SPORTS FOOTWEAR PROVIDED WITH AN IMPROVED FASTENING SYSTEM

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a sports footwear (1), of the type comprising a shell (5), made of a substantially rigid material, a rear cuff (7), also made of a substantially rigid material, and a front tongue (9), made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, wherein said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) are connected to said shell (5) in such a way as to be able to be brought away from or close to each other, and wherein said sports footwear comprises a fastening system (13) to allow or prevent relative movement of said rear cuff (7) and front tongue (9). According to the invention, said fastening system (13) comprises a system of traction elements (17a, 17b), a first actuating element (15) allowing continuous adjustment of the tensioning of said traction elements and the level of tightening of said sports footwear (1) around the user's leg, and a second actuating element (19), capable of switching from a first position to a second position, and vice versa, to discretely increase or decrease the tension applied to said traction elements (17a, 17b).

Description

Technical Field of the Invention

[0001] The present invention refers to a sports footwear of the type comprising a shell, made of a substantially rigid material, and a rear cuff, also made of a substantially rigid material and articulated to said shell, and a front tongue, made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, connected to said shell and able to be rotated or flexed relative thereto.

[0002] More particularly, the present invention relates to a footwear of the above-mentioned type provided with an improved fastening system for bringing said rear cuff and said front tongue close to and away from each other.

[0003] The present invention finds application, for example, in the manufacturing of ski boots. In particular, the present invention can find application in the manufacturing of central-entry ski-boots.

Prior Art

[0004] According to prior art, ski boots usually comprise an inner liner made of a substantially soft material and an outer shell made of a substantially rigid material.

[0005] Still according to prior art, the shell made of substantially rigid material, shaped to accommodate the user's foot, is associated to the cuff, also made of a substantially rigid material and adapted to receive the user's ankle and lower leg part.

[0006] More particularly, in the so-called "central-entry" ski boots, said cuff, articulated to the shell near the malleolar region, said cuff covers the rear part of the user's ankle and leg; for this reason, hereinafter said cuff will be referred to as 'rear cuff'.

[0007] Furthermore, in central-entry ski boots there is provided a front tongue, made of a substantially rigid or semi-rigid material, which covers the bridge of the foot as well as the front part of the user's ankle and leg.

[0008] Said front tongue, in addition to supporting the weight of the user while skiing, has the function of facilitating and simplifying the operations of putting on or taking off the ski boot before and after use.

[0009] To this end, the front tongue is connected to the shell, usually near the toe part of the shell (i.e. near the toe part of the user's foot) so that it can be rotated or flexed along the longitudinal axis of the ski boot.

[0010] In particular, in central-entry ski boots, the rear cuff and the front tongue can be moved from a first position, in which they are away from each other in order to allow the user to insert their foot into the ski boot or take it out therefrom, and a second position, in which they are substantially adjacent to each other in order to tighten the ski boot around the user's leg.

[0011] Said ski boots are further provided with a fastening system that allows switching from a first configuration, in which relative movement of the rear cuff and front tongue with respect to the shell is allowed (configuration for putting on / taking off the ski boot), to a second configuration, in which such relative movement is prevented (configuration for skiing), and vice versa.

[0012] Said fastening system consists of one or more fastening devices, which, in addition to allowing switching from one configuration to the other, make it possible to define the distance between the rear cuff and the front tongue in the second configuration, thereby making it possible to adjust the level of tightening of the ski boot.

[0013] According to prior art, said fastening devices comprise a rack, generally attached near a flap of the front tongue or the rear cuff, and an actuating lever, attached near the flap of the front tongue or rear cuff, respectively, that faces the flap to which the rack is attached. Said rack is defined by a series of alternating ridges and valleys, whereas said actuating lever is provided with one or more pegs suitable for cooperating with one or more of the valleys of the rack.

[0014] The user, by selecting the valleys of the rack in which the pegs of the actuating lever are to be inserted, adjusts the distance between rear cuff and front tongue, and therefore the level of tightening that the ski boot exerts overall around the leg.

[0015] A central-entry ski boot comprising such tightening system is known, for example, form document US 2014/373394.

[0016] However, the ski boot described above is not free from drawbacks.

