Patent ID: 6079126
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A shoe, comprising:a bottom including a heel and a sole having an arch portion, a hinge portion and a forward portion, the sole having a thickness defined by top and bottom surfaces, the hinge portion of the sole being disposed between the arch portion and the forward portion, the hinge portion being bifurcated along a first plane and a second plane, the first plane intersecting the top and bottom surfaces and having a first slit defined which is unobstructed at the bottom surface, the second plane being substantially perpendicular to the first plane and having a second slit which extends from the first slit at a rearward end to a forward end in a direction of the forward portion, a pivot axis parallel to the second plane facilitating pivoting of the arch portion relative to the forward portion, upper and lower portions of said hinge portion defined by said second slit being separable as the arch portion pivots relative to the forward portion; andan upper extending from the top surface of the bottom for encompassing a foot, the upper including a thinned, pliable section extending from the hinge portion and configured to buckle upon pivoting at the hinge portion.