1335results about "Shoe lace fastenings" patented technology

The present invention relates to a shoe having a canopy and laterally mounted tightening apparatus. The canopy has a fixed end attached to the shoe and a free end not attached to the shoe. The free end of the canopy has lobes (or the canopy is a plurality of straps) that are moveable relatively independently of each other such that a lace attached to a tightening apparatus and the free end of the canopy tightens the shoe allowing the free ends of the canopy to facilitate the canopy molding the foot of the user.

The automatic shoe lace tightening system or power lace has a switch on the shoe upper to activate a small battery powered slow speed motor fixed into a recess in the heel which winds in onto the winder spool the smooth plastic or wire lacing cord passing through guiding tubes positioned across the shoe tongue and down the side of the shoe through to the motor housing upon which the tightening cord draws together the lace loop plates fixed either side of the shoe's upper adjacent to the tongue by passing in a zig-zag through cord loops fixed to and along the lace plates with the end of the cord attached to the bottom of one of the plates and the desired tension of the cord and shoe fit is automatically held in place as the cord passes through a sprung loaded clamp which can then be manually released to loosen the shoe.

The present invention provides a 3-D fabric with a plurality of channels. Loops in the channels distribute force over the fabric.

The present invention provides a 3-D fabric with a plurality of channels. Loops in the channels distribute force over the fabric.

An article of footwear is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a multi-layered upper. A bootie configured to fit snugly about the foot of the wearer forms the interior of the upper. An outer covering substantially encases the bootie and is attached to the bootie only along a lateral side of the upper. The outer covering includes a split forming an opening on the lateral side of the upper, with the split in the outer covering extending into the small toe region of the upper. The opening is adjustable to tighten the shoe around the foot of the wearer, so a lacing system is provided coincident with the opening. A flap is positioned between the outer covering and the bootie underneath the opening. The flap is secured to the outer covering and the bootie on a lateral side of the opening.

A string fastening device includes a reel on which a string is reeled thereon and a toothed ring is connected to the reel. A knob has a shaft inserted into a tube extending from the base of the device and the reel is rotatably mounted on the tube. The knob has first teeth in an underside thereof and the first teeth are engaged with the toothed ring so that the reel is driven by rotation of the knob to tighten the ring. The knob can be pulled away from the reel to disengage the first teeth from the toothed ring so that the string can be loosened. The knob includes second teeth and the base has two pawls which limit the knob to rotate in one direction to drive the reel.

An article of footwear includes a woven region. A fit adjustment system includes a lace strap superimposed with strands of material forming the woven region. The lace strap is routed around the shoe and forms opposing pairs of lace holding elements such as lace loops. More specifically, the lace strap extends downwardly from a lace holding element on a first side of the upper, across and underneath the footbed, around the heel region, back across and underneath the footbed, and upwardly to form a lace holding element on the second side. By the routing of the lace strap, the lace strap is integrated with the heel and arch portions of the shoe. A shoe lace is routed through the lace holding elements and may be adjusted to affect the fit of the upper to a foot of a user.

Disclosed is a closure system used in combination in any of a variety of applications including clothing, for example as a footwear lacing system comprising a lace attached to a tightening mechanism. The lace extends through a series of guide members positioned along two opposing footwear closure portions. The lace and guides preferably have low friction surfaces to facilitate sliding of the lace along the guide members so that the lace evenly distributes tension across the footwear member. The tightening mechanism allows incremental adjustment of the tension of the lace. The closure system allows a user to quickly loosen the lace and inhibits unintentional and / or accidental loosing of the lace.

Active-response golf shoes are disclosed. The golf shoes include at least one sensor, a controller, and at least one active-response element. The sensor and controller operate to rapidly determine if a golfer is walking or swinging a golf club. Once this determination is made the controller and active-response element rapidly change the shoe's characteristics. If the controller determines that the golfer is walking, the shoe provides a soft and flexible walking platform. If the controller determines that the golfer is swinging, the shoe morphs or changes automatically to provide a stable hitting platform. The controller senses various predetermined conditions such as pressure under the ball of the user's foot to determine whether the golfer is walking or swinging. The active-response elements may be a sole adjuster, a lace adjuster, and / or an upper adjuster. Methods of determining the golfer's type of movement are also disclosed.

A fitting portion of a rotational member of a shoestring tying apparatus is fit to a rotational cap serving as an operating member of a fastening member for winding up and fastening a shoestring. The fitting portion serves as a connection between a driving mechanism and the rotational cap. When the user pulls an operating cord serving as a portion of a driving mechanism, a rotational member is rotated, and a spring included in the rotational member is wound. The rotational cap is rotated through the fitting portion due to rotation of the rotational member, thereby quickly rotating the fastening member. Thus, the fastening member can be rotated several dozen times by an operation in which the operating cord is alternately extracted and retracted several times. This provides a shoestring tying apparatus with excellent portability and appearance for easily and quickly fastening a shoestring in a sure manner.

A fitting portion of a rotational member of a shoestring tying apparatus is fit to a rotational cap serving as an operating member of a fastening member for winding up and fastening a shoestring. The fitting portion serves as a connection between a driving mechanism and the rotational cap. When the user pulls an operating cord serving as a portion of a driving mechanism, a rotational member is rotated, and a spring included in the rotational member is wound. The rotational cap is rotated through the fitting portion due to rotation of the rotational member, thereby quickly rotating the fastening member. Thus, the fastening member can be rotated several dozen times by an operation in which the operating cord is alternately extracted and retracted several times. This provides a shoestring tying apparatus with excellent portability and appearance for easily and quickly fastening a shoestring in a sure manner.

A cord taking-up and releasing device includes a main body consisting of a housing, a turning knob on a top of the housing, and a seat below the housing; a taking-up and releasing unit received in the housing and including a first shaft connected at an upper end to the turning knob and at a lower end to a retaining gear; and a cord-winding unit mounted on the seat of the main body and including a reel having an upper end engaged with the retaining gear, a lower end rotatably connected to a second shaft, and a middle portion, to which two ends of a cord are tied. Through manipulation of the turning knob, the taking-up and releasing unit brings the cord-winding unit to quickly take up or release the cord tied to the reel without being affected by the length of the cord wound around the reel.