Abstract:
A novel shoe construction provides a unique fit and feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot. The shoe construction is a variation in what is typically called vulcanized shoe construction. Wherein the conventional vulcanized shoe construction bands of flexible material are permanently adhered or vulcanized to the shoe sole and to a portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole, in the shoe construction of the invention upper sections of the bands are let loose by being unattached to the shoe upper. In addition, a toe cap of the shoe and a heel counter of the shoe are secured to the shoe sole, but are unattached to the shoe upper. This construction results in a shoe that not only has a unique appearance, but also has a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot as well as across the toes and heel of the foot.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention pertains to a novel shoe construction that provides a unique fit and feel to the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot. In particular, the present invention pertains to a novel variation in what is typically called vulcanized shoe construction. 
         [0003]    In the conventional vulcanized shoe construction, bands of flexible material are adhered or vulcanized to the shoe sole and to the upper of the shoe. In the novel shoe construction of the invention, upper sections of the bands are left unattached to the shoe upper. In addition, a toe cap of the shoe and a heel backstay or heel counter of the shoe are secured to the shoe sole, but left unattached to the shoe upper. This construction results in a shoe that not only has a unique appearance, but also has a unique feel to the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot as well as across the toes and heel of the foot. This shoe construction provides a feel of less confinement and enhanced movement that is akin to wearing a sock having a cushioned and supporting sole secured to only the underside of the sock. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The construction of a shoe often referred to as a “sneaker” is basically comprised of an upper of a flexible material such as canvas, and a sole of rubber or other similar synthetic material. The upper is secured around the perimeter of the sole and extends upwardly from the sole. The upper is designed to extend around the heel area of the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot and around the opposite sides of the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot. In addition, a tongue portion of the upper extends over the top of the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0006]    In the interior of the shoe, an insole or liner is typically provided on the top surface of the shoe sole to provide cushioning for the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot. The opposite, bottom surface of the shoe sole serves as the traction surface of the shoe. 
         [0007]    Many shoes of the type described above are also constructed with a foxing or a band of flexible material that extends around the shoe sole and further secures the shoe sole to the upper. The band of flexible material is typically a thin, flexible strip of material that extends completely around the perimeter of the shoe sole and around the portion of the upper that is adjacent the shoe sole. The band is secured to both the shoe sole and the portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole to securely connect the shoe sole and the upper. The band can be secured to the shoe sole and upper by adhesives and/or by vulcanization. 
         [0008]    In the typical vulcanization shoe construction, the foxing or band of flexible material is wrapped around the bottom of the shoe with the band overlapping the side of the shoe sole and a portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole. Vulcanizing machinery then applies pressure and heat to the band to “vulcanize” the band to the sole and upper. In this manner, the sole and upper are secured together. 
         [0009]    Shoes manufactured in this manner, i.e. with a foxing or band extending around the shoe sole and a portion of the upper, are disadvantaged in that the band reduces the flexibility of the upper in the area where the upper attaches to the shoe sole. Thus, any comfort to the foot achieved by the flexibility of the upper material extending around and over the foot is sacrificed in the area where the band secures the upper to the shoe sole. In this area, the upper is much more rigid due to the attachment of the band to the upper. 
         [0010]    Additionally, shoes constructed in the manner described above often also include a toe cap that is secured over the material of the upper at the toe end of the shoe sole, and a heel slip or heel counter that is secured over the material of the upper at the heel end of the shoe sole. The toe cap secured to the material of the upper and the heel counter secured to the material of the upper both reduce the flexibility of the upper in these areas of the shoe and thereby reduce the comfort in these areas of the shoe. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention overcomes the problems associated with the prior art shoe constructions discussed earlier by providing a novel shoe construction with a free floating upper. The novel shoe construction provides free floating areas along the sides of the upper as well as across the toe and heel areas of the upper, providing the shoe wearer with a sense of less confinement and enhanced movement of the foot in the shoe of the invention. 
         [0012]    The shoe of the invention has a construction that is similar to that of prior art shoe constructions in that the shoe is basically comprised of a shoe sole, an upper, and at least one band of flexible material that secures together the sole and upper. In the description of the concept of the invention to follow, the invention is described as being used in the construction of a typical “sneaker” type shoe. However, this should not be interpreted as limiting the concept of the invention to this shoe construction. 
