WO2008155473A1

WO2008155473A1 - Footwear article with tongue blocking

Info

Publication number: WO2008155473A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/051454
Authority: WO
Inventors: Olivier Lambin; Edouard Coyon
Original assignee: Decathlon
Priority date: 2007-06-12
Filing date: 2007-06-18
Publication date: 2008-12-24

Abstract

The invention relates to a footwear article and can particularly be used in the field of children's footwear. The footwear article includes an upper with two side walls, one of which at least includes an upper edge, and with a tongue having at least one side edge, and also includes a means for blocking the tongue in an open position. The blocking means includes a portion of the side edge of the tongue and a portion of the upper edge of one of the side walls of the upper capable of direct interaction for blocking the tongue in an open position after the footwear article is withdrawn from the foot. The withdrawal of the foot lifts the tongue up to a position permitting the above direct interaction, thus ensuring the desired blocking. The opening of the upper is maintained in a widened configuration. The desired aeration for drying the inside is thus improved.

Description

FOOTWEAR WITH TAPPED LOCK

The present invention relates to an article of footwear, for example a shoe or a slipper. It finds particular application in the field of children's shoes.

It is important, when the user removes his shoe, that the interior of this shoe is sufficiently ventilated to be able to dry.

This is particularly important in the case of a sports shoe, or a shoe used for the practice of an activity that generates sometimes significant perspiration.

This issue of perspiration is also a problem, especially in conditions of high temperature. In addition, some people are particularly affected by this problem and therefore sweat more than others. This is why the user, after loosening, must generally lift the tab to maximize the opening of the upper of the shoe and thus allow faster drying to the inside of the tip of the shoe.

Shoes are known comprising laces that slide easily to facilitate the opening of the rod, as explained above.

However, this type of shoe still requires manipulation of the shoe after loosening, to enlarge the opening of the rod.

However, it is desirable that such manipulation of the shoe, after loosening, is not necessary, in order to ensure the desired ventilation even when the user forgot to enlarge the opening of the rod. This is particularly important in the case where the user is a child who will tend to forget to proceed with this manipulation after déchaussement. In addition, the known shoes have another disadvantage in maintaining the opening of the rod. Indeed, after obtaining the enlargement of the opening of the stem after loosening, with or without additional specific manipulation, the maintenance of this opening is not guaranteed because the opening of the rod tends to close to resume its open position minimal. It is therefore desirable that the stem opens during or after the lifting of the user's foot, and that the rod does not resume its position of minimum opening after enlargement of this opening.

Also known from US 2002/0144382 a shoe having means disposed both on the tongue and the side walls of the rod, which allow to lock the tongue of the shoe in the open position after loosening.

However, in this document, the locking means of the tongue in the open position are complicated, so expensive, and make the shoe uncomfortable and fragile. Indeed, in this document, the locking means comprise a rigid plate of rectangular shape which is pressed against the tab to hold it in the closed position.

This plate is connected to the side walls of the rod by relatively complex articulated elements. It comes to lock in the closed position through the cooperation of lugs formed in the plate with symmetrical lugs at the respective upper edges of the side walls of the rod.

"U" -shaped elements at the top and at the bottom exert their force so as to ensure the opening of the plate and its retention in the open position.

Finally, a lug on the tongue ensures that it follows the movement of the plate when opening or closing the plate.

It is therefore a dual function system: it ensures the locking of the tongue and the entire shoe in the closed position, and it ensures the maintenance in the open position of the tongue after loosening.

This system, besides the fact that it is complicated to manufacture and therefore expensive, makes the shoe uncomfortable, particularly because of the rigidity of the plate, or articulated elements also rigid. In addition, the small "mechanical" elements of this locking system, such as articulated elements, springs, or lugs, are fragile and can easily break. This is especially important when the user tends not to take special care of his shoes, as is often the case with a child. The problem that arises then is to have a shoe in which the tongue remains locked in the open position after removal of the user's foot, while maintaining a high user comfort, which is simple to manufacture and use and which is not fragile. The object of the invention is therefore to provide a solution to the aforementioned problem among other problems.

