GB2126075A - Improvements relating to footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoe or other article of footwear has a gusset extending across its instep region, comprising a band 15 of elastic material having one end secured to the upper at one side of the longitudinal centre-line of the article and having its other end extending adjustably through a buckle 18 attached to the upper at the other side of said centre-line. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to footwear This invention relates to footwear and is more particularly concerned with footwear which incorporates an elastic gusset extending across the instep.

In the known constructions, a band of elastic material extends across the instep region and has its ends stitched to the upper at opposite sides of the longitudinal centre-line of the boot or shoe.

Accoridng to this invention there is provided an article of footwear having a gusset extending across the instep region of the article which gusset comprises a band of elastic material having one end secured to the upper at one side of the longitudinal centre-line of the article and extending adjustably through a buckle which is anchored to the upper at the other side of said centre-line.

The buckle is preferably a self-closing or selflocking buckle.

The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a fragmentary side view of an article of footwear incorporating a conventional gusset.

Figure 2 shows a corresponding view of an article of footwear according to the invention, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the article of Figure 1.

Referring to Figure 1, an article of footwear is shown having a conventional gusset comprising a band 10 of elasticated material the two ends of which are securely stitched to the upper 11 at opposite sides respectively of a gap 12 extending along the longitudinal line of the instep region of the article.

Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a construction embodying the present invention, in which the gusset is formed by a band 15 of elasticated fabric one end 16 of which is stitched to the upper 17 at one side of the gap 12 and the other end of which extends adjustably through a self-locking buckle 1 8 secured to the upper at the other side of the gap. The buckle is of known type comprising a closed rectangular loop of metal, and a metal cross-bar 19 mounted for freely sliding movement on the sides 20 of the loop which extend transversely of the longitudinal centre-line of the article. The free end of the band 1 5 is passed underneath the nearer transverse element 21 of the loop, upward round the cross-bar 1 9 and then again underneath the said nearer transverse element 21 of the loop.The buckle can conveniently be secured to the upper by staples 22 extending about the transverse element 23 of the loop remote from the longitudinal centre-line.

It will be understood that the arrangement of Figure 1 is adjustable only within the elastic limits of the band, but the arrangement of Figures 2 and 3 is widely adjustable to suit varying instep dimensions and to provide greater comfort.

Claims

1. An article of footwear having a gusset extending across the instep region of the article which gusset comprises a band of elastic material having one end secured to the upper at one side of the longitudinal centre line of the article and extending adjustably through a buckle which is anchored to the upper at the other side of said centre line.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckle is a self-closing or self-locking buckle.

3. An article of footwear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (3)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements relating to footwear This invention relates to footwear and is more particularly concerned with footwear which incorporates an elastic gusset extending across the instep. In the known constructions, a band of elastic material extends across the instep region and has its ends stitched to the upper at opposite sides of the longitudinal centre-line of the boot or shoe. Accoridng to this invention there is provided an article of footwear having a gusset extending across the instep region of the article which gusset comprises a band of elastic material having one end secured to the upper at one side of the longitudinal centre-line of the article and extending adjustably through a buckle which is anchored to the upper at the other side of said centre-line. The buckle is preferably a self-closing or selflocking buckle. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a fragmentary side view of an article of footwear incorporating a conventional gusset. Figure 2 shows a corresponding view of an article of footwear according to the invention, and Figure 3 shows a perspective view from above of the article of Figure 1. Referring to Figure 1, an article of footwear is shown having a conventional gusset comprising a band 10 of elasticated material the two ends of which are securely stitched to the upper 11 at opposite sides respectively of a gap 12 extending along the longitudinal line of the instep region of the article. Figures 2 and 3 illustrate a construction embodying the present invention, in which the gusset is formed by a band 15 of elasticated fabric one end 16 of which is stitched to the upper 17 at one side of the gap 12 and the other end of which extends adjustably through a self-locking buckle 1 8 secured to the upper at the other side of the gap. The buckle is of known type comprising a closed rectangular loop of metal, and a metal cross-bar 19 mounted for freely sliding movement on the sides 20 of the loop which extend transversely of the longitudinal centre-line of the article. The free end of the band 1 5 is passed underneath the nearer transverse element 21 of the loop, upward round the cross-bar 1 9 and then again underneath the said nearer transverse element 21 of the loop.The buckle can conveniently be secured to the upper by staples 22 extending about the transverse element 23 of the loop remote from the longitudinal centre-line. It will be understood that the arrangement of Figure 1 is adjustable only within the elastic limits of the band, but the arrangement of Figures 2 and 3 is widely adjustable to suit varying instep dimensions and to provide greater comfort. Claims

1. An article of footwear having a gusset extending across the instep region of the article which gusset comprises a band of elastic material having one end secured to the upper at one side of the longitudinal centre line of the article and extending adjustably through a buckle which is anchored to the upper at the other side of said centre line.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the buckle is a self-closing or self-locking buckle.

3. An article of footwear substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.