Rigid/semi-rigid plastic shoe strap construction

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Patent issued

03/12/1996

Inventor(s):	Rusnak, Joel Kimball, Neal Azevedo, Aaron Allen, Bernie
Assignee	Converse Inc. (North Reading, MA)
Application	No. 08/086,948 filed on 07/02/1993
Current US Class	36/501, 36/45
Field of search	36/84, 36/88, 36/91, 36/50.1, 36/45, 24/714.3, 24/713, 24/713.2, 24/713.6, 24/713.8, 24/715.4, 2/338, 2/266
International Classes:	A43C 1100, A43C 500
Examiners
Primary	Sewell Paul T.
Secondary	Patterson Marie Denise
Attorney, agent or firm:	Rogers, Howell & Haferkamp
US patent references	5184378, 2982003, 3328854, 3997386, 4282657, 4413431, 4447967, 4637381, 4670998, 4756098, 4811500, 4813158, 4924605, 5006385, 5175947
Foreign patents	0212032 (02/28/1987, EP)

A shoe construction employs straps formed of plastic material wherebyseparate areas of the shoe straps have different characteristics ofelasticity, flexibility and rigidity. The construction of the strapprovides areas connected to the shoe with greater elasticity andflexibility characteristics and a lesser rigidity characteristic than asecond area of the strap that has greater rigidity characteristics and isconnected to closure members of the shoe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a shoe construction employing strapsformed of plastic material whereby separate areas of the shoe straps havedifferent characteristics of elasticity, flexibility and rigidity. Inparticular, the present invention pertains to a shoe constructionemploying straps that extend over the shoe (either beneath or within thematerial of the shoe upper or over the material of the upper) and areconstructed of a plastic material whereby an area of each strap connectedto the shoe has greater elasticity and flexibility and lesser rigiditythan a second area of each strap that connects to closure means of theshoe.
(2) Description of the Related Art
Various different types of flexible and elastic materials have beenemployed in the construction of shoes, both shoe soles and shoe uppers.Some of the more rigid plastic materials have been used in shoeconstruction, for example in shoe soles and heel counters, due to theirstrength properties. What is meant herein by plastic materials is plasticsthat go through a phase transformation from a solid to a liquid whensubjected to significant heat, and are therefore capable of being moldedinto desired configurations.
Plastics having appreciable elasticity and flexibility characteristicswould be well suited for use in the construction of shoe uppers,particularly for athletic shoes, the uppers of which are often stretchedand flexed repeatedly in use. However, increased elasticity andflexibility characteristics of plastics correspondingly reduce therigidity characteristics of plastics. Plastics having good elasticity andflexibility for use in shoe uppers typically do not have the rigidity orstrength characteristics required for use in the typical construction ofshoe uppers. Forming eyelets for shoe lacing or similar apertures foradjustable bands used as closures on shoes in a plastic material havingsignificant elastic and flexibility characteristics would most likelyresult in the eyelets or other closure aperture being torn through theplastic material over a period of use of the shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide an improved shoe strap constructionthat combines elasticity, flexibility and rigidity characteristics of twodifferent types of plastic materials in a single shoe strap construction.The present embodiment of the invention provides a shoe strap constructionof various different configurations where a first area of each strap isconstructed of a plastic material having greater elasticity andflexibility characteristics and a lesser rigidity characteristic than asecond plastic material used in a second area of the shoe strapconstruction. The area of the shoe strap having enhanced elasticity andflexibility is secured to the shoe in any desired location, for examplestitched or adhered to the upper or adhered or molded into the shoe sole.The strap may extend over, beneath or through the material of the shoeupper at an instep, forefoot or heel counter area of the shoe upper or allof these areas. The area of the shoe strap construction having greaterrigidity but lesser elasticity and flexibility is located at one or moredistal ends of the strap where closure members, such as shoe lacing oradjustable bands, are passed through one or more holes provided throughthe more rigid second area of the strap, whereby the enhanced rigidity ofthis area of the strap prevents the closure member holes from tearingthrough the strap over prolonged use of the shoe.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, each strap is constructedwith one or more insets formed of the second plastic material having thegreater rigidity and lesser elasticity and flexibility. The insets areencapsulated in the first plastic material of the strap having the greaterelasticity and flexibility but lesser rigidity. By encapsulating the insetin the first plastic material in the strap, a secure chemical bond isformed between these two different plastic materials that prevents themfrom being separated from each other during prolonged use of the shoe.Alternatively, the inset may be adhered to the first plastic material ofthe strap. The first plastic material provides the shoe strap with theelasticity and flexibility characteristics desired of shoe strapconstruction where the second plastic material provides the shoe strapwith the desired rigidity characteristics in the areas of the shoe strapattached to closure members where greater strength of the strap materialis required.

