Patent Grant
10299540
This invention relates generally to strap systems for securing feet into articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices, as well as to bootie members for supporting such strap systems, upper members or bootie members including such strap systems, and articles of footwear and/or other foot-receiving devices including such strap systems.
Most articles of footwear include laces, buckles, or zippers to close off the foot-receiving opening of the shoe and/or to secure the shoe to the wearer's foot. While adequate for many uses, these systems are relatively static. These systems do little or nothing to help a shoe conform to a wearer's foot and to changes in the size, shape, and/or volume of various portions of the wearer's foot as the wearer moves while wearing the shoe. Better conformance of a shoe to a wearer's foot through more or throughout all phases of use (e.g., throughout the step cycle, while jumping, while cutting, while in plantar flexion, while in dorsiflexion, etc.) can provide a more stable and comfortable feel for the wearer. The deficiencies of the above-noted static systems are further exacerbated for users involved in athletic activities because such activities tend to place great stress on the foot and can cause portions of the foot to undergo significant changes in size, shape, volume, and/or motion.
Accordingly, there is room in the art for improvements in securing systems for engaging footwear or other foot-receiving devices with a wearer's foot, and particularly in athletic footwear.
The following presents a general summary of aspects of this invention in order to provide a basic understanding of the invention. This summary is not intended as an extensive overview of the invention. It is not intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts relating to the invention in a general form as a prelude to the more detailed description that follows.
Aspects of this invention relate to strap systems for securing feet into articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices, as well as to bootie members for supporting such strap systems, upper members or bootie members including such strap systems, and articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices including such strap systems. Such strap systems may include: (a) one or more strap members formed or engaged together in a continuous path along an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device, (b) means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to apply a compressive force to a foot within the foot-receiving device), and/or (c) structures for securing the strap member(s) to an upper or a bootie member in selective locations so as to correctly, reliably, and repeatably position the strap member(s) to achieve the desired results.
At least some aspects of this invention relate to motion activated performance systems as support systems for the foot (e.g., as part of an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device) that adapt fit/support instantaneously to changing foot volume and/or other foot dimensions through a full foot gait or step cycle or other activities (e.g., jumping, starting from blocks, etc.). Such strap systems may utilize a change in volume/length of the foot and ankle during motion to facilitate shoe conformance to the varying shape of the foot. As a wearer's ankle goes through plantar flexion and/or dorsiflexion of a normal gait, running, and even cutting or other activities, the strap system may be tightened, leading to dynamic conformance of the shoe to the foot even as the foot changes shape.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods for making strap systems, bootie members, upper members, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices of the types generally described above.
A more complete understanding of the present invention and certain advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following detailed description in consideration with the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numbers indicate the same or similar features throughout, and wherein:
In the following description of various example strap systems, bootie members, uppers, footwear, and other foot-receiving devices, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures, systems, and steps in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts, structures, example devices, systems, and steps may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “side,” “rear,” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations during typical use or while standing upright. Nothing in this specification should be construed as requiring a specific three dimensional orientation of structures in order to fall within the scope of this invention.
To assist and clarify the subsequent description of various embodiments of this invention, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated or clear from the context, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). “Shoe” and “article of footwear” are used interchangeably to refer to articles intended for wear on a human foot. A “shoe” may or may not enclose the entire foot of a wearer. For example, a “shoe” could include a sandal or other article that exposes large portions of a wearing foot. Aspects of this invention may be practiced on any desired type of shoe, including but not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as golf shoes, basketball shoes, running shoes, cross training shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, etc.), and the like. “Footwear” or “shoes” may protect the feet from the environment and/or enhance a wearer's performance (e.g., physically, physiologically, medically, etc.).
The “interior” of a shoe refers to the space that is occupied by a wearer's foot when the shoe is worn. An “inner” side or face of a shoe element refers to a side or face of that element that is (or will be) oriented toward the shoe interior in a completed shoe when the shoe is fastened to a wearer's foot. An “outer” side or face of an element refers to a side or face that is (or will be) oriented away from the shoe interior in the completed shoe when the shoe is fastened to a wearer's foot. In some cases, an inner side/face of an element may have other elements between it and the interior in the completed shoe. Similarly, an outer side/face of an element may have other elements between it and the space external to the completed shoe.
