Patent ID: 6029376
Filing Date: 2000-02-29
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
An article of footwear, comprising:a sole;a tongueless upper attached to said sole, said upper having a medial side, a lateral side, and an instep portion, the upper includinga sleeve, said sleeve includes woven elastic fibers and is disposed above said sole and extending from the medial side of said upper to the lateral side of said upper, said sleeve exhibiting elastic behavior and having a foot opening for insertion of a foot of a wearer therethrough, said sleeve including a plurality of lacing holes therein; anda support cage permeation bonded to the woven sleeve, the support cage including foot restraining portions less elastic than said sleeve, and lace engaging portions, each lace engaging portion superimposed with a respective lacing hole in said sleeve; anda lace routed through said lace engaging portions and their respective lacing holes, whereby manipulation of the lace causes tightening or loosening of the cage around a foot of a wearer.