U.S. patent application number 13/265873 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-16 for tongue and interlocking system for shoes.
Invention is credited to Stefan Lederer.
Application Number | 20120036737 13/265873 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42671804 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120036737 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lederer; Stefan |
February 16, 2012 |
TONGUE AND INTERLOCKING SYSTEM FOR SHOES
Abstract
The present invention relates to a tongue for shoes comprising:
a basic structure of an essentially non-elastic material, having a
top side facing away from a foot, and a bottom side facing the
foot; a retaining device on the top side of the basic structure,
wherein the retaining device is structured such that it can fixedly
accommodate at least one pulling element; and a padding on the
bottom side of the basic structure, wherein the basic structure is
designed such that across the entire surface, the tongue can lie
form-fittingly on the foot, and that both on the right and the left
side, the tongue is pre-molded according to the anatomy of the
dorsum of the foot, and wherein in the tongue a plurality of
perforation is provided. The present invention further relates to
an interlocking system for shoes, which includes same tongue.
Inventors: |
Lederer; Stefan; (Munchen,
DE) |
Family ID: |
42671804 |
Appl. No.: |
13/265873 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2010 |
PCT Filed: |
May 4, 2010 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2010/056022 |
371 Date: |
October 23, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/54 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 11/20 20130101;
A43C 1/06 20130101; A43B 23/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/54 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/26 20060101
A43B023/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 4, 2009 |
EP |
10 2009 019893.8 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. Tongue for shoes comprising: a basic structure of an
essentially non-elastic material, having a top side facing away
from a foot and a bottom side facing the foot; a retaining device
on the top side of the basic structure, wherein the retaining
device is structured such that it can fixedly accommodate at least
one tie, wherein the fixing is achieved by means of clamping; and a
padding at the bottom side of the basic structure, wherein the
basic structure is designed such that across the entire contact
surface, the tongue can lie form-fittingly on the foot, and that
both on the right and the left side, the tongue is preformed
according to the anatomy of the dorsum of the foot, and wherein in
the tongue a plurality of perforations is provided.
24. Tongue according to claim 23, wherein the padding is such that
a cavity is created and the extension of the cavity follows the
dorsum of the foot.
25. Tongue according to claim 25, wherein the plurality of the
perforations is provided above the cavity.
26. Tongue according to claim 23, further comprising a passage at
the top side of the basic structure, wherein the retaining device
is arranged in the passage, the passage has means for accommodating
the retaining device and/or the retaining device has means for
being accommodated in the passage, and the means for accommodating
or the means to be accommodated allowing a positioning adjustable
in defined intervals or a continuously adjustable positioning of
the retaining device in the passage.
27. Tongue according to claim 26, wherein the adjustable
positioning of the retaining device takes place at any position in
the passage in intervals of 2.5 mm.
28. Tongue according to claim 23, wherein the retaining device
comprises at least one Tanka.
29. Tongue according to claim 24, wherein in the basic structure an
inlet opening and an outlet opening for passing through the tie are
provided such that the tie is passed through between the inlet
opening and the outlet opening on the bottom side of the basic
structure and in the cavity.
30. Tongue according to claim 23, where the tongue has a
one-membered structure or a multi-membered structure.
31. Tongue according to claim 23, wherein the essentially
non-elastic material of the basic structure is plastic, in
particular extruded polyurethane.
32. Closing system for shoes comprising: a tongue according to
claim 23, at least one tie and guiding elements for the at least
one tie on at least one side of a shoe-upper in which the at least
one tie engages above the tongue, wherein in addition the at least
one tie is fixedly received in a retaining device.
33. Closing system according to claim 32, wherein the at least one
tie is selected from bands, cords and gripping arms.
34. Closing system according to claim 32, wherein the guiding
elements are selected from eyelets and hooks.
35. Closing system according to claim 32, wherein the retaining
device is attached in a predefined position at a proximal end of
the tongue and comprises two Tankas, the padding is embodied such
that a cavity is created, in the basic structure, an inlet opening
and an outlet opening for passing through the tie are provided such
that the tie is guided through between the inlet opening and the
outlet opening at the bottom side of the basic structure and in the
cavity, and two ties having the form of cords are provided such
that a two-part tying is created wherein a distal cord extends
substantially above the distal portion of the tongue, a proximal
cord extends substantially above the proximal portion of the tongue
and the distal cord is inserted into the inlet opening for bridging
the portion of the proximal cord, is passed through at the bottom
side of the tongue and in the cavity and is passed out of the
outlet opening after bridging the portion of the proximal cord.
36. Closing system according to claim 35, where the guiding
elements are formed as eyelets and/or hooks and the proximal
guiding elements are arranged at a distance of approximately 1.5 cm
in the distal direction from the retaining device.
37. Closing system according to claim 32 wherein the retaining
device is arranged in the passage, and two guiding elements having
the form of bars extend from proximal to distal at the left and the
right shoe-upper and are arranged in proximal and distal seats.
38. Closing system according to claim 37, wherein at the proximal
and/or the distal seats adjustment devices for adjusting the
position of at least one of the two bars are provided.
39. Closing system according to claim 38, wherein as the proximal
seats one respective cartridge is used which comprises one or more
notches for fixing the bar into place.
40. Closing system according to claim 37, where as a distal seat a
flexible element is used which comprises an adjusting screw and
interconnects the bars.
41. Closing system according to claim 37, wherein the two ties in
the form of cords are provided such that a concertina-like tying is
produced where the position of the two cords above the tongue is
adjusted at the two bars by moving the retaining device in the
proximal and/or the distal direction, and the cords are provided
such that their length is adjusted as desired in the retaining
device.
42. Closing system according to claim 32, wherein in the case of
bands and/or cords as the ties, a fixed connection of the tie with
the shoe-upper is provided at a predefined position by means of
anchoring and wherein the anchoring can optionally be adjusted.
43. Tongue for shoes according to claim 23, wherein all components
of the tongue are replaceable.
44. Closing system for shoes according to claim 32, wherein all
components of the closing system are replaceable.
Description
[0001] The present invention refers to a new tongue or a new
closing system for shoes, respectively.
[0002] The disadvantages of the state of the art of closing systems
for shoes are as follows.
[0003] Existing tongues or closing systems, respectively, do not
sufficiently take into account the anatomy of the dorsum of a foot
or of the foot itself in terms of a continuous form-fit and an even
distribution of pressure.
[0004] In addition, the closing systems for shoes which are known
from the state of the art are tedious to handle and the components
of existing closing systems are normally integral parts of the
systems so that in case of any defects of the components, further
use of the shoe is often impossible and a new purchase becomes
necessary.
[0005] The task of the present invention is therefore to provide a
closing system for shoes by means of which the above-mentioned
disadvantages of the state of the art can be overcome and which
provides an easy-to-use closing system for shoes whereat the shoe
is opened completely.
[0006] Another task of the present invention is to provide a tongue
for shoes which improves operability of a closing system for
shoes.
[0007] An additional task of the invention is to provide a tongue
for shoes which ensures good form-fit and an even distribution of
pressure over the foot.
[0008] This and other tasks to be found in the following
description are achieved by means of a tongue according to Claim 1
or by means of a closing system according to Claim 10,
respectively, comprising a tongue according to Claim 1.
[0009] Advantageous further developments of the invention are
indicated in the dependent claims.
[0010] In a first aspect, the present invention refers to a tongue
for shoes which comprises a basic structure, a retaining device and
a padding. The basic structure consists of a substantially
non-elastic material and has a top side facing away from a foot and
a bottom side facing the foot. The retaining device is positioned
at the top side of the basic structure and formed such that it can
fixedly accommodate at least one tie. The padding is provided at
the bottom side of the basic structure. In principle, a two-layered
tongue is formed in this way. A multi-layered embodiment of the
tongue with further elements as paddings or having other functions
is also conceivable.
[0011] In one embodiment, the retaining device for a cord or the
tie, respectively, can be attached at a predefined site at the top
side of the basic structure.
[0012] In another embodiment, a passage can be provided at the top
side of the basic structure. In this embodiment, the retaining
device can be located in the passage. The passage can further
contain means for receiving the retaining device. Alternatively,
the retaining device can comprise means for the accommodation in
the passage. A combination of the above-mentioned means for the
accommodation is possible as well. Furthermore, the means for the
accommodation allow a positioning of the retaining device in the
passage at defined intervals. Alternatively, continuously
adjustable positioning of the retaining device in the passage can
be provided.
[0013] In another embodiment, the adjustable positioning of the
retaining device can take place at any site in the passage at
suitable intervals, preferably intervals of 2.5 mm.
[0014] In another embodiment, the retaining device includes at
least one Tanka. As used herein, a Tanka is a type of closure
comprising a pivoted lever by means of which a tie such as a band
or a cord can be clamped and thus fixed in the retaining device. As
an alternative to the Tankas, the retaining device includes at
least one seat for gripping arms. The use of a clamping lid, triple
grouser or equivalent devices is conceivable as well as long as it
can be used for a suitably fix and release of the tie into place in
the retaining device. The use of conventional Tankas is conceivable
as well, whereat a conventional Tanka is a generally longitudinal,
rectangular device with a hole for the tie to be passed through it,
which can then be fixed into place or released by pressing on a
spring mounted bolt passed transversely through the hole. The use
of round conventional Tankas is also conceivable.
[0015] According to the invention, the padding can be such that a
cavity is formed. For example, the padding of the tongue can take
place only at sides so that the cavity is formed in the middle of
the tongue. Furthermore, the extension of the cavity can follow the
dorsum of a foot.
[0016] In another embodiment, a plurality of perforations can be
provided in the tongue. Further, the plurality of the perforations
can especially be provided above the cavity. The perforations make
it very easy for water vapor to escape, effectively improving the
climate of the foot.
[0017] In another embodiment, an inlet opening and an outlet
opening for passing through a tie can be provided in the basic
structure such that the tie can be passed through between the inlet
opening and the outlet opening at the bottom side of the basic
structure and in the cavity.
[0018] In another embodiment, the tongue can be preformed, to the
left and to the right, according to the anatomy of the dorsum of
the foot.
[0019] In the above embodiments according to the first aspect of
the invention, the tongue can comprise a one-membered structure or
a multi-membered structure.
[0020] In the above embodiments according to the first aspect of
the invention, the substantially non-elastic material of the basic
structure can be a plastic. As the plastic, especially extruded
polyurethane is preferred. By use of a substantially non-elastic
material for the basic structure of the tongue, a form-fit along
the entire portion of the tongue from the distal to the proximal
side can be ensured in subsequent use of the tongue as part of the
closing system. Thus, significant improvement of the fit of the
tongue or of the closing system including the tongue, respectively,
is possible. Further, in this manner, the pressure can be
distributed evenly over the entire tongue. As mentioned previously,
by adaption to the anatomy of the dorsum of the foot, the tongue
can be completely supported by the foot. By means of the embodiment
of the tongue, displacement can be minimized or entirely prevented,
additionally improving the fit.
[0021] In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a
closing system for shoes which includes a tongue, at least one tie
and guiding elements. The tongue is embodied according to the
above-mentioned first aspect of the invention. The guiding elements
for the at least one tie are provided on at least one side of the
shoe-upper. The at least one tie engages with the guiding elements
above the tongue. Further, the at least one tie is received fixedly
in the retaining device according to the preceding first aspect of
the invention.
[0022] The at least one tie can be selected from bands, cords and
gripping arms. The guiding elements can be selected from eyelets,
hooks and bars.
