IE914151A1

IE914151A1 - Shoe with a central fastener

Info

Publication number: IE914151A1
Application number: IE415191A
Authority: IE
Original assignee: Dassler Puma Sportschuh
Priority date: 1990-11-30
Filing date: 1991-11-29
Publication date: 1992-06-03
Also published as: NZ240780A; ZA916459B; DE9016325U1; JPH06502775A; HU9301592D0; AU659782B2; JP3162377B2; IL99929A0; ES2040165B1; CN1054273C; MX9102291A; CA2097323A1; EP0559648A1; EP0559648B1; KR100191297B1; CS362791A3; BR9107105A; ES2040165A1; HUT65299A; YU187491A

Abstract

The invention concerns a shoe, in particular a shoe for sport, leisure or rehabilitation purposes, with a centrally positioned clasp mounted on a dimensionally stable instep covering which can be moved towards or away from the instep. The clasp is designed so that it can be used with shoes having uppers made of material which is flexible with respect to tensional forces, i.e. with shoes which do not have dimensionally stable sheath-like uppers. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the centrally positioned clasp (24) is fitted on a mounting plate (23) which is attached to a flexible tongue (15). The mounting plate (23) is significantly smaller than the length on the instep (26), thus allowing substantial parts of the tongue (15) to remain flexible.

Description

SHOE WITH A CENTRAL FASTENER The present invention relates to a shoe with a central fastener according to the introductory clause of Claim 1.

Such a shoe is known from DE-A-23 41 658. There a central fastening device in the form of a rotatable toggle is provided on a tonguelike middle upper of a ski boot, which for easier access at the toe is connected to the foreshoe in a jointed manner. A tightening rope runs from this central fastening device both upward and downward, basically crosswise to the middle upper. This tightening rope forms a loop on the outside and, after the crosswise return through the middle upper and after formation of another loop on the other side edge of the middle upper at the same height as in each case the first loop, it is fastened to the middle upper. The loops, opposite one another, are located in the area of the bend of the foot at the end of the instep, i.e., in the joint at the transition to the lower leg. The two other loops are provided in the area of the ball of the big toe or of the metatarsophalangeal joints.

Hooks are formed on the upper material of the ski boot. In the position of the middle upper in which it is swung against the upper, the loops are laid over the hooks, and, by rotation of the toggle, the tightening rope is put under tension by a rope roller connected to the toggle, and thus the ski boot is tightly closed.

In this case, the tensile stress acts in each case perpendicular to the extension of the middle upper, which in each case covers the side uppers.

With this configuration, a good access to the ski boot is indeed possible in the open condition. But on closure, applying the loops over the hooks is bothersome and time-consuming and is especially a problem when hooks are clogged with snow or ice.

On the other hand, with the present invention, the object is to be achieved of configuring a shoe with a central fastener of the IE 91/ 51 - 3 foregoing type so that its use for shoes with an upper material deformable by tensile stresses in the closing area or with several deformable upper materials, especially sports, leisure or rehabilitation shoes, becomes possible, in other words shoes which have no dimensionally stable, shell-shaped upper parts. Especially a good fit of the shoe to the foot above all in the instep area is to be made possible, so that despite good fixing of the foot in the shoe, both the mobility of the foot in the region of the metatarsophalangeal joints and also in the region of the upper and lower ankle joints is not restricted.

This object is achieved by the features indicated in the characterizing part of Claim 1.

By virtue of the configuration according to the invention, the shoe remains flexible in the region of the metatarsophalangeal joints and the tongue, especially its center part, and, as a result of the soft elastic design, can fit well over the entire instep length on the instep form, i.e., on the instep arch of the foot.

Since the holding plate for the central fastener does not completely cover the instep length, but rather a lower partial area of the tongue remains free and thus elastic, for shoes, which are not alpine ski boots, important mobility of the foot in the region of the metatarsophalangeal joints is assured. This applies because the length of the holding plate is also dimensioned for unhindered mobility of the upper and lower ankle joint, which in shoes of the type according to the invention - also in contrast to alpine ski boots - is not impaired and does not have to be completely eliminated at all.

By instep length is to be understood - according to the lower illustration of Fig. 1 - the distance between the upper and lower ankle joint and the metatarsophalangeal joints.

Other advantageous details of the invention are indicated in IE 91/ 51 - 4 the subclaims and are described below in greater detail with reference to the embodiments illustrated in the drawing. There are shown in: Fig. 1, a perspective exploded view of different individual elements of a shoe and the related central fastener, Fig. la, the view of a part of the central fastener seen in the direction of arrow I of Fig. 1, Fig. 2, a top view of the shoe composed of the individual parts of Fig. 1, Fig. 3, a part of the side view of the shoe of Fig. 2, Fig. 4, the view of straps used with a tension strip before assembly, Fig. 5, a section through the tension strip on the section plane II-II of Fig. 4, and Fig. 6, a partial view of the tension strip and the related headpiece of a strap.

In Fig. 1, a shoe 1 according to the invention is represented in an exploded view in its essential individual elements. Here there is in question preferably a sports, leisure or rehabilitation shoe, i.e., a shoe, whose upper in contrast to alpine ski boots, does not consist of dimensionally stable shell-shaped upper parts but whose upper consists of a uniform, deformable upper material or of several deformable upper materials such as leather, artificial leather, fiber fabric, optionally provided with leather or artificial leather trimmings. These sports or leisure shoes include, for example, training shoes, tennis shoes, jogging shoes or also special sports shoes such as running shoes, jumping shoes or the IE 9V 51 - 5 1 ike.

By rehabilitation shoes or shoes for rehabilitation purposes are meant especially those shoes which make possible in the case of persons with foot injuries or who have had foot operations, removal again as soon as possible of the rigid holding devices, such as plaster casts, orthotic devices or the like, and make it possible for the patient to be able as quickly as possible to walk again, without renewed injuries or secondary injuries occurring, for example, by false walking positions because of so-called relieving postures. Such rehabilitation shoes are described in greater detail in DE-A--35 20 786.

Shoe 1 represented in exploded view according to Fig. 1 consists of a sole (not indicated in greater detail), the upper material with the side parts 3 and 4 of the upper 2, the heel part 5, the foreshoe 6 and an insole 7.

The edge 8 of the side parts 3, 4 ending in the instep region area is provided in each case with a stiffening element 9, 10 in the form of tension strip 9.1 or 10.1 consisting of an elastic, flexibly deformable material. Each of the tension strips 9.1 or 10.1 is provided in each case with two longitudinal slots 11 and 12 respectively. Below the longitudinal slots 11, 12, a strap 13, 14 in each case comes out, each of which runs over the side parts 3 or 4 of the upper 2 in the sole area and is fastened between the upper material and the sole material.

A well cushioning tongue 15 of soft elastic material, preferably of foamed plastics, is inserted into the shoe opening in the instep region, and its end 17, turned toward the toe 16, is pushed under the upper material and is deflectably fastened there by stitching and optionally gluing. The side cheeks 18, 19 of the tongue 15 thus come to lie below the side parts 3, 4 of the upper 2. By the removal of the tension strips 9.1, 10.1 or by IE 9t< 51 - 6 dimensioning the height of the edges 8 of the side parts 3, 4 of the upper 2, an opening 20 is formed which leaves a center strip 21 of the tongue 15 free, even in maximum closing position, in a width of at least 1.5 to 2 cm.

In the tongue 15, preferably in its center third, on its upper surface, a shallow depression 22 is provided, in which a holding plate 23 of a central fastener 24 is inserted and can be fastened there, for example, by gluing, stitching or sheathing. The holding plate 23 consists of a hard elastic, dimensionally stable and thus hardly or only slightly deformable material, especially of a hard compact plastics such as polyamide, polyimide, polyethylene or the like. The length 25 of the holding plate 23 and its arrangement on the center strip 21 of the tongue 15 is selected so that about 25 to 95% of the instep length 26 can be covered, but at least 5%, preferably 20% to 50%, of the instep length 26 between the front edge 27 of the holding plate 23 and the fastened end 17 remains free and therefore flexible, and moreover, according to a preferred embodiment, at least about 10% of the instep length 26 behind the back edge 28 of the holding plate 23 remains free or is covered only by a tongue part 29 of the tongue 15 extending in the direction towards the upper and lower ankle joint.

