FOOTWEAR SECURING SYSTEM

Abstract

Devices for adjusting the fit of footwear, the devices including a lace receiver configured to frictionally receive a resilient lace and to restrict passage of the resilient lace through the lace receiver, and a latch coupled to the lace receiver and configured to releasingly couple with the resilient lace, wherein coupling the latch to the resilient lace tensions the resilient lace and pulls a first retaining flap of the footwear toward a second retaining flap of the footwear. In some examples, the device is configured to adjust the fit of apparel.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to copending U.S. application Ser. No. 61/684,249, filed on Aug. 17, 2012, and Ser. No. 13/970,426, filed on Aug. 19, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

This disclosure relates generally to footwear adjustment systems. In particular, this disclosure relates to footwear adjustment systems that include features that obviate the need for the traditional shoe lacing and tying process.

Footwear adjustment mechanisms have long been dominated by the familiar lace and eyelet system. In these systems, users must go through the tedious process of initially routing laces through series of opposed eyelets positioned around a user's inserted foot and then repeatedly securing the laces by tying opposing ends of the lace into a bow.

While this process provides familiarity, it has many shortcomings that alternative footwear adjustment systems can improve upon. For example, securing footwear typically involves the multi-step process of tying opposing ends of a lace together to form a bow. Even when properly tied, the bows formed by tying shoelaces are often prone to loosening or disengaging through common use. This leaves users' footwear unsecure, thereby leaving wearers more prone to injury.

Further, unsecured laces may pose additional risk to users, such as by serving as trip hazards (or as instigators of injurious escalator or moving walkway incidents). Further, traditional methods' tightening process is time consuming. Replacement of damaged laces in traditional systems is an additional commonplace and time-consuming exercise.

The tedious process of tightening and tying shoes may be particularly troubling, for example, during athletic events wherein users must secure or release footwear from their feet during the event, such as triathlons. Triathlons typically require users to participate in three continuous, sequential stages including a running stage, a cycling stage, and a swimming stage. Between these stages are transitions, wherein users typically change into footwear appropriate for the upcoming stage. Times accrued during transitions are typically included in users' overall results; as a result, quick transitions are desired. Thus, equipment that allows quick changing of footwear between stages provides great benefit to triathlon participants.

The shortcomings of traditional lacing systems are not, of course, limited to these contexts. Even minor annoyances in routines as commonplace as securing footwear to your feet can accumulate to become major hassles. Therefore, improved footwear adjustment systems impact a very widespread, diverse amount of users.

This disclosure is differentiated over some specific shoelace system examples improved that are discussed below. For example, one improved shoelace system is marketed under the brand Yankz! This example system, however, fails to satisfactorily solve many of the problems of shoelace designs. As one example, the system includes a single lace routed through the entire length of associated shoes' eyelets. This restricts a user from applying a variable level of tightening along the length of the lacing section of her shoes.

Examples of other improved shoe securing products include products marketed under the Greeper® brand. Greeper® laces require users to fully lace a shoe to tighten and secure the shoe using a complex system that involves tying laces to a lower routing device, cutting off any excess lace, and then repeatedly using an unreliable biased lace crimp to tighten and secure the shoe. The complex and unreliable design of this device makes it an insufficient solution to the problems inherent in conventional lacing systems.

Thus, there exists a need for footwear adjustment systems that improve upon and advance the design of known footwear adjustment systems, such as those discussed above. Footwear adjustment systems that include features that do improve and advance the design of known footwear adjustment systems are described below.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure is directed to devices for adjusting the fit of footwear. Some examples include resilient laces operatively coupled to first retaining flaps of footwear, latching members including latches and lace receives sized to slidingly receive string portions of resilient laces and to restrict passage of retaining bodies of resilient laces, and latch couplers on second retaining flaps of footwear and configured to releasingly couple with lace couplers. In some examples, coupling latches to latch couplers tensions resilient laces and pulls first retaining flaps toward second retaining flaps. Some examples include first resilient laces and second resilient laces. Some examples including first resilient laces and second resilient laces include latching members including a first lace receiver sized to receive string portions of first resilient laces and second lace receivers sized to receive string portions of second resilient laces. Some examples are configured for adjusting the fit of apparel items defining eyelets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first example of a footwear adjustment system attached to an example shoe.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the footwear adjustment system shown in FIG. 1 depicting latching members of the system coupled with latch couplers.

FIG. 3 is a close up view showing one of the latching members shown in FIG. 2 depicting the latching member coupled with a latch coupler.

FIG. 4A is a top view of an example of a lace configured for use with disclosed footwear adjustment systems.

FIG. 4B is a top view of an additional or alternative example of a lace configured for use with disclosed footwear adjustment systems.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second example of a footwear adjustment system.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the footwear adjustment system shown in FIG. 5 with a latching member of the footwear adjustment system in coupled with a latch coupler.

FIG. 7 is a close up view showing a latching member of the footwear adjustment system shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 is a close up view showing a latch coupler of the footwear adjustment system shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 9A is a perspective drawing of the lace receiver viewed in a position from the top such as when the lace receiver is in use.

FIG. 9B is a perspective drawing of the lace receiver viewed in a position where the lace receiver has been flipped up showing the latch and lace-receiving member.

FIG. 10 a close-up, side elevation view of the lace receiver shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B.

FIG. 11 is a close-up of a base portion of the lace receiver design shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B depicting a hole-like opening with additional teeth.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing a resilient lace disposed in the lace receiver shown in FIG. 9A and FIG. 9B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosed devices will become better understood through review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various inventions described herein. Those skilled in the art will understand that the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered without departing from the scope of the inventions described herein. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity, each and every contemplated variation is not individually described in the following detailed description.

Throughout the following detailed description, examples of various devices are provided. Related features in the examples may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity, related features will not be redundantly explained in each example. Instead, the use of related feature names will cue the reader that the feature with a related feature name may be similar to the related feature in an example explained previously. Features specific to a given example will be described in that particular example. The reader should understand that a given feature need not be the same or similar to the specific portrayal of a related feature in any given figure or example.

With reference to FIGS. 1-4, a first example of a device for adjusting the fit of footwear, device 100, will now be described. As FIG. 1 illustrates, device 100 includes a first lace 110, a second lace 130, a first latching member 140, a second latching member 155, a first latch coupler 160, and a second latch coupler 170. Device 100 may allow users to adjust the fit of footwear more quickly and easily than many other competing systems. For example, device 100 allows users to secure footwear by simply coupling first latching member 140 and second latching member 155 with first latch coupler 160 and second latch coupler 170, respectively.

Because the securing method of device 100 includes fewer steps than the traditional lace and eyelet method, users may find that device 100 allows footwear to be secured with superior speed and simplicity compared to traditional lacing and eyelet systems. Further, the securing method of device 100 allows users to quickly adjust the shoe to an appropriate tightness without requiring a wearer to tediously adjusting laces at each eyelet.

Further, device 100 is adapted for use with existing footwear designed for the traditional lacing and eyelet system. Unlike some alternative footwear securing means, device 100 is configured for use with most existing, standard footwear designs.

Further, device 100 includes two laces that are routed at two different regions along footwear's instep. Unlike many alternative footwear securing means, this multiple lace system allows a wearer to apply a variable level of tightening at these differing regions on a user's shoe. Further, device 100 does not require a user to route laces through supplemental routing devices, as do some other alternative lacing systems. Additionally or alternatively, the latching mechanism of device 100 may remain secured more dependably than the unreliable lace crimps used in some other alternative footwear securing means.

Accordingly, device 100 addresses many of the shortcomings described above, including those associated with traditional lace and eyelet systems and those associated with other alternative lacing systems.

As FIG. 1 shows, device 100 is configured for use with footwear designed to be secured with a traditional lace and eyelet mechanism. An example of such footwear, shoe 80, is illustrated in FIG. 1. As FIG. 1 shows, shoe 80 includes a first retaining flap 82 and a second retaining flap 90. As FIG. 1 illustrates, first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90 are spaced from one another across a wearer's instep when shoe 80 is worn. As first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90 are pulled toward one another, shoe 80 is adjusted to be secured more tightly on a user's foot. Conversely, as first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90 are spaced further from one another, shoe 80 is adjusted to be secured on a user's foot more loosely.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, first retaining flap 82 defines four eyelets routed between its exterior and interior, including a first eyelet 84, a second eyelet 86, a third eyelet 88, and a fourth eyelet 89. As FIG. 1 also illustrates, second retaining flap 90 defines a fifth eyelet 92 substantially aligned with first eyelet 84, a sixth eyelet 94 substantially aligned with second eyelet 86, a seventh eyelet 96 substantially aligned with third eyelet 88, and a eighth eyelet 98 substantially aligned with fourth eyelet 89. Each of the eyelets are configured to receive one or more laces routed therethrough to operatively pair the lace with the corresponding retaining flap. A lace may be used to pull first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90 when routed through eyelets on both retaining flaps.

As FIG. 1 shows, first lace 110 is configured to be routed through first eyelet 84, second eyelet 86, fifth eyelet 92, and sixth eyelet 94 when device 100 is coupled with shoe 80. As FIGS. 2 and 4A show, first lace 110 defines a string portion 112 and includes a first endcap 114, a second endcap 118, a first supplemental retaining body 116, and a second supplemental retaining body 120.

As FIGS. 2 and 4A show, string portion 112 extends from a first terminal end 111 to a second terminal end 113. As FIG. 1 illustrates, first terminal end 111 is routed through first eyelet 84 of first retaining flap 82 when first lace 110 is coupled with shoe 80 Likewise, second terminal end 113 is routed through second eyelet 86 of first retaining flap 82 when first lace 110 is coupled with shoe 80. When first lace 110 is so coupled, string portion 112 is routed through fifth eyelet 92 and sixth eyelet 94 of second retaining flap 90, thereby defining a loop portion 115 on the portion of first lace 110 between fifth eyelet 92 and sixth eyelet 94.

String portion 112 is made of a resilient polymer material configured to return to its original shape and size after being stretched. String portion 112 defines a coefficient of elasticity selected to tension first lace 110 when first latching member 140 is coupled with first latch coupler 160.

Laces may, in some examples, include a rubber, elastomer, or stretched fabric over substantially all of its length to achieve selected elastic, resilient, and flexible characteristics. This is not required, however; this disclosure specifically contemplates looped ends that comprise a different material than the rest of the lace to adjust elasticity, flexibility, and resiliency compared to the rest of the lace. Indeed, some or all of laces may include a variety of materials selected to adjust the tension of the lace when the first latching member 140 is secured to first latch coupler 160.

As FIGS. 2 and 4A show, string portion 112 defines a thickness paired with first latching member 140. As FIG. 2 more precisely illustrates, loop portion 115 defines a thickness sized to be received by first latching member 140, thereby allowing first latching member 140 to releasingly couple with loop portion 115.

As FIG. 4A shows, first endcap 114 is disposed proximate first terminal end 111 of first lace 110. As FIG. 4A illustrates, first endcap 114 defines a thickness greater than string portion 112. As FIG. 4A illustrates, second endcap 118 is substantially similar to first endcap 114. Because first endcap 114 and second endcap 118 define thicknesses greater than string portion 112, first latching member 140 may be configured to slidingly receive string portion 112 while restricting passage of first endcap 114 and second endcap 118. By receiving string portion 112 while restricting passage of the endcaps, first latching member 140 may be coupled with first lace 110 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2. Indeed, FIG. 2 illustrates first latching member 140 coupled with first lace 110 at an outer latching position.

As FIG. 4A shows, first supplemental retaining body 116 is disposed on the string portion 112 of first lace 110. As FIG. 4A illustrates, first supplemental retaining body 116 is spaced from first endcap 114, being disposed more proximate the center of first lace 110 than first endcap 114. Second supplemental retaining body 120 is similarly disposed on string portion 112 and spaced from second endcap 118.

As FIG. 4A shows, first supplemental retaining body 116 and second supplemental retaining body 120 define a greater thickness than string portion 112. This increased thickness allows first latching member 140 to connect to first lace 110 by slidingly receiving string portion 112 while restricting passage of first supplemental retaining body 116 and/or second supplemental retaining body 120. By receiving string portion 112 while restricting passage of the supplemental retaining bodies, first latching member 140 may be coupled with first lace 110 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 2.

Accordingly, first supplemental retaining body 116 and second supplemental retaining body 120 cooperatively provide first latching member 140 with a second point of attachment to first lace 110. Because first supplemental retaining body 116 and second supplemental retaining body 120 are positioned closer to the center of first lace 110 than the endcaps, first lace 110 defines a greater tension when first latching member 140 is connected to the attachment point provided by the retaining bodies compared to that provided by the endcaps. This greater tension causes first lace 110 to secure footwear in a relatively tighter configuration compared to those with endcap-connected latching members.

While device 100 includes only a single pair of supplemental retaining bodies, some examples include additional supplemental retaining bodies to provide first latching member 140 with additional attachment points on first lace 110. In some examples, the additional attachment points may allow users to more precisely adjust the tightness of associated footwear. In some examples, the additional attachment points may allow users to adjust the tightness of associated footwear over a greater range of fits.

As FIG. 2 illustrates, second lace 130 is substantially similar to first lace 110, similarly defining a string portion 132, a first endcap 134, a second endcap 138, a first supplemental retaining body 136, and a second supplemental retaining body 140 Like string portion 112, string portion 132 defines a loop portion 135 routed between seventh eyelet 96 and eighth eyelet 98. As FIG. 1 shows, second lace 130 is configured to adjust the fit of shoe 80 over a different region than first lace 110. Indeed, second lace 130 cooperates with first lace 110 to secure shoe 80 over the entire length of first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90. Various examples include any number of laces and paired attachment members, allowing disclosed devices to adapt the disclosed apparel fitting devices to a wide variety of applications.

As FIG. 1 shows, first latching member 140 is configured to removably connect to first lace 110. As FIG. 2 illustrates, first latching member 140 defines a first lace receiver 142, a second lace receiver 144, and a latch 146. As FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate, first latching member 140 may be manipulated to removably attach at a variety of attachment points, such as the attachment point defined by the endcaps of first lace 110 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the attachment point defined by the retaining bodies of first lace 110 illustrated in FIG. 3. When connected at the attachment point defined by the endcaps, first latching member 140 is connected at a relatively tighter attachment point; when connected at the attachment point defined by the supplemental retaining bodies, first latching member 140 is connected at a relatively looser attachment point.

Further, as FIGS. 2 and 3 show, first latching member 140 is additionally configured to releasingly couple with first latch coupler 160. When so coupled, first lace 110 is tensioned and pulls first retaining flap 82 toward second retaining flap 90.

As FIG. 4A illustrates, first lace receiver 142 defines a rigid projection disposed on first latching member 140. As FIG. 4A shows, first lace receiver 142 includes a partially closed substantially cylindrical opening sized to slidingly receive string portion 112 of first lace 110. As FIG. 4A shows, the opening of first lace receiver 142 is additionally configured to restrict passage of first endcap 114 and first supplemental retaining body 116. As FIG. 4A shows, second lace receiver 144 is substantially similar to first lace receiver 142 and is similarly sized to slidingly receive string portion 112 of first lace 110 and to restrict passage of second endcap 118 and second supplemental retaining body 120.

To connect first latching member 140 in a relatively looser configuration, as mentioned above, a user may insert into the opening of first lace receiver 142 the section of string portion 112 between first endcap 114 and first supplemental retaining body 116. First latching member 140 may then be pulled to engage first endcap 114 with the rigid portion of first lace receiver 142. The section of string portion 112 between second supplemental retaining body 120 and second endcap 118 is similarly received by second lace receiver 144 in this looser configuration.

Upon coupling first latching member 140 with first latch coupler 160, the tension in string portion 112 pulls first endcap 114 to engage it with first lace receiver 142 Likewise, the tension similarly pulls second endcap 118 to engage it with second lace receiver 144, thereby securing first lace 110 to shoe 80 in a secured configuration.

To connect first latching member 140 in a relatively tighter configuration, a user may insert in the opening of first lace receiver 142 the central portion of string portion 112 between first supplemental retaining body 116 and second supplemental retaining body 120. First latching member 140 may then be pulled to engage first supplemental retaining body 116 with the rigid portion of first lace receiver 142. The central portion of string portion 112 is similarly slidingly received by second lace receiver 144 to engage second supplemental retaining body 120 with second lace receiver 144 in this tighter configuration.

Upon coupling first latching member 140 with first latch coupler 160, the tension in string portion 112 pulls first supplemental retaining body 116 to engage it with first lace receiver 142 Likewise, the tension similarly pulls second endcap 118 to engage it with second lace receiver 144, thereby securing first lace 110 to shoe 80 in a secured configuration.

By attaching first latching member 140 to first lace 110 proximate the supplemental retaining bodies, first latching member 140 effectively shortens first lace 110. Because the distance between the eyelets of first retaining flap 82 and the eyelets of second retaining flap 90 remains constant, this results in an increase in the amount of tension presented by first lace 110 when first latching member 140 is coupled with first latch coupler 160. This increased tension tightens shoe 80 on a wearer's foot compared to a configuration wherein first latching member 140 is attached to first lace 110 proximate its endcaps.

As FIG. 1 illustrates, second latching member 155 is configured to attach to second lace 130 substantially similarly to the manner in which first latching member 140 is attached to first lace 110. As FIG. 3 illustrates, second latching member 155 is configured to releasingly receive loop portion 135 in a latch 157 while second latching member 155 is coupled with and pulling second lace 130. As FIG. 3 illustrates, latch 157 is substantially similar to latch 146.

Additionally or alternatively, lace lengths may be adjusted to add greater variability in apparel fit. For example, FIG. 4B illustrates an example alternative lace, shortened lace 139, that is relatively shorter than first lace 110 and second lace 130. Because shortened lace 139 is relatively shorter than first lace 110 and second lace 130, shortened lace 139 will present a relatively heightened tension when attached. Accordingly, examples including shortened lace 139 may provide a tighter fit than examples with longer laces. Capitalizing on this lace length-fit correlation, this disclosure contemplates using laces longer and shorter than those illustrated to accommodate a wide variety of fits.

As FIGS. 2 and 4A illustrate, latch 146 is coupled with first lace receiver 142 and second lace receiver 144, being disposed on an opposite side of first latching member 140 as the lace receivers. As FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate, latch 146 is configured to couple with first latch coupler 160. In particular, latch 146 defines a hook that is configured to removably receive loop portion 115 of first lace 110. When first latching member 140 is connected to first lace 110, such as in the relatively tighter or the relatively looser configuration described above, first latching member 140 is pulled to loop portion 115 to tension first lace 110.

When tensioned, latch 146 may be manipulated to receive loop portion 115. When first latching member 140 is released, the tension pulls loop portion 115 toward the closed side of latch 146. Because the tension in first lace 110 pulls it toward latch 146, first latching member 140 is configured to remain secured after a user stops manipulating it. When secured in this manner, first lace 110 remains in a tensioned state.

As previously discussed, first lace 110 is operatively coupled to first retaining flap 82 by being routed through first eyelet 84 and second endcap 118. Similarly, first lace 110 is operatively coupled to second retaining flap 90 by being routed through fifth eyelet 92 and sixth eyelet 94. Because first lace 110 is operatively coupled with the retaining flaps in this manner, first lace 110 is configured to pull first retaining flap 82 toward second retaining flap 90 when first latching member 140 is secured with loop portion 115.

The distance in which first retaining flap 82 is pulled toward second retaining flap 90 directs the tightness of the fit of shoe 80 Likewise, the distance with which first retaining flap 82 is pulled toward second retaining flap 90 is directed by the amount of tension in first lace 110 (or other paired and secured laces). Accordingly, the tightness of the fit of device 100 is directed by the amount of tension in first lace 110 when attached. Additionally or alternatively, adjusting the tension of laces, such as by adjustments discussed herein, may adjust the fit of paired apparel items.

As FIG. 1 shows, first latch coupler 160 is defined by loop portion 115. Accordingly, first latching member 140 is configured to releasingly couple with first latch coupler 160 by receiving loop portion 115 within latch 146 as described above. Some examples, however, may include latch couplers that are distinct from first lace 110. For example, latch couplers may define strands, loops, or other elements attached to an apparel item proximate or on a retaining flap. As FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, second latch coupler 170 is similarly defined by loop portion 135.

Turning attention to FIGS. 5-8, a second example of a device for adjusting the fit of footwear, device 200, will now be described. Device 200 shares many similar or identical features with previously disclosed examples that are combined in unique and distinct ways. Thus, for the sake of brevity, each feature of device 200 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between device 200 and other previously disclosed examples will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the devices.

FIG. 5 illustrates that device 200 provides an additional or alternative means for adjusting the fit of shoe 80 and displays how device 200 is paired with first retaining flap 82 and second retaining flap 90. As FIG. 5 shows, device 200 includes a first lace 210, a second lace 230, a latching member 240, and a latch coupler 260. Like device 100, device 200 is configured to tension two laces to secure shoe 80 on a wearer. Unlike device 100, however, device 200 includes only a single latching member that is configured pair with both laces simultaneously.

First lace 210 is substantially similar to first lace 110 and is configured to be operatively paired with shoe 80 in a substantially similar fashion Likewise, second lace 230 is substantially similar to second lace 130 and is configured to be operatively paired with shoe 80 in a substantially similar fashion.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, however, latching member 240 is configured to receive both ends of both first lace 210 and second lace 230. Namely, latching member 240 includes four lace receivers, each lace receiver configured to receive a corresponding end of one of first lace 210 or second lace 230. Each lace receiver of latching member 240 is configured to receive each end of first lace 210 and second lace 230 in a substantially similar manner to first lace receiver 142 or second lace receiver 144.

As FIG. 7 shows, latching member 240 additionally includes a latch 246, which is substantially similar to latch 146. As FIG. 6 shows, latch 246 is configured to pair with latch coupler 260 in a substantially similar method to latch 146.

As FIG. 7 illustrates, latch 246 is misaligned with the looped portions of first lace 210 and second lace 230 when latching member 240 is attached. As a result, latching member 240 is not as suited to coupling with first lace 210 and second lace 230 as first latching member 140 and second latching member 155 are suited to couple with loop portion 115 and loop portion 135, respectively. Accordingly, device 200 includes latch coupler 260, which defines a distinct element from first lace 210 and second lace 230.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, latch coupler 260 is releasingly connected to the looped portions of first lace 210 and second lace 230. As FIG. 8 shows, latch coupler 260 defines a first lace retainer 262, a central portion 264, and a second lace retainer 266. As FIG. 8 shows, latch coupler 260 provides latching member 240 with a better aligned coupling point compared to the loop portions of first lace 210 second lace 230.

As FIG. 8 shows, first lace retainer 262 is configured to releasingly retain first lace 210. First lace retainer 262 defines a pair of resistively flexible, resilient retaining members 263. As FIG. 8 illustrates, retaining members 263 define a space between them that is smaller than the thickness of first lace 210. As a result, retaining members 263 may be manipulated to insert or remove first lace 210. Accordingly, retaining members 263 are able to retain second lace 230 in first lace retainer 262 absent user manipulation. As FIG. 8 illustrates, second lace retainer 266 is substantially similar to first lace retainer 262, and is configured to similarly receive and retain second lace 230.

As FIG. 8 illustrates, central portion 264 defines a rigid body extending between first lace retainer 262 and second lace retainer 266. Central portion 264 is complimentarily shaped and sized with latch 246, allowing latch 246 to releasingly couple with central portion 264. By coupling with central portion 264, latch 246 is able to, in effect, couple with the looped portions of both first lace 210 and second lace 230 simultaneously.

Similar to first latching member 140, first lace 210 and second lace 230 are configured to tension when latching member 240 is coupled, thereby biasing latch 246 toward central portion 264. As a result, latch 246 is configured to remain securely coupled with latch coupler 260 during use, absent additional user manipulation.

Because latching member 240 is configured to receive both first lace 210 and second lace 230 and couples with a single latch coupler, latch coupler 260, device 200 may provide particularly quick and effective fit adjustment. Namely, if latching member 240 is presently attached to first lace 210 and second lace 230, device 200 could secure shoe 80 to a wearer's foot in a single quick step. In particular, this may allow users to secure shoe 80 to their feet at a precise fit with considerably less time and effort than would be required with conventional lace-and-eyelet systems and other conventional apparel adjustment systems.

Turning to FIGS. 9A-12, an alternative configuration for a device for adjusting the fit of footwear, device 300, will be described. Device 300 shares many similar or identical features with previously disclosed examples that are combined in unique and distinct ways. Thus, for brevity's sake, each feature of device 300 will not be redundantly explained. Rather, key distinctions between device 300 and other previously disclosed examples will be described in detail and the reader should reference the discussion above for features substantially similar between the devices.

FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate that device 300 provides an additional or alternative means for retaining a resilient lace 310 under tension within a latching member 340. Latching member 340 includes a latch 346 at one end and a lace receiver 342 at the opposing end.

Resilient lace 310 shown in FIG. 12 is substantially identical to laces 110 and 210 discussed above. In the examples shown in FIG. 12, resilient lace 310 is not depicted with end caps, but instead is depicted as comprising a string portion extending from end to end. However, in other examples, the resilient lace includes end caps at terminal ends of the resilient lace with a string portion extending between the end caps. In many examples, the end caps are mounted onto the string portion of the resilient lace proximate the terminal ends of the resilient lace.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-12, latch 346 defines a hook with a hook opening to receive resilient lace 310 to couple latch 349 to resilient lace 310. As can be seen in FIGS. 9A-12, the hook curls upward proximate the hook opening. The hook curling upwards helps to retain resilient lace 310 within the hook as shown in FIG. 12.

As shown in FIGS. 9A-12, lace receiver 342 includes three lace receiving members 344. The inner surface of outer lace receiving members 344 contains arrays of teeth 358 while the inner surface of the middle lace receiving member 344 is smooth. These arrays of teeth function to frictionally secure the string portion of resilient lace 310 under tension when latch 346 is engaged and hooked to a loop portion of resilient lace 335. Unlike latching members 140 and 240, latching member 340 of device 300 does not require end caps or retaining bodies on the resilient lace to maintain tension in the laces while latch 346 is engaged. FIG. 12 illustrates how resilient lace 310 may be threaded through lace receiving members 344 of lace receiver 342.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, lace receiver 342 includes a first surface 350, a second surface 354, a third surface 352, and two side surfaces 356. First surface 350 and second surface 354 of lace receiver 342 are transverse to the longitudinal axis of latching member 340 while third surface 352 is aligned with the longitudinal axis of latching member 340.

Lace receiving-members 344 of lace receiver 342 define channels that are aligned with the longitudinal axis of latching member 340. The channels are defined by a closed end distal third surface 352 and an open end proximate third surface 352 opposite the closed end.

FIGS. 9A and 9B further illustrate that in addition to the two arrays of teeth 358 disposed on opposing sides in the channel defined by lace receiving member 344, an additional array of teeth 359 may also be present on second surface 354 of lace receiving member 344. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the teeth of array 359 run the entire surface of the lace receiver channel where the ends of the resilient lace would pass. Array of teeth 359 at second surface 354 of lace receiving member 344 further contributes to maintaining the lace in frictional tension while the latching system is engaged.

In some examples, the lace receiving members include more than two arrays of teeth while in other examples the device includes a single array of teeth. The opposing arrangement of the arrays of teeth in lace receiving members 344 allow for a large surface area on which lace receiver 342 can frictionally receive resilient lace 310 and maintain tension within the lacing system.

In the example shown in FIG. 11, arrays of teeth 358 are pointed away from latch 346, which will often correspond to pointing away from the direction in which a user will insert the lace into lace receiving members 344. When laces are placed in the lace receiver with the arrays of teeth pointed away from the direction that the lace enters lace receiving members 344, the teeth further restrict laces from loosening, but allow for further tensioning of the resilient laces 310 with ease.

In the example shown in FIGS. 9A-12, lace receiver 342 includes three lace receiving members 344. In this example, only the two outer lace receiving members include arrays of teeth 358 for gripping the resilient lace when it is threaded through lace receiving members 344. In this example, the center lace receiving member 344 has a smooth inner surface.

In the example shown in FIGS. 9A-12, the two outer lace receiving members 344 include channels that are tapered. In particular, the channel is tapered such that it is narrowest at the closed end of lace receiving member 344 and widest at the open end of lace receiving member 344.

With continued reference to FIGS. 9A-12, each of the lace receiving members 344 also includes a protrusion 360 proximate second surface 354 and extending into the channel defined by lace receiving member 344. Protrusion 360 serves to narrow the channel of lace receiving member 344 proximate second surface 354, which is where the lace will often enter the channel, to maintain resilient lace 310 in frictional tension within lace receiver 342 while latching member 340 is engaged.

The disclosure above encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in a particular form, the specific embodiments disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter of the inventions includes all novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above and inherent to those skilled in the art pertaining to such inventions. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims should be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.

Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed inventions that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Inventions embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same invention or a different invention and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the inventions described herein.

Claims

1. A device for adjusting the fit of footwear, the footwear including a first retaining flap spaced from a second retaining flap across a wearer's instep and a resilient lace operatively coupled to the first retaining flap, the device comprising:

a lace receiver configured to frictionally receive the resilient lace and to restrict passage of the resilient lace through the lace receiver; and

a latch coupled to the lace receiver and configured to releasingly couple with the resilient lace;

wherein coupling the latch to the resilient lace tensions the resilient lace and pulls the first retaining flap toward the second retaining flap.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first retaining flap and the second retaining flap each comprise an array of eyelets through which the resilient lace is threaded.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein:

the resilient lace defines a first resilient lace;

the lace receiver defines a first lace receiver configured to frictionally receive the first resilient lace and to restrict passage of the first resilient lace through the first lace receiver;

the device further comprising: a second lace receiver configured to frictionally receive the second resilient lace and to restrict passage of the second resilient lace through the second lace receiver; and a second latch configured to releasingly couple with a second resilient lace to tension the second resilient lace and pull the first retaining flap toward the second retaining flap.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the latch defines a hook with a hook opening to receive the resilient lace to couple the latch to the resilient lace.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the hook curls upward proximate the hook opening to retain the resilient lace within the hook.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein:

the resilient lace includes: end caps disposed at terminal ends of the resilient lace; and a string portion extending between the ends caps;

the lace receiver is configured to frictionally receive the string portion of the resilient lace and to restrict passage of the string portion of the resilient lace through the lace receiver.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the lace receiver comprises three lace receiving members of which two outer lace receiving members each comprise a gripping portion having arrays of teeth to frictionally receive the resilient lace and a center lace receiving member having a smooth interior surface.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the lace receiver comprises at least two lace receiving members defining channels that are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device, the lace receiving members each further defined by:

a first surface proximate the latch and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device;

a second surface opposite the first surface and distal the latch, the second surface being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device; and

a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein a first lace receiving member of the lace receiving members comprises a protrusion proximate the second surface and extending into the channel of the first lace receiving member.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the channels defined by the lace receiving members are tapered to further guide the resilient lace towards the arrays of teeth and wedge the resilient lace within the arrays of teeth of the lace receiving members.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein the arrays of teeth are pointed away from the latch and correspondingly away from where the resilient lace is introduced into the lace receiving members.

12. A device for adjusting the fit of an apparel item, the apparel item including a first portion defining a first eyelet, a second portion spaced from the first portion and defining a second eyelet, and a resilient lace routed through the first eyelet and the second eyelet, the device comprising:

a lace receiver configured to frictionally receive the resilient lace and to restrict passage of the resilient lace through the lace receiver; and

a latch coupled to the lace receiver and configured to releasingly couple with the resilient lace;

wherein coupling the latch to the resilient lace tensions the resilient lace and pulls the first portion toward the second portion.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the lace receiver defines a channel and the channel is configured to frictionally receive the resilient lace and to restrict passage of the resilient lace through the channel.

14. The device of claim 12, wherein the lace receiver comprises at least two lace receiving members defining channels that are aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device, the lace receiving members each including:

a first surface proximate the latch and transverse to a longitudinal axis of the device;

a second surface opposite the first surface and distal the latch, the second surface being transverse to the longitudinal axis of the device; and

a third surface extending between the first surface and the second surface and aligned with the longitudinal axis of the device.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein a first lace receiving member of the lace receiving members comprises a protrusion proximate the second surface and extending into the channel of the first lace receiving member.

16. The device of claim 14, wherein the channels defined by lace receiving members are tapered to guide the resilient lace towards the arrays of teeth and wedge the resilient lace within the arrays of teeth of the lace receiving members.

17. The device of claim 12, wherein the lace receiver comprises three lace receiving members of which two outer lace receiving members comprise a gripping portion having arrays of teeth to frictionally receive the resilient lace and a center lace receiving member has a smooth interior surface.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the arrays of teeth are pointed away from the latch and correspondingly away from where the resilient lace is introduced into the lace receiving members.

19. The device of claim 12, wherein the latch defines a hook with a hook opening to receive the resilient lace to couple the latch to the resilient lace.

20. The device of claim 17, wherein the hook curls upward proximate the hook opening to retain the resilient lace within the hook.