Footwear with collar elevator

Abstract

The article of footwear includes a collar elevator that returns the ankle collar from a lowered position for easy donning to an upright position that secures the wearer's foot during donning. The collar elevator can be positioned in a variety of locations in the article of footwear, for example, above or below a strobel. The collar elevator can be coupled to the article of footwear using a variety of connectors. The article of footwear can have other features, such as an ankle collar, configured in a manner that works in conjunction with the collar elevator.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to articles of footwear having a collar elevator. [Background technology]

[0002] Some footwear articles include an ankle collar that is operated when the footwear article is worn. For example, the ankle collar may be pushed toward the sole as the wearer's foot slides into the upper. Some such footwear articles also include a collar elevator operable to move the ankle collar from a pushed or lowered position to an upright position. An example of one type of collar elevator is described in U.S. Patent No. 9,820,527, and other examples of collar elevators are described in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0110292 and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2018 / 0289109. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0003] Some subject matter described in this disclosure refers to drawings, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an article of footwear according to one aspect of the disclosure. [Diagram 2] 2 illustrates a top view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1 according to one embodiment of the disclosure. [Figure 3A] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having a collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3B] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having a collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 3C] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having a collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having an alternative collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having an alternative collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] 1 illustrates another article of footwear having an alternative collar elevator according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] 1 illustrates an article of footwear that is at least partially disassembled according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] 13A-13C illustrate various bondages that may be used to attach various portions of the collar elevator to the upper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6A] 1 illustrates another article of footwear at least partially disassembled according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 6B] 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of the article of footwear of FIG. 6A, where the article of footwear is at least partially assembled according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7A] 1 illustrates alternative exterior and interior material layers for an upper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7B] 1 illustrates alternative exterior and interior material layers for an upper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 7C] 1 illustrates alternative exterior and interior material layers for an upper according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a portion of an article of footwear according to one aspect of the disclosure. [Figure 9A] 13A-13C illustrate various alternative collar elevators according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9B] 13A-13C illustrate various alternative collar elevators according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9C] 13A-13C illustrate various alternative collar elevators according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 9D] 13A-13C illustrate various alternative collar elevators according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10A] 1 illustrates various alternative soles according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10B] 1 illustrates various alternative soles according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10C] 1 illustrates various alternative soles according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 10D] FIG. 10D illustrates a cross-sectional view of the sole shown in FIG. 10C according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11A] 1 illustrates another alternative article of footwear according to one aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 11B]1 illustrates another alternative article of footwear according to one aspect of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0004] The subject matter is described with specificity and detail throughout this specification to meet statutory requirements. The embodiments described throughout this specification are for illustration rather than limitation, and the description itself is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter may be implemented in other ways to include various elements or combinations of elements that are the same as those described herein and involve other current or future technologies. Upon reading this disclosure, alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the described embodiments pertain without departing from the scope of this disclosure. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are practical and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and falls within the scope of the claims.

[0005] In general, the subject matter described herein relates to articles of footwear that can be worn with minimal or no manual adjustment, including related methods of manufacture, hi some embodiments, the articles of footwear can include a collar elevator that moves the ankle collar from a lowered position to an upright position.

[0006] Before describing the drawings in more detail, some further explanations of specific terminology that may be used in the present disclosure are provided below.

[0007] The singular forms "a", "an", "the", "at least one" and "one or more" may be used interchangeably to indicate the presence of at least one of an item. When these terms are used, there may be a plurality of such items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this specification, all numerical values ​​of parameters (e.g., amounts or conditions) are understood to be modified in all cases by "about", regardless of whether the term "about" actually precedes the numerical value, unless otherwise expressly or clearly indicated in light of the context, including the appended claims. "About" indicates that the stated numerical value allows for some imprecision (some proximity to the precision of the value, approximately or reasonably approximating the value, approximately). Unless the imprecision provided by "about" is otherwise understood in the art as such in its general sense, "about" as used herein indicates minimal variation that may occur in the ordinary manner of measuring and using such parameters. Also, the disclosure of a range is understood to specifically disclose all values ​​and subranges within that range. All references cited are incorporated herein in their entirety.

[0008] The terms "comprising," "including," and "having" are inclusive and thus specify the presence of a stated feature, step, operation, element, or component, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. The sequence of steps, processes, and operations may be modified where possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. The term "or" as used herein includes any one and all combinations of the associated items listed. The term "any of" is understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including "any one of" the referenced items. The term "any of" is understood to include any possible combination of the referenced claims of the appended claims, including "any one of" the referenced claims.

[0009] For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout this detailed description that correspond to the illustrated examples. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "top," "bottom," "upper," "lower," "top," "bottom," and the like may be used as descriptions of the drawings without expressing a limitation on the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

[0010] The term "longitudinal" as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims refers to the direction in which a component extends in length. For example, the longitudinal direction of a shoe extends between the forefoot and heel regions of the shoe. The terms "forward" or "front" are used to refer to the general direction from the heel region to the forefoot region, and the terms "rearward" or "rear" are used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., from the forefoot region to the heel region. In some cases, components may be identified as longitudinal along a longitudinal axis as well as longitudinally along the axis, both front and rear. The longitudinal direction or longitudinal axis may be referred to as the anterior-posterior direction or anterior-posterior axis.

[0011] The term "lateral," as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, refers to the direction extending across the width of a component. For example, the lateral direction of a shoe extends between the lateral and medial sides of the shoe. The lateral direction or lateral axis may also be referred to as the side-to-side direction or side-to-side axis, or the medial-lateral direction or medial-lateral axis.

[0012] The term "vertical", as used throughout this detailed description and in the claims, generally refers to a direction perpendicular to both the left-right and longitudinal directions. For example, the vertical direction may extend upward from the ground surface when the sole is placed flat on the ground surface. It will be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of the sole. The term "upper" refers to a vertical direction toward the top of the component and may include the upper, fastening area, and / or throat of the upper. The term "lower" refers to a vertical direction opposite to the upward direction toward the bottom of the component and may generally refer to the bottom of the sole structure of the footwear article.

[0013] The "interior" of a footwear article, such as a shoe, refers to the portion of the space that a wearer's foot occupies when the shoe is worn. The "inner" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented (or will be oriented) toward the interior of the component or footwear article in an assembled footwear article. The "outer" or "exterior" of a component refers to the side or surface of the component that is oriented (or will be oriented) away from the interior of the shoe in an assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the inner side of the component and the interior in the assembled footwear article. Similarly, other components may be between the outer side of the component and the space outside the assembled footwear article. Additionally, the terms "inward" and "inwardly" refer to the direction toward the interior of the footwear article, such as a shoe, or component, and the terms "outward" and "outwardly" refer to the direction toward the exterior of the footwear article, such as a shoe, or component. Additionally, the term "proximal" refers to the direction closer to the center of the footwear component or closer toward the foot when the foot is inserted into the footwear article by the wearer of the footwear article. Similarly, the term "distal" refers to a relative location that is further away from the center of a footwear component, or a direction that is further away from the foot when the foot is inserted into the footwear article by a user wearing the footwear article. Thus, it will be understood that the terms proximal and distal are intended to provide general opposite terms to describe relative spatial locations.

[0014] To aid in describing and understanding the embodiments herein, elements of a typical article of footwear 10 that may include a tongue reinforcement are described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 illustrates the exterior of the article of footwear 10, and Figure 2 illustrates the upper end of the article of footwear. In describing the various drawings referred to in this disclosure, like reference numbers refer to like components throughout all figures.

[0015] Footwear article 10 includes at least two major elements, including sole structure 12 and upper 14. When footwear article 10 is worn (as intended on the foot), sole structure 12 is typically positioned near the plantar surface of the foot (i.e., the bottom of the foot). Sole structure 12 may protect the bottom of the foot, as well as attenuate ground reaction forces, absorb energy, provide traction, and control foot movements such as pronation and supination. Upper 14 is coupled to sole structure 12 and forms a foot-receiving cavity 16 therewith. That is, sole structure 12 generally surrounds the bottom of the foot, while upper 14 extends over and at least partially covers the dorsal portion of the foot (i.e., the top or top of the foot) to secure footwear article 10 to the foot. Upper 14 includes a foot insertion opening 18 into which the foot is inserted when the foot is positioned within foot-receiving cavity 16 when footwear article 10 is worn.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1 , the article of footwear 10 may include a forefoot region 20, a midfoot region 22, a heel region 24, and an ankle region 26. The forefoot region 20, the midfoot region 22, and the heel region 24 extend through the sole structure 12 and the upper 14. The ankle region 26 is located in a portion of the upper 14. The forefoot region 20 generally includes a portion of the article of footwear 10 that corresponds to the toes and joints that connect the metatarsals with the phalanges. The midfoot region 22 generally includes a portion of the article of footwear 10 that corresponds to the arch area and the instep of the foot. The heel region 24 corresponds to the rear portion of the foot, including the calcaneus. The ankle region 26 corresponds to the ankle. Forefoot region 20, midfoot region 22, heel region 24, and ankle region 26 are not intended to define exact areas of article of footwear 10, but instead to indicate general areas of article of footwear 10 to aid in understanding various aspects of the present disclosure. Portions of the article of footwear may also be described in relative terms using these general areas. For example, a first structure may be described as being closer to the heel than a second structure, which is toward the toes and closer to the forefoot.

[0017] The article of footwear 10 also has a medial side 28 (as seen in FIG. 2 and hidden in FIG. 1) and a lateral side 30 (as seen in FIG. 2 and visible in FIG. 1). The medial side 28 and the lateral side 30 extend through each of the forefoot region 20, the midfoot region 22, the heel region 24, and the ankle region 26, and correspond to opposite sides of the article of footwear 10, and each is located on opposite sides of a longitudinal midline reference plane 29 of the article of footwear 10, as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the longitudinal midline reference plane 29 may pass through a forward-most point of the sole structure and a rearward-most point of the sole structure. Thus, the medial side 29 is considered to be opposite the lateral side 30. Typically, the medial side corresponds to the medial area of ​​the foot (i.e., the surface facing the other foot) and the lateral side corresponds to the lateral area of ​​the foot (i.e., the surface facing away from the other foot). In another embodiment, the article of footwear includes a front portion 33 and a rear portion 35 located on opposite sides of a latitudinal midline reference plane 31 of the article of footwear 10. The latitudinal midline reference plane 31 extends perpendicular to the longitudinal midline reference plane 29 and the ground surface and is equally spaced between a forward-most point of the article of footwear 10 and a rear-most point of the article of footwear 10. These terms may also be used to describe the relative positions of various structures. For example, a first structure closer to a medial portion of the article of footwear may be described as being medial to a second structure (which is closer to the lateral region and more lateral).

[0018] When describing an article of footwear, the relative terms "lower" and "upper" may also be used. For example, an upper portion generally corresponds to an upper end portion that is oriented closer to the direction of a person's head when the person's foot is lying flat on a horizontal ground surface and the person is standing upright, while a lower portion generally corresponds to a lower end portion that is oriented away from the person's head and closer to the ground surface.

[0019] The sole structure 12 may be constructed of a variety of materials and may include a variety of elements. For example, the sole structure 12 may include a midsole 32 and an outsole 34. The midsole 32 may be formed of a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further embodiments, the midsole 32 may include fluid-filled chambers, plates, adjusters, or other elements that further attenuate forces, improve stability, or affect foot motion. The midsole 32 may be a single, one-piece midsole or may be multiple components integrated as one unit. In some embodiments, the midsole 32 may be integrated with the outsole 34 as a unisole. The outsole 34 may be one piece or may be a component of several outsoles, may be formed of a wear-resistant rubber material that may be textured to provide traction, and / or may include traction elements such as treads or cleats secured to the midsole 32. The outsole 34 may extend the entire length and width of the sole or may extend only partially across the length and / or width.

[0020] The upper 14 may also be constructed of a variety of materials and include a variety of characteristics. For example, the upper 14 may be constructed of leather, fabric, or other synthetic or natural materials. The upper 14 may also be a knit, woven, braided, nonwoven, laminate, or any combination thereof. The upper 14 may have a variety of material properties related to breathability, elongation, flexibility, wicking, water resistance, etc.

[0021] The upper 14 typically includes a portion that overlaps and is connected to the sole structure 12, and the juncture of such connection may be referred to as a biteline. The upper 14 may also include a "strobel" that includes a panel of material that extends from the upper 14 across at least a portion of the foot-facing surface of the sole structure 12, and the strobel may be used to hold the upper 14 to a last when the sole structure 12 is attached to the upper 14. In other words, the sole structure 12 integrated into the article of footwear 10 includes a foot-facing surface, and in some cases, the upper 14 may include a panel (called a strobel) that extends inwardly from near the biteline area to at least partially cover the foot-facing surface. In this case, the strobel is positioned under the foot when the article of footwear is worn. The strobel may be covered with an insole or other layer of material.

[0022] The upper 14 includes other features. For example, the upper 14 includes an ankle collar 36 that forms a perimeter around at least a portion of the foot insertion opening 18. The upper 14 also often includes a throat 38 that extends from the ankle collar 36 and forms a perimeter along at least one or more sides of the elongated opening 40. A tongue 42 is located in the elongated opening 40, the size of which can be adjusted using various closure systems. For example, FIG. 1 illustrates laces 44, other closure systems can include elastic bands, hook-and-loop straps, zippers, buckles, and the like. The location of the tongue 42, and the connections of the closure system, can be adjusted to change the size of the foot insertion opening and the elongated opening, for example, by making the opening larger when the footwear article is put on or taken off and making the opening smaller when the footwear article is secured to the foot. The tongue 42 may include a separate component that is affixed to the upper at one or more locations, or alternatively the tongue may be an integrally formed region of the upper. Further embodiments contemplate that the elongated opening 40 (which may also be referred to as the forefoot opening) may be omitted, and instead the medial and lateral sides of the upper converge and are continuous across the area that would traditionally include the elongated opening 40.

[0023] Footwear article 10 may include, for example, an athletic shoe that can be worn when running or walking, and the description of footwear article 10, including the elements described with respect to Figures 1 and 2, may also apply to other types of shoes, such as basketball shoes, tennis shoes, American football shoes, soccer shoes, leisure or casual shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, hiking shoes, etc.

[0024] Having described FIGS. 1 and 2, several other aspects of the disclosure will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3A-3C and 4A-4C. Each of FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 3C illustrates an article of footwear 310 including an upper 314 coupled to a sole 312, the upper 314 including a heel region 324 and an ankle region 326 with an ankle collar 336. The ankle collar 336 is movable between a lowered state (shown in FIG. 3C) and an upright state (shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B). In the lowered state, the ankle collar 336 is positioned closer to the sole 312, and in the upright state, the ankle collar 336 is positioned further from the sole 312. Similarly, the article of footwear 410 includes an upper 414 coupled to a sole 412, the upper 414 including a heel region 424 and ankle region 426 with ankle collar 436.

[0025] The article of footwear 310 also includes a collar elevator 350 that is coupled to the upper 314 near the heel region 324 and / or ankle region 326 and is operable to move the ankle collar 336 from a lowered state to an upright state. More specifically, the collar elevator 350 includes a portion that is positioned in the heel region 324 and extends to the ankle region 326. As previously mentioned, there is not necessarily a precise delineation between the heel region 324 and the ankle region 326, and instead, describing the positioning of the collar elevator 350 relative to these regions is one way of describing the collar elevator 350 extending from a lower portion (closer to the sole) to a higher portion (closer to the ankle collar 336). As long as the collar elevator 350 is coupled to the upper 314 (near the heel region 324 and / or ankle region 326), the form of such coupling may vary. For example, collar elevator 350 may be coupled to the upper at heel region 324, coupled at ankle region 326, coupled to ankle collar 336, or any and all combinations thereof. Collar elevator 350 is one example of one type of collar elevator operable to move an ankle collar from a lowered position to an upright position, and as described elsewhere in this disclosure, the collar elevator may include one or more alternative structures beyond those shown in Figures 3A-3C. For example, Figures 4A-4C show article of footwear 410 with collar elevator 450 operable to move ankle collar 436 from a lowered position (e.g., Figure 4C) to an upright position (e.g., Figures 4A and 4B) that is of a different structure than collar elevator 350.

[0026] For illustrative purposes, upper 314 and upper 414 are shown with phantom dashed lines, and the collar elevator may be located at various points relative to the upper. For example, the collar elevator may be at least partially, and possibly completely, affixed between the exterior layer and the inner lining in the heel region, the ankle region, the ankle collar, or any and all combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the collar elevator may be at least partially exposed and located on the exterior or outer surface of the upper. In a further embodiment, at least a portion of the collar elevator may be located on the interior foot-facing surface of the inner lining. In another embodiment, the collar elevator may be located on the exterior of the article of footwear and attached to the heel portion of the ankle collar by tabs, heat staking, bonding, stitching, or other bonding.

[0027] Collar elevators (e.g., collar elevators 350 and 450) may include a variety of elements. In one embodiment, the collar elevator includes an inner lever arm, an outer lever arm, and a central connecting band that connects the inner lever arm to the outer lever arm and is located at the heel portion of the ankle collar. In a further embodiment, each lever arm is affixed to a base, and the base is held stationary relative to the lever arm by the lever arm being deformed when the ankle collar moves to a lowered state. The base may be a part of the article of footwear, such as a part of the sole or a part of the upper. The base may also be one or more other anchors affixed directly or indirectly to the sole, the sole itself, or any combination thereof. One or more collar elevators are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,820,527, some of which may be referred to as deformable member(s) (with or without a base), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, at least some of the deformable members described in U.S. Patent No. 9,820,527 include an inner lever arm, an outer lever arm, and a central connecting band that connects the inner lever arm to the outer lever arm. In another example, U.S. Patent No. 2018 / 0110292 and U.S. Patent No. 2018 / 0289109 each describe a number of other collar elevators, some of which are referred to as control bars (with or without a base), the entire disclosures of U.S. Patent Nos. 2018 / 0110292 and 2018 / 0289109 being incorporated herein by reference. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, at least some of the control bars described in U.S. Patent Nos. 2018 / 0110292 and 2018 / 0289109 include an inner lever arm, an outer lever arm, and a central connecting band that connects the inner lever arm to the outer lever arm.

[0028] Each of the illustrated collar elevators 350 and 450 shows an example of an inner lever arm 352 and 452, respectively. Also, each of the illustrated collar elevators 350 and 450 shows an example of an outer lever arm 354 and 454, respectively, and an example of a central connecting band 356 and 456, respectively. Also, the lever arms 352 and 354 are attached to a base 358, and the lever arms 452 and 454 are attached to a base 458 of a different structure than the base 358. The base 358 is affixed to or near the foot-facing surface of the sole 312, and the base 358 may be a portion of an outsole, a portion of a midsole, a portion of an insole, a portion of a strobel, a plate or sheet of material laminated between any of these sole layers, or any combination thereof. In particular, the base 358 may include a rigid portion or section to which the lever arms 352 and 354 are secured. 4A-4C show other embodiments in which base 458 may be attached to a portion of the upper (e.g., the heel counter), a portion of the midsole sidewall, or any combination thereof, where base 458 wraps around the underside of the article of footwear as opposed to extending through the insole in the manner described for base 358.

[0029] The inner lever arm, the outer lever arm, and the central connecting band may be a single continuous piece, and thus there may be no clear boundary between the inner lever arm, the outer lever arm, and the central connecting band. For example, the inner and outer arms and the central connecting band may be molded, cast, 3D printed, or otherwise formed as a single integrally formed unit. In other embodiments, the inner and outer lever arms may be separate, distinct, and individual elongated members that are connected to the central connecting band by mechanical or chemical bonding, friction fit, coating, or other bonding.

[0030] Having generally described some structural elements of the collar elevator, the following describes some operational aspects of the collar elevator. As briefly described above, the collar elevator moves the ankle collar from a lowered state to an upright state. More specifically, at least a portion of the medial lever arm, the lateral lever arm, the central connecting band, or any combination thereof, is affixed to a portion of the upper. In one aspect, the central connecting band may be affixed near the heel portion of the ankle collar. For example, as described elsewhere in this disclosure, the central connecting band may be attached to the heel portion of the ankle collar by adhesive, connecting tabs, heat staking, stitching, or the like. In this manner, as the ankle collar moves closer to the sole to the lowered state, the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm are deformed to a more compressed or loaded position. In other words, the collar elevator stores potential energy by elastically deforming from a less compressed configuration (e.g., FIGS. 3A and 4A ) to a more compressed configuration (e.g., FIGS. 3C and 4C ) when an applied force moves the ankle collar from an upright to a lowered state. The potential energy returns the collar elevator to a less compressed configuration upon removal of the applied force, and the ankle collar also moves from the lowered state to the upright state as the collar elevator is affixed to the upper. Although the collar elevator may be more compressed as the ankle collar moves to the lowered state (relative to the upright state), in the upright state the collar elevator may still store potential energy in an at least partially deformed state (i.e., pre-compressed) to enable retention of the rear, i.e., heel portion, of the ankle collar around the heel of the wearer. For example, if the collar elevator is attached to the upper heel region and / or upper ankle region, a portion of the upper may hold or maintain the collar elevator in a preloaded configuration when the ankle collar is in an upright position. In other embodiments, the collar elevator may be unloaded when the ankle collar is in an upright position.

[0031] In one embodiment, the portion 325 or 425 of the upper below the central connecting band may include one or more fabrics that are more flexible than other portions of the upper. The more flexible region of the upper may be, for example, at least partially in the heel counter region. In particular, such a more flexible portion 325 or 425 of the upper may collapse more easily as the ankle collar moves to a lowered state and may provide less resistance to the collar elevator as it returns to a less compressed state (compared to less flexible uppers in other portions of the article of footwear or in conventional articles of footwear).

[0032] In some embodiments, the combination of the inner lever arm, the outer lever arm, and the central connecting band may be referred to as a deformable element. The term "deformable element" refers to an elastically flexible member that can be deflected or compressed, but has a bias to move toward a non-deflected or non-compressed state. The deformable element may include a single integrally formed deformable element that extends continuously from the inner lever arm to the outer lever arm. In other embodiments, the inner lever arm and the outer lever arm may be two or more separate individual deformable elements that are connected to the central connecting band, which may also be referred to as a heel piece.

[0033] In some embodiments, the deformable element may be directly coupled, attached, or attached to the base. In other embodiments, the base may include one or more anchors that engage and maintain the deformable element in place. For example, the anchors may be located at the junctions (e.g., 359 and 459) between the lever arms and the base. Such anchors may be integrally formed with and / or coupled to and / or located within, between, or outside portions of the sole (e.g., insole, midsole, outsole). For example, the anchors may be located on blocks, plates, or wedges that are laminated or built into, between, on top of, or under the sole. In some cases, a portion of the sole (e.g., midsole) may be sculpted or cut out to attach to or accommodate the anchors. In another embodiment, the base (e.g., base 358) that extends in a medial-lateral orientation includes an anchor-like receiver with which the anchor engages by a resistance fit, compression fit, snap fit, or via an interlocking mechanism / configuration. In other examples, the anchors may be integrally formed with and / or coupled to and / or located within, between or outside portions of the upper. For example, the anchors may be located on the upper, the heel counter, or a combination thereof. A single anchor may extend the entire width of the article of footwear, or two anchors may be positioned on both sides of the article of footwear (e.g., on the medial and lateral sides). The deformable member may be attached at an angle to the base or anchor. For example, the deformable member may be attached at a perpendicular angle to the base and then curve or arc backward. In another embodiment, the deformable member may be attached at an angle that is angled forward (i.e., upward and forward) or backward (i.e., upward and backward) before arcing backward.

