1. Technical Field
The present invention generally relates to footwear, and more particularly relates to tensioning systems for footwear.
2. Related Art
Knee boots and other types of slip-on footwear that are used for, for example, outdoor applications such as hunting and the like are usually larger than the foot to make it easy to slip on the footwear. However, the larger size of the footwear also makes it easier for the foot to slip out of the boot or to generally be uncomfortable during use, such as while hiking through difficult terrain. Slip-on footwear typically do not include straps, fasteners, laces or other types of tightening devices positioned on an exterior of a slip-on footwear that tighten the footwear against the user's foot, because those types of tightening systems detract from the slip-on appeal of the footwear. Some types of slip-on footwear are capable of opening wider at a top for insertion of the user's foot, then can be closed to a single closed size using, for example, a zipper, Velcro closer, etc. However, the single closed size does not always provide the desired amount of tensioning and support for the user's foot.
A footwear or footwear feature that addresses these and other shortcomings in footwear would be an advance in the art.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for tightening a footwear around a user's foot. The invention more particularly relates to a system that includes an instep member positioned over the instep of the user's foot that can be tightened against the instep to urge the foot rearward and downward in the footwear. The system includes laces that extend downward from the instep member to an anchor point and then upward towards the upper portion of the footwear. The laces can be pulled upward from the anchor point to tighten the instep member downward against the user's instep. The laces can be locked in the tightened position and can be released to allow the user to more easily remove their foot from the footwear.
One aspect of the invention provides a tensioning system for a slip-on or other type of footwear that can easily be released to permit the foot to slip into the boot. The present invention utilizes an instep member positioned inside the footwear over the instep of the foot. The instep member is connected at its ends to a lace that extends through oppositely disposed anchors that are positioned along a bottom edge of the footwear. The laces extend from the anchors upwardly into an upper portion of the footwear where a lock is used to lock the lace sections in a tightened position or release the laces to permit removal of the user's foot. The footwear may include a cloth lining that covers the foot. The tensioning system is located between the cloth lining and an outer material of the footwear. When the tensioning system is released, the foot can be slipped into or out of the boot. When the tensioning system is tightened to a degree that is comfortable to the wearer, the system adds desired stability to the footwear.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a footwear that includes an outer member, an inner lining, an instep member, and a lace. The outer member defines an outer surface of the footwear. The inner lining is positioned within the outer member. The instep member is positioned between the outer member and the inner lining and extends across an instep portion of the inner lining. The lace is coupled to the instep member and to the outer member. Applying a tension force to the lace causes the instep member to apply a force against the instep portion of the inner lining.
A further aspect of the invention relates to a footwear that includes an outer member, an inner lining, an instep member, and a tensioning member. The outer member defines an outer surface of the footwear. The inner lining is positioned within the outer member. The instep member is positioned between the outer member and the inner lining and extends across an instep portion of the inner lining. The tensioning member is coupled to the instep member and is configured to engage the instep portion of the inner lining when a tension force is applied to the instep member. A tension force against the inner lining results in a force being applied to an instep portion of a user's foot positioned in the footwear to hold the user's foot against a bottom and rear portion of the footwear.
A still further aspect of the invention relates to a slip-on boot that includes a sole, an outer member, an inner lining, an instep member, and a tensioning member. The outer member is coupled to the sole and defines an upper portion associated with a lower leg of a user and a lower portion associated with a foot of the user. The inner lining is positioned within the outer member and includes an instep portion associated with an instep of the user. The instep of the user is defined as the prominent area above the arch and the highest point on a user's foot. The instep member is positioned between the outer member and the inner lining, or embedded within the inner lining. The tensioning member is configured to apply a force to the instep member to tighten the instep member against the instep portion of the inner lining and the instep of the user.
Another aspect of the invention relates to a method of using a footwear. The method includes providing a footwear that includes a tensioning system having an instep member arranged within the footwear and a lace coupled to the instep member. The method also includes inserting a user's foot into the footwear and tensioning the lace to move the instep member against an instep of the user's foot. In some embodiments, the footwear is a slip-on boot void of fasteners or laces exposed on an exterior of the boot with exception of those portions of the lace that are exposed for applying a tension force to the lace. Tensioning the lace includes applying a force to the instep member in a direction toward a sole of the footwear.
The above summary of the present invention is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the present invention. Figures in the detailed description that follow more particularly exemplify certain embodiments of the invention. While certain embodiments will be illustrated and describe embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited to use in such embodiments.
While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternate forms, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example and the drawings, and will be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Several example tightening or tensioning systems for use in a footwear are disclosed herein after. The example systems include an instep member that is positioned within a footwear at a location corresponding with the instep of a user's foot when the user's foot is inserted in the footwear. The instep is defined as the upper top surface of a foot. The instep can also include the top and forward facing surfaces of the leg at the junction between the vertically oriented lower leg and the generally horizontal top surface of the foot. The system includes laces that are used to pull the instep member against the instep of the user's foot to help hold the user's foot against the bottom and rear interior surfaces of the footwear. By holding the user's foot in this way within the footwear, there can be greater stability for the user during use of the footwear.
The laces of the system are coupled to opposing sides/ends of the instep member that are positioned at opposing sides of the user's foot. The laces extend from the instep member generally downward and rearward in the footwear to a connecting or anchor point along a bottom side edge and/or at a rear portion of the footwear. The laces extend from the anchor point in a generally vertical direction and protrude out of the footwear at some point vertically above the anchor point for grasping by the user. The user can apply a tension force to the laces that in turn applies an instep force via the instep member onto the instep of the user's foot. The laces, when in the tightened state upon application of the tension force, can be locked in place to maintain the tension force in the laces and the resulting instep force applied by the instep member. The laces can also be released to release the tension and instep forces so that the user can more easily remove their foot from the footwear.
Referring now to
The tensioning system 16 includes an instep member 50 having opposing sides 52, 54 aligned along opposing sides of the footwear 10. The tensioning system 16 also includes first and second laces 56, 58 attached to the opposing sides 52, 54 that extend through respective first and second anchors 60, 62. The laces further extend vertically from the anchors 60, 62 towards the top opening 36 of the outer member 12 where the laces are exposed for applying a tension force to the laces. A lock 64 is positioned along the length of the laces between the anchor 60, 62 and the top opening 36. The lock 64 can function automatically or manually to apply a locking and unlocking function to the laces. In a locked position, the lock fixes the laces in an extended position with a tension force applied to the laces that results in an instep force being applied via the instep member 50. In an unlocked position, the laces are released so that the tension force and instep force are released to loosen the instep member 50.
The footwear 10 shown in
The instep member 50 of the tensioning system 16 is positioned along the instep 44 of the outer member 12. The instep member 50 is configured to extend across the instep of a user's foot positioned within the footwear 10. As discussed above, slip-on footwear such as the footwear 10 shown in
Many types of footwear include an additional inner lining position within the outer member 12. The use of an inner lining may be advantageous with the footwear 10 shown in
The outer member 112 includes an upper portion 130 having front and rear surfaces 132, 134, a top opening 136, and a lower portion 138 that defines toe, heel, and instep portions 140, 142, 144. The outer 112 also includes lace openings 149 along the rear surface 134 that pass through the inner and intermediate linings 118, 120.
The tensioning system 116 includes an instep member 150 having opposing sides (side 152 being illustrated), laces (first lace 156 being shown), and anchors (first anchor 160 being shown). The tensioning system 116 also includes a lock 164 positioned along the length of laces outside of the outer member 112 to help hold the tension force in the laces or release the laces so as to release the instep member 150.
The footwear 100 also includes a zipper closure 131 along the front surface 132 of the outer member 112. The zipper closure provides for opening up of the footwear 100 across the front surface 132 to improve ease of inserting the user's foot into the opening 136. In use, the zipper closure 131 may not provide sufficient tensioning forces against the user's foot after it has been inserted into the footwear 100. The tensioning system 116 can apply additional tensioning forces across the instep of the user's foot thereby providing the desired tensioning and improved stability for the user's foot in the footwear 100.
The anchors 160 of the tensioning system 116 is shown secured to the heel portion 142 of the outer member 112. The location of the anchors is preferably at some location vertically below the instep member 150. In other embodiments such as shown in
In some embodiments, additional sets of laces such as lace 157 can be added to the tensioning system 116 and coupled at anchor 161 to apply instep forces at an alternative angle due to the change in location of the anchor 161. In still further embodiments, the additional lace 157 may extend to different locations in the footwear such as to the front surface 132 rather to the rear surface 134 as shown. It is contemplated that the tensioning system 116 may include any number of laces, anchors and orientation of those members relative to the instep member 150 and to the front and rear surfaces or even to opposing side surfaces on opposing inside and outside sides of the footwear outer member 112.
The tensioning system 216 includes an instep member 250 having opposing sides (opposing side 252 shown), laces (a first lace 256 shown), anchoring members (a first anchoring member 260 shown), and a lock 264. The anchor 260 is positioned along a bottom interior surface of the outer member 212 at a location between the heel 242 and the toe 240. The lace 256 extends toward the top opening 236 along the front surface 232 where it is exposed for grasping by a user to apply tension force to the lace.
The instep member 250 is positioned between the inner lining 218 and the intermediate lining 220. Positioning the instep member in this manner may have certain advantages related to such issues as, for example, comfort for the user, and wear of the waterproof layer. Some types of material used for the intermediate layer have a sensitive outer surface that is treated and structured to provide optimum waterproofing capabilities. In some circumstances, positioning the instep member in direct contact with the outer exposed surface of the waterproof layer can result in wear of the outer surface that results in depletion of the waterproofing properties of the waterproof lining. Therefore, in some instances it may be advantageous to position the instep member 250 between the inner lining and the waterproofing layer and the outer member as shown in
In other embodiments, the footwear may not include the intermediate lining such that the instep member is positioned in contact with an outer surface of the inner lining and the inner surface of the outer member.
Further, in some embodiments, the inner lining and intermediate lining 218, 220 shown in
Referring now to
The instep member 350 is positioned within a pocket 319 defined by the inner lining 318. The pocket 319 may be cavity defined in the inner lining into which the instep member is inserted. The pocket 319 can also be defined concurrently with embedding of the instep member in the liner, for example, if the inner lining is formed around the instep member. Positioning the instep member in a pocket can help retain the instep member in correct orientation relative to a user's foot positioned in the footwear 300. Positioning the instep member in a pocket can also help maintain contact between the instep member and the liner thereby minimizing abrasion and wear that could occur if movement occurs between the instep member and liner. The liner 318 can include a section of material in the area that defines the pocket 319 that is more flexible than other portions of the liner. Increased flexibility in the pocket 319 and that portion of the liner 318 surrounding the pocket can improve movement of the liner with the instep member when tension forces are applied to the instep member by the laces 356.
Referring now to
The tensioning system 416 includes an instep member 450 having an upper portion 451 and a lower portion 453, a lace 456, upper and lower anchors 460, 462, and a lock 464. The upper portion 451 of the instep member 450 includes a plurality of the anchors 460 positioned along its length. The lower portion 453 of the instep member 450 includes a plurality of lower anchors 462 along its length. The lace is interwoven back and forth between the upper and lower anchors and is tightened at the front surface 432 of the footwear. By tightening the lace and locking it in position with the lock 464, a tensioning force can be applied along the length of the footwear such that an instep force is applied to the user's foot via the upper portion 451. The position of the anchoring members along the top and bottom portions of the instep member 450 can provide for application of instep forces at specific locations to provide the desired support in the footwear 400. The lace 456 can be exposed at any desired location such as, for example, out the rear surface 434 rather than out the front surface 432. In still further embodiments, multiple lace members may be used along opposing inside and outside side surfaces of the footwear wherein each lace has differing anchor points and may be exposed to a variety of locations for applying a tension force to the lace.
The footwear 400 includes the tensioning system 416 positioned interior of the outer member 412. The tensioning system may be exposed within the footwear for direct contact with the user's foot that has been inserted through the top opening 436. In some embodiments, an additional inner lining may be positioned within the footwear between the tensioning system 416 and the user's foot. In this arrangement, the tensioning system 416 would be positioned between the inner lining and the outer member 412.
In other embodiments (not shown) the tensioning systems of the example footwear shown in
The lock shown in
Other types of locks can be used that include moving features that are manually moved between locking and released positions for locking and unlocking the laces.
The laces described above with reference to
The present invention should not be considered limited to the particular examples or materials described above, but rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the invention as fairly set out in the attached claims. Various modifications, equivalent processes, as well as numerous structures to which the present invention may be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art to which the present invention is directed upon review of the instant specification.
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/908,426 filed Oct. 20, 2010 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,375,603 on Feb. 19, 2013, which is a continuation of U.S. Pat. No. 7,818,899 filed Dec. 30, 2005, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/641,529 filed on Jan. 5, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
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Child | 13748407 | US | |
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Child | 12908426 | US |