1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, having an upper formed of flexible materials, which is opened and closed by a central rotary closure to which at least one tightening element is coupled, the tightening element being guided over guide elements on the shoe instead of using conventional laces passed through eyelets or about hooks.
2. Description of Related Art
Shoes of the type to which the present invention is directed are known, for example, from U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,117,567 and 5,181,331. In the shoes described there, the central rotary closure is attached to an instep cover, to which lateral closing flaps, for side parts of the upper, are molded-on in a hinged manner. The tightening element that can be tightened with the central rotary closure runs from the instep cover alternately over guide elements of the closing flaps and the instep cover.
Further, it is known from one embodiment of the previously mentioned patents and from U.S. Pat. 5,177,882 to make the closing flaps as separate parts from the instep cover. In this case, the guide elements are attached to lateral straps which run over the shoe upper to the area of the shoe sole and which connect to the closing flaps via corresponding recesses formed in the closing flaps.
Also, allowed, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/064,644, filed May 21, 1993, describes a shoe having a central closure which is mounted on the upper in the vicinity of the ankle bone area thereof. In this case, the tightening element runs from the central closure to guide elements on instep cover and then runs alternately over guide elements of the closing flaps and the instep cover.
Such known shoes with a central rotary closure can be put on and pulled off quickly. Nevertheless, the closing action can be adjusted simply, quickly and individually.