Patent Description:
Articles of footwear generally include two primary elements: an upper and a sole. The upper is often formed from a plurality of material elements (e.g., textiles, polymer sheet layers, foam layers, leather, synthetic leather) that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to form a void on the interior of the footwear for comfortably and securely receiving a foot. More particularly, the upper forms a structure that extends over instep and toe areas of the foot, along medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around a heel area of the foot. In many designs, the upper may also incorporate a lacing system to adjust the fit of the footwear, as well as permitting entry and removal of the foot from the void within the upper.

The sole may be constructed to provide stability and cushioning. The sole may include an outsole, a midsole and an insole. The midsole provides support and cushioning while the outsole provides improved traction with the ground. The insole may provide increased comfort for the foot.

Document <CIT> discloses an upper comprising: a first side portion, a second side portion separated from the first side portion by a throat opening, and a closure for selectively coupling the first side portion to the second side portion across the throat opening.

The present invention is defined by an upper for an article of footwear according to claim <NUM> and an article of footwear according to claim <NUM>.

The present embodiments discussed below are directed to an article of footwear, and more specifically an upper for an article of footwear that includes a selectively and reusably securable closure for providing a tension fit about the foot of a wearer. The upper includes a first side portion and a second side portion that each extend on a different one of a medial and lateral side of the article and/or wearer's foot when worn. The first side portion and second side portion are separated by a throat opening, and the closure does selectively couple the first side portion to the second side portion across the throat opening.

The closure includes a unitary closure panel and a plurality of laces each extending between the closure panel and the first side portion of the upper. Each of the plurality of laces extends between a respective first end and a respective second end. The first end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the first side portion of the upper. The second end of each of the plurality of laces is directly and permanently secured to the unitary closure panel. In this manner, the unitary closure panel is permanently coupled to the upper only via the plurality of laces.

A fastener, such as a touch fastener, is positioned to enable repeatable selective attachment between the closure panel and the second side portion of the upper. The fastener includes a first fastener portion provided on the closure panel, and a second fastener portion provided on an outer surface of the second side portion of the upper. The first fastener portion is configured to selectively couple with the first fastener portion to secure the closure panel to the second side portion of the upper. In some embodiments, the fastener may be a hook-and-loop fastener.

To facilitate proper alignment of the closure panel on the second side portion of the upper, in an embodiment, the closure panel and the second fastener portion may have complimentary, non-rectangular shapes. These shapes may, for example include one or more polygonal portions that each comprise a plurality of linear edges. According to the invention, alignment may be aided by including an alignment indicia on one or both of the closure panel and the second side portion of the upper. For example, in one embodiment, the second fastener portion and the unitary closure panel each include a common alignment indicia. According to the invention, the second fastener portion includes the alignment indicia. Furthermore, the second fastener portion includes an alignment indicia, and the closure panel includes an aperture positioned such that the alignment indicia is visible through the aperture when the closure panel is secured to the second side portion of the upper.

In one configuration, the unitary closure panel may comprise an outer layer and an inner layer secured to the outer layer. The inner layer may further comprise the first fastener portion of the touch fastener. To provide for robust permanent securing of the laces to the closure panel, the second end of each of the plurality of laces may be directly secured between the inner layer and the outer layer of the closure panel. In some embodiments, the outer layer of the closure panel is formed from a similar material as at least a portion of the second side portion of the upper. Additionally, to aid in providing a tension fit, each of the plurality of laces may comprise an elastomeric material that permits the respective laces to each stretch between the first end and the second end. In some embodiments, the tension fit may be further aided by including a tongue substantially disposed between the first side portion and the second side portion of the upper that is elastically secured to the sole structure via a plurality of elastic gores that each extend between an edge of the tongue and an edge of the sole structure.

The designs described herein may eliminate the need for any adjustable laces. As such, in some embodiments, the upper of the presently described article of footwear may be characterized by an absence of an adjustable lace. Likewise, the closure panel may be characterized by an absence of an eyelet for receiving an adjustable lace.

"A," "an," "the," "at least one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "including," and "having," are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated items, but do not preclude the presence of other items. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed items. When the terms first, second, third, etc. are used to differentiate various items from each other, these designations are merely for convenience and do not limit the items.

The terms "first," "second," "third," "fourth," and the like in the description and in the claims, if any, are used for distinguishing between similar elements and not necessarily for describing a particular sequential or chronological order. It is to be understood that the terms so used are interchangeable under appropriate circumstances such that the embodiments described herein are, for example, capable of operation in sequences other than those illustrated or otherwise described herein. Furthermore, the terms "include," and "have," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, system, article, device, or apparatus.

Other features and aspects will become apparent by consideration of the following detailed description and accompanying drawings. Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, falling within the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to identify like or identical components in the various views, <FIG> schematically illustrate an article of footwear <NUM> that includes an upper <NUM> coupled with a sole structure <NUM>. In the current embodiment, the article of footwear <NUM> is shown in the form of a high-top athletic shoe, such as a basketball shoe. In other embodiments, however, an article incorporating the features described below could take the form of other kinds of footwear including, but not limited to, hiking boots, soccer shoes, football shoes, sneakers, running shoes, cross-training shoes, rugby shoes, basketball shoes, baseball shoes, and other kinds of shoes. Moreover, in some embodiments the disclosed provisions may be configured for use with various kinds of non-sports-related footwear, including, but not limited to, slippers, sandals, loafers, or other such designs/configurations.

As commonly understood, the upper <NUM> is a portion of the article of footwear <NUM> that defines an interior cavity <NUM> adapted to receive a foot of a wearer. For the purpose of consistency and clarity, the "interior" of a shoe refers to space that is occupied by a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The "inner side" of a panel or other shoe element refers to the face of that panel or element that is (or will be) oriented toward the shoe's interior in a completed shoe. The "outer side" or "exterior" of an element refers to the face of that element that is (or will be) oriented away from the shoe's interior in the completed shoe. In some cases, the inner side of an element may have other elements between that inner side and the interior in the completed shoe. Similarly, an outer side of an element may have other elements between that outer side and the space external to the completed shoe. Further, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" shall refer to the direction toward the interior of the shoe, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" shall refer to the direction toward the exterior of the shoe.

In general, the upper <NUM> includes provisions to reduce any tendency of the foot to be pulled away from the upper during use. In some embodiments, the upper <NUM> may be configured to provide a 'tension fit' about a wearer's foot. As used herein, the term tension fit refers to a fit that ensures the upper is pulled against the foot at all times including on a lower side where the sole of the foot contacts a bottom portion of the upper <NUM>. In some cases, a tension fit upper may be configured so that when no foot is present within the interior cavity <NUM>, the interior cavity <NUM> has a volume that is smaller than the volume after a foot has been inserted. In other words, the upper <NUM> may be configured to stretch or expand as a foot is inserted. As discussed in further detail below, such a configuration may provide an upper <NUM> that `stays with' the foot, and especially the sole of the foot, at all times during any activities (e.g., running, jumping, walking, etc.). A tension fit may or may not require stretching in the upper. In some cases, the upper <NUM> can be configured to stretch significantly when a foot is inserted. In other cases, however, the upper <NUM> may simply fit the foot very snugly without significant expansion.

The sole structure <NUM> may be permanently attached to one or more portions of upper <NUM> (for example, with adhesive, stitching, welding, or other suitable techniques) and may have a configuration that extends between upper <NUM> and the ground. For purposes of this disclosure, the term "permanently attached" shall refer to two components joined in a manner such that the components may not be readily separated (for example, without destroying one or both of the components). In addition, two components may be "permanently attached" by virtue of being integrally formed, for example, through a molding process.

The sole structure <NUM> may include provisions for attenuating ground reaction forces (i.e., cushioning and stabilizing the foot during vertical and horizontal loading). In addition, sole structure <NUM> may be configured to provide traction, impart stability, and control or limit various foot motions, such as pronation, supination, or other motions. For example, the disclosed concepts may be applicable to footwear configured for use on any of a variety of surfaces, including indoor surfaces or outdoor surfaces. In some embodiments, the sole structure <NUM> may be configured to provide traction and stability on hard indoor surfaces (such as hardwood), soft, natural turf surfaces, or on hard, artificial turf surfaces.

In different embodiments, the sole structure <NUM> may include different components, which may, individually or collectively, provide an article with a number of attributes, such as support, rigidity, flexibility, stability, cushioning, comfort, reduced weight, or other attributes. For example, the sole structure <NUM> may include an outsole, a midsole, a cushioning layer, and/or an insole. It may be appreciated however that the sole structure <NUM> is not limited to incorporating traditional sole components and may incorporate various different kinds of elements arranged at the outermost, inner most and intermediate 'layers', or locations, of the sole. Thus, the sole structure <NUM> can include an outer sole member or element, which may or may not coincide with a conventional 'outsole'. Likewise, the sole structure <NUM> may include an inner sole member or element, which may or may not be an 'insole'. Further, the sole structure <NUM> can include any number of intermediate and/or middle sole members or elements, which may or may not be a 'midsole'.

With continued reference to <FIG>, the upper <NUM> includes a first side portion <NUM> or first quarter, a second side portion <NUM> or second quarter, and a throat opening <NUM> that at least partially separates the first side portion <NUM> from the second side portion <NUM>. The throat opening <NUM> may permit a wearer's foot to extend into the interior cavity <NUM> of the upper <NUM> while providing an ability to adjust the girth of the upper to create a tension fit. When worn, the first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM> at least partially extend on opposite medial and lateral sides of the wearer's foot. In some embodiments, a tongue <NUM> may be provided interior to the first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM>, and may extend across a portion of the throat opening <NUM> substantially between the first side portion <NUM> and second side portion <NUM>.

The upper <NUM> further includes a closure <NUM> that is operative to secure the upper <NUM> about the wearer's foot. In the present design, the closure <NUM> may provide for easy ingress and egress from the shoe. Such a design may be particularly advantageous in a shoe intended for those with limited dexterous mobility, such as young children and the elderly.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the closure <NUM> does include a plurality of laces <NUM> that each extend between a respective first end <NUM> (best illustrated in <FIG>) and a respective second end <NUM> (best illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>). The first end <NUM> of each of the plurality of laces <NUM> is permanently secured to the first side portion <NUM>, while the second end <NUM> of each of the plurality of laces <NUM> is permanently secured to a closure panel <NUM> that is configured to be selectively and/or removably secured to the second side portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the closure panel <NUM> is permanently secured to the upper <NUM> only via the plurality of laces <NUM>. In an embodiment, the plurality of laces <NUM> may be formed from one or more an integral laces in which adjacent ones of the first ends <NUM> are connected, and in which adjacent ones of the second ends <NUM> are connected.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, in an embodiment, the closure panel <NUM> is a unitary closure panel <NUM> that may be permanently secured to at least <NUM>, or <NUM>, or <NUM> or more laces (of the plurality of laces <NUM>). In some embodiments, the closure panel <NUM> may include at least two layers secured to each other: an outer layer <NUM> (shown in <FIG>); and an inner layer <NUM>. The outer layer <NUM> may be formed from a similar material as at least a portion of the second side portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. For example, the outer layer <NUM> may be formed from a leather, synthetic leather, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), rubber, canvas, or other such material that is typically of the kind used to form the exterior portion of shoe uppers. As best illustrated in <FIG>, in an embodiment, the second end <NUM> of each of the plurality of laces <NUM> may extend, and be secured between the outer layer <NUM> and the inner layer <NUM> of the closure panel <NUM>. Such a design may provide a cleaner appearance, while ensuring a robust attachment between each of the laces <NUM> and the closure panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a fastening feature <NUM> is provided with the upper <NUM> to facilitate the selective and removable coupling between the closure panel <NUM> and the second side portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. The fastening feature <NUM> does include a first fastener portion <NUM> provided on the closure panel <NUM> and a second fastener portion <NUM> provided on an outer surface <NUM> of the second side portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. To secure the upper <NUM> about a wearer's foot, the first fastener portion <NUM> is selectively coupled with the second fastener portion <NUM>, such as by bringing the first fastener portion <NUM> into contact with the second fastener portion <NUM>. In some embodiments, the inner layer <NUM> of the closure panel <NUM> may comprise the first fastener portion <NUM>.

