Article of footwear with linkage-tightening device

A lace-up device for tightening an article of footwear, providing for the tieing of the lacing without causing discomfort to the user's hands, as well as to the article of footwear equipped with such device. The lace-up device includes a gripping mechanism arranged on the linkage in the area of a loop formed by the lacing outside the tightening zone. The gripping device includes a rigid frame, making it possible to distribute the tension of the lacing over the hand of the user.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a tight lace-up device using a lace-type linkage and adapted to equip an article of footwear used, in particular, but in a non-limiting fashion, in sporting activities. The invention also relates to such article of footwear equipped with such device. Tight lacing, according to the invention, is more specifically adapted to shoes whose upper is reinforced, and which are used in particular for snowboarding, in-line roller skating, alpine skiing, mountain skiing and telemark skiing, ice skating, etc.

2. Description of Background and Relevant Information

To tighten a shoe of the aforementioned type properly, it is necessary to tie the lace tightly. In addition, using a lace-type tightening makes it possible to preserve a lightweight and inexpensive system, as compared to the other mechanical locking means, such as buckles. However, to obtain a tight lacing, it is necessary to reduce the friction of the lace in the lace returns. The improved sliding occurs in particular by reducing the section of the lace, which reduces the friction contact surface. Nevertheless, the small section of the lace tends to cause a painful shearing effect in the hand, and this prevents the user from applying enough tension in order to efficiently tighten the shoe.

French Application Publication No. 2 752 686 proposes a first alternative by describing a lace having variable sections. The central portion is small in diameter so as to slide easily in the returns, and the ends of the lace have larger sections in order to provide greater comfort for the hands. However, even though this system makes it possible to tension the lace correctly, it does not make it possible to maintain the tension due to a locking of the lace by a knot. Indeed, during the time necessary required for tying the knot, the user is forced to release the tension in the lace. Furthermore, the system is expensive to implement, for it requires specific means for manufacturing the lace.

French Application Publication No. 2 706 743 describes a lace-up device where the lace, having a small cross section, passes in returns, minimizing the friction and forms a loop. The lace is locked by an independent locking element that slides along the lace outside the lacing zone. The locking element makes it possible to maintain the tension in the lace. However, the user cannot apply a substantial tension in the lace. Indeed, the user is forced to grab the loop of the lace with at least one finger and to pull on the lace, which quickly shears the skin due to the small diameter of the lace.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the objects of the present invention is to propose a lace-up device for an article of footwear using a linkage that makes it possible to ensure a tight lacing, while preserving the user's comfort during the tightening phase.

Another object of the invention is to propose an inexpensive lace-up device that does not require the use of specific means to manufacture the linkage.

To achieve these objects, the lace-up device according to the invention includes a linkage that connects, along a predetermined path, at least two return elements arranged on different portions of the article of footwear to be brought closer together, and which forms a loop located outside the tightening zone. The linkage is equipped in the area of the loop with a gripping device that enables the user to pull efficiently on the linkage with at least one hand. This gripping device includes a rigid structure or frame, making it possible to distribute the tension of the linkage over the hand. In addition, this lace-up device includes a locking mechanism integrated into the return elements that is positioned at the junction of the lacing zone and of the loop. Thus, the user can maintain the tension in the linkage and, therefore, in the lacing zone, during the locking.

In a first embodiment, the gripping device is positioned at one of the ends of the tightening zone.

In a second embodiment, the gripping device is positioned perpendicular to the tightening zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

InFIG. 1, the article of footwear CH shown is a snowboard boot. The invention applies to any type of boot whose flexible upper is reinforced either to increase the stiffness in bending of the upper, or to protect the foot and ankle from impacts and external attacks. This type of boot is found in sports such as snowboarding, in-line roller skating, and ice skating, for example.

The invention also applies to boots provided with an external rigid shell made of plastic, for example, and used, in particular, for alpine skiing, snowboarding, in-line roller skating, ice skating, mountain skiing, or telemark skiing, for example.

The article of footwear CH includes an upper O comprising a first portion12aand a second portion12b, which are transversely spaced apart on opposite sides of a vertical longitudinal median plane, and which are adapted to be brought closer together by a lace-up device. This lace-up device generally includes a tightening zone16, which here is divided into two zones16eand16f, zone16ebeing a lower tightening zone and zone16fbeing an upper tightening zone. In a conventional and known manner, the tightening zone16comprises return elements50a-54aand50b-54bpositioned on each of the two portions12aand12b, respectively. A tongue, which extends transversely within the space between the two portions12a,12b, from a front end of the lower zone16eto the upper end of the upper zone16f, provides a portion of the outermost surface of the upper O.

