Single lace boot with multiple compression zones

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single lace boot with multiple compression zones. In one embodiment, the present invention is a boot having a first side and a second side opposing the first side. The boot also has an upper zone located near a top portion of the first side and the second side, a middle zone located below the upper zone, and a lower zone located below the middle zone. Furthermore, the boot has a plurality of lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side and a single lace with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone.

1 . A boot comprising:
 a first side;   a second side opposing the first side;   an upper zone located near a top portion of the first side and the second side;   a middle zone located below the upper zone;   a lower zone located below the middle zone;   a plurality of lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side; and   a single lace with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone.   
     
     
         2 . The boot of  claim 1  wherein the middle zone includes an upper portion and a lower portion. 
     
     
         3 . The boot of  claim 2  wherein the single lace is fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms. 
     
     
         4 . The boot of  claim 3  wherein the single lace further includes an upper zone control portion. 
     
     
         5 . The boot of  claim 4  wherein the upper zone control portion includes a loop of the single lace positioned adjacent to the first side of the upper zone. 
     
     
         6 . The boot of  claim 5  wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a first direction, the upper zone and the upper portion of the middle zone are compressed. 
     
     
         7 . The boot of  claim 6  wherein the single lace further includes a lower zone control portion. 
     
     
         8 . The boot of  claim 7  wherein the lower zone control portion includes a loop of the single lace positioned adjacent to the second side of the upper zone. 
     
     
         9 . The boot of  claim 8  wherein when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the first direction, the lower zone and the lower portion of the middle zone are compressed. 
     
     
         10 . The boot of  claim 9  further comprising:
 a first lace lock located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion is fed through the first lace lock; and   a second lace lock located on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed through the second lace lock.   
     
     
         11 . The boot of  claim 10  wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone control portion is secured to the second lace lock. 
     
     
         12 . The boot of  claim 11  wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a third direction, the upper zone control portion is released from the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the third direction, the lower zone control portion is released from the second lace lock. 
     
     
         13 . A boot comprising:
 a first side;   a second side opposing the first side;   an upper zone located near a top portion of the first side and the second side;   a middle zone located below the upper zone, the middle zone including an upper portion and a lower portion;   a lower zone located below the middle zone;   a plurality of lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side; and   a single lace fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone, the single lace including an upper zone control portion and a lower zone control portion.   
     
     
         14 . The boot of  claim 13  wherein the upper zone control portion includes a loop of the single lace on the first side of the upper zone and when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a first direction, the upper zone and the upper portion of the middle zone are compressed. 
     
     
         15 . The boot of  claim 14  wherein the lower zone control portion includes a loop of the single lace on the second side of the upper zone and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the first direction, the lower zone and the lower portion of the middle zone are compressed. 
     
     
         16 . The boot of  claim 15  further comprising:
 a first lace lock located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion is fed through the first lace lock; and   a second lace lock located on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed through the second lace lock.   
     
     
         17 . The boot of  claim 10  wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone control portion is secured to the second lace lock, and wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a third direction, the upper zone control portion is released from the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the third direction, the lower zone control portion is released from the second lace lock. 
     
     
         18 . A boot comprising:
 a first side;   a second side opposing the first side;   an upper zone located near a top portion of the first side and the second side;   a middle zone located below the upper zone, the middle zone including an upper portion and a lower portion;   a lower zone located below the middle zone;   a plurality of lacing mechanisms located on the first side and the second side; and   a single lace fed through the plurality of lacing mechanisms with a first end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the upper zone and a second end secured to one of the plurality of lacing mechanisms in the lower zone, the single lace including   an upper zone control portion including a loop of the single lace on the first side in the upper zone, wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a first direction, the upper zone and the upper portion of the middle zone are compressed, and   a lower zone control portion, including a loop of the single lace on the second side in the upper zone, wherein when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the first direction, the lower zone and the lower portion of the middle zone are compressed.   
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a first lace lock located on the first side, wherein the upper zone control portion is fed through the first lace lock; and   a second lace lock located on the second side, wherein the lower zone control portion is fed through the second lace lock.   
     
     
         20 . The boot of  claim 19  wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a second direction, the upper zone control portion is secured to the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the second direction, the lower zone control portion is secured to the second lace lock, and wherein when the upper zone control portion is pulled in a third direction, the upper zone control portion is released from the first lace lock and when the lower zone control portion is pulled in the third direction, the lower zone control portion is released from the second lace lock.