Patent Publication Number: US-10772382-B2

Title: Shoe having stiffening features

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Not Applicable. 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     This disclosure pertains to shoes having stiffening features. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure pertains to a shoe having a sole and an upper. The upper is secured to the sole. The upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The upper has a toe region, a vamp region having a lateral vamp region and a medial vamp region, a throat region, and a quarter region. The toe region extends longitudinally to the vamp region, the vamp region extends longitudinally and laterally to the throat region, the lateral vamp region extends laterally and in a lateral direction from the throat region, the medial vamp region extends laterally and in a medial direction from the throat region, and the vamp region extends to the quarter region. The shoe further includes a lateral stiffening member coupled to the upper in the lateral vamp region. The lateral stiffening member is adapted and configured to stiffen the upper. The shoe further includes a medial stiffening member coupled to the upper in the medial vamp region. The medial stiffening member is adapted and configured to stiffen the upper. The sole extends longitudinally from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally from the sole heel end to the midfoot region, and the midfoot region extends longitudinally from the heel region to the ball region and has a lateral midfoot region and a medial midfoot region. The lateral midfoot region extends transversely from the lateral edge to the medial midfoot region, the medial midfoot region extends transversely from the medial edge to the lateral midfoot region, the ball region of the sole extends longitudinally from the midfoot region to the toe region, and the toe region extends longitudinally from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a sole member and a molded chassis. The sole member extends from the sole heel end to the sole toe end. The molded chassis is coupled to the sole member. The molded chassis has at least a midfoot region, the midfoot region extending upwardly above a portion of the upper. The midfoot region of the molded chassis member is in the midfoot region of the sole. The lateral stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and is spaced from the sole member. The lateral stiffening member is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region, and the lateral stiffening member defines at least one opening adapted and configured to receive a shoe lace. The medial stiffening member is spaced from the molded chassis and is spaced from the sole member. The medial stiffening member is operatively connected to the molded chassis in the midfoot region, and the medial stiffening member defines at least one opening adapted and configured to receive a shoe lace. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure pertains to a shoe having a sole and an upper. The upper is secured to the sole. The upper has a knitted element being formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine. The upper has a toe region, a vamp region having a lateral vamp region and a medial vamp region, a throat region, and a quarter region. The toe region extends longitudinally to the vamp region, the vamp region extends longitudinally and laterally to the throat region, the lateral vamp region extends laterally and in a lateral direction from the throat region, the medial vamp region extends laterally and in a medial direction from the throat region, and the vamp region extends to the quarter region. The shoe further includes a unitary one-piece stiffening member having a bottom portion, a lateral side portion, and a medial side portion. The bottom portion extends laterally between a first end and a second end, the second opposite the first end. The lateral side portion extends upwardly from the first end of bottom portion, and the medial side portion extends upwardly from the second end of the bottom portion. The sole extends longitudinally from a sole heel end to a sole toe end and extends transversely from a sole lateral edge to a sole medial edge. The sole includes a heel region, a midfoot region, a ball region and a toe region. The heel region extends longitudinally from the sole heel end to the midfoot region, and the midfoot region extends longitudinally from the heel region to the ball region and has a lateral midfoot region and a medial midfoot region. The lateral midfoot region extends transversely from the lateral edge to the medial midfoot region, the medial midfoot region extends transversely from the medial edge to the lateral midfoot region, the ball region of the sole extends longitudinally from the midfoot region to the toe region, and the toe region extends longitudinally from the ball region to the sole toe end. The sole has a sole member and a molded chassis. The sole member extends from the sole heel end to the sole toe end. The molded chassis is coupled to the sole member. The molded chassis has at least a midfoot region, the midfoot region extending upwardly above a portion of the upper. The midfoot region of the molded chassis member is in the midfoot region of the sole. The stiffening member is coupled to one or more of the sole member and the molded chassis member in the midfoot region. The lateral side portion of the stiffening member extends upwardly above the lateral midfoot region of the sole. The lateral side portion of the stiffening member overlaps a portion of the lateral vamp region of the upper. The medial side portion of the stiffening member extends upwardly above the medial midfoot region of the sole. The medial side portion of the stiffening member overlaps a portion of the medial vamp region of the upper. The lateral side of the stiffening member has at least one opening adapted and configured to receive a shoe lace, and the medial side of the stiffening member has at least one opening adapted and configured to receive a shoe lace. 
     Further features and advantages of the present disclosure, as well as the operation of the embodiments described herein, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe, the shoe including stiffening members. 
         FIG. 2  is a medial side view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a lateral side view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1   
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a medial side view of the sole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a lateral side view of the sole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the midsole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a front view of the midsole and the outsole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the sole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 11  is a bottom view of the midsole and outsole of the shoe shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line  12 - 12 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a shoe, the shoe including a stiffening member. 
         FIG. 14  is a lateral view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is a medial view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 16  is a top view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 17  is an exploded view of the shoe shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     Reference numerals in the written specification and in the drawing figures indicate corresponding items. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     An embodiment of a shoe in accordance with the present disclosure is indicated by reference numeral  10 . The shoe  10  includes a sole, generally indicated at  12 , and a knit upper, generally indicated at  14 . The sole  12  is secured to the upper  14 . For example, and without limitation, the upper  14  is stitched, glued, or otherwise suitably secured to the sole  12 . The shoe  10  extends forward from a heel end  18  to a toe end  19 . The knit upper  14  has a knitted element  20 . 
     The knitted element  20  is formed of a unitary one-piece construction during a knitting process on a knitting machine (not shown). The upper  14 , including the knitted element  20 , includes a toe region  22 , a vamp region  24 , a throat region  26 , and a quarter region  28 . The vamp region includes a lateral vamp region  30  and a medial vamp region  32 . The toe region  22  extends longitudinally to the vamp region  24 . The vamp region  24  extends longitudinally and laterally to the throat region  26 . The lateral vamp region  30  extends laterally and in a lateral direction from the throat region  26 . The medial vamp region  32  extends laterally and in a medial direction from the throat region  26 . The vamp region extends longitudinally to the quarter region  28 . 
     The knitted element  20  includes an integral tongue  27  within the throat region  26 . The integral tongue  27  is seamlessly connected with adjacent regions of the knitted element  20 . For example, the integral tongue  27  is seamlessly connected with the lateral vamp region  30  and the medial vamp region  32 . The integrated tongue  27  makes the upper  14  a sock-like upper. 
     The sole  12  extends longitudinally from a sole heel end  34  to a sole toe end  36 . The sole  12  further extends transversely from a sole lateral edge  38  to a sole medial edge  40 . The sole includes a heel region  42 , a midfoot region  44 , a ball region  46  and a toe region  48 . The heel region  42  extends longitudinally from the sole heel end  34  to the midfoot region  44 . The midfoot region  44  extends longitudinally from the heel region  42  to the ball region  46 . The midfoot region  44  has a lateral midfoot region  50  and a medial midfoot region  52 . The lateral midfoot region  50  extends transversely from the lateral edge  38  to the medial midfoot region  52 . The medial midfoot region  52  extends transversely from the medial edge  40  to the lateral midfoot region  50 . The ball region  46  of the sole  12  extends longitudinally from the midfoot region  44  to the toe region  48 . The toe region  48  extends longitudinally from the ball region  46  to the sole toe end  36 . 
     The sole  12  includes a sole member  54  and a molded chassis  56 . The sole member  54  extends from the sole heel end  34  to the sole toe end  36 . The molded chassis  56  is coupled to the sole member  54 . For example, and without limitation, the molded chassis  56  is coupled to the sole member  54  with one or more of adhesive, stitching, or other suitable material or technique. The molded chassis  56  has at least a midfoot region  58 . The midfoot region  58  extends upwardly above a portion of the upper  14 . The midfoot region  58  of the molded chassis member  56  is in the midfoot region of the sole  44 . 
     The shoe  10  further includes a lateral stiffening member  60  and a medial stiffening member  62 . Both the lateral stiffening member  60  and the medial stiffening member  62  are adapted and configured to stiffen the upper  14 . For example, and without limitation, the stiffening members are coupled to the knitted element  20  (e.g., using stitching, adhesive, or the like) such that stretching between adjacent rows and/or columns of stitches is limited. Additionally or alternatively, the stiffening members are constructed of a material that has a higher resistance to stretching (e.g., a higher Young&#39;s Modulus) than that of the knitted element  20 . Because the stiffening members are coupled to the upper  14 , the overall stretchiness of the upper  14  is limited in one or more directions by the stiffening members. For example, and without limitation, the stiffening members are constructed of leather, imitation leather, plastic, or other suitable materials. As a result of the interlinking of rows and/or columns of stitches and/or the higher stretch resistance of the stiffening members, stretching of the upper  14  in one or more directions is limited by the stiffening members coupled to the upper  14 . 
     The lateral stiffening member  60  is coupled to the upper  14  in the lateral vamp region  30 . For example, the lower edge of the lateral stiffening member  60  is stitched to the knitted element  20  in the lateral vamp region  30 . Alternatively, the lateral stiffening member  60  is adhered to the knitted element  20 . The lateral stiffening member  60  is coupled to the knitted element  20  adjacent the throat region  26 . 
     The medial stiffening member  62  is coupled to the upper  14  in the medial vamp region  32 . For example, the lower edge of the medial stiffening member  62  is stitched to the knitted element  20  in the medial vamp region  32 . Alternatively, the medial stiffening member  62  is adhered to the knitted element  20 . The medial stiffening member  62  is coupled to the knitted element  20  adjacent the throat region  26 . 
     Both the medial stiffening member  62  and the lateral stiffening member  60  are spaced from the molded chassis member  56 . The lateral stiffening member  60  and the medial stiffening member  62  are also spaced from the sole member  54 . The lateral stiffening member  60  is operatively connected to the molded chassis  56  in at least the lateral midfoot region  50 . The lateral stiffening member  60  may also be operatively connected to the sole member  54  in the lateral midfoot region  50 . The lateral stiffening member  60  is further operatively coupled to the sole member  54  in the ball region  46 . For example, the lateral stiffening member  60  is operatively coupled to the molded chassis  56  and/or the sole member  54  by a plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64 . The lateral reinforcing threads  64  extend downwardly from the throat region  26  of the upper  14  and toward the sole member  54 . The plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64  are adapted and configured to limit stretching of the knit upper  14  in at least one direction by securing adjacent rows of knit stitches. For example, the plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64  limits stretching of the knit upper  14  in a direction parallel with one or more of the plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64 . Each reinforcing thread interlinks adjacent rows of stitches by passing through the stitches. This ties the adjacent rows of stitches together to limit stretching. Similarly, the reinforcing threads may interlock adjacent columns. For example, some of the lateral reinforcing threads may extend diagonally from the lateral stiffening member  60  to the molded chassis  56  and/or the sole member  54 . The lateral stiffening member  60  overlaps at least a portion of at least some of the plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64  where the lateral stiffening member  60  is coupled to the upper  14 . Using a combination of lateral reinforcing threads  64  at different angles, the plurality of lateral reinforcing threads  64  limits stretching of the knit upper  14  in one or more of an upward direction, a lateral direction, and a longitudinal direction. 
     The medial stiffening member  62  is operatively connected to the molded chassis  56  in at least the medial midfoot region  52 . The medial stiffening member  62  may also be operatively connected to the sole member  54  in the medial midfoot region  20 . The medial stiffening member  62  is further operatively coupled to the sole member  54  in the ball region  46 . For example, the medial stiffening member  62  is operatively coupled to the molded chassis  56  and/or the sole member  54  by a plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66 . The medial reinforcing threads  66  extend downwardly from the throat region  26  of the upper  14  and toward the sole member  54 . The plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66  are adapted and configured to limit stretching of the knit upper  14  in at least one direction by securing adjacent rows of knit stitches. For example, the plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66  limits stretching of the knit upper  14  in a direction parallel with one or more of the plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66 . Each reinforcing thread interlinks adjacent rows of stitches by passing through the stitches. This ties the adjacent rows of stitches together to limit stretching. Similarly, the reinforcing threads may interlock adjacent columns. For example, some of the medial reinforcing threads may extend diagonally from the medial stiffening member  62  to the molded chassis  56  and/or the sole member  54 . The medial stiffening member  62  overlaps at least a portion of at least some of the plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66  where the medial stiffening member  62  is coupled to the upper  14 . Using a combination of medial reinforcing threads  66  at different angles, the plurality of medial reinforcing threads  66  limits stretching of the knit upper  14  in one or more of an upward direction, a lateral direction, and a longitudinal direction. 
     The lateral stiffening member  60  and the medial stiffening member  62  each define at least one opening  68  adapted and configured to receive a shoe lace. With a lace passing through the openings  68  of the lateral and medial stiffening members  60 ,  62 , the midfoot of the shoe  10  is able to be securely laced around a user&#39;s foot. By securing the two stiffening members together with the lacing, the overall stiffness of the shoe  10  is further increased. In this way, the looseness and high stretchiness of the knit construction of the upper  14  can be mitigated while retaining the benefits of a knit upper (e.g., breathability). 
     In some embodiments, the shoe  10  further includes a toe stiffening member  70 . The toe stiffening member  70  is coupled to the knitted element  20  in the toe region  22 . The toe stiffening member  70  is adhered to the knitted element  20  in the toe region  22  such that adjacent rows and/or columns of stitches are secured to one another thereby increasing the stiffness and limiting stretching of the knitted element  20  in the toe region  22 . The toe stiffening member  70  may be any suitable material, such as leather, plastic, transparent or semi-transparent plastic or polymer, or the like. The toe stiffening member  70  may also be attached to the knitted upper using any suitable method such as stitching, adhesive, or the like. 
     The molded chassis  56  may also further stiffen the shoe  10  and/or otherwise provide support to a user&#39;s foot. In some embodiments, the molded chassis  56  includes, in addition to the midfoot region  58 , a heel region  72  and a heel end region  74 . The heel region  72  and the heel end region  74  extend upwardly above a portion of the upper  14 . The heel end region  74  extends longitudinally from the sole heel end  34  to the heel region  72  of the molded chassis  56 . The heel region  72  of the molded chassis  56  extends longitudinally from the heel end region  74  of the molded chassis  56  to the midfoot region of the molded chassis  58 . The midfoot region  58  of the molded chassis  56  extends longitudinally from the heel region  72  of the molded chassis  56  toward the sole toe end  36 . 
     The molded chassis member  56  generally decreases in height from the sole member  54  as the molded chassis member  56  extends from the heel end region  74 . At least a portion of the heel end region  74  of the molded chassis  56  extends vertically from the sole member  54  a first length. At least a portion of the heel region  72  of the molded chassis  56  extends vertically from the sole member  54  a second length, the second length being lesser than the first length. At least a portion of the midfoot region  58  of the molded chassis  56  extends vertically from the sole member  54  a third length, the third length being lesser than the second length. 
     In some embodiments, the molded chassis  56  includes a notched portion  76  in the heel region  72 . The notched portion  76  is concave and extends downwardly toward the sole member  54 . The notched portion  76  may increase flexibility of the molded chassis  56  in the heel region  72 , while the molded chassis  56  increases rigidity in other areas of the shoe  10  (e.g., to support the Achilles tendon, midfoot, etc.). 
     In some embodiments, the sole member  54  has a heel portion  78 , a midfoot portion  80 , a ball portion  82 , and a toe portion  84 . The heel portion  78  extends from the sole heel end  34  toward the midfoot region  44  and from the sole medial edge  40  to the sole lateral edge  38 . The midfoot portion  80  extends from the heel portion  78  to the ball portion  82  and being only in the lateral midfoot region  50 . The medial midfoot region  52  of the sole  12  is devoid of the midfoot portion  80  of the sole member  54  such that the chassis member  56  is visible as viewed in a bottom plan view. The ball portion  82  of the sole member  54  extends from the midfoot portion  80  toward the sole toe end  36  and from the sole medial edge  40  to the sole lateral edge  38 . The toe portion  84  of the sole member  54  extending from the ball portion  82  to the sole toe end  36  and from the sole medial edge  40  to the sole lateral edge  38 . 
     The heel portion  78  of the sole member  54  curves inward and convexly from the sole medial edge  40  toward the sole toe end  36  and to a first apex  86 . The first apex  86  faces toward the sole toe end  36 . The heel portion  78  of the sole member  54  curves inward and convexly from the first apex  86  toward an inflection point  88  and a second apex  90 . The inflection point is positioned longitudinally between the first apex  86  and the second apex  90 . The heel portion  78  of the sole member  54  curves inward and concavely from the inflection point  88  to the second apex  90 . The second apex faces toward the sole heel end  34 . The heel portion  78  of the sole member  54  curves inward and concavely away from the second apex  90  toward the sole lateral edge  38  and tapers toward the sole lateral edge  38  as the heel portion  78  extends toward the sole toe  36 . The ball portion  82  of the sole member  54  curves inward and convexly from the sole medial edge  40  toward the sole heel end  34  and to a third apex  91 . The third apex faces toward the sole heel end  34 . The ball portion  82  curves inward and convexly from the third apex  91  toward the sole lateral edge  38 . 
     In some embodiments, the heel portion  78  of the sole member  54  is thicker than the ball portion  82  of the sole member  54  and thicker than the toe portion  84  of the sole member  54 . The sole member  54  is generally cup shaped defining a cavity  92 . The molded chassis  56  is positioned within the cavity  92  such that the sole member  54  extends upwardly above a portion of the molded chassis  56 . 
