Expandable footwear
A size expandable footwear. The footwear comprises an outsole affixed to a bottom surface of a lower segment, which features a mechanism that allows for size adjustment and locking at various desired lengths (sizes) of the footwear. The size adjustment mechanism is comprised of an expandable section integrated within the lower segment, such that it facilitates mechanical expansion in the longitudinal and vertical directions by mechanical and material means. A plurality of capture elements that, when engaged, lock the lower segment at the desired (size/length). The upper and lower segments, the inner lining, and the outsole components are integrated to ensure the footwear remains watertight and thermally insulating during winter conditions. The invention addresses the need for durable, expandable winter footwear, reducing financial and environmental burdens associated with frequently outgrown footwear.
1 . An expandable article of foolwear, comprising:
a lower component having a toe region and a heel region, and an expandable and contractable region betwee the toe region and the heel region;
an upper component extending upwardly from the heel region;
an oulsole;
a plurality of first capture elements disposed in the lower component;
a plurality of complementary second capture elements disposed in the outsole;
the plurality of first capture elements and the plurality of second capture elements engaged to removably attach the outsole and the lower component preventing a change in a dimension of the expandable and contractible region;
wherein separation of the outsole from the lower component places the plurality of the first and second capture elements in a disengaged state, allowing a change in a dimension of the expandable and contractable region;
wherein the plurality of first capture elements comprises a plurality of spaced apart triangular prisms extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the lower component and one or more pins extending downwardly from the bottom surface of the lower component;
wherein the plurality of complementary second capture elements comprises a plurality of complementary spaced apart triangular prisms extending upwardly from a top surface of the outsole and one or more openings defined in the top surface of the outsole; and
wherein the one or more pins engage the one or more openings to removably attach the outsole to the lower component.
2 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the change in a dimension of the expandable and contractable region comprises expanding or contracting the expandable and contractable region in one or both of a longitudinal direction and a vertical direction.
3 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the expandable and contractable region comprises a plurality of bellows.
4 . The expandable footwear of claim 3 , wherein a region of the plurality of bellows extends beyond the lower surface of the lower component, and wherein the outsole defines a notch for receiving the region of the plurality bellows.
5 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the one or more openings comprise one or more channels, and wherein a top region of each one of the one or more pins defines a dome-shaped top region.
6 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein each one of the triangular prisms comprise a right-angle prism.
7 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower components and the outsole are joined or integrated to maintain watertight and thermal insulation properties.
8 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of first and second capture elements comprise a herringbone pattern, wherein the herringbone pattern aligns the lower component and the outsole when the plurality of first capture elements and the plurality of second capture elements are engaged.
9 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein a lower surface of the outsole comprises a slip-resistant surface for improving traction on icy or slippery surfaces.
10 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , wherein the footwear comprises a shoe or a boot.
11 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener for drawing the upper member tightly around a wearer's ankle.
12 . The expandable footwear of claim 1 , further comprising size indicators disposed on an externally facing heel region of the outsole.