Patent Description:
More specifically, the present invention relates to an mountaineering ski boot, to which the following disclosure will explicitly refer without thereby losing generality.

As is known, mountaineering ski boots currently on the market comprise: a rigid foot-case, which is mainly made of plastic or composite material, is substantially shoe-shaped so as to accommodate/hold the user's foot, and has the lower part specifically structured for being fixed to the back of a downhill ski or the like by means of a suitable mountaineering ski binding device; a rigid cuff, which is mainly made of plastic or composite material, is shaped so as to embrace from behind the lower part of the user's leg, and is hinged to the foot-case so as to be able to rotate about a transversal reference axis, which is substantially perpendicular to the vertical midplane of the ski boot, and also locally substantially coincides with the articulation axis of the ankle; and an internal inner-boot with a soft and thermal-insulating structure, which is inserted in removable manner into the foot-case and the cuff, and is shaped so as to accommodate and protect both the user's foot and the user's leg, approximately up to the height of the calf.

In most of the mountaineering ski boots currently on the market, the upper part of the foot-case is moreover provided with a longitudinal slit which extends in sagittal direction, over the instep and astride of the midplane of the ski boot, and the mountaineering ski boot additionally comprises an oblong and flattened in shape, protective tongue with a semi-rigid structure, which is generally separate and distinct from the foot-case, and is placed resting on the upper part of the foot-case, covering the longitudinal slit.

More specifically, the protective tongue is usually tip-hinged to the upper-front part of the foot-case so as to be able to flip forward and, when it is in abutment onto the upper part of the foot-case, it prevents snow and ice from penetrating inside the ski boot through the longitudinal slit.

The abovementioned mountaineering ski boots are finally provided with a foot-case closing mechanism, and with a cuff closing mechanism, both operated manually.

The foot-case closing mechanism is structured so as to be able to selectively close/tighten the upper part of the foot-case against the user's foot, so as to immobilise the user's foot inside the inner-boot. Whereas, the cuff closing mechanism is structured so as to be able to selectively close/tighten the upper part of the cuff against the user's leg, so as to immobilise the user's leg inside the inner-boot.

In most of the mountaineering ski boots currently on the market, the foot-case closing mechanism consists of one or two lever closing buckles that are arranged on the upper part of the foot-case, across and astride of the tongue, are fixed in rigid manner to the foot-case on opposite sides of the tongue, and are finally capable of pulling one toward the other the two edges of the foot-case flanking the longitudinal slit, so as to tighten the upper part of the foot-case against the user's foot.

Patent application <CIT>, on the other hand, shows a mountaineering ski boot wherein the foot-case closing mechanism comprises: a strip of plastic material with a flexible and inextensible structure, which has the proximal end firmly fixed to the inner side of the foot-case, at the hinge connecting the cuff to the foot-case, and extends obliquely along the inner side up to reach and superimpose the protective tongue, so as to place the distal end of the flexible strip over the tongue, approximately astride of the midplane of the ski boot; a series of fairlead members which are arranged in an alternated manner on opposite sides of the outer longitudinal edge of the protective tongue, and are firmly fixed to the foot-case or to the protective tongue immediately beneath; and a small manually-operated cable-winding winch, which is firmly fixed to the distal end of the strip of plastic material, and is provided with a metal cable that exits the winch, engages in pass-through and free slidable manner the various fairlead members, passing from one side to the other of the outer longitudinal edge of the tongue, and finally has the distal end firmly anchored to the tongue or to the foot-case.

Patent <CIT> discloses a ski boot comprising a substantially rigid foot-case, a substantially rigid cuff, a protective tongue and/or gaiter, and foot-case closing means.

Aim of the present invention is to improve the foot-case closing mechanism described in <CIT>.

The invention relates to a ski boot as specified in appended independent claim <NUM>. Additional embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

The present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a non-limiting example embodiment thereof, wherein:.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, reference number <NUM> denotes, as a whole, a ski boot that can be advantageously used for practicing the ski mountaineering or Telemark.