Certain regions of a shoe or any portion thereof also may be described herein by reference to the anatomical structures of a human foot wearing a shoe that is properly sized for that foot. One or more of the below-defined regions may overlap. A “forefoot” region will generally cover and/or support the metatarsal and phalangeal bones of the wearer's foot and will extend beyond the wearer's toes to the frontmost portion of the shoe. A “midfoot” region will generally cover and/or support the cuboid, navicular, medial cuneiform, intermediate cuneiform, and lateral cuneiform bones of the wearer's foot. A “hindfoot” or “heel” region extends from the midfoot region to the rearmost portion of the shoe and covers and/or supports the wearer's heel. The hindfoot region may cover the sides of the calcaneous bone of a wearer and may, depending on a particular shoe configuration, cover some or all of the wearer's talus bone (ankle).
In addition to articles of footwear, aspects of this invention can be practiced with other types of “foot-receiving devices” (i.e., any device into which a user places at least some portion of his or her foot). In addition to all types of “footwear” or “shoes” (e.g., as described above), “foot-receiving devices” include, but are not limited to: boots, bindings and other devices for securing feet in snow skis, cross country skis, water skis, snowboards, and the like; boots, bindings, clips, or other devices for securing feet in pedals for use with bicycles, exercise equipment, and the like; boots, bindings, clips, or other devices for receiving feet during play of video games or other games; and the like. Such foot-receiving devices may include: (a) a foot-covering component (akin to a footwear upper, and may be used interchangeably with the term “upper”) that at least in part defines an interior chamber for receiving a foot; and (b) a foot-supporting component (akin to the footwear sole structure) engaged with the foot-covering component. Strap systems as described above may be incorporated into the foot-covering component (or upper) and/or foot-supporting component of any desired type of foot-receiving device.
At least some example aspects of this invention relate to strap systems for articles of footwear and other foot-receiving devices, as well as to methods of making such structures. A general description of aspects of the invention followed by a more detailed description of specific examples of the invention follows.
In general, some aspects of this invention relate to strap systems for securing feet into articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices. Such strap systems may include: one or more strap members formed or engaged together in a continuous path along an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device and means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to the underlying foot). Various examples of the means for applying a force will be described in more detail below.
As some more specific examples, the continuous path of one strap system may include: (a) a first strap portion extending along a lateral ankle opening area, (b) a second strap portion extending from the first strap portion and across a front of the ankle opening area, (c) a third strap portion extending from the second strap portion and around a medial midfoot area, (d) a fourth strap portion extending from the third strap portion and beneath a plantar surface area, (e) a fifth strap portion extending from the fourth strap portion and around a lateral side area at or near a fifth metatarsal head area, (f) a sixth strap portion extending from the fifth strap portion and across a top forefoot area, (g) a seventh strap portion extending from the sixth strap portion and around a medial side area at or near a first metatarsal head area, (h) an eighth strap portion extending from the seventh strap portion and beneath the plantar surface area, (i) a ninth strap portion extending from the eighth strap portion and across the front of the ankle opening area, and (j) a tenth strap portion extending from the ninth strap portion and along a medial ankle opening area. The strap system further may include a means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to the underlying foot). If desired, this type of strapping system may be formed from two (or more) independent strap members as a continuous loop around the upper and engaged with the upper (e.g., a bootie element) in a free floating manner Straps of this type may be arranged to provide tightening during plantar flexion or during a plantar flexion stage of a step cycle or other action.
One more specific example of this type of strap system includes: (a) a first strap member having a first end and a second end, the first strap member extending from a first metatarsal head area, beneath a plantar surface area, over a lateral midfoot area, across a front instep area, around a medial ankle opening area, around a rear ankle opening area, along a lateral ankle opening area, and across the front instep area; and (b) a second strap member having a first end and a second end, the second strap member extending from a medial midfoot area, beneath the plantar surface area, around the fifth metatarsal head area, across a top forefoot area, and toward the first metatarsal head area, wherein the first end of the first strap member engages the second strap member, and wherein the first strap member engages the first end of the second strap member.
As another example, strap systems in accordance with some examples of this invention may include in a continuous path: (a) a first strap portion fixed with or beneath a footbed of an upper at a forefoot area, wherein the first strap portion extends around a lateral forefoot or midfoot edge, (b) a second strap portion extending from the first strap portion and across an instep area, (c) a third strap portion extending from the second strap portion and around a medial ankle area, (d) a fourth strap portion extending from the third strap portion and around a rear ankle area, (e) a fifth strap portion extending from the fourth strap portion and along a lateral ankle area, (f) a sixth strap portion extending from the fifth strap portion and across the instep area, and (g) a seventh strap portion extending from the sixth strap portion and around a medial midfoot edge, wherein the seventh strap portion is fixed with or beneath the footbed at a midfoot area. This strap system also may include a means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to the underlying foot). If desired, this type of strap system may be formed from two (or more) independent strap members. Straps of this type also may be arranged to provide tightening during plantar flexion or during a plantar flexion stage of a step cycle.
One more specific example of an upper having this type of strap system includes: (a) a bootie element (or other upper component) at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber, wherein the upper includes a footbed for supporting a wearer's foot; (b) a first strap member having a first end fixed with or beneath the footbed at a forefoot portion of the upper, wherein the first strap member extends around a lateral forefoot or midfoot edge of the upper, across an instep area of the upper, around a medial ankle opening area of the upper, and around a rear ankle opening area of the upper; and (c) a second strap member having a first end fixed with or beneath the footbed at a midfoot portion of the upper, wherein the second strap member extends around a medial midfoot edge of the upper, across the instep area of the upper, and to a lateral ankle opening area of the upper, wherein the first strap member engages the second strap member at the lateral ankle opening area.
Another example strap system for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device includes one or more strap members formed or engaged together in a continuous path along an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device that include: (a) a first strap portion extending around a front ankle opening area, (b) a second strap portion extending from the first strap portion and along a lateral ankle opening area, (c) a third strap portion extending from the second strap portion and around a rear ankle opening area, (d) a fourth strap portion extending from the third strap portion and along a medial heel area, (e) a fifth strap portion extending from the fourth strap portion and around a medial edge, (f) a sixth strap portion extending from the fifth strap portion and across a plantar surface area, (g) a seventh strap portion extending from the sixth strap portion and around a lateral edge area, (h) an eighth strap portion extending from the seventh strap portion and across a top area, (i) a ninth strap portion extending from the eighth strap portion and around the medial side area at or near a first metatarsal head area, (j) a tenth strap portion extending from the ninth strap portion and beneath the plantar surface area, (k) an eleventh strap portion extending from the tenth strap portion and around the lateral side area at or near the fifth metatarsal head area, (l) a twelfth strap portion extending from the eleventh strap portion and across the top area, (m) a thirteenth strap portion extending from the twelfth strap portion and around the medial edge area, (n) a fourteenth strap portion extending from the thirteenth strap portion and across the plantar surface area, (o) a fifteenth strap portion extending from the fourteenth strap portion and around the lateral edge area, (p) a sixteenth strap portion extending from the fifteenth strap portion and along a lateral heel area, (q) a seventeenth strap portion extending from the sixteenth strap portion and around the rear ankle opening area, and (r) an eighteenth strap portion extending from the seventeenth strap portion and along the medial ankle opening area. The strap system further may include a means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path and thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to the underlying foot). Such strap systems may be arranged to tighten as the foot moves from plantar flexion to dorsiflexion (e.g., which may be particularly useful when the plantar flexed position of the foot is optimal, such as when sprinting).
Strap systems in accordance with at least some examples of this invention further may include ankle securing strap portions that extend downward from the ankle opening area (e.g., on the medial and/or lateral sides thereof) and beneath a plantar surface or footbed of the upper. These additional strap portions may be secured to the upper beneath the footbed or to an underside of the footbed. These ankle securing strap portions can help lock down the ankle with respect to the upper.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to bootie members to which strap systems of the types described above may be engaged. As a more specific example, such bootie members may include: (a) a bootie component at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber accessible through an ankle opening provided in the bootie component; (b) a first loop element engaged with or formed in a medial side edge area of the bootie component; (c) a second loop element engaged with or formed in the medial side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally rearward from the first loop element; (d) a third loop element engaged with or formed in a lateral side edge area of the bootie component; and (e) a fourth loop element engaged with or formed in the lateral side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally rearward from the third loop element. Another example bootie member may include: (a) a bootie component at least partially defining a foot-receiving chamber accessible through an ankle opening provided in the bootie component; (b) a first loop element engaged with or formed in a medial side edge area of the bootie component at a mid-heel area; (c) a second loop element engaged with or formed in the medial side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally forward from the first loop element in a midfoot area; (d) a third loop element engaged with or formed in the medial side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally forward from the second loop element at or near a first metatarsal head area; (e) a fourth loop element engaged with or formed in a lateral side edge area of the bootie component at the mid-heel area; (f) a fifth loop element engaged with or formed in the lateral side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally forward from the fourth loop element in the midfoot area; and (g) a sixth loop element engaged with or formed in the lateral side edge area of the bootie component and located longitudinally forward from the fifth loop element at or near a fifth metatarsal head area. Loop elements of this type also may be provided with an upper member or component that does not include an entire bootie member or bootie component, as described above.
Each of the noted loop elements may extend substantially along a longitudinal direction of the bootie member or upper member so as to define a strap receiving opening oriented in a direction offset from the longitudinal direction (e.g., oriented to receive a strap as it transitions between an upper surface and a bottom surface of the bootie or upper member). If desired, at least some of these loop elements may be located at an edge of the bootie member, e.g., at a junction of an upper bootie portion and a footbed or foot supporting member. Additionally, or alternatively, if desired, the bootie or upper members described above further may include a loop element engaged with or formed in a rear portion of the bootie or upper component adjacent the ankle opening.
Additional aspects of this invention relate to uppers for articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices that include strap systems and/or bootie members of the types described above. The strap systems may be engaged with the uppers in any desired manner without departing from this invention including with the use of any desired type of engagement structures. In some examples, the one or more strap members of the strap systems will be engaged by threading the strap member(s) through one or more loop elements provided at various locations around the bootie member or other upper construction.
Still additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices that include uppers, bootie members, and/or strap systems of the various types described above. Such articles of footwear or other foot-receiving devices may include a sole member or other type of foot-supporting member engaged with the upper, the bootie member, and/or the strap system. The strap member(s) also may extend between layers of the sole member or other foot-supporting devices, e.g., through a channel or gap provided within such structures so as to allow free floating engagement, if desired.
Finally, additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making the various articles or components described above. Such methods may include one or more of: (a) engaging one or more strap members of the types described above together in a continuous path along an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device; (b) engaging or otherwise providing a means for applying a force with the one or more strap members, wherein the means for applying the force shortens a length of the continuous path to thereby apply tension to the one or more strap members (and to the underlying foot); and/or (c) engaging a sole member or other foot-supporting member with the upper to thereby form an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. When the strap system includes two or more strap members, these strap members may be appropriately engaged with one another so that a force can be applied to the strap members to shorten the continuous path (and thus tighten the strap members on the wearer's foot).
Specific examples of the invention are described in more detail below. The reader should understand that these specific examples are set forth merely to illustrate examples of the invention, and they should not be construed as limiting the invention.
The various figures in this application illustrate examples of strap systems, bootie members, upper members, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, as well as to methods for making these structures, in accordance with examples of this invention. When the same reference number appears in more than one drawing, that reference number is used consistently in this specification and the drawings to refer to the same or similar parts throughout.
First, some general background information is provided for contextual purposes.
The double headed arrow 106 helps illustrate changes in foot volume and/or dimensions at various positions and/or during the course of a step cycle. As shown in
At least some structures and aspects of this invention take advantage of these changes in foot volume/length over the course of a step cycle and/or in different phases of use or in other activities. More specifically, aspects of the present invention relate to motion activated performance systems that support a wearer's foot and adapt fit/support instantaneously to changing foot volume and/or dimension through full foot stance and/or step cycle positions and/or orientations (or other movements). Strap systems in accordance with at least some examples of this invention utilize the changes in volume/length of the foot and ankle during motion to facilitate shoe conformance to the variable shape of the foot. As a wearer's ankle goes through plantar flexion and dorsiflexion during a normal gait, while running, and/or even cutting and/or during other activities (e.g., jumping, starting from sprinter's blocks, etc.), strap systems according to at least some examples of this invention will remain tightened (and may even increase in tightness), leading to dynamic conformance of the shoe to the foot even as the foot changes shape. The various strap systems may be adjustable in length so that they can dynamically fit unique foot morphologies within the same foot size. Various example strap systems and configurations for achieving the motion activated footwear conformance/fit features of the present invention are described below.
The strap member(s) 200a and 200b may be made from any desired materials or with any desired constructions or specifications without departing from this invention. In the illustrated example, the strap members 200a and 200b are made from a strong, flexible fabric material, formed into an elongated strip of material (e.g., having a much greater length and width dimension than its thickness dimension). The strap members 200a and 200b may be at least 0.5 inches wide, or even at least 0.75 inches or at least 1 inch wide to better modulate the feel on the wearer's foot when tightened. The material may be stretchable (e.g., elastic), somewhat stretchable, or unstretchable (inelastic). The term “unstretchable” or “substantially unstretchable,” as used herein and unless otherwise defined, refers to materials that stretch or increase in length less than 2% of its overall dimension in the length or width direction under any applied tensile force in that direction. In some examples, the “unstretchable materials” described herein will stretch or increase in length less than 1% of its overall dimension in the length or width direction under any applied tensile force in that direction. If desired, the strap member(s) 200a and 200b may include one or more wires, cables, fibers or other stretch resistant components engaged with them or incorporated into them to, at least in part, impart the unstretchability features.
The junctions between the strap members 200a and 200b in this example provide tensioning elements to enable the wearer to apply a force to tighten the straps (by shortening the length of the overall continuous path or loop traversed by the straps 200a and 200b). While any desired type of tensioning or force applying structures may be used without departing from this invention, in the illustrated example, one free end of each strap 200a and 200b includes a tensioning ring 206a and 206b. The other end of each strap 200a and 200b includes a securing mechanism, which in this illustrated example constitutes a portion of a hook-and-loop fastener element 208. The mating portion of the hook-and-loop fastener element 208 may be provided at another desired location on the overall shoe construction, such as on an exposed surface of straps 200a and 200b, on a surface of the bootie member 202, on another portion of the upper, on another portion of the overall shoe (or other foot-receiving device) structure, etc.
Other tensioning or force applying structures and/or securing mechanisms may be used without departing from this invention, including, for example, a buckle type structure, a clamp type structure, a rotary “take up” mechanism used to roll up excess strap, a ratchet mechanism, a cable tie type securing mechanism, buttons, snaps, etc.