         [0013]    The sole of the shoe is constructed as a conventional shoe sole. The shoe sole basically has a top surface, a bottom surface, and a side wall that surrounds the shoe sole. The sole bottom surface is the traction surface of the shoe. 
         [0014]    The upper of the shoe is constructed of a flexible material that is secured to the shoe sole and extends upwardly from the perimeter of the shoe sole. The material of the upper covers the heel area of the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot and extends forwardly along opposite sides of the foot. The upper material also includes a tongue that extends over the top of the shoe-wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0015]    A band of flexible material is secured to the shoe sole and the upper and secures together the shoe sole and upper. 
         [0016]    In one embodiment of the invention, one or more bands are secured to the shoe sole and the upper to secure the shoe sole and upper together. Each of the bands has a length that extends entirely around the shoe sole. Each of the bands has an upper section and a lower section. The lower sections of the bands are secured to the shoe sole at the perimeter of the shoe sole. The bands are arranged so that they overlap each other. The outer most or exterior band of the plurality of bands is positioned so that its bottom edge is aligned with the bottom surface or traction surface of the shoe sole. Each successive band of the plurality of bands positioned inside the exterior band is positioned higher up on the shoe sole so that each successive band reaches higher up over the material of the upper. The lower sections of each of the bands is secured to the shoe sole and/or the shoe upper, and the upper sections of each of the bands is unattached to the shoe sole or the adjacent band. This gives the shoes a unique appearance with the upper sections of each of the overlapping bands being unattached to the shoe. In addition, a toe cap of the shoe and a heel slip or heel counter of the shoe are secured to the shoe sole, but portions of the toe cap and heel counter that overlap the material of the upper are left unattached to the upper. 
         [0017]    This construction results in a shoe that is not only unique in appearance, but also has a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot as well as across the toes and heel of the foot. The shoe construction provides a feel of less confinement and enhanced movement to the foot. 
         [0018]    In a further embodiment, the plurality of bands is replaced by a single band that extends around the shoe sole and around the portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole. The single band is also provided with an upper section and a lower section. Only the lower section of the band is secured to the shoe sole and to a portion of the upper adjacent the shoe sole. The upper section of the bank is unattached to the upper. As in the previously described embodiment, a toe cap of the shoe and a heel counter of the shoe are secured to the shoe sole, but left unattached to the shoe upper. This construction also results in a shoe that has a unique appearance, and also has a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot as well as across the toes and the heel of the foot. 
         [0019]    In a still further embodiment, the single band embodiment of the shoe described above is provided with one or more additional bands that have a smaller length than the single band that entirely surrounds the shoe sole. An additional band is positioned at the toe area of the shoe sole with the lower section of the additional band secured to the shoe and the upper section of the additional band being unattached to the shoe. Alternatively or in addition to the additional band at the toe area of the shoe, a further additional band is attached at the heel area of the shoe. The further additional band has a lower section that is attached to the shoe and an upper section that is unattached to the shoe. This further additional band could also be provided as a tag attached to the heel of the shoe that displays a trademark. 
         [0020]    In each embodiment of the shoe, the upper section of the band or bands that surround the shoe sole and portions of the upper adjacent the shoe sole that are left unattached to the upper give the shoe a unique appearance, and also provide a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with there being less confinement and enhanced movement of the foot in the shoe compared to prior art shoe constructions of this type. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    Further features of the invention are described in the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the invention and in the drawing figures. 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a left side elevation view of a shoe employing the novel construction of the invention, with the right side elevation view of the shoe being a substantial mirror image of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the shoe construction of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a cross-section view of the shoe construction of  FIG. 1  in a plane positioned along the line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a cross-section view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1  in a plane positioned along the line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a left side elevation view of a further embodiment of the shoe. 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 5 . 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a left side elevation view of a still further embodiment of the shoe. 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate a first embodiment of the shoe  12  of the invention. In the embodiment of the shoe  12  shown in these drawing figures, the shoe  12  is a high-top oxford basketball shoe. However, it should be understood that the novel concept of the invention could be employed on other types of shoes. Because much of the construction of the shoe  12  is the same as that of a conventional oxford laced-up shoe, the conventional features of the construction of the shoe  12  will be described only generally herein. 
