Patent Publication Number: US-9402435-B2

Title: Article of footwear with a removable heel member

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of Baker et al., U.S. Patent Application Publ. No. 2010/0024248, published on Feb. 4, 2010, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to size-adjustable footwear, and more particularly an article of footwear with a removable insert configured to alter the size of the article of footwear. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     As children grow, numerous pairs of shoes in increasing sizes are required to accommodate their growing feet. Often, children outgrow shoes before receiving much use from the shoes. Therefore, parents invest a significant amount of money replacing shoes for their growing child. This problem is magnified for certain types of shoes worn for specific occasions or seasons, such as dress shoes or snow boots. 
     To avoid the cost of replacing shoes on a frequent basis, some parents might purchase shoes in sizes larger than their children&#39;s feet to allow the children to grow into them. Other parents may have their children wear a pair of shoes even though the child has outgrown them. Neither of these practices are desirable because the shoes will not likely fit properly, possibly causing podiatric problems. 
     Typically, most children&#39;s feet grow approximately one full shoe size per year, or one-half shoe size every four to six months. Consequently, larger shoes are purchased frequently to accommodate the growing foot size. This frequent shoe purchasing may be financially burdensome for families. Thus, providing a system for allowing multiple foot sizes to fit properly within the footwear would be advantageous to extend the life of footwear by accommodating a growing foot. Additionally, providing footwear that fits properly over many foot sizes may eliminate the potential for the onset of podiatric problems due to improper fit of the footwear. 
     Several solutions have been proposed to accommodate multiple foot sizes with one article of footwear. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,442,874 to Long teaches an article of footwear having an adjustable sizing mechanism disposed within the heel of the upper of the article of footwear. The Long invention provides a solution for accommodating multiple foot sizes. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 3,431,658 to Finn teaches a shoe having an expandable bellows disposed within the heel region of the shoe. The expandable bellows taught in the Finn invention provides the ability to adjust the length of the shoe to accommodate multiple foot lengths so that the shoe need only be made in a limited number of sizes. 
     The solutions proposed within the art, while they provide for adjustable sizing of articles of footwear, they do not provide for removal of the adjustable sizing mechanism. This may prove to be disadvantageous when the wearer&#39;s foot is large enough to fit within the footwear without any need for an adjustable sizer. As a result, the footwear may become uncomfortable to wear or create irritation points on the heel of the wearer&#39;s foot. Furthermore, due to the sizing members within the proposed solutions being a non-removable feature, the footwear may become susceptible to wear during the prolonged use requiring replacement of the footwear. 
     Therefore, a need exists in the art for a removable sizer for an article of footwear. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An article of footwear includes a pocket or a flap at a rearward-most position on the heel region. The pocket or flap is configured to receive a sizer, such as a removable portion of material that is capable of changing the effective size of the shoe. The shoe is shortened to a smaller size when the sizer is positioned in the pocket or under the flap. The shoe is lengthened to a larger size when the sizer is removed. The sizer may include an exposed portion upon which a graphic or other symbol or writing may be printed. Thus, the article of footwear may be given a customized appearance by positioning the sizer in the pocket or underneath the flap. Additionally, the exposed portion of the sizer may be decorated or designed to resemble the outer surface of the article of footwear so that the article of footwear has a similar appearance regardless of whether or not the sizer is positioned in the pocket or underneath the flap. 
     In one aspect, the invention provides a size-adjustable article of footwear having a first effective length when a removable member is positioned within a pocket in a heel portion of the article of footwear and a second effective length when the removable member is removed from the pocket, wherein the removable member forms a portion of an exterior surface of the article of footwear when positioned within the pocket, and wherein a pocket surface forms the portion of the exterior surface of the article of footwear when the removable member is removed from the pocket. 
     In another aspect, the invention provides an article of footwear comprising an upper comprising an outer shell and a liner disposed at least partially within the outer shell, the liner configured to contact a foot of a wearer, and a pocket formed between the liner and the outer shell in a heel region of the upper, the pocket configured to receive an insert, the insert configured to alter an effective length of the article of footwear. 
     In another aspect, a method of changing a size of an article of footwear comprises the steps of: providing an article of footwear with a pocket formed between the liner and the outer shell in a heel region of the upper, the pocket configured to receive an insert, the insert configured to alter an effective length of the article of footwear; providing the insert, wherein the insert is configured to be secured within the pocket; positioning the insert within the pocket so that a portion of the insert forms an exterior surface of the article of footwear; and securing the insert within the pocket by engaging a first portion of a mechanical fastener positioned on the insert with a second portion of the mechanical fastener positioned in the pocket. 
     Other systems, methods, features and advantages of the invention will be, or will become, apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages be included within this description and this summary, be within the scope of the invention, and be protected by the following claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a size-adjustable article of footwear having a removable heel member; 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the size-adjustable article of footwear; 
         FIG. 3  is a rear view of the size-adjustable article of footwear with the removable heel member positioned in a heel portion; 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the size-adjustable article of footwear with the removable heel member removed from the heel portion; 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a cross-section of the size-adjustable article of footwear having a first interior length; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a cross-section of a portion of the size-adjustable article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a cross-section of the size-adjustable article of footwear having a second interior length; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a cross-section of a portion of the size-adjustable article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of an embodiment of a removable heel member configured to be inserted into a heel portion of a size-adjustable article of footwear; 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of the removable heel member; 
         FIG. 11  is a rear view of the removable heel member; 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of an embodiment of a removable heel member configured to be inserted into a heel portion of a size-adjustable article of footwear; 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the embodiment of the removable heel member as shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a top view of a heel portion of a shoe with a removable heel member as shown in  FIG. 12  inserted into the heel portion; 
         FIG. 15  is a rear view of an embodiment of an article of footwear having a pocket configured to receive a removable member, with a flap covering the pocket; 
         FIG. 16  is a rear view of the embodiment of the article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 15 , with a portion of the pocket lifted; 
         FIG. 17  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 15 , with the insert positioned in the pocket and the flap positioned within the pocket; 
         FIG. 18  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 15 , with the insert removed and the flap extending over the pocket; 
         FIG. 19  is a longitudinal cross sectional view of an embodiment of an article of footwear configured to receive an insert in a pocket, shown with the insert within the pocket and an embodiment of a flap for closing the pocket positioned within the pocket; and 
         FIG. 20  is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the embodiment of an article of footwear as shown in  FIG. 19 , with the insert removed and the flap stretched over the pocket. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     A size-adjustable article of footwear having a removable heel member capable of changing an effective length of the article of footwear is provided.  FIGS. 1-11  show one embodiment of a size-adjustable article of footwear  100 . While article of footwear  100  is shown as an athletic shoe, article of footwear  100  may be any type of footwear known in the art, provided that the footwear includes a heel region capable of supporting a removable member. In other embodiments, for example, article of footwear  100  may be a dress shoe, a sandal, a moccasin, or the like. 
     Article of footwear  100  generally includes an upper  102  fixedly attached to a sole  104 . Sole  104  is generally configured as a ground-engaging portion of article of footwear  100 . In one embodiment, sole  104  is made of a material capable of providing traction against the ground, such as rubber. In some embodiments, sole  104  is a multi-layer sole. Such multi-layer soles are well known in the art, and may include a ground-engaging outsole, a cushioning midsole, and an insole configured to contact a foot. 
     Upper  102  is preferably sized and dimensioned to receive a wearer&#39;s foot through opening  110 . Upper  102  generally includes a heel region  106  and a forefoot region  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , upper  102  includes a footwear fastening system  114  disposed in middle region of upper  102  near a tongue  112 . In some embodiments, footwear fastening system  114  may be used to tighten upper  102  to a wearer&#39;s foot so that the wearer&#39;s foot is not readily extracted through opening  110  or loosen upper  102  to ease the extraction or insertion of the wearer&#39;s foot into upper  102  through opening  110 . Footwear fastening system  114  may be any type of fastening system known in the art. Examples of footwear fastening systems include, but are not limited to, hook and loop fasteners, (such as VELCRO®), buckles, and zippers. In a preferred embodiment, footwear fastening system  114  includes laces. In other embodiments, no footwear fastening system is provided, such as with a slip-on shoe or sandal. 
     Upper  102  includes a liner  116  disposed within an exterior shell  118 . Liner  116  may be any type of liner known in the art. In one embodiment, liner  116  is made of a woven material made of natural or synthetic fibers that can cushion the foot or wick moisture away from the foot. In another embodiment, liner  116  may be made from a non-woven material, such as leather. In yet another embodiment, liner  116  may include multiple layers, such as a cushioning material covered by another material. For example, liner  116  may include a foam or similar material covered by a woven material, such as nylon fabric, so that the woven material is configured to come into contact with the wearer&#39;s foot or sock. Liner  116  is provided generally to maximize comfort for the wearer by wicking moisture away from the foot and cushioning the foot. 
     Exterior shell  118  is configured to form an exterior surface of upper  102 . Generally, exterior shell  118  may be made from any material known in the art used for an upper, including but not limited to natural or synthetic leather, natural or synthetic rubber, natural and synthetic materials such as canvas, nylon, or combinations of these materials. Preferably, exterior shell  118  covers or substantially covers liner  116 , so that when worn, no portion or only a small portion of liner  116  is visible. 
     Exterior shell  118  and liner  116  are preferably fixedly attached to each other using any attachment method known in the art. In one embodiment, liner  116  may be stitched to exterior shell  118 . In another embodiment, liner  116  may be secured within exterior shell  118  using an adhesive. In another embodiment, a combination of adhesive and stitching may be used to attach liner  116  and exterior shell  118 . 
     In one embodiment, a heel counter  109  may be fixedly attached to exterior shell  118 . Heel counter  109  is a layer positioned in heel region  106  for additional stiffness and wear protection for heel region  106  as well as for aesthetic purposes. Heel counter  109  may be any type of material capable of being fixedly attached to exterior shell  118 . Examples of materials for heel counter  109  include leather, vinyl, canvas, or the like. Heel counter  109  may be attached to exterior shell  118  using any method known in the art, such as by stitching or with an adhesive. 
     Article  100  includes a size adjustment system  120  that is provided to alter an effective length of upper  102  so that the size of article  100  may be changed. In one embodiment, as shown in the figures, a heel cup  107  is provided on exterior shell  118 . Heel cup  107  may also be positioned on or over a portion of heel counter  109 . Heel cup  107  is preferably made from a stiff material, such as leather, plastic, or a combination of materials, such as leather or vinyl reinforced with a layer of plastic or other stiff material. Heel cup  107  may be attached to exterior shell  118  using any material known in the art, such as by stitching or with an adhesive. 
     Exterior shell  118  in this embodiment is not fixedly attached to liner  116  in the vicinity of heel cup  107  so that a pocket  122  is formed between exterior shell  118  and liner  116 . Pocket  122  may be any size or shape, but in the embodiment shown extends vertically generally to sole  104 . Pocket  122  in this embodiment extends in a horizontal direction generally coextensively with heel cup  107 . In some embodiments, pocket  122  may extend in a horizontally further or less than heel cup  107 . In one embodiment, pocket  122  is positioned generally at or near the back of article footwear  100 , i.e., the point on article of footwear  100  that is furthest from toe  105 . 
     As shown best in  FIGS. 6 and 8 , pocket  122  is formed generally of two opposing surfaces: an first pocket surface  128  and an interior surface  136  of exterior shell  118 . First pocket surface  128  extends above interior surface  136 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , first pocket surface  128  is exposed to form a portion of the exterior surface of article of footwear  100  when no insert is provided in pocket  122 . First pocket surface  128  may extend to sole  104 , to midsole  103 , or only partially toward sole  104  or midsole  103 . First pocket surface  128  is preferably made from a durable material similar to or the same as the material forming exterior shell  118 , such as leather, canvas, synthetic materials, or the like. A first attachment surface  132  is preferably provided on first pocket surface  128  for securing insert  124  within pocket  122 . These securing provisions are described in greater detail below. 
     Interior surface  136  may be a lining attached to exterior shell  118  using any method known in the art, such as by stitching, with an adhesive, or the like. In other embodiments, interior surface  136  may be a unitary surface of exterior shell  118 . In a preferred embodiment, interior surface  136  is made from a material capable of being secured to first attachment portion  132 , such as cotton or synthetic woven or non-woven materials. 
     Pocket  122  is generally configured to receive a removable insert  124 . Insert  124  is sized and shaped to shorten the effective length of article of footwear  100  when positioned within pocket  122 . Similarly, when insert  124  is not positioned within pocket  122 , the effective length of article of footwear  100  is increased. The amount or degree of increase or decrease in length may vary, but preferably insert  124  influences the size of article of footwear  100  by one-half size. For example, if article of footwear  100  has a no-insert size of 7, positioning insert  124  within pocket  122  may decrease the effective size of article of footwear  100  to 6.5. Similarly, if article of footwear  100  has an insert size of 7, removing insert  124  from pocket  122  may increase the effective size of article of footwear  100  to 7.5. In other embodiments, the increase or decrease in size may be larger or smaller than in this example. 
       FIGS. 9-11  show one embodiment of insert  124 . In the embodiment shown, insert  124  generally includes a body  125  and an upper portion  127 . Body  125  is generally configured to be inserted into pocket  122  while upper portion  127  is configured to remain outside of pocket  122 . As shown best in  FIG. 3 , upper portion  127  includes an exterior surface  126  sized and shaped to become an exterior surface of article of footwear  100  when insert  124  is attached to article of footwear  100 . Upper portion  127  may include a exterior design  131  on exterior surface  126 , where exterior design  131  may be any type of design known in the art, such as a graphic, words, letters, logos, or the like. Exterior design  131  may be entirely aesthetic or may also include information, such as an owner&#39;s name, team affiliation, player number, or the like. Exterior design  131  may be applied to exterior surface using any method know in the art, such as printing, embossing, stitching, co-molding, overmolding, writing, or the like. 
     Similarly, insert body  125  may also include a body design  137 . Body design  137  is similar to exterior design  131 , in that body design  137  may be any type of design known in the art, formed or applied to insert body  125  using any method known in the art. In one embodiment, body design  137  may include sizing information and/or instructions for using insert  124 , such as how to secure insert  124  within pocket  122 , how to remove insert  124  from pocket easily, and/or how to clean insert  124  or article of footwear  100 . 
     Although shown as a unitary piece in  FIGS. 9-11 , insert  124  may include multiple pieces. For example, insert  124  may include two or more pieces arranged back-to-front so that portions may be removed sequentially as the user&#39;s foot grows. In other embodiments, upper portion  127  of insert  124  may detach from insert body  125  so that exterior design  131  may be changed. 
       FIGS. 12-14  show another embodiment of insert  124 . Similar in many respects to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 9-11 , insert  124  in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12-14  includes an upper portion  127  associated with a body portion  125  to form a lip  129  that may rest on a portion of pocket  122 . Upper portion  127  may include an exterior surface  126  on which an exterior design  131  may be positioned. Body portion  125  may include a body design  137 . Upper portion  127  may wrap around to the sides of the article of footwear, as best shown in  FIG. 14 . Upper portion  127  may include a lateral extension  160  and a medial extension  162 . Made of the same or similar materials as the remainder of upper portion  127 , extensions  160  and  162  may assist in stabilizing the user&#39;s foot by decreasing the flexibility of the heel portion of the article of footwear, similar to the function provided by heel counter  109 . In some embodiments, extensions  160  and  162  may be co-extensive with heel counter  109 . Additionally, extensions  160  and  162  increase the available surface for placing an exterior design, such as exterior design  131 , on upper portion  127 . 
     Comparing  FIGS. 3 and 4 , upper portion  127  covers or substantially covers the exposed portion of first pocket surface  128  when insert  124  is positioned within pocket  122 . Thus, when insert  124  is within pocket  122 , upper portion  127  forms a portion of the exterior surface of article of footwear  100 . This configuration allows a user to more easily grasp insert  124  for insertion into or removal from pocket  122 . When insert  124  is not positioned within pocket  122 , first pocket surface  128  forms that portion of the exterior surface of article of footwear  100 . Exterior design  131  may be reproduced on first pocket surface  128 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . When exterior design  131  is included on exterior surface  126 , exterior design  131  is not lost when insert  124  is removed from pocket  122 . In other embodiments, the design on first pocket surface  128  may be different from the design on exterior surface  126 . 
     In the embodiment shown in the figures, first pocket surface  128  as backed by liner  116  is positioned to separate a wearer&#39;s foot, ankle, or Achilles tendon from insert  124  so that insert  124  does not irritate the wearer during use. In other words, the wearer&#39;s foot may be exposed only to liner  116  regardless of whether or not insert  124  is attached to article of footwear  100 . This configuration provides for maximum wearer comfort due to the wicking properties of the material of liner  116  and cushioning properties. 
     In some embodiments, insert  124  is contoured to match the curvature of heel cup  107 . Insert  124  is preferably made from a flexible material that can retain an original thickness while flexing. Maintaining the original thickness helps to keep a proper length-wise fit when a wearer is using insert  124 . However, because the wearer&#39;s foot will flex and deform slightly while walking, running, or even standing, some flexibility in the material of insert  124  is preferred for comfort so that insert  124  allows for the changes in contour of the wearer&#39;s foot during use. For example, insert  124  may be made from rubber, silicone, or the like. 
