Tightening system for sports footwear and sports footwear comprising such tightening system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a tightening system (9) for a sports footwear comprising one or more traction elements (13, 21) that are guided in succession through a tortuous path by guide elements (15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, 23a,23b, 25a, 25b) fixed to said sports footwear and that can be tensioned or released by corresponding actuating elements (11, 19). According to the invention, said tightening system (9) comprises at least a restraining element (27) suitable to limit two or more adjacent exposed portions of traction element from displacing relative to each other, thereby reducing the risk of said cable portions interfering with other elements of the sports footwear (1) when said traction elements (13, 21) are released.

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a tightening system applicable to a sports footwear to tighten or release at least one part of said sports footwear with respect to the user's foot. The present invention may find application, for example, in the making of tightening systems for ski boots, especially front-entry ski boots.Prior Art

[0002] According to prior art, ski boots usually comprise an inner liner made of a substantially soft material and an outer shell made of a substantially rigid material.

[0003] The shell made of a substantially rigid material, shaped to accommodate the user's foot, is associated to a cuff, also made of a substantially rigid material and adapted to receive the user's ankle and lower leg part.

[0004] In the so-called front-entry ski boots, the shell has a longitudinal front opening which separates two shell flaps facing each other and can be spread apart to allow the user's foot to be inserted into or taken out from the ski boot. Similarly, the cuff in its front portion is made in the form of two flaps which can be overlapped to each other or moved away from each other to allow the user's foot to be introduced into or taken out from the ski boot, as well as to make the ski boot more comfortable when the user is walking and not skiing. Therefore, still according to prior art, ski boots comprise a tightening system configured to tighten the shell and cuff onto the user's foot and ankle, respectively, or to release said shell and cuff.

[0005] In particular, tightening systems are known from the state of the art which comprise one or more traction cables guided on the outer surface of the shell or cuff by means of guide elements fixed to said shell or said cuff.

[0006] The tensioning of said one or more traction cables allows the ski boot to be tightened around the user's foot and ankle, respectively, depending on whether one or more traction cables are associated with the shell or the cuff.

[0007] In order to adjust the tensioning of said one or more traction cables, several known tightening systems currently used comprise a winding mechanism provided with a knob, suitable to be gripped and rotated by the user wearing the boot, and a rotor coupled to said knob: by turning the knob in a first direction, said one or more traction cables are wound around the rotor, causing the gradual tensioning of said traction cables and the corresponding tightening of the ski boot around the user's foot or ankle; by turning the knob in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, said one or more cables are unwound from the rotor, causing the gradual loosening of said cables and the corresponding release of the ski boot from the user's foot or ankle.

[0008] Typically, said tightening systems comprise one or more traction cable(s) associated with the shell of the ski boot and connected to a first winding mechanism, and one or more traction cable(s) associated with the cuff of the ski boot and connected to a second winding mechanism.

[0009] A tightening system structured in this way advantageously allows for a gradual variation in the tension of the traction cables and therefore an accurate adjustment of the tightening of the ski boot.

[0010] In addition, it allows the user to tighten or release the ski boot by acting on a limited number of mechanisms (for example, the knob of the first winding system and the knob of the second winding system).

[0011] However, such tightening system is not free from drawbacks.

[0012] Indeed, it should be noted that, in order to achieve uniform tightening of the ski boot while maintaining a limited number of winding mechanisms, the traction cables must be able to act on different portions of the shell or cuff simultaneously. Therefore, they must follow tortuous paths with frequent changes of direction, defined by the guide elements attached to the shell and to the cuff of the ski boot, respectively.

[0013] Consequently, it is not uncommon for portions of the same or different traction cables to be very close to each other.

[0014] This closeness between the cable portions does not constitute a problem when the ski boot is tightened, since the tension to which the traction cables are subjected forces them to faithfully follow the path imposed by the guide elements.

[0015] Conversely, when the cables are loose, loose cable portions can easily stray from the path defined by these guide elements, in some cases overlapping or intertwining with adjacent (also loose) cable portions.

[0016] These loose cable portions can also interfere with the winding mechanisms and the guide elements of the tightening system, as well as with any other elements protruding from the surface of the ski boot.

[0017] Therefore, on the one hand, there is a risk that when the user re-tensions the traction cables, they will not follow the intended path correctly, this resulting in improper or even no tightening of the ski boot; on the other hand, the user is forced to untangle the cable portions and restore them to the correct configuration each time, an operation that can be particularly inconvenient if, for example, the user is wearing ski gloves.

[0018] The above-mentioned drawbacks are particularly frequent when the tightening system provides for the possibility of completely disengaging a part of a traction cable from the ski boot, for example by providing a guide element removably fixed to the outer surface of the boot itself.

[0019] This option is often implemented at the cuff of the ski boot. Indeed, while for the shell a modest widening of the opening in the front of the boot is sufficient to free the user's foot, as far as the cuff is concerned, the flaps thereof must be moved away from each other to a much greater extent.

[0020] In this case, when the traction cables are loose, the guide element is separated from the ski boot and the ski boot is open, the free portion of the cable, disengage from the ski boot, is particularly large and has ample freedom of movement. Consequently, the likelihood that portions of the cable of that portion of the traction cable will interfere with adjacent cable portions and / or with other protruding elements on the outer surface of the ski boot increases considerably.

[0021] US 2017 / 156448 discloses a footwear with a tightening systems which allows opposite flaps of the footwear shell to be brought together and which comprises a first tightening assembly with a first traction cable, first anchor points arranged along the path of the first traction cable on opposite flaps of the shell, and a first tensioning mechanism, and a second tightening assembly with a second traction cable, second anchor points arranged along the path of the second traction cable on opposite flaps of the shell, and a second tensioning mechanism. The tightening system comprises a board which is passed through by a portion of the first traction cable and a portion of the second traction cable and can be pushed against the user's instep region by tensioning the traction cables.

[0022] Said board, however, does not prevent the risk of the traction cables becoming tangled when loosened; indeed, since it is designed to float, this board represents an additional element with which the traction cables may interfere when they are loose.

[0023] US 2015 / 342302 describes a footwear with a tightening system which allows the sports footwear to be tightened or loosened relative to the user's foot and which comprises a winding mechanism and a plurality of distinct traction cables, one for each region of a plurality of corresponding distinct regions of the footwear. In one embodiment, one of the traction cables at an intermediate portion thereof removably and adjustably engages a multi-position retainer. In this embodiment, a portion of the traction cable upstream of said multi-position retainer is guided and deflected by a first element secured to the central tongue of the footwear and a portion of the traction cable downstream of said multi-position retainer is guided and deflected by a second, different element secured to the central tongue of the footwear.

[0024] These two distinct elements secured to the central tongue of the footwear can be assimilated to return elements for the respective portion of the traction cable, as they have the function of diverting and redirecting the path thereof.

[0025] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to overcome the limitations described above, by providing a tightening system for a sports footwear, in particular a ski boot or other similar sports boot, which allows to limit the movement of the cable portions when the traction cables are loosened, so as to reduce the risk of said cable portions interfering with one another and with other elements of the footwear.

[0026] In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a tightening system which allows to overcome the limitations described above without this resulting in a considerable increase in the cost of the sports footwear or an increase in the time required to produce the tightening system and the footwear itself.

[0027] These and other objects are achieved with the tightening system for a sports footwear and by the sports footwear as claimed in the appended claims.Summary of the Invention

[0028] The tightening system for a sports footwear according to the invention comprises, in a manner known per se, one or more guide elements, intended to be fixed to the outer surface of the sports footwear, one or more traction elements, guided through said one or more of said guide elements, and one or more actuating elements operatively coupled to said one or more traction elements and suitable for varying the tensioning degree of said one or more traction elements so that said one or more traction elements can switch from a tensioned state, in which the exposed portions of said one or more traction elements - intended as the portions of said traction elements that extend between an actuating element and a guide element adjacent thereto or between two guide elements adjacent to each other - have a minimum length, to a loosened state, in which said exposed portions of said one or more traction elements have an increased length that exceeds said minimum length.

[0029] It is evident that, once the tightening system is applied to a sports footwear, in the tensioned state the traction elements keep said footwear tightened around the user's foot, while in the loosened state they release the sports footwear in such a way as to enable the user to insert their foot into said sports footwear or remove it therefrom.

[0030] According to the invention, said tightening system comprises at least one restraining element associated with two or more exposed portions of the same traction element.

[0031] Said restraining element does not hinder the free sliding of the traction element associated thereto, but it limits the mutual displacement of said one or more exposed portions of traction element associated therewith when the traction element is in the loosened state.

[0032] In particular, said at least one restraining element limits the mutual distancing of said two or more exposed portions of traction element.

[0033] Therefore, said restraining element locally maintains the traction element with which it is associated in an orderly configuration even when it is in the loosened state and drastically reduces the probability that the exposed portions of the traction element associated therewith will interfere with other exposed portions of traction elements or with other elements of the sports footwear.

[0034] Preferably, said restraining element is made in the form of a ring through which said two or more adjacent exposed portions of traction element pass.

[0035] However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that said restraining element could be made in any shape capable of restraining the mutual displacement of said exposed portions of traction element without hindering the sliding of the corresponding traction element. For example, said restraining element could be made in the form of a body provided with a number of through holes equal to the number of exposed portions of traction element associated with said restraining element.

[0036] Said restraining element can be made as a rigid or semi-rigid body, for example, of plastics. Alternatively, said restraining element can be made as a flexible or soft body, for example, of fabric.

[0037] Said restraining element can be removably associated with said one or more exposed portions. For example, it can be made in the form of an openable ring.

[0038] According to the invention, said restraining element is suitable to be anchored, either permanently or releasably, to the outer surface of the sports footwear.

[0039] Preferably, said restraining element is suitable to be anchored to the outer surface of said sports footwear near an actuating element or a guide element of the tightening system.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, said restraining element is provided near a guide element and holds the two exposed portions of the same traction element upstream and downstream of said guide element.

[0041] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said restraining element is provided near a guide element that is permanently fixed to the outer surface of the sports footwear, and the tightening system comprises at least one further guide element made as a composite guide element comprising a first portion, intended to be fixed to the outer surface of the sports footwear, and a second portion, intended to guide therethrough a traction element of the tightening system, said first and second portions being made as separate, releasably couplable elements.

[0042] In this embodiment, the structure of said composite guide element allows to completely disengage a portion of the traction element from the sports footwear by separating the two portions of said composite guide element.

[0043] This results in the complete release of a considerable length of traction element from the sports footwear and increases the risk of portions of the traction element becoming entangled with each other, with other portions of the same traction element or with other traction elements or with protruding elements present on the outer surface of the sports footwear.

[0044] The provision of the restraining element according to the invention is therefore of particular advantage, also in view of the fact that said restraining element is anchored to the outer surface of the sports footwear and keeps the portions of traction element associated therewith correspondingly adjacent to said outer surface of the sports footwear.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0045] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a sports footwear equipped with the tightening system according to the invention, shown in a first configuration in which the traction elements are in the tightened state; Figures 2 and 3 show the sports footwear of Figure 1, with the tightening system shown in a second configuration in which the traction elements are in the loosened state; Figure 4 shows in greater detail the restraining element provided in the tightening system according to the invention. Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0046] In the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference will be made to a tightening system applied to a ski boot, more precisely to a front-entry ski boot. However, this embodiment should not be interpreted in a restrictive manner and the tightening system according to the invention could be applied to other types of sports footwear.

[0047] A front-entry ski boot embodying the invention is shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and is indicated as a whole by reference numeral 1.

[0048] In a manner known per se, the ski boot 1 comprises: an inner element or inner liner 3 made of a substantially soft material; an outer element or shell 5 made of a substantially rigid material and shaped to accommodate the user's foot; a cuff 7, also made of a substantially rigid material and shaped to accommodate the user's ankle and lower leg part, and articulated to the shell 5 on two opposite sides of said shell 5, substantially at the malleolar region.

[0049] To allow a user to introduce their foot into the ski boot or remove it therefrom, the shell 5 comprises a longitudinal opening defining two flaps 5a, 5b facing each other (a first flap or medial flap 5a and a second flap or side flap 5b), which can be more or less overlapped to each other.

[0050] Similarly, the cuff 7 comprises a first flap or medial flap 7a, 7b and a second flap or side flap 7c, which can be overlapped to each other or moved away from each other. In the shown embodiment, the first flap or medial flap of the cuff comprises a pair of parallel bands 7a,7b separated by a recess.

[0051] The ski boot 1 is equipped with a tightening system 9 configured to control the tightening and releasing of the shell 5 around the user's foot, i.e., to adjust the degree of overlapping of the flaps 5a e 5b of the shell 5 and the degree of overlapping of the flaps7a,7b e 7c of the cuff 7, respectively.

[0052] At the cuff 7, the tightening system 9 comprises: a plurality of guide elements fixed to the outer surface of the cuff 7, of which a first and fourth guide elements 15a, 15b are arranged on the second flap 7c of said cuff and a second and third guide elements 17a, 17b are arranged on the first flap of said cuff (one for each band 7a,7b of said flap); a first traction element, in particular a first traction cable 13, which comprises two opposite ends - of which a first end is fixed to said first guide element 15a and a second end is fixed to said fourth guide element 15b - and is guided in succession through the first, second, third and fourth guide elements 15a, 17a, 17b, 15b; a first actuating element, in particular a first winding mechanism 11, arranged on the second flap 7c of the cuff near the lateral side of the ski boot 1, said first traction cable 13 being operatively coupled to said first winding mechanism 11, in particular between said second and said third guide element 17a, 17b.

[0053] From the above it is evident that the first traction cable 13 follows a tortuous path between the first and second flaps of the cuff 7, in which the following portions can be identified: a first exposed portion of traction cable 13a between the first guide element 15a and the second guide element 17a, a second exposed portion of traction cable 13b between the second guide element 17a and the first winding mechanism 11, a third exposed portion of traction cable 13c between the first winding mechanism 11 and the third guide element 17b, and a fourth exposed portion of traction cable 13d between the third guide element 17b and the fourth guide element 15b.

[0054] In this context, reference is made to "exposed" portions of the traction cable because these are portions of the traction cable that are located outside the outer surface of the ski boot and are therefore "exposed" to interaction with each other and with other elements of the boot itself.

[0055] By acting onto the first winding mechanism 11, the user can increase or reduce the degree of tensioning of the first traction cable 13, so that said traction cable can switch from a tensioned state, in which each exposed portion of said traction cable is tensioned and the length of each exposed portion of said traction cable is minimal, to a loosened state, in which each exposed portion of said traction cable is loose and the length of each exposed portion is increased, and vice versa.

[0056] In light of the path imposed on the first traction cable 13 by the guide elements, when said first traction cable 13 is in the tightened state, the overlapping of the flaps 7a, 7b and 7c of the cuff is maximum, and consequently, the cuff 7 is tightened to the maximum around the user's ankle (Figure 1).

[0057] As the first traction cable 13 is loosened, the degree of overlapping of the flaps 7a, 7b and 7c of the cuff 7 is progressively reduced, until possibly said flaps are completely separated from each other, and the cuff 7 leaves the user's ankle free (Figures 2 and 3).

[0058] As visible from Figures 2 and 3, in the shown embodiment, one of the guide elements of the tightening system 9, in particular the second guide element 17a is made as a composite guide element comprising a first portion 17a', intended to be fixed to the cuff 7, and a second portion 17a", intended to guide therethrough a first traction cable 13, said first and second portions 17a', 17a" being made as separate, releasably couplable elements.

[0059] By separating the second portion 17a" of the second guide element 17a from the first portion 17a' of said second guide element 17a, it is possible to completely disengage a substantial part of the first traction cable 13 from the cuff 7.

[0060] This possibility allows on the one hand to quickly release the cuff 7, without having to completely loosen the first traction cable 7 by acting on the first winding mechanism 11, and on the other hand to significantly increase the degree of mutual separation of the flaps of the cuff 7 when necessary.

[0061] Turning now to the shell 5, in a completely similar manner, the tightening system 9 comprises: a plurality of guide elements fixed to the outer surface of the shell, of which a fifth and a seventh guide element 23a, 23b are arranged on the second flap 5b of said shell and a sixth and eighth guide element 25a, 25b are arranged on the first flap 5a of said shell; a second traction element, in particular a second traction cable 21, which comprises two opposite ends - of which a first end is fixed to said first guide element 23a - and is guided in succession through the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth guide element 23a, 25a, 23b, 25b; a second actuating element, in particular a second winding mechanism 19, arranged on the second flap 5b of the shell near the lateral side of the ski boot 1, said second traction cable 21 being operatively coupled to said second winding mechanism 19, in particular at its second end, downstream of the eighth guide element 25b.

[0062] From the above it is evident that the second traction cable 21 follows a tortuous path between the first and second flaps of the shell 5, in which the following portions can be identified: a first exposed portion of traction cable 21a between the fifth guide element 23a and the sixth guide element 25a, a second exposed portion of traction cable 21b between the sixth guide element 25a and the seventh guide element 23b, a third exposed portion of traction cable 21c between the seventh guide element 23b and the eighth guide element 25b, and a fourth exposed portion of traction cable 21d between the eighth guide element 25b and the second winding mechanism 19.

[0063] By acting onto the second winding mechanism 19, the user can increase or reduce the degree of tensioning of the second traction cable 21, so that said traction cable can switch from a tensioned state, in which each exposed portion of said traction cable is tensioned and the length of each exposed portion of said traction cable is minimal, to a loosened state, in which each exposed portion of said traction cable is loose and the length of each exposed portion is increased, and vice versa.

[0064] In light of the path imposed on the second traction cable 21 by the guide elements, when said second traction cable 21 is in the tightened state, the overlapping of the flaps 5a, 5b of the shell is maximal, and consequently, the shell 5 is tightened to the maximum around the user's foot, whereas as the second traction cable 21 is loosened, the degree of overlapping of the flaps 5a, 5b of the shell 5 is progressively reduced.

[0065] According to the invention, the tightening system 9 comprises at least one restraining element associated with two or more adjacent exposed portions of traction cable.

[0066] In the shown embodiment, there is provided only one restraining element 27, made in the form of a ring, through which the third exposed portion of traction cable 13c and the fourth exposed portion of traction cable 13d of the first traction cable 13 pass.

[0067] Advantageously, said restraining element 27 does not hinder the sliding of the first traction cable 13 therethrough, but it allows limiting said exposed portions of traction cable 13c and 13d from displacing relative to each other - and in particular from moving away from each other - when said first traction cable 13 is in the loosened state.

[0068] In addition, said restraining element 27 is anchored to the outer surface of the cuff 7, in particular to the outer surface of the first flap of said cuff, so that it also limits the movement of said exposed portions of traction cable 13c and 13d away from the outer surface of the cuff when said first traction cable 13 is in the loosened state.

[0069] Furthermore, said restraining element 27 helps to correctly direct the orientation of the exposed portions of traction cable 13c and 13d passing therethrough even when said first traction cable 13 is in the loosened state.

[0070] Therefore, said restraining element 27 allows to considerably reduce the risk that, in the loosened state, said exposed portions of traction cable 13c and 13d will interfere with each other or with elements of the ski boot adjacent to them, such as for example the bands 7a, 7b of the first flap of the cuff 7, guide elements or winding mechanisms of the tightening system 9, and the like.

[0071] Accordingly, said restraining element 27 limits the cases in which the user, after having brought the first traction cable 13 into the loosened state, must reposition the cable portions into the original configuration in order to re-tighten the ski boot 1.

[0072] It is evident that said restraining element could be made according to other shapes, besides the ring shape, to hold said exposed portions of traction cable 13c and 13d.

[0073] For example, said restraining element could be made as a body provided with two through-holes, one for the passage of said third exposed portion of traction cable 13c and one for the passage of said fourth exposed portion of traction cable 13d.

[0074] In the shown embodiment, said restraining element is made of a flexible material.

[0075] However, said restraining element could be made as a rigid or semi-rigid body.

[0076] Also, said restraining element could be configured, for example, as an openable ring, so as to be able to release the exposed portions of traction cable that are received therein, allowing the restraining element itself or the traction cable to be removed and replaced.

[0077] As can be seen from Figures 3 and 4, said restraining element 27 comprises a connecting portion 27a suitable to anchor said restraining element 27 to the outer surface of the ski boot 1, in particular of the cuff 7.

[0078] Advantageously, said connecting portion 27a prevents the restraining element 27 from sliding along the exposed portions 13c and 13d of the first traction cable 13e and, possibly, from coming too close to the first winding mechanism 11 and hindering the manipulation of said mechanism by the user.

[0079] In addition, owing to the fact that, by means of the connecting portion 27a, the restraining element 27 is anchored to the outer surface of the cuff, the movement of the exposed portions 13c and 13d of the first traction cable 13 away from said outer surface of the cuff is correspondingly limited.

[0080] Said connecting portion 27a can be anchored to the cuff 7 in any way known to the person skilled in the art.

[0081] In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figure 3, said connecting portion 27a is permanently connected to the cuff 7, particularly by riveting.

[0082] However, in an alternative embodiment, said connecting portion 27a could be removably connected to the cuff 7, for example, by means of a push button.

[0083] Preferably, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the restraining element 27 is anchored to one of the bands 7b of the first flap of said cuff 7, so as to be close to the third guide element 17b.

[0084] Unlike the second guide element 17a, the third guide element 17b is not made as a composite guide element, but it is integrally fixed to the cuff 7.

[0085] It is evident that, in case one of the traction cables passes through a composite guide element (as is the case with the second guide element 17a of the first traction cable 13), it is particularly advantageous if the restraining element is associated with two or more exposed portions of said traction cable, because with the traction cable loosened and released, the risk of interference with other elements of the ski boot is maximum.

[0086] In particular, it is preferable that the restraining element 27 is anchored near a guide element adjacent to the composite guide element, so as to be close to the loosest exposed cable portions.

[0087] In this regard, it could be noted that the guide elements also contribute to keeping the exposed cable portions along an orderly path.

[0088] However, the contribution of said guide elements is not sufficient per se to avoid the risk of entanglement and interference with other protruding elements of the ski boot.

[0089] The restraining element 27, conversely, is effective in this sense because, in addition to preventing the exposed portions of traction cable that pass therethrough from moving away from each other, it helps to direct them correctly.

[0090] In particular, as clearly visible in Figure 2, the restraining element 27 is arranged and shaped so that the maximum possible angle between exposed portions 13c and 13d of the first cable portion 13 upstream and downstream of the restraining element is significantly smaller than the maximum possible angle between said exposed portions 13c and 13d of the first traction cable 13 upstream and downstream of the third guide element 17b.

[0091] It will be apparent that the embodiment described above has been provided purely by way of example, and numerous modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0092] Evidently, the ski boot 1 could also comprise two or more restraining elements, each suitable to hold one or more adjacent exposed portions of traction cable provided on the cuff or the shell of the ski boot.

[0093] For example, a further restraining element could be provided associated with two adjacent exposed portions of the second traction cable 21 on the shell 5.

[0094] Furthermore, although in the embodiment described above reference has been made to traction cables, the traction elements can also be made, in a known manner, as bands, laces or the like, and although in the embodiment described above reference has been made to winding mechanisms, the actuating elements can be made, in a known manner, as actuating levers capable of tensioning or releasing the respective traction elements.

Claims

1. Tightening system (9) for sports footwear, comprising: - a plurality of guide elements (15a, 15b, 17a, 17b, 23a, 23b, 25a, 25b) intended to be fixed to the outer surface of said sports footwear; - at least one traction element (13, 21), guided in succession through two or more of said guide elements (15a, 17a, 17b, 15b; 23a, 25a, 23b, 25b); - at least one actuating element (11; 19) operatively coupled to said at least one traction element (13, 21) and suitable for varying the tensioning degree of said one or more traction elements so that said traction element can switch from a tensioned state, in which the exposed portions (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) of said traction element (13, 21) extending between an actuating element and a guide element adjacent thereto or between two guide elements adjacent to each other have a minimum length, to a loosened state, in which said exposed portions (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d, 21a, 21b, 21c, 21d) of said traction element (13, 21) have an increased length that exceeds said minimum length; characterized in that it comprises at least one restraining element (27) which is anchored, either permanently or removably, to said outer surface of said sports footwear and accommodates two or more adjacent exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) of the same traction element, said restraining element allowing said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) to slide through it but limiting said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) from displacing relative to each other, in particular moving away from each other.

2. Tightening system (9) according to claim 1, wherein said restraining element is anchored to said outer surface of said sports footwear near a guide element (17b) and accommodates two exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) upstream and downstream of said guide element (17b).

3. Tightening system (9) according to claim 2, wherein the maximum possible angle between said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) upstream and downstream of said restraining element is significantly smaller than the maximum possible angle between said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) upstream and downstream of said guide element (17b).

4. Tightening system (9) according to claim 2, wherein said tightening system comprises at least one further guide element made as a composite guide element (17a) comprising a first portion (17a'), intended to be fixed to said cuff of said sports footwear, and a second portion (17a"), intended to guide therethrough a corresponding first traction element (13), said first and second portions (17a', 17a") being made as separate, releasably couplable elements.

5. Tightening system (9) according to claim 4, wherein said guide element (17b) near which said restraining element is anchored is adjacent to said further guide element made as a composite guide element (17a).

6. Tightening system (9) according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein said at least one restraining element is made in the form of a ring through which said two or more adjacent exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) pass.

7. Tightening system (9) according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein said at least one restraining element is made in the form of a body provided with through-holes, one for each of the two or more exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) accommodated by said restraining element, each of said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) passing through a respective through-hole.

8. Tightening system (9) according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein said at least one restraining element (27) is configured in such a way as to be able to release said exposed portions of traction element (13c, 13d) accommodated therein.

9. Sports footwear (1), comprising a shell (5), made of a substantially rigid material and shaped to accommodate the user's foot, and a cuff (7), also made of a substantially rigid material, shaped to accommodate the user's ankle and lower leg and articulated to said shell (5), characterized in that it comprises a tightening system according to any one of claims 1 - 8.

10. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 9, wherein said cuff comprises a pair of flaps (7a, 7b, 7c) which can be overlapped to and moved away from each other, and wherein said tightening system (9) comprises: - a plurality of guide elements (15a, 15b, 17a, 17b) fixed to the outer surface of said cuff (7), partly on a first flap of said cuff and partly on a second flap of said cuff; - a first traction element (13) guided in succession through said guide elements; - a first actuating element (11) operatively coupled to said first traction element (13), for tensioning or loosening said first traction element (13), and wherein said restraining element is anchored to said outer surface of said cuff near one of said guide elements (17b).

11. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 10, wherein said tightening system comprises at least one further guide element (17a) made as a composite element comprising a first portion (17a'), intended to be fixed to said cuff of said sports footwear, and a second portion (17a"), intended to guide therethrough said first traction element (13), said first and second portions (17a', 17a") being made as separate, releasably couplable elements.

12. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 11, wherein said guide element (17b) near which said restraining element is anchored is adjacent to said further guide element made as a composite guide element (17a).

13. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 9, wherein said shell comprises a pair of flaps (5a, 5b) which can be overlapped to each other, and wherein said tightening system (9) comprises: - a plurality of guide elements (23a, 23b, 25a, 25b) fixed to the outer surface of said shell (5), partly on a first flap of said shell and partly on a second flap of said shell; - a second traction element (21) guided in succession through said guide elements; - a second actuating element (19) operatively coupled to said second traction element (21), for tensioning or loosening said second traction element (21), and wherein said restraining element is anchored to said outer surface of said shell near one of said guide elements.

14. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 13, wherein said tightening system comprises at least one further guide element made as a composite element comprising a first portion, intended to be fixed to said shell of said sports footwear, and a second portion, intended to guide therethrough said second traction element (21), said first and second portions being made as separate, releasably couplable elements.

15. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 14, wherein said guide element near which said restraining element is anchored is adjacent to said further guide element made as a composite guide element.

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