CYCLING SHOE WITH REAR ENTRY

Abstract

A shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The upper includes a heel portion movable relative to a mid portion from an open position to a closed position. A securing mechanism (e.g., a lace and a dial for tightening the lace) is coupled between the heel portion and the mid portion. Preferably, the dial is secured near an edge of the mid portion near an instep opening, and the lace is positioned in a passageway in the mid portion. The heel portion can comprise a flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion (e.g., defining the pivot point) below the wide portion.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/218,762 filed Jun. 19, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to cycling equipment, and particularly to cycling shoes adapted for use by triathletes.

In the modern sporting event called a triathlon, triathletes compete in swimming, cycling, and running segments with the goal of crossing the finish line in the shortest elapsed time. In order to improve one's time for the event, it is helpful to have short transitions between the segments of the event. In order to reduce the transition time from the swimming segment to the cycling segment, triathletes commonly have their bikes prepared with cycling shoes already attached to the pedals. With this arrangement, when transitioning from the swimming segment to the cycling segment, the triathletes do not need to put the shoes on first, but instead can mount the bicycle and pedal and/or coast with their feet on top of the shoes before they slip their feet in to the shoes.

SUMMARY

The present invention is designed to facilitate easy insertion of the triathlete's foot into the cycling shoe in order to shorten the time it takes to fully mount the bicycle, and to facilitate securing the shoe to the foot. More specifically, in one aspect, the present invention provides a shoe comprising a sole and an upper secured to the sole. The upper includes a mid portion and a heel portion movable relative to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's foot in the shoe. A securing mechanism is coupled between the heel portion and the mid portion. The securing mechanism includes a lace extending from the heel portion to the mid portion.

In one embodiment, the securing mechanism further includes a rotary dial (e.g., secured to the mid portion) coupled to the lace such that rotation of the dial tightens the lace. Preferably, the mid portion includes an instep opening in an instep region, and the upper further includes a tongue positioned in the instep opening. In this embodiment, the dial can be secured near an edge of the mid portion near the instep opening.

The mid portion can further include a passageway, and the lace can be positioned in the passageway. For example, the mid portion can include opposing left and right passageways on opposing left and right sides of the mid portion, and the lace can be positioned in the left and right passageways. Preferably the lace passes over an instep region of the mid portion.

In another aspect, the heel portion comprises a flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion. Preferably, the flexible fabric also extends toward and forms part of the mid portion.

In yet another aspect, the heel portion pivots relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole (i.e., outsole and insole) and rearward of the mid portion. Preferably, the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, and wherein the pivot point substantially corresponds with the narrow portion. In addition, the wide portion of the heel portion can include left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a cycling shoe according to one aspect of the invention.

FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a top view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the cycling shoe of FIG. 1 in an intermediate position.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe according to another aspect of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 shows a shoe 10 having a sole comprising an outsole 14 and an insole 16, an upper 18 secured to the outsole 14, and a securing mechanism 22 for securing the shoe 10 onto a rider's foot. The illustrated shoe 10 is a cycling shoe 10 for use with a bicycle. Specifically, the shoe 10 is for use with “clipless” or “clip-in” style bicycle pedals. However, the shoe 10 may be used without “clipless” style bicycle pedals, as desired.

With reference to FIG. 3, the illustrated outsole 14 is made of a rigid polymer. However, other rigid materials may be used, such as a fiber-matrix composite, wood, or other materials, as is known in the art. The illustrated outsole 14 also includes a heel pad 26 and a mounting portion 30 for mounting a pedal clip, as desired. In other constructions, the heel pad 26 and mounting portion 30 may be different or eliminated.

The illustrated insole 16 is a flexible insert that includes padding and arch support for the rider's foot and provides a more comfortable fit. The insole 16 is supported on the outsole 14 and is removable. In another construction, the insole 16 may be connected to the outsole 14 such that it is inhibited from removal.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the upper 18 includes a toe portion 34, a heel portion 38, and a mid portion 42 connecting the toe portion 34 and the heel portion 38. The illustrated upper 18 is constructed of a composite of flexible fabrics. Specifically, the illustrated upper 18 is constructed of a fabric weave and a synthetic leather.

The mid portion 42 includes an instep region 46 generally in the longitudinal center of the upper 18 and defining a right side 50 (FIG. 2) and a left side 54 (FIG. 1). An instep opening 58 is formed in the instep region 46 between the right side 50 and the left side 54 and extends forward from a foot opening 62 to the toe portion 34. A right passageway 66 (FIG. 2) is formed in the right side 50 and a left passageway 70 is formed in the left side 54. A sleeve 74 connects the entrance and exit of the right passageway 66 and left passageway 70. The illustrated sleeves 74 are made of plastic and run internal the upper 18. The left and right passageways 66, 70 are configured to receive a lace 114, as will be described below in more detail. In other constructions, the left and right passageways 66, 70 may be placed differently, be longer or shorter than illustrated, or start and stop in different places, as desired.

A tongue 78 is positioned across the instep opening 58 and cooperates with the upper 18 to form the foot opening 62. The illustrated tongue 78 is connected to the left side 54 and wraps across the instep opening 58 and under the right side 50, leaving a portion of the instep opening 58 open. Alternatively, the tongue 78 may wrap over the top of the right side 50. In other constructions, the tongue 78 may be shaped differently or extend along more or less of the instep opening 58. For example, FIG. 8. shows an example where the tongue 78 is connected to the toe portion 34 and extends substantially the full length of the instep opening 58 to the foot opening 62.

A front closure mechanism in the form of a flexible strap 82 is positioned across the instep opening 58 substantially adjacent the toe portion 34. The illustrated flexible strap 82 includes a hook and loop fastener and may be tightened with the rider's foot held in the shoe 10 to provide a more secure hold and support to the rider's foot. In other embodiments, the front closure mechanism may be a lace or employ other fasteners, as desired.

The heel portion 38 includes a wide portion 86 defining a right arm 90 and a left arm 94, and a narrow portion 98 below the wide portion 86. The right arm 90 and the left arm 94 extend toward the right and left sides 50, 54 of the mid portion 42, respectively. The heel portion 38 is formed of a flexible fabric that forms a living hinge at the narrow portion 98. In the illustrated shoe 10, the living hinge is located above the outsole 14 and insole 16, and rearward of the mid portion 42. The mid portion 42 and the heel portion 38 are formed of the same flexible fabric. A closure-assist member in the form of a loop 102 of flexible fabric is connected to the back of the heel portion 38. A heel passageway 106 is formed through the wide portion 86 from the right arm 90 to the left arm 94. A sleeve 74 extends from the entrance to the exit of the heel passageway 106. The illustrated sleeve 74 is made of plastic and runs internal the heel portion 38.

The heel portion 38 is movable between an open position (broken lines in FIG. 3) where the heel portion 38 is folded down to allow direct access to the foot opening 62 and a closed position (FIG. 1) where the heel portion 38 is up to hold the rider's foot in the shoe 10. FIG. 5 shows the heel portion 38 in an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The heel portion 38 pivots at the living hinge.

The securing mechanism 22 includes a rotary dial 110 and the lace 114. The rotary dial 110 is secured near an edge 118 of the left side 54 of the instep region 46 near the instep opening 58. The lace 114 passes through the right passageway 66, the left passageway 70, and the heel passageway 106 and connects at the rotary dial 110. The passageways 66, 70 allow the lace 114 to pass through the upper 18 such that a substantial portion of the lace 114 is not exposed.

The rotary dial 110 includes grips around the circumference to enable the rider to grasp and turn the rotary dial 110 about an axis. The lace 114 is connected to the rotary dial 110 such that rotating the rotary dial 110 in a first direction tightens the lace 114, and lifting the rotary dial 110 away from the shoe 10 allows the lace 114 to loosen. Alternatively, rotating the rotary dial 110 in a second direction may loosen the lace 114. An exemplary dial is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,050 assigned to Boa Technology, Inc., the contents of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. When the lace 114 is loosened, the heel portion 38 may be moved to the open position. When the lace 114 is tightened, the heel portion 38 is held in the closed position. In the illustrated construction, the tongue 78 also includes a loop 102 that the lace 114 passes through. In another construction, the rotary dial 110 may be a ratcheting dial and a push button may be utilized to loosen the lace 114 by releasing the ratchet dial.

In operation, a rider loosens the flexible strap 82 and rotates the rotary dial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel portion 38 is then moved to the open position. The rider then inserts the rider's foot into the foot opening 62 and forward fully into the shoe 10. The rider then tightens the flexible strap 82 such that the shoe 10 is secured about the front of the rider's foot. The rider then grasps the loop 102 of flexible fabric and pulls the heel portion 38 toward the closed position. Once the heel portion 38 is in the closed position, the rotary dial 110 is rotated to tighten the lace 114 to secure the heel portion 38 in the closed position and hold the rider's foot securely in place 114 within the shoe 10.

To remove the rider's foot from the shoe 10, the rider lifts the rotary dial 110 to loosen the lace 114. The heel portion 38 is then moved to the open position, the flexible strap 82 is loosened, and the rider's foot is removed. Alternatively, the rider's foot may be placed in the shoe 10 and removed without loosening the flexible strap 82.

FIG. 6 shows an alternate construction of the shoe 10. The front closure mechanism is a rotary dial 122 with a lace 126 similar to the rotary dial 110 used to tighten the heel portion 38. The rotary dial 122 may be turned in one direction to loosen the lace 126 and in the other to tighten the lace 126. Alternatively, a button may be employed to release the lace 126 for loosening.

It is noted that, the shoes described above and illustrated in FIGS. 1-5, the outsole 14 comprises a unitary structure. That is, the outsole 14 does not include parts that move with the heel portion 38. Rather, the rear entry feature of these designs is accomplished by moving the heel portion 38 relative to the outsole 14 and relative to the mid portion 42 of the upper 18.

One advantageous use of the shoe 10 is for triathlon athletes. The shoes 10 may be clipped into the pedals of a bicycle with the heel portion 38 in the open position before an athlete approaches the bicycle. Then the athlete positions his or her foot within the shoe 10 while the shoe 10 is still clipped into the bicycle. The athlete can then move the heel portion 38 to the closed position and tighten the closures to secure the foot in the shoe 10. Likewise, the athlete can remove the foot from the shoe 10 without removing the shoe 10 from the bicycle pedals. This advantage provides a faster transition time between swimming and bicycling, and between bicycling and running. Additionally, the shoe 10 provides an easier entry and exit to the shoe 10 even when not already attached to the bicycle pedal.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper secured to the sole, the upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's foot in the shoe; and

a securing mechanism coupled between the heel portion and the mid portion, the securing mechanism including a lace extending from the heel portion to the mid portion.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the securing mechanism further includes a rotary dial coupled to the lace such that rotation of the dial tightens the lace.

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein the dial is secured to the mid portion.

4. A shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the mid portion includes an instep opening in an instep region, wherein the upper further includes a tongue positioned in the instep opening, and wherein the dial is secured near an edge of the mid portion near the instep opening.

5. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes a passageway, and wherein the lace is positioned in the passageway.

6. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes opposing left and right passageways on opposing left and right sides of the mid portion, and wherein the lace is positioned in the left and right passageways.

7. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mid portion includes an instep region, and wherein the lace passes over the instep region.

8. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the heel portion includes left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively, and wherein the lace extends from at least one of the left and right arms.

9. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper secured to the sole, the upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portion comprises a flexible fabric that acts as a living hinge to facilitate pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the mid portion.

10. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the flexible fabric extends toward and forms part of the mid portion.

11. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the living hinge pivots at a location above the sole.

12. A shoe as claimed in claim 11, wherein the living hinge pivots at a location rearward of the mid portion.

13. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, and wherein the living hinge substantially corresponds with the narrow portion.

14. A shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively.

15. A shoe comprising:

a sole;

an upper secured to the sole, the upper including: a mid portion; and a heel portion movable relative to the mid portion from an open position, which allows insertion of a user's foot into the shoe, to a closed position, which secures the user's foot in the shoe, wherein the heel portion pivots relative to the mid portion at a pivot point positioned above the sole and rearward of the mid portion.

16. A shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, and wherein the pivot point substantially corresponds with the narrow portion.

17. A shoe as claimed in claim 15, wherein the wide portion includes left and right arms extending toward left and right sides of the mid portion, respectively.

18. A shoe as claimed in claim 13, further comprising a closure-assist member secured to the heel portion.

19. A shoe as claimed in claim 18, wherein the closure-assist member comprises a loop of flexible fabric.