Restraining Device to Inhibit Removal of Footwear

Abstract

A restraining device configured to inhibit the removal of an article of footwear to which the restraining device is attached is provided. The restraining device will prevent footwear from being removed regardless of the type of fastening means used to secure the footwear to the foot of a wearer and whether the fastening means are fastened. In some embodiments, the restraining device is configured to be permanently attached to an article of footwear. In other embodiments, the restraining device is configured to be removably attached to an article of footwear. In some embodiments, the restraining device generally includes a ring-shaped member, a tightening means, and a locking mechanism. In other embodiments, the restraining device generally includes a restraining strap and a unique locking mechanism.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of footwear for enclosing a user's foot, the article of footwear comprising:
 a lower comprising a sole of the footwear;   an upper disposed above the lower, the lower and the upper defining a body for housing the user's foot, the upper having an opening;   the opening comprising a collar and a tongue, the collar and the tongue configured such that the user's foot can be inserted therethrough and surrounded by the body;   a restraining strap configured to surround the user's foot at the opening;   a fastener configured to receive the restraining strap with a portion of the restraining strap extending through the fastener to engage the restraining strap to hold the restraining strap in a fixed position and a release for disengaging the restraining strap from the fixed position; and   wherein a portion of the restraining strap extends away from the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  further comprising a ring-shaped member surrounding the opening, the ring-shaped member having an upper portion and a lower portion. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2  wherein the restraining strap is a pull-string disposed around the upper portion of the ring-shaped member, the pull-string comprising a loop. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 3  wherein the fastener is a locking mechanism having a “v” portion for locking the pull-string in place. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 4  wherein the fastener is located on a rear portion of the footwear. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein the restraining strap is woven into the collar and the tongue. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein the restraining strap extends through the tongue. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  wherein the fastener is disposed on the tongue with terminal ends of the restraining strap extending through the fastener. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 6  further comprising a comfort pad disposed adjacent the collar opposite the tongue. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 9  wherein the restraining strap extends through the comfort pad. 
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 1  wherein the restraining strap extends around the outside of the upper. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 11  wherein the fastener is disposed on a rear portion of the footwear. 
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear for enclosing a user's foot, the article of footwear comprising:
 a lower comprising a sole of the footwear;   an upper disposed above the lower, the lower and the upper defining a body for housing the user's foot, the upper having an opening;   the opening comprising a collar and a tongue, the collar and the tongue configured such that the user's foot can be inserted therethrough and surrounded by the body;   a restraining strap configured to surround the user's foot at the opening;   a fastener comprising a locking pin and a push release mechanism; and   the fastener is configured to engage the restraining strap with a portion of the restraining strap extending through the fastener;   the fastener includes a release to disengage the fastener from the restraining strap; and   wherein a portion of the restraining strap extends away from the opening.   
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , further comprising a ring-shaped member surrounding the opening, the ring-shaped member having an upper portion and a lower portion. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14  wherein the restraining strap is a pull-string disposed around the upper portion of the ring-shaped member, the pull-string comprising a loop. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 13  wherein the restraining strap is woven into the collar and the tongue. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 16  wherein the restraining strap extends through the tongue. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 16  wherein the fastener is disposed on the tongue with terminal ends of the restraining strap extending through the fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear of  claim 16  further comprising a comfort pad disposed adjacent the collar opposite the tongue. 
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear of  claim 19  wherein the restraining strap extends through the comfort pad.