Easy access articles of footwear

Foot support systems (and articles of footwear including them) include: (a) a medial side member having one or more medial side supports (e.g., ribs); (b) a lateral side member having one or more lateral side supports (e.g., ribs); and (c) structure (such as a hinge system) configured to move the foot support system (e.g., the medial side support(s) with respect to the lateral side support(s)) between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration and (b) a foot-containing configuration. In moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, the foot support system can be changed between an open condition and a closed condition.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of footwear. Some aspects of the present invention pertain to foot support systems and articles of footwear that include such foot support systems that are easy to put on, easy to secure, and/or allow easy entry from a rear heel area of the shoe.

BACKGROUND

Conventional articles of athletic footwear include two primary elements, namely, an upper and a sole structure. The upper provides a covering for the foot that securely receives and positions the foot with respect to the sole structure. In addition, the upper may have a configuration that protects the foot and provides ventilation, thereby cooling the foot and removing perspiration. The sole structure is secured to a lower surface of the upper and generally is positioned between the foot and any contact surface. In addition to attenuating ground reaction forces and absorbing energy, the sole structure supports and protects the foot and may provide traction and help control potentially harmful foot motion, such as over pronation. General features and configurations of the upper and sole structure are discussed in greater detail below.

The upper forms a void on the interior of the footwear for receiving the foot. The void has the general shape of the foot, and access to the void is provided at an ankle opening. Accordingly, the upper may extend over the instep and toe areas of the foot, along the medial and lateral sides of the foot, and around the heel area of the foot. A lacing system often is incorporated into the upper to allow selective changes to the size of the ankle opening and to permit the wearer to modify certain dimensions of the upper, particularly girth, to accommodate feet with varying proportions. In addition, the upper may include a tongue that extends under the lacing system to enhance the comfort of the footwear (e.g., to moderate pressure applied to the foot by the laces). The upper also may include a heel counter to limit or control movement of the heel.

The sole structure generally incorporates multiple layers that are conventionally referred to as an “insole,” a “midsole,” and an “outsole.” The insole (which also may constitute a sock liner) is a thin member located within the upper and adjacent the plantar (lower) surface of the foot to enhance footwear comfort, e.g., to wick away moisture and provide a soft, comfortable feel. The midsole, which is traditionally attached to the upper along the entire length of the upper, forms the middle layer of the sole structure and serves a variety of purposes that include controlling foot motions and attenuating impact forces. The outsole forms the ground-contacting element of footwear and is usually fashioned from a durable, wear-resistant material that includes texturing or other features to improve traction.

Terminology/General Information

First, some general terminology and information is provided that will assist in understanding various portions of this specification and the invention(s) as described herein. As noted above, the present invention relates to the field of footwear. “Footwear” means any type of wearing apparel for the feet, and this term includes, but is not limited to: all types of shoes, boots, sneakers, sandals, thongs, flip-flops, mules, scuffs, slippers, sport-specific shoes (such as track shoes, golf shoes, tennis shoes, baseball cleats, soccer or football cleats, ski boots, basketball shoes, cross training shoes, etc.), and the like.

The terms “forward” or “forward direction” as used herein, unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, mean at, toward, or in a direction toward a forward-most toe area of the footwear structure or component. The terms “rear,” “rearward,” or “rearward direction” as used herein, unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, mean at, toward, or in a direction toward a rear-most heel area of the footwear structure or component. The terms “lateral” or “lateral side” as used herein, unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, mean the outside or “little toe” side of the footwear structure or component. The terms “medial” or “medial side” as used herein, unless otherwise noted or clear from the context, mean the inside or “big toe” side of the footwear structure or component.

In the following description of various example structures in accordance with the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example foot support structures, components thereof, and articles of footwear in accordance with aspects and examples of the invention. It is to be understood that other specific arrangements of parts and structures may be utilized, and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Also, while the terms “top,” “bottom,” “front,” “back,” “rear,” “side,” “underside,” “overhead,” “over,” “under” and the like may be used in this specification to describe various example features and elements of the invention, these terms are used herein as a matter of convenience, e.g., based on the example orientations shown in the figures and/or the orientations in typical use (e.g., orientation when incorporated into an article of footwear supported on the bottom of its sole structure on a horizontal support surface).

SUMMARY

This Summary is provided to introduce some concepts relating to this invention in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the invention.

While potentially useful for any desired types or styles of footwear, aspects of this invention may be of particular interest for casual wear shoes, athletic shoes, etc. As noted above, some aspects of the present invention pertain to foot support systems and articles of footwear that include such foot support systems that are easy to put on, easy to secure, and/or allow easy entry from a rear heel area of the footwear structure.

