Patent Publication Number: US-11659886-B2

Title: Rapid-entry footwear having a heel arm and a resilient member

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, claims priority to and the benefit of PCT Ser. No. PCT/US20/19943 filed Feb. 26, 2020 and entitled RAPID-ENTRY FOOTWEAR HAVING A HEEL ARM AND A RESILIENT MEMBER. PCT Ser. No. PCT/US20/19943 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/810,828, filed Feb. 26, 2019 and entitled “RAPID-ENTRY FOOTWEAR HAVING A HEEL ARM AND A FORWARD ELASTIC PORTION.” All of the aforementioned applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates to rapid-entry footwear, and more specifically to footwear having a heel arm and a resilient member. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Whether due to inconvenience or inability, donning and doffing of shoes, including tying or otherwise securing the same, and doing the foregoing for others, may be undesirable and/or present difficulties to some individuals. The present disclosure addresses this need. 
     SUMMARY 
     A rapid-entry shoe, in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure, comprises a base, optionally an upper, a heel arm, and a resilient member. The heel arm can be coupled to the base at a rearward coupling point and can be configured to transition between a collapsed configuration (e.g., for easy donning and doffing of the shoe) and an uncollapsed configuration (e.g., for securing a foot inside the shoe). In the collapsed configuration the heel arm may be in a compressed state and bend or rotate downward, while in the uncollapsed configuration the heel arm can be oriented upwards and may be in an uncompressed state or a reduced compressed state. The resilient member can be coupled to the heel arm at a heel arm coupling point and can be further coupled to the base at a forward coupling point. The resilient member can be configured to bias the heel arm toward the uncollapsed configuration. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings may provide a further understanding of example embodiments of the present disclosure and are incorporated in, and constitute a part of, this specification. In the accompanying drawings, only one rapid-entry shoe (either a left shoe or a right shoe) may be illustrated, however, it should be understood that in such instances, the illustrated shoe may be mirror-imaged so as to be the other shoe. The use of like reference numerals throughout the accompanying drawings is for convenience only, and should not be construed as implying that any of the illustrated embodiments are equivalent. The accompanying drawings are for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. 
         FIGS.  1 A- 1 C  illustrate a rapid-entry shoe having a heel arm and a resilient member, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  2 A- 2 D  illustrate alternate embodiments of example rapid-entry shoes in uncollapsed and collapsed configurations. 
         FIGS.  3 A- 3 D  illustrate living hinge connections for heel arms, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  4 A- 4 C  illustrate socket connections for heel arms, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  5 A- 5 C  illustrate hinge pin connections for heel arms, in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         FIGS.  6 A and  6 B  illustrate a rapid-entry shoe having an upper, in uncollapsed and collapsed configurations, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  7 A and  7 B  illustrate a rapid-entry shoe having a resilient upper, in uncollapsed and collapsed configurations, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  8 A and  8 B  a rapid-entry shoe with a resilient member extending through an upper, in uncollapsed and collapsed configurations, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIG.  9    illustrates a rapid entry shoe, in accordance with an example embodiment, having a plurality of heel arms. 
         FIG.  10    illustrates a rapid-entry shoe having a heel arm and a resilient member, both angled upward toward the front portion, in accordance with various embodiments. 
         FIGS.  11 A- 11 D  illustrate additional rapid entry shoes, in accordance with additional example embodiments, having a plurality of heel arms. 
         FIGS.  12 A and  12 B  illustrate a rapid entry shoe, in accordance with example embodiments, wherein a heel arm is configured to pivot or rotate above a base. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Example embodiments of the present disclosure are described in sufficient detail in this detailed description to enable persons having ordinary skill in the relevant art to practice the present disclosure, however, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that mechanical and chemical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Thus, this detailed description is for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. 
     For example, unless the context dictates otherwise, example embodiments described herein may be combined with other embodiments described herein. Similarly, references to “example embodiment,” “example embodiments” and the like indicate that the embodiment(s) described may comprise a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily comprise the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such references may not necessarily refer to the same embodiment(s). Any reference to singular includes plural embodiments, and any reference to plural includes singular embodiments. 
     Any reference to coupled, connected, attached or the like may be temporary or permanent, removeable or not, non-integral or integral, partial or full, and may be facilitated by one or more of adhesives, stitches, hook and loop fasteners, buttons, clips, grommets, zippers, magnets and other means known in the art or hereinafter developed. 
