The present teachings generally include an article of footwear with a laceless fastening system.
Footwear may include a sole structure configured to be located under a wearer's foot to space the foot away from the ground. A footwear upper attached to the sole structure receives the foot. The fit of the upper to the foot may be adjusted with a fastening system so that the upper is loose enough to receive the foot but can be tightened around the foot to secure the foot to the sole structure. For example, fastening systems may include laces that are tied once the foot is received within the upper.
An article of footwear is provided with a laceless fastening system that enables a lightweight, flexible upper to be “locked out” around a foot. The article of footwear includes an upper having a body with a first side and a second side. The article of footwear further comprises a laceless fastening system that includes a strap having an anchored end fixed adjacent to the second side of the body and a distal end selectively remote from the upper. The strap has an inner side and an outer side. A first fastener is fixed to an outer surface of the body on the first side. The first fastener is less elastic than the body. A segmented second fastener configured to secure to the first fastener is fixed to the inner side of the strap. The segmented second fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment, with the distal segment closer to the distal end of the strap than the proximal segment and spaced apart from the proximal segment along the strap such that an exposed portion of the strap is between the proximal segment and the distal segment. The segmented second fastener is less elastic than the strap. The strap is configured to cross over the body from the second side to the first side such that the distal segment overlies and secures to the first fastener, with the inner side of the strap facing the outer surface of the body, and with the proximal segment against the body on the second side. The body is unrestrained by the strap when the segmented second fastener is remote from the first fastener. As used herein, an “end” of a strap, such as a distal end or a proximal end, includes a portion adjacent the terminal edge of the strap, and is not limited to the terminal edge.
The fastening system combines the advantages of an adjustable and secure fit with the ease of insertion of a foot enabled by the relatively flexible and elastically stretchable body, and the strap that can be secured in a single motion with one hand. Securing the strap locks out the body so that the foot is anchored in position within the upper and the upper and underlying sole structure move as a unit with the foot (i.e., with minimal relative motion) including during lateral and/or jumping moves. The fastening system may include only the straps and the fasteners described herein, and the footwear may be configured so that it has no other fastening components such as laces, cables, buckles or other components that must be tied, tightened, buckled or otherwise adjusted to secure the foot within the upper.
Elastic stretchability of the body at the first fastener is inhibited by the first fastener. Elastic stretchability of the body on the second side is that of the body when the second fastener is remote from the first fastener and is inhibited by the strap when the second fastener is secured to the first fastener. Elastic stretchability of the strap at the second fastener is inhibited by the second fastener such that elastic stretchability of the strap at the exposed portion of the strap is greater than elastic stretchability of the strap at the second fastener.
For example, the body may include foam and textile and may be relatively elastic, while the first and second fasteners may be hook-and-loop fasteners. One of the first fastener and the second fastener is a plurality of loops and the other of the first fastener and the second fastener (i.e., the other one that is not a plurality of loops) is a plurality of hooks configured to engage with the plurality of loops when the second fastener is pressed against the first fastener.
The second fastener is configured to secure to the first fastener when the distal end of the strap is pressed toward the upper, and is configured to release from the first fastener when the distal end of the strap is pulled away from the upper.
The second fastener may be configured so that a portion of the proximal segment is secured to the first fastener when the distal segment is secured to the first fastener. The proximal segment may extend from the anchored end to the exposed portion. In an embodiment in which the anchored end is secured to the sole structure below the upper, the proximal segment extends from the sole structure and along the second side of the body to the first fastener.
The strap is elastically stretched at the exposed portion when the second fastener is secured to the first fastener so that the strap is extended in tension. The first fastener is substantially inelastic and inhibits stretching of the body at the first fastener. The second fastener is substantially inelastic and inhibits stretching of the strap lengthwise except at the exposed portion.
In an embodiment, a sole structure is secured to a lower portion of the body. To fix the foot within the upper relative to the sole structure, the anchored end of the strap is fixed to sole structure. For example, the sole structure may include an outsole, and a midsole attached to the outsole between the upper and the outsole. The anchored end of the strap may be disposed between the midsole and the outsole. Similarly, an end of the first fastener may be fixed to the sole structure between the midsole and the outsole adjacent to the second side.
The strap may extend over the midfoot portion of the body, the forefoot portion of the body, or the ankle portion of the body in different embodiments. In some embodiments, there is both a forefoot strap and a midfoot strap as described. In some embodiments, there is a forefoot strap, a midfoot strap, and an ankle strap as described. In an embodiment, the first side of the body is a lateral side and the second side of the body is a medial side, and the anchored end of the strap is at least partially forward of the first fastener such that the strap extends rearward from the medial side to the lateral side when the second fastener is secured to the first fastener.
In some embodiments, the strap is a first strap and extends over the midfoot portion of the body, and the laceless fastening system also includes a similar additional strap that extends over the forefoot portion of the body and/or an additional strap that extends over the ankle portion of the body. The additional strap has an anchored end fixed adjacent to the second side of the body and a distal end selectively remote from the upper. The additional strap has an inner side and an outer side, and an additional first fastener fixed to the outer surface of the body on the first side. The additional first fastener is less elastic than the body. An additional segmented second fastener is fixed to the inner side of the additional strap. The additional segmented second fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment, with the distal segment of the additional segmented fastener closer to the distal end of the additional strap than the proximal segment and spaced apart from the proximal segment along the additional strap such that an exposed portion of the additional strap is between the proximal segment and the distal segment of the additional strap. The additional segmented second fastener is less elastic than the additional strap. The additional strap is configured to cross over the body from the second side to the first side and the distal segment of the additional strap is configured to secure to the additional first fastener, with the inner side of the additional strap facing the outer surface of the body, and with the proximal segment of the additional segmented second fastener against the body on the second side.
In an embodiment, the body has an ankle portion, and the laceless fastening system further comprises an additional fastener fixed to the first side of the body in the ankle portion, and also comprises a third strap having an anchored end secured to the ankle portion of the body and having a distal end selectively remote from the upper. The third strap has an inner side and an outer side, and another additional fastener is secured to the inner side of the third strap, and is configured to secure to the additional fastener with the third strap wrapping around the ankle portion of the body from the second side to the first side. In some embodiments, the additional fastener secured at the inner side of the third strap is also a segmented fastener. In such embodiments, the additional fastener includes a proximal segment and a distal segment that is closer to the distal end than the proximal segment, and is spaced apart from the proximal segment along the additional strap such that an exposed portion of the additional strap is between the proximal segment and the distal segment.
In an embodiment, an article of footwear comprises an upper having an elastic body forming a cavity configured to receive a foot. The article of footwear includes a laceless fastening system for securing the body around the foot. The laceless fastening system includes a first fastener comprising a first strip of hook-and-loop fastener material secured to a lateral side of the body, and a strap having a fixed end fixed adjacent to a medial side of the body and having a free end selectively remote from the upper. The laceless fastening system includes a second fastener configured to secure to the first fastener by contact with the first fastener. The second fastener includes a second strip of hook-and-loop fastener material secured to an inner face of the strap. A third strip of hook-and-loop fastener material is secured to the inner face of the strap nearer the free end than the second strip and spaced apart from the second strip along the inner face of the strap. The second strip and the third strip are both either a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops securable to a plurality of hooks, and the first strip is the other of the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops. The strap wraps over and across the upper to the lateral side, with the second strip overlying the body on the medial side and partly overlying the first strip, and with the third strip overlying the first strip. The second strip and the third strip secure to the first strip with the strap stretching in tension between the second strip and the third strip.
In an embodiment, the strap is a first strap and overlies a midfoot portion of the body to support an arch of a foot received in the cavity when the third strip is secured to the first strip. The laceless fastening system further includes an additional first strip of hook-and-loop fastener material secured to a lateral side of the body forward of the first strip, a second strap spaced forward of the first strap and having a fixed end fixed adjacent the medial side of the body and having a free end selectively remote from the upper. The laceless fastening system further includes an additional second strip of hook-and-loop fastener material secured to an inner face of the second strap, and an additional third strip of hook-and-loop fastener material secured to the inner face of the second strap nearer the free end of the second strap than the additional second strip, and spaced apart from the additional second strip along the inner face of the second strap. The additional second strip and the additional third strip are both a plurality of hooks or are both a plurality of loops securable to a plurality of hooks, and the additional first strip is the other one of the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops. The second strap is configured to wrap over and across the upper to the lateral side with the inner face of the second strap facing the upper, with the additional second strip overlying the body on the medial side and partly overlying the additional first strip, and with the additional third strip overlying the additional first strip. The additional second strip and the additional third strip are configured to secure to the additional first strip with the second strap stretching in tension between the additional second strip and the additional third strip, and the second strap overlies a forefoot portion of the body on the medial side.
The laceless fastening system may also include an ankle strap having a similar second fastener with a second and third strip as described, and that overlies an ankle portion of the body to secure to a first fastener with a first hook-and-loop fastener material secured to the ankle portion at the lateral side of the body.
The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the present teachings are readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the present teachings when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views,
Each of the straps 18A, 18B, 20 has a free end that secures to a fastener on the upper 12 via a single pressing motion toward the upper 12, and releases from the fastener via a single peeling motion away from the upper 12. The laceless fastening system 14 provides an adjustable, secure fit to tighten the body 30 around the foot 16 and secure the foot 16 relative to a sole structure 24 underlying the upper 12. As further discussed herein, fasteners are disposed on the midfoot strap 18A and the forefoot strap 18B and on the upper 12 to provide a desirable combination of support at both the medial side 26 and the lateral side 28 of the body 30, “locking out” the upper 12 while still enabling adjustability in tightness and position of the straps 18A, 18B. As used herein, the upper 12 is locked out when its elastic stretchability is inhibited by an overlying, less elastic strap.
The footwear 10 illustrated herein is an athletic shoe configured for sports such as basketball, but the footwear 10 and fastening system 14 is not limited to basketball shoes. The fastening system 14 may be also be used in footwear for various other sports such as but not limited to running, tennis, football, soccer, etc. The fastening system 14 may also be included in an article of footwear that is a dress shoe, a work shoe, a sandal, a slipper, a boot, or any other category of footwear.
With reference to
The body 30 is comprised of a base material that extends over at least a portion of the medial side 26 and the lateral side 28. In the embodiment shown, the base material includes foam and textile that may be thermally bonded to one another. The textile may be knitted, braided, or woven strands of a generally flexible and lightweight material. The body 30 has an elastic stretchability that may be greater than that of the material of the midfoot strap 18A, the forefoot strap 18B, and the ankle strap 20, and is greater than the elastic stretchability of portions of the straps 18A, 18B, 18C to which segmented fasteners are secured, as described herein. In the embodiment shown, the midfoot strap 18A, the forefoot strap 18B, and the ankle strap 20 are a knit material. Other materials may be used for the body 30 and the midfoot strap 18A, the forefoot strap 18B, and the ankle strap 20. When segmented fasteners are secured to the midfoot strap 18A, the forefoot strap 18B, and the ankle strap 20 as described herein, the elastic stretchability of the straps 18A, 18B, 18C at the segmented fasteners is less than that of the body 30, enabling them to provide greater support to the upper 12 when fastened as described herein. “Elastic stretchability”, as used herein, is the percentage elongation of a component when subjected to a given load at a given rate. In one non-limiting example, the elastic stretchability of each strap 18A, 18B, 18C at the segmented fastener thereon may be less than or equal to about 5% elongation when the strap 18A, 18B, or 18C is pulled along its length with 40 kilograms force at 500 millimeters per minute loading rate.
In the embodiment, shown, the body 30 of the upper 12 extends over the entire upper 12 in the area of the midfoot strap 18A, the forefoot strap 18B, and the ankle strap 20. Most specifically, the entire medial side 26 of the body 30 above the anchored end of the straps 18B, 20 is the flexible, relatively elastic base material, as best shown in
Referring to
The midfoot strap 18A has an anchored end 32A fixed adjacent the medial side 26 of the body 30. The anchored end 32A is also referred to as a fixed end. More specifically, as shown in
The midfoot strap 18A has a distal end 42A selectively remote from the upper 12. The distal end 42A may also be referred to as a “free end” as it is freely movable when not secured to the upper 12.
As best shown in
Accordingly, elastic stretchability of the body 30 at the first fastener 50A is inhibited by the less elastic first fastener 50A overlying and fixed to the body 30. The first fastener 50A inhibits stretching of the body 30 when the first fastener 50A is fixed to and overlies the body 30 at the first fastener.
A segmented second fastener 54A is fixed to the inner side 44A of the midfoot strap 18A. The segmented second fastener 54A is referred to as segmented because it includes a proximal segment 56A and a distal segment 58A. The distal segment 58A is closer to the distal end 42A of the midfoot strap 18A than is the proximal segment 56A. The distal segment 58A is spaced apart from the proximal segment 56A along the inner side 44A of the midfoot strap 18A such that an exposed portion 59A of the inner side 44A of the midfoot strap 18A is between the proximal segment 56A and the distal segment 58A. The segmented second fastener 54A is less elastic than the midfoot strap 18A. In the embodiment shown, the segmented second fastener 54A is substantially inelastic. In one non-limiting example, the elastic stretchability of either segment of the second fastener 54A is less than or equal to about 5% elongation when the second fastener 54A is pulled along its length with 40 kilograms force at 500 millimeters per minute loading rate. Elastic stretchability of the midfoot strap 18A at the second fastener 54A is inhibited by the second fastener 54A on portions of the midfoot strap 18A where the second fastener 54A overlies and is fixed to the midfoot strap 18A. Stated differently, the segmented second fastener 54A inhibits stretching of the midfoot strap 18A lengthwise except at the exposed portion 59A. Elastic stretchability of the midfoot strap 18A at the exposed portion 59A of the midfoot strap 18A is that of the material of the midfoot strap 18A, and is not inhibited by the second fastener 54A as it is not overlain by or fixed to the second fastener 54A. Elastic stretchability of the midfoot strap 18A at the exposed portion 59A is thus greater than elastic stretchability of the midfoot strap 18A at the second fastener 54A (i.e., at the portions of the midfoot strap 18A to which the distal segment 58A and proximal segment 56A are fixed). In one non-limiting example, the elastic stretchability of the midfoot strap 18A at the exposed portion 59A may be greater than or equal to about 20% elongation when the midfoot strap 18A is pulled along its length with 40 kilograms force at 500 millimeters per minute loading rate.
Accordingly, sufficient tensile force applied along the length of the midfoot strap 18A will cause the midfoot strap 18A to stretch in tension at the exposed portion 59A, while the less elastic proximal segment 56A and the distal segment 58A inhibit (i.e., lockout) stretch of the midfoot strap 18A at a portion of the midfoot strap 18A to which the segmented second fastener 54A is fixed.
In one embodiment, the first and second fasteners 50A, 54A are hook-and-loop fastener material. One of the first fastener 50A and the second fastener 54A is a plurality of loops and the other one of the first fastener 50A and the second fastener 54A is a plurality of hooks configured to engage with the plurality of loops when the second fastener 54A contacts the first fastener 50A, such as when the second fastener 54A is pressed against the first fastener 50A. In the embodiments shown, the first fastener 50A is a plurality of loops 60, and the second fastener 54A is a plurality of hooks 62 as best illustrated in
In other embodiments, the fasteners could include a plurality of loops and a plurality of hooks that have double-pronged ends. In another embodiment, the fastening system may be a mechanical interlocking fastening system, such as a fastening system in which the second fastener has multiple spaced protrusions and the first fastener has recesses in which the protrusions of the second fastener nest and engage the first fastener. In another embodiment of a mechanical fastening system, the first and second fasteners are each a plurality of spaced stems that have enlarged ends. The enlarged ends of the first fastener interlock with the enlarged ends of the second fastener when the second fastener is pressed against the first fastener. In another embodiment, the fastening system can be a magnetic fastening system in which the first and second fasteners are a permanently magnetizable material, magnetized with rows of alternating poles so that the first and second fasteners magnetically secure to one another.
The midfoot strap 18A is configured such that the distal end 42A of the midfoot strap 18A crosses over the body 30 from the medial side 26 to the to the lateral side 28 and the distal segment 58A secures to the first fastener 50A, as best shown in movement of the distal end 42A of the midfoot strap 18A in the direction of arrow A from the unsecured position of
In the secured position of
Elastic stretchability of the body 30 on the medial side 26 is uninhibited when the second fastener 54A is remote from the first fastener 50A as the body 30 is unrestrained by the midfoot strap 18A when the segmented second fastener 54A is remote from the first fastener 50A, such as shown in
The anchored end 32A of the midfoot strap 18A is at least partially forward of the first fastener 50A such that the midfoot strap 18A angles rearward from the anchored end 32A on the medial side 26 to the distal end 42A on the lateral side 28 when the second fastener 54A is secured to the first fastener 50A. This aids in strapping the foot 16 both back (rearward) and down within the upper 12.
While the midfoot strap 18A is configured and functions as described to secure the foot 16 relative to the midfoot portion 12B of the upper 12 and the sole structure 34, the forefoot strap 18B is configured and functions in a substantially identical manner to secure the foot 16 relative to the forefoot portion 12A of the upper 12 and the sole structure 24. The forefoot strap 18B is also referred to herein as an additional strap, and is selectively securable to and releasable from the additional first fastener 50B independently from the position of the midfoot strap 18A relative to the upper 12. The forefoot strap 18B has an anchored end 32B fixed adjacent the medial side 26 of the body 30. The anchored end 32B is also referred to as a fixed end. More specifically, as shown in
The forefoot strap 18B has a distal end 42B selectively remote from the upper 12. The distal end 42B may also be referred to as a “free end” as it is freely movable when not secured to the upper 12.
As best shown in
An additional segmented second fastener 54B is fixed to the inner side 44B of the forefoot strap 18B as best shown in
Accordingly, sufficient tensile force applied along the length of the forefoot strap 18B will cause the forefoot strap 18B to stretch in tension at the exposed portion 59B, while the less elastic proximal segment 56B and the distal segment 58B inhibit (i.e., lockout) stretch of the forefoot strap 18B at portions of the forefoot strap 18B to which the segmented second fastener 54B is fixed.
In one embodiment, the first and second fasteners 50B, 54B are hook-and-loop fastener material. One of the first fastener 50B and the second fastener 54B is a plurality of loops and the other one of the first fastener 50B and the second fastener 54B is a plurality of hooks configured to engage with the plurality of loops when the second fastener 54B contacts the first fastener 50B, such as when the second fastener 54B is pressed against the first fastener 50B. In the embodiments shown, the first fastener 50B is a plurality of loops 60, and the second fastener 54B is a plurality of hooks 62 as shown in
The forefoot strap 18B is configured such that the distal end 42B of the forefoot strap 18B crosses over the body 30 from the medial side 26 to the lateral side 28 and the distal segment 58B secures to the first fastener 50B, as best shown in movement of the distal end 42B of the forefoot strap 18B in the direction of arrow C from the unsecured position of
In the secured position of
Elastic stretchability of the upper 12 on the medial side 26 is that of the material of the body 30 when the second fastener 54B is remote from the first fastener 50B as the body 30 is unrestrained by the forefoot strap 18B when the segmented second fastener 54B is remote from the upper 12, such as shown in
The anchored end 32B of the forefoot strap 18B is at least partially forward of the first fastener 50B such that the forefoot strap 18B angles rearward from the anchored end 32B on the medial side 26 to the distal end 42B on the lateral side 28 when the second fastener 54B is secured to the first fastener 50B as is apparent by the position of the forefoot strap 18B in
Either prior to or after securing either or both of the midfoot strap 18A and the forefoot strap 18B to the upper 12 via the first fasteners 50A, 50B as described, the ankle of the wearer can be secured in the ankle portion 12D of the upper 12 via the third strap 20, also referred to herein as an ankle strap. The ankle is represented by the extended phantom lines of the foot 16. An additional fastener 50C is fixed to the lateral side 28 of the body 30 in the ankle portion 20D. The ankle strap 20 has an anchored end 32C secured to the ankle portion 20D of the body 30 and has a distal end 42C selectively remote from the upper 12. The ankle strap 20 has an inner side 44C best seen in
The additional fastener 54C on the ankle strap 20 of the article of footwear 10 is not a segmented fastener. However, the ankle strap 20 could have a segmented fastener, such as segmented additional fastener 154C as shown in the alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 110 of
Although the laceless fastening system 14 described herein has three straps 18A, 18B, and 20, a fastening system that uses only one of the straps 18A, 18B or both of straps 18A, 18B is included within the scope of the present teachings, and affords the adjustable fit, ease of foot insertion, and one-handed motion to secure the fastening system 14, locking out the flexible, stretchable body 30 of the upper 12 to thereby fix the position of the foot relative to the footwear 10 during all foot movements.
“A”, “an”, “the”, “at least one”, and “one or more” are used interchangeably to indicate that at least one of the items is present. A plurality of such items may be present unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. All numerical values of parameters (e.g., of quantities or conditions) in this specification, unless otherwise indicated expressly or clearly in view of the context, including the appended claims, are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about” whether or not “about” actually appears before the numerical value. “About” indicates that the stated numerical value allows some slight imprecision (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If the imprecision provided by “about” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. In addition, a disclosure of a range is to be understood as specifically disclosing all values and further divided ranges within the range. All references referred to are incorporated herein in their entirety.
The terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. Orders of steps, processes, and operations may be altered when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term “or” includes any one and all combinations of the associated listed items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced items, including “any one of” the referenced items. The term “any of” is understood to include any possible combination of referenced claims of the appended claims, including “any one of” the referenced claims.
Those having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as “above”, “below”, “upward”, “downward”, “top”, “bottom”, etc., may be used descriptively relative to the figures, without representing limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.
While several modes for carrying out the many aspects of the present teachings have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the present teachings that are within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not as limiting.
This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/464,571, filed Feb. 28, 2017, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62464571 | Feb 2017 | US |