Shoe tightening system

Abstract

A shoe with a tightening apparatus is provided. The tightening apparatus is mounted substantially on the shoe longitudinal axis having concave lace ankle guides to inhibit irritation to the ankle bone of a wearer.

1 . A shoe comprising a sole coupled to an upper where the upper comprises a toe box, a throat opening, and a heel, the heel defining an ankle opening, the shoe containing a tightening system, the tightening system comprising: 
 a plurality of first lace guides coupled to a first side of the upper extending along the throat opening;    a corresponding plurality of second lace guides coupled to a second side of the upper extending along the throat opening;    a first concave ankle guide extending about a first side of the ankle opening;    a second concave ankle guide extending about a second side of the ankle opening;    a tightening apparatus located on the heel; and    at least one lace extending in a zigzag pattern through the plurality of first lace guides, the corresponding plurality of second lace guides, the first concave ankle guide, and the second concave ankle guide coupled to the tightening apparatus,    whereby using the tightening apparatus to tighten the lace facilitates the canopy molding to a foot of the user.    
   
   
       2 . The tightening system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tightening apparatus comprises: 
 a ratchet and pawl where rotation in one direction tightens the lace; and    a release to allow the lace to be loosened.    
   
   
       3 . The tightening system according to  claim 2 , wherein the release allows the ratchet and pawl to rotate in the other direction.  
   
   
       4 . The tightening system according to  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of lace guides and the second plurality of lace guides are substantially on the top of the shoe.  
   
   
       5 . The tightening system according to  claim 1 , wherein the tightening apparatus is substantially located on a longitudinal axis of the shoe.  
   
   
       6 . The tightening system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a tongue coupled to the upper and extending from the toe box to the ankle opening.  
   
   
       7 . A shoe including a tightening system, the shoe comprising: 
 a sole;    an upper coupled to the sole;    the upper comprising a toe box, a throat, and a heel;    the throat residing in the upper such that the upper has a first side and a second side extending along and on opposite sides of the throat;    the heel defining an ankle opening;    a tongue coupled to the shoe and extending from the toe box to the ankle opening;    a plurality of first lace guides coupled to a first side of the upper extending along the throat opening;    a corresponding plurality of second lace guides coupled to a second side of the upper extending along the throat opening;    a first concave ankle guide extending about a first side of the ankle opening;    a second concave ankle guide extending about a second side of the ankle opening;    a tightening apparatus located on the heel; and    at least one lace extending in a zigzag pattern through the plurality of first lace guides, the corresponding plurality of second lace guides, the first concave ankle guide, and the second concave ankle guide coupled to the tightening apparatus,    whereby using the tightening apparatus to tighten the lace facilitates the canopy molding to a foot of the user.    
   
   
       8 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the shoe comprises at least one of the group consisting of a cycling shoe, a running shoe, a tennis shoe, a sneaker, a soccer shoe, a bowling shoe, a football shoe, a cleat, and a basketball shoe.  
   
   
       9 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the throat comprises a length of about 50 mm to about 180 mm and a width of about 30 mm to about 200 mm.  
   
   
       10 . The shoe according to  claim 9 , wherein the throat comprises a length of about 125 mm and a width of about 70 mm.  
   
   
       11 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the tongue is coupled to an exterior surface of the shoe.  
   
   
       12 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the tightening apparatus is attached substantially on the longitudinal axis of the shoe.