What is claimed is:
1. A shoe having flexible and adjustable closure means, the shoecomprising:
a shoe sole having opposite lateral and medial sides;
a shoe upper secured to the shoe sole along its opposite lateral and medialsides, the upper having an interior surface that defines an interiorvolume of the shoe configured to receive a foot therein, and the upperhaving an exterior surface with opposite lateral and medial surfaces;
and at least one strap having an elongated configuration with a length ofthe strap having opposite proximal and distal ends, the proximal end beingconnected to one of the lateral and medial sides of the shoe and the strapextending along its length from the shoe at the strap proximal end, to thedistal end of the strap, the strap being formed of first and secondplastic materials giving different areas of the length of the strapdifferent characteristics of elasticity, flexibility and rigidity, with afirst area of the length of the strap adjacent the strap connection to theshoe having greater elasticity and flexibility and lesser rigiditycharacteristics than elasticity, flexibility and rigidity characteristicsof a second area of the length of the strap adjacent the strap distal end;and,
closure means connected to the distal end of the strap for adjustablypulling the length of the strap from its connection to one of the lateraland medial sides of the shoe toward the other of the lateral and medialsides of the shoe.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein:
an inset formed of the second plastic material is encapsulated in the firstplastic material at the second area of the strap, and the closure meansconnects to the inset.
3. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
the inset is completely encapsulated in the first plastic material at thesecond area of the strap, at least one hole extends through the inset andthe first plastic material encapsulating the inset, and the closure meansincludes lacing inserted through the inset hole.
4. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
the inset is completely encapsulated in the first plastic material at thesecond area of the strap, at least one hole extends through the inset andthe first plastic material encapsulating the inset, and the closure meansincludes an adjustable band inserted through the inset hole.
5. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
the first plastic material can be seen through whereby the inset is visibleencapsulated in the first plastic material.
6. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
a mesh material is secured in the first plastic material of the strapfilling an opening of the strap that is spaced from the inset encapsulatedin the first plastic material.
7. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
the inset has an elongated configuration and a plurality of holes arrangedin a row extend through the inset, and the closure means extends throughthe plurality of holes.
8. The shoe of claim 2, wherein:
the inset is a first inset and a second inset formed of the second plasticmaterial is encapsulated in the first plastic material spaced from thefirst inset, and the closure means connects to the second inset.
9. A shoe having flexible and adjustable closure means, the shoecomprising:
a shoe sole having opposite lateral and medial sides;
a shoe upper secured to the shoe sole along its lateral and medial sides,the upper having an interior surface that defines an interior volume ofthe shoe configured to receive a foot therein, and the upper having anexterior surface with opposite lateral and medial surfaces;
a lateral strap secured to the lateral side Of the shoe and a medial strapconnected to the medial side of the shoe; both the lateral, and medialstraps extending to distal ends of the lateral and medial straps, both thelateral and medial straps being formed of plastic material wherebydifferent areas; of the straps have different characteristics ofelasticity and flexibility with first areas of the straps adjacent theirconnections to the shoe having elasticity and flexibility characteristicsthat are greater than elasticity and flexibility characteristics of secondareas of the straps adjacent their distal ends;
closure means connected between the distal ends of the lateral an medialstraps for adjustably pulling the distal ends toward each other;
the lateral and medial straps are both formed of at least first and seconddifferent types of plastic material at the first and second areas of thestraps, respectively,
whereby the second plastic material at the second areas of the straps has agreater characteristic of rigidity than the first plastic material at thefirst areas of the straps.
