U.S. patent application number 10/875563 was filed with the patent office on 2005-12-29 for footwear closure system.
Invention is credited to Hoffman, Justin, Mahoney, James E..
Application Number | 20050284001 10/875563 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35503958 |
Filed Date | 2005-12-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050284001 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hoffman, Justin ; et
al. |
December 29, 2005 |
Footwear closure system
Abstract
An improved closure system for athletic footwear, comprises a
plurality of lace supports attached to the medial and lateral
quarter panels of a boot. Each lace support has a holding unit at a
first end and an attachment portion at a second end. The holding
unit comprises a tube for holding a shoe lace. The attachment
portion preferably comprises two legs which are fastened to a panel
of the boot. The legs are fastened to the panels by at least one
row of stitching extending traversely across the legs. The lace
supports preferably are manufactured of a semi-rigid material, such
as plastic, which creates a low-friction surface to pass the lace
over. When embodiments of the lace supports are incorporated into
athletic footwear, they result in boots that are easy to lace and
that provide a secure fit to the user's foot.
Inventors: |
Hoffman, Justin; (Rancho
Santa Margarita, CA) ; Mahoney, James E.; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
35503958 |
Appl. No.: |
10/875563 |
Filed: |
June 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 ;
36/115 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 3/00 20130101; A43B
5/1666 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/050.1 ;
036/115 |
International
Class: |
A43C 011/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A sports shoe, comprising: an inner foot panel having an upper
edge and an outer foot panel having an upper edge, the inner and
outer panels disposed on generally opposite sides of the shoe, and
a space is defined between the upper edges; and a lacing system
comprising a plurality of lace supports, each lace support
comprising: a generally rigid hollow holding portion configured to
accommodate a shoelace slidably fit therethrough; and at least two
elongate leg portions extending from the holding portion; wherein
the leg portions of each lace support are attached to one of the
inner and outer panels by at least one row of stitching extending
transversely across the leg portions.
2. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein a plurality of lace supports
are disposed on each of the inner and outer panels, and the at
least one row of stitching on each panel extends transversely
across at least two of the lace supports.
3. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein the row of stitching is
spaced from and generally follows a curvature of the corresponding
panel edge.
4. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein the holding portion
comprises a low-friction inner surface.
5. The sports shoe of claim 4, wherein each holding portion is
generally elongate and has a longitudinal axis, and the
longitudinal axis is generally parallel to a tangent line generally
to the corresponding panel edge adjacent the holding portion.
6. The sports shoe of claim 5, wherein the holding portion
comprises a tube that is fully enclosed about its diameter.
7. The sports shoe of claim 4, wherein the holding portion
comprises a polymer.
8. The sports shoe of claim 8, wherein each of the lace supports is
unitarily formed.
9. The sports shoe of claim 8, wherein each of the lace supports is
injection molded.
10. The sports shoe of claim 1, wherein the holding portion of each
of the lace supports is suspended in the space between the panel
edges.
11. The sports shoe of claim 10, wherein the legs of each lace
support are secured to the corresponding panel by two spaced apart
rows of stitching extending transversely across the legs.
12. A method of making a sports shoe, comprising: providing a shell
having an inner upper edge and an outer upper edge, the upper edges
spaced apart from one another; providing a plurality of lace
supports, each lace support comprising: a generally rigid hollow
barrel portion configured to slidably accommodate a shoelace fit
therethrough; and an elongate attachment portion extending from the
barrel portion; arranging the elongate attachment portions on the
shell so that the respective barrel portions are disposed in a
space between the upper edges; and stitching transversely across
the attachment portions.
13. The method of making a sports shoe as in claim 12 further
comprising adding a second row of stitching across each attachment
portion.
14. The method of making a sports shoe as in claim 12, wherein the
stitching follows the curvature of the respective upper edge.
15. The method of making a sports shoe as in claim 12, wherein the
elongate attachment portion comprises two legs.