[0017] In fact, it should be considered that the level of tightening exerted by said ski boot around the user's leg is fundamental in defining a ski boot that is comfortable and at the same time sufficiently rigid during sports practice, such as to support the user's leg, allow a precise and immediate response to the leg movements and provide accurate control of the sports equipment connected to the ski boot.

[0018] However, due to the fact that the fastening system of the central-entry ski boot of known type provides for interaction between a peg and a series of valleys, it does not allow continuous and precise adjustment of the level of tightening of the ski boot.

[0019] A further drawback of the ski boot described above lies in that, once the fastening devices have been released or loosened, for example during a break from the sporting activity, it is difficult to restore, upon resuming said activity, the tightening level previously set.

[0020] Therefore, the tightening level obtained may not be suitable or may not correspond to the previously defined tightening level, thereby forcing the user to suspend their sporting activity and resort to subsequent adjustments of the various fastening devices in order to be able to define the correct tightening level.

[0021] Another drawback of known ski boots lies in the difficulty that a user, more or less expert, may encounter in putting on and/or taking off said ski boots, which difficulty is due to the fact that the actuation of the various fastening devices is quite complex and slow.

[0022] The main object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the above-indicated drawbacks by providing a sports footwear, and in particular a ski boot or other similar sports boot, provided with an improved fastening system that allows the user to precisely set the level of tightening of the footwear according to their needs.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a sports footwear provided with an improved fastening system that makes it possible to easily restore the tightening level previously set, even after suspension of the sporting activity.

[0024] A further object of the present invention is to obtain a sports footwear that is easy to use and makes it possible to simplify and facilitate the operations of putting on and taking off the ski boot.

[0025] Last but not least, an object of the present invention is to provide a sports footwear provided with a fastening system that is not constructively complex and thus makes it possible to manufacture sports footwear - using known systems, machinery and equipment - at extremely competitive costs.

[0026] These and other objects are achieved with a sports footwear as claimed in the appended claims.

Summary of the Invention

[0027] The sports footwear according to the invention comprises, in a manner known per se, a shell, a rear cuff articulated to said shell, and a front tongue, capable of rotating and flexing with respect to the toe part of said shell.

[0028] Said rear cuff and front tongue, both being movable relative to said shell, selectively allow securing the sports footwear around the user's leg for use during sports practice, or releasing said footwear so that it can be put on or taken off.

[0029] For this purpose, said sports footwear further comprises a fastening system that makes it possible to switch from a first configuration in which relative movement of the rear cuff and front tongue with respect to the shell is allowed (configuration for inserting the foot into the footwear or removing it therefrom), to a second configuration, in which the rear cuff and the front cuff are close to each other and their movement relative to the shell is prevented.

[0030] According to the invention, said fastening system comprises a system of traction elements, comprising one or more traction elements suitable for connecting said front tongue and said rear cuff.

[0031] Said one or more traction elements, usually made as cables, can be tensioned to keep said rear cuff and front tongue firmly close to each other, or released to allow said elements to move away from each other.

[0032] The fastening system according to the invention further comprises a first actuating element, attached to the sports footwear and operatively associated with said cables.

[0033] Said first actuating element is designed to continuously increase or decrease the tensioning and loosening of the cables.

[0034] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said first actuating element is made as a winch mechanism suitable for being manipulated, preferably rotated, by the user.

[0035] In particular, the rotation of the winch mechanism in a first direction causes the cables to get loosened and the rear cuff and front tongue to move away from each other.

[0036] Vice versa, the rotation of the winch mechanism in a second direction, opposite to the first direction, causes said cables to get tensioned, thereby causing the rear cuff and front tongue to move close to each other.

[0037] Of course, the more the rotation of the winch mechanism in said second direction, the more the tensioning applied to the cable and thus the more the tightening of the sports footwear around the user's leg.

[0038] Still according to the invention, said fastening system further comprises a second actuating element, operatively associated with the same cables on which the first actuating element acts.

[0039] Said second actuating element, switching from a first position to a second position contributes, either by a fixed amount or discretely, to fixedly tension the cables.

[0040] Said second actuating element is made as a lever.

[0041] Said lever has a proximal end hinged to the sports footwear and a distal end suitable for being manipulated by the user to bring the lever from a first position, in which the cables are released, to a second position, in which said cables are tensioned, and vice versa. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the proximal end of said lever is hinged at the rear cuff.

