Abstract:
This invention provides a novel elevated toe device system that allows the wearer&#39;s toes to be elevated to a perpendicular or approaching a perpendicular orientation relative to the line of gravity and undertake activities, such as downhill skiing, with a greater amount of control of the skis and/or snowboard as a result of the elevated toes. The conventional systems do not make use of the natural qualities of the foot. On a downward slope, the device permits the wearer to enjoy the dynamics of the foot and assume a stance that presents less strain on the foot while accentuating maneuverability. The device can be a preset system, in which the wearer can interchange devices of different angular orientations to modify the posture of the toes, or adjustable. In an alternate embodiment, the device can be provided so that the surface under the big toe presents an elevated angular orientation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/515,584, filed Aug. 5, 2011, entitled BOOT WITH MODIFIED ORIENTATION IN TOE REGION, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to boots for use with winter sports and mountaineering, and more particularly to structures provided at the toe region of such boots. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     For many thousands of years, people have been going up and down mountains. Since people began wearing shoes for this activity, the footwear has evolved. In skiing, footwear has changed from skin boots filled with fur, felt or grass to modern cast polymer shells enclosing a padded liner. The sole of the boot can be rigid along its length or more flexible for different types of skiing. In mountaineering, old hobnail leather boots have given way to modern leather or polymer constructions with a treaded sole of rubber compounds or polymers. 
     The foot is a complex mechanical appendage. The human foot consists of 26 bones and is arranged into several regions. The heel region consists of the heel and ankle bones. The midfoot has five irregular bones and describes an arch, that in combination with ligaments and muscles serves as a shock absorber. The forefoot consists of the long metatarsal bones and the toes. The region of the bottom of the foot where the toes meet the metatarsal bones is a padded feature referred to as the ball of the foot. 
     Unlike the padded paws of dogs or the hoofed feet of horses, the human foot is remarkably versatile and is equally good as a platform upon which a person can steady themselves to lift great weights, or limber enough for someone to scale a great coconut tree to retrieve fruits from the treetop. The human foot can be controlled to become a rigid pivot for a ballerina or as a flat sensitive surface for a high speed race car driver, through which vibrations and feedback can be detected. 
     The toes are essential for human locomotion such as walking, running and jumping. The toes are where the forward motion of a human being is energized by transferring energy from the toes to the ground. The human toe has a normal range of motion between eighty degrees above the horizontal prone position and a downward range of twenty degrees. Runners dig in their toes with an upward bend of up to eighty degrees then explode from the line and accelerate by using the toes to apply downward pressure on the ground. This downward pressure is maximized as the toes approach eighty degrees of flexure and is released as the toes return to the prone position. The toes are sufficiently strong enough to withstand the forces involved. Sprinters rely on the flexure of the front of the foot for control, comfort, speed and acceleration. Boxers tend to balance on their toes for optimal maneuvering. The overall flexibility, design and strength of the human foot are performance enhancing assets and essential for control. 
     In downhill skiing, snowboarding and mountaineering, the boot sole is inflexible, reducing the inherent performance of the foot by restricting toe flexibility. The only toe flexibility possibility is from curling the toes downward to twenty degrees below the prone position. These boots do not permit upwards flexure to eighty degrees and therefore prevent a maximization and optimization of downward toe pressure. 
     By way of further background,  FIG. 1  is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional ski boot  100 , in which the lower shell of the boot  102  has been cut away to expose the inner liner  104  and a representative foot  106 . The toe region  108 , ball of the foot region  110  and the heel  112  (not shown) are coplanar and parallel to the line of the horizontal plane HP 1  relative to the ski (not shown), whether going downhill or on the level. This is not an optimal use of the foot because the toes are not able to be flexed upwards toward eighty degrees relative to the center of gravity. 
