US 4,947,560 A · Split vamp shoe with lateral stabilizer system

Abstract

This split vamp athletic shoe (10) includes separated upper and lower vamp sections (18, 22) which are independently adjustable and provide the shoe with a hinge zone providing the shoe with flexibility. The shoe also includes an outsole (14) and a midsole (16), the outsole being unitarily formed to include upwardly extending instep support portions (36) which are attached to the upper vamp and extend substantially to the leading edge of the upper vamp to stiffen the shoe particularly in the instep area and provide stabilizing restraint against lateral motion and enhance the hinge action. The outsole also includes a second set of upwardly extending side support portions (38) which are spaced from said instep side support portions. In a second embodiment the midsole (116) includes unitarily formed side portions (166) recessed to receive the outsole side portions (136) and cooperating with said side portions to provide additional lateral stabilization and further enhancing the hinge action.

Claims11

Dependent claims

In a split vamp shoe:

(a) an upper including a lower vamp section, an upper vamp section having an upwardly extending front edge, a heel section and a toe section and an instep section in the area corresponding generally to the arched middle portion of the foot, said vamp sections having means for adjusting the fit of said sections independently of each other and said sections defining a hinge zone adjacent said front edge facilitating movement of said vamp sections relative to each other;
(b) an outsole including a body portion extending lengthwise of the upper and having a rear end and a front end and an instep area in the area corresponding generally to the arched middle portion of the foot and a first set of opposed, upwardly extending side portions extending generally over the instep area and extending into and operatively attached to the instep section of the upper and having a rear edge spaced forwardly from the rear end of the outsole and a front edge generally adjacent the front edge of the upper vamp section and further defining said hinge zone and providing lateral stiffening and support for the instep section of the upper above the instep area of the outsole;
and
(c) a midsole disposed between said upper and said outsole and attached to said outsole.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Split vamp shoe with lateral stabilizer system

Life of this patent

Split vamp shoe with lateral stabilizer system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11