Rapid-Entry Footwear Having A Stabilizer And An Elastic Element
Patent No. US11633006 (titled "Rapid-Entry Footwear Having A Stabilizer And An Elastic Element") was filed by Siena Lending Group Llc on Oct 13, 2022.
What is this patent about?
’006 is related to the field of footwear, specifically rapid-entry shoes. The background acknowledges the inconvenience or difficulty some individuals face when donning and doffing shoes, especially those requiring tying or securing. The patent addresses this need by providing a shoe design that facilitates easy entry and exit.
The underlying idea behind ’006 is to combine an elastic element in the upper part of the shoe with a stabilizer in the heel area. The elastic element expands to enlarge the foot opening for easy entry, then contracts for a snug fit. Simultaneously, the stabilizer prevents the rear of the shoe from collapsing or deforming during entry, ensuring structural integrity and ease of use.
The claims of ’006 focus on a rapid-entry shoe featuring a sole, an upper with rear, forward, and side portions, an elastic element at the side extending to the topline and either to the sole (claim 1) or not to the sole (claim 4), and a stabilizer at the rear extending from within the sole. Claim 1 emphasizes a closed cup base portion of the stabilizer and a flare to guide the foot. Claim 4 highlights an arch structure of the stabilizer defining a window with an expansion zone.
In practice, the elastic element, strategically placed on the side of the shoe, stretches to accommodate the foot as it slides in. The stabilizer, being rigid, maintains the shape of the heel counter, preventing it from folding or crumpling under pressure. The flare on the stabilizer acts like a shoehorn, guiding the heel into the shoe. The foam liner adds comfort and heel retention.
This design differentiates itself from traditional shoes by eliminating the need for laces or other fasteners for everyday use. Unlike slip-on shoes that can lack support, the stabilizer provides structure and prevents heel slippage. The combination of the elastic element and stabilizer offers a balance of easy entry and secure fit, addressing a common problem for users with limited mobility or those seeking convenience.
How does this patent fit in bigger picture?
Technical landscape at the time
In the late 2010s when ’006 was filed, footwear design at a time when systems commonly relied on established manufacturing techniques for combining sole portions and uppers, and when hardware or software constraints made complex geometries and material integrations non-trivial.
Novelty and Inventive Step
Claims 1-6 were provisionally rejected on the ground of nonstatutory double patenting. The rejection was based on claims in a copending application. The claims were considered unpatentable because both applications disclosed a shoe having an upper, a sole, an elastic element at the side portion, and a stabilizer comprising a base and an elevated portion, wherein the stabilizer has a curvature, flare portion and rigid material, and the stabilizer further has a window.
Claims
This patent contains 6 claims, with claims 1 and 4 being independent. The independent claims are directed to a rapid-entry shoe having a sole, upper, elastic element, and stabilizer. The dependent claims further define the features of the stabilizer.
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Date
Description
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US11633006
- Application Number
- US17965501
- Filing Date
- Oct 13, 2022
- Status
- Granted
- Expiry Date
- Jul 29, 2040
- External Links
- Slate, USPTO, Google Patents