Background of the invention The prior art quarter were consisting of many separate components. A medial quarter 1 (figure 1) and a lateral quarter 2 were manufactured as separate parts. The rear extremities of these parts, corresponding to the heel and ankle portions of the foot, were then sewn together. A tendon guard 3, also manufactured as a separate part, was finally disposed on the top end of the assembly. With such a realization, the rear part of the skate boot was provided with a sewing line, presenting many disadvantages. For example, the sewing line was difficult to realize when using rigid materials. Moreover, the cambered shape of these elements caused many difficulties to realize the sewing line.

Furthermore, the boot integrity was considerably affected by the presence of a sewing line at the rear part of the boot, this area being subject to very strong constraints. This sewing line was subject to breaking, causing considerable damage to the skate boot. During the assembly process, there was a high probability that the operator set together two similar parts, instead of one medial and one lateral quarters, these parts being very similar. The quality control requirements were very strict, to ensure that the sewing lines were exactly in a straight line. According to prior art realizations, the tendon guard was also placed over the quarters, forming an overlap. This implied additional use of material, additional weight, etc.

Considering the importance of the quarter to produce a high quality skate boot, there is a strong demand for an improved quarter.

Objects and statement of the invention It is thus an object of the invention to provide a quarter for skate boot avoiding the above mentioned drawbacks.

It is another object of the invention to provide an ice skate boot or a roller skate boot provided with such a quarter.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention provides a quarter for a lasted skate boot, said quarter being adapted to encircle the heel and ankle portions of a wearer's foot, said quarter comprising a quarter medial portion, a quarter lateral portion, a junction line between said portions, said portions being integrally connected at said junction line.

A skate boot provided with such a quarter has a stronger heel portion, without any risk of broken sewing line. It is less expensive to manufacture, with at least one sewing step eliminated. There is no necessity to add additional material to protect the sewing line.

Advantageously, the portions extend upwardly along said junction line, and outwardly each side of said line along a narrowing profile adapted to the rear shape a skate boot when folded in U-shape.

The lateral and medial portions respectively, are preferably provided with a foxing medial and lateral portions, extending downwardly from said quarter medial and lateral portions.

A tendon guard is advantageously provided in the upper portion of the quarter. The tendon guard may be partially sewn to the upper portion of the quarter before assembly to the skate boot. The tendon guard and the quarter are connected side by side.

As embodied and broadly described herein, the invention also provides a skate boot comprising a sole, a front portion for enclosing the toes of a wearer's foot, a rear portion for enclosing the heel of a wearer's foot, side walls extending longitudinally between said front and heel portions, the rear portion comprising a quarter as previously defined.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent by reference to the following description and the drawings.

Brief description of the drawings A detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention is provided hereinbelow, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an elevational view of a quarter of a prior art quarter; Figure 2 is an elevational view of a quarter according to the invention; Figures 3 and 4 are elevational views of a skate boot with a quarter according to the invention; Figure 5 illustrates a perspective view of a quarter according to the invention preformed before assembly to the skate boot.

In the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of examples. It is to be expressly understood that the description and drawings are only for the purpose of illustration and are an aid for understanding. They are not intended to be a definition of the limits of the invention.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments The skate boot, according to the invention, avoids these drawbacks. According to the invention, the quarter is provided in one piece. It comprises a quarter medial portion 11, and a quarter lateral portion 13. The quarter medial portion 11 and lateral portion 13 comprise respectively a foxing medial and lateral portions 12 and 14. The junction line between the lateral and medial portions defines a symmetry line 15.

In a variant, a tendon guard 20 is disposed in the upper portion of the quarter.

This tendon guard is preferably sewn to the quarter. The guard is therefore attached to the quarter, along with the junction line 21. This junction line is preferably formed by the top bordering of the upwardly extending central section of the quarter. Furthermore, the guard is advantageously disposed side by side with the quarter. This type of joint avoids the formation of any overlapping of the two assembled parts.

According to the invention, with a quarter consisting of only one piece, there is no sewing line along the symmetry line 15.

The two foxing medial and lateral portions 12 and 14 are advantageously joined together with a sewing line. This assembly line provides an advantageous curved shape for the heel area. For more resistance, the guard and the foxing portions are sewn, in the form of zigzags or saw teeth.

This improved skate boot features a stronger heel portion, without any risk of broken sewing line. It is less expensive to manufacture, with at least one sewing step eliminated. There is no necessity to add additional material to protect the sewing line.

The quarter may be manufactured with different materials, for example with a multi-layer composite comprising fibres, polymer and nylon, preferably by dye-cut.

To complete the skate, the quarter is formed, sewn to the upper of the boot.

The sole is then glued to the upper. Finally, the blade assembly is riveted to the sole.

The above description of preferred embodiments should not be interpreted in a limiting manner since other variations, modifications and refinements are possible within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of the invention is defined in the appended claims and their equivalents.