U.S. patent application number 12/069270 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for shoe with lacing system.
This patent application is currently assigned to ZuitSports, Inc.. Invention is credited to Aaron Azevedo, Robert Carroll, Brian Egne, Mike Rouse.
Application Number | 20080216351 12/069270 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39740193 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080216351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Carroll; Robert ; et
al. |
September 11, 2008 |
Shoe with lacing system
Abstract
A shoe has a quick-tighten lacing system with a shoelace
partially wound around lacing control elements in a pair of rows
between an ankle opening and a toe. The lacing system has one or
two locking elements for enabling a quick tightening of the
shoelace.
Inventors: |
Carroll; Robert; (South
Hamilton, MA) ; Azevedo; Aaron; (Newburyport, MA)
; Rouse; Mike; (San Diego, CA) ; Egne; Brian;
(Cardiff, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Kane Kessler P.C.
1350 Avenue of the Americas, 26th Floor
New York
NY
10019
US
|
Assignee: |
ZuitSports, Inc.
Vista
CA
|
Family ID: |
39740193 |
Appl. No.: |
12/069270 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60900289 |
Feb 8, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 ;
24/712.1; 24/712.4 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 3/00 20130101; Y10T
24/3703 20150115; A43C 11/004 20130101; A43C 1/06 20130101; A43C
7/08 20130101; A43C 5/00 20130101; Y10T 24/3711 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 ;
24/712.4; 24/712.1 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/00 20060101
A43C011/00; A43C 7/00 20060101 A43C007/00 |
Claims
1. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper attached to the sole, the
upper having a forward or toe portion and an ankle opening in a
rear or heel portion; and a lacing system on the upper, the lacing
system including: at least one shoelace; a plurality of first
lacing control elements disposed in a first row extending on a
medial side of the upper from the ankle opening towards the forward
portion of the upper; a plurality of second lacing control elements
disposed in a second row extending on a lateral side of the upper
from the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the upper; a
first locking element at an upper end of one of the first row and
the second row; and a second locking element at a bottom end of the
one of the first row and the second row, the at least one shoelace
extending on an outer side of the upper between the first locking
element and the second locking element and along a zigzag or
snaking path between the first row and the second row.
2. The shoe defined in claim 1 wherein the shoelace is the only
lace of the lacing system.
3. The shoe defined in claim 2 wherein the shoelace extends in an
endless loop.
4. The shoe defined in claim 1 further comprising a finger grip
attached to the shoelace between the first locking element and the
second locking element.
5. The shoe defined in claim 1 wherein each of the first locking
element and the second locking element permit a sliding of the
shoelace in one direction through the respective locking element
and prevent a sliding of the shoelace in an opposite direction
through the respective locking element.
6. The shoe defined in claim 1 wherein the one of the first row and
the second row is the second row, the first locking element and the
second locking element being disposed on the lateral side of the
upper, the shoelace extending on the lateral side of the upper
between the first locking element and the second locking
element.
7. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper attached to the sole, the
upper having a forward or toe portion and an ankle opening in a
rear or heel portion; and a lacing system on the upper, the lacing
system including: at least one shoelace; a plurality of first
lacing control elements disposed in a first row extending on a
medial side of the upper from the ankle opening towards the forward
portion of the upper; a plurality of second lacing control elements
disposed in a second row extending on a lateral side of the upper
from the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the upper;
and a locking element disposed centrally on the upper in one of the
first row and the second row, the at least one shoelace extending
along a zigzag or snaking path between the first row and the second
row and through the locking element, the at least one shoelace
having a first end attached to the upper at an upper end of the
other of the first row and the second row, the at least one
shoelace having a second end attached to the upper at a lower end
of the other of the first row and the second row.
8. The shoe defined in claim 7 wherein the shoelace is the only
lace of the lacing system.
9. The shoe defined in claim 8 wherein the shoelace extends along a
first portion of the snaking path upwardly of the locking element
and along a second portion of the snaking path downwardly of the
locking element.
10. The shoe defined in claim 7, further comprising a finger grip
attached to the shoelace along a looped section of the shoelace at
the locking element.
11. The shoe defined in claim 7 wherein the locking element permits
a sliding of the shoelace in one direction through the locking
element and prevents a sliding of the shoelace in an opposite
direction through the locking element.
12. The shoe defined in claim 7 wherein the lacing system has no
lacing knot, the locking element being the only lace-cinching
component of the lacing system.
13. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper attached to the sole, the
upper having a forward or toe portion and having an ankle opening
in a rear or heel portion of the upper; and a lacing system on the
upper, the lacing system comprising: a plurality of lacing control
elements disposed in an eye row extending on a medial side of the
upper from the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the
upper; a plurality of lacing control elements disposed in an eye
row extending on a lateral side of the upper from the ankle opening
towards the forward portion of the upper; an endless loop shoelace
having a portion extending in a zigzag pattern between the medial
and lateral eye rows; a locking mechanism at a first one of the
medial and lateral eye rows; two segments of the shoelace extending
out of the zigzag pattern from the first one of the eye rows and
through the locking mechanism, whereby the two lace segments can be
pulled outward through the locking mechanism to tighten the portion
of the lace that is in the zigzag pattern.
14. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
constitutes one of the lacing control elements of the first one of
the eye rows.
15. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
does not constitute one of the lacing control elements of the first
one of the eye rows.
16. A shoe as set forth in claim 15 wherein the locking mechanism
is outside of the first one of the eye rows.
17. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
comprises a device having two passages formed in one body for the
two lace segments.
18 A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
comprises two distinct, spaced apart locking devices for the two
lace segments.
19. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
is at the top of the first one of the eye rows.
20. A shoe as set forth in claim 13 wherein the locking mechanism
is at an intermediate location on the first one of the eye rows.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This utility application claims the benefit of the filing
date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/900,289, filed
Feb. 8, 2007, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a shoe. More particularly, this
invention relates to a shoe with a lacing system for quick
tightening of a lace. The invention is of particular usefulness in
sporting activities wherein quick donning of the shoe is desirable.
In some races, the racing participants must don a pair of shoes
during the sporting event. For example, after a swimming portion of
a triathlon competition, a participant must put on a pair of shoes
suitable for running. It is desirable to minimize the time required
to tighten the laces and secure the shoes to the user's feet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A shoe comprises, in one aspect of the invention, a sole, an
upper attached to the sole, and a lacing system on the upper. The
upper has a forward or toe portion and an ankle opening in a rear
or heel portion. The lacing system includes at least one shoelace,
a plurality of first lacing control elements, a plurality of second
lacing control elements, a first locking element and a second
locking element. The first lacing control elements are disposed in
a first row extending on a medial side of the upper from the ankle
opening towards the forward portion of the upper. The second lacing
control elements are disposed in a second row extending on a
lateral side of the upper from the ankle opening towards the
forward portion of the upper. The first locking element is
positioned at an upper end of the first row or the second row of
lacing control elements, while the second locking element is
positioned at a bottom end of the same row of lacing control
elements. The shoelace extends on an outer side of the upper
between the first locking element and the second locking element
and along a zigzag or snaking path between the first row and the
second row of lacing control elements.
[0004] A shoe comprises, in a second aspect of the invention, a
sole, an upper attached to the sole, and a lacing system on the
upper. The upper has a forward or toe portion and an ankle opening
in a rear or heel portion. The lacing system includes at least one
shoelace, a plurality of first lacing control elements, a plurality
of second lacing control elements, and a locking element. The first
lacing control elements are disposed in a first row extending on a
medial side of the upper from the ankle opening towards the forward
portion of the upper. The second lacing control elements are
disposed in a second row extending on a lateral side of the upper
from the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the upper.
