Abstract: Shoe lacing kits, laced shoes, and methods of lacing shoes. First and second lacing elements are used to create lacing loops on the exterior of the shoe body. An end of each lacing element is anchored to the shoe body. The loops are threaded through a clasp. Pulling the loops in different directions draws the clasp toward the shoe, and tightens the lacing elements on the shoe. When the tightening force is released, one or more gripping elements in the clasp grip the lacing elements and hold the lacing elements in the tightened position. Releasing the gripping elements on the clasp releases the lacing elements from the tightened position such that the lacing elements can be loosened on the shoe.

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 clasp particularly for a cord or lace. The clasp can be used in connection with shoe laces or tightening cords for various garments, for example. The clasp has a male portion and a female portion having mutual connecting structures. Each of the male and female portions has a structure for connecting to an associated end of the cord/lace, and the male and female portions have complementary guiding structures so as to facilitate their engagement/disengagement.

Abstract: A mountable securing device temporarily affixed to existing lace type footgear providing an alternative easy and secure means for engagement and disengagement.

Abstract: A laced boot having a boot lace and sections of the boot lace run in a continuous one-piece manner as follows: a first section runs from the metatarsal area of the sole over the instep of the boot; a second section runs from the metatarsal area of the sole around the outside of the upper above a heel area of the boot; and a third section runs from the same position of the upper to the instep and back to the cited position of the upper and the three named sections form a triangle, viewed from the side of the boot that covers the ankle joints of the foot.

Abstract: A boot (200), such as a snowboard boot, having a harness assembly (240) disposed in an outer shell (210). The harness defines a vamp gap and includes a plurality of cord keepers (268) disposed on either side of the gap. A cord—for example, a stainless steel cable (266)—slidably engages the cord keepers, for tightening the harness about the user's ankle. A tensioning mechanism (190) having a knob (192) is attached to the harness assembly and engages the cable, whereby the user can releasably tension the cable. An aperture (126) in the outer shell is adapted to receive the knob, whereby the user can tighten or loosen the harness without removing the boot. The cable may slidably engage the tongue (215) of the boot, such that tensioning the cable will bias the tongue inwardly, towards the user.

Abstract: A lace-up device for tightening an article of footwear, providing for the tieing of the lacing without causing discomfort to the user's hands, as well as to the article of footwear equipped with such device. The lace-up device includes a gripping mechanism arranged on the linkage in the area of a loop formed by the lacing outside the tightening zone. The gripping device includes a rigid frame, making it possible to distribute the tension of the lacing over the hand of the user.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for securing a foot in a footwear item and a footwear item using the apparatus are provided. Pivot members are disposed on opposing sides of a closure configured to secure an opening in an upper of the footwear item, the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the footwear item between the opposing sides of the closure and a heel section of the footwear item. A securing including end sections and a force member is provided. Each of the end sections includes a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough. The force member extends from the end sections and curves around the pivot members to engage the closure. Tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the closure.

Abstract: The boot for gliding sports, particularly for skiing, comprises a rigid shell (2) for partially surrounding a user's foot, a collar (3) articulated on the shell (2), and an inner boot, said shell (2) including an open part that makes it easier to put the boot on and to take it off. The boot also comprises at least one flexible element (6) covering said open part so as to close the boot, and a semirigid element (7, 8) superposed over said flexible element (6), and means (9) for fixing said elements on the rigid shell (2).

Abstract: A boot (100), such as a sports boot, having a removable liner (160) that is adapted to be inserted into an outer shell (110). The liner includes a vamp gap (170) with a plurality of cable keepers (168) disposed on either side of the gap, and a cable (166) that slidably engages the cable keepers, for tightening the liner about the user's foot. A tightening mechanism (190) having a knob (192) is attached to the liner and engages the cable, whereby the user can releasably tension the cable. An aperture (126) including a grommet portion (130) in the outer shell is adapted to receive the knob whereby the user can tighten the liner without removing the boot outer shell.

Abstract: A skate upper (120) of the type having an elongate vamp (122) with lace keepers (123) and a tongue (130) disposed generally in the vamp is provided with an attached lace locker. The lace locker (150) fixedly attached near the top of the upper, preferably to an upper portion of the tongue. A lace (124) is retained by the lace keepers and releasably engaged by the lace locker. A strap assembly (126) is provided below the lace locker. A lace guide (140) is attached to the tongue, below the lace locker and below the strap assembly. The invention positions the lace locker more conveniently above the strap assembly, and permits the user to tighten and loosen the lace with one hand.

Abstract: A boot that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: A snowboard boot strap anchor is described. The strap anchor includes a raised portion having at least three mounting locations, and a thin base portion associated with the raised portion for attachment to an upper portion of the snowboard boot. Also described is a snowboard boot strap mounting system. The system includes a first strap anchor having a raised portion containing at least three mounting locations, the strap anchor including a base portion for attachment to the snowboard boot upper, an ankle strap arrangement having a first distal end for attachment to the first strap anchor, and a fastener device for connecting the first distal end of the ankle strap arrangement to the first strap anchor by mating with a selected mounting location.

Abstract: The present invention provides an athletic shoe offering an easily adjustable support for the wearer's ankle, a means for the wearer to quickly put on and remove the shoe, protection to the wearer's toes and forefoot from impacts to the upper surface of the shoe, and a unique and attractive appearance. The shoe may be constructed from four basic components: a resilient sole, an ankle surrounding section, an instep enclosing section, and a toe section. The ankle surrounding section begins at the after end of the sole portion and extends forward to a point between the forward end and the after end defining an opening through which a wearer's foot is passed. The toe section extends from the forward end of the sole portion backward and runs from the inner edge to the outer edge of the sole portion. The wearer's toes are inserted into the cavity defined by the toe section. The instep enclosing section extends from the toe section to the ankle surrounding section.

Abstract: A sport shoe has a sole portion and an upper portion fixedly coupled to the sole portion. The upper portion has an inner side section, a center foot section and an outer side section. The first strap member has a first attachment portion coupled to one of the inner and outer side sections and a first pad connecting portion. The pad member has a first end portion, a center portion and a second end portion with the first pad connecting portion of the first strap member being fixedly coupled to the pad member by a fastening member. The adjustable strap buckle fixedly coupled to the first pad connecting portion of the first strap member by the fastening member. The second strap member has a second attachment portion coupled to the other of the inner and outer side sections and a second pad connecting portion that is adjustably coupled to the first strap member by the adjustable strap buckle.

Abstract: The upper part (3) of the shell (1), manufactured as one piece from polymer material, of a footwear is divided on the front into two pairs of flaps (6A, 7A; 6B, 7B) by a longitudinal separating line (5) and by a transverse slit provided opposite the user's heel. Two removable inserts (11, 12) are provided, which may even be manufactured using a type of polymer material different from that of the shell (1), have parts (13, 15; 14, 16) which are designed to interfere both with the outer surface and with the inner surface of the said flaps (6A, 7A; 6B, 7B) and also have interconnecting parts (17, 18) which are designed to be retained by the twfo sections (8A, 8B) of the transverse slit. USE: Ski boots and skating boots, safety footwear and the like. ADVANTAGES: No infiltration (e.g. of water and snow) into the boot; more efficient manufacturing of the boot.

Abstract: A boot having a sole and an upper, the boot extending longitudinally between a heel and a tip, the upper having an outer envelope and an inner envelope, the boot having a mechanism for tightening the inner envelope, the mechanism for tightening the inner envelope having keepers affixed to the inner envelope and at least one lace. The mechanism for tightening the inner envelope has at least one rear keeper affixed to the outer envelope, the rear keeper being located substantially toward the heel of the boot.

Abstract: A length adjustment mechanism for a strap having a row of teeth. The mechanism comprises a pinion for meshing with the row of teeth and a finger operable actuator pivotable in a first direction and a second direction. The mechanism also comprises a pivoting link coupled with the pinion, the pivoting link being pivotable about a first pivot axis to impart pivotal movement to the pinion. The mechanism further comprises a rotating element coupled with the finger operable actuator and being pivotable about a second pivot axis. The rotating element engages the pivoting link in a driving relationship such that movement of the finger operable actuator is communicated to the pinion via the rotating element and the pivoting link to displace the strap. When a force is applied to the pinion for tending to pivot the pivoting link, the pivoting link and the rotating element interlock for resisting pivotal movement of the pinion.

Abstract: Device for clamping together two parts of a sports article, including: a rectilinear notched tongue (6), integral with a first part of the sports article; a guide (30) integral with the second part of the sports article, said guide having two walls (33) between which said tongue (6) is able to slide; a pawl (40) articulated on the guide (30), capable of interacting with the notched tongue (6) in order to immobilize it in position relative to the guide (30); characterized in that it also includes a complementary piece (20) interacting with at least one part of the outer faces of the guide (30), and of which the portion located on the side with the opening of the guide (30) via which the tongue (6) is inserted includes two divergent walls (25, 26) which flare out and extend beyond the opening of the guide (30).

Abstract: An automated tightening shoe includes a sole, an upper, a closure member, a tightening mechanism and a drive unit. The tightening mechanism includes a first fastener mounted on the upper, and a second fastener connected to the closure member and capable of removable engagement with the first fastener so as to retain releasably the closure member at a tightened state. The drive unit is mounted inside the sole, and is operable so as to pull the second fastener toward the first fastener in order to inter-engage the first and second fasteners, thereby resulting in automated tightening of the shoe.

Abstract: A sports shoe comprising a soft upper associated with a rigid shell and a rigid plate, externally associated with the shell and with the upper, and interacting with two fasteners.

Abstract: A device for retaining a boot on a sports apparatus. The device includes a covering portion, which itself includes a longitudinal reinforcement and a shock-absorbing pad. The hardness of the shock absorbing-pad increases from an inner end toward an outer end of the reinforcement.

Abstract: A skate upper (120) of the type having an elongate vamp (122) with lace keepers (123) and a tongue (130) disposed generally in the vamp is provided with an attached lace locker. The lace locker (150) fixedly attached near the top of the upper, preferably to an upper portion of the tongue. A lace (124) is retained by the lace keepers and releasably engaged by the lace locker. A strap assembly (126) is provided below the lace locker. A lace guide (140) is attached to the tongue, below the lace locker and below the strap assembly. The invention positions the lace locker more conveniently above the strap assembly, and permits the user to tighten and loosen the lace with one hand.

Abstract: A lace tightening assembly on a footwear body includes a base mounted to the footwear body, a rotary member mounted rotatably on the base about a rotary axis, a rotary disc unit mounted co-rotatably on the rotary member, and a lace guiding unit mounted on the rotary disc unit and offset from the rotary axis.

Abstract: A laced shoe having a shoelace which is conducted along guide elements disposed on opposing flaps of the shoe. The shoe includes spacers, disposed between the flaps, to serve as limiting stops to define the gap between the flaps. In this way, the tightness of the lacing in various sections of the shoe can be individually limited. The spacers may be tubes or helical springs threaded or clipped on sections of the shoelace.

Abstract: A sports boot, especially a ski boot of the type having a tightening device adapted to keep two flaps close together and including a first portion constituted by an operating lever which has at least one connection element and is carried by a plate affixed to one of the flaps to be brought closer together, and a second portion located on the other flap and constituted by a second connection element corresponding to the first and controlled during latching or unlatching by means of the lever which includes a structure to align the two portions so as to position them on a single working line.

Abstract: A sports shoe for a gliding sport, which comprises an upper (8) and/or a shell (4) and/or a cuff (7), which are provided with at least a first flap and a second flap that can be closed over each other by means of at least a fastening buckle (11). The sports shoe comprises also at least a protection element (14), which is associated to the fastening buckle (11) for preventing the fastening buckle from accidental openings. The protection element (14) comprises at least a protection strap (150), which is associated to the upper and/or shell and/or cuff and which is arranged, so as to wrap around and/or cover, at least partially, the fastening buckle (11).

Abstract: A sport shoe has a sole portion and an upper portion fixedly coupled to the sole portion. The upper portion has an inner side section, a center foot section and an outer side section. The first strap member has a first attachment portion coupled to one of the inner and outer side sections and a first pad connecting portion. The pad member has a first end portion, a center portion and a second end portion with the first pad connecting portion of the first strap member being fixedly coupled to the pad member by a fastening member. The adjustable strap buckle fixedly coupled to the first pad connecting portion of the first strap member by the fastening member. The second strap member has a second attachment portion coupled to the other of the inner and outer side sections and a second pad connecting portion that is adjustably coupled to the first strap member by the adjustable strap buckle.

Abstract: A shoe having at least one elongated shape memory alloy element and an electric circuit which when energized will produce a tightening of the shoe upper around the foot of a wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe in one of a pair of golf shoes and the circuit in the shoe is energized by a switch in the heel that is turned on by the golfer clicking his heels together. Typically the golfer does this prior to each important swing of a golf club. A battery contained in the shoe provides a power source to produce a current in the circuit that heats the shape memory alloy causing it to reduce its length providing the tightening of the shoe uppers.

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: The boot for gliding sports, particularly for skiing, comprises a rigid shell (2) for partially surrounding a user's foot, a collar (3) articulated on the shell (2), and an inner boot, said shell (2) including an open part that makes it easier to put the boot on and to take it off. The boot also comprises at least one flexible element (6) covering said open part so as to close the boot, and a semirigid element (7, 8) superposed over said flexible element (6), and means (9) for fixing said elements on the rigid shell (2).

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 liner having an envelope made in a single piece and provided with an opening for the introduction of the foot. The opening is a slit made on one side of the envelope demarcated by a pair of overlapping flaps which are subject to an adjustment device with a lace including a plurality of keepers each attached on the envelope. A tightening strap attached on the side of the envelope opposite the side where the slit freely surrounds the part back of the envelope and is then connected by its free end to the lace of the adjustment device to cooperate therewith.

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 device for guiding a flap of a closure and, more particularly, a flap of a closure of an article of footwear. More particularly, the invention is directed to an article of footwear in the form of a sports boot equipped with at least two semi-rigid upper elements, i.e., flaps, which overlap during the closing or adjustment of the footwear, thus defining an upper flap and a lower flap, the footwear also being equipped with a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism, according to the invention, includes a structural arrangement for ensuring the guiding of the lower flap beneath the upper flap, the guiding arrangement prohibiting the engagement of the lower flap over the upper flap.

Abstract: A ratchet-type buckle (100) is disclosed for use with a ladder strap (80), wherein the buckle includes a toothed, barrel-shaped strap engagement member (140) that is rotatably mounted between oppositely disposed sidewalls (130) that are pivotally coupled to a base (110). The engagement member is positioned to drivably engage and hold the strap. A holding pawl (160) allows forward rotation and hinders backward rotation of the engagement member. A driving pawl (180) is incorporated into a lever assembly (170), which is pivotally coupled to the sidewalls, the driving pawl positioned to engage and rotate the engagement member teeth when the lever assembly is pivoted in a forward direction. The pivotal coupling of the sidewalls to the base permit the engagement member to be lifted away from the base, to release the strap. The sidewalls are preferably biased towards the base.

Abstract: Device for clamping together two parts of a sports article, including:

Abstract: After purchase of a footwear article of manufacture, such as a sneaker, boot or the like, the substitution for the traditional lacing-up of the article of studs and lace of elastomeric construction material in a criss cross pattern to facilitate the fitting on and removal of the article from a user's foot.

Abstract: A boot including an upper overlaying a sole, the upper having an opening extended by a slit, the slit extending between a lateral quarter and a medial quarter. An elastic panel of the boot blocks the slit at least partially, the elastic panel being stretched between the lateral quarter and the medial quarter.

Abstract: A binding strap for use in a soft boot snowboard binding is provided, the binding strap including a flexible, unitary binding member having an ankle section connected to a toe section by a midsection. The binding strap may be configured and dimensioned to preferably provide a rider with easy entry and exit from the strap. In addition, the shape and flexible nature of the binding makes it comfortable to use, while also allowing it to perform well by securely engaging the rider's boot to the snowboard. The unitary construction allows the binding strap to move in an integrated manner, while the surface area of the binding strap reduces pressure points by distributing pressure exerted by the binding over a relatively large surface area of the boot, and hence foot, of the rider.

