Boot for snowboarding and the like

Abstract

An improved boot for snowboarding. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a generally resilient upper boot portion mounted to a generally rigid lower boot portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ends proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle. A calf support member is mounted at the heel of the boot and relatively perpendicular thereto. A lip extends from the toe and heel of the boot lower portion. Upon cooperation of the lip with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having plate bindings, the boot comprising: 
       a rigid lower boot portion and a one piece resilient upper box portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and over a foot, and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of the boot,  
       a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member,  
       an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member.  
     
     
       2. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having plate bindings, the boot comprising: 
       a rigid lower boot portion and a one piece resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and over a foot, and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of the boot,  
       a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member,  
       an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot,  
       a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member, and  
       an adjustable tongue system for retaining the foot in the boot.  
     
     
       3. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having a bindings for securement of the boot thereto for snowboarding, the boot comprising: 
       
         a rigid lower boot portion and a one piece resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and over a foot, and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       
       
         a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of the boot,  
       
       
         a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member,  
       
       
         an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       
       
         a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member. 
       
     
     
       4. The boot of claim  3  further comprising an adjustable tongue system for retaining the foot in the boot. 
     
     
       5. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having bindings for securement of the boot thereto, the boot comprising: 
       
         a lower boot portion having a rigid portion extending from a first attachment point with said bindings to a heel portion of said lower boot portion and a one piece resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       
       
         a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from said heel portion towards a top portion of said boot;  
       
       
         a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member;  
       
       
         an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       
       
         a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member. 
       
     
     
       6. The boot of claim  5  further comprising an adjustable tongue system for retaining the foot in the boot. 
     
     
       7. The boot of claim  6  wherein the boot is attached to the binding at a second attachment point wherein the first attachment point is distal to the heel portion and the second attachment point is proximal to the heel portion. 
     
     
       8. The boot of claim  5  wherein the boot is attached to the binding at a second attachment point wherein the first attachment point is distal to the heel portion and the second attachment point is proximal to the heel portion. 
     
     
       9. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard, having bindings for securement of the boot thereto, the boot comprising: 
       
         a lower boot portion including a generally rigid portion extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point with said bindings and a resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       
       
         a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of said boot;  
       
       
         a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member;  
       
       
         an adjustable ankle strip mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       
       
         a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member. 
       
     
     
       10. The boot of claim  9  wherein the first attachment point is distal to the heel portion of the lower boot portion and said second attachment point is proximal to the heel portion. 
     
     
       11. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having quick-release bindings for securement of the boot thereto, the boot comprising: 
       
         a lower boot portion including a generally rigid portion extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point with said bindings and a resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       
       
         a calf support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of said boot;  
       
       
         a support seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member;  
       
       
         an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       
       
         a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member. 
       
     
     
       12. An improved boot in combination with a snowboard having bindings on which only a single buckle need be opened to release a boot therefrom, the boot comprising: 
       
         a lower boot portion including a generally rigid portion extending between a first attachment point and a second attachment point with said bindings and a resilient upper boot portion for providing lateral and medial flexing of a user's ankle, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from a sole and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle,  
       
       
         a support member mounted to the lower boot portion and extending from a heel portion towards a top portion of said boot;  
       
       
         seat member mounted to the lower boot portion and supporting the calf support member;  
       
       
         an adjustable ankle strap mounted to the support seat member, the strap extending over and across the forefoot, for holding the user's foot and heel within the boot, and  
       
       
         a means comprising a member for adjusting forward lean of the calf support member.