CN117082992A

CN117082992A - Article of footwear with pivoting tongue and anchoring band

Info

Publication number: CN117082992A
Application number: CN202280025516.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: T·本德扎克; C·J·佩吉
Original assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Current assignee: Nike Innovate CV USA
Priority date: 2021-03-31
Filing date: 2022-03-08
Publication date: 2023-11-17
Also published as: WO2022211987A1; US20220312896A1; TW202239349A; EP4312649A1; TWI825627B

Abstract

An article of footwear having a footwear upper including a base layer defining a throat opening, a tongue having a forward end secured to the base layer forward of the throat opening, and a strap having an anchor end secured at the base layer and a securable end that may be selectively secured at the base layer. The tongue is pivotable about the front end between an access position and a use position, in which it extends over and covers the throat opening, and in which it abuts against the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer. The strips cross over the outer portion of the tongue, with the fixable ends fixed at the base layer and the tongue in the use position.

Description

Article of footwear with pivoting tongue and anchoring band

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. provisional application No. 63/168,910 filed 3/31 at 2021, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear having an upper with a pivoting tongue that facilitates access and an anchoring band that holds the tongue in place for use.

Background

Footwear generally includes a sole configured to underlie a foot of a wearer and an upper attached to the sole structure. The upper generally encloses the sides and top of the foot. The upper may include a lacing system, buckles, or other fastening systems to secure the upper around the foot. Wearing footwear generally requires manipulating the upper to widen the ankle opening to facilitate foot access, and then manipulating a lace or other fastening system to secure the upper around the foot. These steps can be difficult for some wearers, such as those with limited dexterity and young children.

Drawings

The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are schematic in nature and are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Fig. 1 is a lateral side view of an article of footwear having an upper with a base layer, a tongue, a first strap, and a second strap, wherein the tongue is shown in a use position and the straps are shown intersecting the tongue and secured at the base layer.

FIG. 2 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1.

Fig. 3 is a top view of the article of footwear of fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the outside of the first belt of fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the outside of the second belt of fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the article of footwear of fig. 1 with the tongue of fig. 1 removed.

FIG. 7 is a lateral side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1 with the strap removed and the tongue pivoted from the use position to the open position.

Fig. 8 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the tongue, taken at line 8-8 in fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a partially exploded view of the tongue.

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a partially assembled tongue.

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the upper of fig. 1, with the partially assembled tongue stitched to an outer layer of the base layer with a first series of stitches at the forward end.

Fig. 12 is a partial perspective view of the upper of fig. 11, with the cover stitched to the first series of stitches using a second series of stitches.

FIG. 13 is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper taken at line 13-13 in FIG. 6 and showing a heel collar included in the upper.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the first belt of fig. 4.

Fig. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the first strap of fig. 14 taken at line 15-15 in fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a close-up partial cross-sectional view of the free end of the first strap of fig. 14.

Fig. 17 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the first strap of fig. 4.

Fig. 18 is a cross-sectional view of the first strap of fig. 17 taken at line 18-18 in fig. 17.

Fig. 19 is a close-up partial cross-sectional view of the free end of the first strap of fig. 17.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a base layer, a tongue, a first strap, and a second strap, and the tongue is shown in a partially open position and the first strap and the second strap are unsecured.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20 with the tongue in a use position and the first strap and the second strap shown intersecting over the tongue and secured at the base layer.

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the article of footwear of FIG. 20 with the tongue in a use position and the first strap and the second strap in a secured position.

FIG. 23 is a medial side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a tongue in a use position, and first and second straps are shown intersecting the tongue and secured at a base layer.

FIG. 24 is a medial side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a tongue in a use position, and a single strap shown intersecting the tongue and secured at a base layer.

Fig. 25 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a base layer, a tongue, and a single strap, wherein the tongue is shown in a use position and the strap is shown intersecting the tongue and secured at the base layer.

FIG. 26 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 25.

Fig. 27 is a top view of the article of footwear of fig. 25.

Fig. 28 is a plan view of the outside of the belt of fig. 25.

Fig. 29 is a partial cross-sectional view of the upper taken at line 29-29 in fig. 31.

Fig. 30 is a top view of the article of footwear of fig. 25 with a tongue removed.

FIG. 31 is a lateral side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 25 with the single strap removed and the tongue pivoted from the use position to the open position.

Fig. 32 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the tongue of fig. 25, taken at line 32-32 in fig. 33.

Fig. 33 is a partially exploded view of the tongue of fig. 25.

Fig. 34 is a partial perspective view of an upper of the article of footwear of fig. 25, with the tongue portion assembled.

Fig. 35 is a plan view of the embodiment of the belt of fig. 28.

Fig. 36 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the band of fig. 35 taken at line 36-36 in fig. 35.

Fig. 37 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the band of fig. 35 taken at line 37-37 in fig. 35.

Fig. 38 is a close-up partially exploded cross-sectional view of the free end of the band of fig. 36.

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of the upper of the article of footwear of FIG. 31, taken at line 39-39 in FIG. 31.

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the upper of the article of footwear of FIG. 30, taken at line 40-40 in FIG. 30.

FIG. 41 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear configured for a right foot, showing an upper having a base layer, a tongue in an access position, and an unsecured strap.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of an article of footwear similar to FIG. 41 but configured for use on a left foot, with the tongue in a use position, and with the strap shown intersecting the tongue and secured at the base layer.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear, showing an upper having a base layer, a tongue in an access position, and an unsecured strap.

FIG. 44 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the article of footwear, showing an upper having a base layer, a tongue in a use position, and a strap shown intersecting the tongue and secured at the base layer.

Fig. 45 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a base layer, a tongue, and a single strap, wherein the tongue is in a use position and the strap is crossed over the tongue and secured at the base layer.

Fig. 46 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a base layer, a tongue, and a single strap, wherein the tongue is in a use position and the strap is crossed over the tongue and secured at the base layer.

Fig. 47 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure for use with any of the articles of footwear of fig. 1-46.

Figure 48 is a bottom view of the sole structure of figure 47.

Figure 49 is a front elevational view of the sole structure of figure 47.

Figure 50 is a rear elevational view of the sole structure of figure 47.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure of FIG. 47, taken at line 51-51 in FIG. 47.

Figure 52 is a lateral side elevational view of the sole structure of figure 47.

Figure 53 is a medial side elevational view of the sole structure of figure 47.

Fig. 54 is a top view of an alternative sole structure for use with any of the articles of footwear of fig. 1-46.

FIG. 55 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a tongue in a use position, and first and second straps are shown intersecting the tongue and secured at a base layer.

FIG. 56 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 55.

FIG. 57 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear having an upper with a tongue in a use position, a single anchoring band shown intersecting the tongue, and an auxiliary band secured to the anchoring band.

FIG. 58 is a medial side view of the article of footwear of FIG. 57, with the anchor strap shown intersecting the tongue and secured at the base layer, and with the auxiliary strap extending below and secured to the anchor strap.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates generally to an article of footwear having an upper with a pivoting tongue that facilitates foot access and one or more anchoring straps configured to easily move and secure over the tongue for use. The footwear may be implemented for all sizes and is particularly suitable for young children, as it allows them to independently put on and take off their footwear.

In an example, an article of footwear includes a footwear upper having a base layer, a tongue, and a strap. The base layer defines a throat opening, and the tongue has a front end secured to the base layer forward of the throat opening. The tongue is pivotable about the front end between an access position and a use position. For example, the tongue may be configured to easily reflect (e.g., fold or bend) around the front end to expose most or all of the throat opening in the access location. Thus, a larger entry area is available for foot entry when the tongue is in the entry position.

The tongue extends over and covers the throat opening in the use position and abuts against the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer. In other words, the tongue covers the top side of the throat opening and overlaps the base layer on either side of the throat opening.

The belt has an anchored end that is secured at (e.g., fixed relative to, including indirectly secured to) the base layer. The belt has a fixable end that can be selectively fixed at the base layer (e.g., can be selectively fixed relative to the base layer, including can be indirectly fixed to the base layer). The strips cross over the outer portion of the tongue, with the fixable ends fixed at the base layer and the tongue in the use position. Thus, the strap holds the tongue in place on the foot during use.

The strap may be configured to be easily secured and released. For example, a first fastener, such as a hook and loop fastener, may be secured at the securable end of the strap, and a second fastener may be secured at a side of the upper opposite the side securing the anchored end of the strap. Thus, the strap may be secured simply by pressing the first fastener against the second fastener and released by pulling the securable end of the strap away from the second fastener to release the first fastener from the second fastener.

In some examples, only a single strap may be selectively secured to the tongue. Other examples include first and second straps, such as medial and lateral straps, that cross over the tongue to opposite sides of the upper, with one of the straps crossing over the other strap.

Other features of the article of footwear may include tongue tabs, heel tabs, ties, or reinforcing footwear covers that help strengthen the perimeter of the upper surrounding the throat opening to maintain the shape of the opening for easy access, and that provide structure at the lateral and rear edges of the tongue. Foam cushioning at the underside of the tongue and heel collar of the upper may also be used to provide structure to maintain opening size and tongue shape as well as to increase comfort.

The above features and advantages and other features and advantages of the teachings of the present disclosure will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the modes for carrying out the teachings of the present disclosure when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood that although embodiments may be described separately in the following figures, individual features thereof may be combined into additional embodiments.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like components, FIG. 1 shows an article of footwear 10 that includes an upper 12, the upper 12 having a pivotable tongue 14 and two straps 16A, 16B (also referred to as anchor straps), the straps 16A, 16B being configured to enable easy donning and doffing of the footwear 10 as described herein.

FIG. 1 is a lateral side view of article of footwear 10, showing upper 12 secured to sole structure 18 to together define a foot-receiving cavity 20, with a foot disposed within foot-receiving cavity 20 when article of footwear 10 is worn. Article of footwear 10 may also be referred to herein as footwear 10. The article of footwear 10 has a forefoot region 22, a midfoot region 24, and a heel region 26. Heel region 26 generally corresponds with a rear portion of a wearer's foot (including the calcaneus bone), where the foot corresponds with the dimensions of article of footwear 10. Forefoot region 22 generally includes portions of article of footwear 10 corresponding with the toes and the joints connecting the metatarsals with the phalanges of the foot. Midfoot region 24 generally corresponds with the arch region of the foot and extends from forefoot region 22 to heel region 26. Forefoot region 22, midfoot region 24, and heel region 26 are used herein to describe portions of sole structure 18 and portions of upper 12.

FIG. 1 shows a lateral side 28 of article of footwear 10, and FIG. 2 shows an opposite medial side 30 of article of footwear 10. Lateral side 28 and medial side 30 are used herein to describe portions of sole structure 18 and portions of upper 12. Lateral side 28 and medial side 30 extend through each of forefoot region 22, midfoot region 24, and heel region 26, and correspond with opposite sides of article of footwear 10 divided by a longitudinal axis LM (indicated in fig. 3), which may be a longitudinal midline of article of footwear 10.

The forefoot region 22, midfoot region 24, and heel region 26 are not intended to demarcate precise areas of the footwear 10, but are intended to represent general areas of the article of footwear 10 to aid in the discussion. As shown in the top view of FIG. 3, article of footwear 10 is used on a right foot. A pair of footwear includes article of footwear 10 and an article of footwear for the left foot that is a mirror image of article of footwear 10. Accordingly, the description of footwear 10 applies equally to both right foot footwear and left foot footwear, both of which are within the scope of the teachings of this disclosure.

Sole structure 18 may include any or all of an outsole, a midsole, and one or more fluid-filled or foam cushioning elements. Additionally, sole structure 18 may be equipped with nails, cleats, or other ground-engaging members. In the illustrated embodiment, sole structure 18 is a single sole that functions as both a midsole and an outsole, and may include outsole components, such as forefoot outsole component 19 and heel outsole component 21, at high wear areas of sole structure 18. For example, the outsole members 19, 21 may comprise rubber.

Upper 12 includes a plurality elements that cooperate to provide comfort and support. For example, as best shown in fig. 6, upper 12 includes a base layer 32 that is coupled to sole structure 18 at a lower extent. The base layer 32 defines a throat opening 34. The base layer 32 extends in the forefoot region 22 and midfoot region 24 and into the heel region 26, where it is secured to a heel brace 36, the heel brace 36 extending around the upper 12 and defining a rear portion of the upper 12. Base layer 32 may include, but is not limited to, a fabric, such as a woven or knitted fabric. Toenail guard 45 may be secured at the front of base layer 32 and may be, but is not limited to, a leather material.

A heel collar 38 is secured to the upper extent of the heel strap 36 and defines an ankle opening 40 (see fig. 6) extending rearwardly from the throat opening 34. In other words, throat opening 34 extends into ankle opening 40 (e.g., merges with ankle opening 40).

In fig. 1-3, tongue 14 is shown in a use position and strips 16A, 16B are shown intersecting on an outer portion 42 of tongue 14 and fixed relative to base layer 32. When the article of footwear 10 is worn for various activities, the straps 16A, 16B maintain the tongue 14 in the use position, and may then be released to enable the tongue 14 to pivot to the access position, as shown and discussed with respect to fig. 7.

Medial strap 16A is also referred to herein as a first strap, and has an anchor end 43, with anchor end 43 secured to sole structure 18 and/or a lower extent of base layer 32 at medial side 30. Similarly, lateral band 16B is also referred to herein as a second band, and has an anchor end 44, with anchor end 44 secured to a lower extent of base layer 32 at sole structure 18 and/or lateral side 28. By securing anchor ends 43, 44 to sole structure 18 and/or base layer 32, anchor ends 43, 44 are thus fixed relative to base layer 32 because they do not move relative to base layer 32. The anchor ends 43, 44 are also referred to as fixed ends.

The belt 16A has a fixable end 46 that can be selectively fixed relative to the base layer 32, as shown in fig. 1. Similarly, strap 16B has a fixable end 48 that can be selectively fixed relative to base layer 32, as shown in FIG. 2. The fixable ends 46, 48 of straps 16A, 16B may be referred to as free ends because they are not fixed and may move freely relative to base layer 32, tongue 14, and sole structure 18 unless they are selectively fixed to article of footwear 10 as described herein.

As used herein, the "end" of a band 16A or 16B generally refers to the end of the band 16A or 16B and is not limited to, but includes the absolute end of the band 16A or 16B, such as the end of the band 16A or 16B.

As best shown in fig. 3, each strap 16A, 16B crosses over the exterior 42 of the tongue 14 with the fixable ends 46, 48 fixed relative to the base layer 32 at the heel strap 36. More specifically, the outer band 16B is shown as first wrapped around the tongue 14 with the fixable end 48 fixed at the inner side 30. The inner band 16A is shown as being wrapped over the outer portion 42 of the tongue 14, and also over the outer band 16B, with the fixable end 46 fixed at the outer side 28. Thus, a portion of the outer band 16B is located between the inner band 16A and the outer portion 42 of the tongue 14. Alternatively, the medial strap 16A may be first wrapped around the tongue 14 with the fixable end 46 fixed at the lateral side 28. The outer band 16B may then be subsequently wrapped over the outer portion 42 of the tongue 14 and also over a portion of the inner band 16A with the fixable end 48 fixed at the inner side 30. In this alternative arrangement, a portion of the medial band 16A would be located between the lateral band 16B and the exterior 42 of the tongue 14.

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the outer side 50 of the first strap 16A. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the outer side 52 of the second belt 16B. Each strap 16A, 16B tapers in width from a respective anchored end 43, 44 (also referred to as a fixed end) to a respective fixable end 46, 48 (also referred to as a free end). The wider anchor ends 43, 44 provide greater support to the foot at the lateral and medial sides 28, 30 than narrower straps, which may be helpful during side-to-side movement.

Fig. 14 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the first belt 16A of fig. 4. The description of the first belt 16A in fig. 14 to 16 and the alternative first belt 16AA in fig. 17 to 19 applies equally to the second belt 16B. As shown in fig. 15, the first fastener 54 is secured at the securable end 46 of the strap 16A at the inner side 58 of the strap 16A. The first fastener 54 may also be referred to as a first strap fastener portion (or a second strap fastener portion when a similar fastener 54 is secured to the second strap 16B) and includes a plurality of hooks 56 made of hook and loop fastener material. Suitable materials for heel brace 36 having hooks 56 and loops 70 may be sold under the trade name VELCRO from 3M company of the St.Paul 3M center, minnesota ^TM Obtained.

First strap 16A includes an outer layer 59, which may be referred to as a footwear skin, and defines lateral side 50. The outer layer 59 may be leather or other relatively inextensible, durable material. Additionally, the strap 16A including the outer layer 59 may be segmented and may include an elastic shoelace that may be positioned between and connect the segments, as described with respect to the elastic shoelace 1423 and segments 1419 and 1421 of the strap 1416B of fig. 57-58. Accordingly, any of the first strap 16A, the second strap 16B, and the straps shown and discussed with respect to other embodiments herein may be configured to be relatively inextensible except at the footwear strap sections to maintain the upper in engagement with the foot during wear.

Referring to fig. 15, first strap 16A includes an inner layer 60 defining an inner side 58. The first fastener 54 is secured to the inner layer 60, such as by stitching, thermal bonding, adhesive, or other means.

The substrate layer 62 is disposed between the outer layer 59 and the inner layer 60. As shown in fig. 16, the outer layer 59 covers the edges of the substrate layer 62 defining the ridge 64 to provide a three-dimensional effect at the outer layer 59. The substrate layer 62 increases the overall thickness of the belt 16A and may be compressed at one or more locations to help define various designs and images pressed into the outer layer 59. The second strap 16B may be configured in the same manner as the first strap 16A.

An alternative configuration of the first belt 16A and the second belt 16B is represented by an alternative first belt 16AA shown in fig. 17 to 19. The alternate outer layer 59A defines the outer side 50. The alternate inner layer 60A may be secured directly to the outer layer 59A without the need for the substrate layer 62 of fig. 15-16. For example, outer layer 59A may be a synthetic material and inner layer 60A may be natural leather. The outer layer 59A may be thermoformed to create the ridges 64. As with strap 16A, strap 16AA including outer layer 59 may be segmented and may include an elastic shoelace that may be positioned between and connect the segments as described with respect to elastic shoelace 1423 and segments 1419 and 1421 of strap 1416B of fig. 57-58.

The exterior of the heel strap 36 has a plurality of loops 70, and the hooks 56 (shown in fig. 15) are configured to engage the loops 70 to releasably secure the first fastener 54 of the free ends 46, 48 of the straps 16A, 16B, as shown in fig. 1-3. The heel strap 36 and the loop 70 are referred to as second fasteners to which the first fastener 54 can be releasably secured. Alternatively, the first fastener 54 may be a loop material (e.g., a plurality of loops), and the outside of the heel strap 36 may be a hook material (e.g., a plurality of hooks). In another alternative, the first fastener 54 and the outside of the heel brace 36 may each include a plurality of loops and a plurality of hooks such that the first fastener 54 may be releasably secured to the heel brace 36.

Although the embodiments herein illustrate a hook and loop material for securing the straps 16A, 16B to the heel brace 36, as an alternative to the hooks 56 and loops 70, the first fastener at the free ends 46, 48 of the straps 16A, 16B could instead be, for example, a clasp, magnet, or button, with a first portion of the clasp or magnet secured to the free ends 46, 48 and a second portion secured to the first portion secured to the heel brace 36 (or having a buttonhole on the free ends 46, 48 of the heel brace 36 and a button on each of the lateral side 28 and the medial side 30). However, the hook and loop material of the first fastener 54 and heel strap 36 provides finer mating adjustment than snaps or magnets because the spacing between the hooks is minimal, allowing for a greater number of incremental securing positions of the straps 16A, 16B than, for example, using spaced apart snaps or magnets. Additionally, hook and loop fastening may be easier for young children and people with limited dexterity in handling than other fastener types.

The heel strap 36 is also configured to help secure the straps 16A, 16B in place. More specifically, as shown in fig. 2 and 6, the heel protector 36 has a medial edge 36A at the medial side 30 of the base layer 32, the medial edge 36A being angled upward and forward from the heel region 26 to the midfoot region 24. The angle of the inside edge 36A is selected such that the lower edge 72 of the band 16B may be aligned with the inside edge 36A and this alignment places the band 16B in a snug and untwisted position against the inside 30 of the substrate layer 32.

