Easy-entry footwear with a cord lock

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole structure, an upper, and a closure system. The sole structure may include a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, the rear sole portion being pivotable relative to the front sole portion between a use position and an entry position. The upper may be secured to the front sole portion and the rear sole portion. The closure system may include an adjustment cord and a cord lock. The adjustment cord may be operably secured to the upper in an anchored position. The cord lock may be secured to the upper and may be configured such that, in the use position, the adjustment cord slides through the cord lock when tensioned to tighten the upper, and the adjustment cord is repositionable relative to the cord lock to lock into the cord lock and maintain tension in the adjustment cord.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 923,013, filed on October 18, 2019, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present invention generally relates to an article of footwear. Background Art

[0004] Traditionally, placing footwear on a foot typically requires using one or both hands to stretch the ankle opening of the upper and hold the rear portion during insertion of the foot. The fit of the upper is then adjusted after the foot is inserted, such as by lacing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only, are schematic in nature, and are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0006] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear in a use position with an adjustment cord locked to a cord lock.

[0007] Figure 2 for Figure 1 A partial perspective view of an article of footwear is shown with the adjustment cord unlocked and in an untensioned state.

[0008] Figure 3 is another perspective view of the article of footwear in the entry position, with the adjustment cord unlocked and the lateral and medial straps unfastened.

[0009] Figure 4 is a lateral side view of the article of footwear in the entry position with the adjustment cord unlocked and the lateral and medial straps unfastened.

[0010] Figure 5 is a lateral side elevational view of the article of footwear in the entry position with the adjustment cord unlocked, the lateral and medial straps untightened, and the rear upper and rear sole portions shown in phantom.

[0011] Figure 6 is a medial side view of the article of footwear in a use position with the adjustment cord unlocked and the lateral and medial straps unfastened.

[0012] Figure 7 is a lateral side view of the article of footwear in a use position with the adjustment cord unlocked and the lateral and medial straps tightened.

[0013] Figure 8FIG2 is a medial view of the article of footwear in the use position with the adjustment cord locked and the lateral and medial straps tightened. ...

[0014] Figure 9 is a partial perspective view of an outer body of a cord lock secured to a front upper portion of an article of footwear.

[0015] Figure 10 for Figure 9 A partial perspective view of a cross section of the lateral body and front upper portion of the cord lock at the midline 10-10.

[0016] Figure 11 yes Figure 9 Partial plan view of the lateral body and front upper portion of the center cord lock.

[0017] Figure 12 yes Figure 9 A partial front view of the outer body and front upper portion of the cord lock.

[0018] Figure 13 is a medial side view of the article of footwear in a use position with the adjustment cord locked to the cord lock.

[0019] Figure 14 for Figure 13 Lateral side view of the article of footwear shown in the entry position with the adjustment cord unlocked.

[0020] Figure 15 for Figure 1 Bottom view of the sole structure of the illustrated article of footwear.

[0021] Figure 16 for Figure 1 A partial side view of the sole structure shown.

[0022] Figure 17 For the Figure 15 Intercepted from the center line 17-17 Figure 1 Cross-section of the sole structure shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] The present invention generally relates to an article of footwear that is configured for ease of entry with respect to foot insertion and withdrawal, and is also configured to allow for quick and secure adjustment of the fit of the upper to the wearer's foot.

[0024] In one example, an article of footwear includes a sole structure, an upper, and a closure system. The sole structure may include a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, the rear sole portion being pivotable relative to the front sole portion between a use position and an entry position. The upper may be secured to the front sole portion and may define a forefoot region of the upper. The closure system may include an adjustment cord and a cord lock. The adjustment cord may be operably secured to the upper in an anchoring position. The cord lock may be secured to the upper in a fixed position. When the sole structure is in the use position, the cord lock may engage with the adjustment cord and lock the adjustment cord to maintain tension in the adjustment cord. For example, the cord lock may be configured such that the adjustment cord slides through the cord lock when tensioned to tighten the upper, and may be repositionable relative to the cord lock to lock into the cord lock and maintain tension in the adjustment cord.

[0025] In one or more configurations, the upper may be a split upper, including a front upper portion secured to the front sole portion and a rear upper portion secured to the rear sole portion. The rear upper portion may define a heel area of the upper. The closure system may include at least one of a medial strap or medial hook extending from the medial side of the front upper portion and a lateral strap or lateral hook extending from the lateral side of the front upper portion. In embodiments having both a medial strap and a lateral strap, the strap may be secured to the rear upper portion to secure the front upper portion to the rear upper portion in the in-use position.

[0026] In another aspect, the closure system may further include at least one of a medial cord guide secured to the inner side of the front upper portion and a lateral cord guide secured to the outer side of the front upper portion. The adjustment cord may engage the medial cord guide and the lateral cord guide between the anchoring position and the cord lock. For example, the medial cord guide may be secured to the medial strap, and the lateral cord guide may be secured to the lateral strap. The medial cord guide may be secured to the inner side of the medial strap, and the lateral cord guide may be secured to the inner side of the lateral strap.

[0027] In one or more configurations, the cord lock may include a first body fixed to the outside of the tongue area of the upper, and a second body fixed to the inside of the tongue area of the upper. The second body may be configured to be symmetrical with the first body about the longitudinal axis of the footwear article. The adjustment cord may include a loop portion extending from an outlet of the first body and an outlet of the second body. In one example, the adjustment cord may be tensioned by pulling the loop portion away from the first body and the second body. This configuration enables the user to pull the loop portion of the adjustment cord extending from the first body to the second body to tighten the cord and the upper attached thereto, and then reposition the loop portion of the cord to lock the cord to the first body and the second body. For example, the loop configuration may allow adjustment (tightening) and locking to be completed with one hand.

[0028] In one or more configurations, the sole structure can pivot between a use position and an entry position about a transverse axis of the sole structure, and in the entry position, the sole structure can be raised about the transverse axis farther from the ground plane than in the use position. The rear sole portion can tilt from a rear end of the rear sole portion toward the transverse axis. In the entry position, the front sole portion can tilt from a front end of the front sole portion toward the transverse axis.

[0029] In one aspect, the front sole portion may include a front midsole component, and the rear sole portion may include a rear midsole component that is discontinuous with the front midsole component. The sole structure may include a connecting member that connects the front midsole component to the rear midsole component and defines a groove extending laterally between the front midsole component and the rear midsole component. The front midsole component and the rear midsole component can pivot relative to each other at the groove between a use position and an entry position. The groove can be relatively open in the use position and relatively closed in the entry position.

[0030] In one or more configurations, the connecting member may include a plate defining a recess and secured to a rear wall of the front midsole component and a front wall of the rear midsole component at the recess. The ribs may be secured to the walls of the connecting member within the recess and may extend outwardly into the recess. The sole structure may include an outsole having a front portion positioned forward of the plate beneath the front midsole component and secured thereto, and a rear portion positioned rearward of the plate beneath the rear midsole component and secured thereto.

[0031] The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present invention are readily apparent from the following detailed description of modes for carrying out the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts throughout the several views, Figure 1 An article of footwear 10 is shown that includes an upper 12 and a closure system 14 (also referred to herein as a tensioning system) configured to quickly and easily adjust the fit of upper 12. Furthermore, article of footwear 10 includes a sole structure 15 that is movable between an entry position and a use position as described herein. Closure system 14 is configured to function compatibly with sole structure 15 such that tensioning of closure system 14 can also help secure shoe 10 in the use position. While article of footwear 10 is described herein as an athletic or casual shoe, the present invention also encompasses work shoes, dress shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, or any other type of footwear.

[0033] As discussed further herein, sole structure 15 has a front sole portion 15A and a rear sole portion 15B that is pivotable relative to front sole portion 15A between a use position and an entry position to facilitate entry, as further described herein. Figure 1 , the footwear 10 is shown in a use position. The upper 12 is constructed as a split upper, including a front upper portion 12A and a rear upper portion 12B. The front upper portion 12A is secured to the front sole portion 15A and defines a forefoot region 25 of the shoe 10. The rear upper portion 12B is secured to the rear sole portion 15B and defines a heel region 21 of the shoe 10. In the use position, the front upper portion 12A and the rear upper portion 12B together define an ankle opening 17 that leads to a foot-receiving cavity 26. During use, a wearer's foot (not shown) is placed in the foot-receiving cavity 26, and the closure system 14 secures the upper 12 around the foot in a fit selected by the wearer based on the tension of the adjustment cord 16, which is maintained by a cord lock 18. Alternatively, the front upper portion 12A and the rear upper portion 12B may be single, unitary, undivided portions of the upper. For example, upper 12 may include gussets, pleats, gathers, relatively elastic portions, etc. that extend between and connect front upper portion 12A and rear upper portion 12B as a single, unitary upper, while still allowing upper 12 to widen to an entry position at ankle opening 17.

[0034] Article of footwear 10 has a heel region 21, a midfoot region 23, and a forefoot region 25. When a human foot having dimensions corresponding to article of footwear 10 is positioned in foot-receiving cavity 26 and supported on sole structure 15, heel region 21 generally comprises a portion of article of footwear 10 corresponding to the rear portion of the human foot, including the calcaneus bone. Forefoot region 25 generally comprises a portion of article of footwear 10 corresponding to the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsal bones and phalanges of the human foot (interchangeably referred to herein as "metatarsal-phalangeal joints" or "MPJ" joints). Midfoot region 23 of article of footwear 10 is positioned between heel region 21 and forefoot region 25 and generally comprises a portion of article of footwear 10 corresponding to the arch region of the human foot, including the navicular joint. Shoe 10 has a lateral side 11 and a medial side 13, both extending from heel region 21 to forefoot region 25 and generally representing opposite sides of shoe 10 separated by a longitudinal axis LM, which may be the longitudinal midline of shoe 10.

[0035] Both the front sole portion 15A and the rear sole portion 15B may include one or more sole components, which may be bottom layers, such as an outsole and a midsole. The front sole portion 15A is secured to the lower portion of the front upper portion 12A, for example, by stitching, gluing, or other means, and is positioned below the front upper portion 12A in the use position. The rear sole portion 15B is secured to the lower portion of the rear upper portion 12B, for example, by stitching, gluing, or other means, and is positioned below the rear upper portion 12B in the use position.

[0036] Both the front sole portion 15A and the rear sole portion 15B may include, for example, a resilient foam midsole, such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer foam, to attenuate ground reaction forces (e.g., provide cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further configurations, the front sole portion 15A and / or the rear sole portion 15B may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, conditioners, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence foot motion. In the illustrated embodiment, the front sole portion 15A includes a front midsole component 80A and a front outsole portion 82A that is secured to the bottom of the front midsole component 80A and partially wraps around the medial and lateral sidewalls of the front midsole component 80A. The rear sole portion 15B includes a rear midsole member 80B and a rear outsole portion 82B, which is secured to the bottom of the rear midsole member 80B and partially wraps around the medial and lateral sidewalls of the rear midsole member 80B. The front midsole member 80A is separate and discontinuous from the rear midsole member 80B. Similarly, the front outsole portion 82A is separate and discontinuous from the rear outsole portion 82B. Connecting member 84 (e.g., at Figure 4 and 6 80B and defines the groove 27, as discussed further herein. The connecting member 84 may also be referred to herein as a plate 84.

[0037] The midsole components 80A, 80B may include, for example, a resilient foam, such as polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate foam, to attenuate ground reaction forces (i.e., provide cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further configurations, either or both of the midsole components 80A, 80B may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, modulators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence foot motion.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the foam of the cushioning layer (e.g., midsole components 80A, 80B) may include a foamed polymer material and may be at least partially polyurethane (PU) foam or polyurethane ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam and may include heat-expanded and molded EVA foam particles.

[0039] The foam polymer material may include one or more polymers. One or more polymers may include elastomers, including thermoplastic elastomers (TPE). One or more polymers may include aliphatic polymers, aromatic polymers, or a mixture thereof. In one example, the one or more polymers may include homopolymers, copolymers (including terpolymers), or a mixture thereof. For example, the copolymer may be a random copolymer, a block copolymer, an alternating copolymer, a periodic copolymer, or a graft copolymer. The one or more polymers may include an olefin homopolymer or copolymer, or a mixture of an olefin homopolymer and a copolymer. Examples of olefin polymers include polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). For example, PE may be a PE homopolymer, such as low-density PE or high-density PE, low-molecular-weight PE or ultra-high-molecular-weight PE, linear PE, or branched PE. In one example, PE may be an ethylene copolymer, such as ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, ethylene-ethyl acrylate copolymer, ethylene-unsaturated monofatty acid copolymer, etc. The one or more polymers may include polyacrylates, such as polyacrylic acid, polyacrylic acid esters, polyacrylonitrile, polyacetic acid esters, polymethyl methacrylate, polyethyl acrylate, polybutyl acrylate, polymethyl methacrylate, polyvinyl acetate, etc., including derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, and any mixtures thereof. The one or more polymers may include ionomers. For example, the ionomer may be a polycarboxylic acid or a derivative of a polycarboxylic acid. The ionomer may be a sodium salt, a magnesium salt, a potassium salt, or a salt of another metal ion. The ionomer may be a fatty acid-modified ionomer. Examples of ionomers include polystyrene sulfonate and ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer. The one or more polymers may include polycarbonate. The one or more polymers may include fluoropolymers. The one or more polymers may include polysiloxanes. The one or more polymers may include vinyl polymers, such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, etc. The one or more polymers may include polystyrene. Polystyrene may be a styrene copolymer, such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS), styrene ethylene propylene styrene (SEPS), styrene butadiene styrene (SBS), etc. The one or more polymers may include polyamide (PA). PA may be PA 6, PA 66, PA 11, or copolymers thereof. Polyester may be an aliphatic polyester homopolymer or copolymer, such as polyglycolic acid, polylactic acid, polycaprolactone, polyhydroxybutyrate, etc. Polyester may be a semi-aromatic copolymer, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polybutylene terephthalate (PBT). The one or more polymers may include polyethers, such as polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol, including copolymers thereof.The one or more polymers may include polyurethanes, including aromatic polyurethanes derived from aromatic isocyanates such as diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) or toluene diisocyanate (TDI), or aliphatic polyurethanes derived from aliphatic isocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), or mixtures of aromatic and aliphatic polyurethanes.

[0040] The foamed polymeric material can be a chemical foamed polymeric material, which is foamed using a chemical foaming agent that forms a gas when heated. For example, the chemical foaming agent can be an azo compound, such as azodicarbonamide, sodium bicarbonate or isocyanate. Alternatively or additionally, the foamed polymeric material can be a physical foamed polymeric material, which is foamed using a physical foaming agent that changes from a liquid or supercritical fluid phase to a gas due to changes in temperature and / or pressure. Alternatively, in addition to the one or more polymers, the polymeric material can also include one or more fillers, such as glass fiber, glass powder, modified or natural silica, calcium carbonate, mica, paper, wood chips, modified or natural clay, modified or unmodified synthetic clay, talc, etc. Similarly, the polymeric material can also include one or more colorants, such as pigments or dyes. Other optional components of the polymeric material include processing aids, ultraviolet light absorbers, etc.

[0041] The foamed polymeric material may be a cross-linked foamed polymeric material, i.e., a foamed material in which covalent cross-links exist between at least a portion of the one or more polymers. The cross-linked foamed polymeric material may be formed by including a cross-linking agent in the polymeric material used to form the foam. The cross-linking agent may be a peroxide-based cross-linking agent, such as dicumyl peroxide. Alternatively, the foamed polymeric material may be an uncross-linked foamed polymeric material having thermoplastic properties. The foamed polymeric material may be an elastic foam material.

[0042] Components of sole 80A, 80B can each comprise one or more bladder elements, and these one or more bladder elements can be blow-molded or formed by polymer sheet, and polymer sheet can comprise multiple materials, comprises the various polymers that can elastically keep fluid (as air or another gas).The example of the polymer material for polymer sheet comprises thermoplastic polyurethane, polyurethane, polyester, polyester polyurethane and polyether polyurethane.In addition, polymer sheet can each be formed by the layer of different materials.In one embodiment, each polymer sheet is formed by the film with one or more thermoplastic polyurethane layers, and these one or more thermoplastic polyurethane layers have the barrier layer of one or more ethylene and ethylene alcohol copolymer (EVOH) that are impermeable to the pressurized fluid contained therein, as disclosed in U.S. Patent number US6,082,025, this patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.Each polymer sheet also can be formed by the material of the alternating layers comprising thermoplastic polyurethane and ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, as disclosed in U.S. Patent number US5,713,141 and US5,952,065 by the people such as Mitchel, its full content is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the layers may include ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, thermoplastic polyurethane, and regrind of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer and thermoplastic polyurethane. The polymer sheets may also each be a flexible microlayer film comprising alternating layers of a gas barrier material and an elastomeric material, as disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 6,082,025 and 6,127,026 to Bonk et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other suitable materials for polymer sheets are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,183,156 and 4,219,945 to Rudy, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. Other suitable materials for polymer sheets include thermoplastic films comprising crystalline materials, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,936,029 and 5,042,176 to Rudy, and polyurethanes comprising polyester polyols, as disclosed in U.S. Patents 6,013,340, 6,203,868, and 6,321,465 to Bonk et al., which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. When selecting a material for a polymer sheet, engineering properties such as tensile strength, tensile properties, fatigue properties, dynamic modulus, and loss tangent may be considered. The thickness of the polymer sheet may be selected to provide these properties.

[0043] The front outsole portion 82A and / or the rear outsole portion 82B can be made of a material that generally comprises natural or synthetic rubber or other suitable durable materials. One or more materials for the outsole portion can be selected to provide the ideal combination of durability and flexibility. Operable synthetic rubber comprises ethylene propylene rubber (EPR), styrene isoprene styrene (SIS) copolymer rubber and styrene butadiene rubber. Outsole portions 82A, 82B can be a harder material than midsole components 80A, 80B, such as natural or synthetic rubber or a composite material comprising rubber, whose hardness is greater than the hardness of midsole components 80A, 80B. Alternatively, outsole portions 82A, 82B can be natural or synthetic leather or other materials. Can be based on any suitable scale for measuring the hardness of foam and rubber, such as Shore A or Shore D scale, and measure hardness according to any relevant durometer test method. Fatigue life and environmental testing can be used for selecting suitable materials for outsole portions 82A, 82B. The ability of the outsole portions 82A, 82B to be bonded to the midsole components 80A, 80B may also be considered when selecting the material for the outsole portions 82A, 82B.

[0044] The closure system 14 includes an adjustment cord 16 and a cord lock 18. The adjustment cord 16 is operably secured to the front upper portion 12A at an anchoring location 20. The cord lock 18 is also secured to the front upper portion 12A at a fixed location such that the cord lock 18 does not move relative to the front upper portion 12A. More specifically, the cord lock 18 includes a first body 18A and a second body 18B, both of which are secured to the tongue area of the front upper portion 12A, as further discussed herein. The cord lock 18 cooperates with and locks the adjustment cord 16. In the illustrated embodiment, the cord lock 18 is configured such that the adjustment cord 16 slides through the cord lock 18 under tension from tightening the upper 12 and can be moved relative to the cord lock 18. Figure 2 The first position shown (called the unlocked or untensioned position) is pivoted to Figure 1 The second position (referred to as the locked position) is shown to lock into the cord lock 18 and maintain tension in the adjustment cord 16. Adjustment is made by simply pulling the loop portion 16A of the adjustment cord 16 to tighten the cord 16 and pivoting the loop portion 16A of the cord from the first position to the second position. The loop portion 16A is continuous with the remaining portion 16B of the cord 16. The loop portion 16A is the portion that extends from the first outlet 24A of the first body 18A to the first outlet 24B of the second body 18B. The adjustment cord 16 can be tensioned by pulling the loop portion 16A away from the first body 18A and the second body 18B, as discussed further herein.

[0045] Pulling loop portion 16A simultaneously pulls or tightens front upper portion 12A to adjust its fit to the wearer's foot. Moving loop portion 16A to the second position while maintaining the pulling force locks cord 16 to lock 18. When the pulling force is subsequently removed, lock 18 maintains the tension in cord 16. As used herein, an adjustment cord, such as adjustment cord 16, is a flexible, elastic, or inelastic, elongated tensile element capable of withstanding tensile loads and may include, but is not limited to, a lace, strand, thread, cord, string, or chain. A loop portion, such as loop portion 16A, is a continuous portion and may form a curve, but need not be circular or semicircular. For example, the loop portion may be configured to be fixed to each other at both ends. In other embodiments, portion 16A need not be a continuous loop, but may include a portion at the medial end of cord 16 extending through first body 18A and a portion at the lateral end of cord 16 extending through second body 18B.

[0046] In some embodiments, the cord 16 may be an elastic cord that elastically stretches to a greater overall length and less thickness when tensioned by pulling on the loop portion 16A, and then returns to a greater thickness and less overall length when the tension is released. Figure 3 As shown, the rope 16 may include an elastic core 16D made of rubber or other elastically stretchable material, which is surrounded by a braided sheath 16C. The elastic core 16D can slide within and relative to the sheath 16C. The sheath 16C can be loosely braided or otherwise constructed so that as the rope 16 is tightened, it can also be stretched to a greater length. In other embodiments, the rope 16 can be a non-elastic material. For example, the non-elastic rope 16 can be tightened and can be locked to the lock 18 by friction fit, such as by compression when manually pushed into the lock 18.

[0047] exist Figure 1 In the tensioned and locked state, the cord 16 is locked to the bodies 18A, 18B, so that the portion 16B of the cord 16 extending between the entrances 34A, 34B of the bodies 18A, 18B remains tensioned and, if elastic, may have a thickness or diameter D2 that is slightly smaller than the loop portion 16A, indicating that it is tensioned in the locked position while the loop portion 16A is not tensioned.

[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the closure system 14 also includes a medial strap 45 extending from the medial side 13 of the front upper portion 12A and a lateral strap 43 extending from the lateral side 11 of the front upper portion 12A (as shown in FIG. Figure 2 As shown). Figure 7 and 8As described, medial strap 45 and transverse strap 43 may be secured to rear upper portion 12B to secure front upper portion 12A to rear upper portion 12B in a use position. For example, straps 43, 45 may be secured to rear upper portion 12B by hook-and-loop fasteners or other types of fasteners, as further discussed herein.

[0049] like Figure 2 As shown, the cord lock 18 includes a first body 18A and a second body 18B. The first body 18A is secured to the outer side 11 of the front upper portion 12A at the tongue area 12AA of the front upper portion 12A. The second body 18B is secured to the inner side 13 of the front upper portion 12A at the tongue area 12AA. The second body 18B is constructed symmetrically with the first body 18A about the longitudinal axis LM (e.g., the longitudinal centerline) of the article of footwear 10. The first and second bodies 18A, 18B are mirror images of each other and are spaced apart from each other at the tongue area 12AA. Each body 18A, 18B includes a flange 19A, 19B, respectively. The flange 19A is integral with the first body 18A, and the flange 19B is integral with the second body 18B, each being a single, unitary component. In other embodiments, the bodies 18A, 18B may be secured to the respective flanges 19A, 19B to form an integral part therewith. For example, the bodies 18A, 18B and flanges 19A, 19B may comprise a thermoplastic material, such as nylon 12 (PA), also known as nylon polyamide 12 or nylon (PA12), available from Arkema, Inc. of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, USA. Furthermore, the thermoplastic material may be reinforced, such as with glass, or may not be reinforced. Alternatively, the bodies 18A, 18B and flanges 19A, 19B may comprise a molded rubber material. The flanges 19A, 19B may be stitched, adhered, thermally bonded, or otherwise secured to the tongue area 12AA.

[0050] Figure 3 The article of footwear 10 is shown in the entry position, with the rear sole portion 15B largely hidden due to foreshortening in the front perspective view, wherein the heel region 21 appears smaller than the forefoot region 25. Figure 3 , cord 16 is elastic and is shown in an untensioned state, as is apparent from the generally equal and uniform thickness of portion 16B of cord 16 extending through cord guides 22A-22D and portion 16A of cord 16 extending from first outlet 24A of first body 18A to first outlet 24B of second body 18B. Portion 16A is referred to herein as the loop portion. Portion 16B extends from anchoring location 20 to inlet 34A of body 18A (see FIG. Figure 7 ) and extends to the inlet 34B of the second body 18B (see Figure 8). In the untensioned state, the elastic core of the cord 16 may have a uniform thickness or diameter D1 in the loop portion 16A and the remaining portion 16B. The overall thickness of the loop portion 16A may appear greater due to the bunching of the sheath 16C covering the elastic core 16D. The cord 16 may be a hollow, solid, or stranded core wire. The cord 16 may have a circular cross-section with a diameter D1 (see Figure 1 ), or may have a non-circular cross-section with a cross-sectional area equal to the circular cross-sectional area of D1. For example, cord 16 may be round with a circular cross-section, or may be flat with a rectangular cross-section, or may have another cross-sectional shape. In embodiments where cord 16 is flat, cord 16 may be manually folded along its length at loop portion 16A, for example, before being repositioned into cord lock 18. Such a flat cord 16 may be elastic or inelastic.

[0051] exist Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the adjustment cord 16 is not tensioned, and the lateral and medial straps 43 and 45 are not fastened. Closure system 14 includes forefoot cord guides 22A and 22B anchored to front upper portion 12A in forefoot region 25. Adjustment cord 16 is operably secured to front upper portion 12A at anchoring location 20. For example, anchoring location 20 is the area on front upper portion 12A where lateral and medial forefoot cord guides 22A and 22B are sewn or otherwise secured to front upper portion 12A. Cord guides 22A and 22B are sleeves through which cord 16 extends. Medial forefoot cord guide 22B is secured to medial side 13 of front upper portion 12A in forefoot region 25. Lateral forefoot cord guide 22A is secured to lateral side 11 of front upper portion 12A in forefoot region 25. Thus, the cord 16 is operatively secured to the outer surface of the front upper portion 12A at the anchoring location 20 in an indirect manner via the cord guides 22A, 22B through which the cord 16 can slide. Alternatively, the cord 16 can be sewn or otherwise operatively secured directly to the front upper portion 12A so that it is non-slidably secured to the front upper portion 12A at the anchoring location in a manner relative to the front upper portion 12A at the anchoring location 20.

[0052] Closure system 14 also includes a lateral cord guide 22C secured to lateral side 11 of front upper portion 12A (see FIG. Figure 4 ) and an inner side rope guide 22D (see Figure 6). The adjustment cord 16 engages the inner cord guide 22D and the outer cord guide 22C between the anchoring location 20 and the cord lock 18. The inner cord guide 22D is secured to the inner side 45A of the inner strap 45, and the outer cord guide 22C is secured to the inner side 43A of the outer strap 43. When the cord 16 is tensioned by pulling on the loop portion 16A, the cord 16 engages the cord guides 22A-22D. Again referring to Figure 3 Closure system 14 may also include at least one additional cord guide (e.g., cord guide 22E and / or cord guide 22F) secured to front upper portion 12A, with adjustment cord 16 engaging additional cord guides 22E and / or 22F between forefoot cord guides 22A, 22B and cord lock 18. Cord guides 22A-22F are depicted as flexible but relatively inelastic loops and may be a braided or mesh nylon material, or may be other materials or configurations, such as straps, rigid hooks, or eyelets.

[0053] See also Figure 4 , the sole structure 15 rotates about the transverse pivot axis PA from Figure 1 The lateral pivot axis PA extends laterally across the sole structure 15 (e.g., from the lateral side 11 to the medial side 13) at the groove 27 defined by the connecting member 84. The groove 27 extends across the bottom surface 29 of the sole structure 15 between the front sole portion 15A and the rear sole portion 15B. Figure 6 1 and extends from the lateral side 11 to the medial side 13 of the sole structure 15. The groove 27 is relatively closed in the entry position so that the sole structure 15 is elevated at the transverse axis PA, e.g., further above the ground plane P in the entry position than in the use position. Figure 6 ), the groove 27 is relatively open, and the front wall 35 of the connecting member 84 is farther from the rear wall 37 of the connecting member 84 than in the closed position. In other words, the opposing surfaces (e.g., walls 35, 37) of the connecting member 84 are farther from each other in the open position than in the closed position.

