Single Pull Transverse Strap Shoe Closure System

A system for securing shoes to the feet using a single pull shoe closure arrangement. Each of the various embodiments utilizes a “transverse strap” arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe across the tongue or top portion of the shoe. The transverse strap is a single, generally flat, strap extending from one side of the shoe across the top portion of the shoe to the opposite side where it joins with a single pull sub-system. The preferred embodiments use a single pull system oriented longitudinally along one side of the shoe to draws upon one end of the transverse strap configuration to affect the shoe closure. Alternate embodiments pull a shorter draw strap laterally to a point of securement on the side of the shoe below the tongue area without the need for a longitudinal pull motion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to shoes and systems for securing shoes to the feet. The present invention relates more specifically to structures and systems for drawing the upper components of a shoe together for shoe closure around the feet through the use of a single pull mechanism.

2. Description of the Related Art

The present invention addresses some of the same problems as the single pull fit adjustment systems for shoes described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,046; Issued: Jun. 14, 2016, in the name of Adams et al. The full disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,364,046 is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention also addresses some of the same problems as the single pull fit adjustment systems for shoes described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,565,899; Issued: Feb. 14, 2017, in the name of Adams et al. The full disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 9,565,899 is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention also addresses some of the same problems as the single pull squared cord shoe closure systems described in U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,514; Issued: Dec. 11, 2018, in the name of Adams et al. The full disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,514 is incorporated herein by reference.

Further, the present invention also addresses some of the same problems as the single pull squared cord shoe closure systems described in International Publication No.: WO 2018/052731 A1; International Publication Date: Mar. 22, 2018, in the name of Fit Squared Shoes, LLC. The full disclosure of International Publication No.: WO 2018/052731 A1 is incorporated herein by reference.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a number of preferred embodiments, within a general system for securing shoes to the feet that utilize a one pull shoe closure arrangement. Each of the various alternate embodiments of the present invention utilizes what is broadly referred to as a “transverse strap” arrangement that extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe across the tongue or top portion of the shoe. “Transverse Strap” arrangement refers to the single, generally flat, strap extending from one side of the shoe (typically the lateral side) across the top portion of the shoe to the opposite side (typically the medial side) where it joins with the single pull system generally set forth in the above cited references.

A number of embodiments described utilize the single pull system oriented longitudinally along one side of the shoe (typically the medial side) to draws upon one end of the transverse strap configuration to affect the shoe closure. The single pull strap in a first embodiment is redirected from a lateral orientation (across the shoe) to a longitudinal orientation (along the shoe) where it is drawn back with a longitudinal motion and secured on the side and/or heel portion of the shoe. Alternate embodiments pull a shorter draw strap laterally to a point of securement on the side of the shoe below the tongue area without the need for a longitudinal pull motion. Again, various structural mechanisms for effecting the drawing together of the transverse strap configurations are anticipated and described.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference is made first toFIG. 1which provides a side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the transverse strap shoe closure system10of the present invention, disclosing the manner of redirecting the pull on the outside portion12of the transverse strap from a lateral orientation to a longitudinal orientation. Shoe closure system10is again shown structured on the shoe with the view ofFIG. 1being the medial side of the shoe. The heel portion and toe portion of the shoe are also disclosed. The top of the tongue portion of the shoe is seen in profile.

Anchor strap24, with attachment surface26, is shown where it is fixed to the heel portion of the shoe, extending to or around the heel and then forward in a longitudinal direction along the length of the shoe towards rear strap buckle22. Anchor strap24then redirects backwards through rear strap buckle22to terminate at attachment surface26. As described above, various mechanisms for securing anchor strap24are anticipated. Rear strap buckle22may be a simple single loop buckle as shown or may be structured as a friction imparting buckle to facilitate maintaining the pull strap in a secure position. A further alternate embodiment wherein rear strap buckle22is omitted entirely and a single strap extends back to attachment surface26is also anticipated.

Extending forward of rear strap buckle22is the draw strap made up of draw strap longitudinal portion20and draw strap lateral portion14. Effecting the change of direction from longitudinal to lateral for the draw strap is angle loop buckle16. Holding angle loop buckle16in place at an approximate mid-point of the medial side of the shoe is holding strap18which in a preferred embodiment extends from the buckle to a fixed attachment point at the interface between the upper of the medial side of the shoe and the shoe sole or to a tab (not shown) extending upwards from the juncture of the upper and the outsole.

It should be noted that there is a functional preference to the specific manner of passing the draw strap (portions14&20) through the angle loop ring or buckle16. The portion of the draw strap entering the angle loop preferably enters the loop from the outside towards the shoe rather than from the shoe side of the loop ring outward. This manner of threading the draw strap through the angle buckle or loop reduces friction on the elements of the draw strap system and helps maintain a secure fit with repeated shoe bending movement.

The single pull system described above and shown inFIG. 1connects to the transverse strap element of the present invention at the junction between draw strap lateral portion14and the outside portion12of the transverse strap.FIG. 2is a lateral side elevational view of the first preferred embodiment of the transverse strap shoe closure system of the present invention, as provided inFIG. 1, showing the point of redirection for the transverse strap as well as the point of attachment for the heel strap28. The transverse strap is made up of an inside portion11(seeFIG. 3) and an outside portion12. One end of the inside portion11of the transverse strap is fixed to the medial side of the shoe upper in the area typically referred to as part of the eye stay. The transverse strap extends across the tongue area to the redirection point at single loop ring buckle32attached to the lateral side of the shoe at attachment point34. After passing through single loop ring buckle32, the outside portion12of the transverse strap redirects back across the tongue portion of the shoe to its point of connection with draw strap lateral portion14as best seen inFIG. 1.FIG. 2also shows the attachment point30for one end of the heel portion28of the anchor strap before it passes around the heel to its functional connection to the single pull system components of the present invention on the medial side of the shoe shown best inFIG. 1.

FIG. 3is a top plan view of the first preferred embodiment of the transverse strap shoe closure system of the present invention, as provided inFIGS. 1 & 2, showing the placement of the single transverse strap across the tongue or top portion of the shoe. Inside portion11of the transverse strap is shown fixed to the medial side of the shoe upper, extending across the tongue area to single loop ring buckle32attached to the lateral side of the shoe at attachment point34.

Those skilled in the art will recognize that although the preferred embodiments of the present invention described are generally presented with the single pull motion being effected from or on the medial side of the shoe, all such embodiments may just as easily be effected from or on the lateral (outside) of the shoe.

While the various embodiments of the present invention have been described in connection with a shoe that incorporates a tongue positioned between parallel and opposing eye stays, those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention may be implemented on shoes without specific tongue structures, such as shoe constructions with sides that overlap at an upper mid-line of the shoe, or in shoes not having parallel and opposing eye stays, or in shoes whose forward opening is not centered on top of the foot. As long as the attachment and redirection point structures of the various embodiments are positioned on opposing sides of the shoe, the shoe structure in between needs only to be compressible as the sides of the assembly are drawn together. Additional variations in the specific arrangements of the transverse strap structures, along with the attachment and redirection point mechanisms, will be anticipated by those skilled in the art, that still fall within the spirit and scope of the transverse strap single pull functionality of the present invention.

Additional alternate embodiments of the transverse strap system of the present invention may be implemented using the post and aperture securement mechanisms shown and described in FIGS. 6 & 7 of U.S. Pat. No. 10,149,514 (the full disclosure of which has been incorporated herein by reference above). While remaining a “single pull” system, this alternate embodiment eliminates the longitudinal pull components of the single pull system.