Ski boot

Abstract

A ski boot includes a cuff and a lower shell mutually coupled to define a substantially rigid support structure, and a liner defined to receive the foot of a user positioned inside the rigid support structure. The support structure has first and second end portions mutually slidable between a first initial position and a second operative position so as to vary the configuration of the ski boot. The ski boot further includes a plurality of elements for the connection of the end portions, and a single lever that can be maneuvered by the user and is connected with the connection elements, so that the action of the lever allows the displacement of the first and the second end portions from the first to the second position. The single actuation lever can be selectively actuated by the user and is configured to act simultaneously on all connection elements.

1 . A ski boot comprising:
 a cuff and a lower shell mutually coupled to define a substantially rigid support structure;   a liner designed to receive a foot of a user, said liner being positionable inside said support structure, the support structure having a first end portion and a second end portion mutually slidable between a first initial position and a second operative position so as to vary a mutual distance between the first and the second position and thus a configuration of the ski boot;   a plurality of connection elements for an operative connection of said first and said second end portions; and   a single lever selectively actuatable by the user, which is operatively connected with said plurality of connection elements so that an action of the single lever allows a sliding of said first and said second end portions from said first initial position to said second operative position;   wherein each of the connection elements of said plurality comprises a pair of mutually engeagable male and female elements, each female element being anchored to one of said first and second end portions, the male element being operatively connected to another one of said first and second end portions, a plurality of tensioners being interposed between each of said male elements and said single lever, so that said single lever acts simultaneously on all connection elements of said plurality.   
     
     
         2 . The ski boot according to the  claim 1 , further comprising guide means for said tensioners so as to guide a movement of the tensioners upon the sliding of said first and said second end portions. 
     
     
         3 . The ski boot according to the  claim 2 , wherein said support structure comprises a plurality of grooves and/or a plurality of idlers for said tensioners defining said guide means. 
     
     
         4 . The ski boot according to  claim 2 , wherein said male and said female elements are mutually engeagable in a plurality of initial positions each having a different predetermined distance between said first and said second end portions to define said plurality of initial positions. 
     
     
         5 . The ski boot according to the  claim 4 , wherein said male element is a hook, and said female element comprises a plurality of grooves for said hook, the hook being alternatively removably engageable in any one of said grooves. 
     
     
         6 . The ski boot according to  claim 4 , wherein said female element comprises an abutment element, said male element comprising,
 a first end configured to abut against said abutment element,   a second opposite end coupled with said tensioner, and   a pair of screw-lead-screw elements interposed between said first and said second ends to vary distance between said second opposite end and said abutment element so as to define said plurality of initial positions of said first and said second end portions.   
     
     
         7 . The ski boot according to  claim 4 , further comprising safety means for preventing a mutual disengagement of said male and said female elements. 
     
     
         8 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said single lever is displaceable between one first working position corresponding to said first initial position of said first and said second end portions and at least two working positions corresponding respectively to said second operative position and a third operative position of said first and second end portions. 
     
     
         9 . The ski boot according to  claim 8 , wherein said single lever is a ratchet so that said first and said second end portions are mutually sliding between said first initial position and a plurality of said second operative positions. 
     
     
         10 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said support structure has a rear area that is openable to allow for an insertion/removal of said liner into/from the support structure. 
     
     
         11 . The ski boot according to  claim 10 , wherein said rear area is rotatably coupled to said lower shell to rotate between an open position, in which said rear area allows the insertion/removal of said liner into/from said support structure and a closed position, in which said rear area is integrally joined with said lower shell and/or said cuff to define said rigid support structure. 
     
     
         12 . The ski boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said rear area comprises a perimeter gasket so that when said rear area is in the closed position, said support structure is sealed against water and snow. 
     
     
         13 . The ski boot according to  claim 10 , further comprising locking means for the selective locking of said rear area with said lower shell and/or said cuff, said locking means being selectively actuatable by the user to allow/prevent an opening of the rear area. 
     
     
         14 . The ski boot according to  claim 13 , wherein said locking means comprise a pair of push-buttons or levers to be actuated simultaneously to allow the user to release said locking means. 
     
     
         15 . The ski boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said liner comprises a rigid sole to allow the user to walk. 
     
     
         16 . The ski boot according to the  claim 15 , wherein said liner comprises closing laces to allow the user to insert/remove the foot into/from the liner.