[0054] The apex of groove 27, or the top of a cross-section through groove 27, is configured to allow the material of connecting member 84 to flex to open and close groove 27 while minimizing or reducing stress concentrations or fatigue. For example, if the top of groove 27 extends from lateral side 11 to medial side 13 of sole structure 15, the internal forces generated by the flexure are spread across the width of sole structure 15, reducing stress concentrations in connecting member 84. Additionally, if the top of groove 27 has a relatively rounded shape rather than a relatively pointed shape (e.g., without a pointed apex), the internal forces are distributed over a larger area of the material, reducing stress concentrations compared to a pointed groove.

[0055] exist Figure 4In the entry position, rear sole portion 15B is inclined from a rear end 39 of rear sole portion 15B toward transverse axis PA, and front sole portion 15A is inclined from a front end 47 of front sole portion 15A toward transverse axis PA. In the entry position, front upper portion 12A and rear upper portion 12B are spaced apart from one another such that ankle opening 17 is larger than in the use position. More specifically, front portion 17A of ankle opening 17 (defined by tongue area 12AA) is spaced apart from rear portion 17B of ankle opening 17 (defined by rear upper portion 12B). Figure 6 In the use position, the front portion 17A is closer to the rear portion 17B than in the entry position, so that the ankle opening 17 fits snugly around the wearer's ankle. Figure 6 , there is no foot shown in footwear 10. Because upper 12 comprises a relatively stretchable and flexible material around the ankle, ankle opening 17 appears slightly smaller than when stretched around the ankle.

[0056] Figure 5 Shown is a pair of footwear 10 in Figure 4 The entry position is shown in FIG. 1 , but with the rear upper portion 12B and rear sole portion 15B shown in phantom so that the heel footbed 41 extending rearwardly from the front sole portion 15A is visible. Figure 6 In the in-use position, the front sole portion 15A and the rear sole portion 15B are pivoted downward from the entry position back to rest relatively horizontally on the ground plane P (rather than elevated at the transverse axis PA), and the heel footbed 41 extends rearwardly over and rests on the rear sole portion 15B. Figure 6 In FIG, the heel shoe bed 41 is shown in dotted lines in this position. Figure 5 When the foot is in the proper entry position, heel footbed 41 serves as a visual target for a person inserting the foot into foot-receiving cavity 26 of front upper portion 12A and front sole portion 15A. The person typically inserts the foot forward and downward in the direction of arrow C toward foot-receiving cavity 26. When the sole of the foot applies a downward force on front sole portion 15A, including on heel footbed 41, the foot will be properly guided into position on heel footbed 41, reaching the top side of rear sole portion 15B, which wraps around the back of the wearer's heel. Proper placement of the foot on heel footbed 41 helps ensure proper alignment of the foot on front sole portion 15A, so that when sole structure 15 pivots downward under the wearer's weight into the use position, rear upper portion 12B will easily slide around the back of the wearer's foot.

[0057] Figure 5 and Figure 6 The outer cord guide 22C is shown fixed to the inner side 43A of the outer strap 43 ( Figure 5 ) and the inner rope guide 22D fixed to the inner side 45A of the inner belt 45 ( Figure 6). The lower portions of the straps 43, 45 are fixed to the front upper portion 12A, for example, by sewing, and the cord guides 22C, 22D are fixed to these lower portions on the inner side of the straps 43, 45, respectively. The cord guides 22C and 22D are annular sleeves that allow the cord 16 to slide through the space between the cord guides and the front upper portion 12A. The adjustment cord 16 engages the inner cord guide 22D and the outer cord guide 22C between the anchoring location 20 and the cord lock 18. Figure 7 and 8 As shown, when the upper portions of the straps 43 and 45 are secured to the rear upper portion 12B, the cord guides 22C and 22D and the cord 16 are disposed between the inner sides 43A and 45A of the respective straps 43 and 45 and the front upper portion 12A. The straps 43 and 45 may each include an elastically stretchable portion 31 adjacent to the fasteners 37A and 37B (described below) and the cord guides 22C and 22D, which allows the front upper portion 12A to be further tightened to the rear upper portion 12B when the straps 43 and 45 are stretched. Furthermore, when the straps 43 and 45 are stretched and secured to the rear upper portion 12B at the elastically stretchable portion 31, the cord 16 can be moved slightly further rearward. The cord 16 follows a nonlinear path from the anchoring location 20 at the cord guides 22A and 22B through the cord guides 22C and 22D to the lock bodies 18A and 18B.

[0058] At least one fastener 37A is secured to inner side 43A of strap 43, and at least one fastener 37B is secured to inner side 45A of strap 45. To hold shoe 10 in the use position, fasteners 37A, 37B are releasably secured to one or more complementary fasteners 37C secured to rear upper portion 12B. Figure 7 Lateral strap 43 is shown secured to rear upper portion 12B at fastener 37C. Figure 8Shown is the medial side band 45 that is fixed to rear upper portion 12B at fastener 37C.In the embodiment shown, fastener 37A, 37B, 37C is a hook-and-loop fastener.For example, fastener 37A, 37B can comprise a plurality of loops, and fastener 37C can comprise a plurality of hooks, and loop can be fixed on these hooks.Alternatively, fastener 37A, 37B can comprise a plurality of hooks, and fastener 37C can comprise a plurality of loops.In another alternative, each among fastener 37A, 37B, 37C can comprise hook and loop, and it is constructed so that fastener 37A and 37B can be fixed to fastener 37C.Fastener 37C is shown as a single continuous fastener that extends around the rear portion of rear upper portion 12B and on the lateral side 11 and the medial side 13 of rear upper portion 12B. This wide extension of fastener 37C allows straps 43, 45 to be secured at different locations on fastener 37C to influence the desired fit of upper 12 (e.g., upper portions 12A, 12B) to the foot in conjunction with adjustment cord 16 and lock 18. In other embodiments, multiple smaller, discrete fasteners 37C may be secured to rear upper portion 12B rather than one large, continuous fastener 37C. When lateral strap 43 and medial strap 45 are secured to rear upper portion 12B, tensioning of adjustment cord 16 may further pull rear upper portion 12B toward front upper portion 12A because cord 16 engages lateral cord guide 22C and medial cord guide 22D at inner sides 45A, 43A of medial strap 45 and lateral strap 43.

[0059] The cord 16 can be tensioned by pulling the loop portion 16A and then locked to the cord lock 18 to maintain tension. The tensioning and locking can occur before or after the straps 43, 45 are secured to the rear upper portion 12B. Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , the straps 43, 45 are already secured to the rear upper portion 12B before the cord 16 is secured to the cord lock 18. The loop portion 16A is Figure 7 When the ring portion 16A is manually pulled outward in the direction of the force F and pivoted in the direction of the arrow G to Figure 8 Lock position (in Figure 7 In the locked position L), shown in dotted lines in FIG, the cord 16 is locked to the cord lock 18.

[0060] refer to Figure 9 and Figure 10, the first body 18A is shown and described in more detail. The description of the first body 18A is equally applicable to the second body 18B, because the second body 18B is constructed symmetrically with respect to the first body 18A. Each body 18A, 18B includes a first channel 28 and a second channel 30 branching from a middle portion 32 of the first channel 28. In other words, the channels 28, 30 are interconnected at the middle portion 32. The body 18A defines an inlet 34A and a first outlet 24A, and the first channel 28 extends from the inlet 34A to the first outlet 24A. The second channel 30 extends from the first channel 28 to a second outlet 40A defined by the body 18A. The first channel 28 includes a first section 28A and a second section 28B. The first section 28A extends from the inlet 34A to the edge 33 of the second channel 30 farthest from the inlet 34A (see Figure 10 ). The second section 28B extends from the edge 33 of the second passage 30 to the first outlet 24A. In the embodiment shown, the first passage 28 is cylindrical and has a first diameter D3. The longitudinal axis A2 of the second passage 30 is disposed at an obtuse angle B relative to the longitudinal axis A1 of the first passage 28, the obtuse angle B being the angle between the longitudinal axis A1 at the inlet 34A and the longitudinal axis A2 at the second outlet 40A. The second body 18B has respective first and second passages 28, 30 arranged relative to each other in the same manner as in the first body 18A, with an inlet 34B, a first outlet 24B, and a second outlet 40B (see Figure 8 ).

[0061] The second channel 30 is connected to the first channel 28, and the inlet 38 of the second channel (see Figure 10 ) begins at a mid-portion 32. In the illustrated embodiment, the second channel 30 is cylindrical and has a second diameter D4 that is smaller than the first diameter D3 of the first channel 28. Thus, the first cross-sectional area of the first channel 28 is greater than the second cross-sectional area of the second channel 30, as both are proportional to the square of their respective diameters D3 and D4. The cross-section of each channel 28 or 30 is taken perpendicular to its central axis A1 or A2. In other embodiments, only a portion of the second channel 30 has a smaller diameter than the first channel. For example, only the narrowing portion somewhere along the second channel 30 needs to be narrower than the untensioned diameter D1 of the cord 16 in order to lock the loop portion 16A of the cord 16 to the body 18A in the second channel 30.

