Improvements to sports boots

Abstract

A sports boot for use in a sport, such as boxing, including an upstanding upper portion which forms a channel in which the lower portion of the wearer's leg and ankle is located when the boot is worn and wherein the boot further includes a support structure including, along at least part of opposing sides of the channel, first and second portions formed of a material of a rigidity greater than the material used to form the remainder of the channel wall so as to provide support to the ankle and / or ligaments of the wearer when the boot is worn.

Description

[0001] Improvements to sports boots

[0002] The invention to which this application relates is to improvement to sports boots and particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, sports boots in the form boots of a type which extend upwardly from the foot and beyond the ankle and of a form which are most typically worn by participants in the sport of boxing.

[0003] The art and sport of boxing is a well-known activity and has been performed for many years. While there have been significant improvements in terms of safety equipment which may be used by choice or as a result of legislation, it is found that the type of boots which are worn by boxers has remained relatively unchanged over the years and typically comprise a sole, boot body and an upwardly extending upper portion which locates around the ankle and above of the wearer so as to provide support for that portion of the leg and foot. While it is largely regarded that the boots of this type, are effective and suitable for use when performing the sport of boxing and / or other related sports, it is found that there is a need to further improve the form of boot which is used and the design of the same so as to restrict the possibility and occurrence of injury to the boxer. While the specific form of these injuries may change due to changes in the nature of boxing activity and / or different training activities, moves and / or legislation it is known that boxers are particularly prone to damage of their ankles due to high pressures which are applied when lunging in to make a punch and moving back after making the punch or to avoid their opponent’s punch, as their feet are typically located sideways on to the direction of movement of the rest of the body. The traditional or conventional boxing boot does not provide particularly effective support for the ankle joint in particular and the wearer’s feet and lower leg in general as the boxer makes relatively complex and high speed movements.

[0004] Further known form of boots for participants of combat sports that require striking the opponent with the shin or foot, such as kickboxing, typically include additional padding around the parts of the foot and lower leg prone to injury when striking, such as the ankle or shin. This additional padding is often bulky enough to absorb the impact of blows without being rigid enough to injure either athlete when a kick lands. As such, these forms of padding are unsuitable to reinforce the joints of the wearer of the boot to reduce the risk of injury from rolling the ankle or similar noncontact injuries.

[0005] An aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a novel and inventive form of boxing boot which provides additional support and strength for the portions of the body on which the body are worn whilst at the same time, ensuring that the boot can be comfortably worn and still allow normal boxing activities and moves to be undertaken.

[0006] In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a sports boot including a sole, a base and body portion attached to the sole which defines a cavity within which the foot of the wearer is located, and an upstanding upper portion which forms a channel linked to the cavity, and in the channel the lower portion of the wearer’s leg and ankle is located when the boot is worn, and wherein the boot further includes a support structure including first and second portions respectively located along at least part of opposing sides of the channel wall, said first and second portions formed of a material of a rigidity greater than the material used to form the channel wall so as to provide support to the ankle and / or associated ligaments of the wearer when the boot is worn.

[0007] In one embodiment, the support structure includes a bridge portion which joins said wall portions of the support structure.

[0008] In one embodiment, the said support structure includes a substantially rigid sheet material used to form said first and second and bridge portions.

[0009] In one embodiment, the said first and second portions are received in pockets in said walls of the channel and the bridge portion is located in the base of the boot.

[0010] Typically the sheet material has a greater rigidity than the material used to form the walls of the channel of the boot. In addition or alternatively, sheet material used to form said pocket is of greater rigidity than the material used to form the remainder of the walls of the channel of the boot. Typically the said pocket is located so as to provide additional support at and above the location of the ankle of the wearer when the boot is worn.

[0011] Typically a plurality of said pockets are provided at spaced locations.

[0012] In one embodiment said support structure is provided as an integral part of the boot to ensure that the said support structure portions are maintained in a fixed position with respect to the wearer of the boot on each occasion of the boot being worn and thereby provide the same support characteristics at substantially the same locations for the wearer of the boot.

[0013] In an alternative embodiment the said support structure is provided as an insert which is worn inside and along the channel walls and base.