In one configuration, the fastening feature <NUM> (i.e., the first fastener portion <NUM> and the second fastener portion <NUM>) may comprise a hook-and-loop fastener. As used herein, the term "hook-and-loop fastener" is expressly meant to include any of a variety of touch-type fasteners that operate on the basis of the mechanical engagement between a multitude of elements to provide non-permanent, reusable mechanical affixment between two complimentary surfaces. Examples of designs that may operate on this basis may include a plurality of hooks on a surface that mechanically engage with a plurality of loops provided on an opposing surface, a plurality of spaced protrusions that nest and engage into a complimentary receiving feature on an opposing surface, and a plurality of spaced stems on each surface that each have enlarged ends (i.e., wherein the enlarged ends of the first fastener portion <NUM> interlock with the enlarged ends of the second fastener portion <NUM>). In another embodiment, the fastening feature <NUM> may comprise a magnetic fastening system in which the first and second fastener portions <NUM>, <NUM> are a permanently magnetizable material, magnetized with rows of alternating poles so that the first and second fastener portions <NUM>, <NUM> magnetically secure to one another. In some embodiments, the closure panel <NUM> may further include a pull tab <NUM> disposed on an opposite side from the plurality of laces <NUM> to aid the wearer in removing the closure panel <NUM> from the second side portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, in an embodiment, the closure panel <NUM> and the second fastener portion <NUM> may have outer perimeters <NUM>, <NUM> that are complimentary, non-rectangular shapes. Such a design may provide for quick visual alignment between the closure panel and the second fastener portion <NUM>, which may aid children and/or the elderly in properly securing their shoes. As shown in <FIG>, in some configurations, the non-rectangular shapes may include at least a portion <NUM> that is substantially polygonal and includes a plurality of linear edges <NUM>.

When used with a high-top athletic shoe, such as shown in <FIG>, the closure <NUM> may be operative to provide a tension fit across both an instep portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> and across an ankle collar portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM>. In general, the instep portion <NUM> of the upper <NUM> may include the portion of the upper <NUM> that extends between approximately the ball of the wearer's foot and about the ankle portion of the wearer's foot. Conversely, the ankle collar <NUM> is the portion of the upper <NUM> that extends circumferentially around the wearer's ankle to provide additional lateral support. As shown in <FIG>, in some high-top shoe embodiments, the closure panel <NUM> (and first and second fastener portion <NUM>, <NUM>) may extend along the throat opening <NUM> and across at least a portion of both the instep portion <NUM> and the ankle collar portion <NUM>. In doing so, the closure <NUM> may provide a tension fit about the wearer's ankle as well as across the instep portion of their foot.

To further provide a tension fit across the upper <NUM>, in some embodiments, some or all of the plurality of laces <NUM> may be formed, at least in part, from an elastomeric material that permits each respective lace to stretch between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>. In some embodiments, the elastomeric material may form a core of the respective lace, with a woven shell disposed about the core. In other embodiments, the elastomeric material may be directly woven into the lace itself. In general, the elasticity of the laces may be measured as a percent elongation when subject to a particular loading. In one embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of laces <NUM> may experience greater than or equal to about <NUM>% elongation when the respective lace is pulled along its length (i.e., between the first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM>) with <NUM> kilograms force at a <NUM> millimeter per minute loading rate. In other embodiment, at least a portion of the plurality of laces <NUM> may experience greater than or equal to about <NUM>% elongation, or greater than about <NUM>% elongation, or even greater than about <NUM>% elongation when the respective lace is pulled along its length with <NUM> kilograms force at a <NUM> millimeter per minute loading rate. In some embodiments, these 'elastic' laces may contrast with a relatively 'inelastic' first and second side portion <NUM>, <NUM>, which may experience less than or equal to about <NUM>% elongation when the respective side portion is pulled with <NUM> kilograms force at a <NUM> millimeter per minute loading rate.

Referring to <FIG>, in some embodiments, one or more additional alignment indicia <NUM> may be provided on the article of footwear <NUM> to aid in aligning the closure panel <NUM> and first fastener portion <NUM> with the second fastener portion <NUM>. In particular, the alignment indicia <NUM> may provide a particular benefit for young children that are more adept at matching primitive shapes or graphical images than accurately securing shoes. In some embodiments, such as shown in <FIG>, the alignment indicia <NUM> may be provided on both the closure panel <NUM> and on the second side portion <NUM>. The alignment indicia <NUM> each may comprise a sequence of different indicia, such as further shown in <FIG>. In such an embodiment, common indicia <NUM> may be overlaid on each other to provide a proper closure of the upper <NUM>. In one embodiment, the sequence of indicia may be customizable and/or chosen by an end user. For example, upon ordering, such as via an internet ecommerce website, the end user may specify the alignment indicia, including, for example, the wearer's name or initials <NUM>. In this manner, when used with young children, ownership may be easily recognized by examining the alignment indicia <NUM>/initials <NUM>.