[0062] The configuration of the adjustment cord 16 is such that its diameter D2 when tensioned is less than the diameter D3 of the first passage 28. In the embodiment shown, the cord 16 is elastic and cylindrical in cross-section (e.g., at a section taken perpendicular to its longitudinal axis through the cord 16). Thus, the cross-sectional area of the cord 16 when tensioned is less than the cross-sectional area of the first passage 28. This allows the cord 16 to move longitudinally relative to the first passage 28 (e.g., slide within the first passage 28) when the loop portion 16A is pulled away from the body 18A, 18B, for example, in a direction along the longitudinal axis A1 of the first passage 28. The cross-sectional area of the cord 16 when tensioned can also be at least slightly less than the cross-sectional area of the second passage 30 and slightly less than the narrowing portion at width D5 (e.g., at the narrowing portion at width D5). Figure 11 , discussed in [ 15 ], to allow the tensioned cord 16 to enter the second channel 30 when the loop portion 16A is repositioned from the first channel 28 to the second channel 30. The cross-sectional area of the cord 16 when untensioned (e.g., when it has a diameter D1) is greater than the cross-sectional area of the second channel 30. This configuration allows the cord 16 to fit into the second channel 30 when pivoted to the second position and then lock into the second channel 30 when the force F is removed, filling the second channel 30 as the cord 16 attempts to return to its untensioned diameter D1. In embodiments where the cord 16 is inelastic, its cross-sectional area may remain relatively unchanged when tensioned, but may be locked to the lock 18 in the second channel 30 by a friction fit and / or may be slightly compressed when manually positioned in the second channel 30 (e.g., by pushing the cord 16 into the second channel 30 when pivoting). Thus, the lock bodies 18A, 18B act as a pinch point on the cord 16, with the portion 16B between the anchor location 20 and the lock 18 maintaining tension. The portion of the cord 16 (eg, the loop portion 16A) between the second outlet 40A of the first body 18A and the second outlet 40B of the second body 18B is untensioned (eg, slack) and may have a diameter D1 .

[0063] See also Figure 9 , the outer surface 42 of the body 18A defines a slot 44 that extends from the first outlet 24A to the second outlet 40A. The slot 44 also extends inwardly from the outer surface 42 into the body 18A along the segment 28B of the first passage 28 and along the second passage 30. The slot 44 does not extend along the segment 28A of the first passage 28 between the inlet 34A and the beginning of the second passage 30 (e.g., the first segment 28A). The slot 44 enables the loop portion 16A of the adjustment cord 16 to be extended from the first position (ie, the first outlet 24A) of the adjustment cord 16 in the body 18A by extending the cord 16 through the slot 44 from the adjustment cord 16 in the body 18A through the first outlet 24A. Figure 2 ) pivots to a second position where the adjustment cord 16 extends through the second outlet 40A ( Figure 1 The adjustment cord 16 extends through the inlet 34A in both the first position and the second position.

[0064] The adjustment of the cord 16 begins by applying manual force to the loop portion 16A to pull the loop portion 16A away from the front upper portion 12A. Figure 7 As the ring portion 16A pivots from the first position to the second position, the ring portion 16A moves away from the segment 28B and pivots (along the Figure 7 The loop 16A (arrow G in FIG. 1 ) moves through the slot 44 into the second channel 30, generally pivoting at a pivot axis at the intersection of the central axes A1, A2. The pivoting movement can begin while the cord 16 is still stretched (if elastic) by the force F applied to the loop portion 16A, or can occur while the stretching of the loop portion 16A along the axis A1 is complete and the force F is maintained. When the loop portion 16A moves into the second channel 30 and the force F on the loop portion 16A is removed, the locking of the loop portion 16A with the body 18A and the body 18B at the respective second channel 30 maintains (e.g., sustains) the tension in the loop portion 16B.

[0065] See also Figure 11 As can be seen from the plan view, the body 18A includes a first side wall 48 and a second side wall 50, with the second side wall 50 separated from the first side wall 48 by the slot 44. The first side wall 48 and the second side wall 50 extend along the segment 28B of the first channel 28. In other words, the first side wall 48 and the second side wall 50 extend beyond the middle portion 32 (where the second channel 30 branches off from the first channel 28) to the first outlet 24A. The first side wall 48 and the second side wall 50 also extend along the second channel 30 to the second outlet 40A. Figure 9 As shown, the top 52 of each side wall 48, 50 extends forward from the second outlet 40A by the length of segment 28B. The front portion 54 of each side wall 48, 50 extends upward to merge with the top 52. The second passage 30 and segment 28B are thus completely located within the body 18A. The front portion of the first passage 28 (e.g., the second segment 28B closest to the front portion 54) and the upper portion of the second passage 30 (e.g., the portion closest to the top 52) are open to the slot 44 along their lengths and can be accessed through the slot 44 to allow the cord 16 to exit the first segment 28A and pivot to the second passage 30 when the cord 16 is tightened. When the cord 16 is released to loosen the front upper portion 12A, the slot 44 allows the cord 16 to exit the second passage 30 when the cord 16 pivots back to segment 28B.

[0066] like Figure 11As shown, the configuration of the first and second sidewalls 48, 50 causes the slot to be narrower at the axial opening 64 of the second channel 30 adjacent to the slot 44 than at the front portion 54 of the body 18A. For example, the inner surface 60 of the first sidewall 48 angles inwardly (e.g., toward the slot 44) from the outer surface 42 at the front portion 54 to the second channel 30 toward the second sidewall 50 to narrow the slot 44. The inner surface 62 of the second sidewall 50 is similarly angled inwardly toward the first sidewall 48. In other embodiments, only the first sidewall 48 or only the second sidewall 50 is angled inwardly. In any embodiment, the width D5 of the axial opening 64 of the second channel 30 leading to the slot 44 is less than the diameter D4 of the second channel 30. When the cord 16 is in the second channel 30 and the manually applied tension is removed, if the cord 16 is elastic, the cord 16 begins to expand to its untensioned diameter D1, which is greater than the diameter D4. Thus, the cord 16 will be locked to the body 18A in the second channel 30, constrained by the second channel 30 from fully expanding to its untensioned diameter D1. The narrowing of the slot 44 to a width D5 will further help retain the cord 16 in the second channel 30 until the cord 16 is re-tensioned by an applied tension force to thin the cord 16 to its tensioned diameter D2, which is less than the width D5, allowing the cord 16 to pivot back through the axial opening 64 into the first channel 28, thereby releasing the front upper portion 12A. In embodiments where the cord 16 is non-elastic, its cross-sectional area may remain relatively unchanged when tensioned, but when manually placed in the second channel 30 (e.g., by pushing the cord 16 into the second channel 30), it may be locked to the lock 18 in the second channel 30 by a friction fit and / or may be slightly compressed when pivoted. In embodiments where the cord 16 is "flat" (e.g., having a rectangular cross-section perpendicular to its length), the cord 16 can be folded along its length at the second passage 30 prior to or concurrently with its insertion into the second passage 30 via a pivoting motion. When the flat cord is elastic and tensioned, its overall cross-section is smaller than when it is untensioned. Furthermore, folding the flat cord along its length further facilitates its locking within the lock body, as its thickness is doubled and it is biased toward unfolding and returning to its unfolded state, which causes it to press against the lock body in the second passage 30. The second passage 30 of the bodies 18A, 18B thus acts as a pinch point on the cord 16, and the portion 16B between the anchoring location 20 and the lock 18 remains tensioned. The portion of the cord 16 between the second outlet 40A of the first body 18A and the second outlet 40B of the second body 18B (e.g., the loop portion 16A) is untensioned (e.g., slack) and may have a diameter D1.

[0067] like Figure 12As shown, the inner surfaces 60, 62 of the sidewalls 48 and 50 protrude inwardly, directly above the first channel 28, as indicated by protrusions 66. Protrusions 66 ensure that the slot 44 also has a width D5 only at the axial opening 68 from the first channel 28 to the slot 44. In some embodiments, a series of protrusions configured as ribs may extend along the inner surfaces 60, 62 of the sidewalls 48 and 50 in a direction from the front portion 54 toward the axial opening 64. These protrusions may help prevent the cord 16 from moving from the second channel 30 to the first channel 28 without manually applying tension to narrow the cord or otherwise enabling the cord 16 to be intentionally removed from the channel 30. Depending on the material used for the body 18A, the first sidewall 48 may be configured to flex away from the second sidewall 50 when the adjustment cord 16 encounters the protrusions 66 with sufficient force during repositioning of the adjustment cord 16.

[0068] like Figure 7 and 8 As shown, the first channel 28 of each of the first and second bodies 18A, 18B extends forward and upward from the inlet 34A, 34B to the first outlet 24A, 24B, respectively. When the adjustment cord 16 is located in the first channel 28 and exits the first outlet 24A, 24B, the loop portion 16A generally extends forward from the first outlet 24A, 24B. Figure 7 In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 , the cord 16 is in an untensioned state, and the loop portion 16A is disposed in the first channel 28. Thus, the adjustment cord 16 is diverted forward and upward from the cord guides 22C and 22D (disposed below the straps 43 and 45) to pass through the corresponding first channel 28. In this arrangement, the first body 18A, the outer cord guides 22C, and the cord guides 22A at the anchoring position 20 are arranged at intervals in a triangle. Figure 10 ) pulls the ring portion 16A in the direction of force F (upward and forward) while maintaining force F, and subsequently or simultaneously pivots the ring portion 16A rearwardly through the slot 44 of each of the bodies 18A, 18B (as shown). Figure 7 pivot arrow G in the middle) to the second channel 30, moving the ring portion 16A to Figure 8 A locked position in which the tension in portion 16B of cord 16 is maintained.

