Ski boot
First Claim
1. An alpine ski boot comprising:
- a. a rigid sole having a top, a bottom, a toe end, and a heel end;
b. a heel integral with or fixedly attached to the heel end of the bottom of the sole;
c. a shell-less upper portion for containing a foot that is comprised of flexible materials, and that is partially reinforced by a plastic support piece that surrounds, on three sides, the lower heel region, excluding the anklebone areas, the support piece having a pivot point on each of two sides at opposite locations below the anklebone areas, said upper portion being fixedly attached to the top of the sole;
d. closure means to secure the ski boot to the foot; and
e. a plastic cuff pivotally attached to the said support piece at the pivot points, wherein the cuff surrounds the upper portion of the ski boot at a location above the anklebone region, said cuff having a vertical opening in the front portion of the cuff to allow the ski boot to be placed on a foot and a closure means to close the cuff around the lower leg.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An alpine ski boot is provided that consists of a rigid sole and a shell-less substantially flexible upper portion that is attached to the sole. The upper portion is partially reinforced around the lower heel area by a semi-rigid plastic support piece that surrounds, on three sides, the lower heel region, excluding the anklebone areas. The support piece has a pivot point on each of two sides at opposite locations below the anklebone areas and two semi-rigid mid-foot region securing ears. The boot is secured to the wearer'"'"'s foot by laces or buckles. The boot is further secured to the wearer'"'"'s foot by closure of the semi-rigid mid-foot securing ears by closure means such as a lever actuated ribbed nylon strap attached to an adjustable buckle. The sole is comprised of rigid plastic and the heel and toe portions of the sole may be manufactured to conform to the requirements of ISO 5355 for ski boots. The ski boot has a cuff pivotally attached to the support piece at the two pivot points, wherein the cuff surrounds the upper portion of the ski boot at a location above the region of the anklebones and has a closure means such as a lever actuated ribbed nylon strap connecting to an adjustable buckle. The cuff follows the movement of the lower leg and provides lateral support to the ankle while introducing minimal or no restriction to the fore and aft flexion of the ankle.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. An alpine ski boot comprising:
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a. a rigid sole having a top, a bottom, a toe end, and a heel end;
b. a heel integral with or fixedly attached to the heel end of the bottom of the sole;
c. a shell-less upper portion for containing a foot that is comprised of flexible materials, and that is partially reinforced by a plastic support piece that surrounds, on three sides, the lower heel region, excluding the anklebone areas, the support piece having a pivot point on each of two sides at opposite locations below the anklebone areas, said upper portion being fixedly attached to the top of the sole;
d. closure means to secure the ski boot to the foot; and
e. a plastic cuff pivotally attached to the said support piece at the pivot points, wherein the cuff surrounds the upper portion of the ski boot at a location above the anklebone region, said cuff having a vertical opening in the front portion of the cuff to allow the ski boot to be placed on a foot and a closure means to close the cuff around the lower leg. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification