Abstract:
Articles of footwear often have securing mechanisms that allow wearers to adjust the size of the ankle opening so that wearers may be able to easily insert and remove their foot. Such securing mechanisms may have various physical characteristics. Many wearers are interested in changing the appearance of the articles that they use and wear. The disclosed securing mechanism permits a wearer to change its physical or aesthetic appearance to suit the wearer&#39;s changing fashion needs. Such changes in physical and aesthetic appearance may include changes to colors, logos, textures, images, and any other desirable physical or aesthetic characteristics.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This Non-Provisional U.S. patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/186,332, which was filed in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on Jun. 11, 2009 and entitled “Securing Mechanisms for Articles.” This application is entirely incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Aspects of the invention relate to securing mechanisms for articles, such as articles of wear and articles of manufacture. In some examples, the invention relates to securing mechanisms for articles of footwear. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Articles of wear, such as apparel, often have openings for inserting objects, such as portions of a wearer&#39;s body. Similarly, articles of manufacture, such as a handbag or backpack, usually have openings for inserting objects that a user wants to transport, such as a wallet, food, clothing, equipment, and the like. Most of these articles of wear and articles of manufacture have an opening through which the objects may be inserted so that the object can be inserted into and withdrawn from the interior of the article for storage, transport, wear, and/or use. Oftentimes, the opening is adjustable in size. For example, the opening may be adjusted to a relatively large size so that objects easily pass therethrough. Once the objects are securely positioned within or through the opening of the article, then the opening is adjusted to a relatively smaller size or otherwise closed. This adjustment may securely fit the article of apparel to a person&#39;s body or may secure a bag in a “closed” position. Many of these articles have securing mechanisms for selectively securing the opening in the smaller or “closed” position after the object has been inserted within the article. 
         [0004]    For example, securing mechanisms are often incorporated into articles of footwear. An article of footwear usually includes an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper that together define a void for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. Oftentimes, the upper defines an ankle and/or an instep opening through which the wearer&#39;s foot is inserted for placement within the interior of the article of footwear. In some examples, the ankle and/or the instep opening is adjustable to different sizes. When the ankle and/or the instep opening is adjusted to a relatively large size, a wearer can easily insert and remove his or her foot from the interior of the article of footwear. Once the wearer&#39;s foot is securely within the interior of the footwear, the ankle and/or the instep opening is most often secured to a relatively smaller size so that it fits snugly and securely against the wearer&#39;s ankle and/or foot. 
         [0005]    Most articles of footwear incorporate securing mechanisms for selectively securing the opening in the relatively “small” or “closed” position described above. The securing mechanisms are usually manually adjusted by the wearer. Such securing mechanisms typically include shoelaces, hook and loop fasteners, straps, buckles, snaps, buttons, hook and eyelet combinations, and the like. These securing mechanisms are usually a single color, material, shape, size, and style. Wearers often want to have the option to change the appearance of their footwear and may wish to vary the color, shape, size, and style of their securing mechanisms. However, most securing mechanisms are permanently attached to the article of footwear, which makes them very difficult to replace. Other securing mechanisms may be manually interchanged. For example, shoelaces of a particular color may be completely removed and replaced with shoelaces of another color to suit the fashion sense of the wearer. With this configuration, wearers must spend time changing the laces and money purchasing the additional laces. Changing the appearance of traditional securing mechanisms is difficult and arduous. 
         [0006]    The art would benefit from articles of footwear having securing mechanisms with physical and aesthetic characteristics that can easily be changed. Further, the art would benefit from having securing mechanisms that may be engaged in a variety of manners to provide different aesthetic characteristics and configurations. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following presents a general summary of aspects of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of at least some of its aspects. This summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention and/or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description provided below. 
         [0008]    Aspects of this invention relate to securing mechanisms for articles. The securing mechanisms may comprise: (1) a first end; (2) a second end opposite the first end; (3) a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and (4) at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion. These securing mechanisms may be incorporated into any article, such as articles of manufacture or articles of wear. For example, the securing mechanisms may be incorporated into articles of footwear and articles of apparel. 
         [0009]    In another aspect, an upper for an article of footwear may comprise: (1) one or more textile elements defining a foot-receiving opening; and (2) a securing mechanism for selectively securing the foot-receiving opening. The securing mechanism may be attached to at least one of the textile elements at or near the foot-receiving opening. The securing mechanism may comprise: a first end; a second end opposite the first end; a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and at least one twistable portion. The twistable portion may be configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect, an article of footwear may comprise: an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The upper may define a foot-receiving opening and a securing mechanism for selectively securing the foot-receiving opening. The securing mechanism may comprise: (1) a first end; (2) a second end having a securing element; (3) a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end; and (4) at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position, wherein the at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description along with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features, and wherein: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an article of footwear having a securing mechanism in a first position, in accordance with aspects of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of the article of footwear illustrated in  FIG. 1A  having the securing mechanism in a second position, according to aspects of the invention. 
           [0014]      FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of an article of footwear having two securing mechanisms in a first position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of the article of footwear illustrated in  FIG. 2A  having the two securing mechanisms in a second position. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2C  is a top plan view of the article of footwear illustrated in  FIG. 2A  with the first securing mechanism in a first position and the second securing mechanism in a second position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2D  is a top plan view of the article of footwear illustrated in  FIG. 2A  with a criss-cross configuration for the two securing mechanisms in a first position. 
           [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of an article of footwear with another exemplary securing mechanism. 
       
    
    
       [0019]    The reader is advised that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    In the following description of various example embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example devices, systems, and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, example devices, systems, and environments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0000]    A. General Examples of Articles with Securing Mechanisms 
         [0021]    In general, as described above, aspects of the invention relate to securing mechanisms for articles, such as articles of manufacture and articles of wear. The securing mechanisms may be incorporated into any type of article that may have an opening that may benefit from a securing mechanism. Such articles may include articles of manufacture, such as handbags, and articles of apparel, such as shirts and pants. 
         [0022]    In some examples, the securing mechanisms may be incorporated into an article of footwear. An article of footwear may comprise an upper and a sole structure attached to the upper. The upper and the sole structure may define a void in the interior of the footwear for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot. The upper may have one or more textile elements and a foot-receiving opening. A wearer&#39;s foot may be inserted through the foot-receiving opening and into the void. The article of footwear may be secured to the wearer&#39;s foot during use by tightening or making smaller the foot-receiving opening once the wearer&#39;s foot is fitted securely within the void. The foot-receiving opening may be secured in a relatively smaller size to fit the upper snugly around the wearer&#39;s foot and ankle A securing mechanism may secure the foot-receiving opening in this relatively smaller size. The securing mechanism may be incorporated into the article of footwear to help secure the article of footwear to the wearer&#39;s foot during use. The securing mechanism may be attached to any portion of the article of footwear, including, but not limited to the upper and/or the sole structure. For example, the securing mechanism may be attached to the upper of the article of footwear at or near some portion of the foot-receiving opening. 
         [0023]    In other examples, an article of footwear is a sandal configuration with at least part of the upper exposing portions of the wearer&#39;s foot. Some sandals have an upper that includes a strap that extends over the top of the midfoot and/or forefoot region of the wearer&#39;s foot and/or may have a strap that extends around the heel region of the wearer&#39;s foot. Such straps and the sole structure define the void or interior of the article of footwear. The straps are designed to secure the upper (i.e., the straps) and the sole structure to the wearer&#39;s foot. Any one or more of such straps may include a securing mechanism. Alternatively, the strap itself may function as the securing mechanism. In this configuration, the strap/securing mechanism may be attached to the sole structure of the article of footwear. The securing mechanisms may be selectively securable and/or may permit the foot-receiving opening or other space defined in the upper for inserting the wearer&#39;s foot into the interior of the footwear to be adjustable to various sizes. 
         [0024]    The securing mechanism may cause the size of the foot-receiving opening to be adjusted to a relatively large size for receiving a wearer&#39;s foot into the void defined by the upper and the sole structure. In some examples, a portion of the securing mechanism is selectively releasable from the article of footwear. Once the wearer&#39;s foot is securely positioned into the void, the securing mechanism may be adjusted to secure the foot-receiving opening to a relatively small size so that the upper and the sole structure of the article of footwear fittingly engage with the wearer&#39;s foot. For example, the securing mechanism may be adjusted to cause the upper to contract around the wearer&#39;s foot and provide a snug, secure fit between the upper and the wearer&#39;s foot. The article of footwear may be adjusted in any manner to provide a proper fit according to the wearer&#39;s needs. 
