Footwear straps and footwear with this

Abstract

Footwear articles, comprehensive: a belt element; a heel structure element that is arranged within the strap element; the heel structure element comprises the following: two connecting arms, each of the two connecting arms having a medial arm and comprising a lateral arm connected to the medial arm, wherein the lateral arm and the medial arm are formed as a single piece and wherein the lateral arm is connected to an upper posterior section; and wherein a compressible layer is provided on an inner side of the heel structural element, wherein the compressible layer completely covers the upper posterior section, at least partially covers the medial and lateral arms, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inner side of the medial and lateral arms.

Description

TECHNICAL AREA

[0001] The present application relates to the technical field of footwear, in particular a footwear strap and footwear incorporating this. BACKGROUND

[0002] A footwear strap is generally provided on footwear, such as sandals, to secure the heel. The strap must be designed so that not only does the heel fit snugly and securely into the footwear, but it also allows the wearer to easily put the footwear on and take it off. Therefore, the design of the footwear strap plays a crucial role in the use and wearing of footwear. SUMMARY

[0003] Embodiments of the present application provide a footwear strap and footwear with this strap to improve the comfort and ease of putting on and taking off the footwear.

[0004] In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a footwear strap comprising a strap element and a rigid heel structure element; wherein the rigid heel structure element is arranged within the strap element and the rigid heel structure element comprises an upper rear section; when the footwear strap is attached to a footwear, the upper rear section extends in a direction from the position where the footwear contacts the heel to the position where the footwear contacts the toe and is inclined downwards towards the footwear; the upper rear section has a convex curvature adapted to the shape of the heel to facilitate the heel's insertion; when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, an inner lower section of the convex curvature faces an opening in the footwear.

[0005] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element comprises two connecting arms.

[0006] In one implementation, the connecting arms comprise a medial arm and a lateral arm connected to the medial arm, wherein the lateral arm and the medial arm are formed as a single piece and the lateral arm is connected to the upper posterior section.

[0007] In one embodiment, when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, the lateral arm extends downwards to a footbed, insole or Strobel sock (to be understood alternatively as Strobel, original English: "strobel sock") of the footwear, and the medial arm extends downwards to the footbed, insole (to be understood alternatively as insole or insole, original English: "insole") or Strobel sock of the footwear.

[0008] In one embodiment, if the lateral arm extends downwards towards the insole of the footwear, the lateral arm is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of a sole along the medial side of the insole of the footwear; if the medial arm extends downwards towards the insole of the footwear, the medial arm is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the insole along the lateral side of the insole of the footwear.

[0009] In one embodiment, where the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards towards the footbed of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm and the end of the medial arm are attached to the footbed of the footwear.

[0010] In one implementation, if the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to the Strobel sock of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm and the end of the medial arm are attached to the Strobel sock of the footwear.

[0011] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element is made from a polymer material.

[0012] In one implementation, the polymer material is Hytrel, thermoplastic polyester elastomer block copolymer, or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0013] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element is covered by a fabric, textile material, leather or polyurethane or another known polymer plastic.

[0014] In one implementation, a compressible layer is provided on the inside of the rigid heel structure element, with the compressible layer covering the upper posterior section, partially covering the medial and lateral arms, and gradually tapering or ending along the inside of the medial and lateral arms.

[0015] In one implementation, the convex curvature has an upper surface that faces upwards.

[0016] In the second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides footwear comprising a footwear strap provided according to any embodiment of the present application. The shoe provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a sandal or a leather shoe, a fabric shoe, a sports shoe, and the like, with a heel strap.

[0017] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element is connected to a footbed or insole of the shoe by an L-shaped anchor.

[0018] The foregoing summary is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the present application in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, implementations, and features described above, further aspects, implementations, and features of the present application will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings indicate the same or similar components or elements throughout the drawings. These drawings are not necessarily to scale. It is understood that these drawings represent only some implementations disclosed in the present application and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present application. Fig. Figure 1A shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a rigid heel structural element according to a first embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figure 1B shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a rigid heel structural element according to a second embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figure 1C shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of the rigid heel structural element according to the first embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an L-shaped anchor from a top perspective according to an embodiment of the present application; Fig. Figures 3A-3C are schematic representations showing the various structures obtained after the footwear strap has been attached to the footwear according to an embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described in the following text. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the described embodiments can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are by their very nature to be regarded as illustrative and not limiting.

[0021] Below, a rigid heel structure element 100, which is included in a footwear strap according to an embodiment of the present application, is described with reference to the Fig. 1A-1C, 2 and 3A-3C described.

[0022] As in the Fig. As shown in 1A-1C, the footwear strap includes a strap element (in the Fig. (1A-1C not shown) and a rigid heel structure element 100. Among other things, the strap element can be a woven / fabric or textile material that encloses the rigid heel structure element 100. The rigid heel structure element 100, which is arranged within the strap element, is configured as structures and materials that facilitate easy insertion of the foot into the footwear and withstand the pressure from the foot, thus preventing the rigid heel structure element 100 from collapsing under the pressure of the foot. With reference to the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B shows Fig. 1A shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a rigid heel structural element according to a first embodiment of the present application. Specifically, it shows Fig. 1A a left perspective view of the rigid heel structural element 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, the rigid heel structure element 100 consists of a first part and a second part, wherein the first part includes an upper posterior section 101, a connecting arm 102, and a convex curvature 103, and the second part is an L-shaped anchor 104. The connecting arm 102 is connected to the upper posterior section 101. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, both of which are substantially oriented laterally. The connecting arm 102 can be connected to the L-shaped anchor 104. As shown in Figure 1A, the first part includes an upper posterior section 101, a connecting arm 102A, and a medial arm 102B, wherein both the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B are oriented essentially in the lateral direction. The connecting arm 102 can be connected to the L-shaped anchor 104. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1A, the four parts mentioned above, 101 to 104, are generally arranged in order from the upper right direction to the lower left direction.

[0023] Fig. Figure 1B shows a three-dimensional schematic representation of a rigid heel structure element according to a second embodiment of the present application. The difference between the rigid heel structure element of the second embodiment and the rigid heel structure element of the first embodiment is that the connecting arm of the rigid heel structure element in the second embodiment is itself L-shaped. Specifically, Figure 1B shows that the rigid heel structure element is L-shaped. Fig. 1B a left perspective view of the rigid heel structure element 100 according to the second embodiment of the present application. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the rigid heel structure element 100 comprises an upper posterior section 101, a connecting arm 102, and a convex curvature 103. The connecting arm 102 is L-shaped. The connecting arm 102 is connected to the upper posterior section 101. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, the medial arm 102B being substantially orthogonal to the lateral arm 102A.

[0024] In one embodiment, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can be formed as a single piece. In another alternative embodiment, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can be attached to or connected to each other after being manufactured separately.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1C shows a schematic representation of a cross-section of a first part of the rigid heel structural element of the first embodiment. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 1C, the first part of the rigid heel structure element 100 includes an upper posterior section 101, a connecting arm 102, and a convex curve 103. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, both of which are substantially oriented laterally. The first part of the rigid heel structure element 100 extends from the upper posterior section 101 to the lower left in an arc-shaped manner, with the connecting arm 102 of the first part being connected to the upper posterior section 101 of the first part. As indicated by the two arrows in Fig. As shown in Figure 1C, the inner surface of the rigid heel structure element 100 has a specific thickness and may be provided with a compressible layer, such as a foam padding element. The compressible layer may be attached to the upper rear section 101 of the rigid heel structure element 100 and to at least one section of the connecting arm 102.

[0026] Among other things, the upper posterior section 101 is used to enclose the heel portion of the foot. When the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, the upper posterior section 101 extends in one direction from the position where the footwear contacts the heel to the position where the footwear contacts the toe. As shown in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1A-1C, the rigid heel structure element 100 extends from the upper posterior section 101 to the left in an arc-shaped manner. Meanwhile, when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, the upper posterior section 101 is inclined downwards in the direction from where the footwear contacts the heel to where the footwear contacts the toe.

