CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present disclosure claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application No.

63/248,096, filed on September 24, 2021 and entitled “FOOTWEAR WITH DUAL REAR CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT,” the contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] This document relates generally to the apparel arts and, more particularly, to an item of footwear having a dual rear closure arrangement.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Various types of footwear, such as shoes or boots, includes a primary closure for securement on a foot of the wearer, typically in the form of laces along a front upper portion of the shoe or boot to achieve a snug or proper fit.

[0004] It can sometimes be desirable for a user to achieve more freedom in terms of the ability to release the snugness of, or “relax” the fit, without releasing the laces, or otherwise fully removing their foot, such as to provide comfort. This is especially the case when particularly tall boots are being worn, as such can lead to discomfort, especially when the wearer is in a seated position (especially when driving a vehicle, for example).

[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for an item of footwear that addresses the foregoing concerns and perhaps others that have yet to be realized.

SUMMARY

[0006] In one aspect, an item of footwear includes a sole, a lower coupled to the sole, the lower including a toe and a heel, an upper extending from the lower away from the sole, and a pair of closure mechanisms. The upper includes a shaft, and a backstay spaced apart from the shaft to define a pair of gaps. The pair of closure mechanisms selectively couple the backstay to the shaft, and each include at least one coupler and at least one receiver for selectively coupling to the coupler. The coupler is coupled to one of the shaft and the backstay, and the receiver is coupled to the other of the shaft and the backstay. When the receiver is coupled to the coupler, the backstay is coupled to the shaft to restrict movement of the backstay relative to the shaft, and when the receiver is decoupled from the coupler, the pair of closure mechanisms permit movement of the backstay relative to the shaft.

[0007] In another aspect, an item of footwear includes a sole, a lower coupled to the sole, the lower including a toe and a heel, an upper extending from the lower away from the sole, and a closure mechanism. The upper includes a shaft, and a backstay including a first side and an opposite second side, the backstay is spaced apart from the shaft at the first side to define a gap. The closure mechanism selectively couples the first side of the backstay to the shaft, and includes at least one coupler and at least one receiver for selectively coupling to the coupler. The coupler is coupled to one of the shaft and the backstay, and the receiver is coupled to the other of the shaft and the backstay. When the receiver is coupled to the coupler, the backstay is coupled to the shaft to restrict movement of the backstay relative to the shaft, and when the receiver is decoupled from the coupler, the closure mechanism permits movement of the backstay relative to the shaft. The item of footwear defines a midline extending along a length of the lower between the toe and the heel, the midline intersects the backstay with the closure mechanism being spaced apart from the midline.

[0008] These and additional features provided by the embodiments described herein will be more fully understood in view of the following detailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative and exemplary in nature and not intended to limit the subject matter defined by the claims. The following detailed description of the illustrative embodiments can be understood when read in conjunction with the following drawings, where like structure is indicated with like reference numerals and in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 depicts a rear perspective view of an item of footwear including a pair of closure mechanisms for selectively coupling a backstay to a shaft of the footwear, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein; and

[0011] FIG. 2 depicts the item of footwear of FIG. 1 in use, where a leg of a wearer is flexing a foot, thereby moving the backstay relative to the shaft, according to one or more embodiments shown and described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, an item of footwear 10, such as in the form of a boot, is shown. The footwear may include a sole 12, a lower 14, an upper 16, a tongue 18, a lacing system 20, and a pair of closure mechanisms 22. The lower 14 may be coupled to the sole 12, and may include a heel 24 and a toe 26 that extends to the heel 24 to define a space (not shown) for receiving a foot of a wearer W.

[0013] The upper 16 may extend from the lower 14 in a direction away from the sole 12 so that the lower 14 is positioned between the upper 16 and the sole 12. The upper 16 may include a shaft 28, a collar 30, and a backstay 32 spaced apart from the shaft to define a pair of gaps G. The shaft may include a first portion 34 and a second portion 36 spaced apart from the first portion 34. Each of the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the shaft 28 and the backstay 32 may be coupled to the lower 14. The backstay 32, or rear central flap 32, may be positioned between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 with one of the pair of gaps G positioned between the backstay 32 and the first portion 34 and the other of the pair of gaps G positioned between the backstay 32 and the second portion 36. Each of the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 may be positioned between the tongue 18 and the backstay 32 so that the backstay 32 is positioned closer to the heel 24 than the tongue 18 or the shaft 28. The gaps G between the backstay 32 and the shaft 28 allow for the backstay 32 to be movable relative to the shaft 28. As shown in FIG. 2, the backstay 32 is moved rearward of the shaft 28 to move with a leg of the wearer W when the wearer W flexes a foot. Particularly, the movement of the backstay 32 prevents the shaft 28 and backstay 32 from restricting flexion of the wearer’s foot.