[0014] Typically in at least this embodiment the support structure includes retention means that interact with mounting portions of the boot in order to maintain the position of the said support structure with respect to the wearer’s leg and / or foot when wearing the boot.

[0015] In one embodiment the support structure is formed of a plastic or metal sheet material. In one embodiment the support structure bridge portion is formed so as to be flexible. Typically the support structure bridge portion has greater flexibility than the support structure first and second portions which are located in opposing walls of the channel of the boot respectively.

[0016] Typically, the support structure is located to form, in combination, an ankle support to support the ankle and prevent the ankle from rolling over. Typically the bridge portion of the support structure is located on the underside of the foot of the wearer to form a stirrup shaped support structure which, typically is U-shaped in section.

[0017] In one embodiment, the boot includes retention means which can be moved into position once the boot is being worn so as to retain the said support structure in position against the wearer’s leg and / or ankle. In one embodiment the retention means include straps which are retained in position using a releasable engagement means to allow the support structure to be located so as to exert the required level of support and pressure on the foot and / or leg.

[0018] In one embodiment, the said cavity and / or channel, is movable between an open position, in which the user can place their foot and leg into the said cavity and channel respectively, and a closed position in which the size of the cavity and channel are reduced and with engagement means provided to engage and maintain the boot in the closed position so as to retain the boot on the wearer.

[0019] In one embodiment, the support structure is formed so as to include location formations for the ankle of the wearer to locate therewith. Typically, the location formations are in the form of recesses in the wall portions of the support structure that are located around the ankle joint of the wearer when the boot is worn. Typically, the profiles of the location formations are suitable to accommodate varying dimensions of lower legs of wearers of the boot.

[0020] In one embodiment, the support structure is positioned and formed as part of the boot at the time of manufacture.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first and second portions and / or bridge portions of the support structure are integral with the remainder of the support structure. In an alternative embodiment, the first and / or second and / or bridge portions are inserts that are selectively removable from the support structure.

[0022] In one embodiment the engagement means for the boot and retention means for the support structure are designed and shaped such they can all being engaged at the same time when the boot is being placed onto the foot and leg and moved to a position for use and disengaged at the same time when the boot is being removed.

[0023] In an alternative embodiment there is provided a specific sequence of movement for the engagement means and retention means between boot open and boot closed positions. It is therefore believed that the boot in accordance with this invention, maintains the ability for boxing activities to be performed and provides the ability for the boot to be worn without adversely restricting the movement of the person when wearing the same whilst, at the same time, providing additional support for the foot and leg and in particular the ankle joint between the leg and foot and thereby reduce the risk of injury to the wearer of the boot during their normal activities.

[0024] It should be appreciated that whilst this invention has been described with regard to boing activities in particular, the boot in accordance with the invention can also be of particular use and relevance to persons performing related sports such as other combat sports.

[0025] In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a support structure to provide support for the ankle of a wearer of the same, the support structure including first and second portions to be located against opposite sides of an ankle area of the wearer, and a bridge portion which joins the first and second portions, wherein at least the first and second portions are formed of a substantially rigid sheet material so as to support the ankle and / or ligaments of the wearer.

[0026] In one embodiment the bridge portion is formed to be flexible when located on the underside of the foot of the wearer when the support structure is worn.

[0027] In one embodiment the support structure first and second portions are formed such that the position of the first and second portions are maintained in a fixed position with respect to the wearer of the support structure on each occasion of the support structure being worn.

[0028] In one embodiment the said bridge and first and second portions are located as part of a sleeve through which the foot and / or lower leg of the wearer is inserted when wearing the support structure.

[0029] Specific examples of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings; wherein Figures la - b illustrate views of a boot formed in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 2 illustrates a cross sectional elevation along line AA;

[0031] Figure 3a illustrates the boot of Figures la - b being worn;

[0032] Figure 3b illustrates the part of the boot which includes the said support portions in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

[0033] Figure 4 illustrates the movement of the foot of a user wearing the boot of Figures la — b;

[0034] Figure 5 illustrates a support structure in accordance with a further aspect of the invention;

[0035] Figure 6 illustrates a further embodiment of a support structure of the invention including a sleeve;

[0036] Figure 7 illustrates a bridge portion of the support structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and

