Abstract
A shoe device having bimodal structures, configured to selectively snap the device to at least one of a second position and a first position, which selectively snaps the shoe into a first position upon being subjected to a first bending force, apt for placement or removal of a foot, and selectively snaps the shoe into a second position upon being subjected to a second bending force, apt for securement of a foot or having no foot. A forward leaning, flexible stadium arch structure, assembled to form a heel notch mechanism, connects to a sole. A morphing shoe collar portion connects to a heel. These are combined via vector changing devices for greater functionality.
Claims
1. A shoe, comprising: a sole structure comprising opposing sides and a footbed for a wearer's foot; an upper comprising a front collar section surrounding a top portion of the foot, the front collar section is made of a flexible, elastic material; a heel counter surrounding a heel of the foot; a stadium arch having an single, bendable, arched band with terminating ends and an apex, the ends cross the front collar section and are anchored to the sides of the sole, below a plane of the footbed, the apex of the band has a anatomically positioned heel notch with a slight forwardly concavity for securing the heel of the foot and is anchored to a top of the heel counter, the stadium arch is made of flexible, elastic material having stored tension at the heel notch, and higher tension at its ends, the stored tension urging the heel notch being rotated upwardly and forwardly of a rear sole area of the sole, wherein a gap exist between the stadium arch and the heel counter; and wherein the upper includes an opening between the front collar section and the stadium arch for inserting the foot; wherein the opening for inserting of the foot expands to a first opening at a first position with the heel notch of the stadium arch being rotated downwardly and rearwardly relative to the rear sole area of the sole, upon downward pressure from the foot, so that when the stadium arch is flexed in the first position the heel notch is positioned more rearwardly than the heel of the foot, presenting a shoe horn shape so as to permit the foot to slide into the shoe, the first opening being larger than the second opening, to facilitate entry and exit of the foot; and wherein the opening for inserting of the foot contracts to a second opening at a second position when the stadium arch is rotated upwardly and forwardly relative to the rear sole area of the sole, stored tension of the stadium arch returning the heel notch to the assembled second position, the heel notch positioned at the heel, and the second opening is smaller than the first opening, to secure the foot within the shoe, wherein the shoe collar portion of the upper is positioned as to tightly grip an upper forefoot of the foot when the foot is secured in the shoe with the stadium arch in the second position.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the stadium arch partially spans both the heel counter and the sole.
3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein each of the terminating ends of the stadium arch include a hole or a clasp.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The embodiments can be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
(2) FIG. 1 presents a side perspective view of an exemplary bimodal shoe including a bimodal clasp at a heel counter of the bimodal shoe, where the shoe is being donned, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(3) FIG. 2 presents a side perspective view of the exemplary bimodal shoe of FIG. 1, where the shoe has been donned, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(4) FIG. 3 presents a side perspective view of an exemplary bimodal shoe of FIG. 1, including a bimodal spherical structure at heel counter of the bimodal shoe, where the shoe is being donned, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(5) FIG. 4 presents a side perspective view of an exemplary bimodal shoe of FIG. 1, where the shoe has been donned, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, including a bimodal spherical structure at the heel counter of the bimodal shoe, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure with the detachable portion of the bimodal structure permitting the bimodal structure to deform upward, and further permitting the heel of the user to come down directly on the pressure point when the shoe is to be donned, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(6) FIG. 5 presents a side perspective view of an exemplary bimodal shoe sole and stadium arch bimodal structure in manufactured state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(7) FIG. 6 presents a side perspective view of a conceptual illustration of multiple geometric angles of the heel notch spinal line, using commonly accepted principles of fractions of a circle wherein the whole circle is 360 degrees, of sample positions of the plurality of positions of the stadium arch bimodal structure, as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(8) FIG. 7. presents a side view of a conceptual illustration of the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 6, demonstrating sample positions of the plurality of positions of the stadium arch bimodal structure, as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(9) FIG. 8 presents a side view of a conceptual illustration of an alternative embodiment of a bimodal shoe, including the stadium arch bimodal structure as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, in assembled state, with a morphable heel counter, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(10) FIG. 9 presents a side view of a conceptual illustration of the alternative embodiment of a bimodal shoe of FIG. 8 with a foot secured within the shoe in its closed position, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(11) FIG. 10. presents a side perspective view of an exemplary shoe upper and shoe collar portion, with arms in manufactured state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(12) FIG. 11 presents a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bimodal shoe, including the stadium arch bimodal structure as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, and including the exemplary shoe upper and shoe collar portion with arms of FIG. 10, and including the vector changing device at the rear of sole, in manufactured state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(13) FIG. 12 presents a side perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bimodal shoe, including the stadium arch bimodal structure as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, and including the exemplary shoe upper and shoe collar portion with arms of FIG. 10, and including the vector changing device at the rear of sole, in assembled state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;
(14) FIG. 13 presents a rear perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a bimodal shoe, including the stadium arch bimodal structure as shown in the exemplary bimodal shoe sole of FIG. 5, and including the exemplary shoe upper and shoe collar portion with arms of FIG. 10, and including the vector changing device at the rear of sole, in assembled state, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION
(15) The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise.
(16) As shown throughout the figures, disclosed is a bimodal shoe 100. The bimodal shoe 100 may include a bimodal structure 102. The bimodal structure 102 may be configured to selectively snap to a first position 104 and a second position 106. The bimodal structure 102 may take any appropriate form such as a stadium arch or similar shapes all of varying scalings. The bimodal structure may be an added element to the shoe or may be incorporated into the structure of the shoe itself. The bimodal structure may span between both a heel counter and a sole of a shoe. For example, FIG. 3 presents a perspective view of a bimodal structure that is attachable to both a heel counter and a sole of a shoe, having arms that separate when moving between a first and second position.
(17) It is to be understood, that the bimodal shoe 100 may be embodied as a sandal or any appropriate footwear.
(18) An opening 108 of the bimodal shoe 100 may open, expand, or separate, in response to the bimodal structure 102 snapping into the first position 104 starting from the second position 106. The opening 108 may close, contract, or come together in response to the bimodal structure 102 snapping into the second position 106 starting from the first position 104. Therefore, causing the bimodal structure 102 to snap into the first position 104 may cause the opening 108 of the bimodal shoe 100 to change for receiving a foot 302 in the bimodal shoe 100. Further, causing the bimodal structure 102 to snap into the second position 106 may cause an opening 108 of the bimodal shoe 100 to change (e.g. become smaller) for securing a foot 302 already received in the bimodal shoe 100. It is understood that numerous parts of the shoe such as the shoe wall, sole, heel counter, top lines, quarter panel, tongue, midsole, or stitch seam made of material with or without flexible properties, will be deformed, pushed, pulled, tightened, stretched, constricted or otherwise change structure depending on the different states 104 or 106, and said shoe structures will aid in the securing or removal of the shoe to the foot 302, with the possible addition of strings, laces, straps, loops, belts, elastics, ribs, ropes, and other forms, and these variations of construction do not represent a unique utility, nor represent a distinction from the basic functionally derived from the bimodal shoe as described in this disclosure. A wearer may press their foot 302 applying downward pressure into the bimodal shoe 100 when the bimodal structure 102 is in the first position 104 to cause the bimodal structure 102 to adopt or snap into the second position 106 and secure the wearer's foot 302 in the shoe by causing the opening 108 to secure the wearer's foot (e.g. grip the foot or ankle), hands-free.
(19) The illustrations show various ways the opening responds to various configurations of the bimodal structure adopting the second position 106 and the first position 104. For example, the opening 108 may expand backwardly with respect to a front of the bimodal shoe 100. Likewise downward pressure causing the bimodal structure 102 to snap into the first position 104 may cause a heel counter 110 of the bimodal shoe 100 to pivot downward. As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, causing the bimodal structure 102 to snap into the first position 104 may cause a heel counter 110 to deform. Therefore, to deform the opening 108, the heel counter 110 may pivot from or near a vicinity of the bimodal structure 102, or alternatively the heel counter 110 may deform, depending on where the bimodal structure 102 is located.
(20) In embodiments where the bimodal structure 102 is located to cause the heel counter 110 to deform: as shown in FIGS. 1,3, the bimodal structure 102 may extend from or near the sole 114 to the upper portion 116 of the heel counter 110. The back portion of the rear heel collar 161 may be separated from the sole as to enable an upward or downward deformation when the bimodal structure is activated.
(21) As shown in FIG. 4 the sole 114 may extend externally up to the middle portion 116 of the heel counter 110, forming back flared heel area 188 or back sole that rises upwards behind the heel counter, converting downward pressure on the back tab or shape into focused pressure to the singular pressure point that can activate the bimodal structure 102.
(22) As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, a downward force on the upper portion 116 of the heel counter or heel tab 110 may cause the bimodal structure 102 to curve inwardly toward a front of the bimodal shoe, causing the bimodal structure 102 to adapt the first position 104.
(23) The bimodal structure 102 may be configured such that the bimodal structure 102 has a higher elastic potential energy stored as a result of being deformed to one of the second position 106 and the first position 104. In other words, the bimodal structure is a bendable structure that selectively snaps into the first position upon being subjected to a first bending force or displacement (e.g. at a pressure point), and that selectively snaps into the second position upon being subjected to a second bending force or displacement (e.g. at a pressure point), where the first bending force or displacement has an opposite direction to the second bending force or displacement. Therefore, in the second position 106 and first position 104 the bimodal structure 102 may be selectively locked into a stable and tensioned first or second position, while still holding its higher elastic potential energy. This configuration allows a user to overcome a threshold tension held by the bimodal structure 102 in the first or second positions to cause the bimodal structure 102 to move and subsequently selectively lock and snap into an opposite first or second position. For example, a user may simply press their foot into the shoe to snap the bimodal structure into the second position, and use their other foot to apply a downward lever-like force on a heel of the shoe while the shoe is already donned to cause the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position and/or snap into the first position (e.g. see FIGS. 1,2. For example, a front of the user's foot may press against a top of the shoe opening, causing a general fulcrum point about a longitudinal center of the shoe, allowing the user to subsequently apply a lever force downwardly using their other foot on a heel of the shoe to cause the shoe to snap out of the second position. In other words, a front of a user's received foot (e.g. stepping on the ball of their foot, raising their own foot heel) applies an upward force (e.g. attempting to raise) to the shoe while the other foot can be used to snap the shoe out of the second position by applying a downward force onto the heel. For example, the bimodal structure is configured such that a net downward force applied to a heel counter of the bimodal shoe while the user's foot is received in the bimodal shoe, and while the user applies an upward force using a top of their foot by raising their heel and keeping the ball of their foot planted, causes the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position. Therefore, a net downward force (or displacement of) on the heel counter with respect forward, or other, portions of the shoe snaps the shoe out of the second position. In other words, holding frontal portions (or portions in front of a pivot point, or pressure point) of the shoe in place while applying a downward force on the heel causes the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position. A downward force applied to a heel counter of the bimodal shoe while holding portions of the shoe forward from the bimodal structure and away from the heel counter stationary causes the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position and into the first position. This allows the bimodal shoe to be doffed hands-free by snapping out of the second position.
(24) As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the bimodal structure 102 may be located at a sole 114, midsole, heel corner (e.g. where the heel and the sole meet) or foot bed of the bimodal shoe 100, or a combination thereof. For example, the bimodal structure 102 may be located below a wearer's actual foot heel, or actual foot sole, such that the wearer's heel may apply force to the bimodal structure 102 when it is in the first position 104 to cause the bimodal structure 102 to lock into the second position 106 for donning the shoe hands-free.
(25) As shown in FIGS. 3,4, the bimodal structure 102 may be located at a heel counter 110 of the bimodal shoe 100 demonstrating a concavity similar to the back of a heel, in a semi-sphere shape. As part of the heel counter 110, the bimodal structure may include a curved, inverting portion and an upper portion. The upper portion may include two side bands 162 that are attached to the opening 108 such that when the bimodal structure switches from the second position 106 to the first position 104 the arms of the bimodal structure 102 separate and cause the opening to become larger for receiving a foot. Additionally, the bimodal structure may be configured for the opposite to occur.
(26) As shown in FIG. 4, the upper formed of the front shoe collar section 415 and provide the front section of a foot insertion cavity.
(27) As shown in FIGS. 5,8,9,11,12, 13, a bimodal structure is a stadium arch 401.
(28) As shown in FIGS. 10,11,12,13, a bimodal structure is a shoe collar portion with arms.
(29) As shown in FIG. 5, the stadium arch is anchored to the sides of a sole 114 at a position below the foot-bed at anchor point 402. The portion of the stadium arch above anchor point 402 and below the foot-bed of shoe 100 are not connected. The apex portion of the of the stadium arch forms a heel notch 403, with an enlarged portion apt to envelope the heel of a user's foot.
(30) As seen in FIG. 6,7, the stadium arch is manufactured at approximately a 45 degree angle relative to the plane of the sole. The arch is sized, and with a specific anchor point 402 placement, such that, when rearward forces providing a plurality of rearward positions as referenced in FIG. 7 by directional arrows, the arch is displaced to positions 405, 406, 407, with the distance between anchor point 402 and point 405 being greater than the distance between anchor point 402 and 406, and the distance between anchor point 402 and 406 is greater than the distance between anchor point 402 and 407, and, the inner spinal line of heel notch 403 is approximately: a 135 degree angle 404 relative to the plane of the sole at position 405; a 45 degree angle relative to the plane of the sole at position 406; and a 135 degree angle relative to the plane of the sole at position 407.
(31) As seen in FIG. 7, the arch is sized such that position 406 represents the anatomically correct placement for a heel notch to secure a heel within a shoe.
(32) As seen in FIG. 7, the arch is sized such that position 407 represents the anatomically correct placement for a shoe horn to engender entry of a foot within a shoe.
(33) As seen in FIG. 8, in an alternative embodiment of footwear, the stadium arch in assembled form is connected to the rear of sole 114, under tension in position 406, by means of morphable heel counter 408, representing the bimodal structure in position 106. The heel counter is a morphable material, with a rearward concavity as to be further displaced rearward with applied downward directional force from above. A slit in the side(s) provide additional displacement agility. In place of the heel counter, the same mechanical function may be provided by strap(s) positioned centrally at the rear, or as dual side straps, connecting the rear sole 114 to the stadium arch under tension in position 106. The displaced stadium arch 401 in position 406 provides the rear section of a foot insertion cavity. The upper formed of the front shoe collar section 415 and toe box 416 provide the front section of a foot insertion cavity.
(34) As seen in FIG. 9, in an alternative embodiment of footwear, a user's foot 302 is positioned within the shoe. The front shoe collar section 415 of the upper is sized such that when the stadium arch bimodal structure is in position 106, the rear portion of the user's forefoot is contacted, providing a tightly clasped fit, and, the heel counter 408 and heel notch 403 of the stadium arch anchored at point 402 are sized such that when the stadium arch bimodal structure is in position 106, the heel of the foot is contacted, providing a tightly clasped fit.
(35) As seen in FIG. 10, in a manufactured state of a secondary bimodal structure 451, the front shoe collar portion of the upper in manufactured state 409 presents a native position higher than the region at which the user's forefoot is contacted with a tightly clasped fit as demonstrated in FIG. 9 with front shoe collar section 415.
(36) As seen in FIG. 10, shoe collar portion 409 is detached from the side walls of the shoe at a middle region, and connected to the side walls and toe box at a more forward region, and a diminishing gap 410 is positioned below the shoe collar portion 409, of a size as to permit a portion of 409 occupy this gap. Dual side arms 162 extend from the upper sides of the shoe collar portion. The dual arms 162 and the top line of the shoe collar portion 409 are manufactured with a slight outward curvature, with a rearward concavity. This structure includes sufficient curvature as to provide an anatomically loose fit to the upper portion of the user's forefoot in its native, manufactured position.
(37) As seen in FIG. 10 in a manufactured state of a secondary bimodal structure, shoe collar portion 409 with arms 162 forms an upper with the side walls and toe box 416. The upper is connected to sole 114. Sole 114 includes a vector changing mechanism 414 located at the rear sole.
(38) As seen in FIG. 11, in a manufactured state 413 of an alternative embodiment of footwear, bimodal structure stadium arch 401 is connected to the sole 114 at anchor points 402, and, bimodal structure shoe collar portion 409 with arms 162 are connected to the upper. The arms 162 terminate in doughnut holes 420 sized to be affixed to clasps. The upper is connected to sole 114. Sole 114 includes a vector changing mechanism 414 located at the rear sole 188. Stadium arch includes clasps 452 sized to be affixed to doughnut holes of arms 162.
(39) As seen in FIGS. 12, 13, in the assembled state of an alternative embodiment of footwear, shoe collar portion 409 occupying gap 410 is connected under tension via arms 162 passing through vector changing mechanism 414 to the heel notch section of stadium arch in position 406, affixed with doughnut holes 420 to clasps 420.
(40) In conclusion, disclosed is a shoe that enables fast and easy placement and removal of shoes that is hands-free, and at the same time that permits structural support and gripping of the ankle thus permitting running and fast walking. When the user desires to remove the shoe the user may push down on their foot on the back of an opposite heel's tab to force the bimodal structure and/or the shoe to pop or lock open. Downward pressure of a user's foot heel entering the shoe may push the bowed ends back to a reverse concave-convex condition, to snap back into the non-inverted position. A semi sphere may have a similar ability to snap into either an inverted or non-inverted position upon receiving similar forces. It is to be understood that the bimodal shoe may include multiple bimodal structures described above in multiple locations, as appropriate.
(41) Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
