GB2527042A

GB2527042A - Improvements relating to shoe accessories

Info

Publication number: GB2527042A
Application number: GB1410183.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jacqueline Anne Howard
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-06-09
Filing date: 2014-06-09
Publication date: 2015-12-16
Also published as: GB201410183D0

Abstract

A fastener kit for releasably attaching an anklet strap or bangle 3 to the upper heel 5 of a shoe 1, the kit comprising or including first fastener means 7 for attachment to the inside heel of a shoe and second fastener means 4 for releasable attachment at one end to the first fastener means and releasable attachment at the other end to an anklet strap or bangle, the arrangement being such that after the first fastener means has been attached to the inside heel of the shoe the second fastener means can be releasably attached at one end the first fastener means whereafter an ankle strap or bangle can be attached to the other end of the second fastener means.

Description

Intellectual Property Office Application No. GB1410183.6 RTTVT Date:27November 2014 The following terms are registered trade marks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Velcro Intellectual Property Office is an operating name of the Patent Office www.ipo.govuk

IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO SHOE ACCESSORIES

This invention relates to outer footwear particularly but not exclusively to s ladies and children's shoes.

Ladies shoes can be particularly elegant and often comprise a heel at the rear that is higher than the front portion of the shoe in order to exaggerate the height of the wearer of the shoe and the length of leg. Such elegance can be enhanced by the presence of a strap around the ankle of the wearer, the ia anklet strap being incorporated into the shoe by being fixed to and extending from an upper part of the heel. An alternative to such an arrangement is the wearing of a bangle around the ankle in this region. Both enhancements add to the desired aesthetic effect. However, particularly in the case of anklet straps incorporated into shoes it will be apparent that they increase the complexity of is manufacture and hence ultimate end-user cost to the wearer, and they limit the use of the shoe to special occasions, whereas shoes for normal use do not require anklet straps but may otherwise be suitable for wear at such special occasions, such as for evening wear. Additionally, where a range of strapless shoes is owned for general use, perhaps in a range of favourite colours, it will be apparent that a corresponding such range of anklet strapped shoes is required for special events, leading to increased expense for the user of the n..

shoes and an increased storage requirement.

* The present invention is derived from the realisation that strapless shoes can :. be adapted for use with anklet straps and other ankle adornments such as * "25 bangles in a way which allows the shoes to be used for special occasions where an anklet strap or bangle can be releasably attached thereto.

According to the invention there is provided a fastener kit for releasably attaching an anklet strap or bangle to the upper heel of a shoe, the kit comprising or including first fastener means for attachment to the inside heel of the shoe and second fastener means for releasable attachment at one end to the first fastener means and releasable attachment at the other end to an anklet strap or bangle, the arrangement being such that after the first fastener means has been attached to the inside heel of the shoe the second fastener means can be releasably attached at one end to the first fastener means whereafter an ankle strap or bangle can be attached to the other end of the second fastener means.

Conveniently, the first fastener means includes or comprises a flexible substrate such as fabric having an adhesive coating on one side for fastening the substrate to the inside of the heel of a shoe and one or more patches of Velcro fasteners on the other side co-operable with corresponding Velcro s fasteners on one end of the second fastener means whereby the second fastener means may be releasably attached to the first fastener means at that end and releasably attached to a strap or bangle at its other end, such as by being in the form of a closed loop through which the strap or bangle may be threaded, or a clip for releasably capturing the strap or bangle.

The first fastener means may comprise a pair of Velcro fastener patches separated by a smooth substrate such that each Velcro patch is positionable to either side of the Achilles tendon portion of the heel of the shoe, with the second fastener means being bifurcated at one end to provide corresponding patches of Velcro for attachment to the first fastener means. This arrangement is minimizes any discomfort for the wearer of the shoe which may otherwise be caused by the Achilles tendon part of the foot rubbing against the Velcro patches.

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a side view of shoe and associated anklet strap attached thereto and around the ankle of the wearer of the shoe: Figure 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of fastener kit for releasably securing the strap to the shoe as shown in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a front view of part of the inside heel of the shoe of Figure 1 * "zs showing part of the fastener kit of Figure 2 in its assembled condition, Figure 4is a front view of the first embodiment of fastener kit, : Figure 5 is a front view of a second embodiment of fastener kit, and S.....

Figure 6 is a front view of a third embodiment of fastener kit.

Referring firstly to Figure 1, a ladies shoe 1 is shown occupied by part of a ladies foot and ankle 2 around which is releasably secured an anklet strap 3 itself releasably secured to the shoe 1 by means of a fabric 1oop 4 extending above the heel portion 5 of the shoe 1.

As shown in Figures 2 -4, the fabric loop 4 forms part of a second fastener means shown generally at 6 co-operable with a first fastener means 7 in the form of a fabric patch 8 covered on one side with Velcro hoops 9 and on the other side by adhesive (not shown) by which the patch 8 may be secured to s the inside heel part 5 of the shoe of Figure 1 in a position corresponding to the Achilles tendon of the wearer of the shoe. The second fastener means 6 has on one side a corresponding patch of Velcro hooks lOso that it may be releasably fastened to the Velcro hoops 9 of the first fastener means 7 in the event that a wearer of the shoe 1 wishes to wear an anklet bracelet 3 or bangle or any other form of temporary adornment for the ankle. If so, the chosen adornment is threaded through the loop 4, but when the second fastener means 6 is not in use, even though the Velcro hoops 9 are exposed on the inner surface of the heel parts of the shoe 1, the shoe 1 can still be comfortably worn. Hence, the invention provides an elegantly simple way of converting a shoe for one type for everyday wear to another type for special occasions where an anklet strap, bangle or other type of ankle adornment can be selected as required.

Figures 5 and 6 show alternative embodiments of first and second fastener means 6a,6b and 7a,7b where each includes matching pairs of Velcro hoops 9 and Velcro hooks 10, each separated by plain areas of fabric.

In Figure 5 the fabric loop 4a is shown connected at each end to a pair of patches of Velcro hooks 10 connected therebetween by a flexible spacer 11, which may also be of fabric. Similarly, the first fastener means 7a has a pair of Velcro hoops 9 connected by a flexible spacer 12. This arrangement allows for the respective pairs of Velcro hoops and hooks 9,10 to be positioned to lie r":25 either side of the Achilles tendon part of the heel portions of the shoe 1, thereby increasing the strength of connection between the first and second : *** fastener 6a, 7a and reducing the likelihood of the Achilles tendon part of the foot of the wearer being made uncomfortable by the presence otherwise of : * two stacks of Velcro fastener pads and their attendant substrates.

In Figure 6 the first fastener means 7b is identical to that shown in FigureS but the second fastener means 6b this time includes a centrally disposed looped ribbon of fabric 4b secured between respectively opposite pads of Velcro hooks 10 so that, in use, the looped fabric 4b follows the line of the Achilles tendon and emerges at the top of the heel of the shoe 1 when required for the purposes of securing an anklet strap etc. to the shoe.

In all three embodiments of the invention described it will be appreciated that when each of the fabric loop 4, 4a and 4b are not being used to support an anklet strap or bangle, they may simply be removed, or folded down out of sight.

Although the loop portions 4, 4a and 4b of the second fastener means are shown in the form of a ribbon of fabric it will be understood that it may instead S take any convenient form including that of a fine cord or chain. Similarly, although Velcro fasteners are found to be particularly convenient for use with the invention other kinds of releasable fasteners may be used including hooks and eyes. * * * * * *** ** * * * **. *

****** * *

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A fastener kit for releasably attaching an anklet strap or bangle to the upper heel of a shoe, the kit comprising or including first fastener means for attachment to the inside heel of the shoe and second fastener means for s releasable attachment at one end to the first fastener means and releasable attachment at the other end to an anklet strap or bangle, the arrangement being such that after the first fastener means has been attached to the inside heel of the shoe the second fastener means can be releasably attached at one end the first fastener means whereafter an ankle strap or bangle can be attached to the other end of the second fastener means.
2. A fastener kit according to claim 1 wherein the first fastener means comprises or includes one or more patches of flexible substrate have on one side an adhesive for affixing the or each substrate to the inside heel portion of a shoe and Velcro fasteners on the opposite side of the substrate releasably is connectable to Velcro fasteners on the or each second fastener means.
3. A fastener kit according to claim 1 wherein the first and second fastener means include hooks and eyes co-operable to releasably connect together.
4. A fastener kit wherein the first and second fastener means include matching pairs of Velcro fasteners or hooks and eyes adapted to be disposed on either zo side of the Achilles heel portion of the inside heel of a shoe. tee.
5. A fastener kit according to claim 4 wherein the first fastener means includes a closed loop having ends extending one of the pairs of fasteners of the second fastener means to the other of said pair.
6. A fastener kit according to claim 4 wherein the first fastener means includes a closed loop having ends extending between the pairs of fasteners of the second fastener means.
7. A fastener kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1-4, or 5 or 6.Amendments to the claims has been made as follows CLAIMS: 1. A fastener kit for releasably attaching an anklet strap or bangle to the upper heel of a shoe, the kit comprising or including first fastener means for attachment to the inside heel of the shoe and second fastener means for releasable attachment at one end to the first fastener means and releasable attachment at the other end to an anklet strap or bangle, the first and second fastener means including matching pairs of Velcro fasteners or hooks and eyes adapted to be disposed on either side of the achilles heel portion of the inside heel of the shoe, the arrangement being such that after the first fastener means has been attached to the inside heel of the shoe the second fastener means can be releasably attached at one end to the first fastener means whereafter an ankle strap or bangle can be releasably attached to the other end of the second fastener means.2. A fastener kit according to Claim 1 wherein the first fastener means includes adhesive for affixing each pair of Velcro fasteners or hooks and eyes on the inside heel of a shoe on either side of the achilles heel portion of the heel of the shoe.* .. 3. A fastener kit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein, in use, the second fastener means includes a closed loop having ends extending from one of the pairs of * * fasteners of the first fastener means to the other of said pair. ** *4. A fastener kit according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the second fastener *.* means includes a closed loop having ends extending between the pairs of fasteners of the second fasteners. * * * *.. ** *5. A fastener kit substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 5 or Figure 6.