MARCO T OTTIERI
Architects in Manchester, MA

4696117, Sep 29, 1987

Oct 10, 1986

6/917910

Marco T. Ottieri - Manchester MA

A43B 504

36117

A spring structure for a ski boot includes a leaf spring element overlying the instep and shin cuff elements of the boot. The spring is affixed at its lower end to the toe element, hingedly mounted at an intermediate portion to a hinge pin affixed to the shin cuff, and coupled at its upper end to the shin cuff, preferably by an elastic strap. The lower portion of the spring structure is bowed inward and downward so that as the hinge pin moves forward in response to forward lean, the lower portion of the spring flexes inward and downward. The inward flexing of the lower portion of the spring produces a torque about the hinge pin and urges the upper portion of the spring to deflect outward. This outward deflection is resisted by the coupling of the upper spring end of the cuff, causing the upper portion to deflect concavely outward so that the spring assumes an "S" shape. The spring geometry provides a rising rate spring and prevents the top of the spring from contacting the shin of the wearer.

4691454, Sep 8, 1987

Jan 17, 1986

6/820405

Marco T. Ottieri - Manchester MA

Ottieri Enterprises - Boston MA

A43B 504, A43C 1100

36117

The present invention comprises a ski boot closure for rear-entry ski boots. In this closure mechanism a latch mechanism having a lever, which is movable between open and closed positions, operates a cable system having height and length varying strands. The cable system originates in the latch mechanism and passes around either side the calf cuff of the boot to become secured to the shin cuff. The boot is opened as an adjustment of the latch mechanism lengthens the cable strands surrounding the calf cuff. Conversely, the boot as closed as an adjustment of the latch mechanism shortens the cable strands surrounding the calf cuff thus causing the calf and shin cuffs of the boot to be moved into frictional engagement.

4565017, Jan 21, 1986

Oct 26, 1984

6/664991

Marco T. Ottieri - Manchester MA

Ottieri Enterprises - Boston MA

A43B 504

36117

A ski boot has a base element forming sole, toe and instep portions and which mounts a shin cuff element, a calf cuff element, and a heel seat element with three triangularly located hinging connections. The heel seat element engages a wearer's heel to aid in closure of the cuff elements and to facilitate removal of the boot. A cuff closure automatically engages when the cuff elements are moved to closed positions, and is readily releasable for ease in boot removal. An adjustable instep closure automatically tightens, by way of strap elements coupled with the rear cuff element, upon closure of the boot. The closure mechanism relaxes the instep closure tension when the skier leans forward. The shin cuff element and the toe portion of the base element movably and replaceably seat a forward lean control element so that it may readily be removed and replaced, and the mounting can be adjustable for selecting the forward lean resistance.

4669202, Jun 2, 1987

Sep 28, 1984

6/655905

Marco T. Ottieri - Manchester MA

Ottieri Enterprises - Boston MA

A43B 504

36120

A ski boot has a base element forming sole, toe and instep portions and which mounts a shin cuff element, a calf cuff element, and a heel seat element with three triangularly located hinging connections. The heel seat element engages a wearer's heel to aid in closure of the cuff elements and to facilitate removal of the boot. A cuff closure automatically engages when the cuff elements are moved to closed positions, and is readily releasable for ease in boot removal. An adjustable instep closure automatically tightens, by way of strap elements coupled with the rear cuff element, upon closure of the boot. The closure mechanism relaxes the instep closure tension when the skier leans forward. The shin cuff element and the toe portion of the base element movably and replaceably seat a forward lean control element so that it may readily be removed and replaced, and the mounting can be adjustable for selecting the forward lean resistance.