A shoe that grows comprises a sole having a toe, medial side, lateral side, and heel. The toe of the sole extends outwardly to form a toe cap. A vamp member is adjustably connected to a free end of the toe cap. At least one medial strap connects the vamp member to the medial side of the sole. At least one lateral strap connects the vamp member to the lateral side of the sole. An adjustable heel strap connects to the medial and lateral sides of the sole and extends around the heel of the sole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This disclosure relates to footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a need for a shoe that grows.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A basic embodiment of the invention is a shoe that grows comprising a sole having a toe, medial side, lateral side, and heel, which wrap upwardly. The toe of the sole extends outwardly, upwardly, and rearwardly to form a toe cap. A vamp member is adjustably connected to a free end of the toe cap. Plural medial straps connect the vamp member to the medial side of the sole. Plural lateral straps connect the vamp member to the lateral side of the sole. An adjustable heel strap is connected to the medial and lateral sides of the sole and extends around the heel of the sole. The sole is configured to be wrapped upwardly on the medial and lateral sides. The sole can have an outsole that can extend onto the top cap portion of the sole.

The vamp and the toe cap portion of the sole are adjustably connected with a hitch fastener comprising a hitch configured to engage with one of a plurality of holes in a free end of the toe cap. According to the basic embodiment, the medial and lateral straps are connected to the vamp member and thread through slots in the medial and lateral sides of the sole, respectively. The medial and lateral straps are each secured with a fastening device. A backstay is connected to and extends upwardly from the heel of the sole. The heel strap can be connected to the backstay. The heel strap includes a buckle.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the drawings and description thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A BASIC EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1-8show a basic embodiment of a shoe10that can grow. The shoe depicted inFIGS. 1-8is a right shoe, the left shoe being a mirror image thereof. The shoe10has a sole12having a toe14, a medial side16, a lateral side18, and a heel20.

The sole12is configured to be wrapped upwardly on the medial16and lateral18sides, as shown inFIGS. 1-6. In the illustrated embodiment, the sole10includes an outsole22. The toe of the sole extends outwardly and is configured to wrap upwardly and backwardly to form a toe cap24, as best shown inFIGS. 1-4. The toe cap24is an integral extension of sole12. The toe cap24has a plurality of longitudinally spaced holes26in a free end25. The outsole22extends onto the toe cap24.

The article of footwear10has a vamp member28adjustably connected by a hitch fastener30to the free end25of the toe cap24. The fastener30has at least one hitch32which is configured to engage with a selected one of the plurality of holes26in free end25of toe cap24.

First and second medial straps34connect the vamp member28to the medial side of sole12. First and second lateral straps36connect vamp member28to the lateral is side of sole12. The medial34and lateral straps36are configured such that one end of the straps is connected to vamp member28and the straps extend through slots38in the medial side16and lateral side18, respectively, of the sole12. In the illustrated embodiment, medial strap34and lateral strap36are secured to themselves with fastening devices40, as shown inFIGS. 2-5.

An adjustable heel strap42extends around the heel20from the medial side16of sole12to the lateral side18of the sole. A backstay44is connected to the heel20of the sole12and includes several vertical slits48. The heel strap42is connected to the backstay by threading the strap through the slits in the backstay44as best shown inFIG. 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the heel strap42includes a buckle46.

While an embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it is to be appreciated that certain changes, rearrangements and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.