[0034] The connection between the deformable member and the base or anchor can be described in various ways. For example, in one embodiment, the deformable element does not pivot (i.e., is non-pivotal) about the base (e.g., about the insole, midsole, or outsole). In other words, the deformable element can be non-rotatably coupled to the base. In various embodiments, the engagement between the deformable element and the base (or anchor) is free of play, meaning that there is little or no relative movement between the two components.

[0035] The deformable element may include one or more of a tube, a wire, a spring, a shape memory structure or material, and the like. The deformable element may also include one or more materials, such as carbon steel, stainless steel, titanium, nickel titanium (nitinol), as well as other metals and alloys (shape memory or otherwise), polymers (shape memory or otherwise), composites, foams, graphite, carbon fiber, glass fiber, TPC-ET, silicon, TPU, and polycarbonate. For example, the deformable element may include titanium or may be a titanium wire. Additionally, one or more of the deformable elements may be made of a first material, such as titanium, and one or more additional deformable elements may be made of a second material, such as graphite.

[0036] In some embodiments, the deformable element may comprise a single, piece. For example, a first end of the deformable element (e.g., the end of the medial lever arm) may be built into or attached to a medial anchor, a second end of the deformable element (e.g., the end of the lateral lever arm) may be built into or attached to a lateral anchor, and an intermediate portion of the deformable element (e.g., a central connecting band) may extend around a heel or ankle portion of the upper or may be built into some additional heel piece structure.

[0037] In other embodiments, the deformable element may include multiple separate individual components. For example, the deformable element may include two separate components, with the first component (e.g., the inner lever arm) having a first end embedded or attached to the inner anchor and a second end embedded or attached to the inner side of the heel piece or central connection band. Thus, the second component (e.g., the outer lever arm) may similarly include a first end embedded or attached to the outer anchor and a second end embedded or attached to the outer side of the heel piece or central connection band. The multiple separate individual components may be secured together, for example, by one or more of a tape wrap, a woven encasing, an overmold (e.g., TPU), heat shrink tubing, etc., each of which may provide different stability and strength. For example, the deformable element may include one or more wires that are housed separately or together in a cover, sleeve, overmold, or heat shrink tubing. To facilitate elastic deformation of the deformable element, one or more wires may arch, bend, oscillate, and then return to their initial / normal state.

[0038] The deformable element may have variable mechanical properties along its length and / or at distinct points along its length. Such variation may be provided by a deformable element (e.g., a wire or a bundle of two or more wires), a fixation device surrounding all or a portion of the deformable element(s), or any combination thereof. For example, the deformable element and / or fixation device may have a variable cross-section, variable density, variable material, etc. along its length. Thus, a variable cross-section may be provided by a change in thickness or shape, or, if the thickness or shape of the deformable element is otherwise constant, by twisting the deformable element along its length.

[0039] As briefly mentioned above, the deformable element may include a cover, sleeve, overmold, or other suitable structure that may protect other elements of the deformable element (e.g., wires, springs, etc.) and control and / or guide and / or support and / or otherwise affect the bending or compression of the deformable element. In some embodiments, the cover is configured to promote the distribution of mechanical stress by transferring mechanical bending / deformation forces from the deformable element (e.g., from the wire(s) or springs) to the cover based on its manufacturing material, shape, geometry, etc., to prevent or at least inhibit damage or breakage of the deformable element that may otherwise occur due to the concentrated and repeated mechanical stresses to which the deformable element is subjected. For example, the cover may have dimensions that vary along its length (e.g., a funnel-like taper) to promote stress distribution and contribute to the dynamic bending of the deformable element. If the deformable element breaks, the cover may still provide at least some bias to help move the ankle collar from a lowered position to an upright position, and the cover may provide additional padding and / or support to the deformable element and may prevent or at least inhibit the wearer from feeling the deformable element.

[0040] As briefly mentioned above, the central connection band may also be referred to as a heel piece. The central connection band may be integrally formed with the medial and lateral lever arms as a single continuous unit. In other aspects, the central connection band may be a separate piece that extends between and bridges the medial and lateral lever arms. In particular, the central connection band may provide a bond to the upper and may provide a frame for the ankle collar to prevent the ankle collar from folding into the foot-receiving opening when the foot is inserted.

[0041] When worn by a wearer, a footwear article having a collar elevator (e.g., collar elevators 350 and 450) is a footwear article that the wearer may wear without the wearer using their hands to manipulate the footwear article. For example, the wearer's toes may be inserted through foot insertion opening 318 or 418, while the arch or heel of their foot is used to press ankle collar 336 or 436 downward toward sole 312 or 412. In this manner, the size of foot insertion opening 318 or 418 may be increased by adjusting ankle collar 336 or 436 closer to the sole in a lowered state. As the wearer's foot slides into foot receiving cavity 316 or 416, collar elevator 350 or 450 helps to move ankle collar from a lowered state (i.e., FIGS. 3C and 4C) to an upright state (i.e., FIGS. 3A and 4A) to secure the footwear article to the wearer's foot.

[0042] In particular, the collar elevators 350 and 450 may reduce the likelihood of structural failure of the upper heel and upper ankle regions over time, which may be due to repeated hands-free donning by providing a frame that operates to return to an upright position or be biased. The collar elevators 350 and 450 may also allow a user to easily don (i.e., put on) their shoes without using their hands and / or bending down to tie laces, without using a shoehorn, or without using other such adjustments, elements, or mechanisms for fit. Additionally, the footwear articles 310 and 410 may easily receive or guide the wearer's foot within or otherwise accommodate the wearer's foot relative to the foot-receiving opening. Such ease of donning may be due in particular to the collar elevators 350 and 450, which help provide a large foot insertion opening while preventing the top line of the ankle collar from folding inward toward the foot-receiving cavity.

[0043] The operation of the articles of footwear 310 and 410 may be described in a variety of ways. For example, the ankle collars 336 and 436 may be elastic or may include a goring element that allows for expansion of the foot insertion openings 318 and 418, for example, when the ankle collars move to the down state. In the down state, the foot insertion openings 318 and 418 may expand at least about 5%, or at least about 10%, or at least about 15%. Such measured expansion may be detected in a variety of ways. For example, a first circumference of the foot insertion opening may be measured when the ankle collar is in a first state, and a second circumference may be measured when the ankle collar is in a second state closer to the sole (relative to the first state). The distance from the sole to the ankle collar in the first and second states may be measured in a vertical plane (i.e., perpendicular to a horizontal reference plane, including a flat ground surface on which the ground contact surface sits in an at-rest position), and the distance may be measured from the rearmost point of the top line edge of the ankle collar to the top line edge of the sole (e.g., where the sole connects to the upper at the bite line). Thus, the distance in the first state is greater than the distance in the second state, and in one embodiment, the second distance is 75% or less of the first distance. Continuing with the previous example, in the second state having a distance of 75% or less of the distance in the first state, the circumference may expand by at least about 5%, at least about 10%, or at least about 15%. In a further example, the circumference of the foot insertion openings 318 and 418 may expand by at least about 1.0 inch (about 2.54 centimeters) when the ankle collar is in the second state having a distance of 75% or less of the distance in the first state. The amount of expansion of the foot insertion openings 318 and 418 may vary depending on the style and size of the shoe. In other embodiments, the height of the ankle collars 336 and 436 above the soles 312 and 412 in the lowered position is approximately 50% lower than the height in the upright position, although this, as well as other parameters, may vary depending on the style and size of the shoe.

[0044] As described elsewhere in this disclosure, the collar elevators 350 and 450 provide a restoring force when moving the ankle collars 336 and 436 from a lowered state to an upright state. In some embodiments, the restoring force is between about 1 lb-force and about 15 lb-force, which may be measured at various locations on the ankle collar. For example, as previously described, the ankle collar may include a first state having a first distance from the sole and a second state having a second distance from the sole (less than the distance in the first state). In one embodiment, the collar elevators 350 and 450 provide a restoring force between about 1 lb-force and about 15 lb-force in the second state having a distance of about 85% or less of the distance in the first state. In further embodiments, the collar elevators 350 and 450 provide a restoring force between about 1 lb-force and about 15 lb-force in the second state having a distance of about 75% or less of the distance in the first state. Additionally, the collar elevators 350 and 450 may provide a return force of about 1 lbf to about 15 lbf in a second state having a distance of about 50% or less than the distance in the first state. The return force may be strong enough to cause the rear of the ankle collar to spring back from the second state and fit snugly around the heel of the wearer. For example, the ankle collars 336 and 436 may rise from the lowered state to the upright state in less than about 1 second if the distance between the ankle collar and the sole in the lowered state is less than 85%, or less than 75%, or less than 50% of the distance in the upright state. In other embodiments, the ankle collars 336 and 436 may rise from the lowered state to the upright state in less than about 0.5 seconds if the distance between the ankle collar and the sole in the lowered state is less than 85%, or less than 75%, or less than 50% of the distance in the upright state. And, in further embodiments, the ankle collar 336 and 436 may rise from the lowered state to the upright state in less than about 0.2 seconds when the distance between the ankle collar and the sole in the lowered state is less than 85%, or less than 75%, or less than 50% of the distance in the upright state. The bounce back time is measured without any counterbalance from external forces (e.g., friction that may be exerted by the heel of the wearer).

[0045] Footwear articles 310 and 410 may be constructed in a variety of ways, and with reference to Figures 5A and 6A, examples are provided showing articles of footwear 510 and 610 (respectively) partially disassembled. For example, in Figure 5A, upper 514, collar elevator 550, base 558, sole insert 519, and sole 512 are shown in a disassembled state, while in Figure 6A, upper 614, collar elevator 650, and base 658, and sole 612 are shown in a disassembled state. Footwear articles 510 and 610 are similar to footwear article 310 in that when footwear article 510 is constructed, bases 558 and 658 are positioned below the foot-receiving cavity. That is, bases 558 and 658 are positioned between soles 512 and 612 and foot-receiving cavities 516 and 616, such that when articles of footwear 510 and 610 are in a worn configuration, bases 558 and 658 are positioned under the foot. Although articles of footwear 510 and 610 are similar in that bases 558 and 658 are positioned between the sole and the foot-receiving cavity (e.g., under the foot), they also include various differences from one another and help illustrate variations that may be included in article of footwear 310.

[0046] Footwear article 510 includes an upper 514 having a heel region 524 and an ankle region 526. Footwear article 510 also includes an ankle collar 536 movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned further from the sole. The upper also includes an outer material layer 513 and an inner material layer 515. Relative to one another, inner material layer 515 is closer to foot-receiving cavity 516 and outer material layer 513 is further away from foot-receiving cavity 516.

