US20080086910A1

US20080086910A1 - Footwear with removable closure

Info

Publication number: US20080086910A1
Application number: US11/550,338
Authority: US
Inventors: James K. Kim
Original assignee: ACI International Inc
Current assignee: ACI International Inc
Priority date: 2006-10-17
Filing date: 2006-10-17
Publication date: 2008-04-17

Abstract

Footwear such as a shoe has a closure which includes a strap. The strap is releasably and removably secured at the toe of the upper and extends across an access opening down the access of the shoe and can be releasably and removably fastened to the upper adjacent to the ankle end by VELCRO™ secured between the strap and the upper. Other engagement devices can be used in place of VELCRO.

Description

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to footwear. It is concerned more particularly with a footwear having an improved closure.
The disclosure relates to athletic shoes and other shoes and boots. Typically, a shoe has a lace-type closure. While this form of closure works well in practice, some inconvenience is associated with the manipulation of the closure. For improved fit lacing is one form of adjustable tightening. When the shoe is put on, the laces must be tightened all along the eye stays if a proper fit is to be achieved. Velcro tightening footwear over the mouth of the shoe is also known. One side of the tightening Velcro strap is removably affixed to the shoe
The object of the present disclosure is to provide a footwear having an improved closure.

SUMMARY

The footwear includes a sole and an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot. The upper includes an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area of the shoe. This permits portions of the upper adjacent the access opening to facilitate movement of the wearer's foot into and from the space. A closure is provided for the access opening. The closure comprises a strap having a first portion and a second portion both portions being removably and releasably located with the access opening. The strap extends across the opening and is located with the upper.

DRAWINGS

In order that the disclosure may be more clearly understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments of the disclosure by way of example, and wherein:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a running shoe constructed in accordance with a first embodiment of the disclosure, the shoe being shown in FIG. 1 with its closure in the open position and in FIG. 2 with the closure in the closed position;

FIGS. 3A to 3D are different views of the strap closure of one embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 4A to 4E are different views of the strap closure of another embodiment of the disclosure.

FIGS. 5A to 5E are different views of the strap closure of another embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Footwear comprises a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot. The upper includes an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area. The upper adjacent the access opening permits movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space.
A closure for the access opening comprises only a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening. The strap across the opening has a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening. The first and second portions are removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access.
In another form the footwear has a closure for the access opening comprises a flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening. The strap across the opening has a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening. The first and second portions are removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access. The strap across the opening is releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of the access opening.
In yet another form the footwear has a closure for the access opening comprises only a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening. The strap across the opening has a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening. The first and second portions are removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access. The access has eyelets affixed permanently to the upper to either side of the access opening and the strap is for threading through the eyelets on both sides of the access.
The strap can be threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening.
The strap can include co-operable fastening elements on at least one portion for engaging with an opposed surface portion of the strap and the upper. The elements are of a first type on one of the surface portions and of a second type on the other surface portion. The element types are for interengaging with one another for securing the strap to the upper and to be separated by pulling apart the strap member and the upper when the closure is to be opened. The fastening elements are distributed over surface portions so as to permit the strap to be positioned in any of a plurality of fastening positions.
The strap can be threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening. As such the strap in position across the access forms a zig-zag formation from the toe area to the ankle area.
In one form the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and including a buckle or threaded formation to engage with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.
In another form there can be several separate straps threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and an engagement with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.
With reference to the Figures, a running shoe 20 has a sole 22 and an upper 24 which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot. The upper has an ankle opening 26 and an access opening generally denoted 28 which extends from the ankle opening 26 towards the toe area of the running shoe. The access opening 28 permits portions of the upper adjacent the opening to be raised or partly folded back to facilitate movement of wearer's foot into and from the space defined by the upper. A tongue 30 is provided below the access opening and a closure is provided for the opening.
The shoe is essentially of conventional construction. The upper includes respective side portions 32 and 34 which extend rearwardly and join a heel portion or “quarter” 36. Padding 38 is provided around the ankle opening 26. The side portions 32 and 34 are shaped to define elongate areas which extend along both sides of the access opening 28 and which are denoted by reference numerals 40 and 42. These areas would form the area for the eye stays or lacing strips or straps of the shoe.
Areas 40 and 42 are provided with eyelets apertures. Fastening elements forming part of the closure for the shoe can be provided on either or both of the side areas 40 and 42.
Adjacent the forward toe end, the side portions 32 and 34 are stitched to a toe cap portion 44 and to a vamp portion 46 above the toe cap portion. Tongue 30 is stitched to and extends upwardly and rearwardly from vamp 46.
The shoe closure includes strap generally indicated by reference numeral 48 secured to the upper 24 adjacent the sides of the access opening 28. The strap extends across access opening 28 and is releasable and removable at both the distal end portion of the strap to the upper adjacent the opposite side of opening 28 as represented by the upper area 40, for securing the footwear about the foot of a wearer.
Openings 56 in eye stay 42 are arranged in positions on either side of the access opening. When the access opening is in the closed position, the lace or strap 48 extends across the access of the shoe.
The respective fabrics are generally denoted by reference numerals 58 and 59. VELCRO fabrics comprise a first fabric having a surface covered with fine forming a nap on the fabric and a second fabric having a surface covered with fine hooks which engage with the fibres for securing the fabrics together. These fabrics are generally denoted by the reference numerals 58 and 59 respectively. The positions of the respective fabrics could be reversed with fabric 58 on strap 48 and fabric 59 on the upper. The fibres of fabric 58 define fastening elements which interengage with the corresponding fastening elements of fabric 59 (the hooks) for securing the strap in position. The strap can be detatched from the upper by pulling upwardly on the strap so that the hooks and fibres of the respective fabrics pull apart, allowing the panel to be raised to open the shoe closure. The fastening elements (fibres and hooks) of the VELCRO™ fabrics effectively cover the surfaces of the respective fabrics so that strap 48 can be positioned in any of a plurality of fastening positions wherein the strap of the closure embraces the foot of the wearer to a lesser or a greater extent. This allows the strap to be adjusted to provide for optimum comfort and security of fit.
There are shown in FIGS. 3A through 3D the details of one embodiment of the disclosure. The structure 60 around the access includes eyelet 62 on the one side of the access 64 and an eyelet 66 and another eyelet 68 on the other side of the axis 64. The strap 70 has a first end 72 and a second end 74 at opposite ends from each other. The strap 72 forms a zigzag shape when it is directed from eyelet 66 to eyelet 62 and in turn to eyelet 68. The end 72 is form so that it has a loop 74 over the opening eyelet 66. A buckle-like element 76 is in place through which the strap length 78 is looped so that the strap is securely anchored to the eyelet 66. When the length of the strap 78 is unlooped through the buckle 76, it can be removed from the eyelet 66. In this form, the end 72 of the strap 70 is releasably removable from the axis at its one end. The opposite end 74 includes an anchoring feature which can be a Velcro element for securing adjacent to the structure 60 and near the upper at the anchor axis to the shoe.
In a second embodiment of the disclosure there is shown in FIGS. 4A through 4D a different configuration. The structure 80 surrounds the access 82 and there is an eyelet 84 on the one side of the access 82 and eyelets 86 and 88 on the opposite side of the structure. There is a strap 90 which is for crisscrossing in some fashion the access 82. The end 92 of the strap includes a buckle 94 which has a dependent part 96 which can appropriately be ornamented. The end 92 is looped around the cross bar 98 and is stitched 100 to an under-portion of the strap 90. When located on the surround 80, the buckle 96 extends above the eyelet 84 in an ornamental way.
The looping of the strap 90 is such that it would start eyelet 84, extend to eyelet 86, return to eyelet 84, crisscross to eyelet 88 and then extend to the second free end 102. The free end 102 would engage the upper or the top area around the axis of the shoe.
In yet a different form of the disclosure, there are configurations illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5E. The surround 110 over the access area 112 has eyelets 114 and 116 on one side of the axis. There are two straps, respectively, 118 and 120 which are provided for traversing the access 112. At the ends 122 and 124, respectively, of the straps 118 and 120, there is a thickened portion 126 and 128, respectively.
There can be an insert 130 inside the thickened portion which is formed by a fold-over which is in turn stitched at 132 with the lengths of the strap. The inside of the relevant straps can have a VELCRO formations 134 for engagement with mating VELCRO formations on the opposite side of the access, namely on the surround 110 over that part of the upper to which the surround 110 is formed. In this fashion, each of the straps would traverse the access 112 in a relatively transverse linear manner.
In other cases, there can be one or more eyelets on the side 110 and a different kind of strapping configuration can be achieved. There are in yet other forms of the disclosure the thins of any one of the configurations, for instance those shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, 4A to 4D, 5A to 5E could have VELCRO on both ends such that instead of the eyelet formation that the end near the ankle part of the access there could be a VELCRO engagement with the surround about the access or the upper of that area. In this manner, the straps are releasable and removable from the footwear at both ends.
It will of course be appreciated that the preceding description relates to specific embodiments of the disclosure only and that many modifications are possible within the broad scope of the disclosure.
The fastening strap may also be changed. Instead of VELCRO™ fabrics there are other equivalent fabrics may be used.
Press stud fasteners could be employed. As such, the fastening elements may comprise male and female elements of a “press stud” type of fastener.
Although the preceding description refers primarily to shoes and running shoes the disclosure is not restricted to shoes of this type.

Claims

1. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising only a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access.

2. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening toward the toe portion of the access, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access.

3. Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening toward the toe portion of the access, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access, and the access having eyelets affixed permanently to the upper to either side of the access opening and the strap being for threading through the eyelets on both sides of the access.

4. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1 or 2 wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening.

5. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap includes co-operable fastening elements on at least one portion for engaging with an opposed surface portion of the strap and the upper, the elements being of a first type on one of the surface portions and of a second type on the other surface portion, the element types being for interengaging with one another for securing the strap to the upper and to be separated by pulling apart the strap member and the upper when the closure is to be opened, the fastening elements being distributed over surface portions so as to permit the strap to be positioned in any of a plurality of fastening positions.

6. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and is such that the strap in position across the access forms a zig-zag formation from the toe area to the ankle area.

7. Footwear as claimed in either claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and including a buckle or threaded formation to engage with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.

8. Footwear as claimed in either claim 2 or 3 wherein there are several separate straps threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and including an engagement with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.