U.S. patent application number 12/014583 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-17 for single lace boot with multiple compression zones.
This patent application is currently assigned to DC SHOES, INC.. Invention is credited to Joseph Haroutioun Abadjian, Jonathan L. Fishbein, Martin Shane Kim, Tae Hun Park.
Application Number | 20080168685 12/014583 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39297834 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080168685 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Martin Shane ; et
al. |
July 17, 2008 |
SINGLE LACE BOOT WITH MULTIPLE COMPRESSION ZONES
Abstract
The present invention relates to a single lace boot with
multiple compression zones. In one embodiment, the present
invention is a boot having a first side and a second side opposing
the first side. The boot also has an upper zone located near a top
portion of the first side and the second side, a middle zone
located below the upper zone, and a lower zone located below the
middle zone. Furthermore, the boot has a plurality of lacing
mechanisms located on the first side and the second side and a
single lace with a first end secured to one of the plurality of
lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one
of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone.
Inventors: |
Kim; Martin Shane;
(Burlington, VT) ; Abadjian; Joseph Haroutioun;
(Oceanside, CA) ; Fishbein; Jonathan L.; (Vista,
CA) ; Park; Tae Hun; (Vista, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SNELL & WILMER LLP (OC)
600 ANTON BOULEVARD, SUITE 1400
COSTA MESA
CA
92626
US
|
Assignee: |
DC SHOES, INC.
Vista
CA
|
Family ID: |
39297834 |
Appl. No.: |
12/014583 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60885345 |
Jan 17, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/115 ; 36/50.1;
36/50.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/003 20130101;
A43C 11/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/115 ; 36/50.5;
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 5/04 20060101
A43B005/04; A43C 11/00 20060101 A43C011/00 |
Claims
1. A boot comprising: a first side; a second side opposing the
first side; an upper zone located near a top portion of the first
side and the second side; a middle zone located below the upper
zone; a lower zone located below the middle zone; a plurality of
lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side;
and a single lace with a first end secured to one of the plurality
of lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to
one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone.
2. The boot of claim 1 wherein the middle zone includes an upper
portion and a lower portion.
3. The boot of claim 2 wherein the single lace is fed through the
plurality of lacing mechanisms.
4. The boot of claim 3 wherein the single lace further includes an
upper zone control portion.
5. The boot of claim 4 wherein the upper zone control portion
includes a loop of the single lace positioned adjacent to the first
side of the upper zone.
6. The boot of claim 5 wherein when the upper zone control portion
is pulled in a first direction, the upper zone and the upper
portion of the middle zone are compressed.
7. The boot of claim 6 wherein the single lace further includes a
lower zone control portion.
8. The boot of claim 7 wherein the lower zone control portion
includes a loop of the single lace positioned adjacent to the
second side of the upper zone.
9. The boot of claim 8 wherein when the lower zone control portion
is pulled in the first direction, the lower zone and the lower
portion of the middle zone are compressed.
10. The boot of claim 9 further comprising: a first lace lock
located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion
is fed through the first lace lock; and a second lace lock located
on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed
through the second lace lock.
11. The boot of claim 10 wherein when the upper zone control
portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control
portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone
control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone
control portion is secured to the second lace lock.
12. The boot of claim 11 wherein when the upper zone control
portion is pulled in a third direction, the upper zone control
portion is released from the first lace lock and when the lower
zone control portion is pulled in the third direction, the lower
zone control portion is released from the second lace lock.
13. A boot comprising: a first side; a second side opposing the
first side; an upper zone located near a top portion of the first
side and the second side; a middle zone located below the upper
zone, the middle zone including an upper portion and a lower
portion; a lower zone located below the middle zone; a plurality of
lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side;
and a single lace fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms
with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing
mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the
plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone, the single lace
including an upper zone control portion and a lower zone control
portion.
14. The boot of claim 13 wherein the upper zone control portion
includes a loop of the single lace on the first side of the upper
zone and when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a first
direction, the upper zone and the upper portion of the middle zone
are compressed.
15. The boot of claim 14 wherein the lower zone control portion
includes a loop of the single lace on the second side of the upper
zone and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the first
direction, the lower zone and the lower portion of the middle zone
are compressed.
16. The boot of claim 15 further comprising: a first lace lock
located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion
is fed through the first lace lock; and a second lace lock located
on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed
through the second lace lock.
