FOOTWEAR STRAP AND FOOTWEAR HAVING THE SAME

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a footwear strap and a footwear having the same. An article of footwear may have a heel element located at a heel region of the footwear. A heel structural element may include an upper rear portion with an inwardly oriented convex cross-sectional curvature arranged to easily allow receiving a user's heel when donning the shoe. A portion of the convex cross-sectional curvature facing a sole structure of the footwear.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element positioned at a heel region of the footwear, configured to maintain structural shape and integrity during foot insertion; the heel structural element comprising an upper rear portion with an inwardly oriented convex cross-sectional curvature configured to facilitate easily receiving a user's heel when donning the shoe; and at least of portion of the convex cross-sectional curvature facing a sole structure of the footwear.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the heel structural element further comprises lateral and medial side arms extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper rear portion, each arm having a termination adjacent to the sole structure.

3. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein each of the lateral and medial side arms has a continuous curvature from the upper rear portion to its termination near the sole structure and does not include an angled segment having a portion that extends in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sole structure.

4. The article of footwear of claim 2, wherein at least one of the lateral and medial side arms bend outward to widen an opening of the footwear.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the heel structural element is integrally molded from a polymeric material having sufficient stiffness to at least partially limit deformation of the upper rear portion when donning the shoe.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the convex cross-sectional curvature is a continuously arced inner surface, and the inner surface and a corresponding outer surface meet at a tapered upper edge and a tapered lower edge of the upper rear portion.

7. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the heel structural element further comprises lateral and medial side arms extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper rear portion, wherein the arms extend downwardly from the upper rear portion substantially parallel to each other until terminating near a sole structure.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the lateral and medial side arms terminate adjacent the sole structure without direct attachment to the sole structure.

9. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of the footwear; the heel structural element comprising a medial side arm, a lateral side arm, and a rear portion extending between the medial and lateral side arms, wherein each of the side arms is configured to extend forwardly and downwardly toward a sole structure; the rear portion having a cross-sectional configuration, comprising a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, each defining a vertically arced profile; and each of the convex inner surface and the concave outer surface is continuous.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the heel structural element further includes a base integrally formed at lower ends of the medial and lateral side arms, the base configured for fixed attachment directly to the sole structure of the footwear.

11. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the heel structural element is integrally molded from a polymeric material having sufficient stiffness to at least partially limit deformation of the upper rear portion when donning the shoe.

12. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the rear portion has a gradually reduced cross-sectional thickness as it approaches a lower edge.

13. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of the footwear; the heel structural element comprising a medial side arm, a lateral side arm, and a rear portion integrally connecting the medial and lateral side arms; each of the lateral and medial side arms has a continuous curvature from the upper rear portion to its termination near a sole structure the rear portion having a cross-sectional configuration, comprising a continuous convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, each defining a vertically arced profile; the medial and lateral side arms extend from the rear portion downwardly and forwardly; the heel structural element comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

14. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the rear portion has a gradually reduced cross-sectional thickness as it approaches a lower edge of the rear portion.

15. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein the lateral and medial side arms are not directly attached to the sole structure.

16. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein each of the lateral and medial side arms does not include an angled segment having a portion that extends in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sole structure.

17. The article of footwear of claim 13, wherein a front edge and a rear edge of each of the lateral and medial side arms are parallel as the side arm approaches the sole structure.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In the drawings, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals indicate the same or similar components or elements throughout several drawings. These drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. It should be understood that these drawings depict only some implementations disclosed in accordance with the present application and shall not be deemed as limiting the scope of the present application;

[0021] FIG. 1A shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rigid heel structural element according to a first embodiment of the present application;

[0022] FIG. 1B shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rigid heel structural element according to a second embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG. 1C shows a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a cross-section of the rigid heel structural element according to the first embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a L-shaped anchor viewed from top perspective according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic diagrams showing the different structures obtained after the footwear strap according to an embodiment of the present application is assembled to the footwear respectively.

