U.S. patent application number 12/525015 was filed with the patent office on 2010-01-28 for foldable footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to THE BACUP SHOE COMPANY LIMITED. Invention is credited to Steven Smith.
Application Number | 20100018080 12/525015 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37872970 |
Filed Date | 2010-01-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100018080 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Steven |
January 28, 2010 |
FOLDABLE FOOTWEAR
Abstract
A foldable shoe having a sole comprises a forward sole portion
extending from a front toe part of the shoe to an in-step part, a
rear sole portion extending from a rear most part of the shoe to
said in-step, said forward sole portion and said rearward sole
portion co-operating to form a substantially continuous sole when
the shoe is worn by a user; and said forward sole portion and said
rearward sole portion being separable from each other when the sole
is in a folded condition.
Inventors: |
Smith; Steven; (Bacup,
GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SUGHRUE MION, PLLC
2100 PENNSYLVANIA AVENUE, N.W., SUITE 800
WASHINGTON
DC
20037
US
|
Assignee: |
THE BACUP SHOE COMPANY
LIMITED
Bacup, Lancashire
GB
|
Family ID: |
37872970 |
Appl. No.: |
12/525015 |
Filed: |
October 19, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
October 19, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB07/03991 |
371 Date: |
August 19, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/102 ;
36/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/248 20130101;
A43B 3/246 20130101; A43B 3/24 20130101; A43B 13/16 20130101; A43B
13/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/102 ;
36/103 |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/10 20060101
A43B001/10; A43B 13/00 20060101 A43B013/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 30, 2007 |
GB |
0701681.9 |
Claims
1-15. (canceled)
16. A foldable footwear shoe having a sole comprising: a forward
sole portion extending from a front toe part of the shoe to an
in-step part; a rear sole portion extending from a rear most part
of the shoe to said in-step; said forward sole portion and said
rearward sole portion co-operating to form a substantially
continuous sole when the shoe is worn by a user; and said forward
sole portion and said rearward sole portion being separable from
each other when the sole is in a folded condition; wherein a front
end of said rear sole portion and a rear end of said front sole
portion remain unbonded to said flexible connecting member to allow
a folding and a compression of said foldable footwear; said sole
remains in a folded condition of its own accord without the need
for any restraint to prevent the sole from reverting to an extended
or partially folded condition.
17. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein said forward sole
portion comprises a rearward edge positioned at said in-step part;
said rearward sole portion having a forward edge positioned at said
in-step part of said rear sole portion; said forward edge of said
rear sole portion and said rearward edge of said forward sole
portion abutting each other when the shoe is in an extended
position as worn on the users foot.
18. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein the forward sole
portion comprises a rear facing face positioned at a rearward
portion of the forward sole.
19. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein the forward sole
portion comprises a rearward facing face; and the rear sole portion
comprises a forward facing face, wherein the forward facing face of
the rear sole portion and the rearward facing face of the forward
sole portion abut each other when the shoe is in an extended
position; and when the shoe is in a non extended, folded or
partially folded condition, the forward facing face of the rear
sole portion and the rearward facing face of the forward sole
portion separate from each other.
20. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein the forward sole
portion and the rear sole portion are connected by a flexible
connecting member, said flexible connecting member being bonded to
a position of said rearward sole portion which lies inwardly of a
periphery of the rearward sole portion by a length in a range 2 to
9 mm from a forward facing edge of the rear sole portion, there
being a region of said rear sole portion which is overlaid by but
not bonded to said connecting member when said sole is in an
extended condition; and said flexible connecting member is bonded
to the forward sole portion at a position near the rear of the
forward sole portion, but lying inwardly of a periphery of the
forward sole by distance in the range 2 to 9 mm, there being a
region of said forward sole portion which is overlaid by but not
bonded to said connecting member when said sole is in an extended
condition.
21. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein said forward sole
portion and said rearward sole portion are connected to each other
by virtue of a flexible upper and a flexible connecting sole
member; said flexible upper is sufficiently flexible to allow said
sole to fold over onto itself such that said forward sole portion
overlies said rearward sole portion and said flexible upper is
sandwiched there between; said flexible connecting sole member
extends over a forward region of the rear sole portion and over a
rearward region of the forward sole portion and connects said
forward sole portion, said rearward sole portion and said flexible
upper.
22. The shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein said forward sole
portion is connected to said rear sole portion by a flexible
connecting member which is flexible enough such that when said shoe
adopts a folded over condition in which the forward sole portion
overlies said rear sole portion, the sole remains in a folded
condition of its own accord without the need for any restraint to
prevent the sole from reverting to an extended or partially folded
condition.
23. The shoe as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said forward or
rear sole portion is provided with a curved face for mating with a
corresponding curved face of the other one of said forward or rear
sole portion.
24. The shoe as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said forward or
rear sole portion is provided with a sawtooth like face for mating
with a corresponding sawtooth like face of the other one of said
forward or rear sole portion.
25. The shoe as claimed in claim 16 wherein each of said forward or
rear sole portion is provided with one or a plurality of
protrusions for engaging a corresponding recess on the other one of
said forward or rear sole portions.
26. The shoe as claimed in claim 16 wherein said forward and rear
sole portions are adapted to engage each other so that a front
portion of said rear sole engages with a rear portion of said front
sole to provide a substantially rigid joint between said front and
rear sole portions when the sole portions are in extended condition
for wearing said shoe.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to footwear.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] It is known to provide a relatively light weight foldable
shoe which can be folded over so that the heel and toe lay adjacent
each other for compact storage, for example in a beach bag, hand
bag, garment pocket or the like for carrying the shoe, but which
can be extended into a normal shoe or sandal shape when the
footwear is worn.
[0003] British patent GB 598,513 discloses a sandal having a sole
which can be folded into a comparatively small volume for packing
or carrying. The sandal has an elongate sole which has a pair of
hinged axes, each axis extending at right angles to a longitudinal
axis of the sole, and having three sole parts corresponding to the
instep, the ball of the foot and the heel of the foot. The sandal
is attached to a wearer's foot by means of plurality of straps
which pass through slots formed in the sole. The sole material may
be either a synthetic resin plastic, wood, a plastics material,
leather, rubber, a synthetic rubber composition, or a metal or
alloy of metals, for example aluminum.
[0004] In German patent DE 42 44 293 there is disclosed a sandal
having a foldable sole and a detachable upper, in which the sole is
made of a rigid material and which has a fixed hinge at an instep
portion of the sole enabling the sole to be folded over onto itself
so that a heel portion of the sole lies adjacent and abuts a
forward portion of the sole corresponding to the toe region and
ball of the foot. A single hinge provided substantially at right
angles to a main longitudinal axis of the sole is provided, with
the hinge portion being provided at a portion of the sole
corresponding to the forward part of the instep of the foot.
[0005] International patent application WO 2004/098335 discloses a
highly flexible shoe which can be folded over so as to occupy a
small storage space. The shoe sole comprises independent parts
which are made from a rigid or semi rigid material. A first rigid
sole portion is provided underneath the toe area and the ball of
the foot, whilst a second rigid sole area is provided underneath
the heel of the foot. The forward and rearward rigid sole portions
are permanently positioned away from each other and are connected
by a relatively more flexible connecting upper sole portion which
extends from a forward tip of the shoe to the rearward extent of
the shoe, and overlies both the forward/wall sole portion and the
rearward heel portion. The shoe is foldable so that the sole folds
over on itself with a bend occurring primarily at the instep
portion, with the bend being provided by virtue of the flexibility
of the flexible connecting sole portion.
[0006] The shoe can be rolled up, starting at the tip or the heel,
and the tip and the heel can be folded inwards and the shoe
subsequently folded at the center.
[0007] In GB 2,425,454 A there is disclosed an emergency footwear
being a sandal having a flexible sole portion which can be folded
over at an instep, with a tougher more durable toe and heel
portion, spaced apart from each other by the instep portion. The
toe portion, which also covers the ball of the foot and the heel
portion are spaced apart from each other, so that the toe/ball of
the sole portion and the heel portion each occupy approximately one
third of the total area of the sole, with the other third of the
sole comprising the instep portion which is flexible and is not
covered on the underside with any more durable material. The sandal
is attached to the foot by means of a toe strap which extends over
the bridge of the foot immediately behind the toes, a further strap
extending from under the instep, and immediately forward of the
ankle, and a heel strap which fits around the heel. There is
however no continuous upper portion, so that if a wearer steps in a
puddle, or if it is raining, the wearer's feet will become wet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Specific embodiments according to the present invention aim
to provide a temporary shoe which is easily foldable into a compact
space and can therefore be carried in a ladies handbag, or a small
carrying bag. The shoes can be carried for use as an alternative to
uncomfortable shoes, such as high heeled shoes or dress shoes, and
is therefore particularly suitable for use by ladies.
[0009] For example, for ladies having a night out in nightclubs,
pubs, the theatre or at dinners or other social events, where it is
normal to dress in relatively high heeled shoes having heels of 4
cm height or more, such shoes can become uncomfortable after
prolonged wear and are impracticable for walking medium distances,
for example a few hundred meters to a taxi rank, or for walking on
rough surfaces such as cobble stones, gravel etc. The footwear is
therefore likely to be particularly suitable for use as an
emergency shoe, or a shoe which can be taken to parties as a backup
shoe for when more formal of fashionable high heeled shoes become
uncomfortable.
[0010] According to a first aspect there is provided a foldable
shoe having a sole comprising:
[0011] a forward sole portion extending from a front toe part of
the shoe to an in-step part;
[0012] a rear sole portion extending from a rear most part of the
shoe to said in-step;
[0013] said forward sole portion and said rearward sole portion
co-operating to form a substantially continuous sole when the shoe
is worn by a user; and
[0014] said forward sole portion and said rearward sole portion
being separable from each other when the sole is in a folded
condition.
[0015] Said forward sole portion may comprise a rearward edge
positioned at said in-step part;
[0016] said rearward sole portion may have a forward edge
positioned at said in-step part of said rear sole portion;
[0017] said forward edge of said rear sole portion and said
rearward edge of said forward sole portion abutting each other when
the shoe is in an extended position as worn on the users foot.
[0018] Preferably, said forward sole portion and said rearward sole
portion are connected by a flexible connecting member.
[0019] Preferably, said flexible connecting member allows the
forward sole portion and the rear sole portion to separate from
each other allowing the sole to adopt a folded condition. Whilst
not necessarily touching each other, the forward and rear soles
remain connected to each other by virtue of the their mutual
connection to the connecting member.
[0020] Preferably said rear sole portion comprises a forward face
positioned at a forward portion of said rear sole.
[0021] Preferably, said forward sole portion comprises a rear
facing face positioned at a rearward portion of the forward
sole.
[0022] Preferably said forward facing face of the rear sole portion
and the rearward facing face of the forward sole portion abut each
other when the shoe is in an extended position; and
[0023] when the shoe is in a non extended, folded or partially
folded condition, the forward facing face of the rear sole portion
and the rearward facing face of the forward sole portion separate
from each other.
[0024] Preferably, the forward sole portion and the rear sole
portion are connected by a flexible connecting member, said
flexible connecting member being bonded to a position of said
rearward sole portion which lies inwardly of a periphery of the
rearward sole portion by a length in a range 2 to 9 mm from a
forward facing edge of the rear sole portion, there being a region
of said rear sole portion which is overlaid by but not bonded to
said connecting member when said sole is in an extended condition;
and
[0025] said flexible connecting member is bonded to the forward
sole portion at a position near the rear of the forward sole
portion, but lying inwardly of a periphery of the forward sole by
distance in the range 2 to 9 mm, there being a region of said
forward sole portion which is overlaid by but not bonded to said
connecting member when said sole is in an extended condition.
[0026] Said forward sole portion and said rearward sole portion may
be connected to each other by virtue of a flexible upper, wherein
said flexible upper is sufficiently flexible to allow said sole to
fold over onto itself such that said forward sole portion overlies
said rear sole portion and said flexible upper is sandwiched
there-between; and
[0027] a connecting member extending over a forward region of the
rear sole portion and over a rearward region of the forward sole
portion connects said forward a rear sole portions and said
flexible upper.
[0028] Said forward sole portion may be connected to said rear sole
portion by a flexible connecting member which is flexible enough
such that when said shoe adopts a folded over condition in which
the forward sole portion overlies said rear sole portion, the sole
remains in a folded condition of its own accord without the need
for any restraint to prevent the sole from reverting to an extended
or partially folded condition.
