US20040168356A1 - Lacing system methods and apparatuses - Google Patents
Lacing system methods and apparatuses Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20040168356A1 US20040168356A1 US10/376,954 US37695403A US2004168356A1 US 20040168356 A1 US20040168356 A1 US 20040168356A1 US 37695403 A US37695403 A US 37695403A US 2004168356 A1 US2004168356 A1 US 2004168356A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- lace
- lock
- rest
- pull
- article according
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims description 7
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 210000003423 ankle Anatomy 0.000 abstract 1
- 210000002683 foot Anatomy 0.000 abstract 1
- 241000156961 Coenonympha Species 0.000 description 1
- 230000000881 depressing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C7/00—Holding-devices for laces
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
- A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
- A43C11/008—Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening
Definitions
- the present invention relates to lacing systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatuses allowing footwear to be laced and unlaced.
- an article of footwear having a lacing system is provided.
- the article of footwear includes a foot section having opposing sides and a cuff section. At least one lace is woven between the opposing sides.
- a pull having at least one lace lock is couple to the cuff section such that when the at least one lace lock can be positioned in a tightened position.
- FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of an in-line skate consistent with the present invention
- FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the laces associated with the in-line skate of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows a side view of the cuff section and pull of the in-line skate of FIG. 1
- FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lace lock consistent with the present invention
- FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the lace lock of FIG. 4
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of lacing an article of footwear consistent with the present invention.
- FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative lace locking system consistent with the present invention.
- FIG. 1 an in-line skate 1 is shown. While the present invention will be described with reference to in-line skates, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize on reading the disclosure that the present invention could be used in a variety of footwear, such as, ice skates, hiking boots, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, sneakers, biking shoes, and the like. Further, while shown with regard to conventional footwear, the present invention could also be used with footwear having adjustable sizes, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,219, titled ADJUSTABLE FIT IN-LINE SKATE, issued on Oct. 29, 2002, U.S. Pat. No.
- In-line skate 1 includes a boot portion 2 and a frame portion 3 .
- Frame portion 3 conventional includes, not labeled as the parts are conventional, a wheel chassis, which typically includes an inverted “U” shape section to hold a plurality of wheels, a longitudinal surface to attach boot portion 2 to frame portion 3 . While not shown, frame portion 3 may also include a conventional in-line skate brake.
- Boot portion 2 generally includes foot section 4 and a cuff section 5 .
- a liner 6 may line the inside of boot portion 2 .
- Foot section 4 has a lace system 7 , which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.
- Lace system 7 includes lace guides 8 and lace 9 .
- Lace guides 8 can be clamp style guides as shown, loops, ringlets, or the like. Lace guides 8 allow lace 9 to be woven between opposing sides 10 of foot section 4 such that tightening lace 9 causes opposing sides 10 of foot section 4 to fit snuggly around a foot of a user.
- lace guides 8 provide a lace path for lace 9 such that the lace wraps around cuff portion 5 and attaches to a pull 11 .
- a possible pull 11 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Attaching lace 9 to pull 11 allows for locking lace 9 so opposing sides 10 can be in a snug position around the foot of a user. While conventionally lace 9 has a first end and a second end (not shown or labeled) to facilitate tying lace 9 , the present invention is such that a continuous loop lace could be used.
- Pull 11 can be seen in more detail.
- Pull 11 includes a lace lock 13 and a rest 12 .
- Rest 12 is attached to the cuff section 5 .
- lace lock 13 is releasably coupled to rest 12 .
- Lace lock 13 has a release button 14 . Depressing release button 14 will reduce the friction holding lace 9 in the tightened position.
- Use of the lace lock 13 will be explained with respect to flowchart 600 below.
- FIG. 4 a rear view of lace lock 13 is shown.
- lace lock 13 can have one or more horizontal extension 13 h and one or more vertical extensions 13 v .
- lace lock 13 is largely a matter of design choice, but at least one horizontal extension 13 h and at least one vertical extension 13 v makes it easier to pull pull 11 into a tightened position. Once in the tightened position, rest 11 (or cradle lock) can hold lace lock 13 with lace 9 locked in the tightened position.
- FIG. 5 a cross sectional view of lace lock 13 is shown. As shown if FIG. 5, lace lock 13 has a lace through hole (not shown or labeled). Release 14 has a release through hole 15 and a bias 16 , such as a spring. In the lock position, bias 16 exerts a force on release 14 such that hole 15 pinches lace 9 (not shown in FIG.
- FIG. 6 shows a flowchart 600 representative of a first tightening of in-line skate 1 using the present invention.
- lace 9 is tightened, step 602 .
- lace lock 13 is attached to lace lock 13 to lock lace 9 , step 604 .
- lace lock 13 is releasably connected to rest 12 such that pull 11 is in the tightened position.
- lace lock 13 is treaded or slid down lace 9 until pull 11 achieves the tightened position using a releasable connection.
- FIG. 7 shows an alternative pull 17 .
- Alternative pull 17 has rest 12 and lace lock 13 .
- Lace lock 13 is pivotally connected to rest 12 by pivot 18 and extension 19 .
Landscapes
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to lacing systems and, more particularly, to methods and apparatuses allowing footwear to be laced and unlaced.
- Generally speaking, the prior art teaches many different lace systems for footwear. Most conventional lace systems, however, require a tightening of the laces for use and a loosening of the laces for removal of the footwear. Commonly, pulling and tying the laces of the footwear accomplish the tightening and loosening. Some footwear, however, include lace locks that replace the tying part of the system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,192,559, issued on Feb. 27, 2001, incorporated herein by reference, describes some conventional shoelace fastening apparatuses.
- While a variety of devices have been developed for lacing systems, most are overly complex or require adept manual dexterity. Further, most lacing systems eliminate the need to tie the laces, but still require that the laces tightened and loosened manually. Also, removing the footwear requires releasing the laces from the lace locks.
- Thus, it would be desirous to provide an improved lacing system.
- To attain the advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, an article of footwear having a lacing system is provided. The article of footwear includes a foot section having opposing sides and a cuff section. At least one lace is woven between the opposing sides. A pull having at least one lace lock is couple to the cuff section such that when the at least one lace lock can be positioned in a tightened position.
- The foregoing and other features, utilities and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in the accompanying drawings,
- The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles thereof. Like items in the drawings are referred to using the same numerical reference.
- FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of an in-line skate consistent with the present invention;
- FIG. 2 shows a front perspective view of the laces associated with the in-line skate of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 shows a side view of the cuff section and pull of the in-line skate of FIG. 1
- FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a lace lock consistent with the present invention;
- FIG. 5 shows a cross sectional view of the lace lock of FIG. 4;
- FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a method of lacing an article of footwear consistent with the present invention; and
- FIG. 7 is a side view of an alternative lace locking system consistent with the present invention.
- The present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-7. Referring to FIG. 1, an in-
line skate 1 is shown. While the present invention will be described with reference to in-line skates, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize on reading the disclosure that the present invention could be used in a variety of footwear, such as, ice skates, hiking boots, tennis shoes, basketball shoes, sneakers, biking shoes, and the like. Further, while shown with regard to conventional footwear, the present invention could also be used with footwear having adjustable sizes, such as, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,471,219, titled ADJUSTABLE FIT IN-LINE SKATE, issued on Oct. 29, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,402,163, titled, ADJUSTING THE SIZE OF A LINED SPORT BOOT, issued on Jun. 11, 2002, U.S. Pat. No. 6,374,516, titled BOOT WITH AN ADJUSTABLE LENGTH UPPER ADAPTED FOR SKATING, issued Apr. 23, 2002, and the like, all incorporated by reference. - In-
line skate 1 includes a boot portion 2 and a frame portion 3. Frame portion 3 conventional includes, not labeled as the parts are conventional, a wheel chassis, which typically includes an inverted “U” shape section to hold a plurality of wheels, a longitudinal surface to attach boot portion 2 to frame portion 3. While not shown, frame portion 3 may also include a conventional in-line skate brake. - Boot portion2 generally includes
foot section 4 and acuff section 5. Aliner 6 may line the inside of boot portion 2.Foot section 4 has alace system 7, which is shown in more detail in FIG. 2.Lace system 7 includeslace guides 8 and lace 9.Lace guides 8 can be clamp style guides as shown, loops, ringlets, or the like.Lace guides 8 allow lace 9 to be woven betweenopposing sides 10 offoot section 4 such that tightening lace 9 causesopposing sides 10 offoot section 4 to fit snuggly around a foot of a user. - Referring back to FIG. 1, unlike conventional in-line skates,
lace guides 8 provide a lace path for lace 9 such that the lace wraps aroundcuff portion 5 and attaches to a pull 11. A possible pull 11 is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Attaching lace 9 to pull 11 allows for locking lace 9 soopposing sides 10 can be in a snug position around the foot of a user. While conventionally lace 9 has a first end and a second end (not shown or labeled) to facilitate tying lace 9, the present invention is such that a continuous loop lace could be used. - Referring now to FIG. 3, pull11 can be seen in more detail. Pull 11 includes a
lace lock 13 and arest 12.Rest 12 is attached to thecuff section 5. As shown,lace lock 13 is releasably coupled torest 12.Lace lock 13 has arelease button 14.Depressing release button 14 will reduce the friction holding lace 9 in the tightened position. Use of thelace lock 13 will be explained with respect toflowchart 600 below. Referring to FIG. 4, a rear view oflace lock 13 is shown. As shown in FIG. 4,lace lock 13 can have one or morehorizontal extension 13 h and one or more vertical extensions 13 v. The configuration or shape oflace lock 13 is largely a matter of design choice, but at least onehorizontal extension 13 h and at least one vertical extension 13 v makes it easier to pull pull 11 into a tightened position. Once in the tightened position, rest 11 (or cradle lock) can holdlace lock 13 with lace 9 locked in the tightened position. Referring now to FIG. 5, a cross sectional view oflace lock 13 is shown. As shown if FIG. 5,lace lock 13 has a lace through hole (not shown or labeled).Release 14 has a release throughhole 15 and abias 16, such as a spring. In the lock position,bias 16 exerts a force onrelease 14 such thathole 15 pinches lace 9 (not shown in FIG. 5) againstlace lock 13 sufficiently such that the friction locks lace 9 in place. Pressingrelease 14 againstbias 16 releases the friction such thatlace lock 13 can freely slide up and down lace 9. Of course other releases are possible, with a spring-biased actuator being a cost effective release. - FIG. 6 shows a
