COMPRESSIBLE FOOTWEAR AND ASSOCIATED PACK

Compressible footwear and an associated compression pack are provided. In one implementation, for example the compressible footwear includes a flexible upper, a draw cord and a sole coupled to the flexible upper. The flexible upper defines a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer and further includes a plurality of openings. The draw cord is threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and the sole is coupled to the flexible upper. The draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer. A system and method including the compressible footwear and the associated compression pack are also provided.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/588,322, filed 19 Jan. 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND

a. Field

The instant invention relates to footwear. In particular, though non-limiting implementations, lightweight, compressible and stackable footwear is provided that include a draw cord with a toggle closure, strap or other fastener and, in some implementations, a bag that is used for compressing the footwear.

b. Background

Various sports activities require footwear that can become damaged while walking or transporting to and from the activity. Such sports activities include skiing, biking, golfing, and ice skating, and such footwear includes ski boots, bicycle shoes, golf shoes, ice skates and bowling shoes to name a few. If the wearer chooses not to wear the shoe to the activity it can be cumbersome to have to carry the sports activity shoes to and from the sports activity.

There are also sports activities that require certain footwear to perform the activity that is heavy, difficult to walk in and may become uncomfortable, including boots for snow sports (e.g., alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, telemark skiing, snow shoeing, etc.) and hiking to name a few examples.

Furthermore, lightweight footwear is desirable to be worn to the sports activity, when taking a break from the sports activity or after the activity is concluded, but before reaching a mode of transportation or accommodation.

Many sports activity enthusiasts do not like to wear a backpack or a big enough backpack to store the sports-particular footwear after they are done with the sports activity. Further, young children who ski have a very difficult time walking in ski boots at the end of the day when their legs are very tired. Many times the child would like to be carried, however, the adult may already be carrying his or her skis, poles and the child's skis and poles and, thus, it is not possible to carry the child as well.

Methods are known in the art for carrying sports footwear and for providing more easily transportable everyday footwear. For example, some footwear has addressed the described issues by providing footwear that fold in half. However, this type of footwear remains bulky when folded, and does not easily fit into many pockets and is not beneficial for sports activities where pockets are not available.

Thus, there is a long-standing but unmet need in the art for lightweight and easily packable footwear, so that while the wearer is performing the activity with sports-particular footwear on the user's feet, the packable footwear can easily and comfortably be transported on the wearer's person. This unmet need is especially true when a locker, backpack or place to leave the footwear is not desirable or available.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A compressible footwear is provided. In one implementation, for example the compressible footwear includes, without limitation, a flexible upper, a draw cord and a sole coupled to the flexible upper. The flexible upper defines a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer and further includes a plurality of openings. The draw cord is threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and the sole is coupled to the flexible upper. The draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a wearer's foot.

In another implementation, a system is provided including, without limitation, compressible footwear and a compression pack. The compressible footwear includes, without limitation, a flexible upper defining a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer, the upper further including a plurality of openings, a draw cord threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and a sole coupled to the flexible upper. The draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer. The compression pack includes, without limitation, a body defining an opening adapted to receive the compressible footwear, a closure device for closing opening of the compression pack, and at least one compression strap coupled to the body for maintaining the compressible footwear in a compressed state within the compression pack.

In yet another implementation, a method of storing compressible footwear is provided. The method includes, without limitation, arranging a pair of compressible footwear opposing each other and compressing the pair of compressible footwear together, each of the compressible footwear comprising a flexible upper defining a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer, the upper further including a plurality of openings, a draw cord threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and a sole coupled to the flexible upper, wherein the draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer; inserting the pair of compressible footwear through an opening of a compression pack, the compression pack comprising a body defining the opening adapted to receive the compressible footwear, a closure device for closing opening of the compression pack, and at least one compression strap coupled to the body for maintaining the compressible footwear in a compressed state within the compression pack; and closing the compression pack to secure the pair of compressible footwear within the compression pack.

The foregoing and other aspects, features, details, utilities, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from reading the following description and claims, and from reviewing the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first implementation of a shoe upper according to my design;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the first implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 3 is a back view of the first implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 4 is a right view of the first implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 5 is a left view of the first implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the first implementation of the show upper;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the first implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second implementation of a shoe upper according to my design;

FIG. 9 is a front view of the second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 10 is a back view of the second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 11 is a right view of the second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 12 is a left view of the second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the second implementation of the show upper;

FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 15 is bottom view of a non-limiting example sole that may be used with either the first or second implementation of the shoe upper;

FIG. 16 show an example implementation of packable footwear in a compressed state and an example compression pack for receiving the compressed footwear;

FIGS. 17 and 18 show example implementations of articles of clothing including pockets for securing a pair of compressible footwear;

FIGS. 19-22 show an example implementation of a compression pack adapted for holding a pair of footwear in a compressed state; and

FIGS. 23-25 show another example implementation of a compression pack adapted for holding a pair of footwear in a compressed state.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various implementations of packable footwear are provided. The packable footwear, for example, may be lightweight and compressible. Upon compression, the footwear becomes relatively thin and compressed so that the footwear can be easily transported in a waist belt pack if a pocket, backpack or other storage unit is not available or desirable. In various implementations, because the footwear can be very thin, it can be easily transported in a pocket on an article of clothing, such as a shirt, coat or pants.

In some implementations, a device for carrying the compressed footwear includes a pack. The pack may be integrated with and/or usable with a belt, suspenders, on or more straps or other support element(s). The pack may be integrated with and/or detachable from the belt. In various implementations, the pack may be waterproof to keep the footwear dry when in the pack and/or to prevent the wearer from getting wet after taking off the footwear and putting it into the pack. In further implementations, the pack includes one or more straps (e.g., attached to the pack) to further compress the footwear so as to make it very thin and compact. In still further implementations, the pack is removable so that the user participating in a sports activity can put the footwear into a backpack or other receptacle, if so desired.

As described above, many sports enthusiasts do not like to wear a backpack or a big enough backpack to store the sports particular footwear after they are done with the sports activity. Thus, having a waist pack that has a removable strap (e.g., over the shoulder strap) that can carry the sports activity footwear can be provided. Once the sports activity is completed and the compressible footwear is on the wearer's feet, according to example implementations, the belt (or other strap) of the waist pack can be thrown over the wearer's shoulder to carry the removed sports activity footwear.

FIGS. 1-7 show various views of a first example implementation of a packable footwear 10. In this first implementation, for example, the packable footwear 10 is a boot 12 including a relatively tall boot upper 14 and a boot bottom 16. In this particular example implementation of the compressible and stackable footwear 10, the boot 12 is shown as it would look on the foot of a wearer. The design depicted shows the footwear height of the boot to extend just above an ankle of the wearer. Other heights, however, are also contemplated, such as, but not limited to, the low cut design shown in FIGS. 8-14. Other designs for example, may extend further up the leg of the wearer or cut lower than shown in FIGS. 8-14.

The boot upper 14 is adapted to cover an ankle of a wearer when worn. The upper 14 defines a shaft 18 through which a user inserts or removes his or her foot when putting on or taking off the boot 12. The upper 14 includes a relatively flexible upper region 20 and a relatively stiff lower region 22. The relatively flexible upper region 20 includes a material, such as but not limited to rip-stop fabric (e.g., rip-stop nylon). The upper layer 20 may include one or more layers as desired. In one particular implementation, for example, the upper layer 20 may include a plurality of layers, such as a laminate or other multi-layer construction, such as an outer layer (e.g., rip-stop fabric), a middle layer of inner insulation material (e.g., batting), and an inner layer of a comfortable material to be positioned next to the foot of a wearer (e.g., fleece). In the particular implementation shown in FIGS. 1-7, for example, the upper region 20 includes stitching 26 that may be used to hold a multi-layer upper region 20 together and further provide an ornamental feature. The relatively flexible upper region 20 of the upper provides a flexible, compressible layer that may be compressed against a sole 28 of the boot 12.

In this particular implementation, the relatively stiff lower region 22 provides an additional support to the wearer's foot adjacent the sole 28 of the boot 12 and, in some implementations, can serve as a mudguard or other protective layer that provides additional protection to the wearer's foot along the lower region of the boot 12. The relatively stiff lower region 22 is still readily collapsible along the sole 28 so that the boot can be collapsed to a position adjacent the sole 28 along with the upper region 20 of the boot upper 14. The lower region may similarly be formed of one or more layers.

The upper region 20 and lower region 22 may include separate layers coupled together along a connection region or may substantially overlap wherein the relatively stiff lower region 22 is disposed outside of the relatively stiff lower region 22 in the location of the lower region 22.

Although the particular implementation shown in FIGS. 1-7 show distinct upper and lower regions 20, 22, the upper 14 of the boot 12 may include a single region or additional regions.

In this implementation, the upper 14 further includes a collar support 30 surrounding at least a portion of the shaft 16 to provide further support in the ankle region of the wearer. The collar support 30, for example, may include leather, synthetic or other material. A loop 32 is further provided on the back of the boot 14 attached to the collar support 30 in this particular implementation.

The boot 12 may further include a stretchable collar 24 that extends around at least a portion of the shaft 16. The stretchable collar 24, for example, allows a wearer to insert his or her foot into the shaft 16 of the boot 12, but also allows the opening at the top of the boot to fit snugly against a wearer's ankle or leg to prevent snow or other debris from entering the boot 16. In some implementations, for example, the collar 24 includes a neoprene sleeve attached to the upper 14 and surrounding the shaft 18 that can sit snugly against the wearer's leg or ankle.

In the example implementation shown in FIGS. 1-7, the boot 12 further includes a draw cord 32 with a toggle 34 utilized for compressing the boot 12 about a foot of a wearer. In other implementations, however, other types of compression devices, such as laces, one or more straps with hook and loop (e.g., Velcro™), buckle, snap, a button or other fastener device. The draw cord 32 is laced through a plurality of openings formed in and/or on the upper 14 of the boot 12. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-7, the openings include a plurality of openings (e.g., loops 36) disposed on the upper 14 of the boot 12 and adapted to receive the draw cord 32. In this implementation, for example, the loops can include, without limitation, as shown, four ghilley loops 38 (two on each side of the boot), a pair of loops 40 of the collar support and a loop 41 disposed on a vamp 42 of the boot 12. The plurality of loops 36, however, may be any number of types of loops and/or openings in the upper 14 through which the draw cord 32 may be wound. The loops, for example, may be attached to the upper 14 or formed integrally with the upper 14 of the boot 12. When the draw cord 32 is pulled taught through the plurality of loops 36 or other openings, the draw cord 32 compresses the upper 14 of the boot together around the foot of a wearer.

In various implementations, the packable footwear 10 is constructed of one or more fabrics that are lightweight and water resistant or waterproof, such as rip-stop fabric. In one implementation, for example, a boot may include a rip-stop fabric upper, synthetic leather collar support and mud guard, a neoprene stretchable collar, nylon webbing loops. In example implementations, the sole of the footwear is flat or at least relatively flat so as to allow the footwear to collapse as much as possible. In certain implementations, the sole includes a mid-sole made of (or including) an EVA foam and an outer sole made of (or includes) molded rubber that provides traction and protection to the sole of the wearer's foot from the ground.

FIGS. 8-14 show various views of a second example implementation of packable footwear 50. In this second implementation, for example, the packable footwear 50 is a lower cut shoe 52 including a relatively shorter shoe upper 54 and a shoe bottom 56. In this particular example implementation of the compressible and stackable footwear 50, the shoe 52 is shown as it would look on the foot of a wearer. The design depicted shows the footwear height of the shoe to extend just above an ankle of the wearer. Other heights, however, are also contemplated, such as, but not limited to, the higher cut boot design shown in FIGS. 1-7. Other designs for example, may extend further up the leg of the wearer or cut lower than the shoe shown in FIGS. 8-14. For example, an open back shoe, such as a clog or slide shoe or boot design may be used.

The shoe upper 54 is adapted to cover the top of a wears foot when worn. The upper 54 defines a shaft 58 through which a user inserts or removes his or her foot when putting on or taking off the shoe 52. The upper 54 includes a relatively flexible upper region 60 and a relatively stiff lower region 62. The relatively flexible upper region 60 includes a material, such as but not limited to rip-stop fabric. The upper layer 60 may comprise one or more layers as desired. In one particular implementation, for example, the upper layer 60 may include a plurality of layers, such as a laminate or other multi-layer construction, such as an outer layer (e.g., rip-stop nylon), an middle layer of inner insulation material (e.g., batting), and an inner layer of a comfortable material to be positioned next to the foot of a wearer (e.g., fleece). In the particular implementation shown in FIGS. 8-14 for example, the upper region 60 includes stitching 66 that may be used to hold a multi-layer upper region 60 together and further provide an ornamental feature. The relatively flexible upper region 60 of the upper provides a flexible, compressible layer that may be compressed against a sole 68 of the shoe 52.

In this particular implementation, the relatively stiff lower region 62 provides an additional support to the wearer's foot adjacent the sole 68 of the shoe 12 and, in some implementations, can serve as a mudguard or other protective layer that provides additional protection to the wearer's foot along the lower region of the shoe 52. The relatively stiff lower region 62 is still readily collapsible along the sole 68 so that the shoe can be collapsed to a position adjacent the sole 68 along with the upper region 60 of the shoe upper 54. The lower region may similarly be formed of one or more layers.

The upper region 60 and lower region 62 may include separate layers coupled together along a connection region or may substantially overlap wherein the relatively stiff lower region 62 is disposed outside of the relatively flexible upper region 60 in the location of the lower region 62.

Although the particular implementation shown in FIGS. 8-14 show distinct upper and lower regions 60, 62, the upper 54 of the shoe 52 may include a single region or additional regions.

In this implementation, the upper 54 further includes a collar 70 surrounding at least a portion of the shaft 58 to provide further support in the ankle region of the wearer. In one implementation, for example, the collar includes a quilted foam collar that provides a comfortable fit against the wearer. The collar 70, for example, may include leather, neoprene, synthetic or other material. A loop 73 is further provided on the back of the shoe 54 attached to the collar support 70 in this particular implementation. The collar 70 may further include a stretchable collar lining 71 that extends around at least a portion of the shaft 58. The stretchable collar lining 71, for example, allows a wearer to insert his or her foot into the shaft of the shoe 50, but also allows the opening at the top of the shoe to fit snugly against a wearer's ankle or leg to prevent snow or other debris from entering the shoe 50.

In the example implementation shown in FIGS. 8-14, the shoe 52 further includes a draw cord 72 with a toggle 74 utilized for compressing the upper 54 about a foot of a wearer. In other implementations, however, other types of compression devices, such as laces or a strap with hook and loop (e.g., Velcro™), buckle, snap, a button or other fastener device. The draw cord 72 is laced through a plurality of openings provided in and/or on the upper 54 of the shoe 52. In the example shown in FIGS. 8-14, the openings include a plurality of loops 76 disposed on the upper 54 of the shoe 52 adapted to receive the draw cord 72. In this implementation, for example, the loops include four ghilley loops 78 (two on each side of the shoe). The plurality of loops 76, however, may be any number of types of loops and/or openings in the upper 54 through which the draw cord 72 may be wound. The loops, for example, may be attached to the upper 54 or formed integrally with the upper 54 of the shoe 52. When the draw cord 72 is pulled taught through the plurality of loops 76 or other openings, the draw cord 72 compresses the upper 54 of the shoe around the foot of the wearer.

In various implementations, the packable footwear 50 is constructed of a fabric that is lightweight and water resistant or waterproof, such as rip stop fabric. In example implementations, the sole of the footwear is flat or at least relatively flat so as to allow the footwear to collapse as much as possible. In certain implementations, the sole includes a mid-sole made of (or including) an EVA foam and an outer sole made of (or includes) molded rubber that provides traction and protection to the sole of the wearer's foot from the ground.

FIG. 15 is bottom view of a non-limiting example sole that may be used with either the first or second implementation of the shoe upper. Any other sole design may be used with packable footwear such as those shown in FIGS. 1-14.

FIG. 16 show an example implementation of packable footwear 100 in a compressed state and a compression pack 102 for receiving the compressed footwear 100 and maintaining the footwear 102 in the compressed state. The footwear 100 may include any packable, compressible footwear, such as the example implementations shown in FIGS. 1-15. The footwear 100 may be further compressed or held in compression by one or more additional straps, cords or other compression devices, although that is not required. In various example implementations, the footwear 100 in its compressed state may be slightly thicker than the sole 104 of the footwear. Thus uppers 106 of the footwear 100 may be readily compressible to about 1 to about 3 inches greater than the soles 104. In some implementations, for example, the footwear 100 may be compressible to about 2 to 2.5 inches greater than the thickness of the soles 104.

In this implementation, the footwear 100 may be compressed by positioning the footwear uppers 106 opposite each other and pushing the soles 104 of the footwear 100 toward each other to compress the uppers 106 between the soles 104. The compressed footwear 100 is then placed into a pocket or pack, such as the compression pack 102 shown in FIG. 16. Compression straps 108 of the compression pack 102 may be used to hold the footwear 100 in its compressed shape and/or to further compress the footwear 100.

According to other implementations, the footwear, in its compressed state, can fit into a rectangular pocket on an article of clothing, such as a pant, shirt or coat worn for the sports activity (e.g., a ski jacket). In example implementations, such as shown in FIGS. 17 and 18, an article of clothing includes a pocket for receiving a pair of compressed footwear. In FIG. 17, for example, a pair of pants 110 worn for a sports activity (e.g., ski pants or fishing waders) includes a rectangular (or generally rectangular) pocket 112 that is adapted to receive a pair of compressed footwear 114. Similarly, in FIG. 18, a shirt or jacket 120 includes a rectangular (or generally rectangular) pocket 122 adapted to receive a pair of compressed footwear 124. In these example implementations, the pockets may be placed in a location that is least or relatively less cumbersome to the wearer depending on the desired sports activity. In the example shown in FIG. 17, for example, the rectangular pocket 112 is located on an outside of a pant leg near the bottom of the pants. In other implementations, such as shown in FIG. 18, for example, the pocket 122 may be formed in a shirt or jacket, such as in a pocket on the back or front of the shirt or jacket.

FIGS. 19-22 shows an example implementation of a compression pack 130 adapted for holding a pair of footwear in a compressed state with one boot or shoe on top of the other boot or shoe, such as shown in FIG. 16. FIG. 19 shows a front view of the compression pack 130 (top) and a side view of the compression pack 130 (bottom). FIG. 20 shows a rear view of the compression pack 130 (top) and a view of a support strap 132, such as a belt or harness for supporting or holding the compression pack 130. FIG. 21 shows a side view of the strap 132, and FIG. 22 shows a pair of compression straps 134 coupled to the strap 132 for compressing the compression pack 130 about a pair of compressed footwear.

In this implementation, for example, the compression pack 130 includes a generally rectangular body 136 and an opening 138 for receiving compressed footwear on a longitudinal end 140 of the body 136. The compression pack 130 further includes a drawstring 144 adapted to cinch the longitudinal end 140 closed to retain the footwear within the pack 130 and protect the footwear from external environments.

The compression pack 130, support strap 132, and compression straps 134 can be coupled to each other via any attachment mechanism. In various implementations, the compression pack 130, the support strap 132 and/or the compression straps 134 may be removable from each other or integral with each other. The compression pack 130 and the support strap 132, for example, may be removably coupled with each other such that the two may be secured together for use or separated as desired or may be secured together without being easily removable. In the first instance fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™), buttons, snaps, buckles, zippers, or the like may be used. In the second instance, for example, the components may be stitched, adhered, bonded, welded, or the like.