     As used herein, the transitional term “comprising”, which is synonymous with “including,” “containing,” or “characterized by,” is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. The transitional phrase “consisting of” excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim. The transitional phrase “consisting essentially of” limits the scope of a claim to the specified materials or steps “and those that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristic(s)” of the claimed invention. 
     No claim limitation is intended to invoke 35 U.S.C. 112(f) or pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 112, sixth paragraph or the like unless it explicitly uses the term “means” and includes functional language. 
     In describing example embodiments of the rapid-entry footwear, certain directional terms may be used. By way of example, terms such as “right,” “left,” “medial,” “lateral,” “front,” “back,” “forward,” “backward,” “rearward,” “top,” “bottom,” “upper,” “lower,” “up,” “down,” and the like may be used to describe example embodiments of the rapid-entry footwear. These terms should be given meaning according to the manner in which the rapid-entry footwear is most typically designed for use, with the rapid-entry footwear on a user&#39;s foot and with the user&#39;s shod foot disposed on or ready for placement on an underlying surface. Thus, these directions may be understood relative to the rapid-entry footwear in such use. Similarly, as the rapid-entry footwear is intended primarily for use as footwear, terms such as “inner,” “inward,” “outer,” “outward,” “innermost,” “outermost,” “inside,” “outside,” and the like should be understood in reference to the rapid-entry footwear&#39;s intended use, such that inner, inward, innermost, inside, and the like signify relatively closer to the user&#39;s foot, and outer, outward, outermost, outside, and the like signify relatively farther from the user&#39;s foot when the rapid-entry footwear is being used for its intended purpose. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the foregoing definitional guidance is contradicted by an individual use herein of any of the foregoing terms, the term should be understood and read according to the definition that gives life and meaning to the particular instance of the term. 
     As used herein, a “rapid-entry shoe” refers to an athleisure shoe, a casual shoe, a formal shoe, a dress shoe, a heel, a sports/athletic shoe (e.g., a tennis shoe, a golf shoe, a bowling shoe, a running shoe, a basketball shoe, a soccer shoe, a ballet shoe, etc.), a walking shoe, a sandal, a boot, or other suitable type of shoe. Additionally, a rapid-entry shoe can be sized and configured to be worn by men, women, or children. 
     As used herein, a “base” of a rapid-entry shoe refers to an outsole or portions thereof, a midsole or portions thereof, an insole or portions thereof, a wedge or portions thereof, or other suitable structure disposed between and/or adjacent to the foregoing parts of a rapid-entry shoe. 
     In various embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS.  1 A- 1 C , a rapid-entry shoe  100  includes a heel arm  110  and a resilient member  130 , both of which are coupled to a base  120  (and/or upper, as described below) of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . Generally, the resilient member  130  is coupled to base  120  at a location forward a location where heel arm  110  is coupled to base, and resilient member  130  thereby biases the heel arm  110  toward an uncollapsed configuration, as described in greater detail below. That is, in response to a user inserting his/her foot into the shoe, the heel arm  110  may pivot, rotate or otherwise collapse downward and/or backward, thereby tensioning (or further tensioning) the resilient member  130 . With the foot inside the shoe, the tension in the resilient member  130  exerts a force on the heel arm  110  to pivot, rotate or otherwise move the heel arm  110  upward and/or forward, thereby closing the shoe opening. 
     While the heel arm  110  and/or the resilient member  130  are coupled to the base  120  in example embodiments, in other embodiments, the heel arm  110  and/or the resilient member  130  are not coupled to the base  120 , but instead, are coupled to an upper of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . That is, the heel arm  110  and/or the resilient member  130  may be coupled to a medial and/or lateral side of an upper of the rapid-entry shoe  100 , with the resilient member providing the forward and upward bias described above. In various embodiments, for example, the upper may have sufficient structure to prevent forward or backward movement of the points where the heel arm  110  and resilient member  130  are coupled, thereby enabling the resilient member to provide sufficient tension to pivot, rotate or otherwise move the heel arm  110  upward and/or forward to return the shoe  100  to the uncollapsed configuration. 
     Turning to  FIGS.  2 A- 2 D , in example embodiments, the heel arm  110  is embedded within, extends along, forms or is otherwise coupled to a rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . The heel arm  110  is coupled to the base  120  at a rearward coupling point  115 , and the heel arm is configured to transition between a collapsed configuration (open position of the rapid-entry shoe  100 , in which an opening of the shoe is expanded for easier donning and doffing) and an uncollapsed configuration (closed position of the rapid-entry shoe  100 , in which an opening of the shoe is unexpanded for securing a foot inside the shoe). In the collapsed configuration ( FIG.  2 B ), the heel arm  110  is in a compressed state and bends or rotates downward and in the uncollapsed configuration ( FIG.  2 A ), the heel arm is oriented upwards (i.e., vertical or at an angle) and is in at least one of an uncompressed state, a reduced compressed state, and a partially bent state. 
     In example embodiments, the transition between the collapsed configuration and the uncollapsed configuration occurs without any bending or flexing of the base  120 . In example embodiments, the transition between the collapsed configuration and the uncollapsed configuration occurs without any inward deflection of the heel arm  110  (e.g., around the user&#39;s heel). In example embodiments, a plurality of dimensions of the resilient member  130  change during the transition between the collapsed configuration and the uncollapsed configuration, for example, length (greater in the collapsed configuration) and width (less in the collapsed configuration). 
     As contrasted in  FIGS.  2 C and  2 A , respectively, heel arm  110  can extend toward a rear portion of the shoe  100  generally in a single plane (i.e., be generally linear when viewed from the side, in two dimensions), or heel arm  110  can extend toward a rear portion of the shoe  100  with a curve or angle (i.e., be generally non-linear when viewed from the side, in two dimensions). 
     With specific reference to  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D , and as described below, the heel arm  110  may be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material, so maintain its shape between an uncollapsed configuration ( FIG.  2 C ) and a collapsed configuration ( FIG.  2 D ). 
     With momentary reference back to  FIGS.  1 A and  1 B , in example embodiments, the resilient member  130  is embedded within, extends along, forms or is otherwise coupled to a side portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . The resilient member  130  is coupled to the heel arm  110  at a heel arm coupling point  135  (and may terminate proximal such coupling point) and is further coupled to the base  120  at a forward coupling point  125  (and may terminate proximal such coupling point). The resilient member is configured to bias the heel arm  110  toward the uncollapsed configuration (closed position of the rapid-entry shoe  100 ). 
     In example embodiments, one or both of the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  are angled relative to the base  120 . More specifically, one or both of the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  can be angled upward from their respective coupling points toward the rear portion of the shoe  100 . 
     With reference back to  FIG.  2 C , and particularly, to the dotted lines therein, in accordance with various embodiments, in an uncollapsed configuration, an angle measured between heel arm  110  and base  120  is greater than an angle measured between resilient member  130  and base  120 . 
     With continued reference to the dotted lines in  FIGS.  2 C and  2 D , in accordance with various embodiments, the difference in an uncollapsed configuration of an angle measured between heel arm  110  and base  120  and an angle measured between resilient member  130  and base  120  is greater than the difference in a collapsed configuration of an angle measured between heel arm  110  and base  120  and an angle measured between resilient member  130  and base  120 . 
     In various embodiments, the forward coupling point  125 , which is the point where the resilient member  130  is coupled to the base  120 , is forward of the rearward coupling point  115 , which is the point where the heel arm  110  is coupled to the base  120 . Said differently, in example embodiments, the resilient member  130  extends farther forward (i.e., toward the toe-end of the shoe) than the heel arm  110 . 
     In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  has a side section and a heel section. The heel section is generally the section or piece of the heel arm  110  that is disposed at the rear of the rapid-entry shoe, and thus the heel section wraps around an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . The side section is generally the section or piece of the heel arm  110  that extends between the rearward coupling point and the heel arm coupling point. In various embodiments, the resilient member  130  is coupled to the heel arm  110  at a heel arm coupling point  135  substantially between the heel section and the side section. Said differently, one end of the resilient member  130  is coupled or indirectly coupled to the base  120 , but the other end is coupled generally to a region of the heel arm  110  between the side section and the heel section, according to various embodiments. 
     As described above, the heel arm  110  may be comprised of a rigid or semi-rigid material. In various embodiment, the heel arm  110  is resiliently deformable, such that it contributes, at least in part, to the upward and/or forward rebound caused by the resilient member  130 . In various embodiments, the heel arm  110 , in addition to imparting structure to the rear portion of the shoe  100  and to help the rear portion of the shoe  100  rebound back upward and/or forward after a user&#39;s foot is inserted in to the shoe, the heel arm  110  may prevent the rear portion of the shoe  100  from inward deflection into the shoe/foot opening. 
     In some embodiments, and with reference to  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B , the portion of the heel arm  110  adjacent the rearward coupling point  115  may be somewhat flexible/deformable in order to form a living hinge at the rearward coupling point  115 . Stated another way, an interface between the heel arm  110  and the base  120  at the rearward coupling point  115  can comprise a living hinge. In this regard,  FIG.  3 C  illustrates a close up view of the living hinge in  FIGS.  3 A and  3 B . In such embodiments, the hinge movement is accommodated by a relative decrease in the thickness of the material in the plane, and at the axis, where the hinge rotation takes place.  FIG.  3 D  illustrates an alternate embodiment of a hinge having a flange  111 , wherein the hinge movement is accommodated by the addition of the flange  111  in the plane, but removed from the axis, where the hinge rotation takes place. 
     In other embodiments, the rearward coupling point  115  may include a mechanical hinge. For example, and with reference to  FIGS.  4 A and  4 B , a base  120  can have a socket  121  to receive the end of a heel arm  110 , and accommodate movement thereof between an uncollapsed configuration ( FIG.  4 A ) and a collapsed configuration ( FIG.  4 B ). In such embodiments, the heel arm  110  may be coupled (as that term is broadly defined herein) within the socket  121 . 
       FIG.  4 C  illustrates another embodiment of a socket  121  to receive the end of a heel arm  110 , wherein the heel arm  110  has a locking extension  112  and wherein a dimension of the socket  121  corresponds to the locking extension  112 , such that the heel arm  110  is securely retained within the socket  121 . 
     In other embodiments of mechanical hinges, and with reference to  FIGS.  5 A- 5 C , heel arm  110  can be pivotably or rotatably coupled to base  120  at the rearward coupling point  115 , to thereby accommodate movement thereof between an uncollapsed configuration ( FIGS.  5 A and  5 C ) and a collapsed configuration ( FIG.  5 B ). This can be accomplished, for example, with a hinge pin  114 , as illustrated. 
     More generally, in accordance with example, embodiments, each of the forward coupling point  125  and the rearward coupling point  115  can be located on an exterior of a base or within a base  120  (i.e., resilient member  130  and heel arm  110  can extend into the base  120 ). 
     Importantly, in accordance with various example embodiments, the axis of rotation of heel arm  110  can extend through base  120  or above base  120  (e.g., in embodiments wherein heel arm  110  is coupled to an upper). 
     The resilient member  130  may be comprised of an elastic material, such as a textile or synthetic material, or may include springs or other biasing features configured to exert a forward and/or upward bias on the heel arm  110  (and a corresponding forward and/or upward bias on an upper  140  coupled to the heel arm  110 ). 
     In this regard, and with reference to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , the resilient member  130  may be used in connection with an upper  140 . However, and with reference to  FIGS.  7 A and  7 B , the resilient member  130  may comprised of an upper  140 . That is, the upper  140  may itself be elastic and exert a forward and/or upward bias on the heel arm  110 . In some embodiments, a distinct portion of the upper, e.g., an elastic gore  146 , exerts a forward and/or upward bias on the heel arm  110 . 
     With reference to  FIGS.  8 A and  8 B , the resilient member  130  may pass from outside an upper  140  to between layers of the upper  140  and/or to inside the upper  140 . In this regard, the upper  140  may comprise an opening  142  to receive the resilient member  130  and may further comprise a sleeve  144  (e.g., at the dotted lines) to receive the resilient member  130 . In this regard, the resilient member  130  can be configured to move independent of the upper  140 . 
     In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  comprise the same material. In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  are integrally formed and are thus sections of a unitary element. In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  are molded together. 
     With momentary reference back to  FIGS.  1 B and  1 C , the heel arm  110  may have an arc shape or a horse-shoe shape, and thus may extend backward and upward from the rearward coupling point  115  to wrap around an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100  (at or below the topline of the upper rear portion). In this regard, the heel arm  110  may comprise a heel section disposed between side two sections. The two side sections (e.g., a first side section and a second side section) may, in turn, be coupled to the base. That is, a first side section may be coupled to the base  120  at the rearward coupling point  115  and a second side section may be coupled to the base  120  at a rearward coupling point  116  on the opposite side of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . In this regard, the heel arm  110  may extend continuously between opposing sides of base  120 . In various embodiments, a forward coupling point  125  is located forward of the rearward coupling point  115 , and a forward coupling point  126  is located forward of the rearward coupling point  116 . Thus, in various embodiments, resilient member  130  may be a first resilient member  130 , and the rapid-entry shoe  100  may have a second resilient member  130 , with the first and second resilient members  130  extending on opposite sides of the rapid-entry shoe  100 . In various embodiments, the forward coupling points  125 / 126  are disposed on a forefoot portion or forward half of the shoe and the rearward coupling points  115 / 116  are disposed on a heel portion or rear half of the shoe. 
     Notwithstanding the foregoing, in various embodiments, the heel arm  110  may only extend along one side of the rapid-entry shoe  100 , and thus the heel arm  110  may only be coupled to the base  120  on one side of the shoe  100 . In such embodiments, the heel arm  110  may still include a heel section that wraps all or partially around an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100  (despite not having a side section or other support on the opposing side). In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  may actually include two separable elements. For example, there may be a first heel arm  110  on one side (e.g., lateral side) of the shoe  100  and a second heel arm  110  on a second side (e.g., medial side) of the shoe  100 . 
     In various embodiments, the rearward coupling point  115  (e.g., the location where the heel arm  110  is coupled to the base  120 ) does not move forward or backward. That is, the end of the heel arm  110  that extends from the base  120  does not move forward or backward along the shoe, but instead rotates or pivots about the rearward coupling point  115 . Notwithstanding the foregoing, the present disclosure contemplates embodiments wherein one or both of the heel arm  110  and the resilient member  130  can be coupled either at a point that moves, or at a plurality of different coupling points. 
     In use, the heel arm(s)  110  may be biased toward an uncollapsed configuration by the resilient member(s)  130 . In the uncollapsed configuration, heel arm  110  can secure a rear portion of rapid-entry shoe  100  about a user&#39;s heel. Said differently, in example embodiments, the heel arm(s)  110  may be collapsed downward (i.e., towards the base  120  of the rapid-entry shoe  100 ) to the collapsed configuration and the heel arm  110  may be returned upward (i.e., away from the base  120  of the rapid-entry shoe  100 ) to the uncollapsed configuration so as to extend around a user&#39;s heel. In various embodiments, while the compression of the heel arm  110  is greater in the collapsed configuration than in the uncollapsed configuration, the uncollapsed configuration of the heel arm  110  may still be at least partially compressed (i.e., preloaded compression) so as to be able to hold the rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100  about the heel of the user. For example, the rear portion of the shoe may hold or retain the heel arm  110  in the preloaded, uncollapsed configuration. In various embodiments, in the uncollapsed configuration the heel structure may be disposed in a more upright/vertical orientation and/or may have little to no compression. 
     As mentioned above, the heel arm  110  and resilient member  130  may be manufactured to be integral with or within finished shoes. In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  may be integrated within an upper rear portion of a shoe, or the heel arm  110  may be coupled to an exterior of an upper rear portion of a shoe. For example, the heel arm  110  may be coupled to or integrated within a heel or a heel cap, a heel counter or the like, or may be partially or fully exposed. In various embodiments, the heel arm  110  may be coupled to an exterior of an upper rear portion of the rapid-entry shoe  100 , and connected to the lower portion of the shoe  100 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. 
     As a non-limiting example, and with reference to  FIG.  9   , a plurality of heel arms  110  can cross or otherwise intersect or overlap one another and be pulled toward one another by their respective resilient members  130  coupled to the base  120  or the upper. 
     As another example, and with reference to  FIG.  10   , a rapid-entry shoe  100  can comprise a heel arm  110  and a resilient member  130 , each angled upward from their respective coupling points toward the front portion of the shoe  100 . 
     As yet another example, and with reference to  FIGS.  11 A- 11 D , a plurality of heel arms  110  can cross or otherwise intersect or overlap one another and be pulled toward one another by a single resilient member  130 , the resilient member being attached exclusively to the heel arms (i.e., not to the 120 base or the upper  140 ). With reference to  FIGS.  11 A and  11 B , the heel arms  110  can be attached to different coupling points on the base  120 , for independent pivoting or rotation. Alternatively, and with reference to  FIGS.  11 C and  11 D , the heel arms  110  can be attached to the same coupling point on the base  120 , for common pivoting or rotation. 
     As still another example, and with reference to  FIGS.  12 A and  12 B , a heel arm  110  can pivot or rotate at a coupling point  113  located above the base  120  and the heel arm  110  can be pulled toward an uncollapsed configuration by a resilient member  130  extending from the heel arm  110  rearward toward the base  120 . 
     Thus, it is intended that the embodiments described herein cover the modifications and variations of this disclosure provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the preceding description, including various alternatives together with details of the structure and function of the devices and/or methods. The disclosure is intended as illustrative only and as such is not intended to be exhaustive. It will be evident to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made, especially in matters of structure, materials, elements, components, shape, size and arrangement of parts including combinations within the principles of the invention, to the full extent indicated by the broad, general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. To the extent that these various modifications do not depart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims, they are intended to be encompassed therein.