Abstract:
A flexible boot liner (100) having a flexible upper (101) and a semi-rigid sole (140) that provides durability, walkability, and a dimensionally stable fit within a boot (90). The sole includes a lasting board (160) that is fixedly attached to the upper and a nonskid outsole (142). Secondary cushioning devices such as an air cell (144) may also be incorporated into the sole. The upper is of hybrid construction including a relatively flexible bottom portion (120) thermoformed from an ethylene vinyl acetate foam that covers the foot and the malleoli of the user, and a semi-rigid upper portion (110) that wraps about the lower leg of the user. A strap assembly (150) is provided to secure the liner about the foot of the user.
Abstract:
The sports boot has, on the one hand a first part (1) in a first material and a second part (17) superposed on said first part and in a second material, and, on the other hand, reinforcement means (10, 11, 12, 13). The reinforcement means are at least partly formed by at least one frame (13) in synthetic material reinforced with mineral or synthetic fibers and positioned at least partially between said parts.
Abstract:
A snowshoe having a tubular frame supporting a flexible deck has a molded tail piece connecting the tail ends of the tubular frame. The tail piece has two dowel members which are angled to form a rear apex, such that the tail ends of the tubular frame extend over the dowel members for secure connection. In addition, the molded tail piece has a connecting bracket extending forwardly, with a wide slot in which the tail of the stretched membrane decking is secured. In this way a rear support and connection point for the decking is provided by the tube end connector, while also providing tension on the tail piece retaining it in place without the need for fasteners.
Abstract:
A snowboard boot (200) includes an upper boot (204) secured to an outsole (206). The boot upper includes a vamp opening (208) that is closed by a tongue (210) and a selectively securable vamp fastener (216). The tongue (210) carries a pocket (218) on a lower end (212) thereof, and first and second snap fasteners (222) on an upper end (214) thereof. A semi-rigid tongue stiffener (202) can be selectively secured to an anterior side of the tongue (210) utilizing the pocket and snap fasteners to selectively increase the stiffness of the boot and resistance to forward flexure by a predetermined degree.
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 nullskinull position, and allows rotation of the first portion relative to the second portion in a nullreleasenull position, the nullreleasenull position being established upon imposition of a predetermined level of rearward force on the boot.
Abstract:
A load-bearing apparatus including a raised front portion, the so-called shovel, that maintains the direction of the apparatus while allowing gliding. The lower surface of the shovel includes a protuberance that is oriented substantially along a longitudinal axis. The protuberance is connected to one of the edges of the shovel by a gliding surface that has substantially continuous slope.
Abstract:
A snowshoe includes a lightweight frame that provides traction and maintains the snowshoe's shape when traveling over at least one of the following surfaces: snow, hard-packed snow and ice, and a binding to fasten the snowshoe to a boot with a gloved hand. The frame includes a peripheral component having a length, a height orthogonal to the length, and a width orthogonal to the height and at least two times shorter than the height at all locations along the height. The binding includes a strap, and a retention element coupleable with the strap. The retention element includes a body defining a main passage in which the strap is disposed when coupled with the retention element, an access passage through which the strap passes to enter the main passage, and a locking element to secure the strap to the retention element.
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 cordnullfor example, a stainless steel cable (266)nullslidably 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 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).