US 12,458,101 B2
Rapid-entry shoe
Michael Pratt, Alpine, UT (US)
Assigned to FAST IP, LLC, Lindon, UT (US)
Filed by FAST IP, LLC, Lindon, UT (US)
Filed on Nov. 17, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/989,156.
Application 17/989,156 is a continuation of application No. 17/883,355, filed on Aug. 8, 2022.
Application 17/883,355 is a continuation of application No. 17/211,831, filed on Mar. 25, 2021.
Application 17/211,831 is a continuation of application No. 16/582,086, filed on Sep. 25, 2019, granted, now 11,844,392.
Application 16/582,086 is a continuation of application No. 15/693,195, filed on Aug. 31, 2017, granted, now 10,555,578, issued on Feb. 11, 2020.
Application 15/693,195 is a continuation of application No. 13/509,780, granted, now 9,877,542, issued on Jan. 30, 2018, previously published as PCT/US2010/056608, filed on Nov. 12, 2010.
Claims priority of provisional application 61/260,621, filed on Nov. 12, 2009.
Prior Publication US 2023/0081272 A1, Mar. 16, 2023
Int. Cl. A43B 11/00 (2006.01); A43B 3/24 (2006.01); A43B 21/42 (2006.01); A43C 11/00 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 11/00 (2013.01) [A43B 3/248 (2013.01); A43B 21/42 (2013.01); A43C 11/008 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rapid-entry shoe, comprising:
a sole;
an upper coupled to the sole and at least partially comprising a flexible material; and
a heel structure contained within a rear portion of the upper, the heel structure extending from the sole and forming a concave structure extending between a medial side of the rapid-entry shoe and a lateral side of the rapid-entry shoe and comprising:
a lower portion coupled to the sole and extending around the rear portion of the upper between the medial side of the rapid-entry shoe and the lateral side of the rapid-entry shoe;
a midportion having a lower-most section that is integral with, and extends upward from an upper-most section of the lower portion, the midportion having a midportion rearmost edge, the lower portion and the midportion forming a continuous structure; and
an uppermost portion extending upward from the midportion and having an uppermost portion rearmost edge;
wherein the uppermost portion rearmost edge extends further rearward in a direction away from a front of the rapid-entry shoe than the midportion rearmost edge; and
wherein in response to a downward force applied to the heel structure, the the uppermost portion is lowered and the flexible material is expanded.