GB2192325A

GB2192325A - Heel protector

Info

Publication number: GB2192325A
Application number: GB08714133A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Mirza Auref Shirazi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-07-08
Filing date: 1987-06-17
Publication date: 1988-01-13
Also published as: GB8714133D0; GB8616633D0

Abstract

An external shoe protector comprises a shield 3 shaped to fit snugly over the outside of the heel portion of a shoe upper. The shield is resiliently biassed to grip the shoe, but readily removable from the shoe, by means of the shield being narrower than the shoe in its unstressed detached state. A base plate 1 extending under the shoe heel may be provided. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Footwear accessory This invention relates to footwear accessories.

When driving, the heel parts of the uppers of the driver's shoes or other footwear (hereinafter referred to generally as shoes) tend to become scuffed by rubbing against the vehicle floor, and this greatly detracts from the appearance of the shoes, particularly leather or other smooth-surfaced shoes.

According to the invention there is provided an external shoe protector comprising a shield shaped to fit snugly over the outside of the heel portion of a shoe upper the shield being resiliently biassed to grip the shoe but readily removable from the shoe.

The protector may be formed of moulded plastics material. The inner surfaces of the shield may be covered with flocking. The shield may be formed partially of leather.

The shield may be closed at its base, the closure extending in use under the heel of the shoe.

Slots may be formed extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe to facilitate some parts of the shield to flex inwards transversely to and against the outer surfaces of the heel.

The protector may be provided for a ladies high heel shoe having a tongue extending downwards to bear against and protect at least an upper section of the heel post.

The shield may be in generally C section with upper and lower side portions separated by slits. In addition to the resilient grip on the shoe upper, the shield may have hooks to fit over the edge of the upper for better location. Also, the shield may grip and protect the heel below the welt.

In addition to providing protection for a shoe, the shield may have an aesthetic appeal, in that it may have considerable decorative effect, and may for instance provide a colour detail to co-ordinate with other clothes or accessories, particularly when used on ladies' footwear.

The invention further comprehends the combination of a shoe with an external protector as set forth above.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of shield in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shield of figure 2; Figure 3 is plan view showing the shield in an unstressed form; and Figure 4 is an isometric view of a shield for a high heeled shoe.

The drawings show diagrammatically a shields for a typical shape of man's shoe and ladies high heeled shoe. The shield is moulded in one piece form from a suitable plastics rubber or rubber-like material, and may be finished to resemble leather if desired. It may be desirable or practicable to provide the shield in a leather material.

The shield illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 includes a base 1, e.g. of 1 mm thickness, to fit below the heel of the shoe, a pair of lower side portions 2, e.g. of 2 mm thickness, to embrace the heel below the welt, and a pair of upper side portions 3, e.g. of 1 mm thickness, to embrace the heel above the welt. Pairs of slits 4 and 5 respectively separate the lower side portions 2 from the base 1 and the upper side portions 3. These slits 4 and 5 extend most of the way around the heel so that the side portions 2 and 3 may flex relative to each other and the base 1, except over a small area 6 at the rear of the heel.

The shield is manufactured by injection moulding of a somewhat resilient material, and in the unstressed state is somewhat narrower than the heel of the shoe, as indicated in figure 3 for the side portions 3. As an example, the gap between the ends of the side portions 3 may be 1 inch (2.5 cm) in the unstressed state, while the heel itself may be 21 inches (6.3 cm) wide. This enables the shield to grip the heel and just forwardly thereof.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Thus, particularly for use with women's shoes, the shield may be finished in an aesthetically attractive manner, e.g. with use of a fabric, and if desired, a strap may extend over the ankle, instep or heel post for better retention and also for aesthetic reasons.

In Figure 4, a ladies shoe protector shield is shown which has a tongue 7 extending downwards to protect in practice the upper end of a heel post of the shoe in use.

The inner surfaces of the shields are preferably covered by flocking. Flocking is known in itself and consists of setting up a local electrostatic field during manufacture. The inner surface is coated with an adhesive and under the action of the electrostatic field short lengths of fibre are attracted to and become secured to the inner surfaces.

Flocking provides a velvet-like inner surface covering which slides smoothly over, and fits snugly onto and does not scratch or damage the outer surfaces of the heel of the shoe.

It is proposed to provide various sizes of protector for different shoes. However, it is likely that actual suitable protector sizes will be made to fit a range of shoe sizes. Thus, one protector size will be suitable for shoe sizes 3 to 7 and another protector size for shoe sizes 8 to 11 and so on.

1. An external shoe protector comprising a shield shaped to fit snugly over the outside of the heel portion of a shoe upper, the shield being resiliently biassed to grip the shoe but readily removable from the shoe.