16. A sports shoe, comprising: an inner foot panel having an upper
edge and an outer foot panel having an upper edge, the inner and
outer panels disposed on generally opposite sides of the shoe, and
a space is defined between the upper edges; and a lacing system
comprising a plurality of lace supports, each lace support
comprising: a generally rigid hollow holding portion having a tube
portion configured to accommodate a shoelace fit therethrough, a
surface of the tube portion having relatively low friction, and the
tube has a longitudinal axis; and at least two elongate leg
portions extending from the holding portion; wherein the lace
support is unitarily formed; wherein the leg portions of each lace
support are attached to one of the inner and outer panels at at
least two spaced apart locations so that the tube portion is
suspended in the space between the upper edges, and wherein the
longitudinal axis of each tube portion is generally parallel to a
tangent of the respective edge adjacent the lace portion.
17. The sports shoe of claim 16, wherein the legs are angled
relative to one another.
18. The sports shoe of claim 17, wherein the tube portion is
enclosed about its diameter.
19. The sports shoe of claim 16, wherein the leg portions are
generally flat.
20. The sports shoe of claim 16, wherein the lace support is
arranged to suspend the lace generally above a tongue of the skate
so that the lace is substantially clear of the tongue.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to footwear, and
more specifically to closure systems for athletic footwear.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Footwear generally comprises three parts: the sole, the
upper, and the closure system. All three features play a role in
the comfort, protection and performance of footwear. Athletic
footwear generally includes shoes, boots and skates. Generally, the
sole is used for cushioning and protecting the heel and toe
portions of the wearer. In skates, such as hockey skates, the sole
attaches the foot to a bladeholder or a wheeled chassis.
[0005] The upper protects the foot from the environment and holds
the footwear securely to the wearer's foot. Preferably the upper is
made of a lightweight material such that it does not require the
user to expend extra energy in lifting the foot. In some
applications, however, a sturdier and heavier material is preferred
in order to protect the foot from damage. Boots and hockey skates
are typical examples of such footwear.
[0006] The closure system holds the upper and the sole securely to
the user's foot. In athletic footwear, the closure system is
operable between an open position in which the footwear is
configured so that the user can insert or remove the foot from the
footwear, and a closed position in which the footwear is secured
about the foot.
[0007] A typical shoe closure system employs eyelets placed along
edges of the quarter panels of the shoes to provide holes through
which laces may be drawn. The eyelets accommodate relatively high
tension as the laces are pulled to tighten the upper about the
user's foot. More specifically, the laces pull on the eyelets to
correspondingly pull the upper edges of the shoe panels toward one
another and around the wearer's foot. When a boot upper is
constructed of relatively heavy materials, eyelets often fail to
distribute sufficient tension through the quarter panels to provide
a snug fit about the foot.
[0008] Consequently, an improved footwear closure system is
desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] In accordance with one embodiment, a sports shoe is
provided. The shoe comprises an inner foot panel having an upper
edge and an outer foot panel having an upper edge. The inner and
outer panels are disposed on generally opposite sides of the shoe,
and a space is defined between the upper edges. A lacing system of
the shoe comprises a plurality of lace supports. Each lace support
comprises a generally rigid hollow holding portion configured to
accommodate a shoelace slidably fit therethrough, and at least two
elongate leg portions extending from the holding portion. The leg
portions of each lace support are attached to one of the inner and
outer panels by at least one row of stitching extending
transversely across the leg portions.
[0010] In accordance with another embodiment, the holding portion
comprises a low-friction inner surface. In still a further
embodiment, each holding portion is generally elongate and has a
longitudinal axis, and the longitudinal axis is generally parallel
to a tangent line generally to the corresponding panel edge
adjacent the holding portion.
[0011] In accordance with a further embodiment, a method of making
a sports shoe is provided. In accordance with the method, a shell
is provided having an inner upper edge and an outer upper edge, the
upper edges being spaced apart from one another. A plurality of
lace supports are also provided. Each lace support comprises a
generally rigid hollow barrel portion configured to slidably
accommodate a shoelace fit therethrough, and an elongate attachment
portion extending from the barrel portion. The elongate attachment
portions are arranged on the shell so that the respective barrel
portions are disposed in a space between the upper edges. Stitches
are disposed transversely across the attachment portions.
[0012] In accordance with yet another embodiment, a sports shoe is
provided, comprising an inner foot panel having an upper edge and
an outer foot panel having an upper edge. The inner and outer
panels are disposed on generally opposite sides of the shoe, and a
space is defined between the upper edges. A lacing system comprises
a plurality of lace supports. Each lace support comprises a
generally rigid hollow holding portion having a tube portion
configured to accommodate a shoelace fit therethrough. A surface of
the tube portion has relatively low friction, and the tube has a
longitudinal axis. Each lace support further comprises at least two
elongate leg portions extending from the holding portion.
Preferably, the lace support is unitarily formed. The leg portions
of each lace support are attached to one of the inner and outer
panels at at least two spaced apart locations so that the tube
portion is suspended in the space between the upper edges. The
longitudinal axis of each tube portion is generally parallel to a
tangent of the respective edge adjacent the lace portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a lace
support having two elongated leg portions.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment having a
plurality of lace supports disposed on an ice hockey skate.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a close-up of the embodiment of FIG. 2 taken along
lines 3-3.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment having
lace supports disposed on an inline roller skate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] There is a need for a footwear closure system that can
effectively close a stiff footwear member such as a skate boot, but
which is easy for a wearer to lace up and provides a secure, well
distributed closure.
[0018] With initial reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a lace
support 20 is presented. The lace support 20 comprises a holding
portion 22, a central portion 24 and an attachment portion 26. In
the illustrated embodiment, the holding portion 22 extends from the
central portion 24 in a first direction, and terminates at a first
end 30 of the support 20. The attachment portion 26 is elongate and
extends from the central portion 24 in a second direction generally
opposite the first direction, terminating at a second end 32 of the
support 20.
[0019] In the illustrated embodiment, the attachment portion 26
comprises two leg portions 34, 36. The leg portions 34, 36 both
extend from the central portion and are generally spaced apart from
one another. Preferably, the leg portions 34, 36 are disposed at an
angle .alpha. relative to one another. In the illustrated
embodiment, the leg portions 34, 36 are the same length. Further,
the second ends 32a, 32b of the respective leg portions 34, 36
generally align with one another and have a generally flat shape.
As such, a line 38 extending between the second ends 32a, 32b of
the legs 34, 36 is generally aligned with both second ends across
each end. It is to be understood that, in other embodiments, the
legs can be different lengths. Also, the second ends 32a, 32b of
the legs 34, 36 may have different shapes and configurations, and
may or may not generally align with one another.
[0020] The holding portion 22 preferably comprises an elongate
barrel 40 having a hollow tube 42 formed therein. The barrel 40
preferably is elongate and is configured so that a center line 44
of the tube 42 is generally transverse to a line between the first
and second ends 30, 32 of the lace support 20. In the illustrated
embodiment, the tube 42 of the barrel 40 is generally cylindrical
and straight. It is to be understood that, in another embodiment,
the tube portion 42 of the barrel 40 may include a gentle or acute
curve. Preferably, the barrel tube 42 has a low-friction, smooth
tube surface 46 configured so that a shoelace 100 may slide readily
through the tube 42.
[0021] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the leg portions 34, 36
preferably are substantially thin and flat. Similarly, the center
portion 24 preferably is substantially thin and flat. The holding
portion 26, however, includes the generally cylindrical barrel 40.
Preferably, a transition 50 is disposed between the holding portion
22 and the central portion 24. In the illustrated embodiment, the
transition 50 comprises fillets 52 that create a smooth transition
between a top surface 54 of the flat central portion 24 and the
cylindrical holding portion 22. In the illustrated embodiment, a
bottom surface of the barrel 40 is generally aligned with a bottom
surface 56 of the central portion 24.
[0022] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the illustrated lace
support 20 preferably comprises a generally rigid material, such as
plastic. For example, the lace support 20 may be formed of a single
piece of polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC) or any other
material. Preferably, the lace support is formed by injection
molding, and thus has unitary structure. It is to be understood,
however, that other means can be used to manufacture the lace
support and, in other embodiments, portions of the lace support may
be formed separately from one another.
[0023] With reference next to FIG. 2, a plurality of lace supports
20 are shown disposed on an ice hockey skate 60. Ice hockey skates
typically include a skate boot 62 and a blade holder 64. The boot
62 comprises a sole 66 and an upper or shell 70. The blade holder
64 is attached to the sole 66 of the boot 62 and accommodates an
ice blade 72. The upper 70 comprises medial and lateral quarter
panels 74, 76. The medial or inner quarter panel 74 is configured
to be disposed on a medial side of the wearer's foot, and the
lateral or outer quarter panel is configured to be disposed on the
lateral side of the wearer's foot. The quarter panels 74, 76 may be
formed as two or more pieces sewn together or may be unitarily
formed. Also, it is to be understood that the quarter panels may
include several layers, including stiffener layers.
[0024] Each of the quarter panels 74, 76 comprises an upper edge 80
and a front edge 82. A toe cap 84 is disposed at a forward end of
the boot 62 immediately adjacent the front edges 82 of the quarter
panels 74, 76.
[0025] The quarter panels 74, 76 preferably are attached to the
sole along a bottom portion 86 of the panels 74, 76. The upper
edges 80, however, preferably are unattached. In the illustrated
embodiment, a space 90 is defined between the upper edges 80 of the
medial and lateral quarter panels 74, 76. As such, the panels may
be moved relative to one another in order to allow a user to insert
or remove a foot from within the boot upper 20. Preferably a tongue
92 is disposed generally between the quarter panels 74, 76 near
their upper edges 80.
[0026] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a closure system
94 is arranged on and between the quarter panels 74, 76 so as to
selectively pull the upper edges 80 of the quarter panels 74, 76
closer together. This enables a user to tighten the quarter panels
securely about the user's foot. In the illustrated embodiment, the
closure system 94 comprises a plurality of the lace holders 20 of
FIG. 1 arranged so that the holding portions 22 extend beyond the
upper edges 80 of the panels 74, 76 and are suspended in the space
90 between the upper edges 80. A lace 100 is arranged through the
tubes 42 of the holding portions 22.
[0027] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the illustrated
skate 60 comprises several lace supports 20 arranged on the medial
and lateral quarter panels 74, 76. The holding portions 22 are
arranged so that the longitudinal center line 44 of each of the
barrel tubes 42 is generally parallel to a line that is tangent to
the edge 80 of the respective quarter panel 74, 76 at the location
of the lace support 20. In this arrangement, the barrel tube 42 of
each lace support 20 slidably accommodates the shoelace 100. Due to
the lacing pattern, as the shoelace 100 is tightened, forces in the
lace 100 are transferred to the barrel tube 42 and further to the
lace support 20.
[0028] The central portion 24 and attachment portions 26 of the
lace supports 20 are attached to the quarter panels 74, 76,
preferably at more than one spaced-apart location. In the
illustrated embodiment, two lines of stitching 110, 112 extend
transversely over and across the legs 34, 36 of each lace support
20. Preferably, each line 110, 112 of stitching is spaced apart
from, but generally follows the contour of, the upper edge 80 of
the quarter panel 74, 76. The illustrated embodiment employs two
spaced apart, generally parallel lines 110, 112 of stitching.
However, it is to be understood that more or less lines of
stitching can be employed. In a still further embodiment, each
attachment portion 26 can individually be sewn to the quarter panel
by, for example, stitching that extends generally around the
perimeter of at least the legs 34, 36 of the lace support.
[0029] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, skate quarter
panels 74, 76 typically assume a complex curvature in order to fit
securely about the wearer's curving foot. For example, each quarter
panel typically curves over the dorsal side of the wearer's foot,
which involves curvature about a nearly horizontal axis of
curvature. Further, the quarter panel also curves about the
wearer's lower leg/ankle area, which involves curvature about a
axis of curvature that is more vertical than the axis of curvature
of the dorsal foot section. Also, there are further intricacies of
the wearer's foot, such as the ankle area and arch, that contribute
to the complex curvature of the quarter panels.
[0030] In order to accommodate the complex curvature of each
quarter panel, the attachment portion 26 of the lace supports 20
preferably is versatile. In the illustrated embodiment, the
attachment portion 26 comprises the two illustrated legs 34, 36.
This is preferable in the illustrated embodiment, as the legs 34,
36 are bendable relative to one another and can readily conform to
the complex curvature of the quarter panel 74, 76. Further, since
the legs 34, 36 are disposed at an angle .alpha. to one another,
the second ends 32a, 32b of the legs are spaced significantly apart
from one another. The lace supports 20 are secured to the quarter
panel at or near the second ends 32a, 32b at securement points 116.
A space 118 is disposed between the securement points 116. Thus,
the securement points 116 securely hold the lace support 20 in
place on the quarter panel 74 so that the lace support 20 does not
rotate relative to the quarter panel.
[0031] Since the elongate legs 34, 36 extend generally away from
the upper edges 80 of the quarter panels 74, 76, forces exerted by
the tightened laces 100 upon the lace support 20 are transferred by
the lace support 20 to the points 116 at which the legs 34, 36 are
attached to the quarter panel 74, 76. Thus, tightening forces are
distributed through the quarter panel 74, 76 rather than being
concentrated at the upper edges 80 of the quarter panel, as is
typical in traditional eyelet-type skate boots.
[0032] Since the barrel tubes 42 have a substantially low friction
interior surface 44 and since the tubes 42 are generally parallel
to the upper edges 80 of the quarter panels 74, 76, friction
resisting tightening or loosening of the shoelaces 100 is
minimized. Further, In the illustrated embodiment, the barrels 40
are suspended in the space 90 between the upper edges 80. Thus, the
shoelace 100 is also suspended in the space 40, and frictional
contact between the shoelace 100 and other portions of the skate
boot 62, such as the tongue 52, is minimized. As such, a wearer can
put on the skates 62 and quickly pull on the laces 100 to
immediately and quickly tighten the laces 100. This is in contrast
to more traditional eyelet or loop lacing systems in which a wearer
will have to tighten the laces several times and at several
locations along the lace line, usually starting near the toe cap 84
and successively tightening the laces 100 further up the boot 62
until finally tightening the laces near an upper portion 119 of the
boot and finally tying off the laces.
[0033] The illustrated low-friction arrangement also enables better
distribution of forces throughout the skate 62 than traditional
closure systems. More particularly, as a wearer tightens the laces
100, lace forces will be distributed throughout the skate so that
the force on the lace 100 is generally equalized throughout the
tightened lace 100. As such, localized inconsistencies in lace
tightening are avoided.
[0034] In another embodiment, one or more tightening clips are
provided. In one embodiment, the tightening clips are configured to
fit about the laces in a clamshell manner in order to secure the
laces to one another. Thus, the tightening clips effectively create
distinct zones within the closure system. A user may thus tighten
different zones of the skate boot with different tightening forces
as desired. For example, in one embodiment a user pulls the laces
very tight in a lower portion of the boot near the toe cap. These
high forces are distributed through the lower portion. The user may
then apply a lace clip which engages the laces and securely binds
them relative to each other. The laces in the toe portion adjacent
the lace clip will retain the desired tightness. The user may then
tighten the laces throughout the rest of the boot to a different
tightness, such as a lesser tightness, to enhance comfort
throughout the boot while maximizing support in the
more-tightly-laced area of the boot. The lace clips preferably
comprise a clamshell-type clip having a locking member configured
to securely hold the lace clip closed even when under tension. In
one embodiment, an internal surface of the lace clip comprises a
roughened surface and/or a plurality of jaws configured to engage
and partially penetrate the laces about the lace clip so as to
facilitate a secure hold on the laces.
[0035] With continued reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, to manufacture an
embodiment of a skate boot 62, an array of lace supports 20
preferably are first placed upon the quarter panel 74, 78 and a
stitch 110 is sewn transversely across the entire array of lace
supports 20. More particular, a stitch 110 that is spaced apart
from the upper edge 80 of the quarter panel 74, 76, yet generally
follows the contour of the upper edge 80, is employed. In the
illustrated embodiments, a second stitch 112 is also employed
extending transversely across the legs 34, 36. In still further
embodiments, further stitches can be employed to securely tack the
second ends 32a, 32b of the legs 34, 36 in place on the quarter
panel 74, 76. In another embodiment, the lace supports are arranged
so that the second ends are generally aligned, and a second stitch
112 transversely across the lace supports at or near the second
ends securely tacks each of the second ends in place.
[0036] In the illustrated embodiment, the lace supports 20 are
attached to the quarter panels 74, 76 in two separate groups. A
first group 120 of lace supports 20 is disposed on a portion of the
quarter panel 74 generally adjacent the wearer's foot. A second
group 122 of lace supports 20 is disposed on the quarter panel 74
generally adjacent the wearer's ankle and lower leg. Preferably, a
transition point 126 is defined between the groups 120, 122. For
purposes of this specification, the transition point 126 is a point
on the quarter 74 where the quarter panel transitions from
enclosing the foot to enclosing the lower leg and ankle of the
wearer. One method of locating the transition point is to draw a
generally vertical line from the front of the wearer's shin and
along the front of the skate, and defining a point at which the
line intersects the quarter panel 74 as the transition point
126.
[0037] With reference next to FIG. 4, an embodiment of a roller
skate 130 is illustrated. In the illustrated embodiment, the skate
boot 62 is attached to a wheeled chassis 132, and is an inline
roller skate 130. The illustrated skate boot 62 comprises a closure
system 134 employing lace supports 20 having at least some
similarities with the embodiments discussed above in connection
with FIGS. 1-3.
[0038] With continued reference to FIG. 4, a plurality of lace
supports 20 are employed in the closure system 134. As illustrated,
more than one size of lace supports are employed. More
specifically, a plurality of first lace supports 140 have a first
leg length, and a plurality of second lace supports 142 have a
second leg length that is longer than the leg length of the first
lace supports 140. In the illustrated embodiment, each of the lace
supports 140, 142 have generally the same shape; however, it is to
be understood that lace supports having different shapes of legs,
attachment portions, and such may be employed. Further, in the
illustrated embodiment, two spaced apart lines of stitching 110,
112 attach all of the lace supports 140, 142 to the quarter panel
76. However, a third line 144 of stitching that is spaced from the
first two lines is applied to the longer legs of the second lace
supports 142.
[0039] In the illustrated embodiment, one of the longer lace
supports 142 is disposed adjacent the transition point 126, so as
to more thoroughly distribute lace forces to the quarter panel 76
in the area adjacent the transition point 126. More specifically, a
long leg of a lace support 142 attaches to the quarter panel 76
generally below and adjacent a malleolus area 150 of the quarter
panel 76 so as to enhance the fit of the boot 62 in this area. This
is an especially important and difficult area of the boot 62 to fit
to the wearer's foot, and the increased force distribution is
desirable in the illustrated embodiment.
[0040] With continued reference to FIG. 4, a pair of eyelets 160
are employed adjacent the edges of each quarter panel 74, 76 above
the transition point 126. The eyelets 160 accommodate laces 100 in
a more traditional fashion. As discussed above, the lace supports
20, 140, 142 exert much less friction than eyelets 160. In this
embodiment, the eyelets 160 are intended to engage the laces 100
with more friction. When a wearer tightens the lace 100, lace
forces are easily and quickly distributed through the lace supports
20 and to the quarter panel. The wearer then tightens the laces 100
through the eyelets 160 above the transition point 126. The eyelets
160 preferably generate sufficient friction to help the user
maintain the tightened condition of the laces throughout the
closure system 134 while the user ties off the laces. Thus, there
is a safeguard in place to prevent loosening of the laces 100 while
the user ties the laces.
[0041] In the illustrated lace holder embodiments, the holding
portion 22 comprises a cylindrical tube 42. The illustrated
cylindrical tube 42 is fully enclosed about its diameter. The fully
enclosed tube provides enhanced rigidity for the holding portion 22
and enhanced strength for the lace holder 20. Further, by having
the tube 42 fully enclosed, the lace holder 20 can provide high
strength, but use relatively little material, thus reducing the
overall weight of the lace holder 20 and associated skate.
[0042] In another embodiment, the barrel tube 42 does not extend a
full 360.degree. about the longitudinal axis 44, resulting in an
elongate opening through which the lace may selectively be inserted
into and removed from the tube. Preferably, the opening is disposed
through a side of the tube generally opposite the first end 30 of
the lace support. Further, the opening preferably is quite small,
such as less than about 30.degree. of the 360.degree. diameter of
the tube. As such, the tube is configured so that the laces, even
when loose, will not disengage from the tube unless specifically
urged as such by the user.
