Footwear heel inserts

Abstract

A heel insert for an article of footwear is provided, the article of footwear including an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel insert includes a base. The heel insert includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base to the end of the ridge, so that when the base is operably connected to the heel area, the ridge extends upward toward the ankle opening along a rear wall of the heel area of ​​the upper. The end of the ridge is movable relative to the base between a first position and a second position along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The heel insert includes a spring operably connected to the ridge, so that the spring biases the end of the ridge toward the first position of the end. The end of the ridge is resiliently deflectable toward the second position against the bias of the spring.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Putting an article of footwear on an individual's foot typically requires the individual to use one or both hands and / or one or more tools (e.g., a shoe horn, etc.) to, for example, stretch the ankle opening and hold the heel area of ​​the footwear to enable the individual's foot to slide through the ankle opening and into the foot-receiving cavity of the footwear. Summary of the invention

[0002] On the one hand, a heel insert for an article of footwear is provided, the footwear including an upper defining a foot-accommodating cavity having an ankle opening. The heel insert includes a base configured to be operably connected to a heel region of the upper. The heel insert includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base to the end of the ridge, so that when the base is operably connected to the heel region, the ridge extends upward toward the ankle opening along a rear wall of the heel region. The end of the ridge is movable relative to the base between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The heel insert includes a spring operably connected to the ridge, so that the spring biases the end of the ridge toward the first position of the end. The end of the ridge can be elastically deflected toward the second position against the bias of the spring.

[0003] On the other hand, the article of footwear includes an upper extending a certain length along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The upper defines a foot accommodating chamber having an ankle opening. The upper includes a heel area having a rear wall. The article of footwear includes a heel insert, which includes a base operably connected to the heel area of ​​the upper. The heel insert includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base to the end of the ridge, so that the ridge extends upward toward the ankle opening along the rear wall of the heel area. The end of the ridge can be moved relative to the base between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear. The heel insert includes a spring operably connected to the ridge, so that the spring biases the end of the ridge toward the first position of the end. The end of the ridge can be elastically deflected toward the second position against the bias of the spring.

[0004] In another aspect, a method for assembling an article of footwear includes operably connecting a spring to a ridge of a heel insert, the ridge having a tip movable between a first position and a second position relative to a base of the heel insert, such that the spring biases the tip toward the first position. The method includes mounting the heel insert in a heel region of an upper of the article of footwear such that the tip of the ridge is resiliently deflectable along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear from the first position toward the second position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating an article of footwear according to one embodiment.

[0006] Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a heel insert according to one embodiment.

[0007] Figure 3 According to one embodiment Figure 2 An exploded perspective view of a heel insert is shown.

[0008] Figure 4 According to one embodiment Figure 2 A plan view of the heel insert is shown.

[0009] Figure 5 is along Figure 1 The line 5-5 is intercepted Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the footwear shown.

[0010] Figure 6 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a method of installing a heel insert into a Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the footwear shown.

[0011] Figure 7 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a method of installing a heel insert into a Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the footwear shown.

[0012] Figure 8 According to one embodiment Figure 2 A front elevation view of the heel insert is shown.

[0013] Fig. 9 According to one embodiment Figure 2 A rear elevation view of the heel insert is shown.

[0014] Fig.10 According to one embodiment Figure 2 A side elevation view of the heel insert is shown.

[0015] Fig.11 is a rear elevation view showing a heel insert according to one embodiment.

[0016] Fig.12 is a perspective view showing a heel insert according to one embodiment.

[0017] Fig.13 and Fig.14 is a diagram showing a method according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 The heel insert shown is Figure 1 A schematic diagram of operations within the footwear is shown.

[0018] Fig.15 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assembling an article of footwear according to one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] When reading in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the above summary of the invention and the detailed description of some embodiments below will be better understood.As used herein, the elements or steps listed in the singular and before the word "one" or "an" should be understood to not necessarily exclude the plural number of elements or steps.In addition, reference to "an embodiment" is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of other embodiments or embodiments that also incorporate the features.In addition, unless there is a clear statement to the contrary, the embodiment of "including" or "having" one or more elements with a specific attribute can include additional elements that do not have the attribute.

[0020] Although various spatial and directional terms, such as "top," "bottom," "up," "down," "vertical," "upward," and / or the like, are used to describe embodiments of the present application, it should be understood that these terms are used only relative to the orientation shown in the drawings. The orientation may be reversed, rotated, or otherwise changed so that the spatial and directional terms apply differently, such as if a structure is flipped 180 degrees: then the top side becomes the bottom side; or up becomes down; the left side becomes the right side; or vice versa, and / or the like. In addition, for example, when a structure is rotated 90 degrees, vertical may become horizontal.

[0021] It may be difficult to slide an individual's foot into the upper of an article of footwear without using one or both hands and / or one or more tools (e.g., a shoe horn, etc.). For example, hands and / or tools may be needed to stretch the ankle opening of the footwear and hold the heel area of ​​the upper in a stretched position so that the foot can be successfully inserted into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper. The heel insert and method disclosed herein alleviate this difficulty by providing an elastically deflectable ridge 128 that enables an individual's foot to be accommodated in the foot-receiving cavity of the upper of the article of footwear without using hands and / or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used to successfully insert into the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). Therefore, the heel insert and method disclosed herein improve the convenience of foot entry, thereby allowing the foot to enter the article of footwear hands-free.

[0022] Certain embodiments of the present application provide a heel insert for footwear articles, the footwear including an upper defining a foot accommodating cavity with an ankle opening. The heel insert includes a base configured to be operably connected to the heel region of the upper. The heel insert includes a ridge extending outwardly from the base to the end of the ridge, so that when the base is operably connected to the heel region, the ridge extends upward toward the ankle opening along the rear wall of the heel region. The end of the ridge can be moved relative to the base between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the footwear article and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the footwear article. The heel insert includes a spring operably connected to the ridge, so that the spring biases the end of the ridge toward the first position of the end. The end of the ridge can be elastically deflected toward the second position against the bias of the spring. Certain embodiments of the present application make it easy for a foot to enter the footwear article by allowing the foot to enter the footwear article hands-free.

[0023] Now referring to the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 An article of footwear 100 is shown that includes a heel insert 102 that is configured to facilitate (e.g., ease, assist, etc.) entry of an individual's foot into the footwear 100. The footwear 100 extends a length along a longitudinal axis 104. The footwear 100 includes an upper 106 that extends a length along the longitudinal axis 104. The upper 106 defines a foot-receiving cavity 108 having an ankle opening 110. The foot-receiving cavity 108 is configured to insert an individual's foot (e.g., a foot that is not included in the footwear) through the ankle opening 110. Fig.14 The footwear 100 shown herein is described as a sports shoe, but the footwear 100 is not limited to general sports shoes, nor is it limited to the specific type, design, category, etc. of the sports shoes shown herein. Instead, the footwear 100 may include any footwear article (e.g., any type, design, category, function, etc.), such as but not limited to casual shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, booties, and / or the like.

[0024] like Figure 1 As shown and described below, the heel insert 102 is configured to be mounted within a heel region 112 of the upper 106 of the footwear 100. The heel region 112 generally includes a portion of the footwear 100 that corresponds to a rear (i.e., back or dorsal) portion of the footwear 100 when the footwear 100 is worn by a human individual (e.g., including the heel, including the calcaneus bone, including at least a portion of the Achilles tendon, etc.). For example, the heel region 112 of the upper 106 includes a rear wall 114 that is configured to extend over and support the rear portion of the individual's heel when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receiving cavity 108 of the upper 106 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 ). Fig.14 etc.).

[0025] The upper 106 of the footwear 100 includes a forefoot region 116 that generally includes a front (i.e., front) portion of the footwear 100 that corresponds to a human foot when the footwear 100 is worn by a human individual (e.g., including the toes, joints connecting the metatarsal bones and the phalanges, etc.). For example, when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receiving cavity 108, the forefoot region 116 of the upper 106 extends over at least a portion of the front of the individual's foot, such as Fig.14 The midfoot region 118 of the footwear 100 is disposed between the heel region 112 and the forefoot region 116 and generally includes a portion of the footwear 100 that corresponds to the arch region of a human foot (e.g., including the navicular joint, etc.) when the individual's foot is received in the foot-receiving cavity 108 of the upper 106 (e.g., as shown in FIG. Fig.14 etc.).

[0026] Footwear 100 includes a sole structure 120 to which an upper 106 is secured. Sole structure 120 includes one or more sole components that define any number of layers of sole structure 120. For example, Figure 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown, the sole structure 120 includes an outsole 120a and a midsole 120b. In another example, the sole structure 120 has an integral combination of an outsole and a midsole (which, for example, may be referred to as a single sole). The sole structure 120 is located below the upper 106. For example, a bottom wall 122 (e.g., a midsole cloth, etc.) of the upper 106 is fixed to an upper side 124 of the sole structure 120 (e.g., an upper side of the midsole 120b), for example, using any suitable method, means, structure, material, fastener and / or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, thermal bonding, welding, stitching, sewing, riveting and / or the like.

[0027] Traditionally, sliding an individual's foot into the upper of an article of footwear typically requires the use of one or both hands and / or one or more tools (e.g., a shoe horn, etc.) to stretch the ankle opening and hold the heel area of ​​the upper in a stretched position as the foot is inserted into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper. The heel insert 102 of the present application alleviates this difficulty by enabling an individual's foot to be accommodated in the foot-receiving cavity of the upper of an article of footwear without the use of hands and / or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used to successfully insert the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). In other words, various embodiments of the heel insert and method disclosed herein improve the ease of foot entry, thereby allowing the foot to enter the article of footwear hands-free. As will be described in more detail below, the heel insert 102 includes a base 126, a ridge 128, and a spring 130 ( Figure 1 (not visible in the image).

[0028] Optionally, upper 106 includes a stretchable material (e.g., an elastic material, a stretchable fabric, a four-way stretch nylon fabric, etc.) along and / or adjacent to a heel region 112 of upper 106 to increase the amount of stretch that ankle opening 110 can stretch along longitudinal axis 104, e.g., to facilitate (e.g., assist, etc.) the functionality of heel insert 102 (e.g., to enable ankle opening 110 to stretch along longitudinal axis 104, to enable an individual's foot to enter footwear 100 without the use of hands and / or other tools, etc.). For example, in Figure 1 In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sidewall 132 of the upper 106 includes an optional elastic stretch point 134 that increases the amount of stretch of the ankle opening 110 along the longitudinal axis 104. In other words, the stretch point 134 is configured to enable the end 170 of the rear wall 114 of the heel area 112 of the upper 106 to move along the longitudinal axis 104 of the footwear 100 (e.g., in the direction of arrow 138, etc.). In another example, one or more sections of the upper 106 (e.g., the sidewall 132 within and / or adjacent to the heel area 112, the rear wall 114 of the heel area 112, etc.) optionally include a stretchable material to enable the ankle opening 110 to further stretch along the longitudinal axis 104. In some embodiments, the upper 106 does not include a stretchable material.

[0029] Reference now Figure 2 and Figure 3 The ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 extends outwardly from the base 126 to a distal end 136 of the ridge 128. As described below, the spring 130 of the heel insert 102 is operably connected to the ridge 128 for providing a spring force that biases the ridge 128 to resist movement in the direction 138.

[0030] Reference now Figure 4 , the base 126 extends from a rear end portion 142 to a front end portion 144 along a longitudinal axis 140. The rear end portion 142 of the base 126 includes a hub 146 of the base 126. The base 126 includes a leg 148 that extends outwardly from the hub 146 along the longitudinal axis 140 to an end 150 of the leg 148. In the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the leg 148 includes a bottom wall 152 and a side wall 154. Figure 1 As shown, when the heel insert 102 is installed in the heel area 112 of the upper 106: the bottom wall 152 of the leg 148 extends along the bottom wall 122 of the upper 106 and the upper side 124 of the sole structure 120; and the side wall 154 of the leg 148 extends along the side wall 132 and the rear wall 114 of the upper 106. In other examples, one or more legs 148 do not include a side wall 154 or a bottom wall 152.

[0031] Optionally, the end portions 150 of the legs 148 are free end portions such that the front end portion 144 of the base 126 is open. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the base 126 includes an open front end portion 144 and a closed rear end portion 142 that defines a U-shape (i.e., the base 126 includes a U-shape in the exemplary embodiment). In addition to or as an alternative to the U-shape shown herein, the base 126 may include any other shape that enables the base 126 to function as described and / or shown herein, such as, but not limited to, a shape that is closed at the front end portion 144, a V-shape, a horseshoe shape, a circle, an oval, a rectangle, a shape with three or more sides, and / or the like.

[0032] In some embodiments, the open end shape of the front end portion 144 enables the heel insert 102 to be accommodated by (i.e., operably connected to, used with, implemented in, etc.) a wider variety of footwear of different sizes and shapes. For example, the open end shape of the front end portion 144 of the base 126 enables the size and / or shape of the base 126 to be adjusted by moving the free end portions 150 of the legs 148 closer to or away from each other. Thus, the open end shape of the front end portion 144 of the base 126 can reduce the number of different versions (e.g., sizes, shapes, etc.) of the heel insert 102 required to service a given number of footwear of different sizes and shapes, which can reduce manufacturing costs. Optionally, one or more bottom walls 152 and / or one or more side walls 154 of the legs 148 of the base 126 include one or more slots and / or other openings to enable further adjustment of the size and / or shape of the base 126. For example, Figure 4 The exemplary embodiment of the base 126 shown includes a slot 156 that extends radially outward (relative to the longitudinal axis 140 ) into the bottom wall 152 of the arm 148 along an interior 158 of the U-shape of the base 126 .

[0033] In the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the base 126 includes an extension 160 that extends outwardly from the hub 146 along the longitudinal axis 140. The extension 160 is configured to support a base leg 162 of the spring 130, as described below.

[0034] Reference again Figure 1As described above, the heel insert 102 is configured to be mounted within the heel region 112 of the upper 106. For example, the base 126 is configured to be operably connected to the heel region 112 of the upper 106. In other words, the base 126 is configured to be mounted (i.e., implemented) within the heel region 112 of the upper 106 in any manner, configuration, and / or the like that enables the heel insert 102 to function as described and / or shown herein (e.g., such that the base 126 enables the ridges 128 and / or the springs 130 of the heel insert 102 to function as described and / or shown herein, etc.).

[0035] like Figure 5 , in an exemplary embodiment of the heel insert 102, the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112 such that: the base 126 is embedded within the upper 106, between the lining 164 of the upper 106 and the outer layer 166 of the upper 106; and the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 is embedded within the upper 106 along the rear wall 114 between the lining 164 and the outer layer 166. In other words, when the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112 of the upper 106, the base 126 extends between the lining 164 and the outer layer 166 of the upper 106.

[0036] In another example, the heel insert 102 is partially embedded within the heel region 112 of the upper 106 when the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112. For example, Figure 6 A cross-section is shown in which the base 226 of the heel insert 202 is operably connected to the heel area 112 of the upper 106 such that: the ridge 228 of the heel insert 202 is embedded within the upper 106 along the rear wall 114, located between the lining 164 and the outer layer 166 of the upper 106; and the base 226 of the heel insert 202 extends between the outer layer 166 of the upper 106 and the sole structure 120 of the footwear 100. Figure 6 The illustrated construction shows an example of what may be implemented in a design where the bottom wall 122 of the upper 106 includes only a single layer of material, such as Figure 6 In other examples, the bottom wall 122 of the upper 106 includes two or more layers (e.g., a lining 164 and an outer layer 166, etc.), such as Figure 5 shown.

[0037] In yet another example of mounting the heel insert 102 within the heel region 112 of the upper 106, when the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112, the heel insert 102 is not embedded within the upper 106, but extends along the inner side 168 of the lining 164 of the upper 106. For example, Figure 7106, such that: a ridge 328 of the heel insert 302 extends along the medial side 168 of the lining 164 of the upper 106 along the rear wall 114; and the base 326 of the heel insert 302 extends along the medial side 168 of the bottom wall 122 of the upper 106 (e.g., along the medial side 168 of the single-layer bottom wall 122, such as, but not limited to, Figure 6 The single layer bottom wall shown; along the inner side 168 of the lining 164 of the bottom wall 122, as Figure 7 In other examples where the heel insert 102 is mounted within the heel region 112 of the upper 106, one of the base 126 or the ridge 128 extends along the medial side 168 of the upper 106, while the other of the base 126 or the ridge 128 is embedded within the upper 106 or between the bottom wall 122 of the upper 106 and the sole structure 120 of the footwear 100 ( Figure 7 (not shown) extending between.