Similarly, as best shown in fig. 1, 6 and 7, the heel strap 36 has a lateral edge 36B at the lateral side 28 of the base layer 32, the lateral edge 36B angled upward and forward from the heel region 26 to the midfoot region 24. The angle of outer side edge 36B is selected such that lower edge 74 of band 16A may be aligned with outer side edge 36B and this alignment places band 16A in a snug and untwisted position against outer side 28 of substrate layer 32.

With the tongue 14 in the use position and the fixable ends 46, 48 secured as described, as shown in fig. 3, the inner band 16A intersects the inner and outer edges 84, 86 of the tongue 14 at the outer portion 42 of the tongue 14, and the outer band 16B intersects the inner and outer edges 84, 86 of the tongue 14 at the outer portion 42 of the tongue 14. Thus, the straps 16A, 16B maintain the tongue 14 in the use position until the wearer decides to release the straps 16A, 16B by lifting the ends 46, 48 from the heel guard 36 with sufficient force to peel the hooks 56 from the loops 70.

The tongue 14 has a number of features that enable the tongue 14 to easily pivot between the entry position of fig. 7 and the use position of fig. 1-3, and to always cover the entire width of the throat opening 34 and rest against the exterior 42 of the base layer 32 without wrinkling or twisting, such that the tongue 14 rests comfortably on the foot each time it is pivoted to the use position and anchored at the base layer 32 by the straps 16A, 16B.

For example, tongue 14 has a front end 80 (best shown in fig. 10) that is secured to base layer 32 forward of throat opening 34. Although the tongue 14 is removed in fig. 6, the dashed line in fig. 6 indicates the outer boundary 14A of the tongue 14 when the tongue 14 is disposed in the use position. The front end 80 is secured slightly forward of the forward-most end 34A of the throat opening 34 at a portion of the outer boundary 14A labeled 80A. Front end 80 may be secured at the inner side of substrate layer 32 (and any one or more inner layers, such as a liner), or may be secured to an outer portion 82 of substrate layer 32.

When the tongue 14 is in the use position, an inner side edge 84 (shown in fig. 2, 3, and 10) of the tongue 14 abuts an outer portion 82 of the base layer 32 at the inner side 30 of the base layer 32. Thus, as indicated by the portion of the outer boundary 14A labeled 84A in fig. 6, the medial edge 84 extends farther inboard than the medial edge 34B of the throat opening 34, indicating the location of the medial edge 84 when the tongue 14 is in the use position.

When tongue 14 is in the use position, an outer edge 86 (shown in fig. 1, 3, 7, and 10) of tongue 14 abuts outer portion 82 of base layer 32 at outer side 28 of base layer 32. Thus, as indicated by the portion of outer boundary 14A labeled 86A in fig. 6, lateral edge 86 extends farther laterally than lateral edge 34C of throat opening 34, indicating the position of lateral edge 86 when tongue 14 is in the use position.

Tongue 14 is secured to base layer 32 only at a forward end 80 forward of forward-most end 34A of throat opening 34. Tongue 14 includes an outer layer 90 at front end 80, and optionally, an inner layer 109 and a lace 120 may also extend to front end 80 (see fig. 8 and 9). Thus, the front end 80 is a relatively thin portion of the tongue 14 that is particularly suited for pivoting because the relatively thin outer layer 90, inner layer 109, and laces 120 can fold or bend more easily during pivoting than thicker and stiffer portions of the tongue 14 (e.g., portions including the foam 131 and/or edge ties 102 discussed herein).

Tongue 14 may be secured to base layer 32 by a first series of stitches 92 (see fig. 11), with first series of stitches 92 extending through front end 80 of tongue 14 and stitching it to base layer 32 forward of throat opening 34. A first series of stitches 92 is illustrated in fig. 11, wherein upper 12 is only partially assembled, and is indicated by dashed lines in fig. 3. In fig. 10-12, portions 90A, 90B of the outer layer 90 of the tongue 14 are illustrated, with a portion of the central seam 119 displaced and not fully stitched to each other, so as to illustrate the tongue tab 120A in perspective view. When fully assembled, the inner peripheral edges 90C, 90D of the respective portions 90B, 90A abut along their entire length at seam 119, and stitch 118 extends along the entire length of the edges 90C, 90D.

As shown in fig. 1-3, 7, and 12, after suturing tongue 14 to base layer 32 with a first series of stitches 92, a cover 94 may be disposed over first series of stitches 92. The cover 94 may be, for example, leather or another material that protects the first series of stitches 92 and that flexes easily as the tongue 14 is bent or folded as it pivots.

A second series of stitches 96 is shown in fig. 1-3, 7 and 12. A second series of stitches 96 may extend through the cover 94 and the base layer 32 to stitch the cover 94 and the front end 80 of the tongue 14 to the base layer 32 forward of the throat opening 34. The second series of stitches 96 may be disposed on the first series of stitches 92 that extend along the same path as the first series of stitches 92 to strengthen the first series of stitches 92 in addition to securing the cover 94 to the base layer 32.

Thus, fig. 10-12 illustrate a procedure for securing tongue 14 to base layer 32 by first positioning front end 80 shown in fig. 10 on outer portion 82 of base layer 32 shown in fig. 11 forward of forward-most end 34A of throat opening 34. In fig. 11, base layer 32 is unfolded to a relatively flat position and tongue 14 is secured to base layer 32 prior to securing the lower extent of base layer 32 to sole structure 18. When secured to sole structure 18, rear edges 98, 100 of base layer 32 are positioned adjacent to one another at heel region 26. In fig. 12, the cover 94 is first placed over the first series of stitches 92 and then stitched to the base layer 32 with the second series of stitches 96.

While the tongue 14 is configured to be relatively thin and flexible at its front end 80 by having only the outer layer 90 (and optionally the thin inner layer 109) at the front end 80, the tongue 14 has features configured to strengthen the remaining edges of the outer layer 90 (e.g., the remaining perimeter except for the front end 80, including edges 84, 86) such that the tongue 14 will tend to remain relatively unfolded or fanned out, rather than folded or wrinkled at the perimeter of the tongue 14. This enables tongue 14 to reliably extend outwardly from medial edge 34B and lateral edge 34C of throat opening 34 when secured during use as discussed. Outer layer 90 may be, for example, the same material as substrate layer 32, such as a fabric.

In an embodiment of the article of footwear 10, the tongue edge tie 102 is secured along the medial edge 84, the lateral edge 86, and the rear end 104 of the outer layer 90 of the tongue 14, as shown in fig. 1-3 and 7-12. In the figures, the edges 84, 86 and end 104 of the outer layer 90 are indicated as coinciding with the edges of the tongue edge tie 102 for illustrative purposes, as the tongue edge tie 102 may be relatively thin and wrapped tightly around the edges of the outer layer 90. In an example, the tongue edge tie 102 may be nylon, polyester, leather, or the like. As shown in fig. 8, a small gap may exist between the edges 84, 86 and the tongue edge tie 102. Stitch 108 extends through tongue edge tie 102 and outer layer 90 to secure tongue edge tie 102 to outer layer 90, as best shown in fig. 8. The stitch 108 also extends through the inner layer 109 of the tongue 14 and is shown as having a zig-zag pattern (see fig. 1). Thus, the tongue edge tie 102 also wraps around the outer edge of the inner layer 109. The inner layer 109 may be thinner than the outer layer 90 and may be, but is not limited to, a nylon liner.

To maintain the flexibility of the front end 80 to pivot between the access position and the use position, the tongue edge tie 102 does not extend to the front end 80. As best shown in fig. 9-12, the tongue edge tie 102 has an inboard terminal end 102A rearward of the front end 80 and an outboard terminal end 102B rearward of the front end 80. Thus, the inner side edge 84 of the outer layer 90 has an unattached portion 84A exposed between the inner terminal end 102A of the tongue edge tie 102 and the front end 80. Similarly, the outer side edge 86 of the outer layer 90 has an unattached portion 86A exposed between the outer side terminal end 102B of the tongue edge tie 102 and the front end 80 of the tongue 14. Even when the cover 94 is secured to the outer layer 90, at least some of the unattached portions 84A, 86A may still be exposed, as best shown in fig. 12. When pivoted near the front end 80, the tongue 14 may tend to bend or fold at these unbuckled portions 84A, 86A, rather than bending or folding more posteriorly where the edges 84, 86 are covered by the knuckle 102 and thus the tongue 14 is thicker. Portions 84A, 86A of edges 84, 86 remain relatively thin portions of edges 84, 86 because only outer layer 90 and inner layer 109, rather than tie 102, extend at these portions of edges 84, 86. Thus, tongue edge tie 102 helps control the pivoting of the tongue to a position near front end 80, which results in maximum exposure of throat opening 34 for access when footwear 10 is worn.

Referring to fig. 6, edge ties 110 may also be secured to base layer 32 along the perimeter of throat opening 34 at medial edge 34B of the throat opening and at lateral edge 34C of throat opening 34. In examples, the edge tie 110 may be nylon, polyester, leather, or the like. Edge tie 110 further extends along collar 38 and is secured to collar 38 at the periphery of ankle opening 40. Note that in the plan view herein, the cushioning of collar 38 is inwardly convex below the top of ankle opening 40.

The edge ties 110 terminate rearward of the foremost end 34A of the throat opening 34 such that the foremost end 34A and the forward portions of the medial and lateral edges 34B, 34C of the throat opening 34 do not have any edge ties 110. As best shown in fig. 6-7, the edge tie 110 has an inboard terminal end 110A disposed along the inboard edge 34B rearward of the forwardmost end 34A, and an outboard terminal end 110B disposed along the outboard edge 34C rearward of the forwardmost end 34A. Thus, the medial edge 34B has an unattached portion 112A exposed between the medial terminal 110A and the forward-most end 34A of the edge tie 110. Similarly, the outer side edge 34C has an unattached portion 112B exposed between the outer side terminal end 110B and the forwardmost end 34A of the edge tie 110. Because the throat opening 34 is rounded at the intersection of the medial edge 34B and the forward-most end 34A and at the intersection of the lateral edge 34C and the forward-most end 34A, some bending or folding may occur at the un-tied portions 112A, 112B during pivoting of the tongue 14. Leaving these portions 112A, 112B un-tied reduces their thickness compared to the portions having edges 34B, 34C of tie 110, allowing greater flexibility to reduce the resistance of tongue 14 to pivot from the use position to the access position and vice versa.

