Patent ID: 6374515
Filing Date: 2002-04-23
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
An expandable shoe, comprising:a shoe upper having a front end and a rear end and a shoe length, wherein said shoe upper is expandable along said shoe length from an unexpanded position to a fully expanded position; an outsole comprising a rear outsole portion connected to said rear end of said shoe upper and a front outsole portion connected to said front end of said shoe upper, wherein said front and rear outsole portions define a gap therebetween when said shoe upper is expanded; and an insole connected to said shoe upper above said outsole, wherein said insole covers said gap for protecting a wearer's foot when said shoe upper expands, said insole comprising a rear insole connected to the rear end of said shoe upper and having a front end, a rear end, and a length and a front insole connected to the front end of said shoe upper and having a front end and a rear end, wherein said front insole moves relative to said rear insole when said shoe upper expands toward said fully expanded position, said insole further comprising an expandable part having a front end fixedly connected to said front insole and a rear end fixedly connected to said rear insole so that said rear insole is connected to said front insole via said expandable part wherein said front end of said expandable part is connected proximate said front end of said front insole and said rear end of said expandable part is connected proximate said front end of said rear insole.