FOOTWEAR BINDING SYSTEM

Abstract

A binding system for use with a shoe has an elastic strap. A ratchet block is coupled to an end of the strap with a through slot, a cantilever tab capable of pivoting with a tooth thereon. A rack is adjustably coupled to the ratchet block, and has an array of teeth extending into the through slot, and a keyhole. An anchor posts extends through the eyelet of the shoe and the keyhole.

Description

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a lacing or binding system for footwear.

2. Related Art

A shoe is typically provided with a lace that weaves back and forth across a slit, and that can be pulled tight and tied to secure the shoe to a user's foot. Other types of fasteners have been proposed, including Velcro® straps. Another lace has been proposed with lace locks. For example, see the Lock Laces™, or the OKLacers. Another lace has been proposed that includes an elastic cord laced through the shoe's eyelets and held by cord-locks with spring-loaded toggles. For example, see the ibungee™, or the Yankz!®. Another lace has been proposed that includes an elastic lace with an array of knots that are pulled through the eyelets. For example, see the xtenex®. In addition, individual straps between opposing eyelets have been proposed. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,439; U.S. Pat. No. 5,737,811; U.S. Pat. No. 6,622,357; and U.S. Pat. No. 1,772,238. It has also been proposed to provide laces with decorative features, such as colors or patterns; or medallions threaded onto the lace. For example, see U.S. Pat. No. 4,733,439.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a lacing system with selective tensioning between individual paired eyelets. In addition, it has been recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a lacing system with coordinated decorative features between adjacent laces or adjacent paired eyelets.

The invention provides a binding system configured for use with a shoe, the system comprising:

• • a) at least one elastic strap configured to be secured between opposing flaps of the shoe, the at least one strap being stretchable configured to exert a spring force drawing the flaps together, the at least one strap having a longitudinal length and a cross section with a width greater than a thickness;
  • b) at least one ratchet block on an end of the at least one elastic strap, and having a through slot extending therethrough substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic strap, a cantilever tab forming at least a portion of the through slot and having a proximal end attached to the ratchet block and a distal end capable of pivoting with respect to the proximal end, and a tooth at the distal end extending towards the through slot;
  • c) at least one rack adjustably coupled to the at least one ratchet block, and having an array of teeth at one end extending into the through slot and being engaged by the tooth of the at least one ratchet block to resist withdrawal of the at least one rack, and a key hole at the other end opposite the array of teeth having a larger opening connected to a smaller opening;
  • d) the at least one rack and the at least one ratchet block limiting movement between the at least one rack and the at least one ratchet block with the at least one rack movable in the through slot inward towards the strap with the array of teeth of the at least one rack displacing the tooth of the tab away from the at least one ratchet block and through slot, but with one of the array of teeth of the at least one rack engaging the tooth of the tab to resist movement of the at least one rack outward away from the strap, and with the tab being manually displaceable away from the at least one ratchet block to disengage the teeth and allow movement of the at least one rack outward away from the strap; and
  • e) at least one anchor post having an enlarged base configured to be disposed under a corresponding eyelet of one of the flaps of the shoe with a size larger than the eyelet, a narrower neck extending from the base and configured to extend through the eyelet, and an enlarged head disposed on the neck opposite the base with a size larger than the smaller opening of the rack.

In addition, the invention provides a binding system in combination with a shoe having a plurality of eyelets paired together and arrayed along opposing flaps flanking a slit in the shoe with each eyelet of a pair disposed in a different flap opposite the other eyelet in the pair, the system comprising:

• • a) a plurality of elastic straps each secured between a different one of the pair of eyelets of the shoe defining a corresponding strap and pair of eyelets associated with one another, each elastic strap being stretchable to exert a spring force drawing a corresponding pair of eyelets together;
  • b) a pair of ratchet blocks on opposite ends of the plurality of elastic straps, each ratchet block having through slot extending therethrough substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of a corresponding strap, a cantilever tab forming at least a portion of the through slot and having a proximal end attached to the ratchet block and a distal end capable of pivoting with respect to the proximal end, and a tooth at the distal end extending towards the through slot, each ratchet block further having a flange extending therefrom sewn to the corresponding strap;
  • c) a pair of racks adjustably coupled to a different one of the pair of ratchet blocks, each of the pair of racks having an array of teeth at one end extending into the through slot of the ratchet block and being engaged by the tooth of the ratchet block to resist withdrawal of the rack, and a key hole at the other end opposite the array of teeth having a larger opening connected to a smaller opening, and a pair of flexible fingers forming a narrower passage between the larger and smaller openings;
  • d) a corresponding rack and ratchet block limiting movement between the corresponding rack and ratchet block with the rack movable in the through slot inward towards the strap with the array of teeth of the rack displacing the tooth of the tab away from the ratchet block and through slot, but with one of the array of teeth of the rack engaging the tooth of the tab to resist movement of the rack outward away from the strap, and with the tab being manually displaceable away from the ratchet block to disengage the array of teeth from the tooth and allow movement of the rack outward away from the strap; and
  • e) a plurality of anchor posts each disposed in a different one of the plurality of eyelets, and each anchor post having an enlarged base disposed under a corresponding eyelet with a size larger than the eyelet, a narrower neck extending from the base and through the eyelet, and an enlarged head disposed on the neck opposite the base with a size smaller than the eyelet and larger than the smaller opening of the rack.

Furthermore, the invention provides a method for binding a plurality of eyelets paired together and arrayed along opposing flaps flanking a slit in a shoe, the method comprising:

• • a) inserting a plurality of anchor posts each into a different one of the plurality of eyelets by inserting an enlarged head of each anchor post through a corresponding eyelet and a narrower neck of the anchor post into the eyelet with an enlarged base of the anchor post disposed behind the eyelet, the enlarged base having a size larger than the eyelet, the narrower neck having a size less than the eyelet, and the enlarged head having a size greater than the narrower neck but less than the size of the eyelet;
  • b) securing one end of at least one elastic strap to one of a pair of the plurality of eyelets opposite one another with respect to the slit in the shoe;
  • c) inserting the enlarged head of the anchor post through an enlarged opening of a key hole in a rack, and sliding the narrower neck into a smaller opening of the key hole in the rack, the larger opening of the key hole have a greater size than the enlarged head, and the smaller opening of the keyhole have a smaller size than the enlarged head; and
  • d) moving an array of teeth on one end of the rack opposite the keyhole in a through slot of a ratchet block coupled to the at least one strap in a direction inward towards the at least one strap, a tooth on a tab of the ratchet block being displaced by the array of teeth moving inward, but the tooth of the tab of the ratchet block resisting movement of the rack outward away from the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the detailed description which follows, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which together illustrate, by way of example, features of the invention; and, wherein:

FIG. 1 a is a bottom perspective view of a binding system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1 b is an exploded perspective view of the binding system of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 c is an exploded perspective view of the binding system of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 d is a top view of the binding system of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 e is an end view of the binding system of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 f is a bottom view of the binding system of FIG. 1a;

FIG. 1 g is a cross-sectional end view of the binding system of FIG. 1a taken along line 1g of FIG. 1d;

FIG. 2 a is a perspective view of an elastic strap of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with a ratchet block removed;

FIG. 2 b is a top view of the elastic strap of FIG. 2a, shown with the ratchet block removed;

FIG. 2 c is an end view of the elastic strap of FIG. 2a, shown with the ratchet block removed;

FIGS. 3 a-c are a perspective views of a ratchet block the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown removed from the elastic strap;

FIG. 3 d is an end view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a ;

FIG. 3 e is a top view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a ;

FIG. 3 f is an end view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 g is a side view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 h is a bottom view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a;

FIG. 3 i is a cross-sectional side view of the ratchet block of FIG. 3a taken along line 3i of FIG. 3h;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the elastic strap and ratchet blocks of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the ratchet blocks attached thereto, but with the racks removed;

FIGS. 5 a and 5b are perspective views of a rack of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown removed from the ratchet block and the strap;

FIG. 5 c is a bottom view of the rack of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5 d is a side view of the rack of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5 e is a top view of the rack of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5 f is a cross-sectional side view of the rack of FIG. 5a taken along line 5f of FIG. 5e ;

FIGS. 5 g and 5h are end views of the rack of FIG. 5a ;

FIGS. 6 a and 6b are perspective views of an anchor post of the binding system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 c is a side view of the anchor post of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 6 d is a top view of the anchor post of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 6 e is a bottom view of the anchor post of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 6 f is a cross-sectional side view of the anchor post of FIG. 6a taken along line 6f of FIG. 6c;

FIGS. 7 a-c are perspective views of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the racks in retracted, intermediate and extending positions, respectively;

FIGS. 8 a-c are perspective views of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the racks in retracted, intermediate and extending positions, respectively;

FIGS. 9 a-c are top views of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the racks in retracted, intermediate and extending positions, respectively;

FIGS. 10 a-c are bottom views of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the racks in retracted, intermediate and extending positions, respectively;

FIGS. 11 a-c are side views of the binding system of FIG. 1a, shown with the racks in retracted, intermediate and extending positions, respectively;

FIG. 12 a is a perspective view of a binding system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 b is a top view of the binding system of FIG. 12a;

FIG. 12 c is a bottom view of the binding system of FIG. 12a; and

FIG. 13 is a top view of a shoe with the binding system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT(S)

Definitions

The terms “shoe” and “footwear” are used interchangeably and broadly herein to refer to all types of shoes, footwear, sneakers, sandals, boots, etc. Referring to FIG. 13, such a shoe 10 can have an upper opening through which a user's foot is initially received and in which the user's ankle or foot resides while worn. A slit 14 can extend from the upper opening towards a toe of the shoe. A pair of flaps 18 is disposed on or flanks opposite sides of the slit. The slit allows the upper opening to expand to receive the user's foot. The flaps can be drawn together and secured to reduce the upper opening around the user's ankle or foot to retain the shoe on the user's foot. A lacing system can be used to draw and secure the pair of flaps. The shoe or the pair of flaps can be provided with connectors or parts of connectors, such as a plurality of eyelets 22 on opposite sides of the slit and arrayed along the slit or pair of flaps and that can be paired together with each eyelet of a pair disposed on a different flap opposite the other. Other connectors or parts of connectors can include other types of fasteners or parts thereof, such as slots, hooks, snaps, hook-and-loop type fasteners, etc. The flaps or eyelets thereon can be substantially parallel. In another aspect, the flaps or eyelets can have an acute angle.

Description

As illustrated in FIGS. 1a-13, a binding system, indicated generally at 30, in an example implementation in accordance with the invention is shown on a shoe 10 (FIG. 13). The binding system can include one or more (i.e. at least one, a pair, or a plurality of) bindings. The binding system 30 can include at least one elastic strap 34. In another aspect, the lacing system can include a plurality of elastic straps secured between the pair of flaps. Each elastic strap 34 can be secured between a different one of the plurality of paired eyelets 22 of the shoe, defining a corresponding strap and pair of eyelets associated with or corresponding to one another. Each of the elastic straps is stretchable to exert a spring or elastic force drawing a corresponding pair of eyelets together. The straps can be stretched between opposing eyelets, or between opposing flaps, to draw the eyelets or flaps together. Each of the straps can be or can include a strap having a cross section with a width greater than a thickness. The straps can have a longitudinal length greater than the width and a longitudinal axis along the length thereof The straps can have equal unstretched lengths that can correspond to parallel slit or parallel flaps. In another aspect, the straps can have different unstretched lengths that can correspond to unparallel slits or unparallel flaps. The straps are flexible to bend to the contours of the shoe or to twist during attachment or release, and are elastic and resilient to stretch. The straps can have a rectangular shape with parallel top and bottom sides, and parallel ends. In another aspect, the straps can have a trapezoidal shape with parallel top and bottom sides, and unparallel ends.

At least one end of the strap can be an adjustable end and can have an adjustable coupling or ratcheting coupling to adjust (increase or decrease) the spring force exerted by the strap between the corresponding pair of eyelets. Thus, the adjustable end can be adjustably coupled to one of the pair of corresponding eyelets; while the other end can be non-adjustably coupled to the other of the pair of corresponding eyelets. Both ends of the strap can be removably coupled to the pair of eyelets. In another aspect, one end of the strap can be fixedly coupled to one flap, while the other end, or the adjustable end, can be adjustably coupled to the opposite flap. Thus, one end of the strap can be attached in a permanent manner to one flap, while the other end of the strap can be removably coupled to the opposite flap or eyelet thereof Thus, the binding system 30 and strap(s) 34 can be provided as part of the shoe. In another aspect, both ends of the strap can be adjustable ends, and both ends of the strap can be removably coupled to the flaps or pair of eyelets. Thus, the binding system 30 and strap(s) 34 can be provided with the shoe, or can be a replacement for a traditional lace provided with the shoe, such as a retrofit lacing system. The adjustable end can be formed by a ratchet block attached to the strap and a rack movable or slidable therein, and selectively uni-directionally held therein.

One or more (i.e. at least one or a pair of) ratchet blocks 38 can be disposed on one or both ends of the strap 34. The ratchet block 38 can be affixed to an underside of the strap at or adjacent the ends. The ratchet blocks can be formed of plastic and sewn to the strap. A base or bottom of the block can abut or face the strap. The ratchet block can have a through slot 40 extending therethrough substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of a corresponding strap. At least a portion of the through slot can be formed by the base or bottom of the block, and sidewalls thereof A cantilever tab 44 can be integrally formed with the block opposite the base or bottom and forming at least a portion of the through slot. The shape and size of the through slot can match a rack to be removably received therein, as described in greater detail below. A proximal end 48 of the tab can be attached to the ratchet block by a flexible connection 52 or pivot between the tab and the ratchet block. The flexible connection 52 can be integrally formed at the same time as the block and tab, and can form a living hinge in which the plastic material of the flexible connection or hinge substantially resiliently bends. Thus, a distal end 54 of the tab is capable of pivoting with respect to the proximal end and the block. The tab can be formed by opposite cuts in a top of the block on opposite sides of the tab and extending to the flexible connection. The distal end of the tab can include a flap extending outward away from the tab and the block, and beyond the block both longitudinally and away from the base or bottom, to facilitate engagement by a user's finger. The flap can form an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis and can be positioned on an inside of the block with respect to the strap. A tooth 58 can extend from the distal end of the tab towards the through slot. The tooth can have an angled side forming an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and an opposite blunt side forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis. Thus, the angled side of the tooth will facilitate movement of the rack in one direction, while the blunt side of the tooth will resist movement of the rack in the opposite direction. In addition, the tooth 58 can move towards and away from the slot and the block as the tab moves towards and away from the block about the flexible connection. Furthermore, the ratchet block can further include a flange 62 extending therefrom, such as from the base or bottom, to be sewn to the corresponding strap to affix the block to the strap. The flange can extend outward beyond the block and can be positioned outward with respect to the strap to allow the greatest length of the strap to be operable.

One or more (i.e. at least one or a pair of) racks 66 are adjustably coupled to a different one of the ratchet blocks. Thus, one binding of the binding system can include a strap with a pair of ratchet block and a pair of racks. In another aspect, one binding of the binding system can include a strap with one ratchet block and one rack The rack can have one end or portion that extends into the through slot of the ratchet block. Thus, the rack and the through slot can have a corresponding size and shape, such as a wider width and thinner thickness. The rack can have an array of teeth 70 along one side or surface at one end that extends into the through slot. Each of the teeth 70 can have an angled side forming an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis, and an opposite blunt side forming substantially a perpendicular angle to the longitudinal axis. The tooth 58 of the tab of the ratchet block can engage the array of teeth 70 of the rack. Thus, the angled sides of the tooth and teeth will facilitate movement of the rack in one direction (inward) by pushing the tooth and the tab outwardly; while the blunt side of the tooth and teeth will resist movement of the rack (outwardly) in the opposite direction by abutting one another. Thus, the engaging tooth and teeth of the respective tab and rack resist withdrawal of the rack.

The corresponding rack and ratchet block limit movement between the corresponding rack and ratchet block. The rack is movable in the through slot inward towards the strap with the array of teeth of the rack displacing the tooth of the tab away from the ratchet block and through slot. But one of the array of teeth of the rack engage the tooth of the tab to resist movement of the rack outward away from the strap. The tab can be manually displaceable away from the ratchet block, by lifting the tab by the flap, to disengage the teeth and allow movement of the rack outward away from the strap. The tooth of the tab can be selectively engageable along a length of the array of teeth of the rack to adjust the spring force of the strap.

In addition, a key hole 74 is disposed in the rack at the other end opposite the array of teeth The key hole has connected openings including a larger opening 76 and smaller opening 78, relative to one another. A narrower passage 80 can connect the larger and smaller openings. Furthermore, a pair of flexible fingers 82 can be disposed on opposite sides of the passage, and can form the narrower passage, between the larger and smaller openings. The fingers can be formed by a cut in the rack on an opposite side of the finger from the passage. The, rack, and thus the fingers, can be formed of plastic. Thus, the fingers can be flexible to bend away from the passage, but resilient to return towards the passage. The fingers and the narrower passage form a resistance point, as discussed in greater detail below.

One or more (i.e. at least, a pair, or a plurality of) anchor posts 86 can be disposed in each of the eyelets of the shoe, or in one or both of the pair or corresponding eyelets on either side of the binding. The anchor post 86 can have an enlarged base 88 disposed under a corresponding eyelet with a size larger than the eyelet or opening therethrough. The base can be flat to abut the eyelet between the flap and the user's foot. In addition, the post can have a narrower neck 90 extending from the base and through the eyelet or opening therethrough. An enlarged head 92 can be disposed on the neck opposite the base with a size smaller than the eyelet, or opening therethrough, and larger than the smaller opening of the rack. Thus, the anchor post 86 can be coupled to a shoe or eyelet by inserting the head 92 through the eyelet, or opening therethrough, with the narrower neck 90 extending through the eyelet, or opening therethrough, and the enlarged base 88 abutting the eyelet or flap. The anchor post 86 can be coupled to the rack 66 by inserting the head 92 through the larger opening 76 with the narrower neck 90 extending through the larger opening 76 of the keyhole 74, and then sliding the narrower neck 90 through the narrower passage 80 an into the smaller opening 78 of the keyhole 74. In one aspect, the portion of the rack at the narrower passage 80 can be flexible and resilient to widen the passage 80 to allow the neck 90 to pass therethrough under force, and resist undesired return of the neck through the passage, i.e. without force. In another aspect, the flexible fingers 82 can pivot away from the passage to widen the passage 80 to allow the neck 90 to pass therethrough under force, and resist undesired return of the neck through the passage, i.e. without force. The flap of the shoe and the rack are held between the head 92 and the base 88 of the anchor post 86, with the narrower neck 90 extending through the eyelet and the smaller opening 78 of the keyhole 74.

The force of the elastic strap 34 pulls against the rack 66, and thus the anchor post 86, and thus the flap at the eyelet. The keyhole 74 of the rack 66, or portion of the rack surrounding the keyhole, can be reinforced with a raised rib extending around the sides and end of the smaller opening 78. The binding can be tightened, and the elastic force of the strap increased, by pushing the rack 66 inwardly in the through slot of the ratchet block 38. The binding can be loosened, and the elastic force of the strap decreased or reduced, by pulling the tab 44 outwardly and allowing or pulling the rack 66 outwardly. The tooth of the tab can be selectively engageable along a length of the array of teeth of the rack to adjust the spring force of the strap. Thus, the user or wearer can selectively tighten or loosen the binding system.

A method for selectively tensioning the strap or binding of the binding system, and for using the binding system 30 described above, includes tightening the strap(s) or binding(s), loosening the strap(s) or binding(s), or both. The strap(s) 34 or binding(s) can be tightened by sliding or moving the rack 66 inward towards the strap, with the tooth 58 on the tab 44 of the ratchet block 38 being displaced by the array of teeth 70 of the rack 66. The strap(s) 34 or binding(s) can be loosened by manually displacing the tab 44 and tooth 58 away from the ratchet block 38 and the array of teeth 70 of the rack 66 to disengage the tooth 58 from the array of teeth 70 and allowing movement of the rack 66 outward away from the strap 34.

A method for binding a plurality of eyelets paired together and arrayed along opposing flaps 18 flanking a slit 14 in a shoe 10, and using the binding system 30 described above, includes inserting a plurality of anchor posts 86 each into a different one of the plurality of eyelets by inserting an enlarged head 92 of each anchor post through a corresponding eyelet and a narrower neck 90 of the anchor post into the eyelet with an enlarged base 88 of the anchor post disposed behind the eyelet. As described above, the enlarged base has a size larger than the eyelet to resist being pulled through the eyelet; the narrower neck 90 has a size less than the eyelet and the smaller and larger openings 78 and 76 of the keyhole 74; and the enlarged head 92 has a size greater than the narrower neck 90, greater than the smaller opening 78 of the keyhole 74, less than the size of the eyelet, and less than the size of the larger opening 76 of the keyhole 74. One end of the elastic strap 34 is secured to one of the flaps or one of a pair of eyelets, such as with an anchor post 86. The other end of the elastic strap 34 is secured to the opposite flap or opposite eyelet, such as with an anchor post 86. The enlarged head 92 of the anchor post 86 is inserted through an enlarged opening 76 of a key hole 74 in a rack 66. The narrower neck 90 is slid into a smaller opening 78 of the key hole 74 in the rack 66. As described above, the larger opening 76 of the key hole 74 has a greater size than the enlarged head 92, and the smaller opening 78 of the keyhole 74 has a smaller size than the enlarged head 92. An array of teeth 70 on one end of the rack 66 opposite the keyhole 74 is moved in a through slot 40 of a ratchet block 38 coupled to the strap 34 in a direction inward towards the strap. A tooth 58 on a tab 44 of the ratchet block 38 is displaced by the array of teeth 70 moving inward, but the tooth 58 of the tab 44 of the ratchet block 38 resists movement of the rack 66 outward away from the strap. The tab 44, and thus the tooth 58 thereof, can be manually displaced away from the ratchet block 38 and the array of teeth 70 of the rack 66 to disengage the tooth 58 from the array of teeth 70 and allow movement of the rack 66 outward away from the strap. Each pair of eyelets, or each binding, can be selectively tensioned as desired or preferred by the user or wearer.

Furthermore, the method can also include first removing existing laces from the plurality of eyelets.

FIGS. 7 a, 8a, 9a, 10a and 11a show the binding with the racks fully retracted or inserted. FIGS. 7c, 8c, 9c, 10c and 11c show the binding with the racks fully extending or withdrawn. FIGS. 7b, 8b, 9b, 10b and 11b show the binding with the racks in an intermediate position.

FIGS. 12 a-c show the binding system with a plurality of bindings with a plurality of straps of different lengths.

As discussed above, the opposite flaps or opposite eyelets can be substantially parallel with one another. Thus, the ends of straps can be perpendicular to the length or longitudinal axis. In another aspect, the opposite flaps or opposite eyelets can form an acute angle with respect to one another. Thus, the ends of the straps 34 can have angled lateral edges forming a non-parallel angle with respect to one another and tapering inward and downward. The adjacent edges of adjacent straps can essentially aligned with one another with the plurality of straps together forming a truncated V-shape.

In addition, the plurality of elastic straps or straps can have a width sized so that adjacent straps span a gap between the adjacent straps and abut to one another. Thus, the straps provide a broader, more continuous surface area. The straps can include graphics or indicia that correspond to adjacent straps. For example, a graphic can span adjacent straps. As another example, a graphic or decorative element on one strap can correspond to a graphic or decorative element on an adjacent strap, such as letter that together spell a word or acronym. The graphic or decorative elements may be fixed to the straps, such as by printing, weaving, pinning, looping, etc.

While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the principles of the present invention in one or more particular applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.

Claims

1. A binding system configured for use with a shoe, the system comprising: a) at least one elastic strap configured to be secured between opposing flaps of the shoe, the at least one strap being stretchable configured to exert a spring force drawing the flaps together, the at least one strap having a longitudinal length and a cross section with a width greater than a thickness;b) at least one ratchet block on an end of the at least one elastic strap, and having a through slot extending therethrough substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of the at least one elastic strap, a cantilever tab forming at least a portion of the through slot and having a proximal end attached to the ratchet block and a distal end capable of pivoting with respect to the proximal end, and a tooth at the distal end extending towards the through slot;c) at least one rack adjustably coupled to the at least one ratchet block, and having an array of teeth at one end extending into the through slot and being engaged by the tooth of the at least one ratchet block to resist withdrawal of the at least one rack, and a key hole at the other end opposite the array of teeth having a larger opening connected to a smaller opening;d) the at least one rack and the at least one ratchet block limiting movement between the at least one rack and the at least one ratchet block with the at least one rack movable in the through slot inward towards the strap with the array of teeth of the at least one rack displacing the tooth of the tab away from the at least one ratchet block and through slot, but with one of the array of teeth of the at least one rack engaging the tooth of the tab to resist movement of the at least one rack outward away from the strap, and with the tab being manually displaceable away from the at least one ratchet block to disengage the teeth and allow movement of the at least one rack outward away from the strap; ande) at least one anchor post having an enlarged base configured to be disposed under a corresponding eyelet of one of the flaps of the shoe with a size larger than the eyelet, a narrower neck extending from the base and configured to extend through the eyelet, and an enlarged head disposed on the neck opposite the base with a size larger than the smaller opening of the rack.

2. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one ratchet block includes a pair of ratchet blocks coupled to opposite ends of the at least one elastic strap; and wherein the at least one rack includes a pair of racks adjustably coupled to a different one of the pair of ratchet blocks.

3. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one ratchet block further has a flange extending therefrom sewn to the at least one strap.

4. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one rack further comprises at least one flexible finger forming a narrower passage between the larger and smaller openings.

5. A system in accordance with claim 1, wherein the at least one ratchet block further comprises a flexible connection between the tab and the at least one ratchet block.

6. A system in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: the tooth of the tab being selectively engageable along a length of the array of teeth of the rack.

7. A method for selectively tensioning the strap of the binding system in accordance with claim 1, comprising: a) tightening the at least one elastic strap by sliding the at least one rack inward towards the at least one strap, with the tooth on the tab of the ratchet block being displaced by the array of teeth of the rack; orb) loosening the at least one elastic strap by manually displacing the tab and the tooth away from the ratchet block and the array of teeth of the rack to disengage the tooth from the array of teeth and allowing movement of the rack outward away from the strap; orc) both.

8. A system in accordance with claim 1, in combination with a shoe having opposing flaps flanking a slit in the shoe with at least one of the flaps having at least one eyelet disposed on the flap adjacent the slit.

