EASY ACCESS ARTICLES OF FOOTWEAR
First Claim
1. An article of footwear, comprising:
- an upper including a top opening, a first side edge extending forward from the top opening and along an instep area, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge and extending forward from the top opening and along the instep area, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from the first side edge at least to a heel area of the upper;
a zipper system for at least partially closing the foot insertion opening engaged with the upper; and
a sole structure engaged with the upper.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Articles of footwear, including athletic footwear, may include: (a) an upper including an opening through which a leg of a wearer extends, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening at least to a heel area of the upper; (b) a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening and optionally tightening the shoe on the foot; and (c) a sole structure engaged with the upper. The foot insertion opening widely opens the side and/or rear area of the shoe to allow for easy insertion and removal of a foot. Such uppers can be particularly useful for hightop athletic footwear, boots, or other footwear that extends up to or at least partially over a wearer'"'"'s ankles.
36 Citations
33 Claims
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1. An article of footwear, comprising:
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an upper including a top opening, a first side edge extending forward from the top opening and along an instep area, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge and extending forward from the top opening and along the instep area, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from the first side edge at least to a heel area of the upper; a zipper system for at least partially closing the foot insertion opening engaged with the upper; and a sole structure engaged with the upper. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. An article of footwear, comprising:
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an upper including a top opening, a first side edge extending forward from the top opening and along an instep area, and a second side edge opposite the first side edge and extending forward from the top opening and along the instep area, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from the first side edge at least to a heel area of the upper; a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening; and a sole structure engaged with the upper. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. An article of footwear, comprising:
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a hightop upper including a leg opening, wherein the upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening to a heel area of the upper; a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening; and a sole structure engaged with the upper. - View Dependent Claims (30, 31, 32, 33)
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Specification