Patent ID: 7721351

Claim:
A protective boot assembly for protecting a foot and leg comprising: a substantially tubular body ( 2 ) extending in a longitudinal direction ( 6 ) to be adjusted around said limb, a front portion of the tubular body having an aperture ( 8 ) extending in the longitudinal direction, the aperture having a first edge on a first side of the aperture and a second edge on a second side of the aperture opposite the first side to form a spacing between the first and second edges; a rigid tongue ( 10 ) extending from the first side to the second of said aperture to cover the front portion ( 22 ) of the tubular body; and a strap ( 12 ) extending transversely to the longitudinal direction and between the first and second edges of the aperture, said strap being connectable to the tubular body at the first side and the second side of the aperture in an adjustable manner in order to adjust the spacing between the edges of the aperture, wherein said tongue is mounted on an outside surface of the strap such that the tongue slides freely and such that the strap is sandwiched between the tongue and the tubular body, and wherein the tongue has a shape complementary to a shape of the front portion of the tubular body such that the tongue and the tubular body cooperate together to automatically centre the tongue relative to the aperture.