The ski boot <NUM> firstly comprises: a substantially rigid foot-case <NUM>, which is substantially shoe-shaped and is adapted to accommodate/contain the user's foot; and a substantially rigid cuff <NUM>, which is shaped so as to surround the lower part of the user's leg and is pivotally joined to the foot-case <NUM> so as to be able to freely swing about a transversal rotation axis A that is locally substantially perpendicular to the vertical midplane of the ski boot, and preferably also substantially coincides with the articulation axis of the user's ankle.

Preferably, the foot-case <NUM> moreover has the lower part specifically structured/shaped for being able to connect/ couple in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, to a ski binding device of known type (not shown), which in turn is adapted to be fixed in rigid manner to the back of a generic downhill ski or similar equipment.

More specifically, the lower part of foot-case <NUM> is preferably provided with a front tip <NUM> and with a rear heel <NUM>.

The front tip <NUM> is preferably structured so as to connect/couple in a stable, though easily releasable manner, to the toe-piece (not shown) of a ski binding device which, in turn, is stably fixed to the back of a generic downhill ski or the like. Whereas, the rear heel <NUM> is preferably structured so as to connect/couple in a stable, though easily releasable manner, to the heel-piece (not shown) of a ski binding device which, in turn, is stably fixed to the back of a generic downhill ski or the like.

Still more specifically, the front tip <NUM> of foot-case <NUM> is preferably structured so as to connect/couple in known manner to the tip of a mountaineering ski binding device; whereas, the rear heel <NUM> of the foot-case <NUM> is preferably structured so as to be able to connect/couple in a known manner to the heel-piece of the same mountaineering ski binding device.

Preferably, the lower part of the foot-case <NUM> furthermore has a treaded profile so as to grip on snow and/or ice, and thus enable the user to walk on snow and ice in relative safety.

More specifically, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the foot-case <NUM> preferably comprises: a substantially rigid shell <NUM> with a substantially oblong basin shape, which is preferably made of plastic and/or composite material, and is shaped so as to accommodate/contain the user's foot, preferably roughly up to the height of the ankle; and optionally a sole <NUM> preferably with treaded profile, which is preferably made of vulcanized rubber or other elastomeric material with high friction coefficient, and is firmly fixed to the bottom wall of shell <NUM> preferably by gluing.

In the example shown, in particular, the shell <NUM> is preferably made of PEBAX (polyester-amide), Nylon (polyamide) or other similar plastic polymer.

Clearly, shell <NUM> could also be made of a composite material preferably made up of one or more superimposed layers of carbon fibres and/or glass fibres and/or aramid fibres, suitably interweaved and/or superimposed on one another and embedded in a matrix of epoxy, phenolic or polyester resin preferably of thermosetting type.

In other words, the foot-case <NUM> is preferably mainly made of plastic and/or composite material.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in addition the foot-case <NUM> preferably also comprises: a rigid front insert <NUM>, preferably made of metallic material, which is stably embedded/incorporated in the bottom wall of shell <NUM> in proximity of the tip <NUM> of foot-case <NUM>, and is structured so as to connect/couple in known manner to the toe-piece (not shown) of the mountaineering ski binding device; and optionally also a rigid rear insert <NUM>, preferably made of metallic material, which is instead embedded in shell <NUM> at the heel <NUM>, and is structured so as to connect/couple in known manner to the heel-piece (not shown) of the same mountaineering ski binding device.

More specifically the rigid insert <NUM> has a plate-like structure and is dimensioned so as to surface/emerge outside of shell <NUM>, on opposite sides of the front tip <NUM> of the foot-case, preferably in a substantially specular position with respect to the midplane of the ski boot, so that the two surfacing ends of the rigid insert <NUM> can connect in axially rotatable manner to the toe-piece of the mountaineering ski binding device.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the cuff <NUM> on the other hand preferably comprises a substantially rigid shell <NUM> preferably made of plastic and/or composite material, which is preferably substantially C-bent so as to cover the rear part of the user's leg, from the ankle substantially up to the height of the calf, and is moreover provided with two oblong and protruding lateral wings or flaps which extend forward on opposite sides of the midplane of the ski boot, so as to embrace from behind the user's leg roughly at the height of the calf, and then preferably superimpose one another at the front part of the leg, forming a tubular structure that surrounds the user's leg at the height of the calf.