[0029] The sole and/or uppers of the shoe may be patterned,
coloured or embossed in various attractive patterns, and the fabric
or other material of the upper may be manufactured form any of the
full range of known shoe materials, subject to the requirement for
flexibility and non resilience for the upper material.
[0030] In some embodiments, each of said forward or rear sole
portion is provided with a curved face for mating with a
corresponding curved face of the other one of said forward or rear
sole portion.
[0031] In other embodiments each of said forward or rear sole
portion is provided with a sawtooth like face for mating with a
corresponding sawtooth like face of the other one of said forward
or rear sole portion.
[0032] In yet further embodiments each of said forward or rear sole
portion is provided with one or a plurality of protrusions for
engaging a corresponding recess on the other one of said forward or
rear sole portions, so that the sole behaves as a rigid on piece
sole when in extended mode, with the forward and rear sole portions
locking together, but whilst still being separable when the shoe is
folded over onto itself.
[0033] In other embodiments, the edges where the front and rear
soles may be adapted to engage each other so that a front portion
of said rear sole engages with a rear portion of said front sole to
provide a substantially rigid joint between said front and rear
sole portions when the sole portions are in extended condition for
wearing said shoe.
[0034] Various other aspects are as described in the claims
herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] For a better understanding of the invention and to show how
the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by
way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes
according to the present invention with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0036] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically in view from one side a
foldable shoe according to a specific embodiment of the present
invention;
[0037] FIG. 2 illustrates schematically the shoe of FIG. 1 in cut
away view bisected along a main longitudinal length of the
shoe;
[0038] FIG. 3 illustrates schematically from underneath the
foldable shoe in extended form, in which the shoe can be worn,
[0039] FIG. 4 illustrates schematically the foldable shoe in
partially folded form, in which a four foot portion of the shoe
folds over backwardly to cover a rear, or heel portion of the
shoe;
[0040] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically in view from underneath,
the foldable shoe in partially folded condition;
[0041] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically the foldable shoe in fully
folded over condition, as viewed from an instep of the shoe;
[0042] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically the foldable shoe in folded
over condition, viewed from the heel and toe;
[0043] FIG. 8 illustrates schematically a second embodiment
foldable shoe, having front and rear sole portions adapted to meet
each other with a curved joint; and
[0044] FIG. 9 illustrates schematically a third embodiment foldable
shoe having a joint between front and rear sole portions which is
of a jagged sawtooth shape, having a plurality of upright faces on
each sole portion.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0045] There will now be described by way of example a specific
mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description
numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a
thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled
in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without
limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well
known methods and structures have not been described in detail so
as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.
[0046] In this specification the term "shoe" is used generically to
include various different types of footwear including shoes,
slippers, plimsoles, pumps, boots, sandals, and the like.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1 herein, there is illustrated
schematically in perspective view from one side a foldable shoe
according to a specific embodiment of the present invention.
[0048] The foldable shoe comprises a forward sole portion 100 which
lies underneath the toe area and ball of the foot of a wearer and
underneath the front part of the instep of the foot; a rear sole
portion 101 which lies under the heel area of the foot, and the
rear part of the instep; an upper portion 102 which is bonded to
the forward and rearward sole portions 100, 101 respectively; a
flexible connecting sole portion connecting the front and rear sole
portions; and a shoe liner which is placed inside the shoe over the
forward sole portion and the rearward portion, and which is bonded
to the forward and rearward sole portions and to the upper portion
102.
[0049] When the shoe is in the extended position with the sole in a
substantially flat condition, the forward face of the rear sole and
the rearward face of the front sole abutting each other and form a
substantially continuous sole.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 2 herein, there is illustrated
schematically in cut away view from one side the foldable shoe of
FIG. 1, in an extended form in which the forward and rearward sole
portions each lie in substantially the same plane as each other.
The connecting portion 200 is bonded to a forward part of the rear
sole portion 101 and to a rear part of the forward sole portion 100
and lies substantially flat when the shoe is in extended mode. The
inner liner 201 lies over the forward and rearward sole portions
and over edges of the upper 102 which also lie over a peripheral
region of each of the rear sole portion 101 and the forward portion
100, and lies over the flexible connecting portion 200.
[0051] The flexible connecