US2945310A - Footwear - Google Patents

Description

July 19, 1960 B. LEVINE FOOTWEAR Filed Jan. .27. 1958 a I\"IIIII I BETH LEVINE INVENTOR- ATTORNEY United States Patent Patented July 19, 1960 I :--F.00TWEAR- .ITBethLevine,59 W.,12 th%St., New York, NY.

Filed Jan 27, 1958,Ser. No. 711,261 '3. Claims. (Cl.'36- -11.5)

I hisfinventionreflate to-an improved-construction for fo wean-and moreparticiilarly to the'type of footwear fwhich iitilizes -straps to'fsecurethe foot' to' the "shoe. I

In corivehtional'lfootwear of' t'he type'to which this infv ention relates the curing strapsptilized are attached h endsfto the o 'osite sides of" the 'sho'e n e M v and extend transverslyacross the shoe. The foot inserted between insole iand'theistrap and is thereby afiixed to the shoe?- There are various adverse; effects" from this type struction; Inasmuch'asfthe straps restrict',jmoveme nt "of"foot relative totheshbe by frictionalengagementjwith 'the top of'thefoot, "chafing-of the skin at the 'area'of engagement often results. Moreover, 'thefrictional engagementjs usually not sufficient to prevent lateral foot movement"therebyjfesulting in an 'unco'mfortable fit.

The instantinvention provides a novel strap arrangement which comfortably affixesthe shoeto th'e'foot with chafingand slippage between shoe-andfoot reduced to a minimum Additionally relative movement between the shoe and, the foot is prevented particularly at theheel.

Th'eseiresultsare obtainedby the provision of a pair of resilient loops afiixed at staggered ,locations on opposite sides of the'jshoe. The foot is placed throughftheloops and is retained in proper alignment on the insole by the lateral restraint each loop exerts on the foot against lateral ans vertical displacement relative to the ishoe. =Siich "displ'ticem'nt isiprevented by a positive normal pressure of the loops against the foot rather than by mere frictional engagement as in the case of conventional strap arrangements. Consequently, chafing and displacement is minimized and a secure comfortable fit is obtained.

The primary object of this invention therefore is the provision of a shoe which is conveniently held on the foot with an arrangement of comfortable straps that maintain the shoe in proper alignment with the foot sole and heel.

Another object of this invention is the provision of a shoe with securing straps in the form of loops which accurately retain the foot in proper engagement with the insole thereby reducing chafing and undesirable movement of the foot relative to the insole.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a shoe with loops attached at opposite sides of the shoe adjacent the shank area which are especially arranged to receive and retain the foot in close, accurate and comfortable engagement with the shoe.

Additional objects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and attached drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the novel shoe in place on a foot;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the shoe showing the strap arrangement in extended position;

Figure 3 is a transverse section of the shoe taken along plane 3--3 of Figure 1 showing the shape assumed by the straps when on the foot;

Figure 4 is a transverse section through one of the loop straps taken along plane 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a partial side elevation of the rearquarter of the shoe as seen from plane 5+5 of Figure2. a The drawings illustrate an application of the novelstrap arrangementito a ladys shoe. "However; it lshould be understood that "althoughthis construction finds/its widest application in ladys footwear, it can easily be used "in connection with other types of footwear such as mens sandals and loafers, etc. i The novel shoe construction comprises the conventional outsole 10, insole 11, and heel 12. A toe strap "13, made of fabric, leather, etc., is secured at both of'itsiends fl and'1'5'(Figure 2) to opposite sides of theinso'l at the toe area of the 'shoe, forming a band through which the toes are inserted and 'by'which it is retained, i

A 'novel pair of shank straps 16and 17' are scured 'to lateral edges of the shoe along opposite sides ofthe shank portion 18 of the shoe at longitudinally staggered locations '19. and20. Straps 16and 17 are fashioned prefer;- ably from strips of fabric or similar material and are formed into loops and secured at their inner ends 2l'rand 22 to the insole; the outsole is then secured to the insole enclosing the strap ends 21 and 22 therebetween. Although fabric is preferred, the straps can be made from other flexible or elastic materials such as leather,'rubber, plastics, etc. To ensure a snug adjustable grip about the 'foot when the strap is' made of an'inelastic fabric or acteristics. Preferably the ends 21 and 22 are made from such elastic material inasmuch as thetougher'bottom portion of the foot will engage the elastic ends 0f the'straps rather thanthe more sensitive skin at the top of the foot.

It is to be notedthat'th'e straps 16 and 17 are'a'flixed at acuate angles to the longitudinal shoe axis (Figured); Thus when the foot is inserted through the looped straps they'assume an inclined position across the topof -thefoot rather than a positionat right angles to the longitudinal shoe axis; "The inclination results in a somewhatofspiral arrangement across the instep andx-arch portion 'of the foot providing a greater coverage of footareathereby s c i gt e t qj ha o m e. rm r: InIadd t rtQ preventing lateral or transverse displacement of the foot, the inclined arangement exerts an axial restraint preventing the foot from sliding forward relative to the shoe.

Each strap exerts an inwardly directed restraining force against the foot causing the foot to accurately align with the insole and to maintain a close abutment with the insole. Thus during Walking the heel portion of the shoe closely follows the foot heel. This is particularly important in the backless type shoe. The force exerted by the straps does not depend to any great extent upon friction between the straps and foot to be effective. The restraining force is transmitted by direct norm'al engagement and hence is transferred by a positive coaction. In addition to being more effective in maintaining the foot in proper position against the sole, chafing of the skin is minimized. Conventional straps, such as toe strap 13, restrain lateral and longitudinal displacement by frictional engagement between the strap and foot. It is quite obvious that the constant rubbing of the foot by the strap irritates the skin, although a strap such as 13 is suitable for the toe area where the foot is relatively thin, the use of such a strap in the shank and heel area would be more objectional since the foot is quite thick at those points and excessive chafing would occur. The instant arrangement also exerts balanced opposing forces on the foot which result in an effective and comfortable connection between the foot and the shoe.

The shoe is worn by inserting the foot through the loops formed by the straps depicted in Figure 3 with the toe fitting under toe strap 13. As seen in Figure 1, the rear strap 17 engages the foot or instep where it intersects with the leg and exerts an inclined force F2 (Figure 2 on the foot towards the end 21. Force F2 prevents forward motion of the foot and lateral motion away from the side to which strap end 21 is secured. Lower shank strap 16 exerts an inclined force F1 (Figure 2) which further prevents forward movement of the foot and also prevents the foot from lateraldisplacement away fromthe side to which end 22 is attached. The'straps also prevent upward movement of the foot away from the insole and heel.

. Due to the elasticity provided by the elastic end portions 21 and 22, the straps comfortably and adjustably fit feet of most configuration and dimension.

The strap arrangement is particularly effective since I I the peripheral surface of the foot is gentlygrasped by'the .loop which thus encircles it. Said loop being attached to the shoe sole along a limited portion of the circumference thereof, permits the loop to conform itself to the peripheralsurface of the foot which it encircles. The point of .attachment of the loop to the shoe sole being in tangential relation thereto permits a degree of floating action wherein the loop may follow the foot contours and movement, thereby adding substantially to the comfort and effectiveness of the arrangement.

From the foregoing description it is now apparent that the novel strap structure disclosed can be inexpensively manufactured, is simple and comfortable to wear and will firmly maintain the foot in proper engagement with the sole.

I have here shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention. It will be apparent, however, that this invention is not limited to this embodiment and that many changes, additions and modifications can be made in connection therewith without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as herein disclosed and hereinafter claimed.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

,1. A shoe assembly comprising a sole having a toe, shank and heel portions including a heel secured to the heel portion and a toe strap secured at both of its ends to the toe portion, said sole having an inner surface and an outer surface, said toe strap intermediate its ends being spaced from the inner surface of the sole for the reception of the toe of a foot in combination with 4 a shank strap for retaining said shoe upon the foot, said shank strap comprising a closed loop of material secured to the shoe sole along a limited portion of the circumference thereof, said shank strap encircling a portion of the instep and sole of the foot of the wearer, a portion of said loop, when the shoe is worn, being disposed intermediate the sole of the wearer and the inner surface of the shoe sole.

2. A shoe assemblycomprising an insole and outsole having .toe, shank and heel portions bounded ,by lateral edges in combination with a plurality of looped straps, each of said straps being secured to an opposing lateral edge of the shoe, said straps comprising loops each encircling the instep and sole of the foot of the wearer and having portions disposed intermediate the shoe sole and the sole of the foot of the wearer.

3. In a shoe including a sole portion, a strap arrangement for retaining the shoe upon the foot of the wearer comprising a first elongated strip of material, the ends of which are disposed-in juxtaposition with each other .to form a continuous loop passing-over the instep and under the sole portion of the foot ofthe wearer and are secured along one side edge of the shoe sole, a second elongated strip of material the ends of which are disposed in juxtaposition with each other to form a continuous loop passing over the instep and under the sole portions of the foot of theuwearer andare secured along the opposing side edge of the shoe sole, said loops being adapted to receive and encircle the instep portion of the foot of a wearer. a 1

1,073,563 France Mar. 24, 1954

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