     In some embodiments, the shoe  10  further includes an outsole  93 . The outsole  93  is adapted and configured to engage with the ground. The outsole  93  extends from the sole heel end  34  to the sole toe end  36  and is coupled to the sole member  54 . The outsole includes a first outsole member  94  and a second outsole member  95 . The first outsole member  94  extends longitudinally from the sole heel end  34  to the midfoot region  44 . The second outsole member  95  extends longitudinally from the sole toe end  36  to the midfoot region  44 . The first outsole member  94  is separated from the second outsole member  95 . This increases flexibility of the sole  12  in the midfoot region  44 . 
     In some embodiments, the shoe  10  further includes an insole  96  and a shank  97 . The insole  96  is positioned within the upper  14  and extends from the toe end  19  to the heel end  18 . The insole further extends laterally between the lateral edge and medial edge of the shoe  10 . The insole includes a cutout  98  in the ball region, the midfoot region, and the heel region. The cutout is adapted and configured to receive the shank  97  such that the shank  97  is flush with the toe region of the insole  96  when positioned within the cutout  98 . The shank is coupled to the insole  96  and extends longitudinally and continuously from the heel end  78  to within the ball region of the shoe  10 . The shank  97  has a medial portion  99  and a lateral portion  100 . The medial portion of the shank  99  extends closer to toe end  19  than the lateral portion  100  of the shank  97 . Advantageously, this non-symmetrical configuration compensates for the shape of the sole member  54  which is not present in the medial midfoot region  52  of the sole  12 . The shank  97  stiffens the sole  12  and supports a user&#39;s foot within the shoe  10 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 13-17  another embodiment of the shoe  10  is shown and is generally indicated with reference numeral  110 . It should be understood that parts referred to with similar reference numerals in each embodiment share substantially the same or the same function and/or characteristics. For example, and without limitation, the shoe  10  includes a molded chassis  56  and the shoe  110  includes a molded chassis  156 . Where substantially different, the components of the shoe  110  are further described below. 
     The shoe  110  does not include lateral or medial reinforcing threads. The shoe  110  has a single piece outsole  193  that may include several through openings. The molded chassis member  156  includes a through opening  201  in the heel region  172 . 
     The shoe  110  includes a unitary one-piece stiffening member  203 . This is in contrast to the two separate stiffening members of the shoe  10 . The one-piece stiffening member  203  has a bottom portion  205 , a lateral side portion  207 , and a medial side portion  209 . The bottom portion  205  extending laterally between a first end  211  and a second end  213 , the second opposite the first end. The lateral side portion  207  extends upwardly from the first end  211  of the bottom portion  205 . The medial side portion  209  extends upwardly from the second end  213  of the bottom portion  205 . The stiffening member  203  is positioned between the molded chassis  156  and the upper  114 . More specifically, the bottom portion  205  is in contact with the midfoot region  158  of the molded chassis member  156  (e.g., the bottom portio  205  is stitched, glued or otherwise attached to the molded chassis member  156  in the midfoot region  158 ). The upper  114  is positioned over the bottom portion  205  and between the lateral side portion  207  and the medial side portion  209 . The upper  114  may be secured to the stiffening member  203 . For example, and without limitation, the upper  114  may be stitched or glued to the bottom portion  205 . The lateral side portion  207  and the medial side portion  209  are not coupled to the upper  114  but are capable of moving independently from the upper  114 . The stiffening  203  stiffens the upper  114  when the shoe  110  is laced, as the laces pass through openings  168  in the stiffening member  203 . Additionally, the stiffening member  203  is constructed of a stiffer material than the knit upper  114 . For example, and without limitation, the stiffening member  203  is constructed of leather, imitation leather, rubber, plastic, or any other suitable material. In alternative embodiments, the lateral side portion  207  and/or medial side portion  209  are coupled to the upper (e.g., stitched or glued to the upper). 
     In view of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the shoe of the disclosure has several advantages over the prior art. 
     As various modifications could be made in the constructions and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the disclosure, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. For example, the wedge shoe may be any type of wedge shoe, such as a wedge sandal, a wedge pump, an open-toe wedge, a platform wedge, etc. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents 
     It should also be understood that when introducing elements in the present disclosure in the claims or in the above description of exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, the terms “comprising,” “including,” and “having” are intended to be open-ended and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. Additionally, the term “portion” should be construed as meaning some or all of the item or element that it qualifies. Moreover, use of identifiers such as first, second, and third should not be construed in a manner imposing any relative position or time sequence between limitations.