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 flex 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 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: A retention and release mechanism and ski boot for mitigating injury to a skier when the rearward loads, potentially injurious to the user, are imparted to the boot. The mechanism includes a first linkage having an end coupled to a first rigid boot portion, and a second linkage coupled to the first linkage through a pin disposed in a slot in the first linkage. The mechanism provides stable orientation of the first portion to the second portion in a “ski” position, and allows rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a “release” position, the “release” position being established upon imposition of a predetermined level of rearward force on the boot.

Abstract: The boot comprises a cuff (4) articulated to a shell (1) and a leaf (6) for retaining the cuff which counteract its rearward tilting but give way when the force tending to tilt the cuff exceeds a specific value. These leaf consist of a part (6) which works in compression and gives way by buckling. Such a boot is intended to prevent tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee.

Abstract: A boot, preferably for skiing and other sports activities, designed for performance as well as comfort. The preferred embodiment of the boot includes rigid upper and lower frames with a conformable cuff and shell. The boot is open in front to allow an inner flexible boot to be easily inserted as well as removed. A controlled flex unit controls the movement of the upper frame relative to the lower frame while maintaining the lateral stability of the boot.

Abstract: A retention and release mechanism and ski boot for mitigating injury to a skier when the rearward loads, potentially injurious to the user, are imparted to the boot. The mechanism includes a first linkage having an end coupled to a first rigid boot portion, and a second linkage coupled to the first linkage through a pin disposed in a slot in the first linkage. The mechanism provides stable orientation of the first portion to the second portion in a “ski” position, and allows rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a “release” position, the “release” position being established upon imposition of a predetermined level of rearward force on the boot.

Abstract: A retention and release mechanism and ski boot for mitigating injury to a skier when the rearward loads, potentially injurious to the user, are imparted to the boot. The mechanism includes a first linkage arm, a latch, and a second linkage arm. The latch is connected to a first end of the first linkage arm, and is configured for direct or indirect pivotal connection to a first portion of the boot (e.g., an upper portion), which is pivotally connected to a second portion of the boot (e.g., a lower portion). The second linkage arm is pivotally connected to a second end of the first linkage arm at a pivot point, and is configured for pivotal connection to the second portion of the boot.