The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear.
This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.
Articles of footwear conventionally include an upper and a sole structure. The upper may be formed from any suitable material(s) to receive, secure and support a foot on the sole structure. A bottom portion of the upper, proximate to a bottom surface of the foot, attaches to the sole structure. Sole structures generally include a layered arrangement extending between an outsole providing abrasion-resistance and traction with a ground surface and a midsole disposed between the outsole and the upper for providing cushioning for the foot.
The upper may cooperate with laces, straps, or other fasteners to adjust the fit of the upper around the foot. For instance, laces may be tightened to close the upper around the foot and tied once a desired fit of the upper around the foot is attained. Care is required to ensure that the upper is not too loose or too tight around the foot each time the laces are tied. Moreover, the laces may loosen or become untied during wear of the footwear. While fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners are easier and quicker to operate than traditional laces, these fasteners have a propensity to wear out over time and require more attention to attain a desired tension when securing the upper to the foot.
Known automated tightening systems typically include a tightening mechanism, such as a rotatable knob, that can be manipulated to apply tension to one or more cables that interact with the upper for closing the upper around a foot. While these automated tightening systems can incrementally increase the magnitude of tension of the one or more cables to achieve a desired fit of the upper around a foot, they require a time-consuming task of manipulating the tightening mechanism to properly tension the cables for securing the upper around the foot. Further, when it is desired to remove the footwear from the foot, the wearer is required to simultaneously depress a release mechanism and pull the upper away from the foot to release the tension of the cables. Additionally, conventional automated tightening systems provide a constant tensioning along the lengths of the one or more cables, whereby rotation of the rotatable knob causes the entire cable to be tightened uniformly. In instances where it may be desirable to tighten a first region of the upper more than a second region of the upper, additional cables and tightening mechanisms must be incorporated and controlled separately.
Thus, known automated tightening systems lack suitable provisions for both quickly and variably adjusting the tension of cables to close an upper around a foot and do not allow a wearer to quickly release the tension applied to the cables so that the upper can be quickly loosened for removing the footwear from the foot. Moreover, the tightening mechanism employed by these known automated tightening systems is required to be incorporated onto an exterior of the upper so that the tightening mechanism is accessible to the wearer for adjusting the fit of the upper around the foot, thereby detracting from the general appearance and aesthetics of the footwear.
The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected configurations and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
Example configurations will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Example configurations are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those of ordinary skill in the art. Specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of configurations of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example configurations may be embodied in many different forms, and that the specific details and the example configurations should not be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular exemplary configurations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular articles “a,” “an,” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of features, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. Additional or alternative steps may be employed.
When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” “attached to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected, attached, or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to,” “directly attached to,” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
The terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections. These elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example configurations.
The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other aspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.
Referring to
The article of footwear 10, and components thereof, may be described as including an anterior end 12 associated with a forward-most point of the footwear 10, and a posterior end 14 corresponding to a rearward-most point of the footwear 10. As shown in the bottom view of
The article of footwear 10 may be divided into one or more regions along the longitudinal axis A10. The regions may include a forefoot region 20, a mid-foot region 22, and a heel region 24. The forefoot region 20 may correspond with toes and joints connecting metatarsal bones with phalanx bones of a foot. The mid-foot region 22 may correspond with an arch area of the foot, and the heel region 24 may correspond with rear regions of the foot, including a calcaneus bone.
The article of footwear 10, and more particularly, the sole structure 100, may be further described as including a peripheral region 26 and an interior region 28, as indicated in
The sole structure 100 of the present disclosure includes an outsole 102 and a heel counter 104. The outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may be formed as separate components and joined together using a fastening means, such as an adhesive or welding process. Accordingly, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may include different materials. For example, the outsole 102 may include a material having a different hardness and/or stiffness than the heel counter 104. In one example, the outsole 102 includes a rigid material having a greater hardness than the heel counter 104. Alternatively, the outsole 102 and the heel counter 104 may be integrally formed of a continuous and unitary (i.e., seamless) piece of material. Optionally, the sole structure 100 may also include a plurality of traction elements 106a-106c extending from the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the traction elements 106a-106c are integrally formed with the outsole 102. Particularly, the traction elements 106a-106c are formed of the same material as the outsole 102 using a molding process.
With particular reference to
The outsole 102 includes a support bed 120 formed in the interior region 28 and a peripheral lip 122 extending around the support bed 120 in the peripheral region 26. The support bed 120 provides vertical (e.g., normal to the ground surface) support along the plantar surface of the foot while the peripheral lip 122 provides lateral support along an outer periphery of the foot. Accordingly, the support bed 120 is a substantially straight portion of the outsole 102 and the peripheral lip 122 curves upwardly around the outer periphery of the support bed 120.
Referring to
On the opposite side of the outsole 102, the outer surface 116 has a generally convex profile along the lateral direction. Like the inner surface 114, the portion of the outer surface 116 defining the support bed 120 has a radius R3 that is greater than radius R4 of the portion of the outer surface 116 forming the peripheral lip 122. Accordingly, the outer surface 116 is flatter across the interior region 28 and curves upwardly in the peripheral region 26.
