Self-adjusting shoe
US6279251A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 22, 1999 |
| Grant date | Aug 28, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 22, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA43B7/38
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A shoe that includes an expansible inner lining that snugly conforms to the wearer's foot and that permits the wearer's foot to grow at least one shoe size, and preferably approximately two shoe sizes. The shoe may optionally include a midsole disposed between the insole and outsole. The shoe may also optionally include an expandable counter that permits the heel portion of the shoe to adapt as the wearer's foot grows. The inventive shoe thus permits the wearer's foot to grow or expand widthwise and/or lengthwise thereby reducing the frequency with which shoes must be replaced and without sacrificing fit, support and comfort. The expansible lining may be constructed of any four-way expandable, porous material. A transparent toe portion and a fit indicator may be provided to assist in determining when the wearer's foot has grown too large for the shoe.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.