Patent ID: 6119372
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: A43B,A43C

Abstract:
An article of footwear comprising:a sole portion made of a sole forming material;an upper portion adhered to said sole portion, said upper portion formed with a generally central extending tongue portion on an upper surface thereof, opposite sides of said upper portion being configured for receiving a lace for drawing said opposite sides of said upper portion toward one another;a lacing strap configured to receive the lace through portions thereof, said lacing strap and the lace for providing leverage for tightening the article of footwear on the foot;a first short strap and a second short strap fixed to lower edges of said upper portion, said first short strap fixed to a left side of said upper portion and said second short strap fixed to a right side of said upper portion, said first and second short straps being positioned at generally corresponding right and left sides of said upper portion, each of said first and second short straps defining a loop having a ring extending through said loop;a long strap extending through said ring of said first short strap and further extending through said ring of said second short strap, said first long strap having loops formed at each end thereof, wherein the lace is extendable in a criss-cross manner through said loops formed in said long strap, respectively, for tightening the article of footwear on a foot, said long strap providing leverage to said lace for tightening the article of footwear on the foot; andsaid lacing strap being disposed between said opposite sides of said upper portion proximate an ankle supporting portion of the article of footwear.