9. A binding system in combination with a shoe having a plurality of eyelets paired together and arrayed along opposing flaps flanking a slit in the shoe with each eyelet of a pair disposed in a different flap opposite the other eyelet in the pair, the system comprising: a) a plurality of elastic straps each secured between a different one of the pair of eyelets of the shoe defining a corresponding strap and pair of eyelets associated with one another, each elastic strap being stretchable to exert a spring force drawing a corresponding pair of eyelets together;b) a pair of ratchet blocks on opposite ends of the plurality of elastic straps, each ratchet block having through slot extending therethrough substantially aligned with a longitudinal axis of a corresponding strap, a cantilever tab forming at least a portion of the through slot and having a proximal end attached to the ratchet block and a distal end capable of pivoting with respect to the proximal end, and a tooth at the distal end extending towards the through slot, each ratchet block further having a flange extending therefrom sewn to the corresponding strap;c) a pair of racks adjustably coupled to a different one of the pair of ratchet blocks, each of the pair of racks having an array of teeth at one end extending into the through slot of the ratchet block and being engaged by the tooth of the ratchet block to resist withdrawal of the rack, and a key hole at the other end opposite the array of teeth having a larger opening connected to a smaller opening, and a pair of flexible fingers forming a narrower passage between the larger and smaller openings;d) a corresponding rack and ratchet block limiting movement between the corresponding rack and ratchet block with the rack movable in the through slot inward towards the strap with the array of teeth of the rack displacing the tooth of the tab away from the ratchet block and through slot, but with one of the array of teeth of the rack engaging the tooth of the tab to resist movement of the rack outward away from the strap, and with the tab being manually displaceable away from the ratchet block to disengage the array of teeth from the tooth and allow movement of the rack outward away from the strap; ande) a plurality of anchor posts each disposed in a different one of the plurality of eyelets, and each anchor post having an enlarged base disposed under a corresponding eyelet with a size larger than the eyelet, a narrower neck extending from the base and through the eyelet, and an enlarged head disposed on the neck opposite the base with a size smaller than the eyelet and larger than the smaller opening of the rack.

10. A system in accordance with claim 9, further comprising: the tooth of the tab being selectively engageable along a length of the array of teeth of the rack to increase or decrease a spring force between the corresponding pair of eyelets.

11. A system in accordance with claim 9, wherein each of the plurality of ratchet blocks further comprises a flexible connection between the tab and the ratchet block.

12. A method for selectively tensioning the strap of the binding system in accordance with claim 9, comprising: a) tightening at least one of the plurality of elastic straps by sliding the rack inward towards the strap, with the tooth on the tab of the ratchet block being displaced by the array of teeth of the rack; orb) loosening at least one of the plurality of elastic straps by manually displacing the tab and the tooth away from the ratchet block and the array of teeth of the rack to disengage the tooth from the array of teeth and allowing movement of the rack outward away from the strap; orc) both.

13. A method for binding the shoe with the binding system in accordance with claim 9, comprising: removing an existing shoe lace from the plurality of paired eyelets of the shoe.

14. A method for binding a plurality of eyelets paired together and arrayed along opposing flaps flanking a slit in a shoe, the method comprising: a) inserting a plurality of anchor posts each into a different one of the plurality of eyelets by inserting an enlarged head of each anchor post through a corresponding eyelet and a narrower neck of the anchor post into the eyelet with an enlarged base of the anchor post disposed behind the eyelet, the enlarged base having a size larger than the eyelet, the narrower neck having a size less than the eyelet, and the enlarged head having a size greater than the narrower neck but less than the size of the eyelet;b) securing one end of at least one elastic strap to one of a pair of the plurality of eyelets opposite one another with respect to the slit in the shoe;c) inserting the enlarged head of the anchor post through an enlarged opening of a key hole in a rack, and sliding the narrower neck into a smaller opening of the key hole in the rack, the larger opening of the key hole have a greater size than the enlarged head, and the smaller opening of the keyhole have a smaller size than the enlarged head; andd) moving an array of teeth on one end of the rack opposite the keyhole in a through slot of a ratchet block coupled to the at least one strap in a direction inward towards the at least one strap, a tooth on a tab of the ratchet block being displaced by the array of teeth moving inward, but the tooth of the tab of the ratchet block resisting movement of the rack outward away from the strap.

15. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: manually displacing the tab, and thus the tooth thereof, away from the ratchet block and the array of teeth of the rack to disengage the tooth from the array of teeth and allow movement of the rack outward away from the strap.

16. A method in accordance with claim 14, further comprising: first removing existing laces from the plurality of eyelets.