Shoes with cross support

Abstract

This invention provides a footwear article comprising a sole and an upper attached to the sole, the upper comprising an inner support and an outer support. The outer support is positioned on the inner support and includes a strap assembly, wherein the strap assembly includes at least one strap extending between the inner and outer sides of the sole, and the at least one strap is connected to two connection points on the outer side of the sole and three connection points on the inner side of the sole.

Description

Background Technology

[0001] This application relates generally to shoes, and more particularly to a sandal including an upper attached to a sole, wherein the upper has an inner support and an outer support that combine to securely support the user's foot when walking, jogging or running.

[0002] Shoes such as sandals typically include a sole and an upper attached to the sole, wherein the upper includes a foot opening for the user to insert their foot. After inserting the user's foot into the opening, the user adjusts the fit of the shoe relative to their foot by using laces or straps on the upper. The fit of the shoe is important for the comfort, support, and stability provided to the user's foot during exercise.

[0003] Various types of lacing and closure systems have been used to secure closed shoes, such as athletic shoes, to the user's foot. These shoes have an upper that surrounds the user's foot and has additional support on the inside and outside of the shoe, thereby providing stability, support, and comfort to the user's foot on different types of terrain.

[0004] Regular sandals don't offer the same stability, support, and comfort to the feet across different terrains as running or trail running shoes. While sandals are breathable and lightweight, they don't provide sufficient support on challenging terrain, and the feet tend to slide forward when moving downhill. During jogging or running, sandals also fail to provide adequate control and support. Furthermore, the straps on sandals can press and / or rub against the feet during exercise, causing discomfort at pressure points.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a sandal having an upper with straps and a cushioning system that enhances the comfort of the user's feet while providing sufficient support, stability and control during movement on different types of terrain. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The footwear article of the present invention includes a sole and an upper attached to the sole, wherein the position of the upper relative to the user's foot is adjustable in order to adjust the comfort and fit of the upper relative to the user's foot, thereby adapting to feet of different shapes and sizes.

[0007] In one embodiment, a footwear article is provided, comprising a sole and an upper attached to the sole, the upper including an inner support and an outer support. The outer support is positioned on the inner support and includes a strap assembly, wherein the strap assembly includes at least one strap extending between a medial side and a lateral side of the sole, and the at least one strap is connected to two connection points on the lateral side of the sole and three connection points on the medial side of the sole.

[0008] In another embodiment, an upper for footwear is provided, the upper including an inner support and an outer support, wherein the outer support is positioned on the inner support and includes a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes at least one strap extending between the inner and outer sides of the sole, wherein the at least one strap is connected to two connection points on the outer side of the sole and three connection points on the inner side of the sole. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of a footwear product, which includes a support component.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 Left view of footwear products.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The right view of the footwear product.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A top view of footwear products.

[0013] Figure 5A This is a perspective view of another embodiment of footwear.

[0014] Figure 5B yes Figure 5A A side view of footwear products.

[0015] Figure 5C yes Figure 5A A bottom view of footwear products.

[0016] Figure 6A This is a left view of yet another embodiment of footwear.

[0017] Figure 6B yes Figure 6A The right view of the footwear product.

[0018] Figure 6C yes Figure 6A A top view of footwear products.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a side view of another embodiment of footwear.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a side view of yet another embodiment of footwear.

[0021] Figure 9 This is another embodiment of footwear products.

[0022] Figure 10A This is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of footwear.

[0023] Figure 10B yes Figure 10A A partial side view of a footwear product, in which the heel support is in a non-bent position.

[0024] Figure 10C yes Figure 10A A partial side view of a footwear product, in which the heel support is in a bent position. Detailed Implementation

[0025] This invention relates to a footwear article, and more specifically to a sandal having an upper with an inner support and an outer support including a strap system, wherein the inner and outer supports are combined to provide comfort, support and stability to the user's foot during walking, jogging and running on different terrains.