[0023] In one embodiment, the retaining device can be provided at a
predefined site at the proximal end of the tongue. The retaining
device can further include two Tankas as described above. The
padding can be embodied such that the cavity is formed. In the
basic structure, the inlet opening and the outlet opening for
passing through a tie can be provided in such a way that the tie
can be passed through between the inlet opening and the outlet
opening at the bottom side of the basic structure and in the
cavity. Two ties in the form of cords can be provided such that
two-part or two-zone tying is created, wherein the distal cord
extends substantially above the distal portion of the tongue and
the proximal cord extends substantially above the proximal portion
of the tongue. For bridging the portion of the proximal cord, the
distal cord can be introduced in the inlet opening, passed through
at the bottom side of the tongue and in the cavity and passed
through at the outlet opening after bridging the portion of the
proximal cord. By this two-part or two-zone tying, continuous
form-fit from the distal to the proximal side can be ensured.
[0024] In another embodiment, the guiding elements can be formed as
eyelets and/or hooks. Further, the proximal guiding elements can be
provided at a distance of approximately 1.5 cm from the retaining
device in the distal direction. The proximal guiding elements
cannot be set at the same height as the retaining device. This
distance of approximately 1.5 cm can ensure an evenly distributed
tension.
[0025] In another embodiment, the retaining device can be located
in the passage. Furthermore, the two guiding elements in the form
of the bars can extend from the proximal to the distal end on the
left and on the right shoe-upper and be located in proximal and
distal seats.
[0026] In another embodiment, adjusting devices for adjusting the
position of at least one of the two bars can be provided at the
proximal and/or distal seats.
[0027] In another embodiment, a respective cartridge can serve as a
proximal seat. The cartridge can further include one or more
notches for fixing the bar into place. The notches can be provided
in the diameter of the bars. For instance, 2 to 3 notches each can
be provided in one cartridge. Thus, the bars can be fixed into
place, for instance, in 2 to 3 positions and the angle between the
bars can be enlarged or diminished, respectively. With this
advantageous embodiment, different anatomies of feet can be
accounted for. For instance, in case of a very broad foot, as a
rule the last position of the bars towards the middle can be
used.
[0028] In another embodiment, a flexible element can be used as the
distal seat, which element can be deformed in all directions as
desired. The flexible element can include an adjusting screw and be
optionally provided in two parts. Furthermore, the flexible element
can interconnect the bars by forming e.g. a curve. With the
adjusting screw, it is possible to alter the position of the two
bars, for instance, in relation to each other. For instance, the
bars can be set parallel to each other by means of the adjusting
screw or converging in an acute angle from the proximal to the
distal end.
[0029] In another embodiment, the two ties in the form of ribbons
can be provided such that concertina-like tying is created wherein
the position of the two cords above the tongue can be adjusted in
the proximal and/or the distal direction on the two bars by moving
the retaining device. The further the retaining device is shifted
from distal to proximal, the more the closing system, and therefore
the shoe, can be closed. It is further preferred for the cords
themselves to be adjustedable in length as desired. Thus, a
continuous form-fit from distal to proximal can be ensured also in
this embodiment.
[0030] In another embodiment, the two ties in the form of gripping
arms can be provided such that a mechanism is created wherein the
position of the two gripping arms above the tongue at the two bars
can be adjusted by moving the retaining device into the proximal
and/or the distal direction. The further the retaining device is
shifted from distal to proximal, the more the closing system, and
therefore the shoe, can be closed. Thus, a continuous form-fit from
distal to proximal can be ensured also in this embodiment.
[0031] In the preceding embodiments according to the second aspect
of the invention, in the case of bands and/or cords as ties, a
fixed connection of the tie with the shoe-upper can be provided by
anchoring at a predefined position. Further, the anchoring can
optionally be adjustable.
[0032] In a third aspect, the present invention is directed toward
the tongue for shoes according to the first aspect or toward the
closing system for shoes according to the second aspect,
respectively, where all components of the tongue or of the closing
system, respectively, can be replaced. Thus, if any of the
components according to the invention are defective, further use of
the shoe can be ensured. Furthermore, it is envisaged that certain
components can be replaced by the user himself.
