Recyclable golf shoe

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a recyclable golf shoe. The shoe may comprise an upper and a sole assembly. The upper may comprise: a membrane layer configured to at least partially surround or enclose a foot of a subject wearing the golf shoe; an internal A-shaped frame structure attached or coupled to the membrane layer to structurally support or stiffen the upper; a mesh layer comprising a first side and a second side, the first side attached or coupled to the membrane layer and the internal A-shaped frame structure; and a saddle connected to the second side of the mesh layer. The membrane layer, the internal A-shaped frame structure, the mesh layer, and the saddle may comprise one or more recyclable thermoplastic urethane (TPU) materials that can be processable into another article or component comprising at least one recycled or recyclable TPU material.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A golf shoe, comprising:
 an upper and a sole assembly connected to the upper, wherein the upper comprises:   a membrane layer configured to at least partially surround or enclose a foot of a subject wearing the golf shoe;   an internal A-shaped frame structure attached or coupled to the membrane layer to structurally support or stiffen the upper;   a mesh layer comprising a first side and a second side, the first side attached or coupled to the membrane layer and the internal A-shaped frame structure; and   a saddle connected to the second side of the mesh layer,   wherein the membrane layer, the internal A-shaped frame structure, the mesh layer, and the saddle each comprise one or more thermoplastic urethane (TPU) materials,   wherein the upper and the sole assembly comprise 100% TPU by weight or mass,   wherein the one or more TPU materials comprise a material derived from a recycled shoe comprising at least one recyclable TPU material, and   wherein the one or more TPU materials are processable into another golf shoe comprising the at least one recyclable TPU material.   
     
     
         2 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal A-shaped frame structure is positioned between (i) the membrane layer and (ii) the mesh layer or the saddle. 
     
     
         3 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh layer is positioned between (i) the saddle and (ii) the internal A-shaped frame structure or the membrane layer. 
     
     
         4 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh layer and the internal A-shaped frame structure are positioned between (i) the membrane layer and (ii) the saddle. 
     
     
         5 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane layer is configured as a hotmelt backer for the mesh layer. 
     
     
         6 . The golf shoe of  claim 5 , wherein the hotmelt backer comprises one or more non-laminated regions having one or more mechanical or laser perforations. 
     
     
         7 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane layer comprises one or more regions with one or more surface features or perforations to facilitate a movement of a fluid through or across the membrane layer. 
     
     
         8 . The golf shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the one or more regions comprise one or more non-laminated regions that are decoupled or detached from the mesh layer to enhance breathability. 
     
     
         9 . The golf shoe of  claim 7 , wherein the membrane layer comprises a microporous membrane. 
     
     
         10 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal A-shaped frame structure comprises one or more truss-like members extending between (i) a midfoot or rearfoot region of the golf shoe and (ii) a forefoot region of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         11 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the internal A-shaped frame structure is asymmetric with different frame configurations on a medial and lateral side of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         12 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more TPU laces comprising a plurality of welded layers. 
     
     
         13 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more support sidewalls extending along a medial and/or lateral side of the golf shoe. 
     
     
         14 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole assembly comprises a midsole and an outsole that are co-molded. 
     
     
         15 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the sole assembly has a hardness that changes or varies across the sole assembly. 
     
     
         16 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a first cement or adhesive for the sole assembly and a second cement or adhesive for the upper, wherein the first and second cement or adhesive comprise a solvent based cement or primer, a water based cement or primer, a hotmelt cement, a TPU based cement or primer, or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) based cement or primer. 
     
     
         17 . The golf shoe of  claim 16 , wherein the first cement or adhesive and the second cement or adhesive are configured to evaporate during a chemical recycling process that yields said at least one recyclable TPU material from the one or more TPU materials. 
     
     
         18 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a stability clip configured to control a movement or a deformation of a midsole portion of the sole assembly in response to one or more forces exerted on the golf shoe. 
     
     
         19 . The golf shoe of  claim 18 , wherein the stability clip comprises a sidewall and a beam extending laterally from the sidewall, wherein the beam comprises a tapered end or a pointed edge. 
     
     
         20 . The golf shoe of  claim 1 , further comprising a removable insole or tag coupled to the upper or the sole assembly, the removable insole or tag comprising a different material than the upper or the sole assembly.