SHOE WITH IMPROVED HEEL SUPPORT
Shoes, in particular sports shoes, that comprise an upper and a heel element arranged to at least partially overlap with at least a part of the upper. The heel element is configured to envelop at least a part of a heel of a wearer of the shoe and is movable with respect to the upper. The movable arrangement between the heel element and the upper allows the wearer to adjust the fit of the shoe.
1 . A shoe, comprising:
an upper having a heel portion; and
a heel element at least partially overlapping with at least a part of the upper, wherein:
the heel element is configured to envelop at least a part of a heel of a wearer of the shoe,
the heel element is arranged inside of the upper,
the heel element is movable with respect to the upper in a longitudinal direction of the shoe, the longitudinal direction extending away from a heel of the shoe, and
the heel element comprises an inward facing surface and an opposing outward facing surface, wherein a majority of the outward facing surface is not connected to the heel portion of the upper such that a void is formed between the outward facing surface of the heel element and the heel portion of the upper.
2 . (canceled)
3 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element overlaps with the upper at a lateral and a medial side of the upper.
4 .- 5 . (canceled)
6 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element defines a rim portion and at least a section of the rim portion connects the heel element to a remaining part of the shoe.
7 . The shoe of claim 6 , wherein:
the shoe comprises a strobel board, an insole, a midsole, or an outsole, and
wherein the rim portion is connected to one or more of: the upper, the strobel board, the insole, the midsole, or the outsole.
8 . The shoe of claim 6 , wherein the rim portion connects the heel element to the remaining part of the shoe by a plurality of stitches, an adhesive, a weld, or a combination thereof.
9 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element comprises a textile material.
10 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element comprises an upper portion and a lower portion, and wherein the lower portion is arranged closer to a sole of the shoe than the upper portion.
11 . The shoe of claim 10 , wherein the lower portion comprises a higher stretchability than the upper portion.
12 . The shoe of one of claim 10 , wherein the upper portion is filled with a cushioning material.
13 . The shoe of claim 12 , wherein the cushioning material is a foam material.
14 . The shoe of claim 10 , wherein the upper portion comprises a mesh material.
15 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element is coupled to a lace of the shoe.
16 . The shoe of claim 15 , wherein the heel element is configured for receiving the lace of the shoe at different positions on the heel element.
17 . The shoe of claim 16 , wherein the heel element comprises one or more lace eyelets on opposing sides of the heel element for receiving the lace.
18 . The shoe of claim 15 , wherein the lace passes from a first eyelet of the upper via a first eyelet of the heel element to a second eyelet of the upper.
19 . The shoe of claim 18 , wherein:
the first eyelet of the upper is located on a first side of the shoe, and
the first eyelet of the heel element and the second eyelet of the upper are located on a second side of the shoe opposite the first side.
20 . The shoe of claim 18 , wherein the eyelets of the upper and the eyelets of the heel element are loops, webbings, lugs, or punch holes.
21 . The shoe of claim 1 , further comprising a flap connecting the heel portion of the upper and the heel element.
22 . The shoe of claim 15 , wherein the heel element is configured to move in the longitudinal direction when a wearer of the shoe pulls on the lace.
23 . The shoe of claim 1 , wherein the heel element is slidable, pivotable, or slidable and pivotable with respect to the upper in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.
24 . A shoe, comprising:
an upper; and
a heel element at least partially overlapping with at least a part of the upper, wherein:
the heel element is configured to envelop at least a part of a heel of a wearer of the shoe,
the heel element is coupled to a lace of the shoe,
the heel element is movable with respect to the upper in a longitudinal direction of the shoe, the longitudinal direction extending away from a heel of the shoe, and
the heel element is configured to move in the longitudinal direction when a wearer of the shoe pulls on the lace.