Shoe

Abstract

Shoe comprising:—a sole having a lower surface;—an upper provided with connecting means arranged for receiving lacing;—a lacing tensioning mechanism arranged for tensioning the lace received in said connecting means, wherein the lacing tensioning mechanism is moveable between a loose position with reduced lacing tension for easy access in the shoe and a second tensioned position wherein the lace is under tension; and—an actuator mechanism for moving the lacing tensioning mechanism between the positions, wherein actuator mechanism comprises a moveable sole part which is moveable from and into the surface of the sole and wherein the actuator mechanism is arranged for moving the lacing tensioning mechanism from the loose position to the tensioned position upon movement of the moveable sole part into the surface of the sole.

1 . Shoe comprising:
 a sole having a lower surface;   an upper provided with connecting means arranged for receiving lacing;   a lacing tensioning mechanism arranged for tensioning the lace received in said connecting means, wherein the lacing tensioning mechanism is moveable between a loose position with reduced lacing tension for easy access in the shoe and a second tensioned position wherein the lace is under tension; and   an actuator mechanism for moving the lacing tensioning mechanism between the positions, wherein actuator mechanism comprises a moveable sole part which is moveable from and into the surface of the sole and wherein the actuator mechanism is arranged for moving the lacing tensioning mechanism from the loose position to the tensioned position upon movement of the moveable sole part into the surface of the sole.   
     
     
         2 . Shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the actuator and/or the lace tensioning mechanism is arranged outside of the space for receiving the foot of the user, 
     
     
         3 . Shoe according to  claim 1  or  2 , wherein the lacing tensioning mechanism is arranged to receive a part of the lace in a moving body which is moveable to and from the connecting means for loosening and tensioning the lace, wherein the actuator is arranged to move the moving body. 
     
     
         4 . Shoe according to  claim 3 , wherein the moving body is arranged to move and is guided in a plane parallel to the surface of the sole. 
     
     
         5 . Shoe according to  claim 4 , wherein the moving body is incorporated in the sole. 
     
     
         6 . Shoe according to any of the  claims 3 - 5 , wherein the shoe comprises guiding means for guiding the lace from the connecting means to the moving body. 
     
     
         7 . Shoe according to any of the  claims 3 - 6 , wherein the moving body is biased towards the connecting means, such that the lacing tensioning mechanism is biased towards the loose position. 
     
     
         8 . Shoe according to  claim 7 , further comprising locking means arranged for locking the lacing tensioning mechanism in the tensioned position by locking the moveable sole part in the position in the surface of the sole. 
     
     
         9 . Shoe according to any of the preceding  claims 3 - 8 , wherein the lacing tensioning mechanism further comprises at least one reel for receiving the part of the lace, wherein the reel is arranged for tensioning and loosening said lace upon rotation, wherein the moving body is arranged for engaging said reel for rotating the reel upon movement of the moving body. 
     
     
         10 . Shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein the moving body is provided with a rack and the reel is provided with a cooperating pinion. 
     
     
         11 . Shoe according to  claim 9  or  10 , wherein the lacing tensioning mechanism comprises two reels, wherein each of the reels is arranged to receive a respective end of the lace, wherein the moving body is arranged between and in engagement with the two reels. 
     
     
         12 . Shoe according to any of the  claims 9  to  11 , wherein the reel is rotatably connected to a stationary part of the sole opposite the moveable sole part. 
     
     
         13 . Shoe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the moveable sole part is hingeably connected to a stationary part of the sole about a centrally located hinging axis. 
     
     
         14 . Shoe according to  claim 13 , wherein the moveable sole part is formed by a cut in the sole along a plane parallel to the sole. 
     
     
         15 . Shoe according to at least  claims 3  and  13 , wherein the actuator mechanism comprises a pushing rod extending between an end part of the moveable sole part opposite the hinging axis and the moving body, wherein the pushing rod is arranged for moving the moving body on movement of the moveable sole part. 
     
     
         16 . Shoe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the moveable sole part forms the back part towards the heel of the sole. 
     
     
         17 . Shoe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting means for receiving lacing comprise rotatable wheels, such as pulleys, for receiving and guiding a lace. 
     
     
         18 . Shoe according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the shoe comprises biasing means incorporated in the body of the shoe which are arranged for opening the body of the shoe for easy entry in the loose position of the lacing. 
     
     
         19 . Shoe according to  claim 18 , wherein the biasing means comprise elastic means arranged to exert an outwardly oriented elastic force on the body. 
     
     
         20 . Shoe according to  claim 18  or  19 , wherein the biasing means are arranged in the body:
 around the entry opening of the shoe for opening said entry opening; 
 around the upper for latterly moving apart the lateral sides of the upper; and/or 
 in a tongue for moving the tongue in a direction away from the sole.