     Body  125  and upper portion  127  of insert  124  have different thicknesses. The thickness of body  125  preferably corresponds to the desired change in length of article of footwear  100 . Upper portion  127  is preferably thicker than body  125 , forming a lip  129  between upper portion  127  and body  125 . In use, upper portion  127  remains outside of pocket  122  while body  125  is inserted into pocket  122 , as shown best in  FIG. 6 . When body  125  of insert  124  is disposed within pocket  122 , lip  129  rests on an edge  131  of pocket  122  so that exterior surface  126  of insert  124  aligns or substantially aligns with the exterior surface of heel cup  107 . This configuration allows for a smoothed exterior surface for article of footwear  100 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5, 6 and 11 , body  125  may include provisions for attaching body to a surface of pocket  122 . Such provisions may be included to stabilize and secure insert  124  within pocket  122  so that shifting of insert  124  with respect to pocket  122  is minimized. Similarly, the unintentional extraction of insert  124  is also minimized. 
     In the embodiment shown in the figures, the provisions for attaching body  125  to a surface of pocket  122  are provided on only one side of body  125 , the side of body  125  facing liner  116 . The provisions may be any type of mechanical fastener capable of being removably secured together, such as a button and buttonhole, a snap, or the like. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the provisions are preferably hook-and-loop-type fasteners, such as VELCRO®. As is most clearly shown in  FIG. 6 , a first attachment portion  132  is fixedly attached to surface  128 , such as with stitching, with an adhesive, or by welding. Preferably, first attachment portion  132  extends along and follows the contours of pocket  122  at edge  191 . 
     A second attachment portion  134  is fixedly attached to body  125 , such as with stitching, with an adhesive, or by gluing. Second attachment portion  134  is also shown in greater detail in  FIG. 11 . When body  125  of insert  124  is inserted into pocket  122 , first attachment portion  132  is secured to second attachment portion  134 , such as by pressing portions  132  and  134  together until first attachment portion  132  engages with second attachment portion  134 . When a wearer wishes to remove insert  124  from pocket  122  the wearer may disengage first attachment portion  132  from second attachment portion  134 , such as by peeling the two portions  132 ,  134  apart. In the embodiment shown in the figures, this may be achieved by grasping upper portion  127  between the fingers and pulling on insert  124  until portions  132  and  134  disengage. 
     The size-adjustment capabilities of sizing system  120  is shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 5-7 .  FIG. 5  shows insert  124  attached to article of footwear  100  so that upper portion  127  of insert  124  forms a part of the exterior surface of article of footwear  100 . Insert  124  is positioned between lining  116  and heel cup  107 . In this embodiment, more particularly, a portion of insert  124  is positioned within pocket  122 , generally between pocket first pocket surface  128  and exterior shell  118 . Lip  129  rests against surface  131 . First attachment surface  132  is engaged with second attachment surface  134 . The opposite face of body  125  is positioned against an interior surface  136  of exterior shell  118 . 
     The insertion of insert  124  into pocket  122  uniformly pushes lining  116  in the heel region toward toe  105 . Article of footwear  100  has a first effective length  140 , i.e., a length available to a wearer&#39;s foot. 
       FIGS. 7-8  show article of footwear  100  with insert  124  removed. First pocket surface  128  now forms part of the exterior surface of article of footwear  100 . First pocket surface  128  now abuts interior surface  136  of exterior shell  118 . First attachment surface  132  is now engaged with interior surface  136 , effectively closing pocket  122 . The closing of pocket  122  is particularly effective when first attachment surface  132  extends along and follows the contours of pocket  122  at or near edge  191 . 
     The removal of insert  124  allows liner  116  to expand towards exterior shell  118 . A second effective length  142  of article of footwear  100  is now provided. Second effective length  142  is greater than first effective length  140  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). In other words, the removal of insert  124  from pocket  122  increases the effective length of article of footwear  100 . 
     In some embodiments, a portion of material may be provided to close or cover pocket  122  and form a portion of the exterior of the surface of article of footwear  100 .  FIGS. 15-18  show an embodiment of article of footwear  100  in which a flap  150  is provided to cover pocket  122 , particularly when insert  124  is not inserted into pocket  122 . Without insert  124  to close off the interior of pocket  122 , debris, water, or other undesirable items may accumulate within pocket  122 . Flap  150  may be provided to prevent such undesirable items from entering and/or remaining within pocket  122 . In some embodiments, flap  150  may be provided to secure insert  124  within pocket  122 , as well, by extending over insert  124 . Flap  150  may be any type or portion of material known in the art, such as leather, vinyl, cotton, synthetic materials, or the like. Flap  150  may have a fixed length or may include or be made from an elastomeric or stretchy material, such as elastane/spandex (e.g., LYCRA®), rubber, silicone, or the like. 
       FIGS. 15 and 16  show rear views of article of footwear  100 , showing flap  150  in a closed or partially closed position on upper  102 . Flap  150  may be associated with sock liner  116 , such as by being attached to sock liner  116 . Flap  150  is positioned over the pocket, and resting on or otherwise associated with a portion of upper  102  at or near heel cup  107 . In some embodiments, however, flap  150  may extend to sole  104 . Flap  150  may include a flap design  135  that is similar to or the same as exterior design  131  so that exterior design  131  is not lost when insert  124  is removed. In other words, the appearance of article of footwear  100  may maintain characteristics with or without insert  124 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 16 , flap  150  may be secured to upper  102  using any securing mechanism known in the art, such as snaps, buttons, magnets or the like. In the embodiment show in  FIG. 16 , a hook-and-loop mechanism is provided for removably securing flap  150  to upper  102 . A first portion  152  of the hook-and-loop mechanism is associated with upper  102 , and a second portion  154  of the hook-and-loop mechanism is associated with flap  150 . Flap  150  may be removably attached to upper  102  by engaging first portion  152  with second portion  154 , such as by pressing portions  152  and  154  together. Flap  150  may be detached from upper  102  by disengaging portions  152  and  154 , such as by peeling flap  150  away from upper  102 . 
       FIGS. 17 and 18  show one embodiment of how flap  150  may be positioned on and/or in article of footwear  100 . In this embodiment, flap  150  does not extend over insert  124  when insert  124  is associated with article of footwear  100  to provide article of footwear  100  initial length  140 , as shown in  FIG. 17 . Insert  124  is positioned between exterior shell  118  and exterior pocket surface  128  to push exterior pocket surface  128  toward toe  105 . Flap  150  is positioned between insert  124  and pocket exterior surface  128 . In other words, flap  150  may be tucked behind insert  124  until a user desires to utilize flap  150 . First portion  152  of the securing mechanism is exposed on heel cup  107 , and second portion  154  of the securing mechanism is positioned between flap  150  and pocket exterior surface  128 . In this embodiment, the length of flap  150  has been selected so as not to interfere with the attachment of first engaging surface  132  and second engaging surface  134  so that insert  124  may be secured to pocket exterior surface  128 . In other words, a free end  151  of flap  150  does not reach first engaging surface  132 . In this embodiment, flap  150  is made from a fixed-length material, such as leather, vinyl, or the like. 
       FIG. 18  shows article of footwear  100  after insert  124  has been removed. Pocket exterior surface  128  moves towards exterior shell  118  to provide adjusted length  142  between toe  105  and sock liner  116 . Flap  150  has been positioned so that free end  151  is now on an opposite side of exterior shell  118  and heel cup  107 . First portion  152  of the securing mechanism is engaged with second portion  154  of the securing mechanism. The void left by the removal of insert  124  has been closed. 
       FIGS. 19 and 20  show another embodiment of flap  150 , where flap  150  is made from a material having elastomeric properties.  FIG. 19  is similar to  FIG. 17 , where insert  124  is positioned between exterior shell  118  and exterior pocket surface  128  to push exterior pocket surface  128  toward toe  105 . Flap  150  is positioned between insert  124  and pocket exterior surface  128 . In this embodiment, the length of flap  150  has been selected so as not to interfere with the attachment of first engaging surface  132  and second engaging surface  134  so that insert  124  may be secured to pocket exterior surface  128 . In other words, a free end  151  of flap  150  does not reach first engaging surface  132 . 
     In this embodiment, the securing mechanism used to maintain the position of flap  150  on heel cup  107  includes a ridge  156  formed near where insert  124  rests on heel cup  107 . Free end  151  of flap  150  may have a corresponding shape to that of ridge  156 . When flap  150  is positioned to close the void left by the removal of insert  124 , as shown in  FIG. 20 , free end  151  may be hooked onto or tucked beneath ridge  156  to removably secure flap  150  to heel cup  107 . Once insert  124  has been removed, pocket exterior surface  128  moves towards exterior shell  118  to increase the length between toe  105  and sock liner  116  to adjusted length  142 . 
     While various embodiments of the invention have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible that are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents. Also, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the attached claims.