[0047] The article of footwear 510 also includes a collar elevator 550, at least a portion of which is positioned between the outer material layer 513 and the inner material layer 515 when the article of footwear is constructed. The dashed line 551 is provided only as a general guide for the approximate positioning of the collar elevator 550. The inner material layer 515 is illustrated as lining the heel region 524 from at least a forward edge 515A extending rearward, and FIGS. 7A-7C show alternative variations of the outer material layers 713A-C and the inner material layers 715A-C based on a cross-sectional view taken along reference line 7-7 in FIG. 5A. For example, FIG. 7A illustrates one embodiment in which the inner material layer 715A extends from the edge of the top line of the collar at the ankle to near the Strobel stitch. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, the inner material layer 715B may include a smaller panel of material lining only a portion of the heel region 524. For example, the inner material layer 715B may extend only along the area aligned with the collar elevator 550, and in this regard, the inner material layer 715B may form (together with the outer material layer 713B) a portion of the encasement, textile sheath, or channel for the lever arms 552 and 554. Alternatively, the outer material layer may include a small panel (relative to the inner material layer) that overlies only a portion of the inner material layer and extends along the area aligned with the collar elevator 550 to form an outer wall of the encasement, textile sheath, or channel for the lever arms 552 and 554. In another embodiment shown in FIG. 7C, the outer material layer 713C and the inner material layer 715C may be integrally woven with one another to form the lever arm channel.

[0048] Article of footwear 510 also includes a base 558, which is shown separated from collar elevator 550 for illustrative purposes. In one embodiment, collar elevator 550 may be initially formed separately from base 558 and then attached to base 558 at lever arm ends 553 and 555 with anchors or the like. In another embodiment, base 558 and collar elevator 550 may be integrally formed with one another (e.g., base 558 is continuous with the lever arm), such as by a co-molding process.

[0049] The collar elevator 550 may be coupled between the outer layer of material 513 and the inner layer of material 515 in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the inner layer of material 515 includes a bottom edge 517 that is separated in at least some places from the outer layer of material 513. Thus, the collar elevator 550 may be placed in place by separating the bottom edge 517 from the outer layer of material 513 and inserting the collar elevator 550 into the space between the inner layer of material 515 and the outer layer of material 513. The base 558 may be affixed to the collar elevator 550 prior to inserting the collar elevator 550 between the layers 513 and 515, or the base 558 may be attached during a subsequent process, such as before or during a lasting process. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, other portions of the inner layer of material 515 may remain separated from the outer layer of material 513 to allow for placement of the collar elevator 550 therebetween. At least some of these separated portions may then be joined to the outer layer of material 513 after placement of the collar elevator 550, for example by stitching or adhesive.

[0050] After the collar elevator 550 is positioned between the inner material layer 513 and the outer material layer 515, the collar elevator 550 can be bonded to the upper 514 in a variety of ways. Adhesives or bonding agents are one option, but they also have some drawbacks. For example, if the collar elevator 550 is free floating between the layers 513 and 515 before bonding, the bonding process may be less precise, which may result in inconsistent positioning across footwear articles. These formulations may also increase the stiffness of the upper material or affect material properties (e.g., breathability, wicking, etc.). Additionally, these formulations may experience delamination over time.

[0051] In one embodiment, the collar elevator of article of footwear 510 is affixed to upper 514 by a mechanical bond near central coupling portion 556, as shown in FIG. 5A, and some alternative collar elevators 550A-F are shown in FIG. 5B. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, article of footwear 510 can include any of collar elevators 550 and 550A-F, or a combination of features described therefor. In describing the various collar elevators 550A-F, it is noted that while the connectors are described as being affixed near the central coupling portion, in other embodiments of the present disclosure, the connectors described in FIG. 5B can be positioned in a wide variety of locations along the lever arm between the central coupling portion and the base.

[0052] In one aspect of the disclosure, article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator positioned at a central connecting portion and having an opening that extends completely through the thickness of the central connecting portion from the front surface (e.g., 561 in FIG. 5A) to the rear surface (e.g., 563). Article of footwear 510 also includes a fastener that extends through the opening and is coupled to inner material layer 515, outer material layer 513, or both outer material layer 513 and inner material layer 515. For example, a fastener may extend through each opening in each of outer material layer 513 and inner material layer 515. Examples of collar elevators having openings for engaging fasteners are shown in FIG. 5B as collar elevators 550A-C, each of which is described separately in more detail below. Generally, each of the fasteners illustrated with collar elevators 550A-C includes some form of elongated member (e.g., threads, studs, tabs, etc.) having a length greater than the thickness of at least one of the layers of material 513 and / or 515, which contributes to the ability of the elongated member to pass from one side of the layers of material to the other when operating in a fastening capacity.

[0053] 5B below, each of collar elevators 550A-F is shown along with respective cross-sectional views that generally illustrate various coupling configurations of the collar elevator with upper 514, including lateral material layer 513 and medial material layer 515. For example, each cross-sectional view may be taken along a longitudinal midline reference plane at the top line edge of the rear portion of ankle collar 536, showing a central connection portion of each collar elevator. Alternatively, as described elsewhere in this disclosure, the connector shown in FIG. 5B may couple a lever arm to the upper, and thus the cross-sectional views may similarly show configurations of a lever arm coupled to the lateral material layer, the medial material layer, or both the lateral and medial material layers.

[0054] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550A having a stitched area 560A with a strand receiving opening 562A. The stitched area 560A includes an area where one or more stitches 564A are applied to the central connecting portion 556A to join the central connecting portion 556A to the upper. Additionally, the stitched area 560A may include a thin wall 566A that is easier for a needle to penetrate (compared to a thicker wall) when applying the stitches 564A. The thin wall may include a recess in the front surface 561A of the central connecting portion 556A, a recess in the rear surface 563A of the central connecting portion 556A, or recesses in both the front surface 561A and the rear surface 563A, as shown in FIG. 5B. Alternatively, the stitched area 560A may not include a thin wall, but may include a wall thickness that matches the perimeter of the central connecting portion. In FIG. 5B, stitch 564A is illustrated as extending through outer material layer 513, stitch area 560A, and inner material layer 515; this version is designated as version "A" in FIG. 5B. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, stitch may extend only through inner material layer 515 and stitch area 560A (see exemplary version "B" in FIG. 5B), or only through outer material layer 513 and stitch area 560A (see exemplary version "C" in FIG. 5B). Strand receiving opening 562A may include a preformed opening configured in stitch area 560A prior to inserting collar elevator 550A between outer material layer 513 and inner material layer 515. Alternatively, strand receiving opening 562A may be formed by a needle passing through stitch area 560A when applying stitch 564A. As previously mentioned, stitch area 560A is illustrated along the central connecting portion of the collar elevator, however, in other embodiments, the lever arm may include a stitch area where stitching is positioned to attach the lever arm to the upper.

[0055] In another embodiment, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550B that extends completely through the thickness of the central connecting portion 556B from the front surface 561B to the rear surface 563B and includes a connector receiving opening 562B configured to receive a connector. For example, the connector can be a separate two-part connector having a first part and a second part that are snapped together or are otherwise securely fastened to one another. In one embodiment, the two-part connector is a male-female connector having a post on one part with a head that fits securely into a recess in the second part. The two parts can be securely fastened to one another in a variety of ways, such as frictional engagement (e.g., deformable barbs), snap engagement (e.g., studs, sockets), threading, bonding, heat treatment, and any and all combinations thereof. An exemplary two-part connector including a two-part snap rivet having a first part 564B and a second part 566B is shown in FIG. 5B. The connector may alternatively be a one-piece connector having a base on one end with a shaft inserted through the connector receiving opening 562B and formed into a cap such as a blind rivet. In FIG. 5B, the two-part connector is illustrated as extending through the outer material layer 513, the connector receiving opening 562B, and the inner material layer 515; this version is designated as version "D." In other aspects of the disclosure, the connector may extend only through the inner material layer 515 and the connector receiving opening 562B (see exemplary version "E" in FIG. 5B), or only through the outer material layer 513 and the connector receiving opening 562B (see exemplary version "F" in FIG. 5B). For purposes of the present disclosure, the two-part connector of collar elevator 550B may be described as "separate," implying that a first portion of the connector is not integrally formed with the central interlocking portion. "Separate" may also indicate that the first part of the two-part connector is not fixedly attached to a surface of the central connecting portion in a manner intended to prevent removal without affecting the integrity of the central connecting band or the first part.Such a breakaway connector is in contrast to those described below for 550D-F in which a portion of the connector is pre-coupled to a surface of the collar elevator, e.g., by being integrally formed with the collar elevator or fixedly attached to the surface of the collar elevator. That is, in 550D-F, a first portion of the connector is pre-coupled to the collar elevator prior to coupling to a second portion of the two-part connector. As previously discussed, connector receiving opening 562B is illustrated along a central coupling portion of the collar elevator, although in other embodiments, the lever arm may include a connector receiving opening through which a connector is positioned to attach the lever arm to the upper.

[0056] In a further embodiment of the disclosure, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550C including a tab receiving opening 562C that extends completely through the thickness of the central connecting portion 556C from the front surface 561C to the rear surface 563C and is configured to receive a woven material strip forming a tab and connected to the upper. For example, the tab may be a woven material strip that is affixed to the upper at a first portion and extends through the tab receiving opening 562C and includes some fastening elements that inhibit the strip from being pulled or slipping through the tab receiving opening. In one example, the tab may pass through the tab receiving opening and be affixed onto another portion of the upper at an opposite second portion. An exemplary tab 564C including a material strip that extends from the front side of the central connecting portion 556 through the tab receiving opening 562C and is further connected onto the upper is shown in FIG. 5B. For example, the tab may be stitched, welded, tacked, buttoned, snapped, riveted, or otherwise attached onto the upper after passing through the tab receiving opening 562C. In another example, the distal end of the tab may be coupled with a toggle element, such as a dowel, that is larger in at least one dimension than the tab receiving opening 562C and inhibits the material strip from being decoupled from the tab receiving opening 562C. FIG. 5B shows the tab extending from the front side of the central connecting portion and coupled to a surface of the upper facing away from the foot receiving cavity, this version being designated "G". In other embodiments, the tab may extend from the rear side of the central connecting portion and further coupled onto the upper on a surface facing the foot receiving cavity (see exemplary version "H" in FIG. 5B). As previously mentioned, the tab receiving opening 562C is illustrated along the central connecting portion of the collar elevator, however, in other embodiments, the lever arm may include a tab receiving opening in which a tab or strip of material extending from the upper is positioned to attach the lever arm to the upper.

[0057] In another aspect of the disclosure, article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator having a first portion of a two-part connector (e.g., male-female connector) extending from (or located within) a front surface (e.g., surface 561 in FIG. 5A ), a rear surface (e.g., surface 563), or both the front and rear surfaces. Examples of collar elevators having a first portion of a two-part connector are shown in FIG. 5B as collar elevators 550D-F, each of which is described in more detail below. As briefly discussed above, in collar elevators 550D-F, the first portion of the connector is pre-coupled to the collar elevator before being coupled to the second party of the two-part connector.

[0058] Describing collar elevators 550D-F generally, a first portion of the two-part connector is attached to a second portion of the two-part connector to couple the central connecting portion to the inner and / or outer material layers. For example, the first portion, the second portion, or both the first and second portions may extend through an opening in the outer and / or inner material layers to couple and form the two-part connector and couple the central connecting portion to the upper. This embodiment is similar to some fasteners described for collar elevators 550A-C, where the first portion has a length greater than the thickness of at least one of material layers 513 and / or 515, which contributes to the ability of the first portion to pass from one side of the material layers to the other when operating in a fastening capacity. Alternatively, one portion of the connector may be affixed to the central connecting portion and another portion of the connector may be affixed to a surface of the upper facing the central connecting portion, such that the connector does not pass through an opening in the upper. The first portion of the two-part connector may be attached to the second portion of the two-part connector in a variety of ways. For example, the first and second parts can frictionally engage one another, snap together, threadably attach to one another, clip together, or any and all combinations thereof. Also, the first part of the two-part connector can be integrally formed with the central connecting portion or can be a separate connector part that is fixedly attached to the central connecting portion by bonding or adhesives, welding, stitching, heat setting, etc. Furthermore, in embodiments in which the second part of the two-part connector is affixed to a surface of the upper facing the central connecting portion, the second part can be affixed by a variety of bonds including bonding or adhesives, welding, stitching, heat setting, etc.

[0059] In one embodiment of the disclosure, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550D (FIG. 5B) that includes a first portion 564D of a two-part connector affixed to a front surface 561D of a central connecting portion 556D. As previously mentioned, the first portion 564D may be integrally formed with the front surface 561D, or in another embodiment, may be a separate connector portion that is pre-attached to the front surface 561D by some other attachment mechanism (e.g., bonding or adhesive, welding, stitching, heat curing, etc.). The first portion 564D is coupled with the second portion 566D of the two-part connector, for example, by frictionally engaging with each other, snapping together, screwing together, clipping together, or any and all combinations thereof. For example, first portion 564D may extend through an opening in inner material layer 515 and be connected to second portion 566D on the side of inner material layer 515 facing away from central connecting portion 556D and facing foot receiving cavity 516, this version being identified with reference letter "I" in FIG. 5B. In an alternative embodiment, second portion 566D may be affixed to surface 515J of inner material layer 515 facing central connecting portion 556D, this embodiment being identified with reference letter "J" in FIG. 5B. As previously mentioned, first portion 564D of the two-part connector is illustrated along the central connecting portion of the collar elevator, however, in other embodiments, the front side of the lever arm may include first portion 564D of the two-part connector that is attached to the second portion to attach the lever arm to the upper.

[0060] In another embodiment of the disclosure, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550E that includes a first portion 564E of a two-part connector affixed to a rear surface 563E of a central connecting portion 556E. As previously mentioned, the first portion 564E may be integrally formed with the rear surface 563E, or in another embodiment, may be a separate connector portion that is pre-attached by some other attachment mechanism (e.g., bonding or adhesive, welding, stitching, heat curing, etc.). The first portion 564E is coupled with the second portion 566E of the two-part connector, for example, by frictionally engaging with each other, snapping together, screwing together, clipping together, or any and all combinations thereof. For example, the first portion 564E may extend through an opening in the outer material layer 513 and be connected to the second portion 566E on the side of the outer material layer 513 facing away from the central connecting portion 556E and away from the foot receiving cavity 516, this version being identified in FIG. 5B with the reference letter "K". In an alternative embodiment, the second portion 566E may be affixed to the surface 513L of the outer material layer 513 facing the central connecting portion 556E, this embodiment being identified in FIG. 5B with the reference letter "L". As previously mentioned, the first portion 564E of the two-part connector is illustrated along the central connecting portion of the collar elevator, however, in other embodiments, the rear side of the lever arm may include the first portion 564E of the two-part connector that is attached to the second portion to attach the lever arm to the upper.

[0061] In a further embodiment of the disclosure, the article of footwear 510 includes a collar elevator 550F that includes a portion of a first two-part connector and a second two-part connector. The first two-part connector includes a first portion 564F affixed to a rear surface 563F of the central connecting portion 556F, and the second two-part connector includes a first portion 568F affixed to a front surface 561F of the central connecting portion 556F. As previously mentioned, the first portions 564F and 568F can be integrally formed with the rear surface 563F and the front surface 561F, or in another embodiment, can be separate connector portions that are pre-attached by some other attachment mechanism (e.g., bonding or adhesive, welding, stitching, heat curing, etc.). First portion 564F is coupled to second portion 566F of the two-part connector, and first portion 568F is coupled to second portion 570F of the two-part connector (e.g., the first portions may be coupled to their respective second portions by frictionally engaging one another, snapping together, screwing together, clipping together, or any and all combinations of these). For example, first portions 564F and 568F may extend through respective openings in outer and inner material layers 513 and 515 and be coupled to second portions 566F and 570F on the sides of outer and inner material layers 513 and 515 facing away from central coupling portion 556F; this version is identified in FIG. 5B with the reference letter "M." In an alternative embodiment, the second portions 566F and 570F may be affixed to the surfaces of the outer and inner material layers 513 and 515 facing the central connecting portion 556F, this embodiment being identified in FIG. 5B with the reference letter "N". Although not explicitly illustrated in FIG. 5B, other embodiments may include combinations of versions "M" and "N". For example, the first portion 564F may extend through an opening in the outer material layer 513 to be coupled to the second portion 566F, and the other first portion 568F may be coupled to the second portion 570F on the surface of the inner material layer 515 facing the central connecting portion 556F. Alternatively, the first portion 568F may extend through an opening in the inner material layer 515 to be coupled to the second portion 570F, and the other first portion 564F may be coupled to the second portion 566F on the surface of the outer material layer 513 facing the central connecting portion 556F.As previously discussed, first portions 564F and 568F are illustrated along the central connecting portion of the collar elevator, however, in other embodiments, the front and rear of the lever arm can include first portions for attaching the lever arm to the upper.

[0062] Having described several alternative collar elevators that are variously coupled to the upper, further aspects of the disclosure are described below, again with reference to FIG. 5A. As previously described, collar elevator 550 or 550A-F is inserted between outer material layer 513 and inner material layer 515. Collar elevator 550 or 550A-F may then be coupled to the upper using one or more of the couplings described in previous sections of this disclosure. Also, as previously described, base 558 may already be attached to collar elevator 550 or 550A-F (e.g., when base 558 is integrally formed with the lever arm), or in some embodiments, base 558 may be attached to collar elevator 550 or 550A-F after collar elevator 550 or 550A-F is attached to the upper. In further aspects, base 558 is affixed to sole insert 519, which may include cardboard, paperboard, paper fiberboard, or the like. For example, sole insert 519 may be bonded or adhered to lower surface 557 of base 558 (i.e., the surface facing away from foot-receiving cavity 516 and facing sole 512). In one embodiment, bonding to sole insert 519 inhibits lifting of the base as the heel collar moves from an upright position to a lowered position.

[0063] In further embodiments, upper 514 includes skirt 508 positioned at a lower periphery of upper 514. Skirt 508 can be a continuous portion of outer material layer 513 including an extended length of skirt 508. Alternatively, skirt 508 can be a separate strip of material, such as a low elongation nonwoven material, applied around a lower periphery of outer material layer 513. In further embodiments, upper 514 is lasted with collar elevator 550 or 550A-F in place between layers 513 and 515, and base 558 and sole insert 519 in place, while skirt 508 is pulled downward and bonded to bottom surface 521 of sole insert 519. Thus, in some embodiments, sole insert 519 can be referred to as a lasting board. In particular, this attachment of skirt 508 to bottom surface 521 of sole insert 519 helps to shape upper 514 around the last, and attachment of skirt 508 to bottom surface 521 at the heel portion can help load the collar elevator in a pre-tensioned state. When skirt 508 is joined to bottom surface 521 of sole insert 519, sole 512 can be bonded to skirt 508 and sole insert 519, which can be done while the upper is still on the last.

[0064] 5A and 5B show an embodiment in which one or more structures, such as skirt 508 and sole insert 519, are positioned between base 558 and sole 512. In alternative embodiments, base may be positioned differently than shown in FIG. 5A. For example, base may be positioned below Strobel, as described below with reference to FIG. 6A for other embodiments of the disclosure. FIG. 6A illustrates an example of a partially disassembled article of footwear 610. That is, upper 614 is coupled to Strobel 608, which is decoupled from collar elevator 650, and base 658, which is decoupled from sole 612 (shown in phantom dotted lines to better visualize the lever arm). Footwear article 610 differs from footwear article 510 in that base 658 is positioned below Strobel 608 when footwear article 610 is constructed. That is, base 658 is positioned between Strobel 608 and sole 612 when footwear article 610 is constructed. For example, and referring briefly to FIG. 6B, a cross-sectional view is provided illustrating the relative positions of strobel 608 and base 658 when article of footwear 610 is in a combined state.

[0065] Upper 614 further includes a bite line 623 that indicates the approximate location of the top edge 609 of sole 612 when sole 612 is connected to upper 614. Upper 614 also includes a strobel 608 that is bonded to one or more of the layers of material of upper 614, with reference numeral 625 identifying a line along which a strobel stitch or other bond may be positioned. Strobel 608 is shown as a continuous panel that completely encloses the bottom portion of upper 614. In other embodiments, strobel 608 may not be a continuous piece and / or may not enclose the entire bottom portion, such as a split strobel or half strobel.

[0066] The upper 614 also includes an opening 627 that extends completely through the first material layer 613 of the upper 614 (i.e., from a first surface facing away from the foot-receiving cavity to a second surface facing the foot-receiving cavity), the opening 627 providing an opening to a lever arm region 651 positioned between the first material layer 613 and the more interior second material layer 615. In other words, the first material layer 613 may have a thickness that includes an outwardly facing surface facing away from the foot-receiving cavity and / or facing the sole, and an inwardly facing surface facing the foot-receiving opening, the thickness being between the outwardly facing surface and the inwardly facing surface. In this case, the opening 627 extends through the material layer from the outwardly facing surface to the inwardly facing surface. The opening may include a variety of structures. For example, the opening may include a slit formed along an edge of the first material layer or a hole (e.g., die cut, punched, perforated, etc.) formed through the first material layer. In other cases, the opening may include an integrally formed hole constructed by manipulation of yarns or fibers in forming the first layer of material (e.g., knitted, woven, sewn, etc.). The opening may have a variety of sizes, measured (e.g., length, width, circumference, area, etc.) along at least a portion of the perimeter of the opening, and in some cases, the size includes a relationship to the collar elevator. For example, the opening may include a dimension at least as large as a portion of a lever arm to allow positioning of the lever arm within the opening.

[0067] While hidden in FIG. 6A, in FIG. 6B article of footwear 610 includes another opening 631 on the opposite side of the upper that provides an opening to another lever arm region 653. In general, when base 658 is positioned below strobel 608 (i.e., between strobel 608 and sole 612), lever arm 652 connected to base 658 at junction 659 may extend from junction 659 through opening 627 to lever arm region 651. Additionally, the cross-sectional view of FIG. 6B shows lever arm 652 extending from junction 659 with base 658 through opening 627 to lever arm region 651. FIG. 6B also shows lever arm 654 extending from base 658 through opening 631 to lever arm region 653. As described in other aspects of the present disclosure, the connection of lever arms 652 and 654 to base 658 at their respective joints (e.g., 659) may include anchors, such as friction fit connections, or lever arms 652 and 654 may be integrally formed with base 658.

[0068] 6A and 6B show examples of some elements of the present disclosure, and various alternative embodiments exist. For example, the first material layer 613 and the second material layer 615 can include various configurations. Generally, the first material layer 613 is an outer material layer and the second material layer 615 is an inner material layer, respectively, and FIGS. 7A-7C show alternative configurations according to reference line 7-7 of FIG. 6A.

[0069] In one embodiment, the inner material layer 615 can be a liner that extends across most of the heel and ankle regions of the upper and is joined to the outer material layer 613 at various locations. For example, as shown in cross section in FIG. 7A, the inner material layer 715A extends from near the edge of the top line of the ankle collar to near Strobel stitch 725A, and the inner material layer 713A and the outer material layer 715A are not directly connected to each other at lever arm region 751A.

[0070] In another embodiment illustrated by FIG. 7B, the inner material layer 715B can be a liner that extends only along a selected portion of the inwardly facing surface of the outer material layer 713B, for example along the lever arm region 751B, to form an encasement for the lever arms. For example, as shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 7B, the inner material layer 715B includes an upper edge that is below the ankle collar, and the inner material layer 713B and the outer material layer 715B are not directly connected to each other along the lever arm region 751B. Alternatively, the outer material layer can include a small panel (relative to the inner material layer) that overlies only a portion of the inner material layer and extends along the region aligned with the collar elevator to form the outer wall of the encasement, fabric sheath, or channel for the lever arms 552 and 554.

