148results about "Eyelets" patented technology

Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, include one or more of: (a) a sole structure; (b) an upper having lateral and medial side elements engaged with the sole structure, the upper made from a polymer matrix structure that extends through at least a heel region; (c) a size adjustment mechanism located at the heel region; (d) a heel tongue element located adjacent the size adjustment mechanism; (e) a shoe securing mechanism; (f) an instep tongue member; and/or (g) a bootie member located at least partially within the foot-receiving chamber. Methods of manufacturing such articles of footwear also are disclosed.

According to an embodiment, a component for attachment to an article includes an upper component that is made of a thermoplastic material having a first melting temperature and a flange member that is molded onto the upper component and made of a thermoplastic elastomer material having a second melting temperature that is lower than the first melting temperature of the upper component. The flange member extends laterally from a bottom end of the upper component so that a bottom surface of the flange member is flush with or positioned axially below a bottom surface of the upper component. The melting temperature of the thermoplastic elastomer material enables the flange member to be directly coupled to the article via heat welding and the like without substantially affecting the upper component.

An article of footwear having an upper, a sole, and a tightening system, the tightening system having a tightening plate arranged in the area of the instep zone of the article of footwear, the tightening plate having on each medial and lateral side, respectively, at least one channel for the passage of a tightening cord/lace, the sole and/or the upper having on each medial and lateral side, respectively, at least one guide arranged in the vicinity of the sole and adapted to the passage of the tightening cord/lace, the tightening cord/lace having at least one strand running along an alternating path between each guide and channel of the upper/sole and tightening plate, respectively, a blocking mechanism being associated with each strand of the cord/lace, the tightening plate being displaceable at least vertically in relation to the sole by traction on the cord/lace.

According to one embodiment, a removable tightening device is described. The tensioning mechanism is removably coupleable with an article without damaging the article so that upon removal, the coupling of the tensioning mechanism with the article is unrecognizable or not readily detectable. The tensioning mechanism is operable with a tension member to maintain a tension of the tension member and thereby maintain a tightness of the article. The tension member is guided along a path about the article, via one or more guide members, and is tensionable, via the tensioning mechanism, to tighten the article.

The present disclosure provides an article of footwear including: a footwear upper formed of one or more pieces, each piece comprising one or more layers; and a footwear lower attached to the footwear upper to provide a sole supporting member to the article of footwear; wherein the one or more pieces used to form the footwear upper are molded into a three dimensional configuration. Also provided is a method for forming the same and an inner lining for an article of footwear.

A shoe having a sole, an upper including a first opening and a second opening, and shoelace means, the upper including: a first side edge portion having a plurality of first eyelets; a second side edge portion arranged between the plurality of first eyelets and having one or more second eyelets which the shoelace means engages with; a movable portion for allowing the second eyelet to move with respect to the first eyelets both in a transverse direction across the second opening and a diagonal front-back direction that is perpendicular to the transverse direction and is extending along the instep; and a main portion covering a medial side surface, a lateral side surface, a toe, the instep and a back surface of a foot, the main portion including the first side edge portion and excluding the second side edge portion and the movable portion; the second eyelet is relatively displaced via the movable portion with respect to the main portion both in the transverse direction and the diagonal front-back direction in response to a change in a direction of a resultant force between a first tensile force and a second tensile force acting upon the second side edge portion from a V-shaped portion of the shoelace means engaging with the second eyelet while transitioning from a flat-footed position to a heel-raised position.

An assembly for use in connection with lace-type shoes to secure the tongues of such shoes in a stationary position, and to provide a base or foundation for mounting of ornamental displays on the upper surface of shoe tongues. A rigid upper member having one or more bores is attached to the upper surface of a shoe tongue using tacks which are pushed through the shoe tongue and received within such bores. Shoelaces are wrapped around the rigid upper member and thereafter secured. The rigid upper member provides a base or foundation for attaching easily interchangeable ornamental designs.

An article of footwear includes an upper and an adjustable lacing system. The adjustable lacing system includes a plurality of fastener engaging elements located at the medial and lateral sides of the upper, where at least one of the medial side and the lateral side includes sets of fastener engaging elements. Each set of fastener engaging elements is distanced from another set in a direction transverse a lengthwise direction of the upper, and the fastener engaging elements are configured to engage with and retain a fastener structure that extends between the medial and lateral sides of the upper such that the fastener structure can be selectively engaged with different sets of fastener engaging elements to adjust a fit of the upper around a width of the foot disposed within the cavity.

A construction of an oxford type, lace up athleisure shoe enables the shoe to be slipped on the wearers foot and held securely on the foot without the need for lacing on the shoe. This provides the shoe with the appearance of a lace up shoe that is worn without lacing.

A shoelace substitute approximates the look and function of a shoelace and includes a length of elastic material and two barbs. The barbs are each placed at and contain one of the ends of the elastic material, being crimped around the end of the elastic material to form a T. The barbs are sized to be inserted through eyelets of the shoe to connect opposite eyelets in the same manner as a shoelace. An associated method allows for replacement of the shoelace with a number of such shoelace substitutes, each connecting a pair of eyelets. The color and shape of the elastic material may be varied to coordinate with various kinds of shoes. The effect is to create a “slip-on” shoe from a “lace-up” shoe.

A shoe with reversible and moveable tops is presented and includes fasteners, such as snaps or zippers, positioned all around the base of the shoe in order for the top half of the shoe to be changed. The tops are made of various materials and different styles, There can be full-covered footwear, sandal-type or any type of strapped shoe for women or men. Alternative embodiments comprise a sole, an upper, a leg shaft, a leg shaft extension, and a finishing collar that may be combined to create a distinctive shoe. The leg shaft and the leg shaft extension may have laces or vertical zippers to provide a better fit for the user. The finishing collar, leg shaft, and leg shaft extension are configured to provide a protective layer between zippers and a user's skin.

A lace fitting structure for fitting an upper 3 wrapping around an instep of a foot to the instep, the structure including: a medial side portion 31 covering the instep and a medial side surface of a big toe; a lateral side portion 32 covering the instep and a lateral side surface of a little toe; first shoelace means 1 placed to extend in a longitudinal direction Y of the foot and engaged with the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32 along central edge portions 33 of the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32; placement means for placing a portion of the first shoelace means 1 so that the first shoelace means 1 is exposed in a plurality of exposed areas 1_i, which are separated from one another in the longitudinal direction Y; and second shoelace means 2 engaging, in a transverse direction X of the foot, with the first shoelace means 1 in the plurality of exposed areas 1_i so as to bring the medial side portion 31 and the lateral side portion 32 closer to each other, wherein a length L of the exposed areas 1_i in the longitudinal direction Y is greater than a thickness and a width of the second shoelace means 2.

A fiber bound engineered material is provided that imparts an intended characteristic at an intended relative location. A fiber layer is entangled with additional fibers in a manner to create a non-uniform engineered material. The lack of uniformity of a fiber bound engineered material may be accomplished through manipulation of the fibers and/or through fiber binding a scrim. The fiber layer binds with additional fibers through entanglement such that a mechanical connection between the entangled fibers is provided. This entanglement allows the fibers to bind without supplemental adhesives, interlacing, or connections. Variations in the fibers and/or inclusion of scrim materials prior to entanglement allows for an intended characteristic (e.g., a functional characteristic) at an intended relative location (e.g., a position determined by an article to be formed therefrom).

A shoe with improved lacing means includes a shoe, shoe laces (14) and a hook and loop element pouch (10). On the underside, the side making contact with the shoe, are two openings (16) that are used to slide the shoelaces through. With the pouch (10) open, the shoelaces (14) are pushed through the holes (16), pulled firmly and then tied as usual. Place the tied shoelaces (14) down into the pouch (10). There is a hook and loop element strip (22) on the opening making it easy to close, while keeping laces (14) secure. The pouch (10) can be attached to the shoe by hook and loop element strips (18) on both the right and left underside of the pouch (10). The pouch (10) will keep the shoelaces (14) from loosening, snagging and untying.

An article of footwear with an arch wrap is disclosed. The arch wrap is configured to provide support to a midfoot. The arch wrap can include a plurality of eyelets that are configured to receive a lace of a lacing system of the upper.