Patent GB-988907-A (GB)
Title: Improvement in sports boots
IPC: A43C1/04
Filed: 1962-03-27
Abstract: 988,907. Boots: lacing fastenings. F. FESE. March 27, 1962, No. 11721/62. Headings A3B and A3H.  A boot, for example a ski boot, has an upper with a pair of side portions 1, a saddle-like closing member or tongue 4 in the region of the instep, means detachably anchoring at least one side of the closing member in contact with the upper, the holding means engaging the closing member outside the central region thereof and without crossing over the instep other than at the top and bottom, and reinforcing means so configured as to be adapted only to flex longitudinally in the lengthwise direction of the boot to prevent lateral bending of the foot of a user. Side portions 1 and closing member 4 may form the inner upper of boots provided with two uppers. The Upper U (Figs. 1 and 2) has side portions 1 formed of leather layers 1a, 1b with a foam rubber layer 9 or other padding in between. The closing member 4, extending from the vamp 1h to at least the top edge 1f of the side portions, is similarly constructed but has a pocket 13 into which a spring band 12, of for example steel, plastic, wood or whalebone, fits and is held in position by rivets or the like through holes at the end of the band (Figs. 3 and 4, not shown). A similar band 12a may fit into the heel line 16b. A lace 6 zig-zags through the closed eyelets 5a, 5b on the outside of the member 4 and on the inside of either the flaps 1d or the end of the side portion 1c and passes through the apertures 6c and over the lower end 6d of the member 4. The flaps 1d of the side portions overlap the member 4 and are held in position by a lacing system through hooks 7. The required curvature of the tongue 4 may be obtained by milling or having the tongue divided into two portions 4a1, 4a<SP>11</SP> connected at 18. The tongue 4 may be connected by sewing or other means to the vamp, or may be completely unconnected except for the lacing or it may be connected to a side edge only. In another embodiment, Fig. 5 (not shown), only one flap 1d is provided and it extends from one side around the member 4 to the other front edge 1c and eyelets 5a, 5b are provided on the outside of both the front edge 1c and the end of the flap 1d. The pocket 13 for the band 12 is located on the inside of flap 1d. Alternatively Fig. 6 (not shown), there are no flaps and the tongue 4 is on the outside with eyelets provided on the outside of each side of both the tongue 4 and the edge 1c. In Fig. 7 (not shown) the flaps 1d do not overlap each other while an exterior flap or tongue 1e, with the pocket 13 for the band 12, is provided and covers most of the flaps 1d. Eyelets 5a are provided on the outside of both sides of the flap 1e corresponding with eyelets 5b on flaps 1d. In Figs. 5 and 7 a separate pocket 13a is provided on the outside of the heel line 16b for the band 12a. Fig. 9 illustrates an eyelet which consists of a metal band 20 with the ends 20a, 20b bent together and provided with a bore 21 for a rivet 24 or the like. The diameter of the eyelet opening 20c should be substantially larger than the diameter of the lace while the radius of curvature of the saddle or curved surface 21<SP>1</SP> is preferably smaller than the curvature of the lace through it when the shoe is laced. In Fig. 10, as well as the bore 21 a sleeve 17 is provided which is flexed outward after insertion. In Fig. 11 (not shown) two sleeves 17a, 17b are provided so that the rivets may be dispensed with.