US4780969A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Article of footwear with improved tension distribution closure system
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1987-07-31
•
Granted: 1988-11-01
•
Expires: 2007-07-31
Abstract
Abstract A shoe with an improved tension distribution closure system is disclosed. The system is accomplished by increased spacing of eyelets, and decreasing the adjacent row spacing in the lower portion of the shoelace and decreasing the spacing of eyelets and increasing adjacent row spacing in the upper portion of the shoelace opening.
Inventors
- 👤 Samuel G. White, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 07:55
CPC Classifications
A; A43; A43C; A43C1/00; A43B; A43B11/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T24/00; Y10T24/37; Y10T24/3737
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A tension distribution closure system for shoes comprising: a shoe having medial and lateral adjacent closure faces along the tongue opening and lacing means comprising a plurality of eyelets in each of said closure faces adapted to permit a shoelace to pass freely therethrough; and having a lacing means spacing consisting of the spacing between opposing pairs of eyelets and a lacing means adjacent row spacing consisting of the spacing between adjacent eyelets residing on either the medial or lateral closure face of the tongue opening; and said lacing means spacing increasing in width as said lacing means nears the toe of said shoe; and said lacing means adjacent row spacing increasing near the tie point, providing greater tension at the toeward lacing means and greater tension distribution across the entire shoe when said shoelace is pulled and tied.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A tension distribution closure system for shoes comprising: a shoe having medial and lateral adjacent closure faces along the tongue opening and lacing means comprising a plurality of eyelets in each of said closure faces adapted to permit a shoelace to pass freely therethrough; and having a lacing means spacing consisting of the spacing between opposing pairs of eyelets and a lacing means adjacent row spacing consisting of the spacing between adjacent eyelets residing on either the medial or lateral closure face of the tongue opening; and said lacing means spacing increasing in width as said lacing means nears the toe of said shoe; and said lacing means adjacent row spacing increasing near the tie point, providing greater tension at the toeward lacing means and greater tension distribution across the entire shoe when said shoelace is pulled and tied.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A tension distribution closure system as recited in claim 1 whereby said lacing means spacing is logarithmically arranged.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
A tension distribution closure system as recited in claim 1 whereby said lacing means adjacent row spacing is logarithmically spaced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1991-11-01 | 1992-05-02 | 1992-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-11-01 | 1996-05-02 | 1996-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-11-01 | 2000-05-02 | 2000-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |