Boots – shoes – and leggings – Uppers – Closure
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-16
2001-05-29
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Uppers
Closure
C024S11500R
Reexamination Certificate
active
06237252
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention is in the field of footwear and, in particular, pertains to boots having uppers which are close-fitted to the wearer's leg after they are put on by means of an upper closure such as children's boots.
BACKGROUND
The upper portions of winter boots are intended to provide warmth to the lower leg above the ankle and prevent snow from entering the boot. Typically the top edge of the upper is drawn close to the leg of the wearer by means of a draw cord which is drawn and held by a bow or knot, sometimes with the assistance of a squeeze-type cord fastener, so that snow and cold air are prevented from entering the boot, and this is true of both children's and adult's boots. For example, a prior art boot which has been commonly sold to date is a design having an upper draw cord with two loose ends and a squeeze-type cord fastener through which the two ends of the cord are drawn and held in position by the fastener, with the free ends of the cord being tied together in a bow or knot to further secure them and stop them from dragging or getting caught on things.
However, in the case of children's boots in particular both the need to tie a draw cord and the need to ensure that the loose ends of the draw cord do not retract back through the cord fastener (in which case they have to be re-threaded) is inconvenient in that an adult's assistance is frequently required to close the uppers of such boots. Therefore, there is a need for an upper closure which is effective to secure the upper to the wearer's leg yet can be fully operated by a young child without need for the child to be able to tie a draw cord or re-thread a squeeze-type cord fastener.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention there is provided a boot comprising an upper portion and a lower portion therebelow. The upper portion comprises a flexible draw cord extending within channel means provided within and around the upper periphery of the upper portion and exiting the channel means through openings in the upper portion. A squeeze-type fastener holds the draw cord at a selected length thereof adjacent the openings and outside of the upper portion. The draw cord is an endless loop outside of the channel means. A gripping means is affixed to the endless loop preferably at the terminal end thereof.
The draw cord is preferably comprised of elastic and the gripping means is preferably comprised of plastic and comprises a channel within each side thereof through which the draw cord extends so that the terminal end is held in an extended position away from the boot.
REFERENCES:
patent: D. 101977 (1936-11-01), Zuckerman
patent: D. 388941 (1998-01-01), Schapiro et al.
patent: 4461098 (1984-07-01), Degelman
patent: 4506417 (1985-03-01), Hara
patent: 4809447 (1989-03-01), Pacanowsky et al.
patent: 5345656 (1994-09-01), Merritt
patent: 5365641 (1994-11-01), Watambe et al.
patent: 5566474 (1996-10-01), Leick et al.
patent: 5657557 (1997-08-01), Hull et al.
patent: 5697128 (1997-12-01), Peregrine
patent: 5791021 (1998-08-01), James
patent: 5884419 (1999-03-01), Davidowitz et al.
patent: 5966841 (1999-10-01), Barret
Cassan Lynn S.
Kavanaugh Ted
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