A shoe has a coupling element extending between the front and rear portions of the shoe to maintain the shoe in a bent position. The shoe rests stably on the ground in the bent position so that the user may simply step into the shoe. The bent position is overcome by the user's bodyweight, which overcomes a locked position of the coupling element.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shoe. A problem with many conventional shoes is that the wearer must typically bend over to manipulate the laces, straps, or other fastener (Velcro). The wearer also must typically hold open the mouth of the shoe (even when wearing a shoe without laces, straps or fasteners) since maneuvering the foot through the mouth of the shoe can be challenging without some concurrent manipulation of the mouth of the shoe.

The present invention is directed to improved shoes and methods of donning a shoe that overcome the drawbacks of many conventional shoes which require manipulation of laces, straps or other fasteners and/or which require manipulating the mouth of the shoe or otherwise holding the shoe when donning the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shoe that simplifies donning the shoe. Specific applications include shoes for children, the elderly and the disabled. Although the present invention has such applications, of course, the present application may be used for any other purpose including casual shoes, athletic shoes, clogs, sandals or even formal wear without departing from the scope of the invention.

The shoe may be manually manipulated into a bent position (which may also open the mouth of the shoe as described below) so that the wearer may simply step into the shoe. The bent position is also a stable position in that the shoe may still stand upright unaided while in the bent position. When the wearer steps onto the front sole and/or the rear sole, a bendable portion of the rear sole straightens so that the rear upper and rear sole close around the wearer's heel while the entire shoe closes around the wearer's foot.

A first coupling element holds the shoe in the bent position. The first coupling element extends between a front portion and a rear portion of the shoe. As the shoe moves to the bent position, the first coupling element has a first part that slides against a second part. The first and second parts are locked together in a locked position (which prevents further sliding movement) and holds the shoe in the bent position. In the bent position, the first coupling element may be under compression from a biasing force exerted by the rear sole. The first coupling element may be a separate element attached to the upper or sole or may be integrally formed with the upper or sole of the shoe. A second coupling element may also be provided on the other lateral side of the shoe. The second coupling element may be oriented the same or different from the first coupling element and may be any of those described herein or similar mechanisms within the scope of the invention.

In an aspect of the invention, the mouth of the shoe may be enlarged when the shoe is in the bent position that may further facilitate donning the shoe. The mouth of the shoe may be enlarged longitudinally and/or laterally. Longitudinal increase of mouth size may naturally occur as the shoe is moved to the bent position since this motion tends to open the mouth of the shoe (by moving the rear upper away from the front upper). The mouth may also be laterally increased in size since the coupling element may bow laterally outwardly due to compression on the first coupling element exerted by a biasing force of the sole of the shoe. Of course, the first coupling element may not laterally enlarge the mouth without departing from other aspects of the present invention.

The first and second parts of the coupling element(s) may also lock together when the bendable portion of the rear sole is in the relaxed or unbiased position to provided added stability when worn if necessary. The locked position associated with the relaxed position may also be overcome with a modest application of force to remove the shoe. For example, the wearer may step on the heel of the shoe with the opposite foot while pulling up to withdraw the foot and “open” (bend) the bendable portion of the rear sole. Thus, the shoe of the present invention also may help in removing the shoe without manual manipulation. The coupling element may, in fact, be moved to the bent and locked position in this manner so that the shoe may also be opened and locked without manual manipulation. Stated another way, the rear portion is configured to be engaged by an opposing foot so that the bendable portion is moved to the bent position when the wearer steps on the rear portion with the opposing foot while pulling up with the foot wearing the shoe to be removed.

These and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a shoe2in accordance with the present invention is shown. The shoe2has a front portion4including a front sole6and a front upper8. The front upper8is attached to and extends over the front sole6and over a foot of a wearer. The shoe2also includes a rear portion10coupled to the front portion4. The rear portion10has a rear sole12and a rear upper14attached to the rear sole12. The rear upper14and the rear sole12are configured to support a heel of the wearer. The term “shoe” as used herein shall mean any foot support and covering including but not limited to casual shoes, sandals, clogs, athletic shoes, formal shoes and orthopedic shoes. The front upper8and rear upper14may be any suitable material including, but not limited to, a woven material, a composite material such as those use in athletic shoes, rubber, leather or a combination.

The rear sole12includes a bendable16portion and a rear heel portion18. The bendable portion16of the rear sole12is resilient and bendable from a relaxed position (FIG. 1) to a bent position (FIG. 2). In the bent position, the bendable portion16is in a biased condition so that the rear sole12is biased toward the relaxed position relative to the front sole6by the bendable portion16. The rear heel portion18supports at least part of the heel of the wearer. The bendable portion16of the rear sole12may be formed of a resilient material that resists bending but can be bent manually or with the other foot when removing the shoe2as described below. Of course, the rear heel portion18(and/or part of the front sole6) may also bend somewhat without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the bendable portion16may be somewhat large compared to the rear heel portion18and may constitute a significant part of the rear sole18without departing from the scope of the invention. To this end, the rear heel portion18may be quite small without departing from the scope of the invention.

The bendable portion16is positioned between the rear heel portion18and the front sole6. The bendable portion16is bent so that the front sole6and the rear heel portion18change an angle A relative to one another by at least 20 degrees when the bendable portion16moves to the bent position. The rear upper14is coupled to the rear sole6so that the rear upper14changes orientation with the rear heel portion18of the rear sole12. Likewise, the front upper8is coupled to the front sole6so that the front upper8changes orientation with the front sole6when the bendable portion16of the rear sole12moves to the bent position.

The rear portion10, and in particular the bendable portion16of the rear sole12, is configured so that the rear sole12and the front sole6are shaped to rest stably in an upright position when the rear sole12is in the bent position as shown inFIG. 2. In this stable, upright position, the wearer may simply step onto the rear and/or front sole12,6. The locked position is automatically overcome when the user steps onto the shoe2.

The front sole6and the rear sole12may be integrally formed and to this end may include a continuous layer20extending therebetween. The front sole6and the rear sole12may also have a laminated or layered structure. Furthermore, the front upper8and/or the rear upper14may also be integrally formed with the front sole6and/or rear sole12or may be separately formed and attached to the front and rear soles6,12without departing from the term “coupled” or “attached” as used herein. Another shoe is described below in which other parts of the shoe (and even the whole shoe) may be integrally formed.

The shoe2also includes a first coupling element22extending between the front portion4and the rear portion10. The first coupling element22has a first part24coupled to the rear portion10and a second part26coupled to the front portion4. The first part24and the second part26slide relative to, and against, one another when the rear sole12moves from the relaxed position to the bent position. The first part24is coupled to the rear heel portion18to change orientation with the rear heel portion18when the bendable portion16is in the bent position. Likewise, the second part26is coupled to the front portion4so that the second part26changes orientation with the front portion4. The compressive force exerted on the first coupling element22may be only part of the biasing force exerted by the bendable portion16of the rear sole18since other parts of the shoe2(and even another coupling element on the other side as described below) may absorb some of this force. Furthermore, other portions of the shoe2, such as the front upper8or the rear upper14, may also contribute to resisting movement to the bent position and exerting a force to bias the rear sole18and front sole6back to the relaxed position without departing from the scope of the invention. Various aspects of the present invention are directed to use of the bendable portion16and, specifically, a resilient bendable portion16that provides a “natural” more comfortable sole compared to some prior art shoes. Other aspects of the present invention may, of course, be practiced without the resilient, bendable portion16of the rear sole12. The shoe2of the present invention may also be locked in the relaxed position as described below.

The rear portion10, and in particular the bendable portion16of the rear sole12, is configured so that the rear sole12may be manually manipulated into the bent position and, together with the front sole6, will permit the shoe2to rest in a stable upright position when placed on the ground as shown inFIG. 2. As mentioned above, the bendable portion16of the rear sole12may be positioned at any location between a heel30and a toe32such as near the middle, near the toe32or even near the heel30without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring now to cross-sectional views ofFIGS. 3 and 4, the first part24has a first recess wall34that forms a first recess36and is coupled to the rear portion10. The second part26has a first insert38positioned in the first recess36. The first insert38slides within the first recess36when the rear sole12moves to the bent position. The first recess wall34may be coupled to the rear sole12so that the biasing force of the rear sole12when the rear sole12is in the bent position is transferred from the rear sole12to the first recess wall34(seeFIGS. 1 and 2). The first insert38may be coupled to the front upper8so that a biasing force is transferred to the first insert38through a portion27of the rear upper8positioned between the first insert38and the front sole6.

Referring toFIG. 5, another shoe2A is shown wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure. A first recess wall34A is coupled to a rear upper14A so that the biasing force is transferred from the rear sole18to the first recess wall34A through a portion25A of a rear upper14A positioned between the first recess wall34A and the rear sole12(and specifically the rear heel portion18). All aspects of shoe2are applicable to shoe2A and incorporated for shoe2A as with all other shoes described herein.

Referring toFIG. 6, still another shoe2B is shown having a first insert38B coupled to the front sole6(rather than front upper14) so that the biasing force is transferred from the front sole6to the first insert38B. The first recess wall34B is coupled to the rear sole12similar to shoe2. Still another shoe2C is shown inFIG. 7in which a first recess wall38C (which forms first recess36C) is coupled to a rear upper14C and a first insert38C is coupled to the front sole6so that the biasing force is directly applied to the first recess wall38C and the first insert38by the rear sole18and the front sole6. As mentioned above, the first part24and the second part26automatically move to the locked position when the shoe2is manipulated into the bent position ofFIG. 2. The locked position prevents further relative sliding between the first part24and the second part26. The locking engagement between the first and second parts24,26holds the bendable portion16of the rear sole12in the bent position. The locked position is automatically overcome when the wearer steps onto the front and/or rear sole6,12.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, the first coupling element22may include a plurality of protrusions50coupled to the first part24and/or the second part26. The protrusions50may simply be compressed to lock the first and second parts24,26together.FIG. 3shows the protrusions50coupled to the first part26and, in particular, form part of the first recess wall34which forms the recess36. The other part, such as the second part26in this case, may have a complementary structure, such as additional protrusions, depressions, or openings, which cooperate with the protrusions to lock the first and second parts24,26together. For example, the insert38may have depressions51that form the locking engagement with the protrusions50as shown inFIG. 4. A modest amount of force is required to move the protrusions50out of the depressions51thereby locking the first and second parts24,26together while still easily being overcome when the user steps into the shoe. The shoe2may also be in a locked position when in the relaxed or unbiased position as described below.

The locked position may be provided in any suitable manner including a compression fit, friction fit, Velcro, or one or more bendable tabs which are sufficient to resist opening of the bendable portion16of the rear sole14from the bent position. The locked position may also be provided with the insert38being simply larger than a portion of the recess36so that simple friction “locks” the insert38to the recess wall34. Thus, the term “locked” as used herein does not require any physical connection or interlocking relationship and may simply be a frictional engagement without other physical connection. The locked position24is overcome by the wearer stepping onto the front and/or rear sole6,12so that the rear sole12and the rear upper14close around the wearer's heel as the bendable portion16of the rear sole12straightens relative to the front sole6.

The first part24and the second part26may lock together at a location independent of the recess36and the insert38. For example, the insert38may become locked to a structure outside the recess36without departing from the scope of the invention so long as the insert38remains within the recess36. The first insert38and the first recess36have similar and complementary shapes. The recess36and recess wall38may have any suitable cross section such as circular, oval, or generally rectangular with smooth edges. The recess36and recess wall38also do not have to completely surround the insert38. For example, the recess wall38and recess36may be somewhat C-shaped or U-shaped without departing from the scope of the invention. Furthermore, the recess36and recess wall38do not need to be long and may, in fact, be somewhat short such as a relatively thin strap. Finally, the recess wall38may not be solid and may be a woven, wound or even an extruded tube of material having interstitial spaces or voids formed therein without departing from the scope of the invention.

The first and second parts24,26may also lock together in the relaxed or unbiased position of the bendable portion16as shown inFIG. 1. To this end, the first coupling element22may include protrusions50and depressions51that cooperate in the relaxed position as shown inFIG. 1. The rear portion10, such as the rear sole12, may be engaged by the opposing foot of the wearer to remove the shoe2with the locked position being overcome with a modest amount of force. For example, when the rear portion10is stepped on by the opposing foot, the locked position may be overcome when the user pulls up with the foot wearing the shoe2to be removed with a modest amount of force. In this manner, the locked position of the bendable portion16in the relaxed position is overcome when removing the shoe2without manual manipulation. Thus, the present invention may also facilitate removing the shoe2without manual manipulation particularly since a mouth40of the shoe2may be enlarged to some extent as now described with reference toFIGS. 8 and 9.

Referring now toFIGS. 8 and 9, top views of the shoe2are shown. The shoe2has the mouth40into which the wearer's foot is introduced and positioned. The mouth40is formed between the front portion4and the rear portion10. The shoe2may also include a second coupling element42which may have any of the features and characteristics of the first coupling element18which are expressly incorporated here. It is also understood that the second coupling element42may be the same as the first coupling element18or may be different. The second coupling element42also has a first part43coupled to the rear portion10and a second part45coupled to the front portion4.

The first coupling element22extends along a lateral side46between the front portion4and the rear portion10while the second coupling element42extends along an opposing lateral side48from the first coupling element22. Like the first coupling element22, the second coupling element42is compressed between the front and rear portions4,10when the bendable portion16of the rear sole12is bent.

The mouth40may be enlarged in a lateral direction by the first coupling element22(which bends outwardly in a lateral direction) when the rear sole12is in the bent position. The first coupling element22is compressed when the rear sole12is in the bent position relative to the front sole6. The first coupling22is compressed between the first part26and the second part28by the biasing force created by the bendable portion16of the rear sole12. Stated another way, the first coupling element22is compressed between the front portion4and rear portion10by the biasing force exerted by the bendable portion16of the rear sole18in the bent position. The second coupling element42may also be deformed outwardly to further enlarge the mouth40of the shoe2and all characteristics and features of the first coupling element22are incorporated here for the second coupling element22.

As such, an advantage of the present invention is that the mouth40of the shoe2may be enlarged when the shoe2is in the bent position. The mouth40may increase in size laterally since the first and/or coupling elements22,42may be bowed slightly outward laterally due to compression on the elements22,42. The mouth40may also be longitudinally increased in size as the rear sole14is bent since the rear upper14simply tends to moves away from the front upper8when the rear sole12is bent. Increasing the dimensions of the mouth40may help the wearer step into the shoe without having to manipulate the shoe2. The rear sole12and the rear upper14close around the wearer's heal when the user steps onto the rear sole12and/or the front sole6. The term “lateral” and “longitudinal” as used herein shall mean relative to the orientation of the foot of the wearer or the shoe itself with longitudinal LO being heel to toe and lateral LA being transverse to longitudinal LO. As mentioned herein, all aspects of each of the shoes are applicable to all other shoes and this is applicable to all features and aspects of enlarging the mouth of the shoe in the bent position.

Referring now toFIG. 10, another shoe2D is shown wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure. A first coupling element22D is configured so that a first part24D is locked to a second part26D in a plurality of discrete positions so that the first part24D and the second part26D are slidable to a plurality of locked positions by manual manipulation. Each of the locked positions is a stable position (as defined herein) and each of the locked positions may be overcome to move the rear heel portion18back toward a relaxed position relative to the front sole6when the wearer steps into the shoe2D. The first part24D includes a first set of protrusions60, similar to mechanical teeth61, while the second part26includes a second set of protrusions62. The first and second sets of protrusions60,62engage one another in a nearly continuous manner similar to interlocking mechanical teeth so that the bendable portion16of the rear heel portion18can assume varying degrees of bending when locked. Similar to the discussion above, the first and second parts24D,26D may simply have a friction fit which is continuously variable without departing from the scope of the invention. Any shoe described herein may include the locking mechanism shown inFIG. 10or any other suitable locking mechanism as described herein.

