[0001] The present invention relates to fit adjustable footwear, and in particular to a
shoe of adjustable dimensions.
[0002] Nowadays, each footwear design is typically produced in an array of standardized
sizes, generally identified by a numeral, in order to be worn-on by a large number
of wearers having feet of most varied dimensions. In particular, for a same footwear
design the different sizes typically differ in length and width of the sole and insole
and therefore, beyond a certain size, also in the dimensions of the vamp fixed to
said sole.
[0003] Usually, sizes vary by one or one-half.
[0004] The main drawback of such known-type footwear lies in that different fixtures may
be required to make the various sizes of a same design, and this increases footwear
production costs.
[0005] Moreover, another drawback concerns the fact that those marketing such footwear should
have in stock a plurality of sizes for each design, so as to meet different customers'
requests; for a trader this entails high storage costs, with the additional risk that
some sizes remain unsold and that, on the contrary, other sizes be unavailable, thereby
failing to meet requests by putative purchasers.
[0006] A further drawback that can be ascribed to the mentioned known types relates to the
fact that the same do not encompass all feet measures and moreover have a preset dimension
for each size, forcing those with specific anatomical needs to have footwear made
to measure.
[0007] A device for adjusting the fit of a footwear having all the features as set forth
in the preamble of claim 1 is known from
US-A-5203 096.
[0008] Therefore, the technical problem set and solved by the present invention is to overcome
the above-highlighted drawbacks.
[0009] Within the scope of the problem set forth above, another important technical problem
solved by the invention is to implement footwear whose dimensions may adapt to those
of the wearer's feet even for values differing from the usual half size.
[0010] A further technical problem solved by the invention is to optimally adapt to the
shape of the wearer's foot, so as to improve the comfort of fit thereof.
[0011] Another technical problem solved by the invention is to allow the wearer to autonomously
and rapidly adapt the footwear to his or her own specific anatomical needs, without
having to resort to a shoemaker's intervention or to specific tools suitable therefor.
[0012] Last but not least, another technical problem solved thereby is to contrive an invention
that be structurally simple and having reasonable manufacturing costs. Said problems
are solved by a device for adjusting the fit of a footwear according to claim 1 and
by the footwear according to claim 10. Preferred features of the present invention
are present in the dependent claims thereof.
[0013] In the present context, the term "footwear" should be construed in its broadest meaning,
encompassing any kind of shoe, sandal, slipper, boot, ankle-boot, etc., both daytime
and night time, for household use and of a sports type.
[0014] The present invention provides several relevant advantages. The main advantage lies
in allowing an adjustment of the footwear such as to easily adapt to different foot
fits, without requiring the making of shoes to measure.
[0015] A further advantage relates to the fact that the adjustment provided by the device
according to the present invention may easily be utilized in any type of footwear,
therefore enabling anyhow to keep footwear manufacturing costs reasonable.
[0016] Other advantages, features and the operation modes of the present invention will
be made apparent from the following detailed description of some embodiments thereof,
given by way of a non-limiting example. Reference will be made to the figures of the
annexed drawings, wherein:
- Fig. 1 shows a partially sectional side view of a footwear according to a first embodiment
of the invention;
- Fig. 2 shows another partially sectional side view of the footwear of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 3 shows an exploded view of some components of the footwear of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 4 shows a partially sectional top plan view of the footwear of Fig. 1, in which
for clarity's sake some components have been eliminated;
- Fig. 5 shows another partially sectional top plan view of the footwear of Fig. 1,
in which for clarity's sake some components have been eliminated;
- Fig. 6 shows a sectional view of the footwear of Fig. 1, taken along plane VI-VI of
fig. 4;
- Figs. 7 and 8 show each a bottom plan view of the heel of the footwear of Fig. 1,
in an open and closed configuration, respectively;
- Fig. 9 shows a sectional view of the footwear of fig. 1, taken along plane IX-IX of
Fig. 7;
- Fig. 10 shows a partially sectional rear perspective view of a detail of the footwear
of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 11 shows another partially sectional rear perspective view of a detail of the
footwear of Fig. 1;
- Fig. 12 shows an exploded view of a footwear according to a second embodiment of the
invention, in which for clarity's sake some components have been eliminated;
- Fig. 13 shows a top perspective view of the footwear of Fig. 12, in which for clarity's
sake some components have been eliminated;
- Fig. 14 shows another top plan view of the footwear of Fig. 12, in which for clarity's
sake some components have been eliminated;
- Fig. 15 shows an enlarged detail of the footwear of Fig. 14;
- Fig. 16 shows a sectional view of the footwear of Fig. 12, taken along plane A-A of
Fig. 14;
- Fig. 17 shows a sectional view of the footwear of Fig. 12, taken along plane A-A of
Fig. 15;
- Fig. 18 shows a sectional view of the footwear of Fig. 12, analogous to the view of
Fig. 14 and related to a different configuration thereof;
- Fig. 19 shows a top plan view of the footwear of Fig. 12, analogous to the view of
Fig. 16 and related to a different configuration thereof;
- Fig. 20 shows a partially sectional side view of the footwear of Fig. 12; and
- Fig. 21 shows another partially sectional side view of the footwear of Fig. 12 analogous
to the view of Fig. 20 and related to a different configuration thereof.
[0017] In the following exemplary embodiments, individual features, reported in connection
with specific examples, could actually be interchanged with other different features,
existing in other embodiments.
[0018] Initially referring to Figs. 1 and 2, a footwear according to a first embodiment
of the invention is generally denoted by 1.
[0019] As it will be detailed hereinafter, the footwear 1 has an adjustable fit, its dimensions
being adjustable both in length and in width and, more in general, allowing a varying
of the shape properties of the footwear such as to enable the latter to adapt to the
foot.
[0020] The footwear 1 comprises a vamp 3 and a sole 4. For greater clarity, the usual longitudinal
direction of the footwear 1 has been identified by an axis A depicted in Fig. 4.
[0021] The sole 4 is connected to an insole, generally denoted by 2 and further detailed
in Figs. 3 and 4.
[0022] Referring to the latter two figures, the insole 2 consists of a top layer 5 and a
bottom layer 6, both basically reproducing the contour of the sole of the foot and
made, e.g., of flexible plastics.
[0023] The top and bottom layers 5 and 6 are interconnected, at a central region thereof,
by a shaped spacing element or spacer 9 longitudinally arranged with respect thereto.
The top layer 5 and the bottom layer 6 are fixed to the spacer 9, e.g. by gluing.
[0024] The spacer 9 has a basically laminated configuration and comprises a front zone 10
partially following the configuration of the peripheral edge 7 of the top 5 and bottom
6 layers in the zone underlying, in use, the wearer's toes. The spacer 9 further comprises
a rear zone 11, partially following the configuration of the external peripheral edge
7 of the top 5 and bottom 6 layers in the zone underlying, in use, the wearer's foot
heel. The front zone 10 and the rear zone 11 are mutually interconnected by a central
zone 12, advantageously having, in a plan, a width shorter than that of the top 5
and bottom 6 layer, so as to define respective seats 170 at the lateral section 13,
internal to the foot, and at the lateral section 14, external to the foot.
[0025] It is also evident that the seats 170 could be made according to different embodiments.
E.g., the insole could be made entirely by molding, so as to define said layers and
seats directly by making suitable moulds.
[0026] Moreover, as another alternative, in the making of the insole there could be used
a first central portion of flexible material, e.g. leather, and a second peripheral
portion of plastics material or, in general, stronger with respect to the preceding
portion, in which the seat 170 is defmed. In addition, the peripheral portion has
an array of notches increasing its flexibility. Thus, the peripheral portion could
initially be made of a rectilinear shape, and then folded so as to be located along
the periphery of the central portion.
[0027] This latter embodiment proves particularly advantageous as the peripheral portion,
requiring greater complexity in the processing thereof, may be made in a single format
and then used on central portions of different dimensions that vice versa, being in
leather, are easy to make.
[0028] Always referring to Figs. 3 and 4, in the front zone 10 it is advantageously obtained,
at the peripheral edge thereof, a second seat 15, having in a plan an arched contour
following the configuration of the adjoining external peripheral edge 7.
[0029] Advantageously, as illustrated in the annexed figures, the second seat 15 may be
defined by a first groove obtained onto the top surface of the front zone 10. Alternatively,
the second seat 15 may be constituted by at least one first (through) hole, not shown
in the annexed figures.
[0030] In the rear zone 11 of the spacer 9 there are two third seats 16, obtained according
to mutually parallel and longitudinal axes, advantageously placed at opposite sides
with respect to the central zone 12. Advantageously, as illustrated in the annexed
figures, the third seats 16 may be respectively defined by two second grooves obtained
onto the top surface of the rear zone 11. Alternatively, the third seats 16 may be
constituted by two second (through) holes, not depicted in the annexed figures, obtained
longitudinally to the rear zone 11.
[0031] As mentioned above, the layers 5 and 6 are mutually facing and kept spaced therebetween
by the central zone 12. In general, such spacing concerns at least one length or section
of the peripheral edge 7 of the layers 5 and 6, so as to slidably house, inside the
seat 170, a plurality of movable support elements 8, apt to supportingly receive the
sole of the foot. These latter elements are just arranged in a sequence along said
peripheral edge 7 of the insole 2, between the front zone 10 and the rear zone 11
of the spacer 9.
[0032] Advantageously, the support elements 8 have, in a plan, a basically rectangular configuration,
with the sides shaped so as to follow the configuration of the adjoining peripheral
edge 7 of the top 5 and bottom 6 layers, and the corners rounded off to facilitate
the mutual shifting of the support elements 8, and of the latter with respect to the
front 10 and rear 11 zones of the spacer 9, in the plane determined by the bottom
6 and top 5 layers.
[0033] Advantageously, longitudinally to said support elements 8 it is obtained a third
seat 17, concerning the same along the entire length thereof.
[0034] Such a third seat 17 may, as in the instance depicted in the figures, be obtained
at the top surface of the support elements 8, or the same may, e.g., be constituted
by a through hole, not depicted in the figures, obtained longitudinally and internally
to the support elements 8.
[0035] The support elements 8 are mutually interconnected by a pulling element 18, which
in the present embodiment is constituted by a rope, made e.g. of metal, inserted and
fixed, e.g. by gluing or pressure, in the third seats 17 of the support elements 8
and in the first seat 15 of the front zone 10 of the spacer 9. The two longitudinal
ends of the rope 18 are slidably associated to the second seats 16 present in the
rear zone 11 of the spacer 9, and are connected to adjustment means for adjusting
the degree of tensioning of the rope 18 itself. In the present embodiment such adjustment
means consists of adjustment screws 19 fixed to the ends of the rope 18 at their own
threaded shank and that can be screwed in female-threaded cavities 20, obtained, e.g.,
in the rear zone 11 of the spacer 9, the latter shown schematically in Fig. 5.
[0036] As it will be better understood hereinafter, by adjusting the degree of tensioning
of the pulling element 18 it is possible to peripherally (radially) let out or retract
inside, of a desired length, the support elements 8 with respect to the top 5 and
bottom 6 layers.
[0037] As it is shown in Fig. 6, the vamp 3 is at least partially fixed at its own bottom
peripheral edge, below one or more of the support elements 8.
[0038] As it is shown also in Figs. 10 and 11, the vamp 3 is constituted by a front portion
21 and a rear portion 22, mutually connected via elastic means 27 that will be detailed
hereinafter.
[0039] The front portion 21 covers, in use, the foot section from the toes to about the
wearer's instep. At its bottom peripheral edge the front portion 21 is fixed, e.g.
by gluing or sewing, to the bottom surface of the support elements 8, and moreover
it is fixed to the front zone 10 of the spacer 9.
[0040] The front portion 21 of the vamp 3 extends oppositely with respect to the front zone
10 of the spacer 9, with two basically parallel arms 26, cooperating with the rear
portion 22 of the vamp 3 by said elastic means 27.
[0041] The rear portion 22 of the vamp 3 covers, in use, the wearer's heel and ankle and
is integrally associated to the heel 23, the latter in turn slidably constrained to
the insole 2, as it will be detailed hereinafter.
[0042] Advantageously, the rear portion 22 is constituted by a lamina 24, typically made
of leather or fabric, folded on itself basically in a "U" shape to define a housing
25. Of course, such a folded lamina has, in a plan, a contour going along the external
peripheral edge 7 of the top 5 and bottom 6 sections in the region overhanging, in
use, the wearer's heel.
[0043] The arms 26 of the front portion 21 of the vamp 3 are slidably received in the housing
25 and are mutually interconnected by said elastic means 27, arranged at the heel
and constituted, in the present embodiment, by an elastic strap slidably received
in the housing 25 and fixed at the ends of said arms 26.
[0044] The elastic deformability of the strap 27 and the hereto-described arrangement enable
the arms 26 to protrude, of a desired length, from the housing 25, yet always keeping
the front portion 21 and the rear portion 22 of the vamp 3 mutually constrained.
[0045] The rear portion 22 of the vamp 3 is fixed to the heel 23, e.g. by sewing or gluing
its bottom peripheral edge to the side surface 28 of the latter.
[0046] The rear portion 22 of the vamp 3 has two through openings 35, obtained thereon at
the adjustment screws 19 to allow the wearer's access to said screws and therefore
the adjustment of the degree of tensioning of the rope 18.
[0047] The heel 23 is slidably constrained to the bottom layer 6 of the insole 2 by connecting
means depicted, e.g., in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. Such connecting means comprises, in the
present embodiment, a block-shaped element 29, having, in a cross section, a basically
trapezoidal or dovetail configuration and fixed, by known means like, e.g., screws
or gluing, to the same bottom layer 6. The block 29 is slidable in a cavity 30, obtained
in the heel 23 and partially countershaped to said block 32 so as to keep the heel
23 partially constrained thereto. Of course, variant embodiments could provide a different
kind of shape coupling between heel and insole-connecting element.
[0048] Moreover, there are provided adjustment means for adjusting the relative position
of the heel 23 and of the insole 2, which may be constituted, as in the embodiment
illustrated in the figures, by a shape coupling between a first rack 31, fixed to
the bottom surface of the block 29, and a second rack 32, engageable to the first
one and fixed to the internal surface 33 of an openable portion 34 of the bottom of
the heel 23.
[0049] Said openable portion 34 is hinged to a stationary portion 36 of the heel 23, and
the openable portion 34 serves as lid for the cavity 30, known means being provided
for its snap-fastening to close up said cavity 30.
[0050] Then, the sole 4 is fixed, e.g. by gluing or sewing, to the bottom layer 6 of the
insole 2, in the region of the latter not concerned by the heel 23.
[0051] Hereinafter, the operation of the footwear 1 will be illustrated with reference to
the figures introduced hereto.
[0052] First of all, the slidable arrangement of the heel 23 with respect to the insole
2 allows an adjustment of the length of the footwear 1, i.e. of its size. In particular,
by opening the openable portion 34 of the heel 23, it is removed the engagement between
the first rack 31 and the second rack 32, and therefore it is possible to slide the
heel 23 and the second portion 22 of the vamp 3 integral thereto, with respect to
the insole 2, hence positioning such a second portion 22 at a desired distance from
the first portion 21. Upon reaching the desired position, the openable portion 34
is closed up so as to engage again the first and the second rack 31 and 32, thereby
attaining the blocking of the rear portion 22 with respect to the front portion 21
of the vamp and yielding a footwear 1 of desired length.
[0053] Moreover, it is possible to attain an adjustment of the fit or of the lateral rigidity
of the footwear 1 by acting onto the related means implemented by the support elements
8 and the components associated thereto. In particular, by acting on the adjustment
screws 19 it is possible to adjust the degree of tensioning of the rope 18, thereby
increasing or decreasing the mobility of the support elements 8 and enabling the same
to protrude peripherally, of a desired length, from the insole 2. By inserting the
foot in the vamp 3, the former exerts a pressure on the latter, which therefore is
deformed dragging toward the outside of the insole 2 one or more of the support elements
8 to which the same is fixed; thus, the vamp 3 and the insole 2 adapt to the shape
and the dimensions of the wearer's foot, increasing the comfort of fit of the latter.
[0054] Hence, it will be appreciated that the footwear of the invention, thanks to the fixing
of part of the vamp to the support elements, optimally adjusts to the shape of the
wearer's foot, being wearable also by persons having anomalous foot shapes, which
would usually require the making of shoes to measure.
[0055] In addition, it will be appreciated that said adjustments of the length and of the
fit/rigidness are completely independent and therefore implementable also separately
the one from the other.
[0056] The described footwear allows to adjust its dimensions in length as well as in width,
and therefore generally to adjust the fit, thereby encompassing a plurality of the
usual sizes of the known footwear.
[0057] The production costs of the footwear of the invention remain moderate, it being made
solely from components of easy production and/or assembling.
[0058] It will be appreciated that the present invention is optimally suitable also for
making sports shoes, requiring different rigidities for actual sports practice and
daily use, respectively. In that case, the option of adjusting the footwear fit provides
an optimal option of attaining different rigidities.
[0059] It will be understood that the present invention is susceptible of several embodiments
alternative to the one described hereto, some of which are briefly described hereinafter
with reference to the sole aspects differentiating them from the first embodiment
considered hereto.
[0060] According to a variant, it is possible to make a footwear in which to the insole
it is associated not a vamp, but one or more straps and/or ribbons and/or ropes fixed
with their ends below the support elements of the insole, at the lateral section internal
to the foot, and at the lateral section external to the foot, respectively. Such straps
and/or ribbons and/or ropes are intended to at least partially wrap, in use, the wearer's
foot, constraining it to the insole and thereby allowing to make, e.g., a slipper
or a sandal whose dimensions may continually be varied by the wearer in order to optimally
adapt it to the shape of his/her foot.
[0061] Moreover, as already mentioned above, the footwear may advantageously be employed
for making sports footwear, like, e.g., ski or snowboard boots, soccer, biking, climbing,
skating shoes, etc.
[0062] Of course, the materials employed as well as the dimensions constituting the individual
components of the footwear could be selected according to specific needs. A further
embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 12 to 21. Such a further embodiment
will hereinafter be described with reference to the sole aspects differentiating it
from the embodiments and variants illustrated hereto. Moreover, alike components will
be denoted by the same number reference adopted hereto. Referring to said figures,
also in the present instance the footwear, generally denoted by 100, comprises an
insole, here denoted by 200, constituted by a top layer 5, a bottom layer 6 and a
spacer, here denoted by 90, interposed between said layers. Said spacer 90 basically
reproduces the shape of the sole of the foot, with the exception of two peripheral
longitudinal sections, so as to define, at the sections internal 13 and external 14
to the foot, and, referring to figure 13, the seats 170 in the assembly formed by
top layer 5, bottom layer 6 and spacer 90. The seats 170 then continue into a further
pair of seats 171, illustrated in figure 12, developing in the form of a groove onto
the top face of the element 90 to a recess 160. Said seats 170 and 171 slidably receive
a pulling element, in this instance denoted by 180, in the form of a flexible elongate
element, onto which element 180 there are slidably inserted annular or tubular support
elements 80. In addition, the pulling element 180 is fixed to the insole 200, and
more precisely to a spacer 90, at a front end thereof.
[0063] The longitudinal ends of the element 180 are blocked within a block 40 slidably received
in a longitudinal recess 160 of the spacer 90. Such a blocking is attained by inserting
said ends in holes of the block and fastening them in position by threaded pins 41,
according to conventional modes.
[0064] The block 40 is operable by a screw 190 blocked at the end of its shank within the
block itself and slidable within a threaded seat 161 extending between the recess
160 and the peripheral rear edge of the spacer 90.
[0065] The overall arrangement is such that the screw 190 is operable from the rear of the
footwear 100, at the heel. It will be understood that by rotating the screw 190 the
block 40, and therefore the pulling element 180 integral thereto, are longitudinally
slid within the recess 160, i.e. with respect to the insole 200, determining the position
of the pulling element 180, along with the elements 80, with respect to the seat 170,
as illustrated in figure 14. In other words, following the longitudinal adjustment
of the block 40 into the recess 160, the pulling element 180 is shifted, sliding into
the seat 170, respectively inward or outward of the insole 200, thereby adjusting
the lateral position of the seat 170 with respect to the latter.
[0066] It will be appreciated that in this embodiment it is possible to attain a two-fold
level of adjustability of the fit or of rigidness of the footwear, making accessible,
e.g. by a suitable notch obtained onto the top layer 5 of the insole 200, the block
40. In fact, in the first instance it is possible to adjust the level of initial tensioning
of the element 180 by adjusting the depth of penetration and optionally of protrusion
of the longitudinal ends thereof into/from the related holes into the block, as shown,
e.g., in Fig.15.
[0067] Moreover, it is possible to further adjust said tensioning by routinely acting on
the screw 190.
[0068] An additional difference of this second embodiment with respect to the first one
lies in the manner of blocking the front portion 21 of the vamp 3 to the pulling element.
In fact, as it is shown in figure 16, instead of being directly fixed onto the support
elements 80, said portion 21 is partially wound thereon, and in particular folded
at the rear thereof and then blocked onto the bottom face of the bottom layer 6 of
the insole 200, at the portion denoted by 210. Thus, the overall arrangement is such
that, as it is shown in Fig. 18, according to the degree of tensioning of the element
180, the vamp is retracted to a greater or lesser extent within the seat 170. Of course,
such a seat 170 will be suitably dimensioned, so as to allow the receiving of the
vamp 21 in the aforesaid way, as well as a sufficient possibility of transversal motion
of the element 180.
[0069] Therefore, such a feature allows an adjustment of the fit by providing a greater
amount of vamp to the footwear so that, the vamp being by its own nature soft or anyhow
flexible, the foot could adapt to the properties of shape of the shoe, according to
the specific needs of the wearer.
[0070] In the present embodiment the footwear provides also a conventional welt 45, fixed
to the sole 4, allowing to mend the seat 170 and the pulling element 180.
[0071] According to a variant embodiment, the pulling element 180 may also be not associated
to support elements 80 coupled thereto. On the other hand, in this instance the support
elements have the sole function of fostering the sliding of the vamp 3 during the
adjustment of the fit by the motion of the pulling element, preventing the wear of
the vamp 3 itself. Accordingly, the support elements 80 may alternatively be replaced
by a single sheath of plastics material, not illustrated in the figure, apt to limit
friction during said motion.
[0072] It will be understood that the various means for performing certain different functions
should surely coexist not only in the illustrated embodiment, but could be present
per se in several embodiments, even not illustrated.
[0073] The present invention has hereto been described with reference to preferred embodiments
thereof. It is understood that there could be other embodiments referable to the same
inventive kernel, all falling within the protective scope of the claims set forth
hereinafter.
1. A device for adjusting the fit of a footwear (1; 100), comprising:
- an insole (2; 200), reproducing at least partially the shape of the sole of the
foot;
- an elongate pulling element (18; 180), slidably associated to said insole (2; 200)
and associable to the vamp (3) of the footwear (1; 100), said pulling element (18;
180) extending in correspondence of at least one peripheral section (7) of said insole
(2; 200) reproducing the shape of the sole of the foot; and
- adjustment means (19; 190, 40; 40, 41) for adjusting the degree of tensioning of
said pulling element (18; 180), apt to vary the degree of tensioning of the latter
so as to adjust the lateral position thereof with respect to said insole (2; 200),
characterized in that said insole further comprises a seat (170), apt to slidably house said pulling element
(18; 180) with said vamp (3).
2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said insole (2; 200) comprises a top layer
(5), a bottom layer (6) and a spacer (9; 90) interposed between said top (5) and bottom
(6) layers.
3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said pulling element (18; 180) is slidably
coupled to said spacer (9; 90).
4. The device according to claims 2 or 3, wherein said spacer centrally has, in a plan,
a width shorter than said top (5) and bottom (6) layers, so as to define said seat
(170).
5. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pulling element
(18; 180) is constrained to a plurality of support elements (8, 80).
6. The device according to claim 5, wherein said support elements (8) have a seat (17)
for receiving said pulling element (18).
7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said seat (17) of said support elements (8)
is basically in the form of a longitudinal groove.
8. The device according to claim 5, wherein said support elements (80) are of annular
or tubular configuration, having a through seat apt to receive said pulling element
(180).
9. The device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said adjustment means
comprises at least one threaded element (19; 190) operable by a wearer from the outside
of the footwear (1; 100).
10. A footwear (1; 100) comprising a device for adjusting the fit according to any one
of the claims 1 to 9.
11. The footwear (1; 100) according to claim 10, comprising a vamp (3) in turn having
a first (21) and a second (22) portions mutually movable with respect to each other.
12. The footwear (1; 100) according to claim 11, comprising a sliding heel (23), one (22)
of said portions (21, 22) of vamp (3) being movable integrally to said sliding heel
(23).
13. The footwear (1; 100) according to any one of the claims from 11 to 12, wherein one
(21) of said portions (21, 22) of vamp (3) is movable integrally to said pulling element
(18; 180).
14. The footwear (1; 100) according to any one of the claims from 11 to 12, wherein one
(21) of said portions (21, 22) of vamp (3) is fixed to said insole (2; 200) and partially
wound on said pulling element (18; 180).
15. The footwear (1; 100) according to any one of the claims 11 to 14, wherein said first
(21) and second (22) portions of vamp (3) are slidable with respect to each other.
16. The footwear (1; 100) according to claim 15, wherein one (22) of said first (21) and
second (22) portions of vamp (3) defines a housing (25) inside which it is slidably
received at least part of the other one (21) of said portions.
1. Vorrichtung zum Anpassen der Passform eines Schuhwerks (1; 100), umfassend:
- eine Einlegesohle (2; 200), um zumindest teilweise die Form der Sohle des Fußes
zu reproduzieren;
- ein längliches Zugelement (18; 180), das verschiebbar mit der Einlegesohle (2; 200)
verbunden ist und mit dem Oberleder (3) des Schuhwerks (1; 100) verbindbar ist, wobei
das Zugelement (18; 180) sich in Bezug auf zumindest einen peripheren Abschnitt (7)
der Einlegesohle (2; 200) erstreckt, die die Form der Sohle des Fußes reproduziert;
und
- eine Anpassungseinrichtung (19; 190, 40; 40, 41) zum Anpassen des Spannungsgrads
des Zugelements (18; 180), die geeignet ist, dessen Spannungsgrad zu variieren, um
dessen seitliche Position in Bezug auf die Einlegesohle (2; 200) anzupassen,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Einlegesohle ferner einen Sitz (170) aufweist, der geeignet ist, das Zugelement
(18; 180) mit dem Oberleder (3) verschiebbar aufzunehmen.
2. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 1, wobei die Einlegesohle (2; 200) eine Deckschicht (5),
eine Bodenschicht (6) und einen Abstandshalter (9; 90) aufweist, der zwischen die
Deckschicht (5) und Bodenschicht (6) eingeschoben ist.
3. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2, wobei das Zugelement (18; 180) mit dem Abstandshalter
(9; 90) verschiebbar verbunden ist.
4. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 2 oder 3, wobei der Abstandshalter in einer Draufsicht zentral
eine geringere Breite als die Deckschicht (5) und die Bodenschicht (6) aufweist, um
den Sitz (170) zu definieren.
5. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei das Zugelement (18; 180)
in einer Mehrzahl von Stützelementen (8, 80) gehalten wird.
6. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Stützelemente (8) einen Sitz (17) aufweisen,
um das Zugelement (18) aufzunehmen.
7. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 6, wobei der Sitz (17) der Stützelemente (8) im Wesentlichen
die Form einer Längsnut aufweist.
8. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 5, wobei die Stützelemente (80) eine ringförmige oder röhrenförmige
Anordnung mit einem durchgehenden Sitz aufweisen, der geeignet ist, das Zugelement
(180) aufzunehmen.
9. Vorrichtung nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, wobei die Anpassungseinrichtung
zumindest ein Gewindeelement (19; 190) aufweist, das von einem Träger von der Außenseite
des Schuhwerks betätigbar ist.
10. Schuhwerk (1; 100), umfassend eine Vorrichtung zum Anpassen der Passform gemäß einem
der Ansprüche 1 bis 9.
11. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach Anspruch 10, das ein Oberleder (3) aufweist, das einen ersten
Bereich (21) und einen zweiten Bereich (22) aufweist, die gegenseitig in Bezug zueinander
beweglich sind.
12. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach Anspruch 11, das einen verschiebbaren Absatz (23) aufweist,
wobei einer (22) der Bereiche (21, 22) des Oberleders (3) einstückig zum verschiebbaren
Absatz (23) beweglich ist.
13. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach einem der Ansprüche 11 oder 12, wobei einer (21) der Bereiche
(21, 22) des Oberleders (3) einstückig zum Zugelement (18; 180) beweglich ist.
14. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach einem der Ansprüche 11 oder 12, wobei einer (21) der Bereiche
(21, 22) des Oberleders (3) an der Einlegesohle (2; 200) befestigt ist und teilweise
auf das Zugelement (18; 180) aufgezogen ist.
15. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach einem der Ansprüche 11 bis 14, wobei die ersten und zweiten
Bereiche (21, 22) des Oberleders (3) in Bezug zueinander verschiebbar sind.
16. Schuhwerk (1; 100) nach Anspruch 15, wobei einer (22) der ersten und zweiten Bereiche
(21, 22) des Oberleders (3) ein Gehäuse (25) definiert, in dessen Innern zumindest
ein Teil des anderen (21) der Bereiche verschiebbar aufgenommen ist.
1. Dispositif pour régler le chaussant d'un article chaussant (1 ; 100), comprenant :
- une semelle intérieure (2 ; 200) reproduisant au moins partiellement la forme de
la plante du pied ;
- un élément de traction allongé (18 ; 180) associé de manière coulissante à ladite
semelle intérieure (2 ; 200) et pouvant être associé à l'empeigne (3) de l'article
chaussant (1 ; 100), ledit élément de traction (18 ; 180) s'étendant en correspondance
d'au moins une section périphérique (7) de ladite semelle intérieure (2 ; 200) reproduisant
la forme de la plante du pied ; et
- des moyens de réglage (19 ; 190, 40 ; 40, 41) pour régler le degré de tension dudit
élément de traction (18 ; 180) approprié pour modifier le degré de tension de ce dernier
afin de régler sa position latérale par rapport à ladite semelle intérieure (2 ; 200),
caractérisé en ce que ladite semelle intérieure comprend en outre un siège (170) approprié pour loger de
manière coulissante ledit élément de traction (18 ; 180) avec ladite empeigne (3).
2. Dispositif selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite semelle intérieure (2 ; 200)
comprend une couche supérieure (5), une couche inférieure (6) et un dispositif d'espacement
(9 ; 90) intercalé entre lesdites couches supérieure (5) et inférieure (6).
3. Dispositif selon la revendication 2, dans lequel ledit élément de traction (18 ; 180)
est couplé de manière coulissante audit dispositif d'espacement (9 ; 90).
4. Dispositif selon les revendications 2 ou 3, dans lequel ledit dispositif d'espacement
a, de manière centrale, dans un plan, une largeur plus courte que lesdites couches
supérieure (5) et inférieure (6), afin de définir ledit siège (170).
5. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel ledit
élément de traction (18 ; 180) est contraint par une pluralité d'éléments de support
(8, 80).
6. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel lesdits éléments de support (8) ont
un siège (17) pour recevoir ledit élément de traction (18).
7. Dispositif selon la revendication 6, dans lequel ledit siège (17) desdits éléments
de support (8) se présente fondamentalement sous la forme d'une rainure longitudinale.
8. Dispositif selon la revendication 5, dans lequel lesdits éléments de support (80)
ont une configuration annulaire ou tubulaire, ayant un siège traversant approprié
pour recevoir ledit élément de traction (180).
9. Dispositif selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, dans lequel lesdits
moyens de réglage comprennent au moins un élément fileté (19 ; 190) pouvant être actionné
par un utilisateur depuis l'extérieur de l'article chaussant (1 ; 100).
10. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) comprenant un dispositif pour régler le chaussant selon
l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9.
11. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon la revendication 10, comprenant une empeigne (3)
ayant à son tour des première (21) et deuxième (22) parties mutuellement mobiles l'une
par rapport à l'autre.
12. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon la revendication 11, comprenant un talon coulissant
(23), l'une (22) desdites parties (21, 22) de l'empeigne (3) étant mobile de manière
solidaire audit talon coulissant (23).
13. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 12, dans
lequel l'une (21) desdites parties (21, 22) de l'empeigne (3) est mobile de manière
solidaire audit élément de traction (18 ; 180).
14. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 12, dans
lequel l'une (21) desdites parties (21, 22) de l'empeigne (3) est fixée sur ladite
semelle intérieure (2 ; 200) et partiellement enroulée sur ledit élément de traction
(18 ; 180).
15. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon l'une quelconque des revendications 11 à 14, dans
lequel les première (21) et deuxième (22) parties de l'empeigne (3) peuvent coulisser
l'une par rapport à l'autre.
16. Article chaussant (1 ; 100) selon la revendication 15, dans lequel l'une (22) desdites
première (21) et deuxième (22) parties d'empeigne (3) définit un logement (25) à l'intérieur
duquel elle reçoit de manière coulissante au moins une partie de l'autre (21) desdites
parties.