U.S. patent application number 12/818475 was filed with the patent office on 2010-12-23 for cycling shoe with rear entry.
This patent application is currently assigned to SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.. Invention is credited to Carl Darius Bird, John Figueiredo, Gregory Roger Grenzke.
Application Number | 20100319216 12/818475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43353030 |
Filed Date | 2010-12-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100319216 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Grenzke; Gregory Roger ; et
al. |
December 23, 2010 |
CYCLING SHOE WITH REAR ENTRY
Abstract
A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The
upper includes a heel portion movable relative to a mid portion
from an open position to a closed position. A securing mechanism
(e.g., a lace and a dial for tightening the lace) is coupled
between the heel portion and the mid portion. Preferably, the dial
is secured near an edge of the mid portion near an instep opening,
and the lace is positioned in a passageway in the mid portion. The
heel portion can comprise a flexible fabric that acts as a living
hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative
to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole and
rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portion includes
a wide portion and a narrow portion (e.g., defining the pivot
point) below the wide portion.
Inventors: |
Grenzke; Gregory Roger;
(Santa Cruz, CA) ; Bird; Carl Darius; (Aptos,
CA) ; Figueiredo; John; (Morgan Hill, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS,
INC.
Morgan Hill
CA
|
Family ID: |
43353030 |
Appl. No.: |
12/818475 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61218762 |
Jun 19, 2009 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/54 ;
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/00 20130101; A43B
11/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/54 ;
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/26 20060101
A43B023/26; A43C 11/00 20060101 A43C011/00 |
Claims
1. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, the
upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative
to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of
a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures
the user's foot in the shoe; and a securing mechanism coupled
between the heel portion and the mid portion, the securing
mechanism including a lace extending from the heel portion to the
mid portion.
2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism
further includes a rotary dial coupled to the lace such that
rotation of the dial tightens the lace.
3. A shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dial is secured to the
mid portion.
4. A shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mid portion includes
an instep opening in an instep region, wherein the upper further
includes a tongue positioned in the instep opening, and wherein the
dial is secured near an edge of the mid portion near the instep
opening.
5. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes a
passageway, and wherein the lace is positioned in the
passageway.
6. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes
opposing left and right passageways on opposing left and right
sides of the mid portion, and wherein the lace is positioned in the
left and right passageways.
7. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes
an instep region, and wherein the lace passes over the instep
region.
8. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heel portion includes
left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the
mid portion, respectively, and wherein the lace extends from at
least one of the left and right arms.
9. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, the
upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative
to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of
a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures
the user's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portion comprises a
flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal
movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion.
10. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flexible fabric
extends toward and forms part of the mid portion.
11. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the living hinge pivots
at a location above the sole.
12. A shoe as claimed in claim 11, wherein the living hinge pivots
at a location rearward of the mid portion.
13. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes
a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, and
wherein the living hinge substantially corresponds with the narrow
portion.
14. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes
left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the
mid portion, respectively.
15. A shoe comprising: a sole; an upper secured to the sole, the
upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative
to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of
a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures
the user's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portion pivots
relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the
sole and rearward of the mid portion.
16. A shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein the heel portion
includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide
portion, and wherein the pivot point substantially corresponds with
the narrow portion.
17. A shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wide portion
includes left and right arms extending toward left and right sides
of the mid portion, respectively.
18. A shoe as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a
closure-assist member secured to the heel portion.
19. A shoe as claimed in claim 18, wherein the closure-assist
member comprises a loop of flexible fabric.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/218,762 filed Jun. 19, 2009, the
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its
entirety herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to cycling equipment, and
particularly to cycling shoes adapted for use by triathletes.
[0003] In the modern sporting event called a triathlon, triathletes
compete in swimming, cycling, and running segments with the goal of
crossing the finish line in the shortest elapsed time. In order to
improve one's time for the event, it is helpful to have short
transitions between the segments of the event. In order to reduce
the transition time from the swimming segment to the cycling
segment, triathletes commonly have their bikes prepared with
cycling shoes already attached to the pedals. With this
arrangement, when transitioning from the swimming segment to the
cycling segment, the triathletes do not need to put the shoes on
first, but instead can mount the bicycle and pedal and/or coast
with their feet on top of the shoes before they slip their feet in
to the shoes.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present invention is designed to facilitate easy
insertion of the triathlete's foot into the cycling shoe in order
to shorten the time it takes to fully mount the bicycle, and to
facilitate securing the shoe to the foot. More specifically, in one
aspect, the present invention provides a shoe comprising a sole and
an upper secured to the sole. The upper includes a mid portion and
a heel portion movable relative to the mid portion from an open
position, which allows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to
a closed position, which secures the user's foot in the shoe. A
securing mechanism is coupled between the heel portion and the mid
portion. The securing mechanism includes a lace extending from the
heel portion to the mid portion.
[0005] In one embodiment, the securing mechanism further includes a
rotary dial (e.g., secured to the mid portion) coupled to the lace
such that rotation of the dial tightens the lace. Preferably, the
mid portion includes an instep opening in an instep region, and the
upper further includes a tongue positioned in the instep opening.
In this embodiment, the dial can be secured near an edge of the mid
portion near the instep opening.
[0006] The mid portion can further include a passageway, and the
lace can be positioned in the passageway. For example, the mid
portion can include opposing left and right passageways on opposing
left and right sides of the mid portion, and the lace can be
positioned in the left and right passageways. Preferably the lace
passes over an instep region of the mid portion.
[0007] In another aspect, the heel portion comprises a flexible
fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement
of the heel portion relative to the mid portion. Preferably, the
flexible fabric also extends toward and forms part of the mid
portion.
[0008] In yet another aspect, the heel portion pivots relative to
the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole (i.e.,
outsole and insole) and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably,
the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below
the wide portion, and wherein the pivot point substantially
corresponds with the narrow portion. In addition, the wide portion
of the heel portion can include left and right arms extending
toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively.
[0009] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cycling shoe
according to one aspect of the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the cycling shoe
of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a side view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a top view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the cycling shoe of FIG.
1 in an intermediate position.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe according to
another aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a shoe 10 having a sole comprising an outsole
14 and an insole 16, an upper 18 secured to the outsole 14, and a
securing mechanism 22 for securing the shoe 10 onto a rider's foot.
The illustrated shoe 10 is a cycling shoe 10 for use with a
bicycle. Specifically, the shoe 10 is for use with "clipless" or
"clip-in" style bicycle pedals. However, the shoe 10 may be used
without "clipless" style bicycle pedals, as desired.
[0018] With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated outsole 14 is made
of a rigid polymer. However, other rigid materials may be used,
such as a fiber-matrix composite, wood, or other materials, as is
known in the art. The illustrated outsole 14 also includes a heel
pad 26 and a mounting portion 30 for mounting a pedal clip, as
desired. In other constructions, the heel pad 26 and mounting
portion 30 may be different or eliminated.
[0019] The illustrated insole 16 is a flexible insert that includes
padding and arch support for the rider's foot and provides a more
comfortable fit. The insole 16 is supported on the outsole 14 and
is removable. In another construction, the insole 16 may be
connected to the outsole 14 such that it is inhibited from
removal.
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 18 includes a toe
portion 34, a heel portion 38, and a mid portion 42 connecting the
toe portion 34 and the heel portion 38. The illustrated upper 18 is
constructed of a composite of flexible fabrics. Specifically, the
illustrated upper 18 is constructed of a fabric weave and a
synthetic leather.
[0021] The mid portion 42 includes an instep region 46 generally in
the longitudinal center of the upper 18 and defining a right side
50 (FIG. 2) and a left side 54 (FIG. 1). An instep opening 58 is
formed in the instep region 46 between the right side 50 and the
left side 54 and extends forward from a foot opening 62 to the toe
portion 34. A right passageway 66 (FIG. 2) is formed in the right
side 50 and a left passageway 70 is formed in the left side 54. A
sleeve 74 connects the entrance and exit of the right passageway 66
and left passageway 70. The illustrated sleeves 74 are made of
plastic and run internal the upper 18. The left and right
passageways 66, 70 are configured to receive a lace 114, as will be
described below in more detail. In other constructions, the left
and right passageways 66, 70 may be placed differently, be longer
or shorter than illustrated, or start and stop in different places,
as desired.
[0022] A tongue 78 is positioned across the instep opening 58 and
cooperates with the upper 18 to form the foot opening 62. The
illustrated tongue 78 is connected to the left side 54 and wraps
across the instep opening 58 and under the right side 50, leaving a
portion of the instep opening 58 open. Alternatively, the tongue 78
may wrap over the top of the right side 50. In other constructions,
the tongue 78 may be shaped differently or extend along more or
less of the instep opening 58. For example, FIG. 8. shows an
example where the tongue 78 is connected to the toe portion 34 and
extends substantially the full length of the instep opening 58 to
the foot opening 62.
[0023] A front closure mechanism in the form of a flexible strap 82
is positioned across the instep opening 58 substantially adjacent
the toe portion 34. The illustrated flexible strap 82 includes a
hook and loop fastener and may be tightened with the rider's foot
held in the shoe 10 to provide a more secure hold and support to
the rider's foot. In other embodiments, the front closure mechanism
may be a lace or employ other fasteners, as desired.
[0024] The heel portion 38 includes a wide portion 86 defining a
right arm 90 and a left arm 94, and a narrow portion 98 below the
wide portion 86. The right arm 90 and the left arm 94 extend toward
the right and left sides 50, 54 of the mid portion 42,
respectively. The heel portion 38 is formed of a flexible fabric
that forms a living hinge at the narrow portion 98. In the
illustrated shoe 10, the living hinge is located above the outsole
14 and insole 16, and rearward of the mid portion 42. The mid
portion 42 and the heel portion 38 are formed of the same flexible
fabric. A closure-assist member in the form of a loop 102 of
flexible fabric is connected to the back of the heel portion 38. A
heel passageway 106 is formed through the wide portion 86 from the
right arm 90 to the left arm 94. A sleeve 74 extends from the
entrance to the exit of the heel passageway 106. The illustrated
sleeve 74 is made of plastic and runs internal the heel portion
38.
[0025] The heel portion 38 is movable between an open position
(broken lines in FIG. 3) where the heel portion 38 is folded down
to allow direct access to the foot opening 62 and a closed position
(FIG. 1) where the heel portion 38 is up to hold the rider's foot
in the shoe 10. FIG. 5 shows the heel portion 38 in an intermediate
position between the open position and the closed position. The
heel portion 38 pivots at the living hinge.
[0026] The securing mechanism 22 includes a rotary dial 110 and the
lace 114. The rotary dial 110 is secured near an edge 118 of the
left side 54 of the instep region 46 near the instep opening 58.
The lace 114 passes through the right passageway 66, the left
passageway 70, and the heel passageway 106 and connects at the
rotary dial 110. The passageways 66, 70 allow the lace 114 to pass
through the upper 18 such that a substantial portion of the lace
114 is not exposed.
[0027] The rotary dial 110 includes grips around the circumference
to enable the rider to grasp and turn the rotary dial 110 about an
axis. The lace 114 is connected to the rotary dial 110 such that
rotating the rotary dial 110 in a first direction tightens the lace
114, and lifting the rotary dial 110 away from the shoe 10 allows
the lace 114 to loosen. Alternatively, rotating the rotary dial 110
in a second direction may loosen the lace 114. An exemplary dial is
shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,050 assigned to Boa
Technology, Inc., the contents of which are incorporated herein in
their entirety. When the lace 114 is loosened, the heel portion 38
may be moved to the open position. When the lace 114 is tightened,
the heel portion 38 is held in the closed position. In the
illustrated construction, the tongue 78 also includes a loop 102
that the lace 114 passes through. In another construction, the
rotary dial 110 may be a ratcheting dial and a push button may be
utilized to loosen the lace 114 by releasing the ratchet dial.
[0028] In operation, a rider loosens the flexible strap 82 and
rotates the rotary dial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel
portion 38 is then moved to the open position. The rider then
inserts the rider's foot into the foot opening 62 and forward fully
into the shoe 10. The rider then tightens the flexible strap 82
such that the shoe 10 is secured about the front of the rider's
foot. The rider then grasps the loop 102 of flexible fabric and
pulls the heel portion 38 toward the closed position. Once the heel
portion 38 is in the closed position, the rotary dial 110 is
rotated to tighten the lace 114 to secure the heel portion 38 in
the closed position and hold the rider's foot securely in place 114
within the shoe 10.
[0029] To remove the rider's foot from the shoe 10, the rider lifts
the rotary dial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel portion 38 is
then moved to the open position, the flexible strap 82 is loosened,
and the rider's foot is removed. Alternatively, the rider's foot
may be placed in the shoe 10 and removed without loosening the
flexible strap 82.
[0030] FIG. 6 shows an alternate construction of the shoe 10. The
front closure mechanism is a rotary dial 122 with a lace 126
similar to the rotary dial 110 used to tighten the heel portion 38.
The rotary dial 122 may be turned in one direction to loosen the
lace 126 and in the other to tighten the lace 126. Alternatively, a
button may be employed to release the lace 126 for loosening.
[0031] It is noted that, the shoes described above and illustrated
in FIGS. 1-5, the outsole 14 comprises a unitary structure. That
is, the outsole 14 does not include parts that move with the heel
portion 38. Rather, the rear entry feature of these designs is
accomplished by moving the heel portion 38 relative to the outsole
14 and relative to the mid portion 42 of the upper 18.
[0032] One advantageous use of the shoe 10 is for triathlon
athletes. The shoes 10 may be clipped into the pedals of a bicycle
with the heel portion 38 in the open position before an athlete
approaches the bicycle. Then the athlete positions his or her foot
within the shoe 10 while the shoe 10 is still clipped into the
bicycle. The athlete can then move the heel portion 38 to the
closed position and tighten the closures to secure the foot in the
shoe 10. Likewise, the athlete can remove the foot from the shoe 10
without removing the shoe 10 from the bicycle pedals. This
advantage provides a faster transition time between swimming and
bicycling, and between bicycling and running. Additionally, the
shoe 10 provides an easier entry and exit to the shoe 10 even when
not already attached to the bicycle pedal.
* * * * *