Some aspects and examples of this invention relate to foot support systems (and articles of footwear including them) that include: (a) a medial side member including one or more medial side supports; (b) a lateral side member including one or more lateral side supports; and (c) structure (such as a hinge system) configured to move the foot support system (e.g., move the medial side support(s) with respect to the lateral side support(s)) between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration and (b) a foot-containing configuration. In moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, at least some medial side structures (e.g., interior surface(s) of the medial side support(s) and/or interior surface(s) of a medial base member) will move with respect to at least some of the lateral side structures (e.g., interior surface(s) of the lateral side support(s) and/or interior surface(s) of a lateral base member) in a direction toward one another (e.g., the facing surfaces of these medial and lateral side components may move toward one another), for example, to close around a wearer's foot (e.g., at the midfoot area). In moving from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion configuration, at least some medial side structures (e.g., interior surface(s) of the medial side support(s) and/or interior surface(s) of a medial base member) will move with respect to at least some of the lateral side structures (e.g., interior surface(s) of the lateral side support(s) and/or interior surface(s) of a lateral base member) in a direction away from one another (e.g., the facing surfaces of these medial and lateral side components may move away from one another), for example, to open up and/or move away from a wearer's foot.

Some more specific aspects and examples of this invention relate to foot support systems, e.g., incorporated into articles of footwear, that include: (a) a medial side member including a medial side foot support base and at least a first medial side support extending upward from the medial side foot support base; (b) a lateral side member including a lateral side foot support base and at least a first lateral side support extending upward from the lateral side foot support base; and (c) a hinge system connecting the medial side foot support base and the lateral side foot support base in a relative rotational manner. In at least some example structures according to this aspect of the invention, this hinge system is configured to move the foot support system between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration and (b) a foot-containing configuration, in which:(i) in moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, interior surface(s) of the medial side member and interior surface(s) of the lateral side member (or facing surfaces of these members) rotate about the hinge system with respect to one another in a direction toward one another, e.g., to close around a wearer's foot, and(ii) in moving from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion configuration, interior surface(s) of the medial side member and interior surface(s) of the lateral side member (or facing surfaces of these members) rotate about the hinge system with respect to one another in a direction away from one another, e.g., to open up and/or move away from a wearer's foot.
Additionally or alternatively, a locking system may be provided to releasably lock the hinge system, e.g., to hold the foot support system in at least one of the foot-containing configuration and/or the foot-insertion configuration. As another additional, alternative, or optional feature, a switch system may be provided, e.g., to move the foot support system from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion configuration and/or from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration. Optionally, such locking systems and/or switching systems can operate in a “hands-free” manner.

Other aspects and examples of this invention relate to foot support systems, e.g., incorporated into articles of footwear, that include: (a) a medial side member including a plurality of medial side support ribs configured to extend along a medial side portion of the foot support system; and (b) a lateral side member including a plurality of lateral side support ribs configured to extend along a lateral side portion of the foot support system. The medial side member and the lateral side member may be engaged together (or with one or more other structures) such that the plurality of medial side support ribs and the plurality of lateral side support ribs are movable with respect to one another between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration and (b) a foot-containing configuration, in which:(i) in moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, interior surfaces of the plurality of medial side support ribs and interior surfaces of the plurality of lateral side support ribs (e.g., the facing surfaces of these support ribs) rotate in a direction toward one another, e.g., to close around a wearer's foot, and(ii) in moving from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion configuration, interior surfaces of the plurality of medial side support ribs and interior surfaces of the plurality of lateral side support ribs (e.g., the facing surfaces of these support ribs) rotate in a direction away from one another, e.g., to open up and/or move away from a wearer's foot.
In such structures, a locking system may be provided, e.g., to releasably lock the plurality of medial side support ribs and the plurality of lateral side support ribs in at least one of the foot-containing configuration and/or the foot-insertion configuration. Additionally or alternatively, a switch system may be provided, e.g., to move these pluralities of support ribs from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion configuration and/or from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration. In some examples, such locking systems and/or switching systems can operate in a “hands free” manner.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to articles of footwear that incorporate foot support structures, e.g., of the types described above. The foot support structures may be engaged with or integrally formed as part of either or both of an upper or a sole structure for the article of footwear.

As more specific examples, articles of footwear according to some aspects of this invention include: an upper and a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a forefoot support portion, a heel support portion, a midfoot support portion located between the forefoot support portion and the heel support portion, a lateral side, and a medial side. The heel support portion may be rotatable with respect to the forefoot support portion on a first axis located in the midfoot support portion, e.g., an axis that extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure. These example articles of footwear further may include: (a) a medial side foot support base portion supported by or constituting a portion of the sole structure, (b) a first medial side support extending upward from the medial side foot support base portion; (c) a lateral side foot support base portion supported by or constituting a portion of the sole structure, and (d) a first lateral side support extending upward from the lateral side foot support base portion. The first medial side support and/or the first lateral side support may be formed as part of and/or engaged with the footwear upper and/or the footwear sole structure. The medial side foot support base portion and the lateral side foot support base portion may be movable with respect to one another, e.g., about a second axis that extends in a direction from the forefoot support portion to the heel support portion of the sole structure (e.g., an axis extending in a longitudinal or front-to-back direction of the article of footwear), e.g., as described above.