Referring toFIG. 11, another shoe2E is shown which has integrally formed parts. To this end, the shoe2E may be made of rubber (such as an injection molded rubber product) that integrates various parts (and even the whole) shoe2E. For example, a first part24E may be integrally formed with a rear portion10E such as a rear upper14E while a second part26E may be integrally formed with a front portion4E such as a front upper8E. Even the first part24E and the second part26E may be integrally formed in that the entire shoe2E ofFIG. 11is integrally formed while still having parts that slidably engage one another. It is understood that any of the shoes described herein may be integrally formed while still being “coupled” or “attached” together. For example, when it is said that the first insert is coupled to the front upper, the insert may be a separate piece attached to the front upper, integrally formed with the front upper, or coupled to the front upper via another element (similar to embodiments below in connection with an intermediate element).

Referring toFIG. 12, another shoe2G is shown wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure and all characteristics and aspects of the same or similar structures shall be incorporated for each of the structures for all shoes described herein. A first part24G includes a first insert38G coupled to a rear portion14G and a second part26G having a first recess wall34G forming a recess36G and coupled to a front portion8G. The first insert38G is positioned and slidable within the first recess36G and is automatically locked relative to the first recess36G when the rear sole12is in the bent position (and possibly more positions as described herein). The first insert38G is coupled to the rear sole12so that the biasing force is transferred from the rear sole12directly to the first insert38G. The first recess wall34G, which forms the first recess36G, is coupled to the front sole6so that forces exerted by the front sole6are directed to the first recess wall34G.

FIGS. 13-15show additional shoes2H,2J,2K in accordance with the present invention wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure.FIG. 13shows the shoe2H having a first insert38H coupled to a rear upper14H and a first recess wall34H, which forms the first recess36H, coupled to the front upper8H.FIG. 14shows the shoe2J with a first insert38J coupled to the rear sole14J and a first recess wall34J, which forms the first recess36J, coupled to the front upper8J.FIG. 15shows shoe2K including a first insert38K coupled to a rear upper14K and a first recess wall34K, forming the first recess36K, coupled to the front sole6. As mentioned elsewhere herein, the shoes2H,2J,2K may include all similar features and aspects of the other shoes described herein and all such features, aspects and characteristics are incorporated for all shoes described herein.

Referring toFIGS. 16 and 17, still another shoe2L is shown wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure specifically incorporated here. The shoe2L includes an intermediate element80having a rear recess wall82which forms a rear recess84and a front recess wall86forming a front recess88. A first part24L and a second part26L may lock together at a first location90and/or a second location92via the intermediate element80using any suitable mechanism including any of those mentioned herein. The following describes use of one or both of the locking locations90,92and that the first and second locking locations90,92may define whether the intermediate element80is part of the first part24or the second part26. The first and second parts24L,26L are part of a first coupling element22L as described herein.

The first part24L includes a rear insert94slidably positioned within the rear recess84of the intermediate element80and a front insert96positioned and slidable within the front recess88of the intermediate element80. Both the rear insert94and the front insert96slide within the respective recesses84,88when and the rear sole12moves to the bent position and both change orientation with the respective front and rear portions4L,10L of the shoe2L. The rear insert94is attached to the rear sole12while the front insert96is attached to the front sole6. Alternatively, a rear insert94M may be attached to a rear upper14M as shown inFIG. 18for shoe2M.FIG. 19shows another shoe2N having a rear insert94N attached to a rear upper14N and a front insert96coupled to a front upper8N. The biasing force on the front sole6and rear heel portion18(exerted by the bendable portion12) is directed through a portion25N of the rear upper and a portion27N of the front upper8N as described above. Yet another shoe2P is shown inFIG. 20in which a rear insert94P is coupled to the rear sole12while a front insert96P is coupled to a front upper8P. Once again the same or similar reference numbers shall refer to the same or similar structure and shall expressly incorporate all characteristics for each shoe.

