Article of Footwear with Open Upper

Abstract

An article of footwear intended for use as a dance shoe is disclosed. The article of footwear includes an upper. The upper includes an opening with a periphery configured to expose the top of the instep of a foot, while covering the medial and lateral sides of the foot. In addition, the article of footwear includes a fastening system, comprising a first and second strap, configured to expand during insertion of the foot into the article of footwear and fasten the article of footwear to the foot.

1 . An article of footwear, intended for use as a dance shoe, comprising:
 an upper and an outsole;   the upper including a forefoot region and a heel region;   the upper having a length LH extending from the tip of the forefoot region to the tip of the heel region;   the upper including a ribbon configured to wrap around a portion of the foot;   the upper including an opening;   the opening including an outer periphery, the outer periphery being continuous from the forward region to the rear region;   the opening having an opening length LO, the opening length extending from a forward tip of the outer periphery to a rear tip of the outer periphery;   the ratio of LO/LH being generally between 0.7 and 0.8; and   wherein the upper includes a fastener system, the fastener system including a first C-shaped strap and a second C-shaped strap.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper comprises a breathable mesh portion. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the breathable mesh portion is disposed along a medial side of the upper. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear according to  claim 2 , wherein the breathable mesh portion is disposed along a lateral side of the upper. 
     
     
         5 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper and an outsole;   the upper including a medial side and a lateral side;   the upper including a ribbon configured to wrap around a portion of a foot;   the upper including an opening, the opening including a first portion configured to receive a wearer's foot;   the opening including a periphery;   the upper including a medial edge and a lateral edge, each disposed along the periphery;   the distance between the outsole and the medial edge, as measured along the medial side, being shortest at the forward most portion of the medial edge; and   wherein the distance between the outsole and the lateral edge, as measured along the lateral side, is shortest at the forward most portion of the medial edge.   
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the outsole comprises rubber. 
     
     
         7 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein portions of the upper comprise leather. 
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein portions of the upper comprise a mesh material. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the forward most tip of the outsole wraps around and covers a front side of the upper. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper includes a fastener system. 
     
     
         11 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper and an outsole;   the upper including a ribbon configured to wrap around a portion of a foot;   the upper including an opening, the opening including a first portion configured to receive a wearer's foot;   the opening including a periphery;   the upper including a fastening system;   the fastening system including a first strap with a forward portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion;   the fastening system including a second strap with a forward portion, a middle portion, and a rear portion; and   wherein the middle portion of the first strap and the middle portion of the second strap are disposed over a second portion of the opening, and joined together by a tab.   
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the first strap is fixed to a medial side of the upper at a first area disposed along the forward portion and a second area disposed along the rear portion. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the second strap is fixed to a lateral side of the upper at a third area disposed along the forward portion of the second strap and a fourth area disposed along the rear portion. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the tab comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the first strap and the second strap both comprise an inelastic material. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the forward portion and rear portion of the first strap extend from the periphery to the outsole along the medial side of the upper. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the forward and rear portion of the second strap extend from the periphery to the outsole along the lateral side of the upper. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear according to  claim 11 , wherein the upper includes a third strap extending from a medial side of the upper, wrapping around a rear side of the upper, and attaching to a lateral side of the upper. 
     
     
         19 . An article of footwear comprising:
 an upper and an outsole;   the upper including a ribbon configured to wrap around a portion of the foot;   the upper including an opening, the opening including a first portion configured to receive a wearer's foot;   the opening including a periphery;   the upper including a fastening system;   the fastening system including a first strap with a forward end, a middle portion and a rearward end, wherein the forward end of the first strap and the rearward end of the first strap are attached to the medial side of the upper;   the fastening system including a second strap with a forward end, a middle portion, and a rearward end, wherein the forward end of the second strap and the rearward end of the second strap are attached to the lateral side of the upper; and   wherein the fastening system includes an elastic region.   
     
     
         20 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the first strap includes an elastic region disposed between the forward end of the first strap and the middle portion of the first strap. 
     
     
         21 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the first strap includes an elastic region disposed between the rearward end of the first strap and the middle portion of the first strap. 
     
     
         22 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the second strap includes an elastic region disposed between the forward end of the second strap and the middle portion of the second strap. 
     
     
         23 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the second strap includes and elastic region disposed between the rearward end of the second strap and the middle portion of the second strap. 
     
     
         24 . The article of footwear according to  claim 19 , wherein the fastening system includes a tab. 
     
     
         25 . The article of footwear according to  claim 24 , wherein the first strap and second strap are attached via the tab.