EP0813824A1 - Sportsshoe - Google Patents

Abstract

The boot has a front longitudinal opening (3) in the upper which is closed by laces. The upper has a transversal cut-out (13) from the sole to the opening. A mobile flap (10), which is the same width as the cut-out, covers the cut-out and has eyelets (25) at the top that the laces are threaded through. A thin flexible plate (18), made in relatively strong material such as plastics material, closes the cut-out from the inside of the boot. It is held in place by the laces that are threaded through eyelets (22,23) at the top.

Description

The present invention relates to a sports shoe in which the tightening and foot protection functions are carried out by the use of a tightening device cooperating with at least one movable flap external to the upper and intended to be applied against the latter.

The known sports shoes of this type such as those described in the patents GB 363 008, FR 569 694, FR 2 694 167 and GB 1 545 475 have their upper generally provided with an anterior longitudinal opening on the top and are adjustable on the foot by bringing the edges of the opening, that is to say the sides of the rod, by means of a clamping device capable of implementing at least one movable flap. As taught, the and / or the movable flaps extend freely on the corresponding flanks of the upper from a fastening zone remote from the anterior longitudinal opening, and located at the sole of the shoe. . Thanks to these various arrangements, when a tightening action is exerted on a movable flap, the latter is pressed against the corresponding flank of the rod and thus urges it to tighten in the direction of the foot, which consequently brings the edges of the the anterior longitudinal opening of the rod. Also, due to this same tightening action on a movable flap, the wall of the shoe is provided with a double thickness at the location of the flap because it is constituted by the wall of the side of the upper and that of the overlapping pane. The wall of the shoe thus has, at the location of each movable flap, an increased resistance significantly improving the protection of the foot relative to the outside, in particular against impact.

Still, the implementation of a movable flap also makes it possible, and selectively according to the zone of the rod where it extends, to distribute a large part of the tightening stresses on the latter instead of being essentially and globally on the upper as is the case in classic shoes where the lacing exerts a direct pulling action on the latter. Indeed, these shoes with at least one movable flap ensure good protection and tightening of the foot without direct pulling action on the upper at the location of and / or the movable flaps since it is the latter which are subject to the clamping device. However, they have certain drawbacks, particularly relating to the metering of the clamping force on the foot and rapid wear and deterioration problems. In fact, in this type of shoe, the friction and the deformations which occur between the wall of the upper and the and / or the movable flaps absorb part of the tightening force restored by the upper on the foot.

This drawback is all the more noticeable since at least one of the rod and of the flap is made of a material having a high modulus such as leather as is generally the case. Furthermore, owing to the fact that the movable flaps of these shoes are placed in excess thickness on the wall of the side of the upper, they consequently constitute projecting parts very exposed to the elements and external aggressions, can be hung, torn, or even torn off, therefore susceptible to premature wear in relation to the shoe as a whole.

The present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks of the aforementioned shoes and in particular proposes a tightening device cooperating with a movable flap making it possible to transmit almost integrally the clamping force applied to it in the direction of the upper and therefore of the foot and having no projecting part on the side of the upper of the shoe.

Another object is to maintain at the location of the movable flap, a tightening function which is independent of the upper, that is to say without direct action on the latter, and which refers more relative to the sole thanks to the location of the flap attachment area close to the latter.

The invention also aims to reduce the friction that occurs between the movable flap and the rod in order to optimize the performance of the clamping device.

Yet another object is to provide a tightening assembly which can constitute a standard tightening model for a certain number of shoe sizes.

To achieve these goals, the shoe has a sole on which is mounted a rod provided with a front longitudinal opening on the top, the rod being adjustable on the foot by bringing the edges of the longitudinal opening together by means of a device for tightening using at least one movable flap which extends freely on the side of the upper from a fastening zone located at the level of the sole, and is characterized by the fact that the upper has on the side where is located the movable flap, a transverse cut of width at least greater than that of said flap and which goes from the sole to the anterior longitudinal opening where it opens. This transverse cut is closed from inside the rod by a thin flexible plate obtained from a relatively resistant material, such as plastic for example. Thanks to these characteristics, the movable flap is housed in the transverse cut by applying to the thin flexible plate during a clamping action exerted on it by the clamping device and therefore no longer constitutes a projecting part on the side of the upper susceptible to premature wear with respect to the shoe as a whole.

Advantageously, the movable flap is obtained like the thin flexible plate, made of a plastic material in order to reduce on the one hand, the friction which occurs between it and the wall of the rod in correspondence, that is to say the flexible plate, and on the other hand, the risks of deformation, such as folds which could occur due to external tightening; consequently, the upper of the shoe lends itself better to tightening because the tightening force applied to the tightening device is almost entirely restored by the upper on the foot and the resistance of the wall of the upper with respect to the exterior is preserved thanks to the use of plastic material for the flexible plate.

The shoe thus designed retains the advantages of known shoes comprising a tightening device implementing a movable flap as described above without having the disadvantages, in particular those relating to the dosage of the tightening force on the foot and to the deterioration of the movable flap.

Preferably, the transverse cutout and the movable flap are located between the toe and the rear of the shoe, substantially in correspondence with the instep area so that the tightening is more effective and in particular that it returns the heel. of the wearer in the casing of the rear of the shoe.

According to one characteristic, the thin flexible plate and the movable flap each comprise a fixing lug directed towards the side of the sole of the shoe which lug is intended to allow their mounting in engagement with the sole, at the level of the latter. Preferably, their mounting in socket with the sole is made on the first assembly. Thus, when the movable flap is implemented by the tightening device, the tightening effect transmitted by the flap on the upper is felt on the foot from the level of the sole and gradually up to the neck. -foot.

It is obvious that the plastic materials used for the movable flap and the thin flexible plate are provided to be compatible with that constituting the sole when their assembly is carried out by a common bonding process.

According to another characteristic, the thin flexible plate has on the one hand, side edges which extend under the edges which delimit the transverse cut and which are intended to allow its fixing by any known means, such as stitching, gluing. ..etc, and on the other hand, an upper border which constitutes at least a portion of the corresponding edge of the anterior longitudinal opening of the rod. Preferably, this upper edge of the flexible plate is extended on either side of the transverse opening and comprises, outside the area occupied by the movable flap, at least one pass through the eyelet for a lacing link of the device. Clamping. One embodiment consists in particular in making a flexible plate with an upper edge which, extending over the entire length of the anterior longitudinal opening, constitutes one of the edges of the latter. In such a construction case, the upper edge of the flexible plate is provided with several loops or eyelets, in particular on the side of the toe of the shoe and in the upper area at the instep, commonly called the area of the flexion fold. . By these provisions, local overvoltages are avoided because the tightening stresses which are exerted on the passers-by or eyelets carried by the flexible plate and by the movable flap are distributed over a large extent of the corresponding flank of the shoe upper, in particular along the seams of the collages, ... etc, and of the zone of assembly and attachment at the level of the sole.

According to one embodiment, the thin flexible plate comprises at least one bead which follows at least the contour of the edges which delimit the transverse cut, this bead interposed between the respective edges of the transverse cut and the movable flap and having a height substantially corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the rod at the location of the transverse cut and to the thickness of the wall of the movable flap.

According to a preferred embodiment, a tightening device implementing at least one movable flap on a transverse cut closed by a thin flexible plate, as described above, is located on each side of the upper of the shoe. Thus, the shoe has an overall structure consisting of three parts, that is to say a toe which covers the forefoot, a rear which fits the heel, and a tightening assembly which, interposed between the toe and the 'rear ensures the assembly of the entire rod. It follows from such a structure that it suffices to vary the size of the toe and the back of the shoe, and of the sole obviously, to cover several sizes without the need to change the size of the whole. Clamping. The tightening assembly can therefore constitute a standard tightening model for a certain number of shoe sizes.

Still according to this previous structure, it is very advantageous to obtain the two thin flexible plates in one piece with a flat and elongated part, of contour substantially corresponding to that of the base, which constitutes "the first assembly". This flat and elongated part can obviously have, on at least a portion of its contour, a lateral reinforcing rim for the upper, possibly forming the buttress when this rim is placed in the heel area. In such a configuration, an extremely effective tightening assembly is obtained because there is a real synergy and / or interaction between it and the "first assembly" part which is, in fact, the "floor" of the shoe. .

It goes without saying that the shoe can also be produced with a single thin flexible plate obtained in one piece with the part constituting the first assembly.

The invention will moreover be better understood by referring to the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawings illustrating, by way of example, an embodiment of a shoe comprising it.

Figure 1 shows, in perspective view, the shoe with a tightening device with a movable flap on each side of the upper in the closed position.

Figure 2 shows illustrates, in partial exploded view, the shoe of Figure 1 with some of its characteristics.

Figure 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of the shoe of Figure 1 showing a construction detail.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of the shoe of Figure 1, along the line IV-IV, illustrating a movable flap in the pressed position against the corresponding side of the rod and a movable flap in the separated position.

FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment of a characteristic element of the invention.

