CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An athletic style shoe typically requires a foot to be received through an ankle
opening along a top edge of the upper. Traditionally, a wearer of this athletic style
shoe loosens a lacing structure to allow entry of his or her foot into the shoe. The
wearer then may tighten the lacing structure to secure the shoe to the received foot.
However, the entry into the shoe through the ankle opening may not be desired by a
wearer. Further, a wearer of the shoe may not desire to work with a traditional lacing
structure to gain entry to the shoe and to secure the shoe to a foot of the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the construction of a shoe that is
comprised of a disengageable-heel portion that may be disengaged from an upper portion
of the shoe. Disengagement of the heel portion from the upper allows the heel portion
to fold away from the upper, which exposes a heel-end opening that a foot may pass
through to gain entry to the interior of the shoe. Additionally, a stretchable lacing
material may be utilized to allow the shoe to absorb energy exerted on to it by a
wearer of the shoe without disengaging the heel portion from the upper.
[0004] This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form
that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not
intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter,
nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0005] Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below with
reference to the attached drawing figures, which are incorporated by reference herein
and wherein:
FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary shoe having a disengageable-heel portion that is engaged
to an upper, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 2 depicts a medial side view of a shoe having a disengageable-heel portion that
is engaged to an upper, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 3 depicts a disengageable-heel portion partially engaged with an upper, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 4 depicts a disengageable-heel portion disengaged from an upper, in accordance
with embodiments of the present invention;
FIG. 5 depicts a heel-end view of a shoe having a disengageable-heel portion disengaged
from an upper, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention; and
FIG. 6 depicts a lacing structure attached to an interior surface of an upper, in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described with specificity
herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended
to limit the scope of this patent. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the
claimed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different
elements or combinations of elements similar to the ones described in this document,
in conjunction with other present or future technologies.
[0007] Embodiments of the present invention relate to the construction of a shoe that includes
a disengageable-heel portion that may be disengaged from an upper. Disengagement of
the heel portion from the upper allows the heel portion to fold away from the upper,
which exposes a heel-end opening that a foot may pass through to gain entry to the
interior of the shoe. Additionally, a stretchable lacing material may be utilized
to allow the shoe to absorb energy exerted on to it by a wearer of the shoe without
disengaging the heel portion from the upper.
[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a first shoe construction.
The shoe construction includes a sole having a toe end and an opposite heel end and
having opposite medial and lateral sides extending between the toe end and the heel
end. The shoe construction further has an upper of flexible material attached to the
sole. The upper extends upwardly from the sole to an upper top edge and the upper
top edge defines a forefoot opening. The shoe construction additionally has a disengageable-heel
portion attached to the sole at the heel end. The disengageable-heel portion extends
upwardly from the sole to a heel portion top edge. The disengageable-heel portion
has a medial-front edge that extends from the sole to the forefoot opening on the
medial side of the sole and an opposite lateral-front edge that extends from the sole
to the forefoot opening on the lateral side of the sole. The disengageable-heel portion
is disengageably attached to the upper and defines an ankle opening when attached
to the upper.
[0009] In another aspect, the present invention provides a second shoe construction including
a sole having a toe end and an opposite heel end and having opposite medial and lateral
sides extending between the toe end and the heel end. The shoe construction also has
an upper with opposite interior and exterior surfaces. The upper is attached to the
sole along the medial and lateral sides. The upper extends upwardly from the sole
to an upper top edge. The upper top edge defines a forefoot opening. The upper also
forms a heel-end opening proximate the heel end of the sole. The shoe construction
also includes a disengageable-heel portion with opposite interior and exterior surfaces.
The disengageable-heel portion is attached to the sole at the heel end. The interior
surface of the disengageable-heel portion is disengageably attachable to the exterior
surface of the upper, enclosing the heel-end opening of the upper. The disengageable-heel
portion has a medial-front edge extending from the sole to the forefoot opening on
the medial side of the sole and an opposite lateral-front edge extending from the
sole to the forefoot opening on the lateral side of the sole.
