Easy-entry shoe with spring-flexible rear

Abstract

To provide a favorable easy-entry shoe with a spring-flexible rear.SOLUTION: A shoe includes a sole and a shoe upper, the shoe upper including a shoe opening for entering the shoe. The shoe opening is defined by a rear part, a medial part, a lateral part, and a front part. The rear part includes a top portion reinforced by a firm material, an optional bottom portion reinforced by a firm material, a center portion located between the top portion and the bottom portion and made of a flexible material, and a spring element. A top part of the spring element is attached to the top portion of the rear part, and a bottom part of the spring element is attached to either the bottom portion of the rear part, or to the sole.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] (Cross - Reference to Related Applications) This is a utility application filed in the United States as a non - provisional application for a patent under 35 U.S.C. § 100 et seq. and 37 CFR § 1.53(b). It claims the benefit of the earlier filing date of a U.S. provisional application for a patent filed on August 16, 2021, and assigned Serial No. 63 / 233,451, under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e). This application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety into this specification.

[0002] (Field) The field of the present disclosure and related embodiments relate to the field of footwear, and more specifically, but not exclusively, to footwear such as shoes that enable easy entry of the foot into the shoe.

Background Art

[0003] (Background) A significant number of users have difficulty bending over to assist in putting on shoes with a closed - heel design. However, when putting on and taking off shoes, most shoes require bending over to tie or untie the shoes or to adjust the rear part of the shoe to assist in entering slip - on shoes. Thus, there is a widely recognized need for shoes that allow users to put on and take off shoes without the need to bend over and without the associated use of the user's hands.

[0004] Many such shoes that are easy to enter, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. US1686175, US9675132, US9820527, US9877542, US10306947, US10506842, US10555578, US10638810, US10653209, US10660401, US10813405, US10842222, US10905192, US10973279, and U.S. Application No. US20210106094, as well as PCT Application No. WO2012077899, etc., are disclosed. These solutions involve compression on the rear side of the shoe and a spring element that returns the compressed rear side to an upright position to enable the foot to enter the shoe. However, these structures are costly to manufacture and not comfortable to wear due to the rigid structure around the heel. Therefore, there is a need for shoes with a more simplified structure that are easier and cheaper to produce.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] (Abstract) According to an exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided that includes a sole and an upper part of the shoe. The upper part of the shoe includes a shoe opening for entering the shoe. The shoe opening is defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part. The rear part includes an upper part reinforced by a rigid material, a bottom part reinforced by a rigid material, and a central part located between the upper part and the bottom part. The central part includes a central part made of a flexible material and a spring element. The upper part of the spring element is attached to the upper part of the rear part, and the bottom part of the spring element is attached to the bottom part of the rear part.

[0007] According to another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided that includes a sole and an upper part of the shoe. The upper part of the shoe includes a shoe opening for entering the shoe. The shoe opening is defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part. The rear part includes an upper part reinforced by a rigid material, a flexible material located between the upper part and the sole, and a compression spring element. The upper part of the compression spring element is attached to the upper part of the rear part, and the bottom part of the compression spring element is attached to the sole.

[0008] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided in which the spring element is made of a circular compression spring.

[0009] According to still another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided in which the spring element is made of a garter compression spring.

[0010] Furthermore, according to another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided in which the spring element is made of a sine wave compression spring.

[0011] Still further, according to another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided in which at least one of the inner part and the side part of the shoe includes an elastic element.

[0012] Still further, according to another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided, wherein a spring element is mounted vertically at the horizontal center of the rear part of the shoe.

[0013] Yet further, according to another exemplary embodiment, a footwear article such as a shoe is provided, wherein a spring element is curved vertically, upwardly, and forwardly according to the vertical curvature of the rear part of the shoe and / or horizontally according to the horizontal curvature of the rear part of the shoe.

[0014] In addition, according to another exemplary embodiment, a method for entering a shoe is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a shoe including a sole and an upper portion of the shoe, the upper portion of the shoe including a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part, the rear part of the shoe including an upper part reinforced by a rigid material, a bottom part reinforced by a rigid material, and a central part located between the upper part and the bottom part, the central part being made of a flexible material, and a compression spring element, an upper part of the compression spring element being attached to the upper part of the rear part, and a bottom part of the compression spring element being attached to the bottom part of the rear part; applying a downward force on the upper part of the rear part when the foot enters the shoe to push down the upper part of the rear part and create sufficient space for the foot to enter the shoe; and releasing the downward force on the upper part of the rear part to allow the compression spring element to push up the upper part of the rear part to fix the foot within the shoe.

[0015] According to yet another exemplary embodiment, a method for entering a shoe is provided, the method comprising the steps of providing a shoe including a sole and an upper portion of the shoe, the upper portion of the shoe including a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear component, an inner component, a side component, and a front component, the rear component of the shoe including an upper portion reinforced by a rigid material and a central portion between the upper portion and a bottom portion, the central portion being made of a flexible material, and a compression spring element, an upper component of the compression spring element being attached to the upper portion of the rear component and a bottom component of the compression spring element being attached to the sole of the shoe; applying a downward force on the upper portion of the rear component when the foot enters the shoe to push down the upper portion of the rear component and create sufficient space for the foot to enter the shoe; and releasing the downward force on the upper portion of the rear component to allow the compression spring element to push up the upper portion of the rear component to fix the foot within the shoe.

[0016] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the relevant technical field. The materials, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. In the process itself, except for the ranges required or inherent, no particular order for the steps or stages of the methods and processes described in this disclosure is intended or implied, including the figures. In many cases, the order of process steps may vary without changing the purpose or effect of the described method.

[0017] The implementation of the methods and systems of the embodiments disclosed below involves performing or completing a selected task or step manually, automatically, or any combination thereof. Further, according to the actual measurement facilities and equipment of the preferred embodiments of the methods and systems presented herein, some selected steps may be implemented by hardware, or by software on any operating system of any firmware, or by any combination thereof. For example, as hardware, a selected step may be implemented as a chip or a circuit. As software, a selected step may be implemented as a plurality of software instructions executed by a computer using any suitable operating system. In any case, the selected steps of the methods and systems disclosed herein may be described as being implemented by a data processor such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions. The present invention provides, for example, the following. (Item 1) A shoe comprising a sole and an upper portion of the shoe, wherein the upper portion of the shoe comprises a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part, The rear part An upper portion reinforced by a rigid material, A bottom portion reinforced by a rigid material, A central portion located between the upper portion and the bottom portion, the central portion being made of a flexible material, A spring element, an upper component of the spring element being attached to the upper portion of the rear part, and a bottom component of the spring element being attached to the bottom portion of the rear part, Comprising a shoe. (Item 2) A shoe comprising a sole and an upper portion of the shoe, wherein the upper portion of the shoe comprises a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part, The rear part is an upper part reinforced by a rigid material, and a flexible material positioned between the upper part and the sole, and a compression spring element, the upper part of the compression spring element being attached to the upper part of the rear part, and the bottom part of the compression spring element being attached to the sole. A shoe comprising (Item 3) The spring element is a circular compression spring, a garter compression spring, a sine wave compression spring and is made of at least one of the above, the shoe according to any one of Items 1 or 2. (Item 4) The spring element is mounted at the horizontal center of the rear part, curved vertically, upward, and forward according to the vertical curvature of the rear part, curved horizontally according to the horizontal curvature of the rear part and is at least one of the above, the shoe according to any one of Items 1 or 2. (Item 5) The shoe according to any one of Items 1, 2, 3, and 4, additionally comprising an elastic element in at least one of the inner part and the side part of the shoe. (Item 6) A method for entering a shoe, comprising providing a shoe having a sole and an upper part of the shoe, the upper part of the shoe having a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part, the rear part having an upper part reinforced by a rigid material, a bottom part reinforced by a rigid material, a central part positioned between the upper part and the bottom part, the central part being made of a flexible material, A compression spring element, wherein an upper part of the compression spring is attached to the upper part of the rear part, and a bottom part of the compression spring element is attached to the bottom part of the rear part, the compression spring element comprising a step; When the foot enters the shoe, applying a downward force on the upper part of the rear part, pushing down the upper part of the rear part, and creating sufficient space for the foot to enter the shoe; To fix the foot in the shoe, releasing the downward force on the upper part of the rear part, enabling the compression spring element to push up the upper part of the rear part A method comprising. (Item 7) A method for entering a shoe, comprising: Providing a shoe comprising a shoe sole and an upper part of the shoe, wherein the upper part of the shoe has a shoe opening for entering the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear part, an inner part, a side part, and a front part, and the rear part An upper part reinforced by a rigid material; A part of the rear part between the upper part and the shoe sole made of a flexible material; A compression spring element, wherein an upper part of the compression spring is attached to the upper part of the rear part, and a bottom part of the compression spring element is attached to the shoe sole of the shoe, the compression spring element comprising a step; When the foot enters the shoe, applying a downward force on the upper part of the rear part, pushing down the upper part of the rear part, and creating sufficient space for the foot to enter the shoe; To fix the foot in the shoe, releasing the downward force on the upper part of the rear part, enabling the compression spring element to push up the upper part of the rear part A method comprising. (Item 8) The method according to any one of items 6 and 7, wherein at least one of the inner part and the side part additionally comprises at least one elastic element for enabling the shoe opening to expand when the foot enters the shoe.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0018] Various embodiments are described herein by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings. Here, referring specifically to the drawings in detail, it is emphasized that the details shown are for the purpose of example only and for the illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments, and are presented to provide what is considered to be the most useful and easily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the embodiments. In this regard, no attempt is made to show the structural details of the embodiments in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the subject matter, and the description considered in conjunction with the drawings makes it clear to those skilled in the art how some forms and structures can be embodied in practice.

[0019] In the drawings,

[0020]

Figure 1

[0021]

Figure 2A

[0022]

Figure 2B

[0023]

Figure 3A

[0024]

Figure 3B

[0025]

Figure 4A

[0026]

Figure 4B

[0027]

Figure 5A

[0028]

Figure 5B

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] (Description of Embodiments) The principle and structure according to some embodiments of footwear such as laced shoes or slip-on shoes that provide easy entry for the user's foot can be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.

[0030] Before explaining at least one embodiment in detail, it should be understood that the embodiments are not limited in their application to the details of the construction and arrangement of the components described in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Other embodiments may be practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it should be understood that the terminology and jargon employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0031] In this document, elements of the drawings that are not described within the scope of the drawings and are labeled using numbers described in the previous drawings have the same use and description as in the previous drawings. Similarly, elements identified in the text by numbers that do not appear in the drawings described by the text have the same use and description as those in the previous drawings in which they were described.

[0032] The drawings within this document may not be to any scale. Different drawings may use different scales, and different scales can also be used within the same drawing, for example, different scales for different views of the same object, or different scales for two adjacent objects can be used.

[0033] The term "a" or "an" is defined as one or more as used herein. The term "plurality" is defined as two or more as used herein. The term "another" is defined as at least a second or more as used herein. The terms "comprising" and / or "having" are defined as including as used herein.

[0034] The term "coupled," as used herein, is defined as connected, provided that it is not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.

[0035] The terms "flexibility" or "elasticity" can refer to a material for a part of a shoe that can be stretched and / or compressed and / or bent by the application of force and that can assume its original shape (elasticity) when the force is removed and can be forced back to its original shape. The terms "rigidity" or "stiffness" refer to a material for a part of a shoe that is not "flexible" or "elastic" and thus can retain its shape under forces that stretch and / or compress a "flexible" or "elastic" material or part of the shoe.

[0036] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which is a simplified side view of an easy-entry footwear 10 with a rear spring 11, according to one embodiment.

[0037] The footwear or shoe 10 of FIG. 1 is a right shoe adapted to fit the right foot of a human user (not shown in FIG. 1). A left shoe adapted to fit the left foot of a human user may be similar to the footwear or shoe 10 of FIG. 1.

[0038] The footwear or shoe 10 may include a sole 12 and an upper portion 13. The upper portion 13 may have a shoe opening 14 for receiving the user's foot into the shoe 10. The shoe opening 14 may be defined by a rear component 15, an inner component 16, a side component 17, and a front component 18. The footwear or shoe 10 may also include a tongue component 19 and a lacing system 20. Various types of tongue components 19, lacing systems 20, and other closure systems are envisioned and are not limited to closed shoes with elastic or stretchable materials, but include VELCRO® or hook-and-loop type connectors, zippers, snaps, buckles, and other types of closure systems.

[0039] The rear component 15 may include an upper component 21, a bottom component 22, and a central component 23 positioned between the upper component 21 and the bottom component 22. The upper component 21 and the bottom component 22 may be made of a rigid and / or stiff material, which cannot bend forward under the force exerted by the foot while entering the shoe 10 and while pushing down the upper component 21. The central component 23 may be made of an elastic and / or flexible material that can be compressed under the force exerted by the foot while entering the shoe 10.

[0040] Here, reference is made to FIG. 2A, which is a simplified rear view inside the rear component 15 with a circular spring 24 according to one embodiment, and referring to FIG. 2B, which is a simplified rear view inside the rear component 15 with a garter spring 25 according to one embodiment.

[0041] As an option, the illustrations in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be considered in the context of the details of the previous figures. However, of course, the illustrations in FIGS. 2A and 2B may be considered in the context of any desired environment. Further, the foregoing definitions may similarly apply to the following description.

[0042] According to one embodiment, the rear spring 11 may be a compression spring mounted between the upper component 21 and the bottom component 22. Alternatively, the rear spring 11 or the compression spring 11 may be mounted between the upper component 21 and the shoe sole 12. The rear spring 11 may be coupled to the upper component 21 on one of its ends and to the bottom component 22 on the other. The rear spring 11 may be mounted over (outside of) the central component 23 or within the central component 23. The rear spring 11 or the compression spring 11 may be a single spring element of any shape and form and may be made to conform to the shape of the rear component 15 of the shoe 10. The rear spring 11 or the compression spring 11 may be mounted near the horizontal center of the rear component 15 at the rearmost end of the shoe 10. The rear spring 11 or the compression spring 11 may be the only spring element that couples between the upper component 21 and the bottom component 22 or the shoe sole 12.

[0043] When the foot enters into the shoe 10 and pushes down the upper part 21, the upper part 21 can move downward relative to or towards the bottom part 22, and thus can compress the rear spring 11.

[0044] When the foot is fully inserted and stationary inside the shoe 10, the foot no longer applies a downward force on the upper part 21. Thus, the rear spring 11 is enabled to push the upper part 21 back to its original position.

[0045] It is understood that the location and shape of the rear spring 11 are adapted to have a minimal impact on the flexibility of the opening 14. Thus, the location and shape of the rear spring 11 enable the opening 14 to conform to a particular foot shape when the foot is stationary within the shoe 10. In this regard, the opening 14 may refer to the upper edges of the rear part 15, the inner part 16, the side parts 17, and the front part 18.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 2A, the circular spring 24, which is the rear spring 11, is formed as a ring. However, other forms of springs 11 are also envisioned, such as horizontal or vertical oval, egg-shaped, or oblong forms. For example, FIG. 2B shows the shoe 10 with the rear spring 11 in the form of a circular garter spring 25. The garter spring 25 may comprise a coiled spring made of carbon steel, stainless steel, or any other material, which is connected at each end to create a circular form.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the circular spring 24 and / or the garter spring 25 may be coupled to the upper part 21 by its upper part 26 and to the bottom part 22 by its bottom part 27. Alternatively, the circular spring 24 may be coupled to the upper part 21 by its upper part 26 and to the shoe sole 12 by its bottom part 27.

[0048] Reference is now made to FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are simplified rear views of the interior of the rear part 15 of the shoe 10 with a circular spring 28, the two edges of which are not connected, according to one embodiment. FIG. 3A depicts the rear part 15 and the spring 28 in the uncompressed mode, and FIG. 3B depicts the rear part 15 and the spring 28 in the compressed mode.

[0049] As an option, the illustrations of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be considered in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustrations of FIGS. 3A and 3B may be considered in the context of any desired environment. Further, the foregoing definitions may similarly apply to the following description.

[0050] As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the spring 28 is another example of a rear spring 11 and / or a circular spring 24 with a partial circular shape, the two edges of which are not connected. The spring 28 may be coupled to the upper part 21 by its upper part 26 and to the bottom part 22 by its bottom part 27. Alternatively, the spring 28 may be coupled to the upper part 21 by the spring upper part 26 and to the shoe sole 12 by its bottom part 27.

[0051] As shown in FIG. 3B, the upper edge 29 of the rear part 15 is lower than the upper edge 29 of the rear part 15 in FIG. 3A, and thus, when the upper part 21 is pressed, this provides more space for the foot to enter the shoe from the rear side of the shoe.

[0052] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A and 4B, which are simplified rear views of the interior of the rear part 15 of the shoe 10 with a sine wave compression spring 30, according to one embodiment. FIG. 4A depicts the rear part 15 and / or the sine wave compression spring 30 in the uncompressed mode, and FIG. 4B depicts the rear part 15 and / or the sine wave compression spring 30 in the compressed mode.

[0053] As an option, the illustrations of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be considered in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustrations of FIGS. 4A and 4B may be considered in the context of any desired environment. Further, the foregoing definitions may similarly apply to the following description.

[0054] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sinusoidal compression spring 30 is the rear spring 11 that is shaped in the same manner as the repetitive form of acute angles and / or sharp curves. Any alternative repetitive form such as a sinusoidal form is also envisioned, whether such a form is periodic or aperiodic. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sinusoidal compression spring 30 may be mounted to contract vertically, may be shaped in a flat form laterally, and may be mounted on the inner surface or outer surface of the rear part 15 and / or embedded within the rear part 15 inside a sleeve (not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0055] As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the sinusoidal compression spring 30 may be attached to the upper part 21 within the area 26 and to the bottom part 22 within the area 27. The spring 30 may be attached to the rear part 15 over (on its outside) or within the central part 23. Alternatively, the sinusoidal compression spring 30 may be attached to the upper part 21 within the area 26 and the sole 12 (not shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B).

[0056] Here, FIG. 5A is referred to, which is a simplified side view of the shoe 10 according to one embodiment, where the rear part 15 is in the compressed position and the elastic element 31 is in the uncompressed position. Referring to FIG. 5B, which is a simplified side view of the shoe 10, the rear part 15 is in the compressed position and the elastic element 31 is in the extended position.

[0057] As an option, the illustrations of FIGS. 5A and 5B may be considered in the context of the details of the previous figures. Of course, however, the illustrations of FIGS. 5A and 5B may be considered in the context of any desired environment. Further, the foregoing definitions may equally apply to the following description.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 5A, for example, at least one component of the shoe opening 14, such as the elastic element 31, may be made of an elastic material such as a rubber strap as a non-limiting example. The elastic element 31 is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B as part of the side component 17. However, the elastic element 31 may alternatively be mounted as part of the inner component 16 or, alternatively, as part of both the inner component 16 and the side component 17.

[0059] When the foot enters the shoe, the elastic material of the elastic element 31 stretches, thus allowing the upper portion 21 of the rear component 15 to move downward and, at the same time, allowing the shoe opening 14 to expand, providing sufficient space for the foot to proceed through the shoe opening. The elastic material is enabled to contract once the foot enters the shoe, keeping the foot fixed inside the shoe.

[0060] It is understood that the rear spring 11 as described above or of any other shape and form may be adapted to the shape of the rear component 15. In this regard, the rear spring 11 may be curved vertically, upwardly, and forwardly according to the curvature of the rear component 15. In this regard, the rear spring 11 may be curved horizontally according to the curvature of the rear component 15.

[0061] The described embodiments present only a single rear spring 11 located within the rear component 15 of the shoe, but it should be understood that in some embodiments, multiple spring elements may be present within the rear component 15 and / or the lateral component 17 and / or the medial component 16. Similarly, some embodiments are described as utilizing a single elastic element 31 within the lateral component 17 and / or the medial component 16, but it should be understood that multiple elastic components 17 may be utilized within the lateral component 17, the medial component, and / or the rear component 15. Also, the elastic component 31 may be embedded within the interior of the lateral component 17, the medial component 16, and / or the rear component 15, and the slits or grooves within the lateral component 17, the medial component 16, and / or the rear component 15 are forced open by the foot, but at that time, they can be pulled rearward together by the force of the elastic component 31. It should also be understood that instead of a separate rear spring 11, the rear component 15, or the material itself that is part of the rear component 15, can be constructed from an elastic material that is compressed by a force but then returns to its pre-compressed state in response to the removal of the force. For example, the central component 23 may be constructed from a material that is compressed under a certain force and then rebounds to its uncompressed state in response to the removal of the force.

[0062] During the term of this patent, various footwear technologies and materials are expected to be developed, and the scope of the terms used herein, particularly the terms "footwear" and "shoe," is intended, a priori, to include all such new technologies and materials.

[0063] Additional objectives, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following examples, which are not intended to be limiting. In addition, various embodiments and aspects of the embodiments as precisely described above herein and as claimed within the sections of the following claims each find experimental support in the following examples.

[0064] For clarity, it is understood that certain features of the systems and methods described herein, which are described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination within a single embodiment. Conversely, for brevity, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0065] Although the systems and methods have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. In addition, any reference citations or identifications in this application shall not be construed as an admission that such references are available as prior art.

Claims

1. A shoe having a sole, the shoe comprising: an upper portion of a shoe having an opening for access to the shoe, the shoe opening being defined by a rear section, a medial section, a lateral section, and a front section; an upper portion of the shoe, the rear component comprising an upper component reinforced with a rigid material; Compression spring element and Equipped with The compression spring element a top portion and a bottom portion configured to be compressed toward one another by application of a force of the compression spring element on the top portion; a side profile curved according to the curvature of the rear part of the shoe; Equipped with the compression spring element is embedded within the rear part of the shoe; the compression spring element is substantially centered between the left and right sides of the rear part of the shoe; the upper portion of the compression spring element is attached adjacent to the upper part of the rear part; The bottom portion of the compression spring element is attached to the sole of the shoe.

2. Further comprising a vamp, an inner layer, and an outer layer, a bottom component of the outer layer attached to the sole; the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at a front part of the opening; The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is separated from the outer layer at the front part in the vamp region and the opening region.

3. Further comprising a vamp, an inner layer, and an outer layer, a bottom component of the outer layer attached to the sole; the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at a front part of the opening; The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is attached to the outer layer within at least one of a lateral side of the opening and a medial side of the opening.

4. Further comprising a vamp, an inner layer, and an outer layer, a bottom component of the outer layer attached to the sole; the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at a front part of the opening; The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is made of a softer material than the outer layer.

5. Further comprising a vamp, an inner layer, and an outer layer, a bottom component of the outer layer attached to the sole; the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at a front part of the opening; The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at the front part of the opening with stitching.

6. Further comprising a vamp, an inner layer, and an outer layer, a bottom component of the outer layer attached to the sole; the inner layer is attached to the outer layer at a front part of the opening; 10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the attachment of the inner layer to the outer layer at the front part of the opening acts to prevent the front part of the inner layer from flexing when an object is inserted into the shoe.

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