GB2398990A

GB2398990A - Shoe fastening; and heel construction

Info

Publication number: GB2398990A
Application number: GB0305308A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Palmer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-03-07
Filing date: 2003-03-07
Publication date: 2004-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2023-03-07
Also published as: GB0305308D0; GB0612194D0; GB2425707B; GB0612212D0; GB2425707A; GB2424170A; GB2424170B; GB2398990B

Abstract

A shoe having an opening 2 defined between two sides and a securing means comprising a rigid linear (slider) engagement means 4 located along each side and a closing means (tongue) 3, the closing means 3 extending between the engagement means 4 and being engaged to both engagement means for linear movement along the engagement means between a first, open position and a second, closed position, and the engagement means and the closing means being arranged such that when the closing means is in the first position a wearer's foot can pass through the opening and when the closing means is in the second position a wearer's foot cannot pass through the opening and is retained in the shoe. Each engagement means (slider) 4 is a hollow tube with a longitudinal slot (fig.6). Alternatively, the closing means is urged toward the first position by resilient means spring (4c, fig 8). Further, a shoe having hollow heel (fig. 24 etc) containing a void space (21) linked to the exterior by plurality of apertures (22) separated by bridges (25) comprising a brace element (26) extending around the perimeter of the heel and across the apertures, the brace element passing through the bridges.

Description

1 2398990

IMPROVEMENTS TO SHOES

This invention relates to improvements to shoes, and in particular to improvements to training shoes.

Traditionally, as is well known, shoes are usually secured on the feet using laces. Many people do not wish to use laces, either because of the awkwardness of having to do them up, or for aesthetic reasons because they are regarded as unsightly.

This is particularly the case for training shoes, which are often worn as a fashion item.

Another commonly used securing method is so called slip on shoes having elasticated or resilient parts in the top and sides of the shoe. These give sufficiently to allow a foot to be inserted into the opening in the top of the shoe and then close up over the foot and around the ankle to secure the shoe on the foot.

However, these arrangements do not usually secure the shoe to the foot very reliably because the strength of the grip applied by the resilient parts must be low enough to allow the foot to be easily inserted or removed.

Other commonly used shoe securing methods include buckles, zips and Velcro pads or strips.

Finally some mechanical shoe securing devices have been offered to the public. These have generally been combinations of laces and tightening mechanisms.

None of these arrangements has been successful enough to be acceptable to the public.

This invention was made in an attempt to overcome these problems.

In a first aspect, this invention provides a shoe having an opening defined between two sides and a securing means comprising a rigid linear engagement means located along each side and a closing means, the closing means extending between the engagement means and being engaged to both engagement means for linear movement along the engagement means between a first, open position and a second, closed position, and the engagement means and the closing means being arranged such that when the closing means is in the first position a wearers foot can pass through the opening and when the closing means is in the second position a wearers foot cannot pass through the opening and is retained in the shoe.

In a second aspect, this invention provides a shoe having a hollow heel containing a void space linked to the exterior by a plurality of apertures separated by bridges, and comprising a brace element extending around the perimeter of the heel and across the apertures, the brace element passing through the bridges.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 shows a shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention in closed position; Figure 2 shows a view of the shoe of figure 1 in an open position; Figure 3 shows a view of the shoe of figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 4 shows a view of the shoe of figure 1 in an open position; Figure 5 shows a cut away view of the securing mechanism of the shoe of figure 1 in an open position; Figure 6 shows a partially cut away view of a slider tube used in the shoe of figure 1; Figure 7 shows details of a locking mechanism used in the shoe of figure l; Figure 8 shows a cut away view of the securing mechanism of the shoe of figure 1 in a closed position; Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the locking release mechanism of the shoe of figure 1; Figure 10 shows a bottom view of the locking release button of the shoe of figure 1; Figure 11 shows a cut away view of the locking release mechanism of the shoe of figure 1; Figure 12 shows an end view of the locking release mechanism of the shoe of figure 1; Figure 13 shows details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1 when open; Figure 14 shows details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1 when closed; Figure 15 shows further details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1; Figure 16 shows details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1 when open; Figure 17 shows details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1 when closed; Figure 18 shows further details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1; Figure 19 shows further details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1; Figure 20 shows further details of an opening mechanism used in the shoe of figure 1; Figure 21 shows an alternative tongue arrangement; Figure 22 shows an alternative tongue arrangement; Figure 23 shows a cut away view of an alternative locking release mechanism suitable for the shoe of figure 1; Figure 24 shows a perspective view of a shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 25 shows a rear view of the shoe of figure 19; Figure 26 shows a cut away plan view of the shoe of figure 19; Figure 27 shows a cut away rear view of the shoe of figure 19; Figure 28 shows a detail side view of the shoe of figure 19; and, Figure 29 shows a detail plan view of the shoe of figure 19; A training shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 1 to 20.

