U.S. patent application number 11/550338 was filed with the patent office on 2008-04-17 for footwear with removable closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to ACI INTERNATIONAL. Invention is credited to James K. Kim.
Application Number | 20080086910 11/550338 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39301874 |
Filed Date | 2008-04-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080086910 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; James K. |
April 17, 2008 |
FOOTWEAR WITH REMOVABLE CLOSURE
Abstract
Footwear such as a shoe has a closure which includes a strap.
The strap is releasably and removably secured at the toe of the
upper and extends across an access opening down the access of the
shoe and can be releasably and removably fastened to the upper
adjacent to the ankle end by VELCRO.TM. secured between the strap
and the upper. Other engagement devices can be used in place of
VELCRO.
Inventors: |
Kim; James K.; (Los Angeles,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREENBERG TRAURIG LLP (LA)
2450 COLORADO AVENUE, SUITE 400E, INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
SANTA MONICA
CA
90404
US
|
Assignee: |
ACI INTERNATIONAL
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
39301874 |
Appl. No.: |
11/550338 |
Filed: |
October 17, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/1493
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00 |
Claims
1. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above
the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an
ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle
opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening
permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and
a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising only a
single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and
removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access
opening, the strap being directed across the opening and having a
second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper
adjacent the access opening, the first and second portions being
removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access
from the one side of the access to the other side of the
access.
2. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above
the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an
ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle
opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening
permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and
a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a flexible
strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to
the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening toward the
toe portion of the access, the strap being directed across the
opening and having a second portion releasably and removably
secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of
the access opening, the first and second portions being removed
from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the
one side of the access to the other side of the access.
3. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above
the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an
ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle
opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening
permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and
a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a single
flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably
secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening
toward the toe portion of the access, the strap being directed
across the opening and having a second portion releasably and
removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle
portion of the access opening, the first and second portions being
removed from each other, the strap extending across the access from
the one side of the access to the other side of the access, and the
access having eyelets affixed permanently to the upper to either
side of the access opening and the strap being for threading
through the eyelets on both sides of the access.
4. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the strap is
threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of
the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the
second side of the access opening.
5. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap
includes co-operable fastening elements on at least one portion for
engaging with an opposed surface portion of the strap and the
upper, the elements being of a first type on one of the surface
portions and of a second type on the other surface portion, the
element types being for interengaging with one another for securing
the strap to the upper and to be separated by pulling apart the
strap member and the upper when the closure is to be opened, the
fastening elements being distributed over surface portions so as to
permit the strap to be positioned in any of a plurality of
fastening positions.
6. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap
is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of
the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the
second side of the access opening, and is such that the strap in
position across the access forms a zig-zag formation from the toe
area to the ankle area.
7. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap
is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of
the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the
second side of the access opening, and including a buckle or
threaded formation to engage with an eyelet on one of the sides of
the access.
8. Footwear as claimed in either claim 2 or 3 wherein there are
several separate straps threaded through eyelets in the upper
adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets
in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and
including an engagement with an eyelet on one of the sides of the
access.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This disclosure relates generally to footwear. It is
concerned more particularly with a footwear having an improved
closure.
[0002] The disclosure relates to athletic shoes and other shoes and
boots. Typically, a shoe has a lace-type closure. While this form
of closure works well in practice, some inconvenience is associated
with the manipulation of the closure. For improved fit lacing is
one form of adjustable tightening. When the shoe is put on, the
laces must be tightened all along the eye stays if a proper fit is
to be achieved. Velcro tightening footwear over the mouth of the
shoe is also known. One side of the tightening Velcro strap is
removably affixed to the shoe
[0003] The object of the present disclosure is to provide a
footwear having an improved closure.
SUMMARY
[0004] The footwear includes a sole and an upper which defines a
space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot. The upper
includes an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from
the ankle opening towards the toe area of the shoe. This permits
portions of the upper adjacent the access opening to facilitate
movement of the wearer's foot into and from the space. A closure is
provided for the access opening. The closure comprises a strap
having a first portion and a second portion both portions being
removably and releasably located with the access opening. The strap
extends across the opening and is located with the upper.
DRAWINGS
[0005] In order that the disclosure may be more clearly understood,
reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which
illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of
example, and wherein:
[0006] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a running shoe
constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the
disclosure, the shoe being shown in FIG. 1 with its closure in the
open position and in FIG. 2 with the closure in the closed
position;
[0007] FIGS. 3A to 3D are different views of the strap closure of
one embodiment of the disclosure.
[0008] FIGS. 4A to 4E are different views of the strap closure of
another embodiment of the disclosure.
[0009] FIGS. 5A to 5E are different views of the strap closure of
another embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] Footwear comprises a sole; an upper which defines a space
above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot. The upper includes an
ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle
opening towards the toe area. The upper adjacent the access opening
permits movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space.
[0011] A closure for the access opening comprises only a single
flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably
secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening.
The strap across the opening has a second portion releasably and
removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening. The
first and second portions are removed from each other, and the
strap extending across the access from the one side of the access
to the other side of the access.
[0012] In another form the footwear has a closure for the access
opening comprises a flexible strap having a first portion
releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side
of the access opening. The strap across the opening has a second
portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the
access opening. The first and second portions are removed from each
other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side
of the access to the other side of the access. The strap across the
opening is releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent
the access opening ankle portion of the access opening.
[0013] In yet another form the footwear has a closure for the
access opening comprises only a single flexible strap having a
first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper
adjacent a first side of the access opening. The strap across the
opening has a second portion releasably and removably secured to
the upper adjacent the access opening. The first and second
portions are removed from each other, and the strap extending
across the access from the one side of the access to the other side
of the access. The access has eyelets affixed permanently to the
upper to either side of the access opening and the strap is for
threading through the eyelets on both sides of the access.
[0014] The strap can be threaded through eyelets in the upper
adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets
in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening.
[0015] The strap can include co-operable fastening elements on at
least one portion for engaging with an opposed surface portion of
the strap and the upper. The elements are of a first type on one of
the surface portions and of a second type on the other surface
portion. The element types are for interengaging with one another
for securing the strap to the upper and to be separated by pulling
apart the strap member and the upper when the closure is to be
opened. The fastening elements are distributed over surface
portions so as to permit the strap to be positioned in any of a
plurality of fastening positions.
[0016] The strap can be threaded through eyelets in the upper
adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets
in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening. As
such the strap in position across the access forms a zig-zag
formation from the toe area to the ankle area.
[0017] In one form the strap is threaded through eyelets in the
upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through
eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access
opening, and including a buckle or threaded formation to engage
with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.
[0018] In another form there can be several separate straps
threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of
the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the
second side of the access opening, and an engagement with an eyelet
on one of the sides of the access.
[0019] With reference to the Figures, a running shoe 20 has a sole
22 and an upper 24 which defines a space above the sole for
receiving a wearer's foot. The upper has an ankle opening 26 and an
access opening generally denoted 28 which extends from the ankle
opening 26 towards the toe area of the running shoe. The access
opening 28 permits portions of the upper adjacent the opening to be
raised or partly folded back to facilitate movement of wearer's
foot into and from the space defined by the upper. A tongue 30 is
provided below the access opening and a closure is provided for the
opening.
[0020] The shoe is essentially of conventional construction. The
upper includes respective side portions 32 and 34 which extend
rearwardly and join a heel portion or "quarter" 36. Padding 38 is
provided around the ankle opening 26. The side portions 32 and 34
are shaped to define elongate areas which extend along both sides
of the access opening 28 and which are denoted by reference
numerals 40 and 42. These areas would form the area for the eye
stays or lacing strips or straps of the shoe.
[0021] Areas 40 and 42 are provided with eyelets apertures.
Fastening elements forming part of the closure for the shoe can be
provided on either or both of the side areas 40 and 42.
[0022] Adjacent the forward toe end, the side portions 32 and 34
are stitched to a toe cap portion 44 and to a vamp portion 46 above
the toe cap portion. Tongue 30 is stitched to and extends upwardly
and rearwardly from vamp 46.
[0023] The shoe closure includes strap generally indicated by
reference numeral 48 secured to the upper 24 adjacent the sides of
the access opening 28. The strap extends across access opening 28
and is releasable and removable at both the distal end portion of
the strap to the upper adjacent the opposite side of opening 28 as
represented by the upper area 40, for securing the footwear about
the foot of a wearer.
[0024] Openings 56 in eye stay 42 are arranged in positions on
either side of the access opening. When the access opening is in
the closed position, the lace or strap 48 extends across the access
of the shoe.
[0025] The respective fabrics are generally denoted by reference
numerals 58 and 59. VELCRO fabrics comprise a first fabric having a
surface covered with fine forming a nap on the fabric and a second
fabric having a surface covered with fine hooks which engage with
the fibres for securing the fabrics together. These fabrics are
generally denoted by the reference numerals 58 and 59 respectively.
