The present disclosure relates to footwear having an adjustable lining.
Whether due to growth, pregnancy, injury, swelling or activity (e.g., walking versus running), to name a few, the desired length and/or width of footwear may change over time, and do so before footwear is otherwise “worn out.” The present disclosure addresses this need.
Disclosed herein, in various embodiments, is footwear having an adjustable lining. The adjustable footwear may include a sole structure, an upper coupled to the sole structure, and a lining coupled to at least one of the sole structure and the upper. In various embodiments, movement of the lining relative to the upper is configured to adjust at least one of a size and a fit of the upper.
Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is adjustable footwear comprising a sole structure, an upper coupled to the sole structure, and a lining disposed within a volume defined by the upper and extending at least partially around a perimeter of a footbed. In various embodiments, movement of the lining relative to at least one of the upper and the footbed is configured to adjust at least one of a size and a fit of the upper.
Also disclosed herein, according to various embodiments, is adjustable footwear comprising a sole structure, an upper coupled to the sole structure, and a lining coupled to the upper and configured to extend around at least an interior toe-box region of a volume defined by the upper. In various embodiments, movement of the lining relative to the upper is configured to adjust at least one of a size and a fit of the upper.
The accompanying drawings may provide a further understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of, this specification. In the accompanying drawings, only one shoe (either a left shoe or a right shoe) may be illustrated, however, it should be understood that in such instances, the illustrated shoe may be mirror-imaged so as to be the other shoe. The use of like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings is for convenience only, and should not be construed as implying that any of the illustrated embodiments are equivalent. The accompanying drawings are for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.
Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail in this detailed description to enable persons having ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the present disclosure, however, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that mechanical and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, this detailed description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation.
For example, unless the context dictates otherwise, example embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments described herein. Similarly, references to “example embodiment,” “example embodiments” and the like indicate that the embodiment(s) described may comprise a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily comprise the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such references may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). Any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to plural includes singular embodiments.
Any reference to coupled, connected, attached or the like may be temporary or permanent, removeable or not, non-integral or integral, partial or full, and may be facilitated by one or more of adhesives, stitches, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, grommets, zippers and other means known in the art or hereinafter developed.
As used herein, the transitional term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention.
No claim limitation is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph or the like unless it explicitly uses the term “means” and includes functional language.
In describing example embodiments of the footwear having an adjustable lining, certain directional terms may be used. By way of example, terms such as “right,” “left,” “medial,” “lateral,” “front,” “back,” “forward,” “backward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “up,” “down,” and the like may be used to describe example embodiments of the footwear having an adjustable lining. These terms should be given meaning according to the manner in which the footwear having an adjustable lining is most typically designed for use, with the footwear having an adjustable lining on a user's foot and with the user's shod foot disposed on or ready for placement on an underlying surface. Thus, these directions may be understood relative to the footwear having an adjustable lining in such use. Similarly, as the footwear having an adjustable lining is intended primarily for use as footwear, terms such as “inner,” “inward,” “outer,” “outward,” “innermost,” “outermost,” “inside,” “outside,” and the like should be understood in reference to the footwear having an adjustable lining's intended use, such that inner, inward, innermost, inside, and the like signify relatively closer to the user's foot, and outer, outward, outermost, outside, and the like signify relatively farther from the user's foot when the footwear having an adjustable lining is being used for its intended purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the foregoing definitional guidance is contradicted by an individual use herein of any of the foregoing terms, the term should be understood and read according to the definition that gives life and meaning to the particular instance of the term.
As used herein, a “footwear” refers to an athleisure shoe, a casual shoe, a formal shoe, a dress shoe, a heel, a sports/athletic shoe (e.g., a tennis shoe, a golf shoe, a bowling shoe, a running shoe, a basketball shoe, a soccer shoe, a ballet shoe, etc.), a walking shoe, a sandal, a flip flop, a boot, or other suitable type of shoe. Additionally, footwear can be sized and configured to be worn by men, women, or children.
In accordance with example embodiments, the present disclosure provides for an adjustable shoe comprising a sole structure, an upper, and an adjustable lining configured to provide for length and/or width adjustability of the shoe. Generally, the adjustable lining is coupled to the upper and is configured to be moved relative to the upper to adjust a shape and/or a fit of the upper (e.g., change a length and/or a width of the upper), according to various embodiments.
As used herein, “sole structure” refers to an outsole or portions thereof, a midsole or portions thereof, an insole or portions thereof, a wedge or portions thereof, or other suitable structure disposed between and/or adjacent to the foregoing parts of a shoe. A sole structure herein may comprise one or more of nylon, acetal homopolymer/polyoxymethylene, aluminum, graphite, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), thermoplastic copolyester elastomer (TPC-ET), polypropylene, acrylic resin, rubber, titanium, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), and polycarbonate. Such a material may comprise a shape-memory material.
With reference to
In various embodiments, the lining 170 extends partially through the forward portion of the upper, and thus may not extend entirely around the toe-box. In various embodiments, the lining may be configured to extend at least partially over or under toes of the user. In various embodiments, the shoe comprises a plurality of linings, such as a first lining extending generally along a lateral side of the shoe and a second lining extending generally along a medial side of the shoe.
In various embodiments, movement of the lining relative to the upper may comprise expansion or compression of the lining itself. That is, the lining may be configured to change its effective volume via actuation by a user, thus altering the volume it occupies within the foot volume defined by the shoe. Said differently, the lining may be actuatable to expand or collapse, thus changing the available volume for a foot of the user and thereby changing the size and/or fit of the shoe. For example, the lining may be made from a resiliently flexible/deformable material. In various embodiments, the lining comprises a plurality of slits or ribs that can be adjusted to occupy more space (e.g., project out of a plane or expand the dimensions of a strip of material). The lining 170 can comprise one or more folds, pleats or baffles along its length, to provide for additional adjustment to the depth and/or curvature of the shape.
In various embodiments, the end 172 of the lining 170 may exit the upper through an aperture or gore. The end 172 may be graspable by a user, and may thus include ergonomic features or an ergonomic shape. In various embodiments, the exterior surface of the upper in the vicinity of the aperture may be designed and/or configured to accommodate the end 172 of the lining 170. For example, the upper may include a recess for receiving the end 172 of the lining 170 (e.g., to prevent the end 172 from catching on objects). In various embodiments, the end 172 of the lining 170 is configured to be reversibly locked in place, thus allowing a user to reversibly secure the lining in place once a desired shape, size, and/or fit has been selected by the user. Accordingly, the lining may include a feature configured to be locked, secured, and/or retained in place. For example, the end 172 may include a hook and loop material and the upper may include a complementary patch/segment of corresponding hook and loop material. In various embodiments, the end 172 of the lining may be anchored to the exterior surface of the upper or to the sole structure 110.
While the illustrated embodiment depicts a lining 170 exiting an upper to an external portion of the shoe 100, a lining 170 can be configured to exit an upper to an internal portion of the shoe 100. For example, an end 172 of the lining 170, for adjustment of the depth and/or curvature of the arc shape, can alternatively be accessibly located underneath a footbed of the shoe 100.
In various embodiments, the lining, or at least the end 172 of the lining 170, may be made from a material that is sufficiently rigid so as to enable the user to push on the end 172 of the lining 170 to reverse the movement of the lining 170 relative to the upper 130. Said differently, the lining 170 may be configured to be pushed and/or pulled in order to enable the desired adjustability.
In various embodiments, and with continued reference to
In some embodiments, the lining 170 is coupled to a bottom side within an upper 130 of the shoe 100, extends through the forward portion, and exits the upper on a top side (e.g., proximal to a tongue portion). In other embodiments, and with reference to
In various embodiments, and with reference to
The shoe 100 may include one or more anchoring features to which the straps 160 can be reversibly attached. In various embodiments, the straps 160 may extend over existing shoe features (e.g., laces, tongue, etc.). In various embodiments, the straps 160 may be coupled to or may otherwise be anchored/engaged with conventional shoe features, such as shoelaces, lace loops, and/or the tongue of the shoe.
In various embodiments, and with reference to
A shoe as described herein can have an open configuration, in which the shoe 100 accommodates a larger length and/or width than in a closed configuration.
A shoe as described herein can have a closed configuration, in which the shoe 100 accommodates a smaller length and/or width than in an open configuration.
In some embodiments, the shoe is biased in an open configuration, while in other embodiments, the shoe is biased in a closed configuration. In still other embodiments, the shoe is bi-stable (i.e., in both an open configuration and a closed configuration).
In some embodiments, securement in and/or transition between, open and closed configurations, which may be incremental, is facilitated by one or more of a belt, ratchet (e.g., a zip-tie mechanism), cord, strap with hook and loop fasteners, or the like, in some embodiments with a quick release, surrounding all or a portion of the upper. In other embodiments, securement in and/or transition between, open and closed configurations, is facilitated by an air bladder. In still other embodiments, securement in and/or transition between, open and closed configurations, is facilitated by a cord or the like extending through one or more spaces between upper parts, which may further be driven by a cam system, e.g., including an eccentric wheel. Moreover, a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise one or more visual, tactile or audible indicators of adjustment (e.g., a click every 2 mm or a mark corresponding to 2 mm).
To further accommodate adjustment to length and/or width of the upper, the upper may be comprised of an expandable material (e.g., a knit, stretch or elastic material), comprise one or more gussets or gores, and/or comprise overlapping or folding panels. Additionally, a footbed of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure may comprise one or more features to accommodate length and/or width adjustability of the shoe, for example, one or more expandable/collapsible apertures, gussets, gores, overlapping or folding panels, or the like.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus, it is intended that the embodiments described herein cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternatives together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made, especially in matters of structure, materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.
The present application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/957,821 filed Jan. 7, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
1633413 | Stefano | Jun 1927 | A |
1830648 | Engel | Nov 1931 | A |
2112052 | Smith | Mar 1938 | A |
2776499 | Guintini | Jan 1957 | A |
3541708 | Rosen | Nov 1970 | A |
4083128 | Rossman | Apr 1978 | A |
4366629 | Scherz | Jan 1983 | A |
4811500 | Maccano | Mar 1989 | A |
4813157 | Boisvert et al. | Mar 1989 | A |
4968492 | Rosen | Nov 1990 | A |
5036604 | Rosen | Aug 1991 | A |
5050319 | Perotto | Sep 1991 | A |
5203096 | Rosen | Apr 1993 | A |
5241762 | Rosen | Sep 1993 | A |
5379529 | Smith | Jan 1995 | A |
5768803 | Levy | Jun 1998 | A |
5813146 | Gutkowski et al. | Sep 1998 | A |
6000147 | Kellerman | Dec 1999 | A |
6082027 | Wagonhurst | Jul 2000 | A |
6442874 | Long | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6450510 | Liu | Sep 2002 | B1 |
6584707 | Racine | Jul 2003 | B1 |
6810603 | Cosentino | Nov 2004 | B1 |
6920707 | Greene et al. | Jul 2005 | B1 |
7055268 | Ha | Jun 2006 | B2 |
7225563 | Chen et al. | Jun 2007 | B2 |
7392604 | Greene et al. | Jul 2008 | B2 |
7610696 | Davis | Nov 2009 | B2 |
7634861 | Kilgore | Dec 2009 | B2 |
7917981 | Lakic | Apr 2011 | B1 |
9301571 | Langvin | Apr 2016 | B2 |
9491983 | Rushbrook | Nov 2016 | B2 |
9808045 | Carlson et al. | Nov 2017 | B2 |
10159302 | Carlson et al. | Dec 2018 | B2 |
10499707 | Hobson et al. | Dec 2019 | B2 |
10588382 | Rushbrook | Mar 2020 | B2 |
10602797 | Lintaman | Mar 2020 | B2 |
10645990 | Rushbrook | May 2020 | B2 |
10667579 | Elder et al. | Jun 2020 | B2 |
10736379 | Cook et al. | Aug 2020 | B2 |
10765170 | Langvin et al. | Sep 2020 | B2 |
10765175 | Panian et al. | Sep 2020 | B2 |
10779607 | Chandel | Sep 2020 | B1 |
10827800 | Iannuzzi | Nov 2020 | B2 |
10827803 | Bell et al. | Nov 2020 | B2 |
11033072 | Oda | Jun 2021 | B2 |
11044962 | Cheung | Jun 2021 | B2 |
20020178614 | Issler | Dec 2002 | A1 |
20050060913 | Chil et al. | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20060107552 | Clark et al. | May 2006 | A1 |
20060162191 | Mason | Jul 2006 | A1 |
20080127518 | Byrne et al. | Jun 2008 | A1 |
20080178493 | Scofield | Jul 2008 | A1 |
20080296871 | Hsieh | Dec 2008 | A1 |
20090000151 | Cavasin | Jan 2009 | A1 |
20090172972 | Rosen | Jul 2009 | A1 |
20110185600 | Malek | Aug 2011 | A1 |
20130152426 | Lederer | Jun 2013 | A1 |
20130219744 | Case et al. | Aug 2013 | A1 |
20140013619 | Irving | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140020267 | Perez | Jan 2014 | A1 |
20140041256 | Espinola | Feb 2014 | A1 |
20140123516 | Cressman et al. | May 2014 | A1 |
20140182167 | James et al. | Jul 2014 | A1 |
20140215770 | Levesque et al. | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140237850 | Hull | Aug 2014 | A1 |
20140259752 | Feldman | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140259762 | Sukovic | Sep 2014 | A1 |
20140338221 | Pride | Nov 2014 | A1 |
20150366288 | Miller | Dec 2015 | A1 |
20170027272 | Yeglinski, II | Feb 2017 | A1 |
20170056754 | Yu et al. | Mar 2017 | A1 |
20170188655 | Carlson et al. | Jul 2017 | A1 |
20170231324 | Arquilla | Aug 2017 | A1 |
20180135213 | Bell et al. | May 2018 | A1 |
20180213884 | Kim | Aug 2018 | A1 |
20180242694 | Webster | Aug 2018 | A1 |
20180255872 | Manasiya | Sep 2018 | A1 |
20180325216 | Toronjo | Nov 2018 | A1 |
20190297988 | Oden et al. | Oct 2019 | A1 |
20190380430 | Seid | Dec 2019 | A1 |
20200008516 | Chan et al. | Jan 2020 | A1 |
20200046080 | Burns et al. | Feb 2020 | A1 |
20200253334 | Elder et al. | Aug 2020 | A1 |
20200329819 | Durand | Oct 2020 | A1 |
20200352282 | Drake | Nov 2020 | A1 |
20200367604 | Langvin et al. | Nov 2020 | A1 |
20200375301 | Cheung | Dec 2020 | A1 |
20210037912 | Spencer | Feb 2021 | A1 |
20210204639 | Yang | Jul 2021 | A1 |
20210219651 | Rushbrook et al. | Jul 2021 | A1 |
20210227925 | Kim | Jul 2021 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
203969442 | Dec 2014 | CN |
108851327 | Nov 2018 | CN |
109549280 | Apr 2019 | CN |
2432295 | May 2007 | GB |
100540394 | Dec 2005 | KR |
2006106612 | Oct 2006 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
62957821 | Jan 2020 | US |