shoes

Abstract

To provide a shoe with an improved shoelace closure system that can easily be tightened with one hand and that enables a user to make micro-adjustment.SOLUTION: A closure system for a shoe includes a single shoelace 12 which can be secured and tightened by one hand. The shoe includes a button 14 around which the shoelace is wrapped for easy removal of the shoe. In one embodiment, one end of the shoelace is secured to under the upper of the shoe near the toe, and a second end of the shoelace is secured into a slider 42 that is slidably mounted on the rear of the shoe to provide micro-adjustment of the tightness of the shoe. Alternatively, the shoe includes a strip of piping around the rear of the shoe, in which the second end of the shoelace is accommodated to slide along the piping when the user wants to make micro-adjustment. The adjustment of the tightness of the shoe can also be made by sliding a barrel that is located over the top of the tongue.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Description of Related Applications This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 298,712, entitled "Footwear Closure System," filed February 23, 2016, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 246,742, entitled "Footwear Closure System," filed October 27, 2015.

[0002] The present invention relates to a shoe and a shoelace system for fastening the shoe around a user's foot. [Background technology]

[0003] Many shoes currently on the market include shoelaces. Generally, shoelaces must be tied with both hands, and the person attempting to tie the shoe must have sufficient dexterity and coordination with both hands to tie a bow on the shoe. For this reason, tying shoelaces is not only very difficult for children, but also for physically disabled people, especially those who can only use one hand. Often, such people must wear loafers or other shoes that are easier to close than shoes with laces.

[0004] Shoelaces often come undone due to the pressure exerted on the bow by the constant movement of the tongue caused by the instep of the foot. Such movement often loosens the bow and causes the laces to come undone, necessitating the need to retie the laces. Wearers of such shoes are constantly concerned about whether their shoelaces have come undone.

[0005] Often, when a person is wearing shoes, the initial lace adjustment changes as the feet expand, causing the shoe to become tighter. Users will want to vary the tightness of their shoe closure system depending on the activity they are engaging in. For this reason, it is desirable to provide the wearer with micro-adjustment capabilities to slightly loosen or tighten the shoe closure system. Summary of the Invention

[0006] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a shoe with an improved lace closure system.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is to provide a shoelace closure system that can be easily tightened with one hand and allows for micro-adjustment by the user.

[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shoelace closure system that resists unintentional unraveling.

[0009] The shoe closure system of the present invention includes a single shoelace that can be secured and tightened using one hand. The shoe includes a button around which the shoelace is wrapped, facilitating easy removal of the shoe. In one embodiment, one end of the shoelace is secured under the shoe upper near the toe, and a second end of the shoelace is secured to a slider slidably attached to the rear of the shoe, providing fine adjustment of the shoe's tightness. In another embodiment, the shoe includes a band of piping positioned around the rear of the shoe, and the slider, within which the second end of the shoelace is secured, slides along the piping when the user desires fine adjustment. In yet another embodiment, adjustment of the shoe's tightness is accomplished by sliding a barrel positioned on the top of the shoe's tongue near where the user's foot is inserted into the shoe. The button around which the shoelace is secured can be removed to change the shoe's appearance.

[0010] These features and objects of the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a top view of a shoe utilizing one embodiment of the closure system of the present invention.

[0012] [Figure 1A]FIG. 1A is a top view of a shoe utilizing an alternative embodiment of the closure system of FIG.

[0013] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the alternative closure system shown in FIG. 1 with the laces untied.

[0014] [Figure 3] 3 is a top view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 with the slider adjusted from the position of FIG. 2. FIG.

[0015] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the medial side of the shoe shown in FIG.

[0016] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the medial side of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 with the laces in an unlocked position.

[0017] [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lateral side of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 with the laces in a locked position.

[0018] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of the shoe shown in FIG.

[0019] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 showing the adjustment of the slider.

[0020] [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a button used in the closure system of FIG.

[0021] [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side view of a button used in the closure system of FIG. 1 before assembly.

[0022] [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a side view of a button used in the closure system of FIG. 1 after the button has been assembled.

[0023] [Figure 12A] 12A is an elevational view of a slider utilized in the closure system of FIG. 1. FIG.

[0024] [Figure 12B] FIG. 12B is an elevational view of a slider utilized in the closure system of FIG.

[0025] [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a top view of a shoe utilizing another embodiment of the closure system of the present invention with the laces in a locked position.

[0026] [Figure 13A] FIG. 13A is a top view of a shoe utilizing an alternative embodiment of the closure system illustrated in FIG.

[0027] [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 13 utilizing shoelaces.

[0028] [Figure 15] 15 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 13 with the slider adjusted from the position of FIG. 14. FIG.

[0029] [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the medial side of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG.

[0030] [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the medial side of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 23 with the laces in the unlocked position.

[0031] [Figure 18]FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the lateral side of the shoe shown in FIG.

[0032] [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a rear elevational view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG.

[0033] [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is another rear elevational view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG.

[0034] [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a top view of a shoe utilizing another embodiment of the closure system of the present invention with an un-tucked lace.

[0035] [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 21 with the laces in the tucked position.

[0036] [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 21 with the lace tethers loose.

[0037] [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a top view of a shoe utilizing the closure system shown in FIG. 21 with the lace tether loosened and the outer eyelet row rolled up to reveal the lace keepers on the outer / opening side of the radial tongue.

[0038] [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the medial side of a shoe utilizing the closure system of FIG.

[0039] [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the medial side of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 21 with the laces in an unfastened position.

[0040] [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a top perspective view of the shoe shown in FIG. 21 with the lace ends not tucked into the shoe and the lace in the fastened position.

[0041] [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a top perspective view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 27 with the lace ends in the tucked position.

[0042] [Figure 29] FIG. 29 is a top perspective view of a shoe utilizing the closure system illustrated in FIG. 27, showing the mechanism used to make fine adjustments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0043] 1-8 illustrate one embodiment of the closure system of the present invention for a shoe 10, in which the closure system includes a single lace 12. The lace 12 is a single strand. One end 12a of the lace 12 is secured to the shoe at location 40 on the inside of the shoe 10, under the flap 18. The lace 12 can be sewn to the upper 18 at location 40 or glued to the upper.

[0044] In another embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, lace 12 is secured to shoe 10 by crimping crimp 42 onto itself.

[0045] The lace 12 is threaded through alternating eyelets 16 from position 40 back to the opening side of the shoe where the user's foot is inserted. The lace pull tabs 24 are secured to the lace 12 at a position on the lace 12 after the lace passes through the penultimate eyelet 17. The lace pull tabs 24 are secured to the lace 12 and facilitate pulling the lace 12 over the button 14.

[0046] The second end 12b of the lace 12 (best seen in Figures 6-8) is secured to a slider 42 by known fastening means, such as stitching or adhesive. A cross-section of the slider utilized in this embodiment is shown in Figure 12A. A cord 44 is secured around the rear of the shoe, along both sides of the shoe opening where the user inserts their foot. This cord 44 may be stitched or adhesively attached to the interior of the shoe at location 46 on each side (medial and lateral) of the shoe 10. The slider 42 is attached to the cord 44 and slides over the cord 44 around the rear of the shoe. Both the lace 12 and the cord 44 pass from underneath the upper 28 on the inside of the shoe 10 through an opening 48 along the medial side of the shoe 10. Both the lace 12 and the cord 44 extend from the opening 48 around the rear of the shoe. The cord 44 is then inserted through an opening 50 on the outside of the shoe, where the cord 44 is secured to the interior of the shoe 10 under the upper 28 by adhesive, stitching, or other suitable fastening method.

[0047] To adjust the tightness of the lace 12 on the shoe 10, the slider 42 is slid along the cord 44, thereby pulling the lace 12 along with the cord 44. As the slider 42 is pulled around the shoe from the inside to the outside, the lace 12 tightens, and as the slider 42 moves from the outside to the inside of the shoe as shown in FIG. 7 (compared to FIG. 8), more slack is imparted to the lace 12, causing the lace 12 to loosen. The slider 42 is press-fit onto the cord 44, so that the slider 42 remains in place after it has been moved along the lace 12. The direction of movement of the slider 42 is indicated by arrow 52 in FIG. 8.

[0048] As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, heel tab 54 includes a contoured ridge 56 that provides a path for lace 12 and cord 44 to slide over heel tab 54 without causing discomfort to the wearer's heel / Achilles tendon.

[0049] The button 14 is designed to be removable to change the aesthetic appearance of the shoe 10. As shown in Figures 9-11, the rivet 26 is inserted through the outer upper 28 of the shoe 10, with the base of the rivet 26 positioned below the upper 28. A base button 30 is fitted over the rivet 26, with the top surface of the base button 30 positioned above the outer surface of the upper 28 and the barrel of the base button 30 passing through the upper 28. The base button 30 includes a hollow threaded post (female) 31 that receives a solid threaded post 32 of the top button 34 of the button 14. It is contemplated that the top button 34 may have different designs to change the aesthetic appearance of the shoe 10. For example, the top button 34 may be offered in different colors, shapes, topographies, patterns, or materials and may be interchangeable, like cufflinks. The interchangeability of the top button 34 certainly provides unique options for owner identification, self-expression, or outfit complementation. 9 and 11 are examples of buttons 14 with different topographies. Buttons can also include wearable or other electronic devices that provide functionality such as movement / step tracking, GPS, Bluetooth, etc.

[0050] The construction of the alternative embodiment of shoe 10 shown in Figures 13-20 is substantially identical to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-8, except that instead of including cord 44 in the embodiment of Figures 1-8, piping 58 is positioned around the rear of shoe 10 in the embodiment of Figures 13-20. In the embodiment of Figures 13-20, slider 42 slides along piping 58 instead of running along cord 44 as shown in the embodiment of Figures 1-8.

[0051] In the embodiment of Figures 13-20, piping 58 is secured under upper 28 through openings 60, 62 in shoe 10 on each side of shoe 10. As shown in Figure 13A, the lace can be crimped onto itself in the same manner as shown in Figure 1A. In this embodiment, a slider 42 having a slightly different cross-section than that used in the embodiment of Figures 1-8 (and shown in Figure 12A) can be used, inserted around piping 58 as shown in Figure 12B.

[0052] 21-29, a shoe 10 is shown with another embodiment of a closure system utilizing a single lace 12. The lace 12 is also inserted into the shoe 10 as a single strand. One end of the lace 12 is glued within a barrel 22, which acts as a friction slide. Such a fixed end of the lace 12 can also be compressed within the barrel 22. The lace 12 is then threaded through the eyelet 16a in the inner flap 18 of the shoe 10 closest to where the wearer's foot is inserted into the shoe. The lace 12 is then threaded back through the barrel 22, and the portion of the lace 12 that has been threaded back through the barrel 22 slidably fits into the barrel 22. A lace pull tab 24 is secured to the portion of the lace 12 after it has passed through the barrel 22. Leaving some slack in the lace 12 to allow it to be pulled around the button 14, the lace 12 is threaded alternately through the eyelets 16 on both sides of the shoe, from the top of the flap 20 until it passes through eyelet 16b. The lace 12 is then threaded under the flap 20 the length of the flap 20. Once the lace 12 is adjusted, the free end 12a of the lace 12 is tucked under the flap 20 and threaded through lace keepers 19 and 21 (shown in FIG. 24 ), which secure the lace 12 under the flap 20. As a result, the free end 12a of the lace 12 is tucked and hidden in a position where it is held in place by friction. Other methods of securing the lace by friction will also hold the shoe closed. For example, the end of the lace could be threaded twice through eyelet 16b, and the excess lace could be tied or cut to the lace itself. Alternatively, the loose end 12a can be threaded back through the eyelet until the slack is removed. Although these are not the preferred mechanisms, they will provide the necessary friction.

[0053] Lace pull tab 24 is secured to lace 12, allowing lace 12 to be easily pulled over button 14. For the shoe wearer, a coarse adjustment of the tightness of shoe 10 is made by pulling end 12a of lace 12 and tucking in lace 12, and the user can fine-tune the fit of shoe 10 by sliding barrel 22, as shown in FIG. 29. The direction of arrow 25 next to barrel 22 in FIG. 29 indicates the direction of tightening of shoe 10 when barrel 22 is moved in the direction of arrow 25. If the barrel is moved in the opposite direction, fine adjustment of slack in the tension of lace 12 is provided.

[0054] In all embodiments, the lace 12 can be made of a static (non-stretchable) or dynamic (stretchable) material. When it is made of a dynamic material, it can stretch more easily as it is pulled over the button 14. The lace 12 is preferably an approximately 2 mm cord. Other sizes are acceptable, as long as the lace 12 is strong enough to withstand the pulling forces, tension, and abrasion, and is not so thick that it causes discomfort when tucked under the flap 20.

[0055] The above invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiment. Various alternatives and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art. All such alternatives and modifications are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION (Item 1) 1. A shoe closure system for use with a shoe, comprising: Two flaps, one on each side of the shoe, a series of eyelets disposed on each of said two flaps; a shoelace having a length sufficient to pass through the eyelets and alternately thread between the two flaps; a first end of the shoelace securely fastened to a position adjacent to the eyelet closest to the toe of the shoe, and the shoelace is threaded alternately through the eyelets of the flaps on both sides; a second end of the shoelace threaded under one of the two flaps through an eyelet located nearest an opening of the shoe through which the wearer's foot is inserted, the second end of the shoe being fixed to a slider mounted on a guide mounted around the rear of the shoe; A user can tighten or loosen the shoe by adjusting the slider on the guide. Shoe closure system. (Item 2) Item 2. The shoe closure system of item 1, wherein the guide is a cord secured inside the shoe along each side of the shoe. (Item 3) Item 2. The shoe closure system of item 1, wherein the guide is piping secured to the interior of the shoe along each side of the shoe. (Item 4) Item 1. The shoe closure system of item 1, further comprising a ridge formed on the heel tab of the shoe that prevents the lace from sliding upwardly on the heel tab. (Item 5) Item 2. The shoe closure system of item 1, wherein the first end of the shoelace is secured under one of the two flaps near an eyelet located closest to the toe of the shoe. (Item 6) Item 2. The shoe closure system of item 1, wherein the first end of the shoelace is threaded under the flap through an eyelet located closest to the toe of the shoe and crimped onto the shoelace. (Item 7) Item 1. The shoe closure system of item 1, further comprising a button secured to the upper of the shoe, the shoelace being capable of securing around the button. (Item 8) Item 8. The shoe closure system of item 7, wherein the buttons include a top button and a base button, the top button being removably secured to the base button. (Item 9) 1. A shoe closure system for use with a shoe, comprising: two flaps, one on each side of the shoe; a series of eyelets disposed on each of said two flaps; a shoelace having a length sufficient to pass through the eyelets and alternately thread between the two flaps; a first end of the shoelace securely fixed to a slidable barrel, and a second end of the shoelace threaded through an upper eyelet of a first of the two flaps and then back through the slidable barrel, the shoelace also threaded alternately through the eyelets of the flaps on both sides; a second end of the shoelace that is threaded alternately through the series of eyelets and then threaded under a second of the two flaps; The user tightens the shoe by pulling the second end of the shoelace and then tucks the second end of the shoelace under the second flap. Shoe closure system. (Item 10) Item 10. The shoe closure system of item 9, further comprising a first lace keeper under the second flap for receiving the lace tucked under the second flap. (Item 11) Item 10. The shoe closure system of item 9, further comprising a second lace keeper positioned under the second flap and between two lace eye locations of the second flap. (Item 12) Item 10. The shoe closure system of item 9, further comprising a button secured to the upper of the shoe, the shoelace being capable of securing around the button. (Item 13) Item 13. The shoe closure system of item 12, wherein the buttons include a top button and a base button, the top button being removably secured to the base button.

Claims

1. A shoe having an upper and shoelaces, the upper having a first side and a second side spaced apart along a lateral-medial axis, a first flap on the first side of the upper, and a second flap on the second side of the upper; the first flap is spaced from the second flap along the lateral-medial axis, the first flap having a first series of lacing holes extending along a longitudinal axis of the shoe, the second flap having a second series of lacing holes extending along the longitudinal axis of the shoe, the second series of lacing holes including a first lacing hole closest along the longitudinal axis to an opening in the upper through which the wearer's foot is inserted, and a second lacing hole adjacent to the first lacing hole along the longitudinal axis; the shoelace has a first end and a second end and is threaded alternately through holes in the first series of holes and the second series of holes; the first end is secured to the first side of the shoe; the second end portion of the shoelace is threaded through the first eyelet and the second eyelet of the second series of eyelets to define a single loop extending from the first eyelet to the second eyelet; the single loop is capable of being pulled along the lateral-medial axis from the second side of the upper toward the first side of the upper through the first series of eyelets to tighten the shoe. shoes.

2. 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the first and second lace holes of the second series of lace holes are spaced apart along the longitudinal axis with no intervening lace holes between the first and second lace holes of the second series of lace holes.

3. the second end of the lace is securely fastened to a sliding barrel, the sliding barrel being slidable along a portion of the lace, whereby a user can pull the first end of the lace to tighten the shoe and then tuck the first end of the lace under the first flap; 2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein when the first end of the lace is tucked under the first flap, the sliding barrel is slidable along a portion of the lace to adjust the position of the second end of the lace relative to the first flap to tighten or loosen the shoe.

4. The shoe of claim 3 , further comprising a first lace keeper under the first flap for receiving the lace tucked under the first flap.

5. 5. The shoe of claim 4, further comprising a second lace keeper located below the first flap and between two eyelet locations in the first series of eyes.

6. The shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a button secured to the upper of the shoe, the loop being stretchable so as to be hooked onto the button.

7. The shoe of claim 6 , wherein the button is secured to the first side of the upper of the shoe.

8. The shoe of claim 7, wherein the first flap is disposed along the lateral-medial axis between the button and the second flap.

9. The shoe of claim 6 , wherein the buttons include a top button and a base button, the top button being removably secured to the base button.

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