Boots – shoes – and leggings – Boots and shoes – With adjustment of shoe size
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-22
2001-08-28
Kavanaugh, Ted (Department: 3728)
Boots, shoes, and leggings
Boots and shoes
With adjustment of shoe size
C036S008400, C036S068000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06279251
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to shoes and, more particularly, to a shoe having expansible components that permit the shoe to automatically adjust in size as the wearer's foot grows without sacrificing comfort, support, or fit.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In general, shoes are designed to fit a specific size foot and may be made of an expansible or stretchable material which snugly, but comfortably holds the wearer's foot. However, if a wearer has an increasing foot size, such as a child, the shoes are not likely to fit the wearer's foot comfortably for very long. In some cases, the shoes will be barely worn before they no longer fit the child's foot. To prevent this, the shoe can be bought in a larger size so that the child grows into the shoe. But, in that case, for some period of time the child's foot is loose and may slide frontwards and backwards in the shoe. To prevent sliding, the laces of a shoe may be tied tightly so that the child's heel is held against the back of the shoe. However, this may cause discomfort for the child. Other reasons for variation in foot size include, by way of nonlimiting example, weight gain, weight loss, and water retention. Therefore, to reduce the frequency with which shoes must be replaced for the above reasons, a shoe is needed that will accommodate a certain amount of growth without sacrificing comfort, support, or fit.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a shoe that includes an expansible inner lining positioned proximate the toe portion of the shoe that snugly conforms to the wearer's foot. The inner lining receives at least the toe portion of the wearer's foot and holds the wearer's foot against the heel end of the shoe. The inventive shoe is designed with a gap between the shoe upper and the expansible lining that permits the wearer's foot to stretch the lining. The variable size of the lining allows the shoe to accomodate a range of foot sizes spanning at least one shoe size, and preferably approximately two shoe sizes. Therefore, a user preferably buys the shoes when the wearer's feet are at the smaller end of the range of foot sizes which the shoe can accomodate. The user can wear these shoes until the wearer's feet grow to exceed the upper end of the range of foot sizes. This is especially useful for children's shoes but may also be used by adults, who may experience a variation in foot size for various medical reasons such, by way of non-limiting example, as weight gain, weight loss, and water retention.
The expansible lining used in the inventive shoe may comprise ½, ¾, or a fill length of the shoe upper or any other suitable size to securely and comfortably support the wearer's foot. The expansible lining may be made from any type of expandable material but is preferably made from a porous material such as an elastized, meshed nylon fabric. The expansible lining of the shoe is secured to the sole of the shoe which includes an outsole and may optionally include a midsole.
A counter located at the heel portion of the inventive shoe, may also include an expandable element having a plurality of fingers extending in a substantially upward and vertical direction away from the heel in addition to or instead of the expansible lining. The expandable counter is configured to expand and permit the shoe to accommodate the wearer's foot as the foot grows while still providing a comfortable and supportive shoe. The plurality of fingers are preferably strong enough to provide support to the wearer's heel but, are also flexible enough to accommodate growth of the wearer's foot. The inventive shoe thus accomodates the wearer's foot as it grows or expands widthwise and/or lengthwise within a range of sizes, thereby reducing the frequency with which shoes must be replaced and without sacrificing fit, support or comfort.
The toe portion of the inventive shoe may optionally be transparent and may include a fit indicator to permit viewing of the expansible lining and to enable the wearer or another to determine when new shoes are required, i.e., when the wearer's foot has outgrown the shoe.
Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale and are designed solely for purposes of illustration and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1752254 (1930-03-01), Gosnell
patent: 2126608 (1938-08-01), Brady
patent: 2464571 (1949-03-01), Gardner
patent: 2654965 (1953-10-01), Sloan et al.
patent: 2867920 (1959-01-01), Dube
patent: 4519147 (1985-05-01), Jones, Jr.
patent: 5060402 (1991-10-01), Rosen
patent: 5259126 (1993-11-01), Rosen
patent: 5554694 (1996-09-01), Crow
patent: 114882 (1942-03-01), None
Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Kavanaugh Ted
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