[0042] The lever, by shifting from the first position to the second position, contributes, by a fixed amount, to the fixed tensioning of the cables, determined by the distance of the position in which the cables are attached to the lever from the proximal end of said lever.

[0043] To tighten the sports footwear around the user's leg, it is possible to initially act on the winch mechanism, by rotating it in the second direction, so that a first tensioning of the cables is achieved, and the rear cuff and the front tongue are brought close to each other. Once the rear cuff and the front tongue have been brought close to each other, in order to achieve complete tightening of the sports footwear, the user acts on the second lever to bring it to the second position.

[0044] This makes it possible to further increase the tension applied to the cables, thereby tightening the rear cuff and front tongue around the user's leg.

[0045] Advantageously, after bringing the lever to the second position, it is possible to further act on the winch mechanism for a fine adjustment of the tightening of the sports footwear, thereby allowing the user to immediately perceive the level of tightening given by such an adjustment.

[0046] Alternatively, it would also be possible to initially act on the lever to immediately bring it to the second position and then act on the winch mechanism so as to rotate it in the second direction, so as to tighten the rear cuff and the front tongue around the user's leg.

[0047] In both cases, the tensioning of the cable, achieved overall by rotation of the winch mechanism and actuation of the lever, defines the level of tightening of the sports footwear around the user's leg.

[0048] Therefore, the fastening system according to the invention allows extremely accurate adjustment of the tightening level, such as to ensure correct management of the sports footwear during sports practice and continuous control of the equipment that may be connected to said footwear.

[0049] Subsequently, to remove the foot from the sports footwear, it is sufficient for the user to act again on the lever, bringing it to the first position.

[0050] Said action on the lever, indeed, allows obtaining loosening of the cables, and therefore a resulting mutual opening of the rear cuff and front tongue, so as to allow removing the foot from the footwear.

[0051] In this way, advantageously, it is possible to move the rear cuff and front tongue away from each other without the need to act again on the winch mechanism, i.e. without the need to rotate the winch mechanism in the first direction.

[0052] Furthermore, when the user has to tighten again the sports footwear around their leg, this operation, too, can be achieved by acting solely on the lever, bringing it again to the second position.

[0053] Advantageously, owing to the fact that the winch mechanism is not rotated during the steps of removal and subsequent insertion of the foot from/in the sports footwear and therefore continues to contribute to the tensioning of the cables, the optimum tightening level previously set can immediately be restored simply by rotating the lever to the second position.

[0054] Therefore, the sports footwear according to the invention comprises a fastening system that allows maintaining the tightening level initially defined by the user, without the user having to carry out subsequent adjustments by acting again on the winch mechanism in order to set the desired tightening level.

[0055] In addition, the fastening system of the present invention allows quick shifting from the configuration suitable for sports practice to the configuration for inserting/removing the foot in/from the sports footwear (and vice versa) because, after rotating the winch mechanism to set the tightening level, the movement of the rear cuff and front tongue away from or close to each other can be obtained by acting solely on the lever.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0056] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become evident from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows the lateral side of a sports footwear according to the invention, with the fastening system shown in a first configuration;
• Figure 2 shows the medial side of the sports footwear of Figure 1, with the fastening system shown in a second configuration.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment of the Invention

[0057] A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the application thereof to a ski boot, more precisely to a central-entry ski boot.

[0058] A central-entry ski boot embodying the invention is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is indicated as a whole with reference numeral 1.

[0059] In a manner known per se, the ski boot 1 comprises:

• an inner element or inner liner 3 made of a substantially soft material;
• an outer element or shell 5 made of a substantially rigid material and shaped to accommodate the user's foot;
• a rear cuff 7, also made of a substantially rigid material and shaped to accommodate the rear part of the ankle and the lower part of the leg of the user;
• a front tongue 9, made of a rigid or semi-rigid material, which covers the bridge of the foot as well as the front part of the of the user's ankle and leg in order to support the user's weight during skiing.

[0060] The rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 are connected to the shell 5 in such a way that they can be moved away from or close to each other.

[0061] In particular, in the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the rear cuff 7 is articulated to the shell 5 by means of pivot pins 11 on the two opposite sides of said shell 5, substantially at the malleolar region.

[0062] The front tongue 9, instead, is connected to the shell 5 near the toe part of said shell 5 (i.e. near the toe part of the user's foot) in such a way that it can be rotated or flexed along the longitudinal axis of the ski boot 1.

[0063] Said ski boot 1 further comprises a fastening system 13 suitable for selectively allowing or preventing movement of the rear cuff 7 and front tongue 9 with respect to the shell 5.

[0064] In particular, when said fastening system 13 is in a first configuration, it allows the rear cuff 7 and front tongue 9 to move away from each other, thereby allowing easy insertion of the user's foot in the ski boot 1, or easy removal of the user's foot therefrom.

[0065] When said fastening system 13 is in a second configuration, the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 are kept firmly close to each other and tightened around the user's leg, in a configuration suitable for skiing down ski slopes.

[0066] Said fastening system 13 comprises a first actuating element made as a winch mechanism 15 shaped in such a way as to be able to be rotated by the user in a first direction or a second direction.

[0067] Said winch mechanism 15 cooperates with a system of traction elements, more particularly with a system of cables extending between the front tongue 9 and the rear cuff 7.

[0068] In the shown embodiment, said system of cables comprises a first cable 17a, extending between the front tongue 9 and the rear cuff 7 on the lateral side of the ski boot 1, and a second cable 17b, extending between the front tongue 9 and the rear cuff 7 on the medial side of said ski boot 1.

[0069] Still referring to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 and 2, said winch mechanism 15 is located at the front tongue 9, more particularly at the upper region of the front tongue 9, i.e. in the region of the front tongue 9 that extends above the user's ankle.

[0070] However, said winch mechanism 15 could also be located on the rear cuff 7, on the shell 5 or in other regions of the front tongue 9.

[0071] Said fastening system 13 is further provided with a second actuating element, made as a lever 19 extending substantially coplanar to the centerline plane of the ski boot 1.

[0072] Said lever 19 has a proximal end 19a, hinged to an element of the ski boot 1, and a distal end 19b shaped in such a way as to be easily manipulatable by the user to bring said lever 19 alternatively to a first position (lifted position in the shown embodiment) or to a second position (lowered position in the shown embodiment).

[0073] According to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, said proximal end 19a of said lever 19 is hinged to the rear wall of the rear cuff 7.

[0074] Said proximal end 19a, however, could be hinged to the wall of the front tongue 9 or of the shell 5.

[0075] The same cables 17a and 17b cooperating with the winch mechanism 15 are connected to said lever 19, at a certain distance from the proximal end 19a.

[0076] Said ski boot 1 may also comprise guide means, suitable for guiding the cables 17a and 17b between the rear cuff 7 and the front cuff 9.

[0077] Said guide means comprise, preferably, first guide means 21a, located on the rear cuff 7 and at the lateral side of the ski boot 1, and second guide means 21b, located on the rear cuff 7 and at the medial side of the ski boot 1.

[0078] In particular, according to the example shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first cable 17a has a first end connected to the winch mechanism 15, extends over a first portion, on the lateral side of the ski boot, of the front tongue 9, the shell 5 and the rear cuff 7, runs through the first guide means 21a and has a second end connected to the lever 19.

[0079] Correspondingly, the second cable 17b has a first end connected to the winch mechanism 15, extends over a second portion, on the medial side of the ski boot, of the front tongue 9, the shell 5 and the rear cuff 7, runs through the second guide means 21b and has a second end connected to the lever 19.

[0080] It is evident that in another alternative embodiment, a single cable may be provided, having:

• a first end connected to the winch mechanism 15;
• a first cable portion extending over a first portion, on the lateral side of the ski boot, of the front tongue 9, the shell 5 and the rear cuff 7, running through said first guide means 21a;
• a second cable portion which, running through said second guide means 21b, extends over a second portion, on the medial side of the ski boot, of the rear cuff 7, the shell 5 and the front tongue 9;
• an intermediate cable portion situated between the first cable portion and the second cable portion and cooperating with the lever 19;
• a second end also connected to the winch mechanism 15.

[0081] In a further embodiment, the cable may be connected, at its ends, to the lever 19 and comprise an intermediate portion running through the winch mechanism 15 and cooperating therewith.

[0082] It is equally clear that, besides the guide means 21a and 21b, additional guide means may be provided, located not only on the rear cuff 7, but also on the front tongue 9 or on the shell 5.

