Cord and strap combination shoe closure

• US 20050235525A1
• Filed: 06/30/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Laura Michelle Jacobs
• Original Assignee: Laura Michelle Jacobs
• Inventors: Jacobs, Laura Michelle
• Granted Patent: US 7,437,837 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/50.100
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/24 Collapsible or convertible
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/242 characterised by the upper
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/008 Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening

Abstract

A footwear closure assembly and method including multiple closure systems that may be selected from by a wearer including a first closure device having a removable cord and openings for receiving the cord to secure closure of the footwear; and a second closure device including a removable strap and slots for receiving the strap. The closure assembly is provided such that the wearer may select from among the various closure devices including the first closure device, the second closure device, or both first and second closure devices providing increased versatility for the wearer.

Claims

1. Footwear having a closure assembly comprising:

an upper;

a cord closure system including;

a cord-receiving system disposed at least partially in said upper;

a cord received by said cord-receiving system;

a strap closure system including;

at least one pair of slots disposed at least partially in said upper, each slot of said pair across said assembly from one another and adjacent to said cord-receiving system; and

at least one strap received by said at least one pair of slots in an installed position, each of said at least one strap having at least a portion of a fastener system disposed on each of its ends, each of said at least one strap adapted to be removable from said footwear;

wherein a wearer is provided with a versatile closure assembly such that the wearer may select from among either;

the cord closure system, or the combination of the cord closure system and the strap closure system.

2. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said at least one strap received by said at least one pair of slots has a portion of the fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces of each of its ends and wherein said at least one strap is folded upon itself so that in a closed position, said surfaces couple to close said assembly about the opening.

3. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said cord-receiving system is a plurality eyelets disposed in said upper.

4. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener system.

5. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said cord is tied to close said assembly.

6. The footwear of claim 1, wherein said closure assembly further comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said assembly.

7. The footwear of claim 1, further comprising a first and second pairs of slots and a first and second strap, said first strap received by said first set of slots and said second strap received by said second pair of slots, and wherein each of said first and second straps fold upon itself so that in a closed position, each of said fastener systems couples to close said assembly.

8. The footwear of claim 7, wherein said fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener system.

9. The footwear of claim 7, wherein said cord is tied to close said assembly.

10. The footwear of claim 7, wherein said closure assembly further comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said assembly.

11. Footwear with a closure assembly comprising:

an upper;

a cord-receiving system disposed in at least a portion of said upper;

a cord received by said cord-receiving system, at least one pair of loops disposed in said upper, each slot of said pair across said assembly from one another and adjacent to said cord-receiving system; and

at least one strap adapted to be removable from said upper and received by said at least one pair of loops in an installed position, each of said at least one strap having at least a portion of a fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces of each of its ends, said at least one strap adapted to be removable from said upper, wherein said at least one strap received by said at least one pair of loops is folded upon itself so that in a closed position said ends of said strap meet to couple said fastener system and close said assembly.

12. The footwear of claim 11, wherein said at least one strap received by said at least one pair of loops has a portion of the fastener system disposed on opposite surfaces of each of its ends and wherein said at least one strap is folded upon itself so that in a closed position, said surfaces couple to close said assembly.

13. The footwear of claim 11, wherein said cord-receiving system is a plurality of eyelets disposed in said upper.

14. The footwear of claim 11, wherein said fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener system.

15. The footwear of claim 11, wherein said cord is tied to close said assembly.

16. The footwear of claim 11, wherein said closure assembly further comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said assembly.

17. The footwear of claim 11, further comprising a first and second pairs of slots and a first and second strap, said first strap received by said first set of slots and said second strap received by said second pair of slots said first and second straps folded upon itself so that in a closed position, each of said fastener systems couples to close said assembly.

18. The footwear of claim 17, wherein said fastener system comprises a hook and loop fastener system.

19. The footwear of claim 17, wherein said cord is tied to close said assembly.

20. The footwear of claim 17, wherein said closure assembly further comprises a cinch-lock to receive said cord and close said assembly.

21. A footwear closure system for securing closure of the footwear by various closure devices comprising:

an upper portion of the footwear;

a first closure device including;

openings provided in said upper portion;

a cord, positioned in the openings in said upper portion, said cord removable from the openings;

a second closure device including;

at least two slots, located in said upper portion;

a strap having first and second ends, each end provided with fasteners for connection to each other;

said strap removably insertable in said at least two slots such that said fasteners may engage with each other to secure closure of the footwear;

wherein a wearer is provided with a versatile closure system such that the wearer may select from among either;

the first closure device, the second closure device, or both the first and the second closure device as the closure system for the footwear.

22. The footwear closure system according to claim 21 wherein said fasteners are provided on opposite surfaces of said strap such that one fastener engages with the other fastener when said strap is folded over on itself.

23. A footwear closure system for securing closure of the footwear by various closure devices comprising:

an upper portion of the footwear;

a first closure device including;

openings provided in said upper portion;

a cord, positioned in the openings in said upper portion, said cord removable from the openings;

a second closure device including;

at least two slots, located in said upper portion;

at least two loops, attached to the footwear and extending through said at least two slots respectively;

a strap including at least two buckles for engaging with said at least two loops;

said strap removably connected to said at least two loops;

wherein a wearer is provided with a versatile closure system such that the wearer may select from among either;

the first closure device, the second closure device, or both the first and the second closure device as the closure system for the footwear.

24. The footwear closure system according to claim 23 wherein a length of said strap is adjustable.