Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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2
1 SHOE WITH A COUNTER PORTION
2 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THF DRAWINGS
3 Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a shoe with a counter portion in accordance
with
4 the present invention;
Fig. 2 is an enlarged exploded perspective view of the counter portion of the
6 shoe in Fig. 1;
7 Fig. 3 is a side plan view in partial section of the shoe in Fig, 1;
8 Fig. 4 is an operational side plan view in partial section of the shoe in
Fig. 1,
9 showing the counter portion being pivoted;
Fig. 5 is a side plan view in partial section of the shoe in Fig. l, showing
the
11 counter portion completely removed from the shoe;
12 Fig. 6 is an operational side plan view of another embodiment of a
connecting
13 means of the counter portion of the shoe with a counter portion in
accordance with the
14 present invention;
1 '. Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of a shoe
with a
16 counter portion in accordance with the present invention;
1 i' Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a third embodiment of a shoe
with a
18. counter portion in accordance with the present invention;
19 Fig. 9 is a side plan view of a fourth embodiment of a shoe with a counter
portion in accordance with the present invention;
21 Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth embodiment of a shoe
with a
22 counter portion in accordance with the present invention;
23 Fig. 11 is a side plan view of the shoe in Fig. 10; and
24 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the shoe in Fig. 10 showing that the
counter
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1 portion pivotally rotates relative to the upper of the shoe.
;o ~ACKC~ROLTND OF THE INVENTION
:3 1. Field of the Invention
.4 The present invention relates to a shoe having a counter portion pivotally
connected
to the rear end of the shoe to close an opening in the upper.
~5 2. Description of Related Art
7 Conventional footwear is an outer covering for the human foot typically
having
.8 a thick or stiff sole with an attached heel and an upper attached to the
sole. Besides
'9 protecting the foot, shoes have for centuries been a fashion item.
Therefore, there are
various types of shoes available, for example: boots, high-heeled shoes, court
shoes,
11 training shoes, tennis shoes, wooden shoes, sandals, etc. Most formal shoes
are shoes
12 with continuous uppers, which include a toe cup, a vamp and quarter and
counter
13 portions. These shoes with continuous uppers are often worn by people for
more than
14 eight hours per day. Even though shoes are designed and made to suit
people's feet, it is
I 5 uncomfortable to wear a pair of shoes with continuous uppers for a long
time. However,
16 to take off shoes to air the feet is rather unsightly behavior in many
formal places.
17 Nevertheless, in some places, customs or hygiene requirements dictate that
18 people take off their shoes before entering a room, etc. In these cases, a
pair of shoes
19 with tied laces will cause people to have to take a lot of time to tie and
untie the laces.
2,0 Furthermore, it is difficult for children to deal with laces.
2.1 To overcome the shortcomings, the present invention tends to provide a
shoe
2.2 with a counter portion to mitigate or obviate the aforementioned problems.
2,3 ~ NII ARY OF THE INVENTION
2:4 The main objective of the invention is to provide a shoe with a counter
portion
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1 that is pivotally detached from the upper or completely detached from the
upper thereby
2 converting the shoe to a "mule" or "clog" style shoe. The shoe has a sole,
an upper and a
3 counter portion. The upper is securely attached to the sole and has an open
rear end in
4 the style of a "mule" or a "clog". The counter portion is selectively
connected to one of
the rear end of the upper and the shoe to close the opening in the upper.
Releasing the
~6 counter portion allows the foot in the shoe to be exposed to fresh air, and
a pair of tied
'7 shoes with the counter portions can be put on or taken off without tying or
untying the
~ laces. Thus, the shoe is versatile and convenient.
P TAILED D gCR1_PTION O PRFF .RRRD ~MBODIMFNT
With reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the present invention relates to a shoe
(10)
l :l having a counter portion (20). The shoe ( 10) comprises an upper ( 11 )
securely
12 connecting to a sole ( 12). The upper ( 11 ) is particularly defined with
an opening ( 111 ) at
13 a rear end of the upper ( 11 ). The counter portion (20) is optionally
connected over the
14 opening ( 111 ) of the shoe (20).
In practice, the counter portion (20) is pivotally connected to the rear end
of the
1f> sole (12) by means of a pivotal device. 'The pivotal device comprises a
connector (25)
1 l and a pivot latch (40). The connector (25) has a body (251), a
longitudinal neck (252)
1 E and a transverse pivot pin (253). The body is (251 ) securely mounted in
the counter
1ST portion (20). The longitudinal neck (252) is integrally formed at a lower
end of the body
(251 ). The transverse pivot pin (253) is integrally formed at a lower end of
the neck
21 (252). Two gaps (254) are respectively defined on opposite sides of the
neck (252).
22 The sole ( 12) has a recess ( 13) defined in an upper surface near the rear
end of
23 the sole (12) to receive the pivot latch (40). The pivot latch (40) is
formed as an inverted
24 J-shaped bracket (41 ). 'The bracket (41 ) has an upper horizontal retainer
(411 ) flush with
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the upper surface of the sole (12). A slot (42) defined in the middle of the
bracket (41)
2 divides the horizontal retainer (411 ) into two matching pieces and
corresponds to the
neck (252) of the connector (2S). Lips (44) are integrally formed at and
extend down
~4 perpendicular from an outer edge of each horizontal retainer (411 ). The
lips (44),
5 horizontal retainers (411 ) and bracket (41 ) define a pivot socket (43 ) to
pivotally hold
5 the pivot pin (253) in the pivot latch (40). Accordingly, the pivot pin
(253) of the
'7 connector (25) can be inserted into the recess (13) and pivotally mounted
in the pivot
8 socket (43) of the pivot latch (40).
9 Fasteners (30) such as a locking arm fastener, a clip fastener, a belt
fastener, etc.
are symmetrically mounted on upper ends of two opposite sides of the opening (
111 )
1 1l and the counter portion (20). Each fastener (30) comprises a first
connecting member
12 (31 ) and a second connecting member (32). The first connecting member (31
) is
13 securely attached to the upper ( 11 ) near the opening ( 111 ) in the shoe
( 10). The second
14~ connecting member (32) is securely attached to the counter portion (20) at
a position
1 ~~ corresponding to and aligning with the first connecting member (31 ) when
the counter
16 portion (20) closes the opening ( 111 ) in the upper ( 11 ). When the
counter portion (20) is
1? pivotally mounted in the pivot latch (40), the first connecting member (31)
and the
18 second connecting member (32) detachably connect to each other to securely
hold the
19 counter portion (20) in place over the opening ( 111 ) in the upper ( 11 ).
The first
connecting member (31 ) can be disconnected from the second connecting member
(32)
21 so the counter portion (20) can be pivoted to expose the opening ( 111 ) in
the upper ( 11 )
22 or be removed from the shoe ( 10) completely by further disengaging the
connector (25)
23 from the pivot latch (40).
24 With reference to Figs. 1 to 3, a first embodiment of the fastener (30)
comprises
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1 first connecting members (31 ) comprising a base plate (312), a fastening
lug (314) and a
2 retaining head (316). The base plate (312) is securely attached to the upper
(11). In
3 practice, the base plate (312) can be selectively secured to the outer
surface of the upper
4 ( 11 ) or the inner surface of the upper ( 11 ). The base plate (312) can
also be covered by
the upper ( 11 ). The fastening lug (314) is integrally formed on the base
plate (312) and
6 extends out from the upper (I1). The retaining head (33) is integrally
formed at an outer
7 end of the fastening lug (314).
8 Each one of the second connecting members (32) includes a connecting arm
'9 (322), at least one notch (324) and a tab (326). The connecting arm (322)
is pivotally
connected to the counter portion (20). Each notch (324) is defined in the
connecting arm
11 (322) and corresponds to the fastening lug (314). The tab (326) extends
perpendicularly
12 out from the top of the connecting arm (322).
1:3 When the counter portion (20) is connected to the sole (12) by means of
the
14 pivot pin (253) pivotally fitted in the pivot socket (43) of the pivot
latch (40), the second
connecting members (32) respectively catch lock with the fastening lugs (314).
16 Consequently, the counter portion (20) is detachably connected with the
upper ( 11 ) and
17 the sole ( 12) to be a typically integrated shoe.
1 I3 With reference to Fig. 4, when a user wants to open the counter portion
(20) of
1!~ the shoe (10), the second connecting members (32) on the counter portion
(20) can be
easily pulled up to release the second connecting members (32) from the
fastening lugs
2:l (314) of the first connecting member (31 ). Thus the counter portion (20)
is then
22 pivotally opened, and a foot (50) of the user can be easily removed from or
inserted into
2:3 the shoe ( 10).
24 With reference to Fig. 5, the counter portion (20) can be completely
detached
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1 from the sole ( 12) to change the style of the shoe ( 10) to a "mule" or
"clog" style shoe.
2 With reference to Fig. 6, another embodiment of the pivotal device of the
3 counter portion (20) to the sole (12) comprises a connecting piece (250)
made of a
4 flexible piece of fabric, plastic or other material. The connecting piece
(250) has an
upper end sewn to the lower end of the counter portion (20) and a lower end
sewn to the
~6 sole ( 12).
7 With reference to Fig. 7, another embodiment of the connector (25) has a
curved
.B portion (254) integrally formed between the body (251 ) and the neck (252)
to fit with a
pad ( 14) mounted on the sole ( 12).
The pivot latch (40) is connected to a plate (46) inserted into the rear end
of the
11 sole ( 12), such that the pivot latch (40) is exposed from the sole ( 12)
to engage with the
12 connector (25).
13 With further reference to Fig. 7, a second embodiment of the fastener (60)
14 comprises a first connecting member (61) and a second connecting member
(62). Each
l ;i first connecting member (61 ) is securely attached to the upper ( 11 ).
Each first
1 ti connecting member (61 ) has a base plate (612) selectively attached to an
outer surface,
1',7 an inner surface of the upper ( 11 ) or inside the upper ( 11 ). A socket
(614) is defined in
113 one side of the base plate (612). A resilient pushing block (616) is
formed on the base
19 plate (612).
Each second connecting member (tit) is selectively attached to the outer
surface,
21 inner surface of the counter portion (20) or inside the counter portion
(20). Each second
22 connecting member (62) has a base plate (622) that can be connected to the
counter
2:~ portion (20). A plug (624) is formed on one side of the base plate (622)
and exposed
24 from the counter portian (20). A resilient block (626) is formed on the
plug (624). When
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g
the plug (624) is inserted into the socket (614) in the corresponding first
connecting
:? member (61 ), the resilient block (626) will engage with the socket (614).
When the user
3 pushes the resilient pushing block (616) from the outer surface of the upper
(11), the
4 resilient block (626) will disengage from the socket (614).
With reference to Fig. 8, a third embodiment of the fastener (70) comprises a
6 first connecting member (71 ) and a second connecting member (72). The first
',~ connecting member (71 ) is attached to the outer surface of the upper ( 11
). The first
8 connecting member (71 ) has a base (712) attached to the upper ( 11 ). An
engaging
member (714) with teeth is pivotally mounted on the base (712) with a pivot
pin (not
shown). An adjusting member (716) with teeth is pivotally connected to the
base (712)
11. with a pivot pin (not shown). A spring (not shown) is mounted on each
pivot pin to push
12 the corresponding member (714, 716) to the base (712).
13 The second connecting member (72) is a strap (722) with multiple teeth
(724)
14 formed on one side of the strap (722). When the second connecting member
(72) is
1 ~~ inserted into the first connecting member (71 ) and the teeth on the
engaging member
1E. (714) engage with the teeth (724) on the strap (722), the second
connecting member (72)
1 i' securely engages with the first connecting member (71 ). The opening in
the upper ( 11 )
18. is closed with the counter portion (20). When the adjusting member (716)
is pulled, the
19 teeth on the adjusting member (716) will engage with the teeth (724) on the
strap (722).
The strap (722) is pushed to move relative to the base (712) so the engagement
between
21 the second connecting member (72) and the first connecting member (71 ) is
tightened.
22. With reference to Fig. 9, the pivotal counter (20) is connected to the
upper ( 11 )
23 to close the opening ( 1 I 1 ) by means of the pivotal device. The pivotal
latch (40) is
24 attached to the upper ( 11 ) to pivotally engage with the connector (25) on
the counter
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1 portion (20).
2 With reference to Figs. 10 to 12, the Gaunter portion (20) is optionally
connected
3 over the opening ( 111 ) of the upper ( 11 ). The counter portion (20) is
pivotally connected
4 to one side of the upper ( 11 ) by means of the pivotal device. The pivotal
device
:5 comprises a connector (25) and a pivot latch (45). The connector (25) is
secured to the
counter portion (20) and has a body (25 I ), a longitudinal neck (252) and a
transverse
7 pivot pin {253). The body (251) is securely mounted in the counter portion
(20). The
.3 longitudinal neck (252) is integrally formed at one end ofthe body (251).
The transverse
9 pivot pin (253) is integrally formed at one end of the neck (252). Two gaps
(254) are
respectively defined on opposite sides of the neck (252).
l :l The pivot latch (45) is secured on one side of the upper (11) and
corresponds to
12 the connector (25) on the counter portion (20). The pivot latch (45) is
formed as an
13 inverted J-shaped bracket. The bracket has an upper horizontal retainer
(452), and a slot
14 (454) is defined in the middle of the bracket to divide the horizontal
retainer (452) into
two matching pieces and corresponds to the neck (252) of the connector (25).
The
16 horizontal retainer (452) and bracket define a pivot socket (not numbered)
to pivotally
1 ~~ hold the pivot pin (253) in the pivot latch (45). Accordingly, the pivot
pin (253) of the
18 connector (25) can be pivotally mounted in the pivot socket of the pivot
latch (45).
19 A fastener (30) such as a locking arm fastener, a clip fastener, a belt
fastener, etc.
is mounted between the upper ( 11 ) and the counter portion (20) at the side
opposite to
21 the pivotal device. The fastener (30) comprises a first connecting member
(31 ) and a
22, second connecting member (32). The first connecting member {31) is
securely attached
23 to the upper ( 11 ) near the opening ( 111 ). The second connecting member
(32) is securely
24 attached to the counter portion (20) at a position corresponding to and
aligning with the
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first connecting member (31 ) when the counter portion (20) closes the opening
( 111 ) in
2 the upper (11). When the connector (25) is pivotally mounted in the pivot
latch (45), the
3 first connecting member (31 ) and the second connecting member (32)
detachably
4 connect to each other to securely hold the counter portion (20) in place
over the opening
5 ( 111 ) in the upper ( 11 ). The first connecting member (31 ) can be
disconnected from the
6 second connecting member (32) so the counter portion (20) can be pivoted to
expose the
7 opening ( 111 ) in the upper ( 11 ) or be removed from the shoe ( 10)
completely by further
disengaging the connector (25) from the pivot latch (45). In practice, the
structure of the
'9 fastener can be chosen from one of the embodiments shown in Figs. l, 7 and
8.
1 ~0 In addition, a wing plate (34) is secured to each respective side of the
counter
I 1 portion (20) and is detachably connected to each respective side of the
upper (11). At
12 least one button is mounted between each respective wing plate (34) and the
upper ( 11 ).
13 Each button comprises a male element (35) secured on the wing plate (34)
and a female
14 element (3 52) secured on the upper ( 11 ) and corresponding to the male
element (3 5).
1.5 With the arrangements of the buttons, the wing plates (34) are
respectively detachably
16 connected to the opposite sides of the upper ( 11 ) to cover the pivotal
device and the
1'7 fastener. Accordingly, the appearance of the shoe (10) is improved and
versatile by
1 ~~ means of the arrangements of the wing plates (34). Furthermore, an
auxiliary fastener
19 (36) is mounted between the top of each respective side of the counter
portion (20) and
the top of the corresponding side of the upper ( 11 ). The auxiliary fastener
(36) can keep
2:l the top of the counter portion (20) from turning outward relative to the
upper ( 11 ).
2 2 In practice, two fasteners are respectively mounted at two sides between
the
23 counter portion (20) and the upper ( 11 ) to detachably attach the counter
portion (20) to
24 the upper ( 11 ) as shown in Fig. 6. The fasteners can be locking arm
fasteners, clip
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fasteners, belt fasteners and so on shown in Figs. l, 7 and 8. Each fastener
can have a
2 structure the same as or different from that of the other fastener.
3 The present invention has the following advantages:
4 1. When a wearer's feet (50) become uncomfortable due to being enclosed in
the shoes ( 10) for a long time, the second connecting members (32,62,72) are
easily
6 released from the first connecting members (31,61,71 ) by hand. The counter
portion (20)
7 is then pivotally opened or completely detached from the sole ( 12)whereby
the feet (50)
~3 are vented and relaxed.
9 2. For a pair of laced up shoes ( 10) with counter portions (20), it is
convenient
for a person to put on or take off the shoe ( 10) without having to tie or
untie the laces.
1 ll Even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present
invention
12 have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of
the structure and
1.3 function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and
changes may be made in
1 ~t detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts
within the
1 S principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad
general meaning of
lfi the terms in which the appended claims are expressed.