[0010] A third aspect of the present invention provides a third shoe construction that includes
a sole having a toe end and an opposite heel end, and opposite medial and lateral
sides extending between the toe end and the heel end. The shoe construction further
has an upper with opposite interior and exterior surfaces. The upper is attached to
the sole along the medial and lateral side and extends upwardly from the sole to an
upper top edge. The upper top edge defines a forefoot opening. The upper also forms
a heel-end opening near the heel end of the sole, such that the heel-end opening prevents
the upper from extending around an Achilles region. The shoe construction also includes
a disengageable-heel portion with opposite interior and exterior surfaces. The disengageable-heel
portion is attached to the sole at the heel end. The interior surface of the disengageable-heel
portion is coupled to a hook or loop material that is disengageably attachable to
a hook or loop material coupled to the exterior surface of the upper. The disengageable-heel
portion encloses the heel-end opening of the upper when attached to the upper. The
shoe construction further has apertures in the upper arranged in a line on a medial
side and a lateral side of the forefoot opening. A stretchable lacing is attached
to the interior surface of the upper extending through an aperture on the medial side
to an aperture on the lateral side.
[0011] Having briefly described an overview of embodiments of the present invention, a more
detailed description follows.
[0012] The construction of a slip athleisure shoe 10 of the present invention has the basic
construction of a basketball-type shoe. However, the slip athleisure shoe 10 is comprised
of a disengageable-heel portion 402 that may be removeably attached to an upper 202
in an as-worn position (as best seen in FIGs. 1 and 2) and un-attached from the upper
202 to provide an opening to the shoe's interior (as best seen in FIG. 4). Additionally,
the slip athleisure shoe 10 may include a stretchable lacing 310. The disengageable-heel
portion 402 and/or the stretchable lacing 310 provide the shoe with a unique opening
and fastening configuration.
[0013] In embodiments, the shoe 10 is a high-top basketball style shoe. However, it should
be understood that the novel concept of the invention could be employed on other types
of shoes. Because much of the construction of the shoe 10 is the same as that of a
conventional high-top shoe, the conventional features of the constructions will be
described only generally herein.
[0014] The shoe 10 has a shoe sole 102 that is constructed of resilient materials that are
typically employed in the construction of soles of athletic shoes. The sole 102 can
be constructed with an outsole, a midsole, and an insert, as is conventional. The
shoe sole 102 has a bottom surface that functions as the traction surface of the shoe,
and an opposite top surface in the interior 12 of the shoe 10. The size of the shoe
10 has a length that extends from a rear sole heel end 106 to a front toe end 104
of the sole 102. As best seen in FIG. 5, the sole 102 has a width that extends between
a medial side 108 and a lateral side 110 of the sole 102.
[0015] The shoe 10 also is constructed with the upper 202. The upper 202 is secured to the
sole 102 and extends upwardly from the shoe sole top surface. The upper 202 is constructed
of a flexible material, for example leather, polymer, or a fabric such as canvas.
However, unlike a traditional upper, the upper 102 may not include a traditional heel
portion that would extend around the sole top surface at the sole heel end 106. Instead,
as will be discussed in greater detail hereinafter, a disengageable heel portion may
be utilized in the construction of the shoe 10.
[0016] The upper 202 has a medial side portion 216 and a lateral side portion 218 that extend
along the respective sole medial side 108 and the sole lateral side 110. The upper
medial side portion 216 extends upwardly from the sole medial side 108 to an upper
medial side edge 206. The upper lateral side portion 218 extends upwardly from the
sole lateral side 110 to an upper lateral side edge 208. As illustrated in the figures,
the upper medial side edge 206 and the upper lateral side edge 208 extend rearwardly
from opposite sides of the front toe end 104 of the sole 102. As best seen in FIG.
1, the length of the upper medial side edge 206 and the upper lateral side edge 208
define a forefoot opening 220 in the upper 202 that opens to the shoe interior 12.
[0017] The upper 202 is also constructed with a toe box 204 that extends around and across
the sole top surface at the sole toe end 104. The toe box 204 is connected between
the upper medial side portion 216 and the upper lateral side portion 218 and encloses
a portion of the shoe interior 12 adjacent the sole toe end 104. The upper medial
side edge 206 and the upper lateral side edge 208 extend rearwardly from the toe box
204.
[0018] A first plurality of apertures 302 are provided on the upper medial side portion
216 and a second plurality of apertures 304 are provided on the upper lateral side
portion 218. The apertures 302 and 304 are lacing openings in an exemplary embodiment.
A lacing opening is an opening that is typically occupied by a portion of a fastener,
such as lacing that close the shoe upper over the forefoot opening of the shoe. The
apertures 302 and 304 may provide any type of lacing openings on the shoe, for example,
D-rings or speed lacing hooks. However, in an exemplary embodiment, the apertures
302 and 304 are an eyelet or grommet style aperture. The apertures 302 and 304 are
arranged in lines along the upper medial side portion 216 and the upper lateral side
portion 218, as is conventional. As illustrated in the figures, the apertures 302
and 304, in an exemplary embodiment, extend substantially the entire length of the
upper medial side edge 206 and the upper lateral side edge 208.
