U.S. patent application number 15/617615 was filed with the patent office on 2017-12-14 for sports shoe, in particular for cycling.
This patent application is currently assigned to SIDI SPORT S.R.L.. The applicant listed for this patent is SIDI SPORT S.R.L.. Invention is credited to Dino SIGNORI.
Application Number | 20170354207 15/617615 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57184627 |
Filed Date | 2017-12-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170354207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SIGNORI; Dino |
December 14, 2017 |
SPORTS SHOE, IN PARTICULAR FOR CYCLING
Abstract
A sport shoe includes a first lacing strip, a second lacing
strip, an intermediate strip and a closing device. The closing
device includes a first winder and a second winder for stressing
the first lacing strip and the second lacing strip so as to bring
them closer together, and an actuator unit for selectively rotating
the first winder or the second winder. The first winder, the second
winder and the actuator unit are rotatably supported on a single
support unit. The shoe further also includes a plug-in member of
the support unit on the intermediate strip.
Inventors: |
SIGNORI; Dino; (MASER (TV),
IT) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SIDI SPORT S.R.L. |
Maser (TV) |
|
IT |
|
|
Assignee: |
SIDI SPORT S.R.L.
MASER (TV)
IT
|
Family ID: |
57184627 |
Appl. No.: |
15/617615 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2017 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43C 1/003 20130101;
A43C 11/165 20130101; A43B 5/14 20130101; A43C 11/20 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43C 11/16 20060101
A43C011/16; A43B 5/14 20060101 A43B005/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 9, 2016 |
IT |
102016000059402 |
Claims
1. Sport shoe, in particular for cycling, comprising a first lacing
strip, a second lacing strip, an intermediate strip, positioned
between the first lacing strip and the second lacing strip and a
closing device, the closing device comprising: a first winder for a
first tightening cord and a second winder for a second tightening
cord, the first tightening cord and the second tightening cord each
being capable of stressing the first lacing strip and the second
lacing strip so as to bring them closer together by means of
relative winding on the first winder and on the second winder,
respectively; selectively engageable locking devices for locking
the first winder and the second winder, which locking devices are
capable of preventing or limiting the rotation of the winders; an
actuator unit for selectively rotating the first winder or the
second winder; wherein the first winder, the second winder and the
actuator unit are rotatably supported on a single support unit, the
sport shoe comprising a plug-in holding device for removably
holding the support unit on the intermediate strip.
2. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the support unit
comprises a box-shaped body, inside which the first winder, the
second winder and the actuator unit are supported.
3. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the plug-in holding
device comprise a projection and a complementary recess formed on
the support unit and on the intermediate strip, respectively, or
vice versa, and capable of reciprocal engagement.
4. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate strip
comprises a support element, a seating being defined in the support
element for housing the support unit.
5. Sport shoe according to claim 1, comprising a first pair of
cord-feed supports and a second pair of cord-feed supports, each
cord-feed support of the first pair of cord-feed supports and
second pair of cord-feed supports being placed on the first lacing
strip and on the second lacing strip, respectively, the first
tightening cord being at least partly wound around the first pair
of cord-feed supports and the second tightening cord being at least
partly wound around the second pair of cord-feed supports.
6. Sport shoe according to claim 1, comprising a cord-feed seating
fixed to the intermediate strip and capable of slidably holding the
first tightening cord.
7. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the first winder and
the second winder have parallel axes of rotation that are spaced
apart in the longitudinally extending direction of the shoe.
8. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit
comprises a first gripping element and a second gripping element,
which rotate together with and are coaxial with the first winder
and the second winder, respectively.
9. Sport shoe according to claim 1, wherein the actuator unit
comprises a single gripping element rotatably connected to the
support unit, and transmission means capable of selectively
transmitting the rotation of the single gripping element to the
first winder and the second winder.
10. Sport shoe according to claim 9, wherein the actuator unit
further comprises an actuating ring gear which rotates together
with the single gripping element, the first winder and the second
winder comprising a respective ring gear, the actuator unit being
moveable on the support unit in such a way as to selectively engage
the actuating ring gear with a ring gear of the first winder or a
ring gear of the second winder.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe for cycling, of the
type including a closing device comprising a tightening cord that
can be wound on a winding device for stressing two strips of the
shoe upper to close them.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In the sports shoe field, in particular in cycling shoes, it
is known to provide for closing systems that use a cord extending
between a cord-wrapping disc secured to a side of the shoe and a
hooking element secured to a strip facing such side. Winding the
cord on the disc allows bringing the cord back with the aim of
bringing the strips closer together, or, more generally, tightening
them on the side of the shoe upper.
[0003] An example of such shoe is disclosed in patent application
WO 94/27456 by the same Applicant.
[0004] However, the need is felt to provide closing systems that
allow easily differentiating the lacing tension at different zones
of the foot, while allowing to ensure a high comfort and easiness
of use to the user.
[0005] The problem underlying the present invention is to provide a
closing device for shoes that is devised to meet the
above-mentioned needs with reference to the above prior art.
SUMMARY
[0006] This problem is solved by the present invention by means of
a sport shoes, in particular for cycling, comprising a first lacing
strip, a second lacing strip, an intermediate strip, positioned
between the first lacing strip and the second lacing strip and a
closing device, the closing device comprising: a first winder for a
first tightening cord and a second winder for a second tightening
cord, the first tightening cord and the second tightening cord each
being capable of stressing the first lacing strip and the second
lacing strip so as to bring them closer together by means of
relative winding on the first winder and on the second winder,
respectively; a selectively engagable locking device for locking
the first winder and the second winder, which locking device is
capable of preventing or limiting the rotation of the winders; an
actuator unit for selectively rotating the first winder or the
second winder; wherein the first winder, the second winder and the
actuator unit are rotatably supported on a single support unit, and
in that they comprise a plug-in holding device for holding the
support unit on the intermediate strip.
[0007] The present invention allows differentiating the lacing
tension at different parts of the foot, while ensuring a uniform
distribution of the lacing tension.
[0008] In this manner, it is possible to maintain a high comfort
for the user.
[0009] Furthermore, the shoe can be easily put on and it allows a
simple adjustment of the lacing tension also during a sporting
activity.
[0010] According to a preferred embodiment, the support unit
comprises a box-shaped body, inside which the first winder, the
second winder and the actuator unit are supported.
[0011] Preferably, the plug-in holding device comprises a
projection and a complementary recess formed on the support unit
and on the intermediate strip, respectively, or vice versa, and
capable of reciprocal engagement.
[0012] According to a preferred embodiment, the intermediate strip
comprises a support element in which a seating is defined for
housing the support unit.
[0013] Preferably, the sport shoe comprises a first pair of
cord-feed supports and a second pair of cord-feed supports, each
cord-feed support of the first pair of cord-feed supports and
second pair of cord-feed supports being placed on the first lacing
strip and on the second lacing strip, respectively, the first
tightening cord being at least partly wound around the first pair
of cord-feed supports and the second tightening cord being at least
partly wound around the second pair of cord-feed supports.
[0014] In one embodiment, the sport shoe comprises a cord-feed
seating fixed to the intermediate strip and capable of slidably
holding the first tightening cord.
[0015] According to a preferred embodiment, the first winder and
the second winder have parallel axes of rotation that are spaced
apart in the longitudinally extending direction of the shoe.
[0016] Preferably, the actuator unit comprises a first gripping
element and a second gripping element, which rotate together with
and are coaxial with the first winder and the second winder,
respectively.
[0017] In one embodiment, the actuator unit comprises a single
gripping element rotatably connected to the support unit, and
transmission means capable of selectively transmitting the rotation
of the single gripping element to the first winder and the second
winder.
[0018] According to other aspects, the actuator unit further
comprises an actuating ring gear which rotates together with the
single gripping element, the first winder and the second winder
comprising a respective ring gear, the actuator unit being moveable
on the support unit in such a way as to selectively engage the
actuating ring gear with a ring gear of the first winder or a ring
gear of the second winder.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The characteristics and advantages of the invention will be
best understood by the description of a preferred, non-exclusive
implementation example thereof, by way of illustrative,
non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe produced in
accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a plan view of a detail of the shoe of FIG. 1 and
a relative closing device;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the closing device of the
shoe of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 shows the closing device of FIG. 3 according to a
different perspective view;
[0024] FIGS. 5 and 6 are two different, partially exploded,
perspective views of the closing device of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an implementation variation
of the closing device of the shoe according to the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded perspective view of the
closing device of FIG. 7; and
[0027] FIGS. 9 and 10 are two different exploded perspective views
of the closing device of FIG. 7.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, a sport shoe, preferably of the cycling
type, is indicated on the whole by the reference numeral 100.
[0029] The shoe comprises a shoe upper of a conventional type, on
which two mutually facing lacing strips 101 and 102 are
defined.
[0030] According to a preferred embodiment, the shoe 100 further
comprises a further substantially tab-shaped intermediate strip
103, located between the two facing strips 101, 102.
[0031] The shoe 100 further comprises a closing device, indicated
on the whole by the reference numeral 10, which is secured to the
shoe, for example, in one embodiment, at the further intermediate
strip 103.
[0032] The closing device 10 comprises a first winder 1 for a first
tightening cord 11 and a second winder 2 for a second tightening
cord 21.
[0033] Preferably, the first winder 1 and the second winder 2 have
axes of rotation X, X' that are parallel and spaced apart along a
longitudinally extending direction of the shoe 100.
[0034] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first tightening cord
11 and the second tightening cord 21 are capable of stressing so as
to bring the first lacing strip 101 and the second lacing strip 102
closer together by means of a relative winding on the respective
winder, respectively.
[0035] To this aim, in a preferred embodiment, the shoe 100
comprises a first pair of cord-feed supports 71 and a second pair
of cord-feed supports 72, indented to engage a tightening cord
portion, respectively.
[0036] The cord-feed supports 71 and 72 have a respective seating,
only partially illustrated in the figure, which allows slidably
housing the cord, while holding it in a direction of mutual closing
together between the two strips.
[0037] Preferably, the tightening cords are ring-shaped and closed
onto the winder, so that winding the cord on the latter decrease
the free length of the tightening cord and closes the ring.
Therefore, it is apparent that such movement allows stressing the
strips 101 and 102, bringing them closer to one another, thus
obtaining a closure of the shoe.
[0038] To this aim, preferably, each cord guide of the first pair
of cord-feed supports 71 and of the second pair of cord-feed
supports 72 is placed at the first lacing strip 101 and the second
lacing strip 102, respectively.
[0039] In a preferred embodiment, the first tightening cord 11 is
at least partly wound on the first pair of cord-feed supports 71.
Preferably, the second tightening cord 21 is at least partly wound
around said second pair of cord-feed supports 72. In addition, in
one embodiment, the shoe further comprises a further second pair of
cord-feed supports 72', on which the second cord 21 is wound.
Preferably, the cord 21 intertwines when exiting the second
cord-feed support 72, before arriving to the further support
72'.
[0040] Preferably, the shoe comprises a cord-feed seating 73 and an
auxiliary cord-feed seating 74 secured to the intermediate strip
103 and suitable to slidably hold the first and second first
tightening cords, respectively.
[0041] Referring now also to the FIGS. 3 and 4, the closing device
comprises a selectively engagable locking device 5 for locking the
first winder 1 and the second winder 2.
[0042] Such locking device allows preventing, or anyhow limiting,
the winders rotation.
[0043] Preferably, the locking device 5 is formed by means of a
ratchet defined by an engaging tooth 52 selectively engagable on a
ring gear of the winder.
[0044] To this aim, each winder may comprise a respective ring gear
13, 23 and a respective engaging tooth 52, which is stressed to
engage on the respective ring gear by means of an elastic member,
not shown in the figure.
[0045] According to a preferred embodiment, the ratcheting can be
obtained so as to be mono-directional, i.e., allowing the rotation
of the winder to a direction, which is the cord winding direction,
and preventing it in the opposite direction. Therefore, the
ratcheting can be unlocked, thus allowing a free rotation of the
winding device or, alternatively, a controlled rotation, by means
of an unlocking device. In some embodiments, the unlocking device
comprises a button actuator 51 which is visible in the figures.
[0046] According to a preferred embodiment, the button actuator 51
allows moving the engaging tooth 52 away from the ring gear 13.
[0047] The closing device 10 further comprises an actuator unit 3
for selectively actuating in rotation the first winder 1 or the
second winder 2.
[0048] In one embodiment, the actuator unit 3 comprises a first
gripping element 31 and a second gripping element 32, which rotate
together with, and are coaxial with, said first winder 1 and said
second winder 2, respectively.
[0049] In other words, the user will be able to act on the gripping
elements 31 and 32 to rotate the respective winder which it is
firmly secured to.
[0050] According to a preferred embodiment, each gripping element
can rotate about an axis of rotation extending inside a plane that
is parallel to the planar net of the respective winder and is
offset with respect to its axis of rotation X.
[0051] The rotation of the gripping element about the
above-mentioned axis allows to bring it from a retracted position,
shown in the figures, and in which it is arranged substantially
parallel to a radially extending plane of the winding device, to an
extended position, away from the winder and thus the shoe 100 and
substantially perpendicular to the former, at which it can be
easily grasped by the user.
[0052] To this aim, the solution disclosed in the patent
application PD2014A000102 by the same owner can be advantageously
used.
[0053] Based on an alternative embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 7
to 10, the actuator unit 3 comprises a single gripping element 33
and a transmission unit 35 capable of selectively transmitting the
rotation of the gripping element 33 to the first winder 1 or the
second winder 2.
[0054] Preferably, in this embodiment, the actuator unit 3 further
comprises an actuating ring gear 34 that rotates together with the
gripping element 33. The first winder 1 and the second winder 2
also comprise a respective ring gear 13, 23.
[0055] The actuator unit 3 is moveable so as to engage the
actuating ring gear 34 with one of the two ring gears of the
winders.
[0056] In this manner, a single gripping element allows to
selectively actuate either winder.
[0057] Referring back to FIGS. 3 to 6, the first winder 1, the
second winder 2 and the actuator unit 3 are rotatably supported on
a single support unit 4. The shoe of the invention further
comprises plug-in holding device 6 of the support unit 4 on the
intermediate strip 103.
[0058] Preferably, the support unit 4 comprises a box-shaped body
40 inside which the first winder 1, the second winder 2 and the
actuator unit 3 are supported.
[0059] In one embodiment, the box-shaped body 40 comprises openings
41 for the first tightening cord 11 and the second tightening cord
21, so as to allow the winding thereof on the respective
winder.
[0060] According to a preferred embodiment, the plug-in holding
device 6 comprises a projection 60 and a complementary recess 61
formed on the support unit 4 and the intermediate strip 103,
respectively, or vice versa, and capable of a reciprocal
engagement.
[0061] Preferably, in order to allow a stable engagement of the
support unit 4, the intermediate strip 103 comprises a support
element 104 inside which a housing seating 105 is defined, where
the recesses 61 are preferably defined.
[0062] In this manner, the invention achieves the proposed objects,
thus obtaining a number of advantages on known solutions.
[0063] In particular, the device according to the present invention
allows obtaining an adjustment of the optimum closing tension by
means of a selective action on the first or the second winders.
[0064] Furthermore, the plug-in holding device allow removing the
support unit 4, thus achieving an optimum fit of the foot into the
shoe, and a simple replacement of the device in the event of
breakage.
[0065] The gripping element is also easily provided to the user,
thus allowing for an easy handling of the closing device, hence an
easy adjustment of the lacing tension.
[0066] In addition, the implementation described above
advantageously allows producing a particularly robust and reliable
structure, formed by a relatively low number of components.
* * * * *