US20130185959A1

Movatterモバイル変換

Info

Publication number: US20130185959A1
Application number: US13/356,594
Authority: US
Inventors: Edward Albert Coleman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-01-23
Filing date: 2012-01-23
Publication date: 2013-07-25

Abstract

A step-in apparatus and counter for a shoe are provided. The step-in apparatus allows a wearer to easily put on and take off a shoe without bending over, manipulating shoe laces, or using a shoe horn. The step-in apparatus and related counter allow the counter to deform and then return to its original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe. This controlled deformation allows for ease of foot entry and exit without the need for laces, gores, or external devices such as shoe horns. The present invention is useful for those that lack the physical dexterity to bend over, tie shoe laces, or otherwise put on and take off shoes. In addition, the comfort and ease of use of the present invention makes for a new shoe that has universal appeal.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically to a step-in apparatus that provides both deformation and subsequent shape retention of a shoe's counter.

2. Description of Related Art

Many forms of footwear have been developed over the centuries. Sandals may be considered the most basic of all footwear, allowing a user to easily slip them on and off, while providing limited protection for the bottom of the foot. Sandals are easy to take on and off, but may also slip off unintentionally while wearing them. A sandal may come off easily while running, and provides limited protection to one's foot. Shoes, however, contact and firmly retain not only the toes and instep of one's foot, but also the heel. The back portion of a shoe that makes contact with the wearer's heel is called the heel counter, or just counter. The counter provides retention of the heel within the shoe, and prevents the shoe from coming oil while walking or running. While this is important in preventing falls and injuries, the counter also makes placement of the shoe on one's foot cumbersome. Many shoes have laces that must be loosened in order for the foot to slip into the shoe easily, and then must be tightened up and tied before wearing. This procedure takes some time, and may be difficult for those that are impatient, in a hurry, or lack the physical dexterity to tie shoe laces. Children, for example, often lack the dexterity, or sometimes just the patience, to stop and tie their shoes. Many times the shoe laces are loosened up, remain tied, and the wearer simply forces their foot into the shoe, usually crushing the heel counter in the process. Repeated crushing of the heel counter will eventually ruin the shoe, as the counter will no longer have the structural integrity to retain the wearer's heel, and will oftentimes tear or otherwise come apart. Slip on shoes have gained in popularity over the years, and frequently use a gore to allow for expansion of the shoe when worn. A gore is a piece of elastic material placed in the shoe upper to allow the upper to expand to more easily accommodate a wearer's foot. Slip on shoes that have a counter still, however, require care to be taken so that the counter is not crushed and broken down or destroyed. The physical integrity of the counter is important for proper shoe fit and retention. The shoe horn was developed to address the need to protect the heel counter and make a shoe easier to put on. A shoe horn prevents the heel counter from crushing, and thus makes the shoe easier to put on. Use of a shoe horn does, however, add time and complexity to the simple process of putting on a shoe. While useful, many do not bother with the use of a shoe horn, but rather, resort to using their finger or just crushing the counter. There have been various attempts over the years to reinforce the heel counter by adding additional material such as leather or a plastic heel cup. These attempts at strengthening the counter do not make the shoe easier to put on, but may in some cases extend the life of a counter that would otherwise be subject to repeated crushing by the wearer. What is needed is a counter that deforms to allow ease of entry of the foot, and then returns to it's original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe overall. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a step-in apparatus that attaches to a counter to provide deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is another object of the present invention to provide a counter that contains a step-in apparatus for deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide footwear that has a counter containing a step-in apparatus for ease of use.

These and other objects of the present invention are not to be considered comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather, exemplary of objects that may be ascertained after reading this specification with the accompanying drawings and claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form, a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate, a counter support insert placed within the counter support, and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert. The step-in apparatus may be contained within a counter, which may further be contained within a shoe of the present invention.

The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 14 is a rear plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus;

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a shoe of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with sides;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a front plan view of a counter of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D ofFIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D ofFIG. 22 and further showing insertion of the step-in apparatus;

FIGS. 25A-25E depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer's foot; and

FIG. 26 depict a shoe of the present invention being removed from a wearers foot.

The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and the attached drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus. As can be appreciated after reviewing this specification and the accompanying drawings, the step-inapparatus100 is assembled with a shoe or, in some embodiments of the present invention, may be added to a shoe, to provide ease of foot entry and exit without compromising the shoe's counter. The present invention may be considered a step-in apparatus, a counter, as well as a shoe having a step-in apparatus. In some embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus is integral to, and a part of, the shoe or the counter. In other embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus may be attached to, or otherwise affixed to the shoe or the counter. The step-inapparatus100 has anintrasole plate101 of a generally planar form. Additional attributes such as sides, varying geometries, and sizes, may be added to accommodate specific footwear and applications, and are considered within the spirit and broad scope of the present invention as described and depicted herein. An example of such an optional feature is theshank hole103 that is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of theshank hole103 may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or theshank hole103 may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. Theintrasole plate101 may be fabricated from a plastic such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials that may be formed into a generally planar structure may also be used. Acounter support105 can be seen inFIG. 1 attached to theintrasole plate101. Thecounter support105 may also be made from a plastic such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. Thecounter support105 is attached to theintrasole plate101 by techniques such as the use of mechanical fasteners, for example, screws or rivets, adhesives, or thecounter support105 and theintrasole plate101 may be molded or otherwise formed or machined as one piece. Thecounter support105 is generally hollow to accommodate acounter support insert107 that can be further seen inFIGS. 9-14. Thecounter support insert107 may be made from a material similar to that of thecounter support105, or may be of a different material. Examples of materials to be used include plastics such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. Thecounter support insert107 may be made by injection molding, casting, machining, or a combination thereof. As seen inFIG. 1, thecounter support insert107 may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have aconformal line feature109 that provides comfort and also may provide aesthetic conformance to the lines of a shoe. Adetent111 can also be seen as an angular change in shape of thecounter support insert107 that prevents the counter support insert107 from traveling too far down into thecounter support105. Other forms of stops or detents may also be used to limit travel of thecounter support insert107 into thecounter support105. As will be depicted and described in further detail later in this specification, thecounter support insert107 pushes against or is otherwise fastened to an elastic element such as a spring, a memory foam, a metal, or the like, to allow thecounter support insert107 to travel down into thecounter support105 when pressure is applied to it, and then return to it's original state once pressure is removed.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus. The planar structure of theintrasole plate101 can be seen. Various embodiments of the present invention may have different shapes of theintrasole plate101 to accommodate variations in shoe size, shoe style, shoe function, and the like. As stated previously, theshank hole103 is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of theshank hole103 may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or theshank hole103 may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. Two cut lines are depicted to provide further insight into the exemplary counter support and counter support insert interoperability by way ofFIGS. 7 and 8.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus. Thecounter support insert107 is seen in the extended position with an arrow to indicate the general direction of travel of thecounter support insert107 with respect to thecounter support105.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus. In this view, the optionalconformal line feature109 can be seen along with theexemplary detent111. To assist with proper alignment and range of motion of thecounter support insert107 within thecounter support105, various guiding structures may be employed. For example, a guide and channel arrangement, a guide pin arrangement, a beveled edge arrangement, or the like. By example, and not limitation, the drawings depict a guide and channel arrangement where the guide is located on the inside of thecounter support105 and the channel is located on thecounter support insert107. In some embodiments of the present invention, the channel is located on the inside of thecounter support105 and the guide is located on thecounter support insert107. Other embodiments may employ multiple guide and channel structures, guide pin structures, beveled structures, or the like.

FIG. 5 is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus. Again, thecounter support insert107 is depicted in the extended position where no force has been applied to compress the counter support insert within thecounter support105.

FIG. 6 is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus also showing thecounter support insert107 in the extended position.

FIG. 7 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A ofFIG. 2. As can be seen inFIG. 7, thecounter support insert107 has afirst pin701 to assist in guiding thecounter support insert107 into thecounter support105 and also to shorten the length of thefirst spring705. Thefirst pin701 may also have, in some embodiments of the present invention, a first pinspring retention element703 for retaining one end of thefirst spring705. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining thefirst spring705 to thefirst pin701. The cavity or void in thecounter support105 that accommodates thecounter support insert107 may also have a first springcavity retention element707 for retaining thefirst spring705 to thecounter support105. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining thefirst spring705 to thecounter support105. In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawings, there are two pins and two related springs along with associated spring retention elements. Other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever.

FIG. 8 is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B ofFIG. 2. Along this cutaway view, the springs cannot be seen as the cut is made through the middle of thecounter support105 and thecounter support insert107.

FIGS. 9-14 depict an example of thecounter support insert107 with two pins. As noted previously, other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of thecounter support insert107 of the step-in apparatus. Afirst pin701 and asecond pin901 are depicted. There may be one pin or more than two pins, or a guiding structure with no pins whatsoever, in some embodiments of the present invention. Also depicted is a first pinspring retention element703 and a second pin spring retention element for attaching a spring (not shown) to each pin. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining a spring to each pin. The pins or other guiding structures may be made from the same material as thecounter support insert107 and cast or otherwise formed together with the counter support insert or separate from thecounter support insert107. In some embodiments of the present invention, the pins or other guiding structures may be made from a material different from thecounter support insert107 and mechanically or chemically attached to thecounter support insert107.

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of thecounter support insert107 of the step-in apparatus. Depicted is an optionalconformal line feature109, as previously described.

FIG. 11 is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus andFIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus clearly showing thefirst pin701 and thesecond pin901 along with the related first pinspring retention element703 and the second pinspring retention element903.

FIG. 13 is a side plan view of thecounter support insert107 of the step-in apparatus andFIG. 14 is a rear plan view of thecounter support insert107 of the step-in apparatus. As seen inFIG. 14, achannel1401 is clearly visible. Thechannel1401 serves to guide the travel of thecounter support insert107 within thecounter support105 by coupling with aguide1505 in thecounter support105, which can be seen inFIG. 15.

FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. Theguide1505 can be seen in thecounter support cavity1503. Theguide1505 and also the associatedcounter support cavity1503 may have different geometries or physical attributes in some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention theintrasole plate101 may have a geometry that is dependent on the shoe or the shoe application. Anoptional sizing mark1501 is depicted where theintrasole plate101 may be trimmed to a smaller size to accommodate, for example, small shoe sizes or children's shoes.

FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed, again clearly showing theguide1505 and thecounter support cavity1503.

FIG. 17 is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. The first springcavity retention element707 can be seen clearly.

The present invention includes a shoe having a step-inapparatus100. An example of a shoe having a step-inapparatus100 is depicted by way of the exploded perspective view ofFIG. 18. Assembly of the components of the shoe depicted inFIG. 18 is by way of conventional shoe construction techniques such as adhesives and stitching. A sole1801 is depicted that may be made from rubber, leather, or a similar material. The step-inapparatus100 is placed on the sole1801 and there may optionally be ashank1803 made of a plastic, a metal, or the like. Amidsole1805 is then placed on the intrasole plate of the step-inapparatus100 and an upper1807 is then affixed to the overall assembly and the sole1801. The upper1807 may be made from a synthetic or a natural material such as canvas, leather, plastic, or the like. The upper1807 further has a counter that retains the step-inapparatus100.

Other geometries may be added to the step-in apparatus. For example,FIG. 19 is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus withsides1901.

It should be noted that various counters may be used with the step-in apparatus. A counter of thepresent invention2001 is depicted inFIG. 20 in perspective view. Thecounter2001 may be made from a soft and shock absorbent material such as a microcellular urethane such as Poron® by Rogers Corporation, or an ethyl vinyl acetate, or the like.

FIG. 21 is a bottom plan view of acounter2001 of the present invention. In this view, avoid2101 can be seen where a step-in apparatus may be inserted.FIG. 22 is a front plan view of acounter2001 of the present invention.FIG. 23 is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D ofFIG. 22. In this view, thevoid2101 can be seen. The void2101 may be cast along with thecounter2001, or may be machined or otherwise cut. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, multiple layers of like or dissimilar materials may be combined in such a way as to form asuitable void2101 for receiving a step-inapparatus100.

FIG. 24 is a cutaway side plan view of acounter2001 of the present invention taken along line D-D ofFIG. 22 and further showing insertion of the step-inapparatus100. The step-inapparatus100 is placed in the void2101 in the direction shown by the arrow inFIG. 24. Once the step-inapparatus100 is placed within thevoid2101, the overall counter assembly may be incorporated in a shoe. Additionally, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the step-inapparatus100 may be placed or installed in the shoe after the counter is stitched or otherwise joined to the upper.

Once the step-in apparatus and related counter are fabricated into or otherwise installed in a shoe, use is very straightforward.FIGS. 25A-25E depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer's foot. As one places their foot, toe first, into the shoe, as seen inFIG. 25A, and then inserts their foot into the shoe as seen inFIG. 25B, a slight downward pressure applied from one's heel onto the counter will compress the step-inapparatus100 as seen inFIG. 25C. This compression will make entry of the foot into the shoe much easier, as seen inFIG. 25D, and once the wearer's foot is completely in the shoe, the step-inapparatus100 will return to it's normal (non-compressed) state, and the counter will also return to an upright position. The shoe is now properly placed on the wearer's foot. To easily remove the shoe, as seen inFIG. 26, the counter is depressed along with the step-in apparatus by way of the wearer's other foot or the like, and now the foot may easily be removed from the shoe without obstruction or difficulty. This process can be repeated many times without damaging or deforming the counter or the shoe, and provides a true slip on shoe that is not cumbersome or difficult to use.

It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a step-in apparatus, counter and shoe. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, claims and the attached drawings.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A step-in apparatus comprising

an intrasole plate of a generally planar form;

a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate;

a counter support insert placed within the counter support; and

a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert.

2. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the compressive element is a spring.

3. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the compressive element is a memory foam.

4. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein the compressive element is a metal plate.

5. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a guide operatively connected to an inner surface of the counter support and a channel along the counter support insert such that the channel retains the guide when the counter support insert is placed within the counter support.

6. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a channel along an inner surface of the counter support and a guide operatively connected to the counter support insert such that the channel retains the guide when the counter support insert is placed within the counter support.

7. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a shank hole in the intrasole plate.

8. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a pin attached to the lower surface of the counter support insert.

9. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a spring retention element attached to the pin.

10. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a spring retention element within the counter support.

11. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a detent in the counter support insert for limiting insertion travel of the counter support insert within the counter support.

12. The step-in apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a conformal line feature in the counter support insert for improving the comfort of a wearer.

13. A step-in heel counter comprising:

a heel counter capable of conforming to a heel of a wearer; and

a void in the heel counter for receiving a step-in apparatus.

14. The step-in heel counter ofclaim 13, wherein the heel counter is a microcellular urethane.

15. The step-in heel counter ofclaim 13, wherein the heel counter is an ethyl vinyl acetate.

16. The step-in heel counter ofclaim 13, further comprising a step-in apparatus placed in the void in the heel counter for receiving a step-in apparatus.

17. A shoe comprising:

an upper having a front portion and a rear portion, the rear portion forming a heel counter capable of conforming to a heel of a wearer;

a midsole placed below the upper;

a step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form, a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate, a counter support insert placed within the counter support, and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert;

the intrasole plate of the step-in apparatus being placed below the midsole and the counter support of the step-in apparatus being placed within the heel counter; and

a sole placed below the step-in apparatus and below the insole.

18. The shoe ofclaim 17, further comprising a shank hole in the intrasole plate.

19. The shoe ofclaim 17, wherein the heel counter is a microcellular urethane.

20. The shoe ofclaim 17, wherein the heel counter is an ethyl vinyl acetate.