U.S. patent application number 10/989044 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-31 for expandable shoe and shoe assemblies.
This patent application is currently assigned to Inchworm, Inc.. Invention is credited to Chil, Kwong Dong, Miller, Harry.
Application Number | 20050066548 10/989044 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 23742637 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050066548 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chil, Kwong Dong ; et
al. |
March 31, 2005 |
Expandable shoe and shoe assemblies
Abstract
An expandable shoe includes an outer shell and an adjustable
inner assembly disposed within the outer shell. The inner assembly
has a control to adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and
thereby a corresponding dimension of the shoe. The inner assembly
includes a first sole portion, a second sole portion, and a
manually urgable member. The manually urgable member has at least a
portion of the member accessible from the outer shell, and in
engageable and releasable communication with an engagement member,
fixed to one of the first and second sole portions. When the
urgable member is released from the fixed engagement member the
first and second sole portions may be moved to adjust the dimension
of the shoe and when the urgable member is in engagement with the
fixed engagement member the first and second portions resist
slidable movement relative to one another.
Inventors: |
Chil, Kwong Dong; (Pusan,
KR) ; Miller, Harry; (Weston, MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILMER CUTLER PICKERING HALE AND DORR LLP
60 STATE STREET
BOSTON
MA
02109
US
|
Assignee: |
Inchworm, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
23742637 |
Appl. No.: |
10/989044 |
Filed: |
November 15, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10989044 |
Nov 15, 2004 |
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10191682 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
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6817116 |
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10191682 |
Jul 9, 2002 |
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09438935 |
Nov 12, 1999 |
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6438872 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/97 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/0078 20130101;
A63C 17/0086 20130101; A43B 1/0072 20130101; A43B 23/24 20130101;
A43B 3/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/097 |
International
Class: |
A43B 003/26 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An adjustable shoe sole component, comprising a first sole
portion and a second sole portion, each shaped for relative
movement with respect to the other; and a integrated adjustment
assembly having a portion thereof shaped for manual engagement
thereof and another portion thereof engageable with an engagement
member that is fixed to one of the first and second portions,
wherein the engagement member is movable in a transverse direction
relative to the longitudinal direction of the first and second sole
portion, and in which the engagement member is movable to one of at
least two states, in which a first state allows the first and
second sole portions to be moved relative to each other and wherein
the second state inhibits such movement.
2. Footwear comprising: a foot dressing having a front outer
assembly, a rear outer assembly, and an expandable segment attached
to the front and rear out assemblies to define an outer shell,
wherein the expandable segment extends at least partially along
each side of the outer shell and transversly across the bottom of
the outer shell and an adjustable assembly at least a portion of
which is coupled to the foot dressing, the adjustable assembly
having a first member and a second member in overlapping engagement
with each other and a control integral to the footwear to adjust
the position of the first member relative to the second member and
to thereby adjust a dimension of the adjustable assembly and
thereby a corresponding dimension the footwear wherein the control
requires only manual, tool-less operation to adjust a dimension of
the inner assembly.
3. Footwear comprising: a foot dressing having an upper foot
portion; a sole; a front outer assembly; a rear outer assembly; and
an expandable segment attached to the front and rear out assemblies
to define an outer shell wherein the expandable segment extends at
least partially along each side of the outer shell and transversely
across the bottom of the outer shell and an adjustable inner
assembly contacting at least a portion of the sole, the adjustable
inner assembly having a first member and a second member in
overlapping engagement with each other and a control to adjust the
position of the first member relative to the second member and to
thereby adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and thereby a
corresponding dimension of the footwear.
4. The adjustable shoe sole component of claim 1 wherein the manual
adjustment assembly is integral to the shoe sole component and
requires only manual, tool-less operation to move the engagement
member.
5. Footwear comprising: a foot dressing and an adjustable assembly
at least a portion of which is coupled to the foot dressing, the
adjustable assembly having a first member and a second member in
overlapping engagement with each other and a control integral to
the footwear to adjust the position of the first member relative to
the second member and to thereby adjust a dimension of the
adjustable assembly and thereby a corresponding dimension the
footwear wherein the control requires only manual, tool-less
operation to adjust a dimension of the inner assembly wherein the
first member is at least a portion of a lasting board and wherein
the second member is at least a portion of a footwear sole.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a division of now pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/191,682 filed on Jul. 9, 2002, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/438,935 filed
on Nov. 12, 1999, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,872 on Aug.
27, 2002.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The present invention relates to expandable shoes that may
be adjusted longitudinally.
[0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art
[0005] Some attempts have been made to provide expandable shoes,
which can purportedly withstand day-to-day use. U.S. Pat. No.
3,389,481, for example, discloses a shoe in which a two plate
assembly is disposed between an inner and a disjointed outer sole,
having overlapping front and back portions. One of the plates
includes a spring tongue, and the other plate includes two
apertures to receive the spring tongue, each aperture corresponding
to a shoe size. To adjust the shoe size, a screw which extends
through the heel and into the disjointed soles is removed. The shoe
may then be pulled apart allowing the disjointed sole to separate
until the spring tongue engages the next aperture. Thus the shoe
size may be lengthened by one size, but apparently the size cannot
be controlled finely or reduced. The shoe includes two crinkled
leather portions 34, one on each side of the shoe, to facilitate
expansion of the shoe.
SUMMARY
[0006] Under one aspect of the present invention, a shoe includes a
front outer assembly and a rear outer assembly. A flexible,
expandable segment is attached to the front and rear outer
assemblies to define a shoe outer shell. The flexible segment
extends at least partially along each side of the outer shell and
transversely across the bottom of the outer shell. Within the outer
shell an adjustable inner assembly is disposed and attached to the
front and rear outer assembly. The inner assembly has a control to
adjust a dimension of the inner assembly and thereby a
corresponding dimension of the shoe.
[0007] Under another aspect of the invention related to the above
aspect, the inner assembly may be in the form of a last board, or
as a combination of a last board and other portions of the shoe,
for example, a portion of a midsole.
[0008] Under one aspect of the invention, a visualization window
provides a view port to the inner assembly. The inner assembly may
include size markings or other indicia representative of a shoe
adjustment, and these markings may be placed on the inner assembly
to allow them to be visible through the view port.
[0009] Under another aspect of the invention, the inner assembly
includes a first sole portion, a second sole portion, and a screw
drive. The screw drive has an externally accessible screw passing
through a screw insert mounted to one of the first and second sole
portions and a screw-receiving portion attached to the other of the
first and second sole portions. In this fashion, turning the screw
causes the first and second portions to move relative to one
another, thereby adjusting a dimension of the shoe.
[0010] Under still another aspect of the invention, the inner
assembly includes a first sole portion and a second sole portion.
The first portion is shaped for relative slidable engagement with
the second portion. A manually urgable member is accessible from
the outer shell, and it is in engageable and releasable
communication with an engagement member, fixed to one of the first
and second sole portions. When the urgable member is released from
the engagement member, the first and second sole portions may be
moved to adjust a dimension of the shoe and when the urgable member
is in engagement with the engagement member the first and second
portions resist slidable movement relative to one another.
[0011] Under another aspect of the invention related to the above,
the urgable member includes a deformable biasing segment, which
biases a toothed member attached to the urgable member into
engagement with the engagement member, which has teeth facing the
toothed member. When the urgable member is released, the toothed
member and the teeth of the engagement member interlock causing the
shoe portions to attain a locked state. When the urgable member is
urged against the biasing forces of the biasing segment, the teeth
release with respect to one another and the shoe portions attain an
unlocked state allowing slidable movement and thereby adjustment of
a shoe dimension.
[0012] The principles of the invention may be realized in hiking
shoes, dress shoes, sandals, biking shoes, Nordic and cross-country
ski-boots and the like.
[0013] Under another aspect of the invention, an expandable hooked
eyelet assembly includes two relatively movable pieces.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0014] In the Drawing,
[0015] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
the invention;
[0016] FIG. 1B is an exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of
the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an adjustable inner sole
assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment
of the invention;
[0019] FIGS. 4A and 4B show an expandable eyelet assembly according
to an exemplary embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 5 is a plan view of an adjustable inner sole assembly
according to another embodiment of the invention;
[0021] FIGS. 6A-C, show a plan and cross-sectional views of a first
portion of an inner sole assembly according to another embodiment
of the invention;
[0022] FIGS. 7A-C, show a plan and cross-sectional views of a
second portion of an inner sole assembly according to another
embodiment of the invention;
[0023] FIGS. 8A-B, show a plan and cross-sectional view of a
control feature of an inner sole assembly according to another
embodiment of the invention; and
[0024] FIGS. 9A-B show exemplary embodiments of the invention in
which a view port may be used to show indicia of a shoe
adjustment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIGS. 1A-B show an exemplary embodiment in perspective and
exploded views. Shoe 10 includes a front outer sole 12 and a front
upper 18 to form a front outer assembly 13, and a rear outer sole
16 and a rear upper 20 to form a rear outer assembly 17. The front
outer assembly 13 is attached to one edge 15B of a bellows segment
14, and the rear outer assembly 17 is attached to a second edge
15A, in each case using conventional techniques, such as by using
stitching to the uppers 18, 20 and glue along the outer soles 12,
16. The combination of front outer assembly 13, rear outer assembly
17, and bellows segment 14 forms an outer shell 21.
[0026] An adjustable inner sole assembly 22 is placed within outer
shell 21 so that a screw 26 extends through a screw port opening 31
of the rear outer sole 16. The inner assembly 22 is firmly attached
to the front and rear outer assemblies 13,17 but not to bellows 14.
In this fashion, once the shoe is assembled and in use, a wrench 28
(e.g., with an allen-head design) may be used to turn a screw 26 to
adjust the length of the inner sole assembly 22 (and
correspondingly the entire shoe 10) in the direction A. A control
feature 24 (more below) is positioned within guide slot 27 to
facilitate the directional control of the shoe 10 as it is caused
to expand or contract. Screw port plug 30 may be used to fit within
screw port opening 31 to cover the screw 26 when the shoe is not
being adjusted. To adjust the size of this embodiment, only the
screw 26 needs to be turned. The size may be lengthened or
shortened in fine increments corresponding to the pitch of the
screw 26.
[0027] FIG. 1C shows a transverse cross section of an assembled
shoe. Not shown in FIGS. 1A-B, but shown here, are the inclusion of
a midsole 21 and an inner sole 23. At area 25 the upper 18 is
joined to the inner assembly 22 by glue or stitching. Analogous
joinery may be used at a rear portion of the shoe. The inner sole
23 is conventional and the midsole may be conventional in
embodiments using a last board or may be modified to form all or a
portion of the inner assembly 22. This figure will illustrate to
those skilled in the art, the simplicity of integrating the
features of inner assembly 22 into the midsole or leaving it as a
last board left in the shoe. Such integration is largely dictated
by the type of shoe into which the principles of the invention will
be realized, e.g., hiking shoes, dress shoes, biking shoes, ski
boots, sandals and the like. Likewise, the stiffness of the last
board and/or the midsole is dictated by the shoe type.
[0028] The front and rear outer soles 12, 16 may be made with
conventional techniques and material to obtain popular shoe
constructions. The front sole 12 may be made so that it is roughly
only a front half of a shoe sole, and the rear outer sole 16 may be
made so that it is only approximately a rear half of a sole. The
rear outer sole, unlike conventional soles, is also made to define
a screw port opening 31 and a generally rectangular recess 33 (see
FIG. 1B) in the heel portion 34. (As will be described below, the
recess 33 receives a portion of the inner sole assembly 22.)
Analogously, the front and rear uppers 18, 20 may be made using
conventional techniques and materials to obtain popular shoe
appearances.
[0029] Bellows segment 14 is made of a stretchable material, e.g.,
rubbers, press coated fabrics, etc., and fashioned (e.g., molded or
extruded) as a bellows in a generally rectangular segment, which is
then shaped into the U-shape, extending along the sides and bottom
of the shoe 10 as shown in FIG. 1B. The bellows segment 14 includes
flat edges 15A, B opposite each other which is used in attaching
the bellows 14 to the uppers 18,20 and outer soles 12, 16. In the
illustrated embodiment, edge 15C and a corresponding unshown edge
opposite 15C are attached to expandable eyelet assemblies 35,
described below.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of adjustable inner assembly
22. The inner assembly 22 includes a front section 40 and a rear
section 50. The top surface of each section is generally flat but
may be shaped with slight curvature found in conventional designs.
Viewing the sections 40, 50 from above, each section is cut
according to a conventional inner sole pattern, except that each
section respectively corresponds to approximately a front or rear
half of an inner sole. Conventional materials may be used in
fabricating the sections 40,50, for example, through injection
molding or analogous techniques.
[0031] A front adjustment member 42 may be attached to or
integrated with front section 40. Front adjustment member 42
includes a generally flat section 43 and includes an elongated
section 44 having a generally rectangularly shaped top portion 45
with wing-like extensions 46A and B. As will be explained below,
wing-like extensions 46 A and B are shaped to fit corresponding
grooves 47A and B, within rear section 50. On the underside of
elongated section 44 is a threaded screw-receiving section 48 that
extends parallel to the longitudinal centerline of the front
section 40, but which is offset from the top surface of front
section 40. On the top side of the elongated section 44 is a
control guide 24 protruding slightly upward and substantially on
the longitudinal centerline of the front section 40. This guide 24
may be made in numerous ways, including for example, using rivets
or integrating the shape into the design of member 42.
[0032] The rear section 50 is shaped on its underside to have a
first hollowed segment 52 and a second hollow segment 54, more
rearward than the first. The first segment 52 mates with flat
section 43 of the front section 40, and the second segment 54
is
[0033] shaped to receive the top portion 45 of the front section
40. Second hollow segment 54 includes longitudinal grooves 47 A,B
shaped to receive wing-like extensions 46A,B of front section 40.
The rear section 50 also includes a screw section insert 56 for
receiving and guiding screw 26 into alignment with screw-receiving
section 48. The rear section 50 includes guide slot 27 along the
longitudinal centerline of rear section 50 and through which the
guide 24 is positioned once the inner assembly 22 is configured. As
is readily apparent, for right-handed screws, once the screw 26
engages threads in hole 48, rotating screw 26 clockwise B will draw
front section 40 closer to rear section 50, and vice-versa.
[0034] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, longitudinal view of shoe 10.
For clarity of illustration, portions of the front section 40 and
rear section 50 are not shown. As shown in FIG. 3, screw-receiving
section 48 is positioned to fit within recess 33 of heel 34 of rear
outer sole 16. The recess 33 has a longitudinal length sufficient
to allow section 48 to be moved longitudinally therein, thus
allowing for adjustment of the shoe. When the distal edge 60 of
section 48 abuts insert 56, the shoe is at the smallest adjustment
size. When the front edge 62 of section 48 abuts the front edge 64
of recess 33, the shoe is at its largest size. The size adjustments
between smallest and largest are controlled by turning screw 26 and
the granularity of the adjustment is only limited by the pitch of
the screw 26. A clip 66 prevents screw 26 from becoming disengaged
with section 48 and becoming dislodged from the shoe 10.
[0035] FIG. 3 also shows that the design of the soles 12, 16 may be
made to provide a raised arch area 37 where the bellows segment 14
resides. The arch area is sufficiently raised from the wear surface
38 so that the exterior surface of the bellows segment 14 should
not contact the ground. By having a raised area 37, the bellows 14
may be one continuous piece extending along the sides and bottom of
the show, facilitating good sealing at the expandable portion of
the outer shell 21.
[0036] FIGS. 4A-B show an expandable eyelet assembly 35 in a closed
state (FIG. 4A) and an open state (FIG. 4B). The eyelet assembly
may be made using conventional polymeric materials and using
conventional techniques. The assembly includes a first piece 70 and
second piece 72. The first piece 70 includes an integrated flap 74
having a series of grooves 76a-n. The flap 74 may open and close
due to the flexibility of the materials and to the integrated
hinge-like members 78. The first piece has shaped therein a
rectangular recess (not shown) to at least partially receive the
second piece 72. It also includes a raised hooked eyelet 81 that is
in alignment with groove 76a of flap 74. The second piece 72 is
generally rectangularly shaped to fit into the corresponding recess
of first piece 70 and it includes raised hooked eyelets 80 and
raised alignment members 82. When in the open state, the first and
second pieces 70,72 may be moved longitudinally relative to one
another to adjust the eyelets' 80 alignment with the grooves 76a-n.
Once aligned as desired, flap 74 is closed and locked with
protruding detente 85 engaging corresponding slots 86 in first
piece 70. First piece 70 may be sewn to front outer assembly 13,
and second piece 72 may be sewn to rear outer assembly 17. Both
pieces 70,72 may also be attached to bellows 14 directly or
attached to another segment such as a nylon segment which in turn
is attached to bellows 14.
[0037] FIGS. 4C-D show another embodiment in which belt sections
90,91 are connected with buckle 92. Buckle 92 includes a curved
portion 93 which may act as an eyelet. Another embodiment (for
which a figure is not necessary) does not use eyelet assembly 35
and instead simply uses ringed eyelets within bellows 14 or within
a stretchable material attached to bellows 14.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a plan, underside view of an alternative inner
assembly 122, which may be substituted for assembly 22. In this
embodiment, inner sole assembly 122 includes a front section 140, a
rear section 150, and a control mechanism 126. As will be explained
more fully below, control mechanism 126 is in a locked state in its
natural state. By urging pins 128A,B inward, the control mechanism
unlocks and the front section 140 and rear section 150 may be moved
relative to each other along line A, thereby allowing adjustment of
a dimension of the shoe.
[0039] Referring to FIGS. 6A-C, the front section 140 is shown in
more detail with an underside view. Front section 140 defines a
front portion of a conventionally-shaped sole, extending from a toe
portion 148 to arcuate portions 143 and then to heel section 144.
The front section 140 is generally planar, except that a first heel
section 144 is offset below top surface 141 by vertical members 147
and in substantially parallel relation to top surface 141. Section
144 includes raised, wing-like members 146 A,B extending
transversely along the edges of section 144 and defines a chamber
149 with toothed longitudinal walls 142. Slot 127 is defined in
each wall 142 and, as will be explained below, allows a portion of
control mechanism 126 (see FIG. 5) to pass therethrough. At an end
opposite toe portion 148 is a heel portion 145 which is generally
planar with top surface 141.
[0040] FIGS. 7A-C show a bottom, plan view of the rear section 150
in more detail. Rear section 150 defines a rear portion of a
conventionally-shaped inner sole, extending from a heel portion 158
to edge 133. Rear section 150 defines a cavity 152 which receives
rectangular portion 144 so that grooves 156 A,B receive wing-like
edges 146 A,B, and so that curved ridge section 158 receives heel
portion 145 of front section 140. When the front section 140 is
fully received in rear section 150, a top portion 151 of rear
section 150 will lay on top of the received portion of the front
section 140, and the arcuate sections 153 of the rear section 150
will mate with the arcuate sections 143 of the front section 140.
The underside surface 136 of the top portion 151 is shaped to also
mate with the upper surface 135 of the front section 140 (see FIG.
6C). Openings 154 are defined in a downwardly extending insert
member 155 shaped to fit in recess 33 of the shoe (see FIG. 3). The
openings 154 allow a portion of control mechanism 126 (see FIG. 5)
to pass therethrough. Semi-circular recesses 154A facilitate such
passage in the otherwise planar surface 159 on an underside surface
of rear section 150.
[0041] FIGS. 8A-B show the control mechanism 126 in more detail.
The mechanism includes two pin portions 128A,B. At a proximal end
of each is a crescent-shaped section 129A,B with outward facing
teeth. A rectangular recess (shown by dashed lines 137) is defined
into a proximal end of the pin, crescent combination. The recess
137 is shaped to receive a corner of rhombus-shaped biasing member
130. The rhombus shape and the orientation of biasing member 130
along with its reduced thickness walls 131 and polymeric
construction allow the member 130 to be deformed and compress when
rod members 128A, B are urged inward toward one another. In a
preferred embodiment, a pin, e.g., 128A, and a toothed-crescent,
e.g., 129A, are one piece of molded polymeric material, and biasing
member 130 is a separate piece. This facilitates the placement and
assembly of the control mechanism 126 within chamber 149 of front
section 140 with the pins extending through grooves 127 and
openings 154. Once so placed, extension caps 128C,D are placed over
rods 128A,B to facilitate usage thereof.
[0042] By placing the control assembly within the toothed-walled
chamber of front section 140, the natural state of the biasing
member 130 causes the toothed crescents 129A,B to be forced
outwardly and to engage teeth of the toothed walls 142. Then by
pressing the pins 128A,B inward, biasing member 130 deforms; the
teeth on the crescents 129A,B disengage the toothed-walls 142; and
the front section 140 may be moved relative to the rear section
150.
[0043] The alternative inner assembly 122 may be used in shoes like
those described above except the screw port 31 is unnecessary with
this assembly 122 and instead ports are needed to allow pin
extensions 128C,D to be accessible for manual urging.
[0044] Moreover, though the alternative inner assembly 122 is shown
with two oppositely placed pins, persons skilled in the art will
appreciate that this number may vary. For example, only one pin may
be used with the deformable member 130 being placed against a rigid
wall of the chamber. Alternatively, more pins may be used, e.g., 3
or 4.
[0045] In a preferred embodiment indicia are marked on one of the
sections of the inner assembly 22, 122. For example, shoe size
markings (absolute or relative) may be placed in areas 190 or 200
and viewed through plastic viewports placed in the sole of the
shoe. The plastic may provide magnification if desirable.
[0046] FIG. 9A shows relevant portions of an exemplary embodiment
having indicia in area 190 as well as showing an alternative
embodiment of biasing member 130' (in this case shaped like an
oval). Indica 210 can be marked with absolute or relative markings
indicative of the adjustment that may be made. In the illustrated
embodiment, the numeral "2" is indicative of the adjustment
corresponding to the displacement 205 between the illustrated
portions of front section 140 and rear section 150. The indicia are
marked on the front section 140 (for example by marking a plastic
wall or adding a marked label to chamber 149) and are caused to
move relatively to the rear section of the shoe as the shoe is
adjusted.
[0047] FIG. 9B shows an alternative embodiment for a screw-type
embodiment. In this case, the markings 215 are placed in the rear
section, and the hash mark 220 for example may be placed on control
member 24 (see FIG. 3).
[0048] Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the indicia
may be placed in various parts of the shoe, and that the movement
may be indirect. For example, a marked tape connected to the front
section 140 may be shown through a view port in a vertical portion
of the heal of the shoe.
[0049] In all of the embodiments described, the controls are easily
accessible through the outer shell and not requiring access through
the bottom portion of a sole. In some embodiments the adjustments
may be made without any tools. All adjustments were relatively
fine-grained, and size may be increased or decreased.
[0050] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with
particular reference to a hiking shoe design. Other embodiments
entail other shoe constructions, including running shoes, biking
shoes, ski boots, dress shoes, snow boarding boots, sandals and the
like. Depending on the shoe type, the inner assembly may be in the
form of a last board, or a combination of a last board and a
midsole. Likewise, depending on the shoe type, the materials used
will be selected to provide a desired amount of flexibility or
rigidity. Moreover, depending on the shoe design the outer shell
may differ. In the case of a sandal, for example, one of the novel
last boards may be used, but the outer shell would only have
strapping. Other embodiments, such as a biking shoe, might have
either netting, meshing, or no material where the bellows are
shown, thus providing increased ventilation. In short, the outer
shell design offers wide latitude though the bellows embodiments
shown are believed novel and advantageous in some embodiments.
[0051] In other embodiments, the screw ports and conduits for rod
members may be positioned in many other areas. Likewise, though the
embodiments included the control mechanisms, such as the screws,
screw receiving sections, gears and deformable teeth in a rear
portion of the shoe, these features may be positioned at other
portions as well.
[0052] Moreover, the above embodiments described a flexible segment
made of a bellows-shaped material, but other embodiments may use
other materials, e.g., stretchable nylon, netting or meshing, or it
may be omitted. Likewise all of the control features described had
external features to activate the control, but other embodiment
(e.g., cost-reducing embodiments or embodiments where hiding the
control is desirable) may place the control mechanisms on the
interior of the outer shell.
[0053] While the invention has been described in connection with
certain preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not
intended to limit the invention to those particular embodiments. On
the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives,
modifications and equivalents as may be included in the appended
claims. Some specific components, figures and types of materials
are mentioned, but it is to be understood that such component
values, dimensions and types of materials are, however, given as
examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of this
invention in any manner.
* * * * *