Shoes

• US 20030163934A1
• Filed: 01/21/2003
• Published: 09/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kit Shoes Limited
• Original Assignee: Kit Shoes Limited
• Inventors: Swan, Julian Francis Ralph, Wallin, Rosemary Jane, Shade, Philip Richard
• Granted Patent: US 7,168,184 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/34R
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/41 combined with heel stiffener, toe stiffener, or shank stiffener
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/39 by rib groove
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/42 Heels with replaceable or adjustable parts , e.g. top lift
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 21/50 by bayonet catches or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 3/24 Collapsible or convertible

Abstract

A shoe incorporates a flexible member (10, 40) which, by itself, is capable of a variety of configurations. A heel (20, 49) incorporates a stiffening member (21, 51) which mechanically interlocks with the flexible member (10, 40) to both shape it and provide it with sufficient rigidity to support a foot. The heel (20, 49) can be detached from the flexible member (10, 40) to allow the replacement of one heel with a different heel.

Claims

1. A sub-assembly for forming a shoe comprising a flexible member (10,40) for incorporation in a base of the shoe and capable of a plurality of configurations and a heel (11,49) including a support member (20,62) mechanically engageable with the flexible member (10,40) to shape the flexible member (10,40) into a foot supporting configuration and to connect the heel (11,49) to the flexible member (10,40).

2. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 wherein the support member (20,62) is elongate and, when engaged with the flexible member (10,40), extends along the length of the member.

3. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flexible member (10,40) includes an elongate passageway (18,47) which receives the support member (20,62) to provide said mechanical engagement.

4. A sub-assembly according to claim 3 wherein the elongate passageway (18,47) extends in a direction parallel to the length of the flexible member (10,40).

5. A sub-assembly according to claim 3 or claim 4 wherein the support member comprises an elongate rigid member (20,62).

6. A sub-assembly according to claim 4 and claim 5 wherein the passageway is formed by a plurality of spaced aligned apertures (47) interconnected by flexible hinges (45).

7. A sub-assembly according to claim 6 wherein each aperture (47) is formed in a respective support piece (46) having two lateral extensions (48) projecting to respective opposite sides of the length of the flexible member (40) to support a load applied to the flexible member (40).

8. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the flexible member (40) is formed from a plastics material.

9. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the flexible member (10,40) includes a latch (23,55) for connecting the heel (11,49) to the flexible member (10,40).

10. A sub-assembly according to claim 9 wherein the latch (23,55) is releasable to allow a heel (11,49) to be replaced by a differently shaped heel.

11. A sub-assembly according to claim 10 wherein the latch (23,55) is released by a push-button.

12. A sub-assembly according to claim 9 or claim 10 wherein the flexible member (40) includes a locating part (42) and the heel (49) includes a locating part (54), the mechanical engagement of the heel (49) with the flexible member (40) engaging the heel locating part (54) with the locating part (42) of the flexible member (40) to position the heel (49) relative to the flexible member (40), a clip (55) then engaging the locating parts (42,54) to connect the heel (49) to the flexible member (40).

13. A sub-assembly according to claim 12 wherein each locating part includes an arcuate surface (42,54), the arcuate surfaces engaging to position the heel (49) relative to the flexible member (40).

14. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 13 wherein the heel (49) includes a hollow shell (50) with the support member (53) located in the shell.

15. A sub-assembly according to claim 14 wherein the support member is generally L-shaped with one limb (52) engaging the flexible member and the other limb (53) extending generally parallel to the height of the heel.

16. A sub-assembly according to claim 14 and claim 16 wherein the support member is of metal.

17. A sub-assembly according to claim 15 wherein the flexible member-engaging limb (53) is of V-shaped cross-section.

18. A sub-assembly according to claim 17 when dependent on claim 6 or any claim appendant thereto wherein each aperture (47) is of V-shaped cross-section.

19. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 18 wherein the flexible member (10,40) includes a material capable of being moulded around a foot after the heel is connected to the flexible member.

20. A sub-assembly according to claim 19 wherein the material is a knitted material.

21. A sub-assembly according to claim 19 or claim 20 wherein the material is a thermoplastic material.

22. A sub-assembly according to claim 20 or claim 21 wherein the material is mouldable around a foot of a wearer.

23. A sub-assembly according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the flexible member (10) includes an elongate slot (18) extending along the length of the flexible member (10), the support member (20) extending along the slot (18) to provide support for a foot and supporting portions of the flexible member (10) around the slot to shape the flexible member (10) into a foot supporting configuration.

24. A sub-assembly according to claim 23 wherein the flexible member (10) includes an aperture (16) closer to the heel than the slot (18) and contiguous with the slot (18), the support member (21) including a portion filling said aperture (16) to support a foot.

25. A sub-assembly according to claim 23 or claim 24 wherein the support member (21) includes an elongate tongue (21) including a peripheral groove, the tongue (21) extending along said slot (18) with the portion of the flexible member (10) around the slot being received in the groove.

26. A sub-assembly for forming a shoe according to any one of claims 1 to 25 and comprising an inner layer (110) formed in one-piece from a stretchable material and including a flexible top line (126), and heel and toe stiffeners (115,120) supporting the material.

27. A sub-assembly according to claim 26 wherein the stretchable material is a knitted material.

28. A sub-assembly according to claim 27 wherein the knitted material is heat mouldable.

29. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 26 to 28 wherein the heel stiffener or stiffeners (115) and the toe stiffener or stiffeners (120) are spaced by a hinge portion (125) of the material to allow relative angular movement between a heel portion of the sub-assembly and a toe portion of the sub-assembly, the material stretching to accommodate such angular movement.

30. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 26 to 29 and including a back strap, having an upper end and a lower end, the upper end of the back strap being flexible relative to the lower end of the back strap in a direction parallel to the length of the sub-assembly.

31. A sub-assembly according to claim 30 wherein the back strap includes lateral edges extending from the upper end thereof, the material (110) being connected to the back strap along said lateral edges so that the material (110) stretches as the upper end of the back strap flexes in a direction outwardly of the sub-assembly to allow for changes in a back curve profile of the sub-assembly.

32. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 26 to 31 and including a counter overlay (124) at the heel end of the sub-assembly.

33. A sub-assembly according to claim 32 wherein the counter overlay is of leather.

34. A sub-assembly according to claim 32 or claim 33 when dependent on claim 30 or claim 31 wherein a heel stiffener (120) forms a portion of the back strap extending from said lower end and terminating before said upper end, the counter overlay covering (124) said heel stiffener (120) and extending to said upper end, the heel stiffener (120) and the counter overlay (124) forming said back strap.

35. A sub-assembly according to claim 34 wherein a single heel stiffener is provided in the form of a generally U-shaped back part stiffener (124) including a portion (121) forming said portion of the back strap and two lateral support portions (123).

36. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 26 to 35 and including a vamp overlay (112) covering the toe stiffener or stiffeners (115).

37. A sub-assembly according to any one of claims 26 to 36 wherein a single toe stiffener is provided in the form of a toe puff (112).

38. A shoe comprising a sub-assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 37 and an upper supported by the sub-assembly.

39. A shoe according to claim 38 and including a sole covering an undersurface of the flexible member.

40. A shoe according to claim 39 wherein the sole is provided with means for permitting the sole to flex to accommodate heels of differing heights.

41. A shoe comprising a sub-assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member (10,40) is connected to a sole.

42. A shoe comprising a sub-assembly according to claim 1, wherein the flexible member (10,40) is connected to an insole.

43. A shoe comprising a base and a heel, the base comprising a relatively flexible portion (10,40) and a support member (21,51) that shapes the flexible portion into a foot supporting configuration, the support member (21,51) being connected to the heel (20,49) so as to connect the heel (20,49) to the base, and the heel (20,49) and the support member (21,51) being disconnectable from the flexible portion (10,40).

44. A method of manufacturing a shoe comprising, providing a flexible base portion (10,40), providing a heel (20,49) connected to a support member (21,51), and engaging the support member (21,51) with the flexible base portion so that the support member shapes the flexible base portion into a foot supporting configuration.