The present disclosure relates generally to a shoe for a person's foot, and more particularly to a hands-free shoe capable of tightening and loosening without the use of hands.
Traditional shoes include a shoe sole coupled to a shoe upper. The shoe upper includes eyelets and shoelaces for securing the shoe upper to a user's foot. The shoelaces are guided through each eyelet in a crisscross lacing pattern up to the top of the shoe upper. The user pulls the shoelaces tight and then ties a knot with the shoelaces to secure the shoe to the user's foot. As such, a user must bend over (or lift their leg and foot up) to reach the shoelaces to tighten and secure the shoe to their foot. Further, if a user is unable to reach the shoelaces to tighten the shoe themselves, they may require assistance from another person to tighten the shoes. The traditional approach to securing a shoe to a user's foot can be particularly difficult for children, the elderly, and the disabled, among others. Further, the traditional approach to securing a shoe to a user's foot can be difficult if a person is holding items in their hands. Therefore, it is desirable for a shoe to be secured to and removed from a user's foot without the use of their hands.
According to one aspect of the disclosure, a hands-free shoe includes a shoe upper and a heel assembly coupled to the shoe upper. The heel assembly includes a housing, a translating assembly, an inner frame positioned within and fixedly coupled to the housing, and a plurality of stationary pins coupled to the inner frame. The translating assembly includes an outer frame and a plurality of translating pins coupled to the outer frame. The translating assembly is configured to translate in and out of the housing. Shoelaces are coupled at a first end to a bar of the translating assembly and coupled at a second end to the shoe upper. When the shoe upper is in a closed position, the shoelaces wrap around the plurality of translating pins and the plurality of stationary pins in an alternating configuration such that the shoelaces are pulled within the heel assembly to tighten the shoe upper.
According to another aspect of the disclosure, a method of operating a hands-free shoe is disclosed. The method includes pressing downward on a heel assembly coupled to a shoe upper. Translating, by a translating assembly of the heel assembly, from an open position with the translating assembly outside a housing of the heel assembly to a closed position with the translating assembly within the housing of the heel assembly. Further, translating the translating assembly into the housing of the heel assembly pulls shoelaces of the hands-free shoe into the heel assembly. The shoelaces wrap around a plurality of translating pins and a plurality of stationary pins of the heel assembly in an alternating configuration to pull the shoelaces within the heel assembly to tighten the shoe upper.
Shoe 10 includes shoe upper 12 and heel assembly 14, with heel assembly 14 coupled to a bottom surface of shoe upper 12. Heel assembly 14 can be coupled to shoe upper 12 using one or more of an adhesive, screws, and tacks, among other options. Shoe upper 12 is the portion of a shoe that the user inserts their foot into and then tightens the shoe around their foot, securing the shoe to their foot during use. Shoe upper includes first side 16, second side 18, tongue 20, shoelaces 22, insert 24, and elastic 26. In the embodiment shown, first side 16 is the left side of shoe 10 and second side 18 is the right side of shoe 10, when secured to a user's foot. Tongue 20 is positioned between and at least partially under a portion of first side 16 and second side 18. Shoelaces 22 are looped through eyelets positioned within both first side 16 and second side 18. Shoelaces 22 can be constructed from traditional cotton or leather shoelaces, Kevlar, para-aramid fibers, or other synthetic fibers, among other options. Shoelaces 22 are configured to tighten and loosen to secure and release shoe 10 from a user's foot, respectively. More specifically, shoelaces 22 are looped through eyelets positioned within first side 16 and second side 18 and then shoelaces 22 are routed through an interior of shoe upper 12 and into heel assembly 14 to tighten and loosen shoe 10, discussed further below.
As best shown in
Referring now to
Shoelaces 22 are looped through eyelets and routed through an interior of shoe upper 12 into heel assembly 14 to tighten and loosen shoe 10. More specifically, shoelaces 22 positioned along first side 16 of shoe upper 12 are routed into first tubes 28 positioned between layers of first side 16, such that first tubes 28 are not visible, and then shoelaces 22 are routed into heel assembly 14. Likewise, shoelaces 22 positioned along second side 18 of shoe upper 12 are routed into second tubes 30 positioned between layers of second side 18, such that second tubes 30 are not visible, and then shoelace 22 are routed into heel assembly 14. In some examples, the distal ends of first tubes 28 and second tubes 30 positioned closest to tongue 20 can include smooth or curved inner surfaces, such that shoelaces 22 exiting first tubes 28 and second tubes 30 extend around a radiused portion rather than a sharp 90-degree corner at the distal end. Including the smooth, curved, or radiused portion prevents excess wear on shoelaces 22 and also reduces the amount of friction experienced by shoelaces 22 during the opening and closing of shoe 10. In turn, this extends the useful life of shoelaces 22 and makes it easier to open and close shoe 10.
