U.S. patent application number 10/758668 was filed with the patent office on 2005-07-14 for footwear.
Invention is credited to Kelley, Thomas Jeffrey.
Application Number | 20050150135 10/758668 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34740145 |
Filed Date | 2005-07-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050150135 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelley, Thomas Jeffrey |
July 14, 2005 |
Footwear
Abstract
Foot enclosing footwear having the wearing experience and
comfort of sandals are comprised of a sole and an upper each having
a front portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot
forward to the toes of the foot and a back portion extending from
approximately the ball of the foot rearward to the heel of the
foot. The front portion of the upper is affixed to the front
portion of the sole and encompasses the front portion of the foot.
The back portion of the upper encompasses the back portion of the
foot and is not affixed to the sole. Rather, the back portion of
the upper is free of the sole and free to move in an arc relative
to the sole. Consequently, the upper is free to flex without
requiring the sole to flex, thereby providing the walking sensation
of a sandal while fully enclosing the foot. The footwear may be of
substantially any style or appearance from dress shoes to
boots.
Inventors: |
Kelley, Thomas Jeffrey; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREER, BURNS & CRAIN, LTD
Suite 2500
300 South Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60606
US
|
Family ID: |
34740145 |
Appl. No.: |
10/758668 |
Filed: |
January 14, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 ;
36/105 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/103 ;
036/105 |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. Footwear comprising a sole and an upper for enclosing a foot,
the sole and the upper being generally coextensive in width and
length, the sole and the upper each having a front portion
extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward to the
toes of the foot and a back portion extending rearward from
approximately the ball of the foot to the heel of the foot, the
front portion of the upper being affixed to the front portion of
the sole and either alone or in conjunction with the sole providing
an enclosure for the front portion of the foot, the back portion of
the upper being free of the sole and providing an enclosure for the
back portion of the foot, the upper being free to flex without
requiring the sole to flex for providing a sandal like walking
experience while fully enclosing the foot.
2. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises
a dress shoe.
3. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises
a sports shoe.
4. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises
a beach or boating shoe.
5. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises
a walking shoe.
6. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the footwear comprises
a boot and the back portion of the upper includes an enclosure for
the ankle/leg.
7. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole comprises a
sandal sole.
8. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole comprises an
all terrain sole.
9. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sole is comprised
of conventional footwear sole material.
10. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the upper is comprised
of conventional footwear upper material.
11. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front portion of
the upper is affixed to the sole by any conventional footwear mode
of construction.
12. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the back portion of
the upper is integral with the front portion of the upper.
13. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the back portion of
the upper is affixed at its forward edges to the rearward edges of
the front portions of the upper and the sole.
14. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front portion of
the upper is soleless and the front portion of the upper and the
front portion of the sole together provide an enclosure for the
front portion of the foot.
15. Footwear as set forth in claim 14 wherein the rear portion of
the upper is affixed at its forward edges to the rearward edges of
the front portions of the upper and the sole.
16. Footwear as set forth in claim 1 wherein the front portion of
the upper provides an enclosure for the front portion of the
foot.
17. Footwear as set forth in claim 16 wherein the back portion of
the upper is integral with the front portion of the upper.
18. Footwear for enclosing a foot comprising a sole and an upper
generally coextensive with one another and each having a front
portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward
to the toes of the foot and a back portion extending rearward from
approximately the ball of the foot to the heel of the foot, the
front portion of the upper being affixed to the front portion of
the sole and providing an enclosure for the front portion of the
foot, the back portion of the upper being free of the sole and
providing an enclosure for the back portion of the foot, the upper
being free to flex without requiring the sole to flex for providing
a sandal like walking experience while fully enclosing the
foot.
19. Footwear as set forth in claim 18 wherein the front and rear
portions of the upper are integral.
20. Footwear as set forth in claim 18 comprised in style of
substantially any conventional style of foot enclosing footwear.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to footwear and particularly
to new and improved footwear providing the wearing experience of
sandals while fully enclosing the foot.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Sandals are conventionally comprised of a sole and one or
more straps or the like for strapping or holding the sole on the
wearer's foot. Sandals provide an unparalleled walking experience,
provide a very high degree of comfort and are in great demand.
