Importance

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Abstract

In the illustrated embodiments, the boot (22) has a sole plate (24) and a monolithic (54) shell of substantially rigid plastic material upstanding thereon. The shell forms an open top shoe structure (26) in which the user can insert the base of his foot, while he at the same time engages the metatarsal portion of his foot in a 'holster' formed under an arched cowl (32) at the forward end of the shell. Meanwhile, at the back of the shell, there is a rear wall (36) that upstands to a level above the ankle joint of the user's foot, to form a strongback for the achilles tendon of his foot. The strongback (36) is accompanied by a part annular cuff (38) which is adapted to be removably secured about the user's lower leg above the ankle joint therein, and is supported on the shell at the top opening (28) thereof, so as to have no more than a limited capability to flex in relation to the shell laterally thereof. The cuff (38) is pivotally mounted on the shell to assume a normally upright position adjacent the strongback (36) when the user's leg is relaxed and straightened at the knee and is relesably detained in such position by the strongback. However, the upper cuff and the holster are spaced apart from one another by a gap (88) across the instep of the user's foot when the upper cuff (38) is releaseably detained in the normally upright position thereof; and there is an opening in the gap and a recess (114) in one of the strongback and pivot in conjunction with the user's lower leg, relative to the shoe structure, to any one of the positions to which the user may choose to pivot his lower leg for water skiing, including the low angle position it will assume when he squats or crouches for startup.

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First Claim