Fast entry footwear with energy setting zones

Abstract

A collapsible rear portion of a fast entry shoe includes an energy setting zone having an increased stiffness or elasticity to bias the collapsible rear portion from an open configuration toward a closed configuration for ease of putting on and off. A method of manufacturing such a fast entry shoe having a collapsible rear portion is also disclosed.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to footwear, and more particularly to rapid-entry footwear having energy-setting zones. Background Art

[0002] Whether due to inconvenience or inability, putting on and taking off shoes, including tying or otherwise securing shoes, may be undesirable and / or difficult for certain individuals. The present disclosure seeks to address this need. Summary of the invention

[0003] An exemplary rapid-entry shoe of the present disclosure includes a sole portion and an upper coupled to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion.

[0004] In an exemplary embodiment, the collapsible rear portion has an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the exemplary collapsible rear portion is collapsed to facilitate donning and doffing of the rapid entry shoe, and in the closed configuration, the exemplary collapsible rear portion is not collapsed to facilitate retaining the rapid entry shoe;

[0005] In exemplary embodiments, the collapsible rear portion includes an energy setting region configured to bias the collapsible rear portion toward a closed configuration. In exemplary embodiments, the energy setting region includes an energy-activated material, including an energy-resistant carrier material in some such embodiments.

[0006] Also disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a rapid entry shoe. An exemplary method may include the steps of providing a sole portion and providing an upper for coupling to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion, the collapsible rear portion including an energy setting zone, the energy setting zone including an energy activating material. The exemplary method may also include the step of energy setting the energy activating material such that the energy setting zone exhibits an increased hardness or elasticity to bias the collapsible rear portion from a collapsed configuration toward an uncollapsed configuration. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings may provide a further understanding of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification. In the accompanying drawings, only one quick-entry shoe (left shoe or right shoe) may be shown, however, it should be understood that in this case, the illustrated shoe can be mirrored to the other shoe. Throughout the accompanying drawings, the use of the same reference numerals is only for convenience and should not be interpreted as implying that any of the illustrated embodiments are equivalent. The accompanying drawings are for illustration and not limitation.

[0008] Figures 1A-1F A closed configuration of an exemplary energy setting zone extending between opposite sides of a sole portion of a shoe of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1A , 1C and 1E) and open constructs ( Figure 1B , 1D and 1F).

[0009] Figure 2A and 2B Exemplary web areas of a shoe of the present disclosure are shown in a closed configuration and an open configuration, respectively.

[0010] Figures 3A-3D The closed structure of the shoe with multiple energy setting zones of the present disclosure is shown ( Figure 3A and 3C ) and the open construct ( Figure 3B and 3D ).

[0011] Figures 4A-4D The closed configuration of the shoe of the present disclosure with overlapping energy setting zones is shown ( Figure 4A and 4C ) and the open construct ( Figure 4B and 4D ).

[0012] Figures 5A-5F The closed configuration of an exemplary energy setting zone extending completely around the rear of the shoe of the present disclosure is shown ( Figure 5A , 5C and 5E) and open constructs ( Figure 5B , 5D and 5F).

[0013] Figures 6A-6F The closed configuration of exemplary energy setting zones of the shoe of the present disclosure with different shapes is shown ( Fig. 6A , 6C and 6E) and open constructs ( Figure 6B , 6D and 6F).

[0014] Figures 7A-7D The closed configuration of an exemplary energy setting zone of a shoe with multiple separated fibers of the present disclosure is shown ( Fig. 7A and 7C ) and the open construct ( Figure 7B and 7D ).

[0015] Fig. 8A and 8B An exemplary shoe of the present disclosure having an energy-setting zone configured to prevent collapse of an upper portion, a tongue portion, and / or an inner sleeve portion of the shoe is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail in this Detailed Description to enable one of ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the present disclosure, however, it should be understood that other embodiments may be implemented and mechanical and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, this Detailed Description is intended to be illustrative rather than limiting.

[0017] For example, unless the context otherwise indicates, the exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments described herein. Similarly, references to "exemplary embodiments," "exemplary embodiments," or the like indicate that the described (one or more) embodiments may include specific features, structures, or characteristics, but each embodiment may not necessarily include specific features, structures, or characteristics. In addition, such references do not necessarily refer to the same (one or more) embodiments. Any reference to the singular includes multiple embodiments, and any reference to the plural includes a single embodiment.

[0018] Any reference to connection, connection, attachment, and the like may be temporary or permanent, removable or non-removable, part-integral or integral, partial or complete, and may be facilitated by one or more of adhesives, needles, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, buttonholes, zippers, and other means known in the art or later developed.

[0019] As used herein, the transitional term "comprising," which is synonymous with "including," "containing," or "characterized by," is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The transitional term "consisting of" excludes any elements, steps, or ingredients not specified in the claim. The transitional term "consisting essentially of" limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps, as well as those materials or steps that do not "materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)" of the claimed invention.

[0020] Unless a claim limitation expressly uses the term "means" and includes functional language, no claim limitation is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or prior AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph, et seq.

[0021] When describing exemplary embodiments of rapid entry footwear, certain directional terms may be used. As an example, terms such as "right", "left", "middle", "outside", "front", "back", "forward", "backward", "top", "bottom", "upper", "lower", "upward", "downward", etc. may be used to describe exemplary embodiments of rapid entry footwear. These terms should be given meaning according to the way in which rapid entry footwear is most often designed for use, where the rapid entry footwear is on the user's foot and the user's foot wearing the shoe is placed on the lower surface or is prepared to be placed on the lower surface. Therefore, these directions can be understood relative to the rapid entry footwear in these uses. Similarly, since the rapid entry footwear is mainly used as footwear, terms such as "inside", "inward", "outward", "innermost", "outermost", "inside", "outside", etc. should be understood with reference to the intended use of the rapid entry footwear, so that inside, inward, innermost, inside, etc., represent relatively closer to the user's foot, and when the rapid entry footwear is used for the intended purpose, outside, outward, outermost, outside, etc. represent relatively farther away from the user's foot. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the foregoing definition guides a conflict with any individual use of any foregoing term herein, such term should be interpreted and read in accordance with the definition given to the specific instance of that term.

[0022] As used herein, unless the context indicates otherwise, "quick-entry shoes" refer to athletic shoes, casual shoes, formal shoes, dress shoes, high-heeled shoes, sports / athletic shoes (e.g., tennis shoes, golf shoes, bowling shoes, running shoes, basketball shoes, soccer shoes, ballet shoes, etc.), walking shoes, sandals, boots, or other suitable types of shoes. In addition, quick-entry shoes can be sized and configured to be worn by men, women, or children.

[0023] As used herein, unless the context indicates otherwise, the "sole portion" of a rapid-entry shoe refers to an outsole or portion thereof, a midsole or portion thereof, an insole or portion thereof, a wedge or portion thereof, or other suitable structure disposed between and / or adjacent to the above-mentioned portions of the rapid-entry shoe.

[0024] In general, although terms such as "energy setting" and "energy activation" are used throughout to describe exemplary embodiments, any material (e.g., wire) that can be selectively activated by an external energy source, for example, via thermal energy (i.e., heat setting, thermal activation), laser, light (visible and invisible spectrum), acoustic energy, etc. and / or the like is within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0025] According to an exemplary embodiment, disclosed herein is a rapid-entry shoe that includes a sole portion and an upper coupled to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion.

[0026] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the collapsible rear portion has an open configuration and a closed configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, in the open configuration, the collapsible rear portion is collapsed (and the shoe opening is enlarged) to facilitate the donning and doffing of the quick-entry shoe. In an exemplary embodiment, in the closed configuration, the collapsible rear portion is not collapsed (and the shoe opening is no longer enlarged) to facilitate the retention of the quick-entry shoe.

[0027] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the collapsible rear portion includes one or more energy setting (eg, heat setting) regions.

