Abstract:
The present invention is directed to an adjustable footwear system to provide varying degrees of tightness in different areas of the footwear before and after the footwear is received on the foot. The footwear is, in its initial form, tightest on the inner cavity with an upper comprised of one or more elastic materials. An extensor system is activated to create a rigid infra-structure to open a cavity of the footwear between the upper and an insole. A decrease of pressure in the extensor system decreases the cavity volume and allows for the elastic upper to apply pressure to the foot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates in general to an adjusting system for an article and in particular to an adjustable footwear system in which the footwear is initially in a tightened state and can be loosened for insertion of a foot and subsequently adjusted after the insertion of the foot. 
         [0003]    Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Conventional footwear typically is inherently loose in order for ease of insertion of the foot. The footwear includes a closing mechanism such as a type of lacing, buckle, ratchet or strap in order to close the loose section of the footwear to create a tight fit. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 8,769,844 describes an article of footwear including an automatic lacing system. The lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and a tightened position of the upper of the footwear. 
         [0006]    It is desirable to provide an adjustable footwear system to loosen the footwear during insertion of the foot into the footwear and provide varying degrees of tightness in different areas of the footwear after the footwear is received on the foot. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides an adjustable article system to provide varying degrees of tightness in different areas of an article. In particular, the article can be footwear. In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to an adjustable footwear system to provide varying degrees of tightness in different areas of the footwear before and after the footwear is received on the foot. The footwear is, in its initial form, tightest on the inner cavity with an upper comprised of one or more elastic materials. The footwear can also include more rigid materials in order to provide additional support or decoration. 
         [0008]    The adjustable footwear system includes an extensor system for loosening and tightening the footwear. In particular, the extensor system is activated to create a rigid infra-structure to open a cavity of the footwear between the upper and an insole. The extensor system can be hydraulic and use fluids or air with a device to manually increase the pressure in the extensor system. In one embodiment, the device includes a crank and ratchet device or a pump. Pressure in the extensor system is increased in order to loosen the shoe. Alternatively, pressure in the extensor system is decreased in order to tighten the shoe. The extensor system can include single or multiple chambers within the footwear to allow for varying degrees of tightness in different areas of the footwear. In one embodiment, the extensor system includes one or more extensor arms which are positioned in any direction, or a plurality of directions, in the upper. In one embodiment, the a plurality of extensors are assembled to form a grid or mesh pattern throughout the entire upper. 
         [0009]    In one embodiment, when the extensor system has zero pressure, the extensor arms in the upper are pliable, leaving the upper having elastic properties in its original, tightest state on the cavity between the upper and the sole assembly. As the user exerts pressure on the extensor system with the device, the extensor arms become more rigid and extend for expanding the volume of the inner cavity. Maximum and near maximum pressure conditions of the extensor system open the inner cavity sufficiently to allow for easy entry of the user&#39;s foot into the cavity. Once the foot is in the cavity, the user can decrease the pressure in the extensor system. The decrease of pressure in the extensor system decreases the cavity volume and allows for the elastic upper to apply pressure to the foot. The pressure in the extensor system is user adjustable to allow the user to determine how much force is exerted by the elastic upper on the foot. 
         [0010]    The present invention can be applied to all types of footwear including, but not limited to, athletic shoes, athletic cleats, formal shoes, ski boots, snowboard boots, and standard boots. The present invention can be used as an inner liner for an outer shoe. 
         [0011]    In one embodiment, the article can be other wearable items which require a desired fit such as, but not limited to, watch bands, headwear, compression clothing, and durable medical equipment, including medical braces. 
         [0012]    The invention will be more fully described by reference to the following drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable footwear system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an un-activated state. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a pressure activation device which can be used in the adjustable footwear system. 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable footwear system in an activated state. 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a schematic diagram of a side view of an alternative adjustable footwear system in an activated state. 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in  FIG. 6 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of a side view of an alternative adjustable footwear system in an un-activated state. 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in  FIG. 8 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in  FIG. 8  in an activated state. 
           [0023]      FIG. 11  is a side view of activation of the adjustable footwear system. 
           [0024]      FIG. 12  is a side view of use of the adjustable footwear system after activation. 
           [0025]      FIG. 13  is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable article system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an un-activated state. 
           [0026]      FIG. 14  is a top plan view of the adjustable article system shown in  FIG. 11  in an un-activated state. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15  is a top plan view of the adjustable article system shown in  FIG. 11  in an activated state. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable footwear system. 
           [0029]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram of the extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable footwear system of  FIG. 16  in an activated state. 
           [0030]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system. 
           [0031]      FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system of  FIG. 18  in an activated state. 
           [0032]      FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system. 
           [0033]      FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system of  FIG. 20  in an activated state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0034]    Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are schematic diagrams of adjustable footwear system  10  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Adjustable footwear system  10  is shown in an un-activated state. Footwear  11  includes upper  12 . Preferably, upper  12  is formed of an elastic material. For example, upper  12  can be formed of one or more materials having elastic properties. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, Lycra, elastic, spandex, neoprene, or PVC. Upper  12  can also include one or more materials which are more rigid. Suitable rigid materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, polyurethane and polypropylene. The rigid material can provide support of upper  12  or decoration. Cavity  13  is formed between upper  12  and insole  14 . 
         [0036]    Adjustable footwear system  10  includes extensor system  20 . Extensor system  20  can be activated by pressure activation device  30  to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensor system  20  includes a one or more extensors  22 . In this embodiment, extensors  22  are formed of extensor arms  23 . Extensor arms  23  can be positioned to extend from one side  24  of upper  12  to the other side  25  of upper  12 . Width W 1  adjacent of respective extensor arms  23  positioned adjacent side  24  or side  25  can be greater than width W 2  at end  26  of extensor arms  23 . Extensor arms  23  can extend from width W 2  to point  27 . 
         [0037]    Extensors  22  are coupled to pressure activation device  30 . Pressure activation device  30  controls pressure within extensors  22 . In the un-activated state shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2  zero pressure is used in extensor system  20 . Extensor arms  23  in the un-activated state are substantially flat within upper  12 . 
         [0038]    Pressure activation device  30  can be hydraulic and use fluids or air with device  32  to manually increase the pressure in extensor system  20  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Coupling lines  34  can be used to couple device  32  to pressure button actuator  36 . Device  32  can be a pump. Alternatively, device  32  can be a crank and ratchet device or a battery powered device to regulate the desired pressure. 
         [0039]    Activation of pressure button actuator  36  increases pressure in extensor system  20  to increase rigidity of extensor system  20 . Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , in one embodiment, increasing of pressure in extensor system  20  extends extensor arms  23  in a substantially vertical direction to extend upper  12  away from insole  14  thereby increasing the size of cavity  13 . In the activated state extensor arms  23  are no longer flat. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , in one embodiment, extensor arms  23  expand in both a horizontal and vertical direction to extend upper  12  away from insole  14  thereby increasing the size of cavity  13 . In the activated state extensor arms  23  are no longer flat. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , in one embodiment, extensor system  20  includes extensor mesh  50  formed of overlapping extensors  22 . Pressure activation device  30  can be activated for increasing of pressure to extends mesh  50  away from insole  14  thereby increasing the size of cavity  13  as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0042]    Activation of pressure button actuator  36  by finger  60  of a user can increase pressure in extensor system  20  to a maximum pressure to expand cavity  13  to its largest volume and allow for easy entry of foot  70  into cavity  13 , as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Once foot  70  is in cavity  13 , finger  60  of the user can activate pressure button actuator  36  to decrease pressure in extension system  20 , which decreases volume of cavity  13 , and allows for the elastic upper  13  to apply the pressure on foot  70 . 
         [0043]      FIGS. 13-15  are schematic diagrams of adjustable article system  100  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Article  101  can be for example a band or a sleeve such as a watch band, headband or medical band. Adjustable article system  100  is shown in an un-activated state in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . Article  101  has diameter D 1  between sides  103 . Article  101  includes embedded extensor system  20  and pressure activation device  30 . Extensor system  20  can be activated by pressure activation device  30  to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the activated state shown in  FIG. 15 , diameter D 2  is increased from diameter D 1  to enlarge opening  105 . 
         [0044]      FIG. 16  is a schematic diagram of adjustable footwear system  200  which includes extensor system  202 . Extensor system  202  includes first group  204   a  of extensors  22  positioned at front  205  of footwear  11  and second group  204   n  of extensors  22  positioned at rear  206  of footwear  11 . Extensors  22  of first group  204   a  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   a  to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensors  22  of second group  204   n  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   n  to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , pressure activation device  30   a  is activated to activate first group  204   a  of extensors  22 . It will be appreciated that any number of groups of extensors can be positioned in footwear and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the footwear. 
         [0045]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram of adjustable footwear system  350  which includes extensor system  352 . Extensor system  352  includes first mesh  50   a  positioned at front  205  of footwear  11  and second mesh  50   n  positioned at rear  206  of footwear  11 . First mesh  50   a  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   a  to provide a rigid infra-structure. Second mesh  50   n  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   n  to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 19 , pressure activation device  30   b  is activated to activate second mesh  50   n.  It will be appreciated that any number of portions of mesh can be positioned in footwear and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the footwear. 
         [0046]      FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram of adjustable article system  400  includes embedded extensor system  402 . Extensor system  402  includes first group  404   a  of extensors  22  positioned at side  405  of article  401  and second group  404   n  of extensors  22  positioned at side  406  of article  401 . Extensors  22  of first group  404   a  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   a  to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensors  22  of second group  404   n  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   n  to provide a rigid infra-structure. 
         [0047]      FIG. 21  is a schematic diagram of adjustable article system  500  which includes extensor system  502 . Extensor system  502  includes first mesh  50   a  positioned at side  505  of article  501  and second mesh  50   n  positioned at side  506  of article  501 . First mesh  50   a  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   a  to provide a rigid infra-structure. Second mesh  50   n  can be activated by pressure activation device  30   n  to provide a rigid infra-structure. It will be appreciated that any number of groups of extensors can be positioned in the article and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the article. Alternatively, mesh  50   a  and mesh  50   n  can be formed in a spiral configuration. 
         [0048]    It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.