Foot securing device particularly for trekking boots

• US 5,291,671 A
• Filed: 03/06/1992
• Issued: 03/08/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/10/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ARKOS S.r.l.
• Original Assignee: ARKOS S.r.l.
• Inventors: Caberlotto, Alberto, Furlanetto, Annamaria
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PATTERSON, MARIE D
• Application Number:
  US07/847,388
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 36/58, 36/58.5, 36/88, 36/89, 36/92, 36/114, 36/117, 36/119, 36/50.1, 36/58.6, 36/169, 36/170
• US Class Current: 36/88
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 11/00 Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/0435 Adjustment of the boot to the foot
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/004 Fastenings fixed along the upper edges of the uppers
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 11/16 Fastenings secured by wire, bolts, or the like

Abstract

Foot securing device, particularly usable in trekking boots, including a traction element which has a first portion which embraces the upper heel and malleolar region and a second portion which is curved at the foot instep region and defines grip loops for laces. The device furthermore includes a third portion which passes below approximately the median region of the sole of the foot. The device allows, once the boot has been closed, to optimally support the foot while walking, since the foot is secured in the regions overlying the heel and the foot instep.

Claims

1. Foot securing device for trekking boots having an upper associated with a sole, wherein the upper includes an instep region, an upper heel region and an upper malleolar region and wherein said sole includes a median region thereof, said device comprising:

a single traction element being partially slidingly accommodated in a protective sheath; and

means for accommodating said protective sheath forming a seat for slidingly containing said protective sheath and said traction element accommodated therein, said means for accommodating said sheath being fixed to said upper;

wherein said traction element has a first portion which embraces said upper heel region and said upper malleolar region, a second portion which is curved at said instep region so as to define grip means for laces, and a third portion so as to define grip means for laces, and third portion which passes below approximately said median region of said sole.

2. Device according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying the degree of tension of said traction element.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said traction element is constituted by a cable which is partially slidingly accommodated within said protective sheath.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first portion which embraces said upper heel region and said upper malleolar region extends up to said instep region.

5. Device according to claim 1, wherein said second portion is arranged transversely to said instep region in which said traction element is curved so as to define grip means for laces, said grip means being arranged laterally and proximate to an opening provided in the frontal region of said upper.

6. Device according to claim 1, wherein said third portion is starting from said instep region, and is arranged transversely to said upper between said sole and a semirigid insole interposed between said upper and said sole, said sheath being omitted at said third portion.

7. Device according to claim 6, wherein said third portion arranged transversely to said upper is contained in a cavity of said sole.

8. Device according to claim 1, wherein said means for slidingly accommodating said protective sheath is constituted by at least one adapted band which is sewn to said upper and defines a seat for containing and slidingly accommodating said traction element and said sheath, said band traversing said upper heel region and then being joined laterally to said upper at said sole of the trekking boot and being partially arranged at said instep region.

9. Device according to claim 2, wherein said means for displaying the degree of tension of said cable comprise bellows arranged at said first and second portions except for said loops.

10. A trekking boot defining a longitudinal direction thereof, a transverse direction thereof and an upwards direction thereof and comprising a sole and an upper, wherein the upper includes an instep region with a longitudinally extending opening, an upper heel region and an upper malleolar region and wherein said sole includes a median region thereof,

a foot securing flexible traction element,

means for slidingly accommodating at least a portion of said traction element therein, said means being secured to said upper,

and wherein said traction element is a single continuous traction element having:

a first traction portion having a U-like formation extending around said upper heel region and therefrom in the longitudinal direction of said boot at opposite sides thereof up to said instep region and

second traction portions extending from said first traction portion at opposite sides of said instep region, said second traction portions including opposite loop-like formations extending in said upwards direction of the boot at opposite sides of said instep region near said opening thereof, said opposite loop-like formations being arranged near said opening at a distance from each other thereby to define grip means for laces and

a third traction portion joining said second opposite traction portions and having a section extending along said transverse extent of said boot at said median region of said sole thereby to embrace said upper heel region, said upper malleolar region and said instep region.

11. A trekking boot according to claim 10, wherein said loop formations at least partially protruding outside from said means for accommodating said traction element.

12. A trekking boot according to claim 10, wherein said traction element is in the form of a cable and sheath traction structure and wherein said means for accommodating said traction element are in the form of a band secured to said upper to define therebetween a seat for said cable and sheath traction structure.

13. A trekking boot according to claim 10, wherein said traction element is in the form of a cable and sheath traction structure and wherein said cable and sheath traction structure extends substantially symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal extent of the boot and wherein said cable is endless.

14. A trekking boot according to claim 10, wherein said boot further comprises an insole arranged above said sole and wherein at said median region of said sole said traction element extending transverse thereto passes between said sole and said insole.

15. A trekking boot defining a longitudinal direction thereof, a transverse direction thereof and an upwards direction thereof and comprising a sole with an insole and an upper, wherein the upper includes an instep region with a longitudinally extending opening, an upper heel region and an upper malleolar region and said sole includes a median region thereof,

a foot securing traction cable,

a sheath for slidingly containing at least a portion of said traction cable therein thereby to form a cable and sheath traction structure,

at least one adapted band secured to said upper and defining therebetween a seat for at least a portion of said cable and sheath traction structure,

and wherein said cable of said cable and sheath traction structure is a single continuous cable having:

a first cable portion having a U-like formation extending around said upper heel region and therefrom in the longitudinal direction of said boot at opposite sides thereof up to said instep region and

second cable portions extending from said first cable portion at opposite sides of said instep region, said second cable portions including opposite loop-like formations extending in said upwards direction of the boot at opposite sides of said instep region near said opening thereof, said opposite loop-like portions being arranged near said opening at a distance from each other thereby to define grip means for laces and

a third cable portion joining said second opposite cable portions and having a section extending along said transverse extent of said boot between said sole and said insole at said median region thereof thereby to embrace said upper heel region, said upper malleolar region, said instep region and said insole at said median region.

16. A boot according to claim 15, wherein said cable and sheath traction structure extends substantially symmetrically over said boot with respect to the longitudinal extent thereof and wherein said cable is endless.