EP3155919A1

EP3155919A1 - Pivotable footwear device

Info

Publication number: EP3155919A1
Application number: EP16156799.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Bernard Figueroa
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-12
Filing date: 2016-02-23
Publication date: 2017-04-19
Also published as: WO2017066285A1; US20170099906A1

Abstract

Footwear having a pivotable bottom portion are generally described. For example, the footwear may include a sole having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another. The first portion may include a tongue and the second portion may include a recess for receiving the tongue. A rod may be arranged to extend across a width of the sole and through the tongue for pivotally coupling the first portion to the second portion. In various aspects, the footwear may further include a stopper coupled to any of the tongue and the second portion proximate to the recess for limiting relative pivotal motion of the first and second portions.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/240,292, entitled "Pivotable Footwear Device" and filed on October 12, 2015 , and U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/240,426, entitled "Pivotable Footwear Device" and filed on October 12, 2015 , the contents of both of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to footwear and, in particular, to footwear having a pivotable bottom portion.

INTRODUCTION

An objective of footwear design is to create products that are comfortable to wear and that have a visual aesthetic that will be attractive to consumers. For certain types of footwear, such as sandals, increased flexibility in the sole portion of the footwear is a desired characteristic as this may increase the comfort-level of the wearer. However, conventional footwear with increased flexibility often does not provide adequate support for the foot, for instance, because the additional flexibility is achieved through the use of thin or weak materials. Accordingly, consumers would benefit from footwear that would achieve increased flexibility while simultaneously providing adequate support to a foot of a wearer.

SUMMARY

Devices and methods in accordance with the applicant's present teachings provide for footwear having a pivotable bottom portion. In accordance with one aspect, certain embodiments of the applicant's teachings relate to footwear that includes a sole having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another, the first portion comprising a tongue and the second portion comprising a recess for receiving the tongue, and a rod extending across a width of the sole and through the tongue for pivotally coupling the first portion to the second portion. In various aspects, the footwear may further include a stopper coupled to any of the tongue and the second portion proximate to the recess for limiting relative pivotal motion of the first and second portions. In accordance with the applicant's teachings, the rod may include one or more projections configured to prevent, reduce, and/or eliminate movement of the rod within the footwear. In some embodiments, the rod may include at least one projection configured to prevent at least one of lateral movement and rotational movement. In some embodiments, the front portion and/or the back portion may include cavities for receiving the projections to prevent movement of the rod within the footwear.
In various aspects, the first portion may be a front portion and the second portion may be a back portion of the sole. In some embodiments, the first portion may be a back portion and the second portion may be a front portion of the sole. In accordance with one aspect, the tongue may include a channel for receiving the rod. In various aspects, the second portion may include a channel aligned with the channel formed in the tongue for receiving the rod such that the rod extends across a width of the sole through the tongue portion. In some embodiments, at least one recess may be arranged around an opening providing access to the channel of the second portion. In various aspects, the at least one recess is configured to receive a head portion of the rod. In some embodiments, the head portion may be configured to engage a sidewall of the at least one recess in an interference fit, thereby inhibiting movement of the rod. In some embodiments, the rod and/or the stopper, or a portion thereof, may be formed of metal. In some embodiments, at least one spike projection may be arranged on a head of the rod. In various aspects, the at least one spike projection may be configured to penetrate into the second portion to prevent movement of the rod when the rod is installed in the footwear.
In some embodiments, the footwear in accordance with the applicant's teachings may further include a first retaining element opening arranged within the first portion, and a first retaining element disposed within the first retaining element opening, the retaining element being configured to retain a foot of a wearer of the footwear. In some embodiments, the retaining element may be or may include a strap. In some embodiments, the footwear in accordance with the applicant's teachings may further include a second retaining element opening arranged within the second portion, and a second retaining element disposed within the second retaining element opening, the retaining element being configured to retain a foot of a wearer of the footwear.
In accordance with the applicant's teachings, footwear having a pivotable bottom portion may include a first bottom portion and a second bottom portion coupled by two independent rods. In various aspects, the first bottom portion and the second bottom portion may be configured to pivot about an axis formed by the two independent rods.
In various aspects, footwear having a pivotable bottom portion in accordance with the applicant's teachings may include a first portion having a tongue and a stopper portion, a second portion having a recess configured to receive the tongue, and at least one rod configured to be arranged within the tongue and the second portion to pivotably connect the first portion to the second portion. In various aspects, the first portion and the second portion may be configured to pivot about an axis formed by the rod. In various aspects, the stopper may be configured to engage the second portion to prevent rotation of the first portion.
In various aspects, a method of manufacturing footwear may include providing a sole having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another in which the first portion includes a tongue and the second portion includes a recess for receiving the tongue, and extending a rod across a width of the sole and through the tongue for pivotally coupling the first portion to the second portion. In some embodiments, the method of manufacturing footwear may include forming a stopper coupled to any of the tongue and the second portion proximate to the recess for limiting relative pivotal motion of the first and second portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically depict footwear having a pivotable bottom portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 2A-2E schematically depict multiple views of footwear having a pivotable bottom portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 3A-3E schematically depict multiple views of a rod for connecting portions of footwear in accordance with a first embodiment of the present teachings.
FIG. 3F schematically depicts multiple views of a rod for connecting portions of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the present teachings.
FIG. 3G schematically depicts a rod for connecting portions of footwear arranged within a channel formed in the footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the present teachings.
FIG. 4A-4M schematically depicts multiple views of a portion of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 5A-5E depict images of multiple views of footwear having a pivotable bottom portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 6A-6F schematically depict multiple views of a front portion of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 6G-6M schematically depict multiple views of a back portion of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 7A-7I schematically depict multiple views of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically depict a rod for connecting portions of footwear, where the rod can be disposed within a channel formed in the footwear and fixated to the footwear via a plurality of spike-like protrusions in accordance with a third embodiment of the present teachings.
FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically depict multiple views of a portion of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is generally directed to footwear having a pivotable bottom portion, such as the sole, outsole, platform, or other bottom portion of a shoe configured to contact the ground during a walking motion of a wearer. In some embodiments, the pivotable bottom portion may be configured to pivot about an axis. In some embodiments, the axis may be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the footwear. Non-limiting examples of footwear include shoes, sandals, tennis shoes, sneakers, high heel shoes, pumps, slingbacks, flats, clogs, or any other type of footwear capable of being configured according to some embodiments.
FIGS. 1A and 1B schematically depict footwear having a pivotable bottom portion (or sole) in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. FIG. 1A depicts a bottom view of a bottom portion of an item of footwear and FIG. 1B depicts a side view of a bottom portion of the item of footwear. As shown in FIG. 1A, the bottom portion 100 may include a front portion 115 and a back portion 120. In some embodiments, the front portion 115 may generally include a portion of the bottom portion 100 where the toes and ball of the foot of a wearer of the footwear would be located inside or on the footwear. In some embodiments, the back portion 120 may generally include the portion of the bottom portion where the arch, or at least a portion thereof, instep, and heel of the foot of a wearer, of the footwear would be located inside or on the footwear.
The front portion 115 and the back portion 120 may be connected via two rods 125a-b. The front portion 115 may include a tongue 145 configured to fit within a recess 150 of the back portion 120 to facilitate the relative articulation of the front and the back portions, as discussed in more detail below. Specifically, each rod 125a-b extends from one side of the back portion 120 into the tongue 145 and may be connected on one side to the front portion 115 and on another side to the back portion 120. In this embodiment, neither rod 125a nor rod 125b extends across the full width of the footwear, or even across the full width of the tongue 145. In other words, each rod 125a-b extends partially across a width of the footwear to couple the front portion 115 to the back portion 120.
In some embodiments, the front portion 115 and the back portion 120 may be connected via one rod (not shown, see FIGS. 2A-2D). For example, a single rod may extend along the axis 140 from a first side of the front portion 115, through the tongue 145, and through a second side of the front portion opposite the first side.
Fasteners 130a-d may be used to connect the rods 125a-b to the front portion 115 and the back portion 120. The fasteners 130a-d may include any type of fastener capable of operating according to some embodiments, including rivets, screws, pins, or the like. In some embodiments, the fasteners 130a-d may be configured to fasten the rods 125a-b to or within the front portion 115 and the back portion 120 such that the rods 125a-b may facilitate the pivoting of the front portion 115 and the back portion 120 relative to one another. In some embodiments, the rods 125a-b may be embedded within the front portion 115 and the back portion 120 such that they do not contact the foot of a wearer and/or the ground during a walking motion by a wearer. The rods 125a-b may be configured as part of a hinge that allows the bottom portion 100 to pivot about an axis 140 perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottom portion 100, for example, in a plane into and out of the page for FIG. 1A. As shown in FIG. 1B, externally visible portions of the fasteners may be covered by various aesthetic elements 135.
FIGS. 2A-2E schematically depict multiple views of footwear having a pivotable bottom portion (or sole) in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. FIG. 2A depicts a side view of a bottom portion of footwear 200 having a back portion 215 and a front portion 220. The bottom B of the footwear 200 is generally a side configured to engage the ground when being worn by a wearer. The top T of the footwear 200 is generally a side configured to engage the bottom of a foot of a wearer. In some embodiments, the front portion 220 may generally include a portion of the footwear 200 where the toes and ball of the foot of a wearer of the footwear would be located inside or on the footwear. In some embodiments, the back portion 215 may generally include a portion of footwear 200 where the arch, or at least a portion thereof, instep, and heel of the foot of a wearer of the footwear would be located inside or on the footwear. Although not depicted in FIG. 2A, one or more retaining elements may be arranged on and/or connected to the front portion 220 and/or a back portion 215 to retain a foot within and/or on the footwear 200, such as straps, laces, or the like. In some embodiments, the front portion 220 and/or a back portion 215 may include openings 270 (for example, "retainer openings") configured to receive such retaining elements (see, for example, FIG. 5A). For example, a first strap may extend through an opening 270 of the front portion 220 and a second strap may extend through an opening of the back portion 215.
The front portion 220 may include a tongue 245 configured to fit within a recess 250 of the back portion 215 to facilitate the relative articulation of the front and the back portions. The front portion 220 and the back portion 215 may be connected via a rod (not shown, see FIGS. 2B-2E and 3A-3E) fastened to at least a portion of the footwear 200 using a fastener 230. In some embodiments, the rod may be arranged within the back portion 215 at the position of the fastener 230, extending through the tongue 245 and at least a portion of the opposite side of the back portion.
Although FIGS. 2A-2E depict the tongue 245 being arranged on the front portion 220 to engage a recess 250 of the back portion 215, embodiments are not so limited, as the tongue may be arranged on the back portion and the recess may be arranged in the front portion.
FIGS. 2B and 2C depict a bottom view and a side view, respectively, of the front portion 220. As shown in FIG. 2B, the tongue 245 may include one or more stopper portions 260 configured to engage a portion of the back portion 215 to prevent, reduce, or otherwise limit rotation, pivoting, or other movement of the back portion and/or the front portion 220. In reference to FIG. 2D, the stopper portion 260 may be configured to engage an area of the back portion 215 adjacent to the recess 250, such as an area bounded by the dotted lines 285. In reference to FIG. 2A, the stopper portion 260 may be configured to engage a portion of the back portion 215 to limit rotation of the front portion 220 in the direction indicated by arrow 295 ("downward"). In some embodiments, the stopper portion 260 may be configured to engage a portion of the back portion 215 to limit rotation of the front portion 220 in the direction indicated by arrow 290 ("upward"). In some embodiments, the stopper portion 260 may be configured to engage a portion of the back portion 215 to limit rotation of the front portion 220 in the direction indicated by arrow 290 and arrow 295 (for instance, a portion of the stopper may be arranged within a cavity disposed within the back portion). In some embodiments, the footwear 200 may include a plurality of stopper portions 260 configured to engage various portions of the footwear and/or to limit rotation of portions of the footwear (for instance, the back portion 215 and/or the front portion 220) as described herein. In this manner, the rotation or other movement of the portions of the footwear 200 may be controlled to prevent, for instance, over-rotation of the front portion 220 and/or the back portion 215 which may lead, for example, to discomfort for a wearer of the footwear.
Although FIGS. 2B and 2C depict the stopper portion 260 as being arranged on the tongue 245, embodiments are not so limited. For instance, a stopper portion 260 may be arranged or may also be arranged on an area adjacent to the recess 250, for example, area 285 depicted in FIG. 2D, such that the stopper portion may project out into the recess to engage the tongue 245. In addition, the stopper portion 260 may be arranged in various areas on the tongue 245 and/or recess 250, such as on one or more sides of the tongue and/or recess.
As shown in FIG. 2C, an opening 280 may be disposed within at least a portion of the tongue 245. The opening 280 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the rod. In some embodiments, the rod may be arranged within the tongue 245 in the area or substantially in the area indicated by dotted lines 270 corresponding, for example, with the position of the opening 280 through the tongue. The opening 280, may provide access to a channel extending through the tongue that is configured to receive and support the rod within the footwear 200.
FIGS. 2D and 2E depict a bottom view and a side view, respectively, of the back portion 215. As shown in FIG. 2E, the back portion 215 may include openings 280 arranged on both sides of the recess 250. The openings 280 may be configured to receive at least a portion of the rod. In some embodiments, the rod may be arranged within the back portion 215 in the area or substantially in the area indicated by dotted lines 275 corresponding, for example, with the position of the openings 280 through the back portion. Accordingly, the rod may be arranged within a first side of the back portion 215 on a first side of the recess 250, through the tongue 245 of the front portion 220, and through a second side of the back portion located opposite the first side. In this manner, the rod may be pivotally or rotatably connected to the back portion 215 and the front portion 220. When the rod is arranged within the openings 280, the back portion 215 and the front portion 220 may pivot around an axis formed by the rod, for instance, around an axis in the overlapping area of lines 270 and lines 275.
FIGS. 3A-3E schematically depict multiple views of a rod for connecting portions of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. As shown in FIG. 3A, a rod 300 may include a rod body 305 having a first end 310 and a second end 315. The rod 300 may include an opening 325 configured to receive a fastener 330. In some embodiments, the rod 300 may include an opening 325 at both the first end 310 and the second end 315. In some embodiments, the rod 300 may include an opening at only one end, such as, for example, the second end 315.
The rod 300 may be arranged within the openings 280 of the back portion 215 and the tongue 245. In some embodiments, the rod 300 may include a head 320 fixedly arranged at an end thereof, such as the first end 310. The head 320 may include a flange having a dimension (for example, a diameter) that is configured to be larger than a cross-sectional dimension (for example, a diameter) of the opening 280 such that the head cannot enter the opening. In this manner, the rod 300 may be prevented from moving into the opening 280 in a direction opposite the head once the head has engaged a surface of the front portion. When the rod 300 is arranged within the openings 280, the opening 325 may be located adjacent to an opening 280 located opposite the head 320 (for instance, on an opposite side of the front portion 215). A fastener 330 may be coupled to the rod 300, such as through a stem 335 configured to fixedly engage the opening 325. The fastener 330 may include a flange having a dimension (for example, a diameter) that is configured to be larger than a cross-sectional dimension (for example, a diameter) of the opening 280 such that the fastener cannot enter the opening. In this manner, the rod 300 may be fixedly arranged within the openings 280 of the back portion 215 and the tongue 245, allowing the front portion 220 and the back portion to pivot about the rod.
Portions of the rod 300 and/or the fastener 330 may have various dimensions. For example, the rod 300 may have a height A of about 88.8 millimeters (mm) and a width B of about 8.5 mm. The fastener 330 (and/or head 320) may have a width (for instance, a diameter) of about 18.0 mm and an upper portion thereof may have a height D of about 2.0 mm.
As shown in FIG. 3F, the rod 300 may include one or more projections 350 in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. The projection 350 may be configured to prevent, reduce, or completely eliminate movement of the rod 300 when installed in the footwear (i.e., to "lock in" the rod within the footwear). For example, the projection 350 may prevent lateral movement, rotational movement, axial movement, or any other type of movement of the rod 300 within the footwear while still allowing the front and/or back portions of the footwear to pivot about the rod in accordance with embodiments of the present teachings. In some embodiments, the front and/or back portions of the footwear may include cavities configured to receive a projection 350.
Although the projection 350 is depicted as being arranged on the first end 310 of the rod 300, embodiments are not so limited as a projection may be located at any location along the rod. In some embodiments, the rod 300 may include a plurality of projections 350. In some embodiments, the plurality of projections 350 may be spaced along a length of the rod. In some embodiments, the plurality of projections 350 may be arranged at the first end 310 and the second end 315. The projections 350 may have various shapes and sizes in accordance with embodiments of the present teachings. For instance, the projections 350 may be square, rectangular, cylindrical, conical, cuboid-shaped, tetrahedron-shaped, or the like.
As shown in FIG. 3G, the rod 300 may be arranged within a channel 360 arranged within one or more portions of the footwear (such as a channel accessible through openings 280 and extending through a portion of the back portion 215 and the front portion 220 as depicted in FIGS. 2A-2E). The channel 360 may include a recess configured to receive a projection 350 of the rod 300. The engagement of the projection 350 within the recess 360 may operate to prevent, reduce, or completely eliminate movement of the rod 300 when installed in the footwear (i.e., to "lock in" the rod within the footwear) as described according to some embodiments herein.
FIGS. 4A-4F schematically depict multiple views of a front portion 420 of footwear having a tongue 445 with openings 480 in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, various views are depicted of the front portion 420 according to an outside view in FIG. 4A, a bottom view in FIG. 4B, an inside view in FIG. 4C, a view through section A-A1 in FIG. 4D, a top view in FIG. 4E, and a view through section B-B1 in FIG. 4F. FIGS. 4G-4M schematically depict multiple views of a back portion 415 of footwear having a recess 450 with openings 480 in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, various views are depicted of the back portion 415 according to an outside view in FIG. 4G, a bottom view in FIG. 4H, an inside view in FIG. 41, a view through section C-C1 in FIG. 4J, a top view in FIG. 4K, a view through section D-D1 in FIG. 4L, and a view through section E-E1 in FIG. 4M.
FIGS. 5A-5E depict images of multiple views of footwear 500 having a pivotable bottom portion in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, FIGS. 5A and 5B depict side views of the footwear 500 and FIGS. 5C-5E depict bottom views of the footwear 500.
FIGS. 6A-6F schematically depict multiple views of a front portion 620 of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, various views are depicted of the front portion 620 according to a medial view in FIG. 6A, a bottom view in FIG. 6B, a lateral view in FIG. 6C, a view through section A-A' in FIG. 6D, a top view in FIG. 6E, and a view through section B-B' in FIG. 6E. FIGS. 6G-6M schematically depict multiple views of a back portion 615 of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, various views are depicted of the front portion 615 according to a medial view in FIG. 6G, a bottom view in FIG. 6H, a lateral view in FIG. 6I, a view through section E-E' in FIG. 6J, a top view in FIG. 6K, a view through section C-C' in FIG. 6L, and a view through section D-D' in FIG. 6M.
FIGS. 7A-7I schematically depict multiple views of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. The footwear includes a front portion 720 of footwear having a retaining element opening 770 and a tongue 745 that includes a stopper 760 portion, and a back portion 715 having a retaining element opening 770 and a recess 750. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 7A, 7C, and 7D, a rod 775 is arranged within a portion of the front portion 720 and the back portion 715 in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. In particular, various views are depicted of the footwear according to a medial view in FIG. 7A, a bottom view in FIG. 7B, a lateral view in FIG. 7C, a view through section A-A' in FIG. 7D, a top view in FIG. 7E, a view through section B-B' in FIG. 7F, a view through section C-C' in FIG. 7G, a view through section D-D' in FIG. 7H, and a view through section E-E' in FIG. 7I.
FIGS. 8A and 8B schematically depict a rod for connecting portions of footwear arranged within a channel formed in the footwear in accordance with a third embodiment of the present teachings. As shown in FIG. 8A, in some embodiments, a rod 805 may include a head 810 from which a plurality of protrusions 825a, 825b extend. In some embodiments, the protrusions 825a, 825b may be in the form of spikes, for example, extending from a base attached to a shoulder portion of the head 810 to a tip. As shown in FIG. 8B, the spikes 825a, 825b may be configured to penetrate into the body of the sole of the footwear (e.g., the back portion 815 of the footwear) when the rod 805 is installed in the channel 875 so as to pivotally couple the front and the back portions of the footwear, thereby inhibiting the rod from moving as a person wearing the footwear moves (e.g., walks or runs). For example, the spikes 825a, 825b can inhibit an axial movement of the rod, thereby preventing its dislodgement from the channel X as the wearer moves. Further, the spikes 825a, 825b can inhibit rotational movement of the rod within the channel (or other types of movement) while still allowing the front and the back portions of the sole to pivot relative to one another. In some embodiments, the spikes 825a, 825b may be used in combinations with other projections, such as projections 350 depicted in FIG. 3F.
FIGS. 9A and 9B schematically depict multiple views of a portion of footwear in accordance with an embodiment of the present teachings. As shown in FIG. 9A, in some embodiments, a portion of the sole of the footwear (i.e., the back portion 915) may include a channel 975 for receiving a rod (e.g., rod 805 of FIG. 8A). In an area adjacent to the openings providing access to the channel 975, the back portion 915 may include a recess 980 on each side (only one recess is shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B). In some embodiments, each recess 980 may be configured for housing a head portion of the rod therein when the rod is installed within the channel. In some embodiments, the recess 980 may have a diameter of about 3 millimeters to about 4 millimeters. For example, with reference to FIG. 9B, an interference fit (i.e., a friction fit) between the head portion 910 of the rod and the side wall 905 of the recess 980 can inhibit, reduce, and/or eliminate the movement of the rod, including axial movement, lateral movement, rotational movement, or other movement, as a person wearing the footwear moves. In some embodiments, the recess 980 may be configured to cover or hide any rotation or other movement of the rod that may occur, for example, during movement by the wearer of the footwear.
The section headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not to be construed as limiting. While the applicant's teachings are described in conjunction with various embodiments, it is not intended that the applicant's teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the applicant's teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

Claims

Footwear, comprising:
a sole having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another, the first portion comprising a tongue and the second portion comprising a recess for receiving the tongue;

a rod extending across a width of the sole and through the tongue for pivotally coupling the first portion to the second portion; and

a stopper coupled to the tongue or to the second portion proximate to the recess for limiting relative pivotal motion of the first and second portions.
Footwear having a pivotable bottom portion, comprising:
a first portion having a tongue and a stopper portion;

a second portion having a recess configured to receive the tongue; and

at least one rod configured to be arranged within the tongue and the second portion to pivotably connect the first portion to the second portion,

wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to pivot about an axis formed by the rod,

wherein the stopper is configured to engage the second portion to prevent rotation of the first portion.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, wherein the first portion is a front portion and the second portion is a back portion of the sole, or wherein the first portion is back portion and the second portion is a front portion of the sole.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, wherein the tongue comprises a channel for receiving the rod.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, wherein the second portion comprises a channel aligned with the channel formed in the tongue for receiving the rod such that the rod extends across a width of the sole through the tongue portion.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one recess arranged around an opening providing access to the channel of the second portion, the at least one recess being configured to receive a head portion of the rod, wherein preferably the head portion is configured to engage a sidewall of the at least one recess in an interference fit, thereby inhibiting movement of the rod.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, wherein the rod comprises an opening at each end thereof for receiving a fastener, wherein preferably the fastener facilitates securing the rod within the channel of the second portion.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, further comprising:
a first retaining element opening arranged within the first portion; and

a first retaining element disposed within the first retaining element opening, the retaining element being configured to retain a foot of a wearer of the footwear.
The footwear of one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one spike projection arranged on a head of the rod.
The footwear of claim 9, wherein the at least one spike projection is configured to penetrate into the second portion to prevent movement of the at least one rod when the at least one rod is installed in the footwear.
A method of manufacturing footwear, comprising:
providing a sole having a first portion and a second portion pivotally coupled to one another, the first portion comprising a tongue and the second portion comprising a recess for receiving the tongue; and

extending a rod across a width of the sole and through the tongue for pivotally coupling the first portion to the second portion,
The method of claim 11, further comprising forming a stopper coupled to any of the tongue and the second portion proximate to the recess for limiting relative pivotal motion of the first and second portions.
The method of claim 11 or 12, wherein the first portion is a front portion and the second portion is a back portion of the sole, or wherein the first portion is back portion and the second portion is a front portion of the sole.
The method of one of claims 11 to 13, further comprising forming a first channel within the tongue comprises for receiving the rod.
The method of claim 14, further comprising:
forming a second channel within the second portion that is aligned with the channel formed in the tongue for receiving the rod; and

inserting the rod through the first channel and the second channel such that the rod extends across a width of the sole through the tongue portion.