[0027] Among other features, the downwardly inclined portion of the upper rear section 101 has a convex curve 103, the convex side of which projects in the direction of the foot when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear. Furthermore, the shape of the convex curve 103 is adapted to the heel to facilitate the insertion of the heel portion. The convex curve 103 has an opening, and the lower portion of the opening of the convex curve 103 faces the sole of the footwear when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear.

[0028] In one embodiment, the convex curvature 103 has an upper surface that faces upwards.

[0029] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element 100 can be at least partially deformed immediately when the foot exerts downward pressure on it. For example, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can partially bend toward the back of the footwear, or bend outward to widen the opening of the footwear, or both, when the foot exerts downward pressure on the rigid heel structure element 100. Due to the rigid yet sufficiently elastic material used in the one-piece molded rigid heel structure element 100, the rigid heel structure element 100 can restore its original undeformed shape and position when the downward pressure exerted by the foot is released.

[0030] In one embodiment as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1A, the rigid heel structure element includes two connecting arms 102, and each connecting arm 102 can include a medial arm 102B and a lateral arm 102A connected to the medial arm 102B. The connecting arm 102 can be connected to a vertical section of the L-shaped anchor 104. A horizontal section of the L-shaped anchor 104 is used to connect to a footbed, insole, or Strobel sock in the assembled state. The anchor can also have various suitable shapes, such as a J-shape and a T-shape.

[0031] In an implementation such as in Fig. As shown in Figure 1B, the rigid heel structure element includes two connecting arms 102, and each connecting arm 102 can include a medial arm 102B and a lateral arm 102A connected to the medial arm 102B. The connecting arm 102 is L-shaped. The end of the L-shape of the connecting arm 102 includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being at least partially connected to the upper surface of the insole and the lower surface being at least partially connected to the bottom surface of the footbed.

[0032] In one implementation, when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downwards to the footbed, insole or Strobel sock of the footwear.

[0033] In one implementation, if the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downwards to the insole of the footwear, the lateral arm 102A is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the sole along the medial side of the insole of the footwear, and the medial arm 102B is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the insole along the lateral side of the insole of the footwear.

[0034] In one implementation, if the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downwards to the footbed of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm 102A and the end of the medial arm 102B can be attached to the footbed of the footwear by an anchor.

[0035] In one implementation, where the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downwards to the Strobel sock of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm 102A and the end of the medial arm 102B are attached to the Strobel sock of the footwear.

[0036] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element 100 is made of a polymer material.

[0037] In one implementation, the polymer material Hytrel is a thermoplastic polyester elastomer block copolymer (such as DuPont Hytrel), or thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0038] In one implementation, the rigid heel structure element 100 is covered with a fabric or textile material. Among other things, the fabric or textile material can be the same as the textile material of the outer surface of the shoe.

[0039] In one embodiment, a compressible layer is provided on the inner surface of the rigid heel structure element 100. The compressible layer can be a foam padding element attached to the posterior portion of the rigid heel structure element 100 and at least a portion of the inner surface of the medial arm and the inner surface of the lateral arm. The compressible layer covers the upper posterior portion, partially covers the medial and lateral arms, and tapers gradually or terminates along the inner surface of the medial and lateral arms. The compressible layer can be compressed during insertion of the foot into the footwear. After the foot has been inserted into the footwear, the compressible layer can expand, or at least partially expand, to its original uncompressed state.The compressible layer can be positioned around the ankle and help secure the foot inside the footwear.

[0040] In the second aspect, in one embodiment of the present application, footwear is further provided which includes a footwear strap which is provided according to any embodiment of the present application.

[0041] In one implementation, a rigid heel structure element is connected to a footbed or insole of the footwear by an L-shaped anchor.

[0042] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of an L-shaped anchor 200 from a top perspective according to an embodiment of the present application. The L-shaped anchor 200 can be attached to the connecting arm 102 of the rigid heel structure element 100. The L-shaped anchor 200 can be formed separately. With reference to Fig. 2 The L-shaped anchor 200 can include a vertical section 201 and a horizontal section 202 depending on the L-shape, wherein the vertical section 201 corresponds to the long side of the L-shape and the horizontal section 202 corresponds to the short side of the L-shape.