       FIG. 2  is a side view of a representative foot  200 , showing the range of possible flexure of the toes  202 , from the center of the ball of the foot region  204 . The toes can be flexed upwards from the horizontal plane HP 2  through an arc of motion  206  to a maximum angular toe orientation  208  relative to the horizontal plane HP 2  that describes an elevated angle of eighty degrees (80°). In a similar fashion, the angular toe orientation  210  describes an elevated angle of sixty-five degrees (65°). The angular toe orientation  212  describes an elevated angle of forty-five degrees (45°). The angular toe orientation  214  describes an elevated angle of thirty degrees (30°). The angular toe orientation  216  describes an elevated angle of fifteen degrees (15°). The angular toe orientation  218  describes an elevated angle of ten degrees (10°). The angular toe orientation  220  describes a declining angle of fifteen degrees (15°) below the horizontal plane HP 2 . These elevations and declinations are representative of the multiple orientations of the toes in their normal full range of motion. This vast range of possible toe positions is essential for human movement, whether as a sprinter, rock climber or a dancer. But conventional ski boots prevent the toes from flexing to the optimal position for applying downward pressure by locking the toes in the prone position. 
     It is desirable, therefore, to provide a structure that is either removable, adjustable or integral to the boot system, which allows for reorientation of the toes so that they are better positioned to carry out the tasks of either skiing, snowboarding or mountaineering going downhill on inclined terrain. This structure and the associated functionality it provides will make possible the increased use of the toes in skiing and/or mountaineering for greater control, comfort and safety. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a novel elevated toe device or inclined base system mounted in the toe box region of the boot that allows the wearer&#39;s toes to be elevated to a perpendicular or approaching a perpendicular orientation relative to the line of gravity while undertaking activities, such as downhill skiing, with a greater amount of control of the skis and/or snowboard as a result of the elevated toes. The wearer is defined as the person wearing the boot(s). Unlike the conventional systems, that maintain the toes in a flattened prone position and does not make use of the natural qualities of the foot, on a downward slope. The elevated toe device or base of the illustrative embodiments herein permits the wearer to enjoy the dynamics of the foot and assume a stance that presents less strain on the foot while accentuating maneuverability in line over the center of gravity. The elevated toe device can be a preset system, in which the wearer can interchange elevated toe devices of different angular orientations to modify the posture of the toes, or adjustable. In an alternate embodiment, the elevated toe device can be provided so that the surface under the big toe presents an elevated angular orientation. 
     In an illustrative embodiment the system and method generally defines a boot with a modified toe region used by a wearer to traverse a declined surface. In general, the result of the use of the elevated toe device is that the wearer can apply greater downward pressure on the skis, thereby controlling the skis much better than with a conventional boot. The boot is equipped with a base that is located in the toe region. The base is constructed and arranged to bias the toes of the wearer into an upwardly elevated orientation that is adapted to conform to a slope of the inclined surface so as to provide improved control while traversing that inclined surface. The base can be part of an elevated toe device located in the toe region, and the elevated toe device can be formed as part of an inner liner or can be a plate that is built integrally with the sole of the boot. The base can define an adjustable plate that moves between a plurality of inclined angular orientations so as to variably position the toes at a plurality of angles with respect to a midfoot region. The base can be a wedge-shaped insert that is placed within the inner boot liner, built into the liner or placed under the liner. Removable inserts can be furnished as part of a kit that includes a plurality of inserts, each with a different angular orientation, The toe region of the boot can illustratively include a space along a topside thereof that is constructed and arranged to provide clearance for the toes in the upwardly elevated orientation 
     In another embodiment, the elevated toe device can be a plate that is connected to an adjustment mechanism that allows the toe angular orientation to be conveniently modified without having to interchange elevated toe devices. The elevated toe device can be adjusted by an air bladder that raises and lowers within the boot by pneumatic inflation and deflation. The elevated toe device can have a plate that includes a click mechanism and a plurality of inter-engaging slots that allow adjustment of the toe device. The elevated toe device can be constructed and arranged to provide a preset angular orientation relative to the elevation of the toes. The elevated toe device can be constructed and arranged to define a shape that positions a big toe of the wearer so that it has a different angular orientation than the rest one of the other toes on the same foot. The adjustable plate can move between a plurality of elevations so as to variably position the toes at a plurality of degrees of elevation with respect to the prevailing angle of the ski trail and is adjusted by a transverse mounted screw mechanism that is rotated by a wrench interacting with a conforming receiving structure on the screw. The toe plate can be raised and lowered with the boot by a motor (e.g. an electric motor) that is operated by, for example, control buttons located on the exterior of the boot or by remote control. 
