Patent Publication Number: US-8522455-B2

Title: Strap system with integrated eyelet

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to footwear, and in particular the present invention relates to articles of footwear that include lacing systems and straps for tightening the upper to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Multiple systems for improved closure of an article of footwear to a wearer&#39;s foot have been proposed. Fanolare (U.S. Pat. No. 4,114,297) discloses a lacing system for an athletic shoe or sneaker applied in conjunction with a cinch-type closure disposed in throat region of footwear. The Fanolare cinch-type closure mechanism is comprised of a strap with a hook and loop closure region and a mating hook and loop closure region on upper. Brown (U.S. Pat. No. Des. 304,338) discloses a lacing system for an athletic shoe or sneaker applied in conjunction with a strap disposed through an opening on shoe upper. The strap has two mating hook and loop regions to secure tension applied by strap. Both closure systems proposed by Fanolare and Brown provide a strap disposed across the throat region of upper over the proximal region of the forefoot. A drawback to these proposed multiple fastening systems is that the combined fastening systems are not mechanically linked, which may not provide sufficient closure force to the articles of footwear. Furthermore, these systems provide strap closure systems disposed such that they will not apply closure to the distal region of the forefoot or the knuckles of the toes. 
     Footwear including a lacing system and multiple straps for tightening an upper to a wearer&#39;s foot have also been disclosed. In these systems, strap closure mechanisms may be disposed on the distal region of the forefoot. Marks (U.S. Pat. No. 5,557,864) discloses a footwear fastening system and method of converting a lace fastening system to a hook and loop fastening system. The fastening system incorporates tubular posts disposed between eyelets and laced to the upper by a lacing system. Subsequently, a plurality of hook and loop strips are disposed around tubular posts to provide a closure mechanism to upper. This system does not provide multiple closure systems that are mechanically linked, and often it may be required to have a combination of mechanically linked fastening mechanisms to provide the desired closure forces to an article of footwear. 
     Suzuki (U.S. Pat. No. 6,745,500) discloses a shoe fastening system containing a medial strap and a lateral strap. The lateral strap contains an elongated aperture wider than the medial strap and is secured to the medial aspect of upper with a hook and loop mechanism. The medial strap is inserted into aperture during fastening and is secured to the lateral aspect of the upper with a hook and loop mechanism. This system includes multiple straps for applying closure to the shoe upper. However, sometimes it may be desirable to provide a more evenly distributed closure force, which can be achieved through the use of a lacing system rather than multiple strap fastening systems. 
     There is a need in the art for an article of footwear that makes use of multiple mechanically linked systems of tightening the footwear upper to a wearer&#39;s foot, including a mechanism disposed on the distal region of the forefoot which effectively provides superior closure of upper to all regions of the forefoot. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention discloses an article of footwear with two fastening mechanisms. In one aspect, the article of footwear comprises an upper which can be adjustably tightened around a wearer&#39;s foot, a sole attached to the upper, a lacing system, and a strap. The strap includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the strap is fixed to a first side of the upper and extendable across the article of footwear to a second side of the upper. The second portion of the strap is disposed through an opening in the second side of upper. 
     In another aspect, the strap is disposed in a forefoot region of the upper along the first side of the upper and extends circumferentially towards the sole. 
     In another aspect, the second portion of the strap is fixed to the second side of the upper. 
     In another aspect, the strap applies tension in a first region of the upper when the strap is extended to the second side of the upper. 
     In anther aspect, the second portion of the strap is fixed to the first side of the upper. 
     In another aspect, the strap applies tension in a forefoot region of the upper when the strap is extended to the first side of the upper. 
     In another aspect, the lacing system applies tension to the upper by reducing the size of a throat opening. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear, comprising an upper which can be adjustably tightened around a wearer&#39;s foot, a sole attached to the upper, a lacing system, and a strap. The strap includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion of the strap is fixed to a first side of the upper and extendable across the article of footwear to a second side of the upper. The second portion of the strap is disposed through an opening in the second side of upper. The intermediate portion is disposed between the first portion and the second portion. 
     In another aspect, the laces are disposed proximate to a throat region of the upper. 
     In another aspect, the strap is disposed in a forefoot region of a wearer&#39;s foot. 
     In another aspect, the intermediate portion of the strap contains an elongated slot. 
     In another aspect, the intermediate portion of strap is disposed through at least one slot in a throat region of the upper. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear comprising an upper which can be adjustably tightened around a wearer&#39;s foot, a sole attached to the upper, a lacing system, and a strap. The strap includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion of the strap is fixed to a first side of the upper and extendable across the article of footwear to a second side of the upper. The intermediate portion of the strap is disposed through an opening in the second side of upper with a link between lacing system and strap. 
     In another aspect, the intermediate portion of the strap contains an elongated slot. 
     In another aspect, the intermediate portion of strap is disposed through at least one slot in throat region of upper. 
     In another aspect, wherein the strap includes an opening to receive a lace. 
     In another aspect, the upper includes a lace eyelet for receiving lace. 
     In another aspect, the lace eyelet is disposed under at least one opening in the upper. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear; 
         FIG. 2  is a scaled view of a region of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear; 
         FIG. 3  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear with lace eyelet; 
         FIG. 4  is a view of an upper of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear with lace eyelet; 
         FIG. 5  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear with lace system tightened; and 
         FIG. 6  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of an article of footwear with strap closed. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of article of footwear  100 . Article of footwear  100  may be any type of footwear. In some embodiments, article of footwear  100  may be a type of athletic footwear. Article of footwear  100  preferably includes sole  102  and upper  104 . Sole  102  and upper  104  may be composed of any material. In particular, upper  104  may be composed of a synthetic material or a natural material such as leather. In some embodiments, upper  104  may be composed of multiple materials. Furthermore, upper  104  preferably includes forefoot region  180 , throat region  182 , and heel region  184 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, upper  104  includes opening  108  and throat opening  116 . Opening  108  is preferably configured to receive a wearer&#39;s foot. In a preferred embodiment, throat opening  116  coincides with throat region  182  of upper  104 , and may allow additional space into which a wearer&#39;s foot may be placed in order to fully insert the foot into article of footwear  100 . In preferred embodiment, upper  104  may also include tongue  106 . Tongue  106  is a portion of upper  104  that may move independently from the remaining portions of upper  104 . Tongue  106  generally corresponds with throat opening  116 . Tongue  106  is preferably disposed between throat opening  116  and a wearer&#39;s foot, following the insertion of the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     Typically, an article of footwear includes some mechanism for tightening or closing the upper around a wearer&#39;s foot. Often, a lacing system is provided to constrict the throat of the upper. As the throat of the upper constricts, the upper is tightened around the wearer&#39;s foot, especially in the instep region. Article of footwear  100  preferably includes lacing system  114 . Lacing system  114  preferably allows a wearer to tighten upper  104  to the wearer&#39;s foot. In a preferred embodiment, lacing system  114  is disposed adjacent to tongue  106  and proximate to throat region  182 . As lacing system  114  is tightened, upper  104  is closed along throat region  182 . Throat region  182  closes because a second side  140  and a first side  142  of upper  104  are pulled closer together, along an outer periphery of throat opening  116 , as lacing system  114  is tightened. By closing throat opening  116  and opening  108 , the wearer&#39;s foot can be prevented from slipping out of either throat opening  116  or opening  108 . 
     Lacing system  114  may include any system intended to constrict the throat region of an article of footwear via tension applied along a narrow opening that separates a first side of an upper from a second side of an upper. Some examples of such lacing systems include zippers and shoe laces. These examples are not intended to be an exhaustive list of possible lacing systems. In the preferred embodiment, lacing system  114  includes a set of shoelaces. 
     In addition to lacing system  114 , article of footwear  100  may include a second mechanism for adjustable tightening of upper  104  around a wearer&#39;s foot. Preferably, article of footwear  100  includes strap  110  for adjustably tightening upper  104  to a wearer&#39;s foot. In some embodiments, strap  110  is disposed on upper  104 . Preferably, strap  110  is disposed in throat region  182  of upper. In a preferred embodiment, strap  110  is disposed in throat region  182  near forefoot region  180  of upper  104 . 
     Generally, strap  110  may be used to selectively tighten a portion of upper  104  around a wearer&#39;s foot. Usually, though a lacing system helps to constrict the upper around a wearer&#39;s foot, tightening the lacing system does not secure the forefoot region of a wearer&#39;s foot in place. Using strap  110  allows a wearer to secure their forefoot in place while simultaneously tightening the upper around a wearer&#39;s foot along the instep region through the use of lacing system  114 . 
     A preferred configuration of strap  110  may be seen in  FIG. 2 , which is an enlarged view of a preferred embodiment of article of footwear  100 . Strap  110  preferably includes a first portion  220  and second portion  224 . First portion  220  of strap  110  includes a first end joined to upper  104 . While shown as being attached to an outer surface of upper  104 , strap  110  may alternatively be attached to an inner surface or inner layer of upper  104 . Second portion  224  of strap  110  includes a second end, which is generally free. Preferably, first end  232  of strap  100  is disposed on first side  142  of upper  104 . 
     In preferred embodiment, strap  110  also includes intermediate portion  228  that is disposed between first portion  220  and second portion  224  of strap  110 . In some embodiments, intermediate portion  228  of strap  110  may be continuous or monolithic. More preferably, intermediate portion  228  of strap  110  may be configured so that the strap allows for articulation of a wearer&#39;s toes about toe knuckle joints. In a preferred embodiment, intermediate portion  228  of strap  110  may be configured with a central, elongated slot  112 . Using this configuration, elongated slot  112  may provide ease of articulation of a wearer&#39;s toe knuckle joints when strap  110  is secured in place. 
     Some embodiments include provisions for selectively closing or tightening certain portions of throat region  182 . In some embodiments, throat region  182  is configured with openings to receive strap  110 . Preferably, intermediate portion  228  of strap  110  is disposed within throat openings provided in throat region  182  to accommodate strap  110 . Slots  250  and  252  are preferably disposed in throat region  182  on the second side  140  of upper  104 . In a preferred embodiment, slots  250  and  252  are disposed along throat region  182  of upper  104  near forefoot region  180 . Using this configuration, lacing system  114  can be used to open and close throat region  182 , while strap  110  can help to provide an additional adjustment to a wearer&#39;s forefoot or toe knuckle region. 
     In some embodiments, the two fastening systems may be associated. Generally, having two fastening systems, which may be similar or different, allows the wearer to more precisely tailor and control the tension placed on the foot at a particular point. For example, the wearer may wish to have an article of footwear very tightly fitted across forefoot region  180  so that the article of footwear does not slip against the foot when the wearer pivots on the balls of his or her feet. At the same time, the wearer may want the fit to be looser around the ankle so that the article of footwear does not inhibit the ankle&#39;s full range of motion. Similarly, if a wearer has a wide forefoot and a narrow ankle or heel, or vice versa, the fit may be tailored to accommodate such a foot if two fastening systems are used. Associating the fastening systems may conform an article of footwear to a wearer&#39;s foot. Additionally, associating the two fastening systems allows the wearer to more precisely tighten certain regions of article of footwear  100  while still balancing the forces placed on the wearer&#39;s foot. If the forces are imbalanced, the wearer&#39;s foot may not be properly supported by the article of footwear, increasing the chances of injury. Further, if the forces are imbalanced, the article of footwear itself may be subject to early failure, such as a broken sole or broken laces. By associating the two fastening systems, an excessive mismatch in tension as between the two systems is inhibited. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a preferred embodiment of article of footwear  100  includes two fastening systems, lacing system  114  and strap  110 , both of which are shown in phantom for clarity. Lacing system  114  is preferably disposed adjacent to tongue  106  and proximate to throat region  182 , as depicted in  FIG. 3 . Strap  110  is preferably disposed on first region  142  of upper  104 . Preferably, strap  110  is disposed on throat region  182  of upper  104  near forefoot region  180 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, upper  104  is configured with slots  250  and  252  to receive strap  110 . Additionally slots  250  and  252  are preferably disposed on second region  140  of upper near forefoot region  180 . In some embodiments, the two fastening systems  114  and strap system  110  may be associated near strap system  110 . In a preferred embodiment, the two fastening systems  110  and  114  may be associated near the region where strap system  110  engages upper  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, the two strap systems  110  and  114  may be associated near slots  250  and  252 , which are designed to accommodate strap system  110 . 
     In a preferred embodiment, lace eyelet  300  disposed within upper  104  is used to associate the two fastening systems. As shown in  FIG. 4 , which a schematic view of upper  104  where tongue  106  of upper  104  is removed for clarity), lace eyelet  300  may preferably receive lace  115  from lacing system  114 . Preferably, lace eyelet  300  may be disposed in a location that associates fastening systems  110  and  114 . More preferably, lace eyelet  300  may be disposed near forefoot region  180  of upper  104 . In a preferred embodiment, lace eyelet  300  may be disposed within upper  104  between slots  250  and  252 . 
     Upon constriction of throat region  182  with lacing system  114 , tension will be applied by eyelet circumferentially towards the sole. In the same manner, upon applying tension on strap  110 , circumferential tension will be applied to openings  250 ,  252  towards the sole of the sole. The combination of circumferential tension applied by eyelet  300  and strap  110  result in enhanced stabilization of a wearer&#39;s foot in the forefoot region. Using this configuration, article of footwear  100  may be conformed to a wearer&#39;s foot through the use of link between fastening systems  110  and  114 . 
     Tightening lacing system  114  can be the first step in adjusting the upper  104  to properly fit a wearer&#39;s foot.  FIG. 5  shows one way to tighten lacing system  114  in a preferred embodiment of article of footwear  100  after a wearer&#39;s foot  400  has been disposed into article of footwear  100 . Lacing system  114  may be tightened first to tighten upper  104  to wearer&#39;s foot  400  along the instep region of the foot. In some embodiments, strap  110  may be disposed in a location that allows for lacing system  114  to be adjusted independently of strap  110  prior to strap  110  being secured. In a preferred embodiment, first portion  220  of strap  110  is disposed above lacing system  114 . Using this configuration, lacing system  114  may be able to tighten upper  104  to wearer&#39;s foot  400  independently of and prior to securing strap  110 . 
     After lacing system  114  has been adjusted so that upper  104  is conformed to wearer&#39;s foot  400 , strap  110  may be tightened to adjust the degree to which upper  104  is conformed to forefoot region of foot  400 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , strap  110  has been tightened and secured in place. Adjusting strap is achieved by pulling second portion  224  of strap  110 . As second portion  224  of strap  110  is pulled, first portion  220  of strap  110  tightens, constraining the movement of the forefoot of wearer&#39;s foot  400  within upper  104 . The wearer may adjust strap  110  to suit any particular need. In some situations, a wearer may have large toe knuckles, and strap  110  may be only slightly tightened to allow for a comfortable fit. In other situations, the wearer may have a small forefoot region and may significantly tighten strap  110  in order to reduce the possibility of in-shoe motion of the forefoot. 
     Generally, a provision for securing strap  110  in place once the wearer has tightened is preferably included in article of footwear  100 . Typically, a strap would be secured by fixing it at opposing ends of an upper. However, in some embodiments, a strap that is disposed within openings in upper may fix both ends of strap on the side of upper opposite openings. In a preferred embodiment, second portion  224  of strap  110  includes some attachment region for securing strap  110  to maintain the tension in strap  110 . Likewise, a mating attachment region is preferably disposed on first side  142  of upper  104 . Provision on second portion  224  and mating provision on first side  142  preferably provide a mechanism for securing strap in place once tightened. In a preferred embodiment, first attachment region  122  is disposed on second portion  224  of strap  110 . Additionally, second attachment region  123  is preferably disposed on first side  142  of upper  104   
     Preferably, provision for securing tension applied by strap  110  is some closure mechanism. The closure mechanism may be a zipper, a button and button hole, a snap, a magnet, or some other closure mechanism. More preferably, closure mechanism is a hook and loop system. In a preferred embodiment, hook and loop closure system is a Velcro® closure system. Using hook and loop region  122  and mating hook and loop region  123 , tension applied by strap  110  on a wearer&#39;s foot may be secured. By joining first attachment region  122  and second attachment region  123 , strap  110  is releasably fastened to upper  104 . This fastening keeps first strap  110  taught and upper  104  secured as desired on the wearer&#39;s foot. 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.