Article of footwear and lacing system therefor

Abstract

An article of footwear having an upper, a sole, and a tightening system, the tightening system having a tightening plate arranged in the area of the instep zone of the article of footwear, the tightening plate having on each medial and lateral side, respectively, at least one channel for the passage of a tightening cord/lace, the sole and/or the upper having on each medial and lateral side, respectively, at least one guide arranged in the vicinity of the sole and adapted to the passage of the tightening cord/lace, the tightening cord/lace having at least one strand running along an alternating path between each guide and channel of the upper/sole and tightening plate, respectively, a blocking mechanism being associated with each strand of the cord/lace, the tightening plate being displaceable at least vertically in relation to the sole by traction on the cord/lace.

1 . An article of footwear comprising: 
 an upper having a medial side and a lateral side;    a sole having a medial side and a lateral side;    a tightening system comprising: 
 at least one tightening cord/lace;  
 a tightening plate positioned at least partially in an instep zone of the article of footwear, the tightening plate comprising at least one passage channel on each of medial and lateral sides of the tightening plate for the passage of the tightening cord/lace;  
 at least one guide for the tightening cord/lace attached, in a vicinity of the sole, to each of the medial and lateral sides of the upper and/or attached to each of the medial and lateral sides of the sole;  
 the tightening cord/lace comprising at least one strand extending along an alternating path between a plurality of the guides and channels of the upper/sole and the tightening plate;  
 a blocking mechanism to block movement of each strand of the cord/lace;  
 the tightening plate being displaceable at least vertically in relation to the sole by traction on the cord/lace.  
   
   
   
       2 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the tightening plate includes a channel in the form of an arc of a circle on each of the medial and lateral sides of the tightening plate for the passage of the cord/lace.    
   
   
       3 . An article of footwear article according to  claim 2 , wherein: 
 the arc of a circle has a radius of about 50-70 mm.    
   
   
       4 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 means for guiding the cord/lace on the top of the shoe are provided forward of the tightening plate.    
   
   
       5 . An article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the means for guiding are constituted by a channel in the forn of an arc of a circle arranged on the upper.    
   
   
       6 . An article of footwear according to  claim 4 , wherein: 
 the means for guiding are constituted by a channel in the form of an arc of a circle affixed to the tightening plate.    
   
   
       7 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 means for anchoring each end of the cord/lace provided on top of the upper, forward of the tightening plate.    
   
   
       8 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 at least one additional cord/lace guide provided on each of the medial and lateral sides of the upper rearward of the passage channels of the tightening plate.    
   
   
       9 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the tightening cord/lace comprises at least two strands;    the blocking mechanism is a common blocking mechanism for both of the two strands of the cord/lace.    
   
   
       10 . An article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein: 
 the cord/lace forms a loop at a rearward extent of the cord/lace forms a loop;    the blocking mechanism is arranged on the cord/lace in a vicinity of the rearward extent of the cord/lace.    
   
   
       11 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the distribution plate is fixed on the upper.    
   
   
       12 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the upper is at least partially extensible.