A linkage15, such as a lace or cable, connects at least two return elements50aand50balong a predetermined length of travel. The linkage15can advantageously connect all of the return elements to complete the tightening. In addition, the linkage15forms a loop2located outside the tightening zone16.

To maintain the tension in the linkage15, the lace-up device also includes a mechanism20for locking, or blocking, the linkage15.

FIG. 1more specifically illustrates a first tightening phase of the device, which is adapted to tighten a boot with a high upper. This phase ensures the tightening of the lower tightening zone16e, which extends approximately from the metatarsophalangeal articulation up to the ankle, by making it possible to hold the instep firmly in the article of footwear CH. The lower tightening zone16eincludes a series of return elements53aand53bwhich advantageously specially adapted to make it possible to reduce the friction of the linkage15in the return elements.

Despite the use of specially adapted return elements as described in French Application Publication No. 2 706 743, tests have shown that it is preferable to limit to four, for example, the number of return elements53aand53barranged on each of the portions12aand12bfor each tightening zone16eand16fin order to optimize the tightening.

The upper end of the lower tightening zone16eis demarcated by two return elements52aand52b, arranged on each of the portions12aand12bof the upper, which possibly have specific functions which will be detailed subsequently, and which separate the two tightening zones16eand16f.

The linkage15, which extends from the return elements52aand52b, forms a loop2that includes a gripping device1arranged on the linkage15. This gripping device1enables the user of the article of footwear CH to grab the loop2easily and, likewise, to exert a generally upward force F1on the loop2easily. This force F1generates a tension in each strand of the linkage15that contributes to the tightening power of the lace-up device by bringing the two portions12aand12bof the upper of the article of footwear closer together. However, since the tension in each strand of the linkage15corresponds substantially to one half of such force F1, it is important that the gripping device1ensure the user's comfort during the tightening.

To achieve this object, the gripping device1comprises a rigid frame or structure3. This rigidity makes it possible to distribute the tension of the linkage15over the user's hand by limiting the shearing effect of the linkage on the skin. Thus, the more the pain on the hand is reduced, the more firmly the user can pull on the gripping device1.

The rigid frame3can be advantageously made out of a material having a certain bending strength, in particular thermoplastic materials such as polyamide, polypropylene, and according to an adapted geometry that promotes greater inertia along the direction of force F1.

Once the tension is exerted in the linkage15, it is necessary to maintain this tightening tension in order to be able to release the gripping device1. This function is ensured by a locking mechanism22that is integrated into the return elements52aand52b. These elements52aand52bsimultaneously ensure a sliding function in one direction, and a locking, or blocking, function in another direction. The return elements52a,52b, can be constructed as described in French Application Publication No. 2 757 026 and can be regarded as linkage-locking return elements.

To combine these two functions, the return elements52aand52bcan be suitably oriented on the upper O, such that the force F1on the linkage15makes it possible to slide the linkage in the return elements52aand52b, and also to exert a reverse-locking action. But the return elements52aand52bcan also be oriented so as to promote the sliding along the direction of the force F1. Then, once the force F1has been applied, the user exerts a force F2oriented substantially forward. This force F2changes the orientation of the linkage15in the return elements52aand52band makes it possible to use the return elements52aand52bin their locking function.

To facilitate the sequence of the actions of tightening and loosening the lower tightening zone16e, the return elements52a,52b,53a, and53b, which are located in the lower tightening zone16e, include guiding means adapted to prevent the linkage15from escaping during the loosening. One way to implement these guiding means consists of using return elements which include a channel from which the linkage15cannot escape unexpectedly.

FIG. 2shows the second and last tightening phase of the footwear CH, which is still a boot adapted to snowboarding. This tightening phase makes it possible to tighten the upper tightening zone16fby bringing the portions12aand12bof the upper O closer together. The lace-up device of the invention, therefore, makes it possible to separate the tightenings and their intensities for the lower tightening zone16eand the upper tightening zone16f. Indeed, the tightening of the upper tightening zone16fdoes not have any effect on, that is, is independent of, the tightening of the lower tightening zone16edue to the locking function of the linkage15which is integrated into the return elements52aand52b.

To undertake the second tightening phase, the user first positions the linkage15manually in the return elements51aand50aand their counterparts, located on the opposite portion12b. The user criss-crosses the linkage15in a known fashion by going upward from the return element52ato the return element50a. To be able to perform this manual operation, the return elements50a,50b,51a, and51b, located in the upper tightening zone16f, are of the hook type. In other words, they are open so as to retain the linkage15in the direction that brings the two portions12aand12bof the upper O closer together.

