# US 4,394,803 A · Elasticized overlay

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- Number: US 4,394,803 A
- Document ID: US4394803A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/272,284
- Filed: 1981-06-10
- Granted: 1983-07-26
- Earliest claimed: 1981-06-10
- Assignees: Polsam, Inc.
- Inventors: Samuel A. Goldstein
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4394803A

## CPC

- A43C 11/008: {Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening}
- A43C 7/02: Flaps; Pockets
- A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL

## Abstract

The elasticized overlay is particularly adaptable for use in an athletic type shoe which includes a tongue and a modified blucher construction. The modified blucher is fabricated without eyelets and receives thereover the elasticized overlay. An elasticized fabric together with suitable attaching strips is affixed to the shoe along one edge to form the elasticized blucher overlay. The elasticized fabric extends substantially the entire length of the blucher construction and has the free edge provided with a plurality of spaced eyelets to accommodate an eyelet lacing system. The blucher and tongue can be padded with a foam lining to shield the wearer's foot from pressures developed in the elasticized fabric and imposed at the laces.

## Claims

### Claim 1

In a shoe having an upper of the blucher construction type adapted to be secured to the foot of the wearer by a shoe lace, the combination of
a modified blucher construction, said modified blucher construction having no lacing openings therethrough, the blucher construction defining a longitudinal blucher opening therebetween;
a blucher overlay assembly means affixed to the blucher construction and defining an overlay opening in registry above the blucher opening,
said blucher overlay assembly means comprising an elasticized fabric and a plurality of eyelets therein for receiving portions of the lace therethrough,
the fabric having a connected longitudinal edge and a free longitudinal edge, the connected edge being secured to the modified blucher construction and the eyelets being secured in the said free edge,
whereby the fabric can be tensioned by the shoe lace.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein the elasticized fabric has elasticity in a direction toward and away from the said eyelets.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The shoe construction of claim 2 wherein the elasticized fabric has no elasticity in a direction substantially at right angles to a direction toward or away from the eyelets.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The shoe construction of claim 1 wherein the blucher overlay assembly means is not affixed to the modified blucher along the said free longitudinal edge of the elasticized fabric.

### Claim 5

In a shoe having an upper of the blucher construction type adapted to be secured to the foot of the wearer by a shoe lace, the combination of
a modified blucher construction, said modified blucher construction having no lacing openings therethrough; and
a blucher overlay assembly means affixed to the blucher construction,
said blucher overlay assembly means comprising an elasticized fabric and a plurality of eyelets therethrough for receiving portions of the lace therein,
the elasticized fabric being generally rectangular in configuration and comprising a top longitudinal edge, a bottom longitudinal edge, a left transverse edge and a right transverse edge,
the blucher overlay assembly means being affixed to the modified blucher along the said bottom longitudinal edge,
the blucher overlay means being additionally affixed to the modified blucher along portions of the said left transverse elasticized fabric edge.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The shoe construction of claim 5 wherein the blucher overlay assembly means is affixed to the modified blucher along portions of the right transverse elasticized fabric edge.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

The shoe construction of claim 5 wherein the affixed portion of the left transverse edge adjoins the affixed fabric bottom longitudinal edge.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

The shoe construction of claim 5 wherein the affixed portion of the right transverse edge adjoins the affixed fabric bottom longitudinal edge.

### Claim 9 (depends on 5)

The shoe construction of claim 5 wherein the top longitudinal edge of the said blucher overlay assembly means is adapted to be pivotal relative to the modified blucher construction to facilitate lacing.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The shoe construction of claim 9 wherein the top longitudinal edge is adapted for transverse movement relative to the longitudinal axis of the shoe in response to pulling forces generated by the tightness of the shoe lacing.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The shoe construction of claim 1 and padding affixed to the modified blucher construction the padding being interposed between the shoe lace and the foot of the wearer.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The shoe construction of claim 11 and a tongue interposed between the padding and the foot of the wearer.