Apparatus, system, and method for securing a foot in footwear

An apparatus for securing a foot of a wearer in a footwear item, the footwear item having an opening to receive a foot disposed generally opposite to a heel section of the footwear item and a closure configured to secure the opening, the apparatus comprising:

• a footwear item having an opening to receive the foot disposed generally opposite to a heel section of the footwear item and a tongue including opposing lateral sides configured to close the opening;
• at least two pivot, members disposed near the opposing lateral sides of the tongue, each of the pivot members being positioned on the footwear item between the opposing lateral sides of the tongue and the heel section;
• wherein each of the pivot members includes a first pivot slot formed in a surface of the footwear item;
• and
• a securing device including:
• a plurality of end sections, each of the end sections including a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough;
• and
• a removable force member extending from the end sections and configured to curve around the pivot members and engage the tongue such that tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force to be applied against the tongue;
• a retaining mechanism configured to maintain the force member at a predetermined position relative to the tongue;
• wherein the retaining mechanism removably secures the force member at the predetermined position;
• wherein the retaining mechanism includes:
• a positioner disposed on the force member;
• and
• a plurality of limiters disposed on opposing sides of the predetermined position and configured to engage the positioner to secure the force member at the predetermined position.

An apparatus for securing a foot of a wearer, the apparatus comprising:

• a footwear item having an opening to receive a foot disposed generally opposite to a heel section of the footwear item and a tongue including opposing lateral sides configured to secure the opening;
• pivot members proximate to opposing lateral sides of the tongue, each of the pivot members being positioned on footwear item between the opposing sides of the tongue and the heel section;
• and
• a removable securing device including:
• a plurality of end sections, each of the end sections including a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough;
• a force member extending from the end sections and configured to curve around the pivot members and engage the tongue such that tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force to be applied against the tongue;
• and
• a retaining device configured to removably secure the force member to the footwear item;
• wherein the retaining device is configured to maintain the force member at a predetermined position relative to the tongue;
• and
• wherein each of the pivot members is further secured to a securing harness, the securing harness including a heel strap extending between the pivot members beneath the heel and an Achilles strap extending between the pivot members around an Achilles region.

An apparatus for securing a foot of a wearer the apparatus comprising:

• a footwear item having an opening to receive a foot disposed generally opposite to a heel section of the footwear item and a tongue including opposing lateral sides configured to secure the opening;
• pivot members proximate to opposing lateral sides of the tongue, each of the pivot members being positioned on footwear item between the opposing sides of the tongue and the heel section;
• and
• a removable securing device including:
• a plurality of end sections, each of the end sections including a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough;
• a force member extending from the end sections and configured to curve around the pivot members and engage the tongue such that tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force to be applied against the tongue;
• and
• a retaining device configured to removably secure the force member to the footwear item;
• wherein the retaining device includes:
• a positioner disposed on the force member;
• and
• a plurality of limiters disposed on opposing sides of the footwear item and configured to engage the positioner to secure the force member to the footwear item.

A footwear system comprising:

• a boot, the boot including:
• a sole
• an upper joined to the sole and having an inner surface for encasing a foot of a wearer and an outer surface;
• an opening in a face of the upper generally opposed to a heel section of the boot configured to receive a heel of the foot of the wearer the opening having two opposing sides;
• and
• a closure configured to secure the opening;
• and
• at least two pivot members disposed on the opposing sides of the opening, respectively, each of the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the boot between the opposing sides of the opening e and the heel section;
• and
• a removable securing device including:
• a plurality of end sections, each of the end sections including a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough;
• and
• a force member extending from the end sections and configured to curve around the pivot members and engage the closure such that tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the
• wherein each of the pivot members includes at least one first pivot slot formed in a surface of the footwear item.

A footwear system comprising:

• a boot, the boot including:
• a sole;
• an upper joined to the sole and having an inner surface for encasing a foot of a wearer and an outer surface;
• an opening in a face of the upper generally opposed to a heel section of the boot configured to receive a heel of the foot of the wearer the opening having two opposing sides;
• and
• a closure configured to secure the opening;
• and
• at least two pivot members disposed on the opposing sides of the opening, respectively, each of the pivot members being positioned on a surface of the boot between the opposing sides of the opening e and the heel section;
• and
• a removable securing device including:
• a plurality of end sections, each of the end sections including a fastener-receiving opening configured for a fastener to pass therethrough;
• and
• a force member extending from the end sections and configured to curve around the pivot members and engage the closure such that tension applied to the fastener applies force to the end sections resulting in tension in the force member causing a securing force being applied against the closure;
• further comprising a retaining mechanism configured to maintain the force member at a predetermined position relative to a centerline of the closure;
• wherein the retaining mechanism removably secures the force member at the predetermined position;
• wherein the retaining mechanism includes:
• a positioner disposed on the force member;
• and
• a plurality of limiters disposed on opposing sides of the predetermined position and configured to engage the positioner to secure the force member at the predetermined position.