Footwear with rest support

Abstract

Footwear includes a sole with a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region. A support structure is positioned within the mid-sole region. The support structure is configured to engage an object to facilitate resistance to gravitational pull.

1 - 7 . (canceled) 
   
   
       8 . Footwear, comprising:
 a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein at least the forefoot region and the heel region include tread structure, and further wherein the tread structure of the heel region is spaced away from the mid-sole region; and   a support structure extending from the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure is separate from the tread structure, and wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface generally facing the heel region, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object and restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the object due to gravity when a user is wearing the footwear and positions the engagement surface on an upper portion of the object.   
   
   
       9 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is sized and positioned to not engage a ground surface when the user is wearing the footwear and walking on the ground surface. 
   
   
       10 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is sized and positioned to project beyond any surface feature of the forefoot region. 
   
   
       11 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the tread structure is substantially smooth. 
   
   
       12 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure includes a left support structure and a right support structure laterally spaced away from the left support structure with respect to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole, and wherein the left support structure includes a left engagement surface and the right support structure includes a right engagement surface, wherein the left engagement surface and the right engagement surface comprise the engagement surface. 
   
   
       13 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is positioned in the mid-sole region so as not to obstruct a natural walking motion. 
   
   
       14 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is integrally formed with the sole. 
   
   
       15 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is attached to the sole. 
   
   
       16 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the sole and the support structure are formed of the same material. 
   
   
       17 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is configured to engage the object to facilitate resistance to gravitational pull and thereby allow the user to rest a foot on the object. 
   
   
       18 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement surface extends at least substantially perpendicular to a plane generally defined by the sole. 
   
   
       19 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement surface extends at least substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole. 
   
   
       20 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the engagement surface is an elongate engagement surface. 
   
   
       21 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure includes a curved surface that generally faces toward the forefoot region. 
   
   
       22 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is configured to engage a motorcycle mount. 
   
   
       23 . A method of riding a motorcycle, the method comprising:
 wearing, by the user, the footwear of  claim 22 ; and   positioning the engagement surface against the motorcycle mount to restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the motorcycle mount due to gravity.   
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the motorcycle mount includes a peg. 
   
   
       25 . The footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the support structure is configured to engage horse riding equipment. 
   
   
       26 . A method of riding a horse, the method comprising:
 wearing, by the user, the footwear of  claim 25 , the method comprising:   positioning the engagement surface against horse riding equipment to restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the horse riding equipment due to gravity.   
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the horse riding equipment includes a stirrup. 
   
   
       28 . Footwear, comprising:
 a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and the heel region, wherein at least the forefoot region and the heel region include a ground-contacting surface, and further wherein the ground-contacting surface of the heel region is spaced away from the mid-sole region and at least a portion of the mid-sole region does not include the ground-contacting surface; and   a support structure extending from the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure does not comprise the ground-contacting surface, wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface generally facing the heel region, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object and restrict translation of the footwear with respect to the object due to gravity when a user is wearing the footwear and positions the engagement surface on an upper portion of the object.   
   
   
       29 . The footwear of  claim 28 , wherein the ground-contacting surface includes tread structure, and wherein the support structure is separate from the tread structure. 
   
   
       30 . Footwear, comprising:
 a sole, wherein the sole includes a forefoot region, a heel region, and a mid-sole region positioned between the forefoot region and heel region; and   a support structure positioned within the mid-sole region, wherein the support structure includes an engagement surface that is substantially perpendicular to a plane generally defined by the sole, wherein the engagement surface is configured to engage an object in a manner that allows the support structure to resist gravitational pull, wherein when a user wearing the footwear positions the footwear so that the engagement surface engages the object, less energy is required to maintain the user's foot in a stationary position.   
   
   
       31 . The footwear of  claim 30 , wherein the support structure includes a left support structure and a right support structure laterally spaced away from the left support structure with respect to a longitudinal axis generally defined by the sole, and wherein the left support structure includes a left engagement surface and the right support structure includes a right engagement surface, wherein the left engagement surface and the right engagement surface comprise the engagement surface.