AU753143B2 - Exercise boot - Google Patents

Description

EXERCISE BOOT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of invention The present invention relates to an exercise boot and, more particularly, to a foot receiving member which has a spring member assembled at the bottom thereof.

2. Description of Prior Art U.S. Patents No. 4,492,374 issued on January 8, 1985 to Lekhtman et al.

and No. 5,205,798 issued on April 27, 1993 to Lekhtman each disclose a sporting and exercising boot which includes a foot receiving member and an oval shaped spring member attached to the bottom of the foot receiving member. The spring member includes top and bottom arched layers which are joined together at corresponding ends thereof by a spring rate and weight adjustment mechanism extending between the top and bottom arched members.

The oval shaped spring member described in U.S. Patent No. 4,492,374 is permanently attached to the foot receiving member. It is noted that the nature of the attachment of the top and bottom arched layers does not allow for the oval shaped spring member to disassemble under condition of extraordinary lateral S: force.

The top arched layer of the oval shaped spring member disclosed in U.S.

Patent No. 5,205,798 is detachably fastened to the sole of the foot receiving member by two screws which extend through openings defined in the top arched layer and into the foot receiving member. The spring member is provided with a sole which is detachably mounted to the bottom surface of the bottom arched 25 layer by screws; alternatively, the sole can be attached to the bottom arched layer by inserting the ends of the sole into respective pockets defined near the ends of the bottom arcuate layer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide an exercise boot having a foot receiving member which is relatively simple and economical to manufacture.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise ,ot including a foot receiving member and a spring member positioned under a.

a a said foot receiving member, said foot receiving member being adapted for receiving a wearer's foot, said spring member including upper and lower resilient members and being adapted to be mounted with non rigid connection means to said foot receiving member at said upper resilient member, said connection means including co-operating first and second attachment means provided respectively on said foot receiving member and on said upper resilient member, said first and second attachment means being capable of limited relative longitudinal movement therebetween such that said upper resilient member retains at least most of its springiness at said connection means.

Also preferably in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise boot including a foot receiving member and a spring member under said foot receiving member, said foot receiving member being formed of a flexible piece of material having left and right portions which, when forming a boot configuration, define a foot supporting base, and connection means for connecting said left and right portions to said spring member while retaining said left and right portions in said boot configuration.

Still preferably in accordance with the present invention, there is provided an exercise boot including a foot receiving member and a spring member positioned under said foot receiving member, said foot receiving member being 20 provided with resilient means extending inwardly from opposed lateral sides of said foot receiving member at a rear portion thereof, substantially opposite a counter of a user's footwear, said resilient means having a height which generally decreases towards a front portion of said foot receiving member thereby enabling said foot receiving member to accommodate various sizes of footwear.

25 Still further preferably in accordance with the present invention, there is provided a sport boot for supporting a wearer's foot, including left and right portions assembled in a boot configuration which is symmetrical about a vertical plane extending through a longitudinal axis of said sport boot, whereby said sport boot can be worn on either a left or right foot of a wearer such that a more even wear of a ground engaging part of said sport boot may be obtained by switching said sport boot between the left and right feet of the wearer.

Still further preferably in accordance with the present invention, there is Sprovided an exercise boot including a foot receiving member adapted to support a wearer's foot, and a spring member positioned under said foot receiving member, said foot receiving member including a base portion adapted to support a wearer's foot and having connecting means for attaching said spring member at various longitudinal positions relative to said foot receiving member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof and in which: Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of an exercise boot in accordance with the present invention and comprised of a foot receiving member and a spring member; o* o" oo WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the foot receiving member of the exercise boot of Fig. 1 shown in an extended molded position; Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a bottom arcuate layer of the spring member, a top arcuate layer of the spring member being identical; Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal cross-sectional view of the arcuate layer of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the foot receiving member in a collapsed functional position and assembled to a top arcuate layer of the spring member; Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of Fig. showing a connection of the foot receiving member to the top arcuate layer of the spring member; Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of Fig. Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of Fig. Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a strap of the spring member; Figs. 10a to 1Oc are top plan views of straps as in Fig. 9 but having different widths; Fig. 11 is a bottom plan view of a sole of the spring member; Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the sole of Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is an end elevational view of the sole Fig. 11; Fig. 14 is a detailed view of the extended foot receiving member of Fig. 2 showing fins thereof extending inwardly from below the ankle area of the foot receiving member; Fig. 15 is a side elevational view of a strap of the spring member in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 16a to 16c are top plan views of straps having different dimensioned longitudinal slots extending centrally therethrough; and Fig. 17 is a schematic perspective view of the spring member, showing how to dismantle its arcuate layers from its tension strap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to the drawings and, more particularly, to Fig. 1, an exercise boot embodying the elements of the present invention and generally designated by the numeral 10 will be described.

More specifically, the exercise boot 10 comprises a foot receiving member 12 and a spring member 14 connected thereunder. The spring member 14 includes identical top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 joined to each other at the ends thereof in an oval shape. The spring member 14 is removably mounted to -4- WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 the bottom of the foot receiving member 12, as will be described in detail hereinbelow.

As shown in Fig. 2, the foot receiving member 12 is molded in a single piece of flexible material which is formed of two symmetrical parts, namely a left portion 20 and a right portion 22, which are identical and integrally connected at upper end thereof by a web portion 24. The foot receiving member 12 is made of a flexible material such as a plastics material. The left and right portions 20 and 22 are provided with respective integral base portions 26 and 28 which extend substantially horizontally therefrom, inwardly of the foot receiving member 12. As best seen in Figs. 2 and 5 to 8, the base portions 26 and 28 have upper surfaces which together provide a sole 30 for supporting a wearer's foot when the foot receiving member 12 is folded or collapsed, as in Figs. 1 and 7, in a boot-shaped configuration. The base portions 26 and 28 each include a bottom arcuate section which defines three pairs of hook members 32 for engaging a slot 34 which extends centrally and longitudinally along a portion of the top arcuate layer 16 (see slot 60 of identical bottom arcuate layer 18 of Fig. The two sets of three pair of hook members 32 are designed to accommodate therebetween transversal sections of the top arcuate layer 16 extending on both sides of the slot 34, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Accordingly, the foot receiving member 12 is formed by bending the single piece of flexible material along a symmetry axis 36 (see Fig. 2) extending through the web portion 24 interconnecting the left and right portions 20 and 22 of the foot receiving member 12 and by forcing the hook members 32 of each base portion 26 and 28 to engage the slot 34 defined in the top arcuate layer 16.

Basically, the top arcuate layer 16 is first positioned between the left and right portions 20 and 22 which are then brought inwardly such that the aforementioned transversal sections of the top arcuate layer 16 slide between the hook members 32 until the hook members 32 become engaged in the slot 34. Therefore, as best seen in Figs. 6 and 7, the hook members 32 and the slot 34 cooperate to hold the base portions 26 and 28 together in a boot configuration and also to interconnect the foot receiving member 12 (in its collapsed functional position of Figs 1 and 7) and the spring member 14 in a secure assembly.

The fact that the left and right portions 20 and 22 are symmetrical and thus possess exactly the same configuration and dimensions relative to the symmetry axis 36 allows for the foot receiving member 12 to be worn on either the right or left foot of a user. This constitutes an important advantage over conventional foot receiving members in that by switching the left and right foot WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 receiving members, it is possible to obtain a more even wear of the ground engaging part of the boot and, more particularly, in the illustrated embodiment, of a ground engaging sole 54 of the bottom arcuate layer 16 of the spring member 14.

As best seen in Figs. 6 to 8 and especially Fig. 8, the base portions 26 and 28 define a transversely rectangular and longitudinally arcuate (see Fig. channel through which is inserted the top arcuate layer 16 and in which the hook members 32 engage the slot 34. The hook members 32 can displace along the slot 34 of the top arcuate layer 16 upon flexing of the latter such that the top arcuate layer 16 springiness along its entire length, and not only longitudinally outwardly of its points of connection to the foot receiving member 12, as in the prior art where there is no positive spring work from the upper spring member between the points of attachment which are fixed. In other words, with the present configuration, the springiness of the top arcuate layer 16 is mostly retained even where it is connected to the foot receiving member 12 as the engagement of the hook members 32 in the slot 34 does not produce a rigid connection as it is the case with the screws used in the prior art. Indeed, in conventional exercise boots, the spring members are rigidly connected to the boots thereby greatly reducing the upper arcuate member's ability to elastically deform and thus also reducing the overall springiness of the spring member. In the present invention, the mechanism used to mount the spring member 14 to the foot receiving member 12, that is the hook members 32 and the slot 34, constitutes a non rigid connection which allows for the top arcuate member 16 to retain its springiness at this point of connection thereby resulting in that both top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 operate in equal regimes.

As shown in Figs. 1 and 5, the left and right base portions 26 and 28 each define three axially spaced-apart slots 37 which are dimensioned and configured to selectively receive lateral ribs 39 extending outwardly from opposed longitudinal edges of the top arcuate layer 16 of the spring member 14 (see Fig. 3) in order to limit forward and rearward movements of the top arcuate layer 16 relative to the foot receiving member 12. The lateral ribs 39 are located midway between the two opposed ends of the arcuate layer 16. By inserting the lateral ribs 39 in a selected pair of transversally opposite slots 37, it is possible to adjust the position of the top arcuate layer 16 relative to the foot receiving member 12.

Accordingly, the hook members 32 can be displaced along the slot 34 of the top arcuate layer 16 and the lateral ribs 39 can be disposed in different slots 37 to permit users having different foot sizes and weights to properly position their center of gravity in the central area of the spring members 14.

-6- WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 Once the base portions 26 and 28 have been assembled to the top arcuate layer 16 as described hereinabove, they are fastened together by screws (not shown) which extend through holes 38 defined in each base portion 26 and 28 and into material of the base portions 26 and 28, as shown in Fig. 6. A single screw inserted in a single hole from one side of the foot receiving member 12 may be used.

The top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 are identical and made of a flexible material such as a hard flexible plastics material. The top arcuate layer 16 is provided at each end thereof with a horizontal projection or ledge from which extend a pair of nipples 42. Similarly, the bottom arcuate layer 18 is provided at each end thereof with a horizontal projection 41 from which extend a pair of nipples 43. A rectangular indent or notch 44 is defined in the center part of each horizontal projection 40 and 41.

Now referring to Figs. 1 and 9, a spring rate and weight adjustment means in the form of a resilient rubber or plastic strap 46 is disposed between the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18. The strap 46, as best seen in Figs. 10a to may have different widths such as to allow for various spring forces. For instance, an intermediate strap 46b is used for a medium spring resistance. To provide a greater resistance, or to support a greater weight, a heavier and thicker strap 46c is used. Alternatively, to provide less resistance and to support a smaller weight, a lighter and thinner strap 46a is used. Therefore, the exercise boot 10 is adaptable to a wide range of weights and/or desired resistance.

As illustrated in Figs. 16a to 16c, it is also contemplated to provide straps 46a', 46b' and 46c' defining in a central portion thereof respective longitudinal slots 47a', 47b' and 47c' of different transversal dimensions to provide various spring forces.

More particularly, the strap 46 is provided at each end thereof with an integral hook member 48 which defines top and bottom grooves 50 and 52 to respectively receive the horizontal projections 40 and 41 protruding from facing ends of the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18, respectively. Each groove and 52 is interrupted by a protruding step (not shown) which is disposed centrally of the groove and which has a width corresponding to the width of the notches 44.

Therefore, each step can be fitted into a corresponding notch 44 to prevent the lateral movement of the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 relative to the strap 46 when submitted to small or normal lateral forces. This arrangement also centers the strap 46 with respect to both arcuate layers 16 and 18.

-7- WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 When the spring member 14 is assembled, as shown in Fig. 1, the portion of each hook member extending between respective top and bottom grooves 50 and 52 will extend transversely between the nipples 42 and 43 which outwardly abut respective edges of the hook member 48. Therefore, the nipples 42 and 43 also contribute in preventing lateral movements of the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 with respect to the strap 46 under small lateral forces.

However, if a strong lateral force is exerted on the spring member 14, this strong lateral force will overcome the holding restraint provided by the nipples 42 and 43 and by the notches 44 on the hook members 48 thereby permitting lateral movement of the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 relative to the strap 46. Accordingly, the strap 46 and the bottom arcuate layer 18 will detach from the top arcuate layer 16 and the user will thus step on the relatively flat surfaces of the top arcuate layer 16 provided by its horizontal projections 40 to thereby avoid injuries. Therefore, the automatic disassembly of the spring member 14 under the influence of a high lateral force provides a safety feature.

As illustrated in Fig. 17, the tension strap 46 may be easily disassemble from the spring member 14 by simply introducing the flat end of a tool T, such as a screwdriver, in one of the notches 44 defined in the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18 and subsequently exerting a lever action by pivoting the tool T in an upward direction about the flat end thereof. The tension strap 46 may be replaced by first inserting the flat end of the tool T in one of the bottom grooves 52 defined in the strap 46 with the shaft of the tool extending through the associated notch 44 of the bottom arcuate layer 18 and then pushing downward on the tool so as to compress the bottom arcuate layer to permit insertion thereof in the bottom groove 52 of the strap 46.

Fig. 15 illustrates a strap 46' which is provided at opposed end portions thereof with a pair of spring elements 51' which are adapted to increase the bouncing power of the spring member 14 since, after a certain degree of deformation by compression has been reached by the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18, the latter act on the spring elements 51' which consequently store energy which is subsequently released to increase the bouncing power of the spring member 14. The spring elements 51' also contribute to increase the resistance to compression of the top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18. More particularly, each spring element 51' has a C-shaped configuration which includes a first portion 53' extending from a top surface of the strap 46' and a second -8- WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 portion 55' extending from a bottom surface of the strap 46'. The spring elements 51' are made of a resilient material and may be integral to the strap 46'.

A ground engaging sole 54 is detachably mounted to the bottom surface of the bottom arcuate layer 18. As shown in Fig. 11, the bottom of the sole 54 comprise a tread pattern 56 for providing a good grip of the sole 54 on the ground. The sole 54 is made of a flexible material having a high friction coefficient, such as rubber. An elongated interrupted vertical rib thereby defining plurality of protuberances 58 protrudes from the upper surface of the sole 54 and is adapted to be pressure fitted within a longitudinal slot 60 extending centrally in the bottom arcuate layer 18 (see Fig. 3).

The bottom surface of the sole 54 defines two transversal channels 62, as seen in Fig. 11, for receiving respective straps (not shown) which surround the sole 54 and the top arcuate layer 18 by extending along the bottom surface of the sole 54 and the top surface of the bottom arcuate layer 18 in a closed loop configuration thereby further securing the sole 54 to the bottom arcuate layer 18.

The sole 54 is disposed centrally of the bottom arcuate layer 18 between two end abutments 63 (see Fig. 4) defined by the bottom surface of the bottom arcuate layer 18 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the sole 54 with respect to the bottom arcuate layer 18. The close fit of the protuberances 58 in the slot 60 also prevents any longitudinal displacement of the sole 54 relative to the bottom arcuate layer 18.

