Shoe with bimodal heel counter and activating elements for rapid entry and release

Abstract

A bimodal shoe having a bimodal structure, 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. A flared sole element and connecting vertical rear arms improve functionality.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising:
 a sole structure; an upper, structure having an opening for inserting of a wearer's foot; a morphable heel counter for surrounding the heel of a wearer's foot and a forefoot enclosing element;   wherein the opening expands to a first opening at a first position when the upper portion of the heel counter is positioned rearwardly relative to a rear of the sole, and contracts to a second opening at a second position when the upper portion of the heel counter is positioned forwardly relative to the rear of the sole, the first opening is larger than the second opening to facilitate entry and removal of the wearer's foot; and   wherein the heel counter includes a bimodal element, forming a bimodal structure, shaped as a hollow half ellipsoid, or portion thereof, manufactured of a flexible material and of a thickness as to permit a manufactured state with a forwardly convex configuration in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure when in a first position and an rearwardly concave configuration in the longitudinal direction of the sole structure when in a second position; and   wherein the bimodal structure is at rest in the first and second positions; and   wherein the curved circumferential portion of the bimodal structure is under greater stored tension between the first and second positions so that upon applying pressure to the medial curved portion when the bimodal structure is in the first position will cause it to snap into the second position to secure the foot within the shoe; and   wherein the curved circumferential portion of the bimodal structure is under greater stored tension between the first and second positions so that upon applying pressure to the medial curved portion of the bimodal structure when in the second position will cause it to snap into the first position to permit placing or removal of a foot.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the bimodal structure has a lever device at the upper portion of the heel counter, angled to provide a platform to cause downward and rearward pressure to the top of the bimodal structure; a heel tab. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole structure includes a rear, raised, back sole structure centrally positioned, rising vertically behind a separated curved section of the bimodal structure; a flared sole element. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper portion of the heel collar includes two side bands as part of the shoe opening, positioned forwardly curved to present a smaller opening when the shoe is in a first or second position, and positioned more outwardly curved to present a larger opening when the shoe is in a first or second position. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein dual, collapsible rear arms with rearward facing notches are positioned at the rear of the shoe, connecting the top face of the flared sole element with the tab at the top portion of the heel counter. 
     
     
         6 . 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. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 6 , the foot insertion opening comprising flexible material connecting 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 bimodal structure at and between the first and second positions. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 6 , the wall of the shoe comprising flexible materials connecting 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 bimodal structure at and between the first and second positions.