Closure system and/or shoe configurations for enhancing the performance of running shoes

Abstract

A shoe may include a sole and an upper. The upper may have a medial side and a lateral side that each have an edge positioned on opposing side of the shoe's tongue. The upper's medial side and/or the upper's lateral side may include stiffened regions and flexible regions with each stiffened region being disposed between two flexible regions so that the stiffened regions are moveable relative to one another upon tensioning of the medial and lateral sides of the upper. The opposing edges of the upper's medial and lateral sides may be substantially linear or straight prior to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides and may be substantially uneven or nonlinear subsequent to tensioning of the upper's medial and lateral sides due to relative movement of the stiffened regions.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 036,965 filed Aug. 13, 2014, entitled “Closure System and / or Shoe Configurations for Enhancing the Performance of Running Shoes;” Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 111,032 filed Feb. 2, 2015, entitled “Footwear Configuration Having Improved Fit;” Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 190,640 filed Jul. 9, 2015, entitled “Methods and Systems for Improving the Fit of Shoes;” Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 120,005 filed Feb. 24, 2015, entitled “High and Low Lacing Configuration;” and Provisional U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 087,694 filed Dec. 4, 2014, entitled “Automated and Manual Closure of Footwear.” The entire disclosure of all of the aforementioned Provisional U.S. patent applications are hereby incorporated by reference, for all purposes, as if fully set forth herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention provides various...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0002]This invention provides various configurations that may be employed to improve the fit and / or performance of shoes and other footwear. Conventional shoe configuration typically are not conforming to the unique shape of a user's foot. As such, the foot may be forced to some degree to conform with the shape of the shoe. These conventional shoes may not provide sufficient support and / or may be relatively uncomfortable to wear. Further, conventional shoes may allow for the foot to slip or move within the shoe and / or not provide sufficient support for an activity that the user is participating in, such as running. As such, the shoe may negatively impact the user's performance to some degree and / or be uncomfortable to wear while participating in the activity.

Problems solved by technology

Tensioning of the tension member may cause the shoe to tighten about a user's foot.

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