[0028] In an exemplary embodiment, reference Figure 1A and 1B The energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 can be used to collapse the collapsible rear portion 30 from an open configuration (e.g. Figure 1B ) is biased toward the closed configuration (e.g., Figure 1A ).

[0029] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy setting area includes an energy-activated material (e.g., a thermally activated material, such as a wire). In an exemplary embodiment, the energy-activated material includes a material characterized by increased hardness or elasticity when an external energy source is applied. In this regard, the increased hardness or elasticity of the energy setting area is sufficient to bias the collapsible rear portion from the collapsed configuration toward the uncollapsed configuration.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment, such a change in hardness or elasticity can be directed along a single axis or within a single plane (e.g., to the exclusion of one or more other axes or planes), for example, by controlled directional energy of an energy-activated material that is configured to exhibit the change along a single axis or within a single plane.

[0031] In an exemplary embodiment, the energy activated material according to the present disclosure includes a bonding material that melts at a predetermined temperature and fuses to surrounding materials (such as adjacent yarns, fibers or adjacent structures). Such bonding materials include, for example, yarns having wires made of low melting point polyamides, copolyamides, low melting point polyesters, copolyesters, etc. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy activated material includes a textile material, whether natural or synthetic. Other energy activated materials include heat shrinkable wire. The energy activated material can inherently include any of the above properties or energy activated additives that can be applied as a spray or impregnant.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the energy setting area 140 is a portion of the upper 110 that is selectively activated by thermal energy. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy setting area 140 is a portion of the upper 110 that is selectively embroidered or laminated with an energy-activated material. As a non-limiting example, EVA can be laminated to Lycra and compression molded to create the energy setting area 140.

[0033] According to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, and with continued reference to Figure 1A and 1B , the energy-setting zone 140 is a harder or more resilient portion of the upper 110 than the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110, and in some embodiments, the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 is continuous with the energy-setting zone 140. In this regard, the energy-setting zone 140 and the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 can be composed of the same material, such as a continuous wire or braid.

[0034] It should be understood that the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 may not contain any energy-activating material. Alternatively, the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 may be composed of energy-activating material that is masked (rather than activated). In addition, the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 may be composed of energy-activating material with a significantly higher activation temperature. In addition, the surrounding portion 114 of the upper 110 may be composed of a significantly reduced amount of energy-activating material. Although the example surrounding portion is only in Figure 1A and 1B , but exemplary surrounding portions are described in other figures below (and are applicable to the embodiments described with reference to those figures).

[0035] Thus, peripheral portion 114 of upper 110 may provide a window or other space (or spaces) into which energy-setting zone 140 may collapse when in the open configuration.

[0036] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, in addition to the energy activating material, the energy setting area also includes a resistant energy carrier material (e.g., a heat resistant material, such as a wire). In an exemplary embodiment, the energy activating material and the resistant energy carrier material are woven, sewn, bonded or otherwise connected or adjacent together.

[0037] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, reference is now made to Figure 2A and 2B The energy setting area may include at least one mesh region, which further separates the collapsible rear portion 130 from an open configuration (e.g. Figure 2B ) towards a closed configuration (e.g. Figure 2A) offset. In an exemplary embodiment, at least one webbed area includes a single ridge 144 or a plurality of adjacent ridges 144, each ridge 144 including a different energy-activated material. In an exemplary embodiment, as the quick-entry shoe is transformed into an open configuration, at least two of the plurality of adjacent ridges 144 are compressed and / or folded closer to each other, and as the quick-entry shoe is transformed into a closed configuration, at least two of the plurality of adjacent ridges 144 are stretched and / or folded away from each other.

