Boots – shoes – and leggings – Uppers – Closure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-02-29
2001-10-23
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Uppers
Closure
C036S097000, C036S045000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06305103
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to footwear and, more particularly, to articles of footwear that include a locking component for securing the article to the foot of a wearer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Footwear, such as shoes or boots, may be secured to the foot of a wearer in a number of ways depending upon the design of the shoe and the activity of the wearer. In some cases, such as during athletic activities, it may be desirable to tightly secure the footwear article to the foot to provide sufficient support. For example, certain shoes designed for such activities are tightly secured by lacing a shoelace through a series of eyelets, pulling the lace tight, and tying the lace. When secured to the foot of the wearer as such, such shoes generally are not readily removed without untying the lace.
In other cases, it may be more comfortable to wear shoes that are more loosely secured to the feet of the wearer. Furthermore, it may be desirable to wear shoes that can easily be put on or removed, for example, without having to tie or untie laces. Some footwear articles include elastic regions, such as gussets, that are capable of stretching and may increase comfort and/or facilitate removing and putting on the article. However such articles generally are not tightly secured to the foot of a wearer in all situations. For example, forces that arise during certain activities, such as those caused by the repeated flexing of the foot, may cause the elastic region to stretch. The stretching of the elastic region reduces the securement of the article on the foot and the support provided by the article. Such articles, therefore, may not be well-suited for certain activities.
Accordingly, in some cases the wearer may want footwear articles to be tightly secured to te his feet while, in other cases, comfort and the ease of removing or putting on the shoe may be more important to the wearer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a footwear article that may be worn in a first mode which permits easy removal, or may be worn in a second mode that provides a secure fit. The article includes an elastic region and a locking component on at least one of its sides. When worn in the first mode, the elastic region is capable of stretching which may increase the wearer's comfort and facilitates removing the article and putting on the article at a later time. When worn in the second mode, a fastener, such as a shoelace, is engaged with the locking component prior to tying. The engagement between the locking component and the shoelace restricts the stretching of the elastic material, thus, tightly securing the article on the foot. The article enables the wearer to select the mode of wearing most suitable for the particular activity contemplated. Furthermore, the wearer may simply modes without removing the shoe.
In one aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear designed to be worn on a foot of a wearer. The article includes a sole having a top surface. The article further includes an upper section extending upwards from the top surface of the sole and designed to enclose, at least in part, the foot of the wearer. The upper section has a first side including a stretchable elastic region and a locking component. The article further includes a fastener capable of engagement with the locking component to inhibit stretching of the elastic region.
In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear designed to be worn on a foot of a wearer. The article includes a sole having a top surface. The article further includes an upper section extending upwards from the top surface of the sole and designed to enclose, at least in part, the foot of the wearer. The upper section has a first and a second side each respectively including a series of receiving members aligned along an upper edge. The first and the second side include a stretchable elastic region positioned between a portion of the series of the receiving members and a locking component. The article further includes a shoelace capable of cooperating with the receiving members to secure the article to the foot and capable of engagement with the locking component to inhibit stretching of the elastic region.
In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear designed to be worn on a foot of a wearer in a first mode and a second mode. The article includes a sole having a top surface. The article further includes an upper section extending upwards from the top surface and designed to enclose, at least in part, the foot of the wearer. The upper section has a first side including an elastic region. When the article is worn in the first mode, the elastic region is capable of stretching. When the article is worn in the second mode, stretching of the elastic region is inhibited.
Other advantages, aspects, and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
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Gravis Footwear, Inc.
Mohandesi Jila
Sewell Paul T.
Wolf Greenfield & Sacks P.C.
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