Footwear fit system

Abstract

An article of footwear has a sole and a footwear fit system. The sole has a first side and a second side. The footwear fit system has a pair of fitting members that include a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion extends upwardly from the first side to support a first foot-bearing portion that extends laterally from the first base portion to a first terminus. The first base portion and the first foot-bearing portion together forming at least one resilient elongate finger that independently biases the first foot-bearing portion towards the sole. The second base portion extends upwardly from the second side to support a second foot-bearing portion that extends laterally from the second base portion to a second terminus. The second base portion and the second foot-bearing portion together form at least one resilient elongate finger that independently biases the second foot-bearing portion towards the sole. The first terminus is positioned adjacent to the second terminus for operably fastening a foot of a user on the sole.

1 - 28 . (canceled)  
   
   
       29 . A footwear fit system for securing a person's foot to a sole, the footwear fit system comprising: 
 a sole having a width and a first side and a second side separated by the width;    first and second pluralities of spaced apart fitting members directly secured to the sole in proximity to the first and second sides, respectively and extending upwardly and terminating away from the sole and being resiliently biased toward a position that bears against a wearer's foot when the foot is positioned on the sole with sufficient force so as to secure the sole to the foot.    
   
   
       30 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein a side fitting member is located on a side region of the sole such that the side fitting member bears against a medial or lateral region of the wearer's foot when the foot is positioned on the sole, wherein at least a portion of the side fitting member bears downwardly against the foot toward the sole so as to press against the foot toward the sole.  
   
   
       31 . The footwear fit system of  claim 30 , wherein a rear fitting member is located on a region of the sole such that the rear fitting member bears against a calcaneous region of the wearer's foot when the foot is positioned on the sole.  
   
   
       32 . The footwear fit system of system of  claim 31 , wherein the side and rear fitting members are biased toward a default position so as to collectively define a volume that is smaller than the volume of a wearer's foot, the side and rear fitting members being moveable to an extended position such that the volume increases in size.  
   
   
       33 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein the fitting members comprise a plurality of fitting members that are integrated with one another.  
   
   
       34 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein the one or more fitting members are located at various attachment points on the sole.  
   
   
       35 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein an upper is attached to the sole and wherein the fitting members are positioned within the upper.  
   
   
       36 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein an inner lining or panel is disposed within the upper and wherein the fitting members are interposed between the inner lining and the upper.  
   
   
       37 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein at least one articulating panel is attached to a fitting member, the articulating panel bearing against the person's foot when the foot is positioned on the sole so that the articulating panel conforms to the shape of the wearer's foot.  
   
   
       38 . The footwear fit system of  claim 29 , wherein the fitting members are disposed outside of the upper.  
   
   
       39 . The footwear fit system of  claim 39 , wherein the fitting members bias toward a position that bears against a wearer's foot with sufficient force so as to, without additional securement means, secure the sole to the foot.  
   
   
       40 . Footwear comprising: 
 a sole having a first side and a second side;    a first base portion that extends upwardly from the first side;    a first foot-bearing portion that extends laterally and upwardly from the first base portion to a first terminus, the first base portion and the first foot-bearing portion together forming at a plurality of spaced apart resilient elongate fingers that independently bias the first foot-bearing portion towards the sole with sufficient force to secure the sole to the foot;    a second base portion that extends upwardly from the second side; and    a second foot-bearing portion that extends laterally from the second base portion to a second terminus, the second base portion and the second foot-bearing portion together forming a plurality of spaced apart resilient elongate finger that independently bias the second foot-bearing portion towards the sole with sufficient force to secure the sole to the foot.    
   
   
       41 . The footwear of  claim 40 , further comprising a heel portion positioned adjacent a rear side of the sole, the heel portion being resiliently biased to move from a first position adjacent the sole towards a second position above the sole.  
   
   
       42 . The footwear of  claim 41 , wherein the heel portion includes an elongate heel support that is attached at a first end to the first side and at a second end to the second side, the heel portion having a heel contacting portion between the first and second ends.  
   
   
       43 . The footwear of  claim 40  further comprising a first foundation member that extends inwardly from the base portion into or overlapping the sole.  
   
   
       44 . The footwear of  claim 43  further comprising a second foundation member that extends inwardly from the second base portion into or overlapping the sole.  
   
   
       45 . Footwear comprising: 
 a sole having a first side and a second side;    a first base portion that extends upwardly from the first side; and    a first foot-bearing portion that extends laterally from the first base portion to a first terminus, the first base portion and the first foot-bearing portion together forming a plurality of spaced apart resilient elongate fingers that bias the first foot-bearing portion towards the sole with sufficient force to secure the sole to the foot.    
   
   
       46 . The footwear of  claim 45  wherein said resilient elongate finger is biased towards the sole with sufficient force to by itself secure the sole to the foot.