         [0031]    The shoe  12  has a sole that is constructed of resilient materials that are typically employed in the constructions of shoes. The sole is shown constructed with an outsole  14  having a top surface  16  and opposite bottom surface  18  and a sidewall  22 . The sidewall  22  separates the sole top surface  16  from the sole bottom surface  18  and extends completely around the periphery of the sole. The outsole bottom surface  18  is the traction surface of the shoe. In addition to the outsole  14 , the shoe construction includes a midsole  24  on the top surface  16  of the outsole  14 , and an insert  26  on top of the midsole  24 . A length of the shoe sole extends from a toe area  28  of the sole to a heel area  32  of the sole. As stated earlier, the construction of the shoe sole  14  described above is only one example of a shoe sole with which the concept of the invention may be employed. 
         [0032]    The shoe upper  34  is secured to the shoe sole  14  adjacent the perimeter of the shoe sole that is defined by the sole sidewall  22 . The shoe upper  34  extends upwardly from the shoe sole top surface  16 , as is conventional. The upper  34  is constructed of a flexible material, for example, leather or a fabric such as canvas. The upper  34  includes a heel portion  36  that extends around the heel area  32  of the sole. From the heel portion  36 , the upper  34  has a right side portion  38  and a left side portion  42  that extend forwardly along the opposite sides of the shoe sole. The upper right side portion  38  and left side portion  42  extend forwardly to a toe portion  44  of the upper that covers over the toe area  28  of the shoe sole  14 . The upper includes a tongue  46  that extends rearwardly from the upper toe portion  44  and covers a portion of the access opening of the shoe. The construction of the upper  34  described here is only one example of the construction of a shoe upper with which the concept of the invention may be employed. 
         [0033]    In the embodiment of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the upper  34  is further secured to the shoe sole  14  by foxing bands that are constructed according to the concept of the invention. In the embodiment of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , the plurality of the bands include an inner band  52 , a middle band  54 , and an outer band  56 . 
         [0034]    The inner band  52  is a thin strip of flexible material, for example, rubber, that has an elongate length. The length of the inner band  52  is formed in a continuous loop that extends entirely around the perimeter of the shoe sole  14 . The length of the inner band  52  has a top section  62  and an opposite bottom section  64 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the inner band bottom section  64  is secured to the shoe sole  14  and a potion of the shoe upper  34  that is immediately adjacent the shoe sole. The inner band bottom section  64  can be secured to the shoe sole  14  by any conventional method, for example, by adhesives and/or vulcanization. The inner band top section  62  is not secured to the shoe sole  14  or to the portion of the upper  34  overlapped by the inner band top section  62 . The inner band top section  62  has an exterior surface  66  that forms a portion of the exterior surface of the shoe, and an opposite interior surface  68  that faces towards the portion of the upper  34  overlapped by the inner band top section  62 . The interior surface  68  of the inner band top section  62  is left unattached to the shoe for the entire length of the inner band  52  that extends entirely around the shoe sole  14 . Thus, the inner band top section  62  does not restrict the movement of the portion of the upper  34  overlapped by the inner band top section  62 . 
         [0035]    The middle band  54  is also formed as a thin strip having a length with a top section  72  and a bottom section  74 . The length of the middle band  54  is formed in a continuous loop that extends entirely around the perimeter of the shoe sole  14 . The middle band bottom section  74  is secured to the shoe sole  14  and to a portion of the inner band bottom section  64  by any conventional method, for example, by adhesives and/or vulcanization. The middle band top section  72  is left unattached to the exterior surface of the inner band  52  and is free to move relative to the inner band  52  and the shoe upper  34 . The middle band top section  72  has an interior surface  76  that is separate from and faces toward the shoe upper  34  and the exterior surface of the inner band  52 , and an opposite exterior surface  78  that forms a portion of the exterior surface of the shoe. In a similar manner to the inner band  52 , the middle band top section  72  being unattached to the upper  34  does not restrict the movement of the upper  34  relative to the shoe sole  14 . 
         [0036]    The outer band  56  is also formed as an elongate thin strip. The length of the outer band  56  is formed as a continuous loop that extends entirely around the shoe sole  14 . The outer band  56  also has a top section  82  and an opposite bottom section  84 . The bottom section  84  is secured directly to the sidewall  22  of the shoe sole  14 . As seen in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , a bottom edge of the outer band bottom section  84  is coplanar with the bottom surface  18  of the outsole. A portion of the outer band bottom section  84  overlaps and is secured to the exterior surface of the middle band  54 . The outer band top section  82  is left unattached to the middle band  54  and is flexibly moveable relative to the shoe upper  34 , the inner band  52  and the middle band  54 . The outer band top section  82  has an interior surface  86  that is unattached to and opposes the middle band  54 , and an opposite exterior surface  88  that forms a portion of the exterior surface of the shoe. Thus, as with the inner band  52  and the middle band  54 , the outer band top section  82  does not restrict the free movement of the portion of the shoe upper  34  overlapped by the three bands. 
         [0037]    The constructions of the three bands  52 ,  54 ,  56  function to further secure the shoe sole  14  to the shoe upper  34 , but the unattached top sections  62 ,  72 ,  82  of the three bands give the shoe a unique appearance and a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with the upper  34  surrounding the foot being free floating along the sides of the foot. 
         [0038]    A toe cap  92  having a dome-shaped configuration is attached to the toe area  28  of the sole  14 . The toe cap  92  is secured to the sole  14  in substantially the same manner as a conventional toe cap. The dome-shaped configuration of the toe cap  92  has a top edge  94  that extends over the shoe upper  34  and an opposite bottom edge  96  that is secured to the shoe sole  14 . Apart from the toe cap bottom edge  96 , the toe cap  92  is left unattached to the shoe upper  34  allowing the portion of the shoe upper overlapped by the toe cap  92  to move freely from the toe cap. 
         [0039]    A heel counter or heel backstay  102  is also secured to the shoe sole  14  in substantially a conventional manner. A bottom edge of the counter  102  is secured to the shoe sole  14  with the counter  102  extending upwardly from the shoe sole and overlapping a portion of the shoe upper  34 . The portion of the heel counter  102  that overlaps the upper  34  is left unattached to the upper. Thus, the counter  102  does not restrict the free floating movement of the portion of the upper  34  overlapped by the heel counter  102 . 
         [0040]    The construction of the shoe described above and shown in  FIGS. 1-4  provides a shoe that not only has a unique appearance, but also has a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot with the upper surrounding the foot being free floating from the shoe sole  14 , the toe cap  92 , and the heel counter  102 . This enables the upper  34  to be free floating along the sides of the shoe wearer&#39;s foot as well as across the toes and heel of the foot. This construction provides a feel of less confinement and enhanced movement to the foot. 
         [0041]      FIGS. 5 and 6  show a variant embodiment of the shoe  12 ′ in which the three bands  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the previously described embodiment have been replaced by a single band  104 . The single band  104  has a length that is formed as a continuous loop that extends entirely around the shoe sole  14 . The length of the band  104  also has a top section  106  and an opposite bottom section  108 . Only the bottom section  108  of the band  104  is secured the shoe sole  14  and to a portion of the upper  34  immediately adjacent to the shoe sole. The top section  106  of the single band  104  is unattached to the shoe upper  34  and is freely flexible relative to the shoe upper. Thus, as in the previously described embodiment, the construction of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6  provides the shoe with a unique appearance and also with a unique feel to the shoe wearer&#39;s foot. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 7 and 8  show a still further embodiment of the shoe. In  FIGS. 7 and 8  the three bands  52 ,  54 ,  56  of the first described embodiment have been replaced by two bands  112 ,  114 . This construction of the shoe basically eliminates the middle band  54  of the first described embodiment. Apart from the absence of the middle band  54 , the construction of the two bands  112 ,  114  of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is substantially same as that of the inner band  52  and outer band  56  of the first described embodiment of the shoe. 
         [0043]    In addition to their being only two bands  112 ,  114  extending entirely around the shoe of  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the shoe is provided with an additional band  116 . The additional band  116  is formed as a thin elongate strip as in the previous embodiments. However, the length of the additional band  116  is significantly smaller than the lengths of the bands of the previously described embodiments. The length of the additional band  116  extends only around the toe area  28  of the shoe sole  14 . The additional band  116  is also provided with a top section  118  and a bottom section  122 . Like the previously described embodiments, only the bottom section  122  of the additional band  116  is secured to the shoe, with the top section  118  being left to flex freely relative to the shoe. 
         [0044]    The embodiment of the shoe shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8  is also provided with a further additional band  124 . The length of this further band  124  is significantly smaller than the lengths of the bands that entirely surround the shoe, and the length of the additional band  116 . This further band  124  is also provided with a top section  126  and a bottom section  128 . Only the bottom section  128  is secured to the shoe, with the top section  126  being left to flex freely relative to the shoe. The further band  124  could be employed as a display for a shoe manufacturer&#39;s trademark. 
         [0045]    As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.