[0083] Alternatively, said cables 17a and 17b (or said single cable) may run from the rear cuff 7 to the front tongue 9, and vice versa, without the need to provide any guide means.

[0084] It is further evident that, in an alternative embodiment, the cables may be replaced with traction elements of a different type, such as straps, bands or laces.

[0085] Turning now, again, to the embodiment shown in the Figures, rotation of the winch mechanism 15 in the first direction causes loosening of the cables 17a, 17b, which results in the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 moving away from each other.

[0086] Vice versa, rotation of the winch mechanism 15 in the second direction, opposite to the first direction, brings about greater tensioning of said cables 17a, 17b, such as to pull the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 towards each other.

[0087] Of course, the more the rotation of the winch mechanism 15 in said second direction, the more the tension applied to the cables 17a, 17b and thus the more the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 are close to each other.

[0088] Turning to the lever 19, when said lever is in the first position or lifted position, visible in Figure 1, the cables 17a and 17b are released, thereby allowing the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 to move away from the shell 5, thereby realizing the configuration suitable for putting on or taking off the ski boot.

[0089] Turning to Figure 2, when the lever 19 is in the second position or lowered position, by virtue of the distance of the point in which the cables are connected to the lever from the axis of rotation of the lever itself (i.e. from the proximal end 19a), tensioning of the cables 17a and 17b is achieved and the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 are brought close to each other.

[0090] Therefore, to tighten the ski boot 1 around the user's leg it is possible, for example, to initially act on the winch mechanism 15, rotating it in the second direction, so as to achieve a first tensioning of the cables 17a, 17b and bring the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 close to each other.

[0091] Once the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 have been brought close to each other, in order to obtain complete tightening of the ski boot 1, the user exerts a downward force on said lever 19 and rotates it around the proximal end 19a.

[0092] The downward rotation of said lever 19 further increases the tension applied to the cables 17a and 17b, tightening the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 around the user's leg, as visible in Figure 2.

[0093] This tensioning of the cables, achieved overall by rotation of the winch mechanism 15 and actuation of the lever 19, defines the level of tightening of the ski boot 1 around the user's leg.

[0094] Advantageously, after bringing the lever 19 to the second position, it is possible to further act on the winch mechanism 15 for a fine adjustment of the tightening of the ski boot 1, thereby allowing the user to immediately perceive the level of tightening given by such an adjustment.

[0095] Therefore, the fastening system 13 according to the invention allows extremely accurate adjustment of the level of tightening, such as to ensure correct management of the ski boot 1 during sports practice and continuous control of the equipment that may be connected to said boot.

[0096] The lever 19, instead, switching from the first position to the second position, contributes to the fixed tensioning of the cables 17a and 17b, determined by the distance between the point of connection of said cables to said lever and the proximal end 19a of the lever itself. Subsequently, to remove the foot from the ski boot 1, it is sufficient for the user to act again on the lever 19, bringing it to the first position.

[0097] Such action on the lever 19, indeed, allows achieving loosening of the cables 17a and 17b, and therefore a resulting mutual opening of the rear cuff 7 and front tongue 9, so as to allow removing the foot from the ski boot 1.

[0098] In this way, advantageously, the movement of the rear cuff 7 and the front tongue 9 relative to each other can be obtained without the need to act again on the winch mechanism 15, i.e. without the need to rotate said winch mechanism 15 in the first direction.

[0099] Furthermore, when the user has to tighten the ski boot 1 around their leg again, this operation, too, can be achieved by acting solely on the lever 19, bringing it again to the second position.

[0100] Advantageously, owing to the fact that the winch mechanism 15 is not rotated during the steps of removal and subsequent insertion of the foot from/in the ski boot 1 and therefore continues to contribute to the tensioning of the cables 17a and 17b, the optimum tightening level previously set can immediately be restored simply by rotating the lever 19 to the second position.

[0101] Therefore, the ski boot 1 according to the invention comprises a fastening system 13 that allows maintaining the tightening level initially defined by the user, without the user having to carry out subsequent adjustments by acting again on the winch mechanism 15 in order to set the desired tightening level.

[0102] In addition, the fastening system of the present invention allows quick shifting from the configuration suitable for sports practice to the configuration for inserting/removing the foot in/from the ski boot 1 (and vice versa) because, after rotating the winch mechanism 15 to set the tightening level, the movement of the rear cuff 7 and front tongue 9 away from or close to each other can be obtained by acting solely on the lever 19.

