US 12,471,660 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 Sep. 21, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/371,414.
Application 18/371,414 is a continuation of application No. 17/965,516, filed on Oct. 13, 2022, granted, now 12,274,325.
Application 17/965,516 is a continuation of application No. 16/942,335, filed on Jul. 29, 2020, granted, now 11,633,005, issued on Apr. 25, 2023.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/879,883, filed on Jul. 29, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2024/0008589 A1, Jan. 11, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. A43B 11/00 (2006.01); A43B 23/02 (2006.01)
CPC A43B 11/00 (2013.01) [A43B 23/027 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A rapid-entry shoe comprising:
a sole portion;
an upper coupled to the sole portion and including a rear portion, a side portion, and a forward portion, the upper defining a foot opening, the upper including an elastic element configured to enlarge the foot opening when expanded and operable to reduce the foot opening when contracted;
a stabilizer defining a unitary structure extending from the sole portion toward a rear portion of the foot opening, the stabilizer configured to support a rear portion of the upper during insertion of a foot through the foot opening and into the foot cavity; and
a foam liner coupled to the stabilizer between a medial portion of the stabilizer and a lateral portion of the stabilizer, at least a portion of the foam liner extending beyond at least one of the medial portion and the lateral portion of the stabilizer and oriented downward toward the sole portion such that the foam liner acts to retain a heel within a heel portion of the rapid-entry shoe.