Patent ID: 9402435
Filing Date: 2016-08-02
CPC Classification: A43B

Claim Text:
1. A method of changing a size of an article of footwear comprising the steps of: providing an article of footwear having an upper including a liner and an outer shell, with a pocket formed between the liner and the outer shell in a heel region of the upper, the pocket configured to receive an insert, the insert configured to alter an effective length of the article of footwear; wherein the pocket is defined in a heel portion of the article of footwear by a first surface facing a second surface, the first surface extending vertically further than the second surface to an upper edge; providing the insert, wherein the insert is configured to be secured within the pocket; positioning the insert within the pocket so that a portion of the insert forms an exterior surface of the article of footwear substantially covering the portion of the first surface that extends vertically further than the second surface such that the insert extends to the upper edge of the first surface of the pocket; and securing the insert within the pocket by engaging a first portion of a mechanical fastener positioned on the insert with a second portion of the mechanical fastener positioned in the pocket; wherein, when the insert is removed from the pocket, the portion of the first surface extending vertically further than the second surface forms the portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear that is formed by the insert when the insert is positioned within the pocket; wherein the heel portion of the article of footwear has a curvature; wherein, the insert is configured to substantially maintain the same shape inside the pocket and outside the pocket such that, when the insert is removed from the pocket, the insert is contoured to match the curvature of the heel portion of the article of footwear; wherein at least a portion of the pocket is positioned at a point furthest from a toe region of the article of footwear; wherein the heel region of the upper has a first rear facing exterior surface; and wherein the insert has a body portion having a first thickness and an upper portion having a second thickness that is thicker than the first thickness of the body portion of the insert, the upper portion of the insert having a second rear facing exterior surface; and positioning the insert within the pocket so that the effective length of the article of footwear is changed by a distance substantially the same as the first thickness of the body portion of the insert, and the second rear facing exterior surface of the upper portion of the insert is aligned with the first rear facing exterior surface of the heel region of the upper.