EP1611810A1 - Item of footwear and lace fastening system for such item - Google Patents

Abstract

The footwear has a fastening system with a fastening plate (30) having tubes at its middle and lateral edges for passage of a shoelace (40), and a rod (10) with frames placed near a sole (20) for passage of the shoelace. The shoelace has a strand with alternative path between each frame and tube. A locking system (50) is associated to the strand and the plate is moved relative to the sole in vertical direction by traction on the lace.

Description

The present invention relates to an article footwear / shoe and a lacing system for such an article.

The present invention relates to any type of footwear and in particular, but not exclusively, footwear for use in sports such as walking shoe, running shoe, ..., or shoes for the practice of particular sports such as snowboarding shoes, ski, skating, ...

There are currently shoes with very thin laces, which associated with specific shaped loops allow extremely fast and accurate tightening of the shoe. Such shoes are for example sold under the trade name "XA-Pro" by the applicant.

There are also retractable shoe clamping systems using nylon or steel cables and pressure distribution plates. Such clamping systems are known for example from EP 474 708, in which the retractor system is placed on the top of the distribution plate, or else by EP 666 718 in which the retractor system is arranged at the back of the heel.

In these known shoes, the distribution plates are made of a plastic rigid enough to withstand the wear caused by the steel or nylon cables used.

Moreover, the disadvantage of retractor systems is that many rotations of the retractor are necessary to perform the clamping.

An object of the present invention is to provide a shoe having an improved clamping system.

One of the goals is to provide a foot clamping system that is easy and quick to use.

Another goal is to propose a shoe construction that is simple and as light as possible.

Another goal is to provide a clamping system that is ergonomic and comfortable.

This or these objects are achieved in the article of footwear according to the invention, which is of the type comprising an outsole, a shank and a clamping system of the foot, in that the clamping system comprises a clamping plate arranged at the level of of the instep zone of the article of footwear, that the clamping plate comprises on each side respectively medial, lateral, at least one passage duct for a drawstring / lace tightening, that the sole and / or the rod comprises on each side respectively medial / lateral at least one passer disposed near the soleplate and intended for the passage of the drawstring / drawstring, the drawstring / drawstring comprising at least one strand performing an alternating path between each passer and lead respectively of the rod / sole and clamping plate, a locking system being associated with each strand of the cord / lace, the clamping plate being movable at least in vertical direction relative to the soleplate ar traction on the cord / lace.

As a result, the clamping is effected by moving the clamping plate in the direction of the sole in a substantially vertical direction, this displacement having the effect of pressing against the sole the foot placed in the article of footwear and thus ensuring excellent solidarity of the foot to said sole.

Furthermore, the locking system associated with each strand makes it possible to adjust and lock very precisely and quickly the desired tightening value and thus allows a quick and ergonomic tightening.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure selon un premier mode de réalisation,
• la figure 1A est une vue en coupe selon AA de la figure 1,
• la figure 1B est une vue en coupe selon BB de la figure 1,
• la figure 2 est une vue de détail de la figure 1 avec arraché partiel,
• la figure 3 est une vue de dessus de la chaussure de la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 d'une chaussure selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 5 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 d'une chaussure selon un troisième mode de réalisation.

In any case the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the attached schematic drawing illustrating by way of non-limiting examples some embodiments and wherein:

• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment,
• FIG. 1A is a sectional view along AA of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 1B is a sectional view along BB of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 2 is a detail view of FIG. 1 with partial cutaway,
• FIG. 3 is a view from above of the shoe of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a shoe according to a second embodiment,
• Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 of a shoe according to a third embodiment.

The boot 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an outer rod 10, an outer sole or a running sole 20 and a tightening system comprising a clamping plate 30, a lacing system with a lace 40 cooperating with said clamping plate and a lace blocker 50, as well as a storage pocket 60.

The clamping plate 30 has a substantially saddle-shaped left surface, namely a cylinder-shaped plate defined by four concave-shaped edges, namely two respectively medial 41, lateral 42 and two respectively front 43 and rear edges. 44.

The medial lateral 41 and lateral edges 42 are respectively located on the medial and lateral side of the shoe 1, and the respective front 43 and rear 44 edges are respectively disposed on the front or end side, and on the rear or heel side of the shoe. shoe.

On each of the medial edge 41, lateral 42 of the clamping plate are respectively medial 45 and lateral 46.

Each of the ducts 45, 46 is in fact a tube or a portion of very thin tube of a diameter corresponding to that of the lace 40. Each tube 45, 46 matches the contour of the associated edge respectively 41, 42 of the plate and therefore has also a curved shape. According to one embodiment, the curvature corresponds to an arc of radius with a radius of between 50 and 70 mm.

The arc may also have a shape that is not circular but slightly elliptical.

To facilitate the sliding of the lace, each duct 45, 46 may be provided in a material whose coefficient of friction is compatible with that of the cord / lace 40. It may also be a duct made of a coated material, for example PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) to facilitate sliding.

In the example shown in Figure 1 and as shown in both views 1A and 1B, the clamping plate 30 is made of a flexible plastic material such as polyurethane, PU, that is to say a material that is flexible while being substantially non-deformable under tension and which is compatible with optimum sliding of the cord / yaw, and each duct 45, 46 is defined by a groove 45a, 46a formed in the thickness of the material of the clamping plate and alternatively discovered on the top or under the underside, or in other words whose walls respectively lower 47 and upper 48 are alternately interrupted.

Thus the lace rubs each time on the lower face 47 or upper 48 of the groove, and optionally along one or edges 45b, 46b thereof, which reduces friction.

As also shown in Figure 1, the end 49 of each conduit respectively 45, 46 is flared which avoids additional friction of the lace at said end. With its concave edges, the saddle-shaped clamping plate 30 has a very anatomical shape that adapts well to the shape of different feet and especially to the shape of the instep of these. She is very comfortable. In the example shown in Figure 1, the clamping plate 30 is fixed to the rod 10 by any means known per se such as seams 31 (as shown), glue, ... etc. This attachment is not mandatory but improves the positioning of the plate 30.

In addition, guide ducts 45, 46, different loops / references are arranged on the rod and / or at the limit of the junction area rod / sole.

Thus rear loops 51 are provided at the rear of the rod. These loops 51 are arranged in an inclined plane P from the bending flex zone of the shoe to the rear thereof. These loops 51 are also fixed at mid-height of the rod on a lateral buttress 11. Depending on the case, the lateral stiffener 11 may also be part of a buttress heel. The loops 51 may consist of simple folded straps, folded straps and provided with a plastic insert as described in EP 826 318, or simple hooks for laces as shown in Figure 1.

Front loops 52 are also provided on each medial / lateral side and in front of the rod 10, at the lower end thereof, or even in the junction area rod / sole.

As passers 51, these passers 52 may be of different kinds, in the example shown, it is passers each constituted by a folded strap on itself.

A large passer 53 is also provided on the top of the rod 10, at the front end thereof, in front of the front edge of the clamping plate 30. This large loop 53 has in the example of Figure 1 the shape of a conduit in the form of a circular arc. This conduit 53 may be materialized by a thin tube whose diameter is compatible with that of the lace, or by thermoforming of appropriate shape of the material of the rod or a reinforcement thereof.

In the example shown, the rod 10 is made of a very flexible and airy material of mesh type (mesh) and the conduit 53 is made by thermoforming a reinforcing element 54 of the rod which ensures a certain volume for the sliding of the lace and / or the passage of a tube / sliding duct.

Finally, two eyelets 55 are provided at the upper end of the rod 10 respectively lateral and medial side to form two last lace return elements on the front of the shoe, at the upper end of the neck area. foot. These eyelets 55 are of conventional type but could be replaced by any type of passer. The lace blocker 50, which may be for example of the type described in EP 629 793 or of another type, is threaded onto each of the strands 41a of the lace and allows, in a manner known per se, to lock the lace in a determined clamping position. Of course this blocker 50 common to both strands could be replaced by a blocker provided on each side of the rod and cooperating each time with a single strand of the lace. In this case the blocker could be a blocker of the type known from EP 848 917 in the name of the applicant.

The drawstring / drawstring 40 thus performs an alternating path between each guide 51, 52 and the conduits 45, 46, 53 respectively of the clamping plate and / or the rod. The two ends of the lace 40 are connected together for example by a system as described in the application FR 03.05733 in the name of the applicant, or by simple seams, so as to form a pull loop.

Figure 2 is a detail view of the storage pocket 60 of the lace loop and the blocker 50 after use. This pocket 60 is fixed on the top of the upper 10 at the upper end of the instep area. It comprises a double wall, namely a first wall 61 of extensible material inside which one can arrange both the lace blocker 50 and the lace 40. Such an elastic pocket is described for example in EP 923 886 in the name of the plaintiff.

This first pocket 61 is partly covered by a second wall 62 of more rigid material such as leather, synthetic material such as PU, PVC, etc., in which are formed eyelets 55 for the passage of the lace 40. This second wall 62 is provided centrally with an opening 63 for grasping and handling the first wall 61 for storing the blocker 50 and the lace 40. This second wall 62 may also be thermoformed to form bumps 64 and provide additional volume to accommodate the blocker system and / or yaw.

As will be readily understood, a simple traction on the loop 41b of the lace, or on each of the strands 41a thereof, makes it possible to move, in this case, to move closer together. vertical direction, the clamping plate 30 relative to the outer sole 20, and thus to squeeze the foot of the user against said sole. Note that the tightening operation is particularly easy, fast and ergonomic because it is sufficient to pull the lace at the front of the shoe, in the same way as usually with a lacing of traditional type . The clamping operation is in particular carried out more ergonomically than with roller clamping systems, especially when these reels are arranged at the heel.

Figures 4 and 5 illustrate other embodiments in which similar or identical elements will be designated by the same references increased by 100, respectively 200.

The shoe shown in Figure 4 differs from that of Figures 1 and 3 only by the front part of the shoe. In this case instead of a conduit 53 at the front end of the rod, there are two anchoring systems 153 of the ends of the lace. These anchoring systems 153 may be constituted by hooks of known type as shown in the drawing or by hanging straps, or any other similar element. These anchoring hooks 153 facilitate the traction force on the loop of the lace since this traction is then performed from fixed points. In this case where the ends of the strands of the lace 140 are anchored, there is no need for an additional system to form a lace loop at the opposite end unless two laces are used. The position of the anchoring points 153 also makes it possible to modulate the effect of the clamping system.

It will also be noted that in the case of FIG. 4, the loop 152 is a pass-type / plastic hook and not a strap-type passer as the passer 52 of FIG. 1. This loop 152 also has a certain radius of curvature intended to to facilitate the sliding of the lace 40.

FIG. 5 illustrates the application of the invention to a sandal type shoe 200.

In this case, the upper 210 of the boot is reduced to a minimum and only extends in the region of the lacing system, namely the clamping plate 230 and the front guide duct 253, which form in this case a only piece, and in the heel area by a rear strap 220. This rod 210 is a flexible and elastic material such as neoprene so as not to hinder the clamping process. Moreover, the eyelets 55 are here replaced by passers of the conduit type 255. Of course these loops could also be made in the form of eyelets.

It is therefore found that the clamping system according to the invention is compatible with a shoe shank reduced to a minimum and therefore as light as possible.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of non-limiting examples but encompasses all similar or equivalent embodiments.

Claims (12)

Footwear comprising a rod (10, 110, 220), a sole (20, 120, 220) and a clamping system, characterized in that the clamping system comprises a clamping plate (30, 130, 230) disposed at level of the instep area of the article of footwear, in that the clamping plate comprises on each side, medial, lateral, at least one passage duct (45, 46; 145, 146; 245, 246) for a drawstring / drawstring, in that the sole and / or the shank comprises on each medial / lateral side at least one passer (51, 151, 251) disposed near the soleplate and intended for the passage of the cord / lace for clamping, the tightening cord / yaw (40, 140, 240) comprising at least one strand performing an alternating path between each loop and conduit respectively of the shank / sole and clamping plate, a locking system (50, 150, 250) being associated with each strand of the cord / lace (40, 140, 240), the clamping plate (30, 130, 230 ) being displaceable at least vertically with respect to the sole (20, 120, 220) by pulling on the cord / yaw (40, 140, 240). An article of footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the clamping plate (30, 130, 230) comprises an arc / lace passageway in the shape of an arc of circle on each of its medial and lateral sides, respectively. Footwear according to claim 2, characterized in that the arc has a radius of about 50 to 70mm. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the guide means of the cord / lace on the top of the shoe are provided at the front of the clamping plate. Footwear according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide means are constituted by a conduit (53) in the form of a circular arc disposed on the rod. Footwear according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide means are constituted by a conduit (253) in the form of a circular arc integral with the clamping plate (230). Article of footwear according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that anchoring means (153) at each end of the cord / lace are provided on the top of the rod at the front of the clamping plate (130). ). Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that means for returning the cord / lace (55, 155, 255) are provided on the rod and the clamping plate behind the passage ducts. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the strands of the cord / lace have a locking system (50, 150, 250) common on the top of the shoe. Footwear according to claim 9, characterized in that the rear end of the cord / lace forms a loop (41b, 141b, 241b) and in that a blocker (50, 150, 250) is arranged on the cord / lace near this end. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the distribution plate (30) is fixed on the rod (10). Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the rod (10, 110, 210) is at least partially extensible.

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