초록 ▼

A lightweight athletic shoe includes reinforcing members which provide added strength and lateral support without detracting from breathability, comfort or flexibility. The reinforcing members extend upwardly from between the sole and the upper or opposite sides of the shoe to the forward portion of

A lightweight athletic shoe includes reinforcing members which provide added strength and lateral support without detracting from breathability, comfort or flexibility. The reinforcing members extend upwardly from between the sole and the upper or opposite sides of the shoe to the forward portion of the lacing opening and comprise a thin, nonstretchable material. The reinforcing members are preferably fabricated as a strip with an interior region having openings and an edge region for stitching the strip to the upper of the shoe. A cross member can extend between and join the reinforcing members to define a unitary locking element. The reinforcing members and the cross member are located at least slightly behind the a line between the first metatarsal head and the fifth metatarsal head of the foot or flexing line of the shoe. An alternate embodiment provides a single lateral side reinforcing member.

대표청구항 ▼

An athletic shoe having a lateral side and a medial side, said shoe comprising: an upper; a sole secured to said upper; a margin secured to said upper and defining an opening for said upper; a lateral reinforcing member secured between said upper and said sole extending upwardly therefrom on the lat

An athletic shoe having a lateral side and a medial side, said shoe comprising: an upper; a sole secured to said upper; a margin secured to said upper and defining an opening for said upper; a lateral reinforcing member secured between said upper and said sole extending upwardly therefrom on the lateral side of the shoe to a forward portion of said opening and secured to said margin, said lateral reinforcing member disposed rearwardly of a line between the first metatarsal head and the fifth metatarsal head of a foot; and a medial reinforcing member secured between said upper and said sole extending upwardly therefrom on the medial side of the shoe to the forward portion of said opening and secured to said margin, said medial reinforcing member disposed rearwardly of a line between the first metatarsal head and the fifth metatarsal head of a foot; each of said reinforcing members comprising an interior region having a plurality of regularly spaced openings and a solid edge region; whereby said lateral reinforcing member and said medial reinforcing member reinforce said upper and laterally stabilize the foot of the wearer.