Cable fastener

An adjustable fastening system is disclosed for cinching together first and second opposing cinching members, interconnected via a closed-loop cable assembly, or a cable assembly including a discrete-length cable. The cable assembly is cooperable with an anchoring member which maintains the cable assembly in a tensioned state, thereby cinching the first and second cinching members together. The anchoring member includes at least one groove for receiving the cable assembly.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to a simple to use, lightweight, inexpensive and 
reliable fastening system for a wide variety of securing operations 
including use in sport or leisure footwear. More particularly, the present 
invention relates to a cable fastening system comprising a cable that 
bends at a receiving guide member located on first or second cinching 
member, and an anchoring member having a groove receivingly releasing the 
tensioned cable to provide a simple and reliable fastening system. The 
anchoring member also retains the cable in place. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Known cable fastener arrangements particularly for articles of footwear for 
example, have been employed with limited success and it remains in the art 
to provide a simple, lightweight, inexpensive and easily manipulated 
multi-purpose cable fastening system. Fastening systems typically used for 
athletic footwear consist of a shoelace and a series of eyelets or holes 
on opposite sides of the instep. As is well known, the wearer dons the 
footwear typically by loosening the lace with both hands a series of times 
until the upper of the shoe is loose enough to allow the shoe to be placed 
on the foot. To tighten the shoe, the wearer pulls on the lace with both 
hands a series of times and subsequently ties a knot near the working ends 
of the lace securing the shoe about the foot in an attempt to retain a 
tight fit. However, the tightness of the fit does not always remain 
constant as shoelaces subsequently loosen due to the length of the laces 
and the pressure of each lace section upon the wearer's foot eventually 
evening out. 
Shoelaces can also become untied forcing a wearer to interrupt physical 
activities and retie them to prevent tripping or stumbling over the untied 
laces. To an athlete, tripping or stumbling may have serious consequences. 
More importantly, the athlete may fall causing potentially serious injury 
to himself or others. Even tied shoelaces can extend below the shoe's 
outsole causing the user to fall or stumble. 
Overtightening of a shoelace can cause high pressure points in the instep 
area greatly impairing the circulation of blood due to the pressure of the 
lace exerting a large force across a small area. Additionally, physically 
challenged persons have difficulty utilizing shoes with shoelaces because 
it takes two able hands to tie the laces. Further, worn shoelaces are 
susceptible to breakage during the stress applied thereto in the 
tightening process, and while they are inexpensive to replace, they may 
break at inopportune times making the shoes unusable unless a spare 
shoelace is quickly accessible. 
Loop and pile element fasteners, e.g. VELCRO, have been used on shoes in 
lieu of or in addition to shoelaces as part of shoe fastening systems. 
These fasteners consist of two strips of material which produce a 
relatively strong holding force when interlocked together. However, loop 
and pile fasteners have a disadvantage in that they attract dirt and grime 
onto their holding surfaces causing their strips to lose holding power. In 
addition, a loop and pile fastener can become caught or snagged by a 
surface, potentially unfastening and losing its tensioning power. 
Traditionally, articles of footwear that employ cable fasteners consist of 
lever-operable systems comprising a tensioning lever which is pivoted to 
one part of the footwear and a tension loop which is attached to another 
part of the footwear and interengageable with the tensioning lever. Known 
lever-operable fasteners of this kind are commonly utilized on skiing 
boots comprising a bearing bracket, which is riveted to one part of the 
boot. The tensioning lever is pivoted to the bearing bracket and has a 
plurality of recesses for receiving a tension loop, which is pivoted to 
another part of the boot. When the tension of the closed fastener is not 
sufficient, the tension loop must be inserted into a recess which is more 
remote from the pivotal axis of the tensioning lever. For this operation 
the fastener must be opened. During the subsequent closing operation the 
lever arm between the point of engagement of the tension loop and the 
pivotal axis of the tensioning lever will be larger so that a larger 
effort is required to close the fastener. It is desired to restrict the 
effort required to close the fastener on the one hand and to adjust the 
fastener within a wide range on the other hand. There remains a need for a 
means for holding the wearer's foot and cinching the upper about the 
wearer's foot that is simple in construction and which causes these two 
actions to occur by the manipulation of one element. The present invention 
accomplishes both objects simply, reliably and inexpensively. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,613 to Sussmann discloses a fastening system similar to 
the type used in ski boots that has been converted for use in a running 
shoe. The shoe has an instep shield, a central tightening lock, a steel 
wire or wire rope, and guide channels. The central tightening lock is 
designed to be rotatable with the wire or rope attached to a part thereof. 
