LUTHI, Simon (5077 SW Denton Drive, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035, US)
MCMILLAN, Mac (4428 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, OR, 97218, US)
RUEEGGER, Peter (6203 SE Clinton Street, Portland, OR, 97206, US)
STESZYN, Michael (404 SE 45th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97215, US)
VALOIS, Peter (5325 NE 41st Avenue, Portland, OR, 97211, US)
LUTHI, Simon (5077 SW Denton Drive, Lake Oswego, OR, 97035, US)
MCMILLAN, Mac (4428 NE Skidmore Street, Portland, OR, 97218, US)
RUEEGGER, Peter (6203 SE Clinton Street, Portland, OR, 97206, US)
STESZYN, Michael (404 SE 45th Avenue, Portland, OR, 97215, US)
| CURRENTLY CLAIMED INVENTIONS:
1. A heel-entry shoe, comprising: a sole unit; a shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit; the shoe upper having a forefoot section and a heel cup; the heel cup hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot; a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot, the retention system comprising one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup; and wherein the retention system floats over the heel cup from a first, downward position allowing the heel cup to hinge into the open position to a second, upward position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position.
2. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention system moves between the first and second positions without manual adjustment of the retention system at a position along the length of the retention system.
3. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention element has a forward end that connects at the sole unit of the shoe.
4. The shoe of claim 2 wherein the retention element has a forward end that connects at a midsole of the shoe.
5. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention element has a forward section that connects at the shoe upper.
6. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention system comprises multiple retention elements, with one or more retention elements on each side of the shoe.
7. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention system comprises a single retention element wrapping from one forward anchoring position to around the heel cup to another forward anchoring position on the other side of the shoe.
8. The shoe of claim 7 wherein the retention element is floatable over the heel cup.
9. The shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a retention lock system that is coupled to the one or more retention elements and that interacts with a portion of the heel cup so that a user can selectably lock or unlock the position on the heel cup.
10. The shoe of claim 9 wherein the retention lock system comprises a tab that is adapted to be pulled by the user so that the tab assists in moving the heel cup from the open position to the closed position.
11. The shoe of claim 9 wherein the retention lock system comprises a pull strap having a pull tab at the pulleable end of the pull strap and a strap guidance slot for guiding and holding the pull tab so that the pull tab prevents the pull strap from sliding out of the strap guidance slot and the pull tab assists in holding the heel cup in the open position allowing the user quick access to the open shoe.
12. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a retention lock system comprising a tension tuner that is coupled to the one or more retention elements so that a user can manually adjust the tension of the retention system to a desired degree.
13. The shoe of claim 12 wherein the tension tuner comprises a twistable element that interacts with the retention element to adjust tension of the retention system.
14. The shoe of claim 12 wherein the tension tuner comprises a lever that interacts with the retention element to adjust tension of the retention system.
15. The shoe of claim 12 wherein the tension tuner comprises a slideable mechanism that interacts with the retention element to adjust tension of the retention system.
16. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a retention lock system comprising a lock disposed on the heel cup that engages the one or more retention elements so that tension is maintained.
17. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a retention lock system comprising a tension tuner, the tension tuner interacting with one or more retention elements and the heel cup so that a user can adjust the tension of the retention system to a desired degree and selectably lock or unlock the heel cup.
18. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a retention lock system comprising a tension tuner that interacts with a receiver disposed on the heel cup to maintain tension.
19. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a retention lock system comprising a tension tuner that interacts with a receiver disposed on the sole unit so that the heel cup remains in the open position.
20. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a catch mechanism that engages the retention element so that the retention element is moveable from a first position, wherein the heel cup is in the open position, to a second position, wherein the heel cup is in the closed position, and the catch mechanism being engageable with a receiver on the heel cup so that the heel cup is secured in the closed position.
21. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a catch mechanism that engages the retention element so that the retention element is moveable from a first position wherein the heel cup is in the open position to a second position wherein the heel cup is in the closed position, and the catch mechanism being engageable with a receiver off the heel cup so that the heel cup is secured in the closed position.
22. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the shape of the heel cup complements the shape of the forefoot section to create a continuous section of shoe upper from the forefoot section to the heel section.
23. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the heel cup is hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe.
24. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the heel cup is hingeably coupled to the shoe upper of the shoe.
25. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the forefoot section of the shoe upper slopes down towards a hingeable coupling of the heel cup.
26. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the heel cup is coupled to the shoe by a living hinge.
27. The shoe of claim 1 wherein the retention element is anchored in an arch area of the shoe.
28. A method for making a heel-entry shoe, comprising: providing a sole unit; providing a shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit; the shoe upper having a forefoot section and a heel cup; the heel cup hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot; providing a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot, the retention system comprising one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup, and wherein the retention system floats over the heel cup from a first, downward position allowing the heel cup to hinge into the open position to a second, upward position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position.
29. A heel-entry shoe, comprising: a sole unit; a shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit; the shoe upper having a forefoot section and a heel cup; the heel cup slideably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot; a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot, the retention system comprising one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup; and wherein the retention system floats over the heel cup from a first position allowing the heel cup to slide into the open position to a second position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position. |
HEEL-ENTRY ATHLETIC SHOE
Inventors: Peter Valois, Simon Luthi, Mac McMillan, Peter Rueegger, Michael Steszyn
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Number 61/107,177, filed October 21, 2008, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if recited in full herein for all purposes.
BACKGROUND
The inventive subject matter disclosed herein generally relates to athletic shoes. More particularly, the inventive subject matter relates to a heel-entry athletic shoe that allows for a rapid transition into the shoe without using a time consuming tightening system. A quick transition into a set of shoes may be desirable in certain sports. For example, in a triathlon race, bicycling is followed by running, and participants need to change from bicycling shoes into running shoes quickly because the race's time includes the time to transition between the individual events. Traditional shoes with a fixed heel and lacing or other in-step closure systems do not allow for the foot to be quickly enclosed by and secured within the shoe.
There have been various attempts to provide shoes with a heel-entry to accommodate various needs. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,171, discloses a shoe that, in addition to the conventional retention of the foot by the heel, can be used as a mule or slipper. The shoe includes an upper and a heel piece and the upper has a band that has a non-stretchable piece and a stretchable piece. U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,144 discloses hinged entry footwear with hinged support casings extending vertically above the heel and an inflatable brace to enhance support of the wearer's ankle and foot to the footwear. U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,410 discloses a pivoting shoe construction permitting pivoting separation of
a forward portion of the shoe relative to a rear portion of the shoe. Other examples of heel-entry shoes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,861,299; 2,736,110; 3,192,651; 4,972,613; 5,557,866; 6,189,239, and 6,594,921.
However, none of the prior art shoes have rear-entry features that optimally allow for convenient heel-entry or quick transition into the shoe and easy and secure attachment of the shoe to the foot. Accordingly, there is a need for improved athletic shoes in at least the foregoing respects.
SUMMARY The inventive subject matter addresses the foregoing needs by providing an openable heel cup for rear entry into a shoe, and a quick and secure retention system for closing the heel cup. In one possible embodiment, the inventive subject matter is directed to a heel-entry athletic shoe having a sole unit and a shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit. The shoe upper has a forefoot section and a heel cup. The heel cup may be hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup may move from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot. The athletic shoe may further have a retention system for keeping the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot. The retention system may have one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup. The retention system floats over the heel cup from a first, downward position allowing the heel cup to hinge into the open position to a second, upward position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention system may move between the first and second positions
without manual adjustment of the retention system at a position along the length of the retention system.
In the foregoing embodiment, the retention element may have a forward end that connects at the sole unit of the shoe, for example, at the midsole of the shoe. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention element may have a forward section that connects at the shoe upper. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention system may have multiple retention elements, with one or more retention elements on each side of the shoe. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention system may have a single retention element wrapping from one forward anchoring position, for example in arch area of the shoe, to the heel cup and around to another forward anchoring position on the other side of the shoe, for example, wherein the retention element is floatable over the heel cup.
In another possible embodiment, the shoe may further have a retention lock system that is coupled to the one or more retention elements and that interacts with a portion of the heel cup so that a user can selectably lock or unlock the heel cup. For example, the retention lock system may include a tab that is adapted to be pulled by the user so that the tab assists in moving the heel cup from the open position to the closed position. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention lock system may have a pull strap with a pull tab at the pulleable end of the pull strap and a strap guidance slot for guiding and holding the pull tab so that the pull tab prevents the pull strap from sliding out of the strap guidance slot and the pull tab assists in holding the heel cup in the open position allowing the user quick access to the open shoe.