[0069] like Figure 7 and Figure 8As shown, the second channel 30 of each of the first body 18A and the second body 18B extends rearwardly and upwardly from the middle portion 32 of the first channel 28 to the second outlet 40A, 40B, respectively. When the loop portion 16A extends in the second channel 30 and exits the second outlet 40A, 40B, the loop portion 16A extends generally upwardly and slightly rearwardly. In the tensioned state, the front upper portion 12A is slightly adjacent to the front sole portion 15A in the midfoot region 23 and the forefoot region 25 (e.g., at the anchoring location 20), and the lock 18 (e.g., the bodies 18A, 18B) can be positioned relative to the front sole portion 15A. Figure 7 To loosen the shoe upper 12, the loop portion 16A is pulled upward and rearward along the axis A2 of the second channel 30 and simultaneously or subsequently pivoted through the slot 44 in the opposite direction of the arrow G while maintaining the force applied to return to the Figure 7 The first, untensioned position of the adjustment cord 16 is then released, at which point the force F is released, causing the adjustment cord 16, including loop portion 16A and portion 16B, to return to its untensioned state. Tightening and loosening of the cord 16, and the resulting adjustment of the upper 12, can be accomplished by pulling and pivoting the cord 16 with only one hand, as previously described. No other hand is required to complete the adjustment, and no contact with the shoe 10 is even required during the adjustment process.

[0070] Figure 13 and Figure 14 An alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 110 is shown that is similar to the article of footwear 10 except that a medial hook 145 and a lateral hook 143 are provided, and the following components: medial strap 45, lateral strap 43, fasteners 37A, 37B and 37C, and guides 22C and 22D are not provided. The medial hook 145 extends from the medial side 13 of the rear upper portion 12B. The lateral hook 143 extends from the lateral side 11 of the rear upper portion 12B. The cord 16 engages the medial hook 145 and the lateral hook 143 between the anchoring location 20 and the lock bodies 18A, 18B of the cord lock 18. When the loop portion 16A is moved to lock the cord 16 to the lock bodies 18A, 18B, the engagement of the cord 16 with the hooks 143, 145 helps to maintain the rear upper portion 12B and the front upper portion 12A in the use position. In the entry position, the cord 16 can extend through the hooks 143, 145 (as shown in FIG. Figure 14 Cord 16 may be shown extending through lateral hook 143), or in the entry position, cord 16 may be disengaged from hooks 143, 145 and then positioned in hooks 143, 145 once footwear 110 is moved into the entry position and before locking cord 16 to lock body 18A, 18B.

[0071] Figure 15Detailed description of the invention shows a connecting member 84 (e.g., plate 84) in articles of footwear 10 and 110. Plate 84 can be a rigid or semi-rigid plastic, such as thermoplastic polyurethane, and can be pre-formed with grooves 27. In some embodiments, plate 84 can be harder than the material of front outsole portion 82A and rear outsole portion 82B to minimize torsion of sole structure 15 at plate 84. In other embodiments, plate 84 can be the same material as front outsole portion 82A and rear outsole portion 82B and can be considered part of the outsole. Plate 84 is connected to rear wall 86 of front midsole component 80A and is connected to the bottom of front midsole component 80A in front of rear wall 86. Plate 84 is also connected to front wall 88 of rear midsole component 80B and is connected to the bottom of rear midsole component 80B just behind rear wall 86. Thus, plate 84 lines front wall 88 and rear wall 86 at groove 27 , and groove 27 extends laterally between medial side 13 and lateral side 11 of article of footwear 10 .

[0072] Plate 84 is provided with notches 94A, 94B at the side edges of plate 84, proximate peak 95 of plate 84 above slot 27, at inner side 13 and outer side 11, respectively, to reduce stress concentrations on the inner and outer sides of peak 95. Notches 94A, 94B may be smaller than shown, or plate 84 may be devoid of notches.

[0073] The ribs 96A, 96B can be secured to the respective walls 37, 35 of the plate 84 within the groove 27 and can extend outwardly into the groove 27. The ribs 96A, 96B can be the same material as the plate, or can be a harder or softer material, and can serve as reinforcement members and / or bumpers or spacers in the groove 27. For example, the ribs 96A, 96B can extend slightly outwardly from the walls 37, 35 into the groove 27 so that the ribs 96A, 96B, but not the walls 37, 35, contact each other in the entered position (e.g., when the groove 27 is closed). The ribs 96A, 96B do not extend across the top of the groove 27 between the walls 37, 35 so as not to increase resistance to pivoting of the sole structure 15 at the groove 27.

[0074] The front outsole portion 82A is located below the front midsole component 80A in front of the plate 84 and is fixed to the front midsole component 80A. The rear outsole portion 82B is located below the rear midsole component 80B in the rear of the plate 84 and is fixed to the rear midsole component 80B. The front midsole component 80A and the rear midsole component 80B can be connected to the corresponding outsole portions 82A, 82B and the plate 84 in this way, for example by bonding (such as by an adhesive), or by insert molding, co-molding or additive 3D printing. The plate 84 and the outsole portions 82A, 82B can be configured to cooperate with each other. For example, the rear edge 89 of the outsole portion 82A can be shaped to follow and / or abut the front edge 84A of the plate 84 from the medial side 13 to the lateral side 11 of the sole structure 15. Similarly, the front edge 91 of the outsole portion 82B can be shaped to follow and / or abut the rear edge 84B of the plate 84 from the medial side 13 to the lateral side 11. Figure 17 As best shown in FIG, panel 84 may extend slightly forward and rearward beyond edges 84A, 84B, respectively. Front outsole portion 82A may include a lip 82C that covers the front edge of panel 84 forward of front edge 84A. Rear outsole portion 82B may include a lip 82D that covers the rear edge of panel 84 rearward of rear edge 84B.

[0075] like Figure 16 and 17 As shown, outsole portions 82A, 82B are thicker than plate 84, and therefore plate 84 does not form part of the ground-contacting surface GS of sole structure 15 (e.g., the surface of sole structure 15 that contacts ground plane P when article of footwear 10 or 110 is in a use position). Instead, the thicker outsole portions 82A, 82B, extending downwardly from midsole components 80A, 80B, form a first recess 92A at the bottom surface of front sole portion 15A and a second recess 92B at the bottom surface of rear sole portion 15B. Plate 84 nests within first recess 92A and second recess 92B, such that it is elevated from the ground-contacting surface GS of outsole portions 82A, 82B.

[0076] The following clauses provide example constructions of the articles of footwear disclosed herein.

[0077] Item 1: An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure having a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, the rear sole portion being pivotable relative to the front sole portion between a use position and an entry position; an upper secured to the front sole portion and the rear sole portion; and a closure system comprising: an adjustment cord operably secured to the upper in an anchoring position; and a cord lock secured to the upper in a secured position; wherein the cord lock is configured such that the adjustment cord slides through the cord lock in a tensioned state in the use position to tighten the upper, and such that the adjustment cord is repositionable relative to the cord lock in a tensioned state to lock to the cord lock and maintain tension in the adjustment cord.

[0078] Clause 2: The article of footwear according to clause 1, wherein:

[0079] The upper comprises a front upper portion fixed to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot area of the upper, and a rear upper portion fixed to the rear sole portion and defining a heel area of the upper; and the closure system further comprises a medial strap extending from the inner side of the front upper portion and a lateral strap extending from the outer side of the front upper portion, wherein in the use position, the medial strap and the lateral strap are capable of being fixed to the rear upper portion to fix the front upper portion to the rear upper portion.

[0080] Clause 3: The article of footwear according to clause 2, wherein:

[0081] The medial strap and the lateral strap each include a fastener, and the rear upper portion includes one or more complementary fasteners, the fasteners of the medial strap and the fasteners of the lateral strap being selectively securable to and releasable from the one or more complementary fasteners.

[0082] Clause 4: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 2-3, wherein:

[0083] The closure system further includes a medial cord guide secured to a medial side of the front upper portion and a lateral cord guide secured to a lateral side of the front upper portion, the adjustment cord engaging the medial cord guide and the lateral cord guide between the anchor location and the cord lock.

[0084] Clause 5: The article of footwear according to clause 4, wherein:

[0085] The inner cord guide is secured to the inner strap and the outer cord guide is secured to the outer strap.

[0086] Clause 6: The article of footwear according to clause 4, wherein:

[0087] The inner cord guide is secured to an inner side of the inner strap, and the outer cord guide is secured to an inner side of the outer strap.

[0088] Clause 7: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 2-6, wherein:

[0089] The closure system further includes at least one forefoot rope guide anchored to the front upper portion at the forefoot area; and wherein the adjustment rope engages the at least one forefoot rope guide at the anchor location to operably secure the adjustment rope to the front upper portion.

[0090] Clause 8: The article of footwear according to clause 7, wherein:

[0091] The at least one forefoot lace guide includes a medial forefoot lace guide secured to a medial side of the front upper portion in the forefoot area, and a lateral forefoot lace guide secured to a lateral side of the front upper portion in the forefoot area.