Although this fastening system overcomes many of the problems associated 
with shoelaces, it tends to be costly to manufacture the central 
tightening lock and labor intensive to assemble its connecting structures 
with the shoe. Further, the amount of plastic used for the central 
tightening lock, the instep shield, and the guide channels increases the 
weight of the shoe, which may be particularly undesirable for an avid 
runner desiring a lightweight running shoe. Also, the tightening lock and 
other moving parts can be susceptible to contamination by dirt 
detrimentally affecting the performance of the fastening system. 
Both U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,952 to Olivieri and U.S. Pat. No. 4,408,403 to 
Martin illustrate a fastening arrangement similar to the type used in ski 
boots, and disclose a continuous cable that consecutively weaves through 
opposing pulleys alternatively arranged on the ski boot and leads through 
a guide actuated by a rear mounted lever. Although these systems address 
many of the problems associated with cable mechanisms attempting to hold 
the wearer's foot and cinch the upper about the wearer's foot by the 
manipulation of one element, the disclosed fastening arrangements suffer 
from numerous disadvantages that the present invention overcomes. One such 
disadvantage is that the disclosed fastening arrangements apply an 
extremely inefficient anchoring force along a direction approximately 
90.degree. to the cinching direction of the tongue in relation to the 
upper. Such application of force is inefficient, and requires the user to 
exert a large and undue amount of effort in an attempt to secure the 
footwear. Further, the disclosed fastening arrangements are unduly 
complex, are expensive to manufacture, have questionable durability, 
utilize excessive manipulation elements, have limited application and do 
not permit independent adjustment of tension along a toe box region, a 
midfoot region, a heel region, and an ankle region thereof, to provide a 
personalized fit. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In view of the foregoing, it is a principal object of the present invention 
to achieve an improvement over cable type fasteners and lever-operable 
systems. 
More specifically, it is an object of the invention to provide a cable 
fastening system which eliminates the aforementioned problems associated 
with freely suspended shoelaces, loop and pile fasteners or lever-operable 
systems. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a cable fastening system with 
unsurpassed reliability and one which provides for quick and uncomplicated 
adjustment and readjustment. 
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a durable, 
lightweight, inexpensive and simple to manufacture cable fastening system. 
Another object of the invention is to provide a cable fastening system for 
which a physically challenged person may easily manipulate. 
Still another object is to provide a cable fastening system which has 
unsurpassed reliability in preventing slippage or preventing the 
inadvertent unfastening thereof. 
Another object of the cable fastener includes a pull-tab bridging member 
which complementarily mates with an anchoring member providing a secure 
locking system. 
These and other objects are achieved by the present invention which, 
according to one aspect, provides an adjustable fastening system 
comprising (i) opposing first and second cinching members that are adapted 
to be cinched together, the first cinching member including first and 
second spaced apart guide members, and the second cinching member 
including an opposing guide member, (ii) an effective closed-loop cable 
assembly connecting the first and second cinching members together, the 
cable assembly including a cable sequentially routing through the first 
guide member, the opposing guide member and the second guide member, and 
(iii) anchor means including an anchoring member for anchoring the cable 
assembly in a tensioned state thereby cinching the first and second 
cinching members together, the anchoring member forming at least one 
groove for receiving the cable assembly. 
As described above, the first aspect of the present invention provides a 
closed-loop adjustable fastening system according to a preferable form of 
the present invention. The cable may turn on the first and second guide 
members and extend along parallel paths toward the second cinching member, 
forming a closed-loop portion which is received by the anchoring member. 
Preferably, the cable assembly includes a bridging member formed along the 
closed-loop portion, the bridging member being adapted to clip into the at 
least one groove of the anchoring member. The anchoring member may have a 
plurality of juxtaposed grooves, the closed-loop portion of the cable 
assembly forming a working end which may be freely displaceable along the 
entire length of the anchoring member. 
Further, the cable assembly may include a pull-tab which is directly 
secured to the cable, or integrated with the bridging member. Indeed, the 
bridging member may be eliminated in favor of a pull-tab which has a 
leading edge that securely seats in a groove of the anchoring member. 
Further, the fastening system according to the first aspect may include 
additional guide members provided between the first and second guide 
members, as well as additional intermediate guide members, provided that 
the cable consecutively loops through opposing guide members integrated 
with the opposing cinching members so as to provide a serpentine cable 
path. 
According to a second aspect of the present invention, a fastening system 
is provided, comprising (i) first and second cinching members that are 
adapted to be cinched together, the second cinching member including a 
first guide member, (ii) a connector assembly connecting the first and 
second cinching members together, the connector assembly comprising a 
flexible discrete-length connector having first and second ends, the first 
end being secured to the first cinching member, and the connector routing 
through the first guide member of the second cinching member and returning 
to the first cinching member, and a seating member connected to the second 
end of the connector, and (iii) anchor means including an anchoring member 
for anchoring the connector assembly in a tensioned state thereby cinching 
the first and second cinching members together, the cinching member 
forming at least one groove for receiving the seating member of the 
connector assembly. 
