EASY-ENTRY SHOE

Abstract

A shoe including a sole and an upper, the upper including a shoe opening defined by a rear part, a medial part, a lateral part and a front part, where the top portion of the rear part is curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom portion of the rear part, to facilitate forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe when the foot enters the s

Description

FIELD

The field of the present disclosure and the related embodiments relate to the field of footwear, and, more particularly but not exclusively, to footwear, such as a shoe, enabling easy entry of a foot into the shoe.

BACKGROUND

A significant number of users have difficulties bending down to help put on shoes that include a closed heel design. However, when putting shoes on and taking them off, most shoes require bending down to lace or unlace the shoe, or help adjusting the rear part of the shoe to enter slip-on shoes. There is thus a widely recognized need for a shoe that enables a user to put it on and take it off without the need for bending down and using the user's hands.

Many such easy-entry shoe are disclosed, such as disclosed in US patents U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,686,175, 9,675,132, 9,820,527, 9,877,542, 10/306,947, 10/506,842, 10/555,578, US10638810, 10/653,209, 10/660,401, 10/813,405, 10/842,222, 10/905,192, 10/973,279, and US application US20210106094, as well as PCT application WO2012077899. These solutions involve deformation, or compression, of the rear side of the shoe to enable the foot to enter the shoe, and a spring element that returns the compressed rear side to the upright position. The construction of a shoe according to this concept increases the cost of manufacturing and makes the shoe more expensive and less affordable to users. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a shoe with a more simplified construction that is easier and less expensive to produce.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment there is provided an article of wear, such as a shoe, including a sole and an upper. The upper includes a shoe opening for a foot entering the shoe, the shoe opening defined by a rear part, a medial part, a lateral part, and a front part. The top portion of the rear part is curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom portion of the rear part, to facilitate forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe when the foot enters the shoe.

According to another exemplary embodiment, the rear part includes a firm material for reinforcing at least a portion of the rear part of the shoe to prevent the rear part from deforming, or collapsing, under foot force when the foot enters the shoe.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment, alternatively or additionally, the rear part includes a firm material for reinforcing at least a portion of the rear part of the shoe to prevent or at least partially lessen the tendency of the rear part from bending forward under foot force when the foot enters the shoe

According to still another exemplary embodiment, at least one part of the rear part, medial part, lateral part, and front part of the shoe opening is made of an elastic material or material having elastic characteristics, thus allowing the shoe opening to expand when the foot is entering the shoe, providing enough space for the foot to enter the shoe. Once the foot enters the shoe, the elastic material contracts and reduces the size of the shoe opening to keep the foot secured inside the shoe.

Additionally, according to still another exemplary embodiment, the top portion of the rear part being curved diagonally backward and upward is coupled to the firm material reinforcing the at least a portion of the rear part of the shoe, and, as an option, the top portion of the rear part being curved diagonally backward and upward is more rigid than the surrounding opening of the shoe.

Further according to another exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement in the rear part of the shoe extends above the sole of the shoe.

Yet further according to another exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement in the rear part of the shoe is attached to the sole of the shoe.

Still further according to another exemplary embodiment, the reinforcement of the rear part includes a bottom part and a top part, where the top part is more flexible than the bottom part.

Even further according to another exemplary embodiment, the top part of the reinforcement of the rear part is more elastic than the bottom part of the reinforcement of the rear part.

Additionally, according to another exemplary embodiment, a support element is attached, such as externally as a non-limiting example, to the top portion of the rear part of the shoe opening, where the support element is shaped to generally conform to the top portion of the rear part, with its upper part curved diagonally upward, and where the support element bends backward under the force applied by the foot when the foot is entering the shoe, expanding the shoe opening.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment there is provided a support element for being attached to a top of a rear of a shoe, the support element including a center part from which four wing parts extend. An upper wing part curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the center part and adapted to be attached to an upper portion of a rear part of the shoe, a lower wing part curved backward and diagonally downward relative to the center part and adapted to be attached to a lower portion of the rear part of the shoe, a medial wing part curved forward and diagonally to one side relative to the center part and adapted to be attached to a medial side of the rear part of the shoe, and a lateral wing part curved forward and diagonally to another side relative to the center part and adapted to be attached to a lateral side of the rear part of the shoe.

According to still another exemplary embodiment the upper wing part is adapted to support the upper portion of a rear part of the shoe. The upper portion being curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom portion of the rear part, the upper portion providing a sliding surface facilitating forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe when the foot enters the shoe.

Further according to still another exemplary embodiment the medial wing part and/or the lateral wing part are elastic to bend sidesways to enable a heel of a foot to pass between the medial wing part and the lateral wing part when the foot slides into the shoe, and to resume its original position after the heel has passed into the shoe.

Still further according to yet another exemplary embodiment there is provided a support element for being attached proximate to the top of a rear of a shoe, the support element including four arches coupled to each other at their respective edges, the four arches including an upper arch curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the other arches and adapted to be attached to an upper portion of a rear part of the shoe, a lower arch curved backward and diagonally downward relative to the other arches and adapted to be attached to a lower portion of the rear part of the shoe, a medial arch curved forward and diagonally to one side relative to the other arches and adapted to be attached to a medial side of the rear part of the shoe, and a lateral arch curved forward and diagonally to another side relative to the other arches and adapted to be attached to a lateral side of the rear part of the shoe.

Yet further according to yet another exemplary embodiment the upper wing part is adapted to support the upper portion of a rear part of the shoe, the upper portion being curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom portion of the rear part, the upper portion providing a sliding surface facilitating forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe when the foot enters the shoe.

Even further according to yet another exemplary embodiment the medial wing part and/or the lateral wing part are elastic to bend sidesways to enable a heel of a foot to pass between the medial wing part and the lateral wing part when the foot slides into the shoe, and to resume its original position after the heel has passed into the shoe.

Additionally, according to another exemplary embodiment the support element is adapted for mounting internally within the rear part of the shoe.

According to yet another exemplary embodiment the support element is adapted for mounting externally over the rear part of the shoe.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant art. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Except to the extent necessary or inherent in the processes themselves, no particular order to steps or stages of methods and processes described in this disclosure, including the figures, is intended or implied. In many cases the order of process steps may vary without changing the purpose or effect of the methods described.

Implementation of the method and system of embodiments disclosed blow involves performing or completing certain selected tasks or steps manually, automatically, or any combination thereof. Moreover, according to actual instrumentation and equipment of preferred embodiments of the method and system presented herein several selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or any combination thereof. For example, as hardware, selected steps could be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, selected steps could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, selected steps of the method and system disclosed herein could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments are described herein, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments only, and are presented in order to provide what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiment. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the subject matter, the description taken with the drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms and structures may be embodied in practice.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a side view of an easy entry footwear;

FIG. 2 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of the rear portion of a shoe upper, including a rear part showing a sliding surface and an internal reinforcement;

FIG. 3 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of the rear portion of a shoe upper including a rear part showing a sliding surface and an internal reinforcement which is disconnected from the sole;

FIG. 4 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of a rear part of a shoe upper showing two reinforcements, including an upper internal reinforcement, and a lower internal reinforcement;

FIG. 5 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of a rear part of a shoe upper showing an external support element, and a lower internal reinforcement;

FIG. 6 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of a rear part of a shoe upper showing an external support element, and a lower internal reinforcement which is attached to the sole;

FIG. 7 is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of a rear part of a shoe upper showing an external support element, a top internal reinforcement, and a lower internal reinforcement;

FIG. 8 is a simplified illustration of a rear view of a shoe depicting a rear view of the external support element;

FIG. 9A is a simplified illustration of a side cut view of the easy-entry shoe with a user's foot entering the shoe, where the shoe opening expands forward;

FIG. 9B is a simplified illustration of a side cut view of the easy-entry shoe with a user's foot entering the shoe, where the shoe opening expands both backward and forward;

FIG. 9C a side view of the user's foot resting inside the shoe;

FIG. 10A is a simplified illustration of a side view of an external support element;

FIG. 10B is a simplified illustration of a rear view of the external support element;

FIG. 10C is a simplified illustration of a top view of the external support element;

FIG. 10D is a simplified illustration of a rear view of the external support element;

FIG. 10E which is a simplified illustration of a top view of the external support element when a heel passes between the side wings of the external support element; and

FIG. 11 is a simplified illustration of a rear view of an external support element made of four arches.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

The principles and structure according to some embodiments of a footwear, such as a laced shoe or a slip-on shoe, providing easy entry of the user's foot, may be better understood with reference to the drawings and accompanying description.

Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiments are not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

In this document, an element of a drawing that is not described within the scope of the drawing and is labeled with a numeral that has been described in a previous drawing has the same use and description as in the previous drawings. Similarly, an element that is identified in the text by a numeral that does not appear in the drawing described by the text, has the same use and description as in the previous drawings where it was described.

The drawings in this document may not be to any scale. Different drawings may use different scales and different scales can be used even within the same drawing, for example different scales for different views of the same object or different scales for the two adjacent objects.

The terms ‘a’ or “an′, as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term plurality, as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term another, as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms including and/or having, as used herein, are defined as comprising. The term coupled, as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of an easy-entry footwear 10, according to one embodiment.

Footwear, or shoe, 10 of FIG. 1 is a right-shoe adapted for a right foot of a human user (not shown in FIG. 1). A left-shoe adapted for a left foot of a human user may be similar to footwear, or a shoe, 10 of FIG. 1.

Footwear, or shoe 10 may include a sole 11 and an upper 12. The upper 12 may have a shoe opening 13 for receiving a foot of a user into the shoe 10. The shoe opening 13 may be defined by a rear part 14, a medial part 15, a lateral part 16 and a front part 17. Footwear, or shoe 10 may also include a tongue part 18 and a lacing system 19. Various types of tongue part 18, lacing system 19 and other closure systems are contemplated, including but not limited to closed shows with elastic or stretchable material, VELCRO or hook and loop type connectors, zippers, snaps, buckles, as well as other types of closure systems.

The top part 20 of rear part 14 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom part of rear part 14. The backward and upward slope of the top part 20 facilitates the sliding of the foot forward into the shoe when the user's foot enters the shoe.

In some embodiments, at least one part of shoe opening 13 is made of an elastic material. The elastic material, which may be comprised of a variety of technologies that allow the material to expand in one or more directions when a force is applied, and to return to its non-expanded, or non-deformed state once the force is removed. It should be appreciated that various types of elastic materials can be utilized in the various embodiments and having a wide range of stress-strain characteristics. It should be appreciated that in the consumer product market for shoes, the material should be chosen to maintain its elasticity for at least the expected life of the shoe.

The elastic material enables the shoe opening 13 to expand when the foot enters the shoe, providing enough space for the foot to go through the shoe opening. The elastic material may be provided, for example, within the medial part 15, and/or the lateral part 16 of shoe opening 13. The elastic material may be also provided within front part 17 or within all four parts surrounding shoe opening 13, including front part 17, rear part 14, medial part 15, and lateral part 16. The elastic material may be made to contract once the foot enters the shoe, keeping the foot secured inside the shoe.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of the rear portion of shoe upper 12, including rear part 14, showing a sliding surface 21 and an internal reinforcement 22, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 2 may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figure. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 2 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown in FIG. 2, rear part 14 may include at least one reinforcement element 22. According to one embodiment, internal reinforcement 22 may be connected to sole 11. The firm material, or reinforcement part, may be non-elastic, and/or rigid, thus preventing rear part 14 from deforming under foot force while the user's foot enters the shoe 10.

The term ‘deforming’ or ‘deformed” may refer to the rear part collapsing, and/or compressing (or being compressed), and/or squeezing (or being squeezed), and/or bending (such as bending forward), etc. Particularly, the term ‘deforming’ may refer to pressing down the top of the rear part under foot force while the user's foot enters the shoe 10 to reduce the height of the rear part above the sole to enable the foot to enter the shoe.

FIG. 2 shows line 23, depicting the minimal length of the longitudinal cross section of shoe opening 13, where top part 20 may extend above line 23, thus providing a slope and a sliding surface 21 towards shoe opening 13. As shown in FIG. 2, line 23 meets the interior surface of rear part 14 at point 24 and in the front, the interior surface of shoe tongue 18.

As shown in FIG. 2, top part 20 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to of the bottom of rear part 14. Particularly, top part 20 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to point 24. Although the general direction of the top part 20 is curved backward and diagonally, it should be appreciated that the curve does not need to be a continuous curve, can be straight or substantially straight along its entire length or a portion of the length, may include concave portions and/or convex portions along its length such that an arch opens toward the shoe opening 13 (concave) or away from the shoe opening (convex). The general principal is that the top part 20 creates a flange or having a sliding surface leading into the shoe opening 13. It should be appreciated that this definition may be applied throughout this document with regards to any description of any portion of an element that is described as being curved and diagonal in a particular direction (i.e. backward, upward, downward, outward, inward, etc.). Thus, the terms, such as curved backward or curved outward, etc., are not limited to a single continuous arch but rather, may just generally be configured to satisfy such description over its entire length, while portions may be contrary to the over all general description.

Sliding surface 21 may thus be provided on the inner surface of top part 20, curved backward and diagonally upward relative to of the bottom of rear part 14. Hence, sliding surface 21 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to point 24. In other words, sliding surface 21 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the shoe opening 13 as marked by line 23.

Sliding surface 21 may therefore be coupled to internal reinforcement 22. Typically, sliding surface 21 may be mechanically, and/or directly, coupled to internal reinforcement 22, or may be a top part of internal reinforcement 22. Thus, when a foot of a user slides over sliding surface 21 to enter shoe 10, internal reinforcement 22 may prevent rear part 14 from deforming, or collapsing, or bending forward, under the pressure of the foot. As an option, sliding surface 21 may therefore be more rigid than the surrounding opening 13 of shoe 10.

Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of the rear portion of shoe upper 12, including rear part 14, showing sliding surface 21 and internal reinforcement 22, which may be disconnected from sole 11, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 3 may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 3 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

Internal reinforcement 22 may be made from a firm material and may be deployed along most of rear part 14. According to this embodiment internal reinforcement 22 may not fully extend to the sole 11 of shoe 10, and thus, is not attached or otherwise directly connected to sole 11. In some embodiments, the internal reinforcement 22 may extend to the sole 11 but still not be attached. It is appreciated that internal reinforcement 22 may support the structure of rear part 14 and may prevent deformation (collapse) of rear part 14 under the pressure of the foot, applied at the top of rear part 14, when the user's foot enters shoe 10.

As shown in FIG. 3, the top part of internal reinforcement 22 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to the bottom part of internal reinforcement 22. Thus, internal reinforcement 22 may retain the shape of rear part 14, including the inclination of top part 21 of rear part 14 relative to the bottom part of rear part 14.

It is appreciated that reinforcement 22 may have varied rigidness, or flexibility. For example, the lower part of reinforcement 22 may be more rigid than the upper part of reinforcement 22. Alternatively, the upper part of reinforcement 22 may be more flexible and more elastic than the lower part of reinforcement 22.

As shown in FIG. 3, internal reinforcement 22, which may be made from a firm material, may be deployed along most of rear part 14, and may extend above the sole 11 of shoe 10, without being attached or otherwise directly connected to sole 11. It is appreciated that internal reinforcement 22 may support the structure of rear part 14 and may prevent rear part 14 from deforming, or collapsing, or bending forward, under the pressure of the foot, applied at the top of rear part 14, when the user's foot enters shoe 10.

Reference is now made to FIG. 4, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of rear part 14 of shoe upper 12, showing two reinforcements, including an upper internal reinforcement 25, and a lower internal reinforcement 26, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 4, including upper firm support 25, and lower firm support 26, may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 4 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown in FIG. 4, internal reinforcement 22 of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 2 may be deployed as two or more separate parts including, for example, top internal reinforcement 25, and lower internal reinforcement 26. It is appreciated that upper internal reinforcement 25 may be more elastic, or flexible, than lower internal reinforcement 26, which may be more rigid than upper reinforcement 25.

It is appreciated that upper internal reinforcement 25 may be disconnected from lower internal reinforcement 26. Alternatively, as illustrated upper internal reinforcement 25 may be coupled to lower internal reinforcement 26 mechanically, with adhesive, or other bonding methods, in a flexible or rigid manner. As shown in FIG. 4, lower internal reinforcement 26 is slightly remote from, and not coupled to, sole 11. It is appreciated that alternatively, lower internal reinforcement 26 may be coupled to sole 11 as shown in FIG. 3.

It is appreciated that sliding surface 21 may be coupled to upper internal reinforcement 25. Typically, sliding surface 21 may be mechanically, and/or directly, coupled to upper internal reinforcement 25, or may be a top part of upper internal reinforcement 25. Thus, when a foot of a user slides over sliding surface 21 to enter shoe 10, upper internal reinforcement 25, as well as lower internal reinforcement 26, may prevent rear part 14 from deforming, or collapsing, or bending forward, under the pressure of the foot.

Reference is now made to FIG. 5, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of rear part 14 of shoe upper 12, showing an external support element 27, and lower internal reinforcement 26, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 5, including external support element 27, and lower reinforcement 26, may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 5 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, internal reinforcement 22 of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 2 may be implemented by two or more separate parts, including, for example, external support element 27, and lower reinforcement 26. According to one embodiment, reinforcement 22 of FIG. 3 and/or FIG. 2, as well as upper reinforcement 25 and lower reinforcement 26 of FIG. 4, are all internal within the rear part 14, and are covered by shoe materials from all sides. According to one embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5, external support element 27 is mounted externally on the exterior of top part 20 (on the back side of shoe 10). As shown in FIG. 4, according to one embodiment, lower internal reinforcement 26 is not coupled, or connected to, sole 11.

According to one embodiment external support element 27 may be more elastic, and/or flexible, than lower internal reinforcement 26, which may be more rigid than external support element 27.

It is appreciated that sliding surface 21 may be coupled to external support element 27. Typically, sliding surface 21 may be mechanically, and/or directly, coupled to external support element 27, or may be a top part of external support element 27. Thus, when a foot of a user slides over sliding surface 21 to enter shoe 10, external support element 27, as well as lower internal reinforcement 26, may prevent rear part 14 from deforming, or collapsing, or bending forward, under the pressure of the foot.

It should be appreciated that while the external support element 27 is described as being on the outside of rear 14 of the shoe 10, in some embodiments, the external support element 27 may be located on the inside wall of the rear 14 of the shoe 10. In fact, in such embodiments the external support element 27 can be one and the same with the slide surface 21. Further, it should be appreciated that in some embodiments, support elements may be located on the outside of the wall of rear 14, inside surface of the wall of rear 14 and/or embedded within the wall of rear 14 in any and all combinations.

Reference is now made to FIG. 6, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of rear part 14 of shoe upper 12, showing external support element 27, and a lower internal reinforcement 26, which is attached to sole 11, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 6, of external support element 27, and lower reinforcement 26, may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 6 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

It is appreciated that in shoe 10 of both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 external support element 27 and the lower internal reinforcement 26 may have some overlapping area indicated by numeral 28. Overlapping area 28 may provide additional stiffness to the structure of rear part 14.

Reference is now made to FIG. 7, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of a cross-section of rear part 14 of shoe upper 12, showing an external support element 27, top internal reinforcement 25 and lower internal reinforcement 26, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 7, of external support element 27, the top internal reinforcement 25, and lower the reinforcement 26, may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 7 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

It is appreciated that according to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 7, top internal reinforcement 25 reinforces top portion of rear part 14. It may be used as a supplement to the support provided by external support element 27. Top reinforcement 25 may be more flexible than bottom reinforcement 26.

Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which is a simplified illustration of a rear view of shoe 10, depicting a rear view of external support element 27, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 8 may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 8 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

It is appreciated that support element 27 may come in different shapes, sizes, and thickness. It is further appreciated that the shape of support element 27 as depicted in FIG. 7 may also apply to support element 25 of FIG. 4 and/or FIG. 6, as well as to the top part of support element 22 of FIG. 2 and/or FIG. 3.

