GB2461066A

GB2461066A - Overshoes for heeled footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2461066A
Application number: GB0811232A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Theresa Anne Macfarlane
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-06-19
Filing date: 2008-06-19
Publication date: 2009-12-23
Also published as: GB0811232D0

Abstract

An overshoe that accommodates a high heel shoe that increases the contact the wearer has with the pedals of a motor vehicle and increases the stability of the heel area of the footwear thereby preventing the heel of the footwear slipping on a car carpet or mat beneath the pedals of a vehicle without requiring the wearer to change their shoes. The soles of the overshoe 3 are preferably thin enough to allow the pedals of a vehicle to be felt, flexible and non-slip. Attached to the sole is a heel 1 and instep 2 supports, the supports are made from a solid material 8, underneath a soft spongy material 10 that allows a certain amount of give to allow different types of heeled footwear to fit securely between the heel and instep supports. The overshoe may be attached to the heeled footwear via a strap 14 attached to the exterior of the overshoe. Alternatively the overshoe may be in the form of a boot, with an opening 5 to allow quick and easy access into and out of the overshoes. The opening may have a quick release fastening and the boot shaped overshoe may have an opening in the toe are to accommodate pointy high heeled shoes. The overshoe may have a logo.

Description

Ladies footwear adaptors to aid safer and comfortable driving This invention relates to footwear adaptors to aid safer and comfortable driving, in particular, for ladies who wear heeled shoes when driving, and for ladies who do not wear heeled shoes when driving and do not wish to have the added inconvenience of having to change into and out of desirable footwear prior to and after driving.

Women who wear heeled shoes when driving put themselves and others on the road at a considerable risk wearing such choice of footwear.

Yougov' reported that 12 million women in the UK are driving dangerously by wearing inappropriate footwear (source: www.living.morethan.com).

The wearing of heeled shoes when driving increases the risk of accident due to the lack of control over the vehicles' foot pedals.

Most heeled shoes soles are smooth and therefore very slippery which can cause the feet to easily slip off from the pedals. The heel of the shoe itself poses another risk as it can get caught in the car mat/carpet beneath the pedals which can result in a sudden, fatal restriction of control over the vehicle.

Heeled shoes can also become extremely uncomfortable when driving as they place a considerable amount of pressure on one point of the heel which often results in discomfort and pain whilst driving, especially during longer distance driving.

Despite these painful and dangerous consequences, many women still continue to drive in highly inappropriate footwear.

However, those of us who do not drive in heeled shoes, have the inconvenience of having to change into and out of desirable shoes prior to and after driving.

Take me and my friends for example, we all choose to drive in our trainers because of comfort and the control they allow over the vehicles pedals. But when we get to our destination, say a party, for example, we must take off our driving shoes (trainers) to then put on our party shoes (must-have party heels).

This is highly annoying and uncomfortable, much more so when it is raining because then we cannot even open the car door to give us the extra space needed to change our footwear (unless we want to get wet) given that we are all not particularly large girls, it has given me the thought that perhaps, there are many more women like me and my friends that are also struggling to be safe, responsible drivers while still wishing to remain glamorous.

To overcome this, the present invention proposes Ladies footwear adaptors, made as a whole single piece of footwear to allow another pair of (heeled) shoes to fit inside, or similarly, to be made as a smaller piece of footwear adaptor' that will serve the same main function(s), to aid safer and much more comfortable driving whilst wearing heeled shoes and to eliminate the need to change into and out of shoes prior to and after driving.

The footwear adaptors will support and surround the heel so that the centre of pressure will be much more evenly displaced throughout the entire heel to thoroughly reduce heel discomfort and pain. And most importantly, to eliminate the potential risk of the heel getting caught in the carpet/mat beneath the pedals whilst driving.

* The footwear adaptors will be made up of a combination of strong and soft, flexible materials. The encasing, in particular, housing the heel support and supported instep, will have a combination of both hard and soft materials to preferably, create an adaptor that will be universal, to fit to and around most/any heeled shoe.

* The footwear adaptors will have a very thin, flexible, gripped sole that will be thin enough to allow the pedals to still be felt through both soles and gripped enough to grip to the pedals, preferably even when wet.

