US 11633006

An analysis of U.S. Patent 11,633,006 reveals the following:

Title: Rapid-entry footwear having a stabilizer and an elastic element.

Assignee: FAST IP, LLC

Inventors: Michael Pratt, Craig Cheney.

Filing Date: October 13, 2022.

Issue Date: April 25, 2023.

Abstract: The patent describes a rapid-entry shoe designed with an elastic element to enlarge the foot opening for easy insertion, and a stabilizer to prevent the rear portion of the shoe from collapsing.

Litigation

This patent is the subject of ongoing litigation. In July 2025, HandsFree Labs Licensing, LLC, FAST IP, LLC, and Kizik Design, LLC filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Skechers U.S.A., Inc. in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas. The lawsuit alleges that Skechers' "Hands Free Slip-ins" footwear line infringes on U.S. Patent No. 11,633,006 and several other patents.

Skechers has responded by filing a petition for inter partes review (IPR) with the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB) on April 24, 2026, challenging the validity of the patent. A related patent, U.S. Patent No. 11,871,811, is also being challenged by Skechers in a separate IPR proceeding.

Plain-Language Summary of Independent Claims

U.S. Patent 11,633,006 contains two independent claims:

• Claim 1: This claim describes a "rapid-entry" shoe with an upper, a sole, and a rear portion. The key features are:

  • An elastic element on the side of the shoe that stretches from the sole to the top line (the opening of the shoe).
  • A stabilizer at the rear of the shoe, with a base at least partially inside the sole, to prevent the back of the shoe from collapsing.
  • The base of the stabilizer forms a "closed cup" that extends across the width of the sole.
  • The stabilizer has a specific curved shape that becomes less pronounced as it extends upwards.
  • The top of the stabilizer has a "flare portion" that acts like a shoehorn to guide the foot in.
  • A foam liner, which is concave towards the sole, is also included.

• Claim 4: This claim describes a similar "rapid-entry" shoe but with some key differences in the stabilizer:

  • The elastic element is located on the side of the shoe and extends to the top line but does not extend all the way to the sole.
  • The stabilizer is an arch structure with a "window" or opening in it, positioned above the sole.
  • An "expansion zone," made of an elastic or deformable material, is located exclusively within this window and is connected to the upper part of the stabilizer. This expansion zone helps to enlarge the shoe's opening when a foot is inserted.