U.S. patent application number 10/614225 was filed with the patent office on 2004-01-08 for cord and strap combination shoe closure.
Invention is credited to Jacobs, Laura Michelle.
Application Number | 20040003516 10/614225 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 30002676 |
Filed Date | 2004-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040003516 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Jacobs, Laura Michelle |
January 8, 2004 |
Cord and strap combination shoe closure
Abstract
A footwear closure assembly and method includes a plurality of
eyelets and at least one pair of slots disposed in said footwear, a
cord received by the eyelets and at least one strap to be received
by the slots, each strap having fasteners at each of its ends
disposed on opposite surfaces of said ends. Closure is achieved by
use of cord-alone, strap-alone, or both cord and strap in
combination.
Inventors: |
Jacobs, Laura Michelle; (New
York, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ST. ONGE STEWARD JOHNSTON & REENS, LLC
986 BEDFORD STREET
STAMFORD
CT
06905-5619
US
|
Family ID: |
30002676 |
Appl. No.: |
10/614225 |
Filed: |
July 7, 2003 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10614225 |
Jul 7, 2003 |
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29183107 |
Jun 5, 2003 |
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60393968 |
Jul 5, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/1493 20130101;
A43C 11/008 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Footwear with a closure assembly comprising: a plurality of
eyelets disposed in said footwear; a cord received by said eyelets,
said cord adapted to be removable from said footwear; at least one
pair of slots disposed in said footwear adjacent to said eyelets;
and at least one strap received by said at least one pair of slots
in an installed position, each of said at least one strap having at
least a portion of a fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces
of each of its ends, said at least one strap adapted to be
removable from said footwear.
2. Footwear of claim 1, wherein said at least one strap received by
said at least one pair of slots is folded upon itself so that in a
closed position, said fastener system couples and closes said
assembly.
3. Footwear of claim 1, wherein said fastener system comprises a
hook and loop fastener system.
4. Footwear of claim 1, wherein said cord is tied to close said
assembly.
5. Footwear of claim 1, wherein said closure assembly further
comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said
assembly.
6. Footwear of claim 1, wherein said at least one strap comprises
two straps and wherein said at least one pair of slots comprises
two pairs of slots, each of said straps received by one of-said
pair of slots, and each of said straps folded upon itself so that
in a closed position, each of said fastener systems couples to
close said assembly.
7. Footwear of claim 6, wherein said fastener system comprises a
hook and loop fastener system.
8. Footwear of claim 6, wherein said cord is tied to close said
assembly.
9. Footwear of claim 6, wherein said closure assembly further
comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said
assembly.
10. Footwear with a closure assembly comprising: a plurality of
eyelets disposed in said footwear; a cord received by said eyelets,
said cord adapted to be removable from said footwear; at least one
pair of loops disposed in said footwear adjacent to said eyelets;
and at least one strap received by said at least one pair of loops
in an installed position, each of said at least one strap having at
least a portion of a fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces
of each of its ends, said at least one strap adapted to be
removable from said footwear.
11. Footwear of claim 10, wherein said at least one strap received
by said at least one pair of loops is folded upon itself so that in
a closed position, said fastener system couples and closes said
assembly.
12. Footwear of claim 10, wherein said fastener system comprises a
hook and loop fastener system.
13. Footwear of claim 10, wherein said cord is tied to close said
assembly.
14. Footwear of claim 10, wherein said closure assembly further
comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said
assembly.
15. Footwear of claim 10, wherein said at least one strap comprises
two straps and wherein said at least one pair of loops comprises
two pairs of loops, and each of said straps folded upon itself so
that in a closed position, each of said fastener systems couple to
close said assembly
16. Footwear of claim 15, wherein said fastener system comprises a
hook and loop fastener system.
17. Footwear of claim 15, wherein said cord is tied to close said
assembly.
18. Footwear of claim 15, wherein said closure assembly further
comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said
assembly.
