Footwear

Abstract

Foot enclosing footwear having the wearing experience and comfort of sandals are comprised of a sole and an upper each having a front portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward to the toes of the foot and a back portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot rearward to the heel of the foot. The front portion of the upper is affixed to the front portion of the sole and encompasses the front portion of the foot. The back portion of the upper encompasses the back portion of the foot and is not affixed to the sole. Rather, the back portion of the upper is free of the sole and free to move in an arc relative to the sole. Consequently, the upper is free to flex without requiring the sole to flex, thereby providing the walking sensation of a sandal while fully enclosing the foot. The footwear may be of substantially any style or appearance from dress shoes to boots.

1 . Footwear comprising a sole and an upper for enclosing a foot, 
 the sole and the upper being generally coextensive in width and length,    the sole and the upper each having a front portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward to the toes of the foot and a back portion extending rearward from approximately the ball of the foot to the heel of the foot,    the front portion of the upper being affixed to the front portion of the sole and either alone or in conjunction with the sole providing an enclosure for the front portion of the foot,    the back portion of the upper being free of the sole and providing an enclosure for the back portion of the foot,    the upper being free to flex without requiring the sole to flex for providing a sandal like walking experience while fully enclosing the foot.    
   
   
       2 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the footwear comprises a dress shoe.  
   
   
       3 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the footwear comprises a sports shoe.  
   
   
       4 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the footwear comprises a beach or boating shoe.  
   
   
       5 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the footwear comprises a walking shoe.  
   
   
       6 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the footwear comprises a boot and the back portion of the upper includes an enclosure for the ankle/leg.  
   
   
       7 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the sole comprises a sandal sole.  
   
   
       8 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the sole comprises an all terrain sole.  
   
   
       9 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the sole is comprised of conventional footwear sole material.  
   
   
       10 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the upper is comprised of conventional footwear upper material.  
   
   
       11 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion of the upper is affixed to the sole by any conventional footwear mode of construction.  
   
   
       12 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the back portion of the upper is integral with the front portion of the upper.  
   
   
       13 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the back portion of the upper is affixed at its forward edges to the rearward edges of the front portions of the upper and the sole.  
   
   
       14 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion of the upper is soleless and the front portion of the upper and the front portion of the sole together provide an enclosure for the front portion of the foot.  
   
   
       15 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 14  wherein the rear portion of the upper is affixed at its forward edges to the rearward edges of the front portions of the upper and the sole.  
   
   
       16 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the front portion of the upper provides an enclosure for the front portion of the foot.  
   
   
       17 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the back portion of the upper is integral with the front portion of the upper.  
   
   
       18 . Footwear for enclosing a foot comprising 
 a sole and an upper generally coextensive with one another and each having a front portion extending from approximately the ball of the foot forward to the toes of the foot and a back portion extending rearward from approximately the ball of the foot to the heel of the foot,    the front portion of the upper being affixed to the front portion of the sole and providing an enclosure for the front portion of the foot,    the back portion of the upper being free of the sole and providing an enclosure for the back portion of the foot,    the upper being free to flex without requiring the sole to flex for providing a sandal like walking experience while fully enclosing the foot.    
   
   
       19 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the front and rear portions of the upper are integral.  
   
   
       20 . Footwear as set forth in  claim 18  comprised in style of substantially any conventional style of foot enclosing footwear.