Therefore, also the cuff <NUM> is preferably mainly made of plastic and/or composite material.

The cuff <NUM>, in addition, is preferably fixed in free rotatable manner on the upper part of foot-case <NUM>, or rather of shell <NUM>, by means of two connecting hinges <NUM> preferably made of metallic material, which are located on the inner and outer lateral sides of the foot-case <NUM> and of the cuff <NUM>, aligned along the transversal axis A, so as to allow the cuff <NUM> to freely swing forward and backward on the foot-case <NUM>, while remaining always on a reference plane orthogonal to the transversal axis A and substantially coinciding with the midplane of the ski boot.

With reference to <FIG>, in addition the ski boot <NUM> preferably also comprises an inner-boot <NUM> with a thermal-insulating structure, which is located inside the foot-case <NUM> and preferably also the cuff <NUM>, and is shaped so as to accommodate and protect the user's foot and preferably also the lower part of the user's leg. Moreover the thermal-insulating inner-boot <NUM> is preferably provided with a soft and deformable internal lining, and is preferably inserted in manually-removable manner inside the foot-case <NUM> and preferably also the cuff <NUM>.

The thermal-insulating inner-boot <NUM> minimises the heat losses towards the outside and prevents the user's foot and the user's leg from entering in direct contact with the foot-case <NUM> and/or the cuff <NUM>.

More specifically, the thermal-insulating inner-boot <NUM> is preferably shaped substantially like a boot, and is dimensioned so as to accommodate and protect the user's foot and the lower part of the user's leg preferably roughly up to the top of the cuff <NUM>. Preferably the inner-boot <NUM> furthermore has a structure of thermo-formable type.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in addition the ski boot <NUM> also comprises an oblong and flattened protective tongue <NUM>, which is adapted to close the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather the upper part of shell <NUM>, so as to prevent snow and ice from penetrating inside the ski boot.

More specifically, the protective tongue <NUM> has a rigid or semi-rigid structure and is adapted to substantially entirely cover a large longitudinal slit (not visible in the figures), which preferably extends in a substantially sagittal direction along the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather of the shell <NUM>, while remaining over the user's instep and substantially astride of the midplane of the ski boot.

The protective tongue <NUM>, in addition, is preferably separate and distinct from the foot-case <NUM>, or rather from the shell <NUM>, and is arranged resting on the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather on the upper part of shell <NUM>, substantially astride of the midplane of the ski boot.

Therefore, the protective tongue <NUM> extends in a substantially sagittal direction (i.e. parallel to the midplane of the ski boot), flush to the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather to the upper part of shell <NUM>, so that its two longitudinal edges, hereafter indicated by reference number 13a and 13b, are arranged resting on the foot-case <NUM>, on opposite sides of the longitudinal slit of the foot-case <NUM> and of the midplane of the ski boot.

More specifically, the longitudinal edge 13a of protective tongue <NUM> is adjacent and adapted to rest on the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>, whereas the longitudinal edge 13b is adjacent and adapted to rest on the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>. Clearly, the longitudinal edges 13a and 13b are opposite one to the other.

Preferably, the protective tongue <NUM> is moreover made of plastic and/or composite material, and/or preferably has a monolithic structure.

Additionally, the protective tongue <NUM> is preferably stably fixed to the foot-case <NUM>, or rather to the shell <NUM>, with the capability of flipping forward, optionally also moving laterally toward the outer or inner side of the foot-case <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in the example shown, in particular, the oblong protective tongue <NUM> is preferably substantially L-bent, and is preferably structured so as to be able to substantially bend only at the elbow of the L.

Furthermore the protective tongue <NUM> is preferably arranged resting on the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather on the upper part of shell <NUM>, so that the front part of protective tongue <NUM> substantially entirely covers the longitudinal slit of the foot-case <NUM>. Whereas, the rear part of protective tongue <NUM> extends cantilevered upward flush to the thermal-insulating inner-boot <NUM>, preferably up to reach and optionally slip beneath the two oblong and protruding lateral wings or flaps of cuff <NUM>, for covering and protecting the front part of the user's leg.

Additionally, the front end of tongue <NUM> is preferably firmly fixed to the upper-front part of the foot-case <NUM>, or better of the shell <NUM>, so that the protective tongue <NUM> can flip forward, preferably while remaining astride of a reference plane which is oblique (i.e. not perpendicular and not parallel) with respect to the midplane of the ski boot.

In the example shown, in particular, the tongue <NUM> is preferably fixed to the upper-front part of the foot-case <NUM>, so as to be able of flipping forward moving laterally toward the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>.

More specifically, with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in the example shown the front end of protective tongue <NUM> is preferably fixed in a rigid and stable manner to the foot-case <NUM>, or rather to the shell <NUM>, by means of a series of anchoring screws <NUM> located next to the front edge of the tongue <NUM>. The tongue <NUM> furthermore has, behind the anchoring screws <NUM>, a transversal bending line f which is structured so as to allow the rest of the protective tongue <NUM> to freely rotate forward. Preferably the bending line f moreover extends along the body of tongue <NUM> obliquely (i.e. not perpendicularly and not parallel) to the midplane of the ski boot, and the front edge of protective tongue <NUM> is preferably locally substantially parallel to the bending line ℓ.

Clearly in a different embodiment, the front end of the protective tongue <NUM> may be firmly fixed to the upper-front part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather of the shell <NUM>, via a normal hinge.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, in addition the ski boot <NUM> is also provided with a foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> and with a cuff closing mechanism <NUM>, preferably both manually operated.

The foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> is structured so as to selectively close/tighten the upper part of the foot-case <NUM> against the user's foot, in order to immobilise the user's foot inside the foot-case <NUM>, or rather inside the inner-boot <NUM>.

The cuff closing mechanism <NUM>, in turn, is structured so as to selectively close/tighten the upper part of the cuff <NUM> against the user's leg, in order to immobilise the user's leg inside the cuff <NUM>, or rather inside the inner-boot <NUM>.

Preferably, the ski boot <NUM> is finally also provided with a manually-operated cuff locking device <NUM>, which is structured so as to selectively lock the cuff <NUM> to the foot-case <NUM> in a predetermined downhill position, in which the cuff <NUM> is tilted forward with respect to the vertical of a given angle preferably ranging between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

More specifically, the cuff locking device <NUM> is preferably fixed to the cuff <NUM> in the zone above the heel of the ski boot, substantially astride of the midplane of the ski boot, and is structured so as to, on choice and alternatively,.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, in turn, the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> comprises: a transversal locking band <NUM>, oblong in shaped and with a flexible and substantially inextensible structure, which extends transversally to the midplane of the ski boot, is arranged astride of the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, over and flush to the protective tongue <NUM>, and has a first end firmly fixed to the inner side of foot-case <NUM>, at connecting hinge <NUM>; and a manually-operated coupling assembly <NUM>, which is adapted to connect the second end of the locking band <NUM> selectively and alternatively to the foot-case <NUM> or to the cuff <NUM>, at the outer side of the foot-case <NUM> and preferably in proximity of connecting hinge <NUM>.

The coupling assembly <NUM> is moreover capable of tightening and keeping tightened the transversal locking band <NUM>.

More specifically, the transversal locking band <NUM> preferably comprises: a flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> with a substantially inextensible structure, which is arranged astride of and flush to the protective tongue <NUM>, more or less perpendicularly to the midplane of the ski boot; a return member <NUM>, which is firmly fixed on the foot-case <NUM> and/or on the cuff <NUM>, along the inner side of the foot-case <NUM> and in proximity of the connecting hinge <NUM>; and a flexible cable <NUM> with a substantially inextensible structure, which is connected in rigid manner to the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, extends obliquely along the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>, up to reach and engage in a freely slidable manner the return member <NUM>, and then rises obliquely along the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>, towards the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, so as to go beyond the protective tongue <NUM> and reach the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>.