The shoe shown by way of example in FIG. 1 is of the so-called "multi-activity" type and comprises, in known manner, an outer sole 1 on which is mounted a rod 2 having an end 11 which covers the forefoot and a rear 12 which fits the heel. The rod 2 is provided with a front longitudinal opening 3 on the top, delimited by edges 4 and 5 which form the upper end of the sides 6 and 7 of the rod 2. This opening 3 is intended to allow the passage of the foot of the wearer, not shown, during putting on and taking off and allowing the rod 2 to be adjusted on the foot by bringing its edges 4 and 5 together by means of a tightening device 8, with lace 9 and eyelets 22, 23, 24, 25, implementing on each of the sides 6 and 7 a movable flap 10. Each movable flap 10 extends freely on the corresponding side 6, 7 of the rod 2 from a mounting area 41 located at the level of the sole 1, that is to say remote from the longitudinal opening 3. Thus, when the flap 10 is subjected to a tightening action of the tightening device 8 with lace 9 to which it is connected by intermediate of its eyelets 25, it is pressed against the side 6, 7 causing the tightening of this rnier in the direction of the foot, and this without exerting a direct pulling action on the rod 2.

According to one characteristic, more particularly visible in FIG. 2, the rod 2 comprises, on each flank 6, 7, and facing each movable flap 10, a transverse cut 13 closed from inside the rod 2 by a thin flexible plate 18. The edges 14 and 15 of this transverse cut 13, are spaced apart by a width A at least greater than that A ′ of the lateral edges 16 and 17 of the movable flap 10 so that during the action tightening on the flap 10 it fits in the cutout 13 and comes flush with the external surface of the rod 2 while tightening the sidewall 6, 7, of the latter by pressing against the flexible plate 18 placed below, as shown in detail in FIG. 3.

The thin flexible plate 18 is obtained, like the flap 10, in a relatively resistant material such as plastic, and its lateral edges 19, 20, extend under the edges 14 and 15 of the cutout 13 in order to allow its fixing by any known means such as by gluing, stitching, ... etc. Advantageously, the upper edge 21 of each flexible plate 18 is extended on either side of the edges 14 and 15 of the transverse cut 13 and constitutes almost all of the corresponding edge 4 or 5 of the longitudinal opening 3 so that loops or eyelets 22, 23 and / or 24, can be attached and fixed on it. Thus, local overvoltages on the rod 2 are avoided because the tightening stresses which are exerted on the loops or eyelets 22, 23 and / or 24, are distributed from the flexible plate 18 over a large extent of the corresponding flank 6 , 7 of rod 2, along the seams, collages, ... etc.

By way of example, in the present illustrated embodiment , the upper edge 21 of the flexible plate 18 is notably provided with a pass 22 located on one side of the end 11 of the rod 2 and a pass 23 located rearward 12 in the area of the bend fold indicated by the reference 28, that is to say above the instep. Preferably, the transverse cut 13 extends from the sole 1 to the longitudinal opening 3, as illustrated in FIG. 2, so that the flexible plate 18 as well as the movable flap 10 can be mounted, 41, in engagement with the sole 1 and at its level for example by means of a fixing lug 26, 27 respectively. Preferably the thin flexible plate 18 and the movable flap 10 are mounted on the "first assembly" 42. By these provisions, when the clamping device 8 implements the movable flap 10, the clamping effect is felt on the foot from the level of the sole 1 which serves as a reference. By these same provisions, the upper 2 of the shoe is in fact divided into three distinct parts, that is to say a shoe end part 11, a rear part 12 and an intermediate part consisting of a "tightening assembly "on each side 6, 7, this assembly comprising the cutout 13, the plate 18 and the movable flap 10.

It therefore suffices to vary the size of the toe 11 and / or the rear 12 of the upper 2, and of the sole 1, to cover several sizes with a single tightening assembly.

For a question of clamping efficiency, each transverse cut 13 is made, on each side 6, 7, between the end 11 and the rear 12 of the rod 2 in correspondence of the instep area. In this way the tightening has the effect of returning the heel of the wearer to the casing of the rear 12.

According to a construction detail, visible in Figures 1 to 4, the thin flexible plate 18 has a bead 31 which follows at least the contour of the edges 14 and 15 of the transverse cutout 13. This bead 31 is interposed laterally between the edges 14 and 15 of the cutout 13 and those 16 and 17 of the movable flap 10 and has a height substantially corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the rod 2 at the location of the cutout 13 and to the thickness of the wall of the flap mobile 10.

It is understood that the shoe according to the invention may include an inner lining 33 of comfort as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Special arrangements, such as aeration-ventilation means or systems can obviously be adapted to the clamping assembly described and in particular to the thin flexible plate 18 without thereby departing from the scope of the invention. Also, as illustrated in FIG. 5 by way of example, a thin flexible plate 18, at least, can be obtained in one piece with a flat and elongated part 43, of contour substantially corresponding to that of the foot, which constitutes "the first assembly". Advantageously, in the case of the above shoe structure with reference to Figures 1 to 4, where a clamping device 8 with movable flap 10 and flexible plate 18 is implemented on each side 6, 7, these are the two plates flexible 18 which are obtained in one piece with the part 43 forming the first assembly. A very homogeneous tightening assembly is thus obtained because its different components, flap 10, plate 18, device 8 and first of cleanliness 43 interact with each other.

The shape of the cutout 13 and / or of the movable flap 10 is limited by edges 14, 15 and 16, 17, which can, as desired, be parallel or not, one 14, 16, relative to the other 15, 17, or some 14, 15, in relation to the others 16, 17.

The opening 13 like the flap 10 can have a shape which widens from the sole 1 towards the opening 3 towards the end 11 and / or the rear 12 of the rod 2.

Claims (13)

Shoe comprising a sole (1) on which is mounted a rod (2) provided with a front longitudinal opening (3) on the top, the rod (2) being adjustable on the foot by bringing the edges (4, 5) of its longitudinal opening (3) by means of a clamping device (8) using at least one movable flap (10) which extends freely on the side (6, 7) of the rod (2) from '' an attachment zone (41) located at the level of the sole (1), characterized in that the rod (2) has, on the side (6, 7) where the movable flap (10) is located, a cutout transverse (13) whose edges (14, 15) are spaced by a width (A) at least greater than that (A ') of the edges (16, 17) of said flap (10) and which goes from the sole (1 ) up to the anterior longitudinal opening (3) where it opens and in that this transverse cutout (13) is closed from the inside of the rod (2) by a thin flexible plate (18) obtained from a relatively materialresistant, such as plastic, the movable flap (10) being received in the transverse cutout (13) by applying to the thin flexible plate (18) during a clamping action exerted on it by the clamping device (8). Shoe according to claim 1 characterized in that the transverse cutout (13) and the movable flap (10) are located between the toe (11) and the rear (12) of the shoe, preferably in correspondence with the neck area -of foot . Shoe according to claim 1 or 2 characterized in that the thin flexible plate (18) and the movable flap (10) each have a fixing lug (26, 27) directed on the side of the sole (1) of the shoe and intended to allow their mounting (41) engaged with said sole (1) and at the latter with the first mounting (42, 43). Shoe according to claim 3 characterized in that the thin flexible plate (18) is obtained in one piece with a flat and elongated part (43), of contour substantially corresponding to that of the foot, which constitutes the first mounting (43) . Shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the thin flexible plate (18) has lateral edges (19, 20) which extend under the edges (14, 15) which delimit the transverse cut (13 ) and which are intended to allow its fixing by any known means, bonding, stitching, ... etc. Shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the transverse cutout (13) widens from the sole (1) to the anterior longitudinal opening (3) of the upper (2), at least towards the toe (11) of the shoe. Shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 6 characterized in that the thin flexible plate (18) has an upper edge (21) which constitutes at least a portion of the edge (3) corresponding to the anterior longitudinal opening (3) of the rod (2). Shoe according to claim 7 characterized in that the upper edge (21) of the thin flexible plate (18) comprises at least one pass (22, 23) for a link (9) lacing of the tightening device (8). Shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the movable flap (10) widens from its mounting area (41) to the anterior longitudinal opening (3) of the rod (2) where it is provided with at least one loop (25) for a lacing link (9) which is provided with the clamping device (8). Shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that the thin flexible plate (18) comprises at least one bead (31) which follows at least the contour of the edges (14, 15) which delimit the transverse cut (13 ) this bead (31) interposed between the respective edges (14, 15) of the transverse cutout (13) and the movable flap (10) and having a height substantially corresponding to the thickness of the wall of the rod (2 ) at the location of the transverse cut (13) and at the thickness of the wall of the movable flap (10). Shoe according to claim 10 characterized in that the lateral edges (16, 17) of the movable flap (10) at least partially follow the contour of the edges (14, 15) of the transverse cut (13). Shoe according to any one of claims 4 to 11 characterized in that a tightening device (8) implementing at least one movable flap (10) on a transverse cutout (13) closed by a flexible flexible plate (18), is located on each side (6, 7) of the rod (2). Shoe according to claim 12 characterized in that each flexible plate (18) is obtained in one piece with the flat and elongated part (43) which constitutes the first mounting (43).

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