Article of Footwear for Fencing

• US 20080078102A1
• Filed: 09/28/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Nike, Inc.
• Inventors: Fusco, Ciro, Kilgore, Bruce
• Granted Patent: US 7,543,397 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/50.1
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 19/00 Shoe-shaped inserts; Inserts covering the instep
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/025 assembled by stitching
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0255 assembled by gluing or thermo bonding
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 5/00 Footwear for sporting purposes non-skid devices, e.g. ice-spurs or studs for football shoes, A43C15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/08 with air-holes, with or without closures
• CPC Class Codes: A43C 1/00 Shoe lacing fastenings garment fastening devices A41F
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/02 for fencing , e.g. means for indicating hits

Abstract

An article of footwear is disclosed. The article of footwear includes a multi-layered upper. A bootie configured to fit snugly about the foot of the wearer forms the interior of the upper. An outer covering substantially encases the bootie and is attached to the bootie only along a lateral side of the upper. The outer covering includes a split forming an opening on the lateral side of the upper, with the split in the outer covering extending into the small toe region of the upper. The opening is adjustable to tighten the shoe around the foot of the wearer, so a lacing system is provided coincident with the opening. A flap is positioned between the outer covering and the bootie underneath the opening. The flap is secured to the outer covering and the bootie on a lateral side of the opening.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

a bootie forming an interior of an upper;

an outer layer substantially covering the bootie;

the outer layer including an opening on a lateral side of the article of footwear; and

the bootie attached to the outer layer on the lateral side of the article of footwear so that the bootie is displaceable with respect to the outer layer.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a portion of the opening being adjustable.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2 further comprising a lacing system disposed on or around the opening.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, the asymmetric opening extending to the sole of the article of footwear in a toe region.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the bootie is configured to fit snugly around a foot of a wearer.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a flap positioned between the outer layer and the bootie;

the flap attached to the bootie and the outer layer on one side of the opening.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 6, wherein the flap is attached to the bootie on a medial side of the opening.

8. A fencing shoe comprising:

an upper including an outer covering having a split extending to a toe region on a lateral side of the fencing shoe;

a cup outsole attached to the upper, a portion of the outsole extending at least partially over a toe region on a medial side of the fencing shoe; and

a notch formed in the cup outsole to expose the split.

9. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, the outsole being rounded and thickened in a heel region of the fencing shoe.

10. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, wherein the portion of the outsole extending over the toe region is rounded and smooth.

11. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, wherein the outsole is made of a smooth, resilient material.

12. The fencing shoe according to claim 11, wherein the outsole is made of TPU.

13. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, further comprising an adjustment system disposed on or near the split for adjusting an opening of the split.

14. The fencing shoe according to claim 13, the adjustment system comprising a lacing system, a hook-and-eye closure system, or a slide fastener.

15. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, wherein a portion of the opening of the split is fixed.

16. The fencing shoe according to claim 8, wherein the split extends to a small toe region of the upper.

17. A multi-layered upper for an article of footwear comprising:

an inner layer configured to substantially encase a foot;

an outer layer covering at least a portion of the inner layer;

the outer layer having an opening disposed on a lateral side of the upper;

a middle layer disposed between the inner layer and the outer layer; and

the middle layer positioned underneath the opening.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the opening extends to a small toe region of the upper.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 18, wherein the opening extends to an upper-sole interface.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the inner layer is displaceable relative to the outer layer.

21. The article of footwear according to claim 20, wherein the inner layer is attached to the outer layer only on a lateral side of the opening.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 17, wherein the inner layer is attached to the middle layer on a medial side and a lateral side of the opening.