Ankle and foot support system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9615623-B2
Application number	US-201414299557-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 9, 2014
Priority date	Nov 29, 2011
Publication date	Apr 11, 2017
Grant date	Apr 11, 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 lateral portion having a first edge and a medial 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 lateral portion and the second edge of the medial portion abut one another in a rear portion of the ankle;
a tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering;
a cable tightening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the covering; and
a cable wherein a first portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the tube guide, a second portion of the cable is associated with the cable tightening mechanism, a third portion of the cable forms a first exposed loop extending from the first edge of the lateral portion of the covering; and a fourth portion of the cable forms a second exposed loop extending from the second edge of the medial portion of the covering;
a first loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the second edge of the medial portion of the covering, wherein the first loop receiving member is configured to removably receive the first exposed loop; and
a second loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the first edge of the lateral portion of the covering, wherein the second loop receiving member is configured to removably receive the second exposed loop.

2. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism is disposed in a front region of the covering configured to be associated with a front portion of a foot of a wearer of the support system.

3. The ankle and foot support system of claim 2 , further including a second tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering and extending across the front region of the covering.

4. The ankle and foot support system of claim 3 , wherein the second tube guide is disposed in a higher location than the cable tightening mechanism when the support system is worn by a wearer.

5. The ankle and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the first exposed loop and the first loop receiving member are disposed on an upper portion of the covering, and the second exposed loop and the second loop receiving member are disposed on a lower portion of the covering.

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 and foot support system of claim 1 , wherein the covering includes a cut out portion to provide for ventilation.

8. An ankle and foot support system comprising:
an article of footwear including an upper and a sole structure secured to the upper, the article of footwear having a lateral side and a medial side;
a covering having a one piece construction and being configured to be removably wrapped around a portion of the 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 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 ankle;
a cable tightening mechanism attached to the outer surface of the covering; and
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 a third portion of the cable forms a first exposed loop, and a fourth portion of the cable forms a second exposed loop; and
wherein the article of footwear includes a first loop receiving member disposed on the lateral side of the article of footwear and configured to removably receive the first exposed loop of the cable, and a second loop receiving member disposed on the medial side of the article of footwear and configured to removably receive the second exposed loop.

9. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism is disposed in a region of the covering configured to be associated with a front portion of the article of footwear.

10. The ankle and foot support system of claim 9 , further including a first tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering, wherein a first portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the first tube guide.

11. The ankle and foot support system of claim 10 , wherein the first tube guide is disposed in a higher location than the cable tightening mechanism when the support system is worn by a wearer.

12. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein the cable includes a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is attached to the second end.

13. The ankle and foot support system of claim 8 , wherein a fifth portion of the cable forms a third exposed loop extending from the first edge of the first portion of the covering; and a sixth portion of the cable forms a fourth exposed loop extending from the second edge of the second portion of the covering;
the system further including a third loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the second edge of the second portion of the covering, wherein the third loop receiving member is configured to removably receive the third exposed loop; and
a fourth loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the first edge of the first portion of the covering, wherein the fourth loop receiving member is configured to removably receive the fourth exposed loop.

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

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 lateral portion of the covering and a second edge of a medial portion of the covering abut one another in a rear portion of the article of footwear;
slidably engaging at least a first portion of a cable with the covering, the cable further including a second portion associated with a cable tightening system, a third portion forming a first exposed loop extending from the first edge of the lateral portion of the covering; and a fourth portion forming a second exposed loop extending from the second edge of the medial portion of the covering;
removably positioning the first exposed loop on a first loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the second edge of the medial portion of the covering; and removably positioning the second exposed loop on a second loop receiving member attached to the outer surface of the covering proximate to the first edge of the lateral portion of the covering; and
adjusting the covering about the article of footwear by adjusting the cable tightening mechanism.

16. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
a first tube guide attached to the outer surface of the covering, wherein a portion of the cable is slidably engaged with the first tube guide.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein the cable tightening mechanism is disposed in a front region of the covering configured to be associated with a front portion of

Assignees

• Nike Inc

Inventors

• Hurd John
• Gerber Clifford B

Classifications

• A43B5/18

  Attachable overshoes for sporting purposes · CPC title

• A61F5/0111

  for the feet or ankles · CPC title

• A43B3/242

  characterised by the upper · CPC title

• A43B7/20 Primary

  Ankle-joint supports or holders · CPC title

• A43C11/165

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