Automated tightening shoe

An automated tightening shoe with crisscrossed laces and a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the crisscrossed laces to tighten the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be removed from the wearer's foot.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention pertains to a shoe and, more particularly, to an automated tightening shoe. The shoe is provided with an automated tightening system including a tightening mechanism which operates in one direction to cause automatic tightening of the shoe about a wearer's foot, and which can be released easily so that the shoe can be readily removed from the wearer's foot. The invention is chiefly concerned with an automated tightening shoe of the sport or athletic shoe variety, but the principles of the invention are applicable to shoes of many other types and styles.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Shoes which incorporate an automated tightening system are known in the prior art. However, none of the automated tightening systems heretofore devised has been entirely successful or satisfactory. Major shortcomings of the automated tightening systems of the prior art are that they fail to tighten the shoe from both sides so that it conforms snugly to the wearer's foot, and that they lack any provision for quickly loosening the shoe when it is desired to remove the shoe from the wearer's foot. Aspects of prior art automated tightening systems contributing to their lack of success and satisfaction have been (1) complexity, in that they involve numerous parts;  (2) the inclusion of expensive parts, such as small electric motors; (3) the use of parts needing periodic replacement, e.g. a battery; and (4) the presence of parts requiring frequent maintenance. These aspects, as well as others not specifically mentioned, indicate that considerable improvement is needed in order to attain an automated tightening shoe that is completely successful and satisfactory.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the present invention is to provide an automated tightening shoe that is devoid of the various shortcomings and drawbacks characteristic of shoes of this sort which exist in the prior art.

Accordingly, the primary objective of the present invention is to produce an automated tightening shoe, especially a sport or athletic shoe, that tightens snugly about the wearer's foot from both sides and that can be loosened easily. It is a further objective of the present invention to attain the primary objective by providing an automated tightening system which requires no complex or expensive parts, and which includes no parts that need frequent maintenance or periodic replacement. Another objective of the present invention is to provide an automated tightening shoe which is easy to operate and trouble-free in use.

The foregoing general purpose and objectives of the present invention are fully achieved by the automated tightening shoe of the present invention. As stated previously, the principles of the invention are applicable to shoes of many types and styles, but are especially applicable to shoes of the sport or athletic variety. Accordingly, it is this sort of shoe which has been selected for illustrating the principles of the invention.

The automated tightening shoe of the invention includes a sole and an integral body member or shoe upper constructed of any common sport or athletic shoe material or materials connected to the sole. The integral body member or shoe upper includes a toe, a heel, a tongue, a gap above the tongue, and a reinforced lacing pad straddling the tongue, thereinforced lacing pad having a number of pairs of lace eyelets provided around the periphery of the gap. The shoe also includes a chamber in the sole adjacent to the heel and a passageway in the heel which communicates with the chamber in the sole and extends from the chamber upwardly along the heel to near the top of the heel. A pair of laces for tightening the shoe at the gap are provided. Each lace has one and anchored to a respective lace eyelet nearest to the toe of the shoe by an anchor button, extends through alternate ones of the lace eyelets in crisscross fashion over the tongue, and then passes through the material of the shoe upper to within the chamber in the sole whereat it is operatively associated with a tightening mechanism. The tightening mechanism can be one of several different forms.

Each of the tightening mechanism forms includes an engagement lace which resides partly within the chamber in the sole and partly within the passageway in the heel. The engagement lace is movable in a tightening direction along the chamber in the sole and along the passageway in the heel. In the first form, the tightening mechanism includes, in addition to the engagement lace, two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams housed within the chamber in the sole. The two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams are located on opposite sides of the chamber in the sole and lie in a common plane parallel to the sole. Each of the laces passes between a respective pair of the spring-loaded gripping cams. After passing between the respective pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams, the laces are joined to each other and to one end of the engagement lace. The other end of the engagement lace extends out of the passageway in the heel and includes a pulling loop for grasping in order to move the engagement lace in the  tightening direction. By pulling the loop, the laces are caused to tighten about the tongue and thereby tighten the shoe. The spring loaded gripping cams allow movement of the laces therebetween during tightening and prevent reverse movement of the laces after tightening is completed. Further provided is a recoil spring located within the chamber in the sole. The recoil spring has a first end connected to the engagement lace and a second end connected to a wall surface within the chamber in the sole. The recoil spring operates to draw the engagement lace back into the chamber in the sole after tightening is completed. A release lace connected to the spring-loaded gripping cams and to a release lever protruding outwardly from the passageway in the heel enables disengagement of the spring-loaded gripping cams from the laces to allow free reverse movement of the laces when it is desired to loosen the shoe to remove it from the wearer's foot.

A second form of tightening mechanism is identical in all respects to the first form except for the positioning of the two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams. In the second form, instead of the two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams being located on opposite sides of the chamber in the sole in a common plane parallel to the sole, the two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams are located one above the other in vertical alignment centrally of the chamber in the sole and are separated by a separation plate.

A third form of tightening mechanism involves, in addition to the engagement lace, a track extending vertically along the rear of the heel and a slide frictionally engaged in the track. The engagement lace is coupled to the slide within the passageway in the heel and is movable both upwardly and  downwardly within the passageway in the heel by corresponding movement of the slide.

A fourth form of tightening mechanism involves, in addition to the engagement lace, an axle located within the chamber in the sole upon which a ratchet wheel with ratchet teeth is mounted. A pawl engageable with the ratchet teeth is affixed to the heel and is connected to a release lever which protrudes from the rear of the heel. The laces after entering the chamber in the sole are coiled in the same direction about opposite ends of the axle, and the engagement lace is coiled about the axle at a location approximately midway between the coiled laces but in a direction which is opposite to the direction in which the laces are coiled. The engagement lace has an end extending out of the passageway in the heel and includes a pulling loop for grasping to move it in the tightening direction. When the engagement lace is pulled by the pulling loop, the laces further coil about the axle and thereby the shoe is tightened. The pawl successively engages the ratchet teeth of the ratchet wheel to prevent reverse movement.

Although all of the aspects and features of the automated tightening shoe enumerated above are important to the attainment of the purpose and objectives of the present invention and contribute to the overall superior quality, easy operation, and trouble-free performance of the shoe, certain ones are especially significant and merit special recognition.

One such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is the arrangement of crisscrossed laces which effects tightening of the automated tightening shoe from both sides, thus producing a snug fit about the wearer's foot.

Another such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is an engagement lace which is coupled to the laces and is movable in a tightening direction to tighten the laces.

Still another such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a pair of spring-loaded gripping cams which allow movement of the laces during tightening and grip the laces to prevent reverse movement of the laces after tightening is completed.

Yet another such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a release lace and release lever for disengaging the spring-loaded gripping cams from the laces to allow free reverse movement of the laces to enable loosening of the shoe for removal from the wearer's foot.

A still further such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a recoil spring for drawing the engagement lace back in the reverse direction after tightening is completed.

Yet a further such significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tightening mechanism which includes a track and slide.

Another significant aspect and feature of the present invention is a tightening mechanism which includes a ratchet wheel mounted on an axle, the ratchet wheel including ratchet teeth engageable by a pawl.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1illustrates a top view of an automated tightening shoe110, the present invention, in the open condition, andFIG. 2illustrates a side view, in partial cutaway, of the automated tightening shoe110with a first form of tightening mechanism.

The automated tightening shoe110, as illustrated, is a sport or athletic shoe having a sole120, an integral body member or shoe upper112including a tongue116, a toe113, a heel118, and a reinforced lacing pad114, all constructed of any common sport or athletic shoe materials. At the toe113end of tongue116there are provided two anchor buttons122and124which are secured to shoe laces136and137, respectively, at one end. The shoe laces136and137then crisscross over tongue116and pass through lace eyelets126,128,130and132, as illustrated, before passing through lace containment loop142. After passing through lace containment loop142, lace136passes through a hole146in the reinforced lacing pad114and travels downwardly and rearwardly through a section of tubing150which passes in-between the outer and inner materials of the shoe upper112, and lace137passes through a hole144in the reinforced lacing pad114and travels downwardly and rearwardly through a section of tubing148which also passes in-between the outer and inner materials of the shoe upper112, as illustrated. The lower ends of tubing148and tubing150enter a chamber160in the sole120of the automated tightening shoe110where shoe laces136and137leave tubings148and150and pass through a first form of tightening mechanism158which is secured to a mechanism base162which in turn is secured to the interior of sole120inside chamber160. There is also provided a housing plate178which covers the tightening mechanism158and which, in conjunction with mechanism base162, encases the tightening mechanism158.

After passing through the tightening mechanism158, shoe laces136and137intersect and mutually secure to an engagement lace164. Engagement lace164then passes through a section of tubing152which passes upwardly within a passageway161in the heel118. The engagement lace164then passes out of tubing152and passageway161and terminates in a pulling loop154. There is also provided a release lace166which is secured to the tightening mechanism158and passes upwardly through tubing152to about midway of tubing152where a release lever156enters tubing152. Release lace166passes through release lever156and passes downwardly through tubing152and is secured to the tightening mechanism158. The release lace166is taut at all times when the release lace166is properly secured. The release lever156acts as a toggle switch which disengages the tightening mechanism158when pressed downwardly. There is also provided a recoil spring168within chamber160which pulls the engagement lace164back into chamber160after engagement. The first form of tightening mechanism158and its mode of operation will be more easily understood and further described with reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3illustrates a bottom view of the automated tightening shoe110with the sole120and mechanism base162removed for purposes of illustrative clarity to reveal details of the tightening mechanism158, where all numerals which have appeared previously correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the tightening mechanism158and the orientation of its component parts. The tubings148and150guide the shoe laces137and136, respectively, into the chamber160of sole120. Then shoe lace136is guided between a pair of spring-loaded gripping cams170and172, and shoe lace137is guided between a pair of spring-loaded gripping cams174. Then both shoe laces136and137intersect and mutually secure to engagement lace164at an intersection point165located within chamber160. Engagement lace164then passes upwardly through tubing152in passageway161to meet pulling loop154. When pulling loop154is pulled upwardly until the shoe laces136and137tighten, the automated tightening shoe110snugly fits the wearer's foot. The spring-loaded gripping cams170,172,174and176then prevent the laces136and137from reverse travel. The spring168then pulls the slack out of engagement lace164and pulls the excess lacing back into chamber160.

In order to remove the automated tightening shoe110, release lever156is pushed downwardly causing release lace166to pull spring-loaded gripping cams170and176simultaneously away from laces136and137, creating free movement. This free movement allows the user to easily remove the automated tightening shoe110.

FIG. 4illustrates a bottom view of the automated tightening shoe110with the sole120and mechanism base162removed for purposes of illustrative clarity to reveal a second form of tightening mechanism258, andFIG. 5illustrates a cross sectional view of the posterior portion of the automated tightening shoe110provided with the second form of tightening mechanism258, where all numerals which have been mentioned before correspond to those elements previously described. These figures illustrate an alternative configuration of the components described inFIGS. 2 and 3. The second form of tightening mechanism258functions and is constructed in a similar fashion to the first form of tightening mechanism158having two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams270and272, and274and276, vertically aligned and separated by a separation plate280. Shoe lace136passes between spring-loaded gripping cams270and272, and shoe lace137passes through spring-loaded gripping cams274and276. Separation plate280prevents shoe laces136and137from entanglement and allows the two pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams270and272, and274and276, to be vertically aligned to function without interfering with one another. After the shoe laces136and137pass through the pairs of spring-loaded gripping cams270and272, and274and276, they intersect and mutually secure to engagement lace164. This second form of tightening mechanism functions in a similar fashion to the first form of tightening mechanism, only the configuration of the components is changed.

FIG. 6illustrates a cross sectional view of the tightening mechanism258, where all numerals which have appeared previously correspond to those elements previously described. Illustrated in particular is the recoil spring268which is secured at one end to mechanism base162and is secured over and about engagement lace164at the opposite end. Once the pulling loop154(FIG. 5) is pulled to the desired tightness, this recoil spring268then pulls the slack out of engagement lace164, and pulls the excess lacing back into chamber160, causing pulling loop154to return to its original position. Also illustrated is the orientation of the mechanism base162in relation to the housing plate178.

FIG. 7illustrates a rear view of the automated tightening shoe110incorporating a track and slide mechanism288, a third form of tightening mechanism, where all numerals which have appeared previously correspond to those elements previously described. With additional reference toFIG. 5, the track and slide mechanism288can be substituted for the pulling loop154and release lever156. The track and slide mechanism incorporates a track290which is frictionally engaged by a slide292that travels vertically along the length of track290. By moving the slide292upwardly along track290, the engagement lace164is actuated, causing the automated tightening shoe110to tighten. Conversely, by moving the slide292downwardly along track290, the engagement lace164is released, thereby enabling the automated tightening shoe110to be loosened.

FIG. 8illustrates a bottom view of the automated tightening shoe110with the sole120and mechanism base162removed for purposes of illustrative clarity to reveal a fourth form of tightening mechanism358, andFIG. 9illustrates a partial cross sectional view the tightening mechanism358, where all numerals which have appeared previously correspond to those elements previously described. The tightening mechanism358can be substituted for the tightening mechanisms158,258and288of the previous embodiments without affecting the function or scope thereof. Tightening mechanism358is comprised of a housing plate178to which is secured a pair of axle support members372and374which extend downwardly in a perpendicular fashion and accommodate a ratchet wheel axle370. There is a ratchet wheel364with ratchet teeth366which is secured over and about ratchet wheel axle370midway between axle support members372and374. A release lever360is pivotally secured to housing plate178at its posterior by a release lever axle362. The inward end of release lever360incorporates a release lever pawl368which successively engages the ratchet teeth366, as illustrated. Shoe laces136and137coil over and about ratchet wheel axle370and are appropriately secured thereto. Engagement lace164also coils over and about ratchet wheel axle370but in the opposite direction, and is secured thereto. When the engagement lace164is pulled, the ratchet wheel axle370and the ratchet wheel364rotate in a counterclockwise fashion, further coiling shoe laces136and137, which tightens the automated tightening shoe110. The tension created at engagement causes the release lever pawl368to ratchetingly engage ratchet teeth366, preventing slippage during engagement. Once release lever360is  engaged, release lever pawl368disengages ratchet tooth366and the ratchet wheel axle370and the ratchet wheel364travel in a clockwise fashion uncoiling shoe laces136and137and releasing the lace tension in the automated tightening shoe110. There is also provided a containment washer376which prevents shoe lace137from entangling with engagement lace164. The ratchet wheel364acts as a containment device which prevents lace136from entangling with the engagement lace164. The slack created in engagement lace164at engagement is pulled back into the shoe, as previously described, or a clutch mechanism, like that used in lawnmower pull cords, can be incorporated to accomplish the same results.

Various modifications can be made to the present invention without departing from the apparent scope hereof.