Cycling shoe with cover having closure access

Abstract

A shoe including a sole for supporting a foot and an upper coupled to the sole. The upper defines an opening for receiving the foot and includes a first side panel and a second side panel movable in relation to the first side panel. The shoe also includes a closure mechanism that is coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel, and a tightening mechanism that is engaged with the closure mechanism to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel closer to each other and to selectively permit the first side panel and the second side panel to move apart from each other. A cover provides access to the tightening mechanism while enclosing the closure mechanism.

1 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole for supporting a foot;   an upper coupled to the sole and defining an opening for receiving the foot, the upper including a first side panel and a second side panel movable in relation to the first side panel;   a closure mechanism coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel;   a tightening mechanism engaged with the closure mechanism to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel closer to each other and to selectively permit the first side panel and the second side panel to move apart from each other; and   a cover providing access to the tightening mechanism while enclosing the closure mechanism.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the tightening mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism includes laces alternatingly engaging the first side panel and the second side panel, and wherein the tightening mechanism is coupled to opposed ends of the laces to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel toward each other. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an aperture through which the tightening mechanism is exposed. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 4 , wherein the tightening mechanism extends through the aperture to at least partially secure the cover over the closure mechanism. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is attached to the upper at least in part by a hook and loop system. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel cooperatively define a throat portion in communication with the opening, the shoe further comprising a tongue flap positioned to substantially enclose the throat portion, and a strap coupled to the upper and at least partially surrounding the opening, wherein the strap extends from adjacent the first side panel to the second side panel over the tongue flap. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 7 , further comprising a toe box and a heel opposite the toe box, wherein the strap includes a first portion extending from adjacent the first side panel to the second side panel around the heel, a second portion extending from adjacent the first side panel to the second side panel over the tongue flap, a strap ring through which the second portion of the strap extends, and a third portion extending from adjacent the second side panel to the first side panel such that the third portion overlaps and is coupled to the second portion. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole is adapted to engage a bicycle pedal. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the cover extends from one of the first side panel and the second side panel toward the other of the first side panel and the second side panel to overlap the closure mechanism. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel cooperatively define a throat portion in communication with the opening, and wherein the cover includes an outer flap that bridges the throat portion. 
     
     
         12 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole for supporting a foot;   an upper coupled to the sole and defining an opening for receiving the foot, the upper including a first side panel and a second side panel;   a closure mechanism coupled between the first side panel and the second side panel;   a tightening mechanism engaged with the closure mechanism to selectively tighten the closure mechanism and to selectively loosen the closure mechanism; and   a cover coupled to the upper and movable between an open position exposing at least a portion of the closure mechanism and a closed position covering more of the closure mechanism and at least partially exposing the tightening mechanism to provide access to the tightening mechanism when the cover is in the closed position.   
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the closure mechanism includes laces alternatingly engaging the first side panel and the second side panel, and wherein the tightening mechanism is coupled to opposed ends of the laces to selectively draw the first side panel and the second side panel toward each other. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the tightening mechanism includes a ratchet coupled to one of the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the cover includes an aperture through which the tightening mechanism is exposed. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the cover extends from one of the first side panel and the second side panel toward the other of the first side panel and the second side panel to overlap the closure mechanism. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe of  claim 12 , wherein the cover is formed as part of the upper. 
     
     
         18 . A shoe comprising:
 a sole for supporting a foot;   an upper coupled to the sole and defining an opening for receiving the foot, the upper including a toe box, a heel opposite the toe box, a first side panel, and a second side panel spaced laterally apart from the first side panel to define a throat portion extending from the toe box toward the heel and in communication with the opening;   laces alternatingly engaged between the first side panel and the second side panel;   a tightening mechanism coupled to opposed ends of the laces for increasing and decreasing tension on the laces; and   a cover extending from one of the first side panel and the second side panel toward the other of the first side panel and the second side panel and configured to overlap and conceal the laces while at least partially exposing the tightening mechanism to provide access to the tightening mechanism when the laces are concealed by the cover.   
     
     
         19 . The shoe of  claim 18 , wherein the cover includes an aperture through which the tightening mechanism is exposed, and wherein the tightening mechanism extends through the aperture to at least partially secure the cover over the laces. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe of  claim 18 , wherein the cover is attached to the upper by a hook and loop system when the cover overlaps the laces.