Referring again toFIGS. 16 and 17, the intermediate element80may be considered part of the second part26L,26M,26N,26P when the first and second parts lock together at the first locking location90in that the boundary defining the relationship between the first part and the second part is determined, at least in part, by the first locked location90. When the intermediate element80is considered part of the first part24, the rear recess84and the rear insert94are considered the “first recess” and the “first insert” in that these parts define the sliding intersection of the first and second parts24P,26P. Similarly, the front recess88and the front insert96are considered the “second recess” and “second insert.”

When the second locking location92is provided, the intermediate element80may be considered part of the first part24P. Consequently, the front recess88and the front insert96are considered the “first recess” (as part of the first part24P) and the “first insert” (as part of the second part24P) since the second locking location92primarily defines the intersection in the sliding relationship between the first and second parts. The intermediate element80may, of course, be locked at both the first and second locking locations90,92(and even more without departing from the scope of the invention similar to shoe2D ofFIG. 10). When locked at two (or more) locations in this manner, the intermediate element80may be defined as part of either the first part24L,24M,24N,24P or the second part26L,26M,26N,26P without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 21, still another shoe2Q is shown having another intermediate element80Q wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure. The intermediate element80Q has a rear insert94Q and a front insert96Q. The front insert94Q is slidably positioned within a front recess88Q and the rear insert94Q is slidably positioned in a rear recess84Q. The front recess88Q is formed by a front recess wall98Q that may be attached to the front portion4Q (such as the front upper8Q or the front sole6) and the rear recess84Q is formed by a rear recess wall100Q attached to the rear upper14Q or the rear sole12.

The intermediate element80Q, like the intermediate element80above, may also be locked at a first locking location90Q and/or a second locking location92Q. Also similar to the embodiment described above, when the first locking location90Q is used, the intermediate element80Q may be considered part of a second part26Q. As such, the rear recess84Q and the rear insert94Q are considered the “first recess” and the “first insert” as used herein which define the sliding interaction between the first and second parts24Q,26Q. When the second locking location92Q is used, the intermediate element80Q may be considered part of the first part24Q so that the front recess88Q and front insert96Q are considered the “first recess” and “first insert” as defined herein. Of course, the intermediate element80Q may be locked at both the first and second locking locations90Q,92Q (or more such as inFIG. 10). When locked at two (or more) locations, the intermediate element80Q may be considered part of either the first part24Q or the second part26Q as defined herein. The rear recess wall100is attached to the rear sole12and the front recess wall98is attached to the front sole6so that the biasing force of the bendable portion16of the rear sole12is transferred directly to the rear recess wall100and the front recess wall98as described herein.

Additional shoes2R,2S,2T using the intermediate element80Q are shown inFIGS. 22-24wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure and each being defined (such as the first insert and first recess) in accordance with the discussion above.FIG. 22shows shoe2R having a rear recess wall110(forming a rear recess111) attached to a rear upper14R and a front recess wall112(forming a front recess113) coupled to a front upper8R. Shoe2S OFFIG. 23has a rear recess wall100S (forming rear recess101) attached to a rear upper14S while a front recess wall112S (forming front recess113) is attached to a front sole6. Shoe2T ofFIG. 24has a rear recess wall110T (forming rear recess111T) coupled to the rear sole12while a front recess wall112T (forming front recess113T) is coupled to a front upper8T. Each of these shoes2R,2S,2T includes features of similar embodiments above when describing the same or similar structure. For example, the biasing force exerted by the bendable portion16R,16S,16T through a portion of the rear or front upper25,27is similar to embodiments described above. Furthermore, each shoe includes a mouth that may be enlarged when in the bent position as also described above.

Although the intermediate elements80,80Q have been described with reference to embodiments having two inserts or two recesses, the intermediate element80,80Q may also include a recess at one end and an insert at the other end without departing from the invention. Furthermore, the intermediate element80,80Q may be considered part of the first part24or the second part26thereby providing at least two parts for the first part or second part. In this regard, the first part and the second part may clearly be formed in more than two parts without departing from the scope of the invention.

Referring toFIGS. 25 and 26, another shoe2U is shown wherein the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar structure. The shoe2U has a front portion4U including the front sole6and a front upper8U. The shoe2U also includes a rear portion10U coupled to the front portion4U. The rear portion10U has the rear sole12and a rear upper14U attached to the rear sole12. The rear sole12includes the bendable portion16and the rear heel portion18.

The shoe2U has a first coupling element22U extending between the front portion4U and the rear portion10U. The first coupling element22U has a first part24U coupled to the rear portion10U and a second part26U coupled to the front portion4U. The first part24U and the second part26U slide relative to, and against, one another when the rear sole12moves to the bent position. The rear portion10U, and in particular the bendable portion16of the rear sole12, is configured so that the rear sole12may be manually manipulated into the bent position and, together with the front sole6, will permit the shoe2U to rest in a stable upright position when placed on the ground.

The first part24U has a first insert38U and the second part26U has a first recess wall34U that forms a first recess36U. The first insert38is positioned in (and slidable within) the first recess36U. The first insert38U slides within the first recess36U when the rear sole12moves to the bent position. The first insert38U may be coupled to the rear upper14A so that the biasing force is transferred from the rear sole18to the first recess wall34U through a portion25U of the rear upper14U positioned between the first insert38U and the rear sole12U (and specifically the rear heel portion18). Similarly, the first recess wall34U may be coupled to the front upper8U so that a biasing force is transferred to the first recess wall34U through a portion27U of the front upper8U positioned between the first recess wall34U and the front sole6.

As mentioned above, the first part24U and the second part26U automatically move to the locked position when the shoe2U is manipulated into the bent position ofFIG. 26. The locked position prevents further relative sliding between the first and second parts24U,26U. The locked position is automatically overcome when the wearer steps onto the front and/or rear sole6,12. The mouth40of the shoe2U may be enlarged in the manner described herein and all features and characteristics related to enlarging the mouth40in the bent position are incorporated here as with all other shoes described herein. The shoe2U may also include the second coupling element42(seeFIGS. 8 and 9) as described herein.

The first part24U and the second part26U may lock together in any suitable manner. For example, the first part24U and/or the second part26U may include a plurality of protrusions50U. The protrusions50U are compressed (or compressed together when provided on both the first and second parts24U,26U) to lock the first and second parts24U,26U together. The protrusions50U may also engage one another to hold the shoe2U in the relaxed position as well.

The first part24U is pivotally coupled to the rear portion10U such as to the rear upper14U. To this end, the first part24U may include a pin104that permits the first part24U to pivot relative to the rear portion10U. The second part26U may also be pivotally coupled to the front portion4U of the shoe2U with a pin106that permits the second part26U to pivot relative to the front upper8U.

The rear upper14U may include a rear pocket wall120that forms a rear pocket122. The rear pocket wall120and the front pocket wall124are partially removed inFIG. 26for clarity. The first part24U is positioned in the rear pocket122and sweeps through the rear pocket122when the rear sole6moves to the bent position. Similarly, the front upper8U has a front pocket wall124that forms a front pocket126. The second part26U is positioned in the front pocket126and sweeps through the front pocket126when the rear sole6moves to the bent position. The rear pocket wall120and the front pocket wall124are in contact with one another when the rear sole is 6 is in the relaxed position.

As used herein, the term “insert” as used for one embodiment shall include all characteristics of any of the other inserts described herein including the interaction with the recess, recess wall and front and rear portions. For example, any insert described herein may automatically lock when manipulated to the bent position. Another example is that the insert may be attached to the rear sole so that the biasing force is transferred directly to the insert shall be equally applicable to all other shoes and such descriptions and features are expressly incorporated for all shoes described herein.

The present invention has been described with respect to various preferred features and embodiments, however, it is understood that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the rear upper may be one or more straps which are continuous with the coupling element or the shoe may contain fasteners without departing from some aspects of the present invention.