Nike, Inc.

Hatchbacks, Inc.

Daniel J Richard

John R Robinson

Thomas Derderian

David W Gasparovic

Footwear architecture(s) and associated closure systems. A footwear closure system is described with an anchor section, affixed to a forefoot portion of an upper of the footwear, and an engagement section, coupled with the anchor section through an elastomeric material, to removably engage a rearfoot portion of the upper of the footwear, securing the rearfoot portion to the forefoot portion.

Footwear architecture(s) and associated closure systems

The present invention is directed to an asymmetric shoe which provides greater support, proper flexion and a more accurate fit than conventional shoes. The shoe of the present invention structures one or more of the following portions of the shoe upper and sole asymmetrically between the medial and lateral sides. First, a lateral stability strap is positioned immediately posterior of the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint while a medial stability strap is positioned posterior of the first metatarsal-phalanges joint. Second, a lateral flex notch is aligned with the fifth metatarsal-phalanges joint and a medial flex notch is aligned with the first metatarsal-phalangess joint to allow the shoe to flex along the foot's natural flex line. Third, a medial quarter notch is positioned anterior of a lateral quarter notch to accommodate the difference between the medial and lateral malleolar lengths. The asymmetry of malleolar heights is also accommodated by having a quarter height difference; the medial quarter height being as much as 2.5 cm. higher than the lateral quarter height. Fourth, the anterior edge of a midsole wedge section is aligned immediately posterior of the metatarsal-phalanges joints. Fifth, in a combination lasted shoe the anterior edge of a board is aligned immediately posterior of the metatarsal-phalanges joint.

Asymmetric shoe

An athletic shoe with an adjustable width, adjustable tension 'speedlace' closure system is disclosed. The system comprises a serpentine closure element body with relatively wide shoelace openings at different widths across the throat of the shoe, shoelace holes which frictionally grip a shoelace threaded therethrough, and a guide ridge on the shoelace openings.

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Portsmouth, NH, United States of America

Daniel J Richard