Patent Publication Number: US-11388956-B2

Title: Closure system for an article of footwear

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/785,440, filed Dec. 27, 2018, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an article of footwear having a closure system with a strap and a tensioning cable secured to the strap. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Footwear may include a sole structure configured to be located under a wearer&#39;s foot to space the foot away from the ground. A footwear upper attached to the sole structure receives the foot. The fit of the upper to the foot may be adjusted with a closure system so that the upper is loose enough to receive the foot but can be tightened around the foot to secure the foot relative to the sole structure. For example, a closure system, such as a lacing system, may include laces that are tied once the foot is received within the upper. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be exemplary rather than to limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lateral side of an article of footwear having an upper and a closure system with a strap in a fastened position. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a medial side of the article of footwear of  FIG. 1  with the strap unfastened. 
         FIG. 3  is a fragmentary perspective view of the article of footwear of  FIG. 1  showing a tensioning cable routed around pulleys and tightening against the upper when the strap is pulled. 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary perspective view of the lateral side of the article of footwear of  FIG. 1  showing a divided front portion and rear portion of the upper, with an elastic band coupling the rear portion and the front portion at a lateral side, and with the strap unfastened and not visible in the view. 
         FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of the article of footwear with the strap unfastened. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective fragmentary close-up view of a pulley included in the closure system and around which the tensioning cable is routed. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure generally relates to an article of footwear that has a closure system for securing an upper around a foot. The closure system includes a strap and a tensioning cable secured to the strap. A single pull of the strap tightens the tensioning cable which tightens the upper around the foot. The strap may have a two-point connection on a side of the upper and pulleys may be used to route the tensioning cable over the upper. Both the two-point connection of the strap and the arrangement of the pulleys enable a more even distribution of tightening forces on the upper to better conform the upper to the foot. 
     In an example, an article of footwear may comprise an upper and a closure system. The closure system may include a strap, a tensioning cable, and a plurality of pulleys. The strap may have a fixed end fixed relative to the upper, a free end selectively securable to the upper in a fastened position, and an elastic portion between the fixed end and the free end. The closure system may include a tensioning cable anchored to the upper and secured to the strap. The closure system may also include a plurality of pulleys anchored to the upper and engaging the tensioning cable. The tensioning cable may be configured to tighten against the upper when the elastic portion of the strap stretches as the free end of the strap is pulled. 
     In one or more configurations, the tensioning cable has a first end and a second end both anchored to the upper, and a midportion secured to the strap. In an aspect, the plurality of pulleys may engage the tensioning cable between the first end and the midportion, or between the second end and the midportion, or between both the first end and the midportion and the second end and the midportion. The fixed end of the strap may be fixed to a first side of the upper, and the first end and the second end of the tensioning cable may be anchored to a second side of the upper. 
     The tensioning cable may be unitary or segmented. In an example having a unitary tensioning cable, the midportion may be continuous, and the tensioning cable may include only two ends: the first end and the second end. In a segmented tensioning cable, the tensioning cable may be two discontinuous segments, so that a first segment of the tensioning cable extends from the first end anchored to the upper to an end secured to the strap, and a second segment of the tensioning cable extends from the second end anchored to the upper to another end secured to the strap. 
     In an aspect, the plurality of pulleys may include a medial set of pulleys at a medial side of the upper and a lateral set of pulleys at a lateral side of the upper. In addition, the lateral set of pulleys may include a rearward-most pulley and a forward-most pulley. The first end of the tensioning cable may be fixed to the forward-most pulley, the second end of the tensioning cable may be fixed to the rearward-most pulley, and the midportion of the tensioning cable may be secured to the strap. 
     In a further aspect, the tensioning cable may cross over the upper from the lateral side of the upper to the medial side of the upper, back to the lateral side of the upper, and then back to the medial side of the upper both between the first end of the tensioning cable and the midportion and between the second end of the tensioning cable and the midportion. 
     In yet another aspect, the midportion of the tensioning cable may extend at least partially along the strap between the fixed end and the free end. For example, the strap may include an inner layer and an outer layer, and the midportion of the tensioning cable may be disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer of the strap. 
     In one or more implementations, the fixed end of the strap may include a first branch and a second branch, with the first branch fixed relative to the upper forward of the second branch. In one or more configurations, the first branch and the second branch are disposed at a side of the upper, with the first branch fixed adjacent to a midfoot region of the upper and the second branch fixed adjacent to a heel region of the upper. 
     In an aspect, the strap may include a main portion extending from the first branch and the second branch to the free end, with the first branch and the second branch diverging from the main portion. 
     In another aspect, both the first branch and the second branch may include a relatively elastic portion and a relatively inelastic portion, with the relatively elastic portion nearer the free end than the relatively inelastic portion, and the relatively inelastic portion fixed at a side of the upper. 
     In one or more configurations, the upper may include a rear portion and a front portion. The rear portion and the front portion may together define a foot-receiving void with an ankle opening. The rear portion may be at least partially divided from the front portion along a first side of the upper at the ankle opening. In an aspect, the upper may include an elastic band coupling the rear portion and the front portion along a second side of the upper at the ankle opening. The elastic band may be more elastic than the rear portion and the front portion. For example, the elastic band may have a lower modulus of elasticity than the front portion and the rear portion. 
     In a further aspect, the strap is fixed to a medial side of the upper, and the article of footwear may further comprise a first fastening feature and a second fastening feature. The first fastening feature may be secured to a lateral side of the upper at a heel region of the upper, and the second fastening feature may be disposed on the strap at the free end and configured to releasably secure to the first fastening feature. In an example configuration, one of the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature may include a plurality of hooks, and one of the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature may include a plurality of loops. 
     In another aspect, the article of footwear may further comprise a plurality of anchoring straps having fixed ends disposed adjacent to a lower periphery of the upper and having free ends opposite the fixed ends. The plurality of pulleys may be secured to the free ends of the plurality of anchoring straps. 
     In an example, an article of footwear may comprise an upper and a closure system. The closure system may include a strap and a tensioning cable. The strap may have a main portion with a free end, a front branch, and a rear branch. The front branch and the rear branch may diverge from the main portion. The front branch may be fixed at a first location at a first side of the upper, and the rear branch may be fixed at a second location at the first side of the upper and rearward of the front branch. At least a portion of the strap may be elastic. The tensioning cable may have a first end and a second end both anchored to a second side of the upper. The tensioning cable may have a midportion secured to the strap. The tensioning cable may overlay the upper between the first end and the midportion, and between the second end and the midportion. The tensioning cable may tighten against the upper when the strap is pulled, and the free end of the strap may be selectively securable to the upper in a fastened position that maintains tension in the tensioning cable. 
     In an aspect, the article of footwear may further comprise a plurality of pulleys anchored to the upper and engaging the tensioning cable between the first end and the midportion, or between the second end and the midportion, or between both the first end and the midportion and the second end and the midportion. 
     In another aspect, the article of footwear may further comprise a plurality of anchoring straps having fixed ends disposed adjacent to a lower periphery of the upper and free ends opposite the fixed ends. The plurality of pulleys may be secured to the free ends of the plurality of anchoring straps. 
     The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. 
     Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components,  FIG. 1  shows an article of footwear  10  that has a sole structure  12  and an upper  14  secured to the sole structure  12 . The upper  14  forms a foot-receiving cavity  16  configured to receive a foot (not shown) through an ankle opening  17 . The upper  14  is tightened and secured around the foot with a closure system  18 . 
     The footwear  10  illustrated herein is depicted as athletic footwear configured for sports such as basketball, but the footwear  10  and closure system  18  are not limited to basketball shoes or other sports shoes. The closure system  18  and other features of the article of footwear  10  may be also be used in footwear for various other sports such as but not limited to running, tennis, football, soccer, etc. or in other types of footwear, such as in an article of footwear that is a leisure shoe, a dress shoe, a work shoe, a sandal, a slipper, a boot, or any other category of footwear. 
     As indicated in  FIG. 1 , the footwear  10  may include a forefoot region  20 , a midfoot region  22 , a heel region  24 , and an ankle region  26 . The forefoot region  20 , the midfoot region  22 , the heel region  24 , and the ankle region  26  are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the footwear  10 , but are instead intended to represent general areas of the footwear  10  to aid in the following discussion. The forefoot region  20  generally includes portions of the article of footwear  10  corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The midfoot region  22  generally includes portions of the article of footwear  10  corresponding with the arch area and instep of the foot. An instep portion  28  of the upper  14 , also referred to as a top portion, extends over the top of the foot in the forefoot region  20  and the midfoot region  22 . The heel region  24  corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone. The ankle region  26  corresponds with the ankle. 
     The sole structure  12  includes a midsole  30  and an outsole  31 . The midsole  30  may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., a polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (e.g., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further configurations, the midsole  30  may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot. The midsole  30  may be a single, one-piece midsole, or could be multiple components integrated as a unit. The outsole  31  may be one-piece, or may be several outsole components, and may be formed from a wear-resistant rubber material that may be textured to impart traction and/or may include traction elements such as cleats secured to the midsole  30 . In some embodiments, the midsole  30  may be integrated with the outsole  31  as a unisole. 
     The footwear  10  has a medial side  34  and a lateral side  36 . The medial side  34  is referred to herein as a first side, and the lateral side  36  is referred to as a second side. The medial side  34  and lateral side  36  extend through each of the forefoot region  20 , the midfoot region  22 , the heel region  24 , and the ankle region  26 , and correspond with opposite sides of the article of footwear  10 , each falling on an opposite side of a longitudinal midline of the article of footwear  10 . 
     The upper  14  may be a variety of materials, such as leather, textiles, polymers, cotton, foam, composites, etc. The upper  14  may include a body  38  of a material that has greater elasticity, greater breathability, or both greater elasticity and greater breathability than the material or materials of other portions of the upper  14  in order to aid with foot insertion and comfort, and in order to permit tightening of the body  38  to the foot. For example, the body  38  may be a polymeric material capable of providing elasticity, and may be of a braided construction, a knitted (e.g., warp-knitted) construction, or a woven construction. A tongue  40  may be integrated with or separately secured to the body  38 . The instep portion  28  of the body  38  is disposed between the foot and the closure system  18 . As further discussed herein, the upper  14  includes a front portion  42  and a rear portion  44  divided from the front portion  42  to increase ease of foot insertion and removal. 
     The closure system  18  includes a strap  46 , a tensioning cable  48 , and a plurality of pulleys  50 . As further explained herein, the tensioning cable  48  is fixed to both the strap  46  and the upper  14  (via the pulleys  50 ) and is tightened against the upper  14  when the strap  46  is pulled. After the strap  46  is pulled, a free end  47  of the strap  46  may then be selectively, e.g., releasably, secured to the upper  14  in a fastened position that maintains the tension in the tensioning cable  48  as shown in  FIG. 1 . As further explained herein, the strap  46  includes a main portion  46 A, a front branch  46 B and a rear branch  46 C, with the front branch  46 B and the rear branch  46 C secured to the medial side  34  of the footwear  10 . 
     The pulleys  50  include a lateral set  50 A of pulleys  50  at the lateral side  36  of the upper  14 . The pulleys  50  also include a medial set  50 B of pulleys  50 . Only one pulley  50 ,  50 B 1  of the medial set  50 B is visible in  FIG. 1 . The lateral set  50 A includes a forward-most pulley  50 A 1  and a rearward-most pulley  50 A 2 . In the embodiment shown, the lateral set  50 A includes two additional pulleys  50 A 3  and  50 A 4  positioned between the forward-most pulley  50 A 1  and the rearward-most pulley  50 A 2  for a total of four pulleys  50  in the lateral set  50 A. 
     A plurality of anchoring straps  52  anchor the pulleys  50  to the upper  14  or to the sole structure  12 . The anchoring straps  52  extend through apertures  54  in an outer layer  55  of the upper  14 . The outer layer  55  may be a relatively stiff material in comparison to the body  38  of the upper  14 , and may provide support to the foot at the lateral side  36 . The anchoring straps  52  may extend to fixed ends  56  that may be disposed adjacent to a lower periphery  58  of the upper  14 , such as at the biteline  60  where the upper  14  is secured to the sole structure  12 . Alternatively, the anchoring straps  52  may instead be shorter, with fixed ends secured to the upper above the biteline  60 , or may be longer, extending under the foot along an upper surface of the sole structure  12 . 
     Each anchoring strap  52  has a free end  62  opposite the fixed end  56 . Each pulley  50  includes a frame  64  and a pulley wheel  66  mounted to the frame  64 . The frame has a slot  68  (e.g., the frame  64  defines or forms a slot  68 ) through which the free end  62  of the anchoring strap  52  is looped and sewn to itself or otherwise secured to secure the pulley  50  to the anchoring strap  52 . Each pulley wheel  66  has an exterior surface  67  with a marking  71 . As further explained herein, for those pulley wheels  66  that are rotatable relative to the frame  64  to which they are mounted, the marking  71  moves as the pulley wheel  66  rotates, and serves as a visual indicator of the rotational position of the pulley  50 . 
     The tensioning cable  48  has a first end  74  and a second end  76  both anchored to the upper  14  via a respective pulley  50  and anchoring strap  52 . The first end  74  of the tensioning cable  48  is fixed to the forward-most pulley  50 A 1  and the second end  76  of the tensioning cable is be fixed to the rearward-most pulley  50 A 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , when the strap  46  is not fastened, the divided nature of the front portion  42  and the rear portion  44  at the medial side  34  of the ankle region  26  is apparent. The front portion  42  angles rearward and downward at rear edges  61  that may extend down to the sole structure  12  or may terminate somewhere above the sole structure  12  and be secured to the rear portion  44 . The rear portion  44  angles forward and downward at front edges  63  disposed laterally outward of the rear edges  61  of the front portion  42 . The front portion  42  may be stretched apart from the rear portion  44  to increase the gap between the edges  61 ,  63  and the overall size of the ankle opening  17  during foot insertion or removal when the strap  46  is not fastened. 
       FIG. 2  also shows that the plurality of pulleys  50  includes a medial set  50 B of pulleys including a forward medial pulley  50 B 1  and a rearward medial pulley  50 B 2 . In the embodiment shown, the medial set  50 B includes only these two pulleys  50 B 1 ,  50 B 2 . The forward-most pulley  50 A 1  of the lateral set  50 A is more forward on the upper  14  than the forward medial pulley  50 B 1 . The rearward most pulley  50 A 2  of the lateral set  50 A is more rearward on the upper  14  than the rearward medial pulley  50 B 2 . This relative positioning, in addition to the medial set  50 B having only two pulleys and the lateral set  50 A having four pulleys provides a staggered arrangement of the pulleys of the medial set  50 B relative to the pulleys of the lateral set  50 A in a longitudinal direction of the footwear  10 . Like the pulleys of the lateral set  50 A, each pulley of the medial set  50 B includes a frame  64  and a pulley wheel  66 . Anchoring straps  32  anchor the pulleys  50 B 1  and  50 B 2  at the medial side of the upper  14  in the same manner as described with respect to the medial set  50 B. 
     The strap  46  has a main portion  46 A, a front branch  46 B, and a rear branch  46 C. The main portion  46 A includes the free end  47 . A fastening feature  84  (referred to as a second fastening feature) is disposed on an inner layer  90 A at an inner side of the main portion  46 A at or near the free end  47 , and is configured to releasably secure to a fastening feature  86  (shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , referred to as a first fastening feature) secured to the lateral side  36  of the rear portion of the upper  14 . The fastening feature  84  on the strap  18  as shown is a portion of a hook and loop fastener, and includes a plurality of hooks. The fastening feature  86  includes a plurality of loops to which the plurality of hooks releasably secures. Alternatively, the fastening feature  84  may include a plurality of loops and the fastening feature  86  may include a plurality of hooks, or both fastening features  84 ,  86  may include both hooks and loops. Other types of fasteners may be used instead of or in addition to the hook and loop fasteners. 
     The front branch  46 B and the rear branch  46 C diverge from one another at the proximal end  49  of the main portion  46 A. The front branch  46 B has a fixed end  57 A fixed at a first location at the medial side  34  of the upper  14 . The first location may be the midfoot region  22 . The rear branch  46 C has a fixed end  57 B fixed at a second location rearward of the front branch  46 B at the medial side  34  of the upper  14 . The second location may be the heel region  24 . The fixed ends  57 A,  57 B are spaced apart from one another at the medial side  34 . The front branch  46 B and the rear branch  46 C may be a continuous strip of material that is folded over itself to form a fold  87  between the two fixed ends  57 A,  57 B, and stitched or otherwise secured to the proximal end  49  of the main portion  46 A with stitching  89  at the fold  87  so that the front branch  46 B and rear branch  46 C form a V shape. 
     The front branch  46 B includes a relatively inelastic portion  69 A at the fixed end  57 A, and a relatively elastic portion  70 A between the fixed end  57 A and the main portion  46 A. Similarly, the rear branch  46 C includes a relatively inelastic portion  69 B at the fixed end  57 B, and a relatively elastic portion  70 B between the fixed end  57 B and the main portion  46 A. For example, the relatively inelastic portions  69 A,  69 B may be natural or synthetic leather or suede, or another relatively inelastic material. The relatively elastic portions  70 A,  70 B may be a knitted, woven, or braided textile that includes an elastic material such as but not limited to nylon. The main portion  46 A may also be relatively elastic, or could be relatively inelastic. In the embodiment shown, an inner layer  90 A of the main portion  46 A is a relatively elastic material, and a relatively inelastic outer layer  90 B of the main portion (shown in  FIG. 1 ) is stitched to the relatively elastic inner layer  90 A and inhibits the ability of the main portion  46 A to stretch. 
     The tensioning cable  48  includes a midportion  48 B secured to the strap  46 . The midportion  48 B extends at least partially along the front branch  46 B of the strap  46  between the fixed end  57 A and the free end  47 . For example, the front branch  46 B of the strap  46  may include an inner layer  94  and an outer layer  96  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), and the midportion  48 B of the tensioning cable  48  may be disposed between the inner layer  94  and the outer layer  96  of the front branch  46 B of the strap  46 . The midportion  48 B is secured to one or both of the inner layer  94  and the outer layer  96  so that the midportion  48 B will be moved with and tensioned by the strap  46  when a pulling force is exerted on the strap  46  pulling the front branch  46 B away from the fixed ends  57 A,  57 B. 
     The tensioning cable  48  enters through apertures  98  in the relatively inelastic portion  69 A of the front branch  46 B and is disposed between and is secured to the inner layer  94  and the outer layer  96  (see  FIG. 1 ) of the relatively elastic portion  70 A of the front branch  46 B. In other embodiments, the tensioning cable  48  could simply be stitched or otherwise secured anywhere to the strap  46 , and could be between layers of the strap  46  or instead could be exposed on an outer surface of the strap  46  where it is secured. The tensioning cable  48  overlays the upper  14  between the first end  74  and the midportion  48 B, and between the second end  76  and the midportion  48 B. A first portion  48 A of the tensioning cable  48  extends from the first end  74  to the front branch  46 B of the strap  46 . A second portion  48 C of the tensioning cable  48  extends from the second end  76  to the front branch  46 B. The second portion  48 C passes through a retention loop  77  secured to the tongue  40  between the second end  76  and the pulley  50 B 2 . 
     The tensioning cable  48  is a unitary tensioning cable, as the midportion  48 B is continuous in that the tensioning cable  48  has no ends in the midportion  48 B. Instead, the tensioning cable  48  has only two ends: the first end  74  and the second end  76 . Alternatively, instead of forming a U-shape, the midportion  48 B could include two discontinuous linear segments secured to the front branch  46 B. For example, a first segment of the tensioning cable would extend from the first end  74  to an end secured to the strap  46  (e.g., including the first portion  48 A and a linear section within the front branch  46 B), and a second segment of the tensioning cable would extend from the second end  76  to another end secured to the strap (e.g., including the second portion  48 C and a separate linear section within the front branch  46 B). 
     The first end  74  is fixed to the forward-most pulley  50 A 1  and the second end  76  is fixed to the rearward-most pulley  50 A 2 , such as by tying the end to a hub  105  extending from the pulley wheel  66  or gluing the end to the pulley  50 . Accordingly, the tensioning cable  48  does not slide around the pulleys  50 A 1  and  50 A 2  as it does around the other pulleys  50 . With this arrangement, the first end  74  and the second end  76  of the tensioning cable  48  are anchored to the second side (lateral side  36 ) of the upper  14  at pulleys  50 A 1 ,  50 A 2 , and the fixed ends  57 A,  57 B of the branches  46 B,  46 C of the strap  46  are fixed to a first side (medial side  34 ) of the upper  14 . 
     The first portion  48 A of the tensioning cable  48  crosses over the upper  14 , and the foot-receiving cavity  16  therein, from the lateral side  36  of the upper  14  at the first end  74  to the medial side  34  of the upper  14  where it is routed around the forward-most pulley  50 B 1  of the medial set  50 B, and then back to the lateral side  36  where it is routed around the second pulley  50 A 3  of the lateral set  50 A (e.g., the pulley next rearward of the pulley  50 A 1 ), and then crosses over the upper  14  back to the medial side  34  where it enters through the aperture  98  into and to extend along the front branch  46 B at the midportion  48 B. Similarly, the second portion  48 C of the tensioning cable  48  crosses over the upper  14 , and the foot-receiving cavity  16  therein, from the lateral side  36  of the upper  14  at the second end  76  to the medial side  34  of the upper  14  where it is routed around the rearward-most pulley  50 B 2  of the medial set  50 B, and then back to the lateral side  36  where it is routed around the third pulley  50 A 4  of the lateral set  50 A (e.g., the next pulley forward of the pulley  50 A 2 ), and then crosses over the upper  14  back to the medial side  34  where it enters through the aperture  98  into and to extend along the front branch  46 B at the midportion  48 B. 
     Accordingly, the pulleys  50 B 1  and  50 A 3  engage the tensioning cable  48  between the first end  74  and the midportion  48 B, and the pulleys  50 B 2  and  50 A 4  engage the tensioning cable  48  between the second end  76  and the midportion  48 B. With this arrangement, the tensioning cable  48  extends over a broad area of the instep portion  28  of the upper  14  from the forefoot region  20  to just forward of the heel region  24  in order to better distribute force of the tensioning cable  48  on the upper  14  and the foot therein. Alternatively, a closure system could include a plurality of pulleys that engage the tensioning cable only between the first end  74  and the midportion  48 B, or only between the second end  76  and the midportion  48 B. For example, one end of the tensioning cable  48  could be anchored to the upper  14  and extend to the midportion  48 B without any pulleys engaging the tensioning cable  48  between the end and the midportion  48 B, the pulleys instead all being between the other end of the tensioning cable  48  and the midportion  48 B. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates the effect of a force F pulling the strap  46  away from the upper  14  to cause tightening of the tensioning cable  48 . As the strap  46  is pulled, the relatively elastic portions  70 A and  70 B will stretch and therefor lengthen. Because the tensioning cable  48  is relatively inelastic, the midportion  48 B will move with the stretching relatively elastic portion  70 A but will not stretch. Instead, because the midportion  48 B is secured to the front branch  46 B, it will cause a greater portion of the length of the tensioning cable  48  to extend along the lengthening front branch  46 B, such as by sliding through the apertures  98  (see  FIG. 1 ) into the front branch  46 B. The additional length of the tensioning cable  48  made to extend along the lengthening front branch  46 B at the midportion  48 B will come from slack in the first portion  48 A and the second portion  48 C. The direction of movement of the tensioning cable  48  at each of the pulleys  50  is illustrated with arrows in  FIG. 3 . The ends  74 ,  76  will remain fixed at the pulleys  50 A 1 ,  50 A 2 , respectively, and, because more of the tensioning cable  48  must slide through the apertures  98  to extend along the stretched relatively elastic portion  70 A, the total length of the portion of the tensioning cable  48  from the first end  74  to the apertures  98  at the front branch  46 B, as well as the total length of the portion of the tensioning cable  48  from the second end  76  to the aperture  98  at the front branch  46 B will decrease. Due to the shorter length of the portion of the tensioning cable  48  that is directly overlaying the upper  14 , the tensioning cable  48  tightens against the upper  14  when the relatively elastic portion  70 A of the front branch  46 B stretches as the free end  47  of the strap  46  is pulled. This causes the total volume of the foot-receiving cavity  16  around the foot to decrease, tightening the upper  14  to the foot and conforming the upper  14  to the foot. 
     As discussed with respect to  FIG. 6 , at all pulleys  50  except for at the two pulleys  50 A 1 ,  50 A 2  where the tensioning cable  48  is fixed, the pulley wheels  66  are caused to rotate by the friction of the tensioning cable  48  moving around and in contact with a hub  105  extending from the pulley wheels  66  (one hub  105  indicated in  FIG. 3 ). A connecting leg  73  of the frame  64  extends parallel with the hub  105  and connects top and bottom portions of the frame  64 . The direction of rotation of pulley wheels  66  at pulleys  50 B 1 ,  50 B 2 ,  50 A 3 , and  50 A 4  is illustrated with an arrow at each pulley  50 B 1 ,  50 B 2 ,  50 A 3 , and  50 A 4  in  FIG. 3 . As the pulley wheels  66  rotate, the marking  71  thereon moves with the pulley wheel  66 . The markings  71  are radially-extending lines. Accordingly, the angular position of the marking  71  changes as the cable  48  is tightened, and is a visual indicator of the tightness of the tensioning cable  48 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the upper  14  includes an elastic band  100  coupling the rear portion  44  and the front portion  42  along the lateral side  36  at the ankle opening  17 . The elastic band  100  is sewn, adhered, or otherwise secured at a first location to the front portion  42 , as indicated by stitches  102 . The elastic band  100  is also sewn, adhered, or otherwise secured at a second location to the rear portion  44 , as indicated by stitches  104 . The portion of the elastic band  100  extending between the locations of the stitches  102 ,  104  may be detached from the upper  14  so that the elastic band  100  is suspended across the upper  14  between the stitches  102 ,  104 . The elastic band  100  is more elastic than the rear portion  44  and the front portion  42 . Accordingly, the elastic band  100  allows the front portion  42  and the rear portion  44  to be further stretched apart from one another at the ankle opening  17  during foot insertion or withdrawal. Additionally, the elastic band  100  serves to maintain the rear portion  44  snugly against the ankle at the lateral side  36 . Because the first fastening feature  86  is immediately rearward of the elastic band  100  on the lateral side  36 , this aids in repeatability of easy and accurate placement of the strap  46  when securing the second fastening feature  84  to the first fastening feature  86 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the first fastening feature  86  extends downwardly and rearwardly around the rear of the upper  14  from the lateral side  36  to the medial side  34 . This downward and rearward extension of the first fastening feature  86  follows the direction of extension of the strap  46  when the free end  47  is secured to the upper  14 . In extending from the front edge  63  of the rear portion  44  at the lateral side  36  all the way around to the medial side  34 , the first fastening feature  86  has a greater surface area and is longer than the second fastening feature  84 . This enables the second fastening feature  84  to be positioned as necessary along the first fastening feature  86  to maintain the stretch in the relatively elastic portion  70 A and the resulting tension in the tensioning cable  48  after the free end  47  of the strap  46  is pulled to tighten the tensioning cable  48  and is then selectively secured to the upper  14  in the fastened position of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 6  shows a close-up perspective view of the tensioning cable  48  routed through the pulley  50 A 3 , with the front portion  42  of the upper  14  in fragmentary view. More specifically, the tensioning cable  48  is routed around a hub  105  that is fixed to and extends from the center of the pulley wheel  66 . The connecting leg  73  extends parallel with the hub  105  and connects top and bottom portions of the frame  64 . The pulley wheel is mounted to and is rotatable relative to the frame  64 . The frame  64  is anchored to the upper  14  at the lateral side  36  by the anchoring strap  52  (not visible in  FIG. 6 ). The tensioning cable  48  engages the hub  105  to cause the hub  105  and the pulley wheel  66  to rotate. The direction of rotation of the hub  105  and the pulley wheel  66  is indicated by arrows A and is in response to tightening of the tensioning cable  48  as indicated by arrows B. As the pulley wheel  66  rotates, the marking  71  thereon moves with the pulley wheel  66 . The markings  71  are radially-extending lines, but other shapes or images could be used that act as a visual indicator of the rotation. Accordingly, the angular position of the marking  71  is a visual indicator of the tightening of the tensioning cable  48 . For example, the marking  71  is shown moved to a new position  71 A, that, with repeated use, a wearer may learn is associated with a specific desired degree of tightness. 
     Accordingly, the article of footwear  10  and closure system  18  provide both easy entry and easy tightening of the upper  14  for a secure fit. The pulleys  50  and tensioning cable  48  help to distribute the tightening forces over a large portion of the upper  14 , and the fastening features  84 ,  86  enable the strap  46  to be secured at the position chosen by the wearer to adjust the tightness. 
     The following Clauses provide example configurations of an article of footwear disclosed herein. 
     Clause 1: An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a closure system including: a strap having a fixed end fixed relative to the upper, a free end selectively securable to the upper in a fastened position, and an elastic portion between the fixed end and the free end; a tensioning cable anchored to the upper and secured to the strap; and a plurality of pulleys anchored to the upper and engaging the tensioning cable; wherein the tensioning cable is configured to tighten against the upper when the elastic portion of the strap stretches as the free end of the strap is pulled. 
     Clause 2: The article of footwear of Clause 1, wherein: the tensioning cable has a first end and a second end both anchored to the upper; and the plurality of pulleys engages the tensioning cable between the first end and the midportion, or between the second end and the midportion, or between both the first end and the midportion and the second end and the midportion. 
     Clause 3: The article of footwear of Clause 1, wherein: the tensioning cable has a first end and a second end both anchored to the upper; and the fixed end of the strap is fixed to a first side of the upper, and the first end and the second end of the tensioning cable are anchored to a second side of the upper. 
     Clause 4: The article of footwear of any of Clauses 1-3, wherein the plurality of pulleys includes a medial set of pulleys at a medial side of the upper and a lateral set of pulleys at a lateral side of the upper. 
     Clause 5: The article of footwear of Clause 4, wherein: the lateral set of pulleys includes a rearward-most pulley and a forward-most pulley; and a first end of the tensioning cable is fixed to the forward-most pulley, a second end of the tensioning cable is fixed to the rearward-most pulley, and a midportion of the tensioning cable is secured to the strap. 
     Clause 6: The article of footwear of Clause 4, wherein the tensioning cable crosses over the upper from the lateral side of the upper to the medial side of the upper, back to the lateral side of the upper, and then back to the medial side of the upper both between the first end of the tensioning cable and the midportion and between the second end of the tensioning cable and the midportion. 
     Clause 7: The article of footwear of any of Clauses 1-6, wherein the fixed end of the strap includes a first branch and a second branch, with the first branch fixed relative to the upper forward of the second branch. 
     Clause 8: The article of footwear of Clause 7, wherein the first branch and the second branch are disposed at a side of the upper, with the first branch fixed adjacent to a midfoot region of the upper and the second branch fixed adjacent to a heel region of the upper. 
     Clause 9: The article of footwear of Clause 7, wherein the strap includes a main portion extending from the first branch and the second branch to the free end, the first branch and the second branch diverging from the main portion. 
     Clause 10: The article of footwear of Clause 7, wherein both the first branch and the second branch include a relatively elastic portion and a relatively inelastic portion, the relatively elastic portion nearer the free end than the relatively inelastic portion, and the relatively inelastic portion fixed at a side of the upper. 
     Clause 11: The article of footwear of any of Clauses 1-10, wherein the upper includes a rear portion and a front portion, the rear portion and the front portion together defining a foot-receiving void with an ankle opening, the rear portion at least partially divided from the front portion along a first side of the upper at the ankle opening. 
     Clause 12: The article of footwear of Clause 11, wherein the upper includes an elastic band coupling the rear portion and the front portion along a second side of the upper at the ankle opening, the elastic band being more elastic than the rear portion and the front portion. 
     Clause 13: The article of footwear of any of Clauses 1-12, wherein the strap is fixed to a medial side of the upper, and the article of footwear further comprising: a first fastening feature secured to a lateral side of the upper at a heel region of the upper; and a second fastening feature disposed on the strap at the free end and configured to releasably secure to the first fastening feature. 