Other article of footwear aspects and examples of this invention may include: an upper and a sole structure engaged with the upper, wherein the sole structure includes a forefoot support portion, a heel support portion, a midfoot support portion located between the forefoot support portion and the heel support portion, a lateral side, and a medial side. The heel support portion may be rotatable with respect to the forefoot support portion on a first axis located in the midfoot support portion, e.g., an axis that extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the sole structure. These example articles of footwear further may include a foot support system engaged with and/or constituting a part of at least one of the upper or the sole structure, and this foot support system may include: (a) a medial side member including a plurality of medial side support ribs configured to extend along a medial side portion of the article of footwear, and (b) a lateral side member including a plurality of lateral side support ribs configured to extend along a lateral side portion of the article of footwear. The plurality of medial side support ribs and the plurality of lateral side support ribs are movable with respect to one another, e.g., about a second axis that extends in a direction from the forefoot support portion to the heel support portion of the sole structure, e.g., as described above.

The “foot-insertion configuration” described above may be the same as or similar to a “foot-removal configuration,” i.e., a configuration of the foot support system when a user removes his/her foot from the shoe. Both of these terms are used in the discussion below, and these terms may refer generally to the same configuration and/or arrangement of the component parts.

Additional aspects of this invention relate to methods of making foot support systems and/or articles of footwear, e.g., of the various types and structures described above (and described in more detail below) and/or that perform the various functions described above (and described in more detail below).

Given this general description and background information, more specific examples of sole structures, sole structure components, upper structures, upper structure components, and articles of footwear in accordance with aspects of this invention will be described with reference toFIGS. 1A-7D.

The reader should understand that the attached drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description of various examples of footwear structures and components according to the present invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration various example structures and environments in which aspects of the invention may be practiced. It is to be understood that other structures and environments may be utilized and that structural and functional modifications may be made from the specifically described structures and functions without departing from the scope of the present invention.

I. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EXAMPLES OF THIS INVENTION

FIGS. 1A through 1Fillustrate various views of one example article of footwear100and/or components thereof in accordance with some aspects of this invention. This example article of footwear100includes an upper102with various components of a foot support system200engaged and/or integrally formed with it (and optionally engaged and/or integrally formed with a footwear sole structure104, which is not shown in these specific figures, but is shown in other figures). While various constructions are possible, the upper102(made from one or more parts) may be engaged with the sole structure104(made from one or more parts), e.g., in conventional manners as are known and used in the art. The upper102includes a foot-insertion opening106that provides access to an interior volume108configured to receive a wearer's foot. The interior volume108may be defined by one or both of the sole structure104and the upper102. WhileFIGS. 1A-1Eshow a hightop upper102construction, low-top and/or other upper constructions may be used without departing from this invention.

The upper102and/or the sole structure104may have any desired structures, component parts, materials, and the like, without departing from this invention, including structures, component parts, materials and the like as are conventionally known and used in the footwear arts. Details of such conventional features will be not described in detail herein.

This illustrated example article of footwear100includes a foot support system200in accordance with some aspects of this invention that now will be described in more detail. The foot support system200includes a medial side member210, e.g., including a medial side foot support base210aand at least one medial side support210b(e.g., one or more medial side support ribs) extending upward from the medial side foot support base210a. This foot support system200further includes a lateral side member220, e.g., including a lateral side foot support base220aand at least one lateral side support220b(e.g., one or more lateral side support ribs) extending upward from the lateral side foot support base220a. When plural side supports210b/220b(e.g., plural ribs) are provided in a foot support system200, the individual side supports210b/220bon each side may be longitudinally spaced from one another (in the front-to-back direction of the footwear100structure), e.g., as shown inFIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1D. The foot support system200may be made from any desired materials without departing from the invention, such as rigid or semi-rigid plastic materials, PEBAX® (polyether block amides available from Arkema, Inc.) or other thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermosetting polymers, etc., e.g., by molding techniques (e.g., injection molding).

Foot support systems200of this type are capable of being moved between: (a) a foot-insertion configuration (or a foot-removal configuration) and (b) a foot-containing configuration. As some more specific examples, the medial side member210and the lateral side member220may be engaged together such that the one or more medial side support ribs (as medial side supports210b) and the one or more lateral side support ribs (as lateral side supports220b) are movable with respect to one another between the foot-insertion configuration and the foot-containing configuration. In the specific examples illustrated inFIGS. 1A-4B, a hinge system230is provided that connects the medial side member210(e.g., the medial side foot support base210a) and the lateral side member220(e.g., the lateral side foot support base220a) in a relative rotational manner. The hinge system230of this example includes a shaft230A extending through alternating sections of the medial side base member210aand the lateral side base member220ain a front-to-back direction (longitudinal direction) of the article of footwear100. The shaft230A of this example has an axial length dimension L in the front-to-back direction (e.g., seeFIG. 1C) and a diameter D (e.g., seeFIGS. 1D, 1E), wherein the axial length dimension is at least three times greater than the diameter (and in some examples, at least 5 times greater, at least 10 times greater, or even at least 20 times greater).

In this illustrated example, the hinge system230is configured to move the foot support system200between the foot-insertion configuration and the foot-containing configuration. In moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, the interior surface of the medial side member210(e.g., at least the interior surface(s) of medial side support(s)210b) and the interior surface of the lateral side member220(e.g., at least the interior surface(s) of lateral side support(s)220b) rotate about the hinge system230with respect to one another in a direction toward one another and/or in a direction toward the instep area of a wearer's foot (e.g., to close around the wearer's foot). Compare, for example, foot-insertion configuration to foot-containing configuration movement shown byFIG. 2BtoFIG. 2A;FIG. 2CtoFIG. 2D;FIG. 3A to 3B, andFIG. 4BtoFIG. 4A). In moving from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-insertion/removal configuration, the interior surface of the medial side member210(e.g., at least the interior surface(s) of medial side support(s)210b) and the interior surface of the lateral side member220(e.g., at least the interior surface(s) of lateral side support(s)220b) rotate about the hinge system230with respect to one another in a direction away from one another and/or in a direction away from the instep area of a wearer's foot (to open up and/or move away from the wearer's foot). Compare, for example, foot-containing configuration to foot-insertion/removal configuration movement shown byFIG. 2AtoFIG. 2B;FIG. 3C to 3D, andFIG. 4AtoFIG. 4B).

In at least some examples of this invention, the foot support system200may include a locking system240, e.g., to releasably lock the hinge system230and to hold the foot support system200in the foot-containing configuration (e.g., in the configurations shown inFIGS. 1A-1D, 2A, 2D, 3B, 3C, and 4A. Any desired type of hinge locking system240may be used without departing from this invention, including, for example, a physical component (such as a ratchet type system or a stopper member) that (temporarily and/or releasably) prevents the medial side foot support base210aand/or the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210bfrom rotating with respect to the lateral side foot support base220aand/or the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220bto or toward the foot-insertion configuration. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the locking system240may hold the foot support system200in the foot-insertion/foot-removing configuration and/or (temporarily and/or releasably) prevent movement of the foot support system to or toward the foot-containing configuration.

FIGS. 1A-1Fillustrate various features of an example locking system240and release/switch system242for changing/switching the locking system240from a locked state to an unlocked state. As shown, this example release system242includes a base support244, e.g., including a first side member (e.g., medial side member244M) and a second side member (e.g., lateral side member244L). A first lever246(e.g., a release actuating lever or switching lever) includes a first end (e.g., medial side end246M) and a second end (e.g., lateral side end246L). A first hinge (e.g., medial side hinge248M) rotatably connects the first side member244M of the base support244and the first end246M of the first lever246, and a second hinge (e.g., lateral side hinge248L) rotatably connects the second side member244L of the base support244and the second end246L of the first lever246. The first lever246of this example extends around a rear heel area of the upper102/wearer's foot and forms a rear heel area246H of the foot support system200. As shown in these figures, the base support244and the lever246define a receptacle configured to receive and/or form a heel area of the upper102and are structured and arranged to contain a heel portion of a wearer's foot. The base support244may be engaged with the upper102and/or the sole104and/or the lever246may be engaged with the upper102and/or the sole104.

In this illustrated example, a release cable250is engaged with the lever246at one end246L/246M thereof, wraps around the corresponding hinge248L/248M, extends down the corresponding side member244L/244M and along the bottom of base support244to locking element270. When a user rotates lever246downward (see arrow252A inFIG. 1A), this action pulls the cable250further around the hinge248L (see arrow252B) and pulls the locking element270outward (see arrow252C) to (at least temporarily) unlock the locking system240. The locking element270may be spring loaded and/or otherwise biased such that: (a) when the force applied to the lever246to unlock the locking system240is sufficiently relaxed (or the lever246is otherwise returned to its original position) and/or the foot support system200is returned to the foot-containing configuration, the locking element270springs back to again lock the locking system240(and hold the foot support system200in the foot-containing configuration).

WhileFIGS. 1A-1Fshow the release/switching system extending around the rear heel area of the upper102, other options are possible. For example, if desired, a single side member (244L or244M) could be provided, engaged with a single hinge (248L or248M), which in turn is engaged with a single lever end (246L or246M) that does not extend completely around the rear heel area. As another alternative, the lever246need not extend completely around the heel area of the shoe and/or separate levers246, hinges248, and/or release cables250may be provided on each of the lateral side and medial side of the shoe100. The lever(s)246could be provided at any desired location on the upper or sole structure without departing from this invention, e.g., on just the lateral side, on just the medial side, on both sides, etc. Other potential ways of moving the locking element270and/or otherwise unlocking the lock system240also could be provided without departing from this invention (including mechanical linkages and systems and/or electronically activated locking/unlocking systems).

Additional or alternative potential features of some example foot support systems200are illustrated inFIGS. 2A-2D. For example, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, with the foot support system200(or an article of footwear100containing it) supported on a horizontal support surface S, a horizontal plane P exists above the horizontal support surface S in which:(a) in the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 2A), the entire hinge system230and/or the entire foot support base (e.g., the entire medial side foot support base210aand/or the entire lateral side foot support base220afor supporting a plantar surface of a wearer's foot) is/are located below the horizontal plane P, and(b) in the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 2B), at least a portion of the hinge system230(and optionally all of the hinge system230) and/or at least a portion of the foot support base (e.g., at least a portion of the medial side foot support base210aand/or at least a portion of the lateral side foot support base220afor supporting a plantar surface of a wearer's foot) is/are located above the horizontal plane P.
As further evident from these figures, in the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 2A), at least some portion(s) of the foot support base (e.g., base members210a/220a) is/are flatter than in the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 2B). Additionally, in the foot-insertion configuration, the central portion of the foot support base (e.g., base members210a/220a) extends in an angled (and/or curved) manner into an area between the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210band the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220b(between the facing interior surfaces of ribs210a/210b).

Additionally or alternatively, as also shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B, with the foot support system200or an article of footwear100containing it supported on horizontal support surface S: (a) at least a first rib210bof the one or more medial side support ribs includes a free end210fthat extends to a location over the foot support base (e.g., over one or more of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, the lateral side foot support base220a, and/or an instep area of a wearer's foot), and (b) a first rib220bof the one or more lateral side support ribs includes a free end220fthat extends to a location over the foot support base (e.g., over one or more of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, the lateral side foot support base220a, and/or an instep area of a wearer's foot). In the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 2B), the free end210fof support rib210bis located a distance D2from the free end220fof support rib220b, and in the foot-containing configurationFIG. 2A, the free end210fof support rib210bis located a distance D1from the free end220fof support rib220b, wherein D2>D1. As some more specific examples, D2may be 1.5 times D1, 2 times D1, 2.5 times D1, or even 3 times D1.

FIGS. 2C and 2Dprovide side/perspective views showing transition of this example foot support system200from the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 2C) to the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 2D). As evident from a comparison of these figures, when a downward force F is applied to the foot support system200(e.g., to base portions210a/220aand/or hinge230), the base flattens out from its original angular configuration and the side ribs210b/220brotate toward one another to close (e.g., around a wearer's foot). The ribs210b/220band base portions210a/220amay move, for example, in the manner generally shown in the rear views ofFIGS. 2A and 2B.

Footwear100and foot support systems200according to examples of this invention may move between the foot-insertion configuration and the foot-containing configuration and between the foot-containing configuration and the foot-removal configuration in any desired manners without departing from this invention. As one example, a user may physically grasp one or both of the side support member/ribs210b/220band rotate them toward/away from one another to close/open the foot support systems200. As another example, one foot can move lever246on the other shoe to unlock the locking system240and/or hold down the rear of the shoe100, and then motion of the user's instep against the support member/ribs210b/220bcan open up the support system200. As an additional or alternative feature, the foot support system200and/or the article of footwear100may include a biasing system, e.g., to bias the foot support system200to the foot-insertion configuration when no foot is present in the foot support system200. The biasing system may include, for example, a spring member that produces a rotational force to bias the hinge230to move to the foot-insertion configuration.

As other examples of this aspect of the invention, e.g., with the foot support system200/article of footwear100supported on a horizontal support surface S, a biasing system may apply an upward force F to at least one member selected from the group consisting of: the hinge system230and/or the foot support base (e.g., the medial side foot support base210aand/or the lateral side foot support base220a). This upward force F, as shown schematically inFIGS. 2A and 2B, will tend to hold the foot support system200in the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 2B).