[0071] In further embodiments, the inner and outer material layers can include woven lever arm channels, as shown in Figure 7C. For example, the outer and inner material layers 713C and 715C can each include woven layers integrally formed with one another and separated along the lever arm region 751C.

[0072] 6A and 6B, article of footwear 610 includes openings 627 and 631 positioned below the bite line. Thus, a portion of the lever arm between the junction with the base and the opening remains hidden behind the sidewall of sole 612. In another embodiment, openings 627 and 631 may be positioned on the edge of the top line of sole 612, such that at least a portion of the lever arm may be exposed before entering the lever arm area between the layers of material. For example, referring to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment is illustrated that includes article of footwear 610B having openings 627B and 631B positioned above the edge 609B of the top line of sole 612B. Thus, lever arms 652B and 654B are exposed to the outer surface before entering spaces 651B and 653B between first layer of material 613D and second layer of material 615D.

[0073] 6A and 6B, when the lever arms 652 and 654 are inserted into the respective openings 627 and 631, the lever arms 652 and 654 may be coupled to the upper 614 in a variety of manners. For example, in one embodiment, the outer material layer 613 and the inner material layer 615 may be affixed together in such a manner by stitching, adhesive, welding, etc. to create a lever arm channel having a size, shape, and volume configured to form a fit with the lever arm. In FIG. 6A, the lever arms 652 and 654 generally taper from the junction with the base 658 to the distal end, and thus the respective lever arm channels may similarly taper from the openings (e.g., 627 and 631) to the distal end. In one embodiment, the fit between the lever arms and the lever arm channels is sufficient to transmit force between the collar elevator and the upper as the ankle collar moves between an upright state and a lowered state.

[0074] In other embodiments, the lever arms 652 and 654 can be attached to the upper by one or more of the connectors described with respect to FIG. 5B. That is, each lever arm 652 and 654 can include an opening through which a connector extends that includes stitching, a breakaway two-part connector, or a woven tab. Alternatively, each lever arm 652 and 654 can include a pre-attached first portion of a two-part connector that is attached to a second portion of the two-part connector on the outer or inner surface of the outer and / or inner material layers.

[0075] FIG. 6A illustrates an embodiment in which article of footwear 610 includes two lever arms 652 and 654, each of which terminates before extending around the rear of ankle region 626. Referring to FIG. 9A, in an alternative embodiment, article of footwear 610 includes a collar elevator 950 having a first lever arm 952 and a second lever arm 954, each of which extends around at least a portion of the rear of the ankle region (i.e., at least to the longitudinal midline reference plane). Thus, lever arms 952 and 954 at least partially overlap. In FIG. 9A, lever arms 952 and 954 are shown in a curved configuration that may appear when the collar is in an upright position, although prior to insertion into openings 627 and 631, the lever arms may be straight to allow for smoother insertion. In that case, the flexibility of lever arms 952 and 954 may allow lever arms 952 and 954 to be guided into the configuration shown in FIG. 9A by lever arm channel(s) in communication with openings 627 and 631. Collar elevator 950 may be affixed to upper 610 by any of the aforementioned connectors, including form-fit channels, stitching, breakaway two-part connector(s), connectors having one part pre-attached to the collar elevator, and any and all combinations thereof. First lever arm 952 and second lever arm 954 may be integrally formed with base 958 or may be formed as separate elements that are affixed to base 958 with one or more anchors.

[0076] In Figures 6A and 9A, the collar elevator includes a first lever arm and a second lever arm. Referring now to Figures 9B-9D, an alternative embodiment is shown in which the collar elevator of the article of footwear 610 may include a single lever arm 952B-D. For example, if a single lever arm 952B-D is affixed to the base 958B-D, the single lever arm may be positioned in the opening 627 or the opening 631 and may extend to various positions in the heel and / or ankle region depending on the length of the lever arm. The lever arm 952B includes a length that is configured to position the lever arm only on the medial side or only on the lateral side of the article of footwear 610. For example, if the opening 627 is on the medial side, the lever arm 952B will extend from the base 958B through the opening 627 to a termination point that is on the medial side relative to the longitudinal midline reference plane. Alternatively, if the opening 627 is on the outside, the lever arm 952B will extend from the base 958B through the opening 627 to a termination point that is on the outside relative to the longitudinal midline reference plane.

[0077] 9C, lever arm 952C is longer than lever arm 952B, and when opening 627 is on the medial side, lever arm 952C will extend from base 958C through opening 627 to a termination point that is on the medial side relative to the longitudinal midline reference plane. Alternatively, when opening 627 is on the lateral side, lever arm 952C will extend from base 958C through opening 627 to a termination point that is on the medial side relative to the longitudinal midline reference plane. Referring to FIG. 9D, lever arm 952D is longer than lever arm 952C, and when opening 627 is on the medial side, lever arm 952D will extend from base 958D through opening 627 around the rear of the ankle region, possibly through opening 631 on the opposite lateral side of the upper. Alternatively, if opening 627 is on the lateral side, lever arm 952D will extend from base 958C, through opening 627, around the rear of the ankle region, and possibly through opening 631 on the opposite medial side of the upper.

[0078] When the lever arms 952B-D are positioned on the upper, the lever arms 952B-D may be coupled to the upper 614 in a variety of manners. For example, in one embodiment, an outer layer of material and an inner layer of material may be affixed together in such a manner by stitching, adhesive, welding, etc. to create a lever arm channel having a size, shape, and volume configured to form a fit with the lever arm. In FIGS. 9B-9D, the lever arms 952B-D generally taper from the junction with the base to the distal end, and thus each lever arm channel may similarly taper from the opening to the distal end. In one embodiment, the fit between the lever arm and the lever arm channel is sufficient to transmit force between the collar elevator and the upper as the ankle collar moves between an upright state and a lowered state.

[0079] In other embodiments, the lever arms 952B-D can be attached to the upper by one or more of the connectors described with respect to FIG. 5B. That is, each lever arm 952B-D can include an opening through which a connector extends that includes stitching, a breakaway two-part connector, or a woven tab. Alternatively, each lever arm 952B-D can include a pre-attached first portion of a two-part connector that is attached to a second portion of the two parts on the outer or inner surface of the outer and / or inner material layers.

[0080] In another embodiment of the present disclosure, collar elevators 550 and 550A-F may be inserted into upper 610 in a manner such that the lever arms are positioned in openings 627 and 631. Thus, in these embodiments, base 558 would be positioned below strobel 608.

[0081] In several different aspects included above in this disclosure, various different collar elevators have been described with a base positioned under the strobel. Such structuring and configurations may contribute various advantages in certain situations. For example, by locating the base under the strobel, the need for a sole insert may be reduced and a configuration suitable for strobel lasting may be provided. In some cases, the sole insert may provide undesirable stiffness under the foot, in which case the strobel is often the solution for stiffness reduction. Also, strobel lasting may be more efficient from a manufacturing standpoint than board lasting in some situations, since board lasting involves pulling the skirt down and attaching it to the bottom surface of the sole insert. Also, by omitting the sole insert, the base may be positioned directly on the top of the sole, for example the midsole, which may provide an opportunity for the base to be coupled to or secured to the sole.

[0082] 10A-10C below, various soles 1012A-C are shown that may be included in an article of footwear 610 and combined with any of the collar elevators 550, 550A-F, 650, 950, and 950B-D described above. For example, FIG. 10A shows a sole 1012A having a base and a superior surface 1006A that faces the foot receiving cavity 618 when included in an article of footwear 610. The dashed lines in FIG. 10A indicate a base attachment zone illustrating the general location where the base may be attached to the superior surface 1006A. As shown elsewhere in this disclosure, the superior surface 1006A may be attached to the base prior to the base, either before or after the base is attached to the collar elevator and bonded to the upper. The superior surface 1006A includes a base target area 1004A that is enclosed within the base attachment zone and a peripheral area 1003A around the base target area 1004A. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the upper surface 1006A smoothly transitions from the base target area 1004A to the peripheral area 1003A. In other words, the portion of the base target area 1004A and the portion of the peripheral area 1003A that are directly adjacent to each other extend substantially on the same plane. In other words, the base target area 1004A is not recessed or upstanding relative to the peripheral area 1003A. The size and shape of the base and base target area 1004A are merely exemplary, and in other embodiments, the size and shape can be customized to fit the shape of the sole 1012A. For example, the size of the base can be customized to substantially fill the width of the surface 1006A as well as the depth toward the heel, and by filling these portions of the upper, hot spots or irritation points in the midsole can be prevented. Also, the thickness of the base can gradually taper as the base extends toward its leading edge for a smooth transition to the surface 1006A.

[0083] Referring to FIG. 10B, an alternative sole 1012B is illustrated, which includes a base docking recess 1004B included in a top surface 1006B. The base docking recess 1004B includes a depth that extends from the bottom 1011B of the recess to a peripheral region 1003B. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the depth of the base docking recess 1004 is substantially similar to the thickness of the base measured from the base bottom surface facing the sole to the base top surface facing the foot receiving cavity, an example of a base thickness 690 is shown in FIG. 6A. Thus, when the base is affixed to the base docking recess 1004B, the base top surface is substantially flush with the peripheral region 1003B of the surface 1006B. For example, the base may be bonded, glued, welded, heat set, or co-molded to the base docking recess 1004B. In particular, similar base thickness and recess depth may reduce the possibility of irritation points within the midsole. Also, since it may not be necessary to fill the sides and rear of the upper, the size and shape of the base may be more customized. Also, the walls of the base docking recess 1004B may help maintain the position of the base by inhibiting the base from rotating relative to the sole 1012B. More specifically, in one embodiment, the periphery of the bottom surface of the base forms a 2D shape substantially similar to the 2D shape formed by the periphery of the bottom 1011B of the base docking recess. For example, in FIG. 10B, the periphery of the bottom 1011B of the base docking recess 1004B includes a rectangular 2D shape, and the periphery of the bottom surface of any other collar elevator described in this disclosure may include a substantially similar rectangular 2D shape. In this sense, the periphery of the bottom and the periphery of the base bottom surface may cooperate in a lock-and-key type relationship to reduce or inhibit rotation of the base when mated with the base docking recess. Furthermore, a consistent base size and shape may be used across soles of different shapes if corresponding base docking recesses 1004B are included in a wide variety of soles.

[0084] 10C and 10D below, in another embodiment, the article of footwear 610 includes a sole 1012C. The sole 1012C is similar to the sole 1012B, as the sole 1012C also includes a base docking recess 1004C. The base docking recess 1004C may also have a bottom with a periphery that forms a 2D shape substantially similar to the periphery of the bottom surface of the base. However, the sole 1012C includes a base retention tab 1002C that fits over the top of the base when the base is positioned in the base docking recess 1004C. The base retention tab 1002C may include a variety of elements. For example, in one embodiment, the base retention tab 1002C includes a thickness 1001C (see, e.g., FIG. 10D) that, when combined with the thickness of the base (e.g., thickness 690 of FIG. 6A), is substantially similar to the depth 1005C of the base docking recess 1004C. The tab 1002C also includes an inside-to-outside width 1001C' that is less than the inside-to-outside width 1005C' of the base docking recess 1004C. Thus, a gap 1007C is formed between the inside and outside of the tab 1002C and between the inside and outside of the base docking recess 1004C. The gap provides a mating feature that allows the lever arm to extend unimpeded out of the base docking recess 1004C when the base is affixed within the base docking recess 1004C. The gap also allows the tab 1002C to fit flush against the top surface of the base without potential interference from the lever arm.

[0085] The tab 1002C may operate in a variety of ways. For example, in one embodiment, the tab 1002C provides an additional securing element to maintain the base within the base docking recess 1004C. The tab 1002C may also provide some cushioning on the base, which may sometimes be a high hardness material. The tab 1002C may also operate to hold down the front edge of the base when the ankle collar is pushed into a lowered state, resulting in tension in the collar elevator. In this sense, the tab 1002C may have a variety of lengths operable to help hold down the front edge of the base. In FIG. 10C, the tab 1002C includes a length 1009C measured from the front joint between the tab and the remainder of the sole to the rear free end of the tab 1002C. The base also includes a base length (e.g., length 692 in FIG. 6A) that extends from the front edge of the base to the rear edge of the base, and as previously described, the base length may be substantially similar to the length of the base docking recess 1004C. In one embodiment, the tab length is equal to or less than the base length. In another embodiment, the tab length is equal to or less than 75% of the base length. In a further embodiment, the tab length is equal to or less than 50% of the base length. Also, the tab length may be equal to or less than 25% of the base length. Additionally, the tab length may be equal to or less than 10% of the base length, and operates to inhibit lifting of the front edge of the base as the ankle collar moves to the lowered state. As described for the sole 1012B, the base may be affixed to the base docking recess 1004C in a variety of ways. For example, the base may be bonded, glued, welded, heat cured, co-molded, or a combination thereof into the base docking recess 1004C, or the sole 1012C may be overmolded around the base, with the lever arm extending through the gap.

[0086] 11A and 11B below, another embodiment that may be included in one or both of the articles of footwear 510 and 610 is illustrated. In FIGS. 11A and 11B, a portion of an article of footwear 1110 is shown, which includes a sole 1112; and an upper 1114 coupled to the sole 1112 and including an ankle collar 1136 that is movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole 1112 (i.e., FIG. 11B) and an upright state positioned further from the sole (i.e., FIG. 11A). The article of footwear 1110 also includes a collar elevator 1150 that is operable to return the ankle collar 1136 from the lowered state to an upright state. The collar elevator 1150 includes a base 1158 that may be stacked over a strobel or sole insert (e.g., shown in FIG. 5A) or under a strobel (e.g., shown in FIG. 6A). Additionally, the collar elevator may include any of collar elevators 550, 550A-F, 650, 950, or 950B-D.

[0087] In a further embodiment, the collar elevator 1150 includes a lever arm 1152 that bends backwards, downwards, or both backwards and downwards as the ankle collar 1136 moves from an upright state to a lowered state. Various attributes, such as the cross-section(s) of the lever arm, the size of the lever arm, the shape(s) of the lever arm, recesses or notches in the lever arm, etc., may contribute to the manner in which the lever arm 1152 bends. In some cases, the downward force that moves the ankle collar 1136 to the lowered state may be fairly evenly distributed along the length of the lever arm, and thus the lever arm may be adjusted backwards and / or downwards in a relatively linear and consistent manner. In other words, the portion of the collar elevator 1150 that is most distal 1180 from the base 1158 may adjust, move or bend the longest distance, and the portion of the collar elevator closest to the base 1158 may adjust, move or bend the shortest distance, and the distance that the portion of the collar elevator 1150 moves between the base 1158 and the distal end 1180 gradually and consistently increases in a linear manner from the base to the distal end 1180.

[0088] Alternatively, the lever arm 1152 may include one or more flex points that separate a superior segment of the lever arm from a inferior portion of the lever arm, the inferior portion being closer to the base (as measured along the length of the lever arm). The one or more flex points indicate a location where the superior segment is exponentially adjusted relative to the inferior segment as the ankle collar moves from an upright state to a lowered state. For example, the flex points may include a location where the lever arm hinges or pivots to allow the superior segment to be adjusted downward at a faster rate than the inferior portion as the ankle collar 1136 moves from an upright state to a lowered state. The flex points may be detected or identified under a variety of circumstances. For example, in one embodiment, the ankle collar may move from a first state having a first distance from the sole to a second state having a second distance from the sole, the second distance being less than the first distance, and the flex point may be a portion of the lever arm where the lever arm is bent or folded to a greater extent than one or more other portions of the lever arm. The second distance can be less than or equal to 25% of the first distance, less than or equal to 50% of the first distance, or less than or equal to 75% of the first distance.

[0089] 11B, the lever arm 1152 includes a flex point 1170 positioned between an upper segment 1172 of the lever arm and a lower segment 1174 of the lever arm, the lower segment 1174 being closer to the base 1158 than either the flex point 1170 or the upper segment 1172 (as measured along the length of the lever arm). In one embodiment, the article of footwear 1110 includes a distance 1176 (FIG. 11A) between the flex point 1170 and a horizontal reference plane 1190, which generally includes the plane of a relatively flat ground surface on which, at-rest state, the ground-contacting surface rests (where the article of footwear 1110 is stationary). A variety of factors may contribute to the location of the flex point 1170. For example, the flex point may include a thinner section or a notch. Additionally, the collar elevator 1150 may be attached to the upper 1114 to limit rearward movement, allowing the lever arm to flex more at the flex point when moving from an upright to a lowered position.

[0090] 11A and 11B, the ankle collar 1136 includes a top edge having a lowest portion 1137 that is in front of the flex point 1170 (i.e., closer to the forefoot of the article of footwear 1110). The article of footwear 1110 also includes a height 1178 between the lowest portion 1137 and a horizontal reference plane 1190. In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the height 1178 is less than the distance 1176. Notably, the shorter height of the lowest portion 1137 of the ankle collar 1136, along with its forward positioning (relative to the flex point 1170), acts as a hinge or pivot point for the rear portion of the ankle region 1126. Thus, the rear portion of the ankle collar 1136 may be pulled to a lesser extent over the front portion of the ankle collar 1136 (compared to other articles of footwear having taller ankle collars) when the ankle collar 1136 moves to a lowered state. Also, such alternative configurations may allow for smaller goring elements, gussets, or elastic panels to be used along the ankle collar 1136 or in place of any goring elements, gussets, or elastic panels.

[0091] 11A and 11B may be the medial or lateral side, and other sides of article of footwear 1110 may include similar features. However, in some embodiments, the opposite side, which is hidden in FIGS. 11A and 11B, may also not include corresponding features, for example, if a corresponding lever arm (e.g., collar elevators 950B and 950C) is not included on the opposite side.

[0092] It will be seen from the foregoing that the present invention is well adapted to attain all of the aims and objectives set forth above, together with other advantages inherent in the structure and realized by those skilled in the art. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are practical and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and falls within the scope of the claims. Since many possible embodiments may be made of the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention, it is to be understood that all matters described herein or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

[0093] Some aspects of the present disclosure are described with reference to examples provided in the drawings. Further aspects of the present disclosure are described below, which may be related subject matter contained in one or more claims or clauses of this application as filed, or one or more related applications, but the claims or clauses are not limited to only the subject matter described below in this description. These further aspects may include features shown in the drawings, features not shown in the drawings, and any combination thereof. When describing these further aspects, reference may be made to elements shown in the drawings for illustrative purposes.

[0094] The following clauses are aspects contemplated herein. The list is merely specific examples and does not limit the scope of the present specification. Instead, the following clauses are intended to provide guidelines regarding some of the aspects contemplated herein. As used herein and in connection with the clauses listed below, the term "any of clauses" or similar variations of said term are intended to be interpreted such that the features of the clauses may be combined in any combination. For example, the interpretation of the phrase "a footwear product according to clauses x-y" as used below should be interpreted as a footwear product according to any one or combination of clauses x-y, where x and y are numeric clauses. That is, it is intended that example clause 4 may refer to a method / apparatus of any one of clauses 1-3, which may combine features of clauses 1 and 4, and / or combine elements of clauses 2 and 4, and / or combine elements of clauses 3 and 4, and / or combine elements of clauses 1, 2, and 4, and / or combine elements of clauses 2, 3, and 4, and / or combine elements of clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4, and / or other variations. Also, the term "any of the clauses" or similar variations of said term are intended to include "any one of the clauses" or other variations of such term, as illustrated by some of the examples provided above.

[0095] Clause 1: An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper with an ankle collar coupled to the sole and movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned farther from the sole, the upper comprising a layer of material at least partially overlapping the sole and including an outwardly facing surface facing the sole and an inwardly facing surface facing away from the sole and facing a foot-receiving cavity, the layer of material comprising an opening extending through the layer of material from the outwardly facing surface to the inwardly facing surface; and a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered state to the upright state, the collar elevator having a base positioned between the outwardly facing surface and the sole and a lever arm connected to the base at a junction and extending from the junction through the opening.

[0096] Clause 2: The footwear product described in clause 1, wherein the layer of material at least partially overlapping the sole is part of an outer material layer of an upper, the upper further comprising an inner material layer closer to the foot-receiving cavity than the outer material layer, and the lever arm is positioned between the outer material layer and the inner material layer after the lever arm extends from the joint through the opening.

[0097] Clause 3. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein the inner material layer is an inner liner.

[0098] Clause 4. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein the inner and outer layers of material are opposite sides of a lever arm tubular encasement that houses the lever arm.

[0099] Clause 5. The article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the inner and outer layers of material are woven layers and the lever arm tubular encasement is woven integrally therewith.

[0100] Clause 6. A footwear article according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the opening is located on the inside of the upper.

[0101] Clause 7. The article of footwear of clause 6, wherein at least a portion of the opening is below a bite line that includes the interface between the top line edge of the sole and the upper.

[0102] Clause 8. The article of footwear of clause 6, wherein at least a portion of the opening is above a bite line that includes the interface between the top line edge of the sole and the upper.

[0103] Clause 9. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 1-8, wherein the lever arm extends upward from the base, through the opening, and toward the rear of the ankle region of the upper.

[0104] Clause 10. The article of footwear of clause 9, wherein the lever arm terminates on the medial side of the upper and at an end opposite the base.

[0105] Clause 11. The article of footwear of clause 9, wherein the lever arm wraps around the rear of the ankle region of the upper and terminates on the outside of the upper at an end opposite the base.

[0106] Clause 12. A footwear article as described in any one of clauses 1 to 11, wherein the opening is an inner opening and the lever arm is an inner lever arm, and the footwear article further comprises an outer opening extending through the layer of material on the outer side of the upper, and an outer lever arm connected to the base at another joint and extending from the other joint through the outer opening.

[0107] Clause 13. The article of footwear of clause 12, wherein at least a portion of the medial opening and at least a portion of the lateral opening are below a bite line that includes the interface between the top line edge of the sole and the upper.

[0108] Clause 14. The article of footwear of clause 12, wherein at least a portion of the medial opening and at least a portion of the lateral opening are on a bite line that includes the interface between the top line edge of the sole and the upper.

[0109] Clause 15. The article of footwear of clause 12, wherein both the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm extend upwardly from the base, through respective openings, toward a rear of the ankle region of the upper.

[0110] Clause 16. The article of footwear described in clause 15, wherein the inner lever arm terminates on the inner side of the upper at an end opposite the base and the outer lever arm terminates on the outer side of the upper at an end opposite the base.

[0111] Clause 17. The article of footwear according to clause 15, wherein the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm are joined to one another at the rear of the ankle region.

[0112] Clause 18. The article of footwear according to clause 17, wherein the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm are connected to one another by a central connecting portion positioned at the rear of the ankle region.

[0113] Clause 19. The article of footwear of clause 17, wherein the inner lever arm, the outer lever arm, and the central connecting portion are continuous.

[0114] Clause 20. The article of footwear according to clause 17, wherein the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm overlap at the rear of the ankle region.

[0115] Clause 21. The article of footwear according to clause 17, wherein the medial lever arm and the lateral lever arm are joined to the upper at a rear portion of the ankle region.

[0116] Clause 22. A footwear article according to any one of clauses 1 to 5, wherein the opening is on the outside of the upper.

[0117] Clause 23. The article of footwear of clause 22, wherein the lever arm extends upwardly from the base, through the opening, and toward a rear of the upper in the ankle region.

[0118] Clause 24. The article of footwear according to clause 23, wherein the lever arm terminates on an outer side of the upper and at an end opposite the base.

[0119] Clause 25. The article of footwear of clause 23, wherein the lever arm wraps around a rear portion of the upper in the ankle region and terminates on the medial side of the upper at an end opposite the base.

[0120] Clause 26. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper coupled to the sole and including an ankle collar movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned farther from the sole; a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered state to the upright state, the collar elevator including a base and at least one lever arm, the base being positioned below a strobel such that the base is positioned between the strobel and the sole and including an upper surface facing the strobel; and a base docking recess included in an upper surface of the sole facing the base of the collar elevator, the base being positioned in the base docking recess.

[0121] Clause 27. The article of footwear of clause 26, wherein the sole includes a tab at least partially covering an upper surface of the base positioned in the base docking recess.

[0122] Clause 28. The article of footwear of clause 27, wherein the tab includes a tab width from the medial to lateral direction and the recess includes a recess width from the medial to lateral direction, the tab width being less than the recess width, such that the inner and outer edges of the tab are spaced inwardly of the inner and outer edges of the recess, and at least one lever arm is positioned between the inner edge of the tab and the inner edge of the recess or between the outer edge of the tab and the outer edge of the recess.

[0123] Clause 29. The article of footwear described in clause 28, wherein at least one lever arm extends from the junction with the base, between the medial edges or between the lateral edges, through an opening in the material layer of the upper to a location between the material layer and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0124] Clause 30. The article of footwear of clause 28, wherein at least one lever arm extends along an outwardly facing surface of the layer of material of the upper from a junction with the base, between the medial edges or between the lateral edges.

[0125] Clause 31. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 27 to 30, wherein the tab includes a tab length measured from a forward edge of the tab to a rear edge of the tab, and the base includes a base length extending from a forward edge of the base to a rear edge of the base, and the tab length is less than or equal to the base length.

[0126] Clause 32. The article of footwear according to clause 29, wherein the tab length is no more than 75% of the base length.

[0127] Clause 33. The article of footwear according to clause 30, wherein the tab length is no more than 50% of the base length.

[0128] Clause 34. The article of footwear according to clause 31, wherein the tab length is no more than 25% of the base length.

[0129] Clause 35. The article of footwear according to clause 32, wherein the tab length is no more than 10% of the base length.

[0130] Clause 36. An article of footwear according to any one of clauses 27-35, wherein the combination of the thickness of the tab and the thickness of the base is substantially similar to the depth of the base docking recess.

[0131] Clause 37. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 26 to 36, wherein the periphery of the lower end surface of the base forms a 2D shape substantially similar to the 2D shape formed by the periphery of the bottom of the base docking recess.

[0132] Clause 38. The article of footwear of clause 26, wherein a thickness of the base is substantially similar to a thickness of the base docking recess.

[0133] Clause 39. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper coupled to the sole and comprising an ankle collar movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned farther from the sole, the ankle collar including an edge of a top line having a lowest portion along a medial or lateral side, the lowest portion being spaced a first distance from a horizontal reference plane; and a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered state to the upright state, the collar elevator being on the same side as the lowest portion and comprising at least one lever arm having a flex point positioned between an upper segment of the lever arm and a lower segment of the lever arm, the flex point being spaced a second distance from the horizontal reference plane, the second distance being greater than the first distance.

[0134] Clause 40. The article of footwear according to clause 39, wherein the lowermost edge is positioned further forward relative to the flex point.

[0135] Clause 41. The article of footwear according to clause 39 or 40, wherein the collar elevator includes a base positioned over the sole insert.

[0136] Clause 42. An article of footwear according to any one of clauses 39 to 41, wherein the collar elevator includes an inner lever arm and no corresponding lever arm on the outer side.

[0137] Clause 43. An article of footwear according to any one of clauses 39 to 41, wherein the collar elevator includes an outer lever arm and no corresponding lever arm on the inner side.

[0138] Clause 44. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 39-41, wherein at least one lever arm is an inner lever arm and the collar elevator further comprises an outer lever arm.

[0139] Clause 45. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper coupled to the sole and comprising an ankle collar movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned further from the sole, the upper including a skirt affixed to a lower surface of the sole insert, the upper including a first opening extending through the thickness of the layer of material; a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered state to the upright state, the collar elevator comprising a base and one or more lever arms, the base affixed to a upper surface of the sole insert such that the sole insert is positioned between the base and the sole, the collar elevator including a second opening extending completely through the thickness; and a connector extending through the first opening and the second opening.

[0140] Clause 46. The article of footwear according to clause 45, wherein the second opening is positioned in one or more lever arms.

[0141] Clause 47. The article of footwear of clause 45, wherein the collar elevator further comprises a central connecting portion, and the second opening is positioned in the central connecting portion.

[0142] Clause 48. A footwear article according to any one of clauses 45 to 47, wherein the connector is a segment of knitted yarn that forms a stitch, the segment being positioned in the first opening and the second opening.

[0143] Clause 49. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 45-47, wherein the connector is a two-part connector having one or more posts extending through the first opening and the second opening.

[0144] Clause 50. An article of footwear according to any one of clauses 45 to 47, wherein the connector is a two-part snap rivet.

[0145] Clause 51. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 45-50, wherein the layer of material is an outer layer of material and the collar elevator is positioned between the outer layer of material and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0146] Clause 52. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 45 to 50, wherein the layer of material is an inner layer of material, the inner layer of material being positioned between the collar elevator and the foot receiving cavity.

[0147] Clause 53. The article of footwear of clause 45, wherein the upper further comprises another layer of material having a third opening, the connector also extending through the third opening.

[0148] Clause 54. The article of footwear according to clause 53, wherein the layer of material is an outer layer of material and the other layer of material is an inner layer of material, and the collar elevator is positioned between the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material.

[0149] Clause 55. The article of footwear according to clause 53, wherein the layer of material is an inner layer of material and the other layer of material is an outer layer of material, and the collar elevator is positioned between the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material.

[0150] Clause 56. An article of footwear comprising: a sole; an upper including an ankle collar coupled to the sole and movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned farther from the sole, the upper including a skirt affixed to a lower surface of the sole insert, the upper including a first opening extending completely from a first side of the layer of material to a second side of the layer of material; and a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered state to the upright state, the collar elevator including a base and one or more lever arms, the base affixed to the upper surface of the sole insert such that the sole insert is positioned between the base and the sole, the collar elevator positioned on the first side of the layer of material and including a first portion of a two-part connector extending from a surface of the collar elevator through the first opening; and a second portion of the two-part connector positioned on the second side of the layer of material and coupled to the first portion of the two-part connector.

[0151] Clause 57. The article of footwear of clause 56, wherein the first portion of the connector extends from a surface of the lever arm.

[0152] Clause 58. The article of footwear of clause 57, wherein the surface faces the foot-receiving cavity and the layer of material is positioned between the surface and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0153] Clause 59. The article of footwear of clause 57, wherein the surface faces away from the foot-receiving cavity and the lever arm is positioned between the layer of material and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0154] Clause 60. The article of footwear of clause 56, wherein the collar elevator further comprises a central connecting portion, and the first portion of the connector extends from a surface of the central connecting portion.

[0155] Clause 61. The article of footwear of clause 60, wherein the surface faces the foot-receiving cavity and the layer of material is positioned between the surface and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0156] Clause 62. The article of footwear of clause 60, wherein the surface faces away from the foot-receiving cavity and the central connecting portion is positioned between the layer of material and the foot-receiving cavity.

[0157] Clause 63. An article of footwear according to any one of clauses 56 to 62, wherein the first and second parts are snapped together.

[0158] Clause 64. The article of footwear of any one of clauses 56-62, wherein the first and second parts frictionally engage with each other.

[0159] Clause 65. A footwear article according to any one of clauses 56 to 62, wherein the first part and the second part are screwed together.

[0160] Clause 66. The article of footwear of clause 56, wherein the upper further comprises another layer of material having a second opening, and the collar elevator includes another first part of another two-part connector extending from an opposite surface of the collar elevator and through the second opening.

[0161] Clause 67. The article of footwear according to clause 66, wherein the layer of material is an outer layer of material and the other layer of material is an inner layer of material, and the collar elevator is positioned between the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material.

[0162] Clause 68. The article of footwear according to clause 66, wherein the layer of material is an inner layer of material and the other layer of material is an outer layer of material, and the collar elevator is positioned between the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material.

Claims

1. A footwear article, comprising: Sole and an upper coupled to the sole and including an ankle collar movable between a lowered state positioned closer to the sole and an upright state positioned further from the sole, the upper comprising: a layer of material partially overlapping the sole, the layer having an outer material layer and an inner material layer, an outwardly facing surface of the outer material layer facing the sole and an inwardly facing surface of the inner material layer facing away from the sole and toward a foot-receiving cavity; the layer of material includes an opening therethrough between the outer layer of material and the inner layer of material; The opening forms a lever arm tubular encasement as a lever arm region, the lever arm tubular encasement having an opening at an end, the lever arm tubular encasement extending from the opening toward the ankle collar. Upper and a collar elevator operable to return the ankle collar from the lowered position to the upright position, the collar elevator comprising: a base; and a lever arm connected to the base at a joint and extending from the joint through the opening; the lever arm being at least partially contained within the lever arm tubular encasement; Collar elevator, and a base docking recess included in an upper surface of the sole facing the base of the collar elevator; the base is positioned in the base docking recess; the sole includes a tab at least partially covering an upper surface of a base positioned in the base docking recess; Footwear products.

2. the lever arm being comprised of a deformable element that flexes between an upper segment and a lower segment of the lever arm as the ankle collar moves from the upright position to the lowered position; 10. The article of footwear of claim 1.

3. The inner material layer is an inner liner.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1.

4. the inner material layer and the outer material layer are textile layers; The lever arm tubular encasement is integrally woven.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1.

5. the layer of material includes one or more openings, including the opening; each opening of the one or more openings including a respective lever arm extending therethrough; Each of the openings is on the inside of the upper or on the outside of the upper.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1.

6. At least a portion of each opening is below or above a biteline that includes an interface between the top edge of the sole and the upper.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5.

7. each lever arm extends upwardly from the base, through the opening, and toward a rear ankle region of the upper; 6. The article of footwear of claim 5.

8. each said lever arm terminating at a terminal end of said upper on the same side of said opening from which said each lever arm extends; 8. The article of footwear of claim 7.

9. The material layer comprises: an opening on the interior side of the upper; a medial lever arm extending from the base through an opening in the medial side of the upper toward a rear portion of the ankle region of the upper; The material layer comprises: an opening on the exterior side of the upper; an outer lever arm extending from the base through an opening in the outer side of the upper toward a rear of the ankle region of the upper; 6. The article of footwear of claim 5.

10. a rear ankle region of the upper including a first opening; the collar elevator includes a second opening; The article of footwear further includes a connector extending through the first opening and the second opening.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9.

11. the connector includes a segment of yarn forming a stitch; The segment is positioned in the first opening and the second opening.

11. The article of footwear of claim 10.

12. the connector is a two-part connector having one or more posts extending through the first opening and the second opening; 11. The article of footwear of claim 10.

13. the tab includes a tab width in an inner-to-outer direction; the base docking recess includes a recess width in the medial-to-lateral direction; The tab width is smaller than the recess width, so that the inner and outer edges of the tab are spaced inwardly of the inner and outer edges of the base docking recess; At least one of the lever arms is positioned between an inner edge of the tab and an inner edge of the base docking recess or between an outer edge of the tab and an outer edge of the base docking recess.

10. The article of footwear of claim 1.

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