[0038] In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of ridges 144 can be composed of a different energy-activated material and separated from each other by a plurality of neutral zones 146. Each of the plurality of neutral zones 146 can be composed of a different energy-resistant carrier material. In this regard, the plurality of neutral zones 146 can be configured to elastically compress, stretch, and / or fold, thereby allowing the plurality of ridges 144 to move relative to each other, thereby facilitating the transition between the open configuration and the closed configuration. In other words, the neutral zones 146 (unlike the surrounding portions of the upper discussed above) can therefore provide a space into which the ridges 144 can collapse when in the open configuration.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy setting area may be entirely located on the inner upper surface, the outer upper surface, or between the inner and outer upper surfaces. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy setting area is formed and completely extends from the inner upper surface to the outer upper surface.

[0040] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy setting zone extends from the lateral or medial side of the upper that partially surrounds the collapsible rear portion (i.e., does not extend to the opposite side). In this regard, a single energy setting zone on a single side of the upper can be offset from the collapsible rear portion.

[0041] Alternatively, a single or multiple energy setting zones on opposite sides of the upper can be combined together to offset the collapsible rear portion. Thus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the energy setting zone extends from the medial side of the rapid entry shoe to the lateral side of the rapid entry shoe. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy setting zone is a horseshoe shape or an arc shape.

[0042] More broadly, the energy-setting zones described herein may include one or more patterns of elliptical, non-elliptical, or seemingly random shapes.

[0043] As used herein, an "elliptical" shape refers to any shape that generally lacks a point at which two lines, curves, or surfaces converge to form an angle. For example, an "elliptical" shape encompasses traditional Euclidean geometric shapes, such as circles and ellipses, as well as other non-angled shapes (lacking any angles), even though these shapes do not have a common name in Euclidean geometry.

[0044] As used herein, a "non-elliptical" shape refers to any shape that includes at least one point where two lines, curves, or surfaces converge to form an angle. For example, "non-elliptical" shapes include traditional Euclidean geometric shapes such as triangles, rectangles, squares, hexagons, trapezoids, pentagons, stars, etc., as well as other shapes that have at least one angle, even if these shapes do not have a common name in Euclidean geometry.

[0045] The figures illustrate various patterns and upper locations of energy-setting zones according to the present disclosure.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment, reference Figures 1A-1F , the energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 can extend between opposite sides of the sole portion 120 of the shoe 100 and extend around the rear of the shoe 100, the energy setting area 140 in an open arc that opens toward the sole portion 120 at the rear of the shoe 100. Figures 1A-1D , the energy setting area 140 can be recessed toward the sole portion 120. Alternatively, with specific reference to Figure 1E and 1F , the energy setting area 140 may be raised toward the sole portion 120. Figure 1A , 1B , 1E and 1F, the energy setting zone 140 may include an energy activating material (or a plurality of fibers thereof) oriented generally perpendicular to the sole portion 120. Alternatively, with specific reference to Figure 1C and 1D , the energy-setting zone 140 may include energy-activating material (or multiple fibers thereof) generally oriented along the length of the energy-setting zone 40 (eg, parallel to the arc or curve extending between opposite sides of the sole portion 120).

[0047] refer to Figure 3A and 3B ,like Figure 1A and 1B The shoe 100 shown in can also include a second energy-setting zone 145 that extends entirely between the energy-setting zone 140 and the sole portion 120 (e.g., at an angle or in an arcuate shape), is located on the medial / medial and / or lateral dimensions of the shoe 100, and is oriented generally perpendicular to the energy-setting zone 140, or is otherwise oriented at an angle to the energy-setting zone 140, or is oriented transversely to the energy-setting zone 140. In such an embodiment, the second energy-setting zone 145 can include energy-activated material (or multiple fibers thereof) oriented generally perpendicular to the sole portion 120. Similarly, with reference to Figure 3C and 3D ,like Figure 1C and 1DThe shoe 100 shown in the drawings may also include a second energy setting zone 145, which is composed of an energy-activated material (or multiple fibers thereof) and is generally oriented along the length of the second energy setting zone 145 (e.g., parallel to an arc or curve extending between opposite sides of the sole portion 120).

