Patent ID: 7765721
Filing Date: 2010-08-03
Classification: A43B,A43C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. An article of footwear comprising: an upper configured to receive a foot; a sole attached to the upper; a throat formed in the upper; an adjustable opening formed in the upper and connected to the throat; an eyelet region at least partially surrounding the adjustable opening; a plurality of eyelet holes formed in the eyelet region; a lace threaded through the eyelet holes and fixed into position such that the lace is nonremovable from the article of footwear; a lateral side of the eyelet region being removably attached to the upper with a securing mechanism; a medial side of the eyelet region being fixedly attached to the upper; and a hinge formed in the eyelet region about which the lateral side rotates during separation from the upper; wherein said hinge is formed at an end portion of the lateral side farthest from the throat opening and extending, generally in a lateral direction, the lateral direction being from a lateral side of the article of footwear to a medial side of the article of footwear.