Turning now to Figs. 2 and 14, the left portion 20 and the right portion 22 of the foot receiving member 14 are provided generally between the heel and the ankle of the user with a plurality of inwardly extending fins 64. These fins 64 are more or less located opposite the counter or the quarter of the user's footwear. The left and right portions 20 and 22 are also provided at the front thereof substantially opposite the metatarsal portion of the foot) with a plurality of inwardly extending fins 66. As best seen in Fig. 14, the height of the fins 64 gradually decreases in the direction of arrow 68, i.e. towards the front of the foot receiving member 12. The height of the fins 66 gradually increase towards the front and finally decrease slightly as they reach the front of the foot receiving member 12. The fins 64 and 66 allow a same foot receiving member 12 to accommodate various shoe sizes. Therefore, the foot receiving member 12 can be manufactured in, for instance, only three different sizes (such as small, medium and large) while accommodating a wide range of foot or shoe sizes. The fins 64 and 66 also permit to properly axially position the foot of the user to thus ensure -9- WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 that the center of gravity thereof is substantially in the central portion of the spring member 14.

The foot receiving member 12 is designed to be worn over other footwear, such as shoes, boots or the like. Accordingly, the base portions 26 and 28 forming the sole 30 of the foot receiving member 12 are provided with a plurality of transversal ribs 70 to ensure a good grip of the outsole of the footwear on the sole 30. This is best seen in Fig. 2.

A foam-like pad 72 made of soft material is glued to the inner surface of the web portion 24 and to the upper ends of portions 20 and 22 for comfort purposes.

When the foot receiving member 12 is assembled to the top arcuate layer 16 as explained hereinbefore, the upper parts of the left and right portions and 22 and the web portion 24 form a leg embracing portion 74 while the bottom parts of these left and right portions provide a foot containing portion 76. As schematically illustrated in Fig. 1, the leg embracing portion 74 and the foot containing portion 76 are provided with adjustable straps (not shown) which are retained in position by catches 78 for securing the exercise boot 10 to the leg and foot of the user in a manner well known in the art.

As shown in Fig. 2, two downwardly diverging longitudinal cuts 78 are defined in the upper area of the web portion 24 so as to form a triangular panel The flexibility of the triangular panel 80 along with its configuration allow the same to move forward or rearward in tight relation to the back of a wearer's leg in response to movements of the wearer's ankle, thereby providing increased comfort for the wearer.

From the above it is easily seen that the construction of the foot receiving member 12 can accommodate a wide range of foot or shoe sizes and thus, for instance by way of fins 66, reduce the number of boot sizes to be manufactured.

Also, it is readily understood that manufacturing costs are reduced by having identical top and bottom arcuate layers 16 and 18, and by having a boot portion, i.e. the foot receiving member, molded in a single component.

The sole 54 and the strap 46 are easily replaceable when worn, with various straps being available to vary the spring force.

Although the foot receiving member 12 has been described in the context of an exercise boot 10, it is understood that it may be used in other applications where uneven wear of a ground engaging surface is detrimental to the performance of a given activity. For instance, the foot receiving member 12 may WO 98/55185 PCT/CA98/00547 be used as a shoe portion of an in-line roller skate. Indeed, by switching the left and right skates as described hereinbefore, the service life of the wheels of the right and left skates may be increased, as the same are more evenly worn.

Furthermore, it is also understood that the spring member 12 may be connected to other suitable boots which are provided with a central bolt connection which can cooperate with the longitudinal slot 34 defined in the top arcuate layer 16 for securing the spring member 14 to an undersurface of the base of the boot.

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Claims (33)

1. An exercise boot including a foot receiving member and a spring member positioned under said foot receiving member, said foot receiving member being adapted for receiving a wearer's foot, said spring member including upper and lower resilient members and being adapted to be mounted with non rigid connection means to said foot receiving member at said upper resilient member, said connection means including co-operating first and second attachment means provided respectively on said foot receiving member and on said upper resilient member, said first and second attachment means being capable of limited relative longitudinal movement therebetween such that said upper resilient member retains at least most of its springiness at said connection means.

2. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper resilient member is retained captive in an arcuate longitudinal channel means defined in a base portion of said foot receiving member while being capable of limited longitudinal movement with respect to said base portion.

3. An exercise boot as defined in claim 2, wherein said base portion further defines slot means adapted to receive lateral rib means extending from opposed longitudinal edges of said upper resilient member so as to restrict longitudinal movement thereof with respect to said foot receiving member.

4. An exercise boot as defined in claim 3, wherein said slot means include a number of axially spaced-apart transversal slots which are adapted to selectively ":*"receive said lateral rib means of said upper resilient member to permit adjustment of the axial position of said spring member relative to said foot receiving member.

An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said first attachment means include hook means said second attachment means including slot means longitudinally defined in said upper resilient member, said hook means being adapted to engage said slot means for attaching said upper resilient member to said foot receiving member while allowing said limited relative movement 13 between said upper resilient member and said foot receiving member along said slot means.

6. An exercise boot as defined in claim 5, wherein said hook means include first and second sets of hook members inwardly extending from opposed longitudinal sides of a bottom portion of said foot receiving member and engaging said slot means.

7. An exercise boot as defined in claim 6, wherein each said hook member includes opposed upper and lower hooks adapted to receive therebetween a section of said upper resilient member outward of said slot means and to lockingly engage said slot means of said upper resilient member.

8. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member is formed of a flexible piece of material having left and right portions, said left and right portions being provided with respective base portions extending substantially horizontally therefrom, and wherein said second attachment means include slot **means defined longitudinally in said upper resilient member and wherein said first attachment means include first and second hook means extending inwardly from ooo o• respective base portions of said left and right portions for engaging said slot means thereby retaining said left and right portions in a boot like configuration, while at the same time attaching said upper resilient member to said foot receiving member.

9. An exercise boot as defined in claim 8, wherein said foot receiving member is constituted of a single molded piece of flexible material and said left and right portions are symmetrical.

An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein second non rigid connection means are provided for attaching a ground engaging sole to an undersurface of said lower resilient member. 14

11. An exercise boot as defined in claim 10, wherein said second non rigid connection means include elongated rib means extending upwardly from said ground engaging sole and adapted to be pressure fitted in a longitudinal slot means defined in said lower resilient member.

12. An exercise boot as defined in claim 11, wherein said second non rigid connection means further include strap means tightly surrounding said lower resilient member and said ground engaging sole, and wherein an undersurface of said lower resilient member defines transversal channel means for receiving said strap means.

13. An exercise boot as defined in claim 2, wherein said base portion of said foot receiving member includes left and right portions, and wherein fastener means extend transversally through said left and right portions of said base portion under said arcuate longitudinal channel means thereof for connecting said left and right portions together.

14. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said upper and lower resilient members are respectively arched upwardly and downwardly and include respective first and second opposed ends, and wherein said spring member further includes an intermediate elongated resilient member having first and second opposed ends, said intermediate elongated member being disposed between said upper and lower resilient members, said first ends of said upper and lower resilient members being removably attached to said first end of said 0 intermediate elongated member, and said second ends of said upper and lower resilient members being removably attached to said second end of said intermediate elongated resilient member.

An exercise boot as defined in claim 14, wherein said intermediate elongated resilient member includes a pair of spring restoring means disposed at axially spaced-apart locations on said intermediate elongated resilient member between said upper and lower resilient members, each said spring restoring means including first and second portions extending respectively from an upper surface and a lower surface of said intermediate elongated resilient member such as to define a C-shaped configuration.

16. An exercise boot as defined in claim 15, wherein said spring restoring means are integral to said intermediate elongated resilient member.

17. An exercise boot as defined in claim 15, wherein said intermediate elongated resilient member is provided at said first end thereof with first snap connecting means and at said second end thereof with second snap connecting means, said first ends of said upper and lower resilient members being snap- fittingly received in said first snap connecting means, and said second ends of said upper and lower resilient members being snap-fittingly received in said second snap connecting means, and wherein said first and second ends of said upper and lower resilient members each define notch means, said notch means being adapted to accommodate one end of a lever means for facilitating a dismantling of said spring member.

18. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member is formed of a flexible piece of material having left and right portions, said left and right portions being joined by at least a leg embracing portion including a resilient member adapted to provide support to a back portion of a wearer's leg, while being adapted to move forward or rearward in tight relation thereto.

19. An exercise boot as defined in claim 18, wherein said resilient member includes a triangular panel formed by two downwardly diverging longitudinal cuts defined in an upper area of said leg embracing portion.

An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member is formed of a flexible piece of material having left and right portions which, when forming a boot configuration, define a foot supporting base, and connection means for connecting said left and right portions to said spring member while retaining said left and right portions in said boot configuration. 16

21. An exercise boot as defined in claim 20, wherein said connecting means include slot means defined in a top portion of said spring member and first and second hook means extending respectively inwardly from said left and right portions for engaging said slot means of said spring member.

22. An exercise boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said spring member has a substantially oval configuration, and wherein said slot means include a longitudinal slot extending substantially centrally along said top portion of said spring member.

23. An exercise boot as defined in claim 21, wherein said first and second hook means each include a set of parallel hook members, said hook members being integral with said foot receiving member.

24. An exercise boot as defined in claim 20, wherein said left and right portions are symmetrical thereby forming in said boot configuration a boot which is symmetrical about a vertical plane extending through a longitudinal axis thereof.

25. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member is provided with resilient means extending inwardly from opposed lateral sides of said foot receiving member at a rear portion thereof, substantially opposite a counter of the wearer's footwear, said resilient means having a height which generally decreases towards a front portion of said foot receiving member thereby enabling said foot receiving member to accommodate various sizes of footwear.

26. An exercise boot as defined in claim 25, wherein said resilient means include a number of fin means integral to said foot receiving member.

S27. An exercise boot as defined in claim 26, wherein said foot receiving member is provided at a front portion thereof with additional fin means extending inwardly from opposed lateral sides of said foot receiving member, substantially opposite a metatarsal portion of the wearer's foot, said additional fin means 17 having a height which generally decreases towards said front portion of said foot receiving member.

28. An exercise boot as defined in claim 27, wherein said fin means and said additional fin means each include a plurality of substantially vertical fins.

29. An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member includes left and right portions assembled in a boot configuration which is symmetrical about a vertical plane extending through a longitudinal axis of said exercise boot, whereby said exercise boot can be worn on either a left or right foot of the wearer such that a more even wear of a ground engaging part of said spring member may be obtained by switching said exercise boot between the left and right feet of the wearer.

An exercise boot as defined in claim 1, wherein said foot receiving member includes a base portion adapted to support the wearer's foot and has connecting means for attaching said spring member at various longitudinal positions relative to said foot receiving member.

31. An exercise boot as defined in claim 30, wherein said connecting means include hook means depending from said foot receiving member and adapted to engage slot means longitudinally defined in said spring member for attaching said spring member to said foot receiving member while allowing limited relative movement between said spring member and said foot receiving member along said slot means.

32. An exercise boot as defined in claim 31, wherein said connecting means further include a number of axially spaced-apart slot means defined in said foot S"receiving member and adapted to selectively receive lateral rib means extending from opposed longitudinal edges of said spring member to permit adjustment of the axial position of said spring member relative to said foot receiving member. 18

33. An exercise boot substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings. DATED this 20th day of August 2002 JJCO INC DAVID LEKHTMAN WATERMARK PATENT TRADE MARK ATTORNEYS 290 BURWOOD ROAD HAWTHORN VICTORIA 3122 AUSTRALIA P16760AU00 PNF/AAL/HB S. S. S S S. S S S S S