# US 2018/0368513 A1 · Footwear article with lockable ankle protection > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2018/0368513 A1 - Document ID: US20180368513A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 16/064,914 - Filed: 2016-12-21 - Published: 2018-12-27 - Earliest claimed: 2015-12-22 - Assignees: Leatt Corporation - Applicants: Leatt Corporation - Inventors: Christopher James LEATT; Carel Sias MEYER; Cornelis Uys DE JONGH; Jörn Peter STEFFENS - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20180368513A1 ## CPC - A43B 7/20: Ankle-joint supports or holders - A43B 5/0474: {having a walk/ski position (A43B5/0472 takes precedence)} - A43B 5/145: {Boots for motorcyclists} - A43C 11/1473: {characterised by means to retain the preferred position on the strap when the fastening means are in the loosened position} - A43B 5/0419: {for walking aids} - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL ## Abstract An item of footwear such as a boot (10) includes a stiff lower part (12) that extends around part of a wearer's foot, a stiff upper part (16) that extends around the wearer's lower leg, and one or more limit elements (66,72,80,88) that extend between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16). The lower part (12) and upper part (16) are movable relative to each other when the ankle moves and the relative movement is inhibited selectively by the limit elements (66,72,80,88). The limit elements (66,72,80,88) are displaceable between a free condition in which the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) are movable relative to each other, and lock condition in which the relative movement between the lower part (12) and the upper part (16) is inhibited. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An item of footwear comprising: a stiff lower part that is configured to extend at least in part around the foot of a wearer, below the ankle joint; a stiff upper part that is configured to extend at least in part around the lower leg of the wearer, above the ankle joint; and at least two limit elements that each extends between the lower part and the upper part; said lower part and upper part being movable relative to each other; wherein said relative movement between the lower part and the upper part is inhibited selectively by the limit elements, each of said limit elements being displaceable between a free condition in which the lower part and the upper part are movable relative to each other, and a lock condition in which the relative movement between the lower part and the upper part is inhibited in at least the direction in which the limit element is displaced from its free condition to its lock condition; and wherein said limit elements include a first lateral extension that extends diagonally upwards from the lower part generally laterally of the ankle joint, and a second lateral extension that extends from the lower part about transversely to the fist lateral extension laterally of the item of footwear. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The item of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said first lateral extension and said second lateral extension can move relative to each other, and said relative movement between the first lateral extension and the second lateral extension is restricted. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The item of footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the limit elements is stiff and is attachable in at least one location to the upper part or the lower part with an attachment element, with play between the limit element and the attachment element when the ankle is in a neutral condition and the limit element is in its free condition, said play being taken up and the limit element being in a lock condition when the wearer's ankle is moved from the neutral condition to a predetermined extent. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The item of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the limit element is attachable to the upper part in a tight manner and the limit element is attachable to the lower part with the attachment element. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The item of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the limit element extends between a lateral attachment on the upper part to a posterior attachment on the lower part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The item of footwear according to claim 3, wherein the limit element extends posteriorly between a posterior attachment on the upper part to a posterior attachment on the lower part. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The item of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the limit element is a composite limit element comprising two limit elements that are pivotally jointed. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The item of footwear according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the limit elements includes at least one flexible tensile element, said tensile element being slack in its free condition when the wearer's ankle is in a neutral condition, and said tensile element becoming taut in its lock condition when the wearer's ankle is moved from the neutral condition to a predetermined extent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The item of footwear according to claim 1, wherein said item of footwear includes a flexible part extending between the lower part and the upper part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 2) The item of footwear according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the limit elements is stiff and is attachable in at least one location to the upper part or the lower part with an attachment element, with play between the limit element and the attachment element when the ankle is in a neutral condition and the limit element is in its free condition, said play being taken up and the limit element being in a lock condition when the wearer's ankle is moved from the neutral condition to a predetermined extent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The item of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the limit element is attachable to the upper part in a tight manner and the limit element is attachable to the lower part with the attachment element. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The item of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the limit element extends between a lateral attachment on the upper part to a posterior attachment on the lower part. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The item of footwear according to claim 10, wherein the limit element extends posteriorly between a posterior attachment on the upper part to a posterior attachment on the lower part. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The item of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the limit element is a composite limit element comprising two limit elements that are pivotally jointed.