Multidirectional dynamic fitting system for sport shoe
First Claim
1. Apparatus for increasing the tightness of the fit of a shoe worn on the foot of a lower extremity when the foot moves relative to a remainder of the lower extremity away from a normal position of the foot, the apparatus comprising means for engaging a portion of the foot with a given tightness when the foot is in the normal position;
- and actuating means responsive to relative movement of the foot with respect to the lower extremity in first and second directions from the normal position and operatively coupled with the engaging means for increasing the tightness of the engaging means on the foot when the foot is in a position other than the normal position.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A shoe such as a running shoe is disclosed which fits comfortably on the foot of the wearer during most times and which includes a sensor such as a bar movably attached to the shoe for increasing the tightness of the fit when the foot is moved relative to the lower leg in a plurality of directions from a normal position to positions relative in which greater forces are expected to be exerted by the user. Typically, the increase in forces is achieved by placing a movable insert in the shoe which is connected with the sensor via a cable. In a simplified form, the sensor is constructed so as to tighten a portion of the shoe against the foot to increase tightness of the fit.
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Citations
45 Claims
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1. Apparatus for increasing the tightness of the fit of a shoe worn on the foot of a lower extremity when the foot moves relative to a remainder of the lower extremity away from a normal position of the foot, the apparatus comprising means for engaging a portion of the foot with a given tightness when the foot is in the normal position;
- and actuating means responsive to relative movement of the foot with respect to the lower extremity in first and second directions from the normal position and operatively coupled with the engaging means for increasing the tightness of the engaging means on the foot when the foot is in a position other than the normal position.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus for increasing the tightness of the fit of a shoe on a wearer'"'"'s foot in response to movements of the foot relative to a remainder of the wearer'"'"'s lower extremity comprising:
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tightening means for applying a first force to the shoe which engages the shoe with the foot; and actuating means operatively coupled with the tightening means for applying a second force thereto which is greater than the first force in response to movement of the foot relative to the remainder of the lower extremity in first and second, generally opposite directions; whereby the closeness of the fit of the shoe on the foot is increased when the foot is moved in either the first or the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. Apparatus for increasing the tightness of the fit of a shoe on a wearer'"'"'s foot in response to movements of the foot relative to a remainder of the wearer'"'"'s lower extremity comprising:
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an insert for placement in the shoe and shaped to engage a portion of the foot including the heel; tightening means for applying a first force to the insert which presses the insert against the foot; and actuating means operatively coupled with the insert and the force applying means for applying to the insert a second force which is greater than the first force in response to movement of the foot relative to a remainder of the lower extremity in first and second, generally opposite directions; whereby insert increases the closeness of the fit of the shoe on the foot when the foot is moved in either the first or the second direction. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
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17. Apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the last mentioned means universally movably mounts the bar means to the shoe.
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24. A shoe forming a comfortable close fit on the foot of a lower extremity when the foot is in a normal position and increasing the tightness of the fit when the foot is moved into another position comprising:
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a sole and an upper attached thereto; means for sensing a relative movement in the lower extremity; and actuating means operatively coupled with the sensing means and the shoe for increasing the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the foot in response to a relative movement in the lower extremity when the foot moves in any one of a plurality of different directions away from its normal position. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A shoe forming a comfortable close fit on the foot when the foot is in a normal position relative to a lower leg of the wearer and increasing the tightness of the fit when the foot is moved into another position comprising:
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a sole and an upper attached thereto; bar means mounted for pivotal movement with respect to the shoe, the bar means extending in an upward direction from the shoe a sufficient distance to engage the lower leg; an insert in the shoe formed to engage at least part of an underside of the foot and movable with respect to the sole; cable means connected with the bar means and the insert; and guide means connected with the shoe and directing the cable relative to the bar means and the shoe so that when the foot moves away from the normal position in any one of a plurality of different directions, a force is applied by the insert against the foot which increases the tightness of the fit between the foot and the shoe as the foot moves away from the normal position and decreases the tightness of the fit as the foot moves towards the normal position. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification