Devices and methods for adjusting the fit of footwear
First Claim
1. A lacing system for tightening a shoe comprising:
- a plurality of first guide members coupled with the shoe and defining a first zone of the shoe;
a plurality of second guide members coupled with the shoe and defining a second zone of the shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second zone is different than the first zone;
a first tension member guided by the plurality of first guide members within the first zone, the first tension member being configured to tighten the first zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the first tension member;
a second tension member guided by the plurality of second guide members within the second zone, the second tension member being configured to tighten the second zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the second tension member;
a tensioning mechanism coupled with the shoe and with the first tension member and the second tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the first and second tension members so as to tighten the first and second zones; and
an adjustment mechanism that is coupled with the first and second tension members and that is operable independent of the tensioning mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being configured to vary a length of the first and second tension members within the respective zones by decreasing the length of one of the tension members within the respective zone and increasing the length of the other tension member within the respective zone by a corresponding amount;
wherein varying the length of the first and second tension members within the respective zones varies the tension applied to the first tension member and the second tension member upon operation of the tensioning mechanism.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A lacing system for tightening an article includes a first guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a first zone of the article and a second guide that is coupled with the article and positioned within a second zone of the article with at least a portion of the second zone being different than the first zone. A first tension member is guided by the first guide within the first zone and a second tension member is guided by the second guide within the second zone. Tensioning of the first tension member or second tension member causes tightening of the respective zone of the article. A tensioning mechanism is also coupled with the article and with the first and second tension members. The tensioning mechanism is configured to tension the first and second tension members to tighten the first and second zones of the article.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A lacing system for tightening a shoe comprising:
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a plurality of first guide members coupled with the shoe and defining a first zone of the shoe; a plurality of second guide members coupled with the shoe and defining a second zone of the shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second zone is different than the first zone; a first tension member guided by the plurality of first guide members within the first zone, the first tension member being configured to tighten the first zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the first tension member; a second tension member guided by the plurality of second guide members within the second zone, the second tension member being configured to tighten the second zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the second tension member; a tensioning mechanism coupled with the shoe and with the first tension member and the second tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the first and second tension members so as to tighten the first and second zones; and an adjustment mechanism that is coupled with the first and second tension members and that is operable independent of the tensioning mechanism, the adjustment mechanism being configured to vary a length of the first and second tension members within the respective zones by decreasing the length of one of the tension members within the respective zone and increasing the length of the other tension member within the respective zone by a corresponding amount; wherein varying the length of the first and second tension members within the respective zones varies the tension applied to the first tension member and the second tension member upon operation of the tensioning mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A lacing system for tightening a shoe comprising:
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a plurality of first guide members coupled with the shoe and positioned within a first zone of the shoe, the plurality of first guide members including at least two open back guides that are positioned and aligned on a side of the shoe so that a first open back guide is positioned closer to a tongue portion of the shoe than a second open back guide, wherein each open back guide includes an open channel or back that enables a tension member to be removably positioned within a respective open back guide of the at least two open back guides; a second guide member coupled with the shoe and positioned within a second zone of the shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second zone is different than the first zone; a first tension member guided by the plurality of first guide members within the first zone, wherein tensioning of the first tension member causes tightening of the first zone of the shoe; a second tension member guided by the second guide member within the second zone, wherein tensioning of the second tension member causes tightening of the second zone of the shoe; and a tensioning mechanism coupled with the shoe and with the first tension member and the second tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the first and second tension members to tighten the first and second zones; wherein the first tension member is adjustable within the first zone independent of operation of the tensioning mechanism such that upon operation of the tensioning mechanism, a tension applied to the first tension member is different than a tension applied to the second tension member. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23)
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19. A lacing system for tightening a shoe comprising:
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a first guide member coupled with the shoe and positioned within a first zone of the shoe; a second guide member coupled with the shoe and positioned within a second zone of the shoe, wherein at least a portion of the second zone is different than the first zone; a first tension member guided by the first guide member within the first zone, the first tension member being configured to tighten the first zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the first tension member; a second tension member guided by the second guide member within the second zone, the second tension member being configured to tighten the second zone of the shoe upon tensioning of the second tension member; and a tensioning mechanism coupled with the shoe and with the first tension member and the second tension member, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the first and second tension members so as to tighten the first and second zones; wherein the first tension member is adjustable relative to the shoe independent of operation of the tensioning mechanism such that upon operation of the tensioning mechanism, a tension applied to the first tension member is different than a tension applied to the second tension member; wherein a distal end of the first tension member is coupled with the shoe or with a second guide member positioned within the first zone, the distal end of the first tension member being adjustable relative to the shoe to vary a tensionable length of the first tension member within the first zone; and wherein the distal end of the first tension member includes a grippable tab for adjustment of the first tension member relative to the shoe. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification