FLAPPED HEEL SHOE

Abstract

Described herein is a plurality of athletic shoes including a sole portion comprising a toe end and a heel end having a medial side edge extending from a midline of the heel end to a midline of the toe end and a lateral side edge extending from a midline of the heel end to the midline of the toe end; an upper portion comprising a medial portion having a lower edge attached to the medial side edge of the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end to around the medial side; the medial portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of a wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot; and a lateral portion having a lower edge securely attached to the lateral side edge of the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end along the lateral side to a point before the midline of the heel end; the lateral portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot; wherein the lateral portion is removably attached to the medial portion; and wherein the upper portion is adapted for entry of a foot from a rear of the shoe.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is related to shoes having rear entries and methods of using the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many people need shoes that are easy to put on and wear. As such, shoes having a rear entry would be useful for such individuals.

SUMMARY OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of athletic shoes. The plurality of athletic shoes includes a sole portion and an upper portion. The sole portion includes a toe end and a heel end having a medial side edge extending from a midline of the toe end to a midline of the heel end on a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side edge extending from the midline of the toe end to the midline of the heel end on a lateral side of the shoe. The upper portion comprises a medial portion having a lower edge securely attached to the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end to the midline of the heel end to a portion of the lateral side; the medial portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of a wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of a wearer's forefoot. The lateral portion preferably has a lower edge securely attached to the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end along the lateral side to a point before the midline of the heel end; the lateral portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot. Preferably, the lateral portion is removeably attached to the medial portion; and wherein the upper portion is adapted for entry of a foot from the rear of the shoe. Preferably, the upper portion is adapted for entry of a foot on a lateral side of the rear of the shoe. In one aspect of the present invention, the medial portion comprises a pull strap and the lateral portion comprises a flap, the pull strap and the flap being removeably attached to each other. Preferably, the pull strap overlaps the flap at the rear of the shoe. Preferably, the plurality of athletic shoes is a pair of athletic shoes. In one aspect of the present invention, the upper portion is not substantially or completely openable to an outside.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method. The method includes providing a plurality of athletic shoes as described herein. In one aspect of the present invention, the method further comprises the steps of detaching the pull strap and the flap; inserting a wearer's foot into the shoe through the rear of the shoe; and attaching the pull strap and the flap.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plurality of athletic shoes. The plurality of athletic shoes comprise a sole portion; an upper portion attached to the sole portion; wherein the upper portion is adapted for receiving a foot at a rear of the shoe; and a plurality of faux shoe laces attached to the upper portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention may be more readily understood by referring to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of FIG. 1 showing the lateral side of the shoe;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 1 showing the medial side of the shoe; and

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the shoe of FIG. 1.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be appreciated that terms such as “front,” “back,” “top,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “above,” and “side” used herein are merely for ease of description and refer to the orientation of the components as shown in the figures. It should be understood that any orientation of the components described herein is within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a preferred embodiment of an athletic shoe 10 (as used herein, “athletic shoe” may be interchangeable with “shoe”) is shown and described. As used herein, “shoe” may refer to a shoe that is adapted to be worn on the right or left foot of an individual. As used herein, “plurality” means at least one. Preferably, the shoe 10 includes a sole portion 12, and an upper portion 14 attached to the sole portion 12. Preferably, the upper portion 14 is adapted for entry of a foot at a rear of the shoe 10.

In a preferred embodiment, the shoe 10 includes a medial side and a lateral side. Preferably, the medial side refers to the side that faces the individual when the shoe is worn, and the lateral side refers to the side that does not face the individual when the shoe is worn.

In a preferred embodiment, shoe 10 has a midline 20. As used herein, “midline” refers to the midline of the shoe 10. Preferably, the “midline” is the center of mass of the shoe 10. It follows that the “midline” of the upper portion 14 and the “midline” of the sole portion 12 are preferably in the same plane. Reference to “midline” of a part of the shoe 10, i.e., reference to “a midline of the toe end” preferably refers to the midline of the shoe at that part of the shoe. In other embodiments, the midline of various parts of the shoe may be different. In yet other embodiments, the “midline” may refer to a middle plane of the shoe, from a toe end of the shoe to the heel end of the shoe, without taking into consideration its center of mass.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sole portion 12 includes a toe end 12a and a heel end 12b, a medial side edge 13M extending from, or at, about the midline 20 at the toe end 12a to at, or about, the midline 20 at the heel end 12b on the medial side. Preferably, the sole portion 12 includes a lateral side edge 13L extending from, or at, about a midline of the toe end 12a to at, or about, a midline of the heel end 12b on the lateral side. Preferably, the sole portion 12 is adapted for athletic use and includes traction (not shown) on a bottom of the shoe 10 and sufficient padding to be worn for such use. In other embodiments, the sole portion 12 may not have traction and/or may be adapted for other uses.

