Foldable active shoe

Abstract

A sport or active shoe that can be stored in a compact configuration can be folded generally in half and secured closed with a closure connected to the heel and toe. The shoe includes a single layer upper to facilitate folding. The shoe can be folded into a very compact configuration and stored conveniently in a pocket, pack, purse, etc., allowing a user to keep a pair of the shoes handy for wearing before or after sports activities or specialized activities requiring specialized or bulky footwear.

1 . An active shoe, comprising:
 a toe section;   a heel section;   an intermediate section connecting the toe section to the heel section; and   a fastening device comprising a first element and a second element that mates with the first element, wherein the first element of the fastening device is secured to the toe section and the second element of the fastening device is secured to the heel section and wherein the shoe can be folded generally in half and secured in a compact configuration by mating the first element of the fastening device with the second element.   
   
   
       2 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is a snap. 
   
   
       3 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device is a magnetic closure. 
   
   
       4 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises hook and loop material. 
   
   
       5 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the fastening device comprises a hook attached to the heel portion and a slit or loop attached to the toe portion. 
   
   
       6 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is foldable about the intermediate section. 
   
   
       7 . The active shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe includes an upper constructed substantially of a single-layer material to facilitate folding the shoe. 
   
   
       8 . A shoe, comprising:
 a toe portion;   a heel portion; and   an intermediate portion, wherein the intermediate portion connects the toe portion to the heel portion and comprises an elastic band for facilitating the folding of the shoe.   
   
   
       9 . The shoe of  claim 8 , further comprising a latch to allow the heel portion to be removably secured to the toe portion. 
   
   
       10 . The shoe of  claim 9 , wherein the latch comprises a snap, wherein one portion of the snap is attached to the toe portion and the other portion of the snap is attached to the heel portion. 
   
   
       11 . The shoe of  claim 10 , wherein the snap is magnetic. 
   
   
       12 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic band wraps around the shoe. 
   
   
       13 . The shoe of  claim 8 , wherein the elastic band has a width between about one and about two inches. 
   
   
       14 . An active shoe, comprising:
 an upper, wherein the upper is formed of a single-layer material;   a sole permanently affixed to the upper, wherein the upper and the sole create a generally enclosed active shoe having a front portion, an intermediate portion, and a rear portion; and   a closure, wherein a first element of the closure is attached to the front portion and a second element of the closure is attached to the rear portion,   wherein the shoe can be folded about the intermediate portion and secured in a compact configuration with the closure.   
   
   
       15 . The shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the upper is constructed of a waterproof material. 
   
   
       16 . The shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the intermediate portion is a band of elastic material that wraps around the shoe. 
   
   
       17 . The shoe of  claim 14 , further comprising a pair of skid-resistant sole pads. 
   
   
       18 . The shoe of  claim 14 , further comprising a highly compressible insole. 
   
   
       19 . The shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the shoe can be stored in compact configuration in a pouch. 
   
   
       20 . The shoe of  claim 14 , wherein the closure is attached to the sole at both the front and rear portions.