Footwear lacing system

A snowboard boot having two handles which each handle controlling pressure within two tightening zones is disclosed. One handle may be pitched to adjust pressure within upper and lower shin portion tightening zones. A second handle may be pitched to adjust pressure within upper and lower foot portion tightening zones. Once the appropriate amount of pressure is applied to the various tightening zones, locks may be engaged to set the pressures. The pressures are isolated from each other such that the various different pressures within the various different tightening zones do not equalize but remain constant during the snowboarding session. Additionally, the handles may be stored on a tongue of the snowboard boot or a back portion of the snowboard boot.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a snowboard boot, and more particularly, to a lacing system for a snowboard boot.

The snowboard boot is an important piece of equipment for snowboarding. In particular, the snowboard boot is the user interface between the snowboard/snowboard binding and the user's foot. Typically, the snowboard binding is rigidly attached to the snowboard and has one or more straps that are disposed around the snowboard boot. The straps are tightened such that the user's foot is also rigidly attached to the snowboard. The snowboard boot must be comfortable such that the user may wear the snowboard boot and engage in the snowboarding activity for an extended period of time. To this end, snowboard boots are typically very well padded such that the pressure of the straps and the binding which is typically fabricated from metal or hard plastic parts do not pierce into the foot portion of the user. Unfortunately, the additional padding required to provide a comfortable boot also takes away from the responsiveness in maneuvering. To make left and right turns in the snowboard boot, the user applies pressure to the person's heals or toes to initiate the left and right turn. However, the padding if excessive or if the boot is too loose on the user's foot may interfere with the person's ability to apply toe or heal pressures. Any slack between the user's foot and the snowboard boot may reduce the person's ability to apply toe pressure or heal pressure to initiate the turns during snowboarding.

Another cause of slack between the snowboard boot and the user's foot is the lacing system. If the lacing system applies inadequate pressure, then the user's foot may be loose within the boot. By way of example and not limitation, the user may tighten the lace about the foot portion of the user in a tight manner. As the user laces the lace about the return elements of the snowboard boot and tightens the lace, the user must use hand strength to tighten the lace at the shin portion of the user's foot. Unfortunately, the padding must be hand compressed through the lace and is typically reaches suboptimal levels. As such, the pressure achieved at the foot portion is eventually equalized to the loose pressure achieved at the shin portion of the boot as the day wears on. As such, the user's foot may be loose within the boot and provide inadequate support to apply the appropriate toe pressures and heal pressures in effectuating left and right turns during snowboarding.

As such, there is a need in the art for an improved lacing system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention addresses the deficiencies discussed above, discussed below and those that are known in the art.

The snowboard boot may have left and right handles which each control pressures within two different zones in the boot (e.g., upper and lower shin portions and upper and lower foot portions). These zones are isolated from each other such that once the pressure is set, each of the zones or pressures within these zones are not equalized to each other but are rather maintained during a snowboarding session. A left handle may be attached to a first portion of a lace that is fed through a guide tube on the left cuff of the snowboard boot. The first portion of the lace is routed to an upper shin portion of the left and right cuffs. In particular, a first portion of the lace is routed through the guide tube, extends across the left and right cuffs, is fed through a return element, extends across the left and right cuffs and is anchored to the left cuff at an upper anchor. A second portion of the lace is fed through a guide tube at the left cuff and routed to a lower shin portion of the left and right cuffs. The second portion of the lace extends across the left and right cuffs, is fed through a return element, extends across the left and right cuffs and is fed through a return element and once again extends across the left and right cuffs and is attached to middle anchor. The left handle controls pressures within the upper and lower shin portions by pitching the handle and adjusting the amount of tension within the first and second portions of the lace.

Similarly, the right handle may be attached to third and fourth portions of the lace. The third portion of the lace may extend through a guide tube location on the right cuff, extend across the left and right cuffs, and is fed through a return element and extends across the left and right cuffs and is anchored to the middle anchor. The fourth portion of the lace may also be attached to the right handle and fed through a guide tube located on the right cuff, extend across the left and right cuffs, fed through a return element, extend across the left and right cuffs, and anchor to lower anchor. The right handle may adjust the tension within the third and fourth portions of the lace by pitching the right handle.

Once the pressures are set in the various tension zones, left and right locks may be engaged to set the pressure and prevent loosening of the lace during a snowboarding session. The handles are stored either on the tongue by clipping or inserting the handles into a pouch disposed on the tongue of the snowboard boot or clipping the handles to a back portion of the snowboard boot.

In an embodiment, a footwear for protecting a foot portion of a person is disclosed. The footwear may comprise left and right cuffs, first and second return elements attached to the right cuff, a left elongate rigid handle and a first lace. The left elongate rigid handle may define opposed first and second distal end portions wherein fingers of the person is capable of grabbing the left elongate rigid handle between the opposed first and second distal end portions.

The first lace may define first and second portions. The first portion of the lace may be fixedly attached to the first distal end portion of the left elongate rigid handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the first return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a first tightening zone. The second portion of the first lace may be fixedly attached to the second distal end portion of the left elongate rigid handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the second return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a second tightening zone.

The person may pull on the left handle to tighten the lace and the left and right cuffs about the foot portion of the person. The person may also rotate or pitch the elongate rigid handle to produce uneven tightness or pressure in the first and second tightening zones such that the left handle controls tightness or pressures in two zones.

The footwear may further comprise third and fourth return elements attached to the left cuff, a right elongate rigid handle and a second lace. The right elongate rigid handle may define opposed first and second distal end portions wherein fingers of the person is capable of grabbing the right elongate rigid handle between the opposed first and second distal end portions of the right elongate rigid handle.

The second lace may define first and second portions. The first portion of the second lace may be fixedly attached to the first distal end portion of the right elongate rigid handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the third return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a third tightening zone. The second portion of the second lace may be fixedly attached to the second distal end portion of the right elongate rigid handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the fourth return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a fourth tightening zone.

The first and second portions of each of the first and second laces may be separate pieces. The first and second portions of each of the first and second laces may also be one unitary piece. The return elements may be curved hollow tubes. The return elements may be embedded within the left and right cuffs.

In another embodiment, a footwear for protecting a foot portion of a person is disclosed. The footwear may comprise left and right cuffs, first and second return element attached to the left cuff, an elongate rigid handle and a lace. The elongate rigid handle may define opposed first and second distal end portions wherein fingers of the person is capable of grabbing the handle between the opposed first and second distal end portions.

The lace with the elongate rigid handle may be attached to the lace. The lace may be laced through the return elements for tightening the left and right cuffs about the foot portion of the person. The lace may define first and second portions. The first portion of the lace may be fixedly attached to the first distal end portion of the handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the first return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a first tightening zone. The second portion of the lace may be fixedly attached to the second distal end portion of the handle, extended across the left and right cuffs, slideably disposed through the second return element, extended across the left and right cuffs and anchored to the left or right cuff thereby defining a second tightening zone.

The person may pull on the handle to tighten the lace and the left and right cuffs about the foot portion of the person. The person may rotate or pitch the elongate rigid handle to produce uneven tightness in the first and second tightening zones such that the one elongate rigid handle controls tightness or pressure in two zones.

In another embodiment, a snowboard boot for protecting a foot portion of a person is disclosed. The snowboard boot may comprise left and right cuffs, a back portion, a tongue, a plurality of return elements and left and right handles. The back portion may be attached to the left and right cuffs and disposed between the left and right cuffs. The tongue may be disposed at a forward portion of the snowboard boot and between the left and right cuffs. The plurality of return elements may be attached to the left and right cuffs. The lace may be laced through the return elements. The left and right handles may be attached to the lace for tightening the lace and the left and right cuffs about the foot portion of the person. The left and right handles may be attached to the tongue or back portion after the lace is tightened.

The left and right handles may have clips for clipping the left and right handles to the back portion or the tongue after the lace is tightened. Handle portions of the left and right handles may be disposed on an interior side of the tongue and the clips may be disposed on an exterior side of the tongue. The snowboard boot may further comprise a pouch attached to the tongue for storing the left and right handles after the lace is tightened.

The lace may define first and second separate pieces. The first piece of the lace may be attached to the left handle. The second piece of the lace may be attached to the right handle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the figures, a snowboard boot10is shown. The snowboard boot10may have two handles12a, bfor tightening the boot10about a foot portion of a person. Each handle12a, bcontrols tension within two zones14a, b(seeFIG. 1) or16a, b(seeFIG. 2). As such, the tension of the lace18can be adjusted in four zones14a, b,16a, b. The four different zones of tension adjustment14a, b,16a, bprovide greater comfort to the user since the user can adjust the tension in different zones based on the unique foot configuration of the user. The user may tighten the upper shin to a different tension compared to the lower shin. Also, the person or user may tension the upper foot portion to a different tension compared to the lower foot portion. Based on the user's unique foot configuration, the tension of the boot10and various zones14a, b,16a, bmay be adjusted.

The figures also illustrate that the handles12a, bmay be stored on the front tongue20(seeFIGS. 1-5) or on a back portion22(seeFIG. 6). The handles12may be clipped to the tongue20as shown inFIGS. 1-3or stored in a pouch23as shown inFIG. 5. Additionally, the handles12a, bmay be clipped to the back portion22as shown inFIG. 6. The clip or pouch provides for a convenient location to store the handle during a snowboarding session.

More particularly, the boot10may comprise left and right cuffs24,26(seeFIGS. 1 and 2). The tongue20may be disposed under the left and right cuffs24,26and may provide comfort when the lace18is tightened. Each of the left and right cuffs24,26may have one or more return elements28a, b, c,30a, b. By way of example and not limitation, the left cuff24may have return elements28a,30aandbas shown inFIG. 2. The right cuff26may have return elements28b, cas shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. Each of the left and right cuffs24,26may also have guide tubes32a, band34a, bas shown inFIGS. 1 and 2which route the lace18from a forward portion of the left and right cuffs24,26to left and right locks36,38(seeFIGS. 1 and 2).

The snowboard boot10may be laced with a single lace18. In particular, the lace18may be anchored to the right cuff26at point40(seeFIG. 1). In particular, the right cuff26may have a webbing, loop or middle anchor42through which the lace18may be inserted. The lace18may then be tied in a knot43such that the lace18cannot slide through the middle anchor42. A lower portion of the lace18may be extended across the left and right cuffs24,26and fed through the return element30a. The lace18may be extended back across the left and right cuffs24,26and fed through guide tube32aand passed through right lock38and into the handle12a. This defines tightening zone14aat the upper foot portion. The lace18may be retraced back to the boot10through guide tube32band extended across the left and right cuffs24,26. The lace18may be fed through return element30band anchored to the right cuff26at point44. In particular, the lace18may be tied to a webbing loop or lower anchor46attached to the right cuff26. This defines tightening zone14bat the lower foot portion.

The upper portion of the lace18may extend across the left and right cuffs24,26and loop through return element28aor ring48, as shown inFIG. 2. The return element28amay be a hollow curved plastic tube or ring48attached to the left cuff24. The lace18may be extended across the left and right cuffs24,26and fed through return element28b. The lace18may then be returned across the left and right cuffs24,26and fed through guide tube32b. The lace18may be fed through left lock36and handle12. This defines tightening zone16bat a lower shin portion. The lace18may be retraced back to the left and right cuffs24,26through guide tube32a. The lace18may then be extended across the left and right cuffs24,26and fed through return element28c. The lace18may then be extended across the left and right cuffs24,26and anchored to point50. By way of example and not limitation, the lace18may be tied to a webbing or loop or upper anchor52attached to the left cuff24. This defines tightening zone16aat an upper shin portion. Accordingly, two handles12a, bcontrol four different isolated zones14a, band16a, b.

Referring now toFIG. 6, the left lock36on the left cuff24is shown. The lace18is fed through guide tubes32a, b, through left lock36and to handle12b. The lace18may be fed through the handle12b. The lace18may slide within the handle12bas shown by arrows53. However, when the handle12bis being pulled upwardly as shown by arrow54inFIG. 6, the lace18cannot slide within the handle12b. The lace18is fixedly attached to the handle12b.

As the person pulls on the handle12b, the person may apply more or less upward pressure on the first or second distal end portions56,58of the handle12b. This is shown by arrows60,62. When greater pressure is applied to the first distal end portion56of the handle12b, a first portion64(seeFIG. 6) of the lace18is tensioned. This provides additional tension in the tightening zone16a(seeFIG. 2). When additional pressure is applied to the second distal end portion58of the handle12b, a second portion66of the lace18is tensioned. This provides additional tensioning in the tightening zone16b(seeFIG. 2). By pitching the handle12bas shown by rotational arrow68inFIG. 6, different tensions may be applied to the first and second portions64,66of the lace18such that different tensions may be achieved in the tightening zones16a, b. When the correct amount of tension is achieved in the tightening zone16a, b, the left lock36may be engaged to set the tension in the tightening zone16a, b.

The handle12a(seeFIG. 1) controls the tension within tightening zones14a, b. Similar to the handle of12b, the handle12amay be pitched as shown by rotational arrow70(seeFIG. 1). When the handle12ais pitched in the counterclockwise direction, more tension is placed in portion72of the lace18. This provides additional tension in tightening zone14a. When the handle12ais pitched in the clockwise direction, additional tension is placed in portion74of the lace18. This provides additional tension in the tension tightening zone14b. When the proper amount of tension is placed in the tightening zones14a, b, right lock38is then engaged to set the tension in the tightening zones14a, b.

The operation of the left and right locks36,38will now be described. The left lock36is shown inFIGS. 7 and 8. The right lock38has the same structure as left lock36. The left lock36may have a base plate76that is attached to the left cuff24. The left lock36may have a handle78which is curved away from the base plate76such that a thumb or finger of the person may be wedged between the handle78and the base plate76and be able to push down on the handle78as shown by arrow80. When the handle78is pushed down, a cam82is rotated in the clockwise direction. A lower point84of the gripping surface87initially squeezes the lace18then releases the lace18, as shown inFIG. 8. To engage the left lock36, the handle78is lifted or rotated in the counterclockwise direction until the gripping surfaces86and87frictionally engage the lace18. Initially, the lower point84presses against the lace18. As the handle78is further rotated in the counterclockwise direction, the lower point84squeezes the lace18and may partially deflect the base plate76. Once the lower point84extends past a plane perpendicular to the base plate76and intersecting the rotating axis96, the handle is now urged toward the base plate76. Since the lace18is tensioned, the lace18pulls down and urges the cam82in the counterclockwise direction. The upper point88of the gripping surface87cannot be rotated any further. The upper point88of the gripping surface87further engages the lace18to tighten its grip on the lace18and prevent any loosening of the tension in zones16a, b.

Referring now toFIG. 1, after the lace18has been properly tensioned, the handles12a, bmay be attached to the tongue20of the snowboard boot10. In particular, the handles12a, bmay have a clip90a, bthat allows a user to clip the handles12a, bto the tongue20. A strap92(seeFIG. 3) may be provided on the tongue20to further hold the handles12a, bon the tongue20and provide an intuitive indication that the handles12a, bbelong on the tongue20. The handles12a, bmay be oriented in a vertical direction. The clips90a, bmay be inserted between the strap92and the tongue20as shown inFIG. 3. The clips90a, bmay also have a barb98on its distal end portion to retain the handles12a, bon the tongue20. The clips90a, bare shown as being disposed on an interior side of the tongue20with the handle portion being disposed on an exterior side of the tongue20. However, it is also contemplated that the handles12a, bmay be disposed on the tongue20in a reverse manner. In particular, the handle portions of the handles12a, bmay be disposed on the interior side of the tongue20and the clips90a, bof the handles12a, bmay be disposed on the exterior side of the tongue20, as shown inFIG. 4. The handle portions of the handle12a, bmay be inserted between the strap92and the tongue20.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 5, the handles12a, bmay be stored in a pouch94formed or attached to the tongue20. The pouch23may have a flap25that is removably attachable to a body37of the pouch23via hooks and loops29. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 6, the handles12a, bmay be clipped to the back portion22of the snowboard boot10.

During use, to wear the boot10, the locks36,38are traversed to the unlocked position (seeFIGS. 1 and 2). The lace18is loosened such that there is no tension in the tightening zones14a, band16a, b. The tongue20is pushed forward to allow more space for the foot of the person to be inserted into the snowboard boot10. After the foot of the person is inserted into the snowboard boot10, the person may grab the left and right handles12b, a with his/her left and right hands, respectively. The user may then pull upward on the handles12a, bwhile pushing downward with his/her foot to remove any slack of the lace18from the tightening zones14a, band16a, b. The tongue20is moved backward and seated on the shin of the user. The user may now grab the right handle12awith his/her right hand. The user pulls upward on the right handle12awhile pushing downward with his/her foot. This tightens the tightening zones14a, bwhich affects the pressure applied to the upper and lower foot portions of the user. The user can pitch the handle12ain the direction of rotational arrow70(seeFIG. 1) to apply more or less pressure in tightening zone14aas compared to tightening zone14b. Once the desired amount of pressure is achieved in the tightening zones14a, b, the user reaches down with his/her left hand and traverses the lock38to the engaged position (seeFIG. 7). In particular, the user flips the handle78upward thereby pinching the lace18between the gripping surface86and the gripping surface87and more particularly the upper point88of the gripping surface87. The tension in the lace18urges the cam82in rotation such that the upper point88of the cam82pinches into the lace18and further increases the resistance to loosening of the lace18. This procedure sets the pressure in the tightening zones14a, band the pressure applied to the foot portion of the user. Additionally, once the lock38is traversed to the locked position, the individual pressure set in the tightening zone14aand the pressure set in the tightening zone14bdo not equalize. Rather, they are isolated from each other such that there remains a pressure differential, if so adjusted.

The following procedure sets the pressure in the shin portion of the user. In particular, the user grabs the left handle12bwith his/her left hand. The user pulls upward on the left handle12bwhile pushing downward with his/her foot. The pressure in the shin portion increases due to the tension in the lace18. The user pitches the handle12bas shown inFIG. 6in the direction of rotational arrow68to apply more or less pressure in the tightening zone16aand the tightening zone16b(seeFIG. 2). Once the desired amount of pressure in the tightening zones16a, bare achieved, the lock36is traversed to the locked position with the person's right hand. The pressure set in the tightening zone16ais isolated from the pressure set in the tightening zone16b. As such, the pressure in these zones16a, bdo not equalize but rather are maintained throughout use of the boot10or during the snowboarding session.

After the pressures within the tightening zones14a, b,16a, bare set, the handles12a, bmay be stored. In one embodiment, the handles12a, bare stored on the tongue20of the snowboard boot10(seeFIG. 1). The handles12a, bmay have clips90a, b(seeFIGS. 1 and 2) which are clipped to the tongue20and received within the strap92(seeFIG. 3) sewn to the interior surface of the tongue20(seeFIG. 3). Moreover, the clips90a, bmay have barbs98to mitigate against accidental removal of the handles12a, bfrom the tongue20. In a second embodiment, the handles12a, bmay be clipped to the back portion of the snowboard boot10, as shown inFIG. 6. Alternatively, the handles12a, bmay be stored in a pouch94(seeFIG. 5) disposed on a front portion of the tongue20.

It is also contemplated that the snowboard boot10may be laced with multiple laces. By way of example and not limitation, lace portion72may be secured to a first distal end portion73of the handle12aand not fed through the handle12ato lace portion74. The lace portion72may be attached to the first distal end portion73of the right handle12aby various means known in the art (e.g., knot, etc.) or developed in the future. The lace portion72is routed as discussed above and anchored to point40via middle anchor42. Similarly, the lace portion74may be attached to the second distal end portion75of the right handle12aand fed through the guide tube32band return element30band anchored to point44via lower anchor46. Referring now toFIGS. 2 and 6, the lace portion64may be attached to first distal end portion56of the left handle12b, laced to the boot10and anchored to point50via upper anchor52. The lace portion66may be attached to second distal end portion58of the left handle12band laced to the snowboard boot10and anchored to the middle anchor42and point40(seeFIG. 1). Each of the lace portions72,74and66,64may be individual laces and not one continuous lace.

It is also contemplated that different configurations of the tightening zones14a, band16a, bmay be configured on the snowboard boot10. By way of example and not limitation, the right handle12amay control pressures within tightening zones16a, b, and the left handle12bmay control pressures within the tightening zones14a, b. Alternatively, the right handle12amay control pressures at both the shin portion and foot portion of the user. The portion72of the lace18may be routed by a guide tube to the shin portion and not the upper foot portion as shown inFIG. 1. The portion74of the lace18may still extend to the foot portion as shown inFIG. 1. By this means, the right handle12amay control tightening zones located in the shin portion as well as the foot portion. Similarly, the left handle12bmay control pressure within the shin portion and the foot portion of the user. The portion66of the lace18may be routed to the upper foot portion via a guide tube instead of the lower shin portion as shown. In this example, the left and right handles12a, bcontrol pressures within various areas of the foot and shin portions of the user.