IES80659B2 - Boots - Google Patents

Abstract

An ankle boot for use in equestrian activities may have elasticated side panels (2) defined between curved side seams (3,4). The elasticated panel (2) is preferably provided on each side of the boot and terminates short of the sole region (6) of the boot (1). At the rear of the boot (1), an upwardly running sliding clasp fastener (7) may be provided to close the boot (1) when the boot is applied to the foot and ankle. The tongue of the boot may be prevented from falling into the interior of the boot in the absence of the foot by the lace being threaded through a retainer on the tongue.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to boots. In particular the invention relates to boots for use in riding and associated equestrian pursuits. The invention is particularly directed to ankle boots for application in riding and equestrian activities.

Description of the prior art Ankle boots for use in riding and equestrian activities are known. Many such boots are distinguished by difficulty in entry into the boot and in exit from or removal of the boot.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION , It is an object of the invention to provide improved ankle S 8 ϋ ό 5 9 - 2 boots applicable for riding and equestrian activities, in which the boot is distinguished by ease of entry and ease of removal.

According to the invention, there is provided an ankle boot in which introduction of the foot into the boot and removal of the foot from the boot is facilitated, the boot comprising one or more of the following features: (a) elasticated side panels, (b) a sliding clasp fastener at the rear of the boot, and (c) means for preventing a tongue from falling into the interior of the boot in the absence of the foot.

The boot of the invention may comprise elasticated side panels and a rear sliding clasp fastener, or it may comprise a lacing arrangement and elasticated side panels or a rear sliding clasp fastener. The tongue is suitably prevented from falling into the interior of the boot in the absence of the foot by a lace being threaded through a retaining feature on the tongue.

The invention also encompasses an ankle boot substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one of Figures 1 to 4, or any of these Figures in association with Figure 5.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the invention will now be described having regard to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of ankle boot in accordance with the invention, Figure 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of ankle boot according to the invention, Figure 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of ankle boot according to the invention, - 3 Figure 4 shows a pair of ankle boots according to the invention, in side view, and Figure 5 shows the boot of Figure 2 in combination with a . legging or half-chap.

* DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Adverting to Figure 1, an ankle boot 1 according to the invention has elasticated side panels 2 defined between curved side seams 3, 4. An elasticated panel 2 of this kind is provided on each side of the boot 1. In the arrangement of Figure 1, the rear to front dimension of the elasticated panel 2 increases significantly from its top edge 5, the entry to the boot 1, in a downward direction, and attains a maximum approximately two-thirds to three-quarters of the way down. The elasticated panel 2 terminates short of the sole region 6 of the boot 1. At the rear of the boot 1, an upwardly running sliding clasp fastener 7 (zip) closes the boot 1 when the boot is applied to the foot and ankle. A further seam 8 runs forward from the leading or foremost seam 4 enclosing the elasticated panel 2, across the instep region 9 of the boot 1.

In Figure 2, an alternative embodiment 11 is shown, in which there is minimal variation in the front to rear dimension of the elasticated panels 12 down the sides of the boot 11, over the height of the elasticated panel 12. The front region 19 of the boot 11 forms an integral single portion of material and no seam runs forward from the elasticated region 12 across the instep. The boot is then closed at the rear by means of an upwardly running zip 17. As compared with the first embodiment, in which the rear seam 3 extends down to the sole region 6 of the boot 1, in the embodiment of Figure 2, it is the leading seam 14 that reaches the sole region 16. Other features comparable to those of Figure 1 are indicated by reference numerals in the range 11-19. i Referring now to Figure 3, a laced boot 21 with elasticated sides 22 is shown, in which the elasticated region 22 is of substantially uniform width from top to bottom, but curves gently in a forward direction towards its base. The elasticated region is enclosed by a single continuous seam 23 and is thus surrounded by a single leather panel 24, at the upper forward edges of which the lacing facility 28 is provided. The boot 21 does not incorporate a zip, but because of its elastication 22, it is possible to lace up the boot 21 and then get out of it without opening the laces 28 because of the elastic flexure of the sides 22. The foot may also be inserted or introduced into the laced boot 21 without necessarily undoing the laces 28. At the top of the tongue of the boot, a loop is provided which is engaged by an upper turn of the lace 28, so that the tongue does not fall into the interior of the boot 21, when the boot is removed from the foot, thereby further facilitating ease of entry and removal. Reference numerals in the range 21-29 apply to this embodiment.

In the embodiment of Figure 4, elasticated sides are not provided, but ease of entry and exit is again achieved by an upwardly running zip 37 at the rear. The embodiment of Figure 4 also includes the tongue-retaining feature already described in connection with Figure 3. A press-fit tab 39 overlies the slider of the rear fastener 37 in the closed condition of the boot.

The boots of the invention are intended to match and cooperate with leggings such as the half-chap 41 illustrated in Figure 5 in association with the boot of Figure 2.

All embodiments of the boot according to the invention share ease of entry into and exit from the boot. Ease of entry is achieved inter alia by the presence of a rear zip or other sliding clasp fastener or by the provision of elasticated side panels. Ease of entry is further facilitated, in the case of the laced variants of the boot, by the tongue-retaining feature ensuring that the tongue does not fall into the interior of the boot, when the boot is removed from the foot.

Claims (5)

1. An ankle boot in which introduction of the foot into the boot and removal of the foot from the boot is facilitated, the boot comprising one or more of the following features: (a) elasticated side panels, (b) a sliding clasp fastener at the rear of the boot, and (c) means for preventing a tongue from falling into the interior of the boot in the absence of the foot.

2. A boot according to Claim 1, comprising elasticated side panels and a rear sliding clasp fastener.

3. A boot according to Claim 1, comprising a lacing arrangement and elasticated side panels or a rear sliding clasp fastener.

4. A boot according to Claim 1 or Claim 3, wherein the tongue is prevented from falling into the interior of the boot in the absence of the foot by a lace being threaded through a retaining feature on the tongue.

5. An ankle boot substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in any one of Figures 1 to 4, or any of these Figures in association with Figure 5.