     Clause 14: The article of footwear of Clause 13, wherein one of the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature includes a plurality of hooks, and one of the first fastening feature and the second fastening feature includes a plurality of loops. 
     Clause 15: The article of footwear of any of Clauses 1-14, further comprising: a plurality of anchoring straps having fixed ends disposed adjacent to a lower periphery of the upper and free ends opposite the fixed ends; and wherein pulleys of the plurality of pulleys are secured to the free ends of the plurality of anchoring straps. 
     Clause 16: The article of footwear of Clause 1, wherein: the tensioning cable has a first end and a second end both anchored to the upper; and the midportion of the tensioning cable extends at least partially along the strap between the fixed end and the free end. 
     Clause 17: The article of footwear of Clause 16, wherein the strap includes an inner layer and an outer layer, and the midportion of the tensioning cable is disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer of the strap. 
     Clause 18: An article of footwear comprising: an upper; a closure system including: a strap having a main portion with a free end, a front branch, and a rear branch; wherein the front branch and the rear branch diverge from the main portion, the front branch is fixed at a first location at a first side of the upper, and the rear branch is fixed at a second location at the first side of the upper and rearward of the front branch; wherein at least a portion of the strap is elastic; and a tensioning cable having a first end and a second end both anchored to the upper at a second side of the upper, and having a midportion secured to the strap; wherein the tensioning cable overlays the upper between the first end and the midportion, and between the second end and the midportion; wherein the tensioning cable tightens against the upper when the strap is pulled, and the free end of the strap is selectively securable to the upper in a fastened position that maintains tension in the tensioning cable. 
     Clause 19: The article of footwear of Clause 18, further comprising: a plurality of pulleys anchored to the upper and engaging the tensioning cable between the first end and the midportion, and between the second end and the midportion. 
     Clause 20: The article of footwear of Clause 19, further comprising: a plurality of anchoring straps having fixed ends disposed adjacent to a lower periphery of the upper and free ends opposite the fixed ends; wherein pulleys of the plurality of pulleys are secured to the free ends of the plurality of anchoring straps. 
     To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). Additionally, all references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
     An “article of footwear”, a “footwear article of manufacture”, and “footwear” may be considered to be both a machine and a manufacture. Assembled, ready to wear footwear articles (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.), as well as discrete components of footwear articles (such as a midsole, an outsole, an upper component, etc.) prior to final assembly into ready to wear footwear articles, are considered and alternatively referred to herein in either the singular or plural as “article(s) of footwear”. 
     “A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. As used in the description and the accompanying claims, a value is considered to be “approximately” equal to a stated value if it is neither more than 5 percent greater than nor more than 5 percent less than the stated value. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range. 
     The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims. 
     For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout this detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims. 
     The term “longitudinal” refers to a direction extending a length of a component. For example, a longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between a forefoot region and a heel region of the shoe. The term “forward” or “anterior” is used to refer to the general direction from a heel region toward a forefoot region, and the term “rearward” or “posterior” is used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified with a longitudinal axis as well as a forward and rearward longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as an anterior-posterior direction or axis. 
     The term “transverse” refers to a direction extending a width of a component. For example, a transverse direction of a shoe extends between a lateral side and a medial side of the shoe. The transverse direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a mediolateral direction or axis. 
     The term “vertical” refers to a direction generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, in cases where a sole is planted flat on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend from the ground surface upward. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of a sole. The term “upward” or “upwards” refers to the vertical direction pointing towards a top of the component, which may include an instep, a fastening region and/or a throat of an upper. The term “downward” or “downwards” refers to the vertical direction pointing opposite the upwards direction, toward the bottom of a component and may generally point towards the bottom of a sole structure of an article of footwear. 
     The “interior” of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to portions at the space that is occupied by a wearer&#39;s foot when the shoe is worn. The “inner side” of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in an assembled article of footwear. The “outer side” or “exterior” of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is (or will be) oriented away from the interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of a component and the interior in the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between an outer side of a component and the space external to the assembled article of footwear. Further, the terms “inward” and “inwardly” refer to the direction toward the interior of the component or article of footwear, such as a shoe, and the terms “outward” and “outwardly” refer to the direction toward the exterior of the component or article of footwear, such as the shoe. In addition, the term “proximal” refers to a direction that is nearer a center of a footwear component, or is closer toward a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Likewise, the term “distal” refers to a relative position that is further away from a center of the footwear component or is further from a foot when the foot is inserted in the article of footwear as it is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood to provide generally opposing terms to describe relative spatial positions. 
     While various embodiments 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 embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless specifically restricted. Accordingly, the embodiments are 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. 
     While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments that an ordinarily skilled artisan would recognize as implied by, structurally and/or functionally equivalent to, or otherwise rendered obvious based upon the included content, and not as limited solely to those explicitly depicted and/or described embodiments.