GB2533349A

GB2533349A - Footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2533349A
Application number: GB1422513.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Smith Robert
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-12-17
Filing date: 2014-12-17
Publication date: 2016-06-22

Abstract

A boot comprising a foot portion 10, a leg portion 11 and a duct 13 extending upwardly from the foot portion, the duct having a lower end in communication with the interior of the foot portion. The duct or channel may have an upper end which terminates at the upper edge of the leg portion, and may have a closure (15, fig.3) at its upper end. The duct may extend upwardly from the rear of the foot portion, along the interior or exterior of the leg portion, or within the leg portion itself. The duct preferably ends at a point 14 adjacent the sole of the foot portion. The leg and foot portions are preferably formed as a one piece moulding of elastomeric or flexible plastics material. The duct allows the flow of air in the foot area of the boot.

Description

FOOTWEAR

This invention relates to footwear and more particularly but not solely to footwear in the form of boots.

Boots are type of footwear which cover the wearer's foot and ankle and extend up the leg, sometimes as far as the knee or hip.

A problem with boots, particularly tight fitting boots, is that air can become trapped between the underside of the foot and the bottom of the boot, thereby making it difficult for the wearer to both don and remove their boots.

I have now devised an improved kind of footwear which alleviates the above-mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a boot comprising a foot portion, an upstanding tubular leg portion and a duct extending upwardly from the foot portion, the duct having a lower end which communicates with the interior of the foot portion.

In use, the duct allows trapped air to escape from the foot portion when the wearer's foot is inserted into the boot. The duct also allows air into the foot portion as the wearer is removing their foot from the boot. In this manner, the above-mentioned problem is avoided.

Preferably the tubular leg portion comprises an upper edge, the duct having an upper end which terminates at or adjacent said upper edge.

Preferably a closure is provided for closing said upper end of the duct when the boot is being worn, so as to avoid any risk of water ingress.

The duct may extend upwardly along the tubular leg portion either internally or externally of its side wall. However, in a preferred embodiment, the duct extends inside the side wall itself.

Preferably the duct extends through an enlarged region of the side wail of the leg portion.

Preferably the duct extends upwardly from the rear of the foot portion and along the rear of the tubular leg portion.

Preferably the lower end of the duct communicates with the interior of the foot portion at a point adjacent the upper surface of an inner sole of the foot portion.

Preferably the leg and foot portions are formed as a one-piece moulding of flexible plastics or elastomeric material.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of examples only and with reference to accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a wellington boot in accordance with the present invention, with some internal parts being shown in outline; Figure 2 is a front view of the internal lower rear wall of the boot of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of the rear upper end of an alternative embodiment of wellington boot in accordance with the present invention.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a wellington boot comprising a one-piece body formed of moulded elastomeric material. The body comprises a foot portion 10 and an upstanding tubular leg portion it The side wall of the body of the boot comprises an enlarged or thickened region 12, which extends longitudinally of the rear of the boot. An elongate duct 13 extends longitudinally of the enlarged wall portion 12 from the upper edge of the leg portion 11. The lower end of the duct 13 extends inwardly to an opening 14 located at the rear of the boot adjacent the inner sole 15 thereof.

In use, air is able to escape from the boot through the duct 13 as the wearer inserts his or her foot into the boot. Correspondingly, air is able to re-enter the boot through the duct 13 as the wearer removes his or her foot.

Referring to Figure 3 of the drawings, in an alternative embodiment a plug 15 is provided for closing the upper end of the duct 13, in order to prevent water and foreign objects entering the duct 13 whilst it is being worn. The plug 15 may be moulded together with the body of the boot and may be connected thereto by a tether 16.

A boot in accordance with the present invention is simple and inexpensive in construction, yet can easily be donned or removed by the wearer.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A boot comprising a foot portion, an upstanding tubular leg portion and a duct extending upwardly from the foot portion, the duct having a lower end which communicates with the interior of the foot portion.
2. A boot according to Claim 1, wherein the tubular leg portion comprises an upper edge, the duct having an upper end which terminates at or adjacent said upper edge.
3. A boot according to Claim 2, wherein a closure is provided for closing said upper end of the duct.
4. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the duct extends upwardly along the tubular leg portion internally of its side wall.
5. A boot according to any of Claims 1 to 3 wherein the duct extends upwardly along the tubular leg portion externally of its side wall.
6. A boot according to Claim 4, wherein the duct extends inside the side wall itself.
7. A boot according to Claim 6, wherein the duct extends through an enlarged region of the side wall of the leg portion.
8. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the duct extends upwardly from the rear of the foot portion and along the rear of the tubular leg portion.
9. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the lower end of the duct communicates with the interior of the foot portion at a point adjacent the upper surface of an inner sole of the foot portion.
10. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg and foot portions are formed as a one-piece moulding of flexible plastic.
11. A boot according to any preceding claim, wherein the leg and foot portions are formed as a one-piece moulding of elastomeric material.
12. A boot as substantially hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 3.