The holding plate 23 is provided with a support 30 in the form of a deepened base plate and with tab sections 31, 32 annularly surrounding this. A closing part 33 can be inserted into this support 30 and, for example, can be fastened there by gluing.

The closing part 33 comprises a solid lower part 34 with lateral arms 35, 36 and a rotatable adjustment button 37. Between the lower part 34 and the adjustment button 37, there is provided a winding device for a tightening element 39 or for the two ends of a one-piece tightening element or for the ends of two tightening element sections. The winding device has a locking action and optionally unlocking, possibly by pressure on a button 38. By IE 91+ 51 - 7 rotation of the adjustment button 37 in one direction, tightening element 39 is wound up, and by rotation in the opposite direction as is known - it is unwound.

On insertion of the closing part 33, the arms 35, 36 laterally engage over the holding plate 23. A recess 40 for guiding the tightening element 39 is provided in the arms 35, 36 and/or in the support 30 located under them.

A catch lug 41 is formed in each case on the lower part 34 on the front side and on the rear side (not visible). On insertion of the closing part 33, this lug engages under the tab sections 31 or 32, in each case through an opening 42 of the support 30, so that the closing part 33 can be fastened to the holding plate 23 by a catch connection. The holding plate 23 has an extension 43 projecting forward. This extension itself or an attachment 44 - represented in Fig. la in the view of the arrow I - which can be placed on the extension and/or locked to it and/or glued to it and/or welded by an ultrasonic welding connection, is formed double-shelled. Between the upper shell 45 and the lower shell 46, a space 47 is provided with an inside width which is the same as or somewhat greater than the thickness of the tightening element 39. The two shells 45, 46 are connected to one another at the sides 48, 49 by guide elements 50, 51 for the tightening element 39 provided or formed in the space 47. Preferably the extension 43 and/or the attachment 44, formed in each case as one piece, are produced, for example, by an injection or die-casting molding process. The attachment 44 can be provided on the sides 48, 49 with in each case a fixing tab 52, 53 projecting downward.

In assembly, the tightening element 39 is pushed forward from the rear through the space 47 of the attachment 44, and upper and lower lateral loops are formed, which are brought into working connection with guide elements of the side parts 3, 4, as is illustrated below by Fig. 2.

IE 91' 51 - 8 Fig. 2 shows in top view a shoe 1 assembled from the individual parts of Fig. 1. The side cheeks 18, 19 of the tongue 15, which is matched in cross section approximately to the curvature of the instep of a foot, cover at least about 60¾ of the instep area visible from above. At the same time, the surface of side cheeks 18, 19 is formed as a sliding surface for the adjacent side parts 3, 4.

According to a feature of the invention, tightening element sections 54, 55 guided in the top, i.e., in the guide groove lying closest to the heel, of the holding plate 23 and/or the recess 40 of the arms 35, 36 on the lower part 34 of the closing part 33, starting from the adjustment button 37 of the central fastener 24, are first guided back over guide elements 56, 57, which are in nonpositive connection with the side parts 3, 4, to the guide elements 50, 51 of the holding plate 23 and from there to the front guide elements 58, 59, and finally from these to the front part of the center strip 21 of the tongue 15. In the case of a one-piece tightening element 39, the returning section 60 lies in a crosswise groove 61 of the center strip 21 of the tongue 15. Additionally, a tubular section 62 can be pushed over it there. Also the section 60 in the crosswise groove 61 can be secured against lateral displacement.

Although in the embodiment according to Fig. 2, only two guide elements are provided in each side part 3 or 4, it is basically conceivable to place other guide elements there, which would be correspondingly brought into working connection with other guide elements on the holding plate 23. Also it is basically possible to configure the guiding of the tightening element 39 so that, for example, the tightening element sections 63, 64 or 65, 66 cross one another in the region of the holding plate 23 under the central fastener 24.

In the case of a tightening element 39 consisting of two tightening element sections, the ends are fastened either in the region of the crosswise groove 61 on the tongue 15 or on the side IE 91' 51 - 9 parts 3, 4.

