Fully-Opening Footwear Systems

Abstract

The present invention relates to articles with cavities capable of receiving objects as a result of extending an opening into a cavity capable of receiving the objects. For example, the opening in an article of footwear can be extended into the toe box to allow for the easier insertion and removal of a foot. The present invention also relates to systems that permit the article to be secured to the object after it has been inserted.

1 . An article capable of receiving at least a portion of an inserted foot or orthotic brace, the article comprising:
 a base member at least partially coupled to or integrated with an upper member;   the upper member comprising a first side and a second side,
 wherein a cavity capable of receiving at least a portion of the inserted foot or orthotic brace is formed by at least a front portion of the base member and front portions of the first and second sides of the upper member, 
 wherein the front portion of the first side of the upper member and the front portion of the second side of the upper member define, at least in part, one or more openings that extend into the cavity; 
   a first top flap at least partially coupled to or integrated with the upper member;   a second top flap at least partially coupled to or integrated with the upper member; and   one or more securing mechanisms attached to at least one of the first top flap and the second top flap, wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is capable of securing the article around the inserted foot or orthotic brace.   
     
     
         2 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first top flap and the second top flap are capable of extending upward at least ninety degrees relative to the base member. 
     
     
         3 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more securing mechanisms comprises pieces of hook and loop fastener material. 
     
     
         4 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is selected from a group comprising one or more straps, pieces of hook and loop fastener material, buckles, zippers, spring slides, laces, lace loops, hooks, and securing loops. 
     
     
         5 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein the first top flap is attached to or integrated with the first side of the upper member near the top of the cavity and continuously extends along the top rim to the front portion of the upper member and wherein the second top flap is attached to or integrated with the second side of the upper member near the top of the cavity and continuously extends along the top rim to the front portion of the upper member. 
     
     
         6 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first top flap and the second top flap is triangular in shape. 
     
     
         7 . An article according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first top flap and the second top flap is at least partially semi-oval in shape. 
     
     
         8 . An article according to  claim 1 , further comprising one or more notches in the upper member 
     
     
         9 . An article capable of receiving at least a portion of an inserted foot or orthotic brace, the article comprising:
 a base member at least partially coupled to or integrated with an upper member;   the upper member comprising a first side and a second side,
 wherein a cavity capable of receiving at least a portion of the inserted foot or orthotic brace is formed by at least a front portion of the base member and front portions of the first and second sides of the upper member, 
 wherein the front portion of the first side of the upper member and the front portion of the second side of the upper member define, at least in part, one or more openings that extend into the cavity; 
   a first top flap at least partially coupled to or integrated with the upper member; and   one or more securing mechanisms attached to or integrated with the first top flap, wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is capable of securing the article around the inserted foot or orthotic brace.   
     
     
         10 . An article according to  claim 9 , wherein the first top flap is attached to or integrated with the first side of the upper member near the top of the cavity and continuously extends along the top rim to the front portion of the upper member. 
     
     
         11 . An article according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more securing mechanisms comprises pieces of hook and loop fastener material. 
     
     
         12 . An article according to  claim 11 , wherein one piece of the hook and loop fastener material is attached to an inner rim of the first top flap, which is attached to or integrated with the first side of the upper member, and an opposing piece of hook and loop fastener material is attached to the second side of the upper member. 
     
     
         13 . An article according to  claim 9 , wherein the article is a slipper. 
     
     
         14 . An article according to  claim 9 , wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is selected from a group comprising one or more straps, pieces of hook and loop fastener material, buckles, zippers, spring slides, laces, lace loops, hooks, and securing loops. 
     
     
         15 . An article according to  claim 9 , wherein the first top flap is capable of extending upward at least ninety degrees relative to the base member. 
     
     
         16 . An article capable of receiving at least a portion of an inserted foot or orthotic brace, the article comprising:
 a base member at least partially coupled to or integrated with an upper member;   the upper member comprising a first side and a second side,
 wherein a cavity capable of receiving at least a portion of the inserted foot or orthotic brace is formed by at least a front portion of the base member and front portions of the first and second sides of the upper member, 
 wherein the front portion of the first side of the upper member and the front portion of the second side of the upper member define, at least in part, one or more openings that extend into the cavity; 
   a first top flap at least partially coupled to or integrated with the upper member near a front portion of the upper member; and   one or more securing mechanisms attached to or integrated with the first top flap, wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is capable of securing the article around the inserted foot or orthotic brace.   
     
     
         17 . An article according to  claim 16 , further comprising a first protective material attached to the first side of the upper member and a first side of the first top flap and a second protective material attached to the second side of the upper member and a second side of the first top flap. 
     
     
         18 . An article according to  claim 16 , wherein the one or more securing mechanisms is selected from a group comprising one or more straps, pieces of hook and loop fastener material, buckles, zippers, spring slides, laces, lace loops, hooks, and securing loops. 
     
     
         19 . An article according to  claim 17 , further comprising lace guides that are attached to at least one of the first protective material, the second protective material, the first side of the upper member, and the second side of the upper member. 
     
     
         20 . An article according to  claim 16 , wherein the article is a boot.