Footwear device with bimodal sole

Abstract

A shoe having a bimodal structure at a sole, the bimodal structure configured to selectively snap to at least one of a second position and a first position. The bimodal structure is a bendable structure that selectively snaps into the first position upon being subjected to a first bending force, and that selectively snaps into the second position upon being subjected to a second bending force, where the first bending force has an opposite direction to the second bending force. A downward force applied to a heel counter of the bimodal shoe while holding portions of the shoe forward from the bimodal structure stationary causes the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole structure; and   an upper structure having an opening for inserting of a wearer's foot, the upper comprising a heel counter for surrounding the heel of a wearer's foot and a forefoot enclosing element, and   wherein the opening expands to a first opening at a first position when the heel counter is rotated rearwardly relative to a rear of the sole, and contracts to a second opening at a second position when the heel counter is rotated forwardly relative to the rear of the sole, the first opening is larger than the second opening to facilitate entry of the wearer's foot; and   a bimodal structure at a sole comprising a hollow half ellipsoid, or portion thereof, having a curved, hemispherical shape with an apex and at least one longitudinal end with an oval shaped base, manufactured of a flexible material and of a thickness as to permit a manufactured state with an upwardly convex configuration in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure when in a first position and a downwardly concave configuration in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure when in a second position,   wherein the bimodal structure occupies a central portion of the sole forward of the heel counter, spanning forward and rearward portions of a sole,   wherein the oval circumferential portion of the bimodal structure farther from the apex is under greater stored tension while the bimodal structure is between the first and second positions so that upon applying pressure to the apex when the bimodal structure is in the first position will cause it to snap into the second position bending the sole to secure the foot within the shoe,   wherein the curved circumferential portion of the bimodal structure farther from the apex is under greater stored tension while the bimodal is between the first and second positions so that upon applying pressure to the apex when the bimodal structure is in the second position will cause it to snap into the first position bending the sole to permit placing or removal of a foot, and   wherein the bimodal structure is at rest in the first and second positions.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes a notch at the bimodal structure. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , includes a lever device comprising:
 a rear tab affixed at the medial section of the upper heel counter or at a raised rear area of the sole; a heel at the sole structure with a front projecting; and a central heel projection at the front of the heel positioned below the pressure point of the bimodal structure; and   wherein the rear tab and the front of heel form a lever with the rear of the heel as fulcrum, the tab, heel counter and heel constructed or reinforced of a semi-rigid material and design such that applying downward or rearward pressure to the tab applies upward directed pressure from the front of the heel to the pressure point of the bimodal structure, causing a heel counter to be in a rearward pivoted position, and   wherein the rear tab and the front of the heel form a lever with the rear of the heel as fulcrum, the tab, heel counter and heel constructed or reinforced of a semi-rigid material and design such that applying downward pressure to the pressure point of the bimodal structure at the sole above the front of the heel applies upward and forward directed pressure from the front of the heel to the heel tab and counter, causing a heel counter to be in a forward pivoted position.   
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the circumferential portion of the bimodal structure has one oval end and one tapered end. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1  wherein components of flexible material traverse from a narrower portion of the shoe to a wider portion of the shoe. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the foot insertion opening presents dual flexible straps connecting laterally the heel counter and the forefoot enclosing element, constructed of a material that has greater stored tension in one position and less in another position, acquiring and releasing tension in conjunction with the change in shape of the sole and bimodal structure at and between a first and second positions. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper includes flexible materials in the wall connecting laterally the heel counter and the forefoot enclosing element, constructed of a material that has greater stored tension in one position and less in another position, acquiring and releasing tension in conjunction with the change in shape of the sole and bimodal structure at and between a first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . A shoe comprising:
 a bimodal structure, the bimodal structure configured to selectively snap to at least one of a second position and a first position, wherein causing the bimodal structure to snap into the first position causes an opening of the bimodal shoe to change for receiving a foot in the bimodal shoe.   
     
     
         9 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein causing the bimodal structure to snap into the second position causes an opening of the bimodal shoe to change for securing a foot received in the bimodal shoe. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein causing the bimodal structure to snap into the first position causes a heel counter of the shoe to pivot. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the bimodal structure is a bendable structure that selectively snaps into the first position upon being subjected to a first bending force, and that selectively snaps into the second position upon being subjected to a second bending force, where the first bending force has an opposite direction to the second bending force. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the bimodal structure is semi-spherical in at least one of the second position and the first position. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the bimodal structure is concave in one of the second position and first position, and convex in another one of the second position and first position. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the bimodal structure is located at a sole of the bimodal shoe. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the bimodal structure is configured such that stepping in the shoe with a user's foot while the bimodal structure is in the first position causes the bimodal structure to snap into the second position. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein a downward force applied to a heel counter of the bimodal shoe while holding portions of the shoe forward from the bimodal structure stationary causes the bimodal structure to snap out of the second position.