GB2551354A

GB2551354A - Footwear securing device

Info

Publication number: GB2551354A
Application number: GB1610365.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Donnelly Sean; Agnes Rowan Sheila
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-06-15
Filing date: 2016-06-15
Publication date: 2017-12-20
Also published as: GB201610365D0

Abstract

An adhesive insert for footwear has adhesive applied to both sides so that the insert attaches to the inside of the footwear and to the wearers foot, sticking the foot to the footwear. The insert has at least one arm part 3 that attach to the inside of the upper of the footwear adjacent to the heel and engage the back and/or sides of the wearers heel. The insert also has a base part 5 that attaches to the inside of the sole of the footwear adjacent to the heel and engages the wearers heel. The arms and the base of the insert are connected by a neck part 4. The insert may be part of a kit with separate adhesive, which may be medical grade adhesive that may be applied by way of a tube container, an aerosol, a squirt bottle, a syringe or a brush.

Description

Device

Field of Invention

This invention relates to a method of securing footwear to a foot and to a device for securing footwear to a foot.

Background

Many people of all ages suffer and endure the irritation and discomfort of ill-fitting footwear.

It is a common problem caused by an array of issues including, but not limited to: discrepancy between the sizes of individuals’ left and right feet; variation in foot width; flat feet; irregular shoe size (e.g. halfsize); and temperature. These starting issues are exacerbated by differentials in footwear types and sizing norms between manufacturers. Furthermore, footwear commonly becomes stretched and looser over time.

The consequences of ill-fitting footwear include foot slipping, sliding and rubbing which, in turn, cause irritation, blisters, pain and even tripping. The present inventors have overcome these problems.

To overcome the global problem of ill-fitting footwear, the present invention proposes a series of footwear inserts which attach the footwear to the foot at the heel and across some or all of the sole.

Previous attempts to overcome said issues broadly fall into two categories: (a) Products that reduce space inside the shoe (e.g. insoles or heel grips) (b) Products that adhere a small area of the heel to the back of the shoe (such products are less common.)

Products in category (a) fail for a number of reasons. For example, insoles often do not reduce the space inside the shoe enough to stop the foot sliding, or quickly become squashed under the pressure of the foot. Heel grips rarely reduce space enough to stop foot sliding and often slip out of the shoe altogether.

Products in category (b) are also inadequate because adhering the footwear to the skin at the heel only is not enough to withstand the pressure of a repeatedly sliding foot, i.e. the surface area of the attachment is too small. This fault is compounded by unreliable means of attachment - such as Velcro - which are not suitable for purpose.

None of the above attempt to adhere footwear to the foot at the heel and sole.

Statement of invention

In a first aspect there is provided a device for adhering footwear to a foot comprising a first side and a second side, the first and second sides comprising at least one arm, a neck and a base; wherein each of the first and second sides is adhesive.

In a second aspect there is provided a method of adhering footwear to a foot comprising the steps: positioning a device according to the disclosure in the heel of the footwear such that the first side is in contact with the footwear, the at least one arm is wrapped around the upper rear of the heel and the base is positioned in the sole of the footwear.

In a third aspect there is provided use of a device according to the disclosure to adhere footwear to a foot.

In a fourth aspect there is provided a kit of parts comprising a device for adhering footwear to a foot comprising a first side and a second side, the first and second sides comprising at least one arm, a neck and a base and a separate adhesive for application to said device.

Figures

Examples of the invention will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 shows one example of loose fitting footwear, where space at the back of a high heel [1] allows the foot to slide inside the shoe.

Figure 2 demonstrates the action of foot slipping, with a foot sliding forward, up and out of a high heel shoe whilst walking [2]

Figure 3 shows a potential shape for the insert with 'arms' [3] that wrap around the upper rear of the heel beneath and behind the ankles, a 'neck' [4] which runs up the middle of the heel and a 'base' [5] that sits at the sole of the foot.

Figure 4 shows figure 3 with examples of potential measurements.

Figure 5 shows a 3D drawing of figure 3, demonstrating the way the 'arms' [3] wrap around the upper rear of the heel.

Figure 6 shows how the insert drawn in figures 3-5 would look in different types of footwear. Note how the 'arms' [3] wrap around the upper rear of the heel area.

Figures 7-14 show a range of additional shapes that the insert could take. These could be used individually or combined to cover more of the foot and footwear. The insert can cover several areas of the foot including the ball of the foot/footwear [6], a large area of the sole [7] and/or the sides of the foot/footwear [8]. Feature number [9] is a potential fitting aid. They are 'dry spots' which do not comprise adhesive therefore do not attach to the foot/footwear and therefore ease fitting.

Figure 15 shows a separate method of attaching footwear to the foot in which a medical grade adhesive (such as PU) is applied directly to the footwear and/or foot (circumventing the need for any insert). The adhesive could be applied by a number of means, including but not limited to the following: o Figure 15a shows the medical grade adhesive being applied via a squirt bottle o Figure 15b shows the medical grade adhesive being applied via an aerosol can o Figure 15c shows the medical grade adhesive being applied via a tube o Figure 15d shows the medical grade adhesive being applied via a syringe

The device itself could be made from any suitable soft, malleable/stretchy material. Including but not limited to: plastics including polyurethane (PU), rubber, silicone, canvas or other woven fabric, paper or sponge.

The device be transparent or any colour, including patterned.

The device comprises at least one arm. As employed herein at least one arm refers to the part of the device which, in use, is in contact with the heel of the foot below the ankle. That is, not the part of the heel that comprises part of the sole of the foot.

The arm or arms are approximately 20 to 160 mm in width. By width is meant the largest dimension of the arm(s) that wraps approximately horizontally around the rear upper heel area of the foot.

The arm or arms are approximately 5 to 60 mm long. By length is meant the vertical dimension of the arm(s) in use.

The device comprises a neck. As employed herein the neck refers to a narrowed part of the device that connect the arm(s) and the body. The neck is approximately 3 to 50 mm wide and approximately 10 to 80 mm long.

The device comprises a base. As employed herein the base refers to the part of the device that is in contact with the sole of the foot in use.

The base is approximately 5 to 80 mm wide and approximately 5 to 180 mm long.

The device is typically approximately 0.001mm to approximately 7.5mm deep. The depth of the device refers to the thickness.

The insert will attach to the footwear and foot by means such as an adhesive, such as a medical grade adhesive for example of the type manufactured by Henkel, DSM, Loctite or Panacol, (e.g. PU adhesive), double-sided sticky tape or other.

The device features a first side and a second side. By first side is meant the side of the device that is in contact with the footwear in use. By second side is meant the side that is in contact with the foot in use. In some embodiments the first and second sides are essentially identical.

In one embodiment the edges of the device are beveled. Advantageously, this provides a smoother transition between the footwear and the device.

The insert can be made in various shapes, as shown in figures 3-14 but preferable features are "arms” [3] that wrap around the upper rear heel area as demonstrated in figure 6; a "neck" that runs up the centre of the heel in the direction of the achilles [4] and a base [5] which sits at the base of the foot, beneath the achilles.

An optional feature is ‘dry spots’ [9] which are areas that do not attach to the foot or footwear, in order to ease the fitting process.

In one embodiment the second side comprises at least one dry spot. By dry spot is meant an area wherein there is no adhesive.

Typically at least approximately 50% of the first and second sides comprise adhesive, such as at least 60, 70 80, 90 or 100% of the first and second sides.

Alternatively, a medical grade adhesive maybe applied to the shoe and/or foot directly, circumventing the need for a physical insert. It could be applied directly from a squirt bottle, aerosol can, tube or syringe [as shown in figure 15a - 15d), or by other means such as a brush.

Advantages

Unlike any existing solution, the present invention attaches the footwear to the foot at the heel and sole which provides the following advantages: A very strong and secure bond between the foot and footwear. As the foot can no longer move/slide inside the footwear, it significantly reduces the risk of rubbing, slipping, blisters, soreness, irritation and tripping.

Greater bonding between the foot and footwear because the footwear is adhered to the foot across a significantly greater surface area than existing products

An individual’s weight reinforces the bond provided by the invention because their weight pushes down through the sole of the foot, on to the insert which provides attachment to the shoe. As the foot holds the ‘base’ [5] of the insert in place and is preferably attached to the ‘arms’ [3] via the ‘neck’ [4], the insert cannot fall out of the footwear (a problem noted in category A)

Some individuals are forced to wear only footwear with laces or straps because their feet size/shape causes most footwear to fit them poorly. The present invention would allow said individuals to wear other footwear types and consequently act as a sales aid for shoe stores. It is therefore a commercial benefit for the footwear industry as a whole.

The proposed invention is transferable, washable, reusable and extremely durable. Many previous solutions to this problem have a very limited lifespan [many just single use only). The proposed invention is therefore more cost-effective to users and less damaging to the environment.

Preferably, the insert has features which aid fitting, such as ‘dry spots’ [figure 9) or air holes which are not sticky or used for any bonding purposes. These areas aid fitting because they do not bond to the fingers.

In the liquid/gel/gas form shown in figure 15, users simply apply a medical adhesive directly to the foot and/or footwear allowing for faster preparation and removing the need for any physical insert at all.

Claims

1. A device for adhering footwear to a foot comprising a first side and a second side, the first and second sides comprising at least one arm, a neck and a base; wherein each of the first and second sides is adhesive.

2. The device according to claim 1 wherein the adhesive covers at least 50% of each of the first and second sides.

3. The device according to claim 2 wherein the adhesive covers at least 80% of each of the first and second sides.

4. The device according to any preceding claim further comprising at least one dry spot on the second side.

5. The device according to any preceding claim wherein the device is manufactured from polyurethane.

6. The device according to any preceding claim wherein the arms are approximately 32mm wide by 102mm long.

7. The device according to any preceding claim wherein the neck is approximately 20mm wide by 25mm long.

8. The device according to any preceding claim wherein the base is approximately 52mm wide by 60mm long.

9. A method of adhering footwear to a foot comprising the steps: positioning a device according any one of claims 1 to 7 in the heel of the footwear such that the first side is in contact with the footwear, the at least one arm is positioned around the upper rear of the heel and the base is positioned in the sole of the footwear.

10. Use of a device according and one of claims 1 to 7 to adhere footwear to a foot.

11. A kit of parts comprising a device for adhering footwear to a foot comprising a first side and a second side, the first and second sides comprising at least one arm, a neck and a base and a separate adhesive for application to said device.

12. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to foot, housed in and applied via a tube container.

13. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to foot, housed in and applied via an aerosol can.

14. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to foot, housed in and applied via a squirt bottle.

15. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to foot, housed in and applied via a syringe.

16. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to foot, housed in a plastic pot and applied via a brush.

17. Use of medical grade adhesive to attach footwear to a foot.