Methods and systems for lace to lace coupling

Abstract

A tension component for tightening a shoe is disclosed herein. The tension component is configured for use with a shoe that includes a plurality of cords that are connected to the shoe so that tensioning of the cords the shoe to conform to a foot of a user. The tension component includes a first coupling feature and a second coupling feature. The first coupling feature is configured to couple with at least two cords and the second coupling feature is configured to couple with a tension member that is positioned and routed along a tongue portion of the shoe. The tension component is positioned on one side of the shoe and is moveable laterally about the side of the shoe so that tensioning of the tension member causes the tension component to move toward an opposite side of the shoe and thereby tension the cords attached therewith.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tension component for tightening a shoe having a plurality of cords or strands that are positioned adjacent an upper of the shoe and that are connected to the shoe such that tensioning of the plurality of cords or strands causes the upper to conform to a foot of a user, the tension component comprising:
 a first coupling feature that is configured to couple with at least two cords or strands of the plurality of cords or strands; and   a second coupling feature that is configured to couple with a tension member that is positioned and routed along a tongue portion of the shoe, the tension member being coupled with a tensioning mechanism that is operable to tension the tension member and thereby effect tensioning of the at least two cords or strands via the tension component;   wherein the tension component is positioned on one side of the shoe adjacent an eyestay thereof, the tension component being moveable laterally about the side of the shoe such that tensioning of the tension member causes the tension component to move toward an opposite side of the shoe.   
     
     
         2 . The tension component of  claim 1 , wherein the first coupling feature includes a first aperture and a second apertures, and wherein a first cord or strand of the plurality of cords or strands is positioned through the first aperture and a second cord or strand of the plurality of cords or strands is positioned through the second aperture. 
     
     
         3 . The tension component of  claim 2 , wherein the second coupling feature is a third aperture through which the tension member is disposed. 
     
     
         4 . The tension component of  claim 3 , wherein an axis of the third aperture is orthogonal to an axis of the first aperture and/or the second aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The tension component of  claim 2 , wherein the second coupling feature is a lumen or channel within which the tension member is disposed, wherein the lumen or channel extends between an entry aperture and an exit aperture of the tension component. 
     
     
         6 . The tension component of  claim 5 , wherein the lumen or channel has a longitudinal length that is greater than a distance between an axis of the first aperture and an axis of the second aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The tension component of  claim 1 , wherein the tension component is an elongated panel that includes a plurality of apertures or holes through which individual cords or strands of the plurality of cords or strands are positioned. 
     
     
         8 . The tension component of  claim 1 , wherein the tension component is a first tension component, and wherein the shoe includes a plurality of tension components having a similar configuration to the first tension component. 
     
     
         9 . A tension component for tightening a shoe having a plurality of wires or fiber strands that are positioned adjacent an upper of the shoe and that are connected to the shoe such that tensioning of the plurality of wires or fiber strands causes the upper to conform to a foot of a user, the tension component comprising:
 a cord having:
 a first end; and 
 a second end; 
 the cord being arranged about the shoe so as to extend longitudinally along at least a portion of an eyestay of the shoe by attaching the first end to a first portion of the shoe near the eyestay and by attaching the second end to a second portion of the shoe near the eyestay, the first portion of the shoe being longitudinally offset along the eyestay from the second portion of the shoe; 
   wherein at least one wire or fiber strand of the plurality of wires or fiber strands is looped around the cord, and wherein the cord is coupled with a tension member of a tensioning mechanism, the tensioning mechanism being operable to tension the tension member and thereby effect tensioning of the cord and the at least one wire or fiber strand looped there around to thereby tighten the shoe.   
     
     
         10 . The tension component of  claim 9 , wherein a plurality of respective wires or fibers strands are looped around the cord so that tensioning of the cord via the tension member effects tensioning of each of the plurality of respective wires or fiber strands. 
     
     
         11 . The tension component of  claim 10 , wherein tension member is a lace and wherein the lace is looped around the cord between each wire or fiber strand of the plurality of respective wires or fiber strands. 
     
     
         12 . The tension component of  claim 9 , wherein the wire or fiber strand, the cord, and the tension member are each a lace or cord, and wherein a diameter of the wire or fiber stand, the cord, or the tension member is different than a diameter of one of the other components. 
     
     
         13 . The tension component of  claim 9 , wherein the cord or the wire or fiber strand is positioned through an eyelet of the shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The tension component of  claim 9 , wherein the first portion of the shoe is positioned near an upper portion of a tongue of the shoe and the second portion of the shoe is positioned near a lower portion of the tongue so that the cord extends longitudinally along the entire eyestay. 
     
     
         15 . The tension component of  claim 9 , wherein a length of the cord is substantially longer than a distance between the first portion of the shoe and the second portion of the shoe, such that when tensioned, the cord forms a wave or zigzag pattern about the shoe. 
     
     
         16 . A tension component for tightening a shoe having a plurality of wires or fiber strands that are positioned adjacent an upper of the shoe and that are connected to the shoe such that tensioning of the plurality of wires or fiber strands causes the upper to conform to a foot of a user, the tension component comprising:
 a first end having a guide member that is coupleable with a wire or fiber strand of the plurality of wires or fiber strands and that is configured to guide or route the wire or fiber strand along a path about the shoe; and   a second end that is configured to couple with a tension member that is positioned and routed along a tongue portion of the shoe, the tension member being coupled with a tensioning mechanism that is operable to tension the tension member;   wherein tensioning of the tension member effects tensioning of the wire or fiber strand via the tension component.   
     
     
         17 . The tension component of  claim 16 , wherein the guide member of the first end includes a lumen or channel within which the wire or fiber strand is disposed. 
     
     
         18 . The tension component of  claim 17 , wherein the tension component is a separate component from the guide member, and wherein the guide member is insert molded with, or otherwise attached to, the tension component. 
     
     
         19 . The tension component of  claim 17 , wherein the first end of the tension component is folded and coupled together to form the lumen or channel. 
     
     
         20 . The tension component of  claim 16 , wherein the second end is folded to form a loop with a distal end of the second end attached to the shoe, and wherein the tension member is positioned through the loop formed in the second end.