[0043] The illustrated embodiments show lace holders 20 having a
pair of legs 34, 36. It is to be understood that, in other
embodiments, one, three or more legs may be provided, and different
lace supports disposed on the same boot may have different numbers
of legs. In one embodiment wherein a lace support comprises only a
single elongate leg, the leg tapers to become wider towards the
second end of the lace support. The width of the leg toward the
second end allows stitching to be significantly spaced apart along
the edges of the leg, thus contributing to a stable and secure
mounting configuration of the lace support on the skate boot.
[0044] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, each of the
lace supports 20 is arranged so that the holding portion 22 is
generally disposed in the space 90 between the upper edges 80 of
the quarter panels 74, 76. It is to be understood that, in further
embodiments, the holding portions 22 may be arranged below the
upper edges 80 of the quarter panels 74, 76. Further, in another
embodiment, the holding portions 22 of some of the lace supports 20
are disposed in the space 90, while the holding portions 22 of
others of the lace supports 20 are disposed below the upper edges
80.
[0045] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, lace supports
20 are attached to an outer surface of the skate quarter panel 74,
76. It is to be understood that, in another embodiment, at least
one of the lace supports 20 is positioned on an inner surface of
the quarter panel. In a still further embodiment, the boot upper
comprises more than one layer. More specifically, the quarter panel
comprises an inner layer and an outer layer. Stiffeners, padding
and the like may be disposed between the inner and outer layers. In
one embodiment, the leg portions 34, 36 of at least one of the lace
supports 20 are disposed between the inner and outer layers of the
quarter panel. Preferably the holding portion 22 extends into the
space 90 between the upper edges 80 of the quarter panels. Thus the
only part of the lace support that is visible from the outside of
the boot is the holding portion and, perhaps, part of the central
portion.
[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding portions 22
comprise a low friction surface 46 disposed in the tube 42 to
enable the shoelace 100 to slide quickly and easily through the
holding unit 22. In another embodiment, a high-friction surface is
preferred in order to maintain the laces in a generally static
position when the shoelaces are tied. Such a higher friction
surface could include a fabric material such as a fabric lining
within the tube. In one embodiment, only one or a few lace holders
toward the top of the boot, such as above the transition point 126,
employ high-friction surfaces, while the rest of the lace holders
employ low friction surfaces 46. In a still further embodiment,
lace supports arranged nearest the toe, and front edge of the
quarter panel, employ relatively high-friction surfaces so that the
center of the lace remains generally adjacent the toe cap.
[0047] In a still further embodiment, a lace support may be
constructed having two or more holding portions. Preferably the
holding portions are spaced from one another. In one embodiment,
both holding portions extend from a single central portion. In
another embodiment, a lace support having multiple holding portions
has multiple central portions as well, one central portion
corresponding to each of the holding portions, and the central
portions are connected via legs which extend therebetween. In
another embodiment, two or more legs are attached to one another at
or near the second end of the lace support.
[0048] In the illustrated embodiments, stitching 110, 112, 144 is
used to hold lace supports 20 in place. It is to be understood that
other physical fasteners such as rivets, screws, or the like may be
used. Similarly, chemical fasteners such as adhesives, epoxies or
the like may also be employed. Further, a combination of different
types of fasteners may be used to secure lace supports in place.
Further, the lace supports may all be connected to one another so
that forces are communicated between lace supports.
[0049] Although this invention has been disclosed in the context of
certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be understood
by those skilled in the art that the present invention extends
beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative
embodiments and/or uses of the invention and obvious modifications
and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations
of the invention have been shown and described in detail, other
modifications, which are within the scope of this invention, will
be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon this
disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations or
subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the
embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that various
features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be combined
with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes
of the disclosed invention. Thus, it is intended that the scope of
the present invention herein disclosed should not be limited by the
particular disclosed embodiments described above, but should be
determined only by a fair reading of the claims that follow.
* * * * *