Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – Occupational or athletic shoe
Reissue Patent
1999-07-15
2001-08-14
Patterson, M. D. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
Occupational or athletic shoe
C036S088000, C036S045000, C036S117100, C280S014230
Reissue Patent
active
RE037319
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to footwear and more particularly to a boot assembly for securing a snowboarder's foot to a snowbound or the like and a method of assembling the same.
A snowboard is a single board, akin to a surfboard, that is used to slide down a snow covered slope without the need for skis or ski pates, but with greater agility and control.
To maneuver a snowboard, it is desireable that snowboarders be able to bend their ankles forward and from side to side, much in the same way surfers bend their ankles to maneuver a surfboard. Lateral and forward ankle movements are relatively important for both freestyle (acrobatic) and freeriding (all-terrain) snowboarding.
Conventional boots used for snowboarding, like ski boots, comprise a “hard boot” or hard plastic molded boot shell that restricts movement of the snowboarder's ankles. This hard shell construction is relatively convenient in allowing the snowboarder to use plate bindings for quick release of the boot from the snowboard. However, by restricting ankle movement, maneuverability of the snowboard is limited.
Other boots known as “soft boots” are constructed of a soft, flexible material such as leather, and are typically retrofitted to the snowboard by highback bindings. With highback bindings, two or three buckles must be opened to remove the boot from the snowboard, whereas with plate bindings only one buckle must be opened. Although this construction allows the ankle to move relatively free and thus facilitates maneuverability, highback bindings have been found less convenient than the “hard boot” construction.
The present invention provides an improved boot for snowboarding which comprises a generally rigid lower boot portion and a generally resilient upper bag portion. The lower boot portion extends substantially upwardly from the sole and over the foot, ending 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 Up with plate bindings on a snowboard, the boot is releasably secured thereto.
The present invention is further directed to a method of assembling a boot, which comprises the steps of mounting a generally resilient upper boot portion to a generally rigid lower boot portion, the lower boot portion extending substantially upwardly from the sole, over the foot, and ending proximate to the tarsal bone of the lower ankle; and mounting a calf support member at the heel of the boot relatively perpendicular thereto.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide simple, durable, economical and comfortable footwear for snowboarding which provides both improved snowboard maneuverability and the convenience of plate bindings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3597862 (1971-08-01), Vogel
patent: 3807062 (1974-04-01), Spier
patent: 3854743 (1974-12-01), Hansen
patent: 3984124 (1976-10-01), Gertsch
patent: 4308674 (1982-01-01), Tessaro
patent: 4453727 (1984-06-01), Bourque
patent: 4531309 (1985-07-01), Bandenberg et al.
patent: 4638578 (1987-01-01), Eiteljorg, II
patent: 4707874 (1987-11-01), Champagne
patent: 4741550 (1988-05-01), Dennis
patent: 4979760 (1990-12-01), Derrah
patent: 5044654 (1991-09-01), Meyer
patent: 5193294 (1993-03-01), Pozzobon
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
K-2 Corporation
Patterson M. D.
LandOfFree
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