Golf shoes with lace tightening system for closure and comfortable fit

Abstract

The present disclosure provides various examples of golf shoes comprising an upper, a sole assembly connected to the upper, one or more straps extending across the upper, an internal support positioned under an outermost surface of the upper, and a lace assembly extending between the medial side and the lateral side of the upper. The lace assembly may be configured to simultaneously (i) draw the medial and lateral sides of the upper towards a top center region of the golf shoe and (ii) secure the internal support along or around a foot of a subject wearing the golf shoe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf shoe, comprising:
 an upper with a medial side and a lateral side;   a sole assembly connected to the upper, the sole assembly comprising at least a midsole and an outsole;   one or more straps extending across the upper;   an internal support positioned under an outermost surface of the upper; and   a lace assembly extending between the medial side and the lateral side of the upper,   wherein the lace assembly is configured to simultaneously (i) draw the medial and lateral sides of the upper towards a top center region of the golf shoe and (ii) secure the internal support along or around a foot of a subject wearing the golf shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal support is independently securable around the subject's foot without engaging the one or more straps. 
     
     
         3 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the medial side of the upper, the lateral side of the upper, and the internal support are independently securable around the subject's foot without engaging the one or more straps. 
     
     
         4 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal support is automatically secured around the subject's foot when the medial and lateral sides of the upper are drawn towards the top center region of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         5 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal support is automatically released from around the subject's foot when a tension in the lace assembly is released to allow the medial and lateral sides of the upper to be drawn apart and separated. 
     
     
         6 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein a lower portion of the internal support is sleeved within the upper, and wherein an upper portion of the internal support extends outside of the upper. 
     
     
         7 . The golf shoe of  claim 6 , wherein the upper portion of the internal support is configured to extend into or across a throat region of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         8 . The golf shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the upper portion of the internal support is extendable across different regions or sections of the throat region. 
     
     
         9 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps comprise a single strap that is adjustably securable around the subject's foot. 
     
     
         10 . The golf shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the single strap is configured to extend across and over the internal support or a portion thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The golf shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the single strap is positionally offset from the internal support so that the single strap does not overlap any portion of the internal support. 
     
     
         12 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more straps comprise a plurality of straps that are adjustably securable around the subject's foot. 
     
     
         13 . The golf shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of straps comprises a first strap and a second strap configured to extend across and over the upper. 
     
     
         14 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap and the second strap are independently securable around different portions or regions of the subject's foot. 
     
     
         15 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap and the second strap are concurrently or simultaneously securable around different portions or regions of the subject's foot. 
     
     
         16 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap and the second strap are configured to overlap on the medial side of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap and the second strap do not overlap on the lateral side of the upper. 
     
     
         18 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap and the second strap are spaced apart along the lateral side of the upper to expose or reveal a portion of the internal support. 
     
     
         19 . The golf shoe of  claim 13 , wherein the first strap or the second strap comprises a rigid and stiff layer or a support structure that is integrated with the first strap or the second strap. 
     
     
         20 . The golf shoe of  claim 19 , wherein the rigid and stiff layer or the support structure comprises a composite plate or a carbon fiber plate.