As can be seen from Fig. 2, at least the two top lateral tightening element sections 54, 55 of the tightening element 39, but preferably also the directly following tightening element sections 63, 64 are arranged to run from their guides on the holding plate 23 or from the center strip 21 of the tongue 15 obliquely backward to the respective guide elements 56, 57 or 58, 59 provided there. In this way, the tensile stress occurring during closing in the top or in the two top tightening element sections 54, 55 or 63, 64 is guided in the direction of the heel part 5. In this way, the straps 13, 14 preferably are also arranged so that the tensile stress, on the one hand, runs directed downward to the sole and, on the other hand, backward to the heel 5.

The other tightening element sections 65, 66 or 60 preferably run from the holding plate 23 or from the center strip 21 of the tongue 15, in top view, obliquely forward or crosswise to the tongue 15.

To guarantee an effective introduction of the tensile stress into the straps 13, 14, the respective guide elements 56, 57 and 58, 59 are applied to, preferably are formed on, in each case the headpiece 67 of a strap 13, 14, as illustrated by Figs. 4 to 6. The headpiece 67 is in each case inserted through a lower insertion slot 68 of the tension strip 10.1 opposite a longitudinal slot 10 or 11 and locked by a catch 60 to the lower edge 70 of the insertion slot 68.

Behind the slots 11, 12 for insertion of the strap 39 is placed a stop 71,for example in the form of a tab, against which the front edge 72 of the headpiece 67 can abut after bridging a specific clearance of a few millimeters.

On the upper surface 73 of the guide elements 56, 57 or 58, IE 914 51 - ίο 59 is provided an edge 75 projecting over its peripheral area 74.

The groove 76, thus formed, for the tightening element 39 runs flush in a plane with slots 11 or 12. The projecting edge 75 is separated on the side opposite the front edge 72 of the headpiece 67 by a slit 77 for insertion of the tightening element 39 from the remaining material of the strap 13 or 14.

The tension strips 9.1, 10.1 are advantageously provided in each case with a moulded fastening tab 78. They can be stitched and/or glued and/or riveted to the upper material by means of these fastening tabs. The fastening tabs 78 are preferably formed so that they extend in a plane below the slots 11, 12 or the insertion slot 68 and their surface is flush with the lower edge 70 of the insertion slot 68.

The tongue 15 advantageously consists of a foamed polymer, preferably of a thermoplastic, pressure-transmitting, cushioning material in the form of foamed polyethylene, polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. The tongue 15 can be provided on its underside with a textile lining 79, as Figs. 2 and 3 show. In the same way, the upper surface of the tongue 15 can also be covered at least partially with a textile layer, with leather, or with other usual shoe material, especially it can be lined with it.

The stiffening elements 9, 10 and the tension strips 9.1, 10.1 preferably consist of elastic plastics, especially polyamide, polyimide, polyurethane or the like. This also applies to the straps 13, 14, which preferably consist of said plastics in a transparent embodiment so that the trademark markings of the shoes in question cannot become invisible.

By a variant of the invention represented in Figs. 1 to 6, in which a mechanical connection of the stiffening elements 9, 10 or the tension strips 9.1, 10.1 to the straps 13, 14, and by these to the upper and/or the sole material, is produced, a width regulating IE 9 V 31 - ιι system is obtained, with which the inside dimensions of the shoe upper can be exactly matched to the peripheral measurement of the foot. In this case, the central fastener 24 performs a multiple function. It serves not only for production of a uniform adjustable closing pressure uniformly distributed over the entire shoe, but also at the same time it causes an increased stability of the complete shoe in the sense that the danger of straining of the sensitive joints and tendons, preferably in the outer region of the shoe, is reduced to the greatest possible extent.

It is especially advantageous that the above-described central fastener 33 together with the tightening element 39 basically can be detached from the holding plate 23 and in practice can be replaced like a shoe lace. As a result, the central fastener 33 with the tightening element 39 can be completed as a partial element of the shoe according to the invention and be tested for serviceability. Nonetheless, the central fastener 33 with the tightening element 39 can also be replaced after assembly of the shoe 1 - like a kit system. As a result, the error rate or rejection ratio is considerably reduced, which for a High-Tech shoe of the present type is especially important.

The soft elastic tongue 15, provided as instep cover, forms a pressure damping, intermediate member between the comparatively rigid holding plate 23, acted on by the tension forces, and the shoe wearer's foot. The holding plate 23 consists of a hard, dimensionally stable material, which preferably has a Shore hardness of 60 to 80 D Shore. Consequently, the holding plate 23, on the one hand, acts as a pressure distribution element, without, on the other hand, the deflectability of the tongue 15 being made difficult at the tongue end 17. The tongue 15 consists of essentially softer material than the holding plate 23, thus it has a Shore hardness significantly less than 60 D Shore.

Claims

Claims ΙΕ 9ί+ 51

1. Shoe, especially a sports, leisure or rehabilitation shoe, with a central fastener provided on a dimensionally stable instep cover movable toward or away from the instep, a fastener from which, toward both sides, a ropelike tightening element, connected to it, can be brought back to the instep cover by a guide element provided on the side portions of the upper, characterized by the use of the following features: - the instep cover consists of a soft elastic tongue (15) forming a padding; - the tongue (15) is deflectably fastened at the end (17) on the upper material of the shoe turned toward the toe (16); - the central fastener (24) is attached to a free center strip (21) of the tongue (15) by a holding plate (23) made of a hard, dimensionally stable material; - the length (25) of the holding plate (23) is at most 95% of the instep length (26); - the holding plate (23) is attached to the center strip (21) of the tongue (15) so that at least 5% of the length of the center strip (21) between the front edge (27) of the holding plate (23) and the fastening point or lower end (17) of the tongue (15) on the upper material is not covered; - the tightening element (39) runs from the top lateral guide grooves (recesses 40) in the direction of the toe (16) alternately over a guide element (56 or 57) respectively of a side part (3 or 4), then over in each case a guide element (50 or 51) of the holding plate (23) or of the center strip (21) or crosses over the holding plate (23), then runs at least over in each case another front guide element (58 or 59) of a side part (3 or 4) and optionally over other guide elements (50 or 51) of the holding plate (23) or of the center strip (21) to the lower area of the tongue (15) free of the holding plate (23), from where in the case of a tightening element (39) consisting of one part, it is brought back to the central fastener (33) and fastened there, or, in the case of a IE 91 + 51 - 13 tightening element (39) consisting of two sections, its ends are fastened there or at the side parts (3 or 4).

2. Shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the two top lateral tightening element sections (54, 55) of the tightening element (39) and optionally also the two following lateral tightening element sections (63, 64) in the top view of the shoe upper surface run through the top guide elements (56, 57) of the side parts (3, 4) of the upper (2), which elements are arranged to be correspondingly offset in a direction toward the heel part (5) from the guide elements of the holding plate (23) or optionally those of the center strip (21) obliquely backward so that the tensile stress occurring on closing of the central fastener part (33) is directed in the direction of the heel part (5).

3. Shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the other tightening element sections (65, 66; 60) in top view run obliquely forward or crosswise to the tongue (15) from the holding plate (23) or the center strip (21) of the tongue (15).

4. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that at least one strap (13, 14) is provided extending in each case from the guide elements of the side parts (3, 4) of the upper (3) into the sole area of the shoe.

5. Shoe according to Claim 4, characterized in that the straps (13, 14) in top view run obliquely backward from the guide elements (56, 57; 58, 59).

6. Shoe according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that in each case at least one guide element (56, 57; 58, 59) is provided on the headpiece (67) of each strap (13, 14).

7. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the tightening element sections (54, 55; 63, 64; 65, 66) of IE 9V 51 - 14 the tightening element (39) run in the direction of the corresponding straps (13, 14).

8. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the edges (8) of the side parts (3, 4) of the upper (2) ending in the instep area (26) are stiffened by stiffening elements (9.1, 10.1).

9. Shoe according to Claim 8, characterized in that the stiffening elements (9.1, 10.1) have slots (11, 12) through which the tightening element (39) passes and loops in each case around a guide element (56, 57; 58, 59) of the headpiece (67) of a strap (13, 14).

10. Shoe according to Claim 9, characterized in that the headpiece (67) of a strap (13, 14) is put through an insertion slot (68) in the stiffening element (9.1, 10.1) provided on the side opposite the slots (11, 12).

11. Shoe according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, characterized in that the stiffening elements (9.1, 10.1) of a side part (3, 4) in each case form an individual elastic tension strip.

12. Shoe according to one of Claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the stiffening elements (9.1, 10.1) or the tension strips consist of flexible plastics.

13. Shoe according to Claim 12, characterized in that the stiffening elements (9.1, 10.1) or the tension strips have a fastening tab (78).

14. Shoe according to Claim 13, characterized in that the fastening tab (78) runs in a plane under the slots (slots 11, 12, insertion slot 68) and its upper surface is flush with the lower edge (70) of the insertion slot (68). IE 91' 51 -

15. 15. Shoe according to one of Claims 4 to 14, characterized in that on the headpiece (67) of the straps (13, 14), at least one catch (69) is in each case provided which, in the inserted condition, locks with the lower edge (70) of the insertion slot (68).

16. Shoe according to one of Claims 4 to 15, characterized in that below the slots (11, 12) for inserting the strip (39), at least one stop (71) is in each case provided for the front edge (72) of the headpiece (67) of a strap (13, 14).

17. Shoe according to one of Claims 4 to 16, characterized in that the guide element (56, 57; 58, 59) provided on the headpiece (67) of the strap (13, 14) has on the upper surface (73) an edge (75) projecting over its peripheral area (74), and the groove (76), thus formed, for the tightening element (39) runs flush with the slots (11, 12).

18. Shoe according to Claim 17, characterized in that the projecting edge (75) on the side opposite the front edge (72) is separated from the material of the strap (13, 14) by a slit (77) for insertion of the tightening element (39).

19. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 18, characterized in that the tongue (15) consists of a foamed polymer, especially polyurethane.

20. Shoe according to Claim 19, characterized in that the underside of the tongue (15) is provided with a textile lining.

21. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the tongue (15) has on the upper surface a depression (22) in which the holding plate (23) of the central fastener (24) is inserted and is fastened in it with glue.

22. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 21, characterized in IE 91' 51 - 16 that the surface of the side walls (18, 19) of the tongue (15) is formed as a sliding surface for the supporting side parts (3, 4) of the upper (2).

23. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 22, characterized in that the central fastener (24) has a holding plate (23) with a support (30), to which a central closing part (33), provided with an adjustment disk (37), can be clipped by the tightening element (39) or by the tightening element sections (54, 55) and can be locked with this.

24. Shoe according to Claim 23, characterized in that the central closing part (33) has, on both sides, in each case an arm (35, 36) and each arm (35, 36) and/or the part of the holding plate (23) located under the respective arm (35, 36) has a recess (40) for the passage of the strap (39) or the tightening element sections (54, 55).

25. Shoe according to Claim 23 or 24, characterized in that the holding plate (23) in front of the support (30) has an extension (43) or an attachment (44) and the extension (43) or the attachment (44) is formed double-shelled, a space (47) being provided between the upper shell (45) and the lower shell (46), this space having an inside height which is the same as or somewhat greater than the thickness of the tightening element (39), and the shells (45, 46) being connected to one another at the sides (48, 49), in each case by a guide element (50, 51) provided there.

26. Shoe according to Claim 25, characterized in that the double-shelled attachment (44), formed as one piece, with the guide elements (50, 51), is attached as a separate component to the extension (43) of the holding plate (23) and is fastened there.

27. Shoe according to Claim 26, characterized in that the double-shelled attachment (44) has at the sides (48, 49) in each case a fastening tab (52, 53), projecting downward, which engages over the side edges (48, 49) of the extension (43) of the holding plate (23). IE 9U 51 - 17

28. Shoe according to Claim 26, characterized in that the fastening between the attachment (44) and the extension (43) of the holding plate (23) is an ultrasonically welded connection or a glued connection.

29. Shoe according to Claim 26, characterized in that the fastening between the attachment (44) and the extension (43) of the holding plate (23) is a locking connection.

30. Shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tongue (15) is adapted in cross section to the instep arch of the foot.

31. Shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the tightening sections (54, 55) of the tightening element (39) guided in the respective top lateral guide groove or recess (40) of the holding plate (23) are connected to the central closing part (33).

32. A shoe substantially as described herein with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.