GB2228179A

GB2228179A - Footwear protector

Info

Publication number: GB2228179A
Application number: GB9003458A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anne Marshall
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-18
Filing date: 1990-02-15
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Also published as: GB8903719D0; GB9003458D0

Abstract

A footwear protector 10 comprises two forwardly extending arms 18, 20 connected together by an arcuate section 22 to conform in shape to an area of the outside of an item of footwear in the vicinity of the heel thereof, whereby the protector 10 may be placed over an item of footwear with the said arms 18, 20 and arcuate section 22 covering and protecting the said area. The arms 18, 20 are resiliently biased toward each other and when the protector 10 is placed over the said area, the arms 18, 20 embrace the footwear 14 thereby retaining the protector 10 in position, whilst being removable therefrom. Portions 24 can be provided to engage the heel or arch to help retain the protector in position. <IMAGE>

Description

Footwear Accessories The present invention relates to accessories for footwear and in particular to a footwear protector.

Footwear worn while driving a vehicle is prone to excessive abrasive and similar damage, resulting in the footwear becoming prematurely worn out. Footwear for females is found to be particularly prone to this problem.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate or mitigate this and other disadvantages.

According to the present invention there is provided a footwear protector comprising a portion which conforms in shape to an area of the outside of an item of footwear in the vicinity of the heel thereof, whereby the protector may be placed over the item of footwear with the said portion covering and protecting the said area, the protector being so formed as to be retainable in position after being placed over the said area, and to be removable therefrom.

Preferably the said area is an area of the upper of the item. The area preferably extends around the heel of the upper.

Preferably the portion comprises two arms which, in use, extend along respective sides of the item of footwear to embrace the said item. Preferably the arms are resiliently biased toward each other to grip the item of footwear.

Preferably the arms are so formed as to embrace an item of footwear in the vicinity of the heel.

Preferably the two arms are connected by an arcuate section.

Preferably the arms and the arcuate section of the protector are integrally formed of resilient material.

The resilient material may be a plastics material.

Preferably the footwear protector further comprises releasable catch means which, in use, catch on the item of footwear to act to retain the protector in position.

The releasable catch means are preferably attached at the free end of each arm.

Preferably the catch means are so positioned on the protector as to catch on a surface of the arch of the item of footwear. The catch means may catch on the forward surface of the heel of the item of footwear.

Preferably the catch means are elongate members which, in use, extend under the arch of the item of footwear. Preferably the elongate members may be resiliently withdrawn to allow the protector to be removed.

Preferably the said area includes an area on the upper of the item of footwear, and an area on the heel of the item of footwear.

Preferably the protector further comprises a layer of protective material which, in use, lies against the said area to prevent abrasion thereof by the protector.

The protective material may be felt.

The outside surface of the protector may be decorated.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig 1 is a perspective view of a footwear protector according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the protector of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of the underside of an item of footwear with the protector of Fig. 1 in position for use; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of an item of footwear with the protector of Fig. 1 in position for use.

Referring to the drawings, there is provided a footwear protector 10 comprising a portion 12 which conforms in shape to an area of the outside of an item of footwear 14 in the vicinity of the heel thereof, whereby the protector 10 may be placed over the item of footwear 14 with the said portion 12 covering and protecting the said area, the protector 10 being so formed as to be retainable in position after being placed over the said area, whilst being removable therefrom.

The portion 12 comprises two forwardly extending arms 18, 20 connected together by an arcuate section 22.

The arcuate section 22 and the arms 18, 20 are integrally formed from plastics material, for instance by moulding.

Both arms 18, 20 extend from the arcuate section 22 in generally parallel directions. The arms 18, 20 are resiliently biased toward each other, preferably by an appropriate choice of material from which the protector 10 is moulded.

Catch means 24 in the form of elongate members, or fingers, are provided at the free ends 26, 28 of each arm 18, 20. Each finger 24 extends from the lower edge 30 of the arms 18, 20 toward the other arm 20, 18.

The inside surface 32 of the protector 10 is lined with felt (not shown) to prevent the protector 10 marking the item of footwear 14 during positioning or use.

Decoration such as a layer of decorative material may cover the external surface 34 of the protector 10.

In use, the protector 10 can be attached in the following manner. The arms 18, 20 are parted slightly against their resilience, to allow the protector 10 to be brought forward from behind the item of footwear 14, until the arms 18, 20 embrace the item 14 and lie along either side of the item 14. In this position, the arcuate section 22 extends around the heel 16 of the upper of the item 14, and also covers part of the heel 36. Holding the arms 18, 20 apart allows the fingers 24 to pass either side of the heel 36. On releasing the arms 18, 20 the arms 18, 20 move together to grip the upper. The fingers 24 catch on the forward face of the heel 36 in the arch of the item 14 to further enhance the retention of the protector 10.

After attachment the protector 10 covers an area of the heel 16 of the upper, part of the heel 36, and the joint between the upper and heel 36. The close conformity of the shape of the protector 10 and the item of footwear 14 allows the area to be protected against abrasive damage without unduly encumbering the wearer, so that when driving a vehicle, for example, the comfort of the item of footwear 14 is not affected.

The protector 10 can be removed by hand, simply by parting the arms 18, 20 to release their grip on the item of footwear 14 and to move the fingers 24 clear of the heel 36. This allows the protector 10 to be moved backwards until clear of the item of footwear 14. The size and shape of the heel region of adult footwear is such that a single size of protector may be used universally, on a wide range of makes, types and sizes of footwear. The protector described can be attached and removed easily and quickly. Thus, they can be attached when the item of footwear is vulnerable, for instance when the wearer is preparing to drive, and removed as soon as the wearer has stopped driving.

Various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, the catch means can be other than fingers. The catch means may be omitted completely if the material used to manufacture the device is sufficiently strongly resilient to hold the protector in place with the required degree of security. Other shapes may be chosen for the device.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A footwear protector comprising a portion which conforms in shape to an area of the outside of an item of footwear in the vicinity of the heel thereof, whereby the protector may be placed over the item of footwear with the said portion covering and protecting the said area, the protector being so formed as to be retainable in position after being placed over the said area, and to be removable therefrom.

2. A footwear protector according to claim 1, wherein the said area is an area of the upper of the item.

3. A footwear protector according to claim 1 and 2, wherein the area extends around the heel of the upper.

4. A footwear protector according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the said area includes an area on the upper of the item of footwear, and an area on the heel of the item of footwear.

5. A footwear protector according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the portion comprises two arms which, in use, extend along respective sides of the item of footwear to embrace the said item.

6. A footwear protector according to claim 5, wherein the arms are resiliently biased towards each other to grip the item of footwear.

7. A footwear protector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the arms are so formed as to embrace an item of footwear in the vicinity of the heel.

8. A footwear protector according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein the two arms are connected by an arcuate section.

9. A footwear protector according to claim 8, wherein the arms and the arcuate section of the protector are integrally formed of resilient material.

10. A footwear protector according to claim 9, wherein resilient material is a plastics material.

11. A footwear protector according to any of claims 1 to 10, further comprising releasable catch means which, in use, catch on the item of footwear to act to retain the protector in position.

12. A footwear protector according to claim 11 and any of claims 5 to 10, wherein the releasable catch means are attached at the free end of each arm.

13. A footwear protector according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the catch means are so positioned on the protector as to catch on a surface of the arch of the item of footwear.

14. A footwear protector according to claim 13, wherein the catch means catches on the forward surface of the heel of the item of footwear.

15. A footwear protector according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the catch means are elongate members which, in use, extend under the arch of the item of footwear.

16. A footwear protector according to claim 15, wherein the elongate members may be resiliently withdrawn to allow the protector to be removed.

17. A footwear protector according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the protector further comprises a layer of protective material which, in use, lies against the said area to prevent abrasion thereof by the protector.

18. A footwear protector according to claim 17, wherein the protective material is felt.

19. A footwear protector according to any of the preceeding claims, wherein the outside surface of the protector is decorated.

20. A footwear protector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

21. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter disclosed, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.