[0014] Referring still to FIGS. 1 and 2, the collar 30 may be an end of the shaft 28 and the backstay 32, and define an opening 38 that extends to the space of the lower 14 to permit a foot to be inserted into the item of footwear 10. The pair of gaps G may extend from the collar 30 at the opening 38 toward the lower 14. In embodiments, the pair of gaps G may extend from the opening 38 to the lower 14.

[0015] The tongue 18 may be coupled to the lower 14 to be positioned between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the shaft 28, and extend away from the lower 14 with the upper 16. The lacing system 20, or primary closure 20, may be configured to fasten the footwear 10 to a foot of a wearer, and may extend between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the shaft 28 to selectively couple the first portion 34 to the second portion 36, thereby “tying” the footwear 10 to tighten the footwear 10 to the foot of the wearer W. The lacing system 20 may include a plurality of eyelets 40 positioned along each of the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 of the shaft 28 adjacent the tongue 18, and a lace 42 extending through each of the eyelets 40 to adjust a width or space between the first portion 34 and the second portion 36, thereby tightening or loosening the footwear 10. While the depicted lacing system 20 is a traditional lace and eyelet configuration, it is contemplated and possible that alternative lacing systems may be applied, such as hook-and-loop fasteners, elastic (slip-on shoes), buckles, buttons, or the like.

[0016] Each of the pair of closure mechanisms 22, or secondary releasable closures 22, may connect the backstay 32, or rear central flap 32, to a remainder of the item of footwear, and may include at least one coupler 44, at least one receiver 46 for selectively coupling to the coupler 44, and a pair of gussets 48. The coupler 44 may be coupled to one of the shaft 28 and the backstay 32, and the receiver 46 may be coupled to the other of the shaft 28 and the backstay 32 to permit the pair of closure mechanisms 22 to selectively couple the backstay 32 to the shaft 28 along the pair of gaps G. When the receiver 46 is coupled to the coupler, the backstay 32 is coupled to the shaft 28 to restrict movement of the backstay 32 relative to the shaft 28, and when the receiver 46 is decoupled from the coupler, the pair of closure mechanisms 22 permit movement of the backstay 32 relative to the shaft 28.

[0017] Each of the pair of closure mechanisms 22 may be zippers such that the coupler

44 includes a first set of zipper teeth 50, the receiver 46 includes a second set of zipper teeth 52 for coupling to the first set of zipper teeth 50, and each pair of closure mechanisms 22 fiirther comprises a slide 54 at least partially engaged with the first and second sets of zipper teeth 50, 52 to be configured to couple the first set of zipper teeth 50 to the second set of zipper teeth 52. The first set of zipper teeth 50 of the pair of closure mechanisms 22 may be coupled to the shaft 28 at the first portion 34 and the second portion 36 along the pair of gaps G, and the second set of zipper teeth 52 of the pair of closure mechanisms 22 may be coupled to the backstay 32 along the pair of gaps G. The backstay 32 may include a first side 58 and a second side 60 opposite the first side 58, with the second set of zipper teeth 52 of one of the pair of closure mechanisms 22 coupled to the first side 58, and the second set of zipper teeth 52 of the other of the pair of closure mechanisms 22 coupled to the second side 60. While the depicted footwear 10 includes zippers for closure mechanisms 22, it is contemplated and possible that the closure mechanisms 22 may be any known closure mechanisms 22 operable to selectively couple the backstay 32 to the shaft 28, such as buttons, hook-and-loop, laces, or the like. [0018] The pair of gussets 48 may be coupled between the shaft 28 and the backstay 32, or rear central flap 32, to extend across the pair of gaps G, and may connect the rear central flap 32 to the remainder of the item of footwear 10. Each of the pair of gussets 48 may be any traditional gusset, gore, goret, or the like, that is capable of folding and unfolding, or extending, to allow the gusset 48 to extend across the gaps G as the backstay 32 is moved away from the shaft 28. For example, the pair of gussets 48 may extend a width, when unfolded or extended, between the backstay 32 and the shaft 28, the width being larger than a width of the pair of gaps G to permit the backstay 32 to move away from the shaft 28 and so that the gusset 48 extends across the gaps G to prevent debris from extending the footwear 10 through the gaps G. The width of the pair of gaps G is a distance between the shaft 28 and the backstay 32. The pair of gussets 48 may include a first gusset 64 coupling the first portion 34 of the shaft 28 to the first side 58 of the backstay 32, and a second gusset 66 coupling the second portion 36 of the shaft 28 to the second side 60 of the backstay 32. However, the footwear 10 may include any operable number of gussets 48 for preventing debris from entering through the gaps G, such as one, two, or more than two.

