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Footwear with improved tightening of upper

a technology of upper and foot, applied in the field of footwear, can solve the problems of not entirely satisfactory, overly tightening of upper subdivisions, and insufficient tightening of other subdivisions of uppers, and achieve the effects of improving foot support, faster application of tightening devices, and more constant tightening for

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-06-20
SALOMON SA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention makes a shoe more flexible, especially in the area around the vamp. This allows the shoe to better fit the shape of the foot. It also ensures that the vamp is not too tight or too loose in any area.

Problems solved by technology

Although a tightening device comprised of a lace and keepers effectively tightens the vamp of a shoe, it is not entirely satisfactory.
Some subdivisions of the upper are overly tightened, while other subdivisions of the upper are not sufficiently tightened.
However, the result obtained is not yet optimal.
Indeed, tightening sometimes is not uniform within a subdivision of the vamp.
Some zones of the subdivision may be too tight, while other zones may be too loose.
However, the tension is not evenly distributed in the subdivision.
It can be said of a prior art shoe, generally speaking, the vamp of an upper having a flexible lower portion does not conform closely enough to the shape of the foot.
Consequently, there remain areas of the vamp in which tightening is either excessive or insufficient.
It has also been observed that a shoe according to the prior art does not always offer sufficient comfort of use, or that it is not easy to adjust or manipulate, especially in terms of the actuation of the tightening devices and mechanisms.
Further, it has been observed that it is not always easy to put on or remove the shoe, that is to say, to insert or remove the foot in relation to the shoe.

Method used

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  • Footwear with improved tightening of upper
  • Footwear with improved tightening of upper
  • Footwear with improved tightening of upper

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0045]The first embodiment described below relates more particularly to a shoe intended for walking or running on flat or mountainous terrain. However, the invention is applicable to other fields such as those mentioned above.

[0046]The first embodiment is described below with reference to FIGS. 1-7.

[0047]FIGS. 1-3 show a walking or running shoe provided to receive the foot of a user.

[0048]Conventionally, and in general, the shoe 1 includes an outer sole assembly 2 and an upper 3. The shoe extends along a longitudinal direction L from a rear end, or heel 4, to a front end, or tip 5, and along a transverse direction W between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

[0049]As shown, the upper 3 includes a lower portion 10 provided to surround the foot, and does not have a top portion, i.e., a portion extending above the wearer's ankle. However, the upper could be provided to include a top portion. In any case, however, the shoe 1 is structured so as to enable proper bending of the leg or a...

second embodiment

[0083]The second embodiment, according to FIG. 8, features a shoe 1 comprising an outer sole assembly 2 and an upper 3. The shoe 1 includes a vamp 20, as well as a first 31 and second 33 tightening devices having a first linkage 35 and a second linkage 36, respectively.

[0084]What is specific to the second embodiment of the invention is that the shoe 1 includes a single blocking device 91 acting for the two linkages 35, 36. The device 91, well known to those skilled in the art, is arranged in the area of the rear zone 21. The device 91 in practice forms a blocking point common to both linkages. This is an alternative embodiment which leads the user to manipulate the tightening device differently. For example, the user can tighten by pulling the linkages with one hand, and can block the linkages with the other hand.

[0085]More generally, the blocking point(s) 39, 40, 91 of the linkages 35, 36 are located in the area of the rear zone 21 of the vamp 20, with the advantage of providing ea...

third embodiment

[0086]The third embodiment, according to FIG. 9, features a shoe 1 comprising an outer sole assembly 2 and an upper 3. The shoe 1 comprises a vamp 20 and a first 31 and second 33 tightening devices having a first linkage 35 and a second linkage 36, respectively. The shoe 1 also includes a flap 95 which extends a quarter of the vamp 20.

[0087]Specific to the third embodiment of the invention is the flap 95 having a discontinuous free end 96. Consequently, the free end 96 is divided into a plurality of tabs 97, 98, for example two in number. The tabs 97, 98 increase the ability of the flap 95 to conform to the shape of the foot. Each tab here has a keeper 59, 60.

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PUM

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Abstract

An article of footwear, or shoe, including an outer sole assembly and an upper, the upper including a vamp extending lengthwise from a rear zone to a front zone, widthwise between a lateral portion and a medial portion, and heightwise from the outer sole assembly to an apex, the shoe including a first device for tightening a first subdivision of the vamp and a second device for tightening a second subdivision of the upper. For at least one of the first and second subdivisions, the tightening device includes a linkage extending from an anchoring point in relation to the upper to a blocking point in relation to the upper, the anchoring point being located in the area of the vamp, the blocking point being located in the area of the vamp.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 11 / 03842, filed Dec. 15, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.BACKGROUND[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The invention relates to an article of footwear, especially a sports shoe, and relates more particularly to a shoe adapted for running, power walking, cycling, various types of sports, including ball sports and winter sports, as well as exercise and athletics.[0004]An article of footwear of the aforementioned type can be used in fields such as walking or running on flat or mountainous terrain, tennis, basketball, cycling, skateboarding, roller skating, hiking, snowshoeing, snowboarding, skiing, and the like.[0005]2. Background Information[0006]An article of footwear, referred to herein as a shoe, for convenience, can have a low upper, a high upper, or even a mid-...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Applications(United States)
IPC IPC(8): A43C11/00
CPCA43C11/00A43C1/003A43B5/06A43C7/00
Inventor BOREL, RENE
Owner SALOMON SA