Tightening device for footwear and footwear provided with such tightening device

Abstract

A tightening device is provided for footwear, in particular, for sports footwear of the kind comprising a substantially rigid outer element and a substantially flexible inner element. The tightening device comprises a strap element and the strap element is configured so thatwhen it is tensionedit is capable of applying pressure directly both onto the outer element and to the inner element, whereby the pressure is applied more efficiently and uniformly and the user's comfort is thus increased. In addition, the strap element has a substantially continuous surface, which increase the stability of the tightening device and eliminates the risk of an incorrect positioning also in the case of high stresses during sports practices.

Claims

1. Footwear, comprising: a shell forming a boot and a shell liner lining interior surfaces of the shell, the shell and shell liner each having upper edges defining an upper opening for insertion of a foot of a user into the footwear, at least a section of the upper edge of the shell liner projecting above the upper edge of the shell; and a tightening device connected to the shell and comprising a strap element and tensioning means for tensioning the strap element relative to the shell and shell liner, wherein the strap element of the tightening device comprises a first section and a second section extending parallel to each other in a first direction and arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the first section lying in a first plane and the second section lying in a second plane offset relative to the first plane in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, the first section and the second section of the strap element being mutually connected by a connecting section, wherein the first section, the second section, and the connecting section of the strap element are formed as an integral one-piece strap with the connecting section extending radially outward relative to the upper opening from a lower edge of the second section to an upper edge of the first section such that the strap element has a substantially continuous surface and such that, when tensioned, the first element of the strap element engages an outer surface of the shell adjacent the upper edge of the shell, the connecting section of the strap element extends over the upper edge of the shell, and the second section of the strap element engages an outer surface of the shell liner adjacent the upper edge of the shell liner, and wherein the connecting section, due to its rigidity, keeps the first and second sections mutually offset along the third direction such that the second section is maintained radially inward of the first section relative to the upper opening.

2. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are arranged mutually adjacent and side-by-side along the second direction.

3. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first and second sections are arranged mutually adjacent and at a distance from each other along the second direction.

4. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein at opposite ends of the strap element the first section and the second section of the strap element are connected to each other by means of further connecting sections.

5. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the strap element is made of a plastic material.

6. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section of the strap element have different rigidities.

7. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section of the strap element are made of different materials.

8. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first section and the second section of the strap element are made with different densities.

9. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the tensioning means includes a buckle and a band, and wherein the strap element is connected at its one end to the buckle and at its other end to the band, the band passing inside the buckle and the buckle comprising a lever element that is capable of passing from an open position, in which the band can freely slide relative to the buckle, to a closed position, in which the buckle engages the band, which is locked relative to the buckle.

10. A footwear comprising an outer element comprising a lower part and an upper part, and an inner element at least partially housed inside the outer element and comprising a lower part and an upper part, an upper opening for the insertion of a foot of a user into the footwear being provided on an upper edge of the upper part of the outer element and on an upper edge of the upper part of the inner element, wherein the upper part of the inner element projects at least in sections from the upper edge of the upper part of the outer element, wherein a longitudinal opening extends over the outer element, wherein the footwear comprises a tightening device comprising a strap element and tensioning means for tensioning the strap element, wherein the strap element of the tightening device comprises a first section and a second section extending parallel to each other in a first direction and arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the first section lying in a first plane and the second section lying in a second plane offset relative to the first plane in a third direction substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions, the first section and the second section of the strap element being mutually connected by a connecting section, wherein the first section, the second section, and the connecting section of the strap element are formed as an integral one-piece strap with the connecting section extending radially outward from a lower edge of the second section to an upper edge of the first section such that the strap element has a substantially continuous surface and such that, when tensioned, the first element of the strap element engages an outer surface of the outer element adjacent the upper edge of the outer element, the connecting section of the strap element extends over the upper edge of the outer element, and the second section of the strap element engages an outer surface of the inner element adjacent the upper edge of the inner element, wherein the connecting section, due to its rigidity, keeps the first and second sections mutually offset along the third direction such that the second section is maintained radially inward of the first section relative to the upper opening.

11. The footwear according to claim 10, wherein the tightening device is arranged so that the first section of the strap element overlaps the outer element of the footwear in the proximity of the upper edge of the upper part of the outer element, and the second section of the strap element overlaps the inner element of the footwear, at least at those sections where it projects from the upper edge of the upper part of the outer element.

12. The footwear according to claim 10, wherein the tightening device is arranged so that the strap element extends transversely over the longitudinal opening of the outer element.

13. The footwear according to claim 5, wherein the strap element is made of an injected plastic material.

14. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein the strap element has a step shape in cross-section taken vertically through the strap element such that the connecting section constantly extends transversely between the parallel first and second sections of the strap element thereby forming the step shape and maintaining the offset.

15. The footwear according to claim 1, wherein a radius of curvature of the second section is less than a radius of curvature of the first section.

16. The footwear according to claim 10, wherein the strap element has a step shape in cross-section taken vertically through the strap element such that the connecting section constantly extends transversely between the parallel first and second sections of the strap element thereby forming the step shape and maintaining the offset.

17. The footwear according to claim 11, wherein a radius of curvature of the first section of the strap element where the first section overlaps the outer element of the footwear is greater than a radius of curvature of the second section of the strap element where the second section overlaps the inner element of the footwear.

18. Footwear, comprising: a shell forming a boot and a shell liner lining interior surfaces of the shell, the shell and shell liner each having upper edges defining an upper opening for insertion of a foot of a user into the footwear, at least a section of the upper edge of the shell liner projecting above the upper edge of the shell; and a tightening device connected to an outer surface of the shell and comprising a strap element and tensioning means for tensioning the strap element against the shell and shell liner; wherein the strap element of the tightening device comprises a first section, a second section, and a connecting section which are formed as an integral one-piece strap with the connecting section extending radially outward relative to the upper opening from a lower edge of the second section to an upper edge of the first section such that the strap element has a substantially continuous surface and such that, when the strap element is tensioned, the first element engages and is tightened against an outer surface of the shell adjacent the upper edge of the shell, the connecting section extends over the upper edge of the shell, and the second section engages and is tightened against an outer surface of the shell liner adjacent the upper edge of the shell liner; and wherein the connecting section, due to its rigidity, maintains the second section radially inward of the first section relative to the upper opening and such that the strap element is provided with a step shape in cross-section taken vertically through the strap element in which the connecting section extends transversely in a fixed position between the first and second sections of the strap element thereby forming the step shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and advantages of the invention will become more evident from the ensuing detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention itself, given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, where:

(2) FIG. 1 schematically shows a footwear provided with a tightening device according to the invention; and

(3) FIG. 2 schematically shows a cross-section of the strap element of the tightening device of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(4) In FIG. 1, there is illustrated a sports footwear 10 comprising a substantially rigid outer element or shell 12 and a substantially flexible inner element or liner 14 which is at least partially housed inside the outer element 12.

(5) In particular, in the example shown in FIG. 1 the sports footwear 10 is a ski boot, but it is evident that this example is not to be taken as limiting. The invention can also be incorporated into other kinds of footwear, particularly sports footwear such as snowboard boots, roller skates, ice skates and so on.

(6) The outer shell 12 comprises a lower part 12a suitable for receiving the user's foot and an upper part of cuff 12b suitable for receiving the ankle and the lower part of the user's calf, an opening 12c for insertion of the user's foot being provided at the upper edge of the upper part 12b.

(7) Correspondingly, the inner liner 14 comprises a lower part suitable for receiving the user's footnot visible in FIG. 1 as it is completely inside the outer shell 12and an upper part or cuff 14b suitable for receiving the ankle and the lower part of the user's calf, the upper part 14b projecting at least in sections from the upper edge of the upper part 12b of the outer shell 12. An opening 14c for insertion of the user's foot is correspondingly provided at the upper edge of the upper part 14b of the inner liner.

(8) At least the outer shell 12and possibly also the inner liner 14has a longitudinal opening 16 extending over the lower part 12a and the upper part 12b of the outer shell up to the upper edge of the outer shell.

(9) Thanks to the opening 16, the space defined inside the footwear 10 can be varied in order to allow insertion of the user's foot inside the footwear and removal thereof from the footwear and in order to allow to adapt the space to the morphological features of the user's foot.

(10) To this aim, the footwear 10 has a plurality of adjustable tightening members 18 arranged along the opening 16.

(11) In particular, the footwear 10 has a tightening device 1 according to the invention which is arranged substantially at the upper edge of the upper part 12b of the outer shell 12 and is intended for adjusting the width of the opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot.

(12) The tightening device 1 comprises a strap element 3 arranged transversely above the opening 16 of the outer shell 12 and means for tensioning the strap element 3.

(13) In the example shown in FIG. 1, a first end of the strap element 3 is connected, by means of a ring 5, to a buckle 7 and the opposite end of the strap element (not visible in FIG. 1) is connected, by means of a corresponding ring, to a band 9 made of substantially inextensible material.

(14) This configuration is not to be intended as limiting. For instance, the strap element 3 could also be slidably mounted on a conventional hook-and-loop fastener strap.

(15) The band 9 is guided around the upper edge of the upper part 12b of the outer shell 12 and is inserted into the buckle 7 so as to form a closed ring around the opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot. By adjusting the position of the buckle 7 along the band 9 it is possible to reduce or increase the width of the closed ring while simultaneously narrowing the opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot or enabling widening thereof. At the same time, by adjusting the position of the buckle 7 along the band 9, it is possible to tension or loosen the strap element 3, thus increasing or reducing the pressure that the strap element 3 exerts onto the footwear 10 at the opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot.

(16) For this purpose, the buckle 7 can comprise a lever element 7a that can move from an open position, in which the band 9 is free to slide relative to the buckle 7, to a closed position, in which the buckle 7 engages the band 9, which is locked relative to the buckle.

(17) According to the invention, and as better visible in FIG. 2, the strap element 3 of the tightening device 1 according to the invention comprises a first section 3a and a second section 3b extending parallel to each other in a first direction (x) and arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction (z) substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the first section 3a lying in a first plane P1 and the second section 3b lying in a second plane P2 offset relative to the first plane in a third direction (y) substantially perpendicular to the first and second directions.

(18) It has to be noted that the sections 3a and 3b can be arranged mutually adjacent and side-by-side along the second direction (z), but also adjacent to and a certain distance from each other along the second direction (z).

(19) Thanks to the configuration of the strap element 3 of the tightening device 1 according to the invention, the tightening device can be arranged so that the first sectionor lower section3a of the strap element 3 overlaps the upper part 12b of the outer shell 12 in the proximity of its upper edge, and the second sectionor upper section3b of the strap element 3 overlaps the upper part 14b of the inner liner 14, at least at those sections where the liner 14 with its upper part projects from the outer shell 12.

(20) In this way, when the tightening device 1 is tightened around the opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot into the footwear 10, the first sectionor lower section3a of the strap element 3 presses directly onto the upper part 12b of the outer shell 12 and the second sectionor upper section3b of the strap element 3 presses directly onto the upper part 14b of the inner liner 14. Consequently the pressure exerted by the strap element 3 is uniformly distributed and the user's comfort is remarkably improved.

(21) Advantageously, according to the invention, the first and second sections 3a,3b of the strap element 3 are connected to each other by means of a connecting section 3c, so that the strap element 3 has a substantially continuous surface. Thanks to this provision, the correct positioning of the strap element 3 can be maintained more easily and stably, also when the footwear 10 and its tightening device 1 undergo high stresses during sports practices. Accordingly, strap element 3 has a step shape in the cross section taken vertically through the strap element 3 such that the connecting section 3c constantly extends transversely between the parallel first and second section 3a,3b thereby forming the step shape and maintaining the offset. Further, the radius of curvature of the second section 3b is less than the radius of curvature of the first section 3c.

(22) Moreover, the connecting section 3c is designed so that the first and second sections are mutually offset along the third direction and it is made of a sufficiently rigid material to keep the first and second sections mutually offset along the third direction even during sports practices.

(23) As visible in FIG. 1, preferably the first and second sections 3a,3b offset relative to each other do not extend over the whole length of the strap element 3, but only in the area where the inner liner 14 projects upwardly from the outer shell 12. The first and second sections 3a,3b are therefore connected to each other by means of further connecting sections 3d (of which only one is visible in FIG. 1) at the opposite ends of the strap element 3.

(24) It is evident that the strap element 3 will be made of elastic material so as to be capable of being tensioned by means of the band 9 and of the buckle 7 and thus applying pressure onto the outer shell 12 and onto the inner liner 14, while at the same time it will have to be rigid enough to maintain the desired configuration, with the first and second sections 3a,3b lying in mutually offset planes.

(25) Strap elements made of fabrics of the kind commonly used in prior art cannot therefore be used for the tightening device according to the invention.

(26) Preferably, the tightening device has a strap element 3 made of plastic material, more preferably it is made of injected plastic material.

(27) The strap element 3 can have homogeneous features over its entire extension.

(28) However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the strap element 3 is made in such a way that the first section 3a and the second section 3b have different features and in particular different rigidities. Such different rigidities can be obtained for instance by using two different materials for making the two sections. For example, in the case where the strap element is made of injected plastic material, it is possible to inject two different plastic materials into the mold, at the two aforementioned sections. As an alternative, such different rigidities can be obtained, for instance, by using the same material but with different densities for making the two sections.

(29) It is clear from what has been described above that the tightening device according to the invention achieves the object set forth above.

(30) It is further evident that the detailed description provided herein of an embodiment of the tightening device has been given solely by way of example and that several modifications and variations are possible within variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For instance, the structure of the tightening device 1, and in particular of the means for tensioning the strap element 3, is not limited to the one described above with reference to FIG. 1.

(31) The tightening device 1 might not extend over the entire opening 12c,14c for insertion of the user's foot, but only over part of it, at the opening 16 of the outer shell 12. In addition, the means for tensioning the strap element 3, instead of consisting of band 9 and buckle 7, might consist of elements of different kind, such as for instance a toothed rack that is attached to the outer shell 12 and a hook that is connected at one end to the strap element 3 and capable of engaging into one of the teeth of the aforesaid toothed rack.