Figures 1 and 3 show a training shoe 1 having the securing mechanism of the invention in the closed or securing position. Figures 2 and 4 show a partial view of the shoe 1 with the securing mechanism in an open position. The shoe 1 has an upper opening 2 allowing a wearers foot to be moved in or out of the shoe when the securing mechanism is in the open position shown in figures 2 and 4. When the securing mechanism is in the securing position shown in figures 1 and 3 the opening 2 is partially closed by a tongue 3, leaving only enough of the opening uncovered to pass the wearers ankle.

The securing mechanism includes a pair of sliders 4 mounted one on each side of the opening 2. The tongue 3 is in the form of a strip having one edge retained in each of the sliders 4 for sliding movement along the slider 4. As a result, when the tongue 3 is moved from the open position to the closed position, along the shoe from the toe end towards the heel end, to close the opening 2, the tongue 3 pulls the sliders 4 together, and so pulls the sides of the shoe 1 together to securely grip the wearers foot. Similarly, when the tongue 3 is moved from the closed position to the open position, along the shoe from the heel end towards the toe end, to open the opening 2, the tongue 3 urges the sliders 4 apart and so urges sides of the shoe I apart, allowing the wearer to easily remove or insert their foot.

As shown in figures 2 and 4, a lower tongue 5 formed from fabric extends between the sides of the shoe 1 at the toe end of the opening2. The lower tongue 5 covers the toe ends of the sliders 4 The tongue 3 passes under the lower tongue 5 and the toe end of the tongue 3 is secured to the upper of the shoe 1 beneath the lower tongue 5. The heelward end of the tongue 3 is provided with a projecting grip tag 7 so that the tongue 3 can be easily and firmly gripped and pulled, even when it is in the fully open position and substantially located below the lower tongue 5.

In order to ensure that the sides of the shoe 1 move apart to release the users foot when the tongue 3 is moved into the open position a number of dampers 6 are provided. Each damper 6 acts to bias the sides of the opening 2 apart and the dampers 6 are spaced along the range of movement of the tongue 3. In the illustrated embodiment, three dampers 6 are used. Further, an extra dummy damper 8 is sited towards the toe end of the shoe, over the lower tongue 5 to improve the aesthetic appearance of the shoe 1.

It should be understood that the number of dampers 6 can be changed and the use of a dummy damper 8 is not essential.

As shown in figure 5, the tongue 3 comprises a rigid leading segment 3A which extends across the opening 2 between the sliders 4. The rest of the tongue 3 is a flexible strip 3B of leather or fabric which extends between the leading segment 3A and the toe end of the opening 2. Thus, the action of moving the sliders, and so the sides of the shoe 1 towards and away from one another and gripping and releasing the users feet is carried out by the leading segment 3A. The strip 3B is present to protect the top of the users foot and to prevent the shoe appearing too strange. Preferably, the strip 3B is double layered with the leading segment 3A between them. This protects the mechanical parts of the mechanism from dirt, damage and contamination.

Each slider 4 is formed by a straight cylindrical tube 4A with a straight longitudinal slot 4B, as shown in figure 6. The leading segment 3A of the tongue 3 has a main central section 3C extending between the sliders 4 and two end sections 3D, each retained within the tube 4A of a slider 4. Each end section 3D is connected to one end of the central section 3C by a respective narrow connecting section 3E passing through the slot 4B of the respective slider 4. Accordingly, the connecting sections 3E must narrower than the slots 4B, and the end sections 3D must be wider.

In the illustrated embodiment the slots 4B are in the bottom of the tubes 4A so that the central section 3C passes between and below the slider tubes 4A and the connecting sections 3E extend substantially vertically. This arrangement is not essential, but it is convenient.

A tension spring 4C is located within each of the slider tubes 4A. Each tension spring 4C is connected between the toe end of a slider tube 4A and an end section 3D of the leading tongue segment 3A. The tension springs 4C tend to urge the tongue 3 towards the open position. This ensures that the shoes 1 can be easily opened and removed. Without the tension springs 4C it can be awkward to smoothly push the tongue 3 into the open position.

In order to prevent inadvertent movement of the tongue 3 from the closed position to the open position and unwanted release, or loss, of the shoe 1, a locking means 9 is provided.

The locking means 9 are shown in figures 7 to 12. On each of the end sections 3D of the slider 3 a pin 10 is provided extending transverse the slider tube 4A. The pin 10 is spring biased against the side ofthe tube 4A by a compression spring 10A.

At the heel end of each slider tube 4A a hole 4D is formed in the side of the tube 4A, the hole 4D being located and sized so that when the tongue 3 is in the fully closed position the hole 4D will be aligned with a pin 10. Thus, when the tongue 3 is pulled into the fully closed position the pins 10 will be automatically pushed into the holes 4D by the compression spring 10A to lock the tongue 3 in place.

In order to allow the locking means 9 to be released, an unlocking button 11 is located on the bottom of the leading edge of the leading segment 3A. The unlocking button 11 is connected to the pins 10 by a pair of connector arms 12. The connector anns 12 are secured to the ends of the pins 10. Accordingly the connector arms 12 must be thin enough to pass through the slots 4B, at least in a part close to the pins 10.

When the unlocking button 11 is pressed into a releasing position, the connector arms 12 drive the pins 10 against the urging of the compression springs 1 OA out of the holes 4C, releasing the tongue 3. The unlocking button 11 is biased away from the releasing position by a spring 11A.

Preferably, the tension in the tension springs 4C is large enough that, when the tongue 3 is locked in the fully closed position and the unlocking button 11 is pressed to release the tongue 3, the tongue 3 will automatically be moved to the fully open position beneath the lower tongue 5.

The dampers 6 are shown in more detail in figures 13 to 18.Each damper 6 is formed by a pair of curved cylindrical tubes 6A and 6B arranged to open and close telescopically and connected between a pair of brackets 13 attached to the upper of the shoe 1 on opposite sides of the opening 2. A compression coil spring 14 is held in compression between the brackets 13 and passes around the tubes 6A and 6B. That is, the tubes 6A and 6B pass along the axis ofthe coil spring 14.

-

When the tongue 3 is in the open position the dampers 6 urge the sides of the opening 2 apart, making it easy for the wearer to put on or take off the shoe 1.

Preferably, each damper 6 has a further outer casing 15 around the coil spring 14. This is formed by a central tube 15A passing over the coil spring 14 and end caps 15B located on the brackets 13 and extending along the coil spring 14. The end caps 15B have a larger diameter than the central tube 15A so that the casing 15 can telescopically extend and contract as the tongue 3 moves between the open and closed positions and the sides of the shoe 1 move towards and away from one another.

An alternative damper arrangement is shown in Figure 20. In this alternative arrangement, each damper 6 is formed by curved cylindrical tubes 6A and 6B and a coil spring 14 as before. The coil spring 14 is surrounded by a first tube 30A, a second larger tube 30B and a third, still larger tube 30C. The tubes 30A to 30C are arranged to slide over one another telescopically to allow expansion and contraction of the damper 6. Another possible arrangement would be to place the coil spring inside the cylindrical telescopic tubes without having any tubes inside the coil spring.

In the described embodiment the central section 3C of the tongue 3 is displaced relative to the end sections 3D and the sliders 4. Alternatively, the central section 3C could extend between the end sections 3D and the sliders 4, as shown in figure 21.

Another alternative tongue arrangement is shown in cross section in figure 22.

In this arrangement, an inner layer 31 of elasticated fabric extends across the opening 2 substantially parallel with the lower tongue 5, so that when the tongue 3 is in the open position the tongue 3 is located between the lower tongue 5 and the inner layer 31. The inner layer 31 helps to hold the two sides of the opening 2 together when the tongue 3 is in the open position, stabilising the shoe shape, and also protects the mechanism of the tongue 3.

An alternative locking release arrangement is shown in figure 23. In this arrangement the pins 10 are oriented so that they can be unlocked from the holes 4D by moving them outwardly in the plane of the two sliders 4.

A pair of connector arms 32 are connected to the two pins 10 to release them as in the previous embodiment. The connector arms 32 extend in the plane of the two sliders 4 and are respectively mounted for pivotal movement about a pair of axles 33 arranged perpendicularly to the sliders 4. As can be seen in figure 22, the connector arms 32 cross over. Each connector arm 32 ends in a respective grip portion 32A and the grip portions 32A of the two connector arms 32 are urged apart by a compression spring 34, or another resilient means.

When the user squeezes the two grip portions 32A together the connector arms 32 rotate about their respective axles 33 and urge the pins 10 out of the holes 4D to release the tongue 3. Otherwise, the compression spring 34 urges the grip portions 32A apart so that the pins 10 stay in the holes 4D and the tongue 3 remains locked in the closed position.

A training shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in figures 24 to 29.

In the second embodiment the shoe I has a hollow heel section reinforced and made resilient by a brace 26.

The heel section of the shoe 1 contains a hollow void space 21 which communicates with the outside, and is visible through, side apertures 22A and a rear aperture 22B. The lower heel sole 23 is linked to the upper heel sole 24 by narrow bridges 25 between the apertures 22 so that the entire sole can be moulded integrally.

Vertical reinforcing struts 27 are located inside the bridges to strengthen the bridges 25. The upper surface of the lower heel sole forming the bottom surface of the void space 21 is preferably domed upwardly to prevent water collecting inside the heel.

A brace 26 passes around the side of the heel in a horseshoe shape, when viewed in plan, passing across the apertures 22. The brace 26 passes through tubes formed in the bridges 25. The ends of the brace 26 are retained in blind ended recesses formed in the toe end sole of the shoe 1. The brace is attached to the reinforcing struts 27.

Preferably the brace 26 is formed from a hollow metal tube for ease of manufacture and to provide the necessary strength and resilience to give the heel of the shoe the desired mechanical properties without excessive weight. However, this is not essential and the brace 26 may be formed by a solid metal rod.

A cap 28 is located around the brace 26 at each point where it passes through the surface of the heel of the shoe 1. This is preferred to improve the appearance of the shoe l, but is not essential.

The described embodiments are non-exhaustive examples and the skilled person will be able to perform the invention in other ways. For example, the compression springs could be replaced by other types of resilient means. The described alternative arrangements could be combined together if desired.

Claims

1. A shoe having an opening defined between two sides and a securing means comprising a rigid linear engagement means located along each side and a closing means, the closing means extending between the engagement means and being engaged to both engagement means for linear movement along the engagement means between a first, open position and a second, closed position, and the engagement means and the closing means being arranged such that when the closing means is in the first position a wearers foot can pass through the opening and when the closing means is in the second position a wearers foot cannot pass through the opening and is retained in the shoe.

2. A shoe according to claim 1, in which the closing means is a substantially rigid member.

3. A shoe according to claim 1, in which each engagement means is a hollow tube with a longitudinal slot.

4. A shoe according to claim 2 and claim 3, in which the closing means has a centre section extending between the hollow tubes and a pair of end sections each located within a respective hollow tube, each end section being linked to the centre section by a connecting section passing through a respective slot.

5. A shoe according to claim 4, in which the closing means is urged towards the first position by resilient means.

6. A shoe according to claim 5, in which the resilient means are tension springs inside the hollow tubes and connected to the end sections.

7. A shoe according to any preceding claim, in which the closing means can be releasably locked in the second position.

8. A shoe according to any preceding claim, and further comprising resilient means arranged to urge the sides of the opening apart when the closing means is in the first position.

9. A shoe having a hollow heel containing a void space linked to the exterior by a plurality of apertures separated by bridges, and comprising a brace element extending around the perimeter of the heel and across the apertures, the brace element passing through the bridges.

10. A shoe according to claim 9, and further comprising substantially vertical struts within the bridges.

11. A shoe according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the brace element is a continuous hollow metal pipe.

12. A shoe according to any one of claims 9 to 11, in which the lower surface of the void space is domed upwards.

13. A shoe substantially as shown in or as described with reference to any of the accompanying figures.

Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows 1. A shoe having an opening defined between two sides and a securing means comprising a rigid linear engagement means located along each side and a closing means, Tic closing means extending between the engagement means and being engage ' to both engagement means for linear movements along the engagement means between a first, open position and a second, closed position, and the engagement means and the closing means being arranged such that when the closing means is in the first position a wearers foot can pass through the opening and when the closing means is in the second position a wearers foot cannot pass through the opening and its retained in the shoe, in which each engagement means is a hollow tube with a longitudinal slot.

3. A shoe according to claim 2, in which the closing means has a cenrc section extending between the hollow tubes and a pair of end sections each located within respective hollow tube, each end section being linked to the centre section by a connecting section passing through a respective slot.

4. A shoe according to claim 3, in which the closing means is urged towards the first position by resilient means.

5. A shoe having an opening defined between two sides and a securing means comprising a rigid linear engagement means located along each side and a closing means, the closing means extending between the engagement means and being engaged to both engagement means for linear movement along the engagement means between a first, open position and a second, closed position, and the engagement means and the closing means being arranged such that when the closing means is in the first position a wearers foot can pass through the opening and when the closing means is in the second position a w earers foot cannot pass through the opening and is retained in the shoe in which the closing means is urged toward the first position by resilient means. to

6. A shoe according to claim 4 or claim 5, in which the resilient means are tension springs inside the hollow tubes and connected to the end sections.

7. A shoe according to any preceding claim, in which the closing means can I:'e releasably locked in the second position.

I 0. A shoe according to claim 9, and further comprising substantially vertical struts within the bridges.

1 1. A shoe according to claim 9 or claim 10, in which the brace element is a continuous hollow metal pipe.

12. A shoe according to any one of claim 9 to 11, in which the lower surf; acc of the void space is domed upwards.