Skate boot assembly

• US 4,783,911 A
• Filed: 08/25/1986
• Issued: 11/15/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Superfeet In-Shoe Systems Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Superfeet In-Shoe Systems Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Dennis N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meyers, Steven N.
• Application Number:
  US06/899,958
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 36/115, 36/43, 36/44, 36/10, 36/117, 36/119, 36/88, 36/93, 36/15, 280/11.1 R, 280/11.12, 280/11.14, 280/11.17, 280/11.18
• US Class Current: 36/115
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/1683 characterised by the lower part of the upper or by the shell
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/22 with fixed flat-foot insertions, metatarsal supports, ankle flaps or the like

Abstract

A skate boot assembly comprising a main skate boot member, a bladder positioned within the boot member, and an orthotic insert positioned within the bladder. The orthotic insert is formed with two downwardly extending protrusions which fit in recesses formed in a sole portion of the bladder. The bladder in turn has downwardly protruding members that define its recesses and also fit into matching recesses formed in the sole of the boot member. This arrangement properly aligns the foot with the skate blade and with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly. Further, the bladder is formed with properly positioned relief areas to alleviate unwanted foot pressure in certain areas, and also engages the upper heel portion of the foot to properly maintain the foot in the boot assembly. Other protrusion and recess means are provided between the bladder and the boot member so as to properly position the same relative to each other.

Claims

1. A skate boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a blade which has a lengthwise blade axis being aligned with, and centered on, said longitudinal center axis of the assembly;

c. a bladder adapted to be removably positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

d. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be removably positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot adjacent the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to position a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

e. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means which is arranged in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot being positioned in said boot assembly, said first interfitting and protrusion and recess means is positioned to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly, said protrusion and recess means being further arranged in a manner that without the person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the boot assembly the protrusion and recess means are positioned to permit the bladder an the insert to be removed from the boot assembly;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is positioned by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly, to insure proper centering with, alignment with, and support from the skate blade.

2. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and laterally adjacent an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

3. The assembly as recited in claim 2, wherein said inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged to engage the rear ankle portion on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon.

4. The assembly as recited in either claim 2 or 3, wherein said bladder and said boot member are provided with a second interfitting protrusion and recess means, said second interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boot member.

5. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein a toe portion of said bladder and the toe portion of the boot member have second interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain relative movement between the toe portion of the bladder and the toe portion of the boot member.

6. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first protrusion and recess means is characterized in that the sole portion of the boot member is provided with recess means, and the insert is provided with downwardly extending protrusion means interfitting with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member.

7. The assembly as recited in claim 6, wherein the protrusion means of the insert comprises at least a forward protrusion portion and a rear protrusion portion, and the recess means of the boot member comprises at least a forward recess portion and a rear recess portion interfitting with the forward and rear protrusion portions of the inserts.

8. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said first protrusion and recess means is characterized in that said insert is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means in the sole portion of the bladder, and the bladder is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means formed in the sole portion of the foot member, whereby the protrusion means of the insert and the bladder interfit with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member so as to restrain relative movement between the insert, the bladder and the boot member in said horizontal plane.

9. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder has a tongue section positioned to extend over at least an upper midfoot portion of the foot, said main boot member having two side walls having upper edge portions, said tongue section having an upwardly raised middle tongue portion adapted to engage the upper edge portions of the two boot side walls, whereby the tongue section can be centered relative to the main boot member.

10. The assembly as recited in claim 9, wherein said tongue has an upper portion which is arranged to extend over a forward ankle portion of the foot, and the raised middle tongue portion extends upwardly along the upper portion of the tongue.

11. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder has a tongue section positioned to extend adjacent to a forward ankle portion of the foot, and said tongue section has a raised middle portion adapted to engage edges of two side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to the main boot member.

12. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section having a midfoot tongue portion positioned to be adjacent an upper midfoot portion of the foot and an upper ankle tongue portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to and forwardly of an ankle portion of the foot, said bladder having an inside relief area at a location at a juncture of the midfoot tongue portion and the upper ankle tongue portion, thus permitting moderate flexing of the person'"'"'s foot, without creating undue localized pressure.

13. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint.

14. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder is provided with an inside relief area located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the ,

15. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein the bladder has an inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot.

16. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

17. The assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein said bladder is formed with the following:

a. a first inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint;

b. a second inside relief area located at an positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot;

c. a third inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot;

d. a fourth inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

18. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section said tongue section being formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

19. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein the connecting means of said two tongue portions are formed :

, as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portion.

20. The assembly as recited in claim 19, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue portions are formed with an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to said main boot member.

21. The assembly as recited in claim 18, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the two tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.

22. The assembly as recited in claim 1, wherein said main boot member has an ankle section comprising a rear boot ankle portion and side boot ankle portions, said ankle section being formed with generally horizontally extending groove means extending from the rear boot ankle portion around the side boot ankle portions.

23. The assembly as recited in claim 22, wherein said groove means is characterized in that there is a plurality of grooves extending from the rear boot ankle portion around the side boot ankle portions.

24. The assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said grooves have a vertical width dimension, with the width dimension of the grooves being greater at a rear location and less at a forward location of the grooves.

25. The assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein said grooves have a vertical width dimension, with the width dimension being less at a rear location of the grooves and greater at a forward location of the grooves.

26. The assembly as recited in claim 23, wherein at least some of said grooves have a cross-sectional configuration transverse to the lengthwise axis of the groove of a V-shape.

27. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis, and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be removably positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the lower sole portion, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

c. said main boot member and said insert being arranged with interfitting protrusion and recess means which is arranged in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the assembly, said protrusion and recess means is positioned to restrain said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to transverse movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly, said protrusion and recess means being further arranged in a manner that without the person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the boot assembly the protrusion and recess means is positioned to permit the insert to be removed from the boot assembly.

28. The assembly as recited in claim 27, wherein the protrusion and recess means is characterized in that the sole portion of the boot member is provided with recess means, and the insert is provided with downwardly extending protrusion means interfitting with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member.

29. The assembly as recited in claim 28, wherein the protrusion means of the insert comprises at least a forward protrusion portion and a rear protrusion portion, and the recess means of the boot member comprises at least a forward recess portion and a rear portion interfitting with the forward and ear protrusion portions of the insert.

30. The assembly as recited in claim 29, wherein the forward protrusion portion and forward recess potion are located forwardly of a midfoot location of the boot member, and the rear protrusion portion and rear recess portion are located adjacent a heel location of the boot member.

31. A bladder adapted to be removably positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder being made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, the heel portion of the bladder having inwardly extending ankle means to engage a rear angle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot, said bladder being arranged with a portion of interfitting protrusion an recess means adapted to engage a matching portion of said protrusion and recess means of said boot member in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot in the bladder and boot member, the protrusion and recess means restrains upward movement of the bladder relative to the boot, and with the foot removed form the bladder and boot member, the bladder can be freely removed from the boot member.

32. A bladder adapted to be positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, said bladder having an inside surface to engage said foot with a first range of engagement pressures, said inside surface having inside relief area means defining at least one relief area surface positioned to be spaced moderately from a surface of the foot so as to provide pressure relief with a second range of engagement pressure less than said first range of engagement pressures to a person'"'"'s foot at said relief area, said bladder being formed with a substantially unitary tongue section having a midfoot tongue portion positioned to be adjacent an upper midfoot portion of the foot and an upper ankle tongue portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to and forwardly of an ankle portion of the foot, said relief area means comprising an inside relief area having a wall portion adjoining and positioning said midfoot tongue portion and said ankle tongue portion relative to one another at a location at a juncture of the midfoot tongue portion and the upper ankle tongue portion, thus permitting moderate flexing of the person'"'"'s foot, while locating said midfoot tongue portion and said ankle tongue portion relative to one another without creating undue localized pressure.

33. A bladder adapted to be positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, said bladder having an inside surface to engage said foot with a first range of engagement pressures, said inside surface having inside relief area means defining at least one relief area surface positioned to be spaced moderately from a surface of the foot so as to provide pressure relief with a second range of engagement pressures less than said first range of engagement pressures to a person'"'"'s foot at said relief area, said relief area means being positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint.

34. A bladder adapted to be positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder comprising a sole portion, an side and heel portions extending upwardly form the sole portion of the bladder, said bladder having an inside surface to engage said foot with a first range of engagement pressures, said inside surface having inside relief area means defining at least one relief area surface positioned to be spaced moderately from ma surface of the foot so as to provide pressure relief with a second range of engagement pressures less than said first range of engagement presures to a person'"'"'s foot at said relief area, said relief area means being located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot.