The locking element is disposed centrally on the upper in one of
the rows of lacing control elements. The shoelace extends along a
zigzag or snaking path back and forth between the first row and the
second row and through the locking element. The shoelace has a
first end attached to the upper at an upper end of the other of the
rows of lacing control elements. The shoelace has a second end
attached to the upper at a lower end of the other of the first row
and the second row.
[0005] In a third aspect of the invention, a shoe includes a sole
and an upper attached to the sole. The upper has a forward or toe
portion and has an ankle opening in a rear or heel portion of the
upper. The shoe also includes a lacing system on the upper. The
lacing system includes a plurality of lacing control elements
disposed in an eye row extending on a medial side of the upper from
the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the upper. The
lacing system also includes a plurality of lacing control elements
disposed in an eye row extending on a lateral side of the upper
from the ankle opening towards the forward portion of the upper.
The lacing system also includes an endless loop shoelace having a
portion extending in a zigzag pattern between the medial and
lateral eye rows. The lacing system further includes a locking
mechanism at a first one of the medial and lateral eye rows. Two
segments of the shoelace extend out of the zigzag pattern from the
first one of the eye rows and through the locking mechanism,
whereby the two lace segments can be pulled outward through the
locking mechanism to tighten the portion of the lace that is in the
zigzag pattern.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an athletic shoe incorporating
a lacing system in accordance with the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another athletic shoe
incorporating a modified lacing system in accordance with the
present invention.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of another athletic shoe
incorporating a modified lacing system in accordance with the
present invention; and
[0009] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0010] The present invention relates to a shoe with a lacing system
for quick tightening of a lace. The invention is applicable to
shoes and lacing systems of different types and configurations. As
representative of the invention, FIG. 1 illustrates a shoe 10 The
shoe 10 includes a sole 12 (midsole or insole visible from top), an
upper 14 attached to the sole, and a lacing system 16 on the upper.
The upper 14 has a forward or toe portion or vamp 18 and an ankle
opening 20 in a rear or heel portion. The lacing system 16 includes
a shoelace 22 extending in an endless loop and along a zigzag or
snaking path between ankle opening 20 at the top and the forward
portion or vamp 18 at the bottom.
[0011] Lacing system 16 includes first lacing control or holding
elements in the form of hooks or eyelets 24 disposed in a first row
extending on a medial side 26 of the upper 14 from ankle opening 20
towards the forward portion or vamp 18 of the upper. Lacing system
16 also includes second lacing control or holding elements in the
form of hooks or eyelets 28 disposed in a second row extending on a
lateral side 30 of the upper 14 from ankle opening 20 towards the
forward portion or vamp 18 of the upper.
[0012] Lacing system 16 further includes a first locking element 32
and a second locking element 34. Locking element 32 is positioned
at an upper end of the lateral row of lacing control elements 28,
while locking element 34 is positioned at a bottom end of the same
row of lacing control elements 28. A segment 36 of shoelace 22
extends on an outer side of upper 14 between locking elements 32
and 34. Segment 36 is provided with a finger grip 38 in the form of
a slotted sleeve.
[0013] Shoelace 22 is partially wound around the lacing control
elements 24 and 28 so that the lacing control elements provide
direction changes of the shoelace along its snaking path. Lacing
control elements 24 and 28 enable a sliding of shoelace 22 against
the lacing control elements during a lace tightening operation.
[0014] As depicted in FIG. 1, shoelace 22 is the only lace of
lacing system 14 and extends in an endless loop. However, it is
possible for shoelace 22 to be segmented, that is, to have opposite
ends that are fastened to upper 14 (see embodiment of FIG. 2), for
example, in a middle location along the medial row of lacing
control elements 24. Alternatively, it is possible for shoelace 22
to include two or more discontinuous lacing segments (not shown)
each fastened at one end to upper 14. In any event, a single
pulling on shoelace segment 36 away from shoe upper 14 (and away
from the other foot of the user), serves to tighten shoelace 22
from a lower end and an upper end simultaneously. Pulling on lace
segment 36 draws it in an outward direction through locking
elements 32 and 34.
[0015] Lacing system 16 has no lacing knot. Locking elements 32 and
34 are the only lace cinching components of lacing system 16.
[0016] As illustrated in FIG. 2, another shoe comprises a sole 52
(midsole or insole visible from top), an upper 54 attached to the
sole, and a lacing system 56 on the upper. Upper 54 has a forward
or toe portion or vamp 58 and an ankle opening 60 in a rear or heel
portion.
[0017] Lacing system 56 includes a shoelace 62 that may extend in a
single continuous segment along a snaking or zigzag path from an
upper end 64 to a lower end 66. Shoelace ends 64 and 66 are
fastened to shoe upper 54 via clamping or crimping members 68 and
70. Alternatively, shoelace 62 may include an upper segment 72
attached to shoe upper 54 at upper end 64 and further include a
lower segment 74 attached to shoe upper 54 at lower end 66. Lacing
system 56 includes first lacing control elements 76 disposed in a
first row extending on a medial side 78 of upper 54 from ankle
opening 60 towards the forward portion 58 of the upper. Lacing
system 56 also includes second lacing control elements 80 disposed
in a second row extending on a lateral side 82 of upper 54 from the
ankle opening 60 towards the forward portion 58 of the upper. A
locking element 84 is disposed centrally on upper 54 in lateral row
of lacing control elements 80. Shoelace 62 (whether a single
segment or multiple segments 72 and 74) extends along a zigzag or
snaking path back and forth between the lacing control elements 76
in the medial row and the lacing control elements 80 in the lateral
row and out through locking element 84.
[0018] Shoelace 62 is partially wound around lacing control
elements 76 and 80 so that the lacing control elements enable
direction changes of the shoelace along the snaking path.
Typically, lacing control elements 76 and 80 are eyelets or hooks.
The illustrated embodiment shows tubular eyelets.
[0019] A finger grip such as an arcuate sleeve (see FIG. 1) may be
attached to shoelace 62 along a looped section 86 of the shoelace
extending outwardly from locking element 84. The looped section 86
of shoelace 62, optionally with the finger grip, extends from
locking element 84 and is large enough for the insertion of a
finger for purposes of pulling the lace through the locking
element.
[0020] In the embodiments of FIG. 1 and 2, each locking element 32,
34, 84 permits a sliding of the shoelace 22 or 62 in one direction
(outwardly) through the locking element and prevents a sliding of
the shoelace in an opposite direction (inwardly) through the
locking element. The locking elements 32, 34, 84 may be provided
with release mechanisms (such as spring-loaded teeth) (not shown)
that may be actuated to enable a drawing of the shoelace 22 or 62
in the inward direction, for purposes of loosening the lace. As
another example, the locking mechanism shown in FIG. 1 is a
teardrop shaped hole--the lace when pulled gets caught in a narrow
part of the opening, then won't back out. To loosen the lace, one
moves it physically to the larger part of the opening.
[0021] Lacing systems 16 and 56 have no lacing knot. The user need
not tie the shoe lace 22, 62. Instead, locking elements 32, 34, 84
are the only lace cinching components of the lacing systems 16, 56.
To tighten the shoelace 22, 62, it is only necessary to pull once
on the shoelace segment 36 or looped section 86, that extends from
the locking elements 32, 34, 84. Pulling on the lace 22, 62 draws
it in an outward direction through the locking element or elements
32, 34, 84. The lacing system of the present invention enables a
user to simultaneously and separately tighten an upper portion of
the lace (e.g., segment 72) and a lower portion of the lace (e.g.,
segment 74).
