Device for closing sports footwear

Abstract

A device (1) for closing sports footwear (2) comprising a sole (3) and an upper (4), which wraps around the user's foot and is provided with first guiding elements (5) for fastening laces (6). The device comprises a self-locking device (7) for laces, provided with first means (9) for simultaneously releasing the tension of both of the laces (6). The device (1) furthermore comprises, at flaps (13a, 13b) of a soft cuff (12) which wraps around the calf of the user and is associated with the upper (4) in an upper region, second guiding elements (14) for a fastening cable (15) which can be taken up by means of a self-locking spool (8).

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR CLOSING SPORTS FOOTWEAR

[0002] The present application relates to a device for closing sports footwear particularly, but not exclusively, for the practice of hunting, backcountry (hiking), trekking, ski mountaineering, or work safety.

[0003] Currently, footwear of the known type is composed of a sole with which an upper is associated which wraps around the user's foot and ankle; on the flaps of the upper there are first guiding elements for laces adapted to allow fastening of the flaps of said upper.

[0004] Such a closure system is not efficient, since the user must apply a pulling force to the ends of the laces and then necessarily loosen that force in order to be able to tie said lace ends together.

[0005] Footwear is also known which uses, as the element for fastening the upper, a cable which is guided on the flaps of the upper and can be taken up by means of a self-locking spool.

[0006] Such a solution is described for example in US 2002 / 0095750A1.

[0007] However, even such a solution has drawbacks, since the upper is subject to considerable forces imparted to it by the foot during use of said footwear, and this entails the possible breakage of either the cable or the internal components of the spool.

[0008] Moreover, in sports footwear, the problem of protecting the user's calf, especially if the user moves on rough terrain, from impacts against branches or rocks or other elements is felt.

[0009] As a partial solution to this drawback it is known to use gaiters, which are usually provided in a canvas part that is wrapped around the user's calf and the flaps of which are coupled together by means of a zip fastener or fixing bands known by the trademark VELCRO.

[0010] The gaiter then has a front hook, to be fixed to a lace of the footwear, and a metal cable that is passed under the sole of the footwear.

[0011] There is also, at the upper end of the gaiter, an elastic cord that must be tensioned to close the upper around the calf. This solution also has considerable drawbacks, such as mainly that it not easy to put on, the need to tension the elastic cord, and the possibility of the cord snagging on branches or other objects during walking, especially if done on rough terrain.

[0012] The use of VELCRO is also unsatisfactory, since it is subject to accidental removals during use of the footwear due, for example, to possible impacts against foreign bodies such as branches and bushes.

[0013] The aim of the present invention is to eliminate the drawbacks noted above in known types of sports footwear by providing a device for closing sports footwear which allows to achieve, in a rapid, precise and easy manner, the tensioning and fastening of the laces of an upper.

[0014] Within this aim, an object of the invention is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that allows to achieve optimal and constant tensioning of the laces applied to the upper while maintaining, even during subsequent fastening, proper tension of said laces.

[0015] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that allow to also maintain optimal tightening of the laces after their tensioning.

[0016] A further object of the invention is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that allows to achieve a distinct degree of fastening of the upper, even in front of the flexing region of the foot, and of the calf of the user as a function of the specific requirements of the user.

[0017] Another object of the invention is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that allow to increase comfort in particular during walking while protecting the user's foot and calf.

[0018] Still another object is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that allows to achieve optimal waterproofing over the entire height of the user's tibia without at the same time restricting the user's natural movements.

[0019] Not least object is to provide a device for closing sports footwear that combines with the above cited characteristics that of being reliable and safe in use and free from malfunctions.

[0020] This aim, these objects and others that will become better apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a device for closing sports footwear comprising a sole and an upper, which wraps around the user's foot and is provided with first guiding elements for fastening laces, characterized in that it comprises a self-locking device for laces, provided with first means for simultaneously releasing the tension of both of said laces, said device comprising, at flaps of a soft cuff which wraps around the calf of the user and is associated with said upper in an upper region, second guiding elements for a fastening cable which can be taken up by means of a self-locking spool.

[0021] Advantageously, the self-locking device can be accommodated temporarily, once said laces are fastened, within a pocket provided on said soft cuff or on said upper.

[0022] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better apparent from the detailed description of a particular embodiment, illustrated by way of nonlimiting example in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0023] Figure 1 is a lateral perspective view of a device for closing sports footwear according to the invention with the laces and cable slack;

[0024] Figure 2 is a side view of the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention;

[0025] Figure 3 is a front view of the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention;

[0026] Figure 4 is a view of the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention in a lace tensioning step;

[0027] Figure 5 is a view the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention in a lace fastening step;

[0028] Figure 6 is a view of the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention in a step of completed fastening of the laces with repositioning of the self-locking device for laces in a pocket provided in the cuff;

[0029] Figure 7 is a view of a particular embodiment of the device for closing sports footwear.

[0030] With reference to the figures, a device for closing sports footwear 2, particularly but not exclusively for hunting, backcountry (cross-country hiking), trekking, ski mountaineering, or work safety, is generally designated by the reference numeral 1.

[0031] The item of sports footwear 2 is constituted by a sole 3 with which an upper 4 is associated which wraps around the user's foot and is provided with first guiding elements 5 for laces 6 for fastening.

[0032] The closure device 1 is constituted by a self-locking device 7 for laces and by a self-locking spool 8.

[0033] Such laces 6 are slidingly associated with the self-locking device 7, which is structured in such a way as to allow them to slide freely when pulling is applied to their ends to achieve their fastening and to block their sliding upon release of the pulling force applied to them and thus once fastening has been achieved.

[0034] Moreover, the self-locking device 7 is provided with first means for the simultaneous release of the tension of both of the laces 6, which can be achieved following their fastening, the first means being constituted by a strap 9, associated with an appendage 10 which protrudes from the body 11 of the self-locking device 7, which can be gripped by the user, who can thus easily pull the self-locking device 7 which, merely by lifting the strap 9, allows to loosen the tension and thus achieve the unfastening of both laces 6.

[0035] When instead the user pulls the free ends of the laces 6, the laces slide freely within the self-locking device 7, allowing the takeup of the laces 6 until they are tightened to the desired degree of fastening.

[0036] In this step the laces 6 at the same time maintain the tension imparted to them since the device 7 is of the self-locking type.

[0037] A soft cuff 12 is associated with the upper edges of the upper 4 of the items of sports footwear 2, which lie above the user's ankle, and is a adapted to contain and wrap around the user's calf.

[0038] The soft cuff 12 is provided, in a front region, with two flaps 13a, 13b which can be mutually fastened by means of second guiding elements 14 for a fastening cable 15 which can be taken up by means of the self-locking spool 8 located proximate to the upper end 16 of the soft cuff 12 itself.

[0039] The laces 6, in addition to being guided in the first guiding elements

[0040] 5, pass within a pair of adapted seats 17a, 17b provided at a pocket 18 associated frontally with the soft cuff 12 or, as an alternative, on an adapted tongue, arranged so as to cover the instep and associated with the upper 4.

[0041] Advantageously, one of the second guiding elements 14 for the cable 15 is associated on the front surface 19 of the pocket 18.

[0042] The function of the pocket 18 is to accommodate temporarily the selflocking device 7 for laces once the laces 6 have been fully fastened; in fact, when fastening is completed and when the user therefore releases the laces

[0043] 6, adaptation of the foot inside the shoe tends to widen the shoe, thus imposing a takeup force on the laces 6 which thus drag, in their adaptation, the self-locking device 7 downward and therefore inside the pocket 18.

[0044] Figure 7 shows a particular embodiment for the self-locking device 7, in which in the body 11 there are, proximate to the appendage 10, two pivots 20a, 20b, which are laterally mutually adjacent and are spaced so as to allow to wind two laces 6 on them.

[0045] Moreover, in the body 11 there are two lateral spacers 21a, 21b and a central spacer 22, between which each lace 6 is passed to be wound onto its respective pivot 20a, 20b.

