantially along a rising direction (10); an articulation (6), linking the body to the upper, having specific mechanical strength characteristics. A range of articulations having different mechanical strength characteristics can be fixed to the first and second shells to accommodate the physiological differences between the various uses of such footwear articles and/or to the differences between the various sports for which the footwear articles may be used.

Abstract: Ski boot comprising a shell (1; 21; 41; 61) surrounding the foot and an upper cuff (2; 22; 42; 62) articulated to the shell, comprising a device for fastening and unfastening the upper cuff relative to the shell, this device being connected to a fastening and unfastening member by a cable (10; 30; 50; 70), this fastening and unfastening device being in a first, fastened, configuration when the fastening and unfastening member is in a first position in which the upper cuff is kept in a predefined inclined position relative to the shell, and in a second, unfastened, configuration when the fastening and unfastening member is in a second position in which the upper cuff is able to move relative to the shell so that it can be stood up straight, wherein the connection between the cable (10; 30; 50; 70) and the boot fastening and unfastening member is such that moving the fastening and unfastening member from the first to the second position introduces tension into the cable, this cable being directly connected to a

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports shoe (1), in particular a ski shoe (2), consisting of a shoe bottom part (3) comprising a sole (4) and a shell part (5) with a cuff part (7) pivotably connected to the shoe bottom part (3), and a lock mechanism (16) incorporating at least one locking means (17) displaceable between the shell part (5) and the cuff part (7), as well as an actuator drive (29) for the locking means (17). The actuator drive (29) is conductively connected to an energy store and/or an energy source (42) disposed in the shoe bottom part (3) or in the cuff part (7) and a switch means (44) is connected upstream of the actuator drive (29) to supply the actuator drive (29) with power from the energy source (42) and/or the energy store.

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising an upper or casing, to cover a tarsal zone and a metatarsal zone of the user's foot, and a tongue associated with the casing, to be bent forward due to the thrust generated by a tibial segment of the user's leg, during sporting activity. The casing, in correspondence with a metatarsal zone thereof, comprises at least a through slit which allows the progressive elastic flexion of the casing due to the effect of the bending forward of the tongue.

Abstract: A footwear upper having a collar assembly that is joined at its forward edge to the lower portion of the upper by a flexible region of material so that the collar may flex forward and rearward in relation to the lower portion of the upper. In one aspect of the invention, the upper includes a neck portion that is telescopically overlapped by the collar. In another aspect, the upper includes a gusset that extends between the lower portion and the collar, with at least a portion of the gusset being substantially hidden from view.

Abstract: An item of footwear is intended for sports practice and is used to protect the feet and legs of a user. The footwear includes: a first rigid shell defining a body (2) which is designed to receive the foot of the user and which extends in a horizontal direction (8); a second rigid shell defining a shaft (4) which is designed to receive the leg of the user and which extends essentially along a vertical axis (10); and a connection (6) which joins the body and the shaft and which is used to rotate the shaft in relation to the body along two essentially-perpendicular rotation axes (8, 12) and to move the axes of the connections in relation to the body, such that the axes of rotation of the aforementioned connection essentially coincide with the axes of rotation of the foot in relation to the leg of the user.

Abstract: A flex control device, for the quarter of a motocross boot, which comprises a soft upper provided at the rear with a semirigid cuff and a semirigid counter, which are connected respectively to the upper and to the upper and/or sole. The device is constituted by a first rod shaped element and a second rod shaped element, the first rod shaped element being rigidly coupled to the counter, the second one being selectively associable with the quarter, the first and second rod shaped elements being slidingly associated in contrast with at least one elastically deformable element.

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

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: A highback for controlling a gliding board, such as a snowboard, through leg movement of a rider. The highback is comprised of an upright support member including at least two portions that are to be contacted by and to support a rear portion of the rider's leg and that are movable relative to each other for setting a desired forward lean of the highback. The support member may include a lower portion with a pair of mounting locations for mounting the highback to a gliding board component, such as a snowboard binding, and an upper portion movably supported by the lower portion to vary the forward lean of the highback. The lower portion of the support member may be mounted to a snowboard binding baseplate for lateral rotation between a plurality of lateral positions. The highback may include a forward lean adjuster that prevents the upper portion from moving in the heel direction beyond a predetermined forward lean position.

Abstract: A skating boot adapted to fit around the foot of the user and allowing adequate forward and backward motion of the upper portion relative to the lower portion. The boot is equipped with an inside joint and an outside joint connecting the upper portion and the lower portion together. Front and rear elastic covers complete the shape of the boot and are attached to both the upper portion and the lower portion. The joints comprise and inside and an outside concave sliding disks adapted to slidingly engage with corresponding retainers incorporated within the upper and lower portions. The position of the joints is preferably offset with the inside joint located higher and closer to the front of the boot than the outside joint to accommodate the anatomical structure of the human ankle. The boot has a smooth shape and encases the foot such that all skating maneuvers can be completed with ease while providing adequate ankle support and foot protection.

Abstract: A sports boot made up of an upper having first and second elements assembled by bonding and use of a mechanical device. A part of one of the elements permanently covers the mechanical device in order to seal it and to hide the mechanical device from view, in order to create a more visually appealing boot.

Abstract: A sports shoe, comprising a soft upper provided with a cuff and with a rear counter which are semirigid and are separately connected to the upper, an additional semirigid element that is associated with the upper or monolithically coupled thereto, in an intermediate region, between the cuff and the counter, the additional semirigid element having, at the rear and/or laterally, at least one first tab and at least one second tab for sliding engagement in first guides formed in the cuff and in the counter.

Abstract: A snowboard binding system comprising at least one movable engaging member that, when engaged, secures a snowboarder's boot from vertical or horizontal movement is disclosed. In one embodiment, a binding system having two active sides is disclosed, allowing a snowboarder to engage the binding by stepping downwardly onto the binding mechanism, thus reversibly forcing tensioned engaging members between an extended and a retracted position and back to an extended position, thereby securing the snowboarder's boot to the upper surface of a snowboard. A preferred embodiment utilizes positioning keys that properly orientate a snowboarder's boot into binding engagement. Other embodiments include snowboard boots having active binding mechanisms positioned on the boot itself, such mechanisms engageable with static members secured to the surface of a snowboard.

Abstract: Sports shoe having a shell (10) partially overlapped by a leg-piece (20) and adjusting hinge (52, 53) for allowing a flexing movement of controlled amplitude of the leg-piece about a hinging axis. In the overlapping zones (ZE, ZI) plates (42, 41; 47) provided on the outer surfaces of the leg-piece (20) allow selective insertion and subsequent locking of at least one hinge (52, 53) in any one of the matching seats (33, 34, 35, 36; 37; 34′, 36′) provided on the shell (10). The hinging axis thus able to assume at least two different angular positions (X1, X2, X3, X4) relative to the longitudinal centre plane (M) of the shoe, as required by the user.

Abstract: A ski boot, in particular a ski-mountaineering or telemark boot, having a shell made of plastic material; a shank hinged to the shell; and a control mechanism, located at the rear portion of the boot, for controlling the tilt of the shank and having a lever hinged to a projection of the shank and movable between a work position in which one end cooperates with a rear projection of the shell to prevent rearward rotation of the shank, and a release position. The control mechanism has a ring hinged to the lever and engaging a recess formed in the rear projection of the shell to also prevent forward rotation of the shank with respect to the shell.

Abstract: A shell, particularly for a ski boot, constituted by a box-like main body which is open in an upward region and is rigidly coupled to a sole. The shell has, at the foot instep region, two arc-like partially overlapping plates, each of which is rotatably pivoted to the shell by pivots arranged laterally to the shell on an axis which is approximately parallel to the resting plane of the sole. The rotation of the two plates is limited by a pivot and slot connection arranged in the region in front of the heel.

Abstract: A snowboard interface has an upper interface and a lower interface, wherein the upper interface rotates and translates relative to the lower interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sports boot comprising two elements assembled by adhesive bonding and riveting or by adhesive bonding and stitching. This boot is noteworthy in that one of the elements covers over the assembly.

Abstract: A sports boot, especially a ski boot, including a shell base overlaid by an upper at least partially pivotal in relation to the shell base and including a device for locking and unlocking with respect to the latter, which is constituted by an abutment zone provided on the rear portion of the upper, and by an oscillating lever forming a rocker, arranged on the rear portion of the shell base, capable of cooperating in locking with the abutment, under the action of a control member, wherein the control member of the oscillating lever forming a rocker, adapted to cooperate in locking with the abutment, is located in the rear fitting zone of the boot so as to be biased by the rear binding of an element to be fitted, and is controllably connected to the lever, located at a distance, in a zone separate from the fitting zone, by means of a cable pulling on the lever during the fitting of the boot.

Abstract: A sports shoe (2) for practicing a gliding sport comprising: a relatively rigid sole (201) adapted to be interfaced with a gliding device; a relatively rigid shell (200) associated to said sole (201) and extending beyond said sole for surrounding, at least partially, the user's foot; a cuff (2b) associated to said shell (2a) and extending beyond said shell for surrounding, at least partially, the lower portion of the user's leg; the sports shoe comprising a reinforcing assembly (1), which surrounds, at least partially, the rear region of the lower portion of the user's leg and which is associated to the sports shoe, at least at the approximate anklebone region (701) of the lower portion of the user's leg.

Abstract: The top of the shell (2) made of molded plastic forms part of a flexible upper (1) in which a longitudinal opening line (9) forming a flap (12) is formed. The front lateral side of this flap is connected to the upper by an extensible elastic part (15). Good forward waterproofing is hence obtained without using a seal.

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: A sports shoe (2) for practicing a gliding sport, comprising a force transmission structure (300) for consolidating the forces transmitted between a gliding device, associated to said sports shoe, and a foot and a lower portion of the user's leg accomodated in said shoe. The force transmission structure comprises force conveying means (301) for concentrating the forces, which are transmitted between said gliding device and the foot and the lower portion of the user's leg, in a predefined stress region (1) extending approximately from the rear region (700) of the lower portion of the user's leg to the anklebone region (701).

Abstract: Articulated structure for the reinforcement of footwear articles, comprising a first rigid part (110), which comprises a sole (111) and an uprising portion (112) for the heel of the user, and a second and a third part (120, 130), arranged on opposite sides of said first part (110) with respect to the longitudinal centre-line plane. Each one of these parts is separately joined to said uprising portion (112) of the first part (110) so as to obtain independent forward movements (FA, FB) and rearward movements (FC, FD) of a limited extent thereof. USE: Sports footwear, work-shoes and the like. ADVANTAGES: improved movement freedom of the foot, while maintaining the desired side support function unaltered; improved manufacturability of the footwear.

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: Ski or snowboard boot (10) comprising a sole (11), shell (14) and shaft (15), the shaft (15) comprising a supporting shell (17) which butts against the lower leg on the rear side and is mounted in the ankle region such that it can be pivoted about a transverse axis (16) which extends approximately parallel to the sole (11) and approximately perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis thereof. The supporting shell (17) is coupled to the front sole (12) of the boot (10) such that a force acting on the supporting shell (17) or a torque acting on the supporting shell (17) is introduced essentially directly into the front sole (12) or vice versa.

Abstract: A cross-country ski boot having a collar that is pivotally mounted by journals on an upper, and a device for retaining the collar that is active from a angular position and only in the front-to-rear direction by means of a fixed abutment located on the upper. The retaining device, located in the rear portion of the boot, includes a support mechanism that can be adjusted between two different positions with respect to the fixed abutment, one of the positions placing the support mechanism in cooperation with the latter and the other retracting it from the latter. The invention makes it possible to adapt a single type of cross-country ski boot for two different techniques such as the alternating step and the skating step.

Abstract: A sports boot, especially a ski boot, including a shell base overlaid by an upper at least partially pivotal in relation to the shell base and including a device for locking and unlocking with respect to the latter, which is constituted by an abutment zone provided on the rear portion of the upper, and by an oscillating lever forming a rocker, arranged on the rear portion of the shell base, capable of cooperating in locking with the abutment, under the action of a control member, wherein the control member of the oscillating lever forming a rocker, adapted to cooperate in locking with the abutment, is located in the rear fitting zone of the boot so as to be biased by the rear binding of an element to be fitted, and is controllably connected to the lever, located at a distance, in a zone separate from the fitting zone, by means of a cable pulling on the lever during the fitting of the boot.