Ski boot

Claim 1

In a combination of a ski boot and a ski binding, said ski boot having a lower shell and an ankle cuff pivotally secured to said lower shell to allow pivotal movement of said ankle cuff about a first pivot axis in response to shifts in the weight of an individual using said ski boot, said ski binding including at least a heel holder engaging the heel portion of said ski boot to hold said heel portion to a ski, said ankle cuff having support means extending rearwardly therefrom and including first means thereon defining a downwardly facing first surface, said heel holder including second means defining an upwardly facing second surface, said first surface directly engaging said second surface to limit the amount of pivotal movement of said ankle cuff to the rear of said lower shell, the improvement comprising wherein said first means includes a tensioning lever pivotally secured to said support means about a second pivot axis and an elongated bar pivotally secured to said tensioning lever about a third pivot axis spaced from said second pivot axis, said tensioning lever being pivotal between first and second positions, said elongated bar having a sufficient length to extend to and effect an engagement of said downwardly facing first surface with said upwardly facing second surface when said tensioning lever is in said first position to thereby limit the extent to which said ankle cuff can pivot rearwardly relative to said lower shell, said first surface being raised above said second surface a predetermined distance in response to a pivotal movement of said tensioning lever to said second position to thereby permit a rearward pivotal movement of said ankle cuff relative to said lower shell while said ski boot remains coupled to said ski bindings, said first means further including guide means operatively connected to said bar and said lower shell for guiding said bar for movement in response to the pivotal movement of said tensioning lever.