[0033] In the following, there is a detailed description of the
invention using preferred embodiments and the enclosed drawings
wherein:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a tongue
according to the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a closing
system according to the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 3 is a schematic drawing of a further embodiment of a
closing system according to the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 4 is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of a
closing system according to the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 5A is a schematic drawing of a single Tanka with a
pivoted lever by means of which a tie, such as a band or a cord,
can be clamped and thus fixed into place in the retaining
device;
[0039] FIG. 5B is a schematic drawing of a double Tanka with a
mechanism of the levers which is analogous to FIG. 5A;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a schematic drawing of a tongue with a
two-membered structure;
[0041] FIG. 7A is a schematic drawing of another embodiment of a
closing system according to the present invention, and
[0042] FIG. 7B is a schematic drawing of yet another embodiment of
a closing system according to the present invention.
[0043] In FIG. 1, a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a tongue
1, here symmetrical to the longitudinal axis, according to the
present invention is shown. Preferably, the tongue 1 is coated with
the same material as the shoe. The tongue 1 is shown with a basic
structure 2 and a padding 4. A retaining device is not shown here
for the sake of a better visibility of the basic structure 2. The
basic structure 2 is made of extruded polyurethane, a substantially
inelastic, i.e. rigid plastic. This material ensures that when the
closing system is closed, the tongue rests on the foot with
form-fit over the entire contact surface. Further, the top side of
the basic structure 2, facing away from a foot, can be seen. The
bottom side facing the foot is not visible in FIG. 1. The padding 4
is shown at the bottom side of the basic structure 2 in a narrow
area. A passage 5 is displayed at the top side of the basic
structure 2. Within the passage 5, means for receiving the
retaining device 3 not shown here are indicated. The displayed
receiving means allow a positioning of the retaining device 3 in
the passage 5 which can be adjusted in defined intervals. Here, the
adjustable positioning corresponds approximately to intervals of
2.5 mm. The padding 4 is here such that a cavity 8 is produced.
Here, the padding 4 of the tongue 1 is produced only at the sides
so that the cavity 8 is created in the middle of the tongue 1.
Furthermore, a plurality of perforations 9 is shown. Here, the
plurality of perforations 9 is formed above the cavity 8. These
perforations 9 make it possible for water vapor to escape very
easily, effectively improving the climate of the foot. The tongue 1
here is shown as a one-membered structure. A tongue with a
two-membered structure is shown in FIG. 6, where the two members
are implemented with a hinge-like device 21 on the interface
between the dorsum of the foot and the shin. The two-membered
tongue shown in this figure is displayed with two-part or two-zone
tying (see FIG. 2) explained in the following. However, use of a
two-membered structure is not to be limited to the shown embodiment
with two-zone tying but can also be used with other embodiments
which are explained subsequently. Such a two-membered tongue is
preferably provided for footwear which covers the ankles.
[0044] As already mentioned previously, by using extruded
polyurethane for the basic structure 2 of the tongue 1, a form-fit
over the entire portion of the tongue 1 from distal to proximal can
be ensured during later use of the tongue 1 as part of the closing
system. In this way, a fit of the tongue or of the closing system,
respectively, can be substantially improved. Furthermore, therewith
the pressure can be distributed evenly over the entire tongue.
[0045] In FIG. 2, a schematic drawing of an embodiment of a closing
system according to the present invention is shown. The closing
system 12 is shown with a tongue 1. The retaining device 3
(dashed-lined square) is shown in the middle of the proximal end of
the tongue 1. Here, the retaining device 3 contains a double Tanka
6. The Tankas preferably used are shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. FIG. 5A
shows a single Tanka 6 provided with a pivoted lever 22 by means of
which the tie 13, such as a band or cord, can be clamped and thus
fixed into place in the retaining device 3. FIG. 5B shows a double
Tanka with a mechanism of the levers which is analogous to FIG. 5A.
The double Tanka contains two adjacent pivoted levers 22 which can
be operated independently of one another. Double Tankas are used
preferably with two-zone tying.
[0046] The basic structure 2 contains an inlet opening 10 and an
outlet opening 11 for passing through a distal cord 13d which is
passed through between the inlet opening 10 and the outlet opening
11 at the bottom side of the basic structure 2 (dashed line) and in
the cavity 8 (not shown). Further, a proximal cord 13p is shown,
producing two-part or two-zone tying where the distal cord 13d
extends substantially above the distal portion of the tongue 1 and
the proximal cord 13p extends substantially above the proximal
portion of the tongue 1. The distal cord 13d thus bridges the
portion of the proximal cord 13p. The distal cord 13d and the
proximal cord 13p are each inserted into one of the Tankas 6.
Furthermore, eyelets 14 to the left and to the right of the
shoe-upper S are shown in which the cords 13 are inserted. The
proximal eyelets 14p are arranged at a distance of approximately
1.5 cm from the retaining device 3 in the distal direction so as to
cause an even tension at this distance. Further, the cords 13 are
shown in a fixed connection with the shoe-upper S due to a
respective anchoring 20. This two-part or two-zone tying ensures a
continuous form-fit from distal to proximal.
[0047] In FIG. 3, a schematic drawing of another embodiment of a
closing system according to the present invention is shown. The
closing system 12 is drawn with a tongue 1. The retaining device 3
(dashed-lined square) is shown in the center of the tongue 1 in the
passage 5. Here, the retaining device 3 comprises one single Tanka
6. In the passage 5, means for receiving the retaining device 3 are
shown. The displayed receiving means allow a positioning of the
retaining device 3 in the passage 5 which can be adjusted in
defined intervals. Here as well, positioning can be adjusted in
steps of approximately 2.5 mm. Furthermore, two bars 14 at the left
and the right shoe-upper (not shown) are presented which extend
from proximal to distal and are each arranged in proximal and
distal seats.
[0048] Here, a left and a right cartridge 15 are shown as proximal
seats. The cartridges 15 each have two notches 16 for fixing the
bars 14 into place. Here, the notches 15 are represented
substantially in the diameter of the bars 14. Thus the bars 14 can
each be fixed in 2 positions and the angle between the bars 14 can
be enlarged or reduced.
[0049] As already mentioned above, with this advantageous
embodiment different anatomies of feet can be taken into account.
Furthermore, for a distal seat a flexible element 17 is represented
which can be deformed in all directions. The flexible element 17 is
advantageous for a rolling motion of the foot during walking. The
flexible element 17 has an adjusting screw 18 and is divided at the
center into two halves by the adjusting screw 18. Here, the
flexible element 17 interconnects the bars 14 by forming a curve.
By means of the adjusting screw 18, the relation of the two bars 14
to each other is set in such a way that they converge at an acute
angle from proximal to distal. Furthermore, two cords 13 are
arranged such as to cause a concertina-shaped tying wherein the
position of the two cords 13 above the tongue 1 is set at both bars
14 by moving the retaining device 3 in the proximal and/or distal
directions. The more the retaining device 3 is shifted from distal
to proximal, the more the closing system 12 and thus the shoe are
closed. Also, the two cords 13 are introduced in the Tanka 6.
Furthermore, the cords 13 themselves can be adjusted in length.
Also, the cords 13 are shown in a fixed connection with the
shoe-upper due to a respective anchoring 20. As mentioned
previously, continuous form-fit from distal to proximal is thus
ensured in this embodiment as well.
[0050] In FIG. 4, a schematic drawing of another embodiment of a
closing system according to the present invention is shown. The
closing system 12 is shown comprising a tongue 1. The retaining
device 3 (dashed-lined box) is shown in the center of tongue 1 in
the passage 5. Here, the retaining device 3 comprises one seat 7
for one gripping arm each. In the passage 5, means for receiving
the retaining device 3 are shown. The displayed receiving means
allow a positioning of the retaining device 3 in the passage 5
which can be adjusted at defined intervals. Here as well, the
adjustable positioning corresponds to steps of approximately 2.5
mm. Furthermore, two bars 14 on the left and the right shoe-upper
(not shown) are displayed which extend from proximal to distal and
are each arranged in proximal and distal seats. Here, a left and a
right cartridge 15 are shown as proximal seats. The cartridges 15
comprise two notches 16 each for fixing the bars 14 into place.