[0026] Reference Figures 1 to 4 An embodiment of footwear article 20 is shown, wherein footwear article 20 includes a sole, generally indicated by 22, wherein the sole 22 is attached to the upper 24. The sole 22 may be a one-piece molded component made of a material having a specified hardness value or made of different materials having the same or different hardness values. Figure 1As shown, the upper 24 is attached to the sole 22 by stitching the upper to the sole 22. The upper 24 can also be attached to the sole 22 by using an adhesive, molding the upper to the sole or at least partially molding the upper within the sole, or using any suitable attachment method or combination of methods, such as using adhesive and stitching to attach the upper to the sole. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole includes a midsole 26 and an outsole 28, wherein the outsole 28 is attached to the bottom surface 30 of the midsole 26 by adhesive or molding. In one embodiment, the midsole is made of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), and the outsole is made of rubber, wherein it is conceivable that the sole (i.e., the midsole and outsole) can be made of any suitable material or combination of materials. In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 26 includes a plurality of tread members 32 configured to grip an underlying surface, such as the ground, during movement. In another embodiment, the footwear article 20 does not have an outsole, wherein the bottom surface of the sole and more specifically the midsole directly contact the underlying surface.

[0027] In one embodiment, the upper 24 includes an inner support 34 and an outer support 36, wherein the inner support 34 is positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the outer support 36. Figure 1 The inner support member 34 shown is made of a stretchable fabric material, such as nylon, blended fabric, foam, or any suitable material or combination thereof, and is attached to the sole 22 by molding it together with the sole, using stitches or adhesives, or by any suitable attachment method or combination thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner support member 34 includes a front portion 38 and a rear portion 40, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the front and rear portions are attached together to the inner side 42 of the sole 22. The front portion 38 is attached to both the outer side 44 and the inner side 42 of the sole 22. The width W of the front portion 38 (the distance between the front edge 46 and the rear edge 48) gradually increases from the outer side 44 to the inner side 42 and extends across the forefoot of the user's foot during use. The width W of the front portion 38 provides support for the forefoot of the user's foot. In another embodiment, the width W of the front portion 38 gradually increases from the inner side 42 to the outer side 44. It should be understood that the width W between the outer side 44 and the inner side 42 of the sole 22 can be the same or can gradually decrease or increase from the outer side 44 to the inner side 42 of the sole 22.

[0028] The rear part 40 of the inner support member 34 includes the middle foot member 46 ( Figure 3 The midfoot member 46 extends over the user's foot and attaches to the outer side 44 and inner side 42 of the sole 22. The heel member 48 ( Figure 3The midfoot member 46 is attached to the outer side 44 and inner side 42 of the rear portion 40 and extends around the user's foot, more specifically, around the user's heel. The midfoot member 46 and heel member 48 define a foot opening 50 configured to receive the user's foot, through which the foot passes and is located at least partially below the rear portion 40 and below the front portion 38 of the inner support member 34. The midfoot member 46 includes a tongue 52 that allows the user to grasp the tongue and at least partially lift the rear portion 40 of the inner support member 34 to allow the user's foot to be inserted through the foot opening 50. It should be understood that the tongue 52 can have any suitable shape, width, and length. In one embodiment, a tongue strap 54 is attached to a tongue 52, and a heel strap 56 is attached to a heel member 48, wherein the tongue strap and heel strap each form a loop configured to receive one or more fingers of a user's hand, thereby allowing the user to easily grasp and manipulate the tongue strap 54 and the heel strap 56. It should be understood that the inner support member 34 may include only the tongue strap 54, only the heel strap 56, or no straps at all. In this embodiment, the inner support member 34 has a specified material thickness to provide comfort and support to the user's foot. In another embodiment, the front portion 38 and the rear portion 40 of the inner support member 34 have the same thickness. In yet another embodiment, the front portion 38 and the rear portion 40 of the inner support member 34 have different thicknesses. It should be understood that the thickness of the material or materials forming the inner support member 34 may vary in different areas of the user's foot to customize the comfort and support provided to the user's foot.

