Patent ID: 9609918
Date: 2017-04-04
CPC Classifications: A43B,A43C

Claim:
1. An article of footwear, comprising: an upper having a toe covering portion and an entry hole for receiving a foot; an intermediate covering portion disposed between the toe covering portion and the entry hole, wherein the intermediate covering portion is adapted to close around the instep of the foot and wherein a volume of the intermediate covering portion is variable; wherein the intermediate covering portion includes a plurality of channels disposed along a longitudinal direction, wherein the longitudinal direction is a direction extending from a forefoot portion of the article of footwear to a heel portion of the article of footwear; wherein each of the plurality of channels is adapted to expand in a widthwise direction, the widthwise direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; at least one tensioning member extending across the plurality of channels in the widthwise direction, wherein the at least one tensioning member extends from a sole structure of the article of footwear to the upper; and wherein increasing the tension of the at least one tensioning member substantially decreases the volume of the intermediate covering portion.