Patent Publication Number: US-2013239436-A1

Title: Shoe strapping system

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ballet shoes use an ankle/instep strap that is typically made of elastic material and is attached to the shoe in a variety of fashions. In some instances, a plurality of straps is provided for each shoe to retain the shoe on the dancer&#39;s foot and keep it in place during dance movements. The straps are either pre-sewn to the shoe or are packaged with the shoe for attachment according to the desires of the wearer. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     The conventional manner for fastening an ankle strap to a ballet shoe is by stitching the strap to the upper edges of the shoe. Variations in the locations where the straps are connected with the shoe and in the width and thickness of the straps present a variety of obstacles to obtaining an optimum fit of the shoe to the dancer&#39;s foot. Thus, a dancer must try on various shoes in order to find the shoe with the best fit. In addition, in order to alter the fit of the shoe, a dancer may need to detach one end of a strap from the shoe and re-attach it in a different location to improve the fit or accommodate growth of the foot over time. Changing the location of the pre-attached straps may permanently damage the shoe or the user may fasten the strap in the wrong location which prohibits the shoe from being worn properly. 
     Thus, there is a need for a shoe having adjustable straps so that the shoe can be properly fitted to the dancer&#39;s foot for improved comfort and performance. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide a shoe strapping system including at least one elongated strap having a first end connected with one side portion of the upper of a shoe and a second end connected with a side portion of the shoe upper opposite the portion where the first strap end is connected. Preferably, at least one of the strap ends is removably connected with the shoe upper via a fastening assembly. The fastening assembly includes a plurality of connectors such as button holes arranged in spaced relation on the shoe upper and at least one fastener connected with the strap at or adjacent to the end of the strap. The fastener is removably connected with a selected connector in order to adjust the strap and comfortably retain the shoe on the foot of the wearer. The strap is preferably formed of elastic material and is also adjustable in length. 
     In one embodiment, the connectors are recesses such as through openings in the edge of the shoe upper, and the fastener is a button which passes through one of the openings for retention in the shoe upper. The fastener may also be a snap which is snap fit within a recess in the shoe upper. 
     In an alternate embodiment, the connectors are loops or eyelets connected with the upper and the fastener is a hook having an end portion which passes through one of the loops for retention on the shoe upper. 
     The connectors are preferably provided within an upper edge of the shoe upper and are spaced longitudinally along at least one upper side portion of the upper. A plurality of straps may also be provided, with each strap being adjustably connected with the shoe to provide a custom fit of the shoe to the wearer&#39;s foot. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from a study of the following specification when viewed in the light of the accompanying drawing, in which 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 2 and 3  are medial and lateral plan views, respectively, of the ballet shoe of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 4 and 5  are top and bottom plan views, respectively, of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the invention; 
         FIGS. 6 and 7  are front and rear plan views, respectively, of a ballet shoe including the strapping system according to the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed view of the fastener for the strapping system according to the invention; and 
         FIG. 9  is a detailed view illustrating an alternate fastener for the strapping system according to the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , there is shown an article of footwear such as a ballet shoe  2  having a sole  4 , typically of leather, and an upper  6  formed of a soft fabric material. The sole can be unitary in the form of a full sole or formed in one or more section to define a split sole.  FIG. 5  shows a split sole shoe. The upper may be formed of leather, polyurethane, soft fabric, stretch, mesh or other fabric material. The shoe has a toe portion, a heel portion, and an arch portion between the toe and heel portions. An opening  8  in the top of the shoe upper is provided to receive the foot of the wearer such as a dancer. Surrounding the opening is a stitched reinforcement lip or edge  10 . A drawstring (not shown) is preferably in included in the lip  10  of the upper. 
     In order to help retain the shoe on the dancer&#39;s foot, a unique strapping system according to the invention is provided. At least one elongated strap  12  is connected with the shoe upper. In one embodiment, one end  12   a  of the strap is stitched to the upper adjacent to the lip as shown in  FIG. 1 . The stitching prevents the end  12   a  of the strap from being removed from the shoe. Thus, the strap end  12   a  is effectively permanently connected with the shoe. The strap may be in the form of a ribbon or other relatively broad, flat configuration which comfortably passes over the top of the foot as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Alternatively, the strap is formed of an elastic material. The free end  12   b  of the strap includes a fastener  14 . 
     The portion of the shoe upper  6  opposite the portion where the strap end  12   a  is stitched to the shoe contains a plurality of recesses which are preferably through openings  16 . As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the openings are preferably arranged in the shoe upper just beneath the lip  10  adjacent to the opening  8  in the top of the upper. The openings are preferably spaced longitudinally and cooperate with the fastener  14  at or near the end of the strap to fasten the strap to the shoe in a selected location. In this manner, the user of the shoe can loosen or tighten a strap by selecting the opening  16  with which the fastener is to be connected. 
     It will be readily apparent that the end  12   a  of the strap that is permanently connected with the shoe upper may be connected with either side of the upper adjacent to the opening  8 , with the free end of the strap removably connected with the other side of the upper via a fastener. Preferably, the strap is permanently connected with the medial side of the shoe upper and removably connected with the lateral side. In an alternate embodiment, fasteners can be connected with both ends of the strap so that each end is removably connected with the upper. This increases the versatility of the strapping system and provides an optimum fit of the shoe to the wearer&#39;s foot. In addition, while the fasteners are preferably arranged at the ends of the straps, they may be adjustably positioned along the strap length to further adjust the snugness with which the strap is connected with the shoe according to the preferences of the wearer. 
     While the strapping system works adequately with a single strap, it is preferable to provide a plurality of straps  12  as shown in  FIG. 1 . Each strap has one end sewn to the shoe upper and a fastener at the free end which is connected with a recess or opening in the opposite instep side of the upper. The straps can be connected with the same opening  16  or with different openings as desired by the user to provide the optimum fit, comfort and retention properties. In a preferred embodiment, multiple straps are provided and both ends of each strap include fasteners which are removably connected with the shoe upper. 
     The fastener can take any number of forms. In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , the fastener  14  is a button which can fit through a selected opening  16  which is in the form of a button hole. The button hole allows the strap button to be removably connected with the shoe upper for adjustment. The fastener may also take the form of a snap including a prong (not shown) which engages a recess configured to match the configuration of the prong to provide a snap fit connection. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , an alternate fastener  114  is shown. In this embodiment, the fastener  114  is in the form of a metal or synthetic plastic hook including an extension portion  114   a  which is inserted into a loop  116  or eyelet arranged within the lip  110  of the shoe upper. A plurality of loops is provided in spaced relation along the upper edge of the upper. In order to improve the appearance of the shoe, the loops are provided on the interior surface of the shoe upper beneath the lip. Thus, the hooks and loops are not visible from the outside of the shoe. The fasteners  114  include an opening  114   b  for receiving the second end  112   b  of each strap  112 . The length of the strap can be adjusted by adjusting the position of the fastener opening  114   b  relative to the strap. 
     The straps are preferably formed of an elastic material such as nylon but may also be in the form of any taping, webbing or suitable strapping material. 
     While the invention has been described for use in connection with a ballet shoe, it may also be used in other types of dance shoes including split sole and full sole shoes. The sole can be formed of suede, polyurethane, leather, or synthetic rubber and the upper can be formed of leather, canvas, or of an elastic material such as nylon or spandex. Suitable binding materials include elastic, cotton, and nylon. If desired, a drawstring may also be provided in the shoe. 
     While the preferred forms and embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without deviating from the inventive concepts set forth above.