[0103] It is evident from the above description that the invention allows easy, quick and accurate adjustment of the level of tightening exerted by the ski boot on the user's leg and, once such level of tightening has been set, easy restoration thereof even after suspension of the sporting activity.

[0104] It is also evident that the embodiment described above has been provided merely by way of example and that numerous modifications and variants are possible without thereby departing from the scope of protection as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Sports footwear (1), of the type comprising:

- a shell (5), made of a substantially rigid material;

- a rear cuff (7), also made of a substantially rigid material and articulated to said shell (5);

- a front tongue (9), made of a rigid or semi-rigid material and connected to said shell (5) near the toe part of said shell (5) in such a way as to be able to be rotated or flexed along the longitudinal axis of said sports footwear (1);

- a fastening system (13) which can selectively assume a first configuration, in which movement of said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) relative to said shell (5) is allowed, or a second configuration, in which movement of said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) relative to said shell (5) is prevented;

characterized in that said fastening system (13) comprises:

- a system of traction elements (17a, 17b), comprising one or more traction elements extending between said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9), wherein said traction elements can be tensioned to prevent movement of said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) relative to said shell (5), or released to allow movement of said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) relative to said shell (5) ;

- a first actuating element (15), cooperating with said system of traction elements (17a, 17b), to tension or release said traction elements (17a, 17b); and

- a second actuating element (19), also cooperating with said system of traction elements (17a, 17b) to tension or release said traction elements (17a, 17b);

said first actuating element (15) being designed to continuously increase or decrease the tension applied to said traction elements (17a, 17b), and said second actuating element (19) being designed to switch from a first position to a second position, and vice versa, to discretely increase or decrease the tension applied to said traction elements (17a, 17b).

2. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first actuating element is made as a winch mechanism (15), said winch mechanism being rotatable in a first direction to continuously decrease the tension applied to said traction elements (17a, 17b), or in a second direction to continuously increase the tension applied to said traction elements (17a, 17b).

3. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said first actuating element (15) is located on said front tongue (9).

4. Sports footwear (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said second actuating element is made as a lever (19), wherein the proximal end (19a) of said lever (19) is hinged to said sports footwear (1), and wherein said traction elements (17a, 17b) are connected to said lever at a certain distance from said proximal end (19a).

5. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 4, wherein said proximal end (19a) of said lever (19) is connected to the rear wall of said rear cuff (7) and said lever (19) extends substantially coplanar to the centerline plane of said sports footwear (1).

6. Sports footwear (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein guide means (21a, 21b) are provided to guide said traction elements (17a, 17b) between said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9).

7. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 6, wherein said guide means (21a, 21b) comprise at least first guide means (21a), located at the lateral side of said sports footwear (1), and at least second guide means (21b), located at the medial side of said sports footwear (1).

8. Sports footwear (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said traction elements (17a, 17b) comprise a first cable (17a) extending between said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) on the lateral side of said sports footwear, and a second cable (17b), extending between said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) on the medial side of said sports footwear.

9. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 8, wherein said first cable (17a) has a first end connected to said first actuating element (15) and a second end connected to said second actuating element (19), and said second cable (17b) has a first end connected to said first actuating element (15) and a second end connected to said second actuating element (19).

10. Sports footwear (1) according to any of claims 1-7, wherein said traction elements (17a, 17b) comprise a single cable, which in turn comprises a first portion extending between said rear cuff (7) and said front cuff (9) on the lateral side of said sports footwear, and a second portion extending between said rear cuff (7) and said front tongue (9) on the medial side of said sports footwear.

11. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 10, wherein said single cable comprises:

- a first end connected to said first actuating element (15);

- an intermediate cable portion, situated between said first portion and said second portion and cooperating with said second actuating element (19);

- a second end, opposite to said first end and also connected to said first actuating element (15).

12. Sports footwear (1) according to claim 10, wherein said single cable comprises:

- a first end connected to said second actuating element (19);

- and intermediate cable portion, situated between said first portion and said second portion and cooperating with said first actuating element (15);

- a second end, opposite to said first end and also connected to said second actuating element (19).

13. Sports footwear (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said sports footwear is a ski boot.

Drawing