[0026] FIG. 4 shows a top view of an article of footwear with a footwear strap of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] In the following text, only certain exemplary embodiments are briefly described. As can be recognized by those skilled in the art, the described embodiments can be modified in various different ways without departing from the spirit or scope of the present application. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative and non-limiting in nature.

[0028] Hereinafter, a rigid heel structural element 100 included in a footwear strap according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A-IC, 2 and 3A-3D.

[0029] As shown in FIGS. 1A-IC, the footwear strap includes a strap element (not shown in FIGS. 1A-1C) and a rigid heel structural element 100. Among others, the strap element can be a fabric or textile material that wraps the rigid heel structural element 100. The rigid heel structural element 100, disposed inside the strap element, is configured to be structures and materials which facilitate easily inserting the foot into the footwear and bear the pressure from the foot, so as to prevent the rigid heel structural element 100 from collapsing under the pressure of the foot. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, FIG. 1A shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rigid heel structural element according to a first embodiment of the present application. Specifically, FIG. 1A shows a left side perspective view of the rigid heel structural element 100 according to the first embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1A, the rigid heel structural element 100 consists of a first part and a second part, wherein the first part includes an upper rear portion 101, a connecting arm 102 and a convex curvature 103, and the second part is an L-shaped anchor 104. The connecting arm 102 is connected with the upper rear portion 101. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, wherein both the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B are arranged substantially in the lateral direction. The connecting arm 102 can be connected to the L-shaped anchor 104. As can be seen from FIG. 1A, the aforesaid four parts 101 to 104 are generally arranged in the order from the upper right direction to the lower left direction.

[0030] FIG. 1B shows a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a rigid heel structural element according to a second embodiment of the present application. The difference between the rigid heel structural element of the second embodiment and the rigid heel structural element of the first embodiment is that the connecting arm of the rigid heel structural element in the second embodiment itself is L-shaped. Specifically, FIG. 1B shows a left side perspective view of the rigid heel structural element 100 according to the second embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 1B, the rigid heel structural element 100 includes an upper rear portion 101, a connecting arm 102, and a convex curvature 103. The connecting arm 102 is L-shaped. The connecting arm 102 is connected with the upper rear portion 101. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, wherein the medial arm 102B is substantially orthogonal to the lateral arm 102A.

[0031] In an implementation, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can be integrally formed. In another alternative implementation, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can be assembled or connected together after being manufactured separately.

[0032] FIG. 1C shows a schematic diagram of a cross-section of a first part of the rigid heel structural element of the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1C, the first part of the rigid heel structural element 100 includes an upper rear portion 101, a connecting arm 102 and a convex curvature 103. The connecting arm 102 includes a lateral arm 102A and a medial arm 102B, wherein both the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B are arranged substantially in the lateral direction. The first part of the rigid heel structural element 100 extends from the upper rear portion 101 to the lower left direction in an arc-shaped manner, wherein the connecting arm 102 of the first part is connected with the upper rear portion 101 of the first part. As shown by the two arrows in FIG. 1C, the inner surface of the rigid heel structural element 100 has a certain thickness, and can be provided with a compressible layer, such as a foam cushioning element. The compressible layer can be affixed at the upper rear portion 101 of the rigid heel structural element 100 and at least a portion of the connecting arm 102.

[0033] Among others, the upper rear portion 101 is used to wrap the heel part of the foot. When the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear, the upper rear portion 101 extends in a direction from the position where the footwear contacts the heel toward the position where the footwear contacts the toc. As shown in FIS. IGA-IC, the rigid heel structural element 100 extends from the upper rear portion 101 to the left in an arc-shaped manner. Meanwhile, when the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear, the upper rear portion 101 inclines downward along the direction from the position where the footwear contacts the heel toward the position where the footwear contacts the toc.

[0034] Among others, the downward inclined part of the upper rear portion 101 has a convex curvature 103, the convex face of which protrudes toward the foot when the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear. Further, the shape of the convex curvature 103 is adapted to the heel to facilitate easily receiving the heel part. The convex curvature 103 has an opening, and the lower portion of the opening of the convex curvature 103 faces the sole of the footwear when the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear.

[0035] In one embodiment, the convex curvature 103 has an upper surface that faces upward.

[0036] In one implementation, the rigid heel structural element 100 can be at least partially deformed instantly when the foot applies downward pressure on the rigid heel structural element 100. For example, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B can partially bend towards the rear of the footwear or bend outward to widen the opening of the footwear or both when the foot applies downward pressure on the rigid heel structural element 100. Due to the rigid, yet sufficiently clastic material used in the integrally molded rigid heel structural element 100, the rigid heel structural element 100 can restore to its original undeformed shape and position when the downward pressure applied by the foot is released.

[0037] In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1A, the rigid heel structural element includes two connecting arms 102, and each connecting arm 102 can include a medial arm 102B and a lateral arm 102A connected with the medial arm 102B. The connecting arm 102 can be connected to a vertical portion of the L-shaped anchor 104. A horizontal portion of the L-shaped anchor 104 is used to be connected with a footbed, an insole, or a strobel sock in the assembled state. The anchor can also be of various suitable shapes, such as J-shape and T-shape.

[0038] In one implementation, as shown in FIG. 1B, the rigid heel structural element includes two connecting arms 102, and each connecting arm 102 can include a medial arm 102B and a lateral arm 102A connected with the medial arm 102B. The connecting arm 102 is L-shaped. The end of the L-shape of the connecting arm 102 includes an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the lower surface is at least partially connected to the top surface of the insole, and the upper surface is at least partially connected to the underside surface of the footbed.

[0039] In one implementation, when the footwear strap is assembled to the footwear, the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downward to the footbed, insole or strobel sock of the footwear.

[0040] In one implementation, when the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downward to the insole of the footwear, the lateral arm 102A is directly or indirectly affixed to the top surface of the sole along the medial side of the insole of the footwear; the medial arm 102B is directly or indirectly affixed to the top surface of the insole along the lateral side of the insole of the footwear.

[0041] In one implementation, when the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downward to the footbed of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm 102A and the end of the medial arm 102B can be attached to the footbed of the footwear through an anchor.

[0042] In one implementation, when the lateral arm 102A and the medial arm 102B extend downward to the strobel sock of the footwear, the end of the lateral arm 102A and the end of the medial arm 102B are attached to the strobel sock of the footwear.

[0043] In one implementation, the rigid heel structural element 100 is made of a polymer material.

[0044] In one implementation, the polymer material is Hytrel thermoplastic polyester elastomer block copolymer (such as DuPont Hytrel) or a Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU).

[0045] In one implementation, the rigid heel structural element 100 is covered by a fabric or textile material. Among others, the fabric and textile material can be the same as the textile material of the outer surface of the shoe.

[0046] In one implementation, a compressible layer, such as compressible layer 307 shown in FIG. 3D and FIG. 4, is provided on the inner side of the rigid heel structural element 100. The compressible layer can be a foam cushioning element, affixed at the rear portion of the rigid heel structural element 100, and at least a portion of the inner side of the medial arm and the inner side of the lateral arm. The compressible layer covers the upper rear portion, partially covers the medial arm and the lateral arm, and gradually tapers or terminates along the inner side of the medial arm and the inner side of the lateral arm. The compressible layer can be compressed during the insertion of the foot into the footwear. After the foot is inserted into the footwear, the compressible layer can expand to its original uncompressed state or at least partially expand to its original uncompressed state. The compressible layer can be located around the ankle and assist in securing the foot within the footwear.

[0047] In the second aspect, in an embodiment of the present application, a footwear is further provided, comprising the footwear strap provided according to any embodiment of the present application.

[0048] In one implementation, a rigid heel structural element is connected to a footbed or insole of the footwear through an L-shaped anchor.

[0049] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a L-shaped anchor 200 viewed from top perspective according to an embodiment of the present application; The L-shaped anchor 200 can be attached to the connecting arm 102 of the rigid heel structural element 100. The L-shaped anchor 200 can be molded separately. Referring to FIG. 2, the L-shaped anchor 200 can include a vertical portion 201 and a horizontal portion 202 depending on the L shape, wherein the vertical portion 201 corresponds to the long side of the L shape and the horizontal portion 202 corresponds to the short side of the L shape.

