US Patent 6877256 Boot and liner with tightening mechanism

A boot (100), such as a sports boot, having a removable liner (160) that is adapted to be inserted into an outer shell (110). The liner includes a vamp gap (170) with a plurality of cable keepers (168) disposed on either side of the gap, and a cable (166) that slidably engages the cable keepers, for tightening the liner about the user's foot. A tightening mechanism (190) having a knob (192) is attached to the liner and engages the cable, whereby the user can releasably tension the cable. An aperture (126) including a grommet portion (130) in the outer shell is adapted to receive the knob whereby the user can tighten the liner without removing the boot outer shell.