Rapid-entry footwear having an actuator arm
A rapid-entry shoe includes an actuator arm, having a pivot point, and a closure system. Movement of the actuator arm from an uncollapsed position to a collapsed position opens the closure system and movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system, according to various embodiments.
1. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed position opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system; and
wherein in the uncollapsed position the coupling point is closer to a footbed of the rapid-entry shoe than the pivot point, and wherein in the collapsed position the coupling point is farther above the footbed than the pivot point.
2. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point; and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed position opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system; and
further comprising a bend axis between a forward end of the closure system and an upper forward portion of the rapid-entry shoe, wherein an alignment line extending through the pivot point and the bend axis is closer to a footbed of the rapid-entry shoe than the coupling point such that the alignment line is disposed between the coupling point and the footbed.
3. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point; and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed positior opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system; and
further comprising a bend axis between a forward end of the closure system and an upper forward portion of the rapid-entry shoe, wherein an alignment line extending through the pivot point and the bend axis is farther above a footbed of the rapid-entry shoe than the coupling point such that the coupling point is disposed between the alignment line and the footbed.
4. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed position opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system;
wherein the pivot point is disposed above a footbed of the rapid-entry shoe; and
further comprising a rigid support, wherein the pivot point is mounted to the rigid support.
5. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 4 , wherein the rigid support is at least one of a portion of an upper of the rapid-entry shoe or an extension of an outsole of the rapid-entry shoe.
6. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 5 , wherein the rigid support prevents upward and downward movement of the pivot point.
7. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point; and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed position opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system; and
wherein the closure system comprises a link coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm at the coupling point, wherein the link extends from the coupling point and is coupled to or forms a first part of a forward upper portion of the rapid-entry shoe.
8. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 7 , wherein the link is a first link, wherein the closure system further comprises a second link coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm at the coupling point, wherein the second link extends from the coupling point and is coupled to or forms a second part of the forward upper portion of the rapid-entry shoe.
9. The rapid-entry shoe of claim 8 , wherein the second link comprises a first section and a second section coupled together.
10. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
an upper comprising a rear portion, wherein the rear portion has an uncollapsed position and deforms to a collapsed position; and
an actuator arm comprising a pivot point; and
a closure system coupled to the actuator arm;
wherein movement of the actuator arm from the uncollapsed position to the collapsed position opens the closure system to provide a wider opening to receive a wearer's foot, and wherein movement of the actuator arm from the collapsed position to the uncollapsed position closes the closure system;
wherein the actuator arm comprises a rear segment and a forward segment, wherein the pivot point is disposed between the rear segment and the forward segment and the closure system is coupled to the forward segment of the actuator arm;
wherein a coupling point between the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system enables relative rotation of the actuator arm and the closure system; and
further comprising a biasing member disposed below the coupling point and configured to apply a downward force to at least one of the forward segment of the actuator arm and the closure system.