[0048] In an exemplary embodiment, reference Figures 4A-4D , an energy-setting zone 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 may extend between opposite sides of the sole portion 120 of the shoe 100 and around the rear of the shoe 100, the energy-setting zone 140 being in an open arc that opens toward the sole portion 120 at the rear of the shoe 100. Additionally, a second energy-setting zone 145 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 may extend (e.g., angled or arcuately) between the sole portion 120 and the upper 112 of the upper 110, the second energy-setting zone 145 being located on the medial and / or lateral dimensions of the shoe 100 and oriented generally perpendicular to, or otherwise oriented at an angle to, or oriented transversely to, the energy-setting zone 140. In this regard, the one or more fibers of the energy setting zone 140 and the one or more fibers of the second energy setting zone 145 can be woven together where they overlap. In such an embodiment, when converting between the open configuration and the closed configuration, the one or more fibers of the energy setting zone 140 and the one or more fibers of the second energy setting zone 145 are woven together where they overlap and do not shear relative to each other. The above embodiment can be applied to the low-top shoe 100 (for example, refer to Figure 4A and 4B ) or high top shoes 100.

[0049] In an exemplary embodiment, now turn to Figures 5A-5D The energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 can extend completely around the rear portion of the shoe 100, substantially between the sole portion 120 and the entirety of the upper 112 of the upper 110 (e.g., Figure 5A and 5B ) or part thereof (e.g., as shown in Figure 5C and 5D In this regard, the front edge of the energy setting area 140 may include a linear profile (such as Figure 5A and 5B ) or curved contours (as shown in Figure 5C and 5D In some other exemplary embodiments, reference Figure 5E and 5F, the energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 may extend completely around the rear portion of the shoe 100, but include a window 142 at the rear portion of the shoe 100 that does not contain any energy activating material.

[0050] Other exemplary embodiments are also contemplated. For example, reference Fig. 6A and 6B , the energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 may extend completely around the rear of the shoe 100 from the sole portion 120 but not to the upper 112. Figure 6C and 6D , the energy setting area 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 can extend completely around the rear portion of the shoe 100, but does not extend to the sole portion 120 or the upper 112. Fig. 6E and 6F , the energy setting zone 140 can extend completely around the rear of the shoe 100, but extend neither to the sole portion 120 nor to the upper 112, and the second energy setting zone 145 can be located on the medial side and / or lateral dimension of the shoe 100 and also not extend to the sole portion 120 or the upper 112.

[0051] refer to Fig. 7A and 7B , the plurality of fibers of the energy setting zone 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 may be separated from one another by a distance greater than their respective thicknesses (e.g., a distance including the energy-resistant carrier material). Additionally, or alternatively, reference Figure 7C and 7D , multiple fibers in the energy setting zone 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100 can be bent along their length, for example, extending upward and rearward from the sole portion 120 and then bending forward, thereby forming multiple concentric U-shapes or V-shapes.

[0052] Finally, reference Fig. 8A and 8B In addition to the energy setting zone 140 of the collapsible rear portion 130 of the upper 110 of the shoe 100, which is configured to bias the collapsible rear portion 30 from the open configuration toward the closed configuration, a second energy setting zone 145 can be located on the medial and / or lateral dimensions of the upper 110 and configured to prevent the upper portion, the tongue portion, and / or the inner sleeve portion of the upper 110 from collapsing during wearing of the shoe 100. In an exemplary embodiment, the energy setting zone is located on an outer panel of the upper, for example, on the upper of the upper 110 (e.g., Fig. 8A ), while in other embodiments, the energy setting area is located on the inner panel of the upper, such as the tongue portion and / or the inner sleeve portion of the upper 110 (for example, Figure 8B )superior.

[0053] Also contemplated herein is a method of making a rapid entry shoe. An exemplary method may generally include the steps of providing a sole portion and providing an upper for coupling to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion including an energy setting zone including an energy activating material.

[0054] The exemplary method may further include the step of energy setting the energy activating material such that the energy setting zone exhibits increased hardness or elasticity to bias the collapsible rear portion from the collapsed configuration toward the uncollapsed configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, such a method may include the step of setting energy (e.g., thermal energy setting) of the energy activating material such that the energy setting zone exhibits increased hardness or elasticity to bias the collapsible rear portion from the collapsed configuration toward the uncollapsed configuration.

[0055] In exemplary embodiments, the energy setting step includes targeted heating of the energy activating material, while in other embodiments the energy setting step includes masking and non-targeted heating of the energy activating material. In exemplary embodiments, the energy setting step occurs before or during the durability (last) step of the rapid entry shoe. In other words, in exemplary embodiments, the energy setting step does not occur after the durability step, such as by adhering a polymer and / or metal deformable element to an already durable upper.

[0056] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, the embodiments described herein are intended to cover modifications and variations of the present disclosure as long as they fall within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0057] Many features and advantages have been given in the previous description, including various alternatives, and details of the structure and function of the device and / or method. This disclosure is intended to be illustrative only and is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications may be made, particularly in terms of structure, materials, elements, components, shapes, sizes, and arrangements of components, including combinations within the principles of the invention, and to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meanings of the terms expressed in the appended claims. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, these various modifications are also intended to be included herein.

Claims

1. A quick entry shoe comprising: Sole part; an upper coupled to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion; wherein the collapsible rear portion has an open configuration and a closed configuration; wherein, in the open configuration, the collapsible rear portion collapses to facilitate donning and doffing of the quick-entry shoe; wherein, in the closed configuration, the collapsible rear portion is uncollapsed to facilitate retention of the rapid entry shoe; wherein the collapsible rear portion comprises an energy setting area; and Wherein, the energy setting zone biases the collapsible rear portion toward the closed configuration.

2. The quick-entry shoe according to claim 1, characterized in that: The energy setting area includes energy activating material.

3. The quick entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy activated materials include materials characterized by increased hardness or elasticity when an external energy source is applied.

4. The quick entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy setting area also includes an energy resistant carrier material.

5. The quick entry shoe according to claim 4, characterized in that: The energy activating material and the energy resistant carrier material are woven, stitched, bonded or otherwise coupled or adjacent together.

6. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy-setting zone extends from a lateral or medial side of the upper partially surrounding the collapsible rear portion.

7. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy setting zone extends from a medial side of the rapid-entry shoe to a lateral side of the rapid-entry shoe.

8. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 7, characterized in that: The energy setting area is in a horseshoe shape or an arc shape.

9. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy-setting zone is a portion of the upper that is stiffer or more resilient than a surrounding portion of the upper that is continuous with the energy-setting zone.

10. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that: The energy setting zone is a portion of the upper that is selectively activated by thermal energy.

11. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 9, characterized in that: The energy-setting zone is the portion of the upper that is selectively embroidered or laminated with the energy-activating material.

12. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 2, characterized in that: The energy-setting zone includes at least one webbed area that further biases the collapsible rear portion toward the closed configuration.

13. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 12, characterized in that: The at least one webbed area comprises a single ridge or a plurality of adjacent ridges.

14. The rapid entry shoe according to claim 13, characterized in that: As the quick-entry shoe is transformed into the open configuration, at least two of the plurality of adjacent ridges are compressed and / or folded close to each other, and as the quick-entry shoe is transformed into the closed configuration, at least two of the plurality of adjacent ridges are stretched and / or folded apart from each other.

15. A method of manufacturing a quick-entry shoe, comprising: Provide the sole portion; providing an upper for coupling to the sole portion, the upper including a collapsible rear portion, the collapsible rear portion including an energy-setting zone, the energy-setting zone including an energy-activating material; as well as Energy setting of the energy-activated material causes the energy setting area to exhibit increased hardness or elasticity to bias the collapsible rear portion from a collapsed configuration toward an uncollapsed configuration.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The energy setting step of the energy activating material includes targeted heating.

17. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The energy setting step of the energy activating material includes masking and targeted heating.

18. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that The step of setting energy of the energy activating material occurs before or during the step of enduring the rapid-entry shoe.

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