19. A closure assembly for footwear comprising: a plurality of
eyelets disposed in said footwear; a cord received by said eyelets,
said cord adapted to be removable from said footwear; at least one
pair of slots disposed in said footwear adjacent to said eyelets;
and at least one strap received by said at least one pair of slots
in an installed position, each of said at least one strap having at
least a portion of a fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces
of each of its ends, said at least one strap adapted to be
removable from said footwear.
20. The closure assembly of claim 19, wherein said at least one
strap received by said at least one pair of slots is folded upon
itself so that in a closed position, said fastener system couples
and closes said assembly.
Description
PRIOR APPLICATION
[0001] Applicant claims priority benefits under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No.
60/393,968 filed Jul. 5, 2002 and under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.120 as a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No.
29/183,107 filed Jun. 5, 2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to shoe closure apparatus and
method. More particularly, the present invention relates to a shoe
closure apparatus and method that offers several combinations of
closure.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Various shoe closure means are known. Shoes closures,
typically using Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fasteners, have been
developed to replace or reinforce/augment traditional shoe-lace
closures on all varieties of shoes, whether athletic, orthopedic,
or everyday-wear shoes. When totally or partially replacing laces,
a Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fastener provides ease of fastening for
those who may have difficulty due to age or limited use of their
hands. When used in conjunction with laces, Velcro.RTM. hook and
loop fasteners typically cinch and add additional support to
certain areas of the foot, such as the arch or serve to cover and
maintain the laces as a fail-safe. This requires that the
Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fastener, such as a strap, be fixedly
attached to the shoe. Example of this is seen in U.S. Pat. No.
4,114,297 to Famolare, Jr. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,308,672 to
Antonious. These closure means are used to totally or partially
eliminate laces and are fixed to the shoe itself. There use is not
optional. This does not give the wearer more than one option when
fastening closed their shoes.
[0004] While Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fastener straps have been
used in conjunction with or to replace traditional shoe-lace
closures, there remains a need for a closure apparatus which allows
the wearer to choose from several closure varieties. There remains
a need for strap closures which are removable from the shoe itself
and allows the wearer the option of using them.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A footwear closure assembly comprises a plurality of eyelets
disposed in said footwear, a cord received by said eyelets, at
least one pair of slots disposed in said footwear adjacent to said
eyelets, and at least one strap, each strap received by said one
pair of slots in installed position, and each strap having
fasteners at each of its ends disposed on opposite surfaces of said
ends.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cord and strap
combination shoe closure in accordance with the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is front perspective view thereof, showing the strap
in closed position.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front elevational view thereof, showing the
strap in closed position
[0009] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the cord
removed and the strap in open position.
[0010] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the
strap in closed position.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the cord
in closed position and the strap removed.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
the present invention, showing the cord in closed position and the
strap removed.
[0013] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view thereof, showing the
strap in open position over the cord.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of another embodiment of
the present invention showing the cord in closed position and the
straps in open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present invention provides a combination cord and strap
combination shoe closure as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. Shoes made
according to the invention include holes, loops or other means for
attaching removable cords, or attaching removable straps, or
attaching removable straps and removable cords for closing a shoe
about a wearer's foot.
[0016] FIG. 1 shows generally a shoe 10 with a closure assembly
including a cord 20 and strap 30. Both the cord 20 and strap 30 are
removable and may be used in various combinations to achieve
closure of any type of shoe, such as orthopedic shoes, athletic
sneakers, sandals, and other footwear requiring a closure or
cinching assembly to secure it to the wearer's foot.
[0017] Cord 20 is threaded through lace-holes or eyelets 14
disposed in the upper 12 of the shoe 10 in its installed position.
Cord 20 may be a shoe-lace, ribbon, or the like that may be tied,
knotted or otherwise clamped or cinched into a closed position.
[0018] Strap 30 is slid through slots or grommets 16 disposed in
the upper 12, adjacent to eyelets 14, 10. In an installed position,
strap 30 is positioned through upper 12 via grommets 16. Strap 30
may be made of leather, vinyl, nylon, cloth, canvas or any other
suitable material. Strap includes a fastener such as a Velcro.RTM.
hoop and loop fastener disposed at each end region 32, 34 on
opposite sides of strap 30 so that strap 30 may be folded over on
itself and fastened into its closed position, as shown in FIG. 2. A
Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fastener allows for strap 30 to be folded
upon itself, with adjustment for more or less overlap at end
regions 32, 34, and control over the extent that strap 30 closes or
cinches shoe 10 and/or supports the foot therein. It is understood
that other coupling materials such as snaps, buckles, hooks and
eyes, and the like could also be used to secure strap 30 to itself
and/or to upper 12 for closing shoe 10.
[0019] Strap 30 at least partially, and may entirely, cover cord 20
depending on relative adjacent placement of eyelets 14 and grommets
16 within the upper 12 of the shoe 10. Eyelets 14 and grommets 16
may be placed accordingly within the upper 12 to provide the
desired support to a particular area of the foot.
[0020] In FIG. 2, cord 20 and strap 30 are both in a closed
position to secure the shoe to wearer's foot and to provide to the
wearer the necessary support and/or the desired closure style.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows shoe 12, from the front. Strap 30 in installed
position has been threaded through eyelets 14. Strap 30 in an
installed position has been slid through grommets 16, underneath
strap 20, and folded upon itself to be attached at its end regions
32, 34.
[0022] FIG. 4 shows cord 20 removed and strap 3b slid through
grommets 16 in an installed, but open, position. While eyelets 14
are disposed in upper 12 and provide the option of additionally
using cord or lace, closure of shoe may be achieved by strap 30
alone.
[0023] FIG. 5 shows strap 30 in a closed position. Eyelets 14 may
at least partially remain visible but are largely covered by strap
30 in a closed position.
[0024] FIG. 6 shows strap 30 removed and cord 20 in a closed
position. In this embodiment, cord 20 alone is used to close shoe
10. While grommets 16 are disposed in upper 12 and provide the
option of additionally engaging a strap, closure of shoe may be
achieved by cord 20 alone.
[0025] FIG. 7 shows another embodiment of the present invention.
Cord 20 is held in a closed position by cinch lock 22, rather than
being tied or knotted. Loops 18 are fixedly attached to upper 12 to
receive strap 30. It is understood that other
strap-receiving-devices such as D-rings may be fixed to upper
12.
[0026] FIG. 8 shows strap 30 in an installed position. Strap 30 has
been slid through loops 18 and rests on top of and covers cord 20.
FIG. 9 shows a front view of this embodiment, with strap 30 in
closed position covering cord 20.
[0027] FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of the present invention
with multiple removable straps slid through multiple sets of
grommets in installed but open position. First set of grommets 40,
42 receives first strap 44, and second set of grommets 50, 52
receives second strap 54. Straps 44, 54 are disposed through upper
12 via their respective grommets, 40, 42, 50, 52. Alternatively,
multiple straps may be received by multiple sets of loops or
D-rings disposed in upper 12. Straps 44, 54 are removable and one
or both may be used to close shoe, by themselves or in addition to
cord 20.
[0028] The various closure combinations possible allow the wearer
to modify shoe closure at any time. Use of cord/lace alone provides
a conventional shoe closure. Use of strap alone allows for easy
closure Without lacing, tying, and knotting. Use of cord and strap
in combination provides extra support and closure assembly that has
been doubly secured. A single shoe style meets the demand for both
cord/lace closure and strap closure shoes.
[0029] As both cord and strap are removable, they may be customized
by different cords, laces or ribbons, and straps of varying
materials and styles for aesthetic, customized purposes, or to
provide orthopedic comfort or the desired degree of support for the
particular activity in which the Wearer is engaged.
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