According to the second aspect of the present invention the connector 
assembly may include a flexible discrete-length connector embodied as a 
web of material, in the form of a strap. However, the second aspect 
preferably employs a cable forming a cable assembly, as in the first 
aspect. Additional guide members may be provided on the cinching members 
to form, for example, 2-turn and 3-turn configurations. The seating member 
preferably has an outer contour that has a shape complementary to an inner 
contour of a groove of the anchoring member. The anchoring member 
preferably includes a plurality of grooves, to provide improved 
adjustability of the fastening system. In addition, the anchoring member 
may include a through-passage traversing the plurality of grooves, the 
through-passage receiving a portion of the cable extending from the 
seating member. 
According to a third aspect of the present invention, a cable fastening 
system is provided that comprises (i) first and second cinching members 
adapted to be cinched together, the first cinching member including two 
spaced apart guide members, (ii) a cable assembly including a 
discrete-length cable including first and second ends each fixedly secured 
to at least one of the first and second cinching members, the cable 
sequentially extending from and engaging the second cinching member, the 
two spaced apart guide members, and returning to and engaging the second 
cinching member, and a pull-tab attached to the cable along a portion of 
the cable extending between the two spaced apart guide members, for 
applying tension to the cable, and (iii) anchoring means including an 
anchoring member that opposes the two spaced apart members and forms a 
plurality of grooves each adapted to receive the cable assembly, wherein 
the pull-tab is operable over a length of the anchoring member to 
adjustably tension the cable. 
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the cable assembly 
may include a bridging member, as described above with respect to the 
first aspect of the present invention. A pull-tab may be provided, 
directly secured to the cable or integrated with the bridging member. The 
bridging member may be eliminated in favor of a pull-tab that includes a 
leading edge securely seating in each of the plurality of grooves. 
Additionally, according to the third aspect of the present invention, the 
cable may extend from the first and second guide members and terminate at 
the respective first and second ends which are secured directly to the 
second cinching member at positions opposing the first and second guide 
members, respectively. 
According to all aspects of the present invention, the cable may be 
slidable through the guide members. Alternatively, the guide members may 
be formed by pulleys, the pulleys being rotatable in accordance with 
translation of the cable. Preferably, the cable fastening system provides 
a purchase of at least 1:1, and preferably, greater than 1:1 (e.g., 2:1, 
3:1 and greater). The cable may be comprised of a material from the group 
consisting of nylon, braided metallic cord, natural cord and elastic 
material. In addition, the cable is considered to have an effective 
length, as measured along extension of the cable from the anchoring member 
to an opposing guide member. A short effective length provides a 
relatively large spacing between the cinching members, while a long 
effective length provides a reduced spacing between the cinching members. 
In an unsecured position, the working end of the cable is freely movable 
between the anchoring member and the cable guides, to maximize 
displacement of the first and second cinching members with respect to each 
other. In contrast, in a secured position, the cable assembly is press-fit 
and clipped into a groove of the anchoring member thereby maintaining a 
constant effective length of the cable. Additionally, the at least one 
groove of the anchoring member may be formed by at least one respective 
locking protrusion, in which the pull-tab directly seats. 
Further, the present invention provides a cable fastening system 
incorporating an article of footwear as previously described. Preferably, 
a plurality of cable fasteners are provided along the article of footwear, 
so as to provide personalized tensioning of the article of footwear at 
respective portions of the wearer's foot. Additionally, each cable 
fastener is oriented on the article of footwear such that the anchoring 
member applies a force to the cable along a direction substantially 
parallel to the tensioning direction of the guide members to increase the 
efficiency of the cable fastening system. 
As described above, the cable fastening system may form a closed-loop, or 
may be a single strand of cable having a working first end and an anchored 
second end. A test was performed to compare the holding force of both the 
closed-loop and single strand cable systems. The results showed that the 
closed-loop cable system in the preferred embodiment may provide a 
superior holding force over single strand cable systems, and is therefore 
considered preferable. 
The present cable fastening system is not only particularly well suited for 
integration with an article of footwear, but may also be incorporated with 
other activewear or sporting goods, including baseball mitts, gloves, 
wristbands, headgear, etc., or any other application requiring a fastening 
system. Furthermore, the cable fastening system may find quite of variety 
of other cinching applications, for example, cinching a prosthetic limb or 
medical truss, cinching electrical conduit together and cinching luggage, 
to name a few. In addition, the article of footwear may be embodied as an 
ice-skate, ski boot, bicycling footwear, hiking boot, running shoe eg., 
high-top or low-cut oxford type, or a sandal etc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
Referring now to the drawings, a description of preferred embodiments of 
the present invention is set forth. Same reference numerals are utilized 
among the different embodiments to denote similar structural features. 
A preferred cable fastening arrangement of the present invention is 
disclosed in conjunction with articles of footwear as shown in FIGS. 1-7. 