Here, the notches 15 are substantially shown in the diameter of the
bars 14. Thus, the bars 14 can be fixed in two positions and the
angle between the bars 14 can be enlarged or reduced. As mentioned
previously, with this advantageous embodiment different anatomies
of the feet can be accounted for. Further, a flexible element 17 is
shown here as a distal seat which can be deformed in all
directions. The flexible element 17 has an adjusting screw 18 and
is divided at the center into two halves by the adjusting screw 18.
Here, the flexible element 17 interconnects the bars 14 by forming
a curve. With the adjusting screw 18, the position of the two bars
14 in relation to each other is set such that they converge at an
acute angle from proximal to distal. Furthermore, two gripping arms
19 are arranged such as to produce a mechanism wherein the position
of the two gripping arms 19 above the tongue 1 is adjusted at the
two bars 14 in the proximal and/or the distal direction by moving
the retaining device 3. The further the retaining device 3 is
shifted from distal to proximal, the more the closing system 12 and
thus the shoe is closed. As mentioned above, continuous form-fit
from distal to proximal is ensured in this embodiment as well.
[0051] In FIGS. 7A and 7B, schematic drawings of yet other
embodiments of a closing system according to the present invention
are shown wherein the presented variants can be used with a
one-membered or a two-membered tongue. These variants are
especially suited for children's shoes because of easier handling.
FIG. 7A uses a one-membered tongue which is usable with what are
called "low-cut shoes". FIG. 7B uses a two-membered tongue which is
advantageous with shoes covering the ankles, wherein the Tanka 6 in
this variant can be shifted a little towards the top or towards the
bottom in the passage 5. In both variants of FIGS. 7A and 7B, the
cords 13 can be interconnected by a fixation device 23 at the
distal end or at the bottom of the shoe-upper, respectively.
Further, the fixation device 23 itself can be fixed permanently to
the shoe-upper. The fixation device 23 can include two metal or
plastic platelets which are screwed to each other and to which the
cords are attached. A correspondingly formed Tanka is also possible
as a fixation device 23. In both variants, in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the
cords 13 can be provided with a gripping aid 24 at the proximal
end.
[0052] The advantages achieved with the present invention can be
summarized as follows: [0053] With the embodiment of the tongue
according to the invention, an operability of the closing system is
facilitated. [0054] With the embodiment of the tongue in terms of
material and shape according to the invention and with the
embodiment of the closing system according to the invention, the
continuous form-fit and the even distribution of pressure along the
entire portion of the tongue from distal to proximal can be
ensured. [0055] Due to the provision of the perforations according
to the invention which are preferably provided above the cavity,
the water vapor can escape very easily and the climate of the foot
can be effectively improved. [0056] Due to the provision of
replaceable components of the tongue or of the closing system,
further use of the shoe can be ensured in case of any defects of
the components according to the invention.
[0057] Thus, with the present invention an easy-to-implement,
inexpensive and resource-saving closing system for the shoes with
excellent and continuous form-fit and the even distribution of
pressure is provided.
TABLE-US-00001 List of reference numbers 1 tongue 13 tie/cord 2
basic structure 13p proximal cord 3 retaining 13d distal cord
device 4 padding 14 guiding element/eyelet/ bar 5 passage 14p
proximal eyelet 6 Tanka 15 proximal seat/cartridge 7 seat for 16
notches gripping arm 8 cavity 17 flexible element 9 perforations 18
adjusting screw 10 inlet opening 19 gripping arm 11 outlet opening
20 anchoring 12 closing system 22 pivoted lever 21 hinge-like 23
fixation device 24 gripping aid S shoe-upper
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