Ratcheting buckle for ski boots and the like

Claim 2

In a ski boot, ratcheting buckle means for the ski boot, and manually operable means including a lever for adjusting said ratcheting buckle means.

Claim 3

The structure As defined in claim 1, and further including means for selectively latching the ratcheting buckle means in a locked position.

Claim 4

The structure as defined in claim 1, and further including means for manually positioning the ratcheting buckle means in an unlocked position.

Claim 5

In a ski boot, a ratcheting buckle means including a support member, a body member pivotally connected to said support member, and a manually operable lever rockably and pivotally connected to said support member.

Claim 6

In a ski boot, a ratcheting buckle means including a support member, a body member pivotally connected to said support member, and a manually operable lever rockably and pivotally connected to said support member.

Claim 7

In a racheting buckle for a ski boot, a securing element affixed to the ski boot, a support member including a bottom portion secured to the boot, an arcuate lip extending from an end of the bottom portion, an upstanding flange on one end of the support member and one flange having a slot therein, an adjustable strap extending through said slot, said strap having an aperture in one end engaging said securing element, said strap having teeth on the upper surface thereof, and the lower surface of said strap being smooth, a pair of spaced parallel side walls including a first and second portion, each of said side walls including diametrically opposed circular openings and diametrically opposed slots in said side walls, a cross piece interconnecting said portions of said side walls and defining therebelow a slot for the strap to pass therethrough; a body member including a pair of spaced parallel side elements having first and second end pieces, diametrically opposed projections on the inner surfaces engaging the side walls of said support member and defining pivot points, a skirt portion depending from one of said cross pieces, teeth depending from the other cross piece for selectively engaging the teeth of said strap, diametrically opposed projections on a lever for engaging the slots in the side walls of the support member, and there being a keeper on said lever for selective engagement with a portion of the support member.

Claim 8

In a racheting buckle for a ski boot, a securing element affixed to the ski boot, a support member including a bottom portion secured to the boot, an arcuate lip extending from an end of the bottom portion, an upstanding flange on one end of the support member and one flange having a slot therein, an adjustable strap extending through said slot, said strap having an aperture in one end engaging said securing element, said strap having teeth on the upper surface thereof, and the lower surface of said strap being smooth, a pair of spaced parallel side walls including a first and second portion, each of said side walls including diametrically opposed circular openings and diametrically opposed slots in said side walls, a cross piece interconnecting said portions of said side walls and defining therebelow a slot for the strap to pass therethrough; a body member including a pair of spaced parallel side elements having first and second end pieces, diametrically opposed projections on the inner surfaces engaging the side walls of said support member and defining pivot points, a skirt portion depending from one of said cross pieces, teeth depending from the other cross piece for selectively engaging the teeth of said strap, diametrically opposed projections on a lever for engaging the slots in the side walls of the support member, and there being a keeper on said lever for selective engagement with a portion of the support member.

Claim 9

The structure as defined in claim 5, wherein said lever has a curved section that is knurled.

Claim 10

As a new article of manufacture, an article of footwear, at least one ratcheting rack and pinion buckle for said article of footwear, and manually operable means for adjusting said ratcheting buckle.

Claim 11

As a new article of manufacture, an article of footwear, at least one ratcheting rack and pinion buckle for said article of footwear, and manually operable means for adjusting said ratcheting buckle.

Claim 12

The structure as defined in claim 7, wherein said article of footwear is a ski boot.

Claim 13

The structure as defined in claim 7, and further including a plurality of ratcheting buckles for the article of footwear.

Claim 14

In a ratcheting buckle for ski boots, a base element including a bottom portion and spaced parallel side portions, a flanged section on one end of the base element adapted to be attached to a portion of a ski boot, a hollow section on the upper surface of said flanged section, an adjustable strap mounted for movement through said hollow section, a flaring portion hingedly connected to an end of said strap and said flaring portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a ski boot, a lever pivotally connected to said base element, an arm pivotally connected to said lever, a base piece on said arm having teeth defining a pawl for selective engagement with the teeth of said strap, cams in said base element for selective engagement by said pawl, a spring member for urging the pawl in one direction, a body element pivotally mounted in said base element, holding teeth on said body element for selective engagement with the teeth of said strap, and interengaging means on said lever and body element for selectively raising the holding teeth of the body element out of engagement with the teeth of the strap.

Claim 15

In a ratcheting buckle for ski boots, a base element including a bottom portion and spaced parallel side portions, a flanged section on one end of the base element adapted to be attached to a portion of a ski boot, a hollow section on the upper surface of said flanged section, an adjustable strap mounted for movement through said hollow section, a flaring portion hingedly connected to an end of said strap and said flaring portion adapted to be secured to a portion of a ski boot, a lever pivotally connected to said base element, an arm pivotally connected to said lever, a base piece on said arm having teeth defining a pawl for selective engagement with the teeth of said strap, cams in said base element for selective engagement by said pawl, a spring member for urging the pawl in one direction, a body element pivotally mounted in said base element, holding teeth on said body element for selective engagement with the teeth of said strap, and interengaging means on said lever and body element for selectively raising the holding teeth of the body element out of engagement with the teeth of the strap.

Claim 16

In a ratcheting buckle for articles of foot wear and the like, base element means, manually operable lever means pivotally and operatively connected to said base element means, arm means pivotally connected to said lever means, said arm means having a pawl thereon, an adjustable strap having teeth thereon for coaction with said pawl, and holding teeth means for selective movement into and out of engagement with the teeth of the strap.

Claim 17

In a ratcheting buckle for articles of foot wear and the like, base element means, manually operable lever means pivotally and operatively connected to said base element means, arm means pivotally connected to said lever means, said arm means having a pawl thereon, an adjustable strap having teeth thereon for coaction with said pawl, and holding teeth means for selective movement into and out of engagement with the teeth of the strap.