[0037] Figure 8 illustrates a section view of a support structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

[0038] Referring firstly to Figures la - b, there are illustrated views of a boot 2 suitable for wear during a boxing or combat sports activity, said boot comprising a sole 4, a body 6 with a base and an upper portion 8, with the body and upper portion typically being formed from a sheet material such as leather and depending upwardly from the sole which is most typically formed of rubber or plastics material. The base may be formed from a plurality of layers. Engagement means 10 for maintaining the boot 2 on the wearer 12 are also provided which may be in the form of laces, as shown which are passed through eyelets and extend across a tongue 14 which extends from the body 6 to the upper portion 8.

[0039] The engagement means 10 allow the boot to be moved between an open position in which an opening 16 into a channel 18 in the upper portion 8 is enlarged which means that the person can pass their foot through the opening 16 and into the channel 18 and in turn into the cavity 20 in the body portion 6 to wear the boot and the engagement means 10 can then be moved to a tightened or closed position to retain the boot more securely in position around the users foot and leg portion so that the boot is worn comfortably during use.

[0040] In accordance with the invention, the boot also includes a support structure including first and second spaced apart portions 22 which are formed as part of opposing walls of the channel of the upper portion 8 and are relatively rigid compared to the remainder of the channel of the boot and typically adjacent the inside face of the channel 18. In this embodiment the first and second portions 22 are formed and located so as to provide support and protection for the ankle of the wearer which would be positioned approximately in the location 24 when wearing the boot. The first and second portions 22 can be formed directly on the inner wall of the channel 18 or may be located within the walls as part of an insert 25 such as that shown in Figure 3b which is located in the channel and cavity with the insert in turn located and retained in position with the boot so as to effectively form an integral part of the same when the boot is worn. The first and second portions 22 are brought into engagement with the lower leg and foot of the user by the provision of a bridge portion 30 of the support structure which is of suitable elasticity to support the ankle of the wearer due to the relatively rigid material of the first and second portions 22. In this example, the first and second portions 22 are integral with the bridge portion 30, however it will be appreciated in other examples the first and second portions 22 may be removable from the bridge portion 30 to allow the base material 30 to be washed, repaired etc.

[0041] The first and second portions 22 are therefore located within the channel and / or cavity and positioned intermediate the foot / leg and the inner wall of the boot. The said rigid sheet material 26 of the first and second portions 22 is a plastic sheet material member which resists being bent under force and also is resilient so as to substantially return to its original form once pressure and movement forces have been removed therefrom. Typically, therefore, when the boot is in the closed position, the first and second portions 22 are located on opposing side walls of the boot channel so as to provide contact with the ankle of the wearer’s foot and / or leg at or adjacent the ankle which requires additional support so as to reduce the tendency of injury or damage. In other examples, the sheet material 26 of the first and second portions 22 is formed of or includes a metal or metal alloy material.

[0042] In Figure 4, the foot of the wearer 50 is shown with respect to one of the first and second portions 22 located with the foot by the support structure in accordance with one embodiment of the invention in the boot 2. Without the boot, the foot of the wearer can freely move by dorsiflexion as indicated by arrow A, plantarflexion as indicated by arrow B, inversion as indicated by arrow C and eversion as indicated by arrow D. During boxing or other combat sports, the wearer of the boot may bounce and land on their foot when the foot is in an inversion or eversion position, which can result in a sprain or other injury easily occurring due to rolling of the ankle. The provision of the support structure and in particular the first and second portions 22 and its location on the ankle 24 acts to reinforce the ankle against uncontrolled movement of the foot, at least in the directions C and D, hence reducing the likelihood that the foot of the wearer will be in inversion or eversion respectively when it bounces or lands on the ring surface. Furthermore, lateral force applied to the foot, as indicated by arrow E, when the foot is planted on a surface will be partially resisted by the portion 22, reinforcing the ligaments and tendons of the ankle joint and reducing the strain on the same. The position of the portion 22 does not limit the movement of the foot in the directions A or B, and therefore the wearer of the boot will not feel unnecessarily restricted by the boot in these directions.

[0043] In another example, the thickness of the first and second portions 22 may be such as to have reduced resistance to torsion forces, reducing the resistance experienced by the user when rotating the foot about their heel or toe. Retaining means 28 are provided to locate the support structure with the remainder of the boot when worn. In the embodiment shown, the retaining means are provided in the form of an elongate strap which is located to the support structure insert 25 of a first portion 22 at one end 32 and is then wound around the front of the leg and then around the rear of the leg as the strap passes progressively upwardly as indicated by arrow 34. The strap may also pass through a retaining lug 36 and the free end is then passed through a buckle 38 until the first and second wall portions 22 are sufficiently tightly located in position and the strap is then retained in that position possibly by using hook and loop fastening means. In one embodiment the upper portion of the boot includes aperture through which the strap passes, most typically at the front of the boot to pass over the tongue portion but apertures may be provided at the rear of the boot as well to provide further location of the strap 28 as it is moved upwardly and around the leg of the wearer.

[0044] When the support structure is provided as an insert 25 in this manner, the insert bridge portion 30 can include an aperture 40 to allow the wearer’s foot to pass therethrough and into the boot cavity and an aperture 42 may be provided for the heel to pass therethrough. In an alternative embodiment, the support structure may be formed integrally with or located within the structure of the boot.

[0045] Referring now to Figures 5 and 7-8, there is illustrated a support structure 100 in accordance with a second aspect of the invention. The support structure includes a first portion 102 and a second portion 104 for location on opposing sides of an ankle 24 of a wearer of the structure 100. The first and second portions 102, 104 are joined by a bridge portion 106, shown in greater detail in Figure 7.

[0046] The first and second portions 102, 104 are comprised of rigid members formed of plastic material. The plastic material is suitably rigid to resist bending, reinforcing the ankle 24 of the user in inversion and eversion movements, reducing the likelihood of rolling the ankle which can result in injury. The bridge portion 106 is formed so as to be flexible, and in one embodiment may be formed of plastic of a reduced thickness than the portions 102,104 and / or is provided with a series of protrusions and / or recesses. This composition allows the bridge portion 106 to flex and the bridge portion to be located beneath the foot of the wearer to form a substantially U shaped stirrup support structure, as illustrated in Figure 8. The stirrup formation prevents the portions 102,104 from riding up or down the leg of the user, and ensures retention of the position of the portions 102,104 with respect to the ankle 24 of the user. The bridge portion 106 includes the recesses or slots 108 to increase the extent to which the bridge portion can flex, so that the bridge portion does not cause discomfort to the underside of the foot of the wearer and / or allow the support structure to be located in the correct position the boot with respect to the wearer’s ankle and without affecting the balance of the boot. In this example, the bridge portion 106 is adhered to the portions 102,104. In other embodiments, the bridge portion 106 may be formed integrally with the portions 102,104.

[0047] As illustrated in Figure 8, the first and second portions 102,104 each include a curved and / or recessed portion 110. The portion 110 is to accommodate the ankle joint of the wearer of the support structure, ensuring the first and second portions 102,104 maintain close contact with the lower leg of the wearer, and that the first and second portions do not cause discomfort on the ankle of the wearer. The profiles of the curved recess 110 are such to accommodate different sizes and heights of the ankle joints of different wearers of the support structure.

[0048] Illustrated in Figure 6 is a further embodiment of a support structure 200 including first and second portions 202,204 supporting an ankle of the wearer and joined by a bridge portion 206. The portions 202,204 are formed with a sleeve 201 through which the foot and lower leg of the wearer is inserted to ensure the position of the portions 202,204 are maintained in a fixed position with respect t the wearer of the support structure on each occasion of the support structure being worn. The sleeve 201 is formed of an elasticated sheet material that is stretched when the foot and lower leg of the wearer is inserted through the sleeve so as to maintain the pressure of the portions 202,204 against the ankle of the wearer. In this embodiment, the portions 202,204 are formed integrally with the sleeve 201 by stitching or adhering the portions with the sleeve, however in other embodiments it will be appreciated that the portions 202,204 are selectively insertable into pockets of the sleeve 201 and removable such that the sleeve may be washed or repaired. Similarly, the bridge portion 206 may be selectively locatable with the sleeve 201 in other embodiments. In this embodiment, the portions 202,204 are located with the ankle of the wearer by the provision of a sleeve 201, however in other embodiments it will be appreciated that the portions 202,204 may be located by the provision of straps or integrated with a sock to be worn by a wearer. Alternatively, the portions may be formed with a boot to be worn by a wearer.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A sports boot including a sole, a base and body portion attached to the sole which defines a cavity within which the foot of the wearer is located, and an upstanding upper portion which forms a channel linked to the cavity, and in the channel the lower portion of the wearer’s leg and ankle is located when the boot is worn, and wherein the boot further includes a support structure including first and second portions respectively located along at least part of opposing sides of the channel wall, said first and second portions formed of a material of a rigidity greater than the material used to form the channel wall so as to provide support to the ankle and / or associated ligaments of the wearer when the boot is worn.

2. A boot according to claim 1, wherein a first of the portions of the support structure extends from the foot and beyond the ankle on one side and a second of the portions of the support structure extends from the foot and beyond the ankle on an opposing side of the foot and leg from the first portion when the boot is worn.

3. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure includes a bridge portion which joins said first and second portions of the support structure.4 A boot according to claim 3 wherein the said bridge portion is located within the base of the boot.

5. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein at least the first and second portions of the support structure includes a substantially rigid sheet material used to form said portions.

6. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein the said sheet material is received in pockets in said walls of the channel.

7. A boot according to claim 1, wherein said support structure is provided as an integral part of the boot to ensure that the said support structure portions aremaintained in a fixed position with respect to the wearer of the boot on each occasion of the boot being worn and thereby provide the same support characteristics at substantially the same locations for the wearer of the boot.

8. A boot according to claim 1, wherein the said support structure is provided as an insert which is worn inside and along the channel walls and base.

9. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure bridge portion is formed so as to be deformable when located in the boot.

10. A boot according to claim 9 wherein the bridge portion includes a series of spaced apart recesses along at least one edge so as to allow the flexing of the bridge portion to take the shape of the boot base when fitted therein and / or when the boot is being worn.

11. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein said first and second portions include recess portions to receive the wearer’s ankle protrusions therein.

12. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure includes retention means that interact with mounting portions of the boot in order to maintain the position of the said support structure with respect to the wearer’s leg and / or foot when wearing the boot.

13. A boot according to any of the preceding claim wherein the support structure forms a means to support the ankle and prevent the ankle from rolling over when the boot is being worn.

14. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the boot includes retention means which can be moved into position once the boot is being worn so as to retain the said support structure in position against the wearer’s leg and / or ankle.

15. A boot according to claim 14, wherein the retention means include straps which are retained in position using a releasable engagement means to allow the supportstructure to be located so as to exert the required level of support and pressure on the foot and / or leg.

16. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the said cavity and / or channel, of the boot is movable between an open position, in which the user can place their foot and leg into the said cavity and channel respectively, and a closed position in which the size of the cavity and channel are reduced and with engagement means provided to engage and maintain the boot in the closed position so as to retain the boot on the wearer and the support structure in position on the boot and foot and ankle of the wearer.

17. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure is formed so as to include location formations for the ankle of the wearer to locate with.

18. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure is substantially U-shaped when placed in position in the boot.

19. A boot according to any of the preceding claims wherein the support structure is position and formed as part of the boot at the time of manufacture.

20. A support structure to provide support for the ankle of a wearer of the same, the support structure including first and second portions to be located against opposite sides of an ankle area of the wearer, and a bridge portion which joins the first and second portions, wherein at least the first and second portions are formed of a substantially rigid sheet material so as to support the ankle and / or ligaments of the wearer.

21. A support structure according to claim 20 wherein the bridge portion and first and second portions are formed as a unitary member.

22. A support structure according to claim 21 wherein the bridge portion is formed so as to allow the same to flex and position the said first and second portions in a substantially parallel spaced apart configuration.

23. A support structure according to any of claims 20-22, wherein the bridge portion is located on the underside of the foot of the wearer when the support structure is worn.

24. A support structure according to any of the claims 20-23 wherein the first, second and bridge portions are provided as part of an elasticated sleeve through which the foot and / or lower leg of the wearer is inserted when wearing the support structure.

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