Shoe with elastic closure system
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorsTinker L. Hatfield, William M. Dieter
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a shoe having an upper and a sole including an elastic closure and fit system for securing and fitting a shoe to a foot. Elastic material is secured along the base of the upper on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe. A plurality of straps are separately and independently attached at their lower end to the elastic material. The straps are made of a substantially inelastic material. Lace openings are positioned at the upper ends of the straps and a lace is disposed in the openings. As the lace is drawn, the straps are tightened about the foot to place under tension the elastic material disposed along the medial and lateral sides of the foot.
Claims32
A shoe having a closure system for securing and fitting the shoe to a foot, comprising:
- an upper for surrounding the foot, the upper including an inner portion:
- a sole;
- elastic material having an upper edge and a lower edge, said lower edge being secured along the base of the upper on the medial and lateral sides and the upper edge being separate and disconnected from the upper;
- a plurality of straps separately attached adjacent a lower end thereof to said elastic material, said straps made of a substantially inelastic material;
- closure means, disposed at the upper ends of said straps, for drawing the straps about the foot to place said elastic material disposed along said medial and lateral sides under tension independently of the tension in the inner portion of the upper;
- and
- a rearward strap in addition to said plurality of straps, said rearward strap disposed rearward of said plurality of straps and having an upper end and a lower end, said rearward strap lower end secured along the base of the upper and said elastic material attached to said rearward strap at a point in between said upper and lower ends.
A shoe comprising:
- a sole;
- an upper attached to the top of said sole;
- a first portion of elastic material disposed along one side of the shoe and having a lower end and an upper end, said first portion lower end secured adjacent the top of said sole and said first portion upper end remaining separate and free from said upper;
- a first plurality of straps each having a lower end and an upper end, each said strap lower end separately attached to said first portion upper end, each said strap made of a substantially inelastic material;
- closure means, disposed on said upper ends of said straps, for drawing the straps upwards to place under tension said first portion of elastic material;
- and
- a rearward strap in addition to said first plurality of straps, said rearward strap disposed rearward of said first plurality of straps and having an upper end and a lower end, said rearward strap lower end secured adjacent the top of said sole and said first portion of elastic material attached to said rearward strap at a point in between said upper and lower ends.
A shoe having a closure system for securing the shoe to a foot, comprising:
- an upper;
- a sole;
- a medial portion of elastic material disposed on the medial side of the shoe and secured along the base of the upper;
- a lateral portion of elastic material disposed on the lateral side of the shoe and secured along the base of the upper;
- a first plurality of straps each having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end secured to said medial portion of elastic material, said first plurality of straps made of a substantially inelastic material;
- a second plurality of straps each having a lower end and an upper end, said lower end secured to said lateral portion of elastic material, said second plurality of straps made of a substantially inelastic material;
- a rearward strap in addition to said first and second plurality of straps, said rearward strap disposed rearward of said first and second plurality of straps and having an upper end and a lower end, said rearward strap lower end secured along the base of the upper and one of said medial and lateral portions of elastic material attached to said rearward strap at a point in between said upper and lower ends, and
- closure means, attached to the upper ends of said first and second plurality of straps, for tightening the straps around the foot.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.