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US 4,265,032 AGranted
Expandable article of footwear
AssigneeBetherb, Inc.
InventorBeth Levine
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An expandable article of footwear having a sole with an upper formed over at least a portion of the sole. At least a part of the upper has formed therein an array of elongated slits. The slits are colinearly arranged into substantially parallel columns with the slits spaced part in the columnar direction. The slits of adjacent columns are in staggered relationship with each other. In this manner, when the article of footwear is worn, the openings defined by the slits expand into a generally oval shape.
Claims13
An expandable article of footwear comprising
- a sole with an upper disposed over at least a portion of said sole,
- a free edge of said upper providing an opening through which a foot enters into said article of footwear,
- said upper including means for permitting a major portion of said upper to expand,
- said means also permitting said free edge to expand to accommodate entry of the foot,
- said means including an array of elongated slits colinearly arranged into substantially parallel columns, said slits extending through said upper and being spaced apart in the columnar direction, said slits of adjacent columns being disposed in staggered relationship with each other, and
- said slits being substantially perpendicular to said free edge with a plurality of said slits extending through said free edge.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.