In another possible embodiment, the shoe may include a retention lock system having a tension tuner that is coupled to the one or more retention elements so that a user can manually adjust tension to a desired degree. The tension tuner may include, for example, a twistable element, a lever, or a slideable mechanism, that interacts with the
retention element to adjust tension of the retention system. In some embodiments the shoe may include a retention lock system with a tension tuner interacting with one or more retention elements and the heel cup so that a user can adjust the tension of the retention system to a desired degree and selectably lock of unlock the heel cup. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention lock system may further include a lock disposed on the heel cup that engages the retention element(s) so that tension is maintained. In the foregoing embodiment, the retention lock system may include a tension tuner that interacts with a receiver disposed on the heel cup to maintain tension. Optionally, a receiver may be disposed on the sole unit so that the heel cup remains in the open position. In the foregoing embodiment, the shoe may further have a catch mechanism that engages the retention element so that the retention element is moveable from a first position wherein the heel cup is in the open position to a second position wherein the heel cup is in the closed position, and the catch mechanism being engageable with a receiver on or off the heel cup so that the heel cup is secured in the closed position. In one of the foregoing embodiments, the retention element may be anchored in an arch area of the shoe.
In another possible embodiment, the shape of the heel cup may complement the shape of the forefoot section to create a continuous section of shoe upper from the forefoot section to the heel section. In another possible embodiment, the heel cup may be hingeably coupled to the sole unit or to the shoe upper of the shoe. In another possible embodiment, the forefoot section of the shoe upper may slope down towards a hingeable coupling of the heel cup.
In yet another possible embodiment, the heel cup may be coupled to the shoe by a living hinge. In certain embodiments, the shape of the heel cup may complement the shape of the forefoot section to provide a complete foot enclosure, typical of a standard
running shoe, for example.
The inventive subject matter further includes a method for making the inventive shoe by providing a sole unit and a shoe upper with the shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit. The shoe upper may have a forefoot section and a heel cup. The heel cup may be hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup may be moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot. The method further includes providing a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot, the retention system having one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup so that the heel cup, and wherein the retention system floats over the heel cup from a first, downward position allowing the heel cup to hinge open into the open position to a second, upward position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position. The retention system may be slideably disposed over the heel cup from a first position allowing the heel cup to hinge into the open position to a second position maintaining the heel cup in a closed position. In yet another possible embodiment, a heel-entry shoe may include a sole unit and a shoe upper mounted to or otherwise integrated with the sole unit. The shoe upper may have a forefoot section and a heel cup. The heel cup may be slideably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe, and the heel cup may be moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot. The shoe further includes a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot, the retention system having one or more retention
elements, each having one end portion connected to a position forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup. The retention system may float over the heel cup from a first position allowing the heel cup to slide into the open position to a second position maintaining the heel cup in the closed position. The foregoing is not intended to be an exhaustive list of embodiments and features of the inventive subject matter. Persons skilled in the art are capable of appreciating other embodiments and features from the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The following figures show embodiments according to the inventive subject matter, unless noted as showing prior art.
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a heel-entry athletic shoe (left shoe, lateral side) with the heel cup in the open position.
FIG. 2 shows the shoe of FIG. 1 and a foot of a user as it slides into the foot-entry opening.
FIG. 3 shows the shoe of FIG. 1 as the foot is placed on the foot platform and the heel cup remains in the open position.
FIG. 4 shows the configuration of FIG. 3 and the hand of a user holding a tab coupled to the heel cup. FIG. 5 shows the configuration of FIG. 4 and a user pulling the tab so that the retention lock system and the heel cup are lifted to the foot enclosing position.
FIG. 6 shows the configuration of FIG. 5 and a user further pulling the tab upward so that the retention lock system is locked and the heel cup is locked in the closed position. FIG. 7 shows the configuration of FIG. 6 and the hand of a user optionally folding down the tab and attaching the tab to the retention element.
FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a foot and the heel-entry athletic shoe with the heel cup in the closed position.
FIG. 9 shows the configuration of FIG. 6 illustrating the position of an optional cut-out on the side of the shoe. FIG. 10 shows a retention element as may be used in combination with a cut-out shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 shows another retention element as may be used in combination with a cut-out shown in FIG. 9.
FIG. 12 shows a partial back view of the heel-entry athletic shoe of FIG.1 FIG. 13 shows a schematic top view of a heel cup hinging perpendicularly to the plane of the sole unit at one side of the rear foot.
FIG. 14 shows a side view of another embodiment of a heel-entry athletic shoe with the heel cup in the open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION Representative embodiments according to the inventive subject matter are shown in Figs. 1-14, wherein the same or generally similar features share common reference numerals.
The inventive subject matter is directed to a heel-entry system for a shoe, such as running shoes and other athletic shoes. In particular, the inventive subject matter is directed to an athletic shoe that gives the wearer the benefit of changing quickly into the athletic shoe, while securing the shoe around the wearer's heel and in-step so that the wearer's foot does not lift off the sole unit in normal movements.
A rear-entry shoe 2, as with shoes in general, has a sole unit 4 and a shoe upper 6 secured to sole unit 4. In the case of athletic shoes, a "sole unit" generally may include a midsole for energy absorption and/or return; an outsole material for surface contact and
abrasion resistance and/or traction; or a single unit providing such midsole or outsole functions. The sole unit may also include an in-sole that fits between the user's foot and the midsole or other sole component. While a sole unit would generally extend along the length of the shoe, a sole unit could also comprise a unit that extends for a lesser area, such as, just the forefoot or rear-foot portion, or some other area of lesser length or width. The foot facing side of the sole unit has a foot platform portion 14. The term "foot platform portion" as used herein generally refers to the part of the sole unit that supports the foot, formed by the upper surface of the sole unit.
Shoe upper 6 generally has a forefoot section 8, a heel cup 10, and a foot-entry opening 12. The term "forefoot" as used herein generally refers to parts of the foot in front of the heel/ankle complex and includes the forefoot, in the traditional sense, and the midfoot. The heel cup generally is a portion of the shoe upper that extends upward from the sole unit and secures the wearer's heel. The heel cup may wrap somewhat around the sides of the heel. The heel cup may include lateral extensions 11a and l ib that wrap somewhat around the heel to the sides of the rear-foot
The heel cup is moveable between an open position and a closed position. The term "open position" generally refers to the position of the heel cup wherein the heel cup is positioned away from the foot entry opening. For example, the heel cup may be folded down backwards and away from the foot platform, leaving the rear of the shoe open-ended so that the sole unit and forefoot section of the shoe upper form a compartment for receiving a wearer's foot via the open rear portion. In the open position, when the foot is placed on the foot platform portion and into the forefoot section of the shoe upper, a forward portion of the foot is enclosed, leaving the heel of the foot generally exposed. The term "closed position" generally refers to the position of the heel cup whereby the heel cup is positioned approximately perpendicular to the foot platform portion so that it
abuts the wearer's heel. In this position, the combination of forefoot section and heel cup forms a foot enclosure, completing an upper enclosure around the foot. The foot enclosure need not surround the foot entirely, but would cover at least an in-step and heel so that the foot is secured to the foot platform portion in a manner that there is no substantial movement of the forefoot and heel during normal walking and running activities.
In some embodiments of the inventive subject matter, the heel cup has a lower portion that is hingeably coupled to the shoe at the rear end of the foot platform. In other possible embodiments, the heel cup may hinge vertically at one side of the rear foot, as described below. In another possible embodiment, the heel cup may slideably interact with portions of the shoe, for example, the heel cup may be slideably connected to the sole of the shoe so that the heel cup slides back and forth along the longitudinal axis of the shoe when moving between open and closed positions of the heel cup.
FIGS. 1-8 show a left athletic shoe from the lateral side, according to one possible embodiment of the inventive subject matter. Athletic shoe 2 has a sole unit 4 and a shoe upper 6 connected to sole unit 4. Shoe upper 6 has a forefoot section 8, a heel cup 10, and a foot-entry opening 12. Heel cup 10 may be coupled by a hingeable element or connection 16 to rear end portion 22 of shoe upper 6. Hingeable element 16 allows heel cup 10 to move between open and closed positions. In other possible embodiments, heel cup 10 may be hingeably coupled to the shoe at any other suitable location, for example heel cup 10 may be hingeably coupled directly to foot platform portion 14. In addition, to a hinge disposed transverse to the longitudinal axis of the shoe and along the plane of the sole unit, a hinge 160 could be positioned perpendicular to the plane (vertically) of the sole unit at one side of the rear foot so that the heel cup 100 swings like a gate on a post, for example as illustrated in FIG. 13, wherein heel cup 100 moves from position N, wherein the heel cup is in the closed position, to position O, wherein the heel cup is in the
open position. Similarly, in another possible embodiment, the heel cup could be bifurcated into two pieces with each piece on a hinge (post) so that the pieces open like saloon doors.
The shoe further includes a retention system for keeping the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot during use and securing the upper enclosure around the foot. The retention system may have one or more retention elements, each one having a portion that wraps around the rear of the heel cup and at least one end portion connected or coupled to a position of the shoe forward of the heel cup so that the retention element will keep the heel cup in a closed position during use. FIGS. 2-4 illustrate how a foot 26 slips into the foot-entry opening 12 of shoe 2 and rests on foot platform 14 while a heel 24 remains above foot platform 14 and the heel cup remains in the open position. Retention system 18 includes a retention element 28 that wraps from one forward anchoring position 30 to heel cup 10, and around to another forward anchoring position on the other side of shoe 2. Although the retention elements wrap around the back of the shoe, the heel cup is not inhibited from folding backwards to the full extent. FIGS. 4-7 show how a user may bring heel cup 10 towards a closed position by grabbing part of the retention system, for example, tab 36 on retention element 28 and pulling tab 36 upward so that retention lock system 32 is unlocked and heel cup 10 is pivoted upwardly to the foot enclosing position. By pulling tab 36 upward, retention lock system 32 moves to a position that locks heel cup 10 around heel 24. Subsequently, tab 36 may be optionally folded down and attached, for example, to retention element 28, as shown in FIG. 8.
Retention element 28 is connected to midsole 50 of shoe 2 in an area forward of the heel cup, for example, as indicated in FIG. 4, in a general arch area 35, such as position 30 at the forward end of arch area 35 of sole unit 4. Retention element 28 may
anchor to sole unit 4 at both lateral and medial sides of the shoe, symmetrically. Optionally, one or more retention elements may be connected to the sole unit asymmetrically. For example, a first retention element may anchor to sole unit 4 at the forward end of arch area 35 of the sole unit whereas a second retention element may anchor at the rearward end of arch area 35. In some example embodiments, one or more retention elements may be connected to an area of the midsole of the shoe or to the shoe upper or any other location at the sole unit or foot enclosure material of the shoe. In other possible embodiments, one or more retention elements may be formed by multiple straps, for example, one or more straps on each side of the shoe and connecting to the heel cup. In another possible embodiment, for example, one where the heel cup hinges on a post like a gate, as illustrated in FIG. 13, one end portion of a retention element 228 may connect to the shoe at a position X forward of heel cup 100, while another end portion of retention element 228 may connect to heel cup 100 at a position Y. In certain embodiments, for example, those embodiments including a vertical or horizontal hinging heel cup, the retention element portion that wraps around the heel cup may float up and down over the heel cup, i.e., being free from attachment to the heel cup, but capable of exerting pressure against it in an upward position so that the heel cup is maintained in the closed position.
Retention elements can be elastic or inelastic or any suitable combination of materials may be used. They are generally elongate elements in the form of bands, straps, cords, or cables. For example, retention element 28 may have a forward end portion 29 in the form of a non-stretch band of material that is fixed at one end at position 30 forward of heel cup 10, that wraps around the heel cup, and that has its other end similarly fixed on the other side of the shoe at a position forward of the heel cup. A retention element may be a single unit or multiple units coupled together to form a continuous line of tension from an anchor point on the shoe to the heel cup.
In other possible embodiments, retention elements may be based on elastic materials that provide comfort during use or openability of the heel cup. Elastic materials have the advantage of providing positive tension on the heel of a wearer under all conditions. If desired, inelastic materials can also be used to provide positive tension by ratcheting mechanisms, buckle mechanisms, cable tension mechanisms, etc.
Retention element 28 tensions heel cup 10 with its forward anchoring points when placed over the heel cup at least when a foot is placed in the shoe, and thereby prevents heel cup 10 from folding backwards. The retention element can also be made tensionable so that positive tension is placed on the wearer's heel during use. The retention element is releasable in a manner that allows the heel cup to open.
For example, retention element 28, in the form of a band, is upwardly/downwardly floatable or pivotable over the heel cup so that the heel cup can move from a closed position to an open position. In the embodiments shown, to secure the heel cup in the closed position, the band is moved above the hinge and positioned at a location on the upper of the heel cup. The heel cup may have different zones at which the retention system may be positioned. For example, in the embodiments shown, when a retention element is positioned in a first zone at the upper of the heel cup, the heel cup is held in the closed position. Moving downward from this first zone, the retention element crosses a point at which the retention element enters a second zone. When the retention element is positioned in the second zone, the heel cup may fold backward. The second zone may start at the apex of a convex shaped heel cup and extends downward and below the hinge of the heel cup. Unless the user forces the retention element over the apex, the apex keeps the retention element from moving across one zone to another.
In another possible embodiment, a forward anchor point of the retention element is releasable from the shoe so that the heel cup opens. Similarly, the retention element can
be made in two or more sections that releasably join together at points along the length of the retention element.
In some embodiments, the retention system of the shoe may further include a retention lock system that interacts with one or more retention elements to facilitate closing of the heel cup and tensioning of the retention elements. The functions of the retention lock system may be accomplished by, for example, a catch mechanism interacting with a receiver or apex of the heel cup, a tension tuner interacting with one or more retention elements, a tab assisting in moving and locking the catch mechanism, and/or a lock disposed on the heel cup that engages the one or more retention elements so that tension is maintained.
As shown in FIGS. 1-9 and FIG. 12, retention element 28 is coupled to a catch mechanism 38 that assists in holding heel cup 10 in place, for example a strap, which interacts with a receiver, such as a groove, hook, knob, so that the heel cup stays in the closed position against the wearer's heel. In the illustrated embodiment, catch mechanism 38 is positioned at the heel section of the shoe and holds the two retention elements 28. In some embodiments, catch mechanism 28 may hold the retention elements symmetrically relative to both sides of the shoe. Optionally, catch mechanism 28 may engage a single retention element 28 that runs from one side of the shoe to the other side of the shoe. Catch mechanism 38 is movable from a first position, wherein heel cup 10 is in the open position, to a second position, wherein heel cup 10 is in the closed position. In the first position, mechanism 38 is positioned off the heel cup, below the hinge, as shown in FIG. 1. In the second position, catch mechanism 38 is positioned on heel cup 10, as shown in FIG. 6. Catch mechanism 38 acts as a lock that engages retention element 28 so that heel cup 10 is maintained in the open or closed position. Catch mechanism 38 engages a receiver 40 (open) and/or 42 (closed) to lock the
retention element 28 and heel cup 10 in the opened or the closed position. For example, the catch mechanism and receiver may be formed as a pair of complementary engageable male and female parts. For example, as may be seen in FIGS. 5-8, receiver 40 may be formed by a protrusion molded into the midsole of sole unit 4, below the hinge of the heel cup, and wherein the protrusion engages and locks catch mechanism 38. To lock heel cup 10 in the closed position, the user pulls tab 36 so that catch mechanism 38, which carries retention element 28, is released from receiver 40, moves upward, and engages and locks into receiver 42 on heel cup 10. In the example, receiver 42 is configured with a shape complementary to catch mechanism 38. The engagement of catch mechanism 38 need not be formed as a protrusion but can be any known means of engaging two items, e.g., snaps, hooks, buttons, hook and loop (Velcro™) fasteners, etc.
In certain embodiments of the inventive subject matter, a retention lock system 32 allows a user to selectably lock or unlock retention element 28. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1-9, retention lock system may include a tab 36 that assists in moving catch mechanism 38 from the first position to the second position. Tab 36 may optionally further be provided with fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners, that allow tab 36 to remain in a locked position or, if other means of locking are provided, simply in a position in which tab 36 is positioned away from the foot so that tab 36 does not irritate the foot of the wearer. However, tab 36 may be provided with any type of suitable fasteners that will hold the tab at a location away from the foot.
