Footwear

Abstract

Footwear is provided which comprises: an outsole comprising multiple interlocking outsole portions; and means for urging at least a first one of the multiple outsole portions away from at least a second one of the multiple outsole portions, thereby expanding the outsole. The multiple interlocking outsole portions might include interlocking teeth. The means for urging might include at least one of an expandable footbed and an expansion screw.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . Footwear, comprising:
 an outsole comprising multiple interlocking outsole portions, wherein the outsole has a length that extends in a longitudinal dimension, a width that extends in a transverse dimension, and a depth that extends in a vertical dimension, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the depth, and wherein the multiple interlocking outsole portions comprise interlocking teeth that extend in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions which are arranged to interlock to enable expansion of the outsole in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions and to prevent expansion of the outsole in the vertical dimension; and   means for urging at least a first one of the multiple outsole portions away from at least a second one of the multiple outsole portions in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions, thereby expanding the outsole.   
     
     
         2 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for urging is configured to cause longitudinal and transverse expansion of the outsole. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the urging of at least a portion least a first one of the multiple outsole portions away from at least a second one of the multiple outsole portions creates or increases a gap within the interlocking teeth. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking teeth are arranged to enable simultaneous expansion of the outsole in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions. 
     
     
         9 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the outsole includes interlocking teeth that are stacked in the vertical dimension. 
     
     
         10 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking teeth are arranged to enable expansion of a toe region of the outsole. 
     
     
         11 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking teeth are arranged to enable expansion of an instep region of the outsole. 
     
     
         12 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the interlocking teeth are arranged to enable expansion of a heel region of the outsole. 
     
     
         13 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for urging comprises an expandable footbed coupled to the outsole. 
     
     
         14 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the expandable footbed includes at least one chamber partially filled with gas. 
     
     
         15 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the at least one chamber is positioned at or close to a periphery of the expandable footbed. 
     
     
         16 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the expandable footbed forms part of an insock. 
     
     
         17 . The footwear as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the means for urging comprises an expansion screw or a telescopic screw. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . (canceled) 
     
     
         24 . The footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the footwear is a shoe, a trainer/sneaker, a boot, a slipper or a sandal. 
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . Footwear, comprising:
 an outsole comprising multiple interlocking outsole portions, wherein the outsole has a length that extends in a longitudinal dimension, a width that extends in a transverse dimension, and a depth that extends in a vertical dimension, the length being greater than the width and the width being greater than the depth, and wherein the multiple interlocking outsole portions comprise interlocking teeth that extend in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions which are arranged to interlock to enable expansion of the outsole in the longitudinal and transverse dimensions and to prevent expansion of the outsole in the vertical dimension.