     The adjustment of the elevated toe device can include preset or variable settings. Indicia can be provided that are gradated in numbers, letters or symbols. It is contemplated that with the rise in popularity of this system that ski areas will assign suggested relevant elevated toe device settings for each recreational slope to maximize the experience. 
     Additionally, the elevated toe device can be employed in Telemark-style ski boots, snow board boots and mountaineer boots for the same purpose of elevating the toes. The elevated toe device can also be employed in these activities as part of physical therapy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention description below refers to the accompanying drawings, of which: 
         FIG. 1 , already described, is a partial cross-sectional view of a conventional ski boot in which the toes and midfoot regions of the foot are trapping and held flat inside the boot according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 2 , already described, is a side view of a representative foot showing the range of possible motion of the toes and angular orientations according to the prior art; 
         FIG. 3  is a frontal view of the illustrative elevated toes device, detailing various dimensions according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevated perspective view of the elevated toe device of  FIG. 3  according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the bottom of the elevated toe device of  FIG. 3  according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative ski boot that depicts the elevated toe device placed within the boot liner according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a view of the ski boot and elevated toe device of  FIG. 6  as presented on a downward slope according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative ski boot that depicts the elevated toe device placed beneath the boot liner according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative ski boot that depicts the elevated toe device built into the boot liner according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device and having a bulbous raised toe region according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device and having a sloped raised toe region according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device and having a pointed raised toe region according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a partial cross-sectional view of an illustrative ski boot that depicts an elevated toe device in which one toe is elevated at a different angular orientation from the rest according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevated perspective view of the elevated toe device of  FIG. 13  according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device plate that is adjustable by operation of a screw mechanism that is set into the bottom of the boot according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 16  is an bottom view of the toe region of the boot of  FIG. 15 , depicting the operative head of the screw mechanism according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 17  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device plate that is adjustable by operation of a screw mechanism that is transverse and set into the side of the boot according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device plate that is adjustable by operation of a pneumatic bladder according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 19  is a side view of an illustrative ski boot containing an elevated toe device plate that is adjustable by operation of a click and slot system that is built into the front of the boot according to an illustrative embodiment; 
         FIG. 20  is an elevated perspective view of the toe plate of  FIG. 19  according to an illustrative embodiment; and 
         FIG. 21  is a front view of the toe of the boot of  FIG. 19  according to an illustrative embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 3  shows an illustrative elevated toe device  300  for modifying the toe orientation within a ski boot according to an illustrative embodiment. The illustrative elevated toe device is depicted having an angular orientation A of approximately twenty-two and a half degrees (22.5°) of elevation relative to the horizontal plane HP 3 . In alternate embodiments, the elevated toe device can be furnished with a steeper degree of elevation or less elevation. The elevated toe device  300  is shown with a bottom length BL 1  of approximately 70 mm, a height H 1  of approximately 30 mm and a slope length SL 1  of approximately 80 mm. These dimensions are illustrative only and will vary depending on the particular angular orientation and relative to the size of a wearer&#39;s toe region. Human toes vary greatly in length, and longer toes will need a proportionally larger elevated toe device than shorter toes, and vice-versa. The elevated toe device can be fashioned from shaped wood products, polymers or any other material that provides a rigid surface. The elevated toe devices can be insulated to reduce cold conductivity. The elevated toe device  300  is placed within a ski boot liner, under a ski boot liner, within a ski boot liner or molded into the boot shell, as will be described more fully below. The weight of the elevated toe device  300  depends on the material(s) of which it is constructed and will weigh between approximately 2 to 16 ounces. It is expressly contemplated that a plurality of interchangeable elevated toe devices of various preset angular orientations can be provided as part of a kit, to provide for variations in the elevation of the toes. It is also contemplated that an elevated toe device can be provided with an internal adjustment mechanism that can provide for removable of a device, adjustment of the angular orientation and re-installation for use. 
       FIG. 4  shows the elevated toe device  300  of  FIG. 3 . The elevated toe device  300  is furnished with a straight back edge  402  and a curved front edge  404 . The curvature of the front edge  404  is shaped relative to the curvature of the inside of a ski boot. The sloped upper surface  406  of the elevated toe device  300  is depicted as a flat surface. In alternate embodiments, it can be contoured to the underside of the wearer&#39;s toes. The upper surface  406  can also be provided with a layer of an elastomeric polymer (according to either a novel or conventional formulation) in order to cushion the bottom of the foot. It is expressly contemplated that the elevated toe device can be fabricated from polymers, foams, recycled materials or other materials that create a similar structure. 
       FIG. 5  shows of the elevated toe device  300  of  FIG. 3 , showing the bottom surface  502 . The bottom surface  502  is depicted herein as flat, but in an alternate embodiment it can be concave or hollow. 
       FIG. 6  is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary ski boot  600 , in which the lower shell of the boot system  601  has been cut away to expose the inner liner  602  and a representative foot  603 . The elevated toe device  604  is provided according to the elevated toe device  300  described above. Elevated toe device  604  is seated inside the liner  602  according to this embodiment. Alternatively, as set forth below, the elevated toe device can be placed inside or below the liner. The back edge  606  is arranged such that it makes contact with the region of the ball of the foot  608 . The upper surface  610  of the elevated toe device slopes to make contact with the underside surface  612  of the toes  614 . The angular orientation A 2  of the elevated toe device  604  is depicted herein as approximately thirty degrees (30°) above the horizontal plane HP 4 . 
     The top surface  620  of the boot  600  is raised over the boot toe  622  and concave in the midfoot region  624  behind the toe. This raised portion is to accommodate the presence of the elevated toe device  602  and the elevation of the toes that results therefrom. The raised aspect of the toe will be described more fully below. 
       FIG. 7  shows the boot system  601  of  FIG. 6  above, in which a skier  700  is going downhill on a slope  702 . The enlarged inset  704  depicts the toe region of the boot system  601  in greater detail. The angle of the slope AS is variable. The angular orientation AW of the elevated toe device  604  elevates the toe region  614  such that it is not parallel to the plane of the slope  702  and is approaching an orientation that is almost parallel to the horizontal plane HP 5 . This orientation is approaching a point where the toes are elevated to 90 degrees, that is perpendicular to the line of gravity. By placing the toes in this elevated orientation, the toe device allows the wearer to exert a greater downward pressure through the toes to the skis than is possible in conventional ski boots, with the resulting greater speed and control. 
     Because the prevailing angle of the slope AS is variable, the plane of the elevated toe device WP 1  is variable. The relative orientation of the toes  614  to the slope can be described as the difference between the slope angle AS and the angle of the elevated toe device AW, and is expressed by the equation AS-AW. When this difference is low, the control and comfort are improved. As the difference increases, the benefits remain, but the results will diminish as a slope approaches vertical and the elevated toe device approaches a very low angle. The optimal degree of toe elevation is the exact elevation of the ski course slope. 
     Where a ski course slope is steep (for example, over forty-five degrees), an elevated toe device having a greater orientation angle approaching the angle of the ski slope can provide a different experience from a conventional boot, with more control and comfort. Unlike conventional ski boots, that lock the foot in to a flat orientation and prevent any toe elevation, the elevated toe device  604  provides both the fine and greater control that the elevated toes provide and the improved comfort to the foot. 
     The elevated toe device  604  as depicted in  FIGS. 6 and 7  above is shown as an exchangeable insert into a boot liner  602 . In this embodiment, it is contemplated that the wearer can place the insert inside the surface of the bottom  630  of the liner. The insert is a removable elevated toe device. The bottom surface  632  of the elevated toe device can be secured by various securements, including a hook and loop system, snap locks or an adhesive. This provides an interchangeability of elevated toe devices having different angular orientations, so that the elevation of the toes can be adjusted to conform to the prevailing slope of the trail. For example, if a skier desires to change inserts from a lower angular orientation to a higher angular orientation to ensure a more controlled skiing experience on the same slope. Alternatively, the insert  604  can be provided at an average elevation and permanently affixed to the inside of the liner. 
     In an alternate embodiment,  FIG. 8  is a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary ski boot  800 , in which the toe region  802  has been cut away to expose the inner liner  804  and an elevated toe device  806  that is positioned below the liner, such that the elevated toe device is sited between the bottom  808  of the liner  804  and the inner surface  810  of the toe region  802  of the boot. The elevated toe device can be permanently mounted or removable. 
     In another alternate embodiment,  FIG. 9  shows a partial cross-sectional view of an exemplary ski boot  900 , in which the toe region  902  has been cut away to expose the inner liner  904  and an elevated toe device  906  that has been incorporated into the toe of the boot liner&#39;s structure. In this embodiment, an elevated toe device having a fixed elevation has been inserted into the toe of the liner during the manufacturing process. It is expressly contemplated that the elevated toe device can be molded into the boot shell at a preset angular elevation that causes the toes in the boot liner to be elevated. 
     While the introduction of an elevated toe device into the toe of a conventional ski boot is possible where the elevated toe device has a minimal angular orientation of about one degree of elevation, a revised boot geometry will be desirable to accommodate the raised toes.  FIG. 10  is a side view of a boot  1000  with an elevated toe device system  1002  (shown in broken lines), according to an illustrative embodiment. The toe box portion  1004  is raised and the topside of the midfoot region  1006  is concave. The raised toe box is necessary to provide space for the raised toe region of the wearer&#39;s foot. The raised toe box also provides for the necessary toe pressure in the elevated configuration that enhances both control and the enjoyment of the activity. It is expressly contemplated that the toe region  1004  of the boot can be fashioned of a different colored material, a different material or includes lighting effects that identify the boot as containing an elevated toe device and thereby serve to promote awareness of the system. 
       FIG. 11  shows a boot  1100  with an elevated toe device  1102  (shown in broken lines), according to an illustrative embodiment. The top surface  1004  of the toe portion  1106  is uniformly tapered from the junction  1108  of the toe portion  1106  and the upper portion  1110 , to the front  1112  of the boot. This raised portion serves the same purpose as set forth in  FIG. 10  above, but avoids a concavity and provides for more-straightforward and/or cost-effective manufacturing techniques. 
       FIG. 12  shows a boot  1200  with an elevated toe device  1202  (shown in broken lines), according to another illustrative embodiment. This embodiment depicts a boot in which the toe region  1204  is raised to accommodate the presence of the elevated toe device and rises to a point  1206  so that the shape of the boot is unusual and more identifiable as containing an elevated toe device. The raised point  1206  creates an additional space in the boot that can function as an air pocket to trap warmth, house a camera, a ventilation system or other devices. It is expressly contemplated that the raised toe can be decorated, of a different color than the remaining boot or be fitted to include lighting effects. 
     The shape of the elevated toe device can be modified such that the big toe of the wearer&#39;s foot has a different angular alignment from the other toes on the same foot.  FIG. 13  is a side view of a boot  1300  with an elevated toe device  1302 , according to an alternate embodiment. In this embodiment, the big toe  1304  is raised relative to the rest of the toes  1306  and in a different angular orientation. In this example, the angular orientation of the big toe ABT is greater than the angular orientation of the remaining toes AT. 
       FIG. 14  shows the elevated toe device  1302  described in  FIG. 13  above and describes a relatively higher elevation  1402  for the big toe that is more than the rest of the toes  1404 . 
     The foregoing has described a toe elevated toe device for a boot in which the elevated toe device is either fixed or removable for the purpose of changing the orientation of the toe angles.  FIGS. 15 to 21  below describe embodiments in which the wearer can adjust the toe elevation comfortably on the slopes using various systems and devices. This allows a wearer to adapt the toe angles to meet different skiing challenges and slope angles. 
       FIG. 15  shows a boot  1500  with a movable pivoting toe plate  1502 , according to an illustrative embodiment. The toe plate  1502  functions as the elevated toe devices as set forth above and is secured at a pivot point  1504  where it is either connected to the rest of the boot by a flap, hinge or similar feature. A screw mechanism  1506  rotates to raise the toe plate  1502  to elevated positions  1508 ,  1510  that present greater angular orientations. As noted above, on a steeper slope, a higher angular orientation might be desired. To do so, the wearer adjusts the elevation by rotating the screw mechanism  1506 , causing the toe plate to rise or lower. It is desirable that the screw mechanism hold the toe plate securely in the designated elevation. 
       FIG. 16  shows the front of the boot  1500  of  FIG. 15  and the screw mechanism  1506  for the toe plate  1502  (shown in broken lines). The elevation setting indicia markings  1602  are depicted as numbers, but it is expressly contemplated that multiple settings can be depicted and that the numbers can be substituted with symbols depicting trail ratings (e.g., black diamonds, blue squares and the like). It is further contemplated that popularity of this system can inspire ski areas to provide recommended toe plate settings for a ski trail in the form of “dial settings”. Slot  1508  can accommodate various rotation systems, for example, a screw driver head, ski pole or suitable coin. 
