Adjustable Footwear Having Apertures in Sole Structure

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure comprise adjustable footwear having apertures in sole structure. The one or more apertures extend all or partially between opposing bottom and top surfaces of the sole structure. The one or more apertures are generally configured to facilitate and accommodate adjustability of the sole structure (e.g., in length and/or width).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A sole structure for adjustable footwear, the sole structure comprising:
 at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to facilitate adjustability of at least one of a size and a shape of the sole structure.   
     
     
         2 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture extends all the way through the sole structure from a top surface to an opposing bottom surface. 
     
     
         3 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture only extends partially through the sole structure. 
     
     
         4 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         5 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprise channels oriented in an offset pattern. 
     
     
         6 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to accommodate adjustment in both width and length of the sole structure. 
     
     
         7 . The sole structure of  claim 6 , wherein in response to a single action of a user, the plurality of apertures are configured to accommodate both width and length adjustment of the sole structure. 
     
     
         8 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured in an auxetic pattern such that expansion of one of length and width expands the other. 
     
     
         9 . The sole structure of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of apertures comprises a plurality of branched channel structures, with each branched channel structure comprises a main channel and a plurality of offshoot channels. 
     
     
         10 . The sole structure of  claim 9 , wherein the plurality of branched channel structures comprises a first pair of branched channel structures in a forward portion of the sole structure and a second pair of branched channel structures in a rear portion of the sole structure. 
     
     
         11 . The sole structure of  claim 10 , wherein respective main channels of the first pair of branched channel structures are parallel to each other and are nonparallel to respective main channels of the second pair of branched channel structures. 
     
     
         12 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is predisposed in an expanded position such that adjustability is achieved by selectively collapsing the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         13 . The sole structure of  claim 12 , further comprising a compressing feature configured to retain the at least one aperture in a collapsed position. 
     
     
         14 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture is predisposed in a collapsed position such that adjustability is achieved by selectively expanding the at least one aperture. 
     
     
         15 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture comprises a Hoberman mechanism configured such that circumferential actuation generates radial motion. 
     
     
         16 . The sole structure of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one aperture consists of a single aperture extending all or partially between a bottom surface of the sole structure and a top surface of the sole structure, the single aperture comprising a shank portion, a bend portion, and an arcing portion. 
     
     
         17 . An adjustable footwear comprising:
 a sole structure comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to facilitate adjustability of at least one of a size and a shape of the sole structure; and   a locking feature generally disposed around at least a section of a perimeter of the sole structure, the locking feature configured to compress and retain the plurality of apertures in an adjusted shape.   
     
     
         18 . The adjustable footwear of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to accommodate adjustment in both width and length of the sole structure. 
     
     
         19 . An adjustable footwear comprising:
 a sole structure comprising a plurality of apertures, wherein the plurality of apertures are configured to facilitate adjustability of at least one of a size and a shape of the sole structure;   a footbed configured to engage with at least one aperture of the plurality of apertures, wherein engagement of the footbed with the sole structure is configured to at least one of adjust and retain the at least one aperture in an adjusted position.   
     
     
         20 . The adjustable footwear of  claim 19 , wherein the footbed comprises at least one protrusion configured to be received within the at least one aperture.