Footwear, footwear adjustment mechanisms and the manufacturing thereof

Abstract

Footwear has a rear portion and a front portion having at least one gap therebetween, wherein relative positions of the rear portion and the front portion define a size of the footwear. A rail is configured with the rear portion and a slider is configured with the front portion, the slider engaging the rail. The rail provides multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider, and a position of the slider in the rail determines a size of the at least one gap. The front and rear portions comprise molded plastic, and the rail is molded in the rear portion.

1 . A shoe comprising:
 a rear portion and a front portion having at least one gap therebetween, wherein relative positions of the rear portion and the front portion define a size of the shoe; and   a rail configured with the rear portion; and   a slider configured with the front portion, the slider engaging the rail,   wherein the rail provides multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider, and wherein a position of the slider in the rail determines a size of the at least one gap, and   wherein the front portion and the rear portion comprise molded plastic, and   wherein the rail is molded in the rear portion.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rail has a circular cross section. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the rail includes a plurality of ridges, said ridges defining said multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a sole, and wherein the rail is at a non-zero angle to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a sole, and wherein the rail is parallel to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 2 , wherein the rail includes a plurality of ridges, said ridges defining said multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 2 , further comprising a sole, and wherein the rail is at a non-zero angle to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 2 , further comprising a sole, and wherein the rail is parallel to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         9 . Footwear comprising:
 a rear portion and a front portion having at least one gap therebetween, wherein relative positions of the rear portion and the front portion define a size of the footwear; and   a rail configured with the rear portion; and   a slider configured with the front portion, the slider engaging the rail; and   a sole,   wherein the rail provides multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider, and wherein a position of the slider in the rail determines a size of the at least one gap, and   wherein the front portion and the rear portion comprise molded plastic, and   wherein the rail is molded in the rear portion, and   wherein the rail has a circular cross section, and   wherein the rail includes a plurality of ridges, said ridges defining said multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider.   
     
     
         10 . The footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the rail is at a non-zero angle to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear of  claim 9 , wherein the rail is parallel to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         12 . Footwear comprising:
 a rear portion and a front portion having at least one gap therebetween, wherein relative positions of the rear portion and the front portion define a size of the footwear; and   a rail configured with the rear portion; and   a slider configured with the front portion, the slider engaging the rail; and   a sole,   wherein the rail provides multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider, and wherein a position of the slider in the rail determines a size of the at least one gap, and   wherein the front portion and the rear portion comprise molded plastic, and   wherein the rail is molded in the rear portion, and   wherein the rail includes a plurality of ridges, said ridges defining said multiple distinct and discrete positions for the slider.   
     
     
         13 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the rail is at a non-zero angle to a base of the sole. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear of  claim 12 , wherein the rail is parallel to a base of the sole.