10. The shoe of claim 9, wherein:
the second plastic material is formed as an inset that is encapsulated inthe first plastic material at the second area of each strap, and theclosure means connects to the inset.
11. The shoe of claim 10, wherein:
the inset at the second area of each strap has at least one holetherethrough that also extends through the first plastic materialencapsulating the inset, and the closure means includes lacing insertedthrough the inset hole.
12. The shoe of claim 10, wherein:
the inset at the second area of each step has at least one holetherethrough that also extends through the first plastic materialencapsulating the inset, and the closure means includes an adjustable bandinserted through the inset hole.
13. The shoe of claim 10, wherein:
the first plastic material can be seen through, whereby the insert isvisible encapsulated in the first plastic material.
14. The shoe of claim 9, wherein:
the second plastic material is formed as a tab at the distal end of eachstrap, the tab being connected to the shoe by the first plastic material,and the closure means being connected to the tab.
15. The shoe of claim 14, wherein:
the tab at the distal end of each strap has at least one hole therethroughthat is spaced from the connection of the tab to the first plasticmaterial of the strap, and the closure means includes lacing insertedthrough the tab hole.
16. The shoe of claim 14, wherein:
the tab at the distal end of each strap has at least one hole therethroughthat is spaced from the connection of the tab to the first plasticmaterial of the strap, and the closure means includes an adjustable bandinserted through the tab hole.
17. The shoe of claim 9, wherein:
the lateral and medial straps are connected at their distal ends by closuremeans that extend over instep areas of the shoe upper lateral and medialsurfaces.
18. The shoe of claim 9, wherein:
the lateral and medial straps are connected at their distal ends by closuremeans that extend over a heel area of the shoe upper exterior surface.
19. The shoe of claim 17, wherein:
the lateral and medial straps are also connected at their distal ends byclosure means that extend over a heel area of the shoe upper exteriorsurface.
20. A shoe having flexible and adjustable closure means, the shoecomprising:
a shoe sole having opposite lateral and medial sides;
a lateral strap secured to the lateral side of the shoe and a medial strapconnected to the medial side of the shoe, both the lateral and medialstraps having elongated configurations with lengths extending betweenoppositely spaced proximal and distal ends of the lateral and medialstraps, the proximal ends of the straps are connected to the shoe, boththe lateral and medial straps being formed of plastic material wherebydifferent areas of the straps adjacent the proximal and distal ends havedifferent characteristics of elasticity and flexibility with first areasof the straps adjacent the proximal ends' connections to the shoe havingelasticity and flexibility characteristics that are greater thanelasticity and flexibility characteristics of second areas of the strapsadjacent the distal ends, the lateral and medial straps both being formedof at least first and second different types of plastic material at thefirst and second areas of the straps, respectively, whereby the secondplastic material at the second areas of the straps has a greatercharacteristic of rigidity than the first plastic material at the firstareas of the straps; and,
closure means connected between the distal ends of the lateral an medialstraps for adjustably pulling the distal ends toward each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further objects and features of the present invention are revealed in thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention and in the drawing figures wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a shoe employing the shoe strapconstruction of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a partial view, in section, of the shoe strap of the inventiontaken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a shoe employing a second embodiment ofthe shoe strap construction of the inventions.
FIG. 4 is a partial view, in section, taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a shoe employing a third embodiment ofthe shoe strap construction of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoe strap of the invention removedfrom the shoe shown in FIG. 5; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a still further embodiment of the shoestrap of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows an operative environment of a first embodiment of the shoestrap 10 of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the shoe strap 10 employedon an athletic shoe. It should be understood that the shoe 12 isillustrative only of one type of shoe with which the shoe strap 10 of theinvention may be employed. The shoe strap 10 may be used with a variety ofdifferent types of shoes having a variety of different configurationsother than that shown in the drawing figures.
