Patent ID: 7409781
Filing Date: 2008-08-12
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper including at least a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions of the upper being spaced apart and adapted to be brought towards one another during tightening of the article of footwear; a first plurality of return elements affixed to said first portion of said upper and a second plurality of return elements affixed to said second portion of said upper, said first and second pluralities of return elements describing a tightening zone; a linkage guided in a predeterminate path via at least said first and second pluralities of return elements of said upper; said linkage having two ends, with a number of return elements positioned between said two ends, said linkage forming one strand, said one strand adapted to be spaced beyond said tightening zone while the article of footwear is tightened; a locking arrangement for locking said linkage at least while the article of footwear is tightened; at least one gripping device secured to said linkage, said gripping device comprising a loop for a hand of the user enabling the user to apply a tension force, intermediate lower and upper ends of said tightening zone, to said one strand of said linkage with at least one hand during said tightening of the article of footwear.