17. The boot of claim 10 wherein when the upper zone control
portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control
portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone
control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone
control portion is secured to the second lace lock, and wherein
when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a third direction,
the upper zone control portion is released from the first lace lock
and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the third
direction, the lower zone control portion is released from the
second lace lock.
18. A boot comprising: a first side; a second side opposing the
first side; an upper zone located near a top portion of the first
side and the second side; a middle zone located below the upper
zone, the middle zone including an upper portion and a lower
portion; a lower zone located below the middle zone; a plurality of
lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side;
and a single lace fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms
with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing
mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the
plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone, the single lace
including an upper zone control portion including a loop of the
single lace on the first side in the upper zone, wherein when the
upper zone control portion is pulled in a first direction, the
upper zone and the upper portion of the middle zone are compressed,
and a lower zone control portion, including a loop of the single
lace on the second side in the upper zone, wherein when the lower
zone control portion is pulled in the first direction, the lower
zone and the lower portion of the middle zone are compressed.
19. The boot of claim 18 further comprising: a first lace lock
located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion
is fed through the first lace lock; and a second lace lock located
on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed
through the second lace lock.
20. The boot of claim 19 wherein when the upper zone control
portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control
portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone
control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone
control portion is secured to the second lace lock, and wherein
when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a third direction,
the upper zone control portion is released from the first lace lock
and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the third
direction, the lower zone control portion is released from the
second lace lock.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY UNDER 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
[0001] The present Application for Patent claims priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 60/885,345 filed on Jan. 17,
2007, entitled "SINGLE LACE BOOT WITH MULTIPLE COMPRESSION ZONES,"
and assigned to the assignee hereof and hereby expressly
incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention relates to a single lace boot with
multiple compression zones.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] Winter sports such as snowboarding or skiing require an
extreme amount of control from the feet. This intense focus on the
feet also puts an extremely large amount of forces and stress on
the feet. Thus, the boots a user wears is critical to the user's
performance and also to the comfort of the user's feet. Without
boots that fit properly, snowboarders or skiers, for example, won't
be able to maximize their performance and skills and also have the
potential for feet and bodily injuries. However, feet come in all
different shapes and sizes and traditional boots do not customize
the fit of the snowboarding or skiing boots for each user.
Therefore, there is a need for boots capable of customizing its fit
to the user's feet.
SUMMARY
[0006] In one embodiment, the present invention is a boot having a
first side and a second side opposing the first side. The boot also
has an upper zone located near a top portion of the first side and
the second side, a middle zone located below the upper zone, and a
lower zone located below the middle zone.
[0007] Furthermore, the boot has a plurality of lacing mechanisms
located on the first side and the second side, and a single lace
with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing
mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the
plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The features, objects, and advantages of the invention will
become more apparent from the detailed description set forth below
when taken in conjunction with the drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a front view of a boot;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of a boot;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a boot;
[0012] FIG. 4 depicts a lace lock;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a cut away view of a lace lock;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a boot;
[0015] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a boot;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a boot;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a boot; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a front view of a boot with only one zone control
portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] Methods and systems that implement the embodiments of the
various features of the invention will now be described with
reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated
descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the
invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. Reference in
the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" is
intended to indicate that a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least an embodiment of the invention. The
appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" or "an embodiment" in
various places in the specification are not necessarily all
referring to the same embodiment. Throughout the drawings,
reference numbers are re-used to indicate correspondence between
referenced elements. In addition, the first digit of each reference
number indicates the figure in which the element first appears.
[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of the boot 2 and FIGS. 2 and 3 are
side views of the boot 2. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the boot 2 has
a first side 48 and a second side 46. Although in FIGS. 1, 2, and
3, the first side 48 is associated with a lateral side and the
second side 46 is associated with a medial side, they can be
reversed so that the first side 48 is associated with the medial
side and the second side 46 is associated with the lateral
side.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the boot 2 also has an upper
zone 4, a middle zone 6, and a lower zone 8, which encompasses both
the first side 48 and the second side 46. The middle zone 6
comprises a top portion and a bottom portion. The upper zone 4 is
located near a top portion of the first side 48 and the second side
46 on the boot 2, the middle zone 6 is located below the upper zone
4, and the lower zone 8 is located below the middle zone 6 and near
the bottom of the boot 2. The lower zone 8 is also located on top
of a vamp 10.
[0022] There are also a plurality of lacing mechanisms 22, 24, 30,
34, 36, 58, and 76 on the first side 48 and a plurality of lacing
mechanisms 26, 28, 32, 38, 40, 42, 44, and 78 on the second side
46. The lacing mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, lace
loops, lace locks, and tubing. The lacing mechanisms can also
include more or less of the lace loops, lace locks, and/or tubing
as shown in FIG. 1, for example, one or more lace loops, lace
locks, and/or tubing can be omitted or added to the lacing
mechanisms shown in FIG. 1 while still maintaining the spirit and
scope of the invention. Furthermore, the lacing mechanisms shown in
FIG. 1 can be replaced by other types of lacing mechanisms.
[0023] In FIG. 1, the lacing mechanisms 24, 30, 32, and 38 are lace
loops, the lacing mechanisms 26, 28, 34, 36, 40, 42, 58, 76, and 78
are tubing, and the lacing mechanisms 22 and 44 are lace locks. The
lace loops are also known as "ghillies." The tubing may be made of
a material such as leather, vinyl, cloth, plastic, or rubber. In
one embodiment, the tubing may be made of a plastic waterproof
material. The lace locks 22 and 44 are positioned on the upper zone
4. The lace locks 22 and 44 may be positioned on the upper zone 4,
the middle zone 6 and/or the lower zone 8.
[0024] A single lace 12 having a first end 54, a second end 50, an
upper zone control portion 16, and a lower zone control portion 14
is fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms. The term "single
lace" means only one lace, which is unbroken and undivided.
Portions of the single lace 12 can be, for example, internally
laced within the boot 2. For example, the tubing 42 can be embedded
within the boot 2 or formed by the boot 2 and thus a portion of the
single lace 12 may be internally laced within the boot 2. The
tubing 42 is used to hold or guide the single lace 12. Also, for
example, between the lace lock 22 and the tubings 58 and 76, the
single lace 12 may be internally laced within the boot 2 as shown
by the dashed lines.
[0025] The first end 54 of the single lace 12 is secured to the
lace loop 24, which is secured to the upper zone 4 of the boot 2.
The second end 50 of the single lace 12 is secured to the lace loop
38, which is secured to the lower zone 8 of the boot 2. The first
end 54 and the second end 50 can be secured to the lace loop 24 and
the lace loop 38, respectively, by a variety of ways, including but
not limited to, tying a knot, utilizing a clamp, or sewing the
single lace 12 onto itself or onto the boot 2. In FIG. 1, the first
end 54 is secured to the lace loop 24 by a knot 56 and the second
end 50 is secured to the lace loop 38 by a knot 52.
[0026] Although FIG. 1 shows the first end 54 located on the first
side 48 and the second end 50 located on the second side 46, both
the first end 54 and the second end 50 can be located on the first
side 48 or the second side 46. Also, the first end 54 can be
located on the second side 46 and the second end 50 can be located
on the first side 48.
[0027] The upper zone control portion 16 includes a loop of the
single lace 12 on the first side 48 of the upper zone 4. When the
upper zone control portion 16 is pulled in a first (e.g., upward)
direction, the upper zone 4 and the upper portion of the middle
zone 6 are compressed because the single lace 12 tightens these
areas of the boot 2.
[0028] The upper zone control portion 16 can also optionally have,
for example, a grip 20 to aid in gripping the upper zone control
portion 16. The grip 20 may be made of a flexible or hard plastic
or rubber material. The grip 20 can include, for example, a lace
clip 21, which can be attached to a portion of the boot 2 to reduce
the movement of the single lace 12 when the boot 2 is in
motion.
[0029] The lower zone control portion 14 includes a loop of the
single lace 12 on the second side 46 of the upper zone 4. When the
lower zone control portion 14 is pulled in a first (e.g., upward)
direction, the lower zone 8 and the lower portion of the middle
zone 6 are compressed because the single lace 12 tightens these
areas of the boot 2.
[0030] The lower zone control portion 14 can also optionally have,
for example, a grip 18 to aid in gripping the lower zone control
portion 14. The grip 18 may be made of a flexible or hard plastic
or rubber material. The grip 18 can include, for example, a lace
clip 19, which can be attached to a portion of the boot 2 to reduce
the movement of the single lace 12 when the boot 2 is in
motion.
[0031] The grips 18 and 20 can be, for example, a padded handle, a
plastic cover, or any other type of device suitable to aid the user
in gripping the single lace 12 and/or protecting the single lace
12.
[0032] FIG. 10 is the boot 2 with only one zone control portion. In
one embodiment, the boot 2 includes only one zone control portion,
such as only one of the lower zone control portion 14 or the upper
zone control portion 16. For example, if the boot 2 includes only
one zone control portion, then pulling the one zone control portion
compresses the upper zone 4, the middle zone 6, and the lower zone
8. For example, the lace lock 22 and the upper zone control portion
16 can be removed and the single lace 12 can pass through the
lacing mechanism 58 directly into the lacing mechanism 76. Also,
the tubing 42 can be shortened so that the lacing mechanisms 40 and
78 are positioned in the middle zone 6. This allows the lower zone
control portion 14 to more evenly tighten the upper zone 4, the
middle zone 6, and the lower zone 8.
[0033] FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of the lace lock 44 and FIG. 5
depicts a cut away view of one embodiment of the lace lock 44. As
shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the lace lock 44 has a plurality of locking
teeth 80 that form two V-shaped grooves and eyelets 82. The single
lace 12 is fed through a first eyelet 82, looped upward, and then
through a second eyelet 82 to form the lower zone control portion
14. Both V-shaped grooves run from a first (i.e., outer) side 86 to
a second (i.e., inner) side 88. The first side 86 of the V-shaped
groove is the larger side of the V while the second side 88 of the
V-shaped groove is the smaller (i.e., narrower) side of the V.
Thus, there is more space for the single lace 12 towards the first
side 86 and less space for the single lace 12 towards the second
side 88. When the single lace 12 fits into the V, the single lace
12 is locked by the plurality of locking teeth 80 and when the
single lace 12 is on the outside of the V, the single lace 12 is
released from the plurality of locking teeth 80.
[0034] When the lower zone control portion 14 is pulled in a first
direction 60, which is substantially straight up, then the lower
zone 8 and the lower portion of the middle zone 6 are compressed
because the single lace 12 tightens these areas of the boot 2.
[0035] When the lower zone control portion 14 is pulled in a second
direction 68, which is substantially backwards, then the lower zone
control portion 14 becomes engaged with the plurality of locking
teeth 80 towards the second side 88. However, when the lower zone
control portion 14 is engaged with the plurality of locking teeth
80, any tension such as stretching of the boot 2 or pulling of the
single lace 12 increases the engagement of the lower zone control
portion 14 with the plurality of locking teeth 80.
[0036] When the lower zone control portion 14 is pulled in a third
direction 84, which is substantially upwards and forwards, the
lower zone control portion 14 is disengaged from the plurality of
locking teeth 80 and is located near the first side 86. Although
FIGS. 4 and 5 depict the lace lock 44, the lace lock 22 has a
similar construction utilizing the single lace 12 and the upper
zone control portion 16.
[0037] FIGS. 6, 7, 8, and 9 depict the boot 2 in operation. In FIG.
6, a user places his leg 70 into the boot 2. The boot 2 has an
optional release tab 74 attached to the single lace 12. Although
only one release tab 74 is shown, two or more release tabs 74 can
be utilized.
[0038] In FIG. 7, the user grabs the grips 20 and 18 with hands 72
and pulls the upper zone control portion 16 and the lower zone
control portion 14 in a first direction 60, which is substantially
upwards. As seen through arrows 62, 64, and 66, this tightens the
upper zone 4, the middle zone 6, and the lower zone 8.
[0039] In FIG. 8, the user grabs the grip 20 with hand 72 and pulls
the upper zone control portion 16 in a second direction 68, which
is substantially backwards. This engages the upper zone control
portion 16 with the lace lock 22. Although not shown, the user can
also grab the grip 18 with hand 72 and pull the lower zone control
portion 14 in a second direction 68, which is substantially
backwards, to engage the lower zone control portion 14 with the
lace lock 44.
[0040] In FIG. 9, the user grabs the grips 20 and 18 with hands 72
and pulls the upper zone control portion 16 and the lower zone
control portion 14 in a third direction 84, which is substantially
upwards and forwards. This disengages the upper zone control
portion 16 and the lower zone control portion 14. This then allows
for the tension within the single lace 12 to be relaxed and for the
user to remove his leg 70 from the boot 2 or adjust his leg
position within the boot 2. To aid the user in relaxing the tension
of the single lace 12, the user can pull on the release tab 74,
which is attached to the single lace 12.
[0041] The previous description of the disclosed examples is
provided to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to make
or use the disclosed apparatus. Various modifications to these
examples will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and
the principles defined herein may be applied to other examples
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosed
apparatus. The described embodiments are to be considered in all
respects only as illustrative and not restrictive and the scope of
the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims
rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come
within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be
embraced within their scope.
* * * * *