Such articles of footwear and alternate embodiments of footwear intended 
to be integrated with the present cable fastening system are further 
defined in detail in commonly owned copending U.S. patent application Ser. 
No. 08/506,114, to assist in a complete understanding of the present 
invention. The disclosure of the '114 application is hereby incorporated 
by reference. 
Article of footwear 1, in FIG. 1, comprises an upper 2 which includes 
tongue 3 and upper body 4. Tongue 3 includes a tongue overlay 3a and a 
tongue inner 3b. Inner surfaces of tongue overlay and tongue inner 3a, 3b 
may include padded closed cell foam, to provide added stability and 
comfort. Preferably, tongue inner 3b has a dorsal extension forming shin 
support 3d which aids in donning or removing the article of footwear, 
discussed below. Upper body 4 includes heel portion 4a, arch and instep 
portion 4b and toe portion 4d which respectively wrap around and receive 
the heel, arch and instep, and toes, respectively, of the foot of the 
wearer. Additional support is provided by ankle portion 4e which receives 
the ankle of the wearer. A sole 5 is connected to upper body 4 and is 
adapted for contacting a ground surface. In addition, a midsole 30 may be 
further provided between the outsole 5a and the upper 2. 
Another preferable feature of the present article of footwear includes 
ankle and heel straps 10 and 11 that are freely slidable within the upper 
body 4, which affords the wearer personalized adjustability throughout the 
rearfoot of the upper body portion of the upper. Upper body 4 extends 
above ankle portion 4e, particularly padded collar 4f which reaches an 
apex along an aft portion of the upper body 4. Collar 4f, opposing portion 
of the tongue inner 3b, and shin support 3d, cooperate with each other to 
aid the wearer in donning or removing the article of footwear by providing 
additional gripping leverage for the wearer. These features are 
particularly preferable according to the present invention since the 
straps 10, 11 and 12 may be one-piece members, integrated with the tongue 
3, that prevent tongue 3 from fully separating from medial and lateral 
sides of the upper body 4 (i.e., the integrated structure including tongue 
3 and straps 10, 11 and 12 is only partially separable from the upper body 
4, straps 10, 11 and 12 maintaining connection to medial and lateral sides 
of the upper body 4). Preferably ankle strap 10, heel strap 11, and arch 
and instep strap 12 each extend around the upper body and have opposite 
ends connected to tongue 3, particularly to tongue overlay 3a at flanges 8 
along medial and lateral aspects thereof. Each of ankle strap 10 and heel 
strap 11 penetrates into the upper body and extends around a substantial 
portion of the upper body, between medial and lateral sides thereof. The 
arch and instep strap 12 extends between the upper 2 and the sole 5, arch 
and instep strap 12 having opposite ends each secured to tongue overlay 3a 
similar to ankle and heel straps 10 and 11. Arch and instep strap 12 is 
preferably freely slidable between the upper 2 and the sole 5. 
The first embodiment of the cable fastener is disclosed in FIGS. 1-4. FIG. 
1a defines in detail anchoring force F on cable 22 at anchoring member 21 
exerted on strap 11 and flange 8 respectively forming first and second 
cinch members. Anchoring force F is substantially parallel to the cinching 
direction C. Application of anchoring force F in a direction substantially 
parallel to the cinching direction is particularly preferable, to maximize 
efficiency of cable fastener 20. Cable fasteners 20 in FIGS. 1-2, connect 
first and second opposite ends of each of straps 10-12, to opposing 
lateral sides of the tongue 3, particularly at flanges 8 extending 
laterally from tongue overlay 3a. Each of the cable fasteners includes an 
anchoring member 21 having a plurality of juxtaposed grooves 21a formed 
therein. It will be appreciated to those skilled in the art that the 
juxtaposed grooves and anchor members may or may not be contiguous. As 
shown in FIG. 2, cable fastener 20 includes a cable assembly formed by 
pull-tab 25 connected to cable 22. Cables 22 route through guide members 
23a-c to form first, second and third turns on the ends of the straps and 
tongue overlay 3a at flanges 8 to form a complete closed-loop fastening 
system. The cables extend consecutively through first guide member 23a, 
opposing guide member 23c and second guide member 23b along a circuitous 
or serpentine path so as to form a closed-loop. Guide members may be made 
from any suitable material. In particular parts may be made completely or 
partially from metal especially light or powdered metal, compression cast 
alloy or from a suitable thermoplastic material that is preferably a 
polyamide e.g., nylon and would be preferably injection molded. Other 
materials and methods of manufacture may also be suitable and the present 
invention is not limited to any particular material or method of 
manufacture. In the preferred embodiment, the receiving annular groove of 
the guide members are shaped so as to conform directly to the annular 
surface of the cable as the cable is routed and freely turns about the 
inner annular surface of the guide. A further preferred embodiment of the 
guide members provide and permit the cable to clip-in to the inner annular 
groove surface of the guide to prevent accidental release of the cable 
thereby retaining an overall secure and reliable fastening system. In 
addition, the inner annular groove surface of the guide members are 
preferably formed similarly to anchoring member clip-in grooves 21a 
enabling the wearer to releasingly receive a replacement cable or a 
functional equivalent needed to perform in a specific athletic discipline. 
For example, cables of differing elastic properties may be appropriately 
chosen/replaced, or substantially non-stretchable cables (e.g., braided 
metallic cord) may be utilized. It will also be appreciated by those 
skilled in the art that the inner groove surface of the guide members may 
take the form of various cable shapes whether annular, L-shaped, V-shaped, 
etc. 
To secure the present cable fastener in FIG. 2, with the article of 
footwear placed on the foot, the wearer tensions the article of footwear 
by pulling pull-tab 25 upwardly and medially thereby compressing tongue 3 
against a dorsal (top) portion of the foot as the arch and instep strap 12 
is simultaneously tensioned around the underside of the midfoot region. 
Straps 10-12 and tongue 3 provide a concentric tourniquet-like fitting 
effect as the cable fastening system is tensioned. When appropriate 
tension is achieved the wearer then press-fits the closed-loop portion of 
cable 22 into an appropriate groove 21a of anchoring member 21 and is 
clamped therein. To release the cable fastener, the wearer simply reverses 
the process. Pull-tab 25 is made, preferably, from a thermoplastic 
material, for example, a resilient polyester such as HYTREL from DuPont. 
Other suitable materials for pull-tab construction include natural cord 
webbing, synthetic cord or nylon webbing and low density polyurethanes or 
copolyesters. The first embodiment utilizing closed-loop cables 22 
provides the wearer with an additional purchase or mechanical advantage 
ranging from 1:1 to 2:1 to assist in ease of tension adjustment of the 
present cable fastening system. As well understood by one of ordinary 
skill in the art of cinching mechanisms, particularly simple pulley-type 
or block and tackle mechanisms, cable fastener 20 at strap 11 shown in 
FIG. 1 has a purchase of 2:1 assuming displacement of strap 11, cable 22 
being considered fixed at the apex of guide member 23c with respect to 
stationary tongue overlay 3a. Strap 11 may be considered displaceable with 
respect to tongue overlay 3a after being seated on the dorsal portion of 
the wearer's foot. 
According to the article of footwear illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, 
anchoring members 21 may extend fully around an outer surface of the 
tongue overlay 3a, and the anchoring members 21 may be shared by opposing 
cable fasteners to allow for maximum tension adjustability. Clip-in groves 
21a may be contiguously formed on an anchoring member or may be formed 
singly and attached to tongue overlay 3a using conventional stitch, 
adhesion, or molded techniques. Clip in grooves may comprise ratchet-like 
notches. Orientation of one or more of the cable fasteners may be reversed 
as illustrated in FIG. 5, at ankle strap 10, whereby, pull-tab 25 extends 
towards the respective strap, and the respective anchoring member 21 is 
provided on the opposite strap or upper body 4. 
FIGS. 3 and 4 of the first embodiment illustrate a plurality of cable 
fasteners 20 spaced apart along the length of tongue 3 connecting 
bifurcated tongue flanges 6a and 6b. As similarly illustrated in FIGS. 1 
and 2, FIGS. 3 and 4 provide cables 22 extending through guide members 
23a-c, guide members 23a and 23b being spaced apart along one of tongue 
flange 6a, and opposing guide member 23c extending along the opposing 
tongue flange 6b. In addition, cable fasteners illustrated in FIGS. 3-4, 
may also be reversed, said tabs 25 extending medially or towards inside of 
the article of footwear. 
Article of footwear 1 in FIG. 5, illustrates present cable fastener 20 
previously described in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4 above, with second and 
third additional embodiments 30 and 40. A second embodiment of the present 
cable fastening system, cable fastener 30, utilizes a cable assembly 
including cable 32 having first end 32a and second end 32b, and a pull-tab 
assembly including pull-tab 35 and seating member 35a. First end 32a is 
attached to arch and instep strap 12 and consecutively extends therefrom 
through guide members 33a and 33b formed on tongue overlay 3a and arch 
instep strap 12, respectively. Second end 32b of cable 32 is secured to 
the pull-tab assembly formed by pull-tab 35 and seating member 35a. 
Preferably, the seating member has an outer contour that is complementary 
in shape to an inner contour of the grooves 31a of the anchoring member 
31, such that the seating member 35a may be releasingly received in any of 
grooves 31a. The purchase of cable fastener 30 is approximately 2:1. 
