Devices and methods for enhancing the fit of boots and other footwear

Abstract

A closure system for a boot or other footwear includes a tension member that is disposed within the boot and routed or guided about a path within the boot via one or more guides. The closure system also includes an adjustment member that is disposed within the boot and operably coupled with the tension member. The closure system further includes a reel based closure device having a knob that is operable to tension the tension member and to release tension from the tension member. Tensioning of the tension member adjusts a fit of the adjustment member about a foot within the boot to secure the foot within the boot and loosening of the tension member adjusts the fit of the adjustment member about the foot to allow the foot to be more easily removed from the boot.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A closure system for a footwear, the footwear having a foot portion that is configured to fit around the foot of a wearer and an extended ankle portion that extends upward from the foot portion substantially above the wearer's ankle, the closure system comprising:
 a tension member that is disposed within the footwear and routed or guided about a path within the footwear;   a fit adjustment member disposed within the footwear and operably coupled with the tension member; and   a reel based closure device having a knob, the reel based closure device being operably coupled with the tension member so as to tension the tension member upon operation of the knob and so as to loosen the tension member, wherein:
 tensioning of the tension member effects adjustment of the fit adjustment member relative to the wearer's foot to secure the foot within the footwear, and 
 loosening of the tension member allows the fit adjustment member to be loosened from about the foot to enable the wearer to more easily remove the foot from the footwear. 
   
     
     
         2 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the fit adjustment member comprises at least one strap that is positioned within the footwear so as to wind around at least a portion of the wearer's foot. 
     
     
         3 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one strap is positioned within the footwear to encircle the foot at least once. 
     
     
         4 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein a portion of the at least one strap is slidingly disposed within a sole of the footwear. 
     
     
         5 . The closure system of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one strap is configured to constrict about the wearer's foot. 
     
     
         6 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the fit adjustment member comprises a sleeve, liner, or shell disposed within the footwear, wherein the tension member is coupled with at least one side of the sleeve, liner, or shell so as to move the sleeve, liner, or shell inward and toward the wearer's foot upon tensioning of the tension member. 
     
     
         7 . The closure system of  claim 6 , wherein a second side of the sleeve, liner, or shell that is opposite the at least one side is coupled with the footwear such that tensioning of the tension member causes the sleeve, liner, or shell to fold or pivot about the second side of the sleeve, liner, or shell. 
     
     
         8 . The closure system of  claim 6 , wherein the tension member is coupled with opposing sides or edges of the sleeve, liner, or shell such that the opposing sides or edges of the sleeve, liner, or shell move inward and toward the wearer's foot upon tensioning of the tension member. 
     
     
         9 . The closure system of  claim 1 , wherein the fit adjustment member is configured to press inward against a sleeve, liner, or tongue portion of the footwear. 
     
     
         10 . A closure system for a boot comprising:
 a tension member that is disposed within the boot and routed or guided about a path within the boot via one or more guides;   an adjustment member disposed within the boot and operably coupled with the tension member; and   a reel based closure device having a knob that is operable to tension the tension member and to release tension from the tension member, wherein:
 tensioning of the tension member tightens a fit of the adjustment member about a foot within the boot to secure the foot within the boot, and 
 loosening of the tension member loosens the fit of the adjustment member about the foot within the boot to allow the foot to be more easily removed from the boot. 
   
     
     
         11 . The closure system of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustment member comprises at least one strap that is positioned within the boot so as to wind around at least a portion of the foot. 
     
     
         12 . The closure system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one strap is positioned within the boot to encircle the foot at least once. 
     
     
         13 . The closure system of  claim 11 , wherein a portion of the at least one strap is slidingly disposed within a sole of the boot. 
     
     
         14 . The closure system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one strap is configured to constrict about the foot. 
     
     
         15 . The closure system of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustment member comprises a sleeve, liner, or shell disposed within the boot, wherein the tension member is coupled with at least one side of the sleeve, liner, or shell so as to move the sleeve, liner, or shell inward and toward the foot upon tensioning of the tension member. 
     
     
         16 . The closure system of  claim 15 , wherein a second side of the sleeve, liner, or shell that is opposite the at least one side is coupled with the boot such that tensioning of the tension member causes the sleeve, liner, or shell to fold or pivot about the second side of the sleeve, liner, or shell. 
     
     
         17 . The closure system of  claim 15 , wherein the tension member is coupled with opposing sides or edges of the sleeve, liner, or shell such that the opposing sides or edges of the sleeve, liner, or shell move inward and toward the foot upon tensioning of the tension member. 
     
     
         18 . The closure system of  claim 10 , wherein the adjustment member is configured to press inward against a sleeve, liner, or tongue portion of the boot.