2. A protector according to Claim 1 formed of moulded plastics material.

3. A protector according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the inner surfaces of the shield are covered with flocking.

4. A protector according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, in which the shield is formad partially of leather.

5. A protector according to any one of Claims 1 to 4, in which the shield is closed at its base, the closure extending in use under the heel of the shoe.

6. A protector according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which slots are formed extending generally

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Footwear accessory This invention relates to footwear accessories. When driving, the heel parts of the uppers of the driver's shoes or other footwear (hereinafter referred to generally as shoes) tend to become scuffed by rubbing against the vehicle floor, and this greatly detracts from the appearance of the shoes, particularly leather or other smooth-surfaced shoes. According to the invention there is provided an external shoe protector comprising a shield shaped to fit snugly over the outside of the heel portion of a shoe upper the shield being resiliently biassed to grip the shoe but readily removable from the shoe. The protector may be formed of moulded plastics material. The inner surfaces of the shield may be covered with flocking. The shield may be formed partially of leather. The shield may be closed at its base, the closure extending in use under the heel of the shoe. Slots may be formed extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe to facilitate some parts of the shield to flex inwards transversely to and against the outer surfaces of the heel. The protector may be provided for a ladies high heel shoe having a tongue extending downwards to bear against and protect at least an upper section of the heel post. The shield may be in generally C section with upper and lower side portions separated by slits. In addition to the resilient grip on the shoe upper, the shield may have hooks to fit over the edge of the upper for better location. Also, the shield may grip and protect the heel below the welt. In addition to providing protection for a shoe, the shield may have an aesthetic appeal, in that it may have considerable decorative effect, and may for instance provide a colour detail to co-ordinate with other clothes or accessories, particularly when used on ladies' footwear. The invention further comprehends the combination of a shoe with an external protector as set forth above. Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side elevation of one form of shield in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the shield of figure 2; Figure 3 is plan view showing the shield in an unstressed form; and Figure 4 is an isometric view of a shield for a high heeled shoe. The drawings show diagrammatically a shields for a typical shape of man's shoe and ladies high heeled shoe. The shield is moulded in one piece form from a suitable plastics rubber or rubber-like material, and may be finished to resemble leather if desired. It may be desirable or practicable to provide the shield in a leather material. The shield illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 includes a base 1, e.g. of 1 mm thickness, to fit below the heel of the shoe, a pair of lower side portions 2, e.g. of 2 mm thickness, to embrace the heel below the welt, and a pair of upper side portions 3, e.g. of 1 mm thickness, to embrace the heel above the welt. Pairs of slits 4 and 5 respectively separate the lower side portions 2 from the base 1 and the upper side portions 3. These slits 4 and 5 extend most of the way around the heel so that the side portions 2 and 3 may flex relative to each other and the base 1, except over a small area 6 at the rear of the heel. The shield is manufactured by injection moulding of a somewhat resilient material, and in the unstressed state is somewhat narrower than the heel of the shoe, as indicated in figure 3 for the side portions 3. As an example, the gap between the ends of the side portions 3 may be 1 inch (2.5 cm) in the unstressed state, while the heel itself may be 21 inches (6.3 cm) wide. This enables the shield to grip the heel and just forwardly thereof. Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. Thus, particularly for use with women's shoes, the shield may be finished in an aesthetically attractive manner, e.g. with use of a fabric, and if desired, a strap may extend over the ankle, instep or heel post for better retention and also for aesthetic reasons. In Figure 4, a ladies shoe protector shield is shown which has a tongue 7 extending downwards to protect in practice the upper end of a heel post of the shoe in use. The inner surfaces of the shields are preferably covered by flocking. Flocking is known in itself and consists of setting up a local electrostatic field during manufacture. The inner surface is coated with an adhesive and under the action of the electrostatic field short lengths of fibre are attracted to and become secured to the inner surfaces. Flocking provides a velvet-like inner surface covering which slides smoothly over, and fits snugly onto and does not scratch or damage the outer surfaces of the heel of the shoe. It is proposed to provide various sizes of protector for different shoes. However, it is likely that actual suitable protector sizes will be made to fit a range of shoe sizes. Thus, one protector size will be suitable for shoe sizes 3 to 7 and another protector size for shoe sizes 8 to 11 and so on. CLAIMS

2. A protector according to Claim 1 formed of moulded plastics material.

6. A protector according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, in which slots are formed extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the shoe to facilitate some parts of the shield to flex inwards transversely to and against the outer surfaces of the heel.

7. A protector according to any one of Claims 1 to 6 for a ladies high heel shoe having a tongue extending downwards to bear against and protect at least an upper section of the heel post.

8. Protectors substantially as herein described with reference to any one or more of Figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.