Not applicable
Not applicable
The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear including a fastening system or closure system.
Many conventional shoes or other articles of footwear generally comprise an upper and a sole attached to a lower end of the upper. Conventional shoes further include an internal space, i.e., a void or cavity, which is created by interior surfaces of the upper and sole, that receives a foot of a user before securing the shoe to the foot. The sole is attached to a lower surface or boundary of the upper and is positioned between the upper and the ground. As a result, the sole typically provides stability and cushioning to the user when the shoe is being worn. In some instances, the sole may include multiple components, such as an outsole, a midsole, and a top portion. The outsole may provide traction to a bottom surface of the sole, and the midsole may be attached to an inner surface of the outsole, and may provide cushioning or added stability to the sole. For example, a sole may include a particular foam material that may increase stability at one or more desired locations along the sole, or a foam material that may reduce stress or impact energy on the foot or leg when a user is running, walking, or engaged in another activity. The sole may also include additional components, such as plates, embedded with the sole to increase the overall stiffness of the sole and reduce energy loss during use.
The upper generally extends upward from the sole and defines an interior cavity that completely or partially encases a foot. In most cases, the upper extends over the instep and toe regions of the foot, and across medial and lateral sides thereof. Many articles of footwear may also include a tongue that extends across the instep region to bridge a gap between edges of medial and lateral sides of the upper, which define an opening into the cavity. The tongue may also be disposed below a lacing system and between medial and lateral sides of the upper, to allow for adjustment of shoe tightness. The tongue may further be manipulatable by a user to permit entry or exit of a foot from the internal space or cavity. In addition, the lacing system may allow a user to adjust certain dimensions of the upper or the sole, thereby allowing the upper to accommodate a wide variety of foot types having varying sizes and shapes.
The upper of many shoes may comprise a wide variety of materials, which may be utilized to form the upper and chosen for use based on one or more intended uses of the shoe. The upper may also include portions comprising varying materials specific to a particular area of the upper. For example, added stability may be desirable at a front of the upper or adjacent a heel region so as to provide a higher degree of resistance or rigidity. In contrast, other portions of a shoe may include a soft woven textile to provide an area with stretch-resistance, flexibility, air-permeability, or moisture-wicking properties.
However, in many cases, articles of footwear having uppers with an increased comfort and better fit are desired, along with improved closure mechanisms.
An article of footwear, as described herein, may have various configurations. The article of footwear may have an upper and a sole structure connected to the upper.
In some aspects, a closure system for an article of footwear includes a reel and a cord that is configured to be operably engaged with an upper of the footwear. A first segment of the cord is attached to the reel, and the reel is configured to be actuated by pulling the first segment of the cord to tighten the footwear.
In another aspect, an article of footwear includes a sole attached to an upper that has an outer layer and a base layer. Further, the article of footwear includes a closure system having a reel and a cord. The cord has a first segment and a second segment, with the first segment being configured to actuate the closure system. The second segment of the cord is configured to be retrieved by the closure system and the first segment of the cord is operably coupled to the second segment of the cord by the reel.
In still another aspect, a closure system for an article of footwear includes a reel, a cord, and a wrap that is operably coupled to the reel by the cord. The wrap is operably coupled to the reel to tighten the article of footwear.
Other aspects of the article of footwear, including features and advantages thereof, will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the figures and detailed description herein. Therefore, all such aspects of the article of footwear are intended to be included in the detailed description and this summary.
The following discussion and accompanying figures disclose various embodiments or configurations of a shoe and a sole structure. Although embodiments of a shoe or sole structure are disclosed with reference to a sports shoe, such as a running shoe, tennis shoe, basketball shoe, etc., concepts associated with embodiments of the shoe or the sole structure may be applied to a wide range of footwear and footwear styles, including cross-training shoes, football shoes, golf shoes, hiking shoes, hiking boots, ski and snowboard boots, soccer shoes and cleats, walking shoes, and track cleats, for example. Concepts of the shoe or the sole structure may also be applied to articles of footwear that are considered non-athletic, including dress shoes, sandals, loafers, slippers, and heels. In addition to footwear, particular concepts described herein may also be applied and incorporated in other types of apparel or other athletic equipment, including helmets, padding or protective pads, shin guards, and gloves. Even further, particular concepts described herein may be incorporated in cushions, backpack straps, golf clubs, or other consumer or industrial products. Accordingly, concepts described herein may be utilized in a variety of products.
The term “about,” as used herein, refers to variation in the numerical quantity that may occur, for example, through typical measuring and manufacturing procedures used for articles of footwear or other articles of manufacture that may include embodiments of the disclosure herein; through inadvertent error in these procedures; through differences in the manufacture, source, or purity of the ingredients used to make the compositions or mixtures or carry out the methods; and the like. Throughout the disclosure, the terms “about” and “approximately” refer to a range of values ± 5% of the numeric value that the term precedes.
The present disclosure is directed to an article of footwear and/or specific components of the article of footwear, such as an upper and/or a sole or sole structure. The upper may comprise a knitted component, a woven textile, and/or a non-woven textile. The knitted component may be made by knitting of yarn, the woven textile by weaving of yarn, and the non-woven textile by manufacture of a unitary non-woven web. Knitted textiles include textiles formed by way of warp knitting, weft knitting, flat knitting, circular knitting, and/or other suitable knitting operations. The knit textile may have a plain knit structure, a mesh knit structure, and/or a rib knit structure, for example. Woven textiles include, but are not limited to, textiles formed by way of any of the numerous weave forms, such as plain weave, twill weave, satin weave, dobbin weave, jacquard weave, double weaves, and/or double cloth weaves, for example. Non-woven textiles include textiles made by air-laid and/or spun-laid methods, for example. The upper may comprise a variety of materials, such as a first yarn, a second yarn, and/or a third yarn, which may have varying properties or varying visual characteristics.
Many conventional footwear uppers are formed from multiple elements, e.g., textiles, polymer foam, polymer sheets, leather, and synthetic leather, which are joined through bonding or stitching at a seam. In some embodiments, the upper 102 of the article of footwear 100 is formed from a knitted structure or knitted components. In various embodiments, a knitted component may incorporate various types of yarn that may provide different properties to an upper. For example, one area of the upper 102 may be formed from a first type of yarn that imparts a first set of properties, and another area of the upper 102 may be formed from a second type of yarn that imparts a second set of properties. Using this configuration, properties of the upper 102 may vary throughout the upper 102 by selecting specific yarns for different areas of the upper 102.
With reference to the material(s) that comprise the upper 102, the specific properties that a particular type of yarn will impart to an area of a knitted component may at least partially depend upon the materials that form the various filaments and fibers of the yarn. For example, cotton may provide a soft effect, biodegradability, or a natural aesthetic to a knitted material. Elastane and stretch polyester may each provide a knitted component with a desired elasticity and recovery. Rayon may provide a high luster and moisture absorbent material, wool may provide a material with an increased moisture absorbance, nylon may be a durable material that is abrasion-resistant, and polyester may provide a hydrophobic, durable material.
Other aspects of a knitted component may also be varied to affect the properties of the knitted component and provide desired attributes. For example, a yarn forming a knitted component may include monofilament yarn or multifilament yarn, or the yarn may include filaments that are each formed of two or more different materials. In addition, a knitted component may be formed using a particular knitting process to impart an area of a knitted component with particular properties. Accordingly, both the materials forming the yarn and other aspects of the yarn may be selected to impart a variety of properties to particular areas of the upper 102.
In some embodiments, an elasticity of a knit structure may be measured based on comparing a width or length of the knit structure in a first, non-stretched state to a width or length of the knit structure in a second, stretched state after the knit structure has a force applied to the knit structure in a lateral direction. In further embodiments, the upper 102 may also include additional structural elements. For example, in some embodiments, a heel plate or cover (not shown) may be provided on the heel region 112 to provide added support to a heel of a user. In some instances, other elements, e.g., plastic material, logos, trademarks, etc., may also be applied and fixed to an exterior surface using glue or a thermoforming process. In some embodiments, the properties associated with the upper 102, e.g., a stitch type, a yarn type, or characteristics associated with different stitch types or yarn types, such as elasticity, aesthetic appearance, thickness, air permeability, or scuff-resistance, may be varied.
Referring again to
Furthermore, the insole can be positioned within the interior cavity 106 of the upper 102, which can be in direct contact with a user’s foot while an article of footwear 100 is being worn. Moreover, the upper 102 may also include a liner (not shown) that can increase comfort, for example, by reducing friction between the foot of the user and the upper 102, the sole 104, the insole, or the like, and/or by providing moisture wicking properties. The liner may line the entirety of the interior cavity 106 or only a portion thereof. In some embodiments, a binding (not shown) may surround an opening of the interior cavity 106 to secure the liner to the upper 102 and/or to provide an aesthetic element on the article of footwear 100.
Referring to
Unless otherwise specified, and referring to
Still referring to
Still referring to
It should be understood that numerous modifications may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description, and individual components thereof, may be incorporated into numerous articles of footwear. Accordingly, aspects of the article of footwear 100 and components thereof, may be described with reference to general areas or portions of the article of footwear 100, with an understanding the boundaries of the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the medial side 118, and/or the lateral side 116 as described herein may vary between articles of footwear. However, aspects of the article of footwear 100 and individual components thereof, may also be described with reference to exact areas or portions of the article of footwear 100 and the scope of the appended claims herein may incorporate the limitations associated with these boundaries of the forefoot region 108, the midfoot region 110, the heel region 112, the medial side 118, and/or the lateral side 116 discussed herein.
Still referring to
The lateral side 116 also begins at the distal, toe end 140 and bows outward along an outer side of the article of footwear 100 along the forefoot region 108 toward the midfoot region 110. The lateral side 116 reaches the first line 144, at which point the lateral side 116 bows inward, toward the longitudinal, central axis 120. The lateral side 116 extends from the first line 144, i.e., the widest portion 142, toward the second line 150, i.e., the thinnest portion 148, at which point the lateral side 116 enters into the midfoot region 110, i.e., upon crossing the first line 144. Once reaching the second line 150, the lateral side 116 bows outward, away from the longitudinal, central axis 120, at which point the lateral side 116 extends into the heel region 112, i.e., upon crossing the second line 150. The lateral side 116 then bows outward and then inward toward the heel end 146, and terminates at a point where the lateral side 116 meets the longitudinal, central axis 120.
Still referring to
In the illustrated embodiment, the sole structure 104 includes a midsole 172 and an outsole 174. The outsole 174 may define a bottom end or bottom surface 176 of the sole structure 104 across the heel region 112, the midfoot region 110, and the forefoot region 108. Further, the outsole 174 may be a ground-engaging portion or include a ground-engaging surface of the sole structure 104 and may be opposite of the insole thereof. As illustrated in
Still referring to
In embodiments where the midsole 172 is formed from a supercritical foaming process, the supercritical foam may comprise micropore foams or particle foams, such as a TPU, EVA, PEBAX®, or mixtures thereof, manufactured using a process that is performed within an autoclave, an injection molding apparatus, or any sufficiently heated/pressurized container that can process the mixing of a supercritical fluid (e.g., CO2, N2, or mixtures thereof) with a material (e.g., TPU, EVA, polyolefin elastomer, or mixtures thereof) that is preferably molten. During an exemplary process, a solution of supercritical fluid and molten material is pumped into a pressurized container, after which the pressure within the container is released, such that the molecules of the supercritical fluid rapidly convert to gas to form small pockets within the material and cause the material to expand into a foam. In further embodiments, the midsole 172 may be formed using alternative methods known in the art, including the use of an expansion press, an injection machine, a pellet expansion process, a cold foaming process, a compression molding technique, die cutting, or any combination thereof. For example, the midsole 172 may be formed using a process that involves an initial foaming step in which supercritical gas is used to foam a material and then compression molded or die cut to a particular shape.
It is contemplated that the first segment 216 and the second segment 232 of the cord 212 may be provided as separate, distinct cords that are operably coupled by the reel 208. In some embodiments, the first segment 216 extends from a first opening 236 of the reel 208 and the second segment 232 extends from a second opening 240 of the reel 208. The first opening 236 and the second opening 240 are spaced radially apart from one another, such as, e.g., being disposed 180 degrees from one another, about a rotational axis R extending centrally through the reel 208. However, in other embodiments, the first opening 236 and the second opening may be radially spaced apart from one another. In some embodiments, the first segment 216 and the second segment 232 of the cord 212 are integrally formed as part of the same cord 212. For example, the cord 212 may be wrapped around a portion of the reel 208, such that the reel 208 rotates about the rotational axis R in a counterclockwise direction when the first segment 216 is pulled away from the reel 208, thereby tightening the footwear 200. Further, the cord 212 may be formed of a variety of resilient and flexible materials, such as, e.g., elastic or thermoplastic materials, woven or non-woven fabric or fibrous materials, or some combination thereof. It is contemplated that the first segment 216 and the second segment 232 of the cord 212 may be formed of different materials. In addition, it is contemplated that the cord 212 may be provided with varying thicknesses or diameters, cross-sectional shapes, and combinations thereof.
As illustrated in
In some embodiments, the reel 208 may be actuated in various ways to provide various functionalities. In one aspect, the reel 208 may be configured such that pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 in a particular direction actuates a particular function of the reel 208 to achieve a particular output. For example, when the first segment 216 of the cord 212 is pulled primarily in the forward +Z direction, the reel 208 may retrieve the second segment 232 of the cord 212 to tighten the footwear 200; then, when the first segment 216 of the cord 212 is pulled in primarily an upward +Y direction, the reel 208 may become unlocked so as to allow the second segment 232 of the cord 212 to release and become loosened, thereby allowing the footwear 200 to be loosened. Additionally or alternatively, pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 in the lateral -X direction or the medial +X direction may adjust a tightening or loosening output of the reel 208, such that subsequent actuation of the reel 208 to retrieve or release the second segment 232 of the cord 212 can be accomplished by pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 a greater or smaller distance from the reel 208, or in a different direction, or to impart different tightening or loosening boundaries, i.e., thresholds for tightness tuned depending on the user’s preferences. In this way, the first segment 216 of the cord 212 is configured to be pulled away from the reel 208 in a plurality of directions that can be associated with a plurality of functions. To that end, any of the directions -Z, +Z, -X, +X, - Y, and +Y can be considered a first direction that is associated with a first function, e.g., tightening or loosening or releasing or adjusting, and any of the remaining directions -Z, +Z, -X, +X, -Y, and +Y can be considered a second direction that is associated with a second function that is different from the first function.
Further, it is contemplated that the closure system 204 may be provided with a button (not shown) that can be pressed to unlock or adjust the tightening and/or loosening of the footwear 200. For example, once the reel 208 has been actuated to tighten the footwear 200, a user can press the button (not shown), which may be disposed integrally with the reel 208 or on the upper 102 near the reel 208, to cause the closure system 204 to unlock and/or release the tightening force conveyed by the second segment 232 of the cord 212, thereby allowing the user to loosen the footwear 200. In some embodiments, the button (not shown) may be provided as a pair of buttons (not shown) arranged on the upper 102 within the heel region 112, with one disposed on the lateral side 116 and the other disposed on the medial side 118. Often, a user has a natural tendency to grab hold of the heel region 112 of the upper 102 when removing the footwear 200 from the user’s foot, such that the thumb and the forefinger are disposed on opposing sides, i.e., lateral and medial, of the footwear 200 to compress and pull the foot from the footwear 200. Taking advantage of this natural tendency, the pair of buttons (not shown) may be disposed in such areas to provide ergonomic, intuitive release of the closure system 204. In some embodiments, the pair of buttons (not shown) may be required to be activated simultaneously, such that pressing only one of the pair of buttons (not shown) would not be sufficient to release the closure system 204.
In another aspect, the closure system 204 may be unlocked and/or released by pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 in a predetermined distance away from the reel 208. For example, the reel 208 may be actuated by pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 away from the reel 208 a first distance, and subsequent unlocking and/or releasing the closure system 204 may be accomplished by pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 away from the reel 208 a second distance that is greater than the first distance. In this way, actuation of the closure system 204 to tighten and loosen the footwear 200 can be accomplished by repetitive, familiar motions that may be particularly suitable for users of a particular age, such as, e.g., children, or users having limited dexterity, or users having limited range of motion and/or flexibility.
In addition, it is contemplated that the closure system 204 can be provided with several adjustment features for selectively adjusting a parameter with which the footwear 200 can be tightened and loosened. For example, the closure system 204 may be configured to have a variable-ratio gearing system housed within the reel 208, e.g., internal gearing and/or ratcheting components (not shown), such that the closure system 204 offers an adjustable winding ratio WR. Applying the well-known principles of rotational kinematics, i.e., the mechanical principles explaining the radial and linear displacement of a rigid body about a fixed axis, it will be appreciated that the winding ratio WR of the reel 208 can be understood as a proportion between an input parameter and an output parameter to impact tightening and/or loosening of the footwear 200. In one particular aspect, the input parameter is a distance, i.e., length, that the first segment 216 of the cord 212 is pulled away from the reel 208, and the output parameter is a distance, i.e., length, that the second segment 232 of the cord 212 is pulled into or toward the reel 208. To that end, the reel 208 may be set at a 1:1 winding ratio, such that the distance the first segment 216 is pulled away from the reel 208 is equal to the length of the second segment 232 retrieved by the reel 208.
Further, the winding ratio WR may be adjusted to increase or decrease, where an increased winding ratio WR means the distance that first segment 216 is pulled is less than the length of the second segment 232 of the cord 212 retrieved by the reel 208. In some embodiments, the winding ratio WR may range from 1:1, 1.5:1, 2:1, 2.5:1, or more. Because pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 requires a user to exert energy, increasing the winding ratio WR reduces the amount of energy required to tighten the footwear 200. In a similar manner, the winding ratio WR may be adjusted down or decreased to allow for finer adjustment of the tightness of the footwear 200. For example, the distance that the first segment 216 is pulled away from the reel is greater than the length that the second segment 232 is retrieved by the reel 208, allowing for smaller adjustments without requiring careful, subtle movements by a user.
It is further contemplated that the winding ratio WR may be adjusted by pulling the first segment 216 of the cord 212 in a particular direction, such as, e.g., increasing the winding ratio WR incrementally from 1:1 to 2:1 or, for example, the reel 208 can be configured to automatically retract the first segment 216 of the cord 212 after being released by a user, as mentioned above. Further, the reel 208 may be provided with an auto-adjust feature that is tuned to impart a constant tightening force or pressure on the second segment 232 of the cord 212, and thus the footwear 200, within a particular range. For example, rather than the reel 208 being set to a particular radial position and locking into place to rely on the shortened distance of the second segment 232 of the cord 212 to maintain the tightness of the footwear 200, the reel 208 may instead have a biasing member (not shown) operably engaged with the second segment 232 of the cord 212 to maintain a tightness setpoint, as desired by the user. In this way, a user can select the tightness setpoint from a range of predetermined setpoints, which may be influenced in part by the distance of the second segment 232 of the cord 212 in combination with the tuning of a biasing member (not shown) to maintain the tightness setpoint while allowing for deviations within a predetermined band or range. In this way, the reel 208 may act as a dial for a user to select a range of tightness of the footwear 200.
As mentioned above, the reel 208 of the closure system 204 may incorporate internal componentry (not shown) to effectuate the tightening and loosening of the footwear 200. Such internal componentry may include, for example, a disc(s) or gear(s), a shaft(s) or spool(s), a biasing mechanism(s) such as a spring or a magnetic element or an elastic member, a ratchet or rack, a fastener(s), and a button(s), among other suitable components. In some embodiments, the reel 208 may be provided with a translucent or transparent housing to expose the internal componentry (not shown). In other embodiments, the reel 208 may be concealed by opaque structures and embedded within the upper 102 and/or the sole 104. Further, it is contemplated that the reel 208 can be configured as a centralized component within a cylindrical-shaped housing, or the reel 208 may be decentralized among various regions or sections of the footwear 200.
Referring to
As illustrated in
Referring to
It is contemplated that the wrap 260 can be provided in various forms to impart desirable compression forces to the base layer 276 and, thus, to the user’s foot. For example, the wrap 260 may be formed of distinct sections having different material properties or compositions. Further, the wrap 260 may be provided with seams or strands (not shown) to guide or direct tensile and/or compression forces toward or away from particular sections or regions of the footwear 200. In addition, the wrap 260 may be provided as an integral piece or as multiple portions coupled or fastened together. Further, the wrap 260 may be directly overlaid on the base layer 276 of the upper 102 or, alternatively, an intermediary substrate or layer can be provided between the wrap 260 and the base layer 276 of the upper 102.
As illustrated in
It is also contemplated that any of the closure system 204 described herein may incorporate a closure mechanism similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,325,613, U.S. Pat. No. 5,600,875, U.S. Pat. No. 5,606,778, U.S. Pat. No. 5,638,588, U.S. Pat. No. 5,651,198, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,116, which are all commonly assigned to Puma SE and incorporated by reference in their entirety herein. For example, it is contemplated that the reel 208 may be modified to include one or more aspects of the closure mechanisms to provide further tightening or loosening functionality when used with the cord 212 and mounted on the footwear 200 of the present disclosure.
In other embodiments, other configurations are possible. For example, certain features and combinations of features that are presented with respect to particular embodiments in the discussion above can be utilized in other embodiments and in other combinations, as appropriate. Further, any of the embodiments described herein may be modified to include any of the structures or methodologies disclosed in connection with other embodiments. Additionally, the present disclosure is not limited to articles of footwear of the type specifically shown. Still further, aspects of the articles of footwear of any of the embodiments disclosed herein may be modified to work with any type of footwear, apparel, or other athletic equipment.
As noted previously, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while the invention has been described above in connection with particular embodiments and examples, the invention is not necessarily so limited, and that numerous other embodiments, examples, uses, modifications and departures from the embodiments, examples and uses are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto. The entire disclosure of each patent and publication cited herein is incorporated by reference, as if each such patent or publication were individually incorporated by reference herein. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
Numerous modifications to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the foregoing description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed as illustrative only and is presented for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The exclusive rights to all modifications which come within the scope of the appended claims are reserved.
This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/292,284, filed on Dec. 21, 2021, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63292284 | Dec 2021 | US |