Upper reinforcing element

Abstract

An upper reinforcing element adapted to equip a boot having a flexible or semi-rigid upper. The upper reinforcing element includes a support zone on which the tongue is supported, and in that it extends from the support zone down to the sole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An upper reinforcing element adapted to equip a boot, the boot having a sole and an upper, said upper being flexible or semi-rigid, and said upper overlaying said sole, said boot further having a tongue, said tongue being rigid or semi-rigid, said upper reinforcing element comprising: 
 a support zone to support said tongue, and said reinforcing element having a size and shape to extend from said support zone down to the sole.    
     
     
         2 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , comprising a predetermined size and shape to be positioned in a front portion of the boot.  
     
     
         3 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , further comprising two arms adapted to be positioned laterally on opposite sides of a foot, substantially in an area of a metatarsophalangeal joint of a wearer.  
     
     
         4 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , further comprising a recess positioned substantially in an area of toes of a wearer.  
     
     
         5 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , wherein said support zone includes a fixing device for fixing said tongue on the reinforcing element.  
     
     
         6 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , wherein said support zone comprises a guiding device capable of cooperating with said tongue for enabling a displacement of said tongue with respect to the reinforcing element.  
     
     
         7 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 6 , wherein said guiding device comprises an elastic return for controlling sliding.  
     
     
         8 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element is positioned within said upper in support against an inner surface of said upper.  
     
     
         9 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element is detachable with respect to the boot.  
     
     
         10 . An upper reinforcing element according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcing element is fixed on the outer surface of the upper.  
     
     
         11 . A sports boot comprising: 
 a sole;    an upper, said upper being flexible or semi-rigid, and said upper overlaying said sole;    a tongue, said tongue being rigid or semi-rigid;    an upper reinforcing element comprising a support zone, said tongue being supported by said upper reinforcing element on said support zone, said upper reinforcing element extending from said support zone down to said sole.    
     
     
         12 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper reinforcing element is positioned in a front portion of the boot.  
     
     
         13 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper reinforcing element further comprises two arms positioned laterally on opposite sides of the upper, substantially in an area of a metatarsophalangeal joint of a wearer.  
     
     
         14 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said upper reinforcing element further comprises a recess positioned substantially in an area of toes of a wearer.  
     
     
         15 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said support zone of said upper reinforcing element includes a fixing device for fixing said tongue onto said reinforcing element.  
     
     
         16 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said support zone of said upper reinforcing element comprises a guiding device capable of cooperating with said tongue for enabling a displacement of said tongue with respect to said upper reinforcing element.  
     
     
         17 . A sports boot according to  claim 16 , wherein said guiding device comprises an elastic return for controlling sliding.  
     
     
         18 . A sports boot according to  claim 1   1 , wherein said reinforcing element is positioned within said upper in support against an inner surface of said upper.  
     
     
         19 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said reinforcing element is detachable with respect to the boot.  
     
     
         20 . A sports boot according to  claim 11 , wherein said reinforcing element is fixed on an outer surface of said upper.