GB2437140A

GB2437140A - Item of footwear attachable to an inanimate object

Info

Publication number: GB2437140A
Application number: GB0607435A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Martin Hobbs; Neil Coady
Original assignee: Bacup Shoe Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bacup Shoe Co Ltd
Priority date: 2006-04-13
Filing date: 2006-04-13
Publication date: 2007-10-17
Also published as: GB0607435D0

Abstract

An item of footwear comprises attachment means for attaching it to an inanimate object, wherein the attachment means does not comprise means for securing the item of footwear on the foot. The item of footwear may be a slipper 1, the attachment means may be a magnet 8, adhesive means or suction means and the inanimate object may be a warm radiator. The sole of the slipper may comprise a textile upper layer 9 and a rubber base 5 between which is a foam body 6 and an insert 7 having a circular aperture for a magnet 8. The slipper is warmed by attaching it to the radiator for a sufficient period.

Description

1 243740

ITEM OF FOOTWEAR

The present invention relates to an item of footwear, a pair of footwear items and a method of heating a footwear item.

One function of an item of footwear 5 to provide warmth and comfort to the wearer. For a slipper or other item of footwear worn mostly in the house, the main function S to io provide warmth, for example when walking on a cold floor.

However, an item of footwear may often be stored in a cold cupboard, or near a door and may thus itself be cold. It can be undesirable for a wearer to place their foot into the cold footwear item.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an item of footwear which is more desirable for the wearer to put on.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an item of footwear comprising attachment means for attaching said item to an inanimate object wherein said attachment means does not comprise means for securing the item of footwear on the toot.

Thus the attachment means does not comprises laces, a buckle, hook and eye (e.g. Velcro(TM)) straps or other such means which are commonly found on footwear items to secure the item firmly in position on the foot. The attachment means of the item of footwear of the invention is suitably included in addition to any means that may be present for securing the item to the foot.

The attachment means may comprise any suitable means. It may for example comprise adhesive means or suction means.

Preferably the attachment means is reversible. Thus the item of footwear may be attached to the inanimate object and removed again. Preferably the attachment means is such that the item of footwear may be repeatedly attached and removed from the inanimate object.

The attachment means is preferably suitable for attaching the item of footwear to an upright surface of an inanimate object.

In preferred embodiments, the attachment means is suitable for attaching the item of footwear to a heated inanimate object.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an item of footwear which includes attachment means for releasably securing the item of footwear in a first position at or adjacent to a heating means, wherein, in use, the attachment means is strong enough to support the item of footwear against a gravitational force which could, in the absence of said attachment means, cause said item of footwear to move downwardly away from said first position.

Preferably the attachment means is suitable for attaching the item of footwear to a metal surface. More preferably the attachment means comprises a magnet.

The attachment means may be located on any part of the item of footwear. Preferably the attachment means is located within a lower region of the item of footwear.

For example, it may be incorporated within the sole of the footwear item.

S Said attachment means, for example a magnet (when provided) is preferably concealed within the item of footwear. Preferably no part of the attachment means is visible in normal use.

The item of footwear may comprise more than one attachment means, for example it may comprise a plurality of magnets.

preferably however the item of footwear comprises a single attachment means, for example a single magnet.

When the item of footwear comprises one or more magnets, the total magnetic field strength associated with said magnet(s) is suitably sufficient to maintain the item of footwear in position on a metal surface. preferably the magnetic field strength is sufficient to hold the item of footwear in a fixed position on an upright metal surface, for example a radiator.

The item of footwear may comprise, for example a shoe, a sandal, a boot or a trainer, preferably the item of footwear is light. Most preferably it is a slipper.

In preferred embodiments in which the item of footwear is a slipper, and the attachment means comprises one or more magnets, the magnet(s) are preferably located within the sole of the slipper. The slipper is suitably generally of conventional type. It may typically comprise a thick cushioned sole (for example of 0.5 to 3cm thickness) and an upper portion, which together define a cavity into which a foot may be inserted. The outer surface of the upper portion may be made from any suitable material, for example wool, nylon, polyester, leather, cotton, satin or other fabric. The surface of the sole which defines the S cavity is typically lined with a soft material which is comfortable to the touch. Fleecy or "synthetic-fur" materials are commonly used. In preferred embodiments, the magnet(s) is/are located in a lower portion of the sole of the slipper.

Preferably, the magnet is not exposed to the floor, in use, when the slipper is worn. Preferably a lower surface of said magnet is less than 1 cm, suitably less than 0.5 cm, preferably less than 0.4 cm, more preferably less than 0.3 cm from an outer surface of the sole of the slipper.

Preferably, the attachment means comprises a single magnet. Preferably, this magnet is located in a front portion of the sole of the slipper, preferably the magnet is located in the front third of the slipper (when considering the length of the slipper) . preferably, the magnet is positioned approximately centrally in relation to the width of the slipper. Preferably the magnet is located within the central third of the slipper (when considering the width of the slipper) The magnet should be of sufficient strength to enable the slipper to be held in position on an upright surface, against a gravitational force.

Preferably the magnet includes a planar surface which preferably extends substantially parallel to a plane which contains the sole of the slipper. A suitable magnet could, for example, be a disc of from 0.2 to 1 cm thick having a diameter of 1 to 4 cm.

preferably, the mass of the magnet compared to the mass of the slipper as a whole is at least 1:20, more preferably at least 1:15.

In the present invention, it is possible to hold a slipper in position on a metal surface due to the low mass of the slipper, compared to the strength of the magnet.

preferably, the slipper has a mass of between 50 and 300 more preferably of between 100 and 200 g, especially between 120 and 180 g. The mass of the magnet is preferably between 2 and 20 g, more preferably between 5 and 15 g.

The attachment means may be used to secure the item of footwear to an inanimate object. Said inanimate object may be a second item of footwear. The second item of footwear suitably matches the first item of footwear such that the two items form a pair.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pair of footwear items comprising an item of footwear of the first aspect and a second item of footwear.

The second item of footwear may suitably visually resemble the first item of footwear.

The second item of footwear may also comprise attachment means. The attachment means of the second item of footwear may be the same as or different to the attachment means of the first item of footwear. Where the attachment means of the first item and second item are different, they may be such that they are cooperable. They may for example comprise male and female parts which are

interconnectable.

The first and second items of footwear may each comprise a magnet, wherein the two magnets have regions of opposite polarity such there exists an attractive force between io them.

Thus the present invention may provide a convenient method for attaching together a pair of footwear items. This may prevent them from becoming separated during storage and will enable the wearer to select a matching pair more easily.

Alternatively and/or additionally said first and second footwear items may each comprise attachment means suitable for attaching said footwear items to one or more other inanimate objects, separate from the pair of footwear items.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an item of footwear of the first aspect and an inanimate object, wherein the item of footwear 15 attached to the inanimate object by the attachment means.

The inanimate object may comprise a household item to which it would be desirable to attach an item of footwear.

For example it may be convenient to attach an item of footwear to a door or a cupboard. Where the item of footwear is a slipper, it may be desirable to attach it to a bed or a bath for example.

preferably the inanimate object to which the footwear item is attached is heated. The inanimate object preferably comprises a heating means. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides an assembly comprising a heating means and an item of footwear, wherein an attachment means is provided for releasably securing the io item of footwear in a first position at or adjacent to the heating means, wherein the attachment means is strong enough to support the item of footwear against a gravitational force which would, in the absence of said attachment means, cause said item of footwear to move is downwardly away from said first position.

The heating means may for example comprise a storage heater, a domestic fire or a radiator. preferably, the inanimate object comprises a magnetic metal surface. Most preferably the inanimate object comprises a radiator.

preferably the inanimate object has a temperature of at least 30 C, more preferably at least 35 C, preferably at least 40 C, and most preferably at least 45 C.

ccording to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a method of heating a footwear item, said method comprising attaching an item of footwear of the first aspect to a heating means by the attachment means. The heating means is preferably as defined in accordance with the third aspect, and the item of footwear 5 preferably as defined in accordance with the first aspect.

In preferred embodiments, the method comprises attaching the item of footwear to an upright surface of the heating means. Thus, the present invention provides a method of heating an item of footwear, the method comprising releasably securing the item of footwear in a first position at or adjacent to a heating means using attachment means, wherein the attachment means is strong enough to support the item of footwear against a gravitational force which would, in the absence of said attachment means, cause said item of footwear to move downwardly away from said first position.

In the method of the fourth aspect the item of footwear is preferably attached to the heating means, and left in this position for at least 5 minutes, more preferably at least minutes, most preferably at least 15 minutes.

At the completion of the method of the fourth aspect of the invention, the temperature of the inner surface of the item of footwear, into which the foot is placed, is preferably at least 5 C greater than ambient temperature, more preferably at least io c greater than ambient temperature. preferably the temperature of the inner surface of the item of footwear is at least 25 C, more preferably at least 30 C.

In an especially preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a method of warming a slipper by attaching a slipper comprising a magnet to a radiator for a period sufficient to warm the inner surface of the slipper, into which the foot is placed, to a temperature comfortable to the wearer.

In the method of the fourth aspect of the present invention, a slipper comprising a magnet is preferably secured onto a radiator. The magnet is preferably located in a lower region of the sole of the slipper and thus the sole of the slipper should be placed adjacent to the radiator. preferably the magnet is sufficiently strong to maintain the slipper in position when the sole is placed adjacent to the upright surface of the radiator, but is not strong enough to maintain the slipper in position when io another region of the slipper (for example the upper surface) is placed adjacent to the upright surface of the radiator.

Any feature of any aspect of any invention or embodiment described herein may be combined with any feature of any aspect of any other invention or embodiment described herein mutatiS mutandis.

The invention will now be further described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a slipper; and Figure 2 shows a cross-section along line A-A' in Figure 1.

Figure i shows a slipper 1 comprising a sole 2, and an upper portion 3. As is conventional, a wearer may slide his/her foot into the cavity 4 defined between the sole and the upper portion. The cavity 4 is lined with a synthetic textile material which is soft to the touch and

comfortable to wear.

Referring to figure 2, sole 2 is approximately 1.5cm thick. The uppermost surface 9 is defined by a layer of synthetic textile material. This layer 9 is joined to a synthetic rubber base 5, which makes contact with the floor, in use. Between the base 5 and the layer 9 of synthetic textile material is a compartment which houses a cushioning foam body 6, and a synthetic insert 7. Insert 7 comprises a circular aperture, into which fits a magnet 8.

io The magnet is disc shaped, having a diameter of approximately 2cm and a height of approximately 0.5cm. It has a mass of approximately 10 g.

In use, the sole 2 of slipper 1 is placed against the upright surface of a warm metallic radiator where it is held in position by the magnetic force between magnet 8 and the radiator. After a suitable period (for example 15 minutes) , the upper surface 9 of the sole and/or the upper portion 3 of the slipper are warmed. The slipper may be disengaged from the radiator and worn. It will be appreciated that a pair of slippers may be warmed as aforesaid.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s) . The invention extends to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features

disclosed Ifl this specification (including any

accompanying claims, abstract and drawings) , or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed. ii

Claims

CLAIMS

1. An item of footwear comprising attachment means for attaching said item to an inanimate object wherein said attachment means does not comprise means for securing the item of footwear on the foot.

2. An item of footwear according to claim 1 wherein the attachment means is reversible.

3. An item of footwear according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the attachment means comprises a magnet.

4. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim is wherein no part of the attachment means is visible in normal use.

5. An item of footwear according to any preceding claim wherein the item of footwear is a slipper.

6. A pair of footwear items comprising an item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 and a second item of footwear.

7. A pair of footwear items according to claim 6 wherein each of said footwear items comprise a magnet.

8. An item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 and an inanimate object, wherein the item of footwear is attached to the inanimate object by the attachment means 9. An assembly comprising a heating means and an item of footwear, wherein an attachment means is provided for releasably securing the item of footwear in a first position at or adjacent to the heating means, wherein the attachment means is strong enough to support the item of footwear against a gravitational force which would, in the absence of said attachment means, cause said item of footwear to move downwardly away from said first position.

10. An assembly according to claim 9 wherein the heating means comprises a radiator.

11. A method of heating a footwear item, said method comprising attaching an item of footwear as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5 to a heating means by the attachment means.

12. A method according to claim 11 wherein said method is a method of warming a slipper by attaching a slipper comprising a magnet to a radiator for a period sufficient to warm the inner surface of the slipper, into which the foot is placed, to a temperature comfortable to the wearer.

13. An item of footwear substantially as hereinbetore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.