         [0025]    Similar to the footwear examples described above, articles of apparel may have a need for selectively releasable securing mechanisms. For example, a shirt or jacket may have an opening that provides access to the interior of the shirt or jacket. The torso or head of a wearer may be fitted through the opening when the opening is in an “open” or relatively large size. In order to secure the shirt or jacket to the wearer, the opening may be secured in a “closed position.” One or more securing mechanisms of the types described above may be attached to the shirt or jacket at or near the opening to secure the opening in the closed position. The securing mechanisms may permit the opening to be enlarged or completely opened so that the wearer&#39;s head or torso may be inserted into the interior of the article of apparel. Once the wearer&#39;s head or torso is positioned within the article of apparel, the securing mechanisms may be secured, which may cause the opening to become smaller or close completely. 
         [0026]    In other examples, an article of manufacture may have an opening through which items or objects may be inserted for placement within the interior space of the article of manufacture. Such articles of manufacture may include items such as a handbag, a backpack, a container, and the like. These items often have openings that are selectively securable, in a similar fashion to the openings in the articles of apparel that are described above. For example, a handbag is a container for storing various items. Oftentimes, the handbag has one or more openings that is adjustable between an opened position and a closed position. The opened position is the “relatively larger” size for the opening and is usually large enough for users to insert objects into the handbag and to remove objects from the interior of the handbag. The closed position would close or substantially close the opening so that the objects within the interior of the handbag would not easily fall out of the handbag and objects would not easily be able to be inserted into the interior of the handbag. One or more securing mechanisms of the types described above may secure this opening in the closed position. Such a securing mechanism is selectively securable so that it can be adjusted between the opened and the closed position. 
         [0027]    In the footwear examples, the foot-receiving opening defined in the upper is configured to receive a wearer&#39;s foot. A securing mechanism such as shoelaces or a strap with a hook and loop fastener may be attached to the upper so that it extends across at least a portion of the foot-receiving opening. A protective element, such as a tongue, may be attached to the upper so that it extends beneath the securing mechanism and between the securing mechanism and the wearer&#39;s foot. Such a protective element can prevent the securing mechanism from directly rubbing on the wearer&#39;s foot and causing discomfort. Any suitable protective element may be incorporated into these examples. 
         [0028]    When the foot-receiving opening is adjusted to a first, relatively large size, the opening is large enough for the wearer&#39;s foot to be inserted into the void defined by the upper and the sole structure. Once the wearer&#39;s foot is inserted into the void (interior of the footwear), the foot-receiving opening may be adjusted to a relatively smaller or “closed” position. The securing mechanism may secure the opening in the small, “closed” position to provide the wearer with a snug, secure fit. The securing mechanism may be attached to the upper and/or the sole structure or any other suitable portion of the article of footwear. 
         [0029]    Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention. 
       B. Specific Examples of Securing Mechanisms for Articles of Footwear 
       [0030]    The various figures in this application illustrate examples of securing mechanisms for articles of footwear according to this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout. 
         [0031]    An article of footwear may include a securing mechanism comprising a first end, a second end opposite the first end, a center portion interconnecting the first end and the second end, and at least one twistable portion that is configured to cause at least a portion of the securing mechanism to rotate around at least one axis from a first position to a second position. The at least one twistable portion is positioned in at least one of the first end and the center portion. 
         [0032]    In the example footwear  100  shown in  FIG. 1A , the footwear  100  includes an upper  119  and an attached sole structure  121 . The upper  119  defines a foot-receiving opening  120  in a configuration typical of athletic and many other types of footwear. In this example, the securing mechanism is a single strap  102  made of any suitable material including, but not limited to textile materials, rubber, foam, polymers, metals, or any combination thereof. This strap  102  has a first, attached end  104  and a second, free end  106 . The attached end  104  is permanently secured at or near a throat area  124  of the foot-receiving opening  120  of the upper  119 . The free end  106  is selectively securable to the opposing side of the throat area  124  of the upper  119 . 
         [0033]    Further, the strap  102  of this example footwear  100  includes a twistable portion  110  that is attached to the first, attached end  104  of the strap  102 . The twistable portion  110  connects the first, attached end  104  of the strap  102  to the upper  119 . The twistable portion  110  is capable of being rotated around an axis  122  that is generally parallel to the longitudinal length of the strap  102 . The twistable portion  110  also may be rotated around one or more other axes, including, but not limited to, an axis that is generally perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the strap  102  (e.g., an axis into an out of the page of  FIG. 1A ). 
         [0034]    In some example configurations, a second securing mechanism may be incorporated into the footwear  100 . Any suitable number of securing mechanisms may be incorporated into the article of footwear. Shoelaces or elastic may be incorporated into any portion of the foot-receiving opening to help secure the article of footwear to the wearer&#39;s foot during use. 
         [0035]    The twistable portion  110  may be twisted or rotated around the axis  122  parallel to the longitudinal length of the strap  102  and may cause the strap  102  to rotate from a first position to a second position. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the strap  102  may have a first surface  116  and a second surface  118 . The first position may correspond to the first surface  116  of the strap  102  being exposed to the exterior of the article of footwear  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1A , and the second position may correspond to the second surface  118  of the strap  102  being exposed to the exterior of the article of footwear  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . The strap  102  may have any suitable number of surfaces. For example, the strap  102  may have a round surface or a polygonal surface (e.g., a triangular or square cross section, etc.). In either of those examples, any surface or portion thereof may be exposed in the “first” position and the corresponding “second” position, when the twistable portion is rotated around the axis  122  that is parallel with the longitudinal length of the strap  102 . Any number of “positions” of the straps may be included, based on the shape and configuration of the strap itself 
         [0036]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the first position of the strap  102  may correspond to exposing to the exterior of the footwear  100  the first surface  116  of the strap  102 . The first surface  116  may have a first appearance. The second position may correspond to exposing to the exterior of the footwear  100  the second surface  118  of the strap  102 . The second surface  118  may have a second appearance. The first appearance and the second appearance may have different characteristics.  FIG. 1A  illustrates the strap  102  in the first position and  FIG. 1B  illustrates the strap  102  in the second position.  FIG. 1B  illustrates that the twistable portion  110  is rotated 180° around the axis  122  defined along the longitudinal length of the securing mechanism  102  with respect to the first position of  FIG. 1A . However, the twistable portion  110  may be rotated any distance around the axis  122  parallel with the longitudinal length of the strap  102 . 
         [0037]    In one example, the first appearance may be a first color and the second appearance may be a second color that is different from the first color. The wearer may alternate between the two colors by rotating the twistable portion to cause the strap to rotate from the first position to the second position. In another example, the first appearance may illustrate a first logo and the second appearance may illustrate a second logo that is different from the first logo. The first appearance and the second appearance may be any desired physical or aesthetic characteristics, including but not limited to color, texture, pattern, illustrations, material, graphics, and the like. The wearer also may be able to attach objects or other items to any portion of the strap. 
         [0038]    In another example, each opposing side of the strap may have a transparent exterior window so that users can place removable inserts into a pocket formed between the window and the remainder of the strap. The inserts may have various pictures, graphics, colors, etc. Wearers also may be able to design or decorate their own inserts. Any suitable insert may be utilized for display in the transparent window. 
         [0039]    The securing mechanism may be attachable to the article of footwear in any suitable manner. The securing mechanism may be releasably attached or permanently attached to the upper or the sole structure of the article of footwear. In some examples, one end the securing mechanism may be permanently attached to the upper of the article of footwear by glue, thread, cement, molding, sewing, stitching, mechanical connectors, and the like at or near some portion of the throat area of the foot-receiving opening. The other, opposing end of the securing mechanism may be selectively securable to (i.e., selectively releasable from) the upper. As some more specific examples, the securing mechanism may be a typical hook and loop type fastener comprising a strap of material with one end permanently secured to the upper on one side of the throat area and a second, opposing end that is selectively releasable from a position along the opposing side of the throat area. 
         [0040]    The example strap  102  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  has a first surface  116  and a second surface  118 . The first surface  116  is facing toward the exterior of the article of footwear  100  in  FIG. 1A  and toward the interior of the article of footwear  100  in  FIG. 1B . The loop portion  126  of a hook and loop fastener is attached to the second surface  118  of the strap  102  at its second end  106 . The hook portion  128  of the hook and loop fastener is permanently attached to the upper  119  along the throat area  124  of the upper  119 . The hook portion  128  may be secured in any suitable position on the upper  119  and/or the sole structure  121 . This configuration allows the loop portion  126  and the hook portion  128  of the hook and loop fastener to be selectively released or selectively secured to one another. Thus, the second, free end  106  of the strap  102  may be selectively releasable and selectively securable to the upper  119  in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . 
         [0041]    As shown in the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first, attached end  104  of the strap  102  and the second, free end  106  of the strap  102  are attached to opposing sides of the throat area  124  of the upper  119 . Either of these ends may be positioned along the throat area  124  or any other location along the foot-receiving opening  120 . In some alternative examples, one or both ends of the strap may be attached to other portions of the upper or to any portion of the sole structure. 
         [0042]    In another alternative example, the first end and the second end of the strap are both selectively releasable from the upper of the article of footwear. Any of the selectively releasable ends may have a selectively securable securing element such as a hook and loop fastener, a button, a snap, a buckle, a magnet, or any combination thereof, that may selectively secure the selectively releasable end(s) to any suitable portion of the article. In the examples in which both ends of the strap are selectively releasable, the twistable portion(s) may be positioned in any of the first selectively releasable end, the second selectively releasable end, and/or the center portion. 
         [0043]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the first, attached end  104  of the securing mechanism  102  may have a twistable portion  110 . The twistable portion  110  may be capable of causing the securing mechanism  102  to rotate around at least one axis  122 . The twistable portion  110  may be any element that is able to cause rotation around one or more axes such as, but not limited to, an elastic material, a ball and socket arrangement, a thread and screw configuration, and any other suitable rotatable element. For example,  FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate an article of footwear  100  having a securing mechanism  102  with a twistable portion  110  that includes an elastic material. The twistable portion  110  illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  comprises a first elastic segment  112  and a second elastic segment  114 . The first elastic segment  112  and the second elastic segment  114  are capable of expanding, flexing, and twisting in various directions, thereby causing the securing mechanism  102  to be stretched and twisted along multiple axes. 
         [0044]    In  FIG. 1B , the twistable portion  110  of the securing mechanism  102  has been rotated 180° around the axis  122  from a first position that exposes the first surface  116  to the exterior of the footwear  100  (shown in  FIG. 1A ) to a second position that exposes the second surface  118  to the exterior of the footwear  100 . The second, free end  106  is released from the upper  119  to facilitate the rotation of the twistable portion  110 . In the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the twistable portion  110  rotates about the axis  122  to cause the first, attached end  104 , the center portion  108 , and the second end  106  of the strap  102  to be rotated 180° (i.e., between the first position and the second position) about the axis  122 . 
         [0045]    In variations of the examples illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the strap may have more than one twistable portion. The plurality of twistable portions may be positioned in any portion of the securing mechanism. For example, a securing mechanism may have a first twistable portion and a second twistable portion. The first twistable portion may be positioned in the first end and the second twistable portion may be positioned in the center portion or at the second end of the securing mechanism. Any number of twistable portions may be included in the securing mechanism in any portion of the securing mechanism. 
         [0046]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the example twistable portion  110  comprises two elastic segments, a first elastic segment  112  and a second elastic segment  114 . Any number of elastic segments may be included in the twistable portion  110 . When the securing mechanism  102  is rotated around the axis  122 , the first segment  114  and the second segment  116  cross over one another, as illustrated in  FIG. 1B .  FIG. 1B  also illustrates the twistable portion  110  in the second position so that the second surface  118  is positioned to face toward the exterior of the article of footwear  100 . In another example, the twistable portion  110  may be positioned in or engaged with the center portion  108 . 
         [0047]      FIGS. 2A-2D  illustrate the securing mechanism in various positions and/or as other alternate arrangements. In these examples, two securing mechanisms  202 ,  204  are present. In  FIG. 2A , the securing mechanisms  202 ,  204  are both in a first position in which their respective first surfaces are both facing toward the exterior of the article of footwear and their second surfaces are facing toward the interior of the article of footwear.  FIG. 2B  illustrates an article of footwear having two securing mechanisms  202 ,  204  that each have their respective second surfaces facing toward the exterior surface of the article of footwear and the first surface facing toward the interior of the article of footwear. In  FIG. 2C , the first securing mechanism  202  is positioned in the first position and the second securing mechanism  204  is positioned in the second position.  FIG. 2D  illustrates an example in which the securing mechanisms  202 ,  204  are both in the first position but the respective center portions have been crisscrossed over one another (e.g., each strap&#39;s twistable portion may be considered as having been rotated about an axis running in and out of the page of  FIG. 2A ). 
         [0048]      FIG. 3  illustrates a variation of the strap illustrated in  FIGS. 1A and 1B . An article of footwear  300  has a securing mechanism  302  with a twistable portion having one elastic segment  304 . When rotated around the axis  306 , the elastic segment  304  flexes and stretches to cause the securing mechanism  302  to rotate from the first position where the first surface  308  is exposed to the exterior surface of the article of footwear  300  to the second position where the second surface (not shown), opposite the first surface  308 , is exposed to the exterior surface of the article of footwear  300 . 
       C. Conclusion 
       [0049]    While the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described systems and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.