[0092] Clause 9: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 7-8, wherein:

[0093] The closure system further includes at least one additional cord guide secured to the front upper portion; wherein the adjustment cord engages the at least one additional cord guide between the at least one forefoot cord guide and the cord lock.

[0094] Clause 10: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 2-9, wherein:

[0095] In the use position, the front upper portion and the rear upper portion together define a foot-receiving cavity and an ankle opening; and in the entry position, the front upper portion and the rear upper portion are spaced apart from each other such that the ankle opening is larger than in the use position.

[0096] Clause 11: The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein:

[0097] The upper includes a front upper portion fixed to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot area of the upper, and a rear upper portion fixed to the rear sole portion, the rear upper portion defining a heel area of the upper, and the closure system further includes: a medial hook extending from the medial side of the rear upper portion and a lateral hook extending from the lateral side of the rear upper portion, the adjustment cord engaging the medial hook and the lateral hook between the anchoring position and the cord lock.

[0098] Clause 12: The article of footwear according to clause 1, wherein:

[0099] The upper includes a front upper portion fixed to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot area of the upper, and a rear upper portion fixed to the rear sole portion, the rear upper portion defining a heel area of the upper; and the closure system also includes a medial strap or medial hook extending from the inner side of the rear upper portion, and a lateral strap or lateral hook extending from the outer side of the rear upper portion, the adjustment cord engaging the medial strap or medial hook and the lateral strap or lateral hook between the anchoring position and the cord lock.

[0100] Clause 13: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 1-12, wherein:

[0101] The cord lock includes a first body fixed to the outer side of the tongue area of the upper; the cord lock also includes a second body fixed to the inner side of the tongue area of the upper; the second body is configured to be symmetrical with the first body about the longitudinal centerline of the footwear; and the adjustment cord includes a loop portion extending from an outlet of the first body and an outlet of the second body.

[0102] Clause 14: The article of footwear according to clause 13, wherein:

[0103] The adjustment cord is tensioned by pulling the loop portion away from the first and second bodies.

[0104] Clause 15: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 13-14, wherein:

[0105] Each of the first body and the second body is constructed with a first channel and a second channel branching from a middle portion of the first channel, the second channel being narrower than the first channel; in the use position, when in a tensioned state, the adjustment cord can slide through the first channel to tighten the shoe upper; and the adjustment cord can pivot from a section of the first channel to the second channel and lock to a cord lock in the second channel to maintain tension in the adjustment cord.

[0106] Clause 16: The article of footwear according to clause 15, wherein:

[0107] A loop portion extends from the outlet of the first body and the outlet of the second body; and the adjustment cord moves to the second channel of each of the first body and the second body by pivoting the loop portion relative to the first body and the second body.

[0108] Clause 17: The article of footwear according to clause 16, wherein:

[0109] Each of the first body and the second body includes an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall spaced apart from the inner sidewall, and at least one protrusion extending from the inner sidewall or from the outer sidewall; and the inner sidewall is located between the upper and the outer sidewall.

[0110] Clause 18: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 15-17, wherein:

[0111] Each of the first and second bodies of the cord lock defines: an entrance, a first exit, and a second exit, a first channel extending from the entrance to the first exit, and a second channel extending from a middle portion of the first channel to the second exit; and each of the first and second bodies is configured with a section of the first channel extending from the middle portion to the first exit and communicating with the second channel.

[0112] Clause 19: The article of footwear according to Clause 18, wherein:

[0113] In each of the first body and the second body, an adjustment cord extends from an anchoring position and passes through the first channel from the entrance to the first exit, and can be repositioned from the section of the first channel to the second channel to exit through the second exit; and at least a portion of the second channel is narrower than the first channel so as to lock the adjustment cord to the first body and the second body when the adjustment cord is in the second channel of the first body and in the second channel of the second body.

[0114] Clause 20: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 18-19, wherein:

[0115] The loop portion of the adjustment cord extends generally forward from the first outlet when the adjustment cord extends in the first passage, and extends generally upward from the second outlet when the loop portion extends in the second passage.

[0116] Clause 21: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 18-20, wherein:

[0117] The angles between the longitudinal axis of the first channel and the longitudinal axis of the second channel and between the inlet and the second outlet are obtuse angles.

[0118] Clause 22: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 1 to 21, wherein:

[0119] The sole structure pivots at a transverse axis of the sole structure between a use position and an entry position and is raised further away from the ground plane at the transverse axis in the entry position than in the use position, wherein in the entry position the rear sole portion is inclined from a rear end of the rear sole portion toward the transverse axis and the front sole portion is inclined from a front end of the front sole portion toward the transverse axis.

[0120] Clause 23: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 1-22, wherein:

[0121] The front sole portion includes a front sole midsole component, and the rear sole portion includes a rear sole midsole component that is discontinuous with the front sole midsole component; the sole structure includes a connecting member, which connects the front sole midsole component to the rear sole midsole component and defines a groove extending laterally between the front sole midsole component and the rear sole midsole component; the front sole midsole component and the rear sole midsole component can pivot relative to each other at the groove between a use position and an entry position; and the relative surfaces of the connecting member at the groove are closer to each other in the entry position than in the use position, so that the groove is relatively open in the use position and the groove is relatively closed in the entry position.

[0122] Clause 24: The article of footwear according to clause 23, wherein:

[0123] The connecting member includes a plate defining a recess and secured to the rear wall of the front midsole member and the front wall of the rear midsole member at the recess.

[0124] Article 25: Articles of footwear as referred to in Article 24,

[0125] Also included is a rib fixed at a wall of the connecting member in the groove and extending outwardly into the groove.

[0126] Clause 26: The article of footwear according to Clause 24, wherein:

[0127] The sole structure includes an outsole having a front portion positioned under and secured to a front midsole member forward of the board and a rear portion positioned under and secured to a rear midsole member rearward of the board.

[0128] Clause 27: The article of footwear according to Clause 26, wherein:

[0129] The front sole portion has a bottom surface with a first recess; the rear sole portion has a bottom surface with a second recess; and the plate is embedded in the first recess and the second recess.

[0130] Clause 28: The article of footwear according to any one of clauses 1 to 27, wherein:

[0131] The adjustment cord is elastic.

[0132] Clause 29: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 1 to 27, wherein:

[0133] The adjustment cord is non-elastic.

[0134] Item 30: An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure having a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, the rear sole portion being pivotable relative to the front sole portion between a use position and an entry position; a split upper comprising a front upper portion secured to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot region of the split upper, and a rear upper portion secured to the rear sole portion and defining a heel region of the split upper; a closure system comprising: an adjustment cord operably secured to the front upper portion in an anchoring position; and a cord lock secured to the front upper portion; a medial strap extending from a medial side of the front upper portion and a lateral strap extending from a lateral side of the front upper portion, the medial strap and the lateral strap being secureable to the front upper portion in a use position. When the medial and lateral straps are secured to the rear upper portion via engagement with the medial and lateral straps, the tensioning of the adjustment cord pulls the rear upper portion toward the front upper portion.

[0135] Clause 31: The article of footwear according to clause 30, wherein:

[0136] The front sole portion includes a heel footbed that extends rearwardly over the rear sole portion in the use position.

[0137] Clause 32: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 30-31, wherein:

[0138] The cord lock includes a first body fixed to the outer side of the tongue area of the front upper portion; the cord lock also includes a second body fixed to the inner side of the tongue area of the front upper portion; the second body is configured to be symmetrical with the first body about the longitudinal center line of the footwear article; and the adjustment cord includes a loop portion extending from an outlet of the first body and an outlet of the second body.

[0139] Clause 33: The article of footwear according to clause 32, wherein:

[0140] Each of the first and second bodies of the cord lock defines: an entrance, a first exit, and a second exit, a first channel extending from the entrance to the first exit, and a second channel extending from a middle portion of the first channel to the second exit; and each of the first and second bodies is configured with a section of the first channel extending from the middle portion to the first exit and communicating with the second channel.

[0141] Clause 34: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 30-33, wherein:

[0142] The adjustment cord is elastic.

[0143] Clause 35: The article of footwear according to any of clauses 30-33, wherein:

[0144] The adjustment cord is non-elastic.

[0145] To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply to the entire specification (including the claims). In addition, all references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0146] "Articles of footwear," "articles of footwear," and "footwear" may be considered to be both machines and articles of manufacture. Ready-to-wear articles of footwear (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.), prior to final assembly into a finished product, and discrete components of an article of footwear (e.g., midsoles, outsoles, upper components, etc.), prior to final assembly into a ready-to-wear article of footwear, are considered herein and may be referred to alternatively in the singular or plural as "articles of footwear."

[0147] "A", "an", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate that there is at least one item. Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, there may be multiple such items. Unless otherwise clearly or clearly indicated by the context, including the appended claims, all numerical values of parameters (such as quantities or conditions) in this specification should be understood to be modified by the term "about" in all cases, regardless of whether "about" actually appears before the numerical value. "Approximately" means that the numerical value allows some slight imprecision (the accuracy of the value is achieved in some way; approximately or reasonably close to the value; close). If the imprecision provided by "about" is not understood in this ordinary sense in the art, then "about" as used herein means at least the variation that can be caused by ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, the disclosure of a range should be understood to specifically disclose all values within the range and further divided ranges.

[0148] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements or parts. Where possible, the order of steps, processes and operations may be changed, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including "any one" of the referenced items. The term "any" should be understood to include any possible combination of the claims cited in the appended claims, including "any one" of the cited claims.

[0149] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives are used throughout the detailed description with respect to the illustrated embodiments. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above," "below," "upwardly," "downwardly," "top," "bottom," and the like may be used descriptively with respect to the accompanying drawings and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0150] The term "longitudinal" refers to the direction along which a component extends. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot and heel regions of the shoe. The terms "front" or "front" are used to refer generally to the direction from the heel region to the forefoot region, while the terms "rear" or "rear" are used to refer to the opposite direction, that is, from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified by a longitudinal axis and a front-to-back longitudinal direction along that axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as the front-to-back direction or axis.

[0151] The term "lateral" refers to a direction extending the width of a component. For example, the lateral direction of a shoe extends between the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis may also be referred to as the lateral direction or axis or the medial-lateral direction or axis.

[0152] The term "vertical" refers to a direction that is generally perpendicular to both the lateral and longitudinal directions. For example, if the sole is placed flat on the ground, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives can be applied to various components of the sole. The terms "upward" or "upwardly" refer to a vertical direction directed toward the top of a component, which may include the instep, fastening area, and / or throat of the upper. The terms "downward" or "downwardly" refer to a vertical direction opposite to the upward direction, toward the bottom of the component, and may generally be directed toward the bottom of the sole structure of an article of footwear.

[0153] The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, refers to the portion of the space occupied by the wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. The "interior side" of a component refers to the side or surface that faces (or will face) toward the interior of the component or article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. The "exterior side" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented (or will face) away from the interior of the shoe in the assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the interior side of the component and the interior of the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between the exterior side of the component and the space outside the assembled article of footwear. Furthermore, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to directions toward the interior of an article of footwear or component, such as a shoe, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" refer to directions toward the exterior of an article of footwear or component, such as a shoe. Additionally, the term "proximal" refers to a direction closer to the center of a footwear component or toward the foot when a user inserts their foot into the article of footwear while wearing the shoe. Likewise, the term "distal" refers to a relative position that is further away from the center of the footwear component or from the foot when the user inserts the foot into the footwear. Thus, the terms proximal and distal can be understood as providing generally opposite terms to describe relative spatial positions.

[0154] Although various embodiments have been described, this description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of the embodiments. Unless otherwise specified, any feature of any embodiment may be combined with or substituted for any other feature or element in any other embodiment. Therefore, the embodiments are not limited except in accordance with the appended claims and their equivalents. Similarly, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

[0155] Although several modes for carrying out many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those skilled in the art to which these teachings pertain will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire range of alternative embodiments, and that persons of ordinary skill will recognize the entire range of alternative embodiments that are implicit, structurally and / or functionally equivalent, or otherwise apparent based on the included content, and not limited to those embodiments explicitly shown and / or described.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole structure having a front sole portion and a rear sole portion, the rear sole portion being pivotable relative to the front sole portion between a use position and an entry position; an upper fixed to the front sole portion and the rear sole portion; as well as Closed system, including: an adjustment cord operably secured to the upper in an anchored position; and A cord lock secured to the shoe upper at a fixed position; wherein the cord lock has a first body and a second body, each of the first body and the second body comprising: a first channel and a second channel branching from a middle portion of the first channel, the second channel being narrower than the first channel; an entrance, a first exit, and a second exit; The first channel includes a first section extending from the inlet to an edge of the second channel at the middle portion, the first channel includes a second section extending from the edge of the second channel to the first outlet and communicating with the second channel, and the second channel extends from the middle portion of the first channel to the second outlet and is separated from the first outlet by the second section of the first channel; The adjustment cord is slidable through the first channel when tensioned to tighten the shoe upper in the use position; When the sole structure is in the use position, the adjustment cord can be pivoted from the first section of the first channel to the second channel and locked to the cord lock in the second channel to tighten the upper, thereby maintaining tension in the adjustment cord.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein: The shoe upper includes a front upper portion fixed to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot region of the shoe upper, and a rear upper portion fixed to the rear sole portion and defining a heel region of the shoe upper; The closure system further comprises at least one of a medial strap extending from the inner side of the front upper portion and a lateral strap extending from the outer side of the front upper portion, wherein in the use position, at least one of the medial strap and the lateral strap is securable to the rear upper portion to secure the front upper portion to the rear upper portion.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein: At least one of the medial and lateral straps includes the medial and lateral straps, each of the medial and lateral straps including a fastener, and the rear upper portion includes one or more complementary fasteners, the fasteners of the medial and lateral straps being selectively securable to and releasable from the one or more complementary fasteners.

4. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein The closed system further comprises: At least one of a medial cord guide secured to the medial side of the front upper portion and a lateral cord guide secured to the lateral side of the front upper portion, the adjustment cord engaging at least one of the medial cord guide and the lateral cord guide between the anchor location and the cord lock.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein: At least one of the inner and outer straps includes the inner strap to which the inner cord guide is secured and the outer strap to which the outer cord guide is secured.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 5, wherein: The inner cord guide is secured to an inner side of the inner strap, and the outer cord guide is secured to an inner side of the outer strap.

7. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 2-3, wherein The closure system further includes at least one forefoot cord guide anchored to the front upper portion in the forefoot region; and wherein the adjustment cord engages the at least one forefoot cord guide to operably secure the adjustment cord to the front upper portion.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein: The at least one forefoot lace guide includes a medial forefoot lace guide secured to a medial side of the front upper portion in the forefoot area, and a lateral forefoot lace guide secured to a lateral side of the front upper portion in the forefoot area.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein: The closure system further includes at least one additional cord guide secured to the front upper portion; The adjustment cord engages the at least one additional cord guide between the at least one forefoot cord guide and the cord lock.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein: The shoe upper includes a front upper portion fixed to the front sole portion and defining a forefoot region of the shoe upper, and a rear upper portion fixed to the rear sole portion and defining a heel region of the shoe upper; The closure system further includes a medial hook extending from a medial side of the rear upper portion and a lateral hook extending from a lateral side of the rear upper portion, the adjustment cord engaging the medial hook and the lateral hook between the anchoring location and the cord lock.

11. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-3 and 10, wherein: The first body is fixed to the outer side of the tongue area of the upper; The second body is fixed to the inner side of the tongue area of the upper; The adjustment cord is a continuous cord that forms a loop portion that extends from the second outlet of the first body and from the second outlet of the second body when the adjustment cord pivots from the first section of the first channel to the second channel.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein The second body is configured symmetrically to the first body about a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 12, wherein: The adjustment cord is tensioned by pulling the loop portion away from the first and second bodies.

14. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: Each of the first body and the second body includes an inner sidewall, an outer sidewall spaced apart from the inner sidewall, and at least one protrusion extending from the inner sidewall or from the outer sidewall; The inner sidewall is located between the upper and the outer sidewall.

15. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: In each of the first body and the second body, the adjustment cord extends from an anchoring location and extends from an entrance through the first passage to a first exit, and is repositionable from a second section of the first passage to the second passage to exit through the second exit; When the adjustment cord is in the second channel of the respective one of the first and second bodies, at least a portion of the second channel is narrower than the first channel to lock the adjustment cord to the respective one of the first and second bodies.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein When the adjustment cord extends in the first channel of the corresponding one of the first body and the second body, the loop portion of the adjustment cord extends generally forward from the first outlet of the corresponding one of the first body and the second body, and when the loop portion extends in the second channel of the corresponding one of the first body and the second body, the loop portion of the adjustment cord extends generally upward from the second outlet of the corresponding one of the first body and the second body.

17. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The angles between the longitudinal axis of the first channel and the longitudinal axis of the second channel and between the inlet and the second outlet are obtuse angles.

18. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-3 and 10, wherein: The sole structure pivots at a transverse axis of the sole structure between a use position and an entry position and is elevated further away from the ground plane at the transverse axis in the entry position than in the use position, wherein the rear sole portion is inclined from a rear end of the rear sole portion toward the transverse axis and the front sole portion is inclined from a front end of the front sole portion toward the transverse axis.

19. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-3 and 10, wherein: The front sole portion includes a front midsole component, and the rear sole portion includes a rear midsole component that is discontinuous with the front midsole component; the sole structure including a connecting member connecting the front midsole component to the rear midsole component and defining a groove extending laterally between the front midsole component and the rear midsole component; the front midsole member and the rear midsole member being pivotable relative to each other at the recess between the use position and the entry position; Opposing surfaces of the connection member at the groove are closer to each other in the entry position than in the use position, so that the groove is relatively open in the use position and relatively closed in the entry position.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein: The connecting member includes a plate defining the recess and being secured to the rear wall of the front midsole component and the front wall of the rear midsole component at the recess.

21. The article of footwear according to claim 20, further comprising: A rib is fixed at the wall of the connecting member in the groove and extends outwardly into the groove.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein: The sole structure includes an outsole having a front portion positioned under and secured to a front midsole member forward of the board and a rear portion positioned under and secured to a rear midsole member rearward of the board.

23. The article of footwear according to claim 22, wherein: The front sole portion has a bottom surface with a first recess; the rear sole portion having a bottom surface with a second recess; The plate is nested in the first recess and the second recess.

24. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-3 and 10, wherein: The adjustment cord is elastic.

25. The article of footwear according to any one of claims 1-3 and 10, wherein: The adjustment cord is non-elastic.

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