Shoe with elastic upper

Abstract

A shoe comprises a molded plastic sole having an upstanding edge defining a perimeter of the sole and extending generally normally to a bottom section and an upper member formed of a sock like woven elastic fabric having a first modulus of elasticity and a foot receiving opening adhered to the inside of the sole and the upstanding edge. The woven upper member has a foot receiving opening bordered by an elastic binding which has a greater modulus of elasticity than that of the sole. A pair of elastic fabric straps having a greater modulus of elasticity than the sole have their opposed ends secured to spaced points on opposite sides of the foot opening so as to extend across the foot opening.

1 . A shoe comprising:
 a molded plastic sole elongated about an axis, having a bottom section and an upstanding edge defining the perimeter of the sole and extending generally normally to the bottom section;   an upper member formed of a woven elastic fabric with a first modulus of elasticity having a sock-like configuration and afoot-receiving opening;   the upper member being adhered to the bottom and upstanding edge of the sole so that a section of the upper member incorporating the foot-receiving opening, extending away from the sole, is not adhered to the sole or upstanding edge; and   an elastic binding having a second modulus of elasticity greater than the first modulus of elasticity, secured about the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a pair of elastic fabric straps having a greater modulus of elasticity than the first modulus of elasticity, each strap having its opposed ends secured to the binding at spaced points on opposite sides of the foot opening so as to extend across the foot opening and the axis of the sole. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upstanding edge of the molded plastic sole comprises a toe cap with the top of the upstanding edge extending toward the rear end of the sole. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the woven elastic fabric of the upper member has an elongation factor of greater than 80 percent. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member is adhered to the bottom and upstanding edge of the sole by a hot melt adhesive using a thermoplastic. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member is adhered to the bottom and upstanding edge of the sole employing a two part cold setting adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a planar insole overlying the top side of the section of the upper member adhered to the bottom of the sole. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the upper member is woven with a decorative design.