The invention thus relates to an article of footwear which comprises a rod. The stem has two side walls, at least one of which has an upper edge. This rod also comprises a tongue having at least one side edge.

The article of footwear further comprises means for locking the tongue in the open position.

Typically, these locking means comprise at least a portion of the lateral edge of the tongue and at least a portion of the upper edge of at least one of the side walls of the rod.

These two parts are able to cooperate directly with each other to lock the tongue in the open position after removal of the foot of the footwear. Thus, the footwear of the invention is in the form of a classic footwear, that is to say without the addition of elements mechanical complex, fragile and sources of discomfort, while leaving the shoe after loosening in a position such that aeration and drying are favored.

This is made possible by the use of two elements of the usual structure of an article of footwear, namely one or both side walls of the upper, and one or both side edges of the tongue, without additions of additional elements source of discomfort, complex and expensive to manufacture, and which weakens the whole.

These elements of the usual structure of an article of footwear are modified so as to cooperate directly to ensure the locking of the tongue in the open position once the foot of the user removed from the footwear.

Indeed, the foot removal action raises the tongue to a position such that the aforementioned direct cooperation between a portion of the lateral edge of the tongue and a portion of the upper edge of one of the side walls of the rod, is implemented, thus ensuring the blocking sought.

Preferably, this implementation of the direct cooperation of one of the lateral edges of the tongue with the upper edge of one of the side walls of the rod, is automatic, that is to say that it does not require manipulation by the user other than loosening.

The opening of the rod is then automatically enlarged, without any other manipulation on the part of the user, and the ventilation sought for the drying of the interior is improved Alternatively, when the release is not sufficient in itself to implement the aforementioned cooperation, the user must simply manually continue the enlargement of the opening of the rod after loosening up to bring the assembly in the aforementioned cooperation position. In a first variant embodiment, the locking means comprise several parts of the lateral edge of the tongue distributed over the along this lateral edge, and several parts of the upper edge of at least one of the lateral walls of the rod distributed along this upper edge.

These parts are able to cooperate directly between them to lock the tongue respectively in several open positions after removal of the foot of the footwear.

The opening can thus, for example, be intermediate or maximum, thanks to the presence of two distinct parts on the lateral edge of the tongue which cooperate respectively with two distinct parts on the upper edge of one of the side walls of the rod. In another variant, possibly in combination with the previous, the tongue has a single side edge and is an extension of one of the side walls of the rod.

Alternatively, the tongue has two distinct and opposite side edges. Each side wall of the rod then has an upper edge.

In another variant embodiment, possibly in combination with one or more of the preceding ones, the part or parts of the lateral edge or edges of the tongue, and / or the part or parts of the upper edge of the one or both side walls. stem, have notches.

In yet another alternative embodiment, possibly in combination with any one of the foregoing, the article of footwear comprises a locking element intended to prevent the foot from being released. In yet another variant embodiment, possibly in combination with one or more of the previous ones, the article of footwear comprises a clamping element, for example of lace-type or self-gripping tape.

The part or parts of the lateral edge or edges of the tongue and / or the part or parts of the upper edge of the one or both side walls of the rod are then located behind the clamping element with respect to the tiptoe.

Preferably, the locking element is further intended to maintain the aforementioned clamping element in the tight position.

The locking element may have a first end attached to one of the side walls of the rod, for example by stitching, and a second end intended to be fixed on the tongue or on the other side wall of the rod.

Preferably then, the locking element is at least partly folded over the clamping element so as to maintain this clamping element in the tight position.

Fixing the second end of the locking element can be done by a self-gripping strip.

The invention therefore advantageously makes it possible to keep the tongue in the open position after removal of the foot of the article of footwear, possibly without further manipulation by the user, by a modification on the one hand of one or both lateral edges of the tongue, and secondly the upper edge of one or both side walls of the rod, without adding rigid mechanical parts or elements, fragile, expensive and sources of discomfort. Other features and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly and completely on reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, which are given by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to FIGS. accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 schematically represents a first exemplary embodiment of the article of footwear of the invention, in the open position, FIG. 2 schematically represents a second embodiment of the article of footwear of the invention, seen from above and in closed position, figure 3: schematically represents the second embodiment of the footwear of the invention, seen from the side and in the open position.

In Figure 1 is shown schematically an embodiment of an article of footwear, in this case a shoe, of the invention.

The shoe is therefore classically with a rod 1 mounted on a sole 14. This rod 1 has two side walls 2 (visible in Figure 1) and 3 (partially visible in the interior of its rear part in Figure 1). The side wall 2 has an upper edge 9 extending from the rear towards the front of this side wall 2.

The opposite side wall 3 may also have an upper edge 10, not referenced in Figure 1 but visible only on the rear part, but which is clearly shown in Figures 2 and 3 relating to another embodiment.

As can be seen in these Figures 2 and 3, this upper edge 10 of the side wall 3 can also extend from the rear to the front of the side wall 3 of the rod 1.

Moreover, in a conventional manner, the upper 1 of the boot has a tongue 4. This tongue 4 has a lateral edge 7 extending from the rear towards the front. It may also present a second opposite lateral edge 8 also extending from the rear to the front, not visible in Figure 1, but visible for example in Figure 3 relating to another embodiment. FIG. 1 also shows blocking means

5 and 6 for locking the tongue 4 in the open position after removal of the foot.

These locking means 5 and 6 include a portion 5 of the lateral edge 7 of the tongue 4, and a portion 6 of the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2 of the rod 1.

These two parts 5 and 6 are therefore respective zones of the edge side 7 of the tongue 4 and the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2, adapted to cooperate directly between them for locking the tongue in the open position after removing the foot of the shoe.

Optionally, as is the case in the other embodiment shown in Figure 2, the locking means 5 and 6 may be arranged on both sides of the shoe.

Specifically, in this embodiment of Figure 2 in which the rod has two side walls 2 and 3, each having an upper edge 9 and 10, there is found for the locking means a portion or area 6 of the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2 and a portion or area 6 of the upper edge 10 of the side wall 3 of the rod 1.

These two parts 6 are able to cooperate directly with a portion 5 of the lateral edge of the tongue 4 and another part 5 of the lateral edge 8 of this tongue 4. Insofar as the shoe is shown in FIG. 2 in the closed position , the side edges 7 and 8 of the tongue 4 are not visible since they are covered by the side walls 2 and 3 of the rod 1. Therefore, the locking means 5 in the side edges 7 and 8 of the tongue 4 are not visible, and blocking is not implemented. Optionally, in a variant that has not been shown, one or both side edges 7 and 8 of the tongue 4 may each have several parts 5 distributed along each of these side edges 7 and 8, in order to cooperate with several parts 6 distributed along the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2 of the rod 1 and possibly the upper edge 10 of the side wall 3 of the rod 1.

This configuration, not shown, then makes it possible to obtain several positions for blocking the opening of the tongue 4, for example at least one intermediate opening position of the rod 1 and of the tongue 4, and a maximum open position of this tongue. rod 1 and this tongue 4.

More locking means 5 and 6 will be located towards the front of the shoe, plus the opening will be large, but also, plus the action of loosening necessary to obtain the blocking must be pronounced to raise up the tab 4.

It should be noted that the tongue 4 may actually have only one lateral edge 7, for example on the side of the side wall 2 of the rod 1. This tongue 4 then constitutes an extension of the opposite side wall 3 of the rod 1 , so that this side wall 3 has no upper edge 10 on its front part.

It can be considered that this alternative embodiment is also shown in Figure 1, insofar as in this figure the side of the shoe and the rod 1 corresponding to the side wall 3 is only partially visible.

Indeed, in this Figure 1, the tongue 4 can equally well be considered as having a second lateral edge opposite the lateral edge 7, in which case the side wall 3 of the rod 1 has an upper edge not only on its rear part but also on its front part.

Or, the tongue is considered as constituting an extension of the opposite lateral wall 3 of the rod 1, so that this side wall 3 does not have an upper edge on its front part.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tongue 4 has distinctly two side edges 7 and 8 and the two side walls 2 and 3 of the rod have distinctly and respectively upper edges 9 and 10.

In the embodiments which have been shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the parts 5 and / or 6 or blocking means 5 and / or 6 are notches 5 and / or 6.

Specifically, in FIG. 1, the part (s) 5 of the lateral edge (s) 7 and 8 of the tongue 4 are notches 5 in this or these lateral edges 7 and 8. Moreover, the part (s) 6 of the upper edge 9 or 10 of the side wall 2 and 3 of the rod 1 are also notches 6 in this or these upper edges 9 and 10.

These notches 5 are positioned relative to the notches 6 in such a way that after loosening, one 5 comes to hang or hang in the other 6, which keeps the tongue 4 in the open position.

However, it is not necessary that the locking means 5 and the locking means 6 of either side of the rod 1 are both notches. Indeed, a single notch, either on the upper edge 9 or 10 of the side wall 2 or 3 of the rod 1, or on the side edge 7 or 8 of the tongue 4, is sufficient to ensure the desired locking.

This is the case for example in the embodiment shown in Figure 3. Indeed, without this embodiment or the shoe and the rod 1 are shown in the open position, the single slot 6 in the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2 of the rod 1 cooperates directly with the straight and non-notch part of the lateral edge 7 of the tongue 4.

Thus, after loosening, this single notch 6 cooperates directly with this straight part 5 and without notching the side edge 7 of the tongue 4, and enough to block the tongue 4 and prevent it from falling.

The symmetrical configuration could be envisaged, that is to say a configuration in which only the lateral edge 7 of the tongue 4 would have a notch which would cooperate directly with a straight and non-notch part of the upper edge 9 of the side wall 2 of the stem 1.

A single notch 5 or 6 is sufficient, even if two notches 5 and 6 that cooperate ensure a more effective blocking. As represented in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, the boot is preferably provided with a locking element 11 which prevents, when is in the blocking position, the release of the foot.

The shoe may also comprise one or more clamping elements 12, visible in the three figures 1 to 3, to ensure a good tightness of the rod 1 and the tongue 4 on the foot of the user.

This clamping element 12 may equally well be of lace type 12 circulating in eyelets 13 and / or openings provided for this purpose in one or both of the side walls 2 and 3 of the rod 1, as shown in FIG. 1. It may also be a hook-and-loop fastener

12 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Conventionally, this self-gripping tape 12 is attached, for example by stitching, at its end 12a on one of the side walls 2 and 3 of the rod 1. It then goes into an opening provided for this purpose in the opposite side wall 3 of the rod 1 and then spring to form a loop and finally come at its opposite end fall back and attach to the first end 12a.

As shown in FIG. 1, when the tightening element is of the lace type 12, provision may be made for it to be provided with a complementary element 12b, preferably self-gripping, at one of its ends and on the side one of the two side walls 2 and 3 of the rod 1. This element 12b is intended to maintain the clamping of the element 12 by attachment to a corresponding self-gripping element disposed on the opposite side wall 3 of the rod 1 (not visible in Figure 1).

In this case, the locking element 11 will preferably be intended to reinforce the holding of the clamping element 12 in the tight position. Indeed, in the closed and locked position of the embodiment shown open and not tightened in Figure 1, the locking member 11 comes to cover the element 12b and fold down and then attach to a corresponding self-gripping element. The locking element 11 itself self-gripping is folded down and fixed on the same self-gripping corresponding element and not visible in Figure 1. Preferably, the locking means 5 and 6 are located behind the clamping element 12 relative to the front or the tip of the foot or the rod 1, as shown in Figures 2 and 3 in particular.

In the alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 2 (closed position) and 3 (open position), the locking element 11 has a first end attached for example to the side wall 3 of the rod 1 and an opposite second end which comes to fold down and attach to the opposite side wall 2 of the rod 1 on a corresponding element

11a, preferably by a fastening mechanism of self-gripping type. In the other variant shown in Figure 1, as seen above, the locking element 11 does not extend from a side wall of the rod 1 to the opposite side wall, but remains at the one of these two side walls, for example the side wall 3. It then folds at least partially on the clamping element 12 in the clamping position so as to keep it effectively clamped.

The whole of the description above is given by way of example and is not limiting of the invention.

In particular, it will be recalled that the locking means 5 and 6 may be arranged on one side of the rod 1 and the tongue 4, or on both sides.

Also, it will be recalled that these locking means 5 and 6 may be greater in number than one, on one side of the rod 1 and the tongue 4, or on both sides.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to the use of simple notches 5 and / or 6. Other shapes or cuts, other than a straight edge, provided directly in the upper edge 9 or 10 of one or both side walls 2 and 3 of the rod 1, and / or provided directly in the or side edges 7 and 8 of the tongue 4, may be suitable, provided that the direct cooperation between these parts 5 and 6 ensures the blocking of the tongue in the open position after the loosening.

It will also be recalled that this direct cooperation is preferably obtained automatically, that is to say without manipulation by the user other than the loosening. Alternatively, when the loosening alone is not enough to implement the aforementioned cooperation, the user simply has to manually continue the enlargement of the opening of the rod after loosening up to bring the assembly into the cooperation position. supra.

Claims

An article of footwear comprising a shaft (1) having, on the one hand, two side walls (2, 3), at least one having an upper edge (9, 10) and, on the other hand, a tongue (4) having at least one lateral edge (7, 8), said article of footing further comprising locking means (5, 6) for said tongue (4) in the open position, characterized in that said locking means (5, 6) comprise at least a portion (5) of said lateral edge (7, 8) of said tongue (4) and at least a portion (6) of said upper edge (9, 10) of at least one of said side walls (2, 3) rod (1), adapted to cooperate directly between them to lock said tongue (4) in the open position after removal of the foot of said footwear.

2. Article of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the locking means (5, 6) comprise a plurality of parts (5) of the lateral edge (7, 8) of the tongue (4) distributed along said side edge (7, 8), and a plurality of portions (6) of the upper edge (9, 10) of at least one of the side walls (2, 3) of the rod (1) distributed along the said upper edge (9, 10), able to cooperate directly with each other to lock said tongue (4) respectively in several open positions after removal of the foot of said article of footwear.

3. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the tongue (4) has a single side edge (7) and is an extension of one of the two side walls (2, 3) of the stem (1).

4. Article footwear according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the tongue (4) has two side edges (7, 8) and in that each side wall (2, 3) of the rod (1 ) has an upper edge (9, 10).

5. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the part or parts (5) of the side edge (s) (7, 8) of the tongue (4), and / or the part or parts thereof (6) the upper edge (9, 10) of the one or both side walls (2, 3) of the rod (1), have notches (5, 6).

6. Article footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a locking member (1 1) for preventing the release of the foot.

7. Footwear according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it comprises a clamping element (12), in particular lace-type or self-gripping tape, and in that the part or parts (5) ) or the lateral edges (7, 8) of the tongue (4), and / or the portion (s) (6) of the upper edge (9, 10) of the one or both side walls (2, 3) of the rod (1), are located behind said clamping element (12) with respect to the tip of the foot.

8. Article of footwear according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking element (1 1) is further intended to keep the clamping element (12) in the tight position.

9. Article footwear according to any one of claims 6 to 8, characterized in that the locking element (1 1) has a first end attached, for example by stitching, on one of the side walls (2, 3) of the rod (1), and a second end intended to be fixed, preferably via a self-gripping strip, on the tongue (4) or on the other side wall (2, 3) of the stem (1).

10. Article of footwear according to claim 9, characterized in that the locking element (1 1) is at least partially folded over the clamping element (12) so as to maintain the said clamping element (12) in tight position.