Tuning elements for footwear
First Claim
1. A boot with a tongue having a first receiver disposed on a lateral or medial side of the tongue and a corresponding tuning element, and the first receiver being configured to removably and slideably receive the tuning element generally over the lateral or medial side of an ankle joint region and to sufficiently secure the tuning element in place so that the tuning element is disposed from an upper portion of the boot corresponding to a lower leg region, across the front of the ankle joint region, and over at least a portion of an instep region of the boot, wherein the tuning element is disposed on a lateral or medial side of the tongue, and thereby increases the boot'"'"'s resistance to flex in the ankle joint region, and at least a mid-portion of the first receiver is configured so as to restrict the tuning element off a longitudinally central portion of the instep, leaving the longitudinally central portion of the instep exposed so as to distribute pressure more to the lateral or medial side of the boot.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more tuning elements may be associated with a receiver, such as a pocket or other channel, disposed on an item of footwear, such as a snowboarding boot. The receiver adjustably receives the tuning element. The adjustable arrangement of the tuning element and receiver allows the intended user of the item of footwear to tune the item for performance, comfort, cosmetic, or other characteristics. In certain embodiments, the tuning elements are removably associated with a boot to allow for flex control.
19 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. A boot with a tongue having a first receiver disposed on a lateral or medial side of the tongue and a corresponding tuning element, and the first receiver being configured to removably and slideably receive the tuning element generally over the lateral or medial side of an ankle joint region and to sufficiently secure the tuning element in place so that the tuning element is disposed from an upper portion of the boot corresponding to a lower leg region, across the front of the ankle joint region, and over at least a portion of an instep region of the boot, wherein the tuning element is disposed on a lateral or medial side of the tongue, and thereby increases the boot'"'"'s resistance to flex in the ankle joint region, and at least a mid-portion of the first receiver is configured so as to restrict the tuning element off a longitudinally central portion of the instep, leaving the longitudinally central portion of the instep exposed so as to distribute pressure more to the lateral or medial side of the boot.
Specification