35. A bladder adapted to be positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, said bladder having an inside surface to engage said foot with a first range of engagement pressures, said inside surface having inside relief area means defining at least one relief area surface positioned to be spaced moderately from a surface of the foot so as to provide pressure relief with a second range of engagement pressures less than said first range of engagement presures to a person'"'"'s foot at said relief area, said relief area means being positioned at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said recess means being positioned so as to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot.

36. A bladder adapted to be positioned in a foot receiving cavity of a boot member, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, said bladder having an inside surface to engage said foot with a first range of engagement pressures, said inside surface having inside relief area means defining at least one relief area surface positioned to be spaced moderately from a surface of the foot so as to provide pressure relief with a second range of engagement pressures less than said first range of engagement presures to a person'"'"'s foot at said relief area, said relief area means being formed at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area means being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of foot.

37. A boot assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining afoot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion and two side portions, said two side portions, said two side portions comprising side walls having upper edge portions;

b. a tongue section having an upwardly raised middle tongue portion adapted to engage the upper edge portions of the two boot side portions, whereby the tongue section can be centered relative to the boot member;

c. said tongue section being formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

38. The assembly as recited in claim 37, wherein said tongue has an upper portion which is arranged to extend over a forward ankle portion of the foot, and the raised middle tongue portion extends upwardly along the upper portion of the tongue.

39. The assembly as recited in claim 37, wherein said tongue section extends from a toe portion of the boot member.

40. The assembly as recited in claim 37, wherein the connecting means of the two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portions.

41. A boot assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a tongue section positioned to extend rearwardly from a toe portion of a boot member, said tongue section being formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

42. The assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein the connecting means of the two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portions.

43. The assembly as recited in claim 42, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue potions are formed With an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to the main boot member.

44. The assembly as recited in claim 41, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the two tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.

45. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means which is arranged in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot being positioned in said boot assembly, said first interfitting and protrusion and recess means is positioned to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly said protrusion and recess means being further arranged in a manner that without the person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the boot assembly the protrusion and recess means are positioned to permit the bladder and the insert to be removed from the boot assembly,

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly.

46. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

47. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder and said boot member are provided with a second interfitting protrusion and recess means, said second interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the he of the bladder relative to the boot member.

48. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder and said boot member are provided with a second interfitting protrusion and recess means, said second interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boot member.

49. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein a toe portion of said bladder and the toe portion of the boot member have second interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain relative movement between the toe portion of the bladder and the toe portion of the boot member.

50. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said first protrusion and recess means is characterized in that the sole portion of the boot member is provided with recess means, and the insert is provided with downwardly extending protrusion means interfitting with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member.

51. The assembly as recited in claim 50, wherein the protrusion means of the insert comprises at least a forward protrusion portion and a rear protrusion portion, and the recess means of the boot member comprises at least a forward recess portion and a rear recess portion interfitting with the forward and rear protrusion portions of the inserts.

52. The assembly as recited in claim 45, said first protrusion and recess means is characterized in that said insert is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means in the sole portion of the bladder, and the bladder is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means formed in the sole portion of the foot member, whereby the protrusion means of the insert and the bladder interfit with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member so as to restrain relative movement between the insert, the bladder and the boot member in said horizontal lane.

53. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said first interfitting protrusion and recess means comprises a first set of interfitting members, namely a first upper protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from said insert, a first intermediate protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, and providing a recess to receive the first upper protruding member, and a first lower recess portion formed in the sole portion of the boot member and positioned to receive the intermediate and upper first protrusion members.

54. The assembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said first upper protrusion member has in transverse cross-sectional configuration a generally V-shaped configuration, and said first intermediate protruding member and the lower first recess portion have matching V-shaped configurations.

55. The assembly as recited in claim 53, wherein said first interfitting protrusion and recess means also comprises a second set of interfitting members, namely a first upper protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from said insert, a second intermediate protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, and providing a recess to receive the first upper protruding member, and a second lower recess portion formed in the sole portion of the boot member and positioned to receive the intermediate and upper first protrusion members, said first set of interfitting members being positioned adjacent a heel area of said assembly, and said second set of interfitting members being positioned forwardly of a midfoot area of said assembly.

56. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder has a tongue section positioned to extend over at least an upper midfoot portion of the foot, said main boot member having two side walls having upper edge portions, said tongue section having an upwardly raised middle tongue portion adapted to engage the upper edge portions of the two boot side walls, whereby the tongue section can be centered relative to the main boo member.

