US 12,274,325 B2
Rapid-entry footwear having a stabilizer and an elastic element
Michael Pratt, Alpine, UT (US); and Craig Cheney, Lindon, UT (US)
Assigned to FAST IP, LLC, Lindon, UT (US)
Filed by FAST IP, LLC, Lindon, UT (US)
Filed on Oct. 13, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/965,516.
Application 17/965,516 is a continuation of application No. 16/942,335, filed on Jul. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,633,005.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/879,883, filed on Jul. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2023/0030016 A1, Feb. 2, 2023
Int. Cl. A43B 11/00 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 11/00 (2013.01) [A43B 23/027 (2013.01)] 15 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rapid-entry shoe, comprising:
a sole;
an upper;
a stabilizer provided at a rear portion of the sole and comprised of a rigid material, the stabilizer comprising:
a base portion; and
an elevated portion extending upward from the base portion, wherein:
the base portion is proximate the sole and comprises:
a lateral portion extending from a lateral side of the sole to a midportion of the base portion; and
a medial portion extending from the midportion of the base portion to a medial side of the sole;
wherein the lateral portion of the base portion, the midportion of the base portion and the medial portion of the base portion form a convex structure;
wherein the midportion of the base portion of the stabilizer extends upward from the sole continuously between the sole and the elevated portion and at least partially surrounds a heel portion of the rapid-entry shoe, and wherein:
the elevated portion extends rearward from a rear portion of the convex structure and acts as a shoehorn; and
a foam liner coupled to the stabilizer between the medial portion of the base portion and the lateral portion of the base portion along the convex structure, at least a portion of the foam liner extending beyond at least one of the medial portion of the base portion and the lateral portion of the base portion and oriented downward toward the sole such that the foam liner acts to retain a heel within the heel portion of the rapid-entry shoe.