Fig. 8 to 9 show the construction of the tongue 14. The outer layer 90 of the tongue 14 includes an inner portion 90A and an outer portion 90B. The inner peripheral edge 90C of the outer portion 90B is joined to the inner peripheral edge 90D of the inner portion 90A at seam 119 by a serge stitch 118. The inner portion 90A and the outer portion 90B may be mirror images of each other.

A lace 120 is positioned over seam 119 and along seam 119 and stitched to medial portion 90A and lateral portion 90B with stitching 122. Thus, the lace 120 is secured between the front end 80 of the tongue 14 and the rear end 104 of the tongue 14 along the central portion 115 of the outer layer 90, but does not extend entirely to the rear end 104. Instead, stitch 122 ends midway between the rear end 104 and the front end 80, and the lace 120 is doubled over to create a loop portion that acts as a tongue tab 120A, and is secured to itself (and to the underlying outer layer 90 and inner layer 109) by box-shaped stitch 120B that is positioned at and defines an anchor location 120C. The outer layer 90 includes the front end 80 of the tongue 14.

As shown in fig. 8, foam 131 is disposed at an inner side 132 of outer layer 90. The foam 131 is divided into an inner foam part 131A at the inner side 30 of the tongue 14 and an outer foam part 131B at the outer side 28 of the tongue 14. The inner foam member 131A and the outer foam member 131B are separated from each other by a void 134 that extends along the length of the inner side 132 of the outer layer 90. The relatively thin and flexible inner layer 109 can extend into the void 134 and be stitched to the outer layer 90 with stitching 118 in the void 134. Foam 131 is positioned over throat opening 34 when tongue 14 is in the use position. Providing void 134 allows for greater flexibility in foam 131, thereby providing a more customized fit for the top of the foot, as the two foam components 131A, 131B can be moved closer together (e.g., closing void 134) because tongue 14 conforms to the top of the foot and the exterior of base layer 32 and is held in place by straps 16A, 16B.

Referring to fig. 9, the foremost edge 130C of the foam 131 is located behind the front end 80 of the tongue 14. In other words, the outer layer 90 and the inner layer 109 extend further forward than the foam 131 to ensure flexibility at the front end 80. Stitch 136 (partially visible in fig. 7) may secure outer layer 90 and inner layer 109 in front of stitch 108 of tongue edge tie 102.

The tie 120 forms a tongue tab 120A that extends as a loop from an anchor location 120C, the anchor location 120C being disposed along the central portion 115 between the rear end 104 of the tongue and the front end 80 of the tongue 14. As best shown in fig. 9 and 10, after the inner and outer portions 90A, 90B are joined at seam 119, stitches 122 secure the lower portion of the tie strap 120 to the outer and inner layers 90, 109, and box stitches 120B are added appropriately below the rear end 104 so that the portion of the tie strap 120 forming the tongue tab 120A is not secured to the outer layer 90 behind the anchor location 120C.

When the tongue 14 is in the use position and the straps 16A, 16B are secured, the straps 16A, 16B are typically placed on the anchor location 120C and used to maintain a portion of the tongue tab 120A flat under the straps 16A, 16B, making it more difficult to access the tongue tab 120A before the straps 16A, 16B are released.

Additionally, by placing the anchor location 120C significantly forward of the rear end 104, pulling the tongue tab 120A given distance will cause the tongue 14 to pivot farther closer to the rear end 104 than the anchor location 120C or at the rear end 104 and the tongue tab 120A pulled the same distance.

Referring to fig. 1, a strap 130 is secured to the heel protector 36 and the heel collar 38 at the rear of the heel region 26. Strap 130 is folded in half and sewn or otherwise secured to itself to define a heel tab 130A secured to collar 38 behind ankle opening 40. Heel tab 130A may be used to pull footwear 10 onto the foot when the foot is inserted into foot-receiving cavity 20, and may also be used to pull the footwear out of the foot when straps 16A, 16B are unsecured and tongue 14 is in the entered position.

Fig. 13 shows upper 12 in greater detail at collar 38. Collar 38 includes an exterior layer 140, and upper 12 further includes an interior layer 142 (e.g., a liner), with interior layer 142 extending to an upper edge of exterior layer 140 where it is stitched to exterior layer 140 by stitches 144, with stitches 144 also securing ties 110. Thus, the inner layer 142 forms the inside of the collar 38.

The foam 146 is disposed between the outer layer 140 and the inner layer 142 such that the foam 146 extends along an inner side 148 of the outer layer 140 of the collar 38. Foam 146 may be sufficiently thick to cause a significant outward bulge of outer layer 140 and a significant inward bulge of inner layer 142.

For example, the substrate 150 may be positioned on the inside of the heel strap 36 and may be the same material as the substrate 62 of the strap 16A. The substrate 150 helps to provide structure such that the substrate 150 and heel strap 36 act as a heel counter.

A thin layer of foam 152 may be disposed between the substrate 150 and the inner layer 142 and compressed to conform to the wearer's heel, thereby improving the fit of the article of footwear 10. The upper edges of the heel strap 136 and the substrate 150 are folded and the stitch 154 extends through the heel strap 36, the substrate 150, the foam 152, and the inner layer 142.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 210, the article of footwear 210 having many of the same components as the article of footwear 10, which are designated with the same reference numerals, including an upper 212, the upper 212 having a base layer 32, a tongue 14 secured to the base layer 32 at the front end 80 and pivotable between an access position and a use position at the front end 80, a first strap 16A, and a second strap 16B. Fig. 20 shows tongue 14 in a partially open position (e.g., a position between a use position and an access position). The first strap 16A and the second strap 16B are shown unsecured, with the first strap 16A (e.g., the medial strap) first intersecting the tongue 14 (e.g., before the second strap 16B).

Fig. 21 is a perspective view of an article of footwear 210 with tongue 14 in a use position and first strap 16A and second strap 16B in a secured position, but with second strap 16B (e.g., an outside strap) instead intersecting tongue 14 before first strap 16A such that second strap 16B is disposed between tongue 14 and first strap 16A.

Fig. 22 is a perspective view of an article of footwear 210 with tongue 14 in a use position and first strap 16A and second strap 16B in a secured position, but with first strap 16A (e.g., medial strap) intersecting tongue 14 before second strap 16B such that first strap 16A is disposed between tongue 14 and second strap 16B. As shown in fig. 21 and 22, the wearer may choose to cross and secure the straps 16A, 16B in either order.

Fig. 23 is a medial side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 310, article of footwear 310 having many of the same components as article of footwear 10, which are designated with the same reference numerals, including an upper 312, upper 312 having a base layer 32, a tongue 14 secured to base layer 32 at front end 80 and pivotable between an access position and a use position at front end 80, a second strap 16B, and a wider first strap 316A (e.g., a medial strap) in place of first strap 16A. The first band 316A and the second band 16B are shown in a fixed position overlying the tongue 14. The first strap 316A has a wider fixed end 343. In other words, the fixed end 343 extends over a greater length of the medial side 30 of the footwear 310 further back into the midfoot region 24 than the strap 16A. Thus, strap 316A may provide greater support around forefoot region 22 and midfoot region 24 at medial side 30 than strap 16A with narrower fixed end 43. Additionally, a larger forefoot outsole component 319 is provided in place of forefoot outsole component 19. Although not limited to any age group, article of footwear 310 may be configured for use with a subset of older wearers of footwear 16, such as preschool children rather than young children, and with wider band 316A held in place under relatively higher loads applied on average by these larger and heavier wearers.

Fig. 24 is a medial side view of another alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 410, article of footwear 410 having many of the same components as article of footwear 10, which are designated with the same reference numerals, including an upper 412, the upper 412 having a base layer 32, a tongue 14 secured to the base layer 32 at the front end 80 and pivotable between an access position and a use position at the front end 80, wherein the tongue 14 is shown in the use position. The strap 430 defining the heel tab 430A is secured to the heel strap 36 only at discrete areas. The article of footwear 410 includes only a single strap 16A (e.g., a medial strap) and no strap 16B (e.g., a lateral strap) is provided. Because there is no strap 16B, there is no need to provide fastener loops 70 on the heel strap 36 at the medial side 30. Although not limited to any age group, the article of footwear 410 may be configured for a subset of younger wearers, such as young children rather than preschool children, because a single strap 16A is sufficient to remain in place under the relatively low loads imposed on average by these smaller and lighter wearers. Additionally, these young wearers may more easily manipulate the single strap 16A as opposed to securing two separate straps.

FIG. 25 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 510 that utilizes only a single anchor strap 516. Many of the components of article of footwear 510 are identical to those of article of footwear 10 and are designated with the same reference numerals. Footwear 510 has an upper 512, the upper 512 having a base layer 532, which base layer 532 may include a fabric or other material. The base layer 532 extends to the rear of the heel region 26 because there is no heel strap on the footwear 10. Footwear 510 includes a tongue 514 and a single anchoring strap 516, wherein tongue 514 is shown in a use position and strap 516 is shown intersecting tongue 514 and secured at base layer 532. The strap 516 crosses over the inner and outer edges 84, 86 of the tongue 514 and abuts the outer portion 42 of the tongue 514 when the tongue is in the use position, as best shown in the top view of fig. 27. Tongue 514 extends over throat opening 34 of fig. 30 and abuts against outer portion 582 of base layer 532 at medial side 30 and lateral side 28 because medial edge 84 and lateral edge 86 of tongue 514 extend further outwardly than respective edges 34B, 34C.

More specifically, strap 516 crosses over outer portion 42 of tongue 514 from anchor end 43 (also referred to as a fixed end) of strap 516, fig. 26, which is secured at medial side 30 of upper 512, to fixable end 46 (also referred to as a free end), fig. 25, which is shown selectively secured at lateral side 28 of upper 512. In an alternative arrangement, strap 516 and upper 512 may be configured to have a fixed end at lateral side 28 and a selectively securable free end at medial side 30.