In the implementation shown in FIGS. 19-22, for example, hook and loop fasteners 145 are used to attach the strap 132 to the compression pack 130, the compression straps 134 to the strap 132, and to attach the compression straps 134 to themselves about the compression pack 130. The components may further include loops or other structural features for coupling the components to each other. The compression pack 130, for example, may include one or more loop or channel on the rear of the pack 130, through which the strap 132 or the compression straps 134 may be extended to couple to the pack 130. The compression straps 136 further include pull tabs 146 to aid a user to grasp the compression straps 136 and attach the straps 136 to themselves via the hook and loop fasteners 145.

As shown in FIG. 21, the support strap 132 includes a webbing strap 148 (e.g., a nylon web strap) and a pair of webbing adjuster bracket 150 that allow a length of the webbing strap to be adjusted on either side of a buckle 152 by varying the size of loops 154.

FIGS. 23-25 shows a second example implementation of a compression pack 170 adapted for holding a pair of footwear in a compressed state with one boot or shoe on top of the other boot or shoe, such as shown in FIG. 16. The compression pack 170 includes a single compression strap instead of the two compression straps shown in the implementation of the compression pack 130 shown in FIGS. 19-22. FIG. 23 shows a front view of the compression pack 170 (top) and a side view of the compression pack 170 (bottom). FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of a longitudinal end of the compression pack 170 (top) showing an opening adapted to receive a compressed pair of footwear. FIG. 25 shows a rear view of the compression pack 170 (top) and a view of a support strap 172 (middle), such as a belt or harness for supporting or holding the compression pack 170, and a side view of the strap 132.

In this implementation, for example, the compression pack 170 includes a generally rectangular body 176 and an opening 178 for receiving compressed footwear on a longitudinal end 180 of the body 176. The compression pack 170 further includes a drawstring 174 adapted to cinch the longitudinal end 180 closed to retain the footwear within the pack 170 and protect the footwear from external environments.

The compression pack 170, support strap 172, and compression strap 174 can be coupled to each other via any attachment mechanism. Hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro™) buttons, snaps, buckles, zippers, or the like may be used. In the implementation shown in FIGS. 23-25, for example, hook and loop fasteners 185 are used to attach the support strap 172 to the compression pack 170, the compression strap 174 to the support strap 172, and to attach the compression strap 174 to itself about the compression pack 170. The components may further include loops or other structural features for coupling the components to each other. The compression pack 170, for example, may include one or more loop or channel on the rear of the pack 170, through which the strap 172 or the compression strap 174 may be extended to couple to the pack 170. The compression strap 174 further includes a pull tab 186 to aid a user to grasp the compression strap 176 and attach the strap 174 to themselves via the hook and loop fasteners 185.

As shown in FIG. 21, the support strap 172 includes a webbing strap 188 (e.g., a nylon web strap) and a pair of webbing adjuster bracket 190 that allow a length of the webbing strap to be adjusted on either side of a buckle 192 by varying the size of loops 194.

FIG. 24 shows the longitudinal end 178 of the compression pack 170. The opening 180 is disposed at the longitudinal end 178 of the compression pack 170, and the compression pack, in this implementation, comprises at least one sleeve 196 adapted to receive the support strap 172 and to couple the compression pack 170 to the support strap 172. The compression pack 170 further comprises a protective sheet 198 housed within an opening 200 disposed on a lateral side of the compression pack 170 adjacent to where the compression pack 170 is coupled to the support strap 172. In this particular implementation, the protective sheet may comprise an EVA sheet that provides cushioning of the compression pack 170 and is disposed adjacent the at least one sleeve

The compression packs 130 and 170, for example, may be used on or off a belt, strap, harness or the like.

Although implementations have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this invention. All directional references (e.g., upper, lower, upward, downward, left, right, leftward, rightward, top, bottom, above, below, vertical, horizontal, clockwise, and counterclockwise) are only used for identification purposes to aid the reader's understanding of the present invention, and do not create limitations, particularly as to the position, orientation, or use of the invention. Joinder references (e.g., attached, coupled, connected, and the like) are to be construed broadly and may include intermediate members between a connection of elements and relative movement between elements. As such, joinder references do not necessarily infer that two elements are directly connected and in fixed relation to each other. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative only and not limiting. Changes in detail or structure may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A compressible footwear comprising:

a flexible upper defining a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer, the upper further including a plurality of openings;
a draw cord threaded through the openings of the flexible upper; and
a sole coupled to the flexible upper,
wherein the draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer.

2. The compressible footwear of claim 1 wherein the draw cord is adapted to be secured in a compressed state by a toggle.

3. The compressible footwear of claim 1 wherein the flexible upper includes a first relatively flexible upper region coupled to a second relatively stiff lower region, wherein the relatively stiff lower region of the upper is coupled to the sole.

4. The compressible footwear of claim 1 wherein the flexible upper comprises an outer layer and an inner insulating layer.

5. The compressible footwear of claim 1 wherein the plurality of openings comprises a plurality of loops.

6. The compressible footwear of claim 5 wherein the plurality of loops comprises at least two ghilly loops.

7. The compressible footwear of claim 1 wherein the sole comprises a mid-sole comprising EVA foam and an outer sole comprising rubber.

8. A system comprising:

a compressible footwear comprising: a flexible upper defining a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer, the upper further including a plurality of openings, a draw cord threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and a sole coupled to the flexible upper, wherein the draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer; and
a compression pack comprising a body defining an opening adapted to receive the compressible footwear, a closure device for closing opening of the compression pack, and at least one compression strap coupled to the body for maintaining the compressible footwear in a compressed state within the compression pack.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the closure mechanism comprises a draw cord for pulling a flap closed at the opening of the compression pack.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the closure mechanism further comprise a toggle for securing the draw cord in a closed configuration.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the compression pack comprises a support strap coupled to the body of the compression pack.

12. The system of claim 11 wherein the support strap comprises at least one of a belt, a harness and a shoulder strap.

13. The system of claim 11 wherein the at least one compression strap is adapted to further compress the compressible footwear within the compression pack.

14. The system of claim 11 wherein the compression pack comprises a sleeve adapted to couple the compression pack to a support strap.

15. The system of claim 11 wherein the compression pack further comprises a protective sheet disposed along a lateral side adapted to couple to a support strap.

16. A method of storing compressible footwear, the method comprising:

arranging a pair of compressible footwear opposing each other and compressing the pair of compressible footwear together, each of the compressible footwear comprising a flexible upper defining a shaft for receiving a foot of a wearer, the upper further including a plurality of openings, a draw cord threaded through the openings of the flexible upper, and a sole coupled to the flexible upper, wherein the draw cord is adapted to be drawn through the plurality of openings of the flexible upper to compress the flexible upper against a foot of a wearer;
inserting the pair of compressible footwear through an opening of a compression pack, the compression pack comprising a body defining the opening adapted to receive the compressible footwear, a closure device for closing opening of the compression pack, and at least one compression strap coupled to the body for maintaining the compressible footwear in a compressed state within the compression pack; and
closing the compression pack to secure the pair of compressible footwear within the compression pack.

17. The method of claim 16 further comprising further compressing the compressible footwear within the compression pack via the at least one compression strap.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the operation of further compressing comprises tightening the at least one compression strap about the compression pack and securing the at least one compression strap to itself.

19. The method of claim 17 wherein the operation of further compressing comprises compressing the at least one compression strap relative to the compression pack.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein the compression pack is coupled to a support strap.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the support strap comprises at least one of a belt, a harness and a shoulder strap.

22. The method of claim 16 wherein the operation of compressing the pair of compressible footwear together comprises compressing the flexible upper into a substantially flat disposition relative to the sole.

23. The method of claim 16 wherein the pair of compressible footwear is arranged with the uppers of the pair of compressible footwear directly opposing each other and the operation of compressing comprises applying a force to at least one of the soles of the pair of compressible footwear to compress the flexible uppers between the soles.

Patent History
Publication number: 20130186786
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 21, 2013
Publication Date: Jul 25, 2013
Inventor: Julie A. Curtis (Highlands Ranch, CO)
Application Number: 13/746,300
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: For Apparel (206/278); Resilient Or Flexible Shoe (36/102)
International Classification: B65D 85/18 (20060101); A43B 3/24 (20060101);