US20050198866A1 - Shoe tightening system - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoe with a tightening apparatus is provided. The tightening apparatus is mounted substantially on the shoe longitudinal axis having concave lace ankle guides to inhibit irritation to the ankle bone of a wearer.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/631,572, allowed, titled the same.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to shoes and, more particularly, to a sport shoe tightening system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• There exist many mechanisms for tightening shoes, boots, skates, and other footwear. Conventional mechanisms for tightening footwear range from simple manual lace tightening to more complex buckles or clamps and the like. Manual lace tightening has many drawbacks including, for example, difficulty in adjusting the lace tightness and uneven distribution of pressure from the tightening. Buckle and clamp style systems, while quicker than manual lace tightening, cause pressure points where the buckles or clamps exist. These pressure points cause localized hot spots and irritation, which can lead to blisters and the like.
• VELCRO® straps can be used in place of buckles and/or laces, but they suffer many of the drawbacks of buckles in they produce localized pressure points and uneven tightness distribution. Further, the straps are prearranged, similar to buckles, inhibiting the shoe from free forming to a user's foot shape. The result is localized pressure points and hotspots that can irritate the foot.
• An existing automatic lace tightening system is described by U.S. Pat. No. 6,289,558, issued Sep. 18, 2001, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,599, issued Aug. 10, 1999, both titled FOOTWEARLACINGSYSTEM, both issued to Hammerslag. The Hammerslag patents describe a circular tightening apparatus that is rotated to tighten the laces and locked in place with a ratchet and pawl lock. The laces are loosened by releasing the lock by lifting the pawl and pulling on the laces to loosen them, or using reverse rotation of the ratchet. As can be seen, the Hammerslag patents disclose a conventional shoe having an upper with an open throat. Opposing sides of the upper are tightened using the laces and tightening system of the Hammerslag patents.
• The recent trend with Cycling shoes has been to provide ashoe100 as shown inFIG. 1.Shoe100 has a conventional sole102 and a conventional upper104. Upper104 comprises atoe box106, atongue108 covering a throat opening (not specifically shown), and aheel110. As can be seen onshoe100, aseam112 attaches thetongue108 to upper104 abouttoe box106. Acanopy114 with one ormore fasteners116 are coupled to upper104 on afirst side118 and releasably attached to upper114 on asecond side120 such thatfasteners116traverse tongue108. Conventionally,fasteners116 comprise hook and loop style fasteners, such as, for example, VELRCO® straps. These straps, however, have fixed fastening locations that cause localized pressure points, hotspots, and irritation to the user's foot.
• While it would be desirous to incorporate the lacing system disclosed by the Hammerslag patents into conventional cycling shoes, it has been discovered that incorporating the Hammerslag patents as disclosed into cycling shoes causes localized hotspots, pressure points, and buckling incanopy114. Thus, it would be desirous to develop an improved shoe tightening system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• To attain the advantages and in accordance with the present invention, a tightening system for a shoe is provided. The shoe comprises a sole and an upper. The upper is formed of at least a toe box, a throat, and a heel. The tightening system comprises a plurality of lace guides on opposing sides of the throat coupled to a symmetrically located tightening apparatus. A lace runs from a tightening apparatus to the guides allowing the canopy to be tightened on the foot of a user.
• The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
• The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same numerical reference.
• FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a conventional cycling shoe;
• FIG. 2 is side elevation views of a shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention;
• FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the shoe ofFIG. 2;
• FIGS. 4A and 4B are elevation views of opposing sides of another shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
• FIGS. 5A and 5B are a top and side elevation view of another shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 2-5. While the present invention is shown and described with regard to a cycling shoe, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize on reading the disclosure that alternative shoes styles could use the invention described herein, and the use of a cycling shoe is exemplary and non-limiting.
