Upper for a Shoe

Abstract

A shoe with a sole, upper, and shaft, whose upper and shaft contain a number of modifications to increase flexibility of the shoe but maintain protection for the wearer of the shoe. These modifications fall into the general categories of notch and aperture. The upper also has a number of protrusions into the shaft to increase protection in the protrusion areas. The location, shape, and size of these notches, apertures, and protrusions are important for optimizing the flexibility and protective qualities of the shoe.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising
 a sole;   an upper connected to said sole;   a shaft connected to said upper.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft includes a notch. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft includes an aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said upper includes a protrusion into said shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe according to  claim 1  further comprising at least one notch and at least one aperture wherein said combination of said at least one notch and said at least one aperture provide enhanced flexibility.
 wherein said shaft includes at least one notch and at least one aperture; 
 wherein a combination of said at least one notch and said at least one aperture provide enhanced flexibility; 
 wherein said upper includes at least two protrusions into said shaft. 
 
     
     
         6 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft includes at least two sections. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe according to  claim 6  further comprising at least one vertical seam which fastens said at least two sections together. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe according to  claim 7  wherein said shaft includes at least one horizontal seam which fasten said at least two sections together. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe according to  claim 8  wherein said upper includes at least one section with at least one seam which fastens said sections together. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said upper further includes at least one aperture. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said shaft further includes a top with at least one protrusion. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to  claim 1  wherein said sole further includes a heel. 
     
     
         13 . A shoe, comprising a sole;
 an upper connected to said sole;   a shaft connected to said upper;   wherein said shaft includes at least one notch and at least one aperture;   a heel;   protrusions.   
     
     
         14 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said at least one notch and at least one aperture are generally perpendicular to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said at least one notch and at least one aperture are generally parallel to each other. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said shaft contains a top wherein said at least one notch is located, and a top area where said at least one aperture is located. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said shaft contains a top wherein said at least one notch is located, and a middle area where said at least one aperture is located. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said protrusions are generally perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe according to  claim 13  wherein said protrusions are generally parallel to one another. 
     
     
         20 . A shoe, comprising
 a sole;   an upper connected to said sole;   a shaft connected to said upper;   wherein said shaft includes at least one notch and at least one aperture;   wherein said at least one notch is in a first location on said shaft and said at least one aperture is in a second location on said shaft;   wherein said upper includes at least two protrusions into said shaft;   wherein said upper protrusions are in a first and second location.