flowchart 600 representative of a first tightening of in-line skate 1 using the present invention. First, lace 9 is tightened,step 602. Next lace 9 is attached tolace lock 13 to lock lace 9,step 604. Finally,lace lock 13 is releasably connected to rest 12 such that pull 11 is in the tightened position. As can be seen in this example,lace lock 13 is treaded or slid down lace 9 until pull 11 achieves the tightened position using a releasable connection. FIG. 7 shows an alternative pull 17. Alternative pull 17 hasrest 12 andlace lock 13.Lace lock 13, however, is pivotally connected to rest 12 bypivot 18 andextension 19. Alternative pull 17 is shown in the loosened position. To tighten the footwear, pull 17 would pivotextension 19 upwards to a tightened position. If a pivot style pull were used, step 606 would be pivot pull 17 into the tightened position or the like. Notice, one of skill in the art will now recognize alternative embodiments of the pull and the above two examples should be viewed as illustrative and not limiting. - Once the first tightening is complete, the loosening and re-tightening of in-line skate one is accomplished by releasably detaching
lace lock 13 fromrest 12 to loosen and releasably attachinglace lock 13 to rest 12. Becauselace lock 13 has previously been positioned on lace 9, attachinglace lock 13 to rest 12 automatically and properly tightens the footwear providing a memory lace system of sorts. Of course,release 14 could be actuated to re-positionlace lock 13 on lace 9 as frequently as the user desires. Similarly, alternative pull 17 would be moved from the tightened position to the loosened position by pivoting pull 17. Again providing a memory lace system for the footwear. - While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to some embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various other changes in the form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (19)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/376,954 US20040168356A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Lacing system methods and apparatuses |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/376,954 US20040168356A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Lacing system methods and apparatuses |
Publications (1)
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US20040168356A1 true US20040168356A1 (en) | 2004-09-02 |
Family
ID=32908039
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US10/376,954 Abandoned US20040168356A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 | 2003-02-27 | Lacing system methods and apparatuses |
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US (1) | US20040168356A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040134099A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-07-15 | Adidas International Marketing B. V. | Shoe closure system |
US20090100717A1 (en) * | 2007-10-23 | 2009-04-23 | Salomon S.A.S. | Boot with improved tightening of upper |
US9642418B2 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2017-05-09 | Jennifer Kopcienski | Shoe lace fastener and system |
CN108272172A (en) * | 2018-01-28 | 2018-07-13 | 宁波工程学院 | It helps the disabled the machine of tying the shoelace |
US20210093046A1 (en) * | 2019-10-01 | 2021-04-01 | Nike, Inc. | Zonal dynamic lacing system |
-
2003
- 2003-02-27 US US10/376,954 patent/US20040168356A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20040134099A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2004-07-15 | Adidas International Marketing B. V. | Shoe closure system |
US7065906B2 (en) | 2002-11-25 | 2006-06-27 | Adidas International Marketing B.V. | Shoe closure system |
US20060201031A1 (en) * | 2002-11-25 | 2006-09-14 | Adidas International Marketing B.V. | Shoe closure system |
US7526881B2 (en) | 2002-11-25 | 2009-05-05 | Adidas International Marketing B.V. | Shoe closure system |
US20090100717A1 (en) * | 2007-10-23 | 2009-04-23 | Salomon S.A.S. | Boot with improved tightening of upper |
US9642418B2 (en) | 2013-09-30 | 2017-05-09 | Jennifer Kopcienski | Shoe lace fastener and system |
CN108272172A (en) * | 2018-01-28 | 2018-07-13 | 宁波工程学院 | It helps the disabled the machine of tying the shoelace |
US20210093046A1 (en) * | 2019-10-01 | 2021-04-01 | Nike, Inc. | Zonal dynamic lacing system |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: VARIFLEX, INC., CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:EDLAUER, KEN;REEL/FRAME:014029/0549 Effective date: 20030422 |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRAVO SPORTS ABC LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:VARIFLEX, INC.;REEL/FRAME:064822/0344 Effective date: 20230901 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRAVO HIGHLINE LLC, CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:BRAVO SPORTS ABC LLC;REEL/FRAME:064942/0933 Effective date: 20230911 |
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AS | Assignment |
Owner name: AB LENDING SPV I LLC, D/B/A MOUNTAIN RIDGE CAPITAL, NEW YORK Free format text: SECURITY INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:BRAVO HIGHLINE LLC;BRAVO HIGHLINE MANAGER LLC;BRAVO HIGHLINE OWNER LLC;REEL/FRAME:065029/0931 Effective date: 20230831 |