Abstract: A sports boot including a sole, an upper, at least one flap fixed to the sole or to the upper, the flap covering at least partially a portion of the upper, and at least two keepers and a lace for reversibly tightening the upper, by a relative bringing together or spacing apart the keepers. At least one keeper of the boot is fixed to the flap so as to be located between the flap and the upper.

Abstract: A boot liner basically includes a sole portion, an upper portion and a tightening device. A tongue is preferably mounted in a slit formed in the upper portion. The tightening device is coupled to the upper portion for drawing opposite lateral sides of the upper portion towards one another. The tightening device includes a plurality of primary lacing portions formed on the upper portion, a power strap with a secondary lacing portion coupled to the upper portion and lacing extending in a crossing pattern across the slit and between the primary lacing portions and the secondary lacing portion of the power strap. The power strap has a first end fixed on a first side of the opposite lateral sides and a second end with the secondary lacing portion slideably coupled on a second side of the opposite lateral sides.

Abstract: A high boot having, on its bottom part that surrounds the foot, a lace-tightening device whose strands are alternatively crossed by means of returns, from one edge to the other of the upper to be adjusted on the foot. The strands of the lace are directed so as to converge from the instep zone up to the top portion of a tongue provided with a guiding double tunnel, via two semi-flexible sheaths. The tightening device of the boot leaves the flexion fold zone free and can be controlled in tightening from the edge of the top portion of the upper.

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 that includes a sole and an outer upper having an impervious portion, with at least one outer reinforcing element assembled to the upper by cementing at least in the impervious portion thereof. Preferably, the reinforcing element includes a heel reinforcement and lateral tightening flaps.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a strap assembly (150) for a sports boot (100), that includes a first strap (151) pivotally connected at one end to the boot heel portion (130), and a second strap (161) pivotally connected to the opposite side of the heel portion. A clasp (159) is provided that allows the first strap to be adjustably connected to the second strap. One or both of the straps are attached to the heel portion with a slider mechanism (180) that allows the proximal ends of the straps to be selectively adjusted. The slider mechanism includes a slider plate (181) attached to the boot upper (120) having a medial channel (184) with an elongate slot (186). A nut plate (200) is slidably disposed in the medial channel, and a screw (210) connects the strap to the nut plate.

Abstract: A shoe having at least one elongated shape memory alloy element and an electric circuit which when energized will produce a tightening of the shoe upper around the foot of a wearer. In a preferred embodiment, the shoe in one of a pair of golf shoes and the circuit in the shoe is energized by a switch in the heel that is turned on by the golfer clicking his heels together. Typically the golfer does this prior to each important swing of a golf club. A battery contained in the shoe provides a power source to produce a current in the circuit that heats the shape memory alloy causing it to reduce its length providing the tightening of the shoe uppers.

Abstract: A sports boot, especially a ski boot of the type having a tightening device adapted to keep two flaps close together and including a first portion constituted by an operating lever which has at least one connection element and is carried by a plate affixed to one of the flaps to be brought closer together, and a second portion located on the other flap and constituted by a second connection element corresponding to the first and controlled during latching or unlatching by means of the lever which includes a structure to align the two portions so as to position them on a single working line.

Abstract: A lacing stud for slidably retaining a lace is disclosed which comprises a curved groove defined transversely by an inner side surface, an outer side surface and a bottom surface in between said inner side surface and said outer side surface. The curved groove features a braking means that partially restricts the sliding motion of the lace and is located within a portion of the curved groove which is engaged to the lace during the exertion of a pulling force on the lace in the normal upward lace tightening direction. When the pulling force is reduced, the lace is restricted from sliding back through the curved groove by the braking means thereby allowing the user to easily bring the lace across the front of the footwear to either complete the knot or to engage the lace to a subsequent lacing stud.

Abstract: A fastening assembly and method for fastening a strap, such as a snowboard binding strap. A fastener may have guide members to facilitate the introduction of an engagement member with the fastener. The fastener may be attached to a strap to allow physical manipulation of the fastener, e.g., for alignment of the fastener with an engagement member, without requiring substantial movement of the strap.