Patent ID: 7634861
Filing Date: 2009-12-22
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
1. An article of footwear having lateral and medial sides, said article comprising: an upper including an instep portion for covering at least a portion of a wearer's foot and an insole portion adapted to underlay a wearer's foot, said insole portion comprising a non-stretch portion surrounding an expansion portion disposed longitudinally along said insole portion; a sole unit attached to said upper underneath said insole, said sole unit comprising a cushioning midsole and a ground engaging outsole, said midsole including a longitudinal split extending from a toe region to a heel region to accommodate an expansion element disposed longitudinally along said sole unit so as to align with said expansion portion of said insole portion, and wherein said midsole is layered between said ground engaging outsole and said insole; wherein said expansion portion and said expansion element have a retracted static condition to provide a narrower width to said article of footwear, and have an expanded, adjustment condition to provide a wider width and an increased internal volume to said article of footwear to cooperatively provide dynamic width adjustment.