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a shoe 102 and lacing system 104
that are a third embodiment of the invention. Parts of the shoe 102
that are the same as the corresponding parts of the shoe shown in
FIG. 2 are given the same reference numerals, with the suffix "a"
added to distinguish them.
[0023] The lacing system 104 includes a plurality of lacing control
elements 106 (FIG. 4) disposed in a medial eye row 108 extending on
a medial side 78a of an upper 54a, from an ankle opening 60a
towards a forward portion 58a of the upper. The lacing system 104
includes a plurality of lacing control elements 110 disposed in a
lateral eye row 112 extending on a lateral side 82a of the upper
54a, from the ankle opening 60a towards the forward portion 58a of
the upper.
[0024] The eyes 106 and 110 in each eye row 108 and 112,
respectively, are preferably wheels or pulleys that are rotatable
under the influence of force applied by shoelace to minimize
resistance and thus enhance distribution of lacing force. As one
example, one suitable commercially available part is a lace wheel
available from North American Industrial Fastener Co. as part
number RR002A. Other wheels may be suitable. Also, the eyes 106 and
110 need not be wheels.
[0025] The lacing system 104 also includes a shoelace 120. The
shoelace 120 is an endless loop shoelace having a major portion 122
extending in a zigzag pattern between the medial and lateral eye
rows 108 and 112, respectively. As discussed below, two segments
124 and 126 of the shoelace 120 extend out of the zigzag
pattern.
[0026] A locking mechanism 130 is disposed at a first one of the
medial and lateral eye rows 108 and 112, respectively. In the
illustrated embodiment, the locking mechanism 130 is disposed at
the lateral eye row 112 and takes the place of, or constitutes, one
of the lacing control elements in the lateral eye row.
[0027] The particular locking mechanism 130 that is illustrated is
representative of the different types of locking elements that can
be used. As one example, a suitable locking mechanism is a
commercially available part known as a lace lock and available from
North American Industrial Fastener Co. as part number FCL2D. Other
lace locks may be suitable. This particular lace lock has two
relatively movable parts between which are defined two passages. A
spring or other biasing means is disposed between the two
parts.
[0028] The two segments 124 and 126 of the shoelace 120 extend out
of the zigzag pattern from the lateral eye row 112 and through the
passages in the locking mechanism 130. The segments 124 and 126
terminate in a lace end 132, such as a lace end available from
North American Industrial Fastener Co. as part number CS21.
[0029] When no force is applied to the two parts of the lace lock
130, the spring urges them apart, and a lace engaging structure,
such as ratchet teeth, on at least one of the parts engages the
lace segments 124 and 126 to prevent retrograde movement through
the lock. When the two parts of the locking mechanism 130 are
pushed together against the biasing force, the passages open up and
the lace segments 124 and 126 can move back into the zigzag pattern
to loosen the lacing system 104.
[0030] Thus, the two lace segments 124 and 126 can be pulled
outward through the locking mechanism 130 to tighten the portion of
the shoelace 120 that is in the zigzag pattern. The shoelace 120
can then be released, and it will lock. When it is desired to
release the lock 130, in order to loosen the shoelace 120, the two
parts of the lace lock are pushed together.
[0031] The locking mechanism 130 could be located at any one of a
number of different positions along either eye row 108 or 112. For
example, the locking mechanism 130 could be located at an
intermediate position along the eye row 112, as shown in FIGS. 3
and 4. In this position, the tightening force may be distributed
more uniformly through the zigzag section of the shoelace 120, to
provide a more even adjustment. Alternatively, the locking
mechanism 130 could be located at the top of the eye row, as shown
in phantom in FIG. 4. This position facilitates providing the
loosest top laces, which facilitates putting the foot into the
ankle opening 60a. As a still further alternative, the locking
mechanism 130 could be a double mechanism, as in FIG. 1, with two
distinct lock devices spaced apart along the shoe upper.
[0032] Various embodiments with various features have been
illustrated and described. The invention includes different
combinations of those features.
* * * * *