Abstract
The present invention is directed to an adjustable footwear system to provide varying degrees of tightness in different areas of the footwear before and after the footwear is received on the foot. The footwear is, in its initial form, tightest on the inner cavity with an upper comprised of one or more elastic materials. An extensor system is activated to create a rigid infra-structure to open a cavity of the footwear between the upper and an insole. A decrease of pressure in the extensor system decreases the cavity volume and allows for the elastic upper to apply pressure to the foot.
Claims
1. An adjustable footwear system comprising: footwear including an upper and a sole, a cavity positioned between the upper and the insole; an extensor system including one or more extensors arranged in one or more groups; and one or more activation devices for activating the one or more extensors, wherein the one or more activation devices are activated for adjusting the extensor system for loosening and tightening the cavity.
2. The adjustable footwear system of claim 1 wherein the upper is formed of an elastic material.
3. The adjustable footwear system of claim 1 wherein when the extensor system is activated the extensor system provides a rigid infrastructure.
4. The adjustable footwear system of claim 1 wherein the extensor system comprises one or more extensor arms.
5. The adjustable footwear system of claim 4 wherein the one or more extensor arms extend between sides of the upper.
6. The adjustable footwear system of claim 4 wherein the one or more extensor arms are positioned in a mesh configuration.
7. The adjustable footwear system of claim 4 wherein the extensor system is pressure activated, said extensor system comprising coupling lines for coupling a device to the extensor arms, the device being a pump.
8. The adjustable footwear system of claim 1 wherein the activation device is a pressure activation device including a pressure button actuator.
9. The adjustable footwear system of claim 1 comprising a plurality of the activation devices, each of the activation devices activating a respective one of the one or more groups of the extensors.
10. An adjustable article system comprising: an article including a band or a sleeve and an opening within the sides of the band, an extensor system including one or more extensors; and an activation device for activating the extensor system, wherein in the activation device is activated for adjusting the extensor system for reducing and increasing the size of the opening.
11. The adjustable article system of claim 10 wherein the band or sleeve is formed of an elastic material.
12. The adjustable article system of claim 10 wherein when the extensor system is activated the extensor system provides a rigid infrastructure.
13. The adjustable article system of claim 10 wherein the extensor system comprises one or more extensor arms.
14. The adjustable article system of claim 13 wherein the one or more extensor arms extend between sides of the band or sleeve.
15. The adjustable article system of claim 13 wherein the one or more extensor arms are positioned in a mesh or spiral configuration.
16. The adjustable article system of claim 13 wherein the extensor system is pressure activated, said extensor system comprising coupling lines for coupling a device to the extensor arms, the device being a pump.
17. The adjustable article system of claim 10 wherein the activation device is a pressure activation device including a pressure button actuator.
18. The adjustable article system of claim 10 comprising a plurality of the activation devices, each of the activation devices activating a respective one of the one or more groups of the extensors.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable footwear system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an un-activated state.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a pressure activation device which can be used in the adjustable footwear system.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable footwear system in an activated state.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an alternative adjustable footwear system in an activated state.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in FIG. 6.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a side view of an alternative adjustable footwear system in an un-activated state.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in FIG. 8.
[0022] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the adjustable footwear system shown in FIG. 8 in an activated state.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a side view of activation of the adjustable footwear system.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side view of use of the adjustable footwear system after activation.
[0025] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of a side view of the adjustable article system in accordance with the teachings of the present invention in an un-activated state.
[0026] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the adjustable article system shown in FIG. 11 in an un-activated state.
[0027] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the adjustable article system shown in FIG. 11 in an activated state.
[0028] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable footwear system.
[0029] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable footwear system of FIG. 16 in an activated state.
[0030] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system.
[0031] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system of FIG. 18 in an activated state.
[0032] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system.
[0033] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of an extensor system and a plurality of pressure activation devices which can be used in an adjustable article system of FIG. 20 in an activated state.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] Reference will now be made in greater detail to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals will be used throughout the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
[0035] FIGS. 1 and 2 are schematic diagrams of adjustable footwear system 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Adjustable footwear system 10 is shown in an un-activated state. Footwear 11 includes upper 12. Preferably, upper 12 is formed of an elastic material. For example, upper 12 can be formed of one or more materials having elastic properties. Suitable materials include, but are not limited to, Lycra, elastic, spandex, neoprene, or PVC. Upper 12 can also include one or more materials which are more rigid. Suitable rigid materials include, but are not limited to, plastic, polyurethane and polypropylene. The rigid material can provide support of upper 12 or decoration. Cavity 13 is formed between upper 12 and insole 14.
[0036] Adjustable footwear system 10 includes extensor system 20. Extensor system 20 can be activated by pressure activation device 30 to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensor system 20 includes a one or more extensors 22. In this embodiment, extensors 22 are formed of extensor arms 23. Extensor arms 23 can be positioned to extend from one side 24 of upper 12 to the other side 25 of upper 12. Width W.sub.1 adjacent of respective extensor arms 23 positioned adjacent side 24 or side 25 can be greater than width W.sub.2 at end 26 of extensor arms 23. Extensor arms 23 can extend from width W.sub.2 to point 27.
[0037] Extensors 22 are coupled to pressure activation device 30. Pressure activation device 30 controls pressure within extensors 22. In the un-activated state shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 zero pressure is used in extensor system 20. Extensor arms 23 in the un-activated state are substantially flat within upper 12.
[0038] Pressure activation device 30 can be hydraulic and use fluids or air with device 32 to manually increase the pressure in extensor system 20 as shown in FIG. 3. Coupling lines 34 can be used to couple device 32 to pressure button actuator 36. Device 32 can be a pump. Alternatively, device 32 can be a crank and ratchet device or a battery powered device to regulate the desired pressure.
[0039] Activation of pressure button actuator 36 increases pressure in extensor system 20 to increase rigidity of extensor system 20. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, in one embodiment, increasing of pressure in extensor system 20 extends extensor arms 23 in a substantially vertical direction to extend upper 12 away from insole 14 thereby increasing the size of cavity 13. In the activated state extensor arms 23 are no longer flat.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in one embodiment, extensor arms 23 expand in both a horizontal and vertical direction to extend upper 12 away from insole 14 thereby increasing the size of cavity 13. In the activated state extensor arms 23 are no longer flat.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, in one embodiment, extensor system 20 includes extensor mesh 50 formed of overlapping extensors 22. Pressure activation device 30 can be activated for increasing of pressure to extends mesh 50 away from insole 14 thereby increasing the size of cavity 13 as shown in FIG. 10.
[0042] Activation of pressure button actuator 36 by finger 60 of a user can increase pressure in extensor system 20 to a maximum pressure to expand cavity 13 to its largest volume and allow for easy entry of foot 70 into cavity 13, as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. Once foot 70 is in cavity 13, finger 60 of the user can activate pressure button actuator 36 to decrease pressure in extension system 20, which decreases volume of cavity 13, and allows for the elastic upper 13 to apply the pressure on foot 70.
[0043] FIGS. 13-15 are schematic diagrams of adjustable article system 100 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Article 101 can be for example a band or a sleeve such as a watch band, headband or medical band. Adjustable article system 100 is shown in an un-activated state in FIGS. 13 and 14. Article 101 has diameter D.sub.1 between sides 103. Article 101 includes embedded extensor system 20 and pressure activation device 30. Extensor system 20 can be activated by pressure activation device 30 to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the activated state shown in FIG. 15, diameter D.sub.2 is increased from diameter D.sub.1 to enlarge opening 105.
[0044] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of adjustable footwear system 200 which includes extensor system 202. Extensor system 202 includes first group 204a of extensors 22 positioned at front 205 of footwear 11 and second group 204n of extensors 22 positioned at rear 206 of footwear 11. Extensors 22 of first group 204a can be activated by pressure activation device 30a to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensors 22 of second group 204n can be activated by pressure activation device 30n to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, pressure activation device 30a is activated to activate first group 204a of extensors 22. It will be appreciated that any number of groups of extensors can be positioned in footwear and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the footwear.
[0045] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of adjustable footwear system 350 which includes extensor system 352. Extensor system 352 includes first mesh 50a positioned at front 205 of footwear 11 and second mesh 50n positioned at rear 206 of footwear 11. First mesh 50a can be activated by pressure activation device 30a to provide a rigid infra-structure. Second mesh 50n can be activated by pressure activation device 30n to provide a rigid infra-structure. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 19, pressure activation device 30b is activated to activate second mesh 50n. It will be appreciated that any number of portions of mesh can be positioned in footwear and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the footwear.
[0046] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of adjustable article system 400 includes embedded extensor system 402. Extensor system 402 includes first group 404a of extensors 22 positioned at side 405 of article 401 and second group 404n of extensors 22 positioned at side 406 of article 401. Extensors 22 of first group 404a can be activated by pressure activation device 30a to provide a rigid infra-structure. Extensors 22 of second group 404n can be activated by pressure activation device 30n to provide a rigid infra-structure.
[0047] FIG. 21 is a schematic diagram of adjustable article system 500 which includes extensor system 502. Extensor system 502 includes first mesh 50a positioned at side 505 of article 501 and second mesh 50n positioned at side 506 of article 501. First mesh 50a can be activated by pressure activation device 30a to provide a rigid infra-structure. Second mesh 50n can be activated by pressure activation device 30n to provide a rigid infra-structure. It will be appreciated that any number of groups of extensors can be positioned in the article and activated by a corresponding number of pressure activation devices to control pressure in different positions of the article. Alternatively, mesh 50a and mesh 50n can be formed in a spiral configuration.
[0048] It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which can represent applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance with these principles by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
