US20230033366A1 - Footwear heel support - Google Patents

Abstract

A heel support is provided for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel support includes a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper. The cradle includes a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region. The tip portion is moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The heel support includes a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion. The tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.

Description

BACKGROUND
• Putting an article of footwear on an individual's foot often requires the individual to use one or both hands and/or one or more tools (e.g., a shoehorn, etc.), for example to stretch and/or collapse the ankle opening and hold the heel region of the footwear to enable the individual's foot to slide into the foot-receiving cavity of the footwear through the ankle opening.
SUMMARY
• In one aspect, a heel support is provided for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel support includes a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper. The cradle includes a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region. The tip portion of the cradle arm is moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The heel support includes a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion. The tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.
• In another aspect, an article of footwear includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The upper includes a heel region having a posterior wall. The article of footwear includes a heel support that includes a cradle operatively connected to the heel region of the upper. The cradle includes a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region. The tip portion of the cradle arm is moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The heel support includes a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion. The tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.
• In another aspect, a method is provided for assembling an article of footwear that includes an upper and a heel support that includes a cradle. The method includes operatively connecting a metallic spring to a cradle arm of the cradle having a tip portion that is moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position such that the spring biases the tip portion toward the expanded position. The method also includes mounting the cradle to a heel region of the upper of the article of footwear such that the tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable from the expanded position toward the collapsed position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• FIG.1 is a partially-exploded perspective view illustrating a portion of an article of footwear according to an implementation.
• FIG.2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a heel support according to an implementation.
• FIG.3 is a right side elevational view of the heel support shown inFIG.2 according to an implementation.
• FIG.4 is a left side elevational view of the heel support shown inFIG.2 according to an implementation.
• FIG.5 is a bottom plan view of the heel support shown inFIG.2 according to an implementation.
• FIG.6 is a rear elevational view of the heel support shown inFIG.2 according to an implementation.
• FIG.7 is a top plan view of the heel support shown inFIG.2 according to an implementation.
• FIGS.8 and9 are schematic diagrams illustrating operation of the heel support shown inFIG.2 within the footwear shown inFIG.1 according to an implementation.
• FIG.10 is a flow chart illustrating a method for assembling an article of footwear according to an implementation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain implementations and implementations will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not necessarily excluding the plural of the elements or steps. Further, references to “one implementation” or “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, implementations “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property can include additional elements not having that property.
• While various spatial and directional terms, such as “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “upward,” and/or the like are used to describe implementations and implementations of the present application, it is understood that such terms are merely used with respect to the orientations shown in the drawings. The orientations can be inverted, rotated, or otherwise changed such that the spatial and directional terms apply differently, for example if the structure is flipped180° : top becomes bottom; upward becomes downward; upper becomes lower; left becomes right; vice versa; and/or the like. Moreover, and for example, vertical may become horizontal when the structure is rotated 90°.
• Slipping an individual's foot into the upper of an article of footwear can be difficult without using one or both hands and/or one or more tools (e.g., a shoehorn, etc.). For example, a hand and/or tool may be required to stretch the ankle opening of the footwear and hold the heel region of the upper in the stretched position to enable the foot to be successfully inserted into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper. The heel supports and methods disclosed herein alleviate this difficulty by providing a resiliently collapsible heel support that enables an individual's foot to be received into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper of an article of footwear without the use of a hand and/or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used for successful insertion into the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). The heel inserts and methods disclosed herein thus enhance the ease of foot entry, allowing hands-free foot entry into an article of footwear.
• Certain implementations of the application provide a heel support for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening. The heel support includes a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper. The cradle includes a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region. The tip portion of the cradle arm is moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The heel support includes a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion. The tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring. Certain implementations of the application ease foot entry into an article of footwear by enabling hands-free foot entry into the article of footwear.
• With references now to the figures,FIG.1 illustrates an article offootwear100 that includes aheel support102 that is configured to facilitate (e.g., ease, assist, etc.) entry of an individual's foot into thefootwear100. Thefootwear100 extends a length along alongitudinal axis104. Thefootwear100 includes an upper106 that extends a length along thelongitudinal axis104. The upper106 defines a foot-receivingcavity108 having an ankle opening110. The foot-receivingcavity108 is configured to receive an individual's foot (e.g., as shown inFIG.9, etc.) therein through the ankle opening110. Thefootwear100 illustrated herein is depicted as an athletic shoe, but thefootwear100 is not limited to athletic shoes generally nor the specific type, design, category, and/or the like of athletic shoe illustrated herein. Rather, thefootwear100 may include any article of footwear (e.g., any type, design, category, functionality, etc.), such as, but not limited to, leisure shoes, dress shoes, work shoes, sandals, slippers, boots, booties, and/or the like.
• As shown inFIG.1 and will be described below, theheel support102 is configured to be installed to aheel region112 of the upper106 of thefootwear100. Theheel region112 generally includes portions of thefootwear100 corresponding with the posterior (i.e., rear or back) portions of a human foot (e.g., including the heel, including the calcaneus bone, including at least a portion of the Achilles tendon, etc.) when thefootwear100 is worn by a human individual. For example, theheel region112 of the upper106 includes aposterior wall114 that is configured to extend behind and support the posterior of an individual's heel when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 (e.g., as shown inFIG.9, etc.).
• The upper106 of thefootwear100 includes a forefoot region116 (not visible inFIG.1 but shown inFIGS.8 and9) that generally includes portions of thefootwear100 corresponding with the anterior (i.e., front) portions of a human foot (e.g., including the toes, the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges, etc.) when thefootwear100 is worn by a human individual. For example, theforefoot region116 of the upper106 extends over at least a portion of the anterior of an individual's foot when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receivingcavity108, for example as shown inFIG.9, etc. Amidfoot region118 of thefootwear100 is disposed between theheel region112 and theforefoot region116 and generally includes portions of thefootwear100 corresponding with an arch area of the human foot (e.g., including the navicular joint, etc.) when the individual's foot is received within the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 (e.g., as shown inFIG.14, etc.). The upper106 of thefootwear100 includes aleft side120 and an opposite right side122. As described above, theleft side120 may become a “right” side and vice versa if the orientation of thefootwear100 is changed (e.g., rotated 180° about thelongitudinal axis104, etc.).
• Thefootwear100 includes asole structure124 to which the upper106 is secured. Thesole structure124 is shown inFIG.1 as exploded from the upper106 for clarity. Thesole structure124 includes one or more sole components that define any number of layers of thesole structure124. For example, thesole structure124 includes anoutsole124aand amidsole124bin the exemplary implementation shown inFIG.1. In another example, thesole structure124 has a unitary combination of an outsole and a midsole (which for example may be referred to as a unisole). Thesole structure124 underlies the upper106. For example, a bottom wall126 (e.g., a lasting board, etc.) of the upper106 is secured to an upper side128 (e.g., of themidsole124b) of thesole structure124, for example using any suitable method, means, structure, material, fastener, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, thermal bonding, welding, stitching, sewing, riveting, and/or the like.
• Traditionally, slipping an individual's foot into the upper of an article of footwear often requires the use of one or both hands and/or one or more tools (e.g., a shoehorn, etc.) to stretch the ankle opening and hold the heel region of the upper in the stretched position as the foot is inserted into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper. Theheel support102 of the present application alleviates this difficulty by enabling an individual's foot to be received into the foot-receiving cavity of the upper of an article of footwear without the use of a hand and/or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used for successful insertion into the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). In other words, the various implementations of heel supports and methods disclosed herein enhance the ease of foot entry, allowing hands-free foot entry into an article of footwear. As will be described in more detail below, theheel support102 includes acradle130 and aspring132.
• Optionally, the upper106 includes a stretchable material (e.g., an elastic material, a stretchable fabric, a 4-way stretch nylon fabric, etc.) along and/or adjacent theheel region112 of the upper106 to increase the amount of stretching of theankle opening110 along thelongitudinal axis104, for example to facilitate (e.g., assist, etc.) the functionality of the heel support102 (e.g., enabling at least partial collapse of theheel region112 of the upper106, enabling stretching of theankle opening110 along thelongitudinal axis104, enabling entry of an individual's foot into thefootwear100 without the use of a hand and/or other tools, etc.). For example, in the exemplary implementation ofFIG.1, sidewalls134 of the upper106 include optional elastic stretch points136 that increase the amount of stretching of theankle opening110 along thelongitudinal axis104. In other words, the stretch points136 are configured to enable an end138 of theposterior wall114 of theheel region112 of the upper106 to move along thelongitudinal axis104 and/or otherwise (e.g., along avertical axis140, etc.) of the footwear100 (e.g., in the direction of thearrow142, in the direction of thearrow144, etc.). In another example, one or more segments (e.g., thesidewalls134 within and/or adjacent to theheel region112, theposterior wall114 of theheel region112, etc.) of the upper106 optionally includes a stretchable material to enable theankle opening110 to stretch further along thelongitudinal axis104 and/or otherwise of thefootwear100. In some implementations, the upper106 does not include a stretchable material.
• Referring now toFIGS.1 and2, thecradle130 of theheel support102 includes abase146 and acradle arm148 that extends outward from the base146 to atip portion150 of thecradle arm148. As will be described below, thespring132 of theheel support102 is operatively connected to thecradle arm148 for providing a spring force that biases thecradle arm148 against movement in thedirection144.
• Referring now toFIGS.3-5, thebase146 of thecradle130 extends a length along alongitudinal axis152 from arear end portion154 to afront end portion156. Therear end portion154 of thebase146 includes ahub158 of thebase146. Thebase146 includeslegs160 that extend outward from thehub158 along thelongitudinal axis152 to endportions162 of thelegs160. In the exemplary implementation shown herein, thelegs160 includebottom walls164 andside walls166. As shown inFIG.1, when theheel support102 is installed within theheel region112 of the upper106: thebottom walls164 of thelegs160 extend along thebottom wall126 of the upper106 and theupper side128 of thesole structure124; and theside walls166 of thelegs160 extend along thesidewalls134 and theposterior wall114 of the upper106. In other examples, one or more of thelegs160 does not include theside wall166 or thebottom wall164.
• Referring now solely toFIG.5, optionally, theend portions162 of thelegs160 are free end portions such that thefront end portion156 of thebase146 is open. For example, in the exemplary implementation shown herein, thebase146 includes an openfront end portion156 and a closedrear end portion154 that defines a U-shape (i.e., thebase146 includes a U-shape in the exemplary implementation). In addition or alternatively to the U-shape shown herein, thebase146 may include any other shape that enables the base146 to function as described and/or illustrated herein, such as, but not limited to a shape that is closed at thefront end portion156, a V-shape, a horseshoe shape, a circular shape, an oval shape, a rectangular shape, a shape having three or more sides, and/or the like.
• In some implementations, the open-ended shape of thefront end portion156 enables theheel support102 to be accommodated by (i.e., operatively connected to, used with, implemented within, etc.) a greater variety of different sizes and shapes of footwear. For example, the open-ended shape of thefront end portion156 of thebase146 enables the size and/or shape of the base156 to be adjusted by moving thefree end portions162 of thelegs160 toward or away from each other. Accordingly, the open-ended shape of thefront end portion156 of the base146 may reduce the number of different versions (e.g., sizes, shapes, etc.) of theheel support102 required to serve a given number of different sizes and shapes of footwear, which may reduce manufacturing costs. Optionally, one or more of thebottom walls164 and/or one or more of theside walls166 of thelegs160 of the base146 include one or more slots and/or other openings that enable further adjustment of the size and/or shape of thebase146. For example, the exemplary implementation of the base146 shown inFIG.5 includesslots168 that extend radially outward (relative to the longitudinal axis152) into thebottom walls164 of thelegs160 along an interior170 of the U-shape of thebase146.
• Referring now toFIGS.3,4,6, and7, thecradle arm148 of thecradle130 of theheel support102 extends outward from the base146 to thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148. As will be described below, when theheel support102 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, thecradle arm148 extends upward toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112. In the exemplary implementation, and as best seen inFIGS.6 and7, thecradle arm148 extends a length along a continuous path between thelegs160 of thebase146. In other words, the length of thecradle arm148 extends continuously from aleg160aof the base146 to aleg160bof thebase146, with thetip portion150 extending at approximately a central location along the length of thecradle arm148. In other implementations, the length of thecradle arm148 is not continuous between thelegs160aand160bof thebase146, but rather is segmented into any number of segments that enables thecradle arm148 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., two segments that extend outward from acorresponding leg160 of the base146 to free end portions that are spaced apart by a gap and that define thetip portion150, etc.).
• Referring now toFIGS.3,4, and6, thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 is moveable relative to the base146 between an expandedposition172 and acollapsed position174. The expandedposition172 of thetip portion150 is the natural resting position of thecradle arm148 shown inFIGS.3,4, and6. In the collapsed position, thetip portion150 has been moved (e.g., deflected, etc.) relative to the base146 from the natural resting position in thedirection144. An example of thecollapsed position174 of thetip portion150 is shown in inFIG.8. As will be described below, when theheel support102 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, thecradle arm148 is positioned along theheel region112 such that thetip portion150 moves between the expandedposition172 and thecollapsed position174 along thevertical axis140 of thefootwear100. As will also be described below, movement of thetip portion150 from the expandedposition172 to thecollapsed position174 collapses theheel region112 of the upper106 along thevertical axis140, for example to enhance the ease of foot entry and thereby allows hands-free foot entry into the article offootwear100.
• In the exemplary implementation shown herein, and as best seen inFIGS.2-4, thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 moves along an arc between the expandedposition172 and thecollapsed position174 of thetip portion150. For example, thedirection144 extends along an arc as shown herein. As will be described below, when theheel support102 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, movement of thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 from the expandedposition172 toward thecollapsed position174 along an arc causes thetip portion150 to move along thelongitudinal axis104 of thefootwear100, for example which may stretch theankle opening110 of the upper106 along thelongitudinal axis104 of thefootwear100. In other implementations, thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 moves along a linear (i.e., straight) path between the expandedposition172 and thecollapsed position174 of thetip portion150.
• Optionally, thecradle130 includes anothercradle arm176. Thecradle arm176 extends outward from the base146 to atip portion178 of thecradle arm176. Thecradle arm176 extends betweencradle arm148 and thebase146 along the height (e.g., along thevertical axis140, etc.) of theheel region112 of the upper106. As will be described below, when theheel support102 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, thecradle arm176 extends upward toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112. Thetip portion178 of thecradle arm176 is moveable relative to the base146 between an expandedposition180 and a collapsed position182 thereof in a similar manner to thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148. An example of the collapsed position182 of thetip portion178 of thecradle arm176 is shown inFIG.8.
• One or more collapsible windows are defined between thecradle arm148 and thebase146. For example, acollapsible window184 is defined between thecradle arm148 and thecradle arm176; and acollapsible window186 is defined between thecradle arm176 and thebase146. As will be described below, thecollapsible windows184 and186 are configured to collapse along thevertical axis140 of thefootwear100 as thecradle arms148 and176 move toward thecollapsed positions174 and182, respectively, thereof. Theheel support102 may include any number ofcollapsible windows184 and/or186 (e.g.; a single collapsible window, for example in implementations that do not include thecradle arm176; three collapsible windows, for example in implementations that include a third cradle arm; etc.).
• In the exemplary implementation, thecradle arm176 extends a length along a continuous path between thelegs160 of thebase146. In other implementations, the length of thecradle arm148 is not continuous between thelegs160 of thebase146, but rather is segmented into any number of segments that enables theheel support102 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., two segments that extend outward from acorresponding leg160 of the base146 to free end portions that are spaced apart by a gap and that define thetip portion178, etc.). Although two are shown in the exemplary implementation, thecradle130 may include any number of cradle arms. Thecradle arm148 may be referred to herein as a “first” cradle arm, while thecradle arm176 may be referred to herein as a “second” cradle arm.
• Referring again toFIG.2, thecradle130 may be fabricated from any material(s) that enable theheel support102 to function as described and/or illustrated herein. Examples of suitable materials used to fabricate thecradle130 include, but are not limited to, silicone, plastics, thermoplastics (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, etc.), nylon, polyether block amide, fiberglass reinforced polyamides, elastomeric materials, wood, metals, metal alloys, metal composites, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, metal matrix composites, etc.), and/or the like.
• In the exemplary implementation, thebase146, thecradle arm148, and thecradle arm176 of theheel support102 are integrally formed as a single, unitary structure, as is shown herein. Thebase146, thecradle arm148, and/or thecradle arm176 may be integrally formed using any suitable method, means, process, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, molding, casting, machining, three dimensional (3D) printing, and/or the like.
• In other implementations, thebase146, thecradle arm148, and/or thecradle arm176 are not integrally formed as a single, unitary structure, but at least two of thebase146, thecradle arm148, and/or thecradle arm176 are discrete components that are connected together using any suitable method, means, connector, fastener, manner, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, an interference-fit connection, and/or the like.
• Referring now toFIG.2, thespring132 of theheel support102 is operatively connected to thecradle arm148 of thecradle130 such that thespring132 biases thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 toward the expandedposition172 of thetip portion150. In other words, thespring132 is operatively connected to thecradle arm148 such that thespring132 provides a spring force that biases thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 against movement away from the expandedposition172 in thedirection144. The spring force provided by thespring132 configures thecradle arm148 to be resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position174 (shown inFIG.8) of the tip portion150 (away from the expanded position172) against the bias of the spring132 (i.e., resiliently deflectable in the direction144).
• In the exemplary implementations shown herein, thespring132 is a cantilever spring. For example, the spring132 aleft end portion190, aright end portion192, and aspring arm188 that extends a length from theleft end portion190 to theright end portion192. Theend portions190 and192 of thespring132 includerespective tabs194 and196, for example to facilitate operatively connecting thespring132 to thecradle130 and/or the upper106 as will be described below. Thespring arm188 extends outward from theend portions190 and192 to atip portion198 of thespring arm188. Thespring arm188 is cantilevered from theend portions190 and192 such that thetip portion198 of thespring arm188 is resiliently deflectable in thedirection144 against a bias of thetip portion198 of thespring arm188 to the natural resting position of thetip portion198 shown inFIG.2. As will be described below, when theheel support102 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, thespring arm188 extends upward from theend portions190 and192 toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112.
• In the exemplary implementation, the length of thespring arm188 extends continuously from theend portion190 to theend portion192, with thetip portion198 extending at approximately a central location along the length of thespring arm188. In other implementations, the length of thespring arm188 is not continuous between theend portions190 and192, but rather is segmented into any number of segments that enables thespring132 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., two segments that extend outward fromcorresponding end portions190 and192 to free end portions that are spaced apart by a gap and that define thetip portion198, etc.).
• As best seen inFIGS.5 and7, thespring132 is operatively connected to thecradle130 of theheel support102 such that thetabs194 and196 of therespective end portions190 and192 of thespring132 extend along thebottom walls164 of thelegs160 of thebase146. Thetabs194 and/or196 of thespring132 are connected (e.g., secured, fastened, adhered, joined, etc.) to the bottom walls164 (e.g., as described below) and/or thebottom wall126 of the upper106; and/or thetabs194 and/or196 of thespring132 are merely captured (e.g., sandwiched, etc.) between thebottom walls164 of thebase146 and thebottom wall126 of the upper106. Accordingly, thebottom walls164 of thebase146 and thebottom wall126 of the upper106 supports (e.g., holds in place, etc.) theend portions190 and192 of thespring132 to enable thetip portion198 of thespring arm188 to resiliently deflect in thedirection144 relative to theend portions190 and192.
• As best seen inFIGS.1-4, thespring132 is operatively connected to thecradle130 of theheel support102 such that thespring arm188 of thespring132 extends along thecradle arm148 of thecradle130. Thespring arm188 is connected (e.g., secured, fastened, adhered, joined, etc.) to the cradle arm148 (e.g., as described below) and/or an exterior layer (e.g., abacking200, etc.) of the upper106; and/or thespring arm188 is merely captured (e.g., sandwiched, etc.) between thecradle arm148 and the exterior layer of the upper106. Accordingly, thespring arm188 of thespring132 provides a spring force that resists (i.e., biases against) movement of thecradle arm148 away from the expandedposition172 in thedirection144 toward the collapsed position174 (shown inFIG.8).
• In addition or alternatively to a cantilever spring, thespring132 may include any other type of spring that enables thespring132 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., to provide a spring force that configures thecradle arm148 to be resiliently deflectable in thedirection144, etc.), such as, but not limited to, coil springs, leaf springs, torsion springs, flat springs, and/or the like.
• Thespring132 may be fabricated from any material(s) that enable thespring132 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., to provide a spring force that configures thecradle arm148 to be resiliently deflectable in thedirection144, etc.). Examples of suitable materials used to fabricate thespring132 include, but are not limited to, metals, metal alloys, metal composites, composite materials (e.g., carbon fiber, fiberglass, Kevlar®, metal matrix composites, etc.), elastomeric materials, plastics, thermoplastics, nylon, polyether block amide, fiberglass reinforced polyamides, wood, and/or the like. Thespring132 is metallic, which as used herein is intended to mean thespring132 includes at least the property of a metal of being resiliently deflectable.
• As described above, theend portions190 and192 of thespring132 are optionally connected tobottom walls164 of thebase146 of thecradle130; and thespring arm188 of thespring132 is optionally connected to thecradle arm148 of thecradle130. Thespring132 may be connected to thebottom walls164 of thebase146 and/or thecradle arm148 using any suitable method, means, connector, fastener, manner, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, an interference-fit connection, and/or the like.
• The geometry, material(s), and/or other variables of the various components of the heel support102 (e.g., thecradle130, thespring132, etc.) may be selected to enable theheel support102 to function as described and/or illustrated herein (e.g., to provide thespring132 with a predetermined spring force, to enable an individual's foot to be received into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 thefootwear100 without the use of a hand and/or other tools, to provide heel counter functionality or assist the functionality of a heel counter (not shown) of theheel region112 of the upper106, to provide a predetermined amount of support to the posterior of an individual's heel, etc.). Examples of geometry, materials, and other variables that may be selected to enable (e.g., establish, tune, etc.) theheel support102 to function as described and/or illustrated herein include, but are not limited to: the thickness, length, width, angle, shape, path, material composition, and/or the like of thebase146, thecradle arm148, thecradle arm176, and/or thespring132; the method, process, means, manner, and/or the like of operatively connecting thespring132 to thecradle130; and/or the like.
• Referring now toFIG.1, theheel support102 is installed to theheel region112 of the upper106 such that thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106. In the exemplary implementation, thecradle130 is mounted to an exterior layer of the upper106 along theheel region112 of the upper106. For example, thecradle130 is mounted to thebacking200, which in the exemplary implementation defines the exterior layer of the upper106 along theheel region112. Thecradle130 may be mounted to thebacking200 of the upper106 using any suitable method, means, connector, fastener, manner, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, an interference-fit connection, and/or the like.
• Optionally, thebacking200 includes a flexible material such that thebacking200 is aflexible backing200, for example to facilitate (e.g., assist, etc.) the functionality of the heel support102 (e.g., enabling at least partial collapse of theheel region112 of the upper106, enabling stretching of theankle opening110 along thelongitudinal axis104, enabling entry of an individual's foot into thefootwear100 without the use of a hand and/or other tools, etc.). Examples of the flexible material of thebacking200 include, but are not limited to, a compressible foam, a compressible foam textile, a flexible textile, leather, vegan leather, vinyl, nylon, a stretchable material, an elastic material, and/or the like.
• In the exemplary implementation of theheel support102, thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106 such that thebase146 extends along abottom portion202 of theheel region112 of the upper106. For example, thebottom walls164 of thelegs160 of the base146 extend between thebottom wall126 of the upper106 and thesole structure124 of thefootwear100; and theside walls166 of thelegs160 of the base146 extend overlap thesidewalls134 of the upper106 along the portions of thesidewalls134 defined by thebacking200.
• As shown inFIG.1, when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106, thecradle arm148 of thecradle130 extends upward toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112. In the exemplary implementation, thecradle arm148 extends over theposterior wall114 of theheel region112 when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112. Moreover, the exemplary implementation of thecradle arm148 extends continuously from theleft leg160aof the base146 on theleft side120 of the upper106 to theright leg160bof the base146 on the right side122 of the upper106 when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112.
• As is also shown inFIG.1, when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 in the exemplary implementation: thecradle arm176 of thecradle130 extends upward toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112; thecradle arm176 extends over theposterior wall114 of theheel region112; and thecradle arm176 extends continuously from theleft leg160aof the base146 on theleft side120 of the upper106 to theright leg160bof the base146 on the right side122 of the upper106.
• When thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106 as shown inFIG.1, thetabs194 and196 of theend portions190 and192, respectively, of thespring132 extend (e.g., are captured, etc.) between thebottom walls164 of thebase146 and thebottom wall126 of the upper106. Theend portions190 and192 of thespring132 are thus connected to thebase146 of thecradle130 such that thespring arm188 extends upward from theend portions190 and192 toward theankle opening110 and toward theposterior wall114 of theheel region112. In the exemplary implementation, thespring arm188 extends over theposterior wall114 of theheel region112 when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112. Moreover, the exemplary implementation of thespring arm188 extends continuously from theleft end portion190 that is operatively connected to thebase146 of thecradle130 along theleft side120 of the upper106 to theright end portion192 that is operatively connected to thebase146 along the right side122 of the upper106.
• As illustrated inFIGS.1-7, thespring arm188 extends (e.g., is captured, etc.) between thecradle arm148 of thecradle130 and thebacking200 of the upper106 when thecradle130 is operatively connected to theheel region112 of the upper106. As briefly mentioned above, thespring arm188 is optionally connected to thebacking200. Thespring arm188 may be connected to thebacking200 using any suitable method, means, connector, fastener, manner, and/or the like, such as, but not limited to, adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, an interference-fit connection, and/or the like.
• In some implementations, theheel support102 is configured to provide heel counter functionality or assist the functionality of a heel counter (not shown) of theheel region112 of the upper106. For example, in some implementations theheel support102 facilitates holding theheel region112 open (i.e., facilitates preventing theheel region112 of the upper106 from collapsing) at rest or while thefootwear100 is being worn by an individual. In some implementations, theheel support102 is configured to support a posterior of the individual's heel.
• In operation, and referring now toFIGS.8 and9, theheel support102 enables an individual's foot to be received into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 of thefootwear100 without the use of a hand and/or other tools (e.g., only the individual's foot is used for successful insertion into the foot-receiving cavity, etc.). For example, using the individual'sheel204, a force F (not shown inFIG.9) is applied to anupper end portion206 of theposterior wall114 of the upper106. Against the bias provided by thespring132, the force F resiliently deflects thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 of theheel support102 from the expanded position172 (shown inFIGS.1 and9) in thedirection144 toward the collapsed position174 (shown inFIG.8). Movement of thetip portion150 in thedirection144 from the expandedposition172 toward thecollapsed position174 collapses theheel region112 of the upper106 along thevertical axis140 of thefootwear100, for example as is shown inFIG.8. For example, movement of thetip portion150 in thedirection144 toward the collapsed position causes thecollapsible windows184 and186 of thecradle130 to collapse along thevertical axis140, thereby collapsing theposterior wall114 of theheel region112 along thevertical axis140. With theposterior wall114 of theheel region112 collapsed (e.g. as shown inFIG.8, etc.), the individual's foot is free to slide forward and downward into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 as is shown inFIG.9. Accordingly, theheel support102 enables the individual's foot to be received into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 without the use of a hand and/or other tools. Rather, only the individual's foot is used to gain entry into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106. Theheel support102 thus eases foot entry into thefootwear100 by enabling hands-free foot entry. As described above, movement of thetip portion150 of thecradle arm148 in thedirection144 along an arc may stretch (e.g., enlarge, etc.) theankle opening110 of the upper106 along thelongitudinal axis104 of thefootwear100, which may further facilitate reception of the individual's foot into the foot-receivingcavity108 of the upper106 without the use of a hand and/or other tools.
• As the individual's foot is fully received into the foot-receivingcavity108, the stored elastic energy due to the bias of thespring132 automatically moves thecradle arm148 back from thecollapsed position174 in the direction of the arrow208 toward the expandedposition172, as is illustrated inFIG.9.
• FIG.10 illustrates amethod300 for assembling an article of footwear (e.g., thefootwear100 shown inFIGS.1,2,8, and9, etc.) that includes an upper and a heel support (e.g., theheel support102 shown inFIGS.1-9, etc.) that includes a cradle. Themethod300 includes operatively connecting, at302, a metallic spring to a cradle arm of the cradle having a tip portion that is moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position such that the spring biases the tip portion toward the expanded position. At304, themethod300 includes mounting the cradle to a heel region of the upper of the article of footwear such that the tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable from the expanded position toward the collapsed position.
• In some implementations, operatively connecting at302 the spring to the cradle arm includes connecting, at302a,the spring to the cradle using at least one of adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, or an interference-fit connection.
• Optionally, mounting at304 the cradle to the heel region includes capturing, at304a,the spring between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper of the article of footwear. In some implementations, mounting at304 the cradle to the heel region includes mounting, at304b,the cradle to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region. Mounting at304 the cradle to the heel region optionally includes mounting, at304c,the cradle to the heel region such that at least one of the cradle arm or the spring extends over a posterior wall of the heel region.
• Optionally, mounting at304 the cradle to the heel region includes mounting, at304d,the cradle to the heel region such that a spring arm of the spring extends continuously from a left end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to a base of the cradle along a left side of the upper to a right end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a right side of the upper. In some implementations, mounting at304 the cradle to the heel region includes mounting, at304e,the cradle to the heel region such that an end portion of the spring is captured between a base of the cradle and a bottom wall of the upper.
• The various implementations of heel inserts and methods disclosed herein enhance the ease of foot entry, allowing hands-free foot entry into an article of footwear.
• The following clauses describe further aspects:
• Clause Set A:
• A1. A heel support for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the heel support comprising:
• a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the cradle comprising a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region, the tip portion of the cradle arm being moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position; and
• a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion, the tip portion of the cradle arm being resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.
• A2. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region is configured to collapse the heel region of the upper of the article of footwear.
• A3. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region is configured to stretch the ankle opening of the upper of the article of footwear along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.
• A4. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the tip portion of the cradle arm moves along an arc between the expanded position and the collapsed position of the tip portion.
• A5. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm and an end portion operatively connected to the base of the cradle such that the spring arm extends upward from the end portion toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.
• A6. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring is captured between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region of the upper.
• A7. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle is mounted to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.
• A8. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle arm is a first cradle arm, the cradle comprising a second cradle arm extending outward from the base such that the second cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region between the first cradle arm and the base when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.
• A9. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein at least one of the cradle arm or the spring extends over the posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.
• A10. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm that extends continuously from a left end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a left side of the upper to a right end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a right side of the upper.
• A11. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle arm of the cradle extends continuously from a leg of the base on a left side of the upper to another leg of the base on a right side of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region of the upper.
• A12. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises an end portion captured between the base and a bottom wall of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region of the upper.
• A13. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring is connected to at least one of the upper or the cradle using at least one of adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, or an interference-fit connection.
• A14. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever spring.
• A15. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a metal.
• A16. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle comprises at least one of a thermoplastic or silicone.
• A17. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the base of the cradle comprises a U-shape.
• A18. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the base of the cradle comprises a U-shape, the base comprising slots extending radially outward into the base along an interior of the U-shape.
• A19. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the base extends along a bottom portion of the heel region of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.
• A20. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the base and the cradle arm of the cradle are integrally formed as a single, unitary structure.
• A21. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle comprises a collapsible window defined between the cradle arm and the base.
• A22. The heel support of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle is mounted to a flexible backing of the upper, the spring comprising a spring arm extending between the cradle arm and the flexible backing.
• Clause set B:
• B1. An article of footwear comprising:
• an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the upper comprising a heel region having a posterior wall; and
• a heel support comprising:
• • a cradle operatively connected to the heel region of the upper, the cradle comprising a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region, the tip portion of the cradle arm being moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position; and
  • a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion, the tip portion of the cradle arm being resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.
• B2. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position is configured to collapse the heel region of the upper of the article of footwear.
• B3. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position is configured to stretch the ankle opening of the upper of the article of footwear along a longitudinal axis of the article of footwear.
• B4. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the tip portion of the cradle arm moves along an arc between the expanded position and the collapsed position of the tip portion.
• B5. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm and an end portion operatively connected to the base of the cradle such that the spring arm extends upward from the end portion toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region.
• B6. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring is captured between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper.
• B7. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle is mounted to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region of the upper.
• B8. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle arm is a first cradle arm, the cradle comprising a second cradle arm extending outward from the base such that the second cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region between the first cradle arm and the base.
• B9. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm that extends continuously from a left end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a left side of the upper to a right end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a right side of the upper.
• B10. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the cradle arm of the cradle extends continuously from a leg of the base on a left side of the upper to another leg of the base on a right side of the upper.
• B11. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises an end portion captured between the base and a bottom wall of the upper.
• B12. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring is connected to at least one of the upper or the cradle using at least one of adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, or an interference-fit connection.
• B13. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever spring.
• B14. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the spring comprises a metal.
• B15. The article of footwear of any preceding clause, wherein the base of the cradle comprises a U-shape, the base comprising slots extending radially outward into the base along an interior of the U-shape.
• B16. The article of footwear of preceding clause, wherein the cradle comprises a collapsible window defined between the cradle arm and the base.
• B17. The article of footwear of preceding clause, wherein the heel region of the upper comprises a flexible backing, the cradle being mounted to the flexible backing such that a spring arm of the spring extends between the cradle arm and the flexible backing.
• Clause set C:
• C1. A method for assembling an article of footwear that includes an upper and a heel support that includes a cradle, the method comprising:
• operatively connecting a metallic spring to a cradle arm of the cradle having a tip portion that is moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position such that the spring biases the tip portion toward the expanded position; and
• mounting the cradle to a heel region of the upper of the article of footwear such that the tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable from the expanded position toward the collapsed position.
• C2. The method of any preceding clause, wherein mounting the cradle to the heel region comprises capturing the spring between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper of the article of footwear.
• C3. The method of any preceding clause, wherein mounting the cradle to the heel region comprises mounting the cradle to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region.
• C4. The method of any preceding clause, wherein mounting the cradle to the heel region comprises mounting the cradle to the heel region such that at least one of the cradle arm or the spring extends over a posterior wall of the heel region.
• C5. The method of claim 36, wherein mounting the cradle to the heel region comprises mounting the cradle to the heel region such that a spring arm of the spring extends continuously from a left end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to a base of the cradle along a left side of the upper to a right end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a right side of the upper.
• C6. The method of any preceding clause, wherein mounting the cradle to the heel region comprises mounting the cradle to the heel region such that an end portion of the spring is captured between a base of the cradle and a bottom wall of the upper.
• C7. The method of any preceding clause, wherein operatively connecting the spring to the cradle arm comprises connecting the spring to the cradle using at least one of adhesive, cement, bonding, welding, melding, heat molding, brazing, soldering, threaded fasteners, rivets, clips, pins, a snap-fit connection, or an interference-fit connection.
• As used herein, a structure, limitation, or element that is “configured to” perform a task or operation is particularly structurally formed, constructed, or adapted in a manner corresponding to the task or operation. For purposes of clarity and the avoidance of doubt, an object that is merely capable of being modified to perform the task or operation is not “configured to” perform the task or operation as used herein.
• Any range or value given herein can be extended or altered without losing the effect sought, as will be apparent to the skilled person.
• Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.
• It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above can relate to one implementation or can relate to several implementations. The implementations are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to ‘an’ item refers to one or more of those items.
• The order of execution or performance of the operations in examples of the present application illustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwise specified. That is, the operations can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and examples of the application can include additional or fewer operations than those disclosed herein. For example, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particular operation before, contemporaneously with, or after another operation (e.g., different steps, etc.) is within the scope of aspects and implementations of the application.
• The term “comprising” is used in this specification to mean including the feature(s) or act(s) followed thereafter, without excluding the presence of one or more additional features or acts. The terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there can be additional elements other than the listed elements. In other words, the use of “including,” “comprising,” “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof; is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and additional items. Further, references to “one implementation” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional implementations or implementations that also incorporate the recited features. The term “exemplary” is intended to mean “an example of”.
• When introducing elements of aspects of the application or the examples thereof, the articles “a,” “an,” “the,” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. In other words, the indefinite articles “a”, “an”, “the”, and “said” as used in the specification and in the claims, unless clearly indicated to the contrary, should be understood to mean “at least one.”
• The phrase “one or more of the following: A, B, and C” means “at least one of A and/or at least one of B and/or at least one of C.” The phrase “and/or”, as used in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e., elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and/or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and/or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and/or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one implementation, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.
• As used in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and/or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and/or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of,” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e. “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of” “only one of” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.
• As used in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one,” in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A or B,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and/or B”) can refer, in one implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another implementation, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.
• Use of ordinal terms such as “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., in the claims to modify a claim element does not by itself connote any priority, precedence, or order of one claim element over another or the temporal order in which acts of a method are performed. Ordinal terms are used merely as labels to distinguish one claim element having a certain name from another element having a same name (but for use of the ordinal term), to distinguish the claim elements.
• Having described aspects of the application in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of aspects of the application as defined in the appended claims. As various changes could be made in the above constructions, products, and methods without departing from the scope of aspects of the application, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
• It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described implementations (and/or aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications can be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various implementations of the application without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various implementations of the application, the implementations are by no means limiting and are example implementations. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various implementations of the application should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. § 112(f), unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
• This written description uses examples to disclose the various implementations of the application, including the best mode, and also to enable any person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the various implementations of the application, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various implementations of the application is defined by the claims, and can include other examples that occur to those persons of ordinary skill in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims (20)

What is claimed is:

1. A heel support for an article of footwear that includes an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the heel support comprising:

a cradle configured to be operatively connected to a heel region of the upper, the cradle comprising a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward a posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region, the tip portion of the cradle arm being moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position; and

a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion, the tip portion of the cradle arm being resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.

2. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region is configured to collapse the heel region of the upper of the article of footwear.

3. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the tip portion of the cradle arm moves along an arc between the expanded position and the collapsed position of the tip portion.

4. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm and an end portion operatively connected to the base of the cradle such that the spring arm extends upward from the end portion toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.

5. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the spring is captured between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region of the upper.

6. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the cradle is mounted to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region of the upper when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.

7. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the cradle arm is a first cradle arm, the cradle comprising a second cradle arm extending outward from the base such that the second cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region between the first cradle arm and the base when the cradle is operatively connected to the heel region.

8. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the spring comprises a spring arm that extends continuously from a left end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a left side of the upper to a right end portion of the spring that is operatively connected to the base of the cradle along a right side of the upper.

9. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the spring comprises a cantilever spring.

10. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the spring comprises a metal.

11. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the base of the cradle comprises a U-shape, the base comprising slots extending radially outward into the base along an interior of the U-shape.

12. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the cradle comprises a collapsible window defined between the cradle arm and the base.

13. The heel support ofclaim 1, wherein the cradle is mounted to a flexible backing of the upper, the spring comprising a spring arm extending between the cradle arm and the flexible backing.

14. An article of footwear comprising:

an upper defining a foot-receiving cavity having an ankle opening, the upper comprising a heel region having a posterior wall; and

a heel support comprising:

a cradle operatively connected to the heel region of the upper, the cradle comprising a base and a cradle arm extending outward from the base to a tip portion of the cradle arm such that the cradle arm extends upward toward the ankle opening and toward the posterior wall of the heel region, the tip portion of the cradle arm being moveable relative to the base between an expanded position and a collapsed position; and

a metallic spring operatively connected to the cradle such that the spring biases the tip portion of the cradle arm toward the expanded position of the tip portion, the tip portion of the cradle arm being resiliently deflectable toward the collapsed position against the bias of the spring.

15. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein movement of the tip portion of the cradle arm from the expanded position toward the collapsed position is configured to collapse the heel region of the upper of the article of footwear.

16. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the tip portion of the cradle arm moves along an arc between the expanded position and the collapsed position of the tip portion.

17. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the spring is captured between the cradle arm and an exterior layer of the upper.

18. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the cradle is mounted to an exterior layer of the upper along the heel region of the upper.

19. The article of footwear ofclaim 14, wherein the spring comprises a metal.

20. A method for assembling an article of footwear that includes an upper and a heel support that includes a cradle, the method comprising:

operatively connecting a metallic spring to a cradle arm of the cradle having a tip portion that is moveable between an expanded position and a collapsed position such that the spring biases the tip portion toward the expanded position; and

mounting the cradle to a heel region of the upper of the article of footwear such that the tip portion of the cradle arm is resiliently deflectable from the expanded position toward the collapsed position.

Images