The positions of the respective fabrics could be reversed with
fabric 58 on strap 48 and fabric 59 on the upper. The fibres of
fabric 58 define fastening elements which interengage with the
corresponding fastening elements of fabric 59 (the hooks) for
securing the strap in position. The strap can be detatched from the
upper by pulling upwardly on the strap so that the hooks and fibres
of the respective fabrics pull apart, allowing the panel to be
raised to open the shoe closure. The fastening elements (fibres and
hooks) of the VELCRO.TM. fabrics effectively cover the surfaces of
the respective fabrics so that strap 48 can be positioned in any of
a plurality of fastening positions wherein the strap of the closure
embraces the foot of the wearer to a lesser or a greater extent.
This allows the strap to be adjusted to provide for optimum comfort
and security of fit.
[0026] There are shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D the details of one
embodiment of the disclosure. The structure 60 around the access
includes eyelet 62 on the one side of the access 64 and an eyelet
66 and another eyelet 68 on the other side of the axis 64. The
strap 70 has a first end 72 and a second end 74 at opposite ends
from each other. The strap 72 forms a zigzag shape when it is
directed from eyelet 66 to eyelet 62 and in turn to eyelet 68. The
end 72 is form so that it has a loop 74 over the opening eyelet 66.
A buckle-like element 76 is in place through which the strap length
78 is looped so that the strap is securely anchored to the eyelet
66. When the length of the strap 78 is unlooped through the buckle
76, it can be removed from the eyelet 66. In this form, the end 72
of the strap 70 is releasably removable from the axis at its one
end. The opposite end 74 includes an anchoring feature which can be
a Velcro element for securing adjacent to the structure 60 and near
the upper at the anchor axis to the shoe.
[0027] In a second embodiment of the disclosure there is shown in
FIGS. 4A through 4D a different configuration. The structure 80
surrounds the access 82 and there is an eyelet 84 on the one side
of the access 82 and eyelets 86 and 88 on the opposite side of the
structure. There is a strap 90 which is for crisscrossing in some
fashion the access 82. The end 92 of the strap includes a buckle 94
which has a dependent part 96 which can appropriately be
ornamented. The end 92 is looped around the cross bar 98 and is
stitched 100 to an under-portion of the strap 90. When located on
the surround 80, the buckle 96 extends above the eyelet 84 in an
ornamental way.
[0028] The looping of the strap 90 is such that it would start
eyelet 84, extend to eyelet 86, return to eyelet 84, crisscross to
eyelet 88 and then extend to the second free end 102. The free end
102 would engage the upper or the top area around the axis of the
shoe.
[0029] In yet a different form of the disclosure, there are
configurations illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5E. The surround 110
over the access area 112 has eyelets 114 and 116 on one side of the
axis. There are two straps, respectively, 118 and 120 which are
provided for traversing the access 112. At the ends 122 and 124,
respectively, of the straps 118 and 120, there is a thickened
portion 126 and 128, respectively.
[0030] There can be an insert 130 inside the thickened portion
which is formed by a fold-over which is in turn stitched at 132
with the lengths of the strap. The inside of the relevant straps
can have a VELCRO formations 134 for engagement with mating VELCRO
formations on the opposite side of the access, namely on the
surround 110 over that part of the upper to which the surround 110
is formed. In this fashion, each of the straps would traverse the
access 112 in a relatively transverse linear manner.
[0031] In other cases, there can be one or more eyelets on the side
110 and a different kind of strapping configuration can be
achieved. There are in yet other forms of the disclosure the thins
of any one of the configurations, for instance those shown in FIGS.
3A to 3D, 4A to 4D, 5A to 5E could have VELCRO on both ends such
that instead of the eyelet formation that the end near the ankle
part of the access there could be a VELCRO engagement with the
surround about the access or the upper of that area. In this
manner, the straps are releasable and removable from the footwear
at both ends.
[0032] It will of course be appreciated that the preceding
description relates to specific embodiments of the disclosure only
and that many modifications are possible within the broad scope of
the disclosure.
[0033] The fastening strap may also be changed. Instead of
VELCRO.TM. fabrics there are other equivalent fabrics may be
used.
[0034] Press stud fasteners could be employed. As such, the
fastening elements may comprise male and female elements of a
"press stud" type of fastener.
[0035] Although the preceding description refers primarily to shoes
and running shoes the disclosure is not restricted to shoes of this
type.
* * * * *