As discussed previously, the thickness T102 of the outsole 102 is defined by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the outer surface 116. In some portions of the outsole 102, the thickness T102 may be variable across a width of the outsole 102. For example, the thickness T1o2 may be greater in the interior region 28 than in the peripheral region 26. As shown in
Referring to
As shown, the recess 124 is defined, in part, by an opposing (i.e., facing) pair of parallel sidewalls 126a, 126b extending along the longitudinal direction and an opposing pair of parallel end walls 128a, 128b extending between the sidewalls 126a, 126b. Each of the sidewalls 126a, 126b and the end walls 128a, 128b is substantially planar, whereby the sidewalls 126a, 126b are diametrically opposed (i.e., completely and directly facing) to each other and the end walls 128a, 128b are diametrically opposed to each other. The sidewalls 126a, 126b and the end walls 128a, 128b extend from the inner surface 114 to a bottom wall 130, which defines a bottom surface of the recess 124. In other words, a distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom wall 130 defines a depth D124 of the recess 124. In the illustrated example, the depth D124 of the recess 124 is configured such that the tensioning device 400 is flush with the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 when the tensioning device 400 is received against the bottom wall 130 within the recess 124.
The outsole 102 further includes a plurality of cable channels 132a-132d each extending from and in fluid communication with the recess 124. The channels 132a-132d are configured to receive respective portions of the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 for routing the cable 302 between the tensioning device 400 and the upper 200. The cable channels 132a-132d may be described as including a pair of tensioning element channels 132a, 132b extending from an anterior portion of the recess 124, and a pair of control element channels 132c, 132d extending from a posterior portion of the recess 124. The tensioning element channels 132a, 132b include a lateral tensioning element channel 132a extending from the lateral sidewall 126a of the recess 124, and a medial tensioning element channel 132b extending from the medial sidewall 126b of the recess 124. Similarly, the control element channels 132c, 132d include a lateral control element channel 132c extending from the lateral sidewall 126a of the recess 124, and a medial control element channel 132d extending from the medial sidewall 126b of the recess 124.
A length of each of the channels 132a-132d extends from the recess 124 towards the peripheral edge 118. Particularly, each of the channels 132a-132d extends from a first end 134a-134d at one of the sidewalls 126a, 126b of the recess 124 towards one of the lateral side 16 or the medial side 18, and terminates at a distal end 136a-136d within the support bed 120 and adjacent to the peripheral lip 122. As best shown in
In the illustrated example, each of the channels 132a-132d has a substantially rectangular cross-section defined by an anterior sidewall 138a-138d, a posterior sidewall 140a-140d opposing (i.e., facing) the anterior sidewall 138a-138d, and a bottom wall 142a-142d extending between the respective sidewalls 138a-138d, 140a-140d. Depths of the channels 132a-132d are defined by the distance from the inner surface 114 to the bottom walls 142-142d. As illustrated in
As shown in
With continued reference to
A length of the release cord channel 144 extends from a first end 146 at the posterior end wall 128b to a distal end 148 adjacent to the peripheral lip 122 at the second end 112 of the outsole 102. Thus, the length of the release cord channel 144 extends in a direction transverse to the lengths of each of the cable channels 132a-132d. Optionally, the release cord channel 144 may include a first portion 150 extending from the posterior end wall 128b substantially parallel to the length of the recess 124, and a second portion 152 extending from the first portion 150 to the distal end 148 at an oblique angle relative to the first portion 150. In the illustrated example, the second portion 152 of the release cord channel 144 extends at an oblique angle from the first portion 150 and towards the lateral side 16. Accordingly, the distal end 148 of the release cord channel 144 is disposed adjacent to the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 at the second end 112 and on the lateral side 16.
As shown in
While the recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144 are defined within the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, the thickness T102 of the outsole 102 may be configured such that the walls of the recess 124 and channels 132a-132d, 144 are pronounced on the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102. Thus, as shown in
As previously mentioned, the sole structure 100 may include a plurality of traction elements 106a-106c extending from the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the traction elements 106a-106c are integrally molded with the outsole 102 and extend from the support bed 120. While the traction elements 106a-106c of the present disclosure are formed as hollow bodies or shells including cavities extending from the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102, in other examples, the traction elements 106a-106c may be solid bodies extending from the outer surface 116.
The traction elements 106a-106c of the present disclosure include a plurality of chevron-shaped traction elements 106a arranged in series along the lateral side 16 of the outsole 102, a series of hex-shaped traction elements 106b arranged in series along the medial side 18 of the outsole 102, and a pair of straight traction element 106c disposed between the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 in the forefoot region 20 of the outsole 102. The outsole 102 may be described as including a forefoot traction element set 108a including four of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106a, four of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b, and the straight traction elements 106c. The outsole 102 also includes a heel traction element set 108b including a pair of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106a and a pair of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b.
As shown in
Optionally, the bottom surface 116 of the outsole 102 may include traction pads 158a-158c surrounding one or more of the traction elements 106a-106c. In the illustrated example, the bottom surface includes a triangular first traction pad 158a surrounding one of the chevron-shaped traction elements 106a at the anterior end 12 on the lateral side 16, a triangular second traction pad 158b surrounding a pair of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b at the anterior end 12 on the medial side 18, and a hexagonal third traction pad 158c surrounding one of the hex-shaped traction elements 106b and one of the straight traction elements 106c on the medial side 18. The traction pads 158a-158c are substantially flush with the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102, and include a textured pattern. In the illustrated example, the traction pads 158a-158c have a honeycomb pattern (
As best shown in
In the illustrated example, an attachment interface between the heel counter 104 and the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 forms a lap joint between the heel counter 104 and the outsole 102. Particularly, a portion of the outer surface 162 adjacent to the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 is recessed to form a tab 172 along the bottom portion of the outsole 102. Likewise, the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102 may have a groove 174 having a depth and profile corresponding to the thickness and profile of the tab 172. When the sole structure 100 is assembled, the tab 172 is disposed within the groove 174 such that the lower portion of the heel counter 104 overlaps the peripheral lip 122 of the outsole 102. Here, the inner surface 114 of the outsole 102 is flush and continuous with the inner surface 160 of the heel counter 104 at the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and the outer surface 116 of the outsole 102 is flush and continuous with the outer surface 162 of the heel counter 104 at the peripheral edge 118 of the outsole 102. In other examples, the heel counter 104 may be joined to the outsole 102 by other joint configurations, such as a butt joint between the bottom edge 164 of the heel counter 104 and the peripheral edge 118 of the outsole 102.
With reference to
The upper 200 includes an enclosure 202 having a plurality of components that cooperate to define an interior void 204 and an ankle opening 206, which cooperate to receive and secure a foot for support on the sole structure 100. For example, the upper 200 includes a pair of quarter panels 208 in the mid-foot region 22 on opposite sides of the interior void 204. A throat 210 extends across the top of the upper 200 and defines an instep region extending between the quarter panels 208 from the ankle opening 206 to the forefoot region 20. In the illustrated example, the throat 210 is enclosed with a material panel extending between the opposing quarter panels 208 in the instep region to cover the interior void 204. Here, the material panel covering the throat 210 may be formed of a material having a higher modulus of elasticity than the material forming the quarter panels 208.
The upper 200 of the article of footwear 10 may be further described as including heel side panels 212 extending through the heel region 24 along the lateral and medial sides 16, 18 of the ankle opening 206. A heel counter 214 wraps around the posterior end 14 of the footwear 10 and connects the heel side panels 212. Uppermost edges of the throat 210, the heel side panels 208, and the heel counter 214 cooperate to form a collar 216, which defines the ankle opening 206 of the interior void 204.
The components of the enclosure 202 may be formed from one or more materials that are stitched or adhesively bonded together to define the interior void 204. Suitable materials of the upper 200 may include, but are not limited to, textiles, foam, leather, and synthetic leather. The example upper 200 may be formed from a combination of one or more substantially inelastic or non-stretchable materials and one or more substantially elastic or stretchable materials disposed in different regions of the upper 200 to facilitate movement of the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and the loosened state. The one or more elastic materials may include any combination of one or more elastic fabrics such as, without limitation, spandex, elastane, rubber or neoprene. The one or more inelastic materials may include any combination of one or more of thermoplastic polyurethanes, nylon, leather, vinyl, or another material/fabric that does not impart properties of elasticity.
The upper 200 may further include a plurality of routing elements 218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b configured to interface or cooperate with the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 to adjust a fit of the enclosure 202. Particularly, the routing elements 218a-218e, 220, 222a, 222b are configured to convert a tensile force applied along a length of the cable 302 to directional forces to move the upper 200 between a relaxed state and a tightened state. The routing elements include a plurality of tensioning straps 218a-218e arranged along the forefoot region 20 and the mid-foot region 22 and configured to route the cable 302 along the throat 210, a heel strap 220 extending around the heel counter 214 of the upper 200, and one or more cable guides 222a attached at fixed locations along the enclosure 202.
As best shown in
In the illustrated example, each of the tensioning straps 218a-218e includes a pair of segments 230a-230e, 232a-232e attached to each other at the free end 226a-226e and independently attached to the enclosure 202 at the fixed end 224a-224e. Each tensioning strap 218a-218e may be formed of a continuous band, whereby a first portion or segment 230a-230e of the band extends from a first attachment point at the fixed end 226a-226e to the free end 226a-226e, where a second portion of segment 232a-232e of the band is folded back on the first segment 230a-230e to form the loop 228a-228e at the free end 226a-226e. From the free end 226a-226e, the second segment 232a-232e extends to a second attachment point at the fixed end 224a-224e. Thus, the fixed end 226a-226e of each strap 218a-218e may include two independent attachment points at the bite line 30. In other examples, the tensioning straps 218a-218e may be formed of a single piece or segment extending between the fixed end 224a-224e and the free end 226a-226e, and/or the loop 228a-228e may be independently formed and attached to the free end 226a-226e.
As previously mentioned, the tensioning straps 218a-218e include a series of medial tensioning straps 218a-218c arranged along the medial side 18 and a series of lateral tensioning straps 218d, 218e arranged along the lateral side 16. The lateral tensioning straps 218d, 218e are offset or staggered along the length of the throat 210 relative to the medial tensioning straps 218a-218c. Thus, the medial tensioning straps 218a-218c and the lateral tensioning straps 218d, 218e are alternatingly arranged along the length of the throat 210.
As best shown in
On the lateral side 16, a first lateral tensioning strap 218d extends from a fixed end 224d attached to the bite line 30 in a ball portion of the forefoot region 20, to a free end 226d disposed adjacent to the lateral side of the throat 210. As shown in
As best shown in
The upper 200 may include one or more gripping features 242 for manipulating the footwear 10 on the foot. In the illustrated example, the upper 200 includes a loosening grip 242 attached to the throat 210 at the anterior end of the ankle opening 206. In use, the loosening grip 242 may be pulled by a wearer to pull the throat 210 away from the foot, thereby expanding the size of the interior void 204 to allow a foot to be inserted and removed. Optionally, the loosening grip 242 may be attached to a portion of the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300, such that when the loosening grip 242 is pulled, a length of the cable 302 extending along the throat 210 is increased to allow the upper 200 to move to a relaxed or loosened state.
As shown in
The upper 200 may also include a support plate 252 disposed along the medial side of the enclosure 202. Generally, the support plate 252 is configured to distribute forces applied to the medial tensioning straps 218a-218c along the medial side of the foot. As shown, the support plate 252 is attached along the bite line 30 of the article of footwear 10 and a height of the support plate 252 extends vertically towards the throat 210 and ankle opening 206. In the illustrated example, the support plate 252 includes an elongate posterior portion 254 and an angled anterior portion 256. The posterior portion 254 has a constant height extending towards the posterior end 14 from a transition portion 258 of the support plate 252 disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218b and the third medial tensioning strap 218c. The anterior portion 256 extends at an oblique angle away from the bite line 30 and towards the anterior end 12, such that the height of the anterior portion 256 increases from the transition portion 258 and is greater than the height of the posterior portion 254. The anterior portion 256 is disposed between the second medial tensioning strap 218b and the enclosure 202 to distribute forces applied to the second medial tensioning strap 218b along the medial side 18 of the foot.
Referring to
The cable 302 may be highly lubricous and/or may be formed from one or more fibers having a low modulus of elasticity and a high tensile strength. For instance, the fibers may include high modulus polyethylene fibers having a high strength-to-weight ratio and a low elasticity. Additionally or alternatively, the cable 302 may be formed from a molded monofilament polymer and/or a woven steel with or without other lubrication coating. In some examples, the cable 302 includes multiple strands of material woven together.
The cable 302 includes a tensioning element 312 and a control element 314 that cooperate with the cable routing elements 218a-218e, 220, 222a of the upper 200 and the tensioning device 400 to move the article of footwear 10 between the tightened state and the relaxed state. The tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 may be collectively referred to as adjustment elements 312, 314. The adjustment elements 312, 314 are movable in a tightening direction DT to move the article of footwear 10 into the tightened state, and in a loosening direction DL to allow the article of footwear 10 to transition to a relaxed state. In some examples, a tightening force FT applied to the control element 314 is transmitted to at least a portion of the tensioning element 312 through the tensioning device 400 to move the tensioning element 312 in the tightening direction DT.
As best shown in
Referring now to
As shown in
As shown in
As described above and shown in
Likewise, as shown in
Referring to
A portion of the control element 314 that extends around the heel counter 214 may be enclosed within one or more of the sheaths 310. Each sheath 310 may be formed from a material and/or a weave that allows the sheath 310 and the control element 314 to move from a relaxed state to a stretched or expanded state when the control element 314 is moved in a direction away from the upper 200 by way of the tightening force FT (i.e., when the control element 314 is moved in the tightening direction DT). When the tightening force FT is removed, the material and/or weave of the sheath 310 automatically causes the sheath 310 to contract to the relaxed state and accommodate bunching of the control element 314 therein, as shown in
In the example shown, the connected second ends 334, 338 of the control element 314 and/or the sheath 310 may form the tightening grip 340 configured to allow a user to apply the tightening force FT to pull the control element 314 away from the upper 200, thereby causing each of the control element 314 and the tensioning element 312 to move in the tightening direction DT. Here, the tightening grip 340 is defined by the sheath 310 and is exposed at the posterior end 14 through the opening 176 formed through the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100. In use, the user can grasp the tightening grip 340 by inserting one or more fingers between the tightening grip 340 and the upper 200 via the relief 182 formed in the lower edge 180a of the opening 176. Other configurations may include operatively connecting one or more tightening grips 340 along the length of the control element 314.