Furthermore, the tab may be provided with optional features that assist in holding the heel cup in the open position. For example, as shown in FIG. 14, a heel-entry athletic shoe 302 may have a heel cup 310 and retention lock system 332. Retention lock system 332 may include pull strap 322 with pull tab 324 at the pullable end. Pull strap 322 further interacts with a catch mechanism 338 and retention elements 328. For example,
in the embodiment shown, pull tab 324 may be pulled by a user so that pull strap 322 slides through a strap guidance slot 330 and catch mechanism 338 is lifted. By further pulling pull tab 324 upward, catch mechanism 338 moves to a position where catch mechanism 338 engages a receiver 340 and, together with retention elements 328, locks heel cup 310 in the closed position.
In some possible embodiments, pull tab 324 is stitched onto the end of pull strap 322 where it interferes with the end of strap guidance slot 330 so that pull strap 322 is prevented from sliding out of strap guidance slot 330 and heel cup 310 is held in the open position thereby allowing a user quick access to the shoe. Otherwise, the heel cup could flap forward, blocking access to the foot-entry opening. FIG. 14 shows heel cup 310 attached to shoe upper 306 by hingeable element 316 in the form of a living hinge made of a piece of material that is relatively flexible compared to the relatively rigid connecting section of material on the shoe upper 370 and heel cup 372.
Pull strap 322 may be made of any suitable material, for example a fabric material. Pull tab 324 may be coupled to pull strap 322 at the pullable end of pull strap 322 and may be formed as a distinct piece of a suitable material. In the embodiment shown, pull tab 324 is formed as a molded piece of plastic and further provided with a fastener 350, for example a hook and loop fastener material, for holding heel cup 310 in the closed position and positioning pull strap 322 away from the foot. A complementary piece of fastener material 351 may be attached to catch mechanism 338 or other suitable location on the shoe.
Optionally, the shoe may include a tension adjustment system that allows adjustment of the tension of the retention elements on the heel cup. For example, retention lock system 32 may include an optional tension tuner 34 that is coupled to the one or more retention elements so that a user can manually adjust tension. In some
embodiments, the tension tuner may include a twistable element, a lever, or a slideable mechanism. In some possible embodiments, the tension tuner may be coupled to a retention element to create tension between the connecting or coupling points of the retention element. In other embodiments, the retention lock system may further include a lock that engages the retention element(s) so that tension is maintained. For example, the retention element could be threaded through a buckle or clamp for tension adjustment or could have adjustable sections connected by hook and loop fasteners.
FIGS. 1-8 illustrate the sequence of events used to change into a shoe according to one possible embodiment of the inventive subject matter. Starting with FIG. 1, an athletic shoe 2 is shown, as it is right in the open position, i.e., with the heel cup folded down. The laces of the shoe, or other tightening system, if any, may be tied to fit prior to a race or other activity. FIGS. 2-8 illustrate how a wearer places a right foot 24 in the foot-entry opening 12 and forefoot section 8 of athletic shoe 2. When foot 24 is positioned down with the heel of the foot on foot platform 14, the user may grab tab 36 and pull tab 36 and heel cup 10 upward. By pulling tab 26 upward and outward, the user releases mechanism 38 from protrusion 40 on the sole unit of the shoe and moves mechanism 38 upward. As shown in FIG. 5, heel cup 10 may be moved into the closed position. Retention element 28 and retention lock system 32 lock heel cup 10 into the closed position by pulling catch mechanism 38 over receiver 42 on heel cup 10, thereby securing heel cup 10 in place. Optionally, if desired, tab 36 may be folded down and attached to mechanism 38 to prevent the ends of then tab from irritating the foot of the wearer.
The heel cup may be formed of any suitable material or materials, for example a pliable material, a semi-rigid material, and a rigid material. Furthermore, the heel cup may have any shape suitable for completing an enclosure around the foot. The heel cup may be a full heel cup, as shown in FIGS. 1-8, or a partial heel enclosure as might be
formed from mesh or one or more straps. In certain embodiments, the shape of the heel cup may complement the shape of the forefoot section.
The heel cup may be connected or coupled to the shoe by any means, including integrating the heel cup with material of the shoe upper or sole unit, or providing the heel cup with fasteners, such as suitable hinges, moldings, adhesive straps, etc. FIGS. 1-8 show a hingeable element 16 formed as a living hinge connecting the heel cup and an extension of the shoe upper at the rear end of the shoe. As used herein, a "living hinge" generally refers to a thin flexible hinge allowing parts to bend along the line of the hinge. In other possible embodiments, the hingeable element may be formed as a mechanical hinge interconnecting the heel cup and sole unit.
Optionally, the hingeable element may be formed as a distinct piece of one or more materials, at one end connected to a lower portion 20 of heel cup 10 and at the other end connected to a rear end portion 22 of the shoe, which may be part of shoe upper 6 or sole unit 4. Additionally, the heel cup may be connected to the shoe at any position at the platform portion of the shoe that allows the heel cup to move from an open position to a closed position. For example, the heel cup and hingeable element may be connected to the foot platform portion of the sole unit or an extension thereof. Optionally, the heel cup may be connected to an extension of the forefoot section or a suitable portion of the shoe upper. In other possible embodiments, the foot-entry opening may be formed by a cut in the shoe upper. The cut may be made starting at any point along the top edge of the shoe upper and follow, for example, a vertical or angled line towards the sole of the shoe. In some possible embodiments, the cut in the shoe upper may slope down towards the heel section of the shoe to create an enlarged opening for foot-entry, as shown in the Figures. For example, the forefoot section of the shoe upper may be formed by a cut sloping down
towards the hingeable element connecting the shoe upper and the heel cup. The downward sloping shoe upper may have any shape suitable to facilitate foot entry and to accommodate a heel cup.
As shown in FIG. 9, the foot-entry opening may be formed as a cut running from the upper of a regular athletic shoe, for example, by cutting the shoe upper approximately along line A extending from a tongue and lace area 15 from forefoot section 8 towards sole 4 and further sloping down towards heel area 9 of shoe 2. Line A is anatomically positioned below the ankle of the foot and generally runs from the foot upper towards the heel of the foot. Advantageously, the cut-out shown enlarges the foot-entry opening, allowing for easier and farther foot insertion. For example, FIG. 9 shows an area 13, marked with dotted lines, where extra material is removed from shoe upper 6. Area 13 has a general triangular-like shape defined by interconnecting points BCD. Side B-D of the triangular shape is formed by cutting shoe upper 6 approximately along line A starting at point B, as described above. A second side, side B-C, is formed starting at the edge of the shoe upper at line A, i.e., at point B, and following the edge of shoe upper 6 for a length of about 2 cm, for example, towards heel area 9 up to point C. At point C, a general vertical cut is made ending approximately in point D at the intersection with line A. Point D is located at a height that is about half of the height of shoe upper 6, i.e., shown in FIG. 9 along a line E that is located about 2 cm above sole 4 of shoe 2. Optionally, a fabric material, such as a stretchable mesh, may span the area between the downward sloping of the shoe upper and the heel cup, such as area 13. In other possible embodiments, the opening between the shoe upper and heel cup, such as area 13, may be covered by one or more of the retention elements described above. In one possible embodiment, illustrated in FIGS. 10, a retention element 128 may have a shape 113 corresponding to about the cut-out area 13 so that the combination of shoe upper,
retention element, and heel cup create the look of a complete upper. FIG. 11 shows another example of a retention element 128 having a width 129 allowing for the retention element to cover cut-out area 13 to create the look of a complete upper. In another possible embodiment, the shoe upper may have any suitable shape that together with the heel cup completes an upper enclosure around the foot, for example, a shoe upper formed of one or more straps and mesh surroundings.
The inventive subject matter further contemplates a method for making and using the heel-entry athletic shoe described above. The above described heel-entry athletic shoe may be made by mounting or otherwise integrating a shoe upper on a sole unit. The shoe upper generally has a forefoot section and a heel cup. The heel cup may be hingeably coupled to the sole unit of the shoe. The heel cup may be moveable from an open position, for placement of a foot into the forefoot section of the shoe upper for enclosing a forward portion of the foot, to a closed position, for completing an upper enclosure around the foot. The shoe is further provided with a retention system for tensioning the heel cup against the heel portion of the foot and maintaining the upper enclosure around the foot. Such a retention system may include one or more retention elements, each having one end portion connected to a position on the shoe forward of the heel cup and a portion that wraps around the heel cup so that the heel cup is maintained in the closed position during use.
Persons skilled in the art will recognize that many modifications and variations are possible in the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and actions which have been described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the inventive subject matter, and that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit and scope of the teachings and claims contained therein.
All patent and non-patent literature cited herein is hereby incorporated by references in its entirety for all purposes.