Easy-to-wear lace up article of footwear

Abstract

An easy-to-wear lace up article of footwear includes a forefoot opening intended to be secured by a lacing system and a second opening at the rear heel part of the shoe which is secured by a rear tongue and a rear lacing system.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An easy-to-wear lace up article of footwear ( 1 ) comprising:
 a forefoot opening ( 17 ) intended to be secured by a lacing system ( 23 );   a second opening at the rear heel part of the shoe which is secured by a rear tongue ( 13 ) and a rear lacing system ( 26 );   a shoe sole ( 2 ) having a length extending from the heel end ( 3 ) to the toe end ( 4 ) and a width extending from the left side ( 5 ) to the right side ( 6 );   an upper ( 7 ) secured to the shoe sole ( 2 ), except around the heel end ( 3 );   a rear tongue ( 13 ) secured to the shoe sole ( 2 ) around the heel end ( 3 );   the upper ( 7 ), the rear tongue ( 13 ) and the shoe sole ( 2 ) together enclosing an interior ( 18 ) of the shoe;   the upper ( 7 ) and the rear tongue ( 13 ) forming an ankle opening ( 14 );   the upper ( 7 ) having a forefoot opening ( 17 ) to the interior ( 18 ) of the shoe ( 1 ), the upper ( 7 ) having left and right sides ( 8 ,  10 ) that extend along opposite sides of the forefoot opening ( 17 );   a plurality of lacing openings ( 22 ) arranged along the upper left side ( 10 ) and arranged along the upper right side ( 8 ) and intended to be provided with a lace ( 23 );   the upper ( 7 ) presenting upwardly a left free rear edge ( 11 ) and a right free rear edge ( 12 ) separated by a space having a width corresponding about to the width of the heel and enclosing the rear tongue ( 13 );   a plurality of lacing openings ( 24 ,  25 ) arranged along the left free rear edge ( 11 ) of the upper and arranged along the right free rear edge ( 12 ) of the upper and intended to be provided with a lace ( 26 );   
       wherein the rear tongue ( 13 ) is secured to the right and the left free rear edges ( 8 ,  10 ) of the upper, upwardly from the shoe sole ( 2 ) to a height corresponding to the malleolus of the wearer when the article of footwear is worn. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 , which is selected from the group consisting of lace up shoes, sneakers, oxford type athletic shoe, active footwear, athletically styled casual shoes, including aerobic dance, baseball/softball, basketball, cross training, hiking, running, tennis, walking, golf, football and volleyball. 
     
     
         13 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the rear lacing system ( 26 ) comprises a resilient lace. 
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 , wherein the lacing system ( 23 ) securing the forefoot opening ( 17 ) comprises a resilient lace. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear according to  claim 13 , wherein the resiliency of the lace as measured by its Young's modulus is equivalent to multi-strands of elastic used for bungee cords, made with 3 to 6 bands of latex inside a polyester envelope, with a length from 22 to 32 inches. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 11 , the plurality of lacing openings ( 24 ,  25 ) arranged along the left free rear edge ( 11 ) of the upper and arranged along the right free rear edge ( 12 ) of the upper and intended to be provided with a lace ( 26 ) is provided on two different ranges, a first one near the free edges and the other one more inwardly. 
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the first range of lacing openings ( 24 ) follows the curve of the heel. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear ( 1 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein the lacing openings ( 25 ) of the most inwardly range are placed at a height from the shoe sole corresponding to the malleolus and/or to the ankle of the wearer when the article of footwear ( 1 ) is worn. 
     
     
         19 . The article of footwear according to  claim 14 , wherein the resiliency of the lace as measured by its Young's modulus is equivalent to multi-strands of elastic used for bungee cords, made with 3 to 6 bands of latex inside a polyester envelope, with a length from 22 to 32 inches.