Boot with improved tightening of the upper

Abstract

A boot including a sole and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a heel to a front end, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and height-wise from the sole to an upper end. The boot includes a reinforcement that is more rigid than the upper, at least in the region of the instep, the reinforcement including a lateral wall and / or a medial wall, and extending beneath the instep, the boot further including a transverse linkage provided to tighten the instep zone, the linkage extending from the lateral portion to the medial portion in a transverse plane of the boot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 07 07951, filed on Nov. 13, 2007, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to an article of footwear, or boot, and, more particularly, to a boot adapted for walking, skiing, sports, and other activities.[0004]Boots of the aforementioned type can be used in fields such as cross-country skiing or telemark skiing, walking or running on flat terrain or in mountainous areas, mountaineering, snowboarding, snowshoeing, roller skating, skateboarding, cycling, ball-playing sports, or the like.[0005]2. Description of Background and Other Information[0006]A boot, in the general sense of the term, can have a low upper, a high upper, or a mid-upper, i.e., an upper that extends above the ankle, one that is below the ankle, or one that extend...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0016]In view of the above, among other features, the invention improves foot support in the boot or, in other words, the invention reduces, or even eliminates, ill-timed foot displacements within the boot, especially in the transverse direction.

[0021]Therefore, the reinforcement, in the boot according to the invention, provides the foot with lateral and / or medial support, and the transverse linkage is capable of holding the user's foot on the lateral wall and / or medial wall. In other words, the transverse linkage biases the foot, not only toward the sole, but also toward the lateral and / or medial wall, i.e., toward the lateral portion and / or medial portion of the boot. As a result, the foot is transversely held better in the upper. In fact, the foot remains in contact better with the upper plumb with the instep, i.e., if not continuously, at least more often than with a prior art boot.

[0023]Improved foot support in the boot, especially in a transverse direction, in the area of the instep, is among the advantages of a boot according to the invention. Indeed, the foot moves substantially less, or not at all, in the boot. As a result, the transmission of sensory information or of steering impulses is improved. In other words, steering is more precise, especially when performing skating steps, in those embodiments of a boot for cross-country skiing. Indeed, it is when the leg thrusts laterally that the foot presses transversely in the area of the reinforcement.

[0024]Another advantage resulting from the invention is increased comfort, particularly in the sense that injuries caused by unwanted movements are avoided.

[0025]Generally speaking, the boot according to the invention offers greater comfort, whether in static mode or in dynamic mode.

Problems solved by technology

Consequently, performance, especially in sports, is adversely affected.

Moreover, repeated foot movements in the upper can translate into friction that causes discomfort and injury to the foot.

In particular, undesired foot movements are still observed in the upper, in the area of the instep.

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