DE112010002561T5 - Cycling shoes with rear entry - Google Patents

Abstract

n includes shaft attached to the sole The upper includes a heel portion that is movable relative to a central portion from an open position to a closed position. A retaining mechanism (e.g., a pull cord and an adjustment washer for tightening the pull cord) is connected to the heel section and the midsection. Preferably, the dial is attached near an edge of the central portion close to a pull-in opening and the pull cord is in a channel in the central portion. The heel portion may comprise a flexible fabric that acts as an integral hinge to permit pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the central portion at a pivot point located above the sole and behind the central portion. Preferably, the heel section includes a wide section and a narrow section (e.g. including the pivot point) below the wide section.

Description

Related applications

The present application claims priority over US Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/218/762 filed Jun. 19, 2009, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

background

The present invention relates to cycling equipment, and more particularly to cycling shoes adapted for use by triathletes.

Triathlons compete in swimming, cycling and running with the goal of crossing the finish line in the shortest possible time. To improve the time, it is helpful if the transitions between the stages of the competition are short. To shorten the transition period from the swim stage to the cycling stage, triathlon bicycles are usually already prepared so that cycling shoes are attached to the pedals. As a result, the triathletes do not have to first put on their shoes when moving from the swim stage to the cycling stage, but instead can step onto the bike and kick and / or roll on their shoes before they slip their shoes into their shoes.

Summary

The present invention serves to facilitate easy insertion of the triathlete's foot into the cycling shoe in order to shorten the time required to fully mount on the bicycle and to allow the shoe to be attached to the foot. More specifically, in one aspect, the present invention provides a shoe comprising a sole and a shaft attached to the sole. The shaft includes a central portion and a heel portion which, with respect to the central portion, can be moved from an open position allowing insertion of a user's foot into the shoe to a closed position in which the user's foot is retained in the shoe , A fastening mechanism is connected to the heel portion and the middle portion. The retention mechanism includes a drawstring extending from the heel portion to the midsection.

In one embodiment, the retaining mechanism further includes a pivoting shim (attached, for example, to the central portion) connected to the drawstring such that the drawstring is tightened by rotation of the shim. Preferably, the central portion includes a slip-in opening in a slip-in area, and the shaft further includes a tongue disposed in the slip-in opening. In the present embodiment, the shim may be mounted near an edge of the central portion near the entrapment opening.

The central portion may further include a channel, and the drawstring may be disposed in the channel. For example, the center portion may include left and right channels opposed to each other at left and right sides of the center portion facing each other, and the pull cord may be disposed in the left and right channels. The drawstring preferably extends over a slip-in region of the middle section.

In another aspect, the heel portion includes a flexible fabric that acts as an integral hinge to permit pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the midsection. Preferably, the flexible fabric also extends to and forms part of the central portion.

In another aspect, the heel portion is pivoted relative to the midsection at a pivot point that is above the sole (i.e., the outsole and the insole) and behind the midsection. Preferably, the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, the pivot point substantially corresponding to the narrow portion. Further, the wide portion of the heel portion may include a left and a right leg extending to the left and right sides of the central portion, respectively.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

Brief description of the drawings

1 Figure 3 is a front perspective view of a cycling shoe according to one aspect of the invention.

2 is another front perspective view of the cycling shoe in 1 ,

3 is a side view of the cycling shoe in 1 ,

4 is a top view of the cycling shoe in 1 ,

5 is a perspective top view of the cycling shoe in 1 at a middle position.

6 is a perspective view of a cycling shoe according to another aspect of the invention.

Detailed description

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention may have other embodiments or be implemented or carried out in various ways.

1 shows a shoe 10 , the one sole that has an outsole 14 and an insole 16 includes a shaft 18 who is at the outsole 14 is attached, and a fastening or holding mechanism 22 has, with which the shoe 10 attached or held at the foot of a driver. The shoe shown 10 is a cycling shoe 10 for use with a bicycle. In detail, the shoe is 10 intended for use with so-called "clipless" or "clip-in" bicycle pedals. However, if desired, the shoe can be used without "clipless" bicycle pedals.

In the 3 illustrated outsole 14 consists of rigid polymer. However, other rigid materials may be used, such as fiber-matrix composite, wood or other materials, as known in the art. The illustrated outsole 14 also contains a heel plate 26 and a mounting portion 30 to attach a pedal clip if desired. In other constructions, the heel plate 26 and the attachment portion may be different or omitted.

The illustrated insole 16 is a flexible insert that incorporates padding to support the driver's arch and provide a more comfortable fit. The insole 16 lies on the outsole 14 on and can be removed. In another construction, the insole 16 so with the outsole 14 connected, that it can not be taken out.

The shaft 18 contains as referring to 1 and 2 you can see a toe section 34 , a heel section 38 and a middle section 42 that the toe section 34 and the heel section 38 combines. The illustrated shaft 18 consists of a composite material of flexible fabric. That is, the illustrated shaft 18 consists of a fabric and an artificial leather.

The middle section 42 contains a slip-in area 46 which is generally in the middle of the shaft 18 located in the longitudinal direction and a right side 50 ( 2 ) as well as a left side 54 ( 1 ) having. A hatch opening 58 is in the slip-in area 46 between the right side 50 and the left side 54 formed and extends from a foot opening 62 forward to the toe section 34 , A right channel 66 ( 2 ) is on the right side 50 formed, and a left channel 70 is on the left side 54 educated. A cuff 74 connects the input and the output of the right channel 66 and the left channel 70 , The illustrated cuffs 74 are made of plastic and run inside the shaft 18 , The left and the right channel 66 and 70 are set up to be a drawstring 114 record, as described in detail below. In other constructions, the left and right channels can 66 . 70 be arranged differently, be longer or shorter than shown, and begin and end elsewhere if desired.

A tongue 78 is across the hatch opening 58 arranged and forms together with the shaft 18 the foot opening 62 , The illustrated tongue 78 is connected to the left side and extends over the slip opening 58 and under the right side 50 so that part of the hatch opening 58 remains open. As an alternative, the tongue may become 78 over the top of the right side 50 extend. In other constructions, the tongue can 78 be shaped differently or over a larger or smaller part of the slip opening 58 extend. 8th For example, an example shows where the tongue 78 with the toe section 34 is connected and substantially over the entire length of the slip opening 58 up to the foot opening 62 extends.

A front closure mechanism in the form of a flexible belt 82 is across the hatch opening 58 essentially to the toe section 34 arranged adjacent. The illustrated flexible belt 82 Includes a Velcro strap and can be worn when the rider's foot is in the shoe 10 is added to keep the driver's foot more secure and support. In other embodiments, the front closure mechanism may be a drawstring or utilize other fasteners, if desired.

The heel section 38 contains a wide section 86 , the one right thigh 90 and a left thigh 94 and a narrow section 98 below the wide section 86 , The right thigh 90 and the left thigh 94 extend to the right or left side 50 . 54 of the middle section 62 , The heel section 38 consists of a flexible fabric that has an integrated hinge on the narrow section 98 forms. In the illustrated shoe 10 is the integrated hinge above the outsole 14 and the insole 16 and behind the middle section 42 , The middle section 42 and the heel section 38 consist of the same flexible fabric. A closure aid in the form of a loop 102 made of flexible fabric is with the back of the heel section 38 connected. A heel channel 106 is through the wide section 86 through from the right thigh 90 to the left thigh 94 educated. A cuff 74 extends from the entrance to the exit of the heel channel 106 , The illustrated cuff 74 is made of plastic and runs inside the heel section 38 ,

The heel section 38 can be between an open position (broken lines in 3 ), in which the heel section 38 Folded down to direct access to the foot opening 62 and a closed position ( 1 ), in which the heel section 38 is placed to the driver's foot in the shoe 10 to keep. 5 shows the heel section 38 at an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position. The heel section 38 is pivoted on the integrated hinge.

The holding mechanism 22 contains a turntable 110 and the drawstring 114 , The rotary dial 110 is near a border 118 the left side 54 of the slip-in section 46 near the hatch opening 58 attached. The drawstring 114 runs through the right channel 66 , the left channel 70 and the heel channel 106 and is on the rotary shim 110 appropriate. The channels 66 . 70 allow the pull cord 114 so through the shaft 18 passes through that no substantial part of the drawstring 114 exposed.

The rotary dial 110 Includes grip surfaces around the perimeter, allowing the rider to turn the dial 110 and turn it around an axis. The drawstring 114 is like that with the rotary shim 110 connected that when turning the rotary shim 110 in a first direction the pull cord 114 is tightened and the pull cord 114 when lifting the rotary shim 110 from the shoe 10 can loosen it up. As an alternative, the drawstring may be 114 when turning the rotary dial 110 in a second direction. An exemplary shim is in U.S. Patent No. 7,591,050 presented and described, issued to Boa Technology, Inc., the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. When the pull cord 114 solved, the heel section can 38 be moved to the open position. When the pull cord 114 is tightened, the heel section becomes 38 held in the closed position. In the illustrated construction, the tongue contains 78 Furthermore, an eyelet 102 through which the drawstring 114 passes through. In another construction, the rotary shim 116 a snap-in dial, and a push button can be used to pull the pull cord 114 Loosen by loosening the locking washer.

In operation, a driver releases the flexible belt 82 and turn the rotary dial 110 to the drawstring 114 to relax. The heel section 38 is then moved to the open position. The driver then inserts his foot into the foot opening 62 and very forward in the shoe 10 one. Then the driver pulls the flexible belt 62 firmly, leaving the shoe 10 around the front of the rider's foot. Then the driver takes the loop 102 made of flexible fabric and pulls the heel section 38 to the closed position. When the heel section 38 When it is in the closed position, the rotary dial becomes 110 turned to tighten the drawstring and the heel section 38 to hold in the closed position and the driver's foot safely in the shoe 10 take.

To the driver's foot off the shoe 10 To remove, the driver raises the rotary shim 110 to the drawstring 114 to relax. The heel section 38 is then moved to the open position, the flexible belt 82 is released, and the driver's foot is pulled out. As an alternative, the driver's foot may be in the shoe 10 be inserted and pulled out of it without the flexible belt 82 is solved.

6 shows an alternative construction of the shoe 10 , The front lock mechanism is a rotary dial 122 with a drawstring 126 , the rotary shim 110 similar to that used to tighten the heel section 38 is used. The rotary dial 122 Can be rotated in one direction to the drawstring 126 to loosen, and in the other direction to the drawstring 126 tighten. Alternatively, a button can be used to pull the cord 126 to release it.

It should be noted that in the above described and in 1 - 5 shoes shown the outsole 14 comprises a one-piece structure. That is, the outsole 14 contains no parts that move with the heel section. Instead, the possibility of entry from behind is achieved in these constructions by the heel section 38 relative to the outsole 14 and relative to the center section 42 of the shaft 18 is moved.

An advantageous use of the shoe 10 results for triathletes. The shoes 10 can be clamped in the pedals of a bicycle so that the heel section 38 in the open position before an athlete approaches the bicycle. Then the athlete puts his foot in the shoe 10 one, with the shoe 10 while it is clamped to the vehicle. Subsequently, the athlete can the heel section 38 Move to the closed position and tighten the fasteners to the foot in the shoe 10 to keep. Similarly, the athlete's foot can be removed from the shoe 10 pull out without the shoe 10 to remove from the bicycle pedals. This benefit allows a faster transition time between swimming and cycling, and between cycling and running. Furthermore, the shoe allows 10 even if it is not yet attached to the vehicle pedal, an easier entry / exit in / out of the shoe 10 ,

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 7591050 [0027]

Claims (19)

Shoe that includes: a sole; a stem attached to the sole, the stem containing: a middle section; and a heel portion that can be moved relative to the central portion from an open position in which the foot of a user can be inserted into the shoe to a closed position in which the foot of the user is held in the shoe; and a holding mechanism connected to the heel portion and the middle portion, the holding mechanism including a pull cord extending from the heel portion to the middle portion. Shoe according to claim 1, wherein the holding mechanism further includes a rotary shim which is connected to the drawstring, that the drawstring is tightened by turning the shim. Shoe according to claim 2, wherein the shim is fixed to the central portion. Shoe according to claim 3, wherein the central portion includes a Einschlupföffnung in a Einschlupfbereich, the shaft further includes a tongue which is disposed in the Einschlupföffnung, and the shim is fixed in the vicinity of an edge of the central portion near the Einschlupföffnung. Shoe according to claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a channel and the drawstring is in the channel. The shoe according to claim 1, wherein the middle portion includes left and right channels opposed to each other at left and right sides of the central portion, and the pull cord is disposed in the left and right channels. Shoe according to claim 1, wherein the central portion includes a Einschlupfbereich and the pull cord extends over the Einschlupfbereich. Shoe according to claim 1, wherein the heel portion includes a left and a right leg, which extend to the left and right side of the central portion, and the pull cord extends from the left and / or the right leg. Shoe that includes: a sole; a stem attached to the sole, the stem containing: a middle section; and a heel portion that can be moved relative to the central portion from an open position in which the foot of a user can be inserted into the shoe to a closed position in which the foot of the user is held in the shoe, wherein the heel portion a includes flexible fabric which acts as an integral hinge and allows pivotal movement of the heel portion relative to the central portion. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the flexible fabric extends toward and forms part of the central portion. Shoe according to claim 9, wherein the integrated hinge is pivoted at a position above the sole. Shoe according to claim 11, wherein the integrated hinge is pivoted at a position behind the middle section, Shoe according to claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion and the integrated hinge substantially corresponds to the narrow portion. Shoe according to claim 9, wherein the heel portion includes a left and a right leg, which extend to a left and a right side of the central portion. Shoe that includes: a sole; a stem attached to the sole, the stem containing: a middle section; and a heel portion movable relative to the mid-section from an open position in which a user's foot may be inserted into the shoe to a closed position in which the user's foot is held in the shoe, the heel portion being relatively is pivoted to the central portion at a pivot point which is located above the sole and behind the central portion. The shoe of claim 15, wherein the heel portion includes a wide portion and a narrow portion below the wide portion, and the pivot point substantially corresponds to the narrow portion. Shoe according to claim 15, wherein the wide portion has a right and a left leg includes extending to the left and the right side of the central portion. A shoe according to claim 13, further comprising a closure auxiliary member attached to the heel portion. Shoe according to claim 18, wherein the closure auxiliary element comprises a loop of flexible fabric.

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