Footwear with flexible outer sole attached to water resistant textile upper

Abstract

A waterproof shoe comprises a collapsible waterproof textile upper portion, bounded by an upper rim and a lower rim. The shoe further comprises a single piece outer sole made of a water resistant material, where the single piece outer sole is configured to extend over a wearer's heel and toes. The single piece outer sole further comprises a lip about an entirety of the opening, wherein the lower rim of the upper portion is attached to the lip in a waterproof manner. The shoe comprises a first sealing mechanism encompassing a cross-sectional portion of the upper portion, and encased in the upper portion. A tightness of the first sealing mechanism is adjustable by a first adjustment mechanism. The shoe comprises a second sealing mechanism encompassing the upper rim, and encased in the upper rim. A tightness of the second sealing mechanism is adjustable by a second adjustment mechanism.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A waterproof shoe, comprising:
 a waterproof textile upper portion delimiting a foot insertion region, wherein the upper portion is bounded by (i) an upper rim that defines the foot insertion region and (ii) a lower rim;   a single piece outer sole defining an interior portion with an opening for receiving a foot, made of a plastic or rubber material impermeable to water, wherein the single piece outer sole is configured to extend over a wearer's heel and over the wearer's toes, the single piece outer sole further comprising a lip about an entirety of the opening, wherein the lower rim of the upper portion is attached to the lip in a waterproof manner;   a first sealing mechanism encompassing the entirety of a cross-sectional portion of the upper portion, wherein the first sealing mechanism is encased in the upper portion and wherein a tightness of the first sealing mechanism is adjustable by a first adjustment mechanism; and   a second sealing mechanism encompassing the entirety of the upper rim of the upper portion, wherein the second sealing mechanism is encased in the upper rim and wherein a tightness of the second sealing mechanism is adjustable by a second adjustment mechanism, wherein the waterproof textile upper portion is configured to fully collapse into the interior portion of the single piece outer sole when the waterproof shoe is not being worn.   
     
     
         2 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the lower rim of the upper portion is attached to the lip of the single piece outer sole by sewing, gluing, adhesive waterproof bonding or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 2  wherein the attachment of the lower rim of the upper portion to the lip of the single piece outer sole is further waterproofed with heat bonded sealing tape or another adhesive waterproofing material. 
     
     
         4 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  further comprising an insole within the interior portion of the single piece outer sole. 
     
     
         5 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  further comprising a textile pull tab folded over and attached to the upper rim of the upper portion. 
     
     
         6 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the waterproof textile upper portion comprises a material having an outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the outer surface is resistant to water and wherein the inner surface is permeable to air and water vapor. 
     
     
         7 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the waterproof textile upper portion comprises a multilayered textile. 
     
     
         8 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the waterproof textile upper portion comprises a thermal layer. 
     
     
         9 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the waterproof textile upper portion comprises a waterproofed seam. 
     
     
         10 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the waterproof textile upper portion is made from denier coated nylon, silicone coated nylon, water-proof breathable nylon, denier CORDURA® nylon, urethane coated material, denier supplex CORDURA® nylon or waterproof breathable fabric with a tricot lining. 
     
     
         11 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the single piece outer sole is made from thermoplastic elastometer, thermoplastic rubber, PLUSFOAM™, FUSIONFOAM™, HD PLUS™, FUSION HD™ or ethylene vinyl acetate. 
     
     
         12 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the single piece outer sole comprises an outer portion having a tread pattern. 
     
     
         13 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the hardness of the outer sole is a predetermined hardness between Shore 45A and Shore 110A on the Shore durometer scale. 
     
     
         14 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is configured to conform to the wearer's leg by the first adjustment mechanism and the second adjustment mechanism. 
     
     
         15 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the first sealing mechanism is an elastic cord and the first adjustment mechanism is the elasticity of the elastic cord. 
     
     
         16 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second sealing mechanism is an elastic cord and the second adjustment mechanism is the elasticity of the elastic cord. 
     
     
         17 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the first sealing mechanism is an elastic drawstring cord and the first adjustment mechanism is a cord locking mechanism. 
     
     
         18 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second sealing mechanism is an elastic drawstring cord and the second adjustment mechanism is a cord locking mechanism. 
     
     
         19 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the first sealing mechanism is a drawstring cord and the first adjustment mechanism is a cord locking mechanism. 
     
     
         20 . The waterproof shoe of  claim 1  wherein the second sealing mechanism is a drawstring cord and the second adjustment mechanism is a cord locking mechanism.