Toddlers Shoe with fully pivoting counter, providing easy rear entry of foot into the shoe

Abstract

Embodiments of this invention relate to the design and construction method of a toddlers shoe that features a pivoting counter that completely disengages from the shoe upper. When the counter is unfastened from the upper, it is allowed to pivot up and down 180 degrees. The pivoting creates an opening in rear of the shoe allowing the user to easily insert foot into the shoe. Once foot is in the shoe, user can easily pivot the counter up to re-attach the counter to the upper, thus securing a foot into the shoe.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising: a sole having a toe section, a heal section, medial side and lateral side. an independent upper, made of material to cover forefoot and toes, stitched and connected to a strobel board, adhered to top of an outsole a independent heal counter, made of material to cover the heal, and a tail material adhered to top of outsole permitting 180 degrees of pivoting away from forefoot. a fastening system, allowing the counter and the upper to fully disengage, pivot and re-attached to/from each other. a) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of non-pivoting, standard outsole with out mechanics or moving parts. b) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of counter that pivots up and down 180 degrees, creating rear heal entry into the shoe. c) Shoe of claim 1, comprised of fastening system that allows counter and upper to fully disengage from each other for foot entry and re-attach for shoe closure.

2. An article of footwear construction method comprising: a) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the counter tail portion of the shoe is directly attached independently to the top of the outsole. b) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the upper is then adhered via strobel board section on top of the same outsole, independently, thus reinforcing the counter tail. c) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the counter tail is sandwiched in-between the outsole and upper, allowing the remaining unattached counter portion to freely and independently pivot 180 degrees up and down from the upper fastening connection point. d) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the fasting system on both sides of counter side and upper side allow for secure fasting of the shoe on both medial and lateral sides. e) Wherein shoe in claim 1, the fasting system on both sides of counter side and upper, on both medial and lateral sides feature hook and loop material or other fastening device. f) Wherein shoe in claim 1, features supper tuff material in the tail to prevent tearing after multiple flexes.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 shows the side view of the toddlers shoe with rear entry pivoting counter fully secured.

[0020] FIG. 2 shows the side view of shoe with rear entry pivoting counter after counter is unfastened and pivoted away from upper.

[0021] FIG. 3 shows the rear view of shoe with rear entry pivoting counter after counter is unfastened and pivoted away from upper.

[0022] FIG. 4 shows the side view of pivoting counter.

[0023] FIG. 5 shows the inside view of pivoting counter and parts.

[0024] FIGS. 6 and 7 shows construction method of attaching pivoting counter to outsole.

[0025] FIG. 8 shows side view off fully constructed of shoe upper

[0026] FIG. 9 shows underneath view off fully constructed of shoe upper with strobel board attached to the bottom of upper.

[0027] FIG. 10 shows construction method of assembly attaching the shoe upper with strobel board directly to the outsole with pivoting counter.

[0028] FIG. 11 shows completely assembled shoe.

DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION OF INVENTION

[0029] The preferred embodiment of the shoe of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1(side view) while secure. The parent will open the shoe buy pivoting the counter backward FIG. 2. The parent will slide their toddlers foot into the shoe FIG. 3 (back view) while open. The parent will secure toddlers foot into the shoe by pivoting the counter back to the upper returning shoe to FIG.1.

[0030] The preferred construction of the shoe of the invention is illustrated. The counter tail (FIG.4) is cemented on the bottom side to the heal cup area of the outsole (FIG. 6)

[0031] The upper (upper+counter) is made of common footwear materials (leathers, synthetics, non-woven, digital knit uppers, and no-sew uppers. In the counter, these materials will be sandwiched around super-tough reinforcement. This reinforcement will allow the counter to pivot, up and down, opening and closing, without fracture or tear while retaining structure over time. The thickness of the tail is 0.5-3 mm in thickness. The shape will very to cover the top surface area of the outsole it will be attached to.

[0032] Upper (FIG. 8) is attached to the counter and outsole by cementing the bottom side of the strobel board (FIG. 9-12) to the top surface of the outsole (FIG. 10)

[0033] Counter (FIG. 4) is connected or attached to upper (FIG. 8) with the use of Velcro or other method of closure/locking. (FIG. 5: 7, 11)

CONCLUSION RAMIFICATION AND SCOPE

[0034] The reader will see that the toddlers shoe with the rear entry construction design of this invention can be used by parents of toddlers for an easier experience securing footwear on their toddlers. Furthermore, this footwear construction has the following additional advantages: [0035] (a) Design, function and construction method can be replicated into footwear for both genders [0036] (b) Design, function and construction method can be replicated into most footwear styles: athletic style shoe, boot, dress shoe, casual shoe, sandal [0037] (c) Design, function and construction method can be replicated into with most common footwear materials: leather, synthetic, knitted upper, no-sew [0038] (d) Design, function and construction method can be replicated into with most common footwear outsole methods including cup, vulcanized, cemented or injected outsoles. Common outsole materials comprised of any sole mix or mixture of rubber, EVA and PU. [0039] (e) Design, function and construction method can be replicated into footwear for adults