* The footwear adaptors will have a (optional) very long, wide, flexible opening to allow quick and easy access into and out of the footwear adaptors and preferably, if required, will have some kind of quick release fastening (perhaps a zip) to compliment quick and easy use.

* Preferably, the footwear adaptors will support the base of the ankle (being about ankle boot height) aiding support to the ankle, reducing the risk of ankle sprains and strains that can be caused whilst driving in heeled shoes.

* Preferably, the footwear adaptors will not only be an extremely useful, safer aid for driving but also a fun fashion accessory made with a choice materials that are bright in colour, attractive in design and with made with unexpected attention-getting textures, such as a fluffy exterior material.

An example of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings in which: - * Figure 1 shows the footwear adaptor(s) as a whole single piece (side views).

* Figure 2 shows the footwear adaptor(s) as a smaller piece (side views).

In figure 1, the footwear adaptors encasing is made up of the heel support (1) and the supported instep (2) both of which are attached to the sole (3). The exterior material (4) is securely attached to the sole (3) and to the encasing components -the heel support (1) and supported instep (2).

The soles (3) are thin, flexible and have very good grip, the soles are to be thin enough to allow the pedals to be felt through both soles and gripped enough to grip to the pedals, preferably even when wet.

The opening (5) is located between both sides of where the exterior material (4) meet and is long in length, almost from top to toe.

The vacant space (6) is found between the heel support (1) and the supported instep (2) this vacant space is where the proposed heeled shoe (7) will fit.

The heel support (1) and the supported instep (2) will be lined with a soft, spongy material flO) to allow a certain amount of give, to allow different types of heeled shoe to fit securely and snugly inside.

The heel support (1) and the supported instep (2) will also have a much stronger, solid material (8 & 9) to aid support and add strength underneath the spongy material (10).

The exterior material (4) will be strong and preferably, fun and bright in colour, attractive in design and perhaps, with an unexpected attention-getting texture.

However, the material choice will depend very much on the practicality of having such colours, designs and textures.

The footwear adaptors logo (11) will be attached to the exterior material (4). The chosen fastening (12) (if required) will be fastened within the opening (5) and will run the length of the opening (5) from almost top to the toe to allow easy access in to and out of the footwear adaptors.

The footwear adaptors toe (13) will have an (optional) toe peep-hole to allow pointy fashioned heeled shoes to peep out.

In figure 2, the smaller footwear adaptors encasement is made up of the heel support (1) and supported instep (2) both of which are attached to the sole (3). The adaptors strap (14) is attached to the exterior material (4). The exterior material (4) is securely attached to the sole (3) and to the encasing components -the heel support (1) and supported instep (2).

The soles (3) are thin, flexible and have very good grip, the soles are to be thin enough to allow the pedals to be felt through both soles and gripped enough to grip to the pedals. preferably even when wet.

The heel support (1) and the supported instep (2) will be lined with a soft, spongy material (TO) to allow a certain amount of give, to allow different types of heeled shoe to fit securely and snugly inside.

The footwear adaptors logo (11) will be attached to the exterior material (4).

Claims

Claims 1. Ladies footwear adaptors, in which, are made to allow another pair of (heeled) shoes to fit inside to serve the main function(s) to aid safer and much more comfortable driving whilst wearing heeled shoes and to eliminate the need to change into and out of shoes prior to and after driving.
2. Footwear adaptors that according to claim 1, in which, the soles are thin, flexible and have very good grip, the soles are to be thin enough to allow the pedals to be felt through both soles and gripped enough to grip to the pedals, preferably even when wet.
3. Footwear adaptors that according to previous claims, in which, both heel and instep supports are present to displace pressure, creating a strong encasement for the foot, shoe and heel of shoe.
4. Footwear adaptors that according to previous claims, in which, can have (optional) a very long, wide, flexible opening to provide quick and easy access, with the addition of, if required, a quick release fastening (perhaps a zip) to compliment quick and easy use.
5. Footwear adaptors that according to previous claims, in which, the choice of exterior materials used, can be bright and attractive, perhaps with unexpected attention-getting textures, such as a fluffy texture.
6. Footwear adaptors that according to previous claims, in which, the logo adaptors' shall be located on the outer sides of the footwear adaptors where they can be easily seen and recognised.
7. Footwear adaptors that according to previous claims, in which, can have an (optional) toe peep-hole to allow pointy fashioned heeled shoes to peep out.