In other words, the flexible cable <NUM> is U-bent at the return member <NUM>.

Additionally, the return member <NUM> is preferably firmly fixed to the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>, with the capability of freely swinging/oscillating about a reference axis locally substantially parallel to the transversal axis A, independently of the foot-case <NUM> and/or the cuff <NUM>.

More specifically, with particular reference to <FIG>, the return member <NUM> is preferably directly fixed to the inner connecting hinge <NUM>.

In addition, the return member <NUM> is preferably fitted in axially rotatable manner directly on the inner connecting hinge <NUM>, so as to be able to freely swing/ oscillate about the transversal axis A.

With reference to <FIG>, additionally the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> preferably also comprises at least one auxiliary fairlead member <NUM>, which is fixed in rigid manner or is anyway stably placed on the outer end of the foot-case <NUM>, close to the outer longitudinal edge 13a of protective tongue <NUM>, and the flexible cable <NUM> is adapted to engage in free slidable manner also the auxiliary fairlead member <NUM>.

More specifically, the flexible cable <NUM> is preferably adapted to engage in freely slidable manner also the auxiliary fairlead member <NUM>, before anchoring in rigid manner to the body of protective tongue <NUM>, preferably close to the front end of the tongue.

In other words, the proximal end of flexible cable <NUM> is anchored in rigid manner to the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, preferably so as to form an extension of the latter, whereas the distal end 22a of flexible cable <NUM> is anchored in rigid manner on the body of protective tongue <NUM>, preferably in proximity of the front end of protective tongue <NUM>.

Clearly, in a different embodiment, the distal end 22a of flexible cable <NUM> could also be anchored in rigid manner directly to the foot-case <NUM>, or rather to the shell <NUM>, preferably on the inner side of the same foot-case <NUM>.

In the example shown, in particular, the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> preferably has a monolithic structure and is preferably made of plastic material.

In other words, the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> preferably basically consists of a flexible and substantially inextensible strip of plastic material.

The flexible cable <NUM>, in turn, is preferably made of metallic material, whereas the return member <NUM> is preferably oblong in shape, and is preferably pivotally-joined with the head directly to the inner connecting hinge <NUM>. Furthermore, the return member <NUM> is preferably made mainly of plastic material.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, preferably the manually-operated coupling assembly <NUM> in turn comprises: a first component stably located on the foot-case <NUM>, along the outer side of foot-case <NUM>; a second component stably located on the cuff <NUM>, at/flush to the outer side of foot-case <NUM>; and a third component stably located on the transversal locking band <NUM>, preferably at or in proximity of the second end of the same transversal locking band <NUM>.

Furthermore, the third component is selectively connectable/couplable, on choice and alternatively, to the first or to the second component in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, so as to anchor the locking band <NUM>, on choice and alternatively, to the foot-case <NUM> or to the cuff <NUM>, always along the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>.

More specifically, the coupling assembly <NUM> preferably comprises: two stationary anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM>, which are located on the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>, one integral with the foot-case <NUM> and the other with the cuff <NUM>, preferably in proximity of the outer longitudinal edge 13a of protective tongue <NUM> and/or in proximity of connecting hinge <NUM>; and a manually-operated coupling device <NUM>, which is firmly and stably fixed to the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather to the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, and is capable of connecting/coupling in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, on choice and alternatively to any one of the two stationary anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably while simultaneously tightening the locking band <NUM>.

In other words, the coupling device <NUM> is adapted to couple the second end of the locking band <NUM> in a rigid and stable, though easily releasable manner, on choice and alternatively to the stationary anchoring element <NUM> and to the stationary anchoring element <NUM>, preferably simultaneously tightening the locking band <NUM>, or rather the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> and the flexible cable <NUM>.