The shoe 12 comprises a shoe sole 14 and a shoe upper 16 connected to thesole, the upper 16 having an exterior surface with an instep area 18 and aheel counter area 20. A row of lacing eyelets 22 is provided around afront opening in the shoe instep area 18 as is conventional. A tongue 24is positioned beneath the front opening of the shoe upper. Although onlyone side PG,6 of the shoe is visible in FIG. 1, it should be understoodthat the shoe's construction may be substantially symmetric or asymmetricon opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of the shoe. The shoe straps ofthe invention may be employed in addition or alternative to the existingclosure means of the shoe.
The shoe strap 10 of the invention is generally comprised of two differenttypes of plastic materials, meaning that the two types of materials havedifferent characteristics of elasticity, flexibility and rigidity. The twotypes of materials may actually be the same plastic, but with differentcharacteristics. Alternatively, the different characteristics may beachieved by using two different plastics. In the illustrative examplesshown and described herein, the plastic materials are preferably differenttypes of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) having different characteristicsof elasticity, flexibility and rigidity.
As seen in FIG. 1, the strap 10 has an elongate configuration. A proximalend 28 of the strap is secured to the shoe and the length of the strapextends over the exterior surface of the shoe upper 16 to the strap'sdistal end 30. In variant embodiments of the strap shown in the drawingfigures, the strap may extend beneath or through the material of the shoeupper and the illustrated positioning of the strap on the shoe should notbe interpreted as limiting. As stated earlier, the strap is constructed oftwo different types of plastic materials with the two different materialsbeing located in two different areas of the strap. The first plasticmaterial, having greater elasticity and flexibility characteristics and alesser rigidity characteristic than the second material of the strap, isemployed in constructing the first area 32 of the strap which constitutesa majority of the strap's length. The second plastic material, havinglesser elasticity and flexibility characteristics and a greater rigiditycharacteristic than the first plastic material, is employed inconstructing an inset 36 that constitutes the second area of the strap.The second plastic material is stronger than the first plastic material inresisting tears. As seen in FIG. 1, the inset 36 that makes up the secondarea of the strap is located adjacent the distal end 30 of the strap. Theinset 36 is shown having a generally triangular configuration; however,the configuration of the inset 36 may be varied depending on the overallconfiguration of the strap. With the strap 10 having the elongatedconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, the general triangular shape of the inset36 is well suited for receipt of the inset at the distal end of the strap.
The inset 36 is secured to the strap 10 by being molded into the firstplastic material of the strap as the strap is formed. This results in theinset 36 being completely encapsulated inside the first plastic materialof the strap 10 as shown in FIG. 2. The encapsulation of the inset 36inside the first plastic material of the strap provides a strongconnection between the inset and strap that prevents the inset from beingpulled apart from the strap in prolonged use of the shoe. The inset 36 isprovided with a pair of lacing holes 38 for receiving conventional shoelacing. Alternatively, an oblong slot could have been provided in theinset 36 to receive an adjustable band if such a band is employed in placeof conventional shoe lacing on the shoe with which the strap 10 isemployed. The lacing holes 38 extend completely through the inset 36 andalign with holes 40 in the first plastic material encapsulating the inset.
The shoe strap 10 having the construction described above combines thedesirable characteristics of the two different plastic materials into asingle, integral strap construction. With the strap first area 32,constituting a majority of the strap's length, being constructed of thefirst plastic material having the greater elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics of the two materials, the strap may be pulled andstretched tight over the upper exterior surface at the instep area 18 ofthe shoe. In the variant embodiments of the strap extending beneath orthrough the material of the shoe upper, an aperture is provided on theshoe upper through which the distal end of the strap projects. Pulling theexposed end of the strap will stretch the first plastic material of thestrap tight over the shoe wearer's foot. The second area of the strap,constituted by the inset 36, having the greater rigidity characteristic ofthe two plastic materials employed in constructing the strap, enableslacing or other closure means to be inserted through the inset holes 38 topull the strap tight across the exterior surface (or beneath or throughthe interior) of the shoe upper 16 with the rigidity characteristic of theinset 36 insuring that the inset holes 38 do not tear from the forcesexerted by the lacing inserted through the eyelets over prolonged use ofthe shoe.
In variant embodiments of the strap 10, a rigid material other than aplastic material may be employed in constructing the inset 36, with thefirst plastic material having good elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics still being employed in constructing the first area 32 ofthe strap. Because elasticity and flexibility is not required of the inset36, rigid materials other than plastic materials may be employed in itsconstruction.
In use of the strap 10 in shoe construction, a pair of like straps may beattached to the opposite lateral and medial sides of the shoe in themanner shown of the strap 10 in FIG. 1, with the strap proximal end 28secured to the shoe and the length of the strap extending to the distalend 30 out over, beneath or through the material of the shoe upper insteparea 18. The strap proximal end 28 may be secured to the shoe by stitchingor adhesives or may be molded integrally to the shoe sole 14. Conventionalshoe lacing or other closure means are inserted through the inset eyelets38 of the two straps on opposite sides of the shoe and are pulled tight tostretch the two straps 10 over the opposite sides of the shoe. In variantembodiments, only one strap 10 is secured on one side of the shoe and theshoe lacing or other closure means are inserted through the inset eyelets38 and eyelets secured to the shoe construction on the opposite side ofthe shoe upper and pulled tight to stretch the single strap 10 over theexterior surface of the shoe.
The strap 44 shown in FIG. 1 extending from the shoe sole 14 toward theshoe tongue 24 is a variant embodiment of the strap 10. As in the firststrap 10, the second strap 44 has an elongate configuration with amajority of, or a first area 46 of the strap being constructed of thefirst plastic material having the greater elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics and lesser rigidity characteristic than a second area 48of the strap at its distal end. The second area of the strap 48 comprisedof the second plastic material having the lesser elasticity andflexibility characteristics and the greater rigidity characteristic isformed as a tab having a general triangular configuration that is securedto the distal end of the first plastic material area 46 of the strap. Thetab 48 is provided with a pair of lacing eyelets 50 and functions insubstantially the same manner as the inset 36 of the first strap 10.However, the tab 48 is not encapsulated in the first plastic material aswas the inset, but is molded to the distal end of the first plasticmaterial area 46 of the strap. As seen in the drawing figure, the tab 48is formed with a necked down portion 52 having a plurality of lugs 54formed thereon. The tab, the necked down portion 52 and the lugs 54 areall formed of the second plastic material. The distal end of the strapfirst area 46 is also formed with a necked down portion 56 having aplurality of holes 58 formed therein to receive the tab lugs 54. Inconnecting the tab 48 to the first area of the strap 46, the tab lugs 54are inserted through the strap holes 58 and the tab and the strap firstarea are subjected to heat, causing the necked down portions of the taband strap 52, 56 to fuse together, thereby forming an integral strapconstruction. As in the first described strap 10, the strap 44 combinesthe desirable characteristics of rigidity and strength of the tab 48surrounding the tab eyelets 50 with the elasticity and flexibility of thestrap first area 46. The strap 44 is secured to the shoe in the samemanner as the first described strap 10 and is employed in being stretchedand secured over the exterior surface of the shoe in the same manner asthat as the first described strap 10.
The strap 60 shown in FIG. 2 is secured to a shoe 12 substantiallyidentical to the shoe of the first described embodiment and has aconstruction similar to that of the first described strap 10. The strap 60has a greater width than the first strap 10, and also has an elongateconfiguration with a proximal end 62 of the strap secured to the shoe anda distal end 64 positioned extending out over, beneath or through thematerial of the shoe upper instep area 18 in the same manner as the firstdescribed strap 10. As in the first described embodiment, the majority ofthe strap 60 is comprised of a first area 66 constructed of the firstplastic material having the greater elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics and a lesser rigidity characteristic than a second area 68of the strap. The second area of the strap is occupied by an inset 68constructed of the second plastic material having lesser elasticity andflexibility characteristics and a greater rigidity characteristic than thefirst area 66 of the strap. The inset 68 of the FIG. 3 embodiment has anelongate configuration that extends across the distal end 64 of the strapand is provided with a plurality of lacing eyelets 70 arranged along itslength. As described earlier, the lacing eyelets 70 may be replaced byoblong apertures configured to receive adjustable bands inserted throughthe apertures to pull the strap across the exterior surface of the shoeupper. The inset 68 is completely encapsulated in the first plasticmaterial in the strap as is shown in FIG. 4. Holes 72 are provided throughthe first plastic material and align with the lacing eyelets 70 of theinset. Beside the configuration of the strap 60 shown in FIG. 3, the strap60 differs from the first described strap 10 in that it is provided withan opening 74 in the first area 66 of the strap that is covered over by amesh material 76. The mesh material 76 has elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics that enable it to stretch with the first plastic materialmaking up the first area 66 of the strap. The mesh material 76 enablesventilation of the area of the shoe wearer's foot beneath the mesh.
As in the first described embodiment of the strap, the construction of thestrap shown in FIG. 3 combines the desirable elasticity and flexibilitycharacteristics of the first plastic material employed in constructing thefirst area 66 of the strap with the desirable rigidity and strengthcharacteristic of the second plastic material employed in constructing thesecond area or inset 68 of the strap. The encapsulation of the inset 68 inthe first plastic material of the first area 66 of the strap provides asecure connection between the inset and the strap and the rigidity andstrength characteristics of the inset prevent the inset lacing eyelets 70from tearing out due to forces exerted on the eyelets by lacing or otherclosure means over prolonged use of the shoe. The embodiment of the strap60 shown in FIG. 3 may be employed with a shoe in the same manner as thefirst described strap 10 in that it may be employed in pairs with eachstrap positioned on opposite sides of the shoe or it may be employed as asingle strap that is secured by lacing or other closure means over theinstep area 18 of the shoe to eyelets or other apertures provided on theshoe upper on the opposite side of the shoe.
A still further embodiment of the shoe strap 80 of the present invention isshown in FIGS. 5 and 6 of the drawings. The strap construction 80 shown inFIGS. 5 and 6 is employed on substantially the same shoe 12 of thepreviously described embodiments. The configuration of the strap 80 shownin FIGS. 5 and 6 is similar to that of the strap 60 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4except that it is provided with an additional distal end extension thatprojects toward the heel counter 20 of the shoe. As in the embodiment ofFIGS. 3 and 4, the strap 80 has a widened width and an elongatedconfiguration with the proximal end 82 of the strap secured to the shoe inthe same manner as the previously described embodiments. The strap extendsfrom its proximal end 82 to a first distal end 84 of the strap positionedover the upper opening at the instep area 18 of the shoe and to a seconddistal end 86 projecting over the heel counter 20 of the shoe. The strap80 is constructed with a first area 88 constituting a majority of thestrap's elongated configuration being constructed of the first plasticmaterial having the greater elasticity and flexibility characteristics anda lesser rigidity characteristic than second areas 89, 90 of the strap.The second areas of the strap are occupied by a pair of insets 89, 90,both constructed of the second plastic material having lesser elasticityand flexibility characteristics and greater strength and rigiditycharacteristics than the first plastic material that makes up the firstarea 88 of the strap. The first inset 89 encapsulated in the distal end ofthe strap 84 over the instep area 18 of the shoe upper is constructed insubstantially the same elongate configuration as the inset of FIG. 3. Theinset 89 is also provided with a plurality of lacing eyelets 92 thatextend through the inset and the first plastic material encapsulating theinset. The eyelets are provided for shoe lacing that is inserted throughthe eyelets and pulled tight to stretch the first distal end 84 of thestrap 80 over the exterior surface of the shoe in the area of the shoeupper instep 18. As in the previously described embodiments, the strengthcharacteristics of the second plastic material employed in constructingthe inset 89 ensure against the eyelets 92 being torn out as the lacing ispulled tight over the shoe and over prolonged use of the shoe. The secondinset 90 is encapsulated in the first plastic material at the seconddistal end 86 of the strap in the same manner as the insets of thepreviously described embodiments. The second inset 90 is provided with anoblong aperture 94 through its center that also extends through the firstplastic material encapsulating the inset. The aperture 94 is dimensionedto provide access of an adjustable band 96 therethrough, the length ofwhich can be adjusted to stretch the second distal end 86 of the strapfirst area 88 over the heel counter 20 of the shoe. The rigidity andstrength characteristics of the second inset 90 prevent the aperture 94from tearing out as the band 96 is pulled tight around the heel counter 20and over prolonged use of the shoe. As in the embodiment of FIG. 3, thestrap 80 is also provided with an opening 98 through the first plasticmaterial of the first area 88 of the strap. The opening 98 is filled by anelastic mesh material 100 encapsulated in the material of the strapproviding ventilation beneath the mesh.
