US 2014/0196313 A1 · EASY ACCESS ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR

Abstract

Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, may include: (a) an upper including an opening through which a leg of a wearer extends, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening at least to a heel area of the upper; (b) a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening and optionally tightening the shoe on the foot; and (c) a sole structure engaged with the upper. The foot insertion opening widely opens the side and/or rear area of the shoe to allow for easy insertion and removal of a foot. Such uppers can be particularly useful for hightop athletic footwear, boots, or other footwear that extends up to or at least partially over a wearer's ankles.

Claims33

Dependent claims

An article of footwear, comprising:

an upper including a top opening, a first side edge extending forward from the top opening and along an instep area, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge and extending forward from the top opening and along the instep area, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from the first side edge at least to a heel area of the upper;
a zipper system for at least partially closing the foot insertion opening engaged with the upper;
and
a sole structure engaged with the upper.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Easy access articles of footwear

Life of this patent

Easy access articles of footwear

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims33