Rapid-entry footwear having a compressible lattice structure

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10973279-B2
Application number	US-202016899586-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 12, 2020
Priority date	Jan 7, 2019
Publication date	Apr 13, 2021
Grant date	Apr 13, 2021

Abstract

Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.

First claim

We claim:

1. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
a base; and
a heel portion comprising a compressible lattice structure,
wherein the compressible lattice structure is comprised of a plurality of ribs,
wherein the plurality of ribs defines a plurality of apertures,
wherein the compressible lattice structure has an open position in which an opening of the rapid-entry shoe is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual donning the rapid-entry shoe, and
wherein the compressible lattice structure has a closed position in which the opening is unexpanded to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe;

wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of larger ribs;
wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of smaller ribs;
wherein the plurality of larger ribs and the plurality of smaller ribs are comprised of a unitary structure formed from a single mold;
wherein a plurality of smaller ribs extend between immediately adjacent ribs of the plurality of larger ribs;
wherein in the open position the compressible lattice structure is compressed downward toward the base of the rapid-entry shoe such that the plurality of apertures are collapsed;
wherein in the closed position the compressible lattice structure is expanded such that the plurality of apertures are un-collapsed; and
wherein the compressible lattice structure biases the rapid-entry shoe toward the closed position.

2. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are open, pass- through holes.

3. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 1 , wherein the compressible lattice structure is integrated within an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe.

4. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 1 , wherein an upper of the rapid-entry shoe comprises a recess bounded by a step within which to receive the compressible lattice structure such that the intersection between the compressible lattice structure and the upper of the rapid-entry shoe is substantially flush.

5. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 1 , wherein a bottom rear portion of the compressible lattice structure comprises a lattice relief and a top rear portion of a midsole or an outsole comprises a midsole relief to accommodate collapse of the compressible lattice structure or an upper therein.

6. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of larger ribs is concave toward a rear portion of the base, and wherein each of the plurality of smaller ribs is convex toward the rear portion.

7. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
a base; and
a heel portion comprising a lattice structure,
wherein the lattice structure is comprised of a plurality of intersecting ribs,
wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs defines a plurality of apertures,
wherein the lattice structure has an open position in which an opening of the rapid-entry shoe is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual donning the rapid-entry shoe, and
wherein the lattice structure has a closed position in which the opening is unexpanded to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe;

a flange located proximal a bottom edge of the lattice structure;
a stabilizer located proximal a top edge of the lattice structure;
wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs comprises a plurality of larger ribs;
wherein the plurality of intersecting ribs comprises a plurality of smaller ribs;
wherein each of the plurality of larger ribs comprises a length extending between a lateral side of the flange and a medial side of the flange;
wherein each of the plurality of smaller ribs comprises a length extending between a lateral side of the stabilizer and a medial side of the stabilizer;
wherein the length of the larger ribs is progressively shorter toward the base;
wherein the length of the smaller ribs is progressively longer toward the base;
wherein in the open position the lattice structure is compressed downward toward the base of the rapid-entry shoe such that the plurality of apertures are collapsed;
wherein in the closed position the lattice structure is expanded such that the plurality of apertures are un-collapsed; and
wherein the lattice structure biases the rapid-entry shoe toward the closed position.

8. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 7 , wherein the plurality of apertures are open, pass-through holes.

9. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 7 , wherein the lattice structure is integrated within an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe.

10. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 7 , wherein an upper of the rapid-entry shoe comprises a recess bounded by a step within which to receive the lattice structure such that the intersection between the lattice structure and the upper of the rapid-entry shoe is substantially flush.

11. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 7 , wherein a bottom rear portion of the lattice structure comprises a lattice relief and a top rear portion of a midsole or an outsole comprises a midsole relief to accommodate collapse of the lattice structure or an upper therein.

12. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
a base; and
a heel portion comprising a lattice structure,
wherein the lattice structure is comprised of a plurality of ribs,
wherein the plurality of ribs defines a plurality of apertures,
wherein the lattice structure has an open position in which an opening of the rapid- entry shoe is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual donning the rapid-entry shoe, and
wherein the lattice structure has a closed position in which the opening is unexpanded to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe;

wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of larger ribs;
wherein the plurality of ribs comprises a plurality of smaller ribs;
wherein a plurality of smaller ribs are positioned between immediately adjacent ribs of the plurality of larger ribs;
wherein in the open position the lattice structure is compressed downward toward the base of the rapid-entry shoe such that the plurality of apertures are collapsed;
wherein in the closed position the lattice structure is expanded such that the plurality of apertures are un-collapsed; and
wherein the lattice structure biases the rapid-entry shoe toward the closed position.

13. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 12 , wherein the plurality of apertures are open, pass-through holes.

14. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 12 , wherein the lattice structure is integrated within an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe.

15. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 12 , wherein an upper of the rapid-entry shoe comprises a recess bounded by a step within which to receive the lattice structure such that the intersection between the lattice structure and the upper of the rapid-entry shoe is substantially flush.

16. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 12 , wherein a bottom rear portion of the lattice structure comprises a lattice relief and a top rear portion of a midsole or an outsole comprises a midsole relief to accommodate collapse of the lattice structure or an upper therein.

17. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
a base;
a heel portion comprising a compressible lattice structure,
wherein the compressible lattice structure is comprised of a plurality of ribs,
wherein the plurality of ribs defines a plurality of apertures,
wherein the compressible lattice structure has an open position in which an opening of the rapid-entry shoe is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual donning the rapid-entry shoe, and
wherein the compressible lattice structure has a closed position in which the opening is unexpanded to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe; and

a flang

Assignees

• Fast Ip Llc

Inventors

• Cheney Craig
• Hermann Steven

Classifications

• A43C11/004

  Fastenings fixed along the upper edges of the uppers · CPC title

• A43B23/027

  with a part of the upper particularly flexible, e.g. permitting articulation or torsion · CPC title

• A43B21/26

  Resilient heels · CPC title

• A43B11/00 Primary

  Footwear with arrangements to facilitate putting-on or removing, e.g. with straps · CPC title

• A43B3/248

  Collapsible, e.g. foldable for travelling · CPC title