Patent US4426796A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4426796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sport shoe with a dynamic fitting system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1981-01-22
•
Granted: 1984-01-24
•
Expires: 2001-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A sport shoe (1, 101, 201, 400, 500, 600, 650, 700, 750, 780, 800, 850, 900, 950) is disclosed comprising a dynamic fitting system responsive to wearer movement. In various embodiments of the shoe there is provided movable strap members (17, 19), a movable instep tongue member (163, 263), a movable footbed (412, 516, 605, 705, 784), a movable tongue and heel receiving member (860, 861), adjustable cuff members (701) and interior and exterior tongue assemblies (915, 920). In use the above members in response to wearer movement tighten momentarily the fit of the sport shoe from a close fit.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard G. Spademan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 14:40
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43B; A43B5/00; A43B5/04; A43B5/0427; A43B5/0452; A43B5/0454; A43B5/0435; A43B5/0441; A43C; A43C11/00; A43C11/16
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
59 words
A sport shoe for a lower extremity comprising fitting means for providing a close fit between the shoe and the lower extremity; tightening means responsive to a predetermined movement of the wearer of the shoe for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit established by the fitting means; and means for preventing a loosening of the fitting means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
A sport shoe for a lower extremity comprising fitting means for providing a close fit between the shoe and the lower extremity; tightening means responsive to a predetermined movement of the wearer of the shoe for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit established by the fitting means; and means for preventing a loosening of the fitting means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the tightening means is responsive to a predetermined movement of the lower extremity.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sport shoe according to claim 2 wherein the tightening means is responsive to a predetermined movement of a leg relative to a foot of the lower extremity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sport shoe according to claim 3 wherein the tightening means is responsive to a predetermined forward movement of the leg relative to the foot.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
A sport shoe according to claim 3 wherein the means for preventing a loosening of the fitting means comprises means for preventing rearward movement of the leg from the relative position of the leg at which the close fit is established.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the tightening means is located internally of the shoe.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 including means for adjusting the tightening means for varying the closeness of the fit.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the tighening means includes means for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit between the shoe and a foot of the lower extremity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A sport shoe according to claim 8 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit between the shoe and an instep and a heel of a foot of the lower extremity.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 8 wherein the fitting means comprises movable means for engaging the foot.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sport shoe according to claim 10 wherein the tightening means comprises a cable and a pulley assembly operatively coupling the fitting means with the shoe.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
80 words
A sport shoe according to claim 11 wherein the pulley assembly includes a pulley rotatably mounted to the shoe; means for attaching one end of the cable to the movable foot engaging means; means for attaching another end of the cable to the pulley so that a portion of the cable is wound about a portion of the pulley; means for adjusting the amount of cable wound on the pulley; and means for releasably locking the pulley to the shoe.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the fitting means is located internally of the shoe.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the fitting means comprises movable means engaging an upper surface of a foot of the lower extremity.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 14 wherein the movable foot engaging means includes means defining a strap.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sport shoe according to claim 15 wherein the tightening means momentarily increases the tightness of the fit between the strap and the foot.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
88 words
A sport shoe according to claim 15 wherein the movable foot engaging means further comprises: a second strap; means defining a link; means for attaching first ends of the first and second straps to the shoe; means for attaching second ends of the first and second straps to the link; a tensioning member having a first end attached to the link; and means coupled to an opposite end of the tensioning member for momentarily tightening the first and second straps in response to the movement of the wearer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
62 words
A sport shoe according to claim 17 wherein the link is elongaged, and including means for attaching the ends of the first and second straps to opposite ends of the link, and means for attaching the first end of the tensioning member to the link at a location intermediate the position of attachment of the first and second straps to the link.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
66 words
A sport shoe according to claim 18 including means for attaching the first strap to a portion of the shoe which is provided for receiving and supporting the fore foot, means for attaching the second strap to a portion of the shoe which is provided for receiving and supporting the hind foot, and means for pivotally attaching the first and second strap means to the link.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit between the shoe and a leg of the lower extremity.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 20 wherein the fitting means comprises movable means for engaging the leg.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
A sport shoe according to claim 21 wherein the tightening means comprises a cable and a buckle assembly including buckle means attached to the cuff means for pivotable movement between first and second positions about a generally horizontal axis; means connecting the ends of the cable to the cuff means; and means for routing the cable from the cuff means to the buckle means for closing the cuff means about the leg by pivoting the buckle means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sport shoe according to claim 22 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily increasing the tightness of the close fit between the cuff and the leg.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
34 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 wherein the fitting means comprises movable means engaging the lower extremity, including movable means engaging a foot and movable means engaging a leg of the lower extremity.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sport shoe according to claim 24 wherein the foot engaging means comprises a movable footbed and the leg engaging means comprises a movable cuff.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sport shoe according to claim 25 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily lifting the footbed towards the foot and means for momentarily drawing together the cuff about the leg.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sport shoe according to claim 26 wherein the tightening means comprises a cable and a pulley assembly operatively coupling the cuff and the footbed so that the footbed and the cuff are simultaneously tightened.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sport shoe according to claim 27 wherein the tightening means further includes a motor assembly for activating the pulley assembly in response to a predetermined movement of the lower extremity.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
25 words
A sport shoe according to claim 26 wherein the tightening means includes means responsive to a predetermined movement of the cuff for lifting the footbed.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
A sport shoe according to claim 29 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily drawing together the cuff in response to a predetermined movement of the footbed.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
82 words
A sport shoe according to claim 1 including a cuff forming part of the shoe; interior tongue means movably mounted interiorly of the cuff; exterior tongue means movably mounted exteriorly of the cuff; a cable connected with the interior tongue means; means attaching a first portion of the cable to the cuff; and means for attaching a second portion of the cable to the exterior tongue means so that relative movement of the interior tongue means momentarily tightens the exterior tongue means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
21 words
A sport shoe according to claim 10 wherein the fitting means comprises movable means engaging a lower surface of the foot.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
A sport shoe according to claim 32 wherein the movable means comprises a movable footbed.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sport shoe according to claim 33 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily increasing the tightness of the footbed on the foot.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 34 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily lifting the footbed.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
A sport shoe according to claim 35 wherein the means for lifting the footbed includes a rotatable shaft and cam means extending radially from the shaft for lifting the footbed when the shaft is rotated.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
39 words
A sport shoe according to claim 36 including means for rotating the shaft comprising motor driven means operatively coupled with the shaft, and wherein the cam means comprises a plate member extending from the shaft for lifting the footbed.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 35 wherein the lifting means comprises movable piston means engaging the footbed.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sport shoe according to claim 35 wherein the lifting means comprises cooperating inclined surfaces connected to the footbed and the shoe.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
36 words
A sport shoe according to claim 35 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily moving the footbed about an axis generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the sport shoe when the footbed is lifted.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sport shoe according to claim 35 wherein the tightening means includes means for momentarily moving the footbed in a longitudinal direction when the footbed is lifted.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sport shoe according to claim 41 wherein the longitudinal moving means includes cooperating inclined surfaces located proximate an aft end of the footbed.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
69 words
A sport shoe according to claim 41 wherein the longitudinal moving means includes a rigid member and means for connecting one end of the rigid member to an interior wall of the sport shoe and means for connecting an opposite end of the rigid member to an aft end of the footbed, whereby the rigid member moves the footbed longitudinally in a forward direction when the footbed is lifted.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
84 words
A sport shoe according to claim 43 wherein the movable footbed includes: means for engaging a lateral edge of a foot; means for engaging rear and lateral edges of a heel of the foot; means for engaging a medial edge of a ball of the foot; means for engaging a front edge of the foot between toes thereof; means for engaging a medial edge of the heel of the foot; and means for adjusting the distance between selected, opposing ones of the engaging means.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
125 words
A sport shoe for a lower extremity comprising a lower shell and an upper cuff movably connected with the shell; fitting means providing a close fit between the shoe and the lower extremity when the shell and the cuff are in a first relative position; tightening means for tightening the fitting means in response to a relative movement between the upper cuff and the lower shell for momentarily increasing the tightness of the fitting means when the cuff and the shell move with respect to each other from the first position in a first direction; and means for preventing a loosening of the fitting means when the cuff and the shell move with respect to each other from the first position in a second direction.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
125 words
A sport shoe for a lower extremity comprising a lower shell and an upper cuff movably connected with the shell; fitting means providing a close fit between the shoe and the lower extremity when the shell and the cuff are in a first relative position; tightening means for tightening the fitting means in response to a relative movement between the upper cuff and the lower shell for momentarily increasing the tightness of the fitting means when the cuff and the shell move with respect to each other from the first position in a first direction; and means for preventing a loosening of the fitting means when the cuff and the shell move with respect to each other from the first position in a second direction.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sport shoe according to claim 45 wherein the preventing means comprises means preventing rearward movement of the upper cuff from the first position.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sport shoe according to claim 46 wherein the fitting means is disposed internally of the lower shell.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
121 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell, an upper cuff movably attached to the shell; at least one strap disposed interiorly of the shoe and located to engage an upper surface of a foot disposed in the shoe means connecting a first end of the strap with the shoe; means connecting a second end of the strap with the shoe; and means disposed between at least one end of the strap and the shoe for tightening the strap against the foot in response to a predetermined relative movement between the cuff and the shell in a first directon and for loosening the strap in response to a predetermined movement between the shell and the cuff in a second, generally opposite direction.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
121 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell, an upper cuff movably attached to the shell; at least one strap disposed interiorly of the shoe and located to engage an upper surface of a foot disposed in the shoe means connecting a first end of the strap with the shoe; means connecting a second end of the strap with the shoe; and means disposed between at least one end of the strap and the shoe for tightening the strap against the foot in response to a predetermined relative movement between the cuff and the shell in a first directon and for loosening the strap in response to a predetermined movement between the shell and the cuff in a second, generally opposite direction.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
60 words
A sport shoe according to claim 48 including first and second, generally parallel, spaced apart straps positioned to engage the upper surface of the foot, and means pivotally attached to adjacent ends of the straps for increasing the force with which one of the straps engages the foot when the force with which the other strap engages the foot increases.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
61 words
A sport shoe according to claim 48 wherein the means for tightening comprises a pulley rotatably mounted to the shell, means coupling the pulley to the cuff so that relative motion of the cuff imparts a corresponding rotational motion to the pulley; and a cable anchored to the pulley and connected with the strap for tightening the strap against the foot.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
183 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell; an upper cuff movably attached to the lower shell; first and second straps disposed interiorly of the shell for engaging an upper surface of a foot disposed in the shoe; means connecting proximate first ends of the straps with the shoe; and means connecting second, proximate ends of the straps with the shoe, the second ends connecting means including an elongated link pivotally attached to the second ends of the straps, and a cable having a first end pivotally attached to the link at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the straps, and a second end attached to the shoe so that the straps apply a force against the upper surface of a foot when disposed in the shoe; whereby relative movement of one of the straps in response to movement of the lower extremity in the boot increases the force applied by such strap against the foot and pivots the link about the cable attachment point and thereby causes a corresponding increase in the force applied against the foot by the second strap.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
183 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell; an upper cuff movably attached to the lower shell; first and second straps disposed interiorly of the shell for engaging an upper surface of a foot disposed in the shoe; means connecting proximate first ends of the straps with the shoe; and means connecting second, proximate ends of the straps with the shoe, the second ends connecting means including an elongated link pivotally attached to the second ends of the straps, and a cable having a first end pivotally attached to the link at a point intermediate the points of attachment of the straps, and a second end attached to the shoe so that the straps apply a force against the upper surface of a foot when disposed in the shoe; whereby relative movement of one of the straps in response to movement of the lower extremity in the boot increases the force applied by such strap against the foot and pivots the link about the cable attachment point and thereby causes a corresponding increase in the force applied against the foot by the second strap.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sport shoe according to claim 51 including means for varying the effective length of the cable to thereby adjust the force with which the straps engage the foot in the shoe.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
138 words
A sport shoe comprising a shell for receiving a portion of a lower extremity including a foot and part of a leg and defining a sole of the shoe; a generally rigid footbed disposed in the shoe generally above the sole thereof; means defining a transverse axis about which the footbed pivots; footbed moving means engaging a side of the footbed facing the sole for raising and lowering the footbed relative to the shell to correspondingly increase and decrease the tightness with which the shoe engages the foot; and means operatively coupled with the moving means for sensing predetermined movements of the lower extremity and correspondingly activating the moving means to raise and lower the footbed to thereby change the tightness of the fit of the shoe as a function of the predetermined movement of the lower extremity.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
138 words
A sport shoe comprising a shell for receiving a portion of a lower extremity including a foot and part of a leg and defining a sole of the shoe; a generally rigid footbed disposed in the shoe generally above the sole thereof; means defining a transverse axis about which the footbed pivots; footbed moving means engaging a side of the footbed facing the sole for raising and lowering the footbed relative to the shell to correspondingly increase and decrease the tightness with which the shoe engages the foot; and means operatively coupled with the moving means for sensing predetermined movements of the lower extremity and correspondingly activating the moving means to raise and lower the footbed to thereby change the tightness of the fit of the shoe as a function of the predetermined movement of the lower extremity.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sport shoe according to claim 53 wherein the moving means includes a piston operatively coupled with the sole and the footbed.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
111 words
A sport shoe comprising a shell and a cuff movably attached to the shell; a footbed disposed within the shoe generally above the sole; means coupling an aft end of the footbed with the cuff so that relative movement of the cuff in a forward direction raises the aft end of the footbed and thereby temporarily increases the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the foot; and means carried by the footbed and the shell for inducing a forward motion of the footbed relative to the shell as a result of the raising of the footbed relative to the shell to thereby further increase the tightness of the fit.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
111 words
A sport shoe comprising a shell and a cuff movably attached to the shell; a footbed disposed within the shoe generally above the sole; means coupling an aft end of the footbed with the cuff so that relative movement of the cuff in a forward direction raises the aft end of the footbed and thereby temporarily increases the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the foot; and means carried by the footbed and the shell for inducing a forward motion of the footbed relative to the shell as a result of the raising of the footbed relative to the shell to thereby further increase the tightness of the fit.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
31 words
A sport shoe according to claim 55 including inclined surfaces on the sole and the footbed for raising a forward portion of the footbed in response to the forward motion thereof.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
44 words
A shoe according to claim 56 wherein the inclined surfaces are disposed proximate one lateral side only of the footbed and the sole so that forward motion of the footbed additionally results in a relative tilting of the footbed about a longitudinal axis thereof.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell including a sole, an upper cuff, means permitting relative pivotal movement between the cuff and the shell about a transverse axis from a rest position towards a position in which the cuff is forwardly inclined relative to its rest position; the cuff having a generally tubular configuration and overlapping ends which can be drawn together and pulled apart to correspondingly vary the tightness with which the cuff engages a leg of a lower extremity disposed in the shoe; a footbed in the shoe generally above the sole; and cable means operatively coupled with the footbed, the shell and the cuff so that relative forward pivotal movement of the cuff raises the footbed with respect to the sole to thereby increase the tightness with which the foot is engaged by the shoe and simultaneously draws together the overlapping ends of the cuff to increase the tightness with which the cuff engages the leg.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
159 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell including a sole, an upper cuff, means permitting relative pivotal movement between the cuff and the shell about a transverse axis from a rest position towards a position in which the cuff is forwardly inclined relative to its rest position; the cuff having a generally tubular configuration and overlapping ends which can be drawn together and pulled apart to correspondingly vary the tightness with which the cuff engages a leg of a lower extremity disposed in the shoe; a footbed in the shoe generally above the sole; and cable means operatively coupled with the footbed, the shell and the cuff so that relative forward pivotal movement of the cuff raises the footbed with respect to the sole to thereby increase the tightness with which the foot is engaged by the shoe and simultaneously draws together the overlapping ends of the cuff to increase the tightness with which the cuff engages the leg.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
76 words
A sport shoe according to claim 58 including motor driven means operatively coupled with the cable means for adjusting the effective length of the cable means; and transducer means carried by the boot for sensing a predetermined movement of the wearer's leg operatively coupled with the motor means for activating the latter and changing the tension in the cable means to thereby correspondingly change the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the lower extremity.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
151 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell including a sole; an upper cuff pivotally mounted to the shell for pivotal movement from a rest position in a forward direction about an axis extending transversely across the boot; a footbed disposed in the shoe generally above the sole; cam means disposed between the sole and the footbed and fixed relative to the cuff for pivotal movement therewith and for engaging and raising the footbed relative to the sole during pivotal movement of the cuff in a forward direction; and strap means extending across an upper surface of the foot and having ends attached to the shell so that the raising of the footbed increases the force with which the strap engages the foot and thereby temporarily increases the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the foot as a function of the forward movement of the cuff from its rest position.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
151 words
A sport shoe comprising a lower shell including a sole; an upper cuff pivotally mounted to the shell for pivotal movement from a rest position in a forward direction about an axis extending transversely across the boot; a footbed disposed in the shoe generally above the sole; cam means disposed between the sole and the footbed and fixed relative to the cuff for pivotal movement therewith and for engaging and raising the footbed relative to the sole during pivotal movement of the cuff in a forward direction; and strap means extending across an upper surface of the foot and having ends attached to the shell so that the raising of the footbed increases the force with which the strap engages the foot and thereby temporarily increases the tightness of the fit of the shoe on the foot as a function of the forward movement of the cuff from its rest position.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-23 | 1987-07-25 | 1988-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-23 | 1991-07-25 | 1992-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-23 | 1995-07-25 | 1996-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |