GB2364882A

GB2364882A - Footwear closure system

Info

Publication number: GB2364882A
Application number: GB0017762A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Ross Featherstone
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2000-07-19
Filing date: 2000-07-19
Publication date: 2002-02-13
Also published as: GB0017762D0

Abstract

An item of footwear 1 comprises a first closure element 19 securable to an upper 9 so as to hold, in use, first and second portions 11, 13 of the upper tightly around a wearer's foot and a second closure element in the form of a tongue 17 which is foldable over the first closure element and is securable thereto. The tongue may be connected to a third closure element 16 which is typically an elastically deformable sheet used for drawing together the first and second upper portions. Preferably, hook and loop fasteners are used to secure both an underside 21 of the first closure element to the upper and the tongue to an outer surface (29, Fig. 2) of the first closure element.

Description

<Desc/Clms Page number 1> AN ITEM OF FOOTWEAR This invention relates generally to items of footwear, and more particularly to items of footwear particularly suitable for outdoor sports.

A variety of different types of footwear have previously been proposed for a variety of outdoor sports such as rugby, football and cricket for example. Each footwear item (typically known as a "boot") for these sports comprises a sole with studs which are either screwed into and detachable from the base of the sole, or are moulded therein. An upper is either attached to the sole or integrally formed with the sole, and is typically formed with a slit in a front portion thereof to facilitate the insertion of afoot into the footwear.

In these previously proposed devices, each side of the upper in the region adjacent the slit is typically formed with a plurality of eyes. A lace may be threaded back and forth between the eyes of each side of the slit, and the lace can be tightened once a foot has been inserted into the footwear to draw each side of the slit together to tighten the footwear about the wearer's foot. A tongue is typically connected to the inside of the upper beneath the slit and laces, and serves to provide protection and cushioning to the dorsal aspect of the wearer's foot during use.

It has been noted that laced items of footwear such as these can be difficult, complex and time consuming for persons to put on, particularly if those persons have poor motor control of the type that might be illustrated by children and the handicapped. This problem is particularly apparent to school sports teachers and parents, for example, who can often find that a large proportion of time set aside for sporting activity is wasted in putting on the appropriate footwear for that activity.

In an effort to alleviate such problems it has previously been proposed, in US Patent No. 5,557,864, to provide an item of footwear with a plurality of single element closures which are connected to one side of the slit and which may be threaded around a tubular post mounted on the other side of the slit. Once threaded around the posts on

the other side of the slit, the closures may then be folded back on themselves and secured by means of complementary mechanical hook and loops fasteners.

This arrangement, whilst simplifying the process of tightening the footwear about a foot is still disadvantageous as the closures and posts are difficult and time consuming to install. Furthermore, the mechanical hook and loop fasteners securing the closures to themselves can easily come undone if a force is applied to them as might happen if the wearer of the footwear were to kick a ball, for example. In addition, this previously proposed arrangement is still not particularly suitable for use outdoors as water can permeate into the footwear, and the mechanical hook and loop fasteners can become clogged and fail. It is also possible that other players may be injured by contact with exposed fittings of the footwear.

It is an aim of the present invention to provide an item of footwear which alleviates these problems.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an item of footwear comprising a sole; an upper; a foot entry aperture provided in the upper; first closure means securable to the upper to hold first and second portions of the upper tightly around a foot; and second closure means in the form of a tongue foldable down over and securable to the first closure means to help prevent accidental disengagement of the first closure means from the upper.

The upper may be fixed to the sole (for example by stitching) or may be integrally formed therewith, for example by moulding.

This embodiment of the invention alleviates at least some of the problems outlined above by providing an item of footwear which can easily be put on and taken off thereby reducing the amount of preparation time required for a given activity.

Preferably, said foot entry aperture includes a slit in said upper and the first and second upper portions are at respective sides of said slit.

Preferably, the footwear further comprises third closure means for drawing the first and second upper portions together into a tightened position around the foot. For example, the third closure means is connected to the upper at both sides of the slit.

Preferably, said third closure means is elastically deformable for example of rubber or elastic, such as in the form of a deformable sheet.

