Shoe having simulated features

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide for shoes having simulated features, and methods for making the same. An exemplary shoe with simulated features can comprise an upper including a toe region and a heel region, with the upper including a simulated feature and the heel region including a seam; and a sole coupled to the upper.

1 . A shoe with simulated features comprising:
 an upper including a toe region and a heel region, the upper including a simulated feature, the heel region including a seam; and   a sole coupled to the upper;   wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper;   wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.   
     
     
         2 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulated feature includes an appearance of a feature that is not physically present on the shoe. 
     
     
         3 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulated feature includes at least one of simulated laces, simulated perforations, a simulated multi-piece construction, a simulated material, a simulated tongue, and simulated stitching. 
     
     
         4 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the simulated feature is printed on the upper. 
     
     
         5 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a heel pad coupled to the heel region of the upper. 
     
     
         6 . The shoe according to  claim 5 , wherein the heel pad is coupled to the upper via stitching. 
     
     
         7 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the sole includes a midsole and an outsole. 
     
     
         8 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a strobel board coupled to the upper and the sole. 
     
     
         9 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the strobel board is made from a non-woven fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the stobel board is coupled to the upper and the sole via cement. 
     
     
         11 . The shoe according to  claim 7 , wherein the strobel board is sewn to the upper. 
     
     
         12 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper is a polyester material. 
     
     
         13 . The shoe according to  claim 12 , wherein the polyester material includes yarn from recycled plastic bottles. 
     
     
         14 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper is a spacer fabric. 
     
     
         15 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , further comprising a collar binding coupled to the upper. 
     
     
         16 . The shoe according to  claim 15 , wherein the collar binding is a nylon material. 
     
     
         17 . The shoe according to  claim 15 , wherein the collar binding is coupled to the upper via stitching. 
     
     
         18 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper further comprises a mouth. 
     
     
         19 . The shoe according to  claim 18 , further comprising a collar binding coupled to the mouth of the upper. 
     
     
         20 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is a sneaker. 
     
     
         21 . The shoe according to  claim 1 , wherein the shoe is a slip-on shoe. 
     
     
         22 . A method of making a shoe with simulated features, the method comprising:
 printing a simulated feature on a material;   cutting the material in a specified pattern, the specified pattern including a first heel portion and a second heel portion;   coupling the first heel portion of the cut material to the second heel portion of the cut material to form an upper, the upper including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a mouth; and   coupling the upper to a sole.   
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising coupling a heel pad to the inner surface of the upper. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising coupling a collar binding to the mouth of the upper. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising coupling a strobel board to the upper. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 22 , further comprising applying cement to the upper. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the sole is pre-treated with cement. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein coupling the upper to a sole includes coupling the upper to the sole via heat and pressure. 
     
     
         29 . A shoe comprising:
 an upper including a heel region, the heel region including a seam, wherein the upper is formed of a single piece of material and the seam;   a board coupled to the upper; and   a sole coupled to the board;   wherein the simulated feature is planar to an outer surface of the upper;   wherein the shoe is configured to completely cover a user's foot.