Hinged footwear sole structure for foot entry and method of manufacturing

Abstract

A sole structure for an article of footwear comprises a unitary midsole having a first portion and a second portion rearward of the first portion. A bottom surface of the unitary midsole defines a groove extending from a medial side to a lateral side of the unitary midsole, and a top surface of the unitary midsole defines a slit disposed over the groove and extending from the medial side to the lateral side. The unitary midsole forms a living hinge at the groove and the slit, with the living hinge connecting the first portion to the second portion so that the first portion and the second portion are selectively pivotable relative to one another at the living hinge between a first orientation and a second orientation. The groove is wider in the first orientation than in the second orientation, and the slit is wider in the second orientation.

1 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a midsole having a first portion and a second portion, the second portion rearward of the first portion;   a footbed; and   an upper, the upper comprising a front upper portion and a rear upper portion;   wherein the second portion of the midsole is coupled to the rear upper portion;   wherein the footbed is coupled to the front upper portion;   wherein the footbed is configured to pivot relative to the second portion of the midsole between a first orientation and a second orientation, wherein at least a portion of the footbed is spaced further from the second portion of the midsole in the second orientation than in the first orientation; and   wherein, in the first orientation, the portion of the footbed is positioned underneath a protrusion coupled to an inner surface of the rear upper portion, the protrusion configured to secure the footbed in the first orientation.   
     
     
         2 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is a compliant protrusion. 
     
     
         3 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein the compliant protrusion is comprised of a foam material. 
     
     
         4 . The article of footwear of  claim 2 , wherein:
 the rear upper portion has a rear collar portion; and   the protrusion is disposed at an inner periphery of the rear upper portion under the rear collar portion.   
     
     
         5 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein a rear periphery of the footbed is surrounded by the rear upper portion in the first orientation. 
     
     
         6 . The article of footwear of  claim 1 , wherein an upper surface of the second portion of the midsole is recessed to receive the footbed in the first orientation. 
     
     
         7 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole portion;   a footbed; and   an upper, the upper comprising an upper forward portion and an upper heel portion;   wherein the sole portion is coupled to the upper heel portion;   wherein the footbed is coupled to the upper forward portion;   wherein the footbed and upper forward portion are configured to pivot relative to the sole portion between an open position, in which a rear edge of the footbed is not in contact with the sole portion, and a closed position, in which the rear edge of the footbed is in contact with the sole portion; and   wherein, in the closed position, the rear edge of the footbed is positioned underneath a protrusion coupled to an inner surface of the upper heel portion, the protrusion configured to secure the upper forward portion and the footbed in the closed position.   
     
     
         8 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the protrusion is a compliant protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The article of footwear of  claim 8 , wherein the protrusion is comprised of a foam material. 
     
     
         10 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the upper heel portion has a rear collar portion; and   the protrusion is disposed at an inner periphery of the upper heel portion under the rear collar portion.   
     
     
         11 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein the rear edge of the footbed is surrounded by the upper heel portion in the closed position. 
     
     
         12 . The article of footwear of  claim 7 , wherein an upper surface of the sole portion is recessed to receive the footbed in the closed position. 
     
     
         13 . An article of footwear comprising:
 a sole portion;   a footbed; and   an upper, the upper comprising an upper forward portion and an upper heel portion;   wherein the sole portion is coupled to the upper heel portion;   wherein the footbed is coupled to the upper forward portion;   wherein the footbed and upper forward portion are configured to pivot relative to the sole portion between a first orientation and a second orientation;   wherein, in the first orientation, at least a portion of a lower surface of the footbed is in contact with an upper surface of the sole portion;   wherein, in the second orientation, the at least a portion of the lower surface of the footbed is not in contact with the upper surface of the sole portion; and   wherein, in the second orientation, a portion of the footbed is positioned underneath a protrusion coupled to an inner surface of the upper heel portion, the protrusion configured to secure the footbed in the first orientation.   
     
     
         14 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein the protrusion is a compliant protrusion. 
     
     
         15 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein the compliant protrusion is comprised of a foam material. 
     
     
         16 . The article of footwear of  claim 14 , wherein:
 the upper heel portion has a rear collar portion; and   the protrusion is disposed at an inner periphery of the upper heel portion under the rear collar portion.   
     
     
         17 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein a rear periphery of the footbed is surrounded by the upper heel portion in the first orientation. 
     
     
         18 . The article of footwear of  claim 13 , wherein an upper surface of the sole portion is recessed to receive the footbed in the first orientation.