In a preferred embodiment, the upper portion 14 of the shoe 10 is securely attached to the sole portion 12 of the shoe 10. Preferably, the upper portion 14 includes a medial portion 16 and a lateral portion 18. Preferably, each of the medial portion 16 and the lateral portion 18 is securely attached to at least a portion of the sole portion 12. Preferably, the medial portion 16 faces the middle of the body of the individual when the shoe 12 is worn, and the lateral portion faces the outside of the body when worn, irrespective of whether the shoe is adapted to be worn on a left foot or a right foot. As used herein, reference to “medial portion” and/or “lateral portion” may include a top of the shoe, i.e., the portion having the shoe laces and/or faux shoe laces, or may not include the top portion of the shoe 10.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the medial portion 16 includes a lower edge 16a that is securely attached to the medial side edge 13M of the sole portion 12. Preferably, the lower edge 16a of the medial portion 16 securely attaches to, and extends from, a midline 20a of the toe end 12a of sole portion 12, to a midline 20b of the heel end 12b of sole portion 12, and past the midline 20b of the heel end 12b to the lateral side of the shoe 10. As used herein, “extends from/to” means “securely attached from/to” and not removably attached. In this manner, the lower edge 16a of the medial portion 16 is preferably securely attached to medial side edge 13M of the sole portion 12 and a portion of the lateral side edge 13L of the sole portion 12. Preferably, this configuration of the lower edge 16a of the medial portion 16 being securely attached to at least a portion of the lateral side edge 13L of the shoe 10 increases the strength of the shoe, allowing it to be adapted for athletic use. For example, this configuration allows for better strength along the medial side of the foot allowing for quick movements and better stability. In other embodiments, the lower edge 16a of the medial portion 16 does not extend past the midline 20b of the heel end 12b, and, as such, is not securely attached to a portion of the lateral side edge 13L. For example, the lower edge 16a of the medial portion 16 may extend to the midline 20b of the heel end 12b, but not extend past it to the lateral side.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lateral portion 18 has a lower edge 18a that is securely attached to the lateral side edge 13L and extends on the lateral side from the midline 20a of the toe end 12a to a point before the midline 20b of the heel end 12b. Preferably, the lower edge 18a of the lateral portion 18 is not securely attached to the lateral side edge 13L past the midline 20b of the heel end 12b. In other embodiments, the lower edge 18a of the lateral portion 18 may be securely attached to, and may extend to, the midline 20b of the heel end 12b and/or past the midline 20b of the heel end 12b to the medial side.

In a preferred embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 1, the medial portion 16 overlaps the lateral portion 18 on an outside of the shoe 10. Likewise, the lateral portion 18 overlaps the medial portion 16 on an inside of the shoe 10. Preferably, each of the medial portion 16 and lateral portion 18 converge and are securely attached at the same or substantially similar location or point on the sole portion 12 on the lateral side of the shoe 10. This location or point is best shown in FIG. 1, and identified by the numerical identifier “50.” Preferably, point 50 is at the rear of the shoe 10, offset from midline 20b of the heel end 12b of the shoe 10. Preferably, at point 50, the medial portion 16 is securely attached to the sole portion 12 of the shoe 10, and the lateral portion 18 is securely attached to the medial portion 16 of the shoe 10. This configuration allows for increased strength and resilience of the shoe. In other embodiments, at the point or location where the medial portion 16 and the lateral portion 18 converge, the configuration may be reversed, and/or any other configuration may be used. For example, the medial portion 16 and/or lateral portion 18 may be attached to any other part of shoe at the point or location. Additionally, and as best shown in FIG. 1, the medial portion 16 and the lateral portion 18 at least partially overlap in the attached, as well as detached position. In other embodiments, the lateral edge 18a of the lateral portion 18 overlaps the medial portion 16 at the rear of the shoe 10, extends past the midline 20b at the toe end 12b, and securely attaches to a point on the medial side edge 13M of the shoe 10. In other embodiments, the medial portion and/or the lateral portion may not converge at any point or location at the rear of the shoe.

In a preferred embodiment, the shoe 10 is an athletic shoe. Preferably, the shoe 10 is adapted for entry of a foot at the rear of the shoe 10. Preferably, the shoe 10 has faux shoe laces 32. As used herein, “faux shoe laces” means shoe laces that do not need to be untied to insert the foot, and do not need to be tied to secure the foot in the shoe. In this regard, the foot enters from the rear, and shoe laces do not need to be untied to insert the foot in the shoe 10. Nor do shoe laces need to be tied to tighten the shoe once the foot is inserted in the shoe 10. Preferably, the shoe 10 is designed for a child's foot, and the child will not trip over his or her shoe laces, because the shoe laces do not need to be tied or untied to insert the foot or untied to remove the foot from the shoe. In this regard, the foot is simply inserted from the rear of the shoe and removed from the rear of the shoe. In other embodiments, the shoe 10 may not comprise faux shoe laces, i.e., may comprise real shoe laces and/or may not comprise any shoe laces. In yet other embodiments, the shoe 10 may be designed for an adult's foot.

In a preferred embodiment, the medial portion 16 and the lateral portion 18 are removably attached at the rear of the shoe 10 via a hook and loop fastener, such as VELCRO®. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the medial portion 16 comprises a pull strap 40 having loops on its inner surface, and the lateral portion 18 comprises flap 42 having hooks on its outer surface. In other embodiments, the medial portion 16 has hooks on its inner surface, and lateral portion 18 has loops on its outer surface 18a. In yet other embodiments, the medial and lateral portions may be attached by any other means, such as snaps, buttons, laces, and the like. In yet other embodiments, medial portion 16 may not comprise pull strap and/or lateral portion 18 may not comprise flap. In yet other embodiments, medial portion 16 may comprise flap, and lateral portion may comprise pull strap.

In a preferred embodiment, detaching the pull strap 40 and flap 42 forms an opening 60 for receiving a foot from the rear of the shoe 10. In a preferred embodiment, an edge 64, as best shown in FIG. 4, of lateral portion 18 is at an angle 62 relative to the sole portion 12 while in an attached and/or detached position.

In a preferred embodiment, the angle 62 of the edge 64 relative to the sole portion 12 is less than about 180 degrees. In a more preferred embodiment, the angle 62 of the edge 64 relative to the sole portion 12 is less than about 90 degrees. In highly preferred embodiment, the angle 62 of the edge 64 relative to the sole portion 12 is less than about 60 degrees. In this regard, there is a space 66 that is defined by the edge 64 and the sole portion 12 when the lateral portion 18 is in the attached or substantially attached position. The presence of the space 66 allows for more room for the heel of the foot, as the heel of the foot can rest up against an inside of the shoe, i.e., can rest up against the medial portion. In other embodiments, the edge 64 and the sole portion 12 i.e., the lateral portion 18 and the sole portion 12, may be at any angle relative to each other.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methods and elements described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the methods and systems described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

1. A plurality of athletic shoes comprising;

(a) a sole portion comprising a toe end and a heel end having a medial side edge extending from a midline of the toe end to a midline of the heel end on a medial side of the shoe and a lateral side edge extending from the midline of the toe end to the midline of the heel end on a lateral side of the shoe;

(b) an upper portion comprising: (a) a medial portion having a lower edge securely attached to the sole portion and extending from the midline of the toe end to the midline of the heel end on the medial side, and past the midline of the heel end to a portion of the lateral side; the medial portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of a wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot; and (b) a lateral portion having a lower edge securely attached to the sole portion and extending from the midline of toe end along the lateral side to a point before the midline of the heel end; the lateral portion comprising a heel end portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's heel and having a forefoot portion for contacting with at least a portion of the wearer's forefoot;

wherein the lateral portion is removably attached to the medial portion; and wherein the upper portion is adapted for entry of a foot from a rear of the shoe.

2. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is adapted for entry of a foot on a lateral side of the rear of the shoe.

3. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 1, wherein the medial portion comprises a pull strap and the lateral portion comprises a flap, the pull strap and the flap being removably attached to each other.

4. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 3, further comprising faux shoe laces.

5. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 4, wherein the pull strap overlaps the flap at the rear of the shoe.

6. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 5, wherein the plurality of athletic shoes is a pair of athletic shoes.

7. The plurality of athletic shoe of claim 3, wherein at least partially detaching the pull strap and the flap defines an opening for receiving the foot.

8. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 3, wherein the flap and the pull strap are removably attached via a hook and loop fastener.

9. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 1, wherein the upper portion is not substantially or completely openable to an outside.

9. A method comprising:

(a) providing the plurality of athletic shoes of claim 3.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising the steps of detaching the pull strap and the flap; inserting a wearer's foot into the shoe through the rear of the shoe; and attaching the pull strap and the flap.

11. A plurality of athletic shoes comprising:

(a) a sole portion;

(b) an upper portion attached to the sole portion, wherein the upper portion is adapted for receiving a foot at a rear of the shoe; and

(c) a plurality of faux shoe laces attached to the upper portion.

12. The plurality of athletic shoes of claim 11, wherein the upper portion comprises a medial portion and a lateral portion, wherein the medial portion and the lateral portion are removeably attached.