Article of footwear that is waterproof, wear-resistant, and lightweight

Abstract

An article of footwear includes a sole body ( 2 ) having a front region, a mounting groove formed in a top surface thereof and having a groove bottom wall, and a retaining groove formed in the groove bottom wall. A support plate is disposed in the retaining groove. An upper includes a vamp part connected to and extending above the front region and having a rear edge, and left and right sidewalls extending upwardly and respectively from left and right ends of the sole body. An instep strap includes an instep abutment strap section extending convexedly from one of the sidewalls toward the other sidewall, spaced apart from the rear edge of the vamp part, and having first and second ends. One of the first and second ends is integrally connected as one piece with one of the sidewalls. A foot arch correction device is supported by the support plate.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole body made of a lightweight, wear-resistant, waterproof material, and having a front region, a heel region, and a middle region between said front and heel regions, said sole body including a support plate made of a material harder than said sole body and disposed in said sole body, a filling pad disposed in said sole body and covering said support plate, and front and rear tread members respectively attached to front and rear bottom faces of said sole body, said sole body further having a mounting groove that is formed in a top surface thereof and that has a groove bottom wall, and a retaining groove formed in said groove bottom wall, said support plate being disposed in said retaining groove, said filling pad being disposed in said mounting groove;   an upper integrally connected as one piece with said sole body, and including a vamp part connected to and extending above said front region and having a rear edge, a rear wall extending upwardly from said heel region, and left and right sidewalls extending upwardly and respectively from left and right ends of said sole body and having front ends connected to said rear edge of said vamp part, and rear ends connected to said rear wall;   an instep strap disposed rearwardly of said upper and including an instep abutment strap section extending convexedly from one of said left and right sidewalls toward the other one of said left and right sidewalls and having first and second ends, one of said first and second ends being integrally connected as one piece with one of said left and right sidewalls, said instep abutment strap section being spaced apart from said rear edge of said vamp part; and   a foot arch correction device supported by said support plate.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , further comprising a heel strap connected adjustably to said left and right sidewalls and extending above said rear wall. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein said support plate extends in a front-to-rear direction, and is disposed in said middle region of said sole body. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein said support plate has a raised central portion adapted to match the shape of a foot arch of the user's foot. 
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 5 , wherein said support plate includes a longitudinal strip, and a plurality of transverse parts projecting transversely and respectively from left and right sides of said longitudinal strip.