Sport boot

Abstract

A sport boot is provided that is suitable for, but not limited to, use as a snowboard boot. The sport boot includes an outer shell and an inner liner received within the outer shell. The outer shell includes an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole. The inner liner includes a cushioning midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole. Unlike conventional sport boots that place the midsole between an insole board and a shank on the outer shell, the present invention incorporates the midsole onto the inner liner directly under a rider's foot to provide a level and more stable platform. With the midsole built into the inner liner, there is an improved relationship between the horizontal plane a rider's foot lies in and the horizontal plane of the midsole. When attached in this manner, a rider's foot and the midsole more effectively remain in parallel planes, which improves the overall comfort and performance of sport boot.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole; and    the inner liner including a midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole.    
     
     
         2 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein an outer surface of the midsole includes at least one traction surface to inhibit movement of the inner liner within the outer shell.  
     
     
         3 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the inner liner further includes a support shank secured to the midsole.  
     
     
         4 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the inner liner further includes at least one stabilizer having a base and at least one finger-like stabilizing element that extends outwardly from the base along the flexible upper.  
     
     
         5 . The sport boot of  claim 4 , wherein the base extends upwardly from the midsole along the side of the inner liner.  
     
     
         6 . The sport boot of  claim 5 , wherein the finger-like stabilizing element extends vertically upward from the base and is secured to the flexible upper.  
     
     
         7 . The sport boot of  claim 4 , wherein the base is positioned around the Achilles area of the inner liner.  
     
     
         8 . The sport boot of  claim 4 , wherein the stabilizer resists inversion and eversion.  
     
     
         9 . The sport boot of  claim 4 , wherein the stabilizer regulates flexion in the plantar and dorsiflexion plane.  
     
     
         10 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the protective upper includes a water-resistant skin that extends upward from the outsole along a mudguard portion of the outer shell.  
     
     
         11 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein a tongue is affixed to the inner liner, the tongue including a tongue stiffener that regulates plantar flexion of the sport boot.  
     
     
         12 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the inner liner includes a lacing system arranged on the flexible upper.  
     
     
         13 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell includes a water-resistant throat covering having a zipper closure.  
     
     
         14 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the midsole includes a shock absorbing component.  
     
     
         15 . The sport boot of  claim 14 , wherein the shock absorbing component includes at least one pair of inwardly directed hemispherical domes that cooperatively engage one another to absorb shock and provide cushioning.  
     
     
         16 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the inner liner is removably received with the outer shell.  
     
     
         17 . The sport boot of  claim 1 , wherein the inner liner includes a heel hold member.  
     
     
         18 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole; and    the inner liner including a flexible upper and a heel hold member received within the flexible upper.    
     
     
         19 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole, the protective upper including a water-resistant jacket, a water-resistant skin that extends upward from the outsole along a portion of an outer surface of the jacket and a water-resistant vamp covering having a zipper closure; and    the inner liner including a cushioning midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole, the flexible upper including at least one stabilizer having a base and at least one finger-like stabilizing element that extends along a portion of the flexible upper to regulate flexion of the sport boot.    
     
     
         20 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole; and    the inner liner comprising a cushioning midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole, the flexible upper including at least one stabilizer that extends along a portion of the inner liner to regulate flexion of the sport boot, the midsole including a support shank to provide foot support and reduce foot fatigue.    
     
     
         21 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner removeably received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole; and    the inner liner including a cushioning midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole, the inner liner further including at least one stabilizer that extends along a portion of the flexible upper to regulate flexion of the sport boot, a support shank secured to the midsole to provide foot support and reduce foot fatigue, and a tongue affixed to the flexible upper, the tongue including a tongue stiffener that further regulates flexion of the sport boot.    
     
     
         22 . A sport boot comprising: 
 an outer shell and an inner liner removeably received within the outer shell;    the outer shell including an outsole and a protective upper affixed to the outsole, the protective upper including a water-resistant jacket, a water-resistant skin that extends upward from the outsole along a portion of an outer surface of the jacket and a water-resistant vamp covering having a zipper closure; and    the inner liner including a cushioning midsole and a flexible upper affixed to the midsole, the inner liner further including at least one stabilizer having at least one finger-like stabilizing element that resists inversion and eversion of the sport boot and regulates flexion of the sport boot in the plantar and dorsiflexion plane, a support shank secured to the midsole to provide foot support and reduce foot fatigue, at least one traction surface on an outer surface of the midsole to inhibit movement of the inner liner relative to the outer shell, and a tongue affixed to the flexible upper that includes a tongue stiffener for further regulating plantar flexion of the sport boot.    
     
     
         23 . The sport boot of  claim 22 , wherein at least one of the water-resistant jacket and water-resistant skin are generally water-proof.