Abstract:
A lace-up device for tightening an article of footwear, providing for the tieing of the lacing without causing discomfort to the user&#39;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.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/944,050, filed on Sep. 20, 2004, which application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/926,086, which application was filed as a national stage of PCT/FR00/03661 and is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,802,439, issued on Oct. 12, 2004, the disclosure of the patent and all of the foregoing applications being hereby incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties. 
     
    
       [0002]     This application claims priorities under 35 U.S.C. §119 of French Patent Application No. 99/16846, filed on Dec. 28, 1999, and of French Patent Application No. 00/06960, filed on May 26, 2000, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in their entireties.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     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.  
         [0005]     2. Description of Background and Relevant Information  
         [0006]     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.  
         [0007]     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.  
         [0008]     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  
       [0009]     An object of the invention is to provide 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&#39;s comfort during the tightening phase.  
         [0010]     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.  
         [0011]     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.  
         [0012]     In a first embodiment, the gripping device is positioned at one of the ends of the tightening zone.  
         [0013]     In a second embodiment, the gripping device is positioned perpendicular to the tightening zone.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING  
       [0014]     The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will become apparent from the description that follows, with reference to the annexed drawings, whereby the description illustrates, by way of non-limiting examples, certain preferred embodiments. The drawings include the following views:  
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of a footwear equipped with the lace-up device according to the first embodiment in a first tightening phase;  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  shows a side view of the footwear equipped with the lace-up device according to the first embodiment in a second tightening phase;  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of a detail of the gripping device;  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a three-quarter top view of the lace-up device according to the second embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     In  FIG. 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.  
         [0020]     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.  
         [0021]     The article of footwear CH includes an upper O comprising a first portion  12   a  and a second portion  12   b,  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 zone  16 , which here is divided into two zones  16   e  and  16   f,  zone  16   e  being a lower tightening zone and zone  16   f  being an upper tightening zone. In a conventional and known manner, the tightening zone  16  comprises return elements  50   a - 54   a  and  50   b - 54   b  positioned on each of the two portions  12   a  and  12   b,  respectively. A tongue, which extends transversely within the space between the two portions  12   a,    12   b,  from a front end of the lower zone  16   e  to the upper end of the upper zone  16   f,  provides a portion of the outermost surface of the upper O.  
         [0022]     A linkage  15 , such as a lace or cable, connects at least two return elements  50   a  and  50   b  along a predetermined length of travel. The linkage  15  can advantageously connect all of the return elements to complete the tightening. In addition, the linkage  15  forms a loop  2  located outside the tightening zone  16 .  
         [0023]     To maintain the tension in the linkage  15 , the lace-up device also includes a mechanism  20  for locking, or blocking, the linkage  15 .  
         [0024]      FIG. 1  more 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 zone  16   e,  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 zone  16   e  includes a series of return elements  53   a  and  53   b  which advantageously specially adapted to make it possible to reduce the friction of the linkage  15  in the return elements.  
         [0025]     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 elements  53   a  and  53   b  arranged on each of the portions  12   a  and  12   b  for each tightening zone  16   e  and  16   f  in order to optimize the tightening.  
         [0026]     The upper end of the lower tightening zone  16   e  is demarcated by two return elements  52   a  and  52   b,  arranged on each of the portions  12   a  and  12   b  of the upper, which possibly have specific functions which will be detailed subsequently, and which separate the two tightening zones  16   e  and  16   f.    
         [0027]     The linkage  15 , which extends from the return elements  52   a  and  52   b,  forms a loop  2  that includes a gripping device  1  arranged on the linkage  15 . This gripping device  1  enables the user of the article of footwear CH to grab the loop  2  easily and, likewise, to exert a generally upward force F 1  on the loop  2  easily. This force F 1  generates a tension in each strand of the linkage  15  that contributes to the tightening power of the lace-up device by bringing the two portions  12   a  and  12   b  of the upper of the article of footwear closer together. However, since the tension in each strand of the linkage  15  corresponds substantially to one half of such force F 1 , it is important that the gripping device  1  ensure the user&#39;s comfort during the tightening.  
         [0028]     To achieve this object, the gripping device  1  comprises a rigid frame or structure  3 . This rigidity makes it possible to distribute the tension of the linkage  15  over the user&#39;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 device  1 .  
         [0029]     The rigid frame  3  can 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 F 1 .  
         [0030]     Once the tension is exerted in the linkage  15 , it is necessary to maintain this tightening tension in order to be able to release the gripping device  1 . This function is ensured by a locking mechanism  22  that is integrated into the return elements  52   a  and  52   b.  These elements  52   a  and  52   b  simultaneously ensure a sliding function in one direction, and a locking, or blocking, function in another direction. The return elements  52   a,    52   b,  can be constructed as described in French Application Publication No. 2 757 026 and can be regarded as linkage-locking return elements.  
         [0031]     To combine these two functions, the return elements  52   a  and  52   b  can be suitably oriented on the upper O, such that the force F 1  on the linkage  15  makes it possible to slide the linkage in the return elements  52   a  and  52   b,  and also to exert a reverse-locking action. But the return elements  52   a  and  52   b  can also be oriented so as to promote the sliding along the direction of the force F 1 . Then, once the force F 1  has been applied, the user exerts a force F 2  oriented substantially forward. This force F 2  changes the orientation of the linkage  15  in the return elements  52   a  and  52   b  and makes it possible to use the return elements  52   a  and  52   b  in their locking function.  
