Back to results
US 11,633,006 B2Granted
Rapid-entry footwear having a stabilizer and an elastic element
AssigneeFast IP, LLC
InventorsMichael Pratt, Craig Cheney
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A rapid-entry shoe having an elastic element to enlarge a foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe and also having a stabilizer to prevent a rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe from collapsing downward.
Claims6
A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
- a sole portion and an upper, the upper comprising a rear portion, a forward portion, and a side portion, the side portion extending between the rear portion and the forward portion;
- an elastic element disposed at the side portion, the elastic element extending to and forming a portion of a topline of the rapid-entry shoe, and the elastic element further extending to the sole portion;
- a stabilizer disposed at the rear portion and extending from within the sole portion, the stabilizer comprising a base portion at least partially within the sole portion and an elevated portion;
- wherein the base portion of the stabilizer defines a closed cup portion extending completely between lateral and medial sides of the sole portion;
- wherein the stabilizer comprises a curvature between its lateral and medial sides, and wherein, from the base portion toward the elevated portion, the curvature extends progressively less between its lateral and medial sides;
- wherein the elevated portion of the stabilizer comprises a flare portion extending rearward to direct a foot into a foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe;
- wherein expansion or deformation of the elastic element enlarges the foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe, and wherein contraction of the elastic element reduces the foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe;
- wherein the stabilizer is comprised of a rigid material such that the rear portion of the upper at which the stabilizer is disposed is configured to resist downward collapse;
- wherein the rapid-entry shoe comprises a foam liner oriented concave toward the sole portion;
- and
- wherein the elastic element is configured to enable the forward portion of the rapid-entry shoe to flex and/or pivot forward relative to the sole portion.
8 more elements
A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
- a sole portion and an upper, the upper comprising a rear portion, a side portion, and a forward portion;
- an elastic element disposed at the side portion, the elastic element extending to and forming a portion of a topline of the rapid-entry shoe, and the elastic element not extending to the sole portion;
- a stabilizer disposed at the rear portion and extending from within the sole portion, the stabilizer comprising a base portion at least partially within the sole portion and an elevated portion;
- wherein the stabilizer comprises an arch structure such that the base portion of the stabilizer comprises a first end and a second end, the first end coupled to or extending from a medial side of the sole portion of the rapid-entry shoe and the second end coupled to or extending from a lateral side of the sole portion of the rapid-entry shoe, wherein the elevated portion of the stabilizer extends between the first end and the second end and around the rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe, and wherein the elevated portion of the stabilizer and the base portion of the stabilizer together define a window positioned above the sole portion;
- wherein the stabilizer further comprises an expansion zone positioned exclusively within the window, the expansion zone coupled to the elevated portion of the stabilizer;
- wherein expansion or deformation of the elastic element enlarges a foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe, and wherein contraction of the elastic element reduces the foot opening of the rapid-entry shoe;
- and
- wherein the stabilizer is comprised of a rigid material such that the rear portion of the upper at which the stabilizer is disposed is configured to resist downward collapse.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.