Boot with adjustable fitting

Abstract

A boot includes a shell having a foot portion, an upper portion with an open top end, an opening extending from the top end to the foot portion, and an opposed pair of margins defining the opening. A liner has two opposite ends secured to an inner surface of the shell on two sides of the opening so that the liner has an outer surface facing the margins and the opening. A retaining unit is attached to the liner, and an adjustment pad is mounted on the retaining unit so as to adjust the fitting of the shell. The adjustment pad extends from the upper portion to the foot portion. Preferably, the adjustment pad has a thin section and a thick section which are placed selectively within the foot portion to vary the fitting of the shell.

1 . A boot comprising: 
 a shell having a foot portion, an upper portion with an open top end, an instep part formed at the juncture of said foot portion and said upper portion, an opening extending from said upper portion to said foot portion, and an opposed pair of margins defining said opening;    a closure member attached to said margins to close said opening;    a liner having two opposite ends secured to an inner surface of said shell on two sides of said opening, said liner having an outer surface facing said margins and said opening;    a retaining unit attached to said liner; and    an adjustment pad attached to said retaining unit so as to adjust the fitting of the shell.    
   
   
       2 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment pad includes a compressible foam, and is composed of a thin section and a thick section connected to said thin section.  
   
   
       3 . The boot as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said adjustment pad is elongated and extends from said foot portion to said upper portion, said thin and thick sections being selectively positioned within said foot portion when said adjustment pad is retained by said retaining unit.  
   
   
       4 . The boot as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein said opening extends from said top end to said instep part, said thin and thick sections being selectively positioned within said instep part.  
   
   
       5 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said opening extends from a heel part of said foot portion to said top end of said upper portion.  
   
   
       6 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said adjustment pad is attached removably to said retaining unit.  
   
   
       7 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining unit includes a velcro fastener attached to said outer surface of said liner, said adjustment pad having a complementary velcro fastener to engage said velcro fastener, said adjustment pad being retained between said liner and said margins.  
   
   
       8 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining unit includes a pocket which is formed on said liner, said adjustment pad being received within said pocket.  
   
   
       9 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining unit includes a retaining stud secured to said liner, said adjustment pad being mounted on said retaining stud.  
   
   
       10 . The boot as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said adjustment pad has a thin section and a thick section, said adjustment pad being pivoted to said retaining stud at a location between said thin and thick sections.  
   
   
       11 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining unit includes a retaining loop attached to said outer surface of said liner, said adjustment pad further including a strap connected to one end of said adjustment pad, said strap being passed through and hung on said retaining loop.  
   
   
       12 . The boot as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein said adjustment pad further includes a velcro fastener provided on said strap.  
   
   
       13 . The boot as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said retaining unit further includes a pocket formed on an outer surface of said shell.