       FIG. 17  depicts a boot  1700  with a pivoting toe plate  1702 , according to an illustrative embodiment. The toe plate  1702  functions as the toe plate  1502  above, but is actuated by a transverse mounted screw mechanism  1704  that is rotated by means of an wrench (not shown) and features a conforming wrench socket  1706  (or another tool for rotating a threaded member). It is contemplated that any wrench system that has a conforming receiving structure can be used. The side of the boot  1708  can include elevation setting indicia markings of the type described above. 
       FIG. 18  is a side view of a boot  1800  with a pivoting toe plate  1802 , according to an illustrative embodiment. In this embodiment, the angular orientation of the toe plate  1802  is adjusted by an air bladder  1804  that resides under the toe plate. The elevation is modified by increasing or decreasing the air pressure. An air hose  1806  is placed under the liner (not shown) and connects to a nozzle  1808  sited above the heel  1810  of the boot. It is contemplated that wearers can carry a portable air pump (not shown) in their pocket to engage with the nozzle  1808  to increase the air pressure and the relative toe angle, or to release the nozzle and reduce the pressure in the bladder  1804  to decrease the toe angle. It is expressly contemplated that other gases can be substituted for air in different applications, such as helium, nitrogen, oxygen or carbon dioxide, and that the air pump can contain a disposable or re-fillable pre-charged canister of the filling gas. 
       FIG. 19  is a side view of a boot  1900  with a pivoting toe plate  1902 , according to the illustrative embodiment. The angular orientation of toe device plate  1902  is adjusted by action of a click mechanism  1904  and a plurality of inter-engaging slots  1906 . In this embodiment, four elevated positions  1908  for toe plate are depicted, each with a corresponding slot  1906 . It is expressly contemplated that there can be more or less positions  1908 , with a corresponding number of slots  1906 . It is further contemplated that each slot can feature indicia that express a number, letter or symbol that relates to that setting. The wearer is able to manually disengage the click mechanism  1904 , raise or lower it to respectively increase or decrease the elevation. 
       FIG. 20  shows the toe plate  1902  of  FIG. 19  and depicts the related click mechanism  1904  and a connecting stem  2000 . 
       FIG. 21  shows the front of the boot  1900  of  FIG. 19  and depicts the positional slots  1906 , the pass through slot  2100  that allows the connecting stem  2000  to join the exterior mounted click mechanism with the toe plate (not shown). The slots  1906  reside within a recess  2102  that is wide enough to accommodate the click mechanism and prevents it from protruding too far from the profile of the boot, that might result in its damage or loss. 
     It should be clear that the elevated toe device or base structure according to the various embodiments herein provides a substantial improvement over conventional boot arrangements. The adjustability of the system in various embodiments allows the wearer to customize his or her boot to the prevailing slope of a ski trail. This ensures a better skiing, riding or similar experience. 
     The foregoing has been a detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the invention. Various modifications and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention. Each of the various embodiments described above can be combined with other described embodiments in order to provide multiple features. Furthermore, while the foregoing describes a number of separate embodiments of the apparatus and method of the present invention, what has been described herein is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the present invention. For example, the top of the toe region of the boot can be removable to access the elevated toe device, that can be secured to the inside sole of the boot by threaded bolts. The elevated toe device can be emplaced into the toe of a telemark-style ski boot, mountaineer boot or snow board boot, according the system and methods set forth above. The elevated toe device can be used in these sports as part of rehabilitative physical therapy. The elevated toe device and/or the region of the boot around the elevated toe device can be provided with an electric or chemical heat generator. The elevated toe device adjustment can be actuated by means of an electrically-driven mechanism and controlled either by an external activator button or remote control. In addition, where the elevated toe device is a removable structure, a kit of elevated toe devices having an assortment of angles can be provided. The appropriate elevated toe device is selected and installed by the wearer based upon conformance to a particular incline of a slope to-be-traversed by the wearer. Accordingly, this description is meant to be taken only by way of example, and not to otherwise limit the scope of this invention.