Reference is now made to FIG. 9A, which is a simplified illustration of a side cut view of shoe 10 with a foot 29 entering shoe 10 according to one embodiment, to FIG. 9B, which is a simplified illustration of a side cut view of shoe 10 with foot 29 entering shoe 10 according to another embodiment, and to FIG. 9C, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of foot 29 resting inside shoe 10, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIGS. 9A, 9B, and 9C may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown in FIG. 9A, user's foot 29 may enter shoe 10 by sliding over top portion 20 of rear part 14 without deforming, collapsing, or bending forward, rear part 14, and by causing the shoe opening (13) to expand forward while entering the shoe.

According to one embodiment, the expansion of shoe opening 13 may be attained by stretching medial part, and/or stretching lateral part. According to another embodiment, the expansion of the shoe opening may be attained by stretching the front part, along with stretching the medial part and the lateral part.

According to another embodiment, shown in FIG. 9B, the expansion of the shoe opening may be attained by tilting rear part 14 backward along with stretching the medial part and/or stretching the lateral part of shoe 10, thus also expanding the shoe opening forward.

According to another embodiment the expansion of the shoe opening may be attained by tilting rear part 14 backward along with stretching the front part, along with stretching the medial part and/or stretching the lateral part of shoe 10.

As shown in FIG. 9C, after the foot enters shoe 10, the shoe opening contracts and reduces the size from its expanded position, thus keeping the foot secured inside the shoe.

Reference is now made to FIG. 10A, which is a simplified illustration of a side view of external support element 27, to FIG. 10B, which is a simplified illustration of a rear view of external support element 27, to FIG. 10C, which is a simplified illustration of a top view of external support element 27, to FIG. 10D, which is a simplified illustration of a rear view of external support element 27 when a heel passes, and to FIG. 10E, which is a simplified illustration of a top view of external support element 27 when a heel passes, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

As shown in FIG. 10B, support element 27 may include a center part 30, a top wing 31, a bottom wing 32, a first, medial wing 33, and a second lateral wing 34. It is appreciated that the medial wing 33, and the lateral wing 34 may exchange sides, for example, according to the user's leg to which the shoe is adapted.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the upper wing part 31 may be curved backward and diagonally upward relative to center part 30. Upper wing part 31 is adapted to be attached to an upper portion of rear part 14 of shoe 10. Particularly, upper wing part 31 is adapted to support top reinforcement 20 of shoe 10. Hence, upper wing part 31, optionally via upper portion 20, may provide, or support, sliding surface 21, facilitating forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe when the foot enters the shoe.

As shown in FIG. 10A, the bottom wing part 32 may be curved backward and diagonally downward relative to center part 30. Upper wing part 31 is adapted to be attached to a lower portion of rear part 14 of shoe 10. Particularly, upper wing part 31 may be adapted to attach to a bottom reinforcement of shoe 10. It is appreciated that upper wing part 31 is curved around the heel when shoe 10 is warn on a foot of a user.

As shown in FIG. 10C, the medial wing part 33 may be curved forward and diagonally to one (medial) side relative to the center part 30. Medial wing part 33 may be adapted to be attached to a medial side of said rear part 14 of shoe 10.

The lateral wing part 34 both may be curved forward and diagonally to the other (lateral) side relative to the center part 30. Lateral wing part 34 may be adapted to be attached to a lateral side of rear part 14 of shoe 10.

As shown in FIG. 10D and FIG. 10E, when a heel (not shown) passes between medial wing part 33 and lateral wing part 34, medial wing part 33 and/or lateral wing part 34 may bend sideways, or outward, as indicated by arrows 35 to increase the space between medial wing part 33 and lateral wing part 34.

As shown in FIG. 10C, when support element 27 is at rest, before or after but not during the passage of the heel, medial wing part 33 and/or lateral wing part 34 may contract back to their normal position above the heel, and/or around the ankle, when shoe 10 is warn on a foot of a user, as indicated by arrows 36.

Reference is now made to FIG. 11, which is a simplified illustration of a rear view of external support element 27 made of four arches, according to one embodiment.

As an option, the illustration of FIG. 11 may be viewed in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustration of FIG. 11 may be viewed in the context of any desired environment. Further, the aforementioned definitions may equally apply to the description below.

The support element 27 of FIG. 11 includes four arches (arch parts) replacing the four wings of the support element 27 of FIG. 10B. The functions of the arches of support element 27 of FIG. 11 is similar to the shapes and the functions of the respective wings of support element 27 of FIGS. 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D, and 10E, however, the center part 30 is empty or is a void.

It should be appreciated that the various aspects and features of the various embodiments may be utilized in a variety of settings. For instance, the principles of the present invention can be utilized on shoes fabricated from flexible, elastic or soft materials, etc., such as athletic shoes, tennis shoes, running shoes, casual shoes, etc. Further, principles of the present invention may also be used on more rigid shows such as dress shoes, work shoes, hiking shoes, etc. Other embodiments may include a hybrid of any of the afore mentioned styles of shoes as well as other shoes.

It is expected that during the life of this patent various footwear technologies and materials will be developed and the scope of the terms herein, particularly of the terms “footwear”, and “shoe”, is intended to include all such new technologies and materials a priori.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments described herein will become apparent to one ordinarily skilled in the art upon examination of the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, each of the various embodiments and aspects of embodiments as delineated hereinabove and as claimed in the claims section below finds experimental support in the following examples.

It is appreciated that certain features of the system and method described herein, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features, which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

Although the system and methods have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated in their entirety by reference into the specification, to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. In addition, citation or identification of any reference in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such reference is available as prior art.

Claims

1. A shoe comprising: a sole; andan upper, the upper: being fabricated, at least in part, from an elastic material; andcomprising a single structure that integrates a rear part, a medial part, a lateral part and a front part in the single structure and which defines a shoe opening for receiving an object into an interior of the shoe;wherein the rear part comprises a firm material reinforcing at least a portion of the rear part of the shoe, including a top portion of the rear part, whereby the rear part is prevented from bending forward and deforming under a downward force caused by inserting the object into the shoe;wherein the top portion of the rear part is curved diagonally backward and upward, whereby facilitating forward sliding of the object into the shoe when the object is being entered into the shoe.

2. (canceled)

3. The shoe according to claim 1, further comprising: at least one of the rear part, medial part, lateral part and front part being at least partially fabricated from an elastic material, the elastic material adapted to allow the shoe opening to expand, whereby when the object is forced into the shoe opening, the force of the object causes the elastic material to expand such that the shoe opening is adapted to provide enough space for the object to enter the shoe, and whereby once the object enters the shoe, the elastic material is adapted to contracts and reduces the size of the shoe opening to secure the object inside the shoe.

4. The shoe according to according to claim 1, additionally comprising: a support element being fixedly attached externally to the top portion of the rear part of the shoe opening;wherein the support element is shaped to conform to the top portion of the rear part, with an upper part of the support element curved backward and diagonally upward.

5. A method for entering a shoe, comprising the steps of: providing a shoe comprising a sole and an upper, wherein the upper is fabricated, at least in part, from an elastic material and comprises a rear part, a medial part, a lateral part and a front part that together define a shoe opening for inserting a foot into the shoe, andwherein the rear part comprises: a top portion that is curved backward and diagonally upward relative to a bottom portion of the rear part, whereby forward sliding of a user's foot into the shoe is facilitated when the foot is being entered into the shoe;a firm material reinforcing the top portion of the rear part whereby the rear part is prevented from at least one of: bending forward and deforming under foot downward force when the foot enters the shoe; andinserting a foot into the shoe via the shoe opening by sliding the foot forward over the top portion of the rear part.

6. The method for entering a shoe according to claim 5, additionally comprising: at least a portion of at least one of the rear part, medial part, lateral part and front part being fabricated of elastic material, wherein the action of inserting the foot into the shoe comprises expanding the elastic material whereby the shoe opening is expanded when the foot is being entered into the shoe, providing enough space for the foot to enter the shoe; andinserting the foot into the shoe via the opening by expanding the elastic material, wherein once the foot enters the shoe, the elastic material contracts and reduces the size of the shoe opening to keep the foot secured inside the shoe.

7. The method for entering a shoe according to claim 5, additionally comprising: attaching a support element to the top portion of the rear part of the shoe; andwherein the support element is shaped to generally conform to the top portion of the rear part, with its upper part curved backward and diagonally upward.