FIGS. 3A-3Dillustrate rear views of an example of such a biasing system300, e.g., incorporated into a sole structure104of an article of footwear100. This example biasing system300includes a resilient member, such as a spring member300A, having at least a portion located beneath one or more of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, and/or the lateral side foot support base220a. The spring member300A may be engaged with or at least partially housed in the footwear sole structure104. The spring member300A is sized and configured such that it exerts force F on one or more of the medial side member210, the lateral side member220, or the hinge system230. When no foot1000is present in the foot support member200, this force F causes the medial side member210and the lateral side member220to rotate about the hinge system230with respect to one another to open up the foot support system200(and make the interior sides/surfaces and/or side supports/ribs210b/220bthereof rotate in the direction away from one another). While these figures show biasing member300as a coil spring300A, other resilient members may be used, such as a compressible foam member, a fluid-filled bladder, other types of springs, etc.

Operation of this example foot-support system200now will be described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 3A-3D. As shown inFIG. 3A, with the foot support system200biased into the foot-insertion configuration by spring member300A, a wearer begins to insert his/her foot1000into the foot support system200, as shown by arrow1002. When the force of the wearer's foot1002entering the foot support system200overcomes the biasing force F of the spring300A, the foot support system200rotates to the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 3B), e.g., by rotation of the foot support base members210a/210bwith respect to one another thereby flattening out (e.g., becoming more horizontal) and closing around the wearer's foot1000, e.g., as described above.

Once in the foot-containing configuration (e.g.,FIG. 3B), one or more securing members310may be engaged, e.g., to releasably secure the medial side support(s)210bwith the lateral side support(s)220b. As a more specific example, as shown inFIGS. 3A-3B, the securing member310may include a strap extending between at least one lateral side support/rib220band at least one medial side support/rib210b. The securing member310may be engaged directly with the support/ribs210b/220band/or with portions of the upper102, e.g., located adjacent support/ribs210b/220b. Additionally or alternatively, the securing system310may releasably hold the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210bin place with respect to the medial side foot support base210aand/or may releasably hold the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220bin place with respect to the lateral side foot support base220awhen the foot support system200is in the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 3B). One, two, or more straps may be provided to engage and secure one, two, or more of the medial side supports/ribs210bwith (or with respect to) one, two, or more of the lateral side supports/ribs220b.

The securing member(s)310may be releasably engaged at the foot-containing configuration in any desired manner(s) without departing from this invention, including using any desired type(s) of fasteners. In this illustrated example, the strap is releasably secured by magnetic attraction forces, e.g., through use of a magnet or a ferromagnetic material312A as part of the strap and a corresponding magnet or a ferromagnetic material312B at the opposite side of the upper102. As another option, parts312A and312B may constitute engaging portions of a hook-and-loop fastener system. As yet other options, parts312A and312B may constitute joining portions of a snap, buckle connector, button connector, or the like. Any desired number of securing systems310of the same or different types may be provided in a footwear structure, without departing from this invention.

In at least some examples of this invention, the securing member310may include a strap or strip of a resiliently flexible/semi-rigid plastic material (such as PEBAX® (polyether block amides available from Arkema, Inc.) or other thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermosetting polymers, etc.). If desired, the strap and the securing member312A may be structured and weighted such that: (a) the force1002applied as the wearer's foot1000is inserted and the relative inward rotation and momentum of the side support(s)/rib(s)220bcreated in moving from the foot-insertion configuration to the foot-containing configuration, in at least some instances, (b) will cause sufficient momentum (see arrow M) on the securing member310strap to automatically “sling” securing member component312A across the top/instep of the wearer's foot1000to be engaged with securing member component312B (e.g., by magnetic forces). In this manner, in at least some instances, the wearer's foot1000could be engaged and secured in the foot support system200in a “hands free” manner. Additionally or alternatively, if desired, the strap(s)310could be manually secured by hand.

To remove the wearer's foot1000from the foot support system200, in this illustrated example, the securing member310is released by disengaging components312A/312B, as shown by arrow1004inFIG. 3C. Optionally, if necessary, a user can manually rotate the upper102/side supports210b/220bopen. Additionally or alternatively, as the foot1000is lifted up and out of the shoe and weight/force is reduced on the base members210a/220a(e.g., if the wearer sits on a chair or lifts the foot), the biasing system300will push the base members210a/220aand/or hinge system230upward, thereby at least helping to rotate the foot support system200open and holding it in the open condition (in the foot-removal and/or foot-insertion configuration,FIG. 3D). In some examples of this invention, the force of biasing system300will be sufficient, on its own, to open the foot support system200(e.g., without the need for a user to rotate the side supports210b/220bopen).

While the securing system310can be opened as a result of manually releasing the securing member310(e.g., by a wearer interacting with the strap and/or securing member components312A/312B), it alternatively could be opened in a somewhat “automatic” and/or “hands free” manner. For example, releasing the locking system240described above (e.g., activating lever246by a wearer's foot to move cable250and locking element270) to unlock hinge system230may allow the biasing system300to generate sufficient upward force F to overcome magnetic forces of securing system components312A/312B and open the securing system310(and open the foot support system200).

Other ways of opening or changing the foot support system200from the foot-containing configuration to the foot-removal/foot-insertion configuration are possible. For example,FIGS. 4A and 4Billustrate an example switch system400that may be used for this purpose. This switch system400applies an upward force402, e.g., to at least one of: the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, and/or the lateral side foot support base220a. More specifically, this illustrated example switch system400includes a lever404having a force applying part or movable part406located beneath one or more of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, and/or the lateral side foot support base220a. An external command receiving part or input part408is provided, e.g., at a location exposed at an exterior of the article of footwear100(such as at the rear or side of the sole104), for receiving an external switching force/command410, such as physical force applied by a wearer's foot or hand. The external switching force/command410applied to the command receiving part408of the lever404causes the first/movable part406of the lever404to move (e.g., upward), by rotation on fulcrum412, and apply an upward force402to at least one of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, and the lateral side foot support base220a. This force402may overcome any existing “locking force” in the hinge system230and move the foot support system200to the foot-insertion configuration (as shown by a comparison ofFIGS. 4A and 4B) (e.g., move the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210bwith respect to the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220bfrom the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 4A) to the foot-insertion or foot-removing configuration (FIG. 4B).

Rather than a strictly mechanical switching system (e.g., a lever404/fulcrum412), the switch system400could include one or more electronic components. More specifically, the input part408could include a physical button or wireless transceiver that receives input from a user (e.g., via a button “push,” a wireless transmission, from a phone “app,” etc.) and element404could constitute wiring or circuitry connected to an electronic component406that, when activated, applies force402to at least one of the hinge system230, the medial side foot support base210a, and the lateral side foot support base220a. No fulcrum412would be needed in this type of electronic switching configuration.

FIGS. 5A and 5Bshow additional or alternative potential options and features that may be provided in footwear100/foot support systems260in accordance with some examples of this invention. The footwear100/foot support system260ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bare similar to those shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, and a repetitive discussion of the same or similar parts is omitted. One difference between the foot support system260ofFIGS. 5A and 5Bas compared to the foot support system200ofFIGS. 3A and 3Brelates to the foot support bases thereof. In the foot support system260ofFIGS. 5A and 5B, the hinge system230is omitted, and the foot support base262includes the medial side foot support base262aand the lateral side foot support base262bmade as a single, continuous part. This foot support base262may be formed of a flexible, semi-rigid plastic material (e.g., from PEBAX® (polyether block amides available from Arkema, Inc.) or other thermoplastic elastomers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermosetting polymers, etc.). The force of a biasing system300of the types described above (e.g., spring300A, an electronically activated system, a lever system, etc.) may deform the support base262and move the foot support system260between the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 5B) and the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 5A). As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, in the foot-insertion configuration, this example foot support base262extends in a curved manner into an area between the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210band the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220b. The foot support base262is flatter in the foot-containing configuration (FIG. 5B) than it is in the foot-insertion configuration (FIG. 5A). This foot support system260could be incorporated into any desired type of article of footwear and/or used with any desired type of biasing system and/or switching system, e.g., of the various types described above.

Various additional or alternative features of foot support systems and/or articles of footwear600in accordance with at least some examples of this invention are shown inFIGS. 6A-6D. This example article of footwear600includes an upper602and a sole structure604engaged with the upper602. The sole structure604includes a forefoot support portion604F, a heel support portion604H, a midfoot support portion604M located between the forefoot support portion604F and the heel support portion604H, a lateral side604L, and a medial side6041. As further shown from a comparison ofFIGS. 6A and 6B, in this illustrated footwear structure600, the heel support portion604H is rotatable with respect to the forefoot support portion604F on an axis604A located in the midfoot support portion604M. This rotational axis604A extends from the lateral side604L to the medial side6041of the sole structure604. In this manner, the rear heel portion604H of the sole structure604and the rear heel area of the upper602may be rotated with respect to forefoot support portion604F of the sole structure604so that the rear heel area of the foot-receiving chamber of the shoe600is opened up to allow easy insertion of a wearer's forefoot into the shoe600from the rear side of the upper602's forefoot area.

Any desired manner of providing the axis604A of rotation may be used, including, for example, incorporating a physical axle or hinge structure into the sole structure604, making the sole structure604of a “thinner” material at the desired rotational location, etc. As some more specific examples, a rotational axis604A may be provided, for example, in the various manners shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 474,574, 5,184,410, 5,481,814, 6,189,239, 8,161,669, and 8,245,421; U.S. Patent Appln. Publn. No. 2014/0298687 A1; and/or PCT Publn. No. WO2014/033396 A1 and/or WO 2014/140443. Each of these patents and patent publications is entirely incorporated herein by reference. The upper602may include gaps, discontinuities, stretchable materials, or other structures to support rotation on axis604A.

Sole structures604of this type, with a transverse (lateral side-to-medial side) axis604A may be used, if desired, along with foot support systems200/260of the various types described above, e.g., in conjunction withFIGS. 1A-5B. In this manner, in addition to opening up from the rear heel area and rotating open about transverse axis604A, the article of footwear/foot support system200/260also can open up about a longitudinal axis (e.g.230A) to provide still easier access for a wearer's foot to the footwear600's interior chamber and easy securing of the shoe600to the foot. The foot support system200/260can close around the wearer's foot, e.g., in the manners described above, as the wearer dons the shoe600.

As a more specific example, in the footwear structure600ofFIGS. 6A-6D, at least a portion of the foot support system (e.g., the medial side support(s)/rib(s)210band/or the lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220b) may be located rearward of the axis604A. The lateral side support(s)/rib(s)220bare shown in broken lines inFIG. 6Aas they are contained within or beneath the lateral side securing flap610L of upper602, which will be described in more detail below. The medial side securing flap610M of upper602may include a mirror image of support(s)/rib(s)210bor other similar structures to side supports/ribs220bshown inFIG. 6A. The plantar support base surface(s)210a/220a/262aof foot supports200/260are provided rearward of axis604A in this illustrated example.

As further shown inFIGS. 6C and 6D, the medial side602M of the upper602includes a portion620M of a medial side securing system620for securing the upper602to a wearer's foot, and the lateral side602L of the upper602also includes a portion630L of another securing system630for securing the upper602to a wearer's foot. In this example, the upper602includes a vamp portion640(e.g., across a top, front, and/or instep area of a wearer's foot), which may include a footwear tongue component. The upper602vamp portion640may include other portion(s) of the securing systems620/630. More specifically, a lateral side securing component640L is shown inFIG. 6D(for engaging lateral side securing component630L on the lateral flap610L), and a similar medial side securing component could be provided on the other side of vamp640for engaging the medial side securing component620M on medial flap610M. Alternatively, if desired, securing component640L on the vamp640could be sized and shaped so that it could be engaged by both the securing components620M and630L on the medial flap610M and lateral flap610L, respectively. While other securing systems and/or fasteners may be used (including securing systems and fasteners conventionally known and used in the footwear arts, such as buckles, snaps, buttons, etc.), in this illustrated example, securing portions620M,630L, and640L are portions of hook-and-loop fastener systems (for releasably engaging the upper602to a wearer's foot in the midfoot area).

FIGS. 7A-7Dillustrate various views of another example article of footwear700in accordance with at least some examples of this invention. The footwear700ofFIGS. 7A-7Dis similar to that ofFIGS. 6A-6D(including transverse axis604A and an integrated foot support system200/260), and similar parts and the like will not be described in detail.

One difference between the article of footwear600ofFIGS. 6A-6Dand the article of footwear700ofFIGS. 7A-7Drelates to the securing system710for securing flaps610M and610L. More specifically, this example securing system710includes a strap712(e.g., engaged with the lateral side flap610L) and a tensioning element714(e.g., a tensioning ring engaged with the medial side flap610M). As shown inFIGS. 7A and 7B, the strap712passes through the tensioning device714, doubles back over itself (e.g., across the top, vamp/forefoot portion640of the upper602), and secures to itself or to another part of the upper (e.g., by a hook-and-loop fastener system, snap, buckle, button, etc.) to thereby tighten the flaps610M/610L around the wearer's foot.

As further evident fromFIGS. 7A-7D, in this example upper602, the medial side component of the upper602that includes medial flap610M is engaged with or integrally formed with the lateral side component of the upper602that includes the lateral flap610L. More specifically, in this illustrated example, the medial side flap610M is engaged with or integrally formed with the lateral side flap610L via a rear strap member610R that extends around a rear heel portion of the upper602and connects the medial side component of the upper602with the lateral side component of the upper602. In this manner, the securing system710provides a tight and secure fit completely around the wearer's ankle.

The foot support systems200/260of these examples help support a midfoot area and/or forefoot area of a wearer's foot and help secure the midfoot area and/or forefoot area of the wearer's foot in the shoe. Optionally, the foot support systems200/260can allow easy insertion of the wearer's foot, and in some examples, can facilitate foot insertion, foot securing, and/or foot removal in a “hands free” and/or automatic manner.