Once the linkage15is positioned, the user pulls, along a substantially upward force F3, on the gripping device1which is positioned on the linkage15in the area of loop2. This action tensions the linkage15which brings the two portions12aand12bof the upper O closer together, in the area of the upper tightening zone16f. The tightening tension is maintained in this zone16fdue to a means for locking the linkage15.

This locking can be obtained in two different ways. First, the return elements50aand50b, which are positioned at the end of the tightening zone16, and at the junction of the upper tightening zone16fand the loop2, integrate a locking means23. This locking means is substantially similar to the locking means22arranged on the return elements52aand52band described previously. Similarly, the user can lock the linkage15by pulling along the direction of the force F3if the return elements50aand50bare arranged on the upper O along a specific orientation. Conversely, the user pulls on the gripping device1with the force F3, then displaces the device1forwardly along a direction F4to ensure the locking of the linkage15according to a previously described mechanism.

Second, the locking means20can be integrated into an independent locking element21that is slidably mounted on the loop2. To perform the locking, the user pulls on the gripping device1along the direction F3, then displaces the locking element21along a direction Δ that brings the locking element21closer to the return elements50aand50b. Preferably, the locking element21is slidably mounted concurrently on the two strands of the loop2. The locking means20can be embodied as two locking elements sliding on each of the strands of the loop2, respectively. In this case, the user must displace the two locking elements to lock the linkage15.

Moreover, the two aforementioned locking devices can be combined for increased safety against an ill-timed loosening, which may occur on this type of boot, which can be subject to substantial forces during the sporting activity.FIG. 2shows this combination with locking means23integrated into the return elements50aand50band the locking element21mounted on the loop2of the linkage15.

The tests conducted have shown the interest of using a flexible and substantially non-stretching linkage15. The flexibility is necessary in the travel imposed by the position of the return elements, and the non-stretching ability makes it possible to limit the elongation of the linkage15, in particular in the area of the loop2, during the tightening.

Indeed, the tension obtained by the rigid frame3of the gripping device1is so substantial that, in the case of a conventional lace, or even a string, the user would spend his energy in untying the lace instead of bringing the two portions12aand12bcloser together. The best results were obtained with a linkage15obtained with a linkage made of kevlar or aramid, and whose outer diameter is between 2 and 4 mm.

FIG. 3shows a detail of the lace-up device in the area of the gripping device1and its rigid frame3. This frame3comprises a contact surface4which is complementary of at least three fingers25x,25y, and25zof the hand M. This contact surface4comprises three cavities4x,4y, and4zwhich assume the morphology of the fingers25x,25y, and25z, respectively, when folded around the frame3. Tests have shown that to obtain a more powerful tightening, the fingers used preferably are the forefinger, second finger, and third finger.

In addition, in the preferred embodiment shown, the frame3also serves to close the loop2constituted by the linkage15. The gripping device1includes hooking zones, or connection arrangements,5cand5dthat are adapted to cooperate with the two ends, or end portions,15cand15d, respectively, of the linkage15. The connection arrangements5c,5dcan be constituted by a wall100, perpendicular to the linkage15, which is integral with the rigid frame3. A hole101in which the end15cof the linkage15passes is provided in this wall100. This end15cis equipped with a locking means, such as a knot102whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the hole101.

As shown inFIG. 4, the linkage15can also extend right through the frame3. However, like the gripping device shown inFIG. 3, the frame3serves to separate, i.e., to space apart, the linkage portions that are connected to, or pass through, the frame to allow the fingers of the hand to extend within the loop2. The ends15cand15d, or end portions, of the linkage15are connected to return elements54aand54blocated substantially at the ends of the tightening zone16. However, in this embodiment, the loop2which includes the frame3is not located at one of the ends of the tightening zone16. The loop2is located outside the tightening zone16, but extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the tightening zone16so as to divide the zone16into two tightening sub-zones105and106.

Furthermore, the gripping device can be provided with an improvement not shown. In this improvement, the gripping device includes a fastening means complementary of the article of footwear which makes it possible to store the gripping device on the article of footwear. This fastening means can advantageously be of the self-gripping type, or in the form of a snap-fastener. The footwear can also be provided with a pocket or a strap forming a loop in which the gripping device could be housed when it is out of the tightening and loosening phases. In addition, the gripping device can advantageously include comfort elements constituted of a softer material than that of the frame, and positioned in the area of the contact surface adapted to be in contact with the fingers of the hand.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove, which are provided for guidance only, but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.