[0043] Fig. Figures 3A-3C are schematic views showing the various structures obtained after the footwear strap has been assembled in the footwear according to each embodiment of the present application. In one embodiment, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is shown with reference to Fig. 3A in the fastened state is connected to the vertical section of the L-shaped anchor 302 in the fastened state to secure the heel to the sandal, as shown in the figure. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 3B, which is the lower view of the footwear, the L-shaped anchor 302 is connected to the footbed or insole. The horizontal section of the L-shaped anchor 302 is not shown because the L-shaped anchor is covered by the sole 306. In one embodiment, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is L-shaped. The L-shaped connecting arm 301 can be connected to the footbed or insole. As shown in Fig. Figure 3B, which shows the lower view of the footwear, shows the L-shaped connecting arm 301 connected to the footbed or insole. The L-shaped end of the L-shaped connecting arm 301 is not shown because it is covered by the sole 306.

[0044] In one embodiment as in Fig. As shown in Figure 3C, the footwear can include a pair of plates 304 fixed to the underside of the footbed or insole 303. The plates 304 can further be located on the medial and lateral sides of the footbed or insole 303 and spaced apart from one another. The L-shaped anchor 302 can be connected to the plates 304. The plates 304 can be constructed of cellulose (such as Texon). The underside 305 of the sandal strap of the Fig. The sandal shown in 3C can also be connected to the footbed or insole 303 or to the plates 304. The sole 306, as shown in Fig. 3B shown, can be formed by covering the sole section on the insole 303.

[0045] In another embodiment, the L-shaped anchor can be connected to a footbed, an insole, or a Strobel sock.

[0046] In one embodiment, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is L-shaped and the L-shaped connecting arm 301 can be connected to the plates 304.

[0047] In another embodiment, the L-shaped connecting arm can be connected to a footbed, an insole, or a Strobel sock.

[0048] In the description of the present application, it is understood that the orientations or positional relationships indicated by the terms "central", "vertical", "horizontal", "length", "width", "thickness", "top", "bottom", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and serve only to facilitate the description of the present application and to simplify the description, and not to indicate or suggest that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation or be designed or operated in a specific orientation, and are therefore not to be interpreted as restricting the present application.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating a relative meaning or implicitly indicating the number of specified technical features. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of these features. In the description of this application, the word "multiple" means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically stated.

[0050] In the present application, unless otherwise specified and limited, the terms "assemble", "connect", "connect", "fix", and the like should be understood in a broad sense; for example, they may refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integrated state; they may refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they may refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through a medium; and they may refer to communication between interiors of two elements or an interactive relationship between two elements. For the person skilled in the art, the specific meaning of the terms mentioned above in the present application should be interpreted according to specific circumstances.

[0051] In the present application, unless otherwise specified and defined, the fact that the first feature is "on" or "below" the second feature can include the fact that the first and second features are in direct contact, and can also include the fact that the first and second features are not in direct contact, but are in contact with each other via another feature between them. Furthermore, the fact that the first feature is "on," "above," or "above" the second feature can include the fact that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or it simply means that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature.The fact that the first feature is "below", "under" or "below" the second feature implies that the first feature is located directly below and diagonally below the second feature, or it simply means that the first feature is horizontally lower than the second feature.

[0052] The foregoing disclosure provides many different implementations or examples of the realization of various structures of the present application. To simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and arrangements of specific examples are described above. Of course, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. Furthermore, the present application may repeat reference numerals in different examples. Such repetition serves the purpose of simplification and clarity and does not itself indicate any relationship between the various disclosed implementations and / or arrangements.

[0053] The foregoing is merely a detailed description of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can readily perceive various modifications or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application that should be covered by the scope of protection of the present application. For this reason, the scope of protection of the present application should be subject to the scope of protection of the claims. Examples 1. Footwear strap, characterized in that it comprises: a strap element and a rigid heel structure element, wherein the rigid heel structure element is arranged within the strap element and the rigid heel structure element includes an upper rear section; wherein, when the footwear strap is attached to footwear, the upper rear section extends in a direction from the position where the footwear touches the heel to the position where the footwear touches the toe and is inclined downwards towards the footwear; wherein the upper rear section has a convex curvature adapted to the shape of the heel to facilitate heel pick-up; and wherein, when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, an inner lower section of the convex curvature faces an opening in the footwear. 2. Footwear strap according to Example 1, characterized in that the rigid heel structure element comprises two connecting arms. 3. Footwear strap according to Example 2, characterized in that each of the two connecting arms comprises a medial arm and a lateral arm connected to the medial arm, wherein the lateral arm and the medial arm are formed in one piece and the lateral arm is connected to the upper posterior section. 4. Footwear strap according to Example 3, characterized in that, when the footwear strap is attached to the footwear, the lateral arm extends downwards to a footbed, insole or Strobel sock of the footwear and the medial arm extends downwards to the footbed, insole or Strobel sock of the footwear. 5. Footwear strap according to Example 4, characterized in that, if the lateral arm extends downwards to the insole of the footwear, the lateral arm is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of a sole along the medial side of the insole of the footwear; and if the medial arm extends downwards to the insole of the footwear, the medial arm is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the insole along the lateral side of the insole of the footwear. 6. Footwear strap according to Example 4, characterized in that, when the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to the footbed of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm and the end of the medial arm are attached to the footbed of the footwear. 7. Footwear strap according to Example 4, characterized in that, when the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to the Strobel sock of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm and the end of the medial arm are attached to the Strobel sock of the footwear. 8. Footwear strap according to Example 1, characterized in that the rigid heel structure element is made of a polymer material. 9. Footwear strap according to Example 8, characterized in that the polymer material Hytrel is thermoplastic polyester elastomer block copolymer or thermoplastic polyurethane. 10. Footwear strap according to Example 1, characterized in that the rigid heel structure element is covered by a fabric, textile material, leather or polymer plastic. 11. Footwear strap according to Example 4, characterized in that a compressible layer is provided on the inside of the rigid heel structure element, wherein the compressible layer covers the upper posterior section, partially covers the medial arm and the lateral arm, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inside of the medial arm and the inside of the lateral arm. 12. Footwear strap according to Example 1, characterized in that the convex curvature has an upper surface which is directed upwards. 13. Footwear characterized in that it includes the footwear strap according to one of Examples 1 to 12. 14. Footwear according to Example 13, characterized in that the rigid heel structure element is connected to a footbed, insole or Strobel sock of the footwear by an L-shaped anchor, wherein the L-shaped anchor is formed integrally with the rigid heel structure element or is formed separately and attached to the rigid heel structure element. clauses 1. Footwear articles, including: a belt element; a heel structure element that is arranged within the strap element; the heel structure element comprises the following: two connecting arms, each of the two connecting arms having a medial arm and comprising a lateral arm connected to the medial arm, wherein the lateral arm and the medial arm are formed as a single piece and wherein the lateral arm is connected to an upper posterior section; and wherein a compressible layer is provided on an inner side of the heel structural element, wherein the compressible layer completely covers the upper posterior section, at least partially covers the medial and lateral arms, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inner side of the medial and lateral arms. 2. Footwear articles according to clause 1, wherein the heel structure is rigid. 3. Footwear article according to clause 1, wherein the lateral arm extends downwards and is attached to an insole or Strobel sock of the footwear; and wherein the medial arm extends downwards and is attached to the insole or Strobel sock of the footwear. 4. Footwear articles according to clause 1, wherein the heel structure element is made of a polymer material. 5. Footwear articles according to clause 4, wherein the polymer material is Hytrel, thermoplastic polyester elastomer block copolymer, or thermoplastic polyurethane. 6. Footwear articles according to clause 1, wherein the heel structure element is covered by a fabric, a textile material, leather or a polymer plastic. 7. Footwear article according to clause 1, wherein the lateral arm extends downwards to a sole of the footwear and is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the sole along a lateral side of the sole of the footwear; and wherein the medial arm extends downwards to the sole of the footwear and is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the sole along the medial side of the sole of the footwear. 8. Footwear articles according to clause 1, wherein, if the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to a footbed of the footwear, one end of the lateral arm and one end of the medial arm are attached to the footbed of the footwear. 9. Footwear article according to clause 1, wherein, if the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to a Strobel sock of the footwear, one end of the lateral arm and one end of the medial arm are attached to the Strobel sock of the footwear. 10. Footwear article according to clause 1, wherein the heel structure element is configured to be at least partially deformed when downward pressure is applied by the foot, so that the medial and lateral connecting arms may partially bend towards the rear of the footwear or outwards to widen the opening of the footwear, or both. 11. Footwear article according to clause 1, wherein the upper rear section comprises a convex curvature directed towards a front of the footwear article. 12. Footwear articles according to clause 11, wherein the convex curvature further comprises an upward-facing surface and wherein the convex curvature extends in a cross-section, executed along a vertical plane along a longitudinal axis, from a top edge to a bottom edge of the upper rear section. 13. Footwear articles, including: a belt element; a heel structure element that is arranged within the strap element; the heel structure element comprises the following: an upper posterior section; a medial connecting arm extending medially from the upper posterior section; a lateral connecting arm extending laterally from the upper posterior section; and a compressible layer provided on an inner side of the heel structural element, wherein the compressible layer completely covers the upper posterior section, at least partially covers the medial connecting arm and the lateral connecting arm, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inner side of the medial arm and the inner side of the lateral arm. 14. Footwear articles according to clause 13, wherein the heel structure is rigid. 15. Footwear articles according to clause 13, wherein the upper rear section comprises a downward slope from an upper edge of the upper rear section towards the front of the footwear. 16. Footwear article according to clause 13, wherein at least one of the medial connecting arm and the lateral connecting arm extends vertically from one end and is then curved backwards toward the back of the footwear, forming an arc shape in a side projection. 17. Footwear article according to clause 13, wherein the lateral arm extends downwards and is attached to an insole or Strobel sock of the footwear; and wherein the medial arm extends downwards and is attached to the insole or Strobel sock of the footwear. 18. Footwear article according to clause 13, wherein the lateral arm extends downwards to a sole of the footwear and is fixed directly or indirectly to an upper surface of the sole along a lateral side of the sole of the footwear; and wherein the medial arm extends downwards to the sole of the footwear and is fixed directly or indirectly to the upper surface of the sole along the medial side of the sole of the footwear. 19. Footwear articles according to clause 13, wherein, if the lateral arm and the medial arm extend downwards to a footbed of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm and the end of the medial arm are attached to the footbed of the footwear. 20. Footwear article according to clause 13, wherein the heel structure element is configured to be at least partially deformed when downward pressure is applied by the foot, so that the medial and lateral connecting arms may partially bend towards the rear of the footwear or outwards to widen the opening of the footwear, or both. 21. Footwear article according to clause 13, wherein the upper rear section comprises a convex curvature directed towards a front of the footwear article, and wherein the convex curvature extends in a cross-section executed along a vertical plane along a longitudinal axis from a top edge to a bottom edge of the upper rear section. 22. Footwear articles, including: a belt element; a heel structure element that is arranged within the strap element; the heel structure element comprises the following: an upper posterior section; a medial connecting arm extending medially from the upper posterior section; a lateral connecting arm that extends laterally from the upper posterior section; a compressible layer provided on an inner side of the heel structural element, wherein the compressible layer completely covers the upper posterior section, partially covers the medial connecting arm and the lateral connecting arm, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inner side of the medial arm and the inner side of the lateral arm; wherein the upper rear section has a first surface oriented towards a front of the footwear article and a second surface oriented towards a back of the footwear article; wherein the upper rear section in a cross-section executed along a vertical plane along a longitudinal axis has an upper edge and a lower edge; and wherein the first surface is convex throughout from the upper edge to the lower edge.

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