In one embodiment, the alignment indicia <NUM> may be provided on at least one of the outer layer <NUM> of the closure panel <NUM> and the inner layer <NUM> of the closure panel <NUM> as well as on the second fastener portion <NUM>. According to the invention, the alignment indicia <NUM> are provided on the second fastener portion <NUM> (i.e., so that the indicia <NUM> must be covered when the closure panel <NUM> is secured in place). In some embodiments, the indicia <NUM> may be positively applied, such as via a dye or decal, however, in other embodiments, the indicia <NUM> may be negatively applied, such as by removing a negative image from a section of hooks or pile in a hook-and-loop fastener.

Referring to <FIG>, in one embodiment, the alignment indicia <NUM> may be provided on at least one of the outer surface <NUM> of the second side panel <NUM> or the second fastener portion <NUM>. According to the invention, the closure panel <NUM> includes an aperture <NUM>, notch, or cutout that may enable the alignment indicia <NUM> to be visible when the closure panel <NUM> is secured to the second side portion <NUM>. In some configurations, the alignment indicia <NUM> visible through the aperture <NUM> may convey some information to the wearer or about the wearer's foot. For example, in some embodiments, the second side panel <NUM> may include a plurality of different alignment indicia <NUM>. When the closure panel <NUM> is secured over top of the plurality of alignment indicia <NUM>, one may be visible through the aperture <NUM> to inform the user, for example, about how tightly the strap is secured (i.e., a relative measure of the degree of the tension fit).

While the preceding description generally relates to a closure <NUM> for providing a tension fit in an upper <NUM> of an article of footwear, it should be appreciated that this closure <NUM> may eliminate the need for, and may operate without the inclusion of an adjustable lace or an eyelet for receiving an adjustable lace. In some embodiments, the upper <NUM> may specifically be characterized by an absence of an adjustable lace and the closure panel may be characterized by an absence of an eyelet for receiving an adjustable lace.

In some embodiments, the upper <NUM> may further provide a tension fit through the use of one or more elastic gores <NUM> that extend between an edge <NUM> of the tongue <NUM> and an edge <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM>, such as shown in <FIG>. In one embodiment, this design may include a first elastic gore 100A provided adjacent and interior to the first sidewall portion <NUM>, and a second elastic gore 100B provided adjacent and interior to the second sidewall portion <NUM>. The gores 100A, 100B may cooperate to elastically limit any outward deflection of the tongue during use.

Claim 1:
An upper (<NUM>), for an article of footwear, comprising:
a first side portion (<NUM>), a second side portion (<NUM>) separated from the first side portion (<NUM>) by a throat opening (<NUM>), and a closure (<NUM>) for selectively coupling the first side portion (<NUM>) to the second side portion (<NUM>) across the throat opening (<NUM>); the closure (<NUM>) including:
a unitary closure panel (<NUM>) having a first fastener portion (<NUM>);
a plurality of laces (<NUM>) each extending between a respective first end and a respective second end, wherein:
the first end of each of the plurality of laces (<NUM>) is directly and permanently secured to the first side portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>);
the second end of each of the plurality of laces (<NUM>) is directly and permanently secured to the unitary closure panel (<NUM>); and
the unitary closure panel (<NUM>) is permanently coupled to the upper (<NUM>) only via the plurality of laces (<NUM>); and
a second fastener portion (<NUM>) provided on an outer surface (<NUM>) of the second side portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>), the second fastener portion (<NUM>) configured to selectively couple with the first fastener portion (<NUM>) to secure the closure panel (<NUM>) to the second side portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>),
wherein the second fastener portion (<NUM>) includes an alignment indicia (<NUM>), and
wherein the unitary closure panel (<NUM>) includes an aperture (<NUM>) positioned such that the alignment indicia (<NUM>) is visible through the aperture (<NUM>) when the closure panel (<NUM>) is secured to the second side portion (<NUM>) of the upper (<NUM>).