Footwear with internal reinforcement structure
First Claim
1. An article of footwear comprising an internal reinforcement structure mounted in a heel portion of the footwear article intermediate an entry portion of the footwear permitting entry of the foot into and withdrawal of the foot from the footwear article and the sole of the footwear, the internal reinforcement structure comprising at least one pair of support strips mounted on a structural collar, the support strips criss-crossing the heel portion of the footwear with at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper medial side to a lower lateral side of the footwear, and at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper lateral side to a lower medial side of the footwear, wherein the structural collar is substantially rigid and is mounted in the footwear article such that the collar at least partially encircles the ankle or lower leg of a person wearing the footwear, the collar being adjustable and/or releasable to permit entry and withdrawal of a foot from the footwear article.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Footwear having one or more reinforcement features is disclosed. Footwear having two independent components constructed from a woven material with the strands oriented at specified angles to the plane of the sole of the footwear is disclosed. The footwear may also incorporate a substantially rigid structural collar in the area of the ankle or lower leg. Heel and/or forefoot straps that wrap downwardly and laterally around the heel and/or forefoot may be provided to limit flexing of the ankle and the footwear in a forward or backward direction, respectively. An internal reinforcement structure comprising a plurality of support strips arranged transversely to one another in a criss-cross arrangement is also disclosed.
280 Citations
14 Claims
- 1. An article of footwear comprising an internal reinforcement structure mounted in a heel portion of the footwear article intermediate an entry portion of the footwear permitting entry of the foot into and withdrawal of the foot from the footwear article and the sole of the footwear, the internal reinforcement structure comprising at least one pair of support strips mounted on a structural collar, the support strips criss-crossing the heel portion of the footwear with at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper medial side to a lower lateral side of the footwear, and at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper lateral side to a lower medial side of the footwear, wherein the structural collar is substantially rigid and is mounted in the footwear article such that the collar at least partially encircles the ankle or lower leg of a person wearing the footwear, the collar being adjustable and/or releasable to permit entry and withdrawal of a foot from the footwear article.
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13. An article of footwear comprising an internal reinforcement structure mounted in a heel portion of the footwear article intermediate an entry portion of the footwear permitting entry of the foot into and withdrawal of the foot from the footwear article and the sole of the footwear, the internal reinforcement structure comprising at least one pair of support strips mounted on a structural collar, the support strips criss-crossing the heel portion of the footwear with at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper medial side to a lower lateral side of the footwear, and at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper lateral side to a lower medial side of the footwear, wherein an upper end of each support strip is pivotably mounted to the structural collar.
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14. An article of footwear comprising an internal reinforcement structure mounted in a heel portion of the footwear article intermediate an entry portion of the footwear permitting entry of the foot into and withdrawal of the foot from the footwear article and the sole of the footwear, the internal reinforcement structure comprising at least one pair of support strips mounted on a structural collar, the support strips criss-crossing the heel portion of the footwear with at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper medial side to a lower lateral side of the footwear, and at least one support strip crossing the heel from an upper lateral side to a lower medial side of the footwear, wherein the lower end of each support strip is pivotably mounted to a structural member of the footwear in proximity to the sole.
Specification