Tongue stiffener for footwear
US6360454B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 7, 1999 |
| Grant date | Mar 26, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 7, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B23/26
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A tongue construction for footwear is configured with a tongue and a stiffener that is able to move relative to the tongue, thereby resisting pinching of the rider's foot as the boot is flexed. As a result, footwear having desired stiffness while substantially reducing discomfort, especially during flexing of the footwear is provided. By allowing the stiffener to slide rather than bend, or at least to reduce the extent of bending of the stiffener, pinching of the dorsal area near the ankle may be minimized as may be digging of the stiffener into the dorsal area near the toe. Consequently, a soft or hybrid snowboard boot is provided that provides both enhanced power transmission as well as improved wearer comfort.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.