Girthwise adjustable laced shoe construction

Abstract

A laced shoe construction providing improved means for adjusting the effective girth of a shoe to the foot therein, particularly along lower side edges thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A manually operable girthwise adjustable shoe construction, comprising (i) an upper assembly having least one outer element and at least one inner element, said inner element being located at least about one of the ball, waist, and instep of the shoe, (ii) a bottom assembly which includes a sole and a fixed insole, and (iii) a manual means to adjust the effective girthwise dimensions of the shoe therewith, wherein (a) the inner element comprises a loose lining means, and (b) the loose lining means is attached to the fixed insole at about the perimeter of a shoe last of about the least girth for which the shoe is designed, and the loose lining means provides a comfortably close fit of the shoe to the foot of the wearer, including along both upper and lower side portions thereof. 
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment is by a lacing means. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe construction of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is adjustable to a wearer's preferred level of snugness. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe construction of  claim 1 , wherein the shoe girth is infinitely incrementally adjustable within the designed adjustment range of the shoe. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe construction of  claim 1 , wherein a foot located therein is securely held transversely centered in the shoe at all girth adjustments thereof. 
     
     
         6 . A manually operable girthwise adjustable laced shoe construction comprising a loose lining means which is adjustable by tightening or loosening a shoe adjusting means selected from the group consisting of shoelaces, buckles, straps, and hook and loop closures, to provide girthwise adjustment of the effective girth of the shoe so that it fits along the lower side edges of a foot therein. 
     
     
         7 . A manually operable girthwise adjustable shoe construction, comprising an upper assembly of outer and inner elements, including inner loose lining means and bottom elements therewith, and also comprising a manual means to adjust the effective girthwise dimension of the shoe therewith, so arranged as to provide a comfortably close or contacting fit of the shoe to the foot and preference of the wearer, including in both upper and lower side portions thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe construction of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustment is made by a lacing means. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe construction of  claim 7 , wherein the adjustment is made by a means selected from the group consisting of buckles, straps, and hook and loop closures.