GB2616314A - Securing attachment for footwear - Google Patents

Securing attachment for footwear Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2616314A
GB2616314A GB2203059.7A GB202203059A GB2616314A GB 2616314 A GB2616314 A GB 2616314A GB 202203059 A GB202203059 A GB 202203059A GB 2616314 A GB2616314 A GB 2616314A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
strap
footwear
detachable
operable
clip
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB2203059.7A
Other versions
GB202203059D0 (en
Inventor
Atkinson Ana
Cox Christian
Denton Camilla
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Turtle Clips Ltd
Original Assignee
Turtle Clips Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Turtle Clips Ltd filed Critical Turtle Clips Ltd
Priority to GB2203059.7A priority Critical patent/GB2616314A/en
Publication of GB202203059D0 publication Critical patent/GB202203059D0/en
Publication of GB2616314A publication Critical patent/GB2616314A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/0036—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design
    • A43B3/0078—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use characterised by a special shape or design provided with logos, letters, signatures or the like decoration
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/10—Low shoes, e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/10—Low shoes, e.g. comprising only a front strap; Slippers
    • A43B3/101—Slippers, e.g. flip-flops or thong sandals
    • A43B3/102—Slippers, e.g. flip-flops or thong sandals leaving the heel of the foot bare 
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/12—Sandals; Strap guides thereon
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/12—Sandals; Strap guides thereon
    • A43B3/122—Sandals; Strap guides thereon characterised by the attachment of the straps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/12—Sandals; Strap guides thereon
    • A43B3/126—Sandals; Strap guides thereon characterised by the shape or layout of the straps
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
    • A43C11/004—Fastenings fixed along the upper edges of the uppers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
    • A43C11/14—Clamp fastenings, e.g. strap fastenings; Clamp-buckle fastenings; Fastenings with toggle levers
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
    • A43C11/14—Clamp fastenings, e.g. strap fastenings; Clamp-buckle fastenings; Fastenings with toggle levers
    • A43C11/1406—Fastenings with toggle levers; Equipment therefor
    • A43C11/146—Fastenings with toggle levers with adjustment means provided for on the strap, e.g. ratchet strap
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43C—FASTENINGS OR ATTACHMENTS OF FOOTWEAR; LACES IN GENERAL
    • A43C11/00—Other fastenings specially adapted for shoes
    • A43C11/24—Ornamental buckles or other ornaments for shoes, with fastening function

Landscapes

  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)

Abstract

A detachable strap 100 for footwear, particularly flip-flops 200, comprising a strap portion 110 having first and second ends each comprising a fastener 120 operable to be detachably secured to a strap of the footwear. Decorative elements 130 may be provided at the first and second ends. The strap may be operable to be positioned around a heel of a wearer of the footwear. The fasteners may comprise interference-fit means (520, fig.5) or male and female removable fasteners (920, fig.9). The strap may comprise a loop (670, fig.6) for handling via a wearer’s finger, and a toggle (720, fig.7) to adjust the length of the strap portion.

Description

SECURING ATTACHMENT FOR FOOTWEAR
Field
The present invention relates to a strap to secure footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to a removable strap for footwear that also enables the decoration of footwear while more securely attaching the footwear.
Background
Footwear, such as flip flops, are convenient as they are simple to put on however this simplicity also means that such footwear is not as securely fastened to a wearer's foot. As a result, it is a frequent occurrence that footwear that is quick and simple to put on by a wearer can become accidentally detached from the wearer's foot.
As a result, unintentionally lost footwear contributes to a significant amount of waste when, for example, footwear (such as flip flops) becomes detached from a wearer's foot and is not recovered -such as when the wearer loses the footwear while travelling on a boat or while walking in tidal water that can carry the lost footwear off to sea.
In combination with this, convenient footwear such as flip flops are typically made from plastics and thus, when lost, contributes to the plastic pollution of the oceans as plastics can take a very long time to decompose naturally.
Summary of Invention
Aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide an apparatus to more securely fasten footwear to a wearer, especially convenience footwear such as flip flops.
According to a first aspect, there is provided a detachable strap for footwear comprising a strap portion, the strap portion having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends each comprising a fastener, each fastener operable to be detachably secured to a strap of the footwear. Optionally the footwear comprises flip flops. Optionally wherein each fastener is operable to be detachably secured to a different portion of the strap of the footwear such that the strap is operable to be positioned around a heel portion of a wearer of the footwear. Providing a detachable strap can allow footwear to be more securely attached to a wearer, for example footwear such as flip flops can be more securely attached to a foot of a wearer. In particular, for example, a detachable strap can be used to fasten footwear more securely around the heel of a wearer.
Optionally the detachable strap further comprises a plurality of decorative elements, at least one of the plurality of decorative elements provided on the detachable strap. Optionally each of the first end and the second end are provided with said at least one of the plurality of decorative elements.
Providing decorative elements can allow a user to personalise their footwear.
Optionally the fasteners comprise interference-fit means operable to hold the strap of the footwear in an interference fit. Optionally the fasteners comprise a male fastener and a female fastener operable to removably fasten together.
Different securing mechanisms can be provided to secure the detachable strap to the 10 footwear.
Optionally the detachable strap further comprises a loop. Optionally the detachable strap further comprises an adjustable toggle operable to adjust the length of the strap portion.
Providing a loop can allow a user to more easily carry the footwear or strap and/or can allow a wearer to adjust the position of the strap when fitted to footwear. Providing a adjustable toggle can allow a wearer to adjust the length of the detachable strap and thus the fit of the adjustable strap and optionally can allow a smaller or larger loop to be formed.
According to a second aspect, there is provided footwear comprising the detachable strap of any preceding aspect and/or embodiment.
Brief Description of Drawincis
Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a detachable securing strap according to a first embodiment; Figure 2 shows the detachable securing strap of Figure 1 mounted on to a flip flop according to a first embodiment; Figure 3 shows a top view of the detachable securing strap shown in Figures 1 and 2 and according to a first embodiment; Figure 4 shows an underneath view of the detachable securing strap shown in Figures 1 to 3 and according to a first embodiment; Figure 5 shows the grip fit mechanism of the detachable strap of the first embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4; Figure 6 shows an alternative detachable securing strap mounted on a flip flop according to a second embodiment, having a loop provided on the strap; Figure 7 shows a further alternative detachable securing strap according to a third embodiment, having an adjustable strap size; Figure 8 shows the fastening mechanism of the further alternative detachable securing strap according to a third embodiment and as shown in Figure 7; and Figure 9 shows another alternative detachable strap according to a fourth embodiment.
Specific Description
Referring to Figures 1 to 5, a first embodiment will now be described in further detail with reference to each of Figures 1 to 5 in turn.
Referring first to Figure 1, a detachable securing strap 100 will now be described in o more detail.
The strap 100 is made up from a strap 110 having an attachment clip 120 at each end of the strap 110, and the attachment clips 120 have provided upon them a decoration 130. In this embodiment the decorations 130 are turtle characters and are fixed to the outside surface of the attachment clips 120.
In other embodiments, the decorations 130 may be other characters or types of decoration. In other embodiments, the decorations 130 may be removable to allow for different version of the decorations 130 to be attached.
The strap 110 can be installed on footwear such as flip flops by attaching the attachment clips 120 to the straps of the flip flop, allowing the strap 110 to pass around the back of the heel of a wearer, more securely fastening the footwear to a wearer's foot.
In this embodiment the strap 110 is made from thermoplastic polyurethane as this allows the strap to be fully recyclable. In other embodiments, the strap 110 can be made from other suitable materials such as other types of polyurethane, silicone, rubber, plastic, leather or similar materials.
Referring to Figure 2, the strap installed on a flip flop 200 will now be described in more detail below.
The strap 110, as shown in Figure 1, is installed on a flip flop having a flip flop base 210 with a toe post 220 and flip flop strap 230. As shown in Figure 2, the attachment clip 120 is attached to the flip flap strap 230 such that the strap 110 is positioned around the heel of the wearer's foot when the flip flop is worn and the decorations 130 are located facing outwards from the wearer's foot. Due to the use of the attachment clips 120, the strap 110 is removable from the flip flop strap 230.
Referring to Figure 3, the detachable securing strap 300 is shown from a "top view" or "outer-facing surface view", showing the outer-facing surface of the strap (when installed) and will be described in more detail below.
The outer-facing surface of the strap 110 in this embodiment is provided with a contoured surface and no branding. In other embodiments, the surface of the strap can be provided with branding if desired. In other embodiments, no contouring may be provided on the surface of the strap 110.
The decorations 130 are shown at both ends of the strap 110, provided on the outer-facing surface of the strap (when installed), and are fixed in position to the strap 110. As mentioned above, in other embodiments the decorations 130 can be removable and exchangeable for alternative decorations.
Referring to Figure 4, the detachable securing strap 400 is shown from an "underneath view" or "inside-facing surface view", showing the inside-facing surface of the strap (when installed) and will be described in more detail below.
Again, the decorations 130 are shown at both ends of the strap 110, provided on the outer-facing surface of the strap (when installed), and are fixed in position to the strap 110. The attachment clips 120 are positioned underneath the decoration 130.
The inside-facing surface of the strap 110 in this embodiment is provided with a non-contoured surface and is provided with branding. In other embodiments, contouring may be provided and/or no branding may be present. In further embodiments, branding may be present in alternative locations on the strap.
Referring to Figure 5, the attachment clip 500 is shown and will be described in more detail below.
In this embodiment, a friction grip 520 attachment means is provided, having a U-shaped clip provided at the end of the strap 510. The U-shaped clip is provided with two sets of teeth facing each other on the inside surface of the U-shaped clip. The two sets of teeth are formed from silicone. The U-shaped clip is able to be expanded to allow a flip flop strap to be inserted into the inner portion of the clip, but is biased to return to the U-shape shown in the Figure thus holding the flip flop strap between the two sets of teeth within the U-shaped clip.
The U-shaped clip is made from plastic in this embodiment, but in other embodiments may be made from metal or other relatively stiff materials.
Referring to Figure 6, a second embodiment of the detachable strap attached to a flip flop 600 is shown and will be described in more detail below.
In this embodiment, again a standard flip flop is provided having a flip flop base 610, a toe post 620, and a flip flop strap 630. The strap 640 is provided with attachment clips 650 and co-located decorations 660 on the outside-facing surface of the strap 640 (when installed, as shown). The strap 640 is also provided with an integrated loop 670 allowing a finger to be inserted into the loop to allow for adjustment of the position of the strap by the wearer among other uses.
Referring to Figure 7, a third embodiment of the detachable strap 700 is shown and will be described in more detail below.
In this embodiment, the strap 710 is provided with a toggle 720, which is an adjustable fastener 720, creating a loop 730 with the excess strap 710 that extends from the outer facing portion of the toggle 720.
Referring to Figure 8, the toggle 800 of the third embodiment of the detachable strap is shown and will be described in more detail below.
In this embodiment, the strap 810 is provided with a toggle 820, which is an adjustable fastener, creating a loop with the excess strap 810 that extends from the outer facing portion of the toggle 820. The toggle 820 is provided with a button 830 that releases the strap 810 to allow adjustment of the position at which the toggle 820 holds the strap 810 (and thus the size of the loop and the fit of the strap 810 on the wearer).
Referring to Figure 9, a fourth embodiment of the detachable strap is shown and will be described in more detail below.
The strap 910 is provided with a clip 920 at each end. On each clip 920 there is provided a decoration 930 that is positioned to face outwards when installed on a flip flop.
The clips 920 are shown in an unfastened 920a and fastened 920b state. The clip 920 is provided as a U-shaped clip that can be positioned such that a strap of a flip flop fits within the clip and, when the clip 920 is in its fastened state 920b, it holds the strap of the flip flop within the clip 920b. In some embodiments, the clip in the fastened state 920b exerts a friction grip upon the strap of the flip flop and this prevents movement of the clip along the strap of the flip flop. In other embodiments, the clip in the fastened state 920b allows the clip to move along the strap of the flip flop but prevents the detachable strap 900 from detaching from the flip flop strap unless the clip is unfastened 920a.
The clips 920 are formed as relatively stiff plastic U-shaped portions made from nylon bonded to the strap 910, as this material allows the clips 920 to be sufficiently hard/stiff and to be moulded into the required U-shape, while the strap made from thermoplastic polyurethane.
The clips 920 are manufactured in a mould and then bonded to the strap 910. In other embodiments different materials may be used where the clip is sufficiently rigid to enclose the flip flop strap (or other footwear strap) to retain the strap to the footwear.
The clips 920 are provided with mating male and female protrusions on the inside faces of the U-shaped clip that mate together when the clip is closed to fasten the clip 920b. In this embodiment the male clip portion is formed as a substantially perpendicular planar protrusion having a bulbous end portion, the bulbous end portion mating with the female clip portion and the female clip portion formed as a substantially elongate C-shaped protrusion, the C-shaped protrusion mating with the bulbous end portion of the male clip portion. In other embodiments, other fastening arrangements are possible such as poppers, Velcro, magnets, or similar fasteners.
Any system feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.
Any feature in one aspect may be applied to other aspects, in any appropriate combination. In particular, method aspects may be applied to system aspects, and vice versa.
Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.
It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently.