57. The assembly as recited in claim 56, said tongue has an upper portion which is arranged to extend over a forward ankle portion of the foot, and the raised middle tongue portion extends upwardly along the upper portion of the tongue.

58. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder has a tongue section -positioned to extend adjacent to a forward ankle portion of the foot, and said tongue section has a raised middle portion adapted to engage edges of two side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to the main boot member.

59. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section having a midfoot tongue portion positioned to be adjacent an upper midfoot portion of the foot and an upper ankle tongue portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to and forwardly of an ankle portion of the foot, said bladder having an inside relief area at a location at a juncture of the midfoot tongue portion and the upper ankle tongue portion, thus permitting moderate flexing of the person'"'"'s foot, without creating undue localized pressure.

60. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint.

61. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is provided with an inside relief area located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot.

62. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein the bladder has an inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being -positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot.

63. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

64. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is formed with the following:

a. a first inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint;

b. a second inside relief area located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot;

c. a third inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot;

d. a fourth inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

65. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section, said tongue section being further formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

66. The assembly as recited in claim 65, wherein the connecting means of said two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portion.

67. The assembly as recited in claim 66, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue portions are formed with an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to said main boot member.

68. The assembly as recited in claim 65, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the two tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.

69. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein said main boot member has an ankle section comprising a rear boot ankle portion and side boot ankle portions, said ankle section being formed with generally horizontally extending groove means extending from the rear boot ankle portion around the side boot ankle portions.

70. The assembly as recited in claim 45, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot in a manner to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the foot relative to the heel portion of the bladder, said assembly having second interfitting protrusion and recess means operatively engaged between the bladder and the boot member to restrain vertical movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the heel portion of the boot member.

71. The assembly as recited in claim 70, wherein the inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged engage a rear ankle portion of the person'"'"'s foot above the heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

72. A skate boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a blade which has a lengthwise blade axis and which is rigidly attached to said main boot member at a location below said sole portion, the lengthwise blade axis being aligned with, and centered on, said longitudinal center axis of the assembly;

c. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

d. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot adjacent the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to position a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

e. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

f. the heel portion of the bladder having inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and laterally adjacent an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot;

g. said bladder and said boot member being provided with a second interfitting protrusion and recess means, said second interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boot member;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is positioned by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly, to insure proper centering with, alignment with, and support from, the skate blade.

73. The assembly as recited in claim 72, wherein said inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged to engage the rear ankle portion on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon.

74. A skate boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a blade which has a lengthwise blade axis and which is rigidly attached to said main boot member at a location below said sole portion, the lengthwise blade axis being aligned with, and centered on, said longitudinal center axis of the assembly;

c. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

d. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot adjacent the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to position a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

e. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

f. said first protrusion and recess means being characterized in that said insert is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means in the sole portion of the bladder, and the bladder is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means formed in the sole portion of the foot member, whereby the protrusion means of the insert and the bladder interfit with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member so as to restrain relative movement between the insert, the bladder and the boot member in said horizontal plane;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is positioned by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly, to insure proper centering with, alignment with, and support from, the skate blade.

75. A skate boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a blade which has a lengthwise blade axis and which is rigidly attached to said main boot member at a location below said sole portion, the lengthwise blade axis being aligned with, and centered on, said longitudinal center axis of the assembly;

c. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

d. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot adjacent the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to position a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

e. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

f. said bladder being formed with a tongue section, said tongue section being further formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

76. The assembly as recited in claim 75, wherein the connecting means of said two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with a connecting surface portion.

77. The assembly as recited in claim 76, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue portions are formed with an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to said main boot member.

78. The assembly as recited in claim 75, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.

79. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder arranged to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. said main boot member and said bladder being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain movement of said bladder relative to the boot member;

d. said heel portion of the bladder having inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

e. said first interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boot member.

80. The assembly as recited in claim 79, wherein there is second interfitting protrusion and recess means arranged to restrain movement of said bladder relative to said boot member in a horizontal plane.

81. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder arranged to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. said main boot member and said bladder being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain movement of said bladder relative to the boot member;

d. said first interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boot member.

82. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower mole portion,.a toe portion, ;

a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder arranged to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. said main boot member and said bladder being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain movement of said bladder relative to the boot member;

d. said first interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain movement of said bladder relative to said boot member in a horizontal plane, and there is second interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain upward movement of the bladder relative to the boot member.

83. A boot assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions, said two side portions comprising side walls having upper edge portions;

b. a tongue section having an upwardly raised middle tongue portion adapted to engage the upper edge portions of the two boot side walls, whereby the tongue section can be centered relative to the boot member;

c. said tongue section extending from a toe portion of the boot, said tongue section being formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

84. The assembly as recited in claim 83, wherein the connecting means of the two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portions.

85. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. said bladder and said boot member being provided with a second interfitting protrusion and recess means, said second interfitting protrusion and recess means being arranged to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the boo member;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center sand align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly.

86. The assembly as recited in claim 85, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

87. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a planter surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. a toe portion of said bladder and the toe portion of the boot member having second interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain relative movement between the toe portion of the bladder and the toe portion of the boot member;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly.

88. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic inset having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. said first protrusion and recess means being characterized in that said insert is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means in the sole portion of the bladder, and the bladder is provided with protrusion means interfitting with recess means formed in the sole portion of the boot member;

whereby the protrusion means of the insert and the bladder interfit with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member so as to restrain relative movement between the insert, the bladder and the boot member in said horizontal plane.

89. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. said first interfitting protrusion and recess means comprising a first set of interfitting members, namely a first upper protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from said insert, a first intermediate protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, and providing a recess to recess the first upper protruding member, and a first lower recess portion formed in the sole portion of the boot member and positioned to receive the intermediate and upper first protrusion members;

whereby the protrusion means of the insert and the bladder interfit with the recess means of the sole portion of the boot member so as to restrain relative movement between the insert, the bladder and the boot member in said horizontal plane.

90. The assembly as recited in claim 89, wherein said first upper protrusion member has in transverse cross-sectional configuration a generally V-shaped configuration, and said first intermediate protruding member and the lower first recess portion have matching V-shaped configurations.

91. The assembly as recited in claim 89, wherein said first interfitting protrusion and recess means also comprises a second set of interfitting members, namely a first upper protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from said insert, a second intermediate protruding member connected to and extending downwardly from the sole portion of the bladder, and providing a recess to receive the first upper protruding member, and a second lower recess portion formed in the sole portion of the boot member and positioned to receive the intermediate and upper first protrusion members, said first set of interfitting members being positioned adjacent a heel area of said assembly, and said second set of interfitting members being positioned forwardly of a midfoot area of said assembly.

92. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said inset having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. said bladder being formed with a tongue section extending rearwardly from a toe portion of said bladder, said tongue section being further formed with right and left tongue poritons which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portions to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly.

93. The assembly as recited in claim 92, wherein the connecting means of said two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with a connecting surface portion.

94. The assembly as recited in claim 93, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue portions are formed with an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to said main boot member.

95. The assembly as recited in claim 92, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the two tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.

96. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a planter surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain at least said orthotic insert relative to the sole portion of the boot member with regard to movement in a horizontal plane, and to align the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert with the longitudinal center axis of the boot assembly;

e. said heel portion of the bladder having inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot in a manner to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the foot relative to the heel portion of the bladder, said assembly having second interfitting protrusion and recess means operatively engaged between the bladder and the boot member to restrain vertical movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to the heel portion of the boot member;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly.

97. The assembly as recited in claim 96, wherein the inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged to engage a rear ankle portion of the person'"'"'s foot above the heel portion of the foot and on opposite sides of an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

98. A skate boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a blade which has a lengthwise blade axis and which is rigidly attached to said main boot member at a location below said sole portion, the lengthwise blade axis being aligned with, and centered on, said longitudinal center axis of the assembly;

c. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly form the sole portion of the bladder;

d. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot adjacent the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to position a plantar surface of a foot, in manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

e. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to said boot member;

where said first interfitting protrusion an recess means is arrange in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot being positioned in said boot assembly, said first interfitting and protrusion means is positioned to restrain upward movement of said bladder, said protrusion and recess means being further arranged in a manner that without the person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the boot assembly the protrusion and recess means is positioned to permit the bladder and the insert to be removed from the boot assembly.

99. The assembly as recited in claim 98, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and laterally adjacent an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

100. The assembly as recite in claim 99, wherein said inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged to engage the rear ankle portion on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon.

