Abstract:
A step-in apparatus and counter for a shoe are provided. The step-in apparatus allows a wearer to easily put on and take off a shoe without bending over, manipulating shoe laces, or using a shoe horn. The step-in apparatus and related counter allow the counter to deform and then return to its original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe. This controlled deformation allows for ease of foot entry and exit without the need for laces, gores, or external devices such as shoe horns. The present invention is useful for those that lack the physical dexterity to bend over, tie shoe laces, or otherwise put on and take off shoes. In addition, the comfort and ease of use of the present invention makes for a new shoe that has universal appeal.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically to a step-in apparatus that provides both deformation and subsequent shape retention of a shoe&#39;s counter. 
         [0003]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0004]    Many forms of footwear have been developed over the centuries. Sandals may be considered the most basic of all footwear, allowing a user to easily slip them on and off, while providing limited protection for the bottom of the foot. Sandals are easy to take on and off, but may also slip off unintentionally while wearing them. A sandal may come off easily while running, and provides limited protection to one&#39;s foot. Shoes, however, contact and firmly retain not only the toes and instep of one&#39;s foot, but also the heel. The back portion of a shoe that makes contact with the wearer&#39;s heel is called the heel counter, or just counter. The counter provides retention of the heel within the shoe, and prevents the shoe from coming oil while walking or running. While this is important in preventing falls and injuries, the counter also makes placement of the shoe on one&#39;s foot cumbersome. Many shoes have laces that must be loosened in order for the foot to slip into the shoe easily, and then must be tightened up and tied before wearing. This procedure takes some time, and may be difficult for those that are impatient, in a hurry, or lack the physical dexterity to tie shoe laces. Children, for example, often lack the dexterity, or sometimes just the patience, to stop and tie their shoes. Many times the shoe laces are loosened up, remain tied, and the wearer simply forces their foot into the shoe, usually crushing the heel counter in the process. Repeated crushing of the heel counter will eventually ruin the shoe, as the counter will no longer have the structural integrity to retain the wearer&#39;s heel, and will oftentimes tear or otherwise come apart. Slip on shoes have gained in popularity over the years, and frequently use a gore to allow for expansion of the shoe when worn. A gore is a piece of elastic material placed in the shoe upper to allow the upper to expand to more easily accommodate a wearer&#39;s foot. Slip on shoes that have a counter still, however, require care to be taken so that the counter is not crushed and broken down or destroyed. The physical integrity of the counter is important for proper shoe fit and retention. The shoe horn was developed to address the need to protect the heel counter and make a shoe easier to put on. A shoe horn prevents the heel counter from crushing, and thus makes the shoe easier to put on. Use of a shoe horn does, however, add time and complexity to the simple process of putting on a shoe. While useful, many do not bother with the use of a shoe horn, but rather, resort to using their finger or just crushing the counter. There have been various attempts over the years to reinforce the heel counter by adding additional material such as leather or a plastic heel cup. These attempts at strengthening the counter do not make the shoe easier to put on, but may in some cases extend the life of a counter that would otherwise be subject to repeated crushing by the wearer. What is needed is a counter that deforms to allow ease of entry of the foot, and then returns to it&#39;s original shape without damaging the structural integrity of the counter or the shoe overall. It is thus an object of the present invention to provide a step-in apparatus that attaches to a counter to provide deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is another object of the present invention to provide a counter that contains a step-in apparatus for deformation and subsequent shape retention of the counter. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide footwear that has a counter containing a step-in apparatus for ease of use. 
         [0005]    These and other objects of the present invention are not to be considered comprehensive or exhaustive, but rather, exemplary of objects that may be ascertained after reading this specification with the accompanying drawings and claims. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a step-in apparatus comprising an intrasole plate of a generally planar form, a counter support attached to one end of the intrasole plate, a counter support insert placed within the counter support, and a compressive element between the counter support and the counter support insert. The step-in apparatus may be contained within a counter, which may further be contained within a shoe of the present invention. 
         [0007]    The foregoing paragraph has been provided by way of introduction, and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention as described in this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The invention will be described by reference to the following drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0019]      FIG. 11  is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0020]      FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0021]      FIG. 13  is a side plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0022]      FIG. 14  is a rear plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0023]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed; 
           [0024]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed; 
           [0025]      FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed; 
           [0026]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view of a shoe of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with sides; 
           [0028]      FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a counter of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of a counter of the present invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 22  is a front plan view of a counter of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 23  is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of  FIG. 22 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 24  is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of  FIG. 22  and further showing insertion of the step-in apparatus; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 25A-25E  depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer&#39;s foot; and 
           [0034]      FIG. 26  depict a shoe of the present invention being removed from a wearers foot. 
       
    
    
       [0035]    The present invention will be described in connection with a preferred embodiment, however, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention to the embodiment described. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by this specification, claims and the attached drawings. 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0036]    For a general understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals have been used throughout to designate identical elements. 
         [0037]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus. As can be appreciated after reviewing this specification and the accompanying drawings, the step-in apparatus  100  is assembled with a shoe or, in some embodiments of the present invention, may be added to a shoe, to provide ease of foot entry and exit without compromising the shoe&#39;s counter. The present invention may be considered a step-in apparatus, a counter, as well as a shoe having a step-in apparatus. In some embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus is integral to, and a part of, the shoe or the counter. In other embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus may be attached to, or otherwise affixed to the shoe or the counter. The step-in apparatus  100  has an intrasole plate  101  of a generally planar form. Additional attributes such as sides, varying geometries, and sizes, may be added to accommodate specific footwear and applications, and are considered within the spirit and broad scope of the present invention as described and depicted herein. An example of such an optional feature is the shank hole  103  that is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of the shank hole  103  may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or the shank hole  103  may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. The intrasole plate  101  may be fabricated from a plastic such as, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials that may be formed into a generally planar structure may also be used. A counter support  105  can be seen in  FIG. 1  attached to the intrasole plate  101 . The counter support  105  may also be made from a plastic such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. The counter support  105  is attached to the intrasole plate  101  by techniques such as the use of mechanical fasteners, for example, screws or rivets, adhesives, or the counter support  105  and the intrasole plate  101  may be molded or otherwise formed or machined as one piece. The counter support  105  is generally hollow to accommodate a counter support insert  107  that can be further seen in  FIGS. 9-14 . The counter support insert  107  may be made from a material similar to that of the counter support  105 , or may be of a different material. Examples of materials to be used include plastics such as for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polytetrafluoroethylene, and the like. Bioplastics may also be used in some embodiments of the present invention. In addition, reinforced plastics, metals, and other materials may also be used. The counter support insert  107  may be made by injection molding, casting, machining, or a combination thereof. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the counter support insert  107  may, in some embodiments of the present invention, have a conformal line feature  109  that provides comfort and also may provide aesthetic conformance to the lines of a shoe. A detent  111  can also be seen as an angular change in shape of the counter support insert  107  that prevents the counter support insert  107  from traveling too far down into the counter support  105 . Other forms of stops or detents may also be used to limit travel of the counter support insert  107  into the counter support  105 . As will be depicted and described in further detail later in this specification, the counter support insert  107  pushes against or is otherwise fastened to an elastic element such as a spring, a memory foam, a metal, or the like, to allow the counter support insert  107  to travel down into the counter support  105  when pressure is applied to it, and then return to it&#39;s original state once pressure is removed. 
         [0038]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus. The planar structure of the intrasole plate  101  can be seen. Various embodiments of the present invention may have different shapes of the intrasole plate  101  to accommodate variations in shoe size, shoe style, shoe function, and the like. As stated previously, the shank hole  103  is depicted as a square hole for accommodating a shank. The overall shape of the shank hole  103  may vary depending on the shank and the shoe itself, or the shank hole  103  may not be present at all in some embodiments of the present invention. Two cut lines are depicted to provide further insight into the exemplary counter support and counter support insert interoperability by way of  FIGS. 7 and 8 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 3  is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus. The counter support insert  107  is seen in the extended position with an arrow to indicate the general direction of travel of the counter support insert  107  with respect to the counter support  105 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of the step-in apparatus. In this view, the optional conformal line feature  109  can be seen along with the exemplary detent  111 . To assist with proper alignment and range of motion of the counter support insert  107  within the counter support  105 , various guiding structures may be employed. For example, a guide and channel arrangement, a guide pin arrangement, a beveled edge arrangement, or the like. By example, and not limitation, the drawings depict a guide and channel arrangement where the guide is located on the inside of the counter support  105  and the channel is located on the counter support insert  107 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the channel is located on the inside of the counter support  105  and the guide is located on the counter support insert  107 . Other embodiments may employ multiple guide and channel structures, guide pin structures, beveled structures, or the like. 
         [0041]      FIG. 5  is a front plan view of the step-in apparatus. Again, the counter support insert  107  is depicted in the extended position where no force has been applied to compress the counter support insert within the counter support  105 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 6  is a rear plan view of the step-in apparatus also showing the counter support insert  107  in the extended position. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line A-A of  FIG. 2 . As can be seen in  FIG. 7 , the counter support insert  107  has a first pin  701  to assist in guiding the counter support insert  107  into the counter support  105  and also to shorten the length of the first spring  705 . The first pin  701  may also have, in some embodiments of the present invention, a first pin spring retention element  703  for retaining one end of the first spring  705 . Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining the first spring  705  to the first pin  701 . The cavity or void in the counter support  105  that accommodates the counter support insert  107  may also have a first spring cavity retention element  707  for retaining the first spring  705  to the counter support  105 . Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining the first spring  705  to the counter support  105 . In the exemplary embodiment depicted in the drawings, there are two pins and two related springs along with associated spring retention elements. Other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever. 
         [0044]      FIG. 8  is a cutaway side plan view of the step-in apparatus taken along line B-B of  FIG. 2 . Along this cutaway view, the springs cannot be seen as the cut is made through the middle of the counter support  105  and the counter support insert  107 . 
         [0045]      FIGS. 9-14  depict an example of the counter support insert  107  with two pins. As noted previously, other embodiments of the present invention may have one pin or more than two pins, or may have a guiding structure that does not have pins whatsoever. 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of the counter support insert  107  of the step-in apparatus. A first pin  701  and a second pin  901  are depicted. There may be one pin or more than two pins, or a guiding structure with no pins whatsoever, in some embodiments of the present invention. Also depicted is a first pin spring retention element  703  and a second pin spring retention element for attaching a spring (not shown) to each pin. Other structures such as tabs, slots, and the like, may also be used for retaining a spring to each pin. The pins or other guiding structures may be made from the same material as the counter support insert  107  and cast or otherwise formed together with the counter support insert or separate from the counter support insert  107 . In some embodiments of the present invention, the pins or other guiding structures may be made from a material different from the counter support insert  107  and mechanically or chemically attached to the counter support insert  107 . 
         [0047]      FIG. 10  is a top plan view of the counter support insert  107  of the step-in apparatus. Depicted is an optional conformal line feature  109 , as previously described. 
         [0048]      FIG. 11  is a front plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus and  FIG. 12  is a bottom plan view of the counter support insert of the step-in apparatus clearly showing the first pin  701  and the second pin  901  along with the related first pin spring retention element  703  and the second pin spring retention element  903 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 13  is a side plan view of the counter support insert  107  of the step-in apparatus and  FIG. 14  is a rear plan view of the counter support insert  107  of the step-in apparatus. As seen in  FIG. 14 , a channel  1401  is clearly visible. The channel  1401  serves to guide the travel of the counter support insert  107  within the counter support  105  by coupling with a guide  1505  in the counter support  105 , which can be seen in  FIG. 15 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. The guide  1505  can be seen in the counter support cavity  1503 . The guide  1505  and also the associated counter support cavity  1503  may have different geometries or physical attributes in some embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that in some embodiments of the present invention the intrasole plate  101  may have a geometry that is dependent on the shoe or the shoe application. An optional sizing mark  1501  is depicted where the intrasole plate  101  may be trimmed to a smaller size to accommodate, for example, small shoe sizes or children&#39;s shoes. 
         [0051]      FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed, again clearly showing the guide  1505  and the counter support cavity  1503 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 17  is a side plan view of the step-in apparatus with the counter support insert removed. The first spring cavity retention element  707  can be seen clearly. 
         [0053]    The present invention includes a shoe having a step-in apparatus  100 . An example of a shoe having a step-in apparatus  100  is depicted by way of the exploded perspective view of  FIG. 18 . Assembly of the components of the shoe depicted in  FIG. 18  is by way of conventional shoe construction techniques such as adhesives and stitching. A sole  1801  is depicted that may be made from rubber, leather, or a similar material. The step-in apparatus  100  is placed on the sole  1801  and there may optionally be a shank  1803  made of a plastic, a metal, or the like. A midsole  1805  is then placed on the intrasole plate of the step-in apparatus  100  and an upper  1807  is then affixed to the overall assembly and the sole  1801 . The upper  1807  may be made from a synthetic or a natural material such as canvas, leather, plastic, or the like. The upper  1807  further has a counter that retains the step-in apparatus  100 . 
         [0054]    Other geometries may be added to the step-in apparatus. For example,  FIG. 19  is a front perspective view of the step-in apparatus with sides  1901 . 
         [0055]    It should be noted that various counters may be used with the step-in apparatus. A counter of the present invention  2001  is depicted in  FIG. 20  in perspective view. The counter  2001  may be made from a soft and shock absorbent material such as a microcellular urethane such as Poron® by Rogers Corporation, or an ethyl vinyl acetate, or the like. 
         [0056]      FIG. 21  is a bottom plan view of a counter  2001  of the present invention. In this view, a void  2101  can be seen where a step-in apparatus may be inserted.  FIG. 22  is a front plan view of a counter  2001  of the present invention.  FIG. 23  is a cutaway side plan view of a counter of the present invention taken along line D-D of  FIG. 22 . In this view, the void  2101  can be seen. The void  2101  may be cast along with the counter  2001 , or may be machined or otherwise cut. Additionally, in some embodiments of the present invention, multiple layers of like or dissimilar materials may be combined in such a way as to form a suitable void  2101  for receiving a step-in apparatus  100 . 
         [0057]      FIG. 24  is a cutaway side plan view of a counter  2001  of the present invention taken along line D-D of  FIG. 22  and further showing insertion of the step-in apparatus  100 . The step-in apparatus  100  is placed in the void  2101  in the direction shown by the arrow in  FIG. 24 . Once the step-in apparatus  100  is placed within the void  2101 , the overall counter assembly may be incorporated in a shoe. Additionally, and in some embodiments of the present invention, the step-in apparatus  100  may be placed or installed in the shoe after the counter is stitched or otherwise joined to the upper. 
         [0058]    Once the step-in apparatus and related counter are fabricated into or otherwise installed in a shoe, use is very straightforward.  FIGS. 25A-25E  depict a shoe of the present invention being placed on a wearer&#39;s foot. As one places their foot, toe first, into the shoe, as seen in  FIG. 25A , and then inserts their foot into the shoe as seen in  FIG. 25B , a slight downward pressure applied from one&#39;s heel onto the counter will compress the step-in apparatus  100  as seen in  FIG. 25C . This compression will make entry of the foot into the shoe much easier, as seen in  FIG. 25D , and once the wearer&#39;s foot is completely in the shoe, the step-in apparatus  100  will return to it&#39;s normal (non-compressed) state, and the counter will also return to an upright position. The shoe is now properly placed on the wearer&#39;s foot. To easily remove the shoe, as seen in  FIG. 26 , the counter is depressed along with the step-in apparatus by way of the wearer&#39;s other foot or the like, and now the foot may easily be removed from the shoe without obstruction or difficulty. This process can be repeated many times without damaging or deforming the counter or the shoe, and provides a true slip on shoe that is not cumbersome or difficult to use. 
         [0059]    It is, therefore, apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the various objects of the present invention, a step-in apparatus, counter and shoe. While the various objects of this invention have been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of this specification, claims and the attached drawings.