         [0032]     To facilitate the sequence of the actions of tightening and loosening the lower tightening zone  16   e,  the return elements  52   a,    52   b,    53   a,  and  53   b,  which are located in the lower tightening zone  16   e,  include guiding means adapted to prevent the linkage  15  from escaping during the loosening. One way to implement these guiding means consists of using return elements which include a channel from which the linkage  15  cannot escape unexpectedly.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2  shows 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 zone  16   f  by bringing the portions  12   a  and  12   b  of 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 zone  16   e  and the upper tightening zone  16   f.  Indeed, the tightening of the upper tightening zone  16   f  does not have any effect on, that is, is independent of, the tightening of the lower tightening zone  16   e  due to the locking function of the linkage  15  which is integrated into the return elements  52   a  and  52   b.    
         [0034]     To undertake the second tightening phase, the user first positions the linkage  15  manually in the return elements  51   a  and  50   a  and their counterparts, located on the opposite portion  12   b.  The user crisscrosses the linkage  15  in a known fashion by going upward from the return element  52   a  to the return element  50   a.  To be able to perform this manual operation, the return elements  50   a,    50   b,    51   a,  and  51   b,  located in the upper tightening zone  16   f,  are of the hook type. In other words, they are open so as to retain the linkage  15  in the direction that brings the two portions  12   a  and  12   b  of the upper O closer together.  
         [0035]     Once the linkage  15  is positioned, the user pulls, along a substantially upward force F 3 , on the gripping device  1  which is positioned on the linkage  15  in the area of loop  2 . This action tensions the linkage  15  which brings the two portions  12   a  and  12   b  of the upper O closer together, in the area of the upper tightening zone  16   f.  The tightening tension is maintained in this zone  16   f  due to a means for locking the linkage  15 .  
         [0036]     This locking can be obtained in two different ways. First, the return elements  50   a  and  50   b,  which are positioned at the end of the tightening zone  16 , and at the junction of the upper tightening zone  16   f  and the loop  2 , integrate a locking means  23 . This locking means is substantially similar to the locking means  22  arranged on the return elements  52   a  and  52   b  and described previously. Similarly, the user can lock the linkage  15  by pulling along the direction of the force F 3  if the return elements  50   a  and  50   b  are arranged on the upper O along a specific orientation. Conversely, the user pulls on the gripping device  1  with the force F 3 , then displaces the device  1  forwardly along a direction F 4  to ensure the locking of the linkage  15  according to a previously described mechanism.  
         [0037]     Second, the locking means  20  can be integrated into an independent locking element  21  that is slidably mounted on the loop  2 . To perform the locking, the user pulls on the gripping device  1  along the direction F 3 , then displaces the locking element  21  along a direction Δ that brings the locking element  21  closer to the return elements  50   a  and  50   b.  Preferably, the locking element  21  is slidably mounted concurrently on the two strands of the loop  2 . The locking means  20  can be embodied as two locking elements sliding on each of the strands of the loop  2 , respectively. In this case, the user must displace the two locking elements to lock the linkage  15 .  
         [0038]     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. 2  shows this combination with locking means  23  integrated into the return elements  50   a  and  50   b  and the locking element  21  mounted on the loop  2  of the linkage  15 .  
         [0039]     The tests conducted have shown the interest of using a flexible and substantially non-stretching linkage  15 . 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 linkage  15 , in particular in the area of the loop  2 , during the tightening.  
         [0040]     Indeed, the tension obtained by the rigid frame  3  of the gripping device  1  is 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 portions  12   a  and  12   b  closer together. The best results were obtained with a linkage  15  obtained with a linkage made of kevlar or aramid, and whose outer diameter is between 2 and 4 mm.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3  shows a detail of the lace-up device in the area of the gripping device  1  and its rigid frame  3 . This frame  3  comprises a contact surface  4  which is complementary of at least three fingers  25   x,    25   y,  and  25   z  of the hand M. This contact surface  4  comprises three cavities  4   x,    4   y,  and  4   z  which assume the morphology of the fingers  25   x,    25   y,  and  25   z,  respectively, when folded around the frame  3 . Tests have shown that to obtain a more powerful tightening, the fingers used preferably are the forefinger, second finger, and third finger.  
         [0042]     In addition, in the preferred embodiment shown, the frame  3  also serves to close the loop  2  constituted by the linkage  15 . The gripping device  1  includes hooking zones, or connection arrangements,  5   c  and  5   d  that are adapted to cooperate with the two ends, or end portions,  15   c  and  15   d,  respectively, of the linkage  15 . The connection arrangements  5   c,    5   d  can be constituted by a wall  100 , perpendicular to the linkage  15 , which is integral with the rigid frame  3 . A hole  101  in which the end  15   c  of the linkage  15  passes is provided in this wall  100 . This end  15   c  is equipped with a locking means, such as a knot  102  whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the hole  101 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the linkage  15  can also extend right through the frame  3 . However, like the gripping device shown in  FIG. 3 , the frame  3  serves 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 loop  2 . The ends  15   c  and  15   d,  or end portions, of the linkage  15  are connected to return elements  54   a  and  54   b  located substantially at the ends of the tightening zone  16 . However, in this embodiment, the loop  2  which includes the frame  3  is not located at one of the ends of the tightening zone  16 . The loop  2  is located outside the tightening zone  16 , but extends substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the tightening zone  16  so as to divide the zone  16  into two tightening sub-zones  105  and  106 .  
         [0044]     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.  
         [0045]     The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described hereinabove, which are provided for guidance only, but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.