[0029] Reference Figures 2 to 4 The outer support 36 includes a strap assembly 58 consisting of multiple straps that extend across and around the user's feet. Specifically, the outer support 36 is positioned on the inner support 34, as... Figure 1 and Figure 4 As shown, it includes a first strap 60, a second strap 62, and a third strap 64, each of which is adjustable and can be combined to adjust the comfort and support of the upper 24 on the user's foot.

[0030] As shown in the figure, a first connecting member 66 is attached to the outer side 44 of the sole 22, and a second connecting member 68 is attached to the inner side 42 of the sole 22. The first connecting member 66 and the second connecting member 68 are attached to the sole 22 by molding them together, by sewing or adhesive, or by any suitable attachment method or combination thereof. Each of the first connecting member 66 and the second connecting member 68 includes a connecting tab 70, a connecting strap 72 attached to the tab, and a connecting ring 74, wherein the connecting strap 72 extends through the ring 74, and the end of the connecting strap 72 is attached to the tab 70.

[0031] Additional connections are provided by a third connecting member 76 positioned on the inner side 42 of the sole 22 and a fourth connecting member 78 positioned on the outer side 44 of the sole 22. The third connecting member 76 and the fourth connecting member 78 are each made of EVA or a similar material having a harderness value than that of the material used to manufacture the inner support member 34. In this way, the third connecting member 76 and the fourth connecting member 78 provide rigidity and additional support to portions of the outer surface of the inner support member 34. Additionally, a fifth connecting member 80 is attached between the second connecting member 68 and the fourth connecting member 78 to the outer side 44 of the sole 22, as shown below. Figure 2 As shown. The fifth connecting member 80 includes a connecting strap 82 having an end that extends through a connecting ring 84, where the end of the connecting strap 82 is attached to itself to secure the strap to the connecting ring 84.

[0032] Regarding the strap assembly 58, the end of the first strap 60 of the outer support 36 is attached to the fourth connecting member 78 by stitching, and then the first strap is sequentially inserted through the intermediate connecting ring 86. Figure 2 The connecting rings are: the fifth connecting member 80 (connecting ring 84), the first connecting member 66 (connecting ring 74), and the second connecting member 68 (connecting ring 74). As shown, the bottom surface 88 of the end of the first strap 60 includes a first attachment member 90, such as a hook, which is attached to a second attachment member 92, such as a loop, on a portion of the first strap, thereby securing the first attachment member to the second attachment member and temporarily fixing the position of the first strap 60 to the inner support member 34. The position of the first strap 60 on the inner support member 34 can be adjusted by changing the position of the first attachment member 90 on the second attachment member 92, i.e., loosening or tightening the first strap. It should be understood that the first attachment member 90 and the second attachment member 92 can be secured together using snap fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, or any suitable connector.

[0033] The second strap 62 has a first end 94 and a second end 96, the first end being attached to the third connecting member 76 by stitching or other suitable attachment method, and the second end being inserted into the intermediate loop 86 and folded back. The second end 96 of the second strap 62 is secured in place by attaching a first attachment member 98 on the bottom surface of the second strap 62 to a second attachment member 100 on the upper surface of the second strap 62. The first attachment member 98 and the second attachment member 100 can be any suitable attachment member as described above. As shown, the second strap 62 is positioned adjacent to the foot opening 50 and is used to adjust the position of the inner support member 34 relative to the user's foot by moving the position of the first attachment member 98 relative to the second attachment member 100 (i.e., loosening or tightening the second strap).

[0034] The first end 102 of the third strap 64 is attached to the intermediate connecting ring 103, which is attached to the intermediate strap 105, wherein the intermediate strap 105 is attached to the third connecting member 76 by stitching or other suitable attachment method. The second end 104 of the third strap 64 is positioned around the heel member 48 of the inner support 34, and is inserted through the connecting ring 84 attached to the fourth connecting member 78 and folded over itself, as shown. Figure 2 As shown. Figure 3 As shown, the second end 104 of the third strap 64 is secured in place by attaching the first attachment member 106 on the bottom surface of the third strap 64 to the second attachment member 108 on the upper surface of the third strap. The third strap is adjusted by moving the position of the first attachment member 106 relative to the second attachment member 108, that is, loosening or tightening the third strap 64 relative to the user's heel.

[0035] Reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 In the above embodiments, the first strap 60, the second strap 62, and the third strap 64 are each made of a durable material, such as nylon, but may also be made of an elastic material or any suitable material or combination of materials. Furthermore, the position of the first strap attached to the fourth connecting member 78 and the position of the connecting rings 74 and 84 along the inside of the shoe upper can be adjusted to adjust the amount of support provided by the strap assembly and the position of the straps supporting the user's foot on the inside of the shoe upper.

[0036] After the foot is inserted into the foot opening 50 of the upper 24, the third strap 64 is adjusted to center the foot in the sandal, and then the portion of the first strap 60 above the toes is adjusted to center that portion above the forefoot area of ​​the foot. Next, the first strap 60 is further adjusted to cross the forefoot area of ​​the foot, below the instep and then above the instep to provide a secure fit, and to provide even pressure distribution to the foot through the combination of the inner support 34 and the outer support 36 of the upper 24. The inner support 34 also provides cushioning between the strap assembly 58 and the user's foot, thereby enhancing the comfort of the sandal. Furthermore, during jogging or running, the foot tends to pronate (turn inwards towards the inside of the foot), which increases fatigue. This sandal provides additional support and stability on the inside 42 of the foot by using the three connection points of the first strap 60 on the inside 42 of the sole 22.

[0037] Reference Figure 5A , Figure 5B and Figure 5C Another embodiment of a footwear article is shown, wherein footwear article 110 includes: a sole 112 having a midsole 114 and an outsole 116 attached to a bottom surface of the midsole; and an upper 118 attached to the midsole 114. In this embodiment, the upper 118 includes an internal support 120, a front portion 122 and a rear portion 124, the front portion having a closed toe area (i.e., a closed end without an opening), and the rear portion extending between the inner side 126 and the outer side 128 of the front portion 122 to form a heel area or heel 130 of the upper. An external support (such as a strap assembly 132) is positioned on the internal support 120 and secured to the midsole 114.

[0038] In the illustrated embodiment, the strap assembly 132 includes a first strap 134 attached to a first connecting member 136. Figure 5AThe first connecting member 136 is attached to the midsole 114 at the foot opening 138 on the inner side 126 of the upper 118. A first strap 134 is inserted through a first connecting ring 140, a second connecting ring in the midfoot region 144 on the inner side 126 of the sole 112, a third connecting ring 146 in the forefoot region 148 on the outer side 128 of the sole 112, and a fourth connecting ring 150 in the forefoot region 148 on the inner side 126 of the sole 112. As shown, the end 152 of the first strap 134 is fixed to the connecting member 136, which is attached to the midsole 114. The second connecting ring 142, the third connecting ring 146, and the fourth connecting ring 150 are fixed to the midsole 114 by the second connecting strap 153, the third connecting strap 154, and the fourth connecting strap 156, respectively. In this way, the first strap 134 can be adjusted relative to the user's foot, i.e., tightened or loosened, by adjusting the position of the end 158 of the first strap 134 and then securing the first attachment member 160 on the end 158 of the first strap 134 to the second attachment member 162 on the surface of another portion of the first strap 134. It should be understood that the first attachment member 160 and the second attachment member 162 can be hook-and-loop attachment members or any suitable attachment members. The strap assembly 132 also includes a second strap 164 having an end 166 that attaches to the first connecting loop 140 and inserts through the fifth connecting loop 168. The second strap 164 can be adjusted and secured in place by attaching the first attachment member 170 and the second attachment member 172 together as described above. The fifth connecting loop 168 is attached to the connecting strap 174, which is attached to the midsole 114. Furthermore, the inner support 120 includes an inner connecting ring 176 and an outer connecting member 178 attached to the front portion 122 via a connecting strap 174 and an inner connecting ring 182. The third strap 184 has a first end 186 fixed to the inner connecting ring 176 or the outer connecting member 178 and a second end 188 inserted through the opposing connecting ring (inner or outer connecting ring). The third strap 184 extends across the heel 130 of the upper 118 and can be adjusted and secured in place via the first attachment member 190 and the second attachment member 192, as described above. Similar to the embodiments described above, the combination of the inner support 120 and the strap assembly 132 (outer support) provides enhanced stability and support for the user's foot during movement on various terrains.