The upper 200 is moveable between a relaxed state and a tightened state by adjusting the tensioning element 312 along the throat 210 of the upper 200. As shown, the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 can be moved in the tightening direction DT by applying a tightening force FT to the control element 314. For instance, a user may apply the tightening force FT to the control element 314 by pulling the tightening grip 340 and the sheath 310 away from the upper 200, thereby moving the control element 314 in the tightening direction DT. Here, the tightening force FT is applied to each of the control strands 320, 322 and is transmitted to respective ones of the tensioning strands 316, 318 through the tensioning device 400. The tightening force FT pulls the tensioning strands 316, 318 in the tightening direction to draw the free ends 226a-226e of the tensioning straps 218a-218e towards each other across the throat 210. As provided above, the fit of the upper 200 may be zonally adjusted along the length of the throat 210 by applying the tightening force FT to one or the lateral control strand 320 or the medial control strand 322. For instance, applying the tightening force FT to the lateral control strand 320 will tighten the lateral tensioning strand 316 along the lower portion of the throat 210, while applying the tightening force to the medial control strand 322 will tighten the medial tensioning strand 318 along the upper portion of the throat 210.
The locking device or tensioning device 400 may be disposed within the cavity of the sole structure 100, and may be biased to a locked state to restrict movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314 in their respective loosening directions DL. The tensioning element 312 and the control element 314 each approach and pass through a housing 402 of the tensioning device 400 from opposite directions. In some configurations, the tensioning device 400 permits movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314 in the tightening directions DT while in the locked state.
The release cord 404 of the tensioning device 400 is operable to move the locking device 400 between an unlocked state and the locked state so that the cable 302 can be selectively moved in the tightening direction DT and loosening direction DL. The release cord 404 is routed from a first end 406 at the tensioning device 400 to a second end 408 attached to a release grip 410 at the posterior end of the ankle opening 206. As discussed previously, the release cord 404 is routed from the recess 124 to the upper 200 through the release cord channel 144 of the outsole 102. In the illustrated example, the release cord channel 144 extends through the heel region 24, such that the release cord 404 is routed up the posterior end 14 between the heel counter 214 of the upper 200 and the heel counter 104 of the sole structure 100.
With particular reference to
The sole structure 100a of the article of footwear l0a includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104a substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described. However, unlike the heel counter 104 above, which includes an opening 176 that is fully surrounded, the opening 176a of the heel counter 104a is formed as a notch 176a within the upper portion of the heel counter 104a. Thus, the heel counter 104a extends from the bottom edge 164 to the lower edge 180a of the opening 176a. In this example, the heel counter 104a may include a pair of ears 184a, 184b disposed at opposite ends of the notch 176a, where each ear 184a, 184b is formed between an end 168, 170 of the heel counter 104a and an end 178a, 178b of the notch 176a. In this example, the tightening grip 340 is exposed between the ears 184a, 184b.
With particular reference to
The sole structure 100b of the article of footwear 10b includes the outsole 102 discussed above and a heel counter 104b substantially similar to the heel counter 104 previously described. In this example, the upper edge 166 of the heel counter 104b terminates below the tightening grip 340 of the tensioning system 300. Accordingly, the opening 176b of the heel counter 104b is simply formed as an exposed region above the upper edge 166 of the heel counter 104b.
With particular reference to
The article of footwear 10c includes the sole structure 100 discussed above with respect to
As shown in
With continued reference to
The control element 314 of the article of footwear 10c is routed in the same manner as the control element 314 discussed above with respect to the articles of footwear 10-10b. However, as shown in
Referring to
As discussed above, the cable 302 of the tensioning system 300 may include a tensioning element 312 and a control element 314, which are connected to each other by a locking element 315 that extends through the locking member cavity 426 and includes a first portion extending along the first engagement surface 428 and a second portion extending along the second engagement surface 430. The tensioning element 312 exits out of corresponding slots 432 (
In some implementations, the locking member 412 includes a first lock surface 434 opposing the first engagement surface 428 of the housing 402 and a second lock surface 436 opposing the second engagement surface 430 of the housing 402 when the locking member 412 is disposed within the locking member cavity 426 of the housing 402. In some examples, the first lock surface 434 and the second lock surface 436 converge toward one another. Additionally or alternatively, the first lock surface 434 may be substantially parallel to the first engagement surface 428 and the second lock surface 436 may be substantially parallel to the second engagement surface 430. In the example shown, the lock surfaces 434, 436 include projections or teeth each having an angled surface to permit movement by tensioning system 300 in the tightening direction DT (i.e., when the tightening force FT is applied to control element 314) while restricting movement by the tensioning system 300 by gripping the locking element 315 in the loosening direction DL when the locking member 412 is in the locked state. A biasing member 438 (e.g., a spring) may include a first end 440 attached to the second end 418 of the housing 402 and a second end 442 attached to a first end 444 of the locking member 412 to attach the locking member 412 to the housing 402.
In some implementations, the locking member 412 is slidably disposed within the housing 402 and is movable between a locked position (
While in the unlocked position, the locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 relative to the housing 402 by allowing the locking element 315 of the tensioning system 300 to freely move between the lock surfaces 434, 436 and the engagement surfaces 428, 430. The unlocked position of the locking member 412 permits movement of the tensioning system 300 in both the tightening direction DT and the loosening direction DL when the forces FT, FL are applied to respective ones of the control element 314 and the tensioning element 312.
In some examples, a sufficient magnitude and/or duration of the release force FR applied to the release cord 404 causes the release cord 404 to apply the release force FR (
In some scenarios, a release force FR associated with a first magnitude may be applied to the release cord 404 to move the locking member 412 away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 by a distance less than the predetermined distance such that the retention features 448, 450 do not engage. In these scenarios, the release force FR associated with the first magnitude can be maintained when it is desirable to move the tensioning system 300 in the loosening direction DL or the tightening direction DT (e.g., by applying the tightening force FT to the tightening grip 340) for adjusting the fit of the interior void 204 around the foot. Once the desired fit of the interior void 204 around the foot is achieved, the release force FR can be released to cause the locking member 412 to transition back to the locked position so that movement of the tensioning system 300 is restricted in the loosening direction DL and the desired fit can be sustained. It should be noted that even when the locking member 412 is in the locked position, the tensioning system 300 can be moved in the tightening direction DT. As such, once the release force FR is released and a desired fit is achieved, the locking member 412 automatically retains the desired fit by locking a position of the tensioning system 300 relative to the housing 402.
In other scenarios, a release force FR associated with a second magnitude greater than the first magnitude can be applied to the release cord 404 to move the locking member 412 the predetermined distance away from the engagement surfaces 428, 430 to cause the corresponding retention features 448, 450 to engage. Engagement of the retention features 448, 450 is facilitated by providing the retention features 450 with a tapered edge that opposes the locking member 412 to allow the locking member 412 to more easily move the retention features 450 against the biasing force FB imparted thereon by the biasing members 452 when the release cord 404 is pulled the predetermined distance. In these scenarios, engagement between the corresponding retention features 448, 450 maintains the locking member 412 in the unlocked position when the release force FR is released.
The locking member 412 is returned to the locked position when a tightening force FT is applied to the control element 314. Namely, when a force is applied to the lateral and medial control strands 320, 322, these control strands 320, 322 are placed in tension which, in turn, exerts a force on the biasing members 452 via the retention features 450, as the control strands 320, 322 pass through a portion of the retention features 450. In so doing, the retention features 450 compress the biasing members 452 and, as such, cause the retention features 450 to move away from one another and disengage the retention features 448 of the locking member 412, thereby allowing the biasing member 438 to return the locking member 412 to the locked position.
In use, the article of footwear 10-10c can be selectively moved between a relaxed state and a tightened state using the tensioning system 300 and tensioning device 400. With the footwear 10-10c initially provided in a relaxed state, an effective length of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 (i.e., the lengths from the first ends 324, 328 to the second ends 326, 330) will be maximized, such that the tensioning element 312 and the tensioning straps 218a-218e are in a relaxed state about the upper 200, 200a, while an effective length of the control strands 320, 322 of the control element 314 (i.e., the lengths from the first ends 332, 336 to the second ends 334, 338) is minimized. Accordingly, a foot of a user can be inserted into the interior void 204 of the footwear 10-10c with the materials of the upper 200, 200a allowing the upper 200, 200a to stretch to accommodate the foot therein.
With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void 204 of the upper 200, 200a, the tensioning system 300 can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10-10c to the foot. As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state by applying a tightening force FT to the tightening grip 340 of the control element 314, thereby causing the control element 314 to move in the tightening direction DT. As the control element 314 moves in the tightening direction DT, the cable 302 is pulled through the housing 402 of the tensioning device 400, thereby causing the effective lengths of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 to be reduced. Accordingly, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 is minimized around the upper 200 to move the upper 200 to a tightened state around the foot.
As discussed above, when the tensioning element 312 is moved in the tightening direction DT, the lateral and medial tensioning strands 316, 318 distribute the tightening force FT to the free ends 226a-226e of the tensioning straps 218a-218e to draw the tensioning straps 218a-218e tight over the throat 210. Simultaneously, the effective length of the control element 314 may be increased when the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state. However, the control element 314 is maintained in a taut position against the upper 200 by the elasticity of the sheath 310, which accommodates the increased effective length of the control element 314 by allowing the control element 314 to “bunch” within the sheath 306 when the sheath 310 is contracted.
When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10-10c from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400 must be moved to the unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force FR to overcome the biasing force FB of the biasing member 438, as discussed above. Once the tensioning device 400 is moved to the unlocked state, the cable 302 can be pulled in the loosening direction DL through the housing 402 of the tensioning device by pulling the article of footwear 10 from the foot of the user, which inherently causes the upper to expand and increases the effective lengths of the tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312.
With reference to
The housing 402a defines a plurality of retainer slots 468 each configured to receive and support a respective cable retainer 470 through which the cable adjustment elements are routed into the cavity 454 of the housing 402a. The housing 402a may support a plurality of the cable retainers 470 such that the ends of the adjustment elements 312, 314 each extend through a respective one of the cable retainers 470.
As described in greater detail below, the housing 402a may further include a retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity 454. The retaining wall 472 is configured to cooperate with the first pawl 458. The retaining wall 472 may further include a tactile slot 474 configured to receive one or more tactile domes 476. Described in greater detail below with reference to
Referring now to
The tensioning device 400a also includes a ratchet mechanism 494 associated with the spool 456 and having a plurality of teeth 496 positioned circumferentially around an axis of the ratchet mechanism 494 and protruding radially inward therefrom. In some implementations, the ratchet mechanism 494 is integrally formed upon an inner circumferential wall of the spool 456 such that the plurality of teeth 496 protrude radially inward from the channels 488, 490. In other examples, the ratchet mechanism 494 is supported for common rotation with the spool 456.
The first pawl 458 is disposed within the cavity 454 of the housing 402a and is configured to cooperate with the ratchet mechanism 494 to selectively prevent and allow rotation of the spool 456 and, consequently, movement of the adjustment elements 312, 314. In some examples, the first pawl 458 includes one or more teeth 498 configured to selectively and meshingly engage with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494. In some implementations, the first pawl 458 includes a first pawl axle 500 configured to support the first pawl 458 within the housing 402a to permit the first pawl 458 to rotate relative to the housing 402a about a first pawl axis of rotation AFP.
A first pawl spring 502 may operably connect to the first pawl axle 500 and the retaining wall 472 disposed within the cavity 454 of the housing 402a to bias the first pawl 458 in a first direction DFP1 about the pawl axis of rotation AFP. The first pawl axis of rotation AFP may be substantially parallel to an axis of rotation of the spool 456 when the spool 456 is received by the cavity 454. Accordingly, the first pawl spring 502 may interact with the retaining wall 472 and the first pawl 516 to exert a biasing force that causes the first pawl 458 to pivot about the pawl axis of rotation AFP in the first direction DFP1 and into engagement with the plurality of teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494, thereby causing the tensioning device 400a to operate in the locked state to restrict movement by the adjustment elements 312, 314 in the loosening directions DL.
With reference to
When the spool 456 rotates in the first direction DS1, the control element 314 is unreeled from the second channel 490 of the spool 456 while the first channel 488 of the spool 456 simultaneously retracts the tensioning element 312 as the spool 456 rotates in the first direction DS1. Accordingly, movement by the adjustment elements 312, 314 in their respective tightening directions DT causes an effective length of the control element 314 to increase, while simultaneously causing an effective length of the tensioning element 312 to decrease, thereby moving the upper 200 into a tightened state for closing the interior void 204 around a foot of a user. Here, the control element 314 incrementally moves in the tightening direction DT during each successive engagement between the first pawl 458 (e.g., first pawl teeth 498) and the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 to thereby incrementally increase the tension applied to lateral and medial tensioning strands 316, 318 of the tensioning element 312 for tightening the fit of the interior void 204 around the foot as the upper 200 moves into the tightened state. More particularly, because each of the lateral tensioning strand 316 and the medial tensioning strand 318 of the tensioning element 312 is connected to and disposed within the first channel 488 of the spool 456, each of the tensioning strands 316, 318 will be wound and unwound by the spool 456 at the same rate, providing substantially uniform tightness of the upper 200 around the foot.
In some examples, the release cord 404 operably connects to the anchor post 510 of the first pawl 458 to selectively disengage the first pawl 458 from the teeth 496 of the ratchet mechanism 494 when a predetermined release force FR is applied to the release cord 404. When the second pawl 460 is engaged with the control surface 518, the second pawl 460 is operative to control the rotational speed of the spool 456 in the second direction DS2 such that the adjustment elements 312, 314 do not become tangled when collected (e.g., wound) or released (e.g., unwound) from respective ones of the first channel 488 and the second channel 490 of the spool 456 during rotation in the second direction DS2. In some configurations, the second pawl 460 includes two cam surfaces that remain engaged with respective ones of two control surfaces 518 when the first pawl 458 remains disengaged from the teeth 496 (i.e., when the tensioning device 400a is operable in the unlocked state). Each control surface 518 may be axially disposed on an opposite side of the ratchet mechanism 494 such that the teeth 496 are disposed between the control surfaces 518 and protrude radially inward therefrom.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring back to
In use, the article of footwear 10 can be selectively moved between a tightened state and a relaxed state using the tensioning system 300. With the footwear 10 initially provided in a relaxed state, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 will be maximized, such that the first cable is in a relaxed state about the upper 200, while an effective length of the control element 314 is minimized as the control element 314 is wound about the spool 456 of the tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, a foot of a user can be inserted into the interior void 204 of the footwear 10 with the materials of the upper 200 allowing the upper 200 to stretch to accommodate the foot therein.
With the foot of the user inserted within the interior void 204 of the upper 200, the tensioning system 300 can be moved to a tightened state by the user to secure the footwear 10 to the foot. As discussed above, the tensioning system 300 is moved to the tightened state by applying a tightening force FT to the tightening grip 340, thereby causing the control element 314 to move in the tightening direction DT. As the control element 314 moves in the tightening direction DT, the spool 456 rotates in the first direction DS1 and the control element 314 is unwound from the second channel 490. Simultaneously, the tensioning element 312 is wound up within the first channel 488, thereby causing the tensioning element 312 to be retracted within the tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, an effective length of the tensioning element 312 is minimized around the upper 200 to move the upper 200 to a tightened state around the foot.
Prior to, during, or after movement of the tensioning system 300 to the tightened state, the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502 may move the first pawl 458 to the locked position when the release force FR applied to the release cord 404 is overcome by the first pawl spring 502. When the tensioning device 400a is in the locked state, the teeth 496 of the spool 456 are engaged by the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 to prevent the spool 456 from rotating in the second direction DS2 (i.e., the loosening direction DL). Accordingly, the tensioning device 400a maintains the tensioning system 300 in the tightened state as long as the tensioning device 400a remains in the locked position.
When a user desires to remove the article of footwear 10 from the foot, the tensioning system 300 may be moved to the loosened state to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed around the foot. Initially, the tensioning device 400a must be moved to the unlocked state by applying a sufficient release force FR to overcome the biasing force of the first pawl spring 502. When the release force FR overcomes the biasing force, the teeth 498 of the first pawl 458 will disengage from the teeth 496 of the spool 456, thereby allowing the spool 456 to rotate in the second direction DS2.
A loosening force FL may be applied to the tensioning element 312 by the user to move the first cable in the loosening direction DL, thereby maximizing the effective length of the tensioning element 312 to allow the upper 200 to be relaxed. In the illustrated example, the loosening force FL may be applied indirectly to the tensioning element 312 by pulling the anterior end 12 of the upper 200 in a downward direction, whereby the interior void 204 is forced open to remove the foot. Alternatively, the tensioning element 312 may be provided with one or more loosening grips (not shown) to allow the user to apply the loosening force FT directly to the tensioning element 312.
As the tensioning element 312 moves in the loosening direction DL, the spool 456 rotates in the second direction DS2 and the tensioning element 312 is unwound from the first channel 488. As the tensioning element 312 is unwound, the effective length of the tensioning element 312 increases and the tensioning strands 316, 318 are relaxed, allowing the tensioning straps 218a-218i to relax about the upper 200. Simultaneously, the control element 314 is wound up within the second channel 490, thereby causing the control element 314 to be retracted within the tensioning device 400a. Accordingly, an effective length of the control element 314 is minimized.
The following Clauses provide an exemplary configuration for a sole structure and an article of footwear described above.
Clause 1. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall and a second sidewall, and a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 2. The sole structure of Clause 1, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 3. The sole structure of Clause 2, wherein the housing is in contact with the bottom wall.
Clause 4. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel operable to receive a cable therein.
Clause 5. The sole structure of Clause 4, further comprising a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the second channel operable to receive a cable therein.
Clause 6. The sole structure of Clause 5, wherein the second channel extends transverse to the first channel.
Clause 7. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.
Clause 8. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, a portion of the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.
Clause 9. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
Clause 10. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
Clause 11. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
Clause 12. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
Clause 13. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the first channel extending away from the recess along an axis that is either (i) substantially perpendicular to the first sidewall or (ii) substantially parallel to the first sidewall.
Clause 14. The sole structure of Clause 13, wherein the recess is further defined by a bottom wall extending between and connecting the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 15. The sole structure of Clause 14, further comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 16. The sole structure of Clause 15, further comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable element being received by the first channel.
Clause 17. The sole structure of Clause 16, further comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable element being received by a second channel.
Clause 18. The sole structure of Clause 17, wherein the second channel extends substantially perpendicular to the first channel.
Clause 19. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.
Clause 20. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by and having the shape of the recess.
Clause 21. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
Clause 22. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
Clause 23. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
Clause 24. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
Clause 25. A sole structure for an article of footwear, the sole structure comprising a plate including a first surface defining a ground-contacting surface and a second surface disposed on an opposite side of the plate than the first surface, a recess formed into the second surface and defined by a first sidewall, a second sidewall, and a bottom wall, and a first channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, a second channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, a third channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, and a fourth channel extending from and in fluid communication with the recess, the fourth channel cooperating with the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the recess to provide a substantially H-shaped structure at the second surface.
Clause 26. The sole structure of Clause 25, further comprising a cable lock disposed within the recess and including a housing engaging the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 27. The sole structure of Clause 26, further comprising a first cable element extending from the cable lock, the first cable element being received by the first channel and the second channel.
Clause 28. The sole structure of Clause 27, further comprising a second cable element extending from the cable lock, the second cable element being received by the third channel and the fourth channel.
Clause 29. The sole structure of Clause 28, wherein the first channel and the second channel are (i) disposed on the same side of the recess and on opposite ends of one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 30. The sole structure of Clause 29, wherein the third channel and the fourth channel are (i) disposed on the same side of the recess and on opposite ends of the other of the first sidewall and the second sidewall.
Clause 31. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first sidewall and the second sidewall are (i) substantially planar and (ii) diametrically opposed to one another.
Clause 32. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising a projection extending from the first surface, the projection being formed by the recess, the first channel, the second channel, the third channel, and the fourth channel.
Clause 33. The sole structure of Clause 32, wherein the projection includes a substantially H-shape.
Clause 34. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the plate is formed from a rigid material.
Clause 35. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the recess is disposed in a mid-foot region of the sole structure.
Clause 36. The sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising ground-engaging elements extending from the first surface.
Clause 37. An article of footwear incorporating the sole structure of any of the preceding Clauses.
The foregoing description has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular configuration are generally not limited to that particular configuration, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected configuration, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/090,969, filed on Oct. 13, 2020. The disclosure of this prior application is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63090969 | Oct 2020 | US |