BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further understanding of the objects and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like parts are given like reference numbers and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top view of the shoe upper with the interlaced strap in the open position, in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a medial side elevational view of the shoe upper with the interlaced strap in the open position.
FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a portion of the shoe upper with the interlaced strap in the closed position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will now be described with reference to FIG. 1, which illustrates a top view of the preferred embodiment of a shoe upper portion in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a shoe upper 30 has a u-shaped member 36 and a tongue 50 spanning below the u-shaped member 36. In a conventional shoe the u-shaped member 36 would have an eyerow which would contain numerous openings for the passage of shoe laces. The present invention contains an interlaced strap 32 positioned to encompass the u-shaped member 36. The interlaced strap 32 is connected at the bottom of the u-shaped member 36 at the lower fixed point 34 found on the medial side of the shoe upper 30. The interlaced strap 32 crosses the u-shaped member 36 to the lateral d-ring 40 across the tongue 50, back across the tongue 50 to the medial d-ring 42, through the adjustable d-ring 44 and attaches to the shoe upper at the upper fixed point 38.
With further reference to FIG. 1, the adjustable d-ring 44 is attached to the fastening mechanism 46, which attaches to the lateral side of the shoe upper 30 at the fastening mechanism receiving point 48.
With additional reference to FIG. 1, the lateral d-ring 40, medial d-ring 42, and adjustable d-ring 44 are freely adjustable allowing the interlaced strap 32 to be fitted to the individual wearer's foot.
With reference to FIG. 2, the medial side elevated view of the shoe upper 30 shows the interlaced strap 32 in the open position, depicting the fastening mechanism 46 attached to the adjustable d-ring 44, the interlaced strap running through the medial d-ring 42, across the u-shaped member 36 and tongue 50 of the shoe upper 30. The lower fixed point 34 and upper fixed point 38 are permanently attached to the medial side of the shoe upper 30.
With further reference to FIG. 2, the adjustable d-ring 44 can be seen permanently attached to the fastening mechanism 46, and the interlaced strap 32 is connected to the adjustable d-ring 44 which is capable of free movement along the interlaced strap 32 between the medial d-ring 42 and upper affixed point 38.
FIG. 3 shows the partial view of the front perspective of the shoe upper 30 with the interlaced strap 32 in the closed position. The lateral d-ring 40, medial d-ring 42, and adjustable d-ring 44 have additional friction placed upon them due to the configuration of the interlaced strap 32 in the closed position. The fastening mechanism 46 has been matted to the fastening mechanism receiving point 48 creating the taut, supportive cocoon for the end user's foot.
With further reference to FIG. 3, the shoe upper 30 has a u-shaped member 36 and a tongue 50, which is supportively encompassed by the interlaced strap 32 to provide a snug supportive covering for the wearer's foot. The interlaced strap 32 is connected at the bottom of the u-shaped member 36 at the lower fixed point 34, on the medial side of the shoe upper 30. The interlaced strap 32 crosses the u-shaped member 36 to the lateral d-ring 40 across the u-shaped member 36. The interlaced strap 32 then continues back across the u-shaped member 36 to the medial d-ring 42, and through the adjustable d-ring 44 which is permanently connected to the fastening mechanism 46.
In accordance with the preset invention, the shoe is closed by pulling upon the fastening mechanism 46 to establish a snug, supportive, comfortable housing for the wearer's foot. The lateral d-ring 40, medial d-ring 42, and adjustable d-ring 44 are freely adjustable allowing for the even distribution of pressure, applied by pulling the fastening mechanism 46, across the u-shaped member 36 and tongue 50 of the shoe upper 30. The position of the lateral d-ring 40, medial d-ring 42, and adjustable d-ring 44 in the open position is such that minimal friction is exerted upon the d-ring pulley's allowing for ease of movement of the interlaced strap 32. While force is maintained upon the fastening mechanism 46, retaining the snug, supportive, comfortable housing, the fastening mechanism 46 is directed towards the fastening mechanism receiving portion 48. By pulling on the fastening mechanism 46, the user increases the amount of force on the lateral d-ring 40, medial d-ring 42, and adjustable d-ring 44, thereby maintaining the interlaced strap 32 taut, and attaching the fastening mechanism 46 to the fastening mechanism receiving portion 48.
While the foregoing detailed description sets forth exemplary embodiments of a shoe upper portion in accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that the above description is illustrative only and not limiting of the disclosed invention. Indeed, it will be appreciated that the embodiment discussed above and the virtually infinite embodiments that are not mentioned could easily be within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is to be limited only by the claims as set forth below.
Patent Application
20080066344
