A tightening device for tightening an article includes an elongate panel that is positionable about the article. The elongate panel has a proximal end and a distal end. A tensioning mechanism is coupled with the proximal end of the elongate panel. The tightening device also includes a tension member that is operably coupled with the tensioning mechanism so that an operation of the tensioning mechanism adjusts a tension of the tension member. The tightening device further includes at least one guide member that is coupled with the elongate panel between the proximal end and the distal end. The tension member is operable with the at least one guide member so that the tension member is routed about the article and along a portion of the elongate panel.

The invention relates to a ski boot with an element in shell form, which at least partially consists of a plastics compound material, wherein the compound material comprises a mixture of caprolactam polyamide and ionomers, and to a method for the production thereof, such that cations and anions of the ionomers form ion bonds, wherein elastic components of the compound material form a physical network that is soluble between 60° C. and 100° C., and so the element in shell form of the ski boot that at least partially consists of the compound material can undergo thermoforming below 100° C.

The invention relates to a ski boot with an element in shell form, which at least partially consists of a plastics compound material, wherein the compound material comprises a mixture of caprolactam polyamide and ionomers, and to a method for the production thereof, such that cations and anions of the ionomers form ion bonds, wherein elastic components of the compound material form a physical network that is soluble between 60° C. and 100° C., and so the element in shell form of the ski boot that at least partially consists of the compound material can undergo thermoforming below 100° C.

Sport footwear for practicing winter sports comprising a shell (11) made of a first thermoplastic material and comprising a toe coupling projection (12) at the front and a heel coupling projection (13) at the back, configured to couple releasably to the bindings of a ski or snowboard. The sport footwear comprises at least a coupling projection protection cover (15, 16) releasably attached on at least one of, or both, said toe coupling projection (12) and heel coupling projection (13), and said at least one coupling projection protection cover (15,16) is made of a second thermoplastic material.

In one example, a ski boot includes a plastic shell, a boot liner partly received within the plastic shell, and the boot liner including a tongue having an upper edge, and a dynamic support strap. The dynamic support strap includes a band connected to the plastic shell, and a restraint element connected to the band, the restraint element including a wall and a lip that together define an undercut area behind the wall, and the undercut area is configured and arranged to receive a portion of the upper edge of the tongue when the restraint element is operably positioned with respect to the tongue.

A leg-driven cleaning system embodying cleaning footwear device fluidly connected to cleaning solution is provided. The cleaning footwear includes cleaning bristles along an underside thereof, as well as a nozzle adjacent to the underside for selectively applying the cleaning solution while a wearer of the cleaning footwear device utilizes their leg strength to wipe their feet to scrub their carpet clean. The leg-driven cleaning system does not take up much room, is easy to store, is very cost effective, and anyone from the ages seven to ninety can operate.

A performance footwear, apparel or medical accessory product for hot, cold, and all-weather conditions, the performance footwear, apparel or medical accessory product comprised of a series of material layers having: a first layer of a breathable, moisture transfer, antimicrobial inner lining, fabric or nonwoven material or a combination of fabric or nonwoven material; a second layer comprising a breathable, moisture transfer, absorbent, antimicrobial, mechanically bonded, antimicrobial, nonwoven material comprised of shaped, channeled, grooved and lobed synthetic polymer fibers, antimicrobial silver polymer fibers and natural and synthetic, thermal and cooling fibers wherein the fiber combinations naturally provide adjustable thermal regulation; and a third exterior layer comprised of a breathable, antimicrobial woven fabric, knitted fabric, spacer fabric, nonwoven material, leather material or a combination thereof.

Sport boots have an outer shell and an ankle compression system attached to and positioned within the outer shell to apply selective compressive force against an anterior ankle portion of a person's foot when wearing the boot. The ankle compression system includes an ankle compression member positioned forwardly adjacent to the anterior ankle portion and at least one medial positioning band having a lower terminal end immovably fixed to a medial edge portion of the strobel and having an opposite end operatively associated with the ankle compression member. An adjustment lace is connected to the ankle compression member and is operatively connected to a tightening member positioned on a lateral side of the outer shell so that operation of the tightening causes the adjustment lace to forcibly draw the ankle compression member toward and exert a selective compressive force against the anterior ankle portion of the person's foot.

Sport boots have an outer shell and an ankle compression system attached to and positioned within the outer shell to apply selective compressive force against an anterior ankle portion of a person's foot when wearing the boot. The ankle compression system includes an ankle compression member positioned forwardly adjacent to the anterior ankle portion and at least one medial positioning band having a lower terminal end immovably fixed to a medial edge portion of the strobel and having an opposite end operatively associated with the ankle compression member. An adjustment lace is connected to the ankle compression member and is operatively connected to a tightening member positioned on a lateral side of the outer shell so that operation of the tightening causes the adjustment lace to forcibly draw the ankle compression member toward and exert a selective compressive force against the anterior ankle portion of the person's foot.

A method of assembling a boot is provided. The method comprises forming a first layer of insulation material of the boot covering a toe region, a saddle region, and a heel region of the boot; forming a second layer of insulation material of the boot that covers the saddle region and the toe region and does not cover the heel region of the boot; forming a third layer of insulation material that covers the toe region and does not cover the heel region and the saddle region of the boot; and attaching the first, the second, and the third layers of insulation material to an outsole of the boot.