More specifically, the anchoring element <NUM> is fixed in rigid and optionally also unmovable manner directly on the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>, preferably in proximity of the outer longitudinal edge 13a of protective tongue <NUM> and/or in proximity of outer connecting hinge <NUM>. The anchoring element <NUM>, in turn, is fixed in a rigid and optionally also unmovable manner to the part of cuff <NUM> that superimposes the outer side of foot-case <NUM>, preferably in proximity of the outer longitudinal edge 13a of protective tongue <NUM> and/or in proximity of the outer connecting hinge <NUM>.

Additionally, the anchoring element <NUM> is preferably raised with respect to the anchoring element <NUM>. In other words, the anchoring element <NUM> is located at a height from the sole <NUM> or from the ground greater than the anchoring element <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, <FIG>, preferably the anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM> are moreover two plate-like racks, which are preferably made of metallic material and are fixed in rigid manner one onto the foot-case <NUM> and the other onto the cuff <NUM>.

The coupling device <NUM>, in turn, is preferably located on the distal end of the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather on the distal end of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, and is preferably consists of a traditional manually-operated lever closing buckle, which is suitably structured/dimensioned to couple to any one of the two plate-like racks.

The plate-like racks and the lever closing buckles are components already widely known and used in the ski boot filed and thus won't be further described.

With reference to <FIG>, on the other hand, the cuff closing mechanism <NUM> preferably comprises: at least one manually-operated lever closing buckle <NUM>, which is located astride of the two oblong and opposite, lateral wings or flaps of cuff <NUM>, so as to be able to selectively pull one towards the other the two wings or flaps of cuff <NUM>, in order to tighten the upper part of the cuff <NUM> against the user's leg; and optionally also an auxiliary tightening belt <NUM> with Velcro closure, which is looped around the top of the cuff <NUM> so as to selectively close/tighten the top of cuff <NUM> against the calf of the user's leg.

General operation of ski boot <NUM> is easily inferable from what described above, and does not require further explanations.

As regards instead the operation of the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM>, when the coupling assembly <NUM> connects the transversal locking band <NUM> to the foot-case <NUM> (i.e. when the coupling device <NUM> couples to the stationary anchoring element <NUM>), the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> operates as a traditional foot-case closing mechanism and is capable of tightening the upper part of foot-case <NUM> against the user's foot, locking it inside the ski boot.

When instead the coupling assembly <NUM> connects the transversal locking band <NUM> to the cuff <NUM> (i.e. when the coupling device <NUM> couples to the stationary anchoring element <NUM>), the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> succeeds in locking/immobilising the user's ankle, and additionally aids the cuff locking device <NUM> to keep the cuff <NUM> still/ stationary in the downhill position.

Consequently, the mountaineering skier can, in any moment, choose the configuration of the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> that he/she deems the most appropriate.

More specifically, the mountaineering skier will anchor the transversal locking band <NUM> to the foot-case <NUM> when going up along the snowy slope, and will instead anchor the transversal locking band <NUM> to the cuff <NUM> when going down, thus increasing the overall rigidity of the ski boot <NUM>.

The advantages connected to the new foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> are remarkable and evident.

The foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> is capable of adapting its tightening onto the foot-case <NUM> at the use conditions of the ski boot <NUM>, with the enormous advantages that this entails during the practicing of mountaineering ski.

Additionally, the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> allows to eliminate, from the inner side of the foot-case <NUM>, any protruding metallic element that may, during use, damage the inner side of the other ski boot.

Last, but not least, the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> is very simple to operate, with the functional advantages that this entails.

It is finally clear that modifications and variations may be made to the above-described ski boot <NUM> and to the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM> without however departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the protective tongue <NUM> may be made in a single block with the foot-case <NUM>, or rather with the shell <NUM>, and cover the longitudinal slit of the foot-case <NUM> in overlap configuration.

In other words, one side of the oblong protective tongue <NUM> is seamlessly joined/merged to the foot-case <NUM>, or rather to the upper part of shell <NUM>, on the side of the longitudinal slit of the foot-case <NUM>, whereas the rest of the protective tongue <NUM> extends over the longitudinal slit of the foot-case <NUM>, and overlaps the foot-case <NUM>, or rather the upper part of shell <NUM>, on the opposite side of the same longitudinal slit.

The protective tongue <NUM> is thus provided only with the outer longitudinal edge 13a.

In an not-shown embodiment variation, furthermore, the return member <NUM> may be located on the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>, preferably at connecting hinge <NUM>, whereas the two stationary anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM> are located on the inner side of foot-case <NUM>, one integral with the foot-case <NUM> and the other integral with the cuff <NUM>, preferably in proximity of the inner longitudinal edge 13b of protective tongue <NUM> and/or in proximity of the inner connecting hinge <NUM>.

According to the embodiment variation illustrated in <FIG>, on the other hand, the transversal locking band <NUM> lacks the return member <NUM> and of the flexible cable <NUM>. The flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, in turn, is replaced by a second flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> with a substantially inextensible structure, which preferably has a monolithic structure, and has the proximal end firmly fixed to the foot-case <NUM> and/or to the cuff <NUM>, along the inner side of foot-case <NUM> and in proximity of connecting hinge <NUM>.

Preferably, the proximal end of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> is furthermore fixed to the foot-case <NUM> and/or to the cuff <NUM>, along the inner side of foot-case <NUM>, with the capability of freely swinging/oscillating about a reference axis locally substantially parallel to the transversal axis A, independently of the foot-case <NUM> and/or of the cuff <NUM>.

More specifically, the proximal end of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> is preferably fixed directly to the inner connecting hinge <NUM>, with the capability of freely swinging/oscillating about the transversal axis A.

In other words, the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> is preferably pivotally joined with the had directly to the inner connecting hinge <NUM>, so as to be able to swing/ oscillate about the transversal axis A.

Clearly, also in this variation embodiment the coupling device <NUM> of coupling assembly <NUM>, i.e. the lever closing buckle, is firmly fixed to the distal end of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>.

According to the embodiment variation illustrated in <FIG>, instead, the longitudinal slit of foot-case <NUM>, or rather of shell <NUM>, is closed, preferably watertight, by a gaiter <NUM> made of fabric, preferably of waterproof type, or other flexible sheet material. In this variation, the protective tongue <NUM>, if present, is preferably arranged resting on the upper part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather on the upper part of shell <NUM>, over the gaiter <NUM>.

Additionally, the protective tongue <NUM> is preferably dimensioned so as to cover only the front part of gaiter <NUM>, and thus of the longitudinal slit of foot-case <NUM>, preferably up to arrive next to the distal end of the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>.

Preferably, in this embodiment the front end of protective tongue <NUM> is furthermore firmly fixed to the upper-front part of the foot-case <NUM>, or rather of shell <NUM>, without the capability of flipping forward more or less obliquely to the midplane of the ski boot.

More specifically, in this embodiment the protective tongue <NUM> is preferably substantially triangular in shape. Preferably, the protective tongue <NUM> is finally provided with one or more lightening through openings or slits.

Moreover, in this embodiment the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, is preferably dimensioned to arrange itself astride of and flush to the gaiter <NUM>, with the two ends resting on/flush to the inner side and the outer side of the foot-case <NUM>, respectively.

Also in this embodiment the anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM> are permanently located one on the foot-case <NUM> and the other on the cuff <NUM>, in proximity of the edge of the gaiter <NUM> and/or in proximity of connecting hinge <NUM>. The coupling device <NUM>, in turn, is preferably firmly and stably fixed to the end of the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather to the end of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, and is capable of connecting/coupling in a rigid and stable, though releasable manner, on choice and alternatively to any one of the two stationary anchoring elements <NUM> and <NUM>.