The tongue of the second closure means may be connected to said third closure means, or may be connected to and extend from an inside surface of said upper. Preferably, an underside of the first closure means and an outer surface of at least a portion of the upper are provided with complementary engagement means. Preferably, a portion of the tongue of the second closure means and an outside surface of a portion of the first closure means are provided with complementary engagement means.

The complementary engagement means may comprise a mechanical hook and loop fastener with hooks or loops of the fastener being provided on the upper or the second closure means and loops or hooks being provided on the underside and/or on the outside of the first closure means.

Preferably, the sole is provided with a plurality of studs.

The first closure means may comprise a substantially T-shaped flap have a main portion connected to said upper and a pair of lobes extending transversely from said main portion to respective upper portions. In which case it is preferred that the upper is provided with a pair of recesses in which respective lobes of said T-shaped flap may be located so that at least said lobes are substantially flush with neighbouring areas of said upper when said first closure means is secured to said upper.

The first closure means may alternatively comprise an elongate flap, one end of said flap being connected to said upper.

Alternatively, . the first closure means may comprise a substantially L-shaped flap having a main portion connected to said upper and a free end. In which case, the upper may be provided with a recess in which said free end of said L-shaped flap may be located so that at least said free end is substantially flush with neighbouring areas of said upper when said free end is secured to said upper.

Preferably, a portion of the footwear (e.g. the tip of the tongue) is differently textured, differently coloured or otherwise distinguished from the remainder of the footwear to act as a teaching or coaching aid.

More preferably, an outside surface portion of at least said first closure means is differently textured and/or differently coloured to the remainder of the footwear to act as a teaching or coaching aid.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an item of footwear according to a first embodiment of the invention in an open configuration; Figure 2 is a front view of the footwear of figure 1 after a first stage of the closure process; Figure 3 is a front view of the footwear of figure 2 shown in a closed configuration; Figure 4 is a front view of a second embodiment of the invention in an open configuration; Figure 5 is a front view of the footwear of figure 4 after a first stage of the closure process; Figure 6 is a front view of the footwear of figure 5 shown in a closed configuration;

Figure 7 is a front view of a third embodiment of the invention in an open configuration; Figure 8 is a front view of the footwear of figure 7 after a first stage of the closure process; and Figure 9 is a front view of the footwear of figure 8 shown in a closed configuration.

The principals of the invention will now be described with particular reference to an item of footwear with a studded sole (such as might be used when playing football, cricket, rugby or other sports outside). However, it should be noted that the present invention is not limited to studded footwear or to footwear for outside use, and thus the present description should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention.

As mentioned above, Figure 1 is a front view of an item of footwear 1 according to an aspect of the invention with a closure system 3 in an open configuration. As shown, the item of footwear 1 comprises a sole 5 which is provided with a plurality of studs 7, and an upper 9 which in this embodiment is fixed to the sole 5, for example by stitching (although it will be appreciated that the upper could be integrally formed, by moulding for example, with the sole).

The upper includes a first upper portion 11 which is separated from a second upper portion 13 by an entry aperture 15 which in the preferred embodiment comprises a slit. The slit 15 allows the first portion 11 to move with respect to the second portion 13 so that the insertion of afoot into the footwear may more easily be accomplished. Third closure means 16 are provided, respective ends of which are joined to the first and second upper portions 11, 13 across the slit 15.

The third closure means 16 is elastic and functions to draw the upper into a tightened position about a foot once the foot has been inserted into the footwear 1. The closure means may comprise a piece of elastic material, a rubber sheet or any

other alternative material (many examples of which will be apparent to persons skilled in the art) which fulfils the aforementioned function.

It is preferred that the upper is of leather, but it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that a variety of alternative materials exist which may instead be employed. The upper may be formed from a single piece of material, or as is more likely, may be formed from a plurality of pieces of material stitched together.

A tongue 17 of a second closure means is connected to the inside of the upper 9 and extends beneath the slit 15 and third closure means 16 to beyond the upper 9, and which (as will later be described) may be folded back down onto the upper 9. In an alternative configuration, the tongue may comprise an extension of the third closure means 16 although this arrangement is less preferred as a better water seal is provided if the tongue is a separate component from the third closure means.

Connected to the upper 9 in the region of the slit's apex is a first closure means 19 - an underside 21 of which (i.e. the side which will not be visible when the item of footwear is in a closed configuration) is shown in Figure 1. The first closure means 19 comprises a substantially T-shaped flap having a pair of lobes 20. The underside 21 of the first closure means is provided with hooks or loops of a mechanical hook and loop fastener (indicated by hatching). A corresponding substantially T-shaped area 23 of the upper 9 is provided with loops or hooks of the mechanical hook and loop fastener (indicated by crosshatching) as appropriate to enable the first closure means 19 to be secured to the upper 9 in a manner to be later described. The mechanical hook and loop fastener may be any one-of a number of different commercial products, such as Velcro for example.

In this preferred embodiment, a region 25 of the tongue 17 is also provided with loops or hooks of a mechanical hook and loop fastener (indicated by hatching) for engagement with complementary hooks or loops of a mechanical hook and loop fastener 27 provided on an outside surface 29 of the first closure means 19 (as shown in Figure 2).

As a foot is inserted into the item of footwear 1 the slit 15 allows the first and second upper portions 11, 13 to move apart against the action of the third closure means 16. Once the foot is located within the footwear the third closure means contracts to bring the upper 9, and in particular the first and second upper portions 11, 13 into tight abutment with the foot.

When a foot has been properly located in the item of footwear 1, the underside 21 of the first closure means 19 may be brought into engagement with the corresponding area 23 on the outside of the upper 9 whereupon the complementary hook and loop fasteners on the underside of the first closure means 19 and the outside of the upper 9 will engage. Once the complementary fasteners have been engaged the first and second upper portions 11, 13 can no longer move away from one another against the biasing action of the third closure means 16 and the item of footwear 1 is secured on the foot.

Once the first closure means has been engaged with the upper, the tongue 17 can be folded over towards the sole so that the hook and loop fasteners region 25 on the tongue engage with the complementary loop and hook fasteners provided on the outside surface 29 of the first closure means to further secure the footwear on the wearer's foot.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the tongue 17 when secured to the first closure means 19 shields and overlies the first closure means 19. This arrangement helps avoid the first closure element,l9 being accidentally disengaged during use by kicking a ball, for example. It also helps prevent water from permeating into the footwear, and dirt from fouling the mechanical hook and loop fasteners employed.

The lobes 20 of the first closure means 19 may simply overlie the upper 9. Alternatively, and more preferably, the upper 9 may be provided with recesses in which the lobes may be located so that when they are so located the lobes are substantially flush with surrounding areas of the upper. This arrangement is

advantageous since the lobes of the first closure means will no longer stand proud of the upper, and hence the chance of those lobes being accidentally disengaged is reduced.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views of an item of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment in an open configuration, a partly closed configuration and a closed configuration respectively.

This embodiment differs from the above described first embodiment in that the first closure means comprises an elongate flap rather than a T-shaped flap. In a11 other respects the first and third closure means and the tongue interoperate in the same way as the corresponding components of the first embodiment.

Figures 7, 8 and 9 are views of an item of footwear in accordance with a third embodiment in an open configuration, a partly closed configuration and a closed configuration respectively.

This embodiment of the invention differs from the first and second embodiments in that the first closure member is a substantially L-shaped flap rather than a T-shaped flap or an elongate flap. In this embodiment the first closure member as well as being secured to the upper in the region of the slit's apex is also secured (as shown) along one side to the upper (to the second upper portion 13). The underside of at least a free end 22 of the first closure means 19 is provided with hooks or loops of a hook and loop fastener for engagement with loops or hooks, as appropriate, of a complementary fastener located on the upper 9 (on the first upper portion 11). As with the first embodiment, it is preferred that the upper is provided with a recess in which the free end of the first closure means may be located so that at least the free end of the first closure means is substantially flush with the surrounding upper.

In common with the second embodiment, the first and third closure means and the tongue interoperate in the same way as the corresponding components of the first embodiment.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention applicable to any of the above described embodiments, a portion 31 of the outside surface of the first closure means 19 may be differently textured, differently coloured or otherwise distinguished from the remainder of the footwear. This is done as a teaching or coaching aid to assist the person wearing the footwear to kick a ball, for example, with the correct part of their foot for improved accuracy. In a particularly preferred aspect of the invention, the portion 31 of the outside surface of the first closure means 19 may be differently coloured to the remainder of the footwear and may also be formed of a textured material which can exert a greater frictional force on a ball (so as to grip the ball) than the remainder of the footwear.

An advantage of all of the above described embodiments is that they remove the need for laces and other fiddly fastenings. Only a few movements of large scale components are needed to complete the strapping of a foot into the footwear.

It will be understood, of course, that embodiments of the invention have been described herein by way of example only, and that modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. For example, whilst the preferred embodiments have been described in relation to footwear with a slit in a front portion thereof, the invention is not limited to this and the closure system could be arranged around a slit or other foot- insertion-facilitation-means provided on a side of the footwear upper or at the rear of the footwear upper.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. An item of footwear comprising a sole; an upper; a foot entry aperture provided in the upper; first closure means securable to the upper to hold first and second portions of the upper tightly around a foot; and second closure means in the form of a tongue foldable down over and securable to the first closure means to help prevent accidental disengagement of the first closure means from the upper.
2. An item of footwear according to Claim 1, wherein said foot entry aperture includes a slit in said upper and the first and second upper portions are at respective sides of said slit.
3. An item of footwear according to Claim 1 or 2, further comprising third closure means for drawing the first and second upper portions together into a tightened position around the foot.
4. An item of footwear according to Claim 3 when dependent on Claim 2, wherein the third closure means is connected to the upper at both sides of the slit.
5. An item of footwear according to Claim 3 or 4, wherein said third closure means is elastically deformable.
6. An item of footwear according to Claim 4, wherein said third closure means is an elastically deformable sheet.
7. An item of footwear according to any one of Claims 3 to 6, wherein the tongue of said second closure means is connected to said third closure means.
8. An item of footwear according to any one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the tongue of said second closure means is connected to and extends from an inside surface of said upper.

<Desc/Clms Page number 11>
9. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein an underside of the first closure means and an outer surface of at least a portion of the upper are provided with complementary engagement means.
10. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the tongue of the second closure means and an outside surface of a portion of the first closure means are provided with complementary engagement means.
11. An item of footwear according to Claim 9 or 10, wherein the complementary engagement means is of the mechanical hook and loop fastener type.
12. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein the sole is provided with a plurality of studs.
13. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein the sole and upper are formed as an integral unit.
14. An item of footwear according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, wherein the sole and upper are separate components fixed to one another.
15. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein said first closure means comprises a substantially T-shaped flap have a main portion connected to said upper and a pair of lobes extending transversely from said main portion and securable to the first and second upper portions.
16. An item of footwear according to claim 15, wherein said upper is provided with a pair of recesses in which respective lobes of said T-shaped flap may be located so that at least said lobes are substantially flush with neighbouring areas of said upper when said first closure means is secured to said upper.

<Desc/Clms Page number 12>
17. An item of footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said first closure means comprises an elongate flap, one end of said flap being connected to said upper.
18. An item of footwear according to any one of Claims 1 to 14, wherein said first closure means comprises a substantially L-shaped flap having a main portion connected to said upper and one of said first and second upper portions and a free end securable to the other one of said first and second upper portions.
19. An item of footwear according to claim 18, wherein said upper is provided with a recess in which said free end of said L-shaped flap may be located so that at least said free end is substantially flush with neighbouring areas of said upper when said free end is secured to said upper.
20. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein a portion of the footwear is differently textured, differently coloured or otherwise distinguished from the remainder of the footwear to act as a teaching or coaching aid.
21. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim, wherein an outside surface portion of at least said first closure means is differently textured and/or differently coloured to the remainder of the footwear to act as a teaching or coaching aid.
22. An item of footwear according to at least claim 2, wherein said slit is in a front top portion of said upper.
23. An item of footwear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.