# US 9,038,287 B2 · Article of footwear with integral upper and sole > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,038,287 B2 - Document ID: US9038287B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/857,553 - Filed: 2013-04-05 - Published: 2013-11-07 - Granted: 2015-05-26 - Earliest claimed: 2009-11-09 - Assignees: NIKE, Inc. - Applicants: Nike, Inc. - Inventors: Thomas G. Bell; Michael R. Friton - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9038287B2 ## CPC - A43B 9/02: Footwear stitched or nailed through - A43B 1/0081: {made at least partially of hook-and-loop type material (hook and loop-type straps for fastening purpose A43C11/1493)} - A43B 3/00: Footwear characterised by the shape or the use - A43B 3/24: Collapsible or convertible - A43B 9/00: Footwear characterised by the assembling of the individual parts - A43B 9/12: Stuck or cemented footwear - A43B 13/22: Soles made slip-preventing or wear-resisting, e.g. by impregnation or spreading a wear-resisting layer - A43B 23/025: {assembled by stitching} - A43B 23/026: {Laminated layers} - A43B 23/042: {Uppers made of one piece (one piece slippers A43B3/106; one piece sandals A43B3/124)} - A43C 15/00: Non-skid devices or attachments (apparatus for climbing poles, trees, or the like A63B27/00) - A43D 111/00: Shoe machines with conveyors for jacked shoes {or for shoes or shoe parts} - A43D 999/00: Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass - A43B: CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR - A43C: FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL - A43D: MACHINES, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT OR METHODS FOR MANUFACTURING OR REPAIRING FOOTWEAR ## Abstract An article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a method of assembling the article of footwear are disclosed. The method includes folding the article of footwear from a flat configuration and attaching top and bottom lateral edges to form the article of footwear. A kit of parts containing an article of footwear with an integral upper and sole and a set of instructions is also disclosed. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An article of footwear comprising: an interior layer; an exterior layer connected to the interior layer; wherein the interior layer and the exterior layer are cut in a pattern forming an integral upper portion and sole portion; wherein the exterior layer comprises: an outer material; and a structural overlay disposed over the outer material; wherein the structural overlay comprises at least a first material and a second material, wherein the first material and second material have different levels of durability, the structural overlay having a first opening that exposes a first portion of the outer material in the upper portion; and wherein the first material comprises a ground engaging portion, the ground engaging portion having a tread pattern adjacent to the first opening. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion comprise at least one heel tab portion; and wherein the at least one heel tab portion includes a fastener. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion comprise a folding heel portion; and wherein the folding heel portion includes a back plate for engaging with the fastener. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the structural overlay includes eyelets. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the interior layer comprises an inner material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the exterior layer comprises a top lateral edge and the interior layer comprises a bottom lateral edge, the top lateral edge and the bottom lateral edge being disposed on opposite ends of the integral upper and sole portion in a preassembled and flat configuration. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the top lateral edge and bottom lateral edge comprise at least one of: interlocking fasteners, alternating channels, and preconfigured holes. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion comprise a folding heel portion, the folding heel portion being disposed parallel to the top lateral edge and the bottom lateral edge in the preassembled and flat configuration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The article of footwear according to claim 1, the structural overlay having a second opening that exposes a second portion of the outer material in the sole portion. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the first portion of the outer material is visible through the first opening of the structural overlay, and the second portion of the outer material is visible through the second opening of the structural overlay. ### Claim 11 An article of footwear comprising: an integral upper portion and sole portion comprising an exterior layer connected to an interior layer, wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion are folded along a midline so that a top lateral edge of the exterior layer is connected to a bottom lateral edge of the interior layer, wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion comprise a folding heel portion, the folding heel portion being disposed in an upright position so that the interior layer at the folding heel portion faces a forefoot region of the article of footwear in an assembled configuration, and wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion further comprise at least one heel tab portion removably attached to the exterior layer at the folding heel portion in the assembled configuration. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the exterior layer comprises a structural overlay and an outer material, wherein the interior layer comprises an inner material, and wherein the inner material is attached to the outer material. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The article of footwear according to claim 12, the structural overlay comprising: a ground engaging portion having a tread pattern; a first opening that exposes a first portion of the outer material in the upper portion; and a second opening that exposes a second portion of the outer material in the ground engaging portion. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The article of footwear according to claim 13, wherein the first portion of the outer material is visible through the first opening of the structural overlay, and the second portion of the outer material is visible through the second opening of the structural overlay. ### Claim 15 An article of footwear comprising: a first preassembled configuration, comprising: an interior layer; an exterior layer connected to the interior layer; wherein the interior layer and the exterior layer are cut in a pattern forming an integral upper portion and sole portion in a flat configuration; wherein the exterior layer comprises a top lateral edge and the interior layer comprises a bottom lateral edge, the top lateral edge and the bottom lateral edge being disposed on opposite ends of the integral upper and sole portion in the first preassembled configuration; and wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion comprise a folding heel portion, the folding heel portion being disposed parallel to the top lateral edge and the bottom lateral edge in the first preassembled configuration; a second assembled configuration, comprising: the integral upper portion and sole portion being folded along a midline so that the top lateral edge of the exterior layer is connected to the bottom lateral edge of the interior layer, and wherein the folding heel portion is disposed in an upright position so that the interior layer at the folding heel portion faces a forefoot region of the article of footwear in the second assembled configuration; wherein the integral upper portion and sole portion further comprise at least one heel tab portion being disposed parallel to the top lateral edge and the bottom lateral edge in the first preassembled configuration; and wherein the at least one heel tab portion is removably attached to the exterior layer at the folding heel portion in the second assembled configuration. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the at least one heel tab portion includes a fastener. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the folding heel portion includes a back plate for engaging with the fastener. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The article of footwear according to claim 15, wherein the exterior layer comprises a structural overlay and an outer material, wherein the interior layer comprises an inner material, and wherein the inner material is attached to the outer material. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The article of footwear according to claim 18, the structural overlay comprising: a ground engaging portion having a tread pattern; a first opening that exposes a first portion of the outer material in the upper portion; and a second opening that exposes a second portion of the outer material in the ground engaging portion. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The article of footwear according to claim 19, wherein the first portion of the outer material is visible through the first opening of the structural overlay, and the second portion of the outer material is visible through the second opening of the structural overlay.