101. A boot assembly having a longitudinal center axis, a transverse axis and a vertical axis, said assembly comprising:

a. a main boot member defining a foot receiving cavity and comprising a lower sole portion, a toe portion, a heel portion, and two side portions;

b. a bladder adapted to be positioned in said boot cavity and made at least in part of a moderately yielding material, said bladder comprising a sole portion, and side and heel portions extending upwardly from the sole portion of the bladder;

c. an orthotic insert having a longitudinal alignment axis and adapted to be positioned in the foot receiving cavity of the boot above the sole portion of the bladder, said insert having an upwardly facing surface contoured to engage a plantar surface of a foot, in a manner to align the foot with the longitudinal alignment axis of the insert;

d. said assembly being arranged with first interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain upward movement of the heel portion of the bladder relative to said boot member;

whereby with the foot located in the boot assembly, the foot is engaged by the insert in a manner to support, center and align the foot with the longitudinal axis of the boot assembly;

wherein said first interfitting protrusion and recess means is arranged in a manner that with a person'"'"'s foot being positioned in said boot assembly, said first interfitting and protrusion means is positioned to restrain upward movement of said bladder, said protrusion and recess means being further arranged in a manner that without the person'"'"'s foot being positioned in the boot assembly the protrusion and recess means are positioned to permit the bladder and the insert to be removed from the boot assembly.

102. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein the heel portion of the bladder has inwardly extending ankle engaging means to engage a rear ankle portion of a person'"'"'s foot above a heel portion of the foot and laterally adjacent an Achilles tendon of an ankle/heel portion of the foot.

103. The assembly as recited in claim 102, wherein said inwardly extending ankle engaging means is arranged to engage the rear ankle portion on opposite sides of the Achilles tendon.

104. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein a toe portion of said bladder and the toe portion of the boot member have second interfitting protrusion and recess means to restrain relative movement between the toe portion of the bladder and the toe portion of the boot member.

105. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder has a tongue section positioned to extend over at least an upper midfoot portion of the foot, said main boot member having two side walls having upper edge portions, said tongue section having an upwardly raised middle tongue portion adapted to engage the upper edge portions of the two boot side walls, whereby the tongue section can be centered relatives to the main boot member.

106. The assembly as recited in claim 105, wherein said tongue has an upper portion which is arranged to extend over a forward ankle portion of the foot, and the raised middle tongue portion extends upwardly along the upper portion of the tongue.

107. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section having a midfoot tongue portion positioned to be adjacent an upper midfoot portion of the foot and an upper ankle tongue portion adapted to be positioned adjacent to and forwardly of an ankle portion of the foot, said bladder having an inside relief area at a location at a juncture of the midfoot tongue portion and the upper ankle tongue portion, thus permitting moderate flexing of the person'"'"'s foot, without creating undue localized pressure.

108. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint.

109. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is provided with an inside relief area located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot.

110. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein the bladder has an inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot.

111. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is formed with an inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

112. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is formed with the following:

a. a first inside relief area positioned to be located adjacent an inner side portion of the foot adjacent a first metatarsal phalangial joint;

b. a second inside relief area located at an outer forward side portion of the bladder positioned to be adjacent a fifth metatarsal phalangial joint of the foot;

c. a third inside relief area at an inside surface of a top midfoot portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned to be adjacent a dorsalis pedis artery and vein of the foot;

d. a fourth inside relief area at a rear inner portion of the bladder, said relief area being positioned so as to be adjacent a posterior tibial artery of the foot.

113. The assembly as recited in claim 101, wherein said bladder is formed with a tongue section, said tongue section being further formed with right and left tongue portions which are formed with an adjustable connecting means, permitting said right and left tongue portion to be joined at a location further from each other or a location closer to each other.

114. The assembly as recited in claim 113, wherein the connecting means of said two tongue portions are formed as flap portions adapted to overlie one another, with said flap portions being formed with connecting surface portion.

115. The assembly as recited in claim 114, wherein the two flap portions of the tongue portions are formed with an upwardly raised area, positioned to engage upper edge portions of two side walls of the boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centrally positioned relative to said main boot member.

116. The assembly as recited in claim 115, wherein said tongue portions are formed with a middle raised portion adjacent the connecting means of the two tongue portions, said raised portion being positioned to engage upper edge portions of side walls of the main boot member, whereby said tongue section can be centered relative to said main boot member.