Shoelaces 22 are configured to be tightened by pulling shoelaces 22 through first tubes 28 and second tubes 30 and into heel assembly 14. The tightening of shoelaces 22 overcomes the spring force of inserts 24 and elastics 26, causing shoe upper 12 to close and tighten around a user's foot. Therefore, inserts 24 and elastics 26 will force shoe 10 into the open position until shoelaces 22 are tightened using heel assembly 14. Additionally, the shoelaces 22 are configured to be loosened by releasing shoelaces 22 outward from heel assembly 14 and through first tubes 28 and second tubes 30. After releasing and loosening shoelaces 22, the spring force of inserts 24 and elastics 26 forces first side 16, second side 18, and tongue 20 back into the open position. A user can depress heel button 42 (
Heel assembly 14 is a symmetric design such that the components of heel assembly 14 are identical on both sides of heel assembly 14. In other words, the components of heel assembly 14 are mirrored about a central plane extending through heel assembly 14 (i.e., section line A-A shown in
Housing 32 is the main body portion of heel assembly 14 that other components of heel assembly 14 are coupled. Housing 32 is configured to surround and protect most of the components of heel assembly 14 from the environment and/or other debris, with some components positioned outside housing 32. In some examples, housing 32 can be constructed from a polymeric material, metallic material, or a composite material. Housing 32 can include an opening (not shown) on the top surface, allowing access to the other components positioned within housing 32. In some embodiments, housing 32 can include film cover 34 positioned over the opening in housing 32 and adjacent a top surface of housing 32. Film cover 34 can be used to seal and prevent debris from entering an interior of housing 32. Film cover 34 can be coupled to housing 32 through one or more of an adhesive, screws, and tacks, among other options. In other embodiments, housing 32 may not include film cover 34. Base 36 is a lower or bottom surface of housing 32 closest a ground surface when heel assembly 14 is positioned within shoe 10. As shown best in
Clamp 38 is coupled to an upper surface of base 36 adjacent fore end 14A of heel assembly 14. Clamp 38 is configured to fasten and secure first tubes 28, second tubes 30, and shoelaces 22 entering housing 32 of heel assembly 14. In the example shown in
Button frame 40 is a component of heel assembly 14 that extends partially within housing 32 and partially outside housing 32. Further, button frame 40 is slidingly coupled to housing 32, such that button frame 40 can translate in the fore and aft directions of heel assembly 14. Button frame 40 is configured to aid it securing heel assembly 14 in a closed position and releasing heel assembly 14 into an open position, discussed further below. Button frame 40 is a generally rectangular shaped component with a distal end extending outwards from housing 32. Heel button 42 is coupled to the distal end of button frame 40 extending outwards from housing 32. Although heel button 42 is described as being coupled to button frame 40, it is to be understood that heel button 42 could be formed integral with button frame 40. Heel button 42 is positioned adjacent aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 towards an upper surface of housing 32. Referring to
As shown in
When heel assembly 14 is in an open position, allowing a user to insert or remove their foot from shoe upper 12, translating assembly 44 extends vertically downward from a bottom surface of housing 32. When heel assembly 14 is in a closed position, such that shoe upper 12 is secured to a user's foot, translating assembly 44 is positioned within housing 32 and housing 32 fully surrounds translating assembly 44. As shown best in
Inner frame 48 is a component of heel assembly 14 that is positioned within and fixedly coupled to housing 32. Inner frame 48 includes three extension members that extend from an upper portion of inner frame 48 and a rounded portion is positioned between and connects each of the extension members. In the example shown, inner frame 48 is coupled to housing 32 through a plurality of fasteners 50 that extend through apertures within housing 32 and thread into mating threaded apertures within inner frame 48. In the example shown, six fasteners 50 are used to secure inner frame 48 to housing 32. In another example, more or less than six fasteners 50 can be used to secure inner frame 48 to housing 32. Inner frame 48 can also include a plurality of apertures extending through inner frame 48 in which alignment posts 52 are positioned. Alignment posts 52 are dowels, pins, rods, or the like that are used to properly align inner frame 48 within housing 32 and to properly align other components of heel assembly 14 with inner frame 48. In the example shown, alignment posts 52 include three alignment posts 52 each having a circular cross-section. In another example, heel assembly 14 can include more or less than three alignment posts 52 and alignment posts 52 can have a cross-section of any geometric shape.
A plurality of stationary pins 54 are positioned within housing 32 and coupled to inner frame 48. In the example shown, each of the plurality of stationary pins 54 are coupled to an end of one of the extension members of inner frame 48. Further, an axis of each of the plurality of stationary pins 54 are horizontally aligned in a direction extending from fore end 14A to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14. The plurality of stationary pins 54 remain stationary or in a fixed position during the translation of translating assembly 44 (during the opening and closing of shoe 10). The plurality of stationary pins 54 provide a surface/structure for shoelaces 22 to wrap around during the actuation of translating assembly 44 from an open position to a closed position, discussed further below. In the example shown, the plurality of stationary pins 54 comprises three stationary pins 54. In another example, heel assembly 14 can include more than or less than three stationary pins 54 coupled to inner frame 48. Further, in the example shown, each of the plurality of stationary pins 54 include bearing 56 surrounding at least a portion of each of the plurality of stationary pins 54. Each of bearings 56 are axially aligned with one of the plurality of stationary pins 54 and each of bearings 56 extend around a circumference of one of the plurality of stationary pins 54. Bearings 56 are configured to provide a low resistance sliding surface for shoelaces 22 to slide against during the opening and closing of shoe 10. In one specific example, each of bearings 56 can be bronze plain bearings.
Referring to
Referring again to
Outer frame 60 is a component of translating assembly 44 that translates in and out of housing 32 during the opening and closing of shoe 10. Outer frame 60 is positioned between housing 32 and inner frame 48, such that outer frame 60 is positioned outward from inner frame 48 with respect to a central plane extending through heel assembly 14. As shown best in
Further, cylinder shaped members 74 include a hollow center portion such that each of the cylinder-shaped members 74 has a generally hollow cavity extending from an upper surface of outer frame 60 towards but not extending through a bottom surface of outer frame 60. Each of the hollow interiors of cylinder-shaped members 74 are configured to accept spring 66. Springs 66 are positioned within housing 32 and extend downward into each of the cylinder-shaped members 74 such that springs 66 engage with a lower surface of each of cylinder-shaped members 74. Springs 66 are configured to induce a force on outer frame 60 of translating assembly 44 to force heel assembly 14 into an open position after a user depresses heel button 42, discussed further below. In the example shown, heel assembly 14 includes two outer frames 60 with each outer frame 60 including two cylinder-shaped members 74. As such, heel assembly 14 includes a total of four cylinder-shaped members 74 and four springs 66, each spring 66 positioned within a single cylinder-shaped member 74. In other examples, heel assembly 14 can include more or less than four springs 66.
As shown best in
Knob 68 and square bar 70 are each components of translating assembly 44 that translate with translating assembly 44. Knob 68 is a component of heel assembly 14 that allows a user to turn knob 68 to tighten or loosen shoelaces 22 to their desired comfort/tightness level. Square bar 70 is coupled to knob 68 and fixedly attached to knob 68. In the example shown, knob 68 includes a square shaped aperture that extends through knob 68 and square bar 70 is inserted into and secured within the square shaped aperture of knob 68. In another example, square bar 70 could be coupled to knob 68 through a fastener, adhesive, or pin, among other options. Shoelaces 22 are wrapped around and coupled to square bar 70 in a way that prevents shoelaces 22 from slipping as square bar 70 is rotated. For example, shoelaces 22 can be coupled to square bar 70 through a hole and plug, an adhesive, a fastener, or a knot (e.g., girth hitch knot).
Shoelaces 22 are coupled at a first end to square bar 70 and coupled at a second end to shoe upper 12 of shoe 10. To tighten shoelaces 22 to the users preferred tightness level, the user rotates knob 68 in the counterclockwise direction (based on the view shown in
Translating pins 72 are a component of translating assembly 44 and translating pins 72 are coupled to outer frame 60. In the example shown, each of the plurality of translating pins 72 are coupled to an inner surface of outer frame 60 near an upper surface of outer frame 60. Further, an axis of each of the plurality of translating pins 72 are horizontally aligned in a direction extending from fore end 14A to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14. The plurality of translating pins 72 translate with outer frame 60 during the actuation of translating assembly 44 (during the opening and closing of shoe 10). The plurality of translating pins 72 provide a surface/structure for shoelaces 22 to wrap around during the actuation of translating assembly 44 from an open position to a closed position, discussed further below. In the example shown, the plurality of translating pins 72 comprises three translating pins 72. In another example, heel assembly 14 can include more than or less than three translating pins 72 coupled to outer frame 60.
Further, in the example shown, two of the three translating pins 72 include bearing 56 surrounding at least a portion of the two translating pins 72. In the example shown, the two translating pins 72 closest to fore end 14A of heel assembly 14 include bearings 56, while the translating pin 72 positioned closest to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 does not include bearing 56. Shoelaces 22 sliding across the translating pin 72 positioned closest to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 do not experience as much force or friction compared to the two translating pins 72 closest to fore end 14A of heel assembly 14. Therefore, in some examples, the translating pin 72 positioned closest to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 may not include bearing 56. In other examples, the translating pin 72 positioned closest to aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 can include bearing 56 to further reduce friction and wear on shoelaces 22. Each of bearings 56 are axially aligned with one of the plurality of translating pins 72 and each of bearings 56 extends around a circumference of one of the plurality of translating pins 72. Bearings 56 are configured to provide a low resistance sliding surface for shoelaces 22 to slide against during the opening and closing of shoe 10. In one specific example, each of bearings 56 can be bronze plain bearings.
In operation, shoe 10 will initially be in the open position before a user secures shoe 10 to their foot (shown in
Once a user begins to step into shoe upper 12 and press down on heel assembly 14, translating assembly 44 translates in the vertical direction into housing 32. The vertical translation of translating assembly 44 causes shoelaces 22 to wrap around the plurality of translating pins 72 and the plurality of stationary pins 54 in an alternating configuration such that the shoelaces are pulled within heel assembly 14 to tighten shoe upper 12, as shown in
Referring to
When a user depresses heel button 42 it forces button frame 40 and locking piece 78 to translate toward fore end 14A of heel assembly 14. In turn, this releases locking piece 78 from engagement with the at least one translating pin 72. Once locking piece 78 is no longer in engagement with the at least one translating pin 72 and the user has removed pressure from their foot, springs 66 force outer frame 60 downward toward a ground surface. As such, depressing heel button 42 allows translating assembly 44 to translate out from within housing 32 into an open position. Once translating pins 72 have translated vertically past a bottom surface of locking piece 78 and the user has stopped depressing heel button 42, extension spring 58 pulls button frame 40 and locking piece 78 toward aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 into a relaxed state. When a user again steps into shoe 10 and translates translating assembly 44 vertically into housing 32, translating pins 72 engage angled surfaces 88 of locking piece 78 and force locking piece 78 toward fore end 14A of heel assembly 14. This allows translating pins 72 to vertically translate past angled surfaces 88 of locking piece 78 and into the cavities or semi-circular features of locking piece 78 that lock onto translating pins 72 and hold shoe 10 in a closed position.
Referring to
In operation, when a user depresses heel button 42 it forces locking piece 78 and the coupled spring block 82 toward fore end 14A of heel assembly 14. Locking piece 78 and spring block 82 translate towards fore end 14A until tab 90 translates and snaps into engagement with slot 84 of outer frame 60. Slot 84 engages tab 90 and prevents tab 90 from releasing or escaping from slot 84. In turn, this allows a user to remove their foot from shoe 10 without locking piece 78 re-locking with translating pins 72. Further, spring block 82 allows the user to depress heel button 42 and locking piece 78 will remain unlocked because tab 90 and slot 84 prevent locking piece 78 from translating towards aft end 14B of heel assembly 14. If spring block 82 and slot 84 were not included in shoe 10, a user would need to continuously hold heel button 42 while they remove their foot from shoe 10. The inclusion of spring block 82 and slot 84 allows the user to depress heel button 42 and locking piece 78 will remain unlocked until the user steps back into shoe 10 and vertically translates translating assembly 44. As such, when the user removes their foot from shoe 10 and translating assembly 44 translates in the vertical direction, tab 90 will slide along slot 84 until tab 90 is fully out from slot 84. Then extension spring 58 pulls locking piece 78 and spring block 82 toward aft end 14B of heel assembly 14 and shoe 10 is ready for a user to step back into shoe 10. With shoe upper 12 in the fully open position, the user can easily remove shoe 10 from their foot without the use of their hands. As such, shoe 10 including heel assembly 14 allows a user to both secure/tighten and loosen/release shoe 10 from the user's foot without the use of their hands.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/371,163 filed Aug. 11, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63371163 | Aug 2022 | US |