The flexible cable <NUM> in this case extends flush to the gaiter <NUM> before reaching the fairlead member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, in a more sophisticated embodiment of the foot-case closing mechanism <NUM>, the second end of locking band <NUM>, or rather the distal end 20a of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, is preferably arranged resting on the protective tongue <NUM>, and is locally stably fixed to the same protective tongue <NUM> so as to be able to freely slide on the surface of the tongue, in a direction d transversal to the locking band <NUM>.

More specifically, the second end of the transversal locking band <NUM>, or rather the distal end 20a of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, is preferably fixed to the protective tongue <NUM> via a slidable mechanical connection, which allows said second end to freely move on the protective tongue <NUM> almost only in a direction d that is flush to the surface of protective tongue <NUM> and is preferably also locally substantially parallel to the midplane of the ski boot and/or locally substantially perpendicular to the same locking band <NUM>.

Still more specifically, the second end of locking band <NUM>, or rather the distal end 20a of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, preferably has a plate-like structure.

Additionally, the locking band <NUM> preferably has, on the second end, a large oblong-shaped through slot <NUM>, which extends transversally to the locking band <NUM>, or rather to the longitudinal axis of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, and is stably engaged in free slidable manner by a protruding pin <NUM> which in turn juts out cantilevered from, and is rigidly integral with, the protective tongue <NUM>.

The through slot <NUM> is preferably also substantially rectilinear and/or parallel to the direction d. Clearly, the through slot <NUM> could also be arched.

In the example shown, in particular, the through slot <NUM> is preferably substantially straight, and is preferably substantially perpendicular to the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>, or rather to the longitudinal axis of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM>.

The protruding pin <NUM>, in turn, preferably has a mushroom structure so as to retain the distal end 20a of the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> stably in abutment against the surface of the oblong protective tongue <NUM>, and is preferably made in a one piece with protective tongue <NUM>.

Preferably, the protruding pin <NUM> is located in proximity of a first end of through slot <NUM> when the coupling device <NUM> couples to the stationary anchoring element <NUM>, and is located in proximity of the second end of the through slot <NUM> when the coupling device <NUM> couples to the stationary anchoring element <NUM>.

Clearly, also in this embodiment, the transversal locking band <NUM> may lack the return member <NUM> and the flexible cable <NUM>, whereas the flexible ribbon-like element <NUM> would be replaced by a second flexible ribbon-like element with a substantially inextensible structure, which has the proximal end firmly fixed to the foot-case <NUM> and/or to the cuff <NUM>, along the inner side of the foot-case <NUM> and advantageously at the connecting hinge <NUM>.

Claim 1:
A ski boot (<NUM>) comprising: a substantially rigid foot-case (<NUM>) which is adapted to accommodate the user's foot and has the lower part structured to couple with a ski binding device; a substantially rigid cuff (<NUM>) which is adapted to surround the lower part of the user's leg and is pivotally joined to the foot-case (<NUM>) so as to be able to rotate about a transversal axis (A) substantially perpendicular to the midplane of the ski boot; a protective tongue and/or gaiter (<NUM>, <NUM>) that closes the upper part of the foot-case (<NUM>); and foot-case closing means (<NUM>) adapted to selectively close/tighten the foot-case (<NUM>) on the user's foot;
said foot-case closing means (<NUM>) comprising an oblong, transversal locking band (<NUM>) with a flexible and substantially inextensible structure, which extends transversally to the midplane of the ski boot, astride of and flush to the protective tongue and/or gaiter (<NUM>, <NUM>), and has a first end stably fixed/connected to a first lateral side of the foot-case (<NUM>), at a hinge (<NUM>) connecting said cuff (<NUM>) to said foot-case (<NUM>);
wherein the foot-case closing means (<NUM>) additionally comprise a manually-operated coupling assembly (<NUM>), which is adapted to connect a second end of said transversal locking band (<NUM>) selectively and alternatively to the foot-case (<NUM>) or to the cuff (<NUM>), at a second lateral side of the foot-case (<NUM>) opposite to said first lateral side, and is moreover adapted to tighten and keep tightened the transversal locking band (<NUM>).