Claims (10)

  1. CLAIMS: 1. A detachable strap for footwear comprising a strap portion, the strap portion having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends each comprising a fastener, each fastener operable to be detachably secured to a strap of the footwear.
  2. 2. The detachable strap of any preceding claim, further comprising a plurality of decorative elements, at least one of the plurality of decorative elements provided on the detachable strap.
  3. 3. The detachable strap of claim 2 wherein each of the first end and the second end are provided with said at least one of the plurality of decorative elements.
  4. 4. The detachable strap of any preceding claim, wherein the footwear comprises flip flops.
  5. The detachable strap of any preceding claim, wherein each fastener is operable to be detachably secured to a different portion of the strap of the footwear such that the strap is operable to be positioned around a heel portion of a wearer of the footwear.
  6. 6. The detachable strap of any preceding claim, wherein the fasteners comprise interference-fit means operable to hold the strap of the footwear in an interference fit.
  7. 7. The detachable strap of any preceding claim, wherein the fasteners comprise a male fastener and a female fastener operable to removably fasten together.
  8. 8. The detachable strap of any preceding claim further comprising a loop.
  9. The detachable strap of any preceding claim further comprising an adjustable toggle operable to adjust the length of the strap portion.
  10. 10. Footwear comprising the detachable strap of any preceding claim.
GB2203059.7A 2022-03-04 2022-03-04 Securing attachment for footwear Pending GB2616314A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2203059.7A GB2616314A (en) 2022-03-04 2022-03-04 Securing attachment for footwear

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB2203059.7A GB2616314A (en) 2022-03-04 2022-03-04 Securing attachment for footwear

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB202203059D0 GB202203059D0 (en) 2022-04-20
GB2616314A true GB2616314A (en) 2023-09-06

Family

ID=81175423

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB2203059.7A Pending GB2616314A (en) 2022-03-04 2022-03-04 Securing attachment for footwear

Country Status (1)

Country Link
GB (1) GB2616314A (en)

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202006018440U1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2007-03-22 Michaelis, Stephanie Heel strap for flip flop sandals fits detachably to sandal straps for heel support for safer driving
AU2009100013A4 (en) * 2009-01-06 2009-02-19 Campbell, Nicholas J Mr Shoe security strap an attachable/detachable shoe strap for securing womens shoes
ITPG20090032A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-25 Francesco Paolobello STOPPER ADJUSTABLE OPEN SHOES COMPOSED BY VELCRO AND METALLIC CLIPS.
US20180220744A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-09 Michael Manfredi Footwear retainer

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE202006018440U1 (en) * 2006-12-06 2007-03-22 Michaelis, Stephanie Heel strap for flip flop sandals fits detachably to sandal straps for heel support for safer driving
AU2009100013A4 (en) * 2009-01-06 2009-02-19 Campbell, Nicholas J Mr Shoe security strap an attachable/detachable shoe strap for securing womens shoes
ITPG20090032A1 (en) * 2009-06-24 2010-12-25 Francesco Paolobello STOPPER ADJUSTABLE OPEN SHOES COMPOSED BY VELCRO AND METALLIC CLIPS.
US20180220744A1 (en) * 2017-02-07 2018-08-09 Michael Manfredi Footwear retainer

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GB202203059D0 (en) 2022-04-20

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