A locking device for sports footwear is adapted to lock two mutually hinged portions of sports footwear or to release them from each other. The locking device may be used in a ski boot for locking or releasing the shell and cuff relative to each other. The locking device comprises a male member and a female member, which members comprise respective engaging elements adapted to cooperate with each other, and actuating elements for moving the members from a configuration in which the male member is disengaged from the female member to a configuration in which the male member is engaged with the female member. The engaging elements of the male member and/or the engaging elements of the female member have a tapered or conical shape, whereby it is possible to make a coupling without clearance between the male member and the female member when the members are engaged.

A ski boot comprising: a rigid shell which is shaped so as to accommodate the foot of the user, and has a lower part structured to be able to couple to a ski binding device; a rigid cuff which is shaped so as to enclose the lower part of the leg of the user, and is pivotally joined to the shell so as to be able to swing about a rotation axis substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the boot; and a cuff locking device which is located on the cuff and is selectively adapted to rigidly connect the cuff to the shell to prevent the cuff from swinging on the shell; the cuff locking device, in turn, comprising a movable arm which is pivotally joined to the cuff so as to be able to rotate to and from a locking position in which the movable arm extends downwards and arranges its distal end in abutment on an anchorage structure present on said shell, and an elastic assembly which is adapted to bring and elastically retain the movable arm in the locking position, and which basically consists of a telescopic stem that lies substantially on the rotation plane of the movable arm and is interposed between the movable arm and a fixed point on the cuff, and of an elastic opposing member that is fitted on the telescopic stem, and acts on the telescopic stem so as to bring and elastically maintain the telescopic stem in a maximum extension configuration.

An inner shoe for a ski boot has an upper which has a flexible upper material and is connected via an articulated connection to a sleeve. The sleeve is formed of a sleeve material that is harder than the upper material. A ski boot, in particular formed as an alpine ski boot, includes such an inner shoe.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.

A sport footwear includes at least an upper part configured to act as an upper cuff and a lower part acting as a lower shell. The upper part has a pair of opposite and distanced lateral edges. At least one terminal closing mechanism is provided on the lateral edges and at least one other closing mechanism, positioned adjacent to the terminal closing mechanism, which extend frontally astride the lateral edges. The sport footwear includes a single command mechanism configured to drive both of the closing mechanisms at the same time. The command mechanism includes at least one main lever pivoted on a first of the lateral edges. Moreover, the closing mechanisms are each provided with a respective drive end connected to the main lever, near the first of the lateral edges, and with an opposite anchoring end connected to a second of the lateral edges.

An apparatus for automatically adjusting tension on retention member to hold multiple objects together. Examples include using retention apparatus to obtain optimal fit and use of a human wearable item such as article of footwear. Sensors may be used to sense changes in movement of the article of footwear, of the person wearing it, or of a third object such as a vehicle carrying the person. A retention member may surround at least a portion of the objects, and an actuator may be included that automatically rotates a rotating member such as a gear or pulley that may be coupled to the retention member. The rotating member may be configured to automatically adjust tension on the retention member many times per second based on control signals from control logic responsive to the sensors.