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, wherein the zipper system includes a slider element;
a tightening system for tightening the upper to a wearer'"'"'s foot, the tightening system including;
a first portion extending between the first side edge and the second side edge at the instep area,a second portion extending past the second side edge and around the heel area of the upper, anda third portion engaged with the slider element of the zipper system; 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.
40 Citations
31 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, wherein the zipper system includes a slider element; a tightening system for tightening the upper to a wearer'"'"'s foot, the tightening system including; a first portion extending between the first side edge and the second side edge at the instep area, a second portion extending past the second side edge and around the heel area of the upper, and a third portion engaged with the slider element of the zipper system; 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)
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19. 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, wherein the closure system includes a strap that extends from a first side of the upper, beyond the second side edge, and releasably secures to the upper at a location beyond the second side edge; a lace element extending across the instep area and connecting the first side edge and the second side edge of the upper, wherein the lace element is engaged with the strap via a first elastic element, and wherein pulling the strap to the location to releasably secure to the upper places the first elastic element under tension and tightens the lace element at the instep area; and a sole structure engaged with the upper. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. An article of footwear, comprising:
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a hightop upper including a leg opening, wherein the hightop upper includes a foot insertion opening extending rearwardly and downwardly from a front portion of the leg opening to a heel area of the hightop upper, and wherein the hightop upper includes a first side edge and a second side edge located at an instep area of the hightop upper; a closure system for releasably closing the foot insertion opening, wherein the closure system includes a strap that extends from a first side of the hightop upper and releasably secures to the hightop upper at a location on a second side of the hightop upper; a lace element extending across the instep area and connecting the first side edge and the second side edge of the hightop upper, wherein the lace element is engaged with the strap via a first elastic element, and wherein pulling the strap to the location to releasably secure to the hightop upper places the first elastic element under tension and tightens the lace element at the instep area; and a sole structure engaged with the hightop upper. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification