Article of Footwear with Integrated Arch Strap

Abstract

An article of footwear with an integrated arch strap and eyestays is disclosed. The integrated arch strap provides arch support adjustable by a wearer through the tightening of a lace. Furthermore, the adjustment of the integrated arch strap allows some customization of the width of the footwear.

1 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper comprising a medial lacing portion and a lateral lacing portion;   an arch strap configured to provide support to an arch of a foot, the arch strap further comprising: a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion;   a lace configured to fasten the medial lacing portion with the lateral lacing portion; and   wherein the first end portion includes at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace and wherein the second end portion includes at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace.   
   
   
       2 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion includes at least one gap configured to receive a portion of the lace. 
   
   
       3 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the second end portion includes at least one gap configured to receive a portion of the lace. 
   
   
       4 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the first end portion includes a first eyestay. 
   
   
       5 . The article according to  claim 4 , wherein the second end portion includes a second eyestay. 
   
   
       6 . The article according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper is associated with an insole configured to be inserted over the arch strap. 
   
   
       7 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper comprising a medial lacing portion and a lateral lacing portion;   the medial lacing portion comprising a medial inner portion and a medial outer portion disposed opposite of the medial inner portion;   the lateral lacing portion comprising a lateral inner portion and a lateral outer portion disposed opposite of the lateral inner portion;   an arch strap configured to provide support to an arch of a foot, the arch strap further comprising: a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion; and   wherein the first end portion is configured to cover the lateral inner portion and the lateral outer portion and wherein the second end portion is configured to cover the medial inner portion and the medial outer portion.   
   
   
       8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the first end portion includes at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace. 
   
   
       9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end portion includes at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace. 
   
   
       10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the first end portion is fixedly attached to the lateral inner portion and the lateral outer portion. 
   
   
       11 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the first end portion is fixedly attached to the lateral outer portion and wherein the first end portion is configured to move with respect to the lateral inner portion. 
   
   
       12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end portion is fixedly attached to the medial inner portion and the medial outer portion. 
   
   
       13 . The article of footwear according to  claim 7 , wherein the second end portion is fixedly attached to the medial outer portion and wherein the second end portion is configured to move with respect to the medial inner portion. 
   
   
       14 . An article of footwear, comprising:
 an upper comprising a medial lacing portion and a lateral lacing portion;   an arch strap configured to provide support to an arch of a foot, the arch strap further comprising: a first end portion, a second end portion and an intermediate portion disposed between the first end portion and the second end portion;   a lace configured to fasten the medial lacing portion with the lateral lacing portion;   the first end portion including at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace and the second end portion including at least one passage to receive a portion of the lace; and   wherein the arch strap is configured to tighten against a lateral portion of a foot and a medial portion of a foot when the lace is tightened.   
   
   
       15 . The article of footwear according to  claim 14 , wherein the first end portion is associated with the lateral lacing portion. 
   
   
       16 . The article of footwear according to  claim 15 , wherein the second end portion is associated with the medial lacing portion. 
   
   
       17 . The article of footwear according to  claim 14 , wherein the upper is associated with an insole. 
   
   
       18 . The article of footwear according to  claim 17 , wherein the insole is configured to contact the intermediate portion of the arch strap. 
   
   
       19 . The article of footwear according to  claim 17 , wherein the insole is configured to partially wrap around the lateral portion of the foot and the medial portion of the foot when the lace is tightened. 
   
   
       20 . The article of footwear according to  claim 17 , wherein the insole is disposed between the intermediate portion and a sole of the article of footwear.