A third embodiment of the present cable fastening system illustrated in 
FIG. 5 comprises cable fastener 40 which utilizes a cable assembly 
including cable 42 and pull-tab assembly. Cable 42 has discrete ends, 
particularly, first end 42a and second end 42b. First end 42a is attached 
to tongue overlay 3a. Cable 42 consecutively extends through first guide 
member 43a, opposing guide member 43c, and second guide member 43b. First 
and second guide members 43a and 43b are spaced apart along heel cinch 
member 11 and opposing guide member 43c is positioned on flange 8 of 
tongue overlay 3a. Second end 42b is secured to the pull-tab assembly 
including pull-tab 45 and seating member 45a may be releasingly received 
in any of grooves 41a of anchor member 41. The purchase of cable fastener 
40 is approximately 3:1. 
In each of the second and third embodiments illustrated in FIG. 5, 
anchoring members 31, 41 advantageously include a through-passage 
traversing the grooves 31a, 41a, to allow free passage of the cable 
extending from the seating members 35a and 45a. 
In addition, FIG. 5 illustrates present cable fastening systems with 
varying purchases of approximately 1:1, 2:1 and 3:1. By specifically 
tailoring the purchase of the present cable fastening system in 
conjunction with an article of footwear, the wearer will gain greater 
tensioning advantages at different or independent locations along the 
footwear upper. These advantages are a result of the holding force 
supplied by anchoring members 21, 31 and 41 extending along a direction 
substantially parallel to the cinching direction of the tongue overlay 3a 
with respect to the upper body 4, illustrated in FIG. 1a. 
Incorporated into article of footwear 1 of FIG. 6, are closed-loop 
elastomer member 27 integrated with connecting heel cinch member 11 to 
tongue overlay 3a and fourth and fifth embodiments of the present cable 
fastening system. Cable fastener 50 of the fourth embodiment utilizes a 
cable assembly including cable 52 and pull-tab assembly. Cable 52 has 
first end 52a and second end 52b. First end 52a is attached to tongue 
overlay 3a at flange 8, and extends through single guide member 53a formed 
on arch and instep cinch member 12. Cable 52 returns to tongue overlay 3a 
and terminates at the second end 52b secured to the pull-tab assembly 
including pull-tab 55 and seating member 55a. Similar to tabs 25, 35 and 
45, pull-tab 55 of cable fastener 50 provides seating member 55a which is 
releasingly received in any one of grooves 51a of anchoring member 51. The 
purchase of cable fastener 50 is approximately 2:1, determined by 
tensioning arch and instep cinch member 12 against displaceable tongue 
overlay 3a. As in the second and third embodiments shown in FIG. 6, a 
through passage extends along anchoring member 51 for passage of cable 52. 
In each of the second, third and fourth embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 5 
and 6, although the cable is a preferable form of the connector 
interconnecting the cinching members (i.e., tongue overlay and opposing 
straps), the cable may be replaced by other flexible connectors, such as 
webbing in the form of an elongated strap member. In such a case, the 
guide members may be formed as loops secured to the straps 10, 11 and 12 
and/or flanges 8. The strap member extends through the opening of each 
such loop and turns back upon itself, thereby extending back to the 
opposing strap or flange and seats in an anchoring member on upper 2 or 
tongue 3. In addition, a pull tab may be formed by an extension of the 
material adjacent the seating member, thereby providing a loose or free 
end that may be easily grasped by the user. 
FIG. 6 also illustrates a fifth embodiment of the present invention 
comprising cable fastener 60. Similar to tabs 35, 45, and 55, pull-tab 65 
of cable fastener 60 provides seating member 65a which is releasingly 
received in any one of grooves 61a of anchoring member 61. Cable 62 
extends through guide members 63a and 63b formed on tongue overlay 3a and 
terminates on the ankle strap 10 at ends 62a-b. The purchase of cable 
fastener 60 is approximately 2:1, determined by tensioning ankle strap 10 
against displaceable tongue overlay 3a. Orientation of cable fastener 60 
may be reversed at ankle strap 10, whereby, pull-tab 65 extends away from 
the ankle strap 10, and the anchoring member 61 is provided on tongue 
overlay 3a. 
A sixth embodiment of the present cable fastening system illustrated in 
FIG. 7 comprises integrated cable fasteners 70, conjoined via single cable 
72 having first and second ends 72a and 72b respectively securely fixed to 
strap 12 and the tongue overlay 3a. The ends may also be both fixed to the 
tongue overlay, or both to the straps 12 and 10, respectively. Cable 72 
alternately extends through guide members 73a formed along tongue overlay 
3a and guide members 73b formed along the upper body at respective straps 
10, 11 and 12. Here, the straps 10, 11 and 12 are collectively considered 
a first cinching member, while tongue overlay 3a forms the second 
anchoring member. Each of cable fasteners 70 includes pull-tab 75 having 
bridging member 75a through which cable 72 extends or may be fixed. 
Bridging member 75a may be releasingly received in any of grooves 71a of 
anchoring member 71. The purchase advantage to be gained by the wearer of 
article of footwear 1 between arch and instep strap 12 and the tongue 
overlay 3a is approximately 2:1, approximately 3:1 between heel strap 11 
and tongue overlay 3a, and approximately 3:1 between ankle strap 10 and 
tongue overlay 3a. As similarly illustrated in FIG. 5, article of footwear 
1 in FIG. 7 provides an added feature of locating cinch devices 70 along 
independently respective areas of the upper to derive various mechanical 
advantages. In this embodiment, the purchase varies from 2:1 at the toe 
portion or toe box of the upper to 3:1 at the midfoot and rearward towards 
the ankle portion of the upper. 
It should be understood by one skilled in the art that the independently 
adjustable cable fasteners disclosed in FIGS. 1-7 allow application of 
relatively light pressure around the toe box of the upper, while gradually 
increasing pressure through the midfoot and ankle portion thereby allowing 
the wearer to precisely dial-in the desired fit along the entire length of 
the upper and over a broad surface area. The present invention also allows 
the wearer to adjust independently the amount of pressure applied to the 
midfoot and heel portion of the upper, a feature that is critical to 
increased footwear stability. To operate the present cable fastening 
system in FIG. 7, the wearer may simply don the article of footwear by 
releasing respective pull-tabs allowing for the footwear to be placed on 
the wearer's foot. The wearer may then engage all tabs with the respective 
anchoring members to gain a mechanical advantage from each of the cable 
fasteners. At this point, the wearer may now dial-in the amount of tension 
applied to the desired areas of the foot, by choosing an appropriate 
groove of an anchoring member that releasingly receives the cable. In 
addition, various tension adjustments may be applied to one side of the 
foot or the other (i.e., medial and lateral aspects of the foot) dependent 
upon the amount of force the wearer applies to a specific pull-tab. 
FIG. 8 discloses an alternate application of the first embodiment of the 
present cable fastener to various sporting goods, namely, baseball mitt 
1'. Cable fastener 20 comprises strap 13 having opposing ends 13a and 13b, 
forming first and second cinching members. The cable fastener 20 is 
adapted to fasten and bring together the spaced apart strap ends to 
tighten the backhand portion of the glove around the wrist of a wearer. In 
this embodiment, cable 22 connects opposing ends 13a and 13b of strap 13. 
Anchoring member 21 having juxtaposed grooves 21a is provided on an outer 
surface of mitt 1'. Orientation of cable fastener 20 may be reversed, as 
illustrated in FIG. 5 at ankle strap 10, and pull-tab 25 may extend toward 
the opposite end. The mechanical advantage of cable fastener 20 ranges 
from 1:1 to 2:1, and the tension applied to ends 13a-b may be varied over 
a wide range by appropriately seating cable 22 in desired groove 21a. 
Two additional embodiments of the present invention, similar to cable 
fastener 20 described earlier, are illustrated in FIGS. 9-10. Both 
embodiments disclose cable fastening systems wherein cable 22 extends 
around synthetic or alloy roller bearings 50 which replace the first, 
second and opposite guide members 23a-c illustrated above. Pulley 51 is 
preferably made from an injection molded synthetic plastics material or 
thermoplastic such as NYLON GLASS FIBER, available from LNP Engineering 
Plastics. Cable 22 may be formed of nylon, elastic, or braided metallic 
cord, natural cord or a combination thereof. The purchase of the cable 
fastener in FIG. 9 ranges from 1:1 to 2:1 and approximately 2:1 in FIG. 
10, but may be modified to 3:1 and higher to derive an even greater 
mechanical advantage from the cable fastening system. 
FIGS. 11a and 11b illustrate enlarged views of anchoring member 21, clip-in 
grooves 21a, and cable assembly including cable 22 and pull-tab 25 of the 
first embodiment of the present invention. Pull-tab 25 comprises an outer 
peripheral edge which bounds sides of the anchoring member 21. Cable 22 
forms closed-loop portion 26, encircled by bridging member 29. Bridging 
member 29 may be made from a thermoplastic material, and may be 
sufficiently rigid to provide a secure snap-in locking function in clip-in 
grooves 21a. Clip-in grooves 21a are shaped so as to permit the bridging 
member 29 to clip therein, as detailed in FIG. 11b. 
Particular variations on the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11a and 11b 
include those disclosed in FIGS. 12a-18b. Referring to FIGS. 12a-b, cable 
22 effectively forms a closed-loop and is attached to opposite sides of 
bridging member 29 via terminals 27 seated therein. Terminals 27 may be 
formed by a ball or plug member secured to ends of the cable 22, or may be 
formed as a crimp/splicing sleeve, commonly marketed under the trade name 
NICOPRESS. Cable 22 may be knotted-off at opposite sides of bridging 
member 29. Pull-tab 25 is connected directly to the bridging member 29. It 
is preferred in all bridging member and clip-in groove embodiments that 
bridging member 29 includes an outer diameter sized to clip into grooves 
21a. 
FIGS. 13a and 13b disclose cable 22 forming a closed-loop portion 26 having 
bridging member 29 formed thereon. Cable 22 further provides terminals 27 
seated within groove 25a. Terminals 27 prevent pull-tab 25 from riding 
along cable 22. FIG. 13b further illustrates a cable replacement feature 
wherein cable 22 may be released from pull-tab 25 by terminals 27 through 
enlarged portion 28a of open channel 28. 
FIGS. 14a and 14b illustrate another variation on cable fastener 20 and 
pull-tab 25 construction. Again, cable 22 forms a closed loop 26, 
extending through bridging member 29, which may be formed of thermoplastic 
material, and pull-tab 25. 
FIGS. 15a and 15b illustrate a simplified and economical variation on the 
construction of FIGS. 11a and 11b. Here, the pull-tab is eliminated 
thereby leaving bridging member 29 to seat in clip-in grooves 21a. 
Although the pull-tab is eliminated, tensioning or release of the cable 22 
may be easily carried out by grasping and pulling cable 22 directly. The 
particular variation in FIG. 15a may be desirable to ensure against 
accidental release of the cable 22 from the anchoring member 21, via 
unintended forceful contact with the pull-tab, such as in a contact sport. 
Although the cable assembly includes cable 22 and bridging member 29, it 
may be formed by cable 22 alone. 
FIGS. 16a and 16b illustrate yet another variation on the construction of 
FIGS. 11a and 11b. Here, the pull-tab forms a T-extension 85 having 
opposing arms 85a and 85b, integrated with bridging member 29. As can be 
seen, tensioning or releasing cable 22 may be effected by grasping and 
pulling on T-extension 85. 
FIGS. 17a and 17b illustrate variations on the particular structure of the 
anchoring member 21 and pull-tab 25 for a closed-loop cable fastening 
system. The cable assembly including cable 22 and pull-tab 25 forms an 
effective closed-loop. The clip-in grooves 21a of anchoring member 21 are 
formed by locking protrusions 21b. Pull-tab 25 has a leading edge 25a 
shaped to snugly clip into grooves 21a, similar to the bridging member 29 
shown in FIGS. 11a-16b. 
FIGS. 18a and 18b further illustrate variations on the particular structure 
of anchoring member 21 and pull-tab 25 illustrated in FIGS. 17a and 17b, 
adapted for a discrete length cable fastening system. As in the variation 
illustrated in FIGS. 17a and 17b, pull-tab 25 has a leading edge 25a 
shaped to snugly clip into clip-in grooves 21a. Clip-in grooves 21a are 
formed by locking protrusions 21b, each of which has a bifurcated 
structure forming through-passage 21c for free passage and seating of 
cable 22, as shown. Cable 22 may be secured to pull-tab 25 via a ball or 
plug terminal 27. 
Pull tabs 25 in FIGS. 17a and 18a, are configured for the insertion of at 
least one finger hole 25b therethrough and may include consecutive finger 
holes located at the extended portion of the tab. Each finger hole 
generally fits the contour of the finger and seats properly within the 
structure of the anchoring members. This ensures that the tab is readily 
accessible to aid in the pulling force applied to the fastener along a 
direction substantially parallel to the tensioning direction of the guide 
members. Additional finger holes may be formed on tab 25 and may seat into 
locking protrusions to distribute the holding force of the anchoring 
member over a broader surface area when finger holes and locking 
protrusions are operable. Such multiple finger holes may include leading 
edges shaped to snugly clip into respective locking protrusions. 
To assist in making various adjustments to the cable fastener system itself 
for application specific purposes, cables illustrated in FIGS. 1-18b, may 
be freely interchangeable and made of nylon, braided metallic cord, 
natural cord, an elastic material or a combination thereof, having a fixed 
length or differing elastic spring properties. To effect replacement of 
the cables, the guide members may have a cross section similar to that of 
the grooves of the anchoring member, such that the cable is securedly 
snapped therein. 
FIG. 19 shows an all purpose cable fastener cinch system 91, integrating 
the closed-loop cable fastener according to the first embodiment of the 
present invention with an all purpose strap 90, that may be utilized to 
carry out various cinching operations. As described above, cable 22 may be 
detached from the guide members, thereby severing the cable fastening 
system and increasing its scope of applications. For example, cable 
fastener cinch 91 may be utilized to safely secure sections of electrical 
conduit. The strap 90 may be formed of a woven natural material, and woven 
or extruded synthetic materials to form a strong, non-stretchable 
fastening system. Alternatively, the strap may be formed of a material 
having elastic properties. 
The present disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in 
detail, including matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts, within 
the principle of the invention, to the full extent intended by the broad 
general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.