[0046] The shape and arrangement of the lateral spacers 21a, 21b and of the central spacer 22 are such as to achieve self-locking once the fastening of the laces 6 has been achieved. It has thus been found that the device for closing sports footwear according to the invention has achieved the above cited aim and objects, a device having been obtained which allows to achieve, quickly and easily, the tensioning and fastening of the laces associated with an upper and of a fastening cable associated with a cuff which wraps around the user's calf and at the same time a quick and easy release of the fastening of both.

[0047] The device for closing sports footwear furthermore allows to achieve optimal and constant tensioning of the laces applied to the upper while maintaining, even during subsequent fastening, proper tensioning of the laces.

[0048] The device also allows to achieve a distinct degree of fastening of the upper and of the user's calf as a function of the specific requirements of the user, thereby increasing comfort during walking while protecting both the foot and the calf of the user.

[0049] Finally, the device also allows to achieves optimal waterproofing at the user's tibia without at the same time restricting the user's natural movements.

[0050] The device for closing sports footwear according to the invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the same inventive concept.

[0051] Naturally, the materials used, as well as the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention, may be more pertinent according to the specific requirements.

[0052] The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced by equivalents.

[0053] The disclosures in Italian Patent Application No. 102023000019176 from which this application claims priority are incorporated herein by reference.

[0054] Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A device (1) for closing sports footwear (2) comprising a sole (3) and an upper (4), which wraps around the user's foot and is provided with first guiding elements (5) for fastening laces (6), characterized in that it comprises a self-locking device (7) for laces, provided with first means (9) for simultaneously releasing the tension of both of said laces (6), said device (1) comprising, at flaps (13a, 13b) of a soft cuff (12) which wraps around the calf of the user and is associated with said upper (4) in an upper region, second guiding elements (14) for a fastening cable (15) which can be taken up by means of a self-locking spool (8).

2. The device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said selflocking device (7) can be accommodated temporarily, once said laces (6) have been fastened, within a pocket (18) provided on said soft cuff (12) or on said upper (4).

3. The device (1) according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said laces (6) are slidingly associated with said self-locking device (7), said self-locking device (7) allowing a free sliding of said laces (6) when pulling is applied to the ends of said laces (6) in order to achieve their fastening and the locking of their sliding when the pulling force applied to said laces (6) is released and thus once fastening is achieved.

4. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said self-locking device (7) is provided with first means for releasing, simultaneously and jointly, the tension of both of said laces (6) that can be obtained following their fastening, said first means being constituted by a strap (9), which can be activated by the user and is associated with an appendage (10) which protrudes from the body (11) of said self-locking device (7).

5. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said strap (9) can be gripped by the user, who can thus pull said self-locking device (7), which, merely by lifting said strap (9),allows to loosen the tension and thus achieve the unfastening of both of said laces (6).

6. The device (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that when the user pulls the free ends of said laces (6) they slide freely in said self-locking device (7), allowing the takeup of said laces (6) until they are tightened to the desired degree of fastening, in this step said laces (6) at the same time maintaining the tension imparted to them since said device (7) is of the self-locking type.

7. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said soft cuff (12) is associated with the upper edges of said upper (4) of said item of sports footwear (2) that lie above the ankle of said user, and is provided at the front with said two flaps (13a, 13b) which can be mutually fastened by means of said second guiding elements (14) for said fastening cable (15) which can be taken up by means of said selflocking spool (8) located proximate to the upper end (16) of said soft cuff (12).

8. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that said laces (6), in addition to being guided in said first guiding elements (5), pass within a pair of adapted seats (17a, 17b) provided at a pocket (18) frontally associated with said soft cuff (12) or on an adapted tongue, which is placed so as to cover the instep and is associated with said upper (4).

9. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of said second guiding elements (14) for said cable (15) is associated on the front surface (19) of said pocket (18), said pocket (18) temporarily accommodating said self-locking device (7) once said laces (6) are fully fastened.

10. The device according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in that two pivots (20a, 20b) are present, proximate to said appendage (10), in the body (11) of said self-locking device (7) and arelaterally mutually adjacent and spaced so as to allow the winding thereon of two of said laces (6), two lateral spacers (21a, 21b) and a central spacer (22) being present in said body (11), each of said laces (6) being made to pass between said spacers in order to be wound onto its respective pivot (20a,

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