| 摘要 |
<p>The skate boot has a one-piece plastic ankle and heel counter insert (4), positioned between the various layers which make up the skate boot. In sequence from outside to inside, the boot includes a conventional outer (2), the one-piece plastic insert, suitable cushioning (6, 8), and a lining (10). The insert has a heel counter portion which is generally U-shaped and which cups around the heel area from along the lateral side, across the heel, and along the medial side, and an integral ankle portion which extends upwardly from the heel area of the heel counter portion and which includes forwardly projecting wing portions which cup around the ankle area from over the area of the lateral malleolus, across the rear and over the area of the medial malleolus. Preferably, the plastic insert extends up most of the height of the back of the boot, and includes lateral and medial cuff portions which extend partially forward along the sides of the skater's upper ankle. The one-piece plastic insert provides improved performance and rigidity over conventional separate inserts, while avoiding the tendency of the ankle portion of the skate boot to slump down onto the heel portion with time.</p> |