[0019] The lower 14 may define a midline M that extends along a length of the lower 14 between the toe 26 and the heel 24 to intersect the backstay 32 such that the pair of closure mechanisms 22 are positioned on opposing sides of the midline M. The midline M may extend from a heel end 68 of the sole 12 to a toe end 70 of the sole 12. The pair of closure mechanisms 22 may be positioned on opposing sides of the midline M such that the closure mechanisms 22 are spaced apart from the midline M to allow for an ankle or portion of a leg to move the backstay 32 away from the shaft 28 when the foot is flexed, permitting increased flexibility with the footwear 10 when the couplers 44 are disengaged from the receivers 46.

[0020] The footwear 10 depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 is a boot, which may include any traditional boot, such as, for example, a dress boot, a rain boot, a winter boot, a hunting boot, or the like. Additionally, while a boot is depicted in the drawings, it is contemplated and possible that the closure mechanisms 22 may be applied to any other type of footwear 10, such as tennis shoes, dress shoes, or the like. It is further contemplated and possible that the footwear 10 includes a single closure mechanism 22. In such embodiments, the backstay 32 is coupled to or formed with the shaft 28 at either the first portion 34 or the second portion 36. Furthermore, in the case of a boot, the relative height of the upper 16 may vary depending on the desired styling, and a length of the gaps G and closure mechanisms 22 may vary depending on the length of the upper 16. [0021] Summarizing, this disclosure pertains to any of the following items:

[0022] 1. An item of footwear comprising:

[0023] an upper comprising:

[0024] a shaft; and

[0025] a backstay spaced apart from the shaft to define a pair of gaps;

[0026] a pair of closure mechanisms that selectively couple the backstay to the shaft, the pair of closure mechanisms each comprise at least one coupler and at least one receiver for selectively coupling to the coupler, the coupler is coupled to one of the shaft and the backstay, and the receiver is coupled to the other of the shaft and the backstay,

[0027] when the receiver is coupled to the coupler, the backstay is coupled to the shaft to restrict movement of the backstay relative to the shaft, and when the receiver is decoupled from the coupler, the pair of closure mechanisms permit movement of the backstay relative to the shaft.

[0028] 2. The item of footwear of item 1, further comprising a lower defining a midline extending along a length of the lower between a toe and a heel, the midline intersects the backstay such that the pair of closure mechanisms are positioned on opposing sides of the midline.

[0029] 3. The item of footwear of item 2, wherein the upper defines an opening at a collar of the upper to permit a foot to be inserted into the item of footwear, and the pair of gaps extend from the opening toward the lower.

[0030] 4. The item of footwear of item 3, wherein each of the shaft and the backstay are coupled to the lower, and the pair of gaps extend from the opening to the lower.

[0031] 5. The item of footwear of any of items 1-4, wherein the at least one coupler of each of the pair of closure mechanisms comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth, and the at least one receiver of each of the pair of closure mechanisms comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth for coupling to the first plurality of zipper teeth.

[0032] 6. The item of footwear of any of items 1-5, wherein the pair of closure mechanisms fiirther comprise a pair of gussets coupled between the shaft and the backstay to extend across the pair of gaps. [0033] 7. The item of footwear of item 6, wherein the shaft comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and the pair of gussets comprise a first gusset coupling the first portion of the shaft to a first side of the backstay, and a second gusset coupling the second portion of the shaft to a second side of the backstay opposite the first side.

[0034] 8. The item of footwear of item 6, wherein the pair of gussets extend a width between the backstay and the shaft that is larger than a width of the pair of gaps to permit the backstay to move away from the shaft.

[0035] 9. The item of footwear of any of items 2-8, birther comprising a tongue coupled to the lower, and a lacing system, the shaft comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, the tongue is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the shaft, and the lacing system extends from the first portion to the second portion.

[0036] 10. The item of footwear of item 9, wherein the lacing system comprises a plurality of eyelets positioned along each of the first portion and the second portion of the shaft, and a lace extending through each of the eyelets.

[0037] 11. The item of footwear of item 9, wherein the first portion and the second portion of the shaft are positioned between the tongue and the backstay.

[0038] 12. An item of footwear comprising:

[0039] an upper comprising:

[0040] a shaft; and

[0041] a backstay comprising a first side and an opposite second side, the backstay is spaced apart from the shaft at the first side to define a gap;

[0042] a closure mechanism that selectively couples the first side of the backstay to the shaft, the closure mechanism comprises at least one coupler, at least one receiver for selectively coupling to the coupler, and a gusset coupled between the shaft and the backstay to extend across the gap, the coupler is coupled to one of the shaft and the backstay, and the receiver is coupled to the other of the shaft and the backstay,

[0043] when the receiver is coupled to the coupler, the backstay is coupled to the shaft to restrict movement of the backstay relative to the shaft, and when the receiver is decoupled from the coupler, the closure mechanism permits movement of the backstay relative to the shaft.

[0044] 13. The item of footwear of item 12, further comprising a sole and a lower coupled to the sole, the lower comprising a toe and a heel,

[0045] wherein the upper defines an opening at a collar of the upper to permit a foot to be inserted into the item of footwear, and the gap extends from the opening toward the lower.

[0046] 14. The item of footwear of item 13, wherein each of the shaft and the backstay are coupled to the lower, and the gap extends from the opening to the lower.

[0047] 15. The item of footwear of item 13, wherein the item of footwear defines a midline extending along a length of the lower between the toe and the heel, the midline intersects the backstay with the closure mechanism being spaced apart from the midline.

[0048] 16. The item of footwear of item 13, further comprising:

[0049] a tongue coupled to the lower; and

[0050] a lacing system,

[0051] wherein the shaft comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, the tongue is positioned between the first portion and the second portion of the shaft, the first portion and the second portion of the shaft are positioned between the tongue and the backstay, and the lacing system extends from the first portion to the second portion.

[0052] 17. The item of footwear of item 16, wherein the lacing system comprises a plurality of eyelets positioned along each of the first portion and the second portion of the shaft, and a lace extending through each of the eyelets.

[0053] 18. The item of footwear of any of items 12-17, wherein the at least one coupler of the closure mechanism comprises a first plurality of zipper teeth, and the at least one receiver of the closure mechanism comprises a second plurality of zipper teeth for coupling to the first plurality of zipper teeth.

[0054] 19. The item of footwear of any of items 12-18, wherein the shaft comprises a first portion and a second portion spaced apart from the first portion, and the gusset couples the first portion of the shaft to a first side of the backstay, the gusset extends a width between the backstay and the shaft that is larger than a width of the gap to permit the backstay to move away from the shaft.

[0055] 20. An item of footwear comprising:

[0056] an upper including a primary closure for fastening the item of footwear to a foot; a rear central flap;

[0057] a pair of secondary releasable closures connecting the rear central flap to a remainder of the item of footwear; and

[0058] gussets connecting the rear central flap to the remainder of the item of footwear.

[0059] As used herein, the following terms have the following meanings:

[0060] “A”, “an”, and “the” as used herein refers to both singular and plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. By way of example, “a compartment” refers to one or more than one compartment.

[0061] “Comprise”, “comprising”, and “comprises” and “comprised of’ as used herein are synonymous with “include”, “including”, “includes” or “contain”, “containing”, “contains” and are inclusive or open-ended terms that specifies the presence of what follows e.g. component and do not exclude or preclude the presence of additional, non-recited components, features, element, members, steps, known in the art or disclosed therein.

[0062] While particular embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be understood that various other changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. Moreover, although various aspects of the claimed subject matter have been described herein, such aspects need not be utilized in combination. It is therefore intended that the appended claims cover all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of the claimed subject matter.