The overall “continuous path” of this example strap system 200 now will be described in more detail. As shown in
As noted above, the specific strap system 200 example of
A means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path may be provided at any desired location(s) along the path. As noted above, such means may include tensioning elements and hook-and-loop type fasteners, buckle type structures, clamp type structures, rotary “take up” mechanisms used to roll in excess strap, ratchet mechanisms, cable tie type securing mechanisms, buttons, snaps, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the means for applying force includes a tensioning system provided between the second strap portion 210b and the third strap portion 210c and another tensioning system provided between the sixth strap portion 210f and the seventh strap portion 210g. Other options also are possible. For example, junctions between separate strap members could be provided along the lateral side of the bootie element 202 (and include tensioning elements and/or other means for applying force). As another example, if desired, separate strap members or opposite ends of a single strap member may be joined at the rear heel area (e.g., a rotary take up reel or ratchet mechanism between strap portions 210a and 210j), and an appropriate means for applying force may be provided. As yet additional examples, separate strap members or opposite ends of a single strap member may be joined at the location in the instep area where the strap portions cross and/or in the top forefoot area (e.g., joined by an appropriate means for applying force). Other options for joining a single strap or independent strap members and/or tensioning devices for applying a force may be used without departing from this invention.
The location of and the dividing lines between the various strap portions discussed above and shown by the broken lines in
The bootie member 202 may include structure for securing the strap system 200 to the bootie member 202. In this illustrated example, the bootie member 202 includes: (a) a first loop element 202d engaged with or formed in a medial side edge area of the bootie component 202, e.g., at or near the first metatarsal head area, (b) a second loop element 202e engaged with or formed in the medial side edge area of the bootie component 202 and located longitudinally rearward from the first loop element 202d (e.g., in an arch area), (c) a third loop element 202f engaged with or formed in a lateral side edge area of the bootie component 202 (e.g., at or near the fifth metatarsal head area), and (d) a fourth loop element 202g engaged with or formed in the lateral side edge area of the bootie component 202 and located longitudinally rearward from (and optionally immediately adjacent to) the third loop element 202f. The medial side loop elements 200d and 200e may be spaced further apart from one another as compared to the lateral side loop elements 200f and 200g. The lateral side loop elements 200f and 200g may share at least some common structural parts if desired (e.g., they may be located immediately adjacent one another, optionally sharing a single loop strip that may be split into two halves in the central area by a seam). This example bootie member 202 further includes an additional loop element 202h engaged with or formed in a rear heel portion of the bootie component 202c, e.g., adjacent the ankle opening 202a. The various loop elements 202d through 202h may be engaged with the fabric material of the base bootie component 202c and/or the footbed 202b (e.g., at a junction of these components), or they may be integrally formed in or as part of one of these components (e.g., as part of a knitting or weaving step used to produce the components, cut into the components as a slit or covered channel, etc.).
The loop elements 202d through 202h of this illustrated example function in a manner akin to a conventional belt loop (i.e., the strap member 200 is fed through the open space defined between the loop element and the bootie member part(s) to which it is attached). Furthermore, in this illustrated example, each of the first, second, third, and fourth loop elements 202d through 202g are oriented to extend substantially along a longitudinal direction of the bootie member 202 (e.g., generally in a toe-to-heel center line direction) so as to define strap receiving openings oriented in a direction offset from the longitudinal direction. In the illustrated example, the strap receiving openings defined by loop elements 202d through 202g are oriented so as to hold the strap member 200 in place as the strap portions extend over an edge of the bootie member 200 (e.g., from the plantar surface to the top or side surfaces or from the top or side surfaces to the plantar surface). Loop elements may be provided at other or different locations as well.
The construction of
In this illustrated example, the portions of the strap system 200 that extend beneath the plantar support surface area of the shoe 300 extend through a channel defined between the upper 302 and a midsole element 304a of the shoe sole 304. If desired, one or more portions of the strap system 200 may extend beneath at least a portion of a midsole layer without departing from this invention (e.g., between midsole layers, between a midsole layer and an outsole layer, etc.). Appropriate strap element guides (e.g., like the loop members described above) may be provided at appropriate locations to help maintain the strap portions at their desired positions.
If desired, the strap member(s) may engage around the upper 302 on rollers or other surfaces or structures (e.g., smooth, rounded edges) so as to produce non-abrasive contact and/or a low coefficient of friction for movement of the strap member(s) with respect to other shoe structures in a free floating manner, as described above. As another potential option, if desired, portions of the strap system 200 may extend below the outsole member, e.g., in the arch area.
The bootie element 402 further may include loop elements of the types described above, or other appropriate structures to help keep the strap member 400 properly located with respect to the bootie element 402. The loop elements or other strap retaining mechanisms may be of the same constructions and/or at the same positions as described above in conjunction with
While similar to strap system 200 as described above, this example strap system 400 includes two additional strap portions or components. More specifically, as shown in
The additional strap portions 404 and 408 form a portion of a “heel lock” type structure so that the overall strap system 400 provides lateral containment as well as kinematic conformance. While this example strap system 400 has fixed attachment (beneath the plantar surface) of strap portions 404 and 408, the remainder of the strap system 400 remains free to move around the foot in other areas in order to provide the foot conformance features discussed above. This strap system 400, when used during a cutting motion (e.g., in a basketball, football, soccer, or other type of athletic shoe), provides both rearfoot and forefoot stability during the beginning of the cut and conformance to the arch and forefoot during the push-off phase of the cut.
If desired, rather than being sewn to other portions of the strap system 400, the tops of the strap portions 404 and 408 may form a loop or include another structure through which the lateral and medial ankle portions of strap member 400 extend.
Also, if desired, some or all portions of the bootie member 402 exterior may be covered by another material, such as a thermoplastic polyurethane, a synthetic leather, natural leather, a plastic component, a rubber component, or the like, e.g., to increase the durability, abrasion resistance, and wear resistance of the overall footwear construction (or at least portions thereof). This is shown in
Footwear conformance to the arch area during plantar flexion can be accomplished in other ways without departing from this invention. For example, rather than using a completely free-floating strap system, like systems 200 and 400 described above, some example strap systems in accordance with this invention may have some portion(s) fixed to the upper (optionally to a bootie member that forms at least a portion of an upper).
The strap member(s) 600a and 600b may be made from any desired materials or with any desired constructions or specifications without departing from this invention. In the illustrated example, the strap members 600a and 600b are made from a strong, flexible fabric material, formed into an elongated strip of material (e.g., having a much greater length and width dimension than its thickness dimension), optionally about 0.5 inches to 1.5 inches wide (and in some examples, about 0.75 or 1 inch wide). The material may be stretchable (e.g., elastic), somewhat stretchable, or unstretchable (inelastic). If desired, the strap member(s) 600a and 600b may include one or more wires, cables, fibers, or other stretch resistance components engaged or included with them to, at least in part, impart the unstretchability features.
One end of each of strap members 600a and 600b is fixed to an underside of the bootie element 602, e.g., by stitching or sewing, or other desired fixed connection mechanisms. As shown in
The junction between the strap members 600a and 600b in this example provides a tensioning system to enable the wearer to apply a force to tighten the straps (by shortening the length of the overall continuous path traversed by the strap members 600a and 600b). While any desired type of tensioning or force applying structures may be used without departing from this invention, in the illustrated example, the free end of strap member 600b includes a tensioning ring 606b, and the free end of strap member 600a includes a securing mechanism, which in this illustrated example constitutes a portion of a hook-and-loop fastener element 608. The mating portion of the hook-and-loop fastener element 608 may be provided at another desired location on the overall bootie or shoe construction, such as on an exposed surface of strap 600a, on a surface of the bootie member 602, on another portion of an upper including the strap system 600, on another portion of the overall shoe (or other foot-receiving device) structure including the strap system 600, etc.
Other tensioning or force applying structures and/or securing mechanisms may be used without departing from this invention, including, for example, a buckle type structure, a clamp type structure, a rotary “take up” mechanism used to roll in excess strap, a ratchet mechanism, a cable tie type securing mechanism, buttons, snaps, etc.
The overall “continuous path” of this example strap system 600 will be described in more detail. As shown in
While not shown in
As noted above, the specific strap system 600 example of
A means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path may be provided at any desired location(s) along the path. As noted above, such means may include tensioning elements and hook-and-loop type fasteners, buckle type structures, clamp type structures, rotary “take up” mechanisms used to roll in excess strap, ratchet mechanisms, cable tie type securing mechanisms, buttons, snaps, etc. In the illustrated embodiment, the means for applying force are provided between the fifth strap portion 600h and the sixth strap portion 600i. Other options also are possible. For example, the junction between the separate strap members could be provided along the medial side of the bootie element 602 (and include tensioning elements and/or other means for applying force at that location). As another example, if desired, separate strap members may be joined at the rear heel area (e.g., within strap portion 600g), and an appropriate means for applying force may be provided (e.g., a rotary “take up” mechanism, a ratchet mechanism, etc.). As yet additional examples, separate strap members may be joined at the location in the instep area where the strap portions cross and/or in the top forefoot area (e.g., joined by an appropriate means for applying force). Other options for joining independent strap members and or positioning devices for applying a force may be used without departing from this invention.
The locations of and the dividing lines between the various strap portions discussed above and shown by the broken lines in
The strap system structure 600 of
The strap system 600 construction of
All of the above example structures according to this invention describe strap systems that help the article of footwear conform to changing foot volume/length during plantar flexion. In other examples, strap systems can be arranged so that the strap(s) tighten when the foot moves from plantar flexion to dorsiflexion. Such strap systems could be exploited in footwear (or other foot-receiving devices) used for sports in which the plantar flexed position of the foot is optimal, such as for sprinting.
The strap member(s) 700a may be made from any desired materials or with any desired constructions or specifications without departing from this invention, including the various constructions and materials described above. Also as described above, the strap material may be stretchable (e.g., elastic), somewhat stretchable, or unstretchable (inelastic), and the strap member(s) 700a may include one or more wires, cables, fibers, or other stretch resistant components engaged with or incorporated into them to, at least in part, impart the unstretchability features.
The junction between the free ends of strap member 700a in this example provides a tensioning element to enable the wearer to apply a force to tighten the strap (by shortening the length of the overall continuous path traversed by the strap 700a). Any desired type of tensioning or force applying structures may be used without departing from this invention, including any of the various types described above (a hook-and-loop fastener system in shown in these figures).
As shown in
This strap system 700 crosses itself at various locations over the course of its path. As shown in
The bootie element 702 may be incorporated into an upper for an article of footwear or other foot-receiving device. The bootie element 702 may include a stretchable fabric material around at least a portion of the ankle opening so as to better accommodate insertion of a wearer's foot while still maintaining a good, snug overall fit for the wearer. Alternatively, if desired, the bootie element 702 could be omitted and the strap system 700 could be directly attached to other components of a footwear upper and/or sole structure (e.g., as shown in
The bootie element 702 (or other portions of the footwear or foot-receiving device structure) may include one or more loop elements 714 or other strap securing element(s) to engage and/or guide the strap member 700a (e.g., like loop elements 202d through 202h described above). Also, while not shown in
A means for applying a force to the one or more strap members so as to shorten a length of the continuous path may be provided at any desired location(s) along the path of strap system 700 shown in
The locations of and the dividing lines between the various strap portions described above and shown by the broken lines in
As noted above, the strap system 700 of this example structure crosses at three different locations over the course of the continuous path. In use, the strap system 700 may be initially tightened and secured with the foot in the plantar flexed position. Then, as the user runs (e.g., sprints), the strap system 700 remains tight or tightens as the foot moves from a plantar flexed position as shown in
The strap system 700 construction of
In the example structure illustrated in
Of course, many modifications to the strap systems, bootie members, upper members, articles of footwear, and/or other foot-receiving devices, as well as to the methods for making these structures, may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the joints or junctions between strap members or portions may be provided at a variety of different locations without departing from this invention, and/or other structural elements may be provided and/or modified in the structure without departing from the invention. Therefore, while the invention has been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the invention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the above described structures and methods. Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.
This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/431,115 filed Mar. 27, 2012 and entitled “Strap Systems for Articles of Footwear and Other Foot-Receiving Devices,” which application is entirely incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20170143078 A1 | May 2017 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 13431115 | Mar 2012 | US |
| Child | 15425072 | US |
