Footwear with improved upper

Abstract

A boot including a sole assembly and an upper, the boot extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and heightwise from the sole assembly to an upper end, the boot including a flexible envelope adapted to surround the ankle of a user, the envelope demarcating the upper end of the boot, the boot further including a gripping member affixed to the envelope in the area of the upper end of the boot, on the side of the rear end. An inextensible reinforcement connects the rear end to the gripping member.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole assembly;   an upper;   a length extending between a rear end to a front end;   a width extending between a lateral side and a medial side;   a height extending between the sole assembly to an upper end;   a flexible envelope structured and arranged to surround an ankle of a wearer, the envelope demarcating the upper end of the boot;   a gripping member affixed to the envelope in an area of the upper end at the rear end;   an inextensible reinforcement connecting the rear end to the gripping member.   
     
     
         2 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rear support element.   
     
     
         3 . An article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 the rear support element includes a band extending from the lateral side to the medial side, extending around the envelope.   
     
     
         4 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the gripping member comprises a strap.   
     
     
         5 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement includes a distribution tongue.   
     
     
         6 . An article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the tongue demarcates a concave contact surface; and   opposite the contact surface, the tongue demarcates a free convex surface.   
     
     
         7 . An article of footwear according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 the free convex surface comprises a guide for the band of the rear support element.   
     
     
         8 . An article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the tongue is comprised of a plastic material.   
     
     
         9 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement includes a flexible and nonextensible strap.   
     
     
         10 . An article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 a central portion of the reinforcement faces the envelope without being secured thereto.   
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear according to  claim 9 , wherein:
 the gripping member comprises a strap; and   the strap of the gripping member and the strap of the reinforcement are co-extensive.   
     
     
         12 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement includes a tie rod.   
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein:
 the reinforcement includes an upwardly extending extension;   the distribution tongue and the extension form a unitary element.   
     
     
         14 . An article of footwear according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 an end of the band is adjustably affixed to a quarter.   
     
     
         15 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the envelope is elastic.   
     
     
         16 . An article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement is arranged on an outer surface of the boot.