[0050] FIGS. 3A-3D are schematic views showing the different structures obtained after the footwear strap according to an embodiment of the present application is assembled in the footwear respectively. In one implementation, referring to FIG. 3A, in the assembled state, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is bonded to the vertical portion of the L-shaped anchor 302 in the assembled state, so as to secure the heel to the sandal shown in the figure. As shown in FIG. 3B, which is the bottom view of the footwear, the L-shaped anchor 302 is connected with the footbed or insole. The horizontal portion of the L-shaped anchor 302 is not shown, because the L-shaped anchor is covered by the sole 306. In one implementation, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is L-shaped. The L-shaped connecting arm 301 can be connected with the footbed or insole. As shown in FIG. 3B, which is the bottom view of the footwear, the L-shaped connecting arm 301 is connected to the footbed or insole. The L-shaped end of the L-shaped connecting arm 301 is not shown, because it is covered by the sole 306. FIG. 3D shows an enlarged cutaway view of the portion indicated in FIG. 3A. FIG. 4 shows a top view of an article of footwear with a footwear strap of the present application.

[0051] In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3C, the footwear can incorporate a pair of boards 304 affixed to the underside surface of the footbed or insole 303. The boards 304 can be further located on the medial and lateral sides of the footbed or insole 303 and spaced away from each other. The L-shaped anchor 302 can be connected to the boards 304. The boards 304 can be constructed of cellulose (such as texon). The bottom 305 of the sandal strap of the sandal shown in FIG. 3C can also be connected to the footbed or insole 303, or to the boards 304. The sole 306 as shown in FIG. 3B can be formed by covering the sole portion on the insole 303.

[0052] In another embodiment, the L-shaped anchor may be connected to a footbed, insole or strobel sock.

[0053] In an embodiment, the connecting arm 301 of the footwear strap 300 is L-shaped, and the L-shaped connecting arm 301 can be connected to the boards 304.

[0054] In another embodiment, the L-shaped connecting arm may be connected to a footbed, insole or strobel sock.

[0055] In the description of the present specification, it should be understood that, the orientation or positional relationships indicated by the terms central, vertical, horizontal, length, width, thickness, upper, lower, front, rear, left, right, vertical, horizontal, top, bottom, inner, outer, clockwise, counterclockwise, axial, radial, circumferential, etc. are based on the orientation or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings and are only for facilitating the description of the present application and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a particular orientation or be constructed and operated in a particular orientation, and therefore will not be interpreted as limiting the present application.

[0056] In addition, the terms first and second are only used for descriptive purposes, and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with first and second can include one or more of these features explicitly or implicitly. In the description of the present application, the word multiple means two or more than two, unless otherwise specifically defined.

[0057] In the present application, unless otherwise specified and limited, terms mounting, connecting, connection, fix and the like should be understood in a broad sense, for example, they can be a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or being integrated; can be a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; can be a direct connection or an indirect connection through a medium; and can be communication between interiors of two elements or interactive relationship of two elements. For those of ordinary skill in the art, the specific meaning of the terms mentioned above in the present application should be construed according to specific circumstances.

[0058] In the present application, unless otherwise specified and defined, the first feature being on or under the second feature can include that the first feature and the second feature are in direct contact, and can also include that the first feature and the second feature are not in direct contact but in contact with each other through another feature between them. Moreover, the first feature being on, above, and over the second feature includes that the first feature is directly above and obliquely above the second feature, or merely means that the first feature is horizontally higher than the second feature. The first feature being underneath, below, and under the second feature includes that the first feature is directly below and obliquely below the second feature, or merely means that the first feature is horizontally lower than the second feature.

[0059] The above disclosure provides many different implementations or examples to realize different structures of the present application. In order to simplify the disclosure of the present application, the components and arrangements of particular examples are described above. Of course, they are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present application. In addition, the present application can repeat reference numerals and/or reference letters in different examples. Such repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity, and does not in itself indicate a relationship between the various implementations and/or arrangements discussed.

[0060] The above is only the detailed description of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can readily conceive of various changes or substitutions within the technical scope disclosed in the present application, which should be encompassed by the scope of protection of the present application. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present application should be subject to the scope of protection of the claims.

Clauses

[0061] Clause 1. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element positioned at a heel region of the footwear, configured to maintain structural shape and integrity during foot insertion; the heel structural element comprising an upper rear portion with an inwardly oriented convex cross-sectional curvature configured to facilitate easily receiving a user's heel when donning the shoe; and at least of portion of the convex cross-sectional curvature facing a sole structure of the footwear.

[0062] Clause 2. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the heel structural element further comprises lateral and medial side arms extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper rear portion, each arm having a termination adjacent to the sole structure.

[0063] Clause 3. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein each of the lateral and medial side arms has a continuous curvature from the upper rear portion to its termination near the sole structure and does not include an angled segment having a portion that extends in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sole structure.

[0064] Clause 4. The article of footwear of clause 2, wherein at least one of the lateral and medial side arms bend outward to widen an opening of the footwear.

[0065] Clause 5. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the heel structural element is integrally molded from a polymeric material having sufficient stiffness to at least partially limit deformation of the upper rear portion when donning the shoe.

[0066] Clause 6. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the convex cross-sectional curvature is a continuously arced inner surface, and the inner surface and a corresponding outer surface meet at a tapered upper edge and a tapered lower edge of the upper rear portion.

[0067] Clause 7. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the heel structural element further comprises lateral and medial side arms extending forwardly and downwardly from the upper rear portion, wherein the arms extend downwardly from the upper rear portion substantially parallel to each other until terminating near a sole structure.

[0068] Clause 8. The article of footwear of clause 7, wherein the lateral and medial side arms terminate adjacent the sole structure without direct attachment to the sole structure.

[0069] Clause 9. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of the footwear; the heel structural element comprising a medial side arm, a lateral side arm, and a rear portion extending between the medial and lateral side arms, wherein each of the side arms is configured to extend forwardly and downwardly toward a sole structure; the rear portion having a cross-sectional configuration, comprising a convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, each defining a vertically arced profile; and each of the convex inner surface and the concave outer surface is continuous.

[0070] Clause 10. The article of footwear of clause 9, wherein the heel structural element further includes a base integrally formed at lower ends of the medial and lateral side arms, the base configured for fixed attachment directly to the sole structure of the footwear.

[0071] Clause 11. The article of footwear of clause 9, wherein the heel structural element is integrally molded from a polymeric material having sufficient stiffness to at least partially limit deformation of the upper rear portion when donning the shoe.

[0072] Clause 12. The article of footwear of clause 9, wherein the rear portion has a gradually reduced cross-sectional thickness as it approaches a lower edge.

[0073] Clause 13. An article of footwear comprising: a heel structural element configured to surround a portion of a foot-receiving cavity at a heel region of the footwear; the heel structural element comprising a medial side arm, a lateral side arm, and a rear portion integrally connecting the medial and lateral side arms; each of the lateral and medial side arms has a continuous curvature from the upper rear portion to its termination near a sole structure the rear portion having a cross-sectional configuration, comprising a continuous convex inner surface and a concave outer surface, each defining a vertically arced profile; the medial and lateral side arms extend from the rear portion downwardly and forwardly; the heel structural element comprising a thermoplastic polymer.

[0074] Clause 14. The article of footwear of clause 13, wherein the rear portion has a gradually reduced cross-sectional thickness as it approaches a lower edge of the rear portion.

[0075] Clause 15. The article of footwear of clause 13, wherein the lateral and medial side arms are not directly attached to the sole structure.

[0076] Clause 16. The article of footwear of clause 13, wherein each of the lateral and medial side arms does not include an angled segment having a portion that extends in a direction generally parallel to the plane of the sole structure.

[0077] Clause 17. The article of footwear of clause 13, wherein a front edge and a rear edge of each of the lateral and medial side arms are parallel as the side arm approaches the sole structure.