Article of Footwear with Dual Lacing System

• US 20080127511A1
• Filed: 12/04/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/04/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Friton, Michael R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,146,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/50.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/008 Combined fastenings, e.g. to accelerate undoing or fastening
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/1493 Strap fastenings having hook and loop-type fastening elements
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3703 Includes separate device for holding drawn portion of lacing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 24/3768 having loop or sleeve shaped directing means

Abstract

An article of footwear including a dual lacing system is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a first lace and a second lace. The first lace and the second lace include portions that are interdigitated, these portions being disposed towards an entry hole of the upper. The laces also include provisions for releasably fastening to the sides of the article of footwear.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper, including a first lace and a second lace;

the second lace including a middle portion disposed between a first portion and a second portion of the second lace;

the first lace including a first end and a second end; and

wherein the first end and the second end of the first lace are each associated with the middle portion of the second lace.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first lace and the second lace are different lengths.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the first lace is longer than the second lace.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first portion of the second lace includes a second fastener.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the second fastener is a hook or loop fastener.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the second portion of the second lace includes a first fastener.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the first fastener is a hook or loop fastener.

8. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper, including a lacing region;

a first lace and a second lace; and

wherein the first lace includes a first intermediate portion disposed along a first diagonal of the lacing region and a second intermediate portion disposed along a second diagonal of the lacing region.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first lace and the second lace are different lengths.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the first lace is longer than the second lace.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the first portion of the second lace includes a second fastener.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the second fastener is a hook or loop fastener.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 8, wherein the second portion of the second lace includes a first fastener.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the first fastener is a hook or loop fastener.

15. An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper, including a first lace and a second lace;

the first lace including a first long portion and the second lace including a second long portion, each portion being disposed between a first attachment region and the upper;

the first lace including a third long portion and the second lace including a fourth long portion, each portion being disposed between a second attachment region and the upper; and

wherein the first long portion, the second long portion, the third long portion and the fourth long portion are interdigitated.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the first attachment region is disposed near a lateral side of the upper.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the second attachment region is disposed near a medial side of the upper.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the upper includes slots disposed along the medial side of a lacing region configured to receive the first lace and the second lace.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 18, wherein the upper includes slots disposed along the lateral side of a lacing region configured to receive the first lace and the second lace.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein the upper includes six slots disposed along the lacing region.