Rapid-entry footwear having a compressible lattice structure
Disclosed is a shoe having a compressible lattice structure in a heel portion to facilitate rapid, easy donning and doffing of shoes. In example embodiments, the lattice structure includes a plurality of interconnected, overlapping, intersecting and/or woven ribs defining a plurality of apertures. The lattice structure has an open position in which the shoe opening is expanded to facilitate reception of a foot of an individual wearing the rapid-entry shoe, and a closed position in which the shoe opening is smaller to retain the foot within the rapid-entry shoe.
1 . A shoe, comprising:
an upper having a mid-portion and a heel portion rearward from the mid-portion; and
a lattice structure distinct from the upper and continuously extending from a medial side of the heel portion to a lateral side of the heel portion and terminating at the mid-portion, the lattice structure comprising:
a first rib extending upward and rearward from a first side of the lattice structure, peaking at a center portion of the lattice structure, and extending downward and forward from the center portion to a second side of the lattice structure;
a second rib below the first rib, the second rib extending upward and rearward from the first side of the lattice structure, peaking at the center portion of the lattice structure, and extending downward and forward from the center portion to the second side of the lattice structure; and
a plurality of ribs intersecting the first rib and the second rib to define a first diamond-shaped aperture having a first dimension and a second diamond-shaped aperture having a second dimension different from the first dimension.
2 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the first diamond-shaped aperture has a first shape and the second diamond-shaped aperture has a second shape different from the first shape.
3 . The shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a lattice substructure provided in the first diamond-shaped aperture.
4 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the lattice structure is compressible.
5 . The shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a non-lattice portion provided beneath one or more of the first diamond-shaped aperture and the second diamond-shaped aperture.
6 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the first rib extends from a base portion of the first side of the lattice structure to a base portion of the second side of the lattice structure.
7 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the second rib is substantially parallel with at least a portion of the first rib.
8 . A shoe, comprising:
a base;
a mid-portion;
a heel portion; and
a lattice structure, the lattice structure comprising:
a first rib having a first end on a lateral side of the heel portion and rearward from the mid-portion, the first rib extending upward and rearward from the first end, peaking at a center portion of the lattice structure, and extending downward and forward to a second end, the second end on a medial side of the heel portion and rearward from the mid-portion;
a second rib having a first end on the lateral side of the heel portion and rearward from the mid-portion, the second rib extending upward and rearward from the first end, peaking at the center portion of the lattice structure, and extending downward and forward to a second end, the second end on the medial side of the heel portion and rearward from the mid-portion;
a first plurality of ribs arranged in a first orientation; and
a second plurality of ribs arranged in a second orientation, the first plurality of ribs and the second plurality of ribs intersecting the first rib and the second rib to define a plurality of diamond-shaped apertures that change size from a first portion of the lattice structure to a second portion of the lattice structure.
9 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein the first plurality of ribs has first dimension and the second plurality of ribs has a second dimension different from the first dimension.
10 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein each of the second plurality of ribs is angled with respect to at least one rib of the first plurality of ribs.
11 . The shoe of claim 8 , further comprising a lattice substructure provided in at least one diamond-shaped aperture of the plurality of diamond-shaped apertures.
12 . The shoe of claim 8 , further comprising a stabilizer extending at least partially around a top portion of the lattice structure.
13 . The shoe of claim 8 , further comprising a yoke extending from a top portion of the lattice structure.
14 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein the lattice structure further comprises a lower flange extending, at least partially, into the base of the shoe.
15 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein the lattice structure is positioned on an outside surface of the heel portion of the shoe.
16 . The shoe of claim 8 , further comprising a non-lattice portion provided beneath at least one of the plurality of diamond-shaped apertures.
17 . The shoe of claim 8 , wherein the lattice structure is capable of preventing inward deflection of the heel portion.
18 . A shoe, comprising:
a base;
an upper coupled to the base, the upper comprising a heel portion; and
a lattice structure forming a single, unitary heel piece that extends around the heel portion and is at least partially coupled to the heel portion, the lattice structure comprising:
a first rib having a first dimension and extending upward and rearward from a first portion of the lattice structure, peaking at a center portion of the lattice structure and extending downward and forward from the center portion to a second portion of the lattice structure opposite the first portion of the lattice structure;
a second rib having a second dimension different from the first dimension and extending upward and rearward from a third portion of the lattice structure, peaking at the center portion of the lattice structure and extending downward and forward from the center portion to a fourth portion of the lattice structure opposite the third portion of the lattice structure; and
a plurality of ribs intersecting at least one of the first rib and the second rib to define a plurality of parallelogram-shaped apertures, wherein a first parallelogram-shaped aperture of the plurality of parallelogram-shaped apertures has a first dimension and a second parallelogram-shaped aperture of the plurality of parallelogram-shaped apertures has a second dimension.
19 . The shoe of claim 18 , wherein the plurality of ribs have a third dimension different from the first dimension and the second dimension.
20 . The shoe of claim 18 , wherein the lattice structure further comprises a lower flange extending, at least partially, into the base of the shoe.