Boot with improved tightening of upper

Abstract

A boot including a sole and an upper, the boot extending length-wise from a heel to a front end, and height-wise from the sole to an upper end, the boot having an opening for foot insertion, and including a lateral portion, a medial portion, as well as a tightening device, the tightening device including a first linkage, a second linkage, as well as connections of the linkages to the upper. The first linkage runs from one portion to the other, in the area of the instep. The second linkage passes through an initial sliding connection located on one of the portions, then through a first intermediate sliding connection located on the other portion, then extends along the upper by going around the heel, between the sole and the upper end, so as to arrive at a fixed end connection located on that of the portions which carries the initial connection.

1 . A boot comprising:
 an external sole;   an upper;   a length extending from a rear of a heel to a front end, and a height extending from a lower part of the sole to an upper end of the upper;   the upper comprising:
 an opening for foot insertion; 
 a lateral portion; 
 a medial portion; 
 a tightening including a first linkage, a second linkage, and connections for securing the linkages to the upper; 
 the first linkage running from an instep area of one of the lateral and medial portions to another of the lateral and medial portions; 
 the second linkage passing through an initial sliding connection located on one the lateral and medial portions, then through a first intermediate sliding connection located on another of the lateral and medial portions, then extending along the upper by extending around the heel, height-wise between the external sole and the upper end of the upper, and to a fixed end connection located on the one of the lateral and medial portions which carries the initial sliding connection. 
   
     
     
         2 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the tightening device includes a series of lateral connections, a series of medial connections, a first intermediate connection located on the lateral portion of the upper, and an end connection located on the medial portion of the upper.   
     
     
         3 . A boot according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the lateral portion of the upper has a lateral edge, which demarcates the opening of the upper in an area of a lateral side;   the lateral connections are affixed to the upper in the area of the lateral edge;   the medial portion of the upper has a medial edge demarcating the opening of the upper in an area of a medial side;   the medial connections are affixed to the upper in the area of the medial edge;   the first intermediate connection is located height-wise between the lateral sole and the opening;   the end connection is located between the external sole and the opening.   
     
     
         4 . A boot according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 a first of the lateral connections is located in a vicinity of the upper end of the boot;   a remainder of the lateral connections successively extend in a direction toward the front end;   a first of the medial connections is located in a vicinity of the upper end of the boot;   a remainder of the medial connections successively extend in a direction toward the front end;   length-wise, the first intermediate connection is arranged between the upper end and the front end; and   length-wise, the end connection is at a front of the heel.   
     
     
         5 . A boot according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 height-wise, the first intermediate connection is located between the sole and the lateral edge; and   height-wise, the end connection is farther from the sole than the intermediate connection, but not as far from the sole as the first medial connection.   
     
     
         6 . A boot according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the series of lateral connections successively includes a first connection, a second connection, a third connection, and a fourth connection, the lateral connections being sliding connections;   the series of medial connections successively includes a first connection, a second connection, a third connection, and a fourth connection, the first, second, and third medial connections being sliding connections, the fourth connection being fixed.   
     
     
         7 . A boot according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the first linkage successively extends through the first lateral connection, the second medial connection, the third lateral connection, the third medial connection, and the fourth lateral connection, and then arriving at the fourth medial connection;   the second linkage successively extends through the first medial or initial connection, the second lateral connection, and then the first intermediate connection, and then arriving at the end connection.   
     
     
         8 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the initial sliding connection and the end connection are arranged on the medial portion of the boot.   
     
     
         9 . A boot according to  claims 6 , wherein:
 the fixed fourth connection is arranged below the lacing zone and on a side of the front end.   
     
     
         10 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first linkage includes a lace strand;   the second linkage includes a lace strand extended by a strap.   
     
     
         11 . A boot according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a mechanism for fastening the boot to a sports apparatus.   
     
     
         12 . A boot according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a flap for covering a lower portion of the opening.   
     
     
         13 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the opening is structured and arranged to expand farther when the linkages are loose, compared to prior art boots.   
     
     
         14 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the upper comprises a top portion extending above a wearer's ankle, and a bottom portion;   at least the upper comprises a flexible material;   the first and second linkages are adapted to be selectively moved to a tightened state and a slackened state;   at least flexibility of the flexible material of the top portion of the upper, coupled with the second linkage being in the slackened state, comprise means for expanding the opening for foot insertion, whereby the flexible material of the top portion of the upper flexes rearwardly during said slackened state of the second linkage.