GB2443937A - Foldable footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

Foldable footwear with a sole comprising separate heel (H, Fig 2) and toe (G, Fig 2) portions that are attached to a flexible member allowing the footwear to be folded in half for storage. Preferably the footwear has an at least one elascicated strap (B, fig 1) for retaining the footwear in the folded position and retaining the footwear to the foot of the wearer. The footwear may have an upper (A, Fig 1) and the upper and elasticated member may be made from the same material such as fabric. The folded footwear may be stored in a bag (Fig 4) that preferably comprises a pocket (J, Fig 4) for storing the folded footwear and a separate pocket (K, Fig 4) for receiving conventional footwear. The folded footwear may be dispensed from a vending machine, and may be disposable and/or made from a waterproof material. Alternatively the footwear may have a flexible sole, a sole comprising a heel and toe section with a flexible centre portion or a sole with a plurality of separate portions attached to a flexible member, with or without a strap to hold the footwear in a rolled or folded position and retaining the footwear to the foot.

Description

FOLDABLE FOOTWEAR

Infrpdutjon The present invention relates generally to foldable footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to a foldable shoe.

Backaround

The present invention was conceived as a response to problems that are generally encountered by women wearing uncomfortable footwear. High heels and pointed toes are a common cause of discomfort and spare footwear is sometimes carried, often in the form of flip flops, pumps or trainers. The problem with this is that handbags are often too small to hold these items and a second bag is not always practical -especially if socialising in bars or clubs.

Invention Summary

Viewed from a first aspect the present invention relates to a foldable shoe or item of footwear having a sole, the sole comprising a heel portion and a separate front portion, the heel portion and the front portion being attached to a flexible member to enable the shoe to be folded over on itself. Advantageously the arrangement of the sole according to the present invention may enable the shoe to be folded over on itself so that it may more readily be stored in a handbag or the like. The sole is preferably adapted to be folded in half.

At least in preferred embodiments, the present invention provides a lightweight, fold up, outdoor shoe. Preferably the shoe is compact enough to fit into a relatively small bag, such as a handbag, when folded. 1)

Preferably, at least one strap is provided for retaining the shoe in a folded position. The strap may extend around at least a portion of the folded shoe to help keep it folded. At least in preferred embodiments, when the shoe is worn by an individual, the strap may be locatable around or over a portion of the individual's foot Most preferably, the strap is locatable over the top of the individual's foot but it may alternatively extend around their heel. Of course, more than one strap may be provided. The at least one strap is preferably elasticated.

The shoe could for example be a sandal which, when worn, is secured in position by said at least one strap. Preferably, however, the shoe comprises an upper. Preferably, the flexible member and the upper are made of the same material. The upper and/or the flexible member are preferably made of fabric. The fabric may be stretchable. A reinforcing sheet member may be provided to provide additional support for the flexible member. The flexible member may form a midsole.

Viewed from a fiurther aspect, the present invention relates to a foldable shoe comprising a flexible sole to enable the shoe to be folded over on itself, and a strap for retaining the shoe in a folded position.

The sole preferably comprises a heel portion and a separate front portion. The heel portion and the front portion are attached to a flexible member.

The sole of the shoe is preferably exposed when the shoe is folded over on itself. Thus, the upper, if provided, may be protected.

The present invention also relates to a combination of a pair of foldable shoes as described herein with a bag for storing said foldable shoes. The bag preferably comprises a first pocket or compartment for storing at least one of said fbldable shoes when fblded.

Preferably, the pair of foldable shoes can be stored in the pocket. The pocket is preferably sized such that the shoes are retained in their folded position when located therein. The bag preferably can be folded into the pocket once the foldable shoes have been removed. The bag preferably comprises a second pocket or compartment, separate from the first pocket or corn pastrnent. for receiving a conventional pair of shoes.

Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a bag for storing a pair of foldable shoes as described herein, wherein the bag comprises a first compartment for receiving at least one of said foldable shoes in a folded position and a second compartment for receiving a convention pair of shoes. Preferably, the main body of the bag may fold into the first compartment to save space when only the foldable shoes are housed.

Viewed from a yet further aspect, the present invention relates to a fold-up shoe having a sole, the sole comprising separate heel and toe sections and a flexible centre portion to enable the shoe to be folded in half; the shoe further comprising an elastic strap for holding the shoe in a folded position and also for holding the shoe in place when being worn.

The present invention also relates to a pair of the fold-up shoes in combination with a bag, wherein the foldable shoes are packaged in a first compartment of the bag and the bag may be unfolded to a size large enough to hold a standard pair of shoes.

Viewed from a still further aspect, the present invention relates to a shoe having a sole, the sole comprising a plurality of separate portions attached to a flexible member to enable the shoe to be rolled or folded. A strap is preferably provided for retaining the shoe in a rolled or folded configuration. The strap is preferably also suitable for retaining the shoe on a user's foot At least in prefeffed embodiments, the present invention provides a lightweight, fold up, outdoor footar that is compact enough to fit into a handbag when folded. The footwear is preferably made of a waterproof, stretch material (A and F). The sole is made of at least two sections (G and H) which allows the footwear to be as compact as possible when folded in half. The footwear preferably features an elastic strap (B) which helps to $1 hold the footwear in place when folded in half and also helps to hold the shoe in place on the foot It is the design of the sole of the footwear that allows the shoes to become compact thus S fitting into a small bag. The sole of each shoe is made of two separate sections; one for the toe (G) and one for the heel (H) allowing the centre portion (F) to be flexible enough to fold in half in the most compact manner possible. Preferably, each shoe features an elastic strap (B), which will hold the shoe in the folded position to keep it as compact as possible. The strap may also help to hold the shoe in place on the foot.

Since the footwear has been designed as a solution for women experiencing pain from uncomfortable or impractical footwear, a dual purpose bag is also proposed, as illustrated in Figure 4. This bag may form the packaging for the foldable footwear and can also be used to hold the footwear that was previously being worn. The bag features a pocket (J) to hold the folded shoes and the bay may be unfolded to foil size (K) to carry original footwear of standard size. Each pair of shoes may be packaged in compartment J of bag K which when unfolded to fill size will be large enough to hold a standard pair of shoes.

The term "shoe" used herein covers a range of items of footwear, including but not limited to sandals, slippers, pumps, plimsolls and the like. In normal use, the footwear acconling to the present invention is intended to be worn outdoors. The footwear could be disposable.

Brief description of the drawings

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which: Figure 1 is a top plan view of the invention; Figure 2 is the bottom plan view of the invention; Figure 3 is a view of figures 1 and 2 folded in half and t.

Figure 4 is a view of the dual purpose bag/packaging.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

The sole of the footwear is made up of two separate sections. One at the toe (0) and one at the heel (H). in between the two sections the shoe Will be made of the same light weight, waterproof material as the upper portion of the footwear (A). The sole is designed as two sections to allow added flexibility in order for the footwear to be as compact and lightweight as possible when folded.

The footwear will feature an elastic strap (B). This elastic strap Will hold the footwear together when folded in half (see figure 3) and also help to hold the footwear in place when on the foot.

The footwear will be packaged in a bag (see fig 4). The bag will feature a pocket (J) which will house the folded footwear. Once the footwear is removed, the bag unfolds to full size (K) allowing a standard sized pair of shoes to be stored and carried.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention relates to disposable footwear. This Will come in the form of a light weight product made of a durable but flexible sole and elasticated material to cover the rest of the foot and hold the footwear in place. The product will be sold in vending machines in clubs and bars for women to purchase on their way home to relieve tired feet. It will be sold in railway stations, underground stations and bus depots for women on the move and also in larger high street retailers for ladies to get home in comfort after a hard day shopping. The disposable footwear will come in a light weight, reusable bag that can hold their original footwear if there is no space in their handbags. The disposable footwear may be sold in multi-packs in places like Boots and SuperDrugg) so that ladies can carry an emergency pair in their handbags.

A further embodiment of the present invention relates to roll-up footwear. This has exactly the same function as above but will be made of slightly move durable material.

They will also be available in a wider range of styles and colours. They Will be light weigln enougJ to roll up and fit into a small evening purse allowing ladies to leave the house in comfortable footwear, change en route to destination and then pop them back on for their return journey. Rather than being disposed of after one wear, they will be durable enough for at least a month's activity. It is envisaged that this product would be sold at retail only and not in vending machines.

It will be appreciated that various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (22)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A foldable shoe having a sole, the sole comprising a heel

   portion and a separate front portion, the heel portion and the front portion being attached to a flexible member to enable the shoe to be folded over on itself.
2. 2. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 1 further comprising at least one strap for retaining the shoe in a folded position.
3. 3. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 2, wherein, when the shoe is worn by an individual, the at least one strap is locatable over the top of the individual's foot.
4. 4. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 2or claim 3, wherein the at least one strap is elasticated.
5. 5. A foldable shoe as claimed in any one of claims I to 4 further comprising an upper.
6. 6. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flexible member and the upper are made of the same material.
7. 7. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the flexible member and the upper &e made of ibric.
8. 8. A foldable shoe comprising a flexible sole to enable the shoe to be folded over on itself; and a strap for retaining the shoe in a folded position.
9. 9. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 8, wherein the sole comprises a heel portion and a separate front portion. /
10. 10. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the heel portion and the front portion are attached to a flexible member.
11. 11. A foldable shoe as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sole is exposed when the shoe is folded over on itself
12. 12. A pair of foldable shoes as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in combination with a bag for storing said foldable shoes.
13. 13. A combination as claimed in claim 12, wherein the bag comprises a pocket or compartment for storing one or both of said foldable shoes when folded.
14. 14. A combination as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein the bag comprises a separate pocket or compartment for receiving a pair of conventional shoes.
15. 15. A bag for storing a pair of foldable shoes as claimed in any one of claims I to 12, wherein the bag comprises a first compartment for receiving at least one of said foldable shoes in a folded position and a second compartment for receiving a pair of conventional shoes.
16. 16. A fold-up shoe having a sole, the sole comprising sepamte heel and toe sections and a flexible centre portion to enable the shoe to be folded in half; the shoe further comprising an elastic strap for holding the shoe in a folded position and also for holding the shoe in place when being worn.
17. 17. A pair of fold-up shoes as claimed in claim 16 in combination with a bag, wherein the foldable shoes are packaged in a first compartment of the bag and the bag may be unfolded to a size large enough to hold a standard pair of shoes.
18. 18. A shoe having a sole, the sole comprising a plurality of separate portions attached to a flexible member to enable the shoe to be rolled or folded. g
19. 19. A shoe as claimed in claim 18 flirther comprising a strap for retaining the shoe in a rolled or folded configuration.
20. 20. A shoe as claimed in claim 19, wherein said strap is also suitable for retaining the shoe on a user's foot
21. 21. A foldable shoe substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures.
22. 22. A storage bag substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying Figures. q