However, there are social occasions for which sandals are
inappropriate. Also, when wearing sandals, the foot is largely
exposed. Consequently, sandals are generally unsuitable for use in
cold and inclement weather.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide new and improved
footwear providing the wearing experience, sensation and comfort of
sandals while at the same time providing for full enclosure of the
foot.
[0004] In accordance with the invention, the sole and upper of the
footwear each have a front portion extending from approximately the
ball of the foot forward to the toes of the foot and a back portion
extending from approximately the ball of the foot rearward to the
heel of the foot. The front portion of the upper is affixed to the
front portion of the sole and either alone or in combination or in
conjunction with the sole provides an enclosure for the front
portion of the foot. The rear portion of the upper is not affixed
to the sole, but rather is free of and moveable relative to the
sole, and provides an enclosure for the back portion of the foot.
Because the back or heel portion of the upper is not affixed to the
sole, the upper is free to flex without requiring the sole to
flex.
[0005] The result is the same unparalleled walking comfort one
achieves wearing sandals while instead wearing full foot enclosing
footwear. Thus, the wearing comfort of sandals maybe incorporated
in footwear for any and all occasions, e.g., dress shoes, loafers,
sport shoes, beach and boating shoes, walking shoes, boots,
etc.
[0006] These and other objects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent to those of reasonable skill in the art from the
following detailed description as considered in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the
footwear of the invention showing the footwear in an at rest or
flat foot position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the footwear illustrated in
FIG. 1 showing the same in a flexed or walking position; and
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the footwear illustrated in FIGS. 1
and 2 indicating in dotted lines one mode of securing the front
portion of the upper to the front portion of the sole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0010] The following is a detailed description of one embodiment of
the invention presently contemplated by the inventor to be the best
mode of carrying out his invention.
[0011] Referring to the drawings, the footwear 10 of the invention
is comprised of a sole 12 and an upper 14, which is generally
coextensive in length and width with the sole 12. The sole maybe
comprised of any suitable footwear sole material known in the art,
e.g., leather, imitation leather, rubber, various plastics and
composites, etc., and may have any customary earth engaging
surface, e.g., smooth, textured, nonskid, ribbed, all terrain, etc.
The upper may similarly be comprised of any suitable footwear upper
material, e.g., leather, imitation leather, hides or skins,
plastic, fabric, etc.,
[0012] The style, shape and appearance of the footwear may take on
any style, shape or appearance conventional in the footwear art for
fully enclosed footwear, i.e., it may be a dress shoe, a loafer, a
sport shoe, a walking shoe, a boating shoe, an ankle boot, a high
top boot, etc.
[0013] The sole 12 and upper 14 each have a front portion 16
extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward beyond
the toes of the foot and a back portion 18 extending from
approximately the ball of the foot rearward to the rear surface of
the heel of the foot.
[0014] The front portion 16 of the upper may be formed to fully
encompass the front portion of the foot, or it may be soleless in
which case the front portion of the upper in conjunction with the
front portion of the sole serve to encompass the front portion of
the foot.
[0015] The front portions of the upper and the sole may be secured
together by any mode of construction conventional in the footwear
art, e.g., stitching, stapling, or gluing, or a combination
thereof. In any event, the portions of the sole and the lower
extremities of the upper that are encompassed within the dotted
stitch line 20 in FIG. 3 are securely affixed to one another.
[0016] The rear portion 18 of the upper is formed to fully
encompass the rear portion and heel of the foot. It may be formed
integral with the front portion of the upper or it may be secured
at its forward margins to the rear margins of the front portions of
the upper and the sole. In any event, the structure is such that
the foot is fully enclosed within the front portions of the upper
and the sole and the back portion of the upper.
[0017] The back portion 18 of the upper 14 is not attached to the
sole 12. Rather, it is free from the sole and free to move in a
pivotal arc relative to the sole as depicted in FIG. 2.
Consequently, the upper 14 can flex relative to the sole without
requiring the sole to flex. Thus, the comfort and enjoyment of
wearing sandals may in accordance with the invention be imparted to
any style of footwear.
[0018] The objects and advantages of the invention have thus been
shown to be attained in a convenient, practical, economical and
facile manner.
[0019] While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been
herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that the
various changes, rearrangements and modifications maybe made
therein without departing from the scope of the invention, as
defined by the appended claims.
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