• FIG. 2 shows an elevation view of acycling shoe200.Cycling shoe200 includes a sole202 withlugs204 attached to sole202 and an upper206 attached to the sole.Lugs204 are optional. Upper206 comprises atoe box208, a throat covering210 covering the throat opening, aheel212, and a canopy214 (which partially obscures throat cover210).Throat cover210 could be replaced with a tongue and opening similar to conventional shoes, but the bunching of the tongue and upper may cause irritation. Further,throat cover210 optionally could be removed andcanopy214 could be stitched directly to upper206, but it is believed this would introduce additional bunching, localized pressure points, hotspots, and irritation to the user's foot.
• Canopy214 has afixed side216, which is not specifically shown, on the instep ofshoe200, and afree side218 opposite fixedside216. Abody220 ofcanopy214 traversestongue208 betweenfixed side216 andfree side218, which is best seen inFIG. 3.Shoe200 andcanopy214 are shown inFIG. 3 with a top plan view for ease of reference. Canopy214 has fixedside216 andfree side218 withbody220 extending there between. As shown,body220 has aslit222 or gap extending fromfree side218 to an interior portion ofbody220 to form at least twolobes224 inbody220.Lobes224 can move relatively independently of each other. Anedge226 on eachlobe224 contains acanopy cable guide228. Optionally,canopy cable guide228 can reside onlobes224proximate edge226 instead of onedge226. Generally,canopy cable guide228 comprises a lumen or channel and is made of a low friction plastic, cloth, or the like. As shown, fixedside216 resides on an instep side ofshoe200, but fixedside216 andfree side218 could be reversed as desired.
• Referring back toFIG. 2, at least one additionalupper cable guide230 is attached toshoe200.Upper cable guide230 comprises a lumen or channel and is made of a low friction material as well.Upper cable guide230 is generally attached on upper206. As can be seen, lace232 (which is shown in phantom inside cable guides228 and230) runs from tighteningapparatus234 through canopy cable guides228 and upper cable guides230 in a zigzag pattern. Generally, there will exist one morecanopy cable guide228 thanupper cable guide230. Moreover, canopy cable guides228 generally align with tighteningapparatus234 andupper cable guide230. The specifics of tighteningapparatus234 are further described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,289,558 and 5,934,599, incorporated herein by reference.
• Lobes224 move somewhat independently to each other and are not releasably attached in a fixed location, unlike either a buckle or VELCRO strap. In other words, lobes224 (and portions of canopy214) move and form to a user's foot unlike a buckle or VELCRO strap that is fixed to a predetermined location irrespective of the individual user's foot. The independent movement allowscanopy214 to form to a user's foot by givingcanopy214 an additional degree of freedom. By forming to the user's foot, pressure is more evenly distributed reducing localized hotspots and irritation.
• The Hammerslag patents disclose mountingtightening apparatus234 specifically on a tongue or behind a heel of a shoe. Largely, this placement is sufficient for the device disclosed in the Hammerslag patents because the tightening apparatus is designed to work with a symmetrical shoe having an upper with two symmetrical closure flaps that are being secured about a throat opening and tongue. Butshoe200 is asymmetrical and does not have a tongue, but ratherthroat cover210 andcanopy214. Althoughshoe200 could have tighteningapparatus234 attached at the heel or tongue area, it has been found that placing tightening apparatus about the shoe arch support area on a side opposite the instep facilitates operation of the device. Thus, it is believed placing tighteningapparatus234 substantially aligned with anaxis236 oflobes224 facilitates operation of the device. Further, to move tighteningapparatus234 to a different location, which would inhibit operation of the device, would likely require additional material, such as, for example, an additional upper cable guide to correct route the lace.
• Referring now toFIGS. 4A and 4B, anothershoe400 is shown.Shoe400 includes a sole402 with, optionally, one ormore lugs404 and an upper406.Upper406 comprises atoe box408, athroat cover410, and aheel412.Throat cover410 could be replaced with a throat opening with or without a tongue.Throat cover410 is attached to upper406 alongseam414. In this case, acanopy416 traversingthroat cover410 comprises a plurality ofindependent straps418 separated by a plurality ofgaps420. Each strap has a fixedend422 attached to one side of upper406 and afree end424. Free ends424 areproximate tightening apparatus426, which is generally located opposite the instep and substantially in line with anaxis428 of one of the plurality of free ends424. Eachfree end424 has acanopy cable guide430. As one of skill in the art will recognize, aligning tighteningapparatus426 withaxis428 is a general placement suggestion and not a requirement of placement. Also existingproximate tightening apparatus426 are upper cable guides432.Lace434 is shown laced between tighteningapparatus426, canopy cable guides430 and upper cable guides432. As can be seen inFIG. 4A, tighteningapparatus426 includes a rotating ratchet andpawl440 and arelease442. Ratchet andpawl440 operates such that it normally tightenslace434 by rotating in a singular direction. Release442 can be, for example, a lever that lifts the pawl of ratchet andpawl440 to allow rotation in the opposite direction or simply releases the locking effect so thatlace434 can be loosened.
• Shoe400 is slightly more form fitting thanshoe200 becausestraps418 move completely independent of each other, while forshoe200only lobes224, and a portion ofcanopy214, move somewhat independently of each other.
• Lace232 andlace434 should be formed of a low friction material as disclosed by the Hammerslag patents. But it is believed a low friction material alone is not sufficient for ideal operation of the tightening system. In particular, the design of the tightening system is such that replacement of the lace would be difficult. To minimize replacement, it is believed a low friction, high tensile strength lace should be used, such as, for example, a lace made out of SPECTRA® as produced by Honeywell. The SPECTRA material is actually a form of plastic known as Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene. Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene also is abrasion resistant.
• Shoe200 containsthroat cover210 andshoe400 containsthroat cover410 that replaces a throat opening and tongue. It is believed using the throat cover in place of a throat opening and tongue in the upper will reduce localized pressure points, hotspots, and irritation. To aid in this reduction, covers210 and410 are made out of a stretchable material, such as neoprene or a stretchable mesh fabric. Of course, other textiles, synthetic fabrics, or composites could be used. For increased comfort, a more breathable open foam construction may be used and or wicking material or absorbent material may be added to the cover as is generally known in the art. Having a stretchable material facilitates with the shoe fitting the user's foot without buckling or pressure points, etc. Assisting in the slipper fit described above. To fit most cyclist, throat cover should have a length L of about 95 mm to about 155 mm, but preferably has a length L of about 125 mm. Length L, however, can range anywhere from about 40 mm to 185 mm to accommodate various ages, sexes, and foot sizes. Similarly, throat cover should have a width W of about 50 mm to about 120 mm, but preferably has a width W of about 70 mm (as measured at the top opening). Width W, however, can range anywhere from about 30 mm to about 200 mm to accommodate various ages, sexes, and foot sizes. Length L and width W will also vary depending on the stretch ability of the material. Finally,shoe200 andshoe400 has the top opening with a length L′, which is conventional, and ranges from 60 mm to 90 mm, with 70 mm to 80 mm being the most common sizes, but preferably the length L′ is about 70 mm.
• Referring now toFIGS. 5A and 5B anothershoe500 consistent with the present invention is shown.Shoe500 includes sole502, withoptional lugs504, attached to an upper506.Upper506 includes atoe box508, athroat510, and aheel512.Heel512 defines anankle opening514. Atongue516 is attached to thetoe box508 atseam518, which is preferably on anexternal surface520 of the shoe and extends from thetoe box508 to theankle opening514 traversing thethroat510.Upper506 hasfirst side522 andsecond side524 on opposite sides ofthroat510. A plurality of first lace guides526 reside onfirst side522 and a corresponding plurality of second lace guides528 reside onsecond side524. A tighteningapparatus530 resides onheel512opposite toe box508 and is aligned with a longitudinal axis CL ofshoe500. Firstconcave ankle guide532 and secondconcave ankle guide534 extend aboutfirst side536 andsecond side538 ofankle opening514. Firstconcave ankle guide532 and secondconcave ankle guide534 are concave so the lace travels below, preferably slightly below, the ankle bone of a users foot.Laces540 are threaded in a zigzag pattern through first lace guides526 and second lace guides528 and firstconcave ankle guide532 and secondconcave ankle guide534 to couple with tighteningapparatus530. Such that operation of tighteningapparatus530, as described above, evenly tightensshoe500 on a wearer's foot. The firstconcave ankle guide532 and secondconcave ankle guide534 may be one concave part or multiple straight parts forming an overall concave shape.
• While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to an embodiment thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. A shoe comprising a sole coupled to an upper where the upper comprises a toe box, a throat opening, and a heel, the heel defining an ankle opening, the shoe containing a tightening system, the tightening system comprising:

a plurality of first lace guides coupled to a first side of the upper extending along the throat opening;

a corresponding plurality of second lace guides coupled to a second side of the upper extending along the throat opening;

a first concave ankle guide extending about a first side of the ankle opening;

a second concave ankle guide extending about a second side of the ankle opening;

a tightening apparatus located on the heel; and

at least one lace extending in a zigzag pattern through the plurality of first lace guides, the corresponding plurality of second lace guides, the first concave ankle guide, and the second concave ankle guide coupled to the tightening apparatus,

whereby using the tightening apparatus to tighten the lace facilitates the canopy molding to a foot of the user.

2. The tightening system according toclaim 1, wherein the tightening apparatus comprises:

a ratchet and pawl where rotation in one direction tightens the lace; and

a release to allow the lace to be loosened.

3. The tightening system according toclaim 2, wherein the release allows the ratchet and pawl to rotate in the other direction.

4. The tightening system according toclaim 1, wherein the first plurality of lace guides and the second plurality of lace guides are substantially on the top of the shoe.

5. The tightening system according toclaim 1, wherein the tightening apparatus is substantially located on a longitudinal axis of the shoe.

6. The tightening system according toclaim 1, further comprising a tongue coupled to the upper and extending from the toe box to the ankle opening.

7. A shoe including a tightening system, the shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper coupled to the sole;

the upper comprising a toe box, a throat, and a heel;

the throat residing in the upper such that the upper has a first side and a second side extending along and on opposite sides of the throat;

the heel defining an ankle opening;

a tongue coupled to the shoe and extending from the toe box to the ankle opening;

a plurality of first lace guides coupled to a first side of the upper extending along the throat opening;

a corresponding plurality of second lace guides coupled to a second side of the upper extending along the throat opening;

a first concave ankle guide extending about a first side of the ankle opening;

a second concave ankle guide extending about a second side of the ankle opening;

a tightening apparatus located on the heel; and

at least one lace extending in a zigzag pattern through the plurality of first lace guides, the corresponding plurality of second lace guides, the first concave ankle guide, and the second concave ankle guide coupled to the tightening apparatus,

whereby using the tightening apparatus to tighten the lace facilitates the canopy molding to a foot of the user.

8. The shoe according toclaim 7, wherein the shoe comprises at least one of the group consisting of a cycling shoe, a running shoe, a tennis shoe, a sneaker, a soccer shoe, a bowling shoe, a football shoe, a cleat, and a basketball shoe.

9. The shoe according toclaim 7, wherein the throat comprises a length of about 50 mm to about 180 mm and a width of about 30 mm to about 200 mm.

10. The shoe according toclaim 9, wherein the throat comprises a length of about 125 mm and a width of about 70 mm.

11. The shoe according toclaim 7, wherein the tongue is coupled to an exterior surface of the shoe.

12. The shoe according toclaim 7, wherein the tightening apparatus is attached substantially on the longitudinal axis of the shoe.

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