Patent Description:
The present teachings relate to an article of footwear having an upper with a rear section that moves by articulating or otherwise relative to a sole structure and/or a front section of the upper.

Traditionally, placing footwear on a foot often requires the use of one or both hands to stretch the ankle opening of an upper, and hold the rear portion during foot insertion. The fit of the upper is then adjusted following foot insertion, such as by tying laces. <CIT> describes a footwear including a shell with a heel section and a front section defining a lateral slit and a medial slit between the heel section and the front section, the footwear having a lateral magnetic closure associated with the medial slit and the heel section is configured to support a user's heel when the lateral magnetic closure and the medial magnetic closure are closed. <CIT> describes an article of footwear wherein an opening can be extended into the toe box to allow for insertion and removal of a foot. <CIT> describes a shoe comprising a heel plate linked to a lower surface of an insole by a hinge allowing said heel plate to move relative to said insole, between a first open position and a second closed position against the lower surface of the insole behind said hinge.

The claimed invention is defined by the subject-matter of the independent claim. Additional embodiments are defined by the dependent claims.

An article of footwear has an upper that enables hands-free foot entry into the article of footwear, and includes magnets for hands-free coupling of the article of footwear to the foot. The article of footwear can then be further secured to the foot manually with lace guides and a lace. Within the scope of the present disclosure, the article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is operatively secured to the sole structure at least partially rearward of the front section, and includes a medial wing and a lateral wing. A medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. A lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing.

The rear section is movable relative to the front section between an access position and a use position. In the access position, the medial wing and the lateral wing are spaced apart from the sole structure with a distal end of the medial wing and a distal end of the lateral wing both remote from the sole structure and further apart from one another than in the use position. In the use position, the distal end of the medial wing is adjacent to the front section with the at least one rear medial magnet coupled to the at least one front medial magnet and the distal end of the lateral wing is adjacent to the front section with the at least one rear lateral magnet coupled to the at least one front lateral magnet. In examples with multiple front and rear medial magnets and multiple front and rear lateral magnets, the magnets may attract rearward to forward in a zipper-like fashion to help move the rear section to the use position. Accordingly, the article of footwear with the divided upper portion may enable hands-free foot entry in the access position, while the magnetically coupled front and rear upper sections secure the foot in the use position.

Lace guides and a lace further secure the rear section to the front section in the use position. More specifically, the article of footwear further comprises at least a first portion of a lace guide secured to the medial wing or the lateral wing. In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, both the medial wing and the lateral wing have at least a first portion of a lace guide secured thereto. The lace guide is a split lace guide, with the first portion of the lace guide secured to the medial wing or the lateral wing, and a second portion of the lace guide secured to the front section. The first portion and the second portion are spaced apart from one another when the rear section is in the access position and are adjacent to one another when the rear section is in the use position.

The split lace guide may utilize magnets to help couple the portions to one another in the use position. For example, the first portion of the lace guide and the second portion of the lace guide may each define a cavity, and the article of footwear may further comprise a first magnet in the cavity of the first portion, and a second magnet in the cavity of the second portion. An end of the first magnet adjacent to an end of the second magnet in the use position has an opposite polarity from the end of the second magnet.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear may further comprise a plurality of lace-receiving elements on the front section, and a lace extending through at least some of the plurality of the lace receiving elements and around the at least a portion of the lace guide when the rear section is in the use position. In this manner, the lace both tightens the front section, and helps secure the rear section to the front section via the lace guide.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a magnet housing defining at least one cavity. The magnet housing is embedded in the medial wing or the lateral wing. A respective one of the at least one rear medial magnet and the at least one rear lateral magnet is in the at least one cavity.

In different examples, the front and rear medial and lateral sets of magnets can interface in different manners. For example, in an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, a lower edge of the medial wing abuts a medial edge of the front section in the use position, and a lower edge of the lateral wing abuts a lateral edge of the front section in the use position. The at least one front medial magnet is disposed at the medial edge of the front section, the at least one rear medial magnet is disposed at the lower edge of the medial wing, the at least one front lateral magnet is disposed at the lateral edge of the front section, and the at least one rear lateral magnet is disposed at the lower edge of the lateral wing. The edges of the rear section rest on the edges of the front section in the use position, with the front and rear magnets coupled to one another at the edges.

Alternatively, the front and rear magnets can overlap in the use position. In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the at least one front medial magnet is arranged adjacent to an outer surface of the front section, the at least one rear medial magnet is arranged adjacent to an inner surface of the medial wing, the at least one front lateral magnet is arranged adjacent to the outer surface of the front section, and the at least one rear lateral magnet is arranged adjacent to an inner surface of the lateral wing. The inner surface of the medial wing overlaps the outer surface of the front section in the use position, and the inner surface of the lateral wing overlaps the outer surface of the front section in the use position.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the rear section of the upper includes a bistable heel portion with a folded state in the access position, and an unfolded state in the use position. The bistable heel portion has a fold between the medial wing and the lateral wing in the folded state. The fold is unfolded when the bistable heel portion is in the unfolded state.

In some examples, the article of footwear is configured so that foot entry helps move the rear section to the use position. For example, within the scope of the present disclosure, an article of footwear comprises a sole structure, and an upper including a front section and a separate rear section. The front section is fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity. The rear section is rearward of the front section and includes a medial wing and a lateral wing. An insole is positioned within the foot-receiving cavity. A support extends upward at a rear of the midsole. A tether couples the insole to the rear section. The rear section articulates relative to the front section between an access position and a use position. The medial wing and the lateral wing are spaced apart from the front section in the access position. In the use position, the medial wing is adjacent to the front section, and the lateral wing is adjacent to the front section. A rear of the insole is in a lifted position when the rear section is in the access position. The insole pulls the tether, which moves the rear section from the access position to the use position when the insole is displaced downward in the foot-receiving cavity relative to the lifted position (e.g., under the weight of the foot).

The article of footwear may include a fastener that couples the front section to the rear section when the rear section is in the use position. For example, , the fastener may comprise a medial set of magnets and a lateral set of magnets. The medial set of magnets includes at least one front medial magnet secured to a medial side of the front section and at least one rear medial magnet secured to the medial wing. The lateral set of magnets includes at least one front lateral magnet secured to a lateral side of the front section and at least one rear lateral magnet secured to the lateral wing.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a magnet housing defining at least one cavity. The magnet housing is embedded in the medial wing or the lateral wing, and a respective one of the at least one rear medial magnet and the at least one rear lateral magnet is in the at least one cavity.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, a lower edge of the medial wing abuts a medial edge of the front section in the use position, and a lower edge of the lateral wing abuts a lateral edge of the front section in the use position. The at least one front medial magnet is disposed at the medial edge of the front section, the at least one rear medial magnet is disposed at the lower edge of the medial wing, the at least one front lateral magnet is disposed at the lateral edge of the front section, and the at least one rear lateral magnet is disposed at the lower edge of the lateral wing.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a support extending upward at a rear of the sole structure. The tether overlays the support when the rear section is in the access position. The support may be one or more of a rear periphery of the front section, a rear upper edge of the sole structure, or a portion of a heel counter.

The medial and lateral sets of magnets thus couple the rear section to the front section in a hands-free manner. To further secure the rear section to the front section, the article of footwear can be configured so that a lace secured on the front section can secure to one or more lace guides on the front section, or one or more split lace guides. In an example, the article of footwear further comprises at least a first portion of a lace guide secured to the medial wing or the lateral wing and a second portion of the lace guide is secured to the front section. The first portion and the second portion are spaced apart from one another when the rear section is in the access position, and are adjacent to one another when the rear section is in the use position.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the first portion of the lace guide and the second portion of the lace guide each define a cavity. The article of footwear further comprises a first magnet in the cavity of the first portion, and a second magnet in the cavity of the second portion. An end of the first magnet is adjacent to an end of the second magnet when the rear section is in the use position, and the end of the first magnet has a polarity opposite from a polarity of the end of the second magnet.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a plurality of lace-receiving elements on the front section, and a lace extending through at least some of the plurality of the lace receiving elements and around the first portion of the lace guide when the rear section is in the use position.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a stiffening component secured to a heel region of the insole. The insole has a first stiffness and the stiffening component has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. The stiffening component thus helps stiffen the insole to promote movement of the insole downwardly and in some examples forwardly in the foot-receiving cavity when a foot is received thereon, aiding in pulling the tether over the support and moving the rear section from the access position to the use position.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the tether is secured to an inner surface of the rear section, and a distal end of the medial wing and a distal end of the lateral wing are rearward of the tether in the access position, and forward of the tether in the use position.

In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the article of footwear further comprises a hinge connecting the rear section to the front section. The tether extends across the hinge when the rear section is in the access position.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components throughout the views, <FIG> show an example of an article of footwear <NUM>, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention. An article of footwear may also be referred to as footwear or as a footwear article of manufacture. An article of footwear, a footwear article of manufacture, and footwear may be considered to be both a machine and a manufacture. Assembled, ready to wear footwear articles (e.g., shoes, sandals, boots, etc.), as well as discrete components of footwear articles (such as a midsole, an outsole, an upper component, etc.) prior to final assembly into ready to wear footwear articles, are considered and alternatively referred to in either the singular or plural as 'article(s) of footwear' in this specification, and the claims as filed and/or amended hereinafter.

The article of footwear <NUM> includes a sole structure <NUM> and an upper <NUM>. The upper <NUM> includes a front section 16A and a separate rear section 16B. In the example of <FIG>, the sections 16A, 16B are configured to cooperate so that the rear section 16B moves from an access position (<FIG>) to a use position (<FIG>) upon foot entry in a hands-free manner. As discussed herein, these and other features of the article of footwear <NUM> enable the access position to afford easy, hands-free foot entry into the article of footwear <NUM>, and enable the footwear <NUM> to adopt a use position after foot entry, also in a hands-free manner. The use position is maintained via interfacing sets of magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, and via a lace <NUM> and lace guides <NUM> that further secures the rear section 16B to the front section 16A.

The footwear <NUM> and other articles of footwear disclosed herein are depicted as leisure shoes or athletic shoes, but the present teachings also include an article of footwear that is a dress shoe, a work shoe, a sandal, a slipper, a boot, or any other category of footwear.

As indicated in <FIG>, the footwear <NUM> may be divided into three general regions: a forefoot region <NUM>, a midfoot region <NUM>, and a heel region <NUM> which are also the forefoot region, the midfoot region, and the heel region, respectively, of the sole structure <NUM> and the upper <NUM>. The forefoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of the article of footwear <NUM> corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges. The midfoot region <NUM> generally includes portions of the article of footwear <NUM> corresponding with the arch area of the foot, and the heel region <NUM> corresponds with rear portions of the foot, including the calcaneus bone.

The sole structure <NUM> includes an insole <NUM>, a midsole <NUM> and an outsole <NUM>. The midsole <NUM> may be formed from a compressible polymer foam element (e.g., a polyurethane or ethylvinylacetate foam) that attenuates ground reaction forces (i.e., provides cushioning) when compressed between the foot and the ground during walking, running, or other ambulatory activities. In further configurations, the midsole <NUM> may incorporate fluid-filled chambers, plates, moderators, or other elements that further attenuate forces, enhance stability, or influence the motions of the foot. The midsole <NUM> is depicted as a single, one-piece midsole, but in other examples could be multiple components integrated as a unit. In some examples, the midsole <NUM> may be integrated with the outsole <NUM> as a unisole. The outsole <NUM> may be one-piece, or may be several outsole components, and may be formed from a wear-resistant rubber material that may be textured to impart traction and/or may include traction elements such as cleats secured to a bottom surface of the midsole <NUM>.

The insole <NUM> is positioned within a foot-receiving cavity <NUM> of the footwear <NUM>, above a foot-facing surface <NUM> of the midsole <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>), so that it is supported on the foot-facing surface <NUM> when the rear section 16B is in the use position described herein. When the rear section 16B is in the access position of <FIG>, a rear of the insole <NUM> is lifted in the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> further above the foot-facing surface <NUM> than when in the use position. At least the heel portion of the insole <NUM> is not fixed to the midsole <NUM>. In the example shown, the entire insole <NUM> is not fixed to the midsole <NUM>. The insole <NUM> moves downward and may slide forward across the foot-facing surface <NUM> as further described herein when a foot is inserted in the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. As further discussed herein, downward movement of the insole <NUM> causes the rear section 16B to move from the access position to the use position. The foot-facing surface <NUM> of the midsole <NUM> may be covered by a strobel secured to the front section 16A, in which case the insole <NUM> rests on the strobel in the use position, rather than directly on the foot-facing surface <NUM>. When resting on the strobel, the insole <NUM> is indirectly supported by the midsole <NUM>.

The footwear <NUM> has a lateral side <NUM> and a medial side <NUM> (best shown in <FIG>) opposite to the lateral side <NUM>. The lateral side <NUM> and medial side <NUM> extend through each of forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, and the heel region <NUM> and correspond with opposite sides of the article of footwear <NUM>. The forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM>, the heel region <NUM>, the lateral side <NUM> and the medial side <NUM> are not intended to demarcate precise areas of footwear <NUM>, but are instead intended to represent general areas of footwear <NUM> to aid in the following discussion.

The upper <NUM> may be a variety of materials, such as leather, textiles, polymers, cotton, foam, composites, etc. In one example, the upper <NUM> may be a polymeric material capable of providing elasticity to the upper <NUM>, and may be of braided construction, a knitted (e.g., warp-knitted) construction or a woven construction. The front section 16A is fixed to the forefoot region <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM>, and more specifically to the midsole <NUM> to partially define the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, which is best shown in <FIG>. More specifically, the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> is for the forefoot portion <NUM> and a midfoot portion <NUM> of a foot, and because the front section 16A is a mule configuration, it also establishes a portion of the foot-receiving cavity at the heel region <NUM>. In the example shown, the front section 16A is configured as a mule, as it extends from the forefoot region <NUM> to the heel region <NUM>, with a rear periphery <NUM> extending around the heel region <NUM> from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM>. A portion of the midsole <NUM> extends upward and outwardly of the rear periphery <NUM> of the front section 16A, and also extends from the lateral side <NUM> to the medial side <NUM> so that together the rear periphery <NUM> of the front section 16A and the midsole <NUM> form a support <NUM> extending upward at the rear of the midsole <NUM>. In other examples, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the front section 16A may not extend around the heel region <NUM>, in which case a support functionally equivalent to support <NUM> is formed by the rear upper edge of the midsole <NUM>. In still other examples, a portion of a heel counter secured to an inner or outer surface of the upper may form the support.

The rear section 16B is movable relative to the front section 16A between the access position (<FIG> and <FIG>) and the use position (<FIG> and <FIG>). As used herein, movable "between" the access position and the use position means that the rear section 16B may be moved from one of the positions to the other of the positions. The rear section 16B is at least partially rearward of the front section 16A both in the access position and in the use position. In the access position of <FIG>, the rear section 16B is entirely rearward of the front section 16A. In the use position, the rear section 16B rests on the heel region <NUM> of the front section 16A as shown in <FIG>, but is still rearward of most of forefoot and midfoot regions <NUM>, <NUM> of the front section 16A.

A tether <NUM> couples the insole <NUM> to the rear section 16B. For example, the tether <NUM> may be stitched or otherwise secured to the insole <NUM> at one end of the tether <NUM>, and to the rear section 16B at the other end of the tether <NUM>. Stitching <NUM> is indicated in <FIG> where the tether <NUM> is secured to the heel region of the insole <NUM>. The tether <NUM> is secured to an inner surface <NUM> of the rear section 16B and is a flexible, elongated structure capable of withstanding a tensile load. The tether <NUM> may be, for example, a material such as a woven polymer. As used in this application and the accompanying claims, "tether" <NUM> can comprise any one of, or a plurality of, or any combination of two or more selected from among the following: a strap, a cord, a filament, a strand, a ribbon, a tube, a braid, a strip, a cable, a lace, a belt, a string, a thread, a rope, a wire, and a web. The tether <NUM> overlays the support <NUM> when the rear section 16B is in the access position of <FIG>. The position of the tether along with the weight of the rear section 16B causes the rear <NUM> of the insole <NUM> to be lifted from the foot-facing surface <NUM> of the midsole <NUM> in the access position. The support <NUM> acts as a fulcrum over which the tether slides in pulling the rear section 16B from the access position to the use position. As a foot is inserted through the opening of the front section 16A (between the lateral and medial sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the front section 16A) into the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, the bottom of the foot engages the insole <NUM>, pushing the insole downward, and possibly sliding the insole <NUM> forward in the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, as indicated by the relative position of the foremost extent <NUM> of the insole <NUM> in the use position of <FIG> relative to the access position of <FIG>. The tether <NUM> is inelastic or has an elasticity that is sufficiently low such that any increase in length of the tether <NUM> when under tension (i.e., stretching of the tether <NUM>) is sufficiently minimal such that the rear section 16B is nevertheless moved to the use position when the tether <NUM> pulls the rear section 16B, and the insole <NUM> is nevertheless moved to the lifted position when the tether <NUM> pulls the insole <NUM>.

The heel region of the insole <NUM> resists bending when the bottom of the foot engages the insole <NUM> and moves the insole <NUM> from the lifted (access) position to a lowered (use) position. For example, a stiffening component <NUM> may be embedded in, or adhered or otherwise secured to the heel region of the insole <NUM>. The insole <NUM> has a first stiffness, and the stiffening component <NUM> has a second stiffness greater than the first stiffness. For example, the stiffening component <NUM> may be a polymeric composite, a carbon fiber, or other material that is relatively stiff in comparison to the insole <NUM> which may be a flexible foam material. By reducing flexibility of the lifted insole <NUM> at least in the heel region, the stiffening component <NUM> helps ensure that the movement of the insole <NUM> pulls the tether <NUM> and thereby moves the rear section 16B. By way of non-limiting example, the stiffening component <NUM> may be a plate, one or more rods, fins, or mesh secured to or embedded in the insole <NUM>, or a heel cup coupled with the insole <NUM>.

The rear section 16B has a central portion <NUM> to which the tether <NUM> is secured, and includes a medial wing <NUM> and a lateral wing <NUM>, each branching from the central portion <NUM> so that the rear section 16B is generally U-shaped. The rear section 16B and the front section 16A have a complementary, interfitting shape in that a lower edge <NUM> of the medial wing <NUM> and a lower edge <NUM> of the lateral wing abut a medial edge <NUM> of the front section 16A and a lateral edge <NUM> of the front section 16A, respectively, when the rear section 16B is in the use position. The lower edge <NUM> of the rear section 16B in the central portion <NUM> also abuts the rear edge <NUM> of the front section 16A at the rear periphery <NUM> of the front section 16A. As shown in <FIG>, the edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are continuous, creating a rim on which the lower edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> rest. The lower edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are referred to as "lower" because they are at a bottom of the rear section 16B when the rear section 16B is in the use position.

When a foot is inserted toward and into the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> through the opening between the edges <NUM>, <NUM> and is received on the insole <NUM>, the insole <NUM> slides downwardly and forwardly in the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, pulling the tether <NUM> over the support <NUM> and moving the rear section 16B from the access position to the use position. The tether <NUM> slides along and over the support <NUM> and down into the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>, resting against the inner surface <NUM> of the front section 16A as shown in <FIG>. In an example, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, the tether <NUM> is generally flat and smooth to reduce friction when sliding over the support <NUM>.

The motion of the rear section 16B from the access position to the use position is initiated by the insertion of the foot and the downward and forward forces on the insole <NUM>. However, sets of magnets <NUM>, <NUM> strategically positioned on the front section 16A and the rear section 16B provide magnetic force that supplement the foot-initiated motion of the rear section 16B, pulling the moving rear section 16B toward the front section 16A once the rear section 16B is sufficiently close to the front section 16A. More specifically, the front section 16A and the rear section 16B include sets of magnets <NUM>, <NUM> adjacent to (i.e., at or bordering) the interfacing lower edge <NUM> and medial edge <NUM>, the interfacing lower edge <NUM> and lateral edge <NUM>, and, optionally the interfacing lower edge <NUM> and rear edge <NUM>. The magnets are arranged such that the respective ends of the adjacent magnets of the front section 16A and rear section 16B are of opposite polarity, causing the rear section 16B to be magnetically coupled to the front section 16A in the use position. The magnets attract to one another as the rear section 16B moves, beginning with the rearmost ones of the magnets 70A, 74A attracting magnets 70B, 74B, respectively, and progressing forward to more forward sets of paired magnets 70A, 70B and 74A, 74B, in a zipper-like fashion.

For example, as indicated with hidden lines in <FIG> and <FIG>, a medial set of magnets <NUM> includes front medial magnets 70A secured to or embedded in the medial side <NUM> of the front section 16A. The medial set of magnets <NUM> also includes rear medial magnets 70B secured to the medial wing <NUM>. In the example shown, the rear medial magnets 70B are disposed in a magnet housing <NUM> sewn into or otherwise embedded in the medial wing <NUM>. Similarly, a lateral set of magnets <NUM> includes front lateral magnets 74A secured to or embedded in the lateral side <NUM> of the front section 16A. The lateral set of magnets <NUM> also includes rear lateral magnets 74B secured to the lateral wing <NUM>. In the example shown, the rear lateral magnets 74B are also disposed in a magnet housing <NUM> sewn into or otherwise embedded in the lateral wing <NUM>. In the example shown, each of the front medial magnets 70A, the rear medial magnets 70B, the front lateral magnets 74A, and the rear lateral magnets 74B include two magnets. In other examples, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, each could include only one magnet, or each could include three or more magnets, or there could be different numbers of magnets amongst the front medial magnets 70A, the rear medial magnets 70B, the front lateral magnets 74A, and the rear lateral magnets 74B.

As best shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the front medial magnets 70A are disposed at (i.e., adjacent to) the medial edge <NUM> of the front section 16A, the rear medial magnets 70B are disposed at the lower edge <NUM> of the medial wing <NUM>, the front lateral magnets 74A are disposed at the lateral edge <NUM> of the front section 16A, and the rear lateral magnets 74B are disposed at the lower edge <NUM> of the lateral wing <NUM>. The magnets 70A, 70B, 74A, 74B may be exposed at the respective edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or the material of the front section 16A or rear section 16B in which they are respectively embedded may cover the magnets; in either case, the magnets are positioned to border the respective edges.

The magnet housing <NUM> is shown in greater detail in <FIG>. The magnet housing <NUM> is of a relatively small thickness to fit within the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> of the rear section 16B. The housing <NUM> defines cavities <NUM> shown in <FIG>. The cavities <NUM> are rectangular slots, and are open at an edge face <NUM> of the housing <NUM>. The cavities <NUM> are sized so that the magnets 70B, 74B can be press-fit and/or adhered to the housing <NUM> in the cavities and retained therein. The edge face <NUM> is configured with a slightly convex contour C along its length that matches the contour of the edges <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, enabling exposed faces of the magnets at the edge face <NUM> to closely track the edges <NUM>, <NUM>, which can place the magnets in close proximity to increase the strength of the magnetic force between the magnets 70A, 70B, and between the magnets 74A, 74B.

As shown in <FIG>, the medial wing <NUM> and the lateral wing <NUM> are spaced apart from the sole structure <NUM> in the access position sufficiently such that the magnets 70A, 70B in the rear section 16B are not pulled toward the magnets 70A, 74A of the front section 16A. A distal end 80A of the medial wing <NUM> and a distal end 80B of the lateral wing <NUM> are rearward of the tether <NUM> in the access position, and forward of the tether <NUM> in the use position. Stated differently, the tether <NUM> that is secured to the sliding insole <NUM> and to the inner surface <NUM> of the rear section 16B causes the rear section 16B to flip approximately <NUM> degrees from the access position to the use position. The movement of the rear section 16B may be referred to as articulating movement. In the use position, the medial wing <NUM> is adjacent to the front section 16A with the rear medial magnets 70B secured to the front medial magnets 70A, and the lateral wing <NUM> is adjacent to the front section 16A with the rear lateral magnets 74B secured to the front lateral magnets 74A.

While the magnets are selected to be of sufficient magnetic strength to help pull the moving rear section 16B to the use position (as discussed above) and maintain the rear section 16B in the use position during some activities, the magnetic force is also low enough to enable the rear section 16B to be returned to the access position when removal of the footwear <NUM> is desired by holding the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> near the distal ends 80A, 80B and manually pulling backward, without requiring excessive force. To ensure that the magnetic force is low enough to enable relatively easy removal in this manner while also ensuring the rear section 16B remains in the use position during all user activities, a lace <NUM> and split lace guides <NUM> are used to further secure the rear section 16B in the use position. More specifically, the article of footwear <NUM> includes a split lace guide <NUM> at each of the medial side <NUM> and the lateral side <NUM>, as indicated in <FIG> and <FIG>. Each lace guide <NUM> is split between the front section 16A and the rear section 16B. Stated differently, the lace guide <NUM> has two discrete portions <NUM>, <NUM> as best shown in <FIG>. One of the portions is mounted on and secured to only the front section 16A and not the rear section 16B, and the other portion is mounted on and secured to only the rear section 16B and not the front section 16A. The portions <NUM>, <NUM> are positioned on a different one of the front section 16A and rear section 16B so that they are adjacent to and in contact with one another when the rear section 16B is in the use position, but are spaced apart from and not in contact with one another (i.e., split) when the rear section 16B is in the access position.

Referring to <FIG>, the lace guide <NUM> has a portion <NUM> that includes a base 88A and a hook 90A. The lace guide <NUM> has another portion <NUM> that includes a base 88B and a hook 90B. Each base 88A, 88B defines a respective cavity 92A, 92B in a mounting side opposite the side with the hook 90A, 90B. As shown in <FIG>, when the two portions <NUM>, <NUM> are adjacent to one another, sides of the portions <NUM>, <NUM> abut so that the cavities 92A, 92B define a continuous cavity <NUM>. A magnet <NUM> is disposed in the cavity 92A and another magnet <NUM> is disposed in the cavity 92B. The magnets <NUM>, <NUM> are shown in phantom in <FIG> in order to view the cavities 92A, 92B. The magnet <NUM> is referred to as the first magnet, and the magnet <NUM> is referred to as the second magnet of the lace guide <NUM> that is secured at the medial side <NUM>. An end of the magnet <NUM> has a polarity opposite from the polarity of an end of the magnet <NUM>. Accordingly, the magnets <NUM>, <NUM>, are attracted to one another, and the magnetic force helps to maintain the lace guide portions <NUM>, <NUM> together when the rear section 16B is in the use position.

The lace guides <NUM> are secured to the footwear <NUM> so that the hooks 90A, 90B point generally downward and rearward in the use position. Accordingly, a first lace guide <NUM> is disposed with portion <NUM> secured to the front section 16A and the portion <NUM> secured to the medial wing <NUM>. The portion <NUM> is disposed with the cavity 92A open at the edge <NUM> so that the magnet <NUM> is exposed at the edge <NUM>, and the portion <NUM> is disposed with the cavity 92B open at the edge <NUM> so that the magnet <NUM> is exposed at the edge <NUM>. The portion <NUM> is referred to as the first portion and the portion <NUM> is referred to as the second portion of the lace guide <NUM> that is secured at the medial side <NUM>.

A second lace guide <NUM> is secured at the lateral side <NUM> with the portions arranged so that portion <NUM> is secured to the front section 16A and the portion <NUM> is secured to the lateral wing <NUM>. The portion <NUM> is disposed with the cavity 92A open at the edge <NUM> so that the magnet <NUM> is exposed at the edge <NUM>, and the portion <NUM> is disposed with the cavity 92B open at the edge <NUM> so that the magnet <NUM> is exposed at the edge <NUM>. The portion <NUM> is referred to as the first portion and the portion <NUM> is referred to as the second portion of the lace guide <NUM> that is secured at the lateral side <NUM>. The magnet <NUM> is referred to as the first magnet and the magnet <NUM> is referred to as the second magnet of the lace guide that is secured to the lateral side <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the front section 16A has a plurality of lace-receiving elements <NUM> on the front section 16A. The lace-receiving elements <NUM> are eyelets in the example shown, but could alternatively be hooks or loops. Four lace-receiving elements <NUM> are shown on the lateral side <NUM>. Four additional lace-receiving elements are positioned on the medial side <NUM> in a symmetrical arrangement with respect to those on the lateral side <NUM>, but are not visible in the views shown. A lace <NUM> extends through the lace receiving elements <NUM>. The lace <NUM> also extends through slits <NUM> in a tongue portion <NUM> of the front section 16A to help maintain the tongue portion <NUM> in a lifted position relative to the sole structure <NUM>, opening the entrance to the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. When the rear section 16B is in the use position, end segments of the lace <NUM> protrude from rearmost ones of the lace-receiving elements <NUM> adjacent to the lace guides <NUM>. The end segments of the lace <NUM> can be wrapped around the adjacent lace hooks 90A, 90B of the respective medial and lateral lace guides <NUM>, and then pulled tight and secured to one another in a bow or otherwise, as shown in <FIG>. The lace <NUM> thus adjusts the tightness of the front section 16A, and further secures the rear section 16B to the front section 16A in the use position via the lace guides <NUM>. To remove the footwear <NUM>, the lace <NUM> is untied, the end segments are unwrapped from the lace guides <NUM>, and the rear section 16B is returned to the access position by pulling rearward on the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM>, such as at the distal ends 80A, 80B to simultaneously overcome the magnetic forces of the magnets 70A, 70B, 74A, 74B, and <NUM>, <NUM>. The rearward movement of the rear section 16B will pull the tether <NUM> which in turn pulls the insole <NUM> slightly rearward relative to the midsole <NUM> and upward over the support <NUM> as the foot is withdrawn from the forward part of the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. A heel pull <NUM> can also be used, if the use of manual force is desired, as a convenient place to apply force to move the rear section 16B.

<FIG> show an alternative example of an article of footwear <NUM>, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, that also has an upper <NUM> configured to have an easy access position (<FIG>), and that uses magnetic force to position and retain a rear section 216B of the upper in a use position (<FIG>) with the rear section 216B articulating relative to the front section 216A from the access position to the use position. The footwear <NUM> includes a sole structure <NUM> including a midsole <NUM> and an outsole <NUM>, configured similarly to the midsole <NUM> and outsole <NUM>, except that the midsole <NUM> may or may not have a support similar to support <NUM>. The upper <NUM> includes a front section 216A and a rear section 216B.

The front section 216A is fixed to the forefoot region <NUM>, the midfoot region <NUM> and the heel region <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> in a mule configuration, and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. The rear section 216B is operatively secured to the sole structure <NUM> at least partially rearward of the front section 216A. The rear section 216B is operatively secured to the sole structure <NUM> via the rear portion of the front section 216A. In the example shown, operative securement of the rear section 216B to the front section 216A is by stitching the rear section 216B to the outer surface of the front section 216A at the rear periphery <NUM>, as indicated by stitching <NUM>.

The rear section 216B includes a medial wing <NUM> and a lateral wing <NUM>, similar to medial wing <NUM> and lateral wing <NUM> of the rear section 16B of <FIG>. The footwear <NUM> also includes a medial set of magnets including at least one front medial magnet 270A secured to a medial side <NUM> of the front section 216A, and at least one rear medial magnet 270B secured to the medial wing <NUM>. The footwear <NUM> includes a lateral set of magnets including at least one front lateral magnet 274A secured to a lateral side <NUM> of the front section 216A, and at least one rear lateral magnet 274B secured to the lateral wing <NUM>. The front medial magnets 270A are arranged adjacent to an outer surface <NUM> of the front section 216A at the medial side <NUM>. For example, the magnets 270A may be embedded in the front section 216A near the outer surface <NUM> at the medial side <NUM> or in a cavity formed between inner and outer layers of the front section 216A, or the magnets 270A may be secured directly to the outer surface <NUM>. Similarly, the magnets 274A are embedded in the front section 216A at the lateral side <NUM> near the outer surface <NUM> or in a cavity formed between inner and outer layers of the front section 216A, or, alternatively, the magnets 270B may be secured to the outer surface <NUM>. The rear medial magnets 270B are arranged adjacent to an inner surface <NUM> of the medial wing <NUM>, and the rear lateral magnets 274B are arranged adjacent to an inner surface <NUM> of the lateral wing <NUM>. For example, the magnets 270B, 274B may be embedded in the rear section 216B near the inner surface <NUM>, may be secured directly to the inner surface <NUM>, or may be in a cavity formed between inner and outer layers of the rear section 216B. The magnets 270A are arranged so that ends of magnets 270A have an opposite polarity than end of magnets 270B to which they are adjacent in the use position. The magnets 274A are arranged so that ends of magnets 274A have an opposite polarity than end of magnets 274B to which they are adjacent in the use position. The magnets 270A, 270B, 274A, and 274B are indicated with hidden lines as having a circular disc shape, but could instead be other shapes.

In <FIG>, the rear section 216B may be held in the access position shown by holding the wings <NUM>, <NUM> near distal ends 280A, 280B. When the ends 280A, 280B are no longer held rearward as shown in <FIG>, the magnets on the rear section 216B will be pulled forward by the magnets on the front section 216A in a zipper fashion, beginning with the rearmost ones of the magnets 270A, 274A attracting the inward-most magnets 270B, 274B (due to their close proximity), moving the remaining magnets 270B, 274B forward to couple to and pair with the similarly spaced magnets 270A, 274A having ends of opposite polarity on both the medial and lateral sides <NUM>, <NUM> in a zipper-like fashion. The rear section 216B thus articulates relative to the front section 216A between the access position and the use position. In the access position, the medial wing <NUM> and the lateral wing <NUM> are spaced apart from the sole structure <NUM> with a distal end 280A of the medial wing <NUM> and a distal end 280B of the lateral wing <NUM> both remote from the sole structure <NUM> and further apart from one another than in the use position of <FIG>. In the use position, the distal end 280A of the medial wing <NUM> is adjacent to the front section 216A with the rear medial magnets 270B coupled to the front medial magnets 270A, and the distal end 280B of the lateral wing <NUM> adjacent to the front section 216A with the rear lateral magnets 274B coupled to the front lateral magnets 274A. In the use position, the inner surface <NUM> of the medial wing <NUM> overlaps the outer surface <NUM> of the front section 216A at the medial side <NUM>, and the inner surface <NUM> of the lateral wing <NUM> overlaps the outer surface <NUM> of the front section 216A at the lateral side <NUM>. The magnets 270A, 270B, 274A, 274B are spaced so that the faces of the rear magnets 270B, 274B align with the faces of the front magnets 270A, 274A, as indicated by the single sets of circles in hidden lines at each of the lateral and medial sides <NUM>, <NUM> in <FIG>. The overlapping surface area of the front magnets 270A, 270B with the rear magnets 274A, 274B is thus maximized.

Similar to the article of footwear <NUM>, the magnets 270A, 270B, 274A, 274B are selected to be of sufficient magnetic strength to help pull the moving rear section 216B to the use position (as discussed above) and maintain the rear section 216B in the use position during some activities, but with the magnetic force low enough to enable the rear section 216B to be returned to the access position when removal of the footwear <NUM> is desired by holding the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> near the distal ends 280A, 280B and manually pulling backward, without excessive force. To ensure that the magnetic force is low enough to enable relatively easy removal in this manner while ensuring the rear section 216B remains in the use position during all user activities, a lace <NUM> and lace guides <NUM> are used to further secure the rear section 216B in the use position. More specifically, the article of footwear <NUM> includes lace guides <NUM> secured to the outer surface of the rear section 216B near the distal ends 280A, 280B of the medial wing <NUM> and the lateral wing <NUM>. Unlike the lace guides <NUM>, the lace guides <NUM> are not split between the front and rear sections 216A, 216B, but are entirely on the rear section 216B.

As shown in <FIG>, the front section 216A has a plurality of lace-receiving elements <NUM>. The lace-receiving elements <NUM> include eyelets <NUM> and loops 97B adjacent to each eyelet at both the lateral and medial sides <NUM>, <NUM> in a symmetrical arrangement. The loops on the medial side <NUM> are not visible in the views. A lace <NUM> extends through the lace-receiving elements <NUM>. The lace <NUM> also extends through slits <NUM> in a tongue portion <NUM> of the front section 216A to help maintain the tongue portion <NUM> in a lifted position relative to the sole structure <NUM>, opening the entrance to the foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. When the rear section 216B is in the use position, end segments of the lace <NUM> protrude from rearmost ones of the lace-receiving elements <NUM> adjacent to the lace guides <NUM>. The end segments of the lace <NUM> can be wrapped around the lace hooks <NUM> of the lace guides <NUM>, and then pulled tight and secured to one another in a bow or otherwise, as shown in <FIG>. The lace <NUM> thus adjusts the tightness of the front section 216A, and further secures the rear section 216B to the front section 216A in the use position via the lace guides <NUM>. To remove the footwear <NUM>, the lace <NUM> is untied, the end segments of the lace <NUM> are unwrapped from the lace guides <NUM>, and the rear section 216B is returned to the access position by pulling rearward on the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM>, such as at the distal ends 280A, 280B to simultaneously overcome the magnetic forces of the magnets 270A, 270B, 274A, 274B. Withdrawal of the foot rearward from the forward part of the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> can then be easily accomplished.

<FIG> show another example of an article of footwear <NUM>, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, that also has an upper <NUM> configured to have an easy access position (<FIG>), and that uses magnetic force to position and help retain a rear section 316B of the upper <NUM> in a use position (<FIG>). The article of footwear <NUM> has a sole structure <NUM> as described with respect to article of footwear <NUM>, and an upper <NUM> that includes a front section 316A and a rear section 316B. The front section 316A is fixed to a forefoot region <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. The rear section 316B is operatively secured to the sole structure <NUM> and is at least partially rearward of the front section 316A. The rear section 316A includes a medial wing <NUM> and a lateral wing <NUM>.

The rear section 316B includes a bistable heel portion <NUM> with a folded state that establishes the access position, and an unfolded state that establishes the use position. More specifically, the bistable heel portion <NUM> has a fold <NUM> between the medial wing <NUM> and the lateral wing <NUM> in the folded state as shown in <FIG>. The fold <NUM> unfolds when the bistable heel portion <NUM> moves to the use position. The heel portion <NUM> has a low stress state when in the folded position of <FIG> and <FIG>, and another low stress state in the unfolded configuration of <FIG> and <FIG>. The heel portion <NUM> may include a thin plate or band embedded within the material of the rear section 316B that has two stable states (i.e., a relatively bent state and a relatively straightened state) aligned with the folded and unfolded states, respectively.

As indicated in <FIG>, the folded state moves the edge <NUM> of the heel portion <NUM> further rearward relative to the sole structure <NUM>, causing the wings <NUM>, <NUM> to be relatively widely spread apart and positioned rearward of medial and lateral edges <NUM>, <NUM> of the front section 316A, as shown in <FIG>. When moved out of the folded state, such as by applying an upward force F at the edge <NUM>, the heel portion <NUM> is urged to move to the other stable state, which is the unfolded state. The force F could be applied by the opposite foot of the wearer, for example. When in the unfolded state, the medial and lateral wings <NUM>, <NUM> are free to move forward, and are urged to do so by a medial set of magnets <NUM> and a lateral set of magnets <NUM>, as described with respect to <FIG>, housed in magnet housings 72A similar to magnet housing <NUM>. The magnets are arranged such that ends of adjacent magnets of the front section 316A and rear section 316B are of opposite polarity, causing the rear section 316B to be magnetically coupled to the front section 316A in the use position, beginning with the rearmost ones of the magnets 70A, 74A attracting magnets 70B, 74B, respectively, and progressing forward to more forward sets of paired magnets 70A, 70B and 74A, 74B, in a zipper-like fashion.

The article of footwear <NUM> includes the lace <NUM>, the lace-receiving elements <NUM> (include eyelets <NUM> and loops 97B), and the split lace guides <NUM> housing magnets <NUM>, <NUM> as described herein for further securing the rear section 316B in the use position. When in the use position, the lower edge <NUM> of the medial wing <NUM> abuts the medial edge <NUM> of the front section 316A, and the lower edge <NUM> of the lateral wing <NUM> abuts the lateral edge <NUM> of the front section 316A.

<FIG> show another example of an article of footwear <NUM>, useful for the understanding of the claimed invention, that also has an upper <NUM> configured to have an easy access position (<FIG>), and that uses an insole <NUM>, a tether <NUM>, and magnetic force to position and help retain a rear section 416B of the upper <NUM> in a use position (<FIG>). The article of footwear <NUM> has a sole structure <NUM> as described with respect to article of footwear <NUM>, and an upper <NUM> that includes a front section 416A and a rear section 416B. The front section 416A is fixed to a forefoot region <NUM> of the sole structure <NUM> and partially defines a foot-receiving cavity <NUM>. The rear section 416B is operatively secured to the sole structure <NUM> and is at least partially rearward of the front section 416A. The rear section 416B includes a medial wing <NUM> and a lateral wing <NUM>.

The front section 416A includes a support <NUM>, and a tether <NUM> coupled to an inner surface of the rear section 416B and to the insole <NUM>, as described with respect to the tether <NUM> and insole <NUM> of <FIG>. The rear section 416B also includes a support <NUM> secured around a rear periphery of the rear section 416B, and having a portion included in the medial wing <NUM> and a portion included in the lateral wing <NUM>. The supports <NUM>, <NUM> may be a stiffer polymer material than the remainder of the upper <NUM>, and may serve as a heel counter.

A hinge <NUM> connects the rear section 416B to the front section 416A. The hinge <NUM> includes a hinge plate <NUM> coupled with the rear section 416B, and a pin <NUM> that extends outward from the hinge plate <NUM> and is pivotally mounted to the front section 416A when the ends of the pin <NUM> are slid into slots <NUM> formed on either side of a notch <NUM> in the support <NUM>. The pin <NUM> may extend through a channel in the hinge plate <NUM>, or the pin <NUM> may be protrusions integral with and extending from opposite sides of the hinge plate <NUM>. The tether <NUM> extends across at least a portion of the hinge plate <NUM> when the rear section 416B is in the access position.

The article of footwear <NUM> includes a medial set of magnets <NUM> and a lateral set of magnets <NUM>. The medial set of magnets <NUM> includes a front medial magnet 470A secured to the medial side of the front section 416A in the support <NUM>, and a rear medial magnet 470B secured to the medial wing <NUM> in the support <NUM>. The lateral set of magnets <NUM> includes at least one front lateral magnet 474A secured to a lateral side <NUM> of the front section 416A, and at least one rear lateral magnet 474B is secured to the lateral wing <NUM> in the support <NUM>.

The rear section 416B is movable relative to the front section 416A between the access position and the use position. The tether <NUM> overlays the support <NUM> in the access position such that a rear of the insole <NUM> is lifted in the access position as shown in <FIG>. The insole <NUM> includes the stiffening component <NUM> indicated in <FIG>. The medial wing <NUM> and the lateral wing <NUM> are spaced apart from the sole structure <NUM> in the access position. In the use position, the medial wing <NUM> is adjacent to the front section 416A with the rear medial magnet 470B coupled to the front medial magnet 470A, and the lateral wing <NUM> is adjacent to the front section 416A with the rear lateral magnet 474B coupled to the front lateral magnet 474A. The insole <NUM> slides downwardly and forwardly in the foot-receiving cavity <NUM> when a foot is received thereon, pulling the tether <NUM> over the support <NUM> and moving the rear section 416B from the access position to the use position in an articulating manner.

Split lace guides <NUM> are secured at the lateral and medial sides of the article of footwear <NUM>. More specifically, first portions 490B of lace guides are secured to the medial wing <NUM> and to the lateral wing <NUM>, respectively, near distal ends 480A, 480B of the wings <NUM>, <NUM>, and second portions 490A of lace guides <NUM> are secured to the front section 416A, and. The first portion 490B and the second portion 490A are spaced apart from one another when the rear section 416B is in the access position, and are adjacent to one another when the rear section 416B is in the use position. The lace guides <NUM> shown do not include magnets, but alternative lace guides <NUM> as described with respect to <FIG> that include complementary magnets as described herein could be used instead. When the first and second portions 490B, 490A are adjacent to one another, the lace <NUM> can be used to tighten the front section 416A and further secure the rear section 416B in the use position by looping end segments of the lace <NUM> around the lace guides <NUM>, and tying the end segments together as indicated in <FIG>.

Claim 1:
An article of footwear (<NUM>) comprising:
a sole structure (<NUM>);
an upper (<NUM>) including a front section (316A) and a rear section (316B); the front section (316A) fixed to a forefoot region of the sole structure (<NUM>) and partially defining a foot-receiving cavity (<NUM>), and the rear section (316B) operatively secured to the sole structure (<NUM>) at least partially rearward of the front section (316A) and including a medial wing (<NUM>) and a lateral wing (<NUM>);
a medial set of magnets (<NUM>) including at least one front medial magnet (70A) secured to a medial side of the front section (316A) and at least one rear medial magnet (70B) secured to the medial wing (<NUM>); and
a lateral set of magnets (<NUM>) including at least one front lateral magnet (74A) secured to a lateral side of the front section (316A) and at least one rear lateral magnet (74B) secured to the lateral wing (<NUM>);
wherein:
the rear section (316B) is movable relative to the front section (316A) between an access position and a use position;
in the access position, the medial wing (<NUM>) and the lateral wing (<NUM>) are spaced apart from the sole structure (<NUM>) with a distal end of the medial wing (<NUM>) and a distal end of the lateral wing (<NUM>) both remote from the sole structure (<NUM>) and further apart from one another than in the use position; and
in the use position, the distal end of the medial wing (<NUM>) is adjacent to the front section (316A) with the at least one rear medial magnet coupled to the at least one front medial magnet, and the distal end of the lateral wing (<NUM>) is adjacent to the front section (316A) with the at least one rear lateral magnet coupled to the at least one front lateral magnet;
characterized in that the article of footwear (<NUM>) further comprises:
at least a first portion of a lace guide secured to the medial wing (<NUM>) or the lateral wing (<NUM>); and
a second portion of the lace guide secured to the front section (316A); wherein the first portion and the second portion are spaced apart from one another when the rear section (316B) is in the access position and are adjacent to one another when the rear section (316B) is in the use position.