[0019] The shoe upper 202 includes a vamp 222 or a throat positioned rearwardly of the toe
box 204, and a tongue 224 that extends rearwardly from the vamp 222 through the forefoot
opening 210. The tongue 224 extends along the lengths of the upper medial side portion
216 and the upper lateral side portion 218 to a distal end of the tongue, a tongue
upper edge 230, near an ankle opening 410. As best seen in FIGs. 4 and 5, the tongue
224 has a width between a medial side edge 226 and a lateral side edge 228 of the
tongue. The length and width of the tongue position the tongue side edges beneath
the upper medial side portion 216 and the upper lateral side portion 218, respectively,
and extend the tongue over the forefoot opening 210 of the shoe.
[0020] In an exemplary embodiment, the construction of the shoe 10 includes the disengageable-heel
portion 402. The disengageable-heel portion 402 is secured to the sole 102 around
the sole heel end 106 and extends upwardly from the sole 102. The disengageable-heel
portion 402 is constructed, in an exemplary embodiment, from a flexible material.
For example, disengageable-heel portion 402 may be constructed of the same material
as the upper 202, or in an exemplary embodiment, the disengageable-heel portion 402
may be constructed of a different material than the upper 202.
[0021] The disengageable-heel portion 402 extends upwardly from the sole 102 to a heel portion
top edge 404. The heel portion top edge 404 defines the ankle opening 410, which provides
an entry to the interior 12 of the shoe 10. As best seen in FIG. 4, the disengageable-heel
portion 402 is comprised of a heel medial side portion 420 and a heel lateral side
portion 422. The heel medial side portion 420 extends from the sole 102 upwardly to
the heel portion top edge 404 along the medial side of the shoe. Similarly, the heel
lateral side portion 422 extends from the sole 102 upwardly to the heel portion top
edge 404 along the lateral side of the shoe. In an exemplary embodiment, a forward
edge of the heel medial side portion 420 is a medial front edge 406 that extends from
the sole 102 to the forefoot opening 210. Similarly, a forward edge of the heel lateral
side portion 422 is a lateral front edge 408 that extends from the sole 102 to the
forefoot opening 210. As will be discussed hereinafter, the disengageable-heel portion
402 may be removeably affixed to the upper 202 that defines the forefoot opening 210;
therefore, depending on a method of affixing (e.g., location of hook and loop attachment
by a user), the medial front edge 406 may only extend proximate to the forefoot opening
210. Consequently, when it is stated herein that an edge, portion, or the like extends
to another edge, portion, or the like, it is understood that an approximate positional
relationship is implied.
[0022] In an exemplary embodiment, the medial front edge 406 angles forward as it extends
upwardly. For example, the farthest forward (e.g., toe end) point of attachment along
the sole 102 of the medial front edge 406 and the lateral front edge 408 is rearward
of the uppermost ends of the respective front edge. Therefore, in an exemplary embodiment,
the medial front edge 406 and the lateral front edge 408 trend forward as they extend
upward away from the sole 102. Consequently, the disengageable-heel portion 402 is
adapted to provide additional ankle support without constricting the side portions
of a wearer's foot near the sole 102.
[0023] In an exemplary embodiment, as best seen in FIG. 5, the disengageable-heel portion
402 includes a plurality of apertures 306 on the heel medial side portion 420 and
a plurality of apertures 308 on the heel lateral side portion 422. One or more of
the plurality of apertures 306 may appear as if aligned or in line with the plurality
of apertures 302 of the upper 202 when the disengageable-heel portion 402 is affixed
to the upper 202, as illustrated in FIG. 1. Similarly, one or more of the plurality
of apertures 308 may appear as if aligned or in line with the plurality of apertures
304 of the upper 202 when the disengageable-heel portion 402 is affixed to the upper
202. Alignment of the respective apertures on the upper 202 and the disengageable-heel
portion 402 provides aesthetic continuity of the apertures. Additionally, in an exemplary
embodiment, the alignment of respective plurality of apertures allows for a fastening
mechanism, such as a lace, to extend through at least one of the plurality of apertures
on the upper 202 to an aperture on the disengageable-heel portion 402. In this example,
the disengageable-heel portion 402 may be affixed to the upper 202 by way of the fastening
mechanism.
