Shoe having a form fitting closure structure

• US 20100064547A1
• Filed: 05/02/2008
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: New Balance Athletic Shoe Incorporated (New Balance Athletics, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: New Balance Athletic Shoe Incorporated (New Balance Athletics, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kaplan, Joshua, Murphy, Sean
• Application Number:
  US12/151,035
• Publication Number:
  US 20100064547A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/10
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/04 with rings or loops

Abstract

A form fitting closure structure and method for an internal tightening of shoe facilitated the closure system to ensure the retention of the position of the shoe wearer'"'"'s foot. The system comprises (1) an outer sole which is open to allow insertion of a foot and capable of being closed over the foot by a closure system, (2) an internal sock-like tightening structure that encases the instep of the foot and is affixed to the shoe'"'"'s closure system. A method of providing a better fit of the shoe around the shoe wearer'"'"'s foot by ensuring the retention of the position of the foot within the shoe is also disclosed.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper which is open along an instep to allow insertion of a foot and capable of being closed,

said upper including an inner and an outer portion;

each portion being attached to said sole at a bottom thereof and to each other at a top thereof by a plurality of spaced apart pieces of material;

said inner portion and said outer portion serving as the outside surface of the shoe; and

a lace which is positioned through said pieces of material between said inner and outer portions to tighten both the inner and outer potions around said foot simultaneously.

2. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said inner portion comprises a material that is more flexible than the material of the outer portion.

3. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 2, wherein said inner portion conforms to a wearer'"'"'s foot when the fitting closure structure is tightened.

4. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 2, wherein said outer portion comprises a material that protects the foot.

5. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said inner portion comprises a sock-like liner.

6. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart pieces of material comprise straps.

7. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart pieces of material are sewn to the inner and outer portions.

8. A form fitting closure structure according to claim 1, wherein said spaced apart pieces of material form loops through which said lace passes.

9. A method for internal tightening of shoe through a closure system comprising:

(a) an outer sole of a shoe which is open to allow insertion of a foot and capable of being closed over the foot by a closure system,

(b) an internal sock-like tightening structure located inside said shoe and it is secured by its bottom to the sole of the shoe and its top is affixed to the shoe'"'"'s closure system,

wherein sock-like tightening structure can be adjusted to provide a better fit of the shoe around the shoe wearer'"'"'s foot and ensure the retention of the position of the foot within said shoe.