Ankle and foot support system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9565893-B2
Application number	US-201414297983-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 6, 2014
Priority date	Nov 29, 2011
Publication date	Feb 14, 2017
Grant date	Feb 14, 2017

Abstract

Methods and systems relating to an ankle and foot support system are disclosed. In some embodiments, a covering having a cable tightening mechanism may be associated with a cable that is slidably engaged with the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may be slidably engaged with a tube guide that is attached to the cover. In some embodiments, the cable may form an exposed loop that associates with a loop receiving member. In some embodiments, the loop receiving member may be attached to the cover.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An ankle and foot support system comprising:
a covering configured to be removably wrapped around a portion of an article of footwear, the covering having an outer surface;
the covering having a one piece construction and including a first portion having a first edge and a second portion having a second edge, wherein the covering is configured to encircle an ankle of a wearer of the support system such that the first edge of the first portion and the second edge of the second portion abut one another in a rear portion of the ankle;
a first tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering;
a cable tightening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the covering;
a fastener including a second tube guide;
a fastener receiving portion disposed on the second portion of the covering, the fastener receiving portion being configured to receive the fastener; and
a cable wherein a first portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the first tube guide, a second portion of the cable is associated with the cable tightening mechanism, and a third portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the second tube guide.

2. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism includes a reel.

3. The ankle and foot support system of claim 2 , wherein the reel is disposed in a region of the covering configured to be associated with an instep region of a foot of a wearer of the support system.

4. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , further including a third tube guide disposed on the covering proximate the first edge of the first portion of the covering.

5. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the first tube guide and the cable extend along a bottom strap configured to extend around a sole of the article of footwear.

6. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the second end.

7. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the fastener and the fastener receiving portion include a hook and loop fastener.

8. An ankle and foot support system comprising:
a covering having a one piece construction and being configured to be removably wrapped around a portion of an article of footwear, the covering having an outer surface;
wherein the covering is configured to encircle an ankle of a wearer of the support system such that the first edge of the lateral portion and the second edge of the medial portion abut one another in a rear portion of the ankle;
a cable tightening mechanism rotatably attached to the outer surface of the covering;
a cable, wherein a first portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the covering, wherein a second portion of the cable is associated with the cable tightening mechanism;
wherein the covering includes a bottom strap configured to extend around a sole of the article of footwear; and
a tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering, a portion of the tube guide extending along the bottom strap;
wherein the cable is slidably engaged with the portion of the tube guide extending along the bottom strap.

9. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism includes a reel.

10. The ankle and foot support system of claim 9 , wherein the reel is disposed in a region of the covering configured to be associated with an instep region of a foot of a wearer of the support system.

11. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein the covering includes a cut out portion to provide for ventilation.

12. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , further including a second tube guide disposed on a fastener configured to attach the first edge of the covering to the second edge of the covering.

13. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism rotates in order to wrap the second portion of the cable around the cable tightening mechanism.

14. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , further comprising:
a fastener hingedly attached to the covering; and
a fastener receiving portion attached to the outer surface of the covering, the fastener receiving portion adapted to receive the fastener.

15. A method of providing support to an ankle and foot comprising:
removably positioning a covering having a one piece construction over a portion of an article of footwear such that the covering is configured to encircle an ankle of a wearer of the article of footwear such that a first edge of a first portion of the covering and a second edge of a second portion of the covering abut one another in a rear portion of the article of footwear;
engaging a fastener attached to the first edge of the first portion of the covering with a fastener receiving portion attached to an outer surface of the covering proximate the second edge of the second portion of the covering; and
adjusting the covering about the article of footwear by adjusting a cable that is slidably engaged with the fastener by adjusting a cable tightening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the covering.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fastener is hingedly attached to the covering.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the fastener and the fastener receiving portion include a hook and loop fastener.

18. The method of claim 15 , wherein the covering includes a first tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering;
wherein the fastener includes a second tube guide;
wherein the covering includes a third tube guide attached to the outer surface proximate to the first edge of the first portion of the covering; and
wherein the cable is slidably engaged with the first tube guide, the second tube guide, and the third tube guide.

19. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism is disposed on a portion of the covering corresponding with the instep of a wearer of the covering.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein adjusting the cable tightening mechanism includes rotating the cable tightening mechanism in order to wrap a portion of the cable around the cable tightening mechanism.

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Hurd John
• Gerber Clifford B

Classifications

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• A43B3/242

  characterised by the upper · CPC title

• A43B5/18

  Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes · CPC title

• A43C11/165

  characterised by a spool, reel or pulley for winding up cables, laces or straps by rotation · CPC title

• A43B7/20 Primary

  Ankle-joint supports or holders · CPC title