GB2288966A - Shoes - Google Patents

Abstract

A shoe has an insert 20 which extends for the full length of the inside of the shoe, plus one or more removable forepart inserts 21 and 22 which fit beneath the full length insert 20. Variations in fitting can be made by removing one or more of the forepart inserts 21 and 22. <IMAGE>

Description

SHOES FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to shoes and is concerned with the provision of means whereby the fit of a shoe to the feet of the wearer can be improved.

The invention could be applied to provide variable fitting shoes for the general footwear market (particularly sport and safety footwear which are not normally produced in more than one standard width/joint girth fitting) but is more specifically concerned with stock orthopaedic footwear.

The object being to provide a footwear design with provision so that "problem feet" can be fitted more accurately.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION In the general footwear market variable fitting shoes have previously been produced, not with an aim to improve fit, but to reduce the number of shoes a retailer has to stock, reducing overheads. EP0287662 for example, proposes a method of fitting feet with different widths/joint girths by the use of a combination of a single fitting shoe having an excess of girth and a plurality of detachable full length socks which can be placed within the main shoe body to take up girth oversize of the shoe. These socks are nestable within, and are substantially identical in contour to, the interior of the shoe.

However, this method of size adjustment requires the stocking of a large variety of socks of different widths and thicknesses for each shoe length and is not intended to cope with more difficult fitting problems.

Few people have both feet the same size, and size differences are often more marked with people having orthopaedic problems.

Prior art stock orthopaedic shoes provide a plural of removable insole/inlays which extend for the full length of the internal base of the shoe so that a degree of adjustment is provided by using the shoe with or without one or more insole inlays. This method suffers, however, from a number of disadvantages which the present invention seeks to overcome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention there is provided a shoe having a full length insert which extends for substantially the full length of the inside of the shoe and a removable forepart insert, which fits beneath the full length insert and extends substantially for the length of the forepart of the foot of the wearer.

There are preferably a pair of removable forepart inserts of different thicknesses so that, depending on the fit which is required, a choice is provided of: a) Both forepart inserts remaining in situ b) The thinner forepart insert being removed c) The thicker forepart insert being removed d) Both forepart inserts being removed The thickness of the thicker forepart insert is preferably twice that of the thinner forepart insert so that equal thickness increments are provided between the four choices specified above.

In an alternative arrangement, providing the same adjustment facility, three forepart inserts of equal thickness could be provided. In a further alternative arrangement, three forepart inserts of different thicknesses are provided, and one only is used at any one time.

It is to be appreciated that, as compared to the prior art system referred to above, the heel and instep fitting remains unaltered when one or more forepart inserts are removed. Because the instep is unaffected, the facing gap is kept correct to allow for secure fastening of the shoe to the foot. Keeping the backpart fit constant ensures that the topline remains at the right height, minimising the risk of heel slip and pressure on the foot from the top of the back curve or at the "under ankle" position.

For shoes of a given length, a number of width fittings are preferably provided, these width fittings corresponding to increments of foot joint girth measurements. For example, for a given length of shoe, there may be four width fittings, with a joint girth difference of, for example, 15 mm between adjacent width fittings. The total thickness of the forepart inserts is preferably half this value.

In order to ensure the right fit of the shoes to the feet of the wearer, the measuring and fitting procedure described below in the detailed description of the preferred embodiment is preferably carried out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig 1 is a sectional view of a standard shoe which does not have a facility for extra depth.

Fig 2 is a sectional view of a known form of stock orthopaedic shoe with extra depth facility.

Fig 3 is a sectional view of an alternative known form of stock orthopaedic shoe with extra depth facility.

Fig 4 is a sectional view of a shoe in accordance with the present invention.

Fig 5 is a size/fitting chart for ladies shoes for the present invention.

Fig 6 is a size/fitting chart for mens shoes for the present invention.

Fig 7 is the expanded size/fitting chart for men and women showing joint girths of shoes utilising the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The known form of orthopaedic shoe shown in Fig 2 is provided with a pair of removable inserts 10 and 11 each of which is typically 6 mm. in thickness. The shoe can be used without or with either one or both inserts so that a degree of adjustment is provided. This two-insert system suffers, however, from the drawbacks described above. Fig 3 shows an alternative arrangement using three inserts of varying thickness which can be used in any combination. This system gives slightly better adjustment but still suffers the drawbacks.

Fig 4 shows a shoe in accordance with the present invention which includes a removable full length or through insert 20 which is 5 mm. in thickness and can accommodate the prescribed orthotics. Beneath the through insert 20, there are a pair of removable forepart inserts 21 and 22. One of the forepart inserts is 5 mm. in thickness and the other forepart insert is 2.5 mm. in thickness so that a choice of thicknesses beneath the through insert 20 is provided, as follows: a) Both forepart inserts are used b) 2.5 mm. - the thinner forepart insert is removed c) 5 mm. - the thicker forepart insert is removed, and d) 7.5 mm. - both forepart inserts are removed As shown in Fig 4, the rear edges of the forepart inserts 21 and 22 are tapered to improve the fit of the insert assembly within the shoe.

To find out the required shoe size for a wearer, the length and width of the wearer's feet are measured using a standard gauge and the appropriate size/fitting chart (Fig 5 or Fig 6) is then consulted. The shoes are produced in the lengths shown and four width fittings for each length. The width fittings are narrow (N), medium (M), wide (W) and extra wide (EX).

The lengths vary in increments of 5 mm. and the nearest size to the length of foot will be chosen. If there are minor variations in the lengths of the two feet, the size appropriate to the larger foot will be chosen. For exampLe, with foot lengths of 230 mm. and 234 mm., the 235 mm. size shoe will be chosen.

When the required shoe length has been established, the width fitting needs to be determined. For example, for a lady with a foot length as set out above and a foot width of 91 mm., she will require wide fitting (W) shoes, see Fig 5.

The shoes of the indicated size will then be taken from stock and tried on the wearer's feet. The shoes at this time will contain the full-length insert 20 and both forepart inserts 21 and 22.

If necessary, a longer or wider shoe may be required to avoid foot entry difficulties or to take account of any foot abnormalities. Having established, however, that the shoes are of the required length and width, allowance is made for variations in the depth of the forepart of each foot and the joint girth.

The shoes are removed from the feet of the wearer and then, for each shoe, one or both of the forepart inserts are removed to obtain the most comfortable and satisfactory fit for each foot. It is to be noted that removal of the forepart insert which is 2.5 mm. in thickness provides 2.5 mm.

extra depth and 5 mm. extra joint girth. Removal of the forepart insert which is 5 mm. in thickness provides 5 mm.

extra depth and 10 mm. extra joint girth; and removal of both forepart inserts provides 7.5 mm. extra depth and 15 mm. extra joint girth, i.e. a shoe size corresponding to the next wider fitting. See Fig 7.

The overlap between the fittings provides differently shaped shoes for feet which are of the same length and joint girth but are differently proportioned. For example, one foot may be a narrow deep foot while another is wider but shallower.

The full length insert should only be removed if prescribed orthotics are to be fitted in its place or if a thinner full length insert is to be used in its place to provide greater depth and joint girth space to aid fitting.

Claims (2)

1. A combination of a shoe having a full length insert which extends for substantially the full length of the inside of the shoe and a removable forepart insert which fits beneath the full length insert and extends substantially for the length of the forepart of the foot of the wearer.

2. I claim that the use of removable forepart inserts which form an integral part of purpose designed footwear to achieve variable depth/joint girths is my design and invention.