[0024] FIG. 2 depicts a medial side view of the shoe 10 in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. As previously discussed, the sole 102 has a toe end 104 and
a heel end 106. The medial side portion 216 of the upper 202 extends upwardly from
the sole 102 to the upper medial side edge 206. Also illustrated in FIG. 2 is the
lacing 310 extending through the apertures 302. Also illustrated are the apertures
306 on the heel medial side portion 420 of the disengageable-heel portion 402. The
medial front edge 406 of the disengageable-heel portion 402 is illustrated extending
in a forward trend as it upwardly extends from the sole 102.
[0025] FIG. 3 depicts the disengageable-heel portion 402 partially engaged with the upper
202, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The disengageable-heel
portion 402 is attached to the sole 102 around the heel end 106. In an exemplary embodiment,
the disengageable-heel portion 402 is attached by stitching, adhesive, or other conventional
methods to the sole 102. The affixing method utilized between the sole 102 and the
disengageable-heel portion 402, in an embodiment, allows the disengageable-heel portion
402 to remain pliable or flexible proximate the sole 102. This pliability allows the
disengageable-heel portion 402 to fold away from the upper 202, which facilitates
exposing a heel-end opening 412.
[0026] The disengageable-heel portion 402, in an exemplary embodiments depicted in FIG.
3, has affixed to an interior surface 418 a loop material 414. Further, a corresponding
hook material 416 is affixed to an exterior surface 214 of the upper 202. The hook
material 416 and the loop material 414, when used in combination are referred to as
a hook and loop material. While the hook material 416 is illustrated as being affixed
to the upper 202 and the loop material 414 is illustrated as being affixed to the
disengageable-heel portion 402, it is contemplated that the hook material 416 and
the loop material 414 may be used in any combination to allow the disengageable-heel
portion 402 to be engaged with the upper 202 (e.g., any combination of hook and/or
loop materials may be disposed on any portion of the shoe 10). The hook and loop materials
may be permanently attached to the shoe. For example, the hook and loop materials
may be sewn, stitched, glued, or otherwise attached. It is contemplated herein that
other coupling structures may be implemented in place of a hook and loop material.
For example, lacing, cord, snaps, buttons, zippers, clasps, or the like may be utilized
to attach, even temporarily, the disengageable-heel portion 402 to the upper 202.
[0027] At least one of the plurality of apertures 302 on the upper 202 may be aligned with
at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures 306 on the disengageable-heel
portion 402. For example, as best seen in FIG. 3, an aperture 312 is positioned such
that when the disengageable-heel portion 402 is engaged (e.g., a substantial portion
of the hook material 416 is mated to a substantial portion of the loop material 414),
the aperture 312 is aligned with an aperture 316. As previously discussed, the alignment
of apertures on the upper 202 with apertures on the disengageable-heel portion 402
may facilitate maintaining a consistent appearance and/or allow a fastener to extend
through the aligned apertures.
[0028] As illustrated in the FIG. 3, the aperture 316 is disposed within at least a portion
of the loop material 414. Similarly, the aperture 312 is disposed, at least partially,
within the hook material 416. The close proximity, if not complete encompassment,
of the hook and loop material with one or more apertures allows the disengageable-heel
portion 402, when engaged (e.g., affixed, attached) to the upper 202, to maintain
a close locational relationship (e.g., alignment) of the aperture 316 and the aperture
312. Consequently, advantages of such a proximal relationship among the apertures
may be achieved.
[0029] FIG. 4 depicts the disengageable-heel portion 402 disengaged from the upper 202 in
accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The upper 202 has both an interior
surface 212 and the exterior surface 214. The interior surface 212 of the upper 202
in combination with the interior surface 418 of the disengageable-heel portion 402
partially define the shoe interior 12 when the disengageable-heel portion 402 is engaged
with the upper 202. However, when the disengageable-heel portion 402 is disengaged
from the upper 202, as depicted in FIG. 4, a heel-end opening 412 is exposed.
[0030] The heel-end opening 412 is formed by a heel-end edge 424 on a lateral side of the
upper 202 and a heel-end edge 426 on a medial side of the upper 202. In an exemplary
embodiment, the heel-end opening 412 extends upwardly from the sole 102. As a result
of the heel-end opening 412, the upper is discontinuous around the ankle opening 410.
For example, without the disengageable-heel portion 402 engaged to the upper 202,
the ankle opening 410 is not continuously defined at a location conventionally associated
with such an opening.
[0031] The disengagement of the loop material 414 from the hook material 416 allows for
the disengageable-heel portion 402 to fold downwardly from the ankle opening 410 to
expose the heel-end opening 412. Consequently, a wearer of the shoe 10 may insert
a foot into the shoe 10 through the heel-end opening 412 without adjusting the lacing
310. For example, a child or other wearer that has difficulty adjusting a typical
lacing structure may instead disengage the disengageable-heel portion 402 from the
upper 202 to allow the shoe 10 to be removed from or placed on a foot.
[0032] A disengageable fastener, such as hook and loop material, may be implemented to engage
the disengageable-heel portion 402 to the upper 202. The disengageable fastener, in
an exemplary embodiment, provides a greater degree of disengaging force proximate
the upper portion of the disengageable-heel portion 402. For example, the loop material
414 covers a greater surface area as the material extends upwardly from the sole 102.
This greater amount of surface area may translate into a greater degree of engaging
force by the hook and loop materials. This greater degree at the upper portion may
be desired to prevent unintentional disengagement of the disengageable-heel portion
402 from the upper 202 because of the greater distance from a folding location of
the upper portion of the disengageable-heel from the sole 102.
[0033] In an exemplary embodiment, the lacing 310 is a stretchable lacing. For example,
an elastic lace material may be utilized to connect one or more apertures on the medial
side of the shoe 10 to one or more apertures on the lateral side of the shoe 10. In
an exemplary embodiment, a stretchable or elastic structure, such as an elastic lacing,
may be desired to provide flexibility to the shoe 10. For example, when a wearer of
the shoe 10 exerts force on the shoe, that force may cause the hook and loop material
that is used to mate the disengageable-heel portion 402 to the upper 202 to disengage
when not desired. Therefore, it is contemplated that utilization of a stretchable
lacing across the forefoot opening 220 provides flexibility and absorption of the
force exerted by the wearer in a magnitude sufficient to prevent the hook and loop
materials from unintentionally disengaging. Additionally, a stretchable material across
the forefoot opening 220 may also provide a securing force to form the shoe 10 to
a foot of a wearer without a user having to tie or otherwise manipulate a traditional
lacing.
[0034] A fastener may not be a continuous piece of material among all or even some of the
apertures. For example, a pairing of apertures along the medial side and the lateral
side may be implemented (e.g., a most toe-end aperture on the medial side is paired
with a most toe-end aperture on the lateral side; a second most toe-end aperture on
the medial side is paired with a second most toe-end aperture on the lateral side,
etc). This pairing may be implemented so that a discrete portion of fastener extends
through each aperture within a pairing. For example, a portion of a fastener may extend
through a first aperture on the medial side to a first aperture on the lateral side;
a second discrete portion of a fastener may extend through a second aperture on the
medial side to a second aperture on the lateral side.
[0035] FIG. 5 depicts a heel-end view of the shoe 10, in accordance with embodiments of
the present invention. The disengageable-heel portion 402 is disengaged from the upper
202 to be in a folded down position. As a result of the disengageable-heel portion
402 being in a folded down position, the heel-end opening 412 is exposed allowing
entry of a foot into the interior 12 of the shoe 10. The heel-end opening 412 is defined,
in part, by the medial heel-end edge 426 and the lateral heel-end edge 424 of the
upper 202 extending upwardly from the sole 102. The heel-end opening 412 is also defined,
in part, by an upper portion of the medial side edge 226 and the lateral side edge
228 of the tongue referred to as a tongue upper edge 230. Therefore, as illustrated
in the FIG. 5, the heel-end opening 412 is defined as extending upwardly from the
sole 102 along the medial heel-end edge 426, along the tongue upper edge 230, and
extending downwardly to the sole 102 along the lateral heel-end edge 424. In an exemplary
embodiment, the heel-end opening 412 is an opening of the shoe 10 that corresponds
to an area proximate an Achilles heel of a wearer of the shoe 10 when wearing the
shoe 10.
[0036] FIG. 6 depicts the interior surface 212 of the upper 202 in accordance with embodiments
of the present invention. The disengageable-heel portion 402 is illustrated at least
partially disengaged from the upper 202 proximate the heel medial side portion 420.
The medial side of the upper 202 includes the plurality of apertures 302, which is
comprised of an aperture 324 and a second aperture 328 in the illustrated embodiment.
In an exemplary embodiment, a fastening structure, such as a lace extends through
one or more of the plurality of apertures 302. In a further embodiment, as illustrated
in FIG. 6, a separate fastening structure passes through the aperture 324 than that
which passes through the aperture 328.
[0037] In an exemplary embodiment, a lacing material 326 extends through the aperture 324
to terminate proximate the interior surface 212 of the upper. The lacing material
326 may pass through an opening 314 of the interior surface 212 of the upper. The
lacing structure may be secured to the upper 202 as being stitched or otherwise affixed
to the upper. For example, a first stitching 320 and a second stitching 322 may be
effective for securing a portion, such as an end, of the lacing structure 326 to the
shoe 10. Similarly, in the illustrated embodiment, a lacing structure 330 extends
through the aperture 328 to be secured proximate the interior surface 212 by passing
through an opening 318 of the interior surface 212 by stitching 320 and/or stitching
322. Therefore, in this example, the lacing structure 326 and the lacing structure
330 are discrete lacing portions, which unlike traditional lacing that utilizes a
common lacing structure to extend through at least a majority of apertures, the lacing
structures 326 and 330 are separate fastening structures.
[0038] Additionally, unlike traditional lacing of a shoe that may be adjusted, the lacing
structures 326 and 330 are secured to the shoe in a manner that prevents traditional
adjustments (e.g., tightening by tying). However, in an exemplary embodiment, the
lacing structures 326 and 330 are constructed from a stretchable (i.e., elastic) material,
as previously discussed. Consequently, unlike a traditional lacing that required a
tightening of the lacing through a tying action, properties of a stretchable material
allows for the lacing material 326 and 330 to tighten around a wearer's foot. Additionally,
the attachment location of the disengageable-heel portion 402 may be adjusted when
engaged to the upper 202 to facilitate "tightening" of the shoe 10 to a wearer's foot.
However, it is contemplated that a continuous lacing structure may extend through
the apertures 324 and 328 as would be utilized in a traditional shoe.
[0039] Although the shoe construction is described above by referring to particular embodiments,
it should be understood that the modifications and variations could be made to the
shoe construction described without departing from the intended scope of protection
provided by the following claims.
Representative features
[0040] The representative features set out in the following clauses stand alone or may be
combined, in any combination, with one or more features disclose in the text and/or
drawings of the specification.
1. A shoe (10) construction comprising: a sole (102) having a toe end (104) and an
opposite heel end (106) and having opposite medial and lateral sides (108, 110) extending
between the toe end (104) and the heel end (108); an upper (202) of flexible material
attached to the sole (102), the upper extending upwardly from the sole (102) to an
upper top edge, the upper top edge defining a forefoot opening (210); a disengageable-heel
portion (402) attached to the sole (102) at the heel end (106), the disengageable-heel
portion (402) extending upwardly from the sole (102) to a heel portion top edge (404);
the disengageable-heel portion (402) having a medial-front edge extending from the
sole (102) to the forefoot opening (210) on the medial side (108) of the sole (102)
and an opposite lateral-front edge extending from the sole (102) to the forefoot opening
(210) on the lateral side (110) of the sole (102); and the disengageable-heel portion
(402) disengageably attached to the upper (202), the heel portion top edge defining
an ankle opening (410) when disengageably attached to the upper (202) a first plurality
of apertures (302) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on a medial side (108)
of the forefoot opening (210); and a second plurality of apertures (304) in the upper
(202) and arranged in a line on a lateral side (110) of the forefoot opening (210),
wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402) is disengageably attached to the upper
(202) utilizing a hook and loop fastener.
1. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, further comprising: a third plurality of
apertures (306) in the disengageable-heel portion (402) and arranged proximate the
medial edge; and a fourth plurality of apertures (308) in the disengageable-heel portion
(402) and arranged proximate the lateral edge side.
2. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, further comprising: a fastener extending
between the first plurality of apertures (302) and the second plurality of apertures
(304) across the forefoot opening (210), and preferably wherein the fastener is an
elastic material, and more preferably wherein the fastener extends through a first
aperture of the first plurality of apertures (302) and the fastener extends through
a second aperture of the second plurality of apertures (304), and the fastener is
attached to the upper (202) proximate the first aperture and the second aperture.
3. The shoe (10) construction of clause 2, wherein at least one aperture of the first
plurality of apertures (302) aligns with at least one aperture of the third plurality
of apertures (306) and at least one aperture of the second plurality of apertures
(304) aligns with at least one aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures (308)
when the disengageable-heel portion (402) is disengageably attached to the upper (202).
4. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein the upper (202) defines a heel-end
opening (412).
5. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein the upper (202) is discontinuous
around the ankle opening (410), or wherein the front-lateral edge and the front-medial
edge of the disengageable-heel portion (402) extends from a heel end near the sole
toward a toe end at the ankle opening (410).
6. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein the disengageable-heel portion
(402) is disengageably attached to the upper (202) along the medial-front edge and
the opposite lateral-front edge, or wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402) is
disengageably attached to the upper (202) along either the medial-front edge or the
opposite lateral-front edge.
7. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein the disengageable-heel portion
(402) has a permanently attached hook or loop portion extending from the heel top
edge (404) down towards the sole (102) along the medial-front edge or the lateral-front
edge, wherein the width, measured from the toe end to the heel end, of the hook or
loop portion decreases, in part, as it extends down toward the sole (102).
8. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein:
the upper (202) has opposite interior and exterior surfaces (212, 214), is attached
to the sole (102) along the medial and lateral side (108, 110) and forms a heel-end
opening (412) proximate the heel end (106) of the sole (102);
the disengageable-heel portion (402) is of flexible material with opposite interior
(418) and exterior surfaces, and the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel
portion (402) is disengageably attachable to the exterior surface (214) of the upper
(202) enclosing the heel-end opening (412) of the upper (202).
9. The shoe (10) construction of clause 11, further comprising: a first plurality
of apertures (302) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on a medial side (110)
of the forefoot opening (210); a second plurality of apertures (304) in the upper
(202) and arranged in a line on a lateral side (108) of the forefoot opening (210);
a third plurality of apertures (306) in the disengageable-heel portion (402) and arranged
proximate the medial edge; and a fourth plurality of apertures (308) in the disengageable-heel
portion and arranged proximate the lateral edge side.
10. The shoe (10) construction of clause 9, further comprising: a fastener extending
from a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures (302) to a second aperture
of the second plurality of apertures (304), wherein the fastener is attached to the
interior surface (212) of the upper (202), and preferably wherein the fastener is
a stretchable lacing that is stitched to the interior surface (212) of the upper (202)
proximate the first aperture and the second aperture.
11. The shoe (10) construction of clause 9, further comprising: a first portion of
a hook and loop material attached to the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel
portion (402); a second portion of the hook and loop material attached to the exterior
surface (214) of the upper (202); and wherein the first portion is one of a hook material
or a loop material and the second portion is the opposite of the hook material or
the loop material of the first portion.
12. The shoe (10) construction of clause 1, wherein:
the upper (202) is of flexible material with opposite interior (212) and exterior
surfaces (214), is attached to the sole (102) along the medial and lateral side (108,
110), and forms a heel-end opening (412) proximate the heel end (108) of the sole
(102), such that the heel-end opening (412) prevents the upper (202) from extending
around an Achilles region; and
the disengageable-heel portion (402) is of flexible material with opposite interior
(418) and exterior surfaces, and the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel
portion (402) is coupled to a hook or loop material disengageably attached to a hook
or loop material coupled to the exterior surface (214) of the upper (202), the disengageable-heel
portion (402) enclosing the heel-end opening (412) of the upper (202), the shoe construction
further comprising:
a first plurality of apertures (302) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on
a medial side (110) of the forefoot opening (210);
a second plurality of apertures (304) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on
a lateral side (102) of the forefoot opening (210); and
a stretchable lacing attached to the interior surface (212) of the upper (202) extending
through a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures (302), the stretchable
lacing extending through a second aperture of the second plurality of apertures (304),
the stretchable lacing is attached to the interior surface (212) of the upper (202)
proximate the second aperture.
1. A shoe (10) construction comprising: a sole (102) having a toe end (104) and an opposite
heel end (106) and having opposite medial and lateral sides (108, 110) extending between
the toe end (104) and the heel end (108); an upper (202) of flexible material attached
to the sole (102), the upper extending upwardly from the sole (102), the upper (202)
defining a heel-end opening (412), in part, by a medial heel-edge (426) and a lateral
heel-end edge (424) of the upper (202) proximate the heel end (106) of the sole (102),
wherein the heel-end opening (412) extends upwardly from the sole (102); a disengageable-heel
portion (402) of flexible material attached to the sole (102) at the heel end (106),
the disengageable-heel portion (402) comprising a medial front edge (406) and a lateral
front edge (408); wherein when the disengageable-heel portion (402) is disengageably
attached to the upper (202), the disengageable-heel portion (402) extends upwardly
from the sole (102) to a heel portion top edge (404) with the medial-front edge (406)
extending from the sole (102) to a forefoot opening (210) on the medial side (108)
of the sole (102) and an opposite lateral front edge (408) extending from the sole
(102) to the forefoot opening (210) on the lateral side (110) of the sole (102) to
define an ankle opening (410); and wherein when the disengageable-heel portion (402)
is disengageably detached from the upper (202), having the disengageable-heel portion
(402) fold downwardly from the ankle opening 410 to expose the heel-end opening (412).
2. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1 further comprising a first plurality of apertures
(302) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on a medial side (108) of the forefoot
opening (210); and a second plurality of apertures (304) in the upper (202) and arranged
in a line on a lateral side (110) of the forefoot opening (210).
3. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402)
is disengageably attached to the upper (202) utilizing a hook and loop fastener.
4. The shoe (10) construction of claim 3, wherein the hook an loop fastener covers a
greater amount of surface area proximate the ankle opening (410) than proximate the
sole (102).
5. The shoe (10) construction of claim 2, further comprising: a third plurality of apertures
(306) in the disengageable-heel portion (402) and arranged proximate the medial edge;
and a fourth plurality of apertures (308) in the disengageable-heel portion (402)
and arranged proximate the lateral edge side.
6. The shoe (10) construction of claims 5, wherein at least one aperture of the first
plurality of apertures (302) aligns with at least one aperture of the third plurality
of apertures (306) and at least one aperture of the second plurality of apertures
(304) aligns with at least one aperture of the fourth plurality of apertures (308)
when the disengageable-heel portion (402) is disengageably attached to the upper (202).
7. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, further comprising: a fastener extending between
the first plurality of apertures (302) and the second plurality of apertures (304)
across the forefoot opening (210), and preferably wherein the fastener is an elastic
material, and more preferably wherein the fastener extends through a first aperture
of the first plurality of apertures (302) and the fastener extends through a second
aperture of the second plurality of apertures (304), and the fastener is attached
to the upper (202) proximate the first aperture and the second aperture.
8. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein the upper (202) is discontinuous around
the ankle opening (410), or wherein the front-lateral edge and the front-medial edge
of the disengageable-heel portion (402) extends from a heel end near the sole toward
a toe end at the ankle opening (410).
9. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402)
is disengageably attached to the upper (202) along the medial front edge (406) and
the opposite lateral front edge (408), or wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402)
is disengageably attached to the upper (202) along either the medial front edge (406)
or the opposite lateral front edge (408).
10. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein the disengageable-heel portion (402)
has a permanently attached hook or loop portion extending from the heel top edge (404)
down towards the sole (102) along the medial-front edge or the lateral-front edge,
wherein the width, measured from the toe end to the heel end, of the hook or loop
portion decreases, in part, as it extends down toward the sole (102).
11. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein:
the upper (202) has opposite interior and exterior surfaces (212, 214);
the disengageable-heel portion (402) has opposite interior (418) and exterior surfaces,
and the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel portion (402) is disengageably
attachable to the exterior surface (214) of the upper (202) enclosing the heel-end
opening (412) of the upper (202).
12. The shoe (10) construction of claim 11, further comprising: a first plurality of apertures
(302) in the upper (202) and arranged in a line on a the medial side (108) of the
forefoot opening (210); a second plurality of apertures (304) in the upper (202) and
arranged in a line on a lateral side (110) of the forefoot opening (210); a third
plurality of apertures (306) in the disengageable-heel portion (402) and arranged
proximate the medial edge ; and a fourth plurality of apertures (308) in the disengageable-heel
portion and arranged proximate the lateral edge.
13. The shoe (10) construction of claim 12, further comprising: a fastener extending from
a first aperture of the first plurality of apertures (302) to a second aperture of
the second plurality of apertures (304), wherein the fastener is attached to the interior
surface (212) of the upper (202), and preferably wherein the fastener is a stretchable
lacing that is stitched to the interior surface (212) of the upper (202) proximate
the first aperture and the second aperture.
14. The shoe (10) construction of claim 11, further comprising: a first portion of a hook
and loop material attached to the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel
portion (402); a second portion of the hook and loop material attached to the exterior
surface (214) of the upper (202); and wherein the first portion is one of a hook material
or a loop material and the second portion is the opposite of the hook material or
the loop material of the first portion.
15. The shoe (10) construction of claim 1, wherein:
the upper (202) comprises opposite interior (212) and exterior surfaces (214), is
attached to the sole (102) along the medial and lateral side (108, 110), such that
the heel-end opening (412) prevents the upper (202) from extending around an Achilles
region; and
the disengageable-heel portion (402) comprises opposite interior (418) and exterior
surfaces, and the interior surface (418) of the disengageable-heel portion (402) is
coupled to a hook or loop material disengageably attached to a hook or loop material
coupled to the exterior surface (214) of the upper (202), the disengageable-heel portion
(402) enclosing the heel-end opening (412) of the upper (202).