Sports boot buckle with segmented rack

Abstract

A lever and rack-type fastener assembly for sports footwear includes a lever assembly having a hooking member that is movably between an open position and a closed position for securing the footwear about the user's foot or ankle. A conformable segmented rack assembly is configured to engage the hook member. The segmented rack assembly includes a flexible cable, and a plurality of rack segments that is fixedly attached to the cable, wherein the cable provides a hinged joint between adjacent rack segments. Each of the rack segments includes a plurality of teeth. In some embodiments, an attachment plate clamps the rack members to the cable, in other embodiments, the rack members are formed with a crimpable channel for fixing the rack members to the cable.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.