Boot

Abstract

Amongst other things, a boot is provided having a foot portion for enclosing the foot of a user and a leg portion having a substantially circular cross-section and extending upwardly from the foot portion. A first strap portion is affixed to one or the foot portion and the leg portion, and extends more than 180° around the perimeter of the leg portion in a first circumferential direction. A second strap portion is affixed to one of the foot portion and the leg portion, and extends around the perimeter of the leg portion in a second circumferential direction substantially opposite to the first circumferential direction, to meet the first strap portion. A fastening means is provided for releasably joining the first and second strap portions in circumferentially adjustable relation, to cinch the strap portions around the perimeter of the leg portion in conjoined relation.

1 . A boot comprising:
 a foot portion for enclosing the foot of a user;   a flexible leg portion having a substantially circular cross-section and extending upwardly from said foot portion;   a first strap portion having a first end and a second end, and being affixed adjacent said first end to one of said foot portion and said leg portion at a first point of origin, and extending more than 180° from said first point of origin around the perimeter of said leg portion in a first circumferential direction;   a second strap portion having a first end and a second end, and being affixed adjacent said first end to one of said foot portion and said leg portion at a second point of origin, and extending from said second point of origin around the perimeter of said leg portion in a second circumferential direction substantially opposite to said first circumferential direction, to meet said first strap portion adjacent its second end;   a fastening means for releasably joining said first strap portion to said second strap portion in circumferentially adjustable relation to cinch said first and second strap portions around the perimeter of said leg portion in conjoined relation.   
     
     
         2 . A boot according to  claim 1 , wherein said first point of origin is located on said leg portion. 
     
     
         3 . A boot according to  claim 2 , wherein said second point of origin is located on said leg portion. 
     
     
         4 . A boot according to  claim 3 , wherein said first point of origin and said second point of origin are both located at a common point of origin. 
     
     
         5 . A boot according to  claim 4 , wherein said common point of origin is anteriorly positioned in substantial alignment with a medial plane of said leg portion. 
     
     
         6 . A boot according to  claim 5 , wherein said second strap portion extends more than 180° around the perimeter of said leg portion from said second point of origin in said second circumferential direction to meet said first strap portion adjacent its second end. 
     
     
         7 . A boot according to  claim 6 , wherein one or more bands are mounted on the perimeter of said leg portion so as to define one or more guide loops for passage of one or more of said first strap portion and said second strap portion between said bands and said leg portion. 
     
     
         8 . A boot according to  claim 7 , wherein one or more of said guide loops are substantially vertically oriented on said leg portion. 
     
     
         9 . A boot according to  claim 8 , wherein one or more of said guide loops are posteriorly positioned in substantial alignment with said medial plane of said leg portion. 
     
     
         10 . A boot according to  claim 9 , wherein said first strap portion and said second strap portion pass through a common one of said guide loops. 
     
     
         11 . A boot according to  claim 10 , wherein said fastening means comprises a pair of matable fastening portions with a respective one of said pair each being mounted on said first strap portion and said second strap portion so as to be in releasably attachable relation to one another. 
     
     
         12 . A boot according to  claim 11 , wherein one or both of said pair of fastening portions further comprises one or more cross members mounted thereon, and wherein one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion is frictionally engagable with said cross member in slidably adjustable relation therearound. 
     
     
         13 . A boot according to  claim 12 , wherein one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion is frictionally engagable with a first one of said pair of fastening portions and the other of said first strap portion and said second strap portion is attached in non-adjustable relation to the other of said pair of fastening portions. 
     
     
         14 . A boot according to  claim 13 , wherein said fastening means further comprises a restrainment member oriented in substantially parallel relation to each of said cross members, and wherein the respective one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion that is frictionally engagable with said cross member is also frictionally engagable in seriatum with said restrainment member. 
     
     
         15 . A boot according to  claim 14 , wherein the second end of said cone of said first strap portion and said second strap portion is passed through a first slot defined adjacent the cross member of said first one of said pair of fastening portions and wrapped around said cross member and passed through a second slot defined between the cross member and the restrainment member of said first one of said fastening portions, such that said first and second strap portions may, when conjoined, be cinched around the perimeter of said leg portion by pulling on said second end of said one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion. 
     
     
         16 . A boot according to  claim 15 , wherein said pair of matable fastening portions comprises a female buckle member having two or more detent openings formed therein and a male buckle member with two or more spring detents formed thereon for lockably mating with respective ones of said detent openings. 
     
     
         17 . A boot according to  claim 16 , wherein said first one of said pair of fastening portions comprises said male buckle member and said mating second one of said fastening portions comprises said female buckle member. 
     
     
         18 . A boot according to  claim 17 , wherein said first slot is proximal to said spring detents and said second slot is distal to said spring detents. 
     
     
         19 . A boot according to  claim 18 , wherein one or more edges of said restrainment member are angled to grippingly engage said one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion so as to resist said first and second strap portions against uncinching around the perimeter of the leg portion. 
     
     
         20 . A boot according to  claim 19 , wherein said one of said first strap portion and said second strap portion comprises said first strap portion. 
     
     
         21 . A boot according to  claim 20 , wherein said pair of fastening portions engages one another at a location on a potion of said perimeter adjacent to an outer half of the leg of the user. 
     
     
         22 . A boot according to  claim 21 , wherein said location is less distant from said common point of origin than from said guide loops posteriorly positioned in substantial alignment with said medical plane. 
     
     
         23 . A boot according to  claim 22 , wherein said second strap portion is affixed adjacent its second end to said cross member of said female buckle member. 
     
     
         24 . A boot according to  claim 23 , wherein a gripping member is affixed to said first strap portion adjacent its second and for facilitating said pulling.