[0039] Reference Figure 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6CThis illustration shows another embodiment of a footwear article 194, comprising: a sole 196 having a midsole 198 and an outsole 200 attached to a bottom surface of the midsole 198; and an upper 202 attached to the midsole 198. In this embodiment, the upper 202 includes an inner support 204 and an outer support, such as a strap assembly 206, the outer support being positioned on the inner support 204 and secured to the midsole 198. The footwear article 194 is similar to the above embodiment except that the shape and width of the inner support 204 correspond to the shape and width of the straps of the strap assembly 206. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the strap assembly 206 includes a first strap 208 having a first end 210 attached to a first connecting strap 212, the first connecting strap 212 being attached to the midsole 198 in a forefoot region 214 on the inner side of the upper 202. The second end 218 of the first strap 208 is inserted through a through-hole 220 in a V-shaped connecting member 222 attached to the outer side 224 of the sole 196, and then extends across the forefoot region 214 of the user's foot to a connecting member 226 adjacent to the instep region or arch of the user's foot. The second end 218 is inserted through a through-hole 228 in the connecting member 226, and then extends across the user's foot to a first portion 230 of a locking mechanism 232 adjacent to a foot opening 234. The locking mechanism 232 may be a buckle, a snap-on mechanism, or any suitable locking mechanism, and includes a second portion 236 detachably connected to the first portion 230. The end 238 of the second strap 240 is attached to a rear connecting member 242, wherein the opposite end 244 can be inserted through a strap opening 246 in the second portion 236. The strap opening 246 has teeth or another gripping mechanism that releasably grips the second strap to hold it in place. In this way, the length of the second strap 240 is adjusted, i.e., tightened or loosened, which in turn adjusts the position of the first strap relative to the user's foot. A third strap 248 is attached to the rear connecting member 242 and inserted through the connecting loop 250 attached to the connecting member 226. The third strap 248 has the first attachment member 252 and the second attachment member 254 as described above, to adjust the length of the third strap 248 and subsequently secure it in place. This embodiment thus provides a firm fit and support for the user's foot while helping to reduce the amount of material required to construct footwear.

[0040] Reference Figure 7 and Figure 8 An additional embodiment of a footwear article is shown, wherein footwear article 256 includes a sole 258 and an upper 264, the sole having a midsole 260 and an outsole 262 attached to a bottom surface of the midsole, and the upper being attached to a top surface of the midsole. Figure 7As shown, the heel support 266 is attached to the heel 268 of the upper 264 and has an outer member 270 and / or an inner member 272, each extending to the integrated tongue 274. Furthermore, a portion of the heel support 266 is covered by the upper 264, thereby providing additional stability to the lower end of the heel support. Figure 8 Footwear products 276 and Figure 7 Similarly, a portion of the heel support 278 is covered by the upper 264 within the heel 268. In this embodiment, the lateral member 280 and / or medial member 282 of the heel support extend along the lateral and / or medial sides of the upper 264 and into the midsole 260. It should be understood that the heel support can be attached to the outer surface of the upper 264 as described above, partially covered by the upper 264, or completely enclosed within the upper 264.

[0041] Reference Figure 9 Another embodiment of the footwear article is shown, wherein the footwear article 284 includes: a sole 286 having a midsole 288 and an outsole 290 attached to a bottom surface of the midsole; and an upper 292 attached to an upper surface of the midsole 288. In this embodiment, a heel support 294 is attached to the outer surface 293 of the heel 295 of the upper 292 and includes an inner member 296 extending at least partially to a midfoot region 298 on the inner side 300 of the sole 286, an outer member 302 extending at least partially to the outer side 304 of the sole, or an inner member and an outer member, the inner member and the outer member extending at least partially along the outer member on the inner and outer sides, respectively. Moreover, the heel support 294 includes ridges 306 that are spaced apart and extend laterally across the surface of the heel support 294 to the inner member 296 and / or the outer member 302 of the heel support. In another embodiment, the heel support 294 is located only above the heel 295 of the upper 292 and does not extend to the midsole 288. It should be understood that the heel support may extend along the entire length of the heel of the upper or along a portion of the heel.

[0042] Reference Figure 10A , Figure 10B and Figure 10CAnother embodiment of a footwear article is shown, wherein footwear article 308 includes a sole 310 and an upper 316, the sole having a midsole 312 and an outsole 314 attached to the bottom surface of the midsole, and the upper being attached to the upper surface of the midsole. In this embodiment, a heel support 318 includes a body 320 having a main member 322 extending along the central portion of the heel 324 of the upper 316, an outer member 326 extending downward at an angle from the main member 322 and along the outer side 328 of the upper, and an inner member 330 extending downward at an angle from the main member 322 and along the inner side 332 of the upper 316. As shown, a space 334 exists between the bottom end 336 of the heel support 318 and the midsole 312. In use, the heel support 318 functions as described above. It should be understood that the bottom end of the heel support 318 may be attached to the midsole 312, a portion of the heel support 318 may be attached to the midsole 312, or the entire bottom end of the heel support 318 may be separated from the midsole 312 and attached only to the upper 316.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 4 Overall, the combination of the inner support 34 and outer support 36 of the upper 24 provides enhanced comfort, support, and control for the user's foot during activities such as walking, jogging, and running. Specifically, the strap assembly 58 of the outer support 36 positioned on the inner support 34, and the two strap connection points on the outer side 44 and three strap connection points on the inner side 42 of the sole 22, allow the first strap 60 to be adjusted to attach between the inner and outer sides of the sole, thereby forming a cross-shaped W pattern above the top of the user's foot to wrap around the user's foot in at least three areas (i.e., the forefoot area, midfoot area, and / or arch area, and rear area (below the ankle)) and enhance support for the medial side of the foot during movement on different terrains.

[0044] While specific embodiments of this footwear have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that changes and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the broader aspects of the invention and as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A footwear product, comprising: soles; as well as An upper attached to the sole, the upper including an inner support and an outer support, wherein the outer support is positioned on the inner support and includes a strap assembly. The strap assembly includes at least one strap extending between the inner and outer sides of the sole, wherein the at least one strap is connected to two connection points on the outer side of the sole and to three connection points on the inner side of the sole.

2. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the strap assembly further comprises a second strap positioned adjacent to the foot opening and extending between the inner and outer sides of the sole.

3. The footwear article of claim 2, wherein the strap assembly further comprises a third strap extending from the outer side of the sole inward and around the heel member of the inner support.

4. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the position of the end of the at least one strap is adjustable.

5. The footwear article according to claim 1, wherein the inner support is made of a stretchable fabric material.

6. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the inner support member comprises a front portion and a rear portion, the front portion extending between the outer and inner sides of the sole and having a width that gradually increases from the outer side to the inner side of the sole.

7. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the strap assembly of the outer support extends over the front and rear portions of the inner support.

8. The footwear article of claim 1, wherein the inner support includes a tongue that allows a user to grasp and move the inner support to insert the user's foot into a foot opening in the upper.

9. The footwear article of claim 1, further comprising a heel support attached to the rear end of the midsole, wherein the heel support is movable between a bent position and a non-bent position.

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