Patent Description:
Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between an outsole providing abrasion-resistance and traction with a ground surface and a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper for providing cushioning for the foot.

The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fastening systems to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. For instance, laces may be tightened to close the upper around the foot and tied once a desired fit of the upper around the foot is attained. Care is required to ensure that the upper is not too loose or too tight around the foot each time the laces are tied.

While known fastening systems adequately secure an upper of an article of footwear to a foot of a wearer, such systems require use of two hands to properly tension and tie laces of the fastening system. As such, conventional systems are not easily used by persons having use of only one arm or hand. <CIT> discloses an article of footwear with a panel moving between an open and a closed position and a strap.

The invention is defined by an article of footwear as in claim <NUM>.

One aspect of the disclosure provides an article of footwear. The article of footwear includes an upper defining a throat configured to receive a foot and a sole structure coupled to the upper. The article of footwear also includes a panel having a first side coupled to the upper for movement between an open position and a closed position. The panel exposes a portion of the throat in the open position and covers the portion of the throat in the closed position. The article of footwear further includes a strap having a first end and a second end opposite the first end. The first end and the second end are disposed on a first side of the upper with a body portion of the strap disposed between the first end and the second end surrounding the upper. The body portion of the strap includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, the first portion extending from the first end, the second portion extending from the second end and overlapping the first portion of the strap at an intersection.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of the following optional features. In some implementations, the intersection may be disposed on the panel. The upper may include a lateral side and a medial side, the first portion of the strap and the second portion of the strap at least partially disposed along the lateral side and the medial side. At least a portion of the first portion of the strap may be disposed between the sole structure and the upper. Optionally, at least a portion of the second portion of the strap may be disposed between the sole structure and the upper.

In some examples, the sole structure defines a channel extending therethrough, the strap at least partially disposed within the channel. The article of footwear may also include a routing element coupled to the sole structure, the strap at least partially disposed within the routing element. The panel may include an aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the aperture.

In some configurations, the upper includes a first aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the first aperture. Here, the upper may include a second aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the second aperture. Optionally, the upper may include a third aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the third aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture may be disposed on a medial side of the upper, and the third aperture may be disposed on a lateral side of the upper.

In some implementations, the first end is removably coupled to the second end. The first end may include a first fastener and the second end may include a second fastener configured to selectively engage the first fastener. The upper may include an outer surface and the panel may include an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface in the closed position. Optionally, the upper may include a lateral side and a medial side opposite the lateral side, the lateral side defining a lateral side of the throat, the medial side defining a medial side of the throat, the panel rotatably coupled to the lateral side or the medial side of the upper.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides an article of footwear. The article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving opening and a sole structure supported by the upper. The article of footwear also includes a panel coupled to the upper for rotation between an open position and a closed position. The panel is configured to cover at least a portion of the foot-receiving opening in the closed position. The article of footwear also includes a strap extending around the upper and including a first end and a second end. The first end includes a first engagement mechanism and the second end includes a second engagement mechanism configured to selectively couple the first end to the second end. The first end and the second end are disposed on a first side of the upper with a body portion of the strap disposed between the first end and the second end surrounding the upper. The body portion of the strap includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, the first portion extending from the first end, the second portion extending from the second end and overlapping the first portion of the strap at an intersection.

This aspect may include one or more of the following optional features. In some examples, the intersection may be disposed on the panel. The upper may include a lateral side and a medial side, the first portion of the strap and the second portion of the strap at least partially disposed along the lateral side and the medial side. At least a portion of the first portion of the strap may be disposed between the sole structure and the upper. At least a portion of the second portion of the strap may be disposed between the sole structure and the upper.

In some configurations, the sole structure defines a channel extending therethrough, the strap at least partially disposed within the channel. The article of footwear may include a routing element coupled to the sole structure, the strap at least partially disposed within the routing element. The panel may include an aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the aperture.

In some implementations, the upper includes a first aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the first aperture. Here, the upper may include a second aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the second aperture. Optionally, the upper may include a third aperture, the strap slidably disposed within the third aperture. The first aperture and the second aperture may be disposed on a medial side of the upper, and the third aperture may be disposed on a lateral side of the upper.

In some examples, the upper includes an outer surface and the panel includes an inner surface configured to engage the outer surface in the closed position. Optionally, the upper may include a lateral side and a medial side opposite the lateral side, the lateral side defining a lateral side of the foot-receiving opening, the medial side defining a medial side of the foot-receiving opening, the panel rotatably coupled to the lateral side or the medial side of the upper.

Referring to <FIG>, an example of an article of footwear <NUM> including a strap system <NUM> providing for tensioning relative to a wearer's foot is disclosed. In some implementations, the article of footwear <NUM> includes an upper <NUM> and a sole structure <NUM> attached to the upper <NUM>. The strap system <NUM> may include a strap <NUM> and one or more routing elements <NUM> (<FIG>) to manage the tension of the upper <NUM>. As will be explained in more detail below, in some implementations, the upper <NUM> and the sole structure <NUM> cooperate to provide passages and guides for routing portions of the strap <NUM> through the article of footwear <NUM>. The upper <NUM> and the strap system <NUM> cooperate to move the article of footwear <NUM> between a loosened state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) and a tightened state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>). Particularly, the strap <NUM> is movable in a tightening direction DT (<FIG> and <FIG>) to move the article of footwear <NUM> into the tightened state.

The article of footwear <NUM>, and components thereof, may be described as including an anterior end <NUM> associated with a forward-most point of the footwear <NUM>, and a posterior end <NUM> corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear <NUM>. As shown in the bottom view of <FIG>, a longitudinal axis A<NUM> of the footwear <NUM> extends along a length of the footwear <NUM> from the anterior end <NUM> to the posterior end <NUM>, and generally divides the footwear <NUM> into a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM>. Accordingly, the lateral side <NUM> and the medial side <NUM> respectively correspond with opposite sides of the footwear <NUM> and extend from the anterior end <NUM> to the posterior end <NUM>.

The article of footwear <NUM> may be divided into one or more regions along the longitudinal axis A<NUM>. The regions may include a forefoot region <NUM>, a mid-foot region <NUM>, and a heel region <NUM>. The forefoot region <NUM> may correspond with toes and joints connecting metatarsal bones with phalanx bones of a foot. The mid-foot region <NUM> may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region <NUM> may correspond with rear regions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.

The upper <NUM> forms an enclosure having a plurality of components that cooperate to define an interior void <NUM> and an ankle opening <NUM>, which cooperate to receive and secure a foot for support on the sole structure <NUM>. For example, the upper <NUM> includes a pair of quarter panels <NUM> in the mid-foot region <NUM> on opposite sides of the interior void <NUM>. A throat <NUM> extends across the top of the upper <NUM> and defines an instep region extending between the quarter panels <NUM> from the ankle opening <NUM> to the forefoot region <NUM>. In the illustrated example, the throat <NUM> is enclosed with a panel <NUM> extending between the opposing quarter panels <NUM> in the instep region to cover the interior void <NUM>. The panel <NUM> covering the throat <NUM> may be coupled to one of the quarter panels <NUM> and/or the forefoot region <NUM>. For example, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, in some implementations the panel <NUM> is hingedly coupled to the quarter panel <NUM> disposed on the medial side <NUM> of the footwear <NUM> for movement between an open state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) and a closed state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>), where a portion of the panel <NUM> may overlap a portion of the quarter panel(s) <NUM> and/or the anterior end <NUM> of the footwear <NUM>. In this regard, the panel <NUM> may include an inner surface <NUM> that engages an outer surface <NUM> of the upper <NUM> in the closed state.

The upper <NUM> of the article of footwear <NUM> may be further described as including heel side panels <NUM> extending from respective quarter panels <NUM> through the heel region <NUM> along the lateral and medial sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the ankle opening <NUM>. A heel counter <NUM> wraps around the posterior end <NUM> of the footwear <NUM> and connects the heel side panels <NUM>. Uppermost edges of the throat <NUM>, the heel side panels <NUM>, and the heel counter <NUM> cooperate to form a collar <NUM>, which defines the ankle opening <NUM> of the interior void <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define the interior void <NUM>. Suitable materials of the upper <NUM> may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper <NUM> may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper <NUM> to facilitate movement of the article of footwear <NUM> between the open state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>) and the closed state (e.g., <FIG> and <FIG>). The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.

With reference to <FIG>, the sole structure <NUM> is attached to the upper <NUM> and includes a midsole <NUM> configured to provide cushioning characteristics to the sole structure <NUM>, and an outsole <NUM> configured to provide a ground-engaging surface <NUM> of the article of footwear <NUM>. In this regard, as illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, the midsole <NUM> may include a lower surface <NUM> that engages an upper surface <NUM> of the outsole <NUM> in the assembled configuration. As previously described, the sole structure <NUM> may further receive a portion of the strap system <NUM> in the assembled configuration. In particular, as illustrated in <FIG>, the lower surface <NUM> of the midsole <NUM> may include one or more channels <NUM> extending therethrough from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM>, while the upper surface <NUM> of the outsole <NUM> may include one or more protrusions <NUM> extending from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM>. As will be explained in more detail below, the channels <NUM> may receive the protrusions <NUM> and route portions of the strap system <NUM> (e.g., the strap <NUM> and/or the routing element(s) <NUM>) through the article of footwear <NUM> in the assembled configuration. In some examples, a portion of the strap <NUM> may be encapsulated between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM> within the routing element(s) <NUM> and the channels <NUM>.

As introduced above, the strap system <NUM> may be attached to the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM> for moving the upper <NUM> between the open state (<FIG> and <FIG>) and the closed state (<FIG> and <FIG>). In this regard, the strap <NUM> may include a proximal end <NUM> and a distal end <NUM> opposite the proximal end <NUM>. The proximal end <NUM> may be coupled to one or both of the upper <NUM> or the sole structure <NUM> and may include a first fastener <NUM>. For example, the proximal end <NUM> may be fixed to the lateral quarter panel <NUM>, proximate the anterior end <NUM> of the footwear <NUM>, by stitching, adhesive, ultrasonic welding, or any other suitable technique. The first fastener <NUM> may include a loop, clip, hook-and-loop fastener, or any other suitable fastening system. In this regard, the distal end <NUM> may include a second fastener <NUM> that can be selectively coupled to the first fastener <NUM> in the closed state. For example, the second fastener <NUM> may include a hook-and-loop fastener configured to be selectively attached to the hook-and-loop fastener of the first fastener <NUM> in the closed state.

The strap <NUM> may be translatably routed through one or both of the upper <NUM> or the sole structure <NUM> in the assembled configuration. In this regard, one or more of the quarter panels <NUM> or the panel <NUM> may include one or more apertures <NUM> through which the strap <NUM> is translatably routed in the assembled configuration. In the illustrated example, the lateral quarter panel <NUM> includes a first aperture <NUM>-<NUM> proximate the throat <NUM>, the medial quarter panel <NUM> includes second and third apertures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> proximate the throat <NUM>, and the panel <NUM> includes a fourth aperture <NUM>-<NUM> proximate a lateral edge of the panel <NUM>. As will be explained in more detail below, in the assembled configuration, the strap <NUM> may be routed through one or more of the apertures <NUM> such that the strap <NUM> can translate therethrough.

With reference to <FIG>, the routing element(s) <NUM> may include a first routing element <NUM>-<NUM> and a second routing element <NUM>-<NUM> and may be formed from a rigid or semi-rigid material (e.g., plastic, metal, carbon fiber, etc.). The first routing element <NUM>-<NUM> may include a base portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a pair of side portions <NUM>-<NUM> extending from opposing sides of the base portion <NUM>-<NUM>. The second routing element <NUM>-<NUM> may likewise include a base portion <NUM>-<NUM> and a pair of side portions <NUM>-<NUM> extending from opposing sides of the base portion <NUM>-<NUM>. In some implementations, the side portions <NUM>-<NUM> of the first routing element <NUM>-<NUM> define a substantially L-shaped construct, such that the first routing element <NUM>-<NUM> defines a substantially C-shaped construct. In the assembled configuration, the side portions <NUM>-<NUM> of the second routing element <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed within and/or attached to the side portions <NUM>-<NUM> of the first routing element <NUM>-<NUM>, such that the base portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and the side portions <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> define a passage <NUM> extending therethrough. One or both of the first or second routing elements <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed within a first channel <NUM>-<NUM> of the channels <NUM>, and one or both of the first or second routing elements <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed within a second channel <NUM>-<NUM> of the channels <NUM>. For example, the routing elements <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> may be disposed within the channels <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> and extend from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM> of the footwear. In some implementations, the base portion <NUM>-<NUM> and the side portions <NUM>-<NUM> engage the midsole <NUM>, while the base portion <NUM>-<NUM> engages the outsole <NUM>.

In the assembled configuration, the strap <NUM> may extend (i) from the proximal end <NUM> coupled to the lateral quarter panel <NUM> proximate the anterior end <NUM> of the footwear <NUM>, (ii) through the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>), (iii) through the second channel <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., through the routing elements <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), (iv) through the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>), (v) through the second aperture <NUM>-<NUM> in the medial quarter panel <NUM>, (vi) across the throat <NUM> (e.g., traversing (e.g., over, under, through, etc.) the panel <NUM>), (vii) through the fourth aperture <NUM>-<NUM> in the panel <NUM>, (viii) through the first aperture <NUM>-<NUM> in the lateral quarter panel <NUM>, (ix) through the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>), (x) through the first channel <NUM>-<NUM> (e.g., through the routing elements <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>), (xi) through the upper <NUM> and/or the sole structure <NUM> (e.g., between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>), (xii) through the third aperture <NUM>-<NUM> in the medial quarter panel <NUM>, (xiii) across the throat <NUM> (e.g., traversing (e.g., over, under, through, etc.) the panel <NUM>), including across (e.g., over or under) the portion of the strap <NUM> traversing the panel at (vi) such that the strap forms an X-shaped intersection proximate the throat <NUM>, and (xiv) to the distal end <NUM> selectively coupled to the proximal end <NUM> proximate the anterior end <NUM> of the footwear <NUM>. In this way, the straps <NUM> may completely surround the upper <NUM> and a portion of the sole structure <NUM> twice in the mid-foot region <NUM> of the article of footwear <NUM>.

With particular reference to <FIG>, another strap system 300a for use with an article of footwear (e.g., article of footwear <NUM>) is shown. In view of the substantial similarity in structure and function of the components associated with the strap system 300a relative to the strap system <NUM>, like reference numerals are used hereinafter and in the drawings to identify like components while like reference numerals containing letter extensions are used to identify those components that have been modified.

The strap system 300a may include the strap <NUM> and one or more routing elements 304a to manage the tension of the upper <NUM>. For example, the routing elements 304a may include a primary routing element 304a-<NUM> and a pair of secondary routing elements 304a-<NUM>. The primary routing element 304a-<NUM> may include a first attachment feature <NUM> disposed at a proximal end <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>, and a second attachment feature <NUM> disposed at a distal end <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>. The first and second attachment features <NUM>, <NUM> may each include a pair of recesses <NUM>, <NUM> formed in opposed upper and lower sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>. In some implementations, the first and second attachment features <NUM>, <NUM> each include a pair of ribs <NUM> extending from a first lateral side <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM> to a second lateral side <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>. In this regard, the first lateral side <NUM> may be opposite the second lateral side <NUM>, and the upper side <NUM> may be opposite the lower side <NUM> such that the ribs <NUM> are disposed between the upper and lower sides <NUM>, <NUM> and extend across one or both of the first or second recesses <NUM>, <NUM>. The primary routing element 304a-<NUM> may further include a longitudinal passage <NUM> extending therethrough from, and through, the proximal end <NUM> to, and through, the distal end <NUM>. In this regard, the passage <NUM> may be defined by and between the upper and lower sides <NUM>, <NUM>, the first and second lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM>, and the pair of ribs <NUM>.

The secondary routing elements 304a-<NUM> may include an end portion <NUM> and a pair of legs <NUM> extending therefrom. The end portion <NUM> may include a front side <NUM>, a rear side <NUM> opposite the front side <NUM>, and an aperture <NUM> extending through the front and rear sides <NUM>, <NUM>. The legs <NUM> may extend from the rear side <NUM> on opposite sides of the aperture <NUM> and may each include a tooth <NUM> extending therefrom. In this regard, each tooth <NUM> may extend from one leg <NUM> of the pair of legs <NUM> toward the other leg <NUM> of the pair of legs <NUM>.

In an assembled configuration (<FIG>), the secondary routing elements 304a-<NUM> may be coupled to the proximal and distal ends <NUM>, <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>. For example, the legs <NUM> may be disposed within the recesses <NUM>, <NUM> such that (i) each rib <NUM> is disposed, and secured, between the tooth <NUM> and the end portion <NUM>, and (ii) the aperture <NUM> of the secondary routing elements 304a-<NUM> is aligned with the passage <NUM> of the primary routing element 304a-<NUM>.

The routing elements 304a-<NUM>, 304a-<NUM> may be coupled to the sole structure <NUM> such that the strap <NUM> can be routed therethrough in the manner previously described relative to the strap system <NUM>. In this regard, the routing elements 304a-<NUM>, 304a-<NUM> may be disposed within the channels <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>. Alternatively, the routing elements 304a-<NUM>, 304a-<NUM> may be disposed at other locations within the sole structure <NUM>, such as (i) between the midsole <NUM> and an insole <NUM>, (ii) between the midsole <NUM> and the outsole <NUM>, or (iii) encapsulated within the midsole <NUM>, the outsole <NUM>, or the insole <NUM>, such that the strap <NUM> can be translatably routed through the passage <NUM> and the apertures <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the articles of footwear <NUM>, 10a can be moved from the open state to the closed state after being placed on a user's foot by applying a force (e.g., pulling) on the distal end <NUM> of the strap <NUM>. Pulling on the distal end <NUM> may cause the strap <NUM> to translate within and through the routing elements <NUM>, 304a-<NUM>, 304a-<NUM> and the apertures <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM>, <NUM>-<NUM> in a first direction such that the upper <NUM> tightens around the user's foot. To secure the upper in the tightened state, the user can secure the distal end <NUM> (e.g., the second fastener <NUM>) to the proximal end <NUM> (e.g., the first fastener <NUM>).

Claim 1:
An article of footwear (<NUM>) comprising
an upper (<NUM>) defining a throat (<NUM>) configured to receive a foot;
a sole structure (<NUM>) coupled to the upper;
a panel (<NUM>) having a first side coupled to the upper for movement between an open position and a closed position, the panel exposing a portion of the throat in the open position and covering the portion of the throat in the closed position; and
a strap (<NUM>) having a first end (<NUM>) and a second end (<NUM>) opposite the first end, the first end and the second end disposed on a first side of the upper with a body portion of the strap disposed between the first end and the second end surrounding the upper;
wherein the body portion of the strap includes a first portion and a second portion extending from the first portion, the first portion extending from the first end, the second portion extending from the second end and overlapping the first portion of the strap at an intersection.