Similar to strap 16A, a first fastener 54 (shown in fig. 36 and 38) is secured at the inside of securable end 46 of strap 516. The second fastener 536 is secured to the upper 512 at the lateral side 28, as shown, for example, in fig. 25, 30 and 31. The first fastener 54 is configured to be releasably secured to the second fastener 536. For example, the first fastener 54 includes a plurality of hooks 56 (see fig. 38) and the second fastener 536 includes a plurality of loops 70 (see fig. 29). As discussed with respect to article of footwear 10, first fastener 54 may instead be a loop material (e.g., a plurality of loops), and second fastener 536 may instead be a plurality of hooks (hook material). In another alternative, both the first fastener 54 and the second fastener 536 may include a plurality of loops and a plurality of hooks such that the first fastener 54 is releasably secured to the second fastener 536.

Upper 512 includes a medial quarter ply 537A (see fig. 26) and a lateral quarter ply 537B (see fig. 25). The quarter-turn cover layers 537A, 537B may also be referred to as bead cover layers, and are stitched to the base layer 532 and secured to the sole structure 18. The fixed end 43 of the strap 516 is stitched to the medial quarter-ply 537A and may extend to the sole structure 18 under the quarter-ply 537A at the terminal edge 516A of the strap 516 shown in fig. 28 (covered by the medial quarter-ply 537A in fig. 26).

The second fastener 536 is secured to the outer quarter-ply 537B, such as by stitching 541 (see fig. 29 and 31) the fixed end 536A of the second fastener 536 to the outer quarter-ply 537B, as discussed in more detail with respect to fig. 29. The quarter-turn laminates 537A, 537B may be relatively inextensible materials, such as leather, which may be synthetic leather or other synthetic materials, so that they provide stable anchoring for the strap 516 and the second fastener 536, respectively.

Referring to fig. 35-38, similar to strap 16A, strap 516 includes an outer layer 59A forming an outer side 50 of strap 516 and an inner layer 60A forming an inner side 58 of strap 516. The foam layer 67 is disposed between the inner layer 60A and the outer layer 59A, the substrate layer 68 is disposed at an inner side of the foam layer 67, and the inner layer 60A is disposed at an inner side of the substrate layer. The inner layer 60A, foam layer 67, outer layer 59A, and substrate layer 68 may be secured to one another using ridges 64, such as by thermal bonding or with an adhesive, wherein the ridges 64 are similar to the ridges of the band 16A defined in the outer layer 59A.

Fastener 54 is secured to layer 61 by stitching, adhesive, or other means, and layer 61 may be the same material (e.g., leather) as inner layer 60A. Another connection layer 63 covers adjacent portions of the outer sides of the stacks 59A and 61. Layers 61, 63 and 59A are stitched to each other by stitching 65. Layer 61 forms the fixable end 46 of strap 516.

Referring to fig. 29 and 31, the second fastener 536 has a fixed end 536A secured at the base layer 532 by stitches 541. The second fastener 536 also has a free end 536B opposite the fixed end 536A, the free end 536B being non-fixed relative to the substrate layer 532. In other words, free end 536B may be manipulated away from substrate layer 532 by, for example, pulling free end 536B outward.

Fig. 29 shows the addition of a substrate layer 539 and a skin layer 533, such as a leather skin layer, to provide rigidity and structure to the second fastener 536 to prevent the free end 536B from folding or collapsing outwardly. The substrate layer 539 may be bonded to, or otherwise secured to, the backing 536C and the footwear skin layer 533 of the second fastener 536. The substrate layer 543 is also added on the underside of the quarter-turn overlay 537B and may be stitched or otherwise secured thereto. Stitch 541 extends through quarter-ply 537B, substrate layer 543, backing 536C of second fastener 536, footwear layer 533, and substrate layer 532. The inner layer 142 is not shown in fig. 29, but stitches 541 may also extend through the inner layer 142.

Tongue 514 is removed in fig. 30 to show throat opening 34 and ankle opening 40. Instead of the edge ties 110 of the upper 12 of the article of footwear 10 for reinforcing the upper 12 at these openings 34, 40, the upper 512 has an inner layer 142 similar to that of fig. 13, but extending upwardly beyond the upper edge of the base layer 532. Upper 512 has a strip of reinforcing footwear skin 508 secured to base layer 532 adjacent the upper edge of base layer 532, covering the upper edge, and further extending to overlie a portion of the outside of inner layer 142, but below the upper edge of inner layer 142. The reinforcing footwear skin 508 serves the reinforcing function of the edge tie 110 adjacent the openings 34, 40. The footwear cover 508 may be secured by adhesive, thermal bonding, stitching, or other means.

Similar to edge tie 110, medial terminal end 508A and lateral terminal end 508B of reinforcing footwear skin 508 terminate rearward of forward-most end 34A of throat opening 34. Accordingly, forward-most end 34A does not have any reinforcing skin. Medial edge 34B has a portion 512A exposed between medial terminal end 508A and forwardmost end 34A. Similarly, the outer edge 34C has a portion 512B exposed between the outer terminal end 508B and the forwardmost end 34A. Because the throat opening 34 is rounded at the intersection of the medial edge 34B and the forward-most end 34A and at the intersection of the lateral edge 34C and the forward-most end 34A, some bending or folding may occur at the portions 512A, 512B during pivoting of the tongue 514. Terminating the reinforcing shoe skin 508 behind these portions 512A, 512B reduces their thickness, allowing greater flexibility to reduce the resistance of the tongue 514 to pivot from the use position to the access position and vice versa, as compared to portions having reinforcing shoe skin 508.

Referring to fig. 31-33, tongue 514 is constructed with many of the same components as tongue 14, but tongue edge tie 102 is replaced with a piece of reinforcing footwear skin 502, and inner layer 509 is similar to inner layer 109, but extends further outwardly than the outer periphery of outer layer 90. As shown in fig. 32, reinforcing skin 502 covers edges 84, 86, as well as the rear edge of outer layer 90 and the front edge of outer layer 90 (not shown, but below reinforcing skin 502 in fig. 31). The reinforcing skin 502 extends farther than the edge of the outer layer 90, extends to and overlaps a portion of the outside of the inner layer 509, but terminates before (e.g., does not extend to) the outer periphery 511 of the inner layer 509, as shown in fig. 32 and 33. Thus, the one piece of reinforcing skin 502 is disposed thereon along the outer periphery of the outer layer 90 and onto the outer side of the inner layer 509.

As shown in FIG. 33, the inner layer 509 extends forward farther than the reinforcing footwear skin 502 and forward farther than the outer layer 90, and thus defines the forward end 80 of the tongue 514. Similar to tongue 14, front end 80 is disposed forward of forward-most end 34A of throat opening 34, such as at location 80A in fig. 30. The first series of stitches 92 in fig. 34 extend only through the relatively thin inner layer 509 of the tongue 514 to secure the tongue 514 to the base layer 532. The cover 94 is then placed over the stitches 92 and stitched to the inner layer 509 and the base layer 532 with a second series of stitches 96, similar to the process described with respect to tongue 14.

The reinforcing skin 502 serves the reinforcing function of the edge tie 102. When pivoted near the front end 80, the tongue 514 may tend to bend or fold at the relatively thin inner layer 509, rather than bending or folding further back than the placement of the reinforcing skin 502. Thus, stiffening the shoe skin 502 helps control the pivoting of the tongue 514 to a position near the front end 80, which results in maximum exposure of the throat opening 34 for access when the footwear 510 is worn.

Referring to fig. 25 and 26, upper 512 includes a heel strap 560, with heel strap 560 secured at medial side 30 of base layer 532 and at lateral side 28 of base layer 532 and extending from medial side 30 of base layer 532 to lateral side 28 of base layer 532 along an exterior portion of a rear portion of upper 512, as best shown in fig. 30. More specifically, heel strap 560 is stitched with stitch 562 to lateral quarter ply 537B (see fig. 25) at lateral side 28 and stitch 564 to medial quarter ply 537A (see fig. 26) at medial side 30.

The heel strap 560 serves to maintain the heel region 26 of the substrate layer 532 against the foot. As with strap 516, heel strap 560 may be a non-stretchable material, such as leather. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the heel strap 560 may be elastic. As shown in fig. 39, heel strap 560 includes an outer layer 561, a thin foam layer 563 secured to the inside of outer layer 561, and a skin layer 565, such as a leather material, secured at the inside of foam layer 563.

The lace 530 is stitched to the base layer 532 and the inner layer 142 below the heel strap 560 at stitch 570 and to the reinforced footwear skin 508 and the inner layer 142 above the heel strap 560 at stitch 572, but leaving a portion of the lace 530 unstitched between the stitches 570, 572, creating an opening through which the heel strap 560 extends below the lace 530, as shown in fig. 39. The strap 530 is then folded in half to create a loop that serves as a heel tab 530A, and can be box stitched or otherwise secured to itself at location 574 to complete and close the loop.

Foam 146 is shown disposed between inner layer 142 and base layer 532, forming a portion of heel collar 576. Fig. 40 shows the heel collar 576 at the medial side 30. The stitch 572 extends through the inner layer 142 and the base layer 532 over the foam 146, and may also extend through the reinforcing footwear skin 508, or the reinforcing footwear skin 508 may be otherwise secured to the upper edge of the base layer 532, as described above. In fig. 40, a fixed end (not shown in fig. 30) of strap 516 is added, which is stitched to inner quarter layer 537A with stitch 541.

Fig. 41 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 610, the article of footwear 610 configured for use on a right foot and having many of the same components as the footwear 510, which are indicated with the same reference numerals. Upper 612 includes a fixed forefoot strap 616 extending over a tongue 614, with tongue 614 shown having only layer 690 serving as an outer layer including front end 80. Additionally, the tongue 614 is depicted as a single piece rather than two portions secured at a center seam. Tongue 614 does not include a tongue tab, but may include a tongue tab 120A. The fixed forefoot strap 616 is secured to the sole structure 18 at the medial side 30 and the lateral side 28 with stitching. The fixed forefoot strap 616 limits the pivoting of the tongue 614 to the access position shown in fig. 41. The entry position of fig. 41 shows the tongue 614 pivoting and bending at the securing strap 616 rather than at the front end 80. The securing strap 616 provides a secure engagement of the tongue 614 on the anterior portion of the foot. The securing strap 616 may be a relatively inextensible material and may be constructed of multiple layers similar to the strap 516 in some embodiments, or may be a single layer of elastic material in other embodiments.

Fig. 43 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 710, the article of footwear 710 configured for use on a right foot and having many of the same components as previously discussed. Upper 712 is shown with tongue 614 in the access position and strap 516 unsecured. A tongue tab 720 is added and secured near the rear end of the tongue 614, but without any tie forming a loop of the tongue tab 720, the tongue tab 720 extends down the length of the central portion of the tongue 614.

Fig. 44 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 810, the article of footwear 810 configured for use on a left foot and having many of the same components as previously discussed. The upper 812 has a reinforcing shoe skin 722, which reinforcing shoe skin 722 has a rounded shape stitched or otherwise secured to the end of the laces forming the tongue tab 720 to secure the tongue tab 720 to the outer layer 690 of the tongue 614. Strap 816 is similar to strap 516, but the fixed end is fixed farther forward at the inner side 30 than strap 516. For example, band 816 may be secured to sole structure 18, rather than to a quarter bead at the medial side. When the fixable end 746 (having a fastener 54 at the inside of the band 816, not shown in fig. 44) is fixed to the second fastener 536, fixing the fixed end farther forward results in the band 816 being angled back from the inside 30 to the outside 28, which is greater than the angle of the band 516.

FIG. 45 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 910, with article of footwear 910 configured for a left foot and having components of article of footwear 510, but sole structure 18 replaced with sole structure 918. Sole structure 918 includes a forward sole portion 918A that is comprised of a first foam material and a rearward sole portion 918B that is comprised of a second foam material that is different from the first foam material. For example, the first foam and the second foam may have different material properties, such as different stiffness, different density, or other different properties. For example, the rear sole portion 918B may be less stiff than the front sole portion 918A to provide greater resilience to heel strikes.

Fig. 46 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 1010 that is similar to article of footwear 910 in all respects, except with respect to strap 516 and lacing 120 discussed. Strap 516 included in upper 1012 does not have a connecting layer 63, and lateral side 50 of strap 516 is instead directly connected to layer 61. Article of footwear 1010 may be configured to have a smaller size than footwear 910 such that strap 516 may have a smaller length. For example, footwear 910 may be of a typical size for preschool children, while article of footwear 1010 may be of a typical size for young children.

Additionally, lace 120 on tongue 514 of article of footwear 1010 extends forward onto base layer 532 in front of tongue 514 at portion 120D of lace 120, where portion 120E bridges over and above the area of front end 80 and shoe cover 94 to avoid inhibiting pivoting of tongue 514.

Fig. 47 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of a sole structure 1118 for any of the articles of footwear of fig. 1-46, showing a foot-facing surface 1121. Fig. 48 is a bottom view of the sole structure 1118 of fig. 47, showing a ground-engaging surface 1123 with lateral grooves 1125, 1126 (only some of which are indicated with reference numerals) of varying width and depth and longitudinal grooves 1127 of varying length. Fig. 49 is a front view of the sole structure 1118 showing the front end 1130, and fig. 50 is a rear view of the sole structure 1118 showing the rear end 1132.

FIG. 51 is a cross-sectional view of the sole structure 1118 of FIG. 47, taken at line 51-51 in FIG. 47, illustrating different depths of the lateral grooves 1125, 1126. Fig. 52 is a view of the lateral side 28 of the sole structure 1118, showing the grooves 1125, 1126 partially surrounding the lateral side wall 1140. Fig. 53 is a view of the medial side 30 of the sole structure 1118, showing the grooves 1125, 1126 partially surrounding the medial side wall 1142.

Fig. 54 is a top view of another alternative sole structure 1218 for use with any of the articles of footwear of fig. 1-46. Sole structure 1218 has a lateral sipe 1225 and a longitudinal sipe 1227. The sole structure 1218 has a body portion 1218A that extends in each of the forefoot region 22, midfoot region 24, and heel region 26. The body portion 1218A may function as both a midsole and an outsole. Various outsole portions having different tread elements are secured to main body portion 1218A. For example, a forefoot outsole portion 1218B with square tread elements is located in forefoot region 22. The ball-shaped outsole portion 1218C is generally circular and is disposed at a region of the forefoot region 22 that is generally disposed under the ball of the foot of the wearer. Spherical outsole portion 1218C has arcuate tread elements that together form a circular tread pattern. First heel outsole portion 1218D has tread elements of various shapes (rounded, zig-zag, linear, etc.) in an irregular pattern. The second heel outsole portion 1218E has tread elements in a zig-zag tread pattern. The various outsole portions 1218B, 1218C, 1218D, and 1218D, along with their different tread elements, serve the functional purpose of providing a desired level of traction at different areas of the sole structure 1218, and may also provide aesthetic versatility. The outsole portions 1218B, 1218C, 1218D, and 1218E may include a material, such as rubber, configured for durability and traction.

Fig. 55 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 1310, the article of footwear 1310 having many of the same components as the article of footwear 10, which are designated with the same reference numerals. Fig. 56 is a medial side view of article of footwear 1310. Article of footwear 1310 includes sole structure 1218 of FIG. 54. The article of footwear 1310 also includes an upper 1312 having a base layer 32. Tongue 14 is secured to base layer 32 at front end 80 of tongue 14 and is pivotable between an access position and a use position at front end 80. Additionally, upper 1312 includes a first anchoring band 16A and a second anchoring band 16B, which are configured as described with respect to article of footwear 10.

Referring to fig. 55 and 56, footwear upper 1312 includes a heel strap 1336. A heel strap 1336 is secured to base layer 32 and defines a rear portion of footwear upper 1312. The heel brace 1336 is similar to the heel brace 36 of the article of footwear 10 in that the heel brace 1336 includes a plurality of loops 70 that function as secondary fasteners to which the plurality of hooks 56 of the fastener 54 on the fastenable end 48 of the anchor strap 16B are secured, and also includes a plurality of loops 70 that function as secondary fasteners to which the plurality of hooks of the fastener 54 on the fastenable end 46 of the anchor strap 16A are secured. However, the plurality of loops 70 is limited to only a portion of the lateral side 28 of the heel brace 1336 (indicated as a plurality of loops 70A in fig. 55) and to only a portion of the medial side 30 of the heel brace 1336 (indicated as a plurality of loops 70B in fig. 56), rather than covering the entire exterior of the heel brace 1336, as the loops 70 cover the entire exterior of the heel brace 36.

As shown in fig. 55, the portion of the heel strap 1336 having the plurality of loops 70A that serve as the second fasteners for the anchor strap 16A is configured such that the loops 70 form a lower edge 1336A and an upper edge 1336B, wherein the edges 1336A, 1336B are linear. Lower edge 1336A is hidden by anchor strap 16A in fig. 55, but is along lower edge 74 of anchor strap 16A and indicated by hidden lines. Lower edge 1336A is similar in configuration to lower edge 36B in fig. 7. Edges 1336A and 1336B are angled upward and forward such that when anchor strap 16A is in the secured position, upper edge 75 of anchor strap 16A is aligned with upper edge 1336B and lower edge 74 of anchor strap 16A is aligned with lower edge 1336A. Accordingly, the upward and forward angles of edges 1336A, 1336B are selected such that when anchoring band 16A is secured, edges 74, 75 of band 16A may be aligned with edges 1336A, 1336B, and this alignment places band 16A in a snug and untwisted position against outer side 28 of substrate layer 32.

Similarly, as shown in fig. 56, the portion of the heel strap 1336 having the plurality of loops 70B that serve as the second fasteners for the anchor strap 16B is configured such that the loops 70 form a lower edge 1336C and an upper edge 1336D, wherein the edges 1336C, 1336D are linear. Lower edge 1336C is hidden by anchor strap 16B in fig. 56, but is along lower edge 72 of anchor strap 16B and indicated by a hidden line. Lower edge 1336C is similar in configuration to lower edge 36A in fig. 6. Edges 1336C and 1336D are angled upward and forward such that when anchor strap 16B is in the secured position, upper edge 73 of anchor strap 16B is aligned with upper edge 1336D and lower edge 72 of anchor strap 16B is aligned with lower edge 1336C. Accordingly, the upward and forward angles of edges 1336C, 1336D are selected such that when anchoring band 16B is secured, edges 72, 73 of band 16B may be aligned with edges 1336C, 1336D, and this alignment places band 16B in a snug and untwisted position against inner side 30 of base layer 32.

FIG. 57 is a lateral side view of an alternative embodiment of an article of footwear 1410, the article of footwear 1410 having many of the same components as the article of footwear 10, which are indicated with the same reference numerals. Article of footwear 1410 includes sole structure 1218 of FIG. 54. The article of footwear 1410 also includes an upper 1412 having a base layer 32, the tongue 14 being secured to the base layer 32 at the front end 80 of the tongue 14 and pivotable between an access position and a use position at the front end 80.

Upper 1412 includes a single anchor strap 1416B and an auxiliary strap 1417. Tongue 14 is shown in the use position and anchor strap 1416B is shown in the secured position, extending over tongue 14 from a secured end 44 (also referred to as an anchor end) of anchor strap 1416B at outer side 28 to a securable end 48 of anchor strap 1416B, which securable end 48 is secured at inner side 30, as shown in fig. 58. A fastener 54 (shown in detail in fig. 15) is secured at the inside of the securable end 48 of the strap 1416B, as described herein with respect to the strap 16A.

The auxiliary belt 1417 has a first fixed end 1444 and a second fixed end 1445. The first fixed end 1444 is spaced apart from the fixed end 44 of the anchor strap 1416B on the same side of the upper 1412 as the fixed end 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed ends 44, 1444 are located on the lateral side 28, and the anchor strap 1416B is crossed over the tongue 14 and secured at the medial side 30 of the upper 1412, as shown in fig. 58. In alternative embodiments, the fixed ends 44, 1444 may instead be located on the inner side 30, and the anchor strap 1416B may cross over the tongue 14 and be fixed at the outer side 28.

The second fixed end 1445 of the auxiliary strap 1417 is fixed to the inside of the anchor strap 1416B between the fixable end 48 of the anchor strap 16B and the fixed end 44 of the anchor strap 1416B. The auxiliary strap 1417 extends below the anchor strap 1416B as shown in fig. 57, 58, and the second fixed end 1445 is hidden below the anchor strap 1416B when the anchor strap 1416B is in the fixed position. Thus, the second fixed end 1445 is indicated with a dashed line in fig. 58. A portion of the auxiliary belt 1417 is shown in fig. 58.

Fig. 58 shows that the anchor strap 1416B includes a first section 1419, a second section 1421, and a footwear strap 1423 connecting the first section 1419 and the second section 1421. The first section 1419 includes a fixed end 44. The second section 1421 includes a fixable end 48. The first section 1419 and the second section 1421 may be configured as described with respect to straps 16A, 16AA, and 16B, with the addition of a footwear strap 1423 where indicated. The footwear strap 1423 may be referred to as an elastic footwear strap and is stitched at opposite ends thereof to the first section 1419 and the second section 1421. The footwear skin 1425A overlays the stitch securing the footwear strap 1423 to the first section 1419, which may be the same stitch that sews the end 1445 of the auxiliary strap 1417 to the first section 1419. Similarly, a shoe leather 1425B overlays stitching that secures the shoelace 1423 to the second section 1421.

Fig. 57 indicates that the auxiliary strap extends across the outboard edge 86 of the tongue 14 when the anchor strap 1416B is in the secured position. In the illustrated embodiment, the fixed end 1445 is disposed on the exterior of the tongue 14, but when the anchor strap 1416B is in the fixed position, the fixed end 1445 does not extend over the inboard edge 84 of the tongue 14. However, in another embodiment, the auxiliary strap 1417 could be made longer such that the fixed end 1445 is closer to the fixable end 48 of the anchor strap 1416B, in which case the auxiliary strap 1417 would also cross over the inboard edge 84 of the tongue 14.

When wearing their footwear, young children may sit with their legs in a pan, or may tend to squat and splay their feet outward. Additionally, for young children, pulling toward the midline of their body is easier than pulling away from their body. In view of this, the anchor strap 1416B and auxiliary strap 1417 are configured such that in the secured position of the anchor strap 1416B, the securing ends 44, 1444 are on the outer side 28 and the securable end 48 is on the inner side 30, which may make it easier for a young child to secure and release the anchor strap 1416B than when the securable end 48 is secured at the outer side 28.

Referring to fig. 58, footwear upper 1412 includes a heel guard 1436. A heel protector 1436 is secured to base layer 32 and defines a rear portion of footwear upper 1412. The heel strap 1436 is similar to the heel strap 36 of the article of footwear 10 in that the heel strap 1436 includes a plurality of loops 70 that function as secondary fasteners, with the plurality of hooks 56 of the fasteners 54 on the fastenable end 48 of the anchor strap 1416B being secured to the plurality of loops 70. However, the plurality of loops 70 are limited to only a portion of the medial side 30 of the heel protector 1436, rather than covering the entire heel protector 1436, as the loops 70 cover the entire heel protector 36.

As shown in fig. 58, the portion of the heel strap 1436 having the plurality of loops 70 that function as the second fastener is configured such that the loops 70 form a lower edge 1436A and an upper edge 1436B, wherein the edges 1436A, 1436B are linear. Lower edge 1436A is hidden by anchor strap 1416B in fig. 58, but is along lower edge 72 of anchor strap 1416B and indicated by the hidden line. Lower edge 1436A is similar to lower edge 1336C and lower edge 36A described herein. Edges 1436A and 1436B are angled upward and forward such that when anchor strap 1416B is in a secured position, upper edge 73 of anchor strap 1416B is aligned with upper edge 1436B and lower edge 72 of anchor strap 1416B is aligned with lower edge 1436A. Accordingly, the upward and forward angles of edges 1436A, 1436B are selected such that edges 72, 73 of strap 16B may be aligned with edges 1436A, 1436B when anchoring strap 1416B is secured, and this alignment places strap 1416B in a snug and untwisted position against inner side 30 of base layer 32.

The following clauses provide example configurations of the articles of footwear disclosed herein.

Clause 1 an article of footwear, comprising: a footwear upper, the footwear upper comprising: a base layer defining a throat opening; a tongue having a front end secured to the base layer forward of the throat opening; a band having an anchor end secured at the base layer and a fixable end selectively securable at the base layer; wherein the tongue is pivotable about the front end between an access position and a use position, in which it extends over and covers the throat opening, and in which it abuts against the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer; and wherein the strap is crossed over an exterior of the tongue, wherein the fixable end is fixed at the base layer and the tongue is in the use position.

Clause 2. The article of footwear of clause 1, wherein the tongue is secured to the base layer only at the front end of the tongue and forward of the foremost edge of the throat opening.

Clause 3, the article of footwear of any of clauses 1-2, wherein the strap has an anchor end secured at one of the medial side and the lateral side of the base layer; and wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a first fastener secured at the securable end of the strap; and a second fastener secured at the other of the inner side and the outer side of the base layer; wherein the first fastener is configured to be releasably secured to the second fastener.

Clause 4. The article of footwear according to clause 3, wherein: the first fastener includes one of a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops; the second fastener includes the other of the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops; and the plurality of hooks are configured to be releasably secured to the plurality of loops.

Clause 5. The article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the second fastener has a fixed end secured at the base layer and a free end opposite the fixed end and not secured at the base layer.

Clause 6. The article of footwear according to clause 5, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a quarter-ply layer secured to the base layer; and wherein the second fastener is secured to the quarter-ply stack.

Clause 7. The article of footwear of clause 4, wherein the second fastener is disposed at a heel region of the footwear upper.

Clause 8. The article of footwear according to clause 7, wherein when the strap is secured, an upper edge of the strap is aligned with an upper edge of the second fastener, and a lower edge of the strap is aligned with a lower edge of the second fastener.

Clause 9. The article of footwear according to clause 7, the footwear upper further comprising: a heel guard secured to the base layer and defining a rear portion of the footwear upper; wherein the second fastener is disposed on a portion of the heel strap.

Clause 10, the article of footwear of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the strap is a first strap, the anchor end of the first strap being secured at the medial side of the base layer, and the first strap intersecting on a medial edge and a lateral edge of the tongue at the exterior of the tongue, wherein the securable end of the first strap is secured at the lateral side of the base layer, the tongue being in the use position; wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a second strap having an anchored end secured at the outer side of the base layer and having a securable end selectively securable at the inner side of the base layer; wherein the second strap crosses over the inner and outer edges of the tongue at the outer portion of the tongue, wherein the fixable end is fixed at the base layer and the tongue is in the use position.

Clause 11 the article of footwear of clause 10, wherein one of the first strap and the second strap crosses the other of the first strap and the second strap such that the other of the first strap and the second strap is located between the one of the first strap and the second strap and the exterior of the tongue.

Clause 12. The article of footwear according to clause 10, the footwear upper further comprising: a heel guard secured to the base layer and defining a rear portion of the footwear upper; a first strap fastener portion secured to the fixable end of the first strap; a second strap fastener portion secured to the securable end of the second strap; wherein the heel guard is configured as one of a plurality of hooks or a plurality of loops; and wherein the first strap fastener portion and the second strap fastener portion are the other of the plurality of hooks or the plurality of loops such that the first strap fastener portion and the second strap fastener portion are selectively securable to and releasable from the heel brace.

Clause 13 the article of footwear according to clause 12, wherein: the heel guard has a lateral edge at the lateral side of the base layer; and when the first strap is secured to the heel strap, a lower edge of the first strap is aligned with the lateral edge of the heel strap.

Clause 14. The article of footwear according to clause 12, wherein: the heel guard has a medial edge at the medial side of the base layer; and when the second strap is secured to the heel strap, a lower edge of the second strap is aligned with the medial edge of the heel strap.

Item 15. The article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, the footwear upper further comprising: an auxiliary strap having a first fixed end spaced from the anchor end of the strap and a second fixed end secured to the strap.

Clause 16, the article of footwear of clause 15, wherein the second securing end is secured to an inner side of the strap between the securable end of the strap and the anchor end of the strap.

Clause 17, the article of footwear of clause 15, wherein the auxiliary strap extends across at least one of a medial edge of the tongue and a lateral edge of the tongue when the strap is secured.

The article of footwear of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the tongue comprises: an outer layer comprising the front end of the tongue; and foam disposed at an inner side of the outer layer and positioned over the throat opening when the tongue is in the use position.

Clause 19. The article of footwear of clause 18, wherein a foremost edge of the foam is located rearward of the front end of the tongue.

Clause 20 the article of footwear of clause 18, wherein the foam is divided into an inner foam component at an inner side of the tongue and an outer foam component at an outer side of the tongue, the inner foam component and the outer foam component being separated from each other by a void extending along a length of the inner side of the outer layer of the tongue.

Item 21 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the tongue comprises: an outer layer comprising the front end of the tongue; a tongue edge tie along an inboard edge of the tongue, along an outboard edge of the tongue, and along a rear edge of the tongue; the tongue edge tie has an inboard terminal end located rearward of the front end of the tongue and an outboard terminal end located rearward of the front end of the tongue such that the inboard edge of the tongue has an un-tied portion exposed between the inboard terminal end of the tongue edge tie and the front end of the tongue and the outboard edge of the tongue has an un-tied portion exposed between the outboard terminal end of the tongue edge tie and the front end of the tongue.

Item 22 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the tongue comprises: an outer layer; an inner layer extending further forward than the outer layer and including the front end of the tongue; and a reinforcing skin disposed thereon along an outer periphery of the outer layer and disposed on an outer side of the inner layer.

Item 23 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a first series of stitches extending through the front end of the tongue and stitching the front end to the base layer forward of the throat opening.

Clause 24 the article of footwear of clause 23, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: and a cover disposed over the first series of stitches.

Clause 25 the article of footwear of clause 24, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a second series of stitches extending through and sewing the front ends of the cover and tongue to the base layer forward of the throat opening, the second series of stitches disposed on and reinforcing the first series of stitches.

Item 26 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: an edge tie secured to the base layer at an inner edge of the throat opening and at an outer edge of the throat opening along a perimeter of the throat opening, and the edge tie terminating behind a front end of the throat opening such that the front end of the throat opening is free of any edge ties.

Clause 27. The article of footwear of clause 26, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a collar defining an ankle opening extending rearward from the throat opening; and the edge tie extends further along the collar and is secured to the collar at the periphery of the ankle opening.

Item 28 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a reinforcing shoe skin secured to the base layer at an inner side of the throat opening and at an outer side of the throat opening along a perimeter of the throat opening, and terminating behind a front end of the throat opening such that the front end of the throat opening is devoid of any reinforcing shoe skin.

Item 29. The article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a collar defining an ankle opening extending rearward from the throat opening; and foam extending along the inner side of the outer layer of the collar.

Clause 30. The article of footwear of clause 29, wherein the footwear upper further comprises an inner layer disposed at a medial side of the foam.

Item 31 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a collar defining an ankle opening extending rearward from the throat opening; and a heel tab secured to the collar behind the ankle opening.

Item 32 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a heel strap secured at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer and extending from the inner side of the base layer to the outer side of the base layer along the outer portion of the rear portion of the base layer.

Clause 33, the article of footwear according to clause 32, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a strap extending along the exterior of the rear portion of the footwear upper, and wherein the heel strap extends under the strap.

Item 34. The article of footwear of item 32, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: an inner quarter-turn ply disposed at the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer; and an outer quarter-ply layer disposed at the exterior of the base layer; wherein the heel strap is secured to the medial quarter-ply and to the lateral quarter-ply.

Item 35 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a tie secured along a central portion of the tongue between the front end of the tongue and the rear end of the tongue.

Clause 36 the article of footwear according to clause 35, wherein: the tongue includes an inner portion and an outer portion coupled to the inner portion at a seam; and the lace is positioned over and along the seam.

Clause 37, wherein the lace forms a tongue tab that extends into a loop along the central portion from an anchor location disposed between the rear end of the tongue and the front end of the tongue.

Item 38 the article of footwear of any of items 1 to 3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises: a tongue tab extending as a loop from an anchoring location disposed at the exterior of the tongue between a rear end of the tongue and the front end of the tongue.

To assist and clarify the description of various embodiments, various terms are defined herein. Unless otherwise indicated, the following definitions apply throughout this specification (including the claims). All references cited are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

"article of footwear," "article of footwear," and "footwear" may be considered machines and articles of manufacture. The assembled finished article of footwear (e.g., shoe, sandal, boot, etc.) and discrete components of the article of footwear (such as midsole, outsole, upper component, etc.) are considered herein and are alternatively referred to as "article of footwear" in singular or plural form prior to final assembly into the finished article of footwear.

"a," "an," "the," "at least one," and "one or more" are used interchangeably to indicate at least one of the items is present. There may be a plurality of such items unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless the context clearly or clearly indicates otherwise, including the claims that follow, all numerical values of parameters (e.g., amounts or conditions) in this specification should be understood to be modified in all instances by the term "about," whether or not "about" actually appears before the numerical value. "about" indicates that the stated value allows some slight imprecision (with values close to being accurate; close or reasonably close to the value; almost). If the imprecision provided by "about" is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then "about" as used herein at least indicates a change that may be caused by ordinary methods of measuring and using such parameters. Moreover, the disclosure of a range should be understood to specifically disclose all values and further divided ranges within the range.

The terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," and "including" are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of stated features, steps, operations, elements, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements, or components. The order of steps, processes, and operations may be changed when possible, and additional or alternative steps may be employed. As used in this specification, the term "or" includes any and all combinations of the associated listed items. Any of the terms "… …" should be understood to include any possible combination of the referenced items, including any of the referenced items. Any one of the terms … … should be understood to include any possible combination of the referenced claims in the appended claims, including any one of the referenced claims.

For consistency and convenience, directional adjectives may be employed throughout the detailed description corresponding to the illustrated embodiments. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that terms such as "above," "below," "upward," "downward," "top," "bottom," et cetera, may be used descriptively of the figures, and do not represent limitations on the scope of the invention, as defined by the claims.

The term "longitudinal" particularly refers to the direction of the length of the extension member. For example, the longitudinal direction of the shoe extends between the forefoot region and the heel region of the shoe. The terms "forward" or "anterior" are particularly used to refer to the general direction from the heel region toward the forefoot region, and the terms "posterior" or "posterior" are particularly used to refer to the opposite direction, i.e., the direction from the forefoot region toward the heel region. In some cases, a component may be identified as having a longitudinal axis and a front-to-back longitudinal direction along the axis. The longitudinal direction or axis may also be referred to as a front-to-back direction or axis.

The term "transverse" particularly refers to the direction of the width of the extension member. For example, the lateral direction of the shoe extends between the lateral side and the medial side of the shoe. The lateral direction or axis may also be referred to as a lateral direction or axis or a medial-lateral direction or axis.

The term "vertical" particularly refers to a direction that is substantially perpendicular to both the lateral direction and the longitudinal direction. For example, in the case of a sole lying on a ground surface, the vertical direction may extend upwardly from the ground surface. It should be understood that each of these directional adjectives may be applied to individual components of the sole. The term "upward" or "upwardly" refers in particular to a vertical direction pointing towards the top of the component, which may include the instep, fastening area and/or throat of the upper. The term "downward" or "downwardly" refers particularly to a vertical direction that points toward the bottom of the component opposite the upward direction, and may generally point toward the bottom of the sole structure of the article of footwear.

The "interior" of an article of footwear, such as a shoe, particularly refers to the portion of the space occupied by the foot of the wearer when the shoe is worn. "medial" side of a component refers in particular to the side or surface of the component that is oriented toward (or will be oriented toward) the component or the interior of the article of footwear in the assembled article of footwear. "lateral" or "exterior" of a component refers particularly to the side or surface of the component that is oriented away (or will be away) from the interior of the shoe in the assembled shoe. In some cases, other components may be between the medial side of the component and the interior of the assembled article of footwear. Similarly, other components may be between the lateral side of the component and the space outside of the assembled article of footwear. Furthermore, the terms "inwardly" and "inwardly" refer particularly to directions toward the interior of a component or article of footwear (such as a shoe), and the terms "outwardly" and "outwardly" refer particularly to directions toward the exterior of a component or article of footwear (such as a shoe). Furthermore, the term "proximal" particularly refers to a direction that is closer to the center of the footwear component or closer to the foot when the foot is inserted into the article of footwear when the article of footwear is worn by a user. Likewise, the term "distal" refers specifically to a relative position that is farther from the center of the footwear component or farther from the foot when the foot is inserted into the article of footwear when the article of footwear is worn by a user. Thus, the terms proximal and distal may be understood as providing generally opposite terms describing relative spatial locations.

While various embodiments have been described, the description is intended to be exemplary, rather than limiting, and it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that many more embodiments and implementations are possible within the scope of these embodiments. Any feature of any embodiment may be used in combination with or in place of any other feature or element in any other embodiment unless explicitly limited. Accordingly, these embodiments are not limited except as by the appended claims and their equivalents. Further, various modifications and changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

While several modes for carrying out the various aspects of the teachings of the present disclosure have been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which these teachings relate will recognize various alternative aspects for practicing the teachings of the present disclosure within the scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and exemplary of the entire scope of alternative embodiments, which will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that are implied, structural and/or functional equivalents to or are otherwise apparent from inclusion, and are not limited to only those explicitly depicted and/or described embodiments.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

a footwear upper, the footwear upper comprising:

a base layer defining a throat opening;

a tongue having a front end secured to the base layer forward of the throat opening;

a band having an anchor end secured at the base layer and a fixable end selectively securable at the base layer; wherein the tongue is pivotable about the front end between an access position and a use position, in which it extends over and covers the throat opening, and in which it abuts against the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer; and is also provided with

Wherein the band is crossed over the exterior of the tongue, wherein the fixable end is fixed at the base layer and the tongue is in the use position.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the tongue is secured to the base layer only at the front end of the tongue and forward of a foremost edge of the throat opening.

3. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-2, wherein the strap has an anchor end secured at one of the medial side and the lateral side of the base layer; and wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

A first fastener secured at the securable end of the strap; and

a second fastener secured at the other of the inner side and the outer side of the base layer; wherein the first fastener is configured to be releasably secured to the second fastener.

4. The article of footwear of claim 3, wherein:

the first fastener includes one of a plurality of hooks and a plurality of loops;

the second fastener includes the other of the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops; and is also provided with

The plurality of hooks are configured to be releasably secured to the plurality of loops.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the second fastener has a fixed end secured at the base layer and a free end opposite the fixed end and not secured at the base layer.

6. The article of footwear of claim 5, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a quarter-ply layer secured to the base layer; and is also provided with

Wherein the second fastener is secured to the quarter-turn ply.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the second fastener is disposed at a heel region of the footwear upper.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein an upper edge of the strap is aligned with an upper edge of the second fastener and a lower edge of the strap is aligned with a lower edge of the second fastener when the strap is secured.

9. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-3, the footwear upper further comprising:

an auxiliary strap having a first fixed end spaced from the anchor end of the strap and a second fixed end secured to the strap.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the second securing end is secured to a medial side of the strap between the securable end of the strap and the anchor end of the strap.

11. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-3, wherein the tongue includes:

an outer layer comprising the front end of the tongue; and

foam disposed at an inner side of the outer layer and positioned over the throat opening when the tongue is in the use position.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein a foremost edge of the foam is located rearward of the front end of the tongue.

13. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the foam is divided into a medial foam component at a medial side of the tongue and a lateral foam component at a lateral side of the tongue, the medial foam component and the lateral foam component being separated from each other by a void extending along a length of the medial side of the outer layer of the tongue.

14. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a first series of stitches extending through the front end of the tongue and stitching the front end to the base layer forward of the throat opening.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

and a cover disposed over the first series of stitches.

16. The article of footwear of claim 15, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a second series of stitches extending through and sewing the front ends of the cover and tongue to the base layer forward of the throat opening, the second series of stitches disposed on and reinforcing the first series of stitches.

17. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a heel strap secured at the inner side of the base layer and at the outer side of the base layer and extending from the inner side of the base layer to the outer side of the base layer along the outer portion of the rear portion of the base layer.

18. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a strap extending along the exterior of the rear portion of the footwear upper, and wherein the heel strap extends under the strap.

19. The article of footwear of claim 17, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

an inner quarter-turn ply disposed at the exterior of the base layer at the inner side of the base layer; and

an outer quarter-turn ply disposed at the exterior of the base layer;

wherein the heel strap is secured to the medial quarter-ply and to the lateral quarter-ply.

20. The article of footwear of any of claims 1-3, wherein the footwear upper further comprises:

a tongue tab extending as a loop from an anchoring location disposed at the exterior of the tongue between a rear end of the tongue and the front end of the tongue.