EP2378909B1

EP2378909B1 - Upgraded type slipper

Info

Publication number: EP2378909B1
Application number: EP09796434.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Simona Giovannetti
Original assignee: Nouvelle Srl
Current assignee: Nouvelle Srl
Priority date: 2008-11-18
Filing date: 2009-11-17
Publication date: 2016-03-30
Anticipated expiration: 2029-11-17
Also published as: IT1391986B1; BRPI0921316A2; WO2010058262A2; US20110239484A1; ITVI20080271A1; WO2010058262A3; EP2378909A2

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an upgraded type slipper and particularly refers to flip-flop slippers,

Background art

The upper of the flip-flop slipper of known type is made up of a shoelace or lace associated with a plurality of anchorage elements inserted by deformation in corresponding holes obtained on the sole of the slipper itself. The fastening by deformation occurs because the extremity of the anchorage elements, which has an essentially cylindrical appearance, is inserted in a relative housing seat passing through the corresponding through holes, having smaller section, made on the surface of the sole on which the foot rests.
Some slippers are known from FR1012306 , GB2440898 , JP07039403 and from WO02/089622 .
In the present treatise, FR10123306 is considered as the known closest prior art to the present invention.
More in detail, FR10123306 describes a slipper comprising a sole having a plurality of holes and an upper part or upper anchored to the sole by means of its holes.
The upper part also comprises a shoelace or the like connected to the sole by means of a plurality of anchorage elements.
Each anchorage element comprises a base, which is inserted in one of the holes obtained on the sole, and a projection that protrudes from the relative base and has a through hole through which the shoelace of the slipper is inserted.
The slipper described by FR10123306 does however have a number of drawbacks.
In fact, the base of the anchorage elements of the slipper described by FR10123306 can, during use, exit or protrude from the lower surface of the sole.
The anchorage elements are in fact free to move with respect to the sole in the direction of the exit from the relative base from the hole in which it is housed. This type of slipper is not very practical because the user must, before use, move the various anchorage elements to the correct position.

Object of the Invention

The present invention intends overcoming the above drawback.
In particular, the aim of the present invention is to make a slipper in which the anchorage elements always maintain, in use and not in use, the correct position with respect to the sole, so that their base does not exit from the relative housing hole.
The present invention therefore intends providing a slipper that is highly practical and comfortable to use.
One object of the present invention is to provide a slipper whose upper can be easily replaced, in such a way as to adapt it to the colour of the sole or of the clothes of the wearer.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The above mentioned object and advantages will become more evident from the description of a preferred embodiment, illustrated purely as an example but not limited to the annexed drawings in which:

the figure 1 is an axonometric view of a pair of slippers according to the present invention;
the figure 2 is a section view of a particular embodiment of an anchorage element of the upper according to the present invention;
the figure 3 is a section view of an embodiment variation of an anchorage element of the upper;
the figure 4 is a section view of the anchorage element in figure 3 extracted from the sole of the slipper according to the invention;
the figure 5 is a section view of the anchorage element in figure 3 inserted into the sole of the slipper according to the invention;
the figure 6 is a cross section view of an alternative embodiment of a slipper according to the invention;
the figure 7 is a plan view from above of a further embodiment of a slipper according to the invention;
the figure 8 is a section view of the slipper in figure 7 according to the VIII-VIII section line;
the figures from 9 to 15 are lateral raised views of alternative embodiments of the anchorage elements according to the invention.

Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the mentioned illustrations, figure 1 shows a pair of slippers, each of which is generally indicated by the reference number 1, which comprises a sole 2 having a plurality of holes 2a, generally equal to three in number, and an upper anchored to the sole 2 by means of the holes 2a. The upper comprises at least a lace 3 and one or more anchorage elements 4 of the lace 3 to the sole 2.
The sole 2 has an upper surface 8a, on which the foot rests, and a lower surface 8b in contact with the ground.
Advantageously, the sole 2 is made of an elastically yielding material and the anchorage elements 4, made separately from the lace 3, can be inserted in a removable way in the sole 2 passing through the holes 2a.
More in particular, the anchorage elements 4 according to the invention can have the same height or different heights the one from the other.
The anchorage elements according to the present invention can also have different shapes and colours the one from the other to allow the user to adapt them to changing fashions or to his/her own personal tastes.
Each anchorage element 4 comprises a. respective base 5, housed in one of the holes 2a, and a respective projection 6, preferably extending longitudinally, overhanging from the base 5 and having at least one through hole 7 through which is inserted the lace 3.
According to an embodiment variation not shown in the illustrations, the anchorage elements 4 can have more than one through hole 7, so that several laces can be inserted in the same anchorage element 4.
The lace 3 can be composed of an open lace, like that of the type shown in figure 1, or of a closed ring.
In fact, in an alternative embodiment shown in the figures 3, 4 and 5, the anchorage element 4 also comprises a longitudinal slit 43 extending from the through hole 7 as far as the base 5. This embodiment is particularly suitable for use with lances 3 of the closed-ring type, which are therefore suitable for being introduced into the relative slits 43 before inverting the anchorage elements 4 in the sole 2.
It will be seen, always in the figures 3, 4 and 5, that the longitudinal axis of the slit 43 coincides with the symmetry axis of the anchorage element 4.
The laces 3 can be made with single-colour or multi-colour strips, with filiform or tubular elements.
Advantageously, the holes 2a are at least double diameter, i.e., they have at least one part of larger diameter, suitable for housing the base 5 of the anchorage elements 4 and which faces onto the lower surface 8b of the sole 2, and a part of smaller diameter, through which pass the projections 6 and which faces onto the upper surface 8a.
The base 5 of each anchorage element 4 cooperates in fact with the sole 2 to prevent the movement of the anchorage element itself along at least a first direction 9a and the relative projection 6, which passes through the corresponding hole 2a, prevents its movement along the directions substantially transversal to the first direction 9a.
More specifically, the base 5 defines a first stop 5a suitable for cooperating with a first counter-stop 10a defined by the sole 2 to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element 4 along the first direction 9a.
The first counter-stop 10a is suitably defined by the hole 2a at the area of switchover from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter and is therefore placed in between the lower surface 8b and the upper surface 8a.
Preferably, the profile of the base 5 is joined with the profile of the relative hole 2a and its bottom, having a circular section, is substantially aligned with the lower surface of the sole 2.
According to the invention, at least one of the anchorage elements 4 of the slipper 1 comprises retention means 53,63,73 suitable for securing the position of the slipper 1 with respect to the sole 2.
Preferably, all the anchorage elements 4 have relative retention means 53,63,73. More specifically, the retention means 53,63,73 define at least a second stop 11 suitable for cooperating with a second counter-stop 10b defined by the sole 2 to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element 4 along a second direction, indicated in the illustrations by the arrow 9b.
Opportunely, the second direction 9b is substantially contrary to the first direction 9a and the stops 5a and 11. are arranged substantially facing one another.
The retention means 53,63,73 are therefore suitable for preventing, following the insertion of the anchorage element 4 through the sole 2, the relative base 5 from coming out or protruding from the lower surface 8b of the sole itself.
At the same time, the first stop 5a defined by the same base 5 prevents the relative projection 6 from protruding further from the upper surface 8a.
The base 5 and the retention means 53,63,73 therefore cooperate with the sole 2 to block the position of the relative anchorage element 4 with respect to the sole itself.
In the embodiments shown in the figures from 2 to 6 and in the figures 8, 9, 11, 12 and 13, the second stop 11 is defined by a substantially flat surface.
In an alternative embodiment, shown in the figures 10, 14 and 15, the second stop 11 is defined by a substantially curvilinear surface.
The joining area of the peripheral edge of the second stop 11 with the projection 6 of the relative anchorage element 4 can be sharp edge or chamfered so as to favour the insertion of the relative anchorage element 4 in the corresponding hole 2a.
The second counter-stop 10b can be defined by the upper surface 8a of the sole 2, as indicated in the embodiments shown in the figures 5, 9, 11, 12 and 13, or else it can be defined too by the relative hole 2a and therefore placed in between the lower surface 8b and the upper surface 8a, as indicated in the embodiments shown in the figures 6, 10, 14 and 15.
In the embodiments in which the second counter-stop 10b is defined by the hole 2a through which is inserted the relative anchorage element 4, the retention means 53,63,73 have a profile substantially joined to that of the corresponding hole 2a. More in detail, in the embodiments of figure 6 and of figure 15, the holes 2a have a first area intended to house the base 5, a central area of smaller diameter compared to the first area and through which passes the projection 6 of the relative anchorage element 4, and a second area with section different to that of the central area and suitable for cooperating with the retention means 53,63,73.
According to the first embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures from 2 to 6 and in the figures 9, 12 and 13, the retention means are composed of at least a protrusion 53 defined by the projection 6 of the relative anchorage element 4.
More particularly, the protrusion 53 has a truncated cone shape, as shown in the figures from 2 to 5 and in the figures 9, 10 and 13, and the second stop 11 is defined by the larger-section base of the protrusion itself.
The side surface of the protrusion 53, connecting the second stop 11 to the top part of the relative projection 6 comprising the through hole 7, can be substantially rectilinear, as shown in the figures from 2 to 5, or can be substantially curvilinear, and in particular concave, as shown in the figures 9 and 10, or convex, as shown in the figure 13.
According to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in the figures 14 and 15, the retention means 53,63,73 are composed of at least a recess 63 defined by the projection 6 of the relative anchorage element 4.
Advantageously, the recess 63 is defined by a substantially concave surface, as shown in the figures 14 and 15, but different embodiments cannot be ruled out in which the recess 63 is defined by a series of surfaces arranged at substantially right angles the one with the other.
Although not explicitly shown in the illustrations, in the embodiments in which the retention means are composed of a recess 63, such recess is, during use, drowned in the sole 2 and the relative hole 2a has a profile substantially joined to that of the recess itself, In this embodiment therefore the second counter-stop 10b is defined by the hole 2a in which the relative anchorage element 4 is inserted.
According to the third embodiment of the invention, the retention means 53,63,73 are associated in a removable way with the projection 6 of the relative anchorage element 4.
More specifically, as shown in the embodiment of figure 11, the retention means are composed of a snap ring 73 fitted in a removable way on the projection 6. This snap ring 73 is then widened to allow fitting and removal on the relative projection 6 and is released to make it then fasten onto the projection itself.
The operation of the present invention is the following.
Operatively, the elements 4 are inserted in the holes 2a preferably from below, i.e., starting with the larger diameter of the holes 2a facing onto the lower surface 8b.
In the case in which the retention means are composed of a protrusion 53, the insertion of the anchorage elements 4 through the relative holes 2a also means that the relative protrusion 53 deforms the hole itself when it passes through it. Similarly, in the case in which the retention means are composed of a recess 63, the holes 2a have a corresponding swelling suitable for cooperating with the recess itself, and consequently the transit of the relative projection 6 results in the deformation of such swelling.
It is therefore clear how the insertion of the anchorage elements 4 through the sole 2 occurs by exploiting the elastic deformability of the sole itself.
Once the anchorage elements 4 have been inserted, an open lace 3 is threaded along the through holes 7, as shown in figure 1.
Finally, the lace 3 is tied with a knot behind the heel of the foot.
In the event, on the other hand, of the anchorage elements 4 also having slits 43, as shown in the figures from 3 to 5, the lace 3 used can be of the closed-ring type and allows retaining the heel of the foot without the need for buckles or fastenings.
In this case, operatively, the closed-ring lace 3, e.g., of the elastic type, is first of all inserted along the slits 43 starting from the base 5 as far as the hole 7.
Once the closed ring has coupled with the anchorage elements 4, the latter are inserted in the holes 2a of the sole 2 from above, as can be seen in the figures 4 and 5. This can be obtained by exploiting the elastic deformation of the holes 2a which also allow, by forcing, the transit of the anchorage elements 4 through holes with partially smaller diameter.
The anchorage elements 4 which have the longitudinal slits 43 can therefore accept both open laces 3 and those of the closed-ring type,
In the particular case of the figures 4 and 5, by way of example is shown the coupling of the base 5 of the anchorage element 4 with the hole 2a.
As is shown in figure 5, once the coupling has been made, the symmetry axes of the hole 2a and of the anchorage element 4 are partially coinciding.
From the above description it has been found that the slippers according to the present invention achieve the intended objects.
To the slippers according to the present invention changes can be made which, if they fall within the scope of the following claims, must be deemed protected by the present patent.

Claims

Slipper (1) comprising:
- a sole (2) having a plurality of holes (2a);

- an upper anchored to said sole (2) by means of said holes (2a) which comprises at least a lace (3) and one or more anchorage elements (4) of said lace (3) to said sole (2), each of said anchorage elements (4) comprising a respective base (5) housed in one of said holes (2a) and a respective projection (6) overhanging from said base (5) and having at least one through hole (7) through which said lace (3) is inserted; wherein at least one of said anchorage elements (4) comprises retention means (53, 63, 73) suitable for securing the position of the anchorage element itself with respect to said sole (2) and
characterized by the fact that said retention means (53, 63, 73) comprise at least a protrusion (53) defined by said projection (6) and having a truncated cone shape.
Slipper (1) comprising:
- a sole (2) having a plurality of holes (2a);

- an upper anchored to said sole (2) by means of said holes (2a) which comprises at least a lace (3) and one or more anchorage elements (4) of said lace (3) to said sole (2), each of said anchorage elements (4) comprising a respective base (5) housed in one of said holes (2a) and a respective projection (6) overhanging from said base (5) and having at least one through hole (7) through which said lace (3) is inserted; wherein at least one of said anchorage elements (4) comprises retention means (53, 63, 73) suitable for securing the position of the anchorage element itself with respect to said sole (2)
and characterized by the fact that said retention means (53, 63, 73) comprise at least a recess (63) defined by the projection (6) of the relative anchorage element (4).
Slipper (1) according to the claim 2, characterized by the fact that said recess (63) is defined by a substantially concave curvilinear surface.
Slipper (1) comprising:
- a sole (2) having a plurality of holes (2a);

- an upper anchored to said sole (2) by means of said holes (2a) which comprises at least a lace (3) and one or more anchorage elements (4) of said lace (3) to said sole (2), each of said anchorage elements (4) comprising a respective base (5) housed in one of said holes (2a) and a respective projection (6) overhanging from said base (5) and having at least one through hole (7) through which said lace (3) is inserted; wherein at least one of said anchorage elements (4) comprises retention means (53, 63, 73) suitable for securing the position of the anchorage element itself with respect to said sole (2)
and characterized by the fact that said retention means (53, 63, 73) are associated in a removable way with said projection (6) and comprise at least a snap ring (73) fitted in a removable way on the projection of the relative anchorage element (4).
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said base (5) defines at least a first stop (5a) intended to rest on a first counter-stop (10a) defined by said sole (2) to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element (4) along at least a first direction (9a) and by the fact that said retention means (53, 63, 73) define a second stop (11) suitable for resting on a second counter-stop (10b) defined by said sole (2) to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element (4) along a second direction (9b).
Slipper (1) according to the claim 5, characterized by the fact that said second direction (9b) is substantially contrary to said first direction (9a).
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second counter-stop (10b) is defined by the upper surface (8a) of said sole (2) on which the foot is intended to rest.
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said first and said second counter-stop (10a, 10b) are defined by the hole (2a) through which is inserted the anchorage element (4) having retention means (53, 63, 73).
Slipper (1) according to the claim 8, characterized by the fact that at least one between said base (5) and said retention means (53, 63, 73) has a profile joined with the profile of the relative hole (2a).
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second stop (11) is defined by a substantially flat surface.
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said second stop (11) is defined by a substantially curvilinear surface.
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the joining area of the peripheral edge of said second stop (11) with the remaining part of the relative projection (6) is chamfered.
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that said plurality of holes (2a) of said sole (2) is composed of double diameter through holes in which the part of smaller diameter faces onto the upper surface (8a) of said sole (2) onto which the foot rests.
Slipper (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that each of said anchorage elements (4) has a slit (43) starting from the bottom of the base (5) of said anchorage elements (4) and ending up communicating with one of said through holes (7), said slit (43) being suitable for accommodating said lace (3) shaped like a closed ring.
Slipper (1) according to claim 14, characterized by the fact that said slit (43) of said anchorage elements (4) has a longitudinal development substantially coinciding with the longitudinal symmetry axis of said anchorage elements (4).