FIG. 6 shows a pair of straps 80 removed from the shoe 12 and connected attheir second distal ends 86 by the adjustable band 96. As in thepreviously described embodiments, it should be understood that the strapconstruction of FIG. 5 may be employed with only a single strap positionedon one side of the shoe which has its distal ends 84, 86 connected toeyelets or apertures on the opposite side of the shoe upper 16 by shoelacing and/or adjustable bands.
In each of the described embodiments, the strap construction combines thedesirable strength characteristics of a more rigid plastic material in theareas of the straps, i.e. lacing eyelets and adjustable band apertures,where enhanced strength is required to prevent strap eyelets or aperturesfrom tearing out over prolonged use of the shoe, with enhanced elasticityand flexibility characteristics of a less rigid plastic material employedin constructing a majority of the area of the strap. Each of theembodiments may be employed as a single strap on one side of the shoe orin pairs of straps on opposite sides of the shoe. Each of the embodimentsmay employ a first plastic material in the first area of the strap thatcan be seen through, enabling the encapsulated inset of the second plasticmaterial to be seen through the first material of the strap. In each ofthe embodiments, the inset area may be constructed of a rigid materialother than a plastic material with the first areas of the strap stillbeing constructed of a first plastic material enabling the inset to bemolded and encapsulated integrally into the construction of the strap.
FIG. 7 shows still further embodiments of the shoe strap 104, 106 of thepresent invention. The pair of straps 104, 106 shown in FIG. 7 aresubstantially identical to each other except that the lower strap 106 hasan opening 108 at its center. The configuration of the two straps 104, 106is that they extend from an attachment at their proximal ends (not shown)on the opposite side of the shoe shown in the drawing figure to theirdistal ends, each having an inset 110, 112, respectively, encapsulatedtherein. As in the previously described embodiments, the insets 110, 112are constructed of the second plastic material having enhanced rigidityand lesser elasticity and flexibility than the first plastic material thatconstitutes the majority of the strap lengths. Each of the insets 110, 112are provided with a pair of apertures 114, 116, respectively. Theapertures are provided for the strap 118 that is inserted through theapertures from its proximal end 120 secured to the shoe, through theaperture 116, through an aperture 122 in the shoe, through the secondinlet aperture 114, to its distal end 124 where the band 118 is secured tothe shoe upper. As in the previously described embodiments, the strengthcharacteristics of the second plastic material employed in constructingthe insets 110, 112 ensure against the apertures 114, 116 from being tornout as the band 118 is pulled tight on the side of the shoe or overprolonged use of the shoe. As stated earlier, the straps of first plasticmaterial 104, 106 and their respective insets of second plastic material110, 112 are constructed in substantially the same manner as thepreviously described embodiments of the invention.
While the present invention has been described by reference to specificembodiments, it should be understood that modifications and variations ofthe invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the following claims.