[0038] Reference now Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 8-10 The ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 extends outwardly from the base 126 to a length to the end 136 of the ridge 128. The length of the ridge 128 is along the path P (at Fig.10 The spine 128 extends from the base 126 to the tip 136 (best seen in FIG. 1 ). The tip 136 of the spine 128 is movable relative to the base 126 between a first position 172 and a second position 174. The first position 172 of the tip 136 is the natural resting position of the spine 128, as shown in FIG. Figure 1-5 , Figure 8-10 and Fig.13 In the second position 174, the end 136 has moved (eg, deflected, etc.) from the natural resting position in the direction 138. An example of the second position 174 of the end 136 is shown in FIG. Fig.13 As described below, when the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112 of the upper 106, the ridge 128 is positioned along the rear wall 114 of the heel region 112 so that the end 136 moves between the first position 172 and the second position 174, respectively, along the longitudinal axis 104 of the footwear 100. As described below, the movement of the end 136 from the first position 172 toward the second position 174 is configured to stretch the ankle opening 110 of the upper 106 along the longitudinal axis 104 of the footwear 100.

[0039] like Figure 1 , Fig.13 and Fig.14As shown, when the base 126 is operably connected to the heel region 112 of the upper 106 (i.e., when the heel insert 102 is installed in the heel region 112 of the upper 106), the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 extends upward along the rear wall 114 of the heel region 112 toward the ankle opening 110. Optionally, the path P of the ridge 128 (e.g., Fig.10 The ridge 128 may be configured to have a shape that is complementary to the shape of the rear wall 114 of the heel region 112 of the upper 106. In some embodiments, the ridge 128 is configured to provide a heel counter function or to assist the function of a heel counter (not shown) of the heel region 112 of the upper 106. For example, in some embodiments, the ridge 128 helps to keep the heel region 112 open (i.e., helps to prevent the heel region 112 of the upper 106 from collapsing).

[0040] like Fig.14 As shown, when the footwear 100 is worn by an individual (i.e., when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receiving chamber 108 of the upper 106), the ridge 128 extends rearwardly at the rear portion 176 (i.e., the back or back) of the individual's heel 178. In some embodiments, the ridge 128 is configured to support the rear portion 176 of the individual's heel 178 and / or provide tension against the rear portion, as described below. The length of the ridge 128 may be selected to have a path P (e.g., Fig.10 176 of the individual's heel 178 to provide support and / or resist tension on the rear portion. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the path P of the length of the ridge 128 includes an S-shaped curve shape, such as Fig.10 In some embodiments, the S-curve-shaped offset curve of the path P of the length of the ridge 128 creates a spring-like structure that enables the length of the ridge 128 to act as a shock absorber. In addition to or alternatively to the S-shape shown here, the length of the ridge 128 can include any other shape that enables the ridge 128 to function as described and / or shown herein (e.g., enables the ridge 128 to move between the first and second positions, enables the ridge 128 to elastically deflect from the first position toward the second position, enables the ridge 128 to provide support to the back of the individual's heel and / or resist tension on the back, etc.).

[0041] Reference again Figure 2 and Figure 3The base 126 and the ridge 128 can each be made of any material that enables the heel insert 102 to function as described and / or shown herein. Examples of suitable materials for making the base 126 and / or the ridge 128 include, but are not limited to, plastics, thermoplastics (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.), nylon, polyether block amides, glass fiber reinforced polyamides, elastomeric materials, wood, metals, metal alloys, metal composites, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber, glass fiber, metal matrix composite materials, etc.), and / or the like.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown herein, the base 126 and the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 are integrally formed as a single unitary structure. The base 126 and the ridge 128 may be integrally formed using any suitable method, means, process, and / or the like, such as, but not limited to, molding, casting, machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and / or the like.

[0043] In other embodiments, the base 126 and spine 128 are not integrally formed as a single unitary structure, but rather the base 126 and spine 128 are discrete components connected together using any suitable method, device, connector, fastener, means, etc., such as but not limited to adhesives, cements, bonding, welding, welding, thermoforming, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, snap connections, interference fit connections, and / or the like. For example, Fig.11 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the base 426 and the ridge 428 of the heel insert 402 are separate components connected together via a spring 430 of the heel insert 402 .

[0044] Reference now Figure 2-4 , the spring 130 of the heel insert 102 is operably connected to the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 such that the spring 130 biases the end 136 of the ridge 128 toward the first position 172 of the end 136. In other words, the spring 130 is operably connected to the ridge 128 such that the spring 130 provides a resilient force that biases the ridge 128 to resist movement thereof in the direction 138 away from the first position 172. The resilient force provided by the spring 130 configures the ridge 128 to resist the bias of the spring 130 to move toward the second position 174 (e.g., the end 136) of the end 136. Fig.13 138 ).

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment shown herein, the spring 130 is a cantilever spring. For example, the spring 130 includes a base leg 162 ( Figure 2 ) and a ridge leg 180 extending outwardly from the base leg 162 (not visible in FIG. Figure 4The spine leg 180 extends outwardly from the base leg 162 for a length to a distal end 182 of the spine leg 180. The spine leg 180 is cantilevered from the base leg 162 such that the distal end 182 can resist the bias of the spine leg 180 to resiliently deflect in the direction 138 to the distal end 182. Figure 2-4 The natural resting position of the spine legs 180 is shown.

[0046] like Figure 4 , Figure 8 and Fig. 9 As best shown, in an exemplary embodiment, the spring 130 is operably connected to the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 such that a base leg 162 of the spring 130 extends along an extension 160 of the base 126 of the heel insert 102. The base leg 162 of the spring 130 is connected to the extension 160 (e.g., as described below) and / or sandwiched between the extension 160 and the upper 106 and / or the sole structure 120 of the footwear 100. Thus, the extension 160 supports (e.g., holds in place, etc.) the base leg 162 of the spring 130 to enable a distal end 182 of the ridge leg 180 to resiliently deflect in the direction 138 relative to the base leg 162.

[0047] like Figure 2 As best shown, the spring 130 is operably connected to the spine 128 of the heel insert 102 such that the spine leg 180 of the spring 130 extends along the spine 128 of the heel insert 102. The spine leg 180 is connected to the spine 128 (e.g., as described below). Therefore, the spine leg 180 of the spring 130 provides a spring force that resists (i.e., biases) the movement of the spine 128 away from the first position 172 in the direction 138 toward the second position 174.

[0048] In addition to or alternatively to the cantilever spring, the spring 130 may include any other type of spring that enables the spring 130 to function as described and / or shown herein (e.g., providing a resilient force that configures the spine 128 to be resiliently deflected in the direction 138, etc.), such as, but not limited to, a coil spring, a leaf spring, a torsion spring, a leaf spring, and / or the like.

[0049] Spring 130 may be made of any material that enables spring 130 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., providing a spring force that configures spine 128 to be elastically deflectable in direction 138, etc.). Examples of suitable materials for making spring 130 include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, metal composites, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber, glass fiber, metal matrix composites, etc.), elastomers, plastics, thermoplastics, nylon, polyether block amides, glass fiber reinforced polyamides, wood and / or the like.

[0050] As described above, the spine leg 180 of the spring 130 is connected to the spine 128. Optionally, the base leg 160 of the spring 130 is connected to the extension 160 of the base 126. The spring 130 can be connected to the spine 128 and / or the extension 160 using any suitable method, device, connector, fastener, means and / or the like, such as but not limited to adhesives, cements, bonding, welding, welding, thermoforming, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, snap connections, interference fit connections and / or the like.

[0051] In other embodiments, the spring 130 and the spine 128 are integrally formed into a single unitary structure. The spring 130 and the spine 128 can be integrally formed using any suitable method, means, process, and / or the like, such as, but not limited to, molding, casting, machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing, and / or the like. As used herein, "operably connecting" the spring 130 to the spine 128 includes integrally forming the spring 130 and the spine 128 into a single unitary structure. In other words, integrally forming the spring 130 and the spine 128 into a single unitary structure is an example of a method, process, means, manner, etc., of operably connecting the spring 130 to the spine 128.

[0052] Fig.12 An exemplary embodiment is shown in which the spring 530 and the ridge 528 of the heel insert 502 are operably connected together by being integrally formed as a single unitary structure. In some embodiments, the geometry (e.g., size, thickness, length, shape, path, etc.), materials, and / or the like of the spring 530 and the ridge 528 are selected to enable the spring 530 to function as described and / or shown herein (e.g., function as described and / or shown herein with respect to the spring 130 to provide a spring force that configures the ridge 528 to be elastically deflectable in the direction 538, etc.).

[0053] Reference again Figure 1 and Figure 2, the geometry, materials, and / or other variables of the various components of the heel insert 102 (e.g., the base 126, the ridges 128, the spring 130, etc.) may be selected to enable the heel insert 102 to function as described and / or illustrated herein (e.g., to provide a predetermined spring force to the spring 130 to enable an individual's foot to be received in the foot-receiving cavity 108 of the upper 106 of the footwear 100 without the use of hands and / or other tools, to provide a heel stabilizer function or to assist the function of a heel stabilizer (not shown) in the heel region 112 of the upper 106 to provide a predetermined amount of support to and / or resist tension on the rear portion of the individual's heel). Examples of geometries, materials, and other variables that may be selected to enable the heel insert 102 to function (e.g., establish, adjust, etc.) as described and / or shown herein, include, but are not limited to: the thickness, length, width, angle relative to the base 126, shape of the path P, material composition, etc. of the ridge 128; the thickness, length, width, shape, material composition, etc. of the base 126; the thickness, length, width, angle relative to the base leg 162, shape of the length, material composition, etc. of the spring 130; methods, processes, means, manner, etc. of operably connecting the spring 130 to the ridge 128; and / or the like.

[0054] Reference now Fig.13 and Fig.14 In operation, heel insert 102 enables an individual's foot to be received in foot-receiving cavity 108 of upper 106 of footwear 100 without the use of hands and / or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used to successfully insert into the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). For example, using the individual's heel 178, force F ( Fig.14 104 , the upper 106 is provided with a force F that is applied to the upper end portion 184 of the rear wall 114 of the upper 106. Against the bias provided by the spring 130, the force F resiliently deflects the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 (and the rear wall 114 of the upper 106) from the first position 172 in the direction 138 toward the second position 174. The movement of the ridge 128 and the rear wall 114 from the first position 172 toward the second position 174 in the direction 138 thereby stretches (e.g., expands, etc.) the ankle opening 110 along the longitudinal axis 104 of the footwear 100. When the ankle opening 110 of the upper 106 is in the direction 138, the upper 106 is provided with a force F that is applied to the upper end portion 184 of the rear wall 114 of the upper 106. Against the bias provided by the spring 130, the force F resiliently deflects the ridge 128 of the heel insert 102 (and the rear wall 114 of the upper 106) from the first position 172 in the direction 138 toward the second position 174. The movement of the ridge 128 and the rear wall 114 from the first position 172 toward the second position 174 in the direction 138 thereby stretches (e.g., expands, etc.) the ankle opening 110 along the longitudinal axis 104 of the footwear 100. Fig.13 When the second position 174 is shown stretched along the longitudinal axis 104, the individual's foot can freely slide forward and downward into the foot-receiving cavity 108 of the upper 106, as shown in FIG. Fig.14Thus, heel insert 102 enables an individual's foot to be received into foot-receiving cavity 108 of upper 106 without the use of hands and / or other tools. Instead, only the individual's foot is used to enter foot-receiving cavity 108 of upper 106. Thus, heel insert 102 facilitates entry of the foot into footwear 100 by allowing hands-free entry of the foot.

[0055] like Fig.14 As shown, when the individual's foot is fully received in the foot-receiving cavity 108, the elastic energy stored due to the bias of the spring 130 automatically moves the ridge 128 (and therefore the rear wall 114 of the upper 106) from the second position 174 back toward the first position 172 in the direction of arrow 186. In some embodiments, the bias provided by the spring 130 causes the ridge 128, and therefore the rear wall 114, to return fully to the first position 172, such as so that the ridge 128 is configured to support the rear 176 of the individual's heel 178. In other embodiments, the heel insert 102 and the upper 106 are configured (e.g., size, shape, etc.) such that the rear 176 of the individual's heel 178 prevents the ridge 128 and the rear wall 114 from fully returning to the first position 172, such as such that when the footwear 100 is worn by the individual, the elastic force of the spring 130 causes the ridge 128 to provide tension against the rear 176 of the individual's heel 178.

[0056] Fig.15 A method for assembling an article of footwear (e.g., Figure 1 , Figure 5-7 , Fig.13 and Fig.14 The method 600 includes operably connecting a spring to a ridge of a heel insert at 602, the heel insert having a tip movable between a first position and a second position relative to a base of the heel insert, such that the spring biases the tip toward the first position. At 604, the method 600 includes installing the heel insert in a heel region of an upper of an article of footwear such that the tip of the ridge is elastically deflectable along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear from the first position toward the second position.

[0057] In some embodiments, operably connecting the spring to the spine at 602 includes operably connecting the cantilever spring to the spine at 602a. Optionally, operably connecting the spring to the spine at 602 includes integrally forming the spine and the spring into a single unitary structure at 602b.

[0058] In some embodiments of method 600 , installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes stretching an ankle opening of the upper along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear at 604a .

[0059] Optionally, installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes positioning the ridge at 604b such that the ridge is configured to extend behind a rear portion of the individual's heel when the article of footwear is worn by the individual. In some embodiments, installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes positioning the ridge at 604c such that the ridge extends along a path including an S-shaped curve shape. In some embodiments, installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes positioning the ridge at 604d such that the ridge extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0060] In some embodiments, installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes positioning a base of the heel insert at 604e such that the base extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper. Optionally, installing the heel insert in the heel region at 604 includes positioning a base of the heel insert at 604f such that the base extends between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the article of footwear.

[0061] Various embodiments of the heel inserts and methods disclosed herein improve the ease of foot entry, thereby allowing hands-free entry of the foot into an article of footwear.

[0062] The following items describe other aspects:

[0063] Item Set A:

[0064] A1. A heel insert for an article of footwear, the footwear comprising an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the heel insert comprising:

[0065] a base portion configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper;

[0066] a ridge extending outwardly from the base to a distal end of the ridge such that when the base is operably connected to the heel region, the ridge extends upwardly along a rear wall of the heel region toward the ankle opening, the distal end of the ridge being movable relative to the base between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear; and

[0067] A spring is operably connected to the spine such that the spring biases the distal end of the spine toward a first position of the distal end and the distal end of the spine is resiliently deflectable toward a second position against the bias of the spring.

[0068] A2. The heel insert of any of the preceding clauses, wherein movement of the distal end of the ridge from the first position toward the second position when the base is operably connected to the heel region is configured to stretch an ankle opening of an upper of the article of footwear.

[0069] A3. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein the ridge is configured to extend behind a posterior portion of a heel of the individual when the article of footwear is worn by the individual.

[0070] A4. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the ridge extends from the base to the tip along a path that includes an S-curve shape.

[0071] A5. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever spring.

[0072] A6. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein the base and the ridge comprise thermoplastic.

[0073] A7. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises at least one of metal or carbon fiber.

[0074] A8. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein the base comprises a U-shape.

[0075] A9. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the base comprises a U-shape, the base comprising a slot extending radially outward into the base along an interior of the U-shape.

[0076] A10. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a base leg and a spine leg, the spring being operably connected to the spine such that the base leg extends along the base and the spine leg extends along the spine.

[0077] A11. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein, when the base is operably connected to a heel region of the upper, the ridge extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0078] A12. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein, when the base is operably connected to a heel region of the upper, the base extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0079] A13. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein, when the base is operably connected to a heel region of the upper, the base extends between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the article of footwear.

[0080] A14. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the ridge extends outwardly from the base to the tip along a path having a shape complementary to the shape of a rear wall of a heel region of the upper.

[0081] A15. The heel insert of any preceding clause, wherein said spring and said ridge are integrally formed as a single unitary structure.

[0082] A16. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the spring is connected to at least one of the base or the ridge.

[0083] A17. A heel insert according to any preceding clause, wherein the base and the ridge are integrally formed as a single unitary structure.

[0084] Item Set B:

[0085] B1. An article of footwear comprising:

[0086] an upper extending a length along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear, the upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the upper including a heel region having a rear wall; and

[0087] A heel insert comprising:

[0088] a base operatively connected to a heel region of the upper;

[0089] a ridge extending outwardly from the base to a distal end of the ridge such that the ridge extends upwardly along a rear wall of the heel region toward the ankle opening, the distal end of the ridge being movable relative to the base between a first position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear; and

[0090] A spring is operably connected to the spine such that the spring biases the distal end of the spine toward a first position of the distal end and the distal end of the spine is resiliently deflectable toward a second position against the bias of the spring.

[0091] B2. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein movement of the distal end of the ridge from the first position toward the second position is configured to stretch an ankle opening of the upper.

[0092] B3. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the ridge is configured to extend behind a rear portion of the individual's heel when the article of footwear is worn by the individual.

[0093] B4. An article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the ridge extends from the base to the tip along a path that includes an S-shaped curve shape.

[0094] B5. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever spring.

[0095] B6. An article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the base and spine comprise thermoplastic and the spring comprises at least one of metal or carbon fiber.

[0096] B7. An article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the base comprises a U-shape, the base comprising a slot extending radially outward into the base along an interior of the U-shape.

[0097] B8. An article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the spring includes a base leg and a spine leg, the spring being operably connected to the spine so that the base leg extends along the base and the spine leg extends along the spine.

[0098] B9. The article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the base is operably connected to a heel region of the upper such that the ridge extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0099] B10. The article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the base is operably connected to a heel area of ​​the upper such that the base extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0100] B11. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the base is operably connected to a heel region of the upper such that the base extends between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the article of footwear.

[0101] B12. The article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the ridge extends outwardly from the base to the tip along a path having a shape complementary to the shape of a rear wall of a heel region of the upper.

[0102] B13. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring and the ridge are integrally formed as a single unitary structure.

[0103] B14. The article of footwear according to any preceding clause, wherein the upper includes a stretch point configured to enable an end of a rear wall of a heel region of the upper to move along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

[0104] Item Set C:

[0105] C1. A method for assembling an article of footwear, the method comprising:

[0106] A spring is operably connected to a spine of a heel insert having a tip movable between a first position and a second position relative to a base of the heel insert such that the spring biases the tip toward the first position.

[0107] The heel insert is mounted in a heel region of an upper of an article of footwear such that a distal end of the ridge is resiliently deflectable along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear from a first position toward a second position.

[0108] C2. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region comprises stretching an ankle opening of the upper along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

[0109] C3. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region includes positioning the ridge so that the ridge is configured to extend behind a posterior portion of a heel of the individual when the article of footwear is worn by the individual.

[0110] C4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region comprises positioning the ridge such that the ridge extends along a path that comprises an S-curve shape.

[0111] C5. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein operably connecting the spring to the spine comprises operably connecting a cantilever spring to the spine.

[0112] C6. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region includes positioning the ridge so that the ridge extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0113] C7. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region comprises positioning a base of the heel insert such that the base extends between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

[0114] C8. The method of any preceding clause, wherein installing the heel insert in the heel region comprises positioning a base of the heel insert such that the base extends between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the article of footwear.

[0115] C9. A method according to any preceding clause, wherein operably connecting the spring to the spine includes integrally forming the spine and spring into a single unitary structure.

[0116] As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is "configured to" perform a task or operation is specifically structurally formed, constructed, or adjusted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For clarity and avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform a task or operation is not "configured to" perform a task or operation as used herein.

[0117] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that any range or value given herein may be expanded or altered without losing the effect sought.

[0118] Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

[0119] It should be understood that the above advantages and benefits may relate to one embodiment, or may relate to multiple embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to embodiments that solve any or all of the problems described, or embodiments that have any or all of the advantages and benefits described. It should also be understood that reference to "an" item refers to one or more of those items.

[0120] Unless otherwise expressly provided, the execution or implementation order of the operations in the examples of the present application shown and described herein is not necessary. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise expressly provided, and the examples of the present application may include more or less operations than the operations disclosed herein. For example, it is expected that before, at the same time or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.), a specific operation is performed or implemented within the scope of the aspects and embodiments of the present application.

[0121] The term "comprising" is used in this specification to mean including subsequent features or actions, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or actions. The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are intended to be inclusive and mean that in addition to the listed elements, additional elements may be present. In other words, the use of "comprising," "including," "having," "containing," "involving," and variations thereof are intended to include the items listed thereafter and the additional items. Furthermore, reference to "one embodiment" or "an implementation" is not intended to be interpreted as excluding the presence of other embodiments or implementations that also incorporate the described features. The term "exemplary" is intended to mean "an example of..."

[0122] When introducing elements of aspects of the present application or examples thereof, the articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles "a", "an", "the", and "said" used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "at least one" unless explicitly stated to the contrary.

[0123] The phrase "one or more of the following: A, B, and C" means "at least one of A and / or at least one of B and / or at least one of C". The phrase "and / or" as used in the specification and claims should be understood to mean "one or both" of the elements so combined, i.e., elements that are present in combination in some cases and separately in other cases. Multiple elements listed with "and / or" should be interpreted in the same manner, i.e., "one or more" of the elements so combined. In addition to the elements specifically designated by the "and / or" clause, other elements may optionally be present, whether or not related to those specifically designated. Thus, as a non-limiting example, in one embodiment, when used in conjunction with open language such as "comprising", a reference to "A and / or B" may refer to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); and so on.

[0124] As used in the specification and claims, "or" should be understood to have the same meaning as "and / or" defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, "or" or "and / or" should be interpreted as inclusive, i.e., including at least one, but also including more than one multiple or series of elements, and optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms that clearly indicate the opposite, such as "only one" or "exactly one", or when used in the claims, "consisting of..." will refer to including exactly one element of a plurality or series of elements. In general, the term "or" when preceded by an exclusive term, such as "either of the two", "one", "only one" or "exactly one", should only be interpreted as indicating an exclusive choice (i.e., "one or the other, but not both"). When used in the claims, "essentially consisting of..." should have the ordinary meaning used in the field of patent law.

[0125] As used in the specification and claims, with respect to a list of one or more elements, the phrase "at least one" should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more elements in the list of elements, but does not necessarily include at least one of each element specifically listed in the list of elements, and does not exclude any combination of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present in addition to the elements specifically identified in the list of elements to which the phrase "at least one" refers, whether or not related to those specifically identified elements. Thus, as a non-limiting example, "at least one of A and B" (or equivalently, "at least one of A or B", or equivalently "at least one of A and / or B") may refer to at least one, optionally including more than one A, without B (and optionally including elements other than B) in one embodiment; at least one, optionally including more than one B, without A (and optionally including elements other than A) in another embodiment; at least one, optionally including more than one A, and at least one, optionally including more than one B (and optionally including other elements) in yet another embodiment, etc.

[0126] The use of ordinal numbers such as "first," "second," "third," etc. in the claims to modify claim elements does not in itself imply any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element relative to another claim element, or the temporal order in which the acts of a method are performed. Ordinal numbers are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element of a particular name from another element of the same name (but using the ordinal number) to distinguish claim elements.

[0127] Having described various aspects of the present application in detail, it should be clear that modifications and variations may be made without departing from the scope of the various aspects of the present application as defined in the appended claims. Since various modifications may be made to the above-described structures, products, and methods without departing from the scope of the contents of the present application, all content contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative rather than restrictive.

[0128] It should be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, not restrictive. For example, the above embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, without departing from the scope of the present application, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the various embodiments of the present disclosure. Although the size and type of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the present application, these embodiments are by no means restrictive, but exemplary embodiments. By reading the above description, many other embodiments will be clear to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the scope of the various embodiments of the present application should be determined with reference to the full scope of the appended claims and the equivalents of these claims. In the appended claims, the terms "including" and "wherein" are used as the plain English equivalents of the corresponding terms "including" and "wherein". In addition, the terms "first", "second", and "third", etc. are used only as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. In addition, the limitations of the following claims are not written in a means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on Section 112(f) of Title 35 of the United States Code unless and until the limitations of these claims explicitly use the phrase "means for...", followed by a functional statement without further structure.

[0129] This written description uses examples to disclose various embodiments of the present application, including the best mode, and also enables a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various embodiments of the present application, including making and using any device or system and performing any combined method. The protectable scope of the various embodiments of the present application is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to a person of ordinary skill in the art. If these examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if these examples include equivalent structural elements that do not differ substantially from the literal language of the claims, these other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A heel insert for an article of footwear, the article of footwear comprising an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the heel insert comprising: a base portion configured to be operably connected to a heel region of an upper of the article of footwear; a ridge extending outwardly from the base to a distal end of the ridge such that when the base is operatively connected to the heel region, the ridge extends upwardly along a rear wall of the heel region toward an ankle opening of the article of footwear, the distal end of the ridge being movable along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear between a first angular position relative to the base and a second, different angular position relative to the base; as well as A spring is operably connected to the spine such that the spring biases the tip of the spine toward a first angular position of the tip relative to the base, and the tip of the spine is resiliently deflectable against the bias of the spring toward a second, different angular position.

2. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: When the base is operatively connected to the heel region, movement of the distal end of the ridge from the first angular position toward a second, different angular position is configured to stretch an ankle opening of an upper of the article of footwear along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

3. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: The ridge is configured to extend behind a rear portion of the individual's heel when the article of footwear is worn by the individual.

4. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: The spine extends from the base to the tip along a path that includes an S-curve shape along the length of the spine to form a spring-like structure that enables the spine to act as a shock absorber.

5. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: The spring comprises a cantilever spring.

6. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: The base includes a U-shape including a slot extending radially outwardly into the base along an interior of the U-shape.

7. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: When the base portion is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the ridge is configured to extend between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

8. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: When the base is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the base is configured to extend between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

9. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: When the base portion is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the base portion is configured to extend between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the article of footwear.

10. The heel insert according to claim 1, wherein: The spring is connected to at least one of the base or the spine.

11. An article of footwear comprising: an upper extending a length along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear, the upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the upper including a heel region having a rear wall; as well as A heel insert comprising: a U-shaped base configured to be operably connected to a heel region of an upper of an article of footwear; a ridge extending upwardly from the base of the U-shape toward an ankle opening of the article of footwear along a rear wall of the heel region to a distal end of the ridge when the base of the U-shape is operatively connected to the heel region, such that the ridge extends upwardly along the rear wall of the heel region toward the ankle opening, the distal end of the ridge being movable relative to the base between a first position along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear and a second position along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear, the ridge including an offset curve along the length of the ridge; and A spring is operably connected to the spine such that the spring biases a distal end of the spine toward a first angular position of the distal end relative to the base, the distal end of the spine being resiliently deflectable against the bias of the spring toward a second, different angular position.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: When the base portion is operatively connected to the heel region, movement of the distal end of the ridge from a first angular position toward a second, different angular position stretches an ankle opening of the article of footwear along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The ridge is configured to extend behind a rear portion of the individual's heel when the article of footwear is worn by the individual.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The distal end of the spine is movable along the longitudinal axis between a first angular position and a second, different angular position.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The spring further comprises: spine legs; and A base leg, wherein the base leg is connected to an extension of the U-shaped base.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The U-shaped base also includes a slot extending radially outwardly into the U-shaped base along an interior of the U-shaped base.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: When the U-shaped base is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the ridge is configured to extend between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The U-shaped base is configured to extend between a lining of the upper and an outer layer of the upper when the base is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein: The U-shaped base is configured to extend between an outer layer of the upper and a sole structure of the upper when the base is operatively connected to a heel region of the upper.

20. A heel insert, comprising: a U-shaped base configured to be operably connected to a heel region of an upper of an article of footwear; a ridge extending upwardly from the base of the U-shape toward an ankle opening of the article of footwear along a rear wall of the heel region to a distal end of the ridge when the base of the U-shape is operatively connected to the heel region, the ridge including an offset curve along the length of the ridge, the ridge movable along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear between a first angular position relative to the base of the U-shape and a second different angular position relative to the base of the U-shape, the second different angular position being configured to stretch the ankle opening of the article of footwear along the longitudinal axis of the article of footwear; as well as A spring is operably connected to the spine such that the spring biases a distal end of the spine toward a first angular position of the distal end relative to the base, the distal end of the spine being resiliently deflectable against the bias of the spring toward a second, different angular position.

Images