GB2461361A

GB2461361A - Auxiliary strap for slingback shoe

Info

Publication number: GB2461361A
Application number: GB0905242A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Donna Strickland
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-03-26
Filing date: 2009-03-26
Publication date: 2010-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2029-03-26
Also published as: GB2461361B; GB0905242D0

Abstract

The present invention provides a removable auxiliary strap with two ends, having a releasable fastener at each end to fasten to a slingback strap of a shoe; one end of the strap is fastened to the sling strap at one side of a wearer's heel, the strap passes forwardly around the wearer's ankle and the second end of the strap is fastened to the sling strap at the other side of the heel. The strap is preferably elasticized, and the releasable fasteners may be hooks, clips or clasps. The strap may have a buckle or loop to allow the length of the strap to be adjusted.

Description

Sling-back Shoe Accessory

Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns improvements in and relating to sling-back shoes and accessories for such shoes.

Background to the Invention

Sling-back shoes are perennially fashionable, gracious and attractive feminine footwear. Whether they are stiletto shoes, other high heeled or even relatively flat, the common feature of such shoes is that they are held to the foot not by a robust upstanding heel portion to the shoe upper but rather by a simple elegant strap that passes around the heel of the foot. It acts somewhat like a sling but to hold the rear end of the shoe to the foot or vice versa. Even if the shoe is a good fit to the wearer initially an inherent problem with this minimized heel support arrangement is that the inevitable stretch of the strap, or of its stitching to the shoe, with even moderate use can cause loss of effective support from the strap to the extent that it is rendered virtually useless.

There are a limited number of remedies available for sagging heel straps of sling-back shoes and these tend to be of a type that includes for example a product sold under the brand name Shoe Candy Fast FiXXtm Sling Grips and which comprise a set of elastomeric pads that each adheres to the sling strap of a respective shoe to stiffen and thicken it to better grip to the wearer's heel. These are, of course, only a partial or temporary remedy since the sling strap may still not grip the foot and may in any event stretch and loosen further with use.

In the patent literature there are many examples of fixings for shoes using various forms of additional straps that fix to the sole or upper some of which are demountable but nothing that would adequately address the problems with sling-back shoes. What is needed is a simple, low cost, easy to use accessory that can be used to augment the sling strap of a sling back shoe so that the sling strap can be reliably secured in place.

This will enable many women to again wear their expensive, slinky sling back shoes that they had consigned to the wardrobe as ill-fitting and unwearable.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a sling back shoe accessory for addressing slippage of the sling strap of a sling-back shoe that comprises a demountable auxiliary strap that has a releasable fastener at each end to fasten to the sling strap and which is fitted to the shoe in use fastened at one end to the sling strap at one side of the heel passing forwardly around the user's ankle and fastened at the other end to the sling strap at the other side of the heel.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the strap is elasticized to stretch to is suit a range of foot sizes and provide comfort in use. The fastenings suitably each comprise a hook that hooks onto the sling strap.

Alternatively the fastenings may each comprise a clip or clasp that fastens onto the sling strap. The strap may have length adjustment means. The length adjustment means may suitably comprise a buckle or a loop.

The arrangement of the present invention allows a user to bring back into use unwearable sling-back shoes with loose sling backs. Unlike the known art the accessory is effective and reliable, will not loosen with use and is relatively comfortable, low cost and easy to implement.

The accessory is relatively discrete but may be provided with decorative elements to increase its fashion credentials. It may for example be provided with tassels or floral motif elements or the like.

Brief Description of the Drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the demountable auxiliary strap mounted to a sling-back stiletto/high heel shoe; Figure 2 is a plan view of one end of the demountable auxiliary strap of Figure 1 (the other end may be generally the same); and Figure 3 is a side elevation view of the demountable auxiliary strap end of Figure 2.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Referring to Figures 1 to 3, the illustrated embodiment of the accessory comprises an elasticized textile auxiliary ankle strap 1 that has a respective U-shaped hook element 2a, 2b at each end.

Each hook element 2a, 2b is of low profile and with rounded form and edges so that it is neither obtrusive nor risks scratching the wearer's heel or the shoe.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the right hand hook 2a passes behind the sling strap H of the shoe and hooks onto it. The hook 2a is shown as engaging the sling strap H on the inside face of the shoe/foot close to the shoe upper. It will generally slide a little up or down the strap H to a resting point. The auxiliary strap I is passed around the front of the wearer's ankle and the left hand hook 2b is engaged to the sling strap H on the outside face of the shoe/ foot. The elastication of the strap I provides it with sufficient play to suit a substantial range of foot sizes/ shapes.

If needs be, a length adjustment buckle or loop may be fitted at a point along the length of the auxiliary strap 1 to tighten or loosen it for optimal fit and comfort. This becomes more important if the auxiliary strap is not elasticized but rather is made of a material such as leather to better match the shoe aesthetic.

Furthermore, although not illustrated, the auxiliary strap I may be decorated with tassels or floral motif elements, geometric elements or the like as noted earlier.

The hooks may in other embodiments be replaced by clasps or clamps that fix around the sling strap or by Velcro tabs to wrap around the strap and fasten together and hold the auxiliary strap I to the sling strap H. With the accessory of the present invention many women will again be able to wear their ill-fitting unwearable sling back shoes that had lost hold to the heel at the sling strap through stretch or deformation of the strap or its stitching. The accessory can even be used to compensate to some extent for poorly chosen shoes that did not fully hold to the wearer even when first bought.

Claims

Claims 1. A sling back shoe accessory for addressing slippage of the sling strap of a sling-back shoe that comprises a demountable auxiliary strap that has a releasable fastener at each end to fasten to the sling strap and which is fitted to the shoe in use fastened at one end to the sling strap at one side of the heel passing forwardly around the user's ankle and fastened at the other end to the sling strap at the other side of the heel.
2. An accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap is elasticized to stretch to suit a range of foot sizes and provide comfort in use.
3. An accessory as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastenings each comprise a hook that hooks onto the sling strap.
4. An accessory as claimed in claim I or 2, wherein the fastenings each comprise a clip or clasp that fastens onto the sling strap.
5. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the strap has length adjustment means.
6. An accessory as claimed in claim 5, wherein the length adjustment means comprises a buckle or a loop.
7. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessory is provided with adornments.
8. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a sling-back shoe to which it is demountably mounted.
9. A method of addressing slippage of the sling strap of a sling-back shoe that comprises providing a demountable auxiliary strap that has a releasable fastener at each end to fasten to the sling strap and fitting it to the shoe fastening it at one end to the sling strap at one side of the heel, the auxiliary strap passing forwardly around the user's ankle, and fastening it at the other end to the sling strap at the other side of the heel. V 6Amendments to the claims have been filed as follows: Claims 1. A sling back shoe repair accessory for addressing slippage of the sling strap of a sling-back shoe wherein the repair accessory comprises a demountable auxiliary strap that has a releasable fastener at each end to S fasten to the sling strap and which is fitted to the shoe in use fastened at one end to the sting strap at one side of the heel passing forwardly around the user's ankle and fastened at the other end to the sling strap at the other side of the heel wherein the fastenings each comprise a hook that hooks onto the sling strap each side of the heel.2. A shoe repair accessory as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strap is elasticized to stretch to suit a range of foot sizes and provide comfort in *.S.* *. use. ** U S...3. A shoe repair accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein *::: the strap has length adjustment means.4. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the accessory is provided with adornments.5. An accessory as claimed in any preceding claim in combination with a sling-back shoe to which it is demountably mounted.6. A method of remedying slippage of the sling strap of a sling-back shoe that comprises providing a demountable auxiliary strap that has a releasable fastener comprising a hook at each end to hook onto the sling strap and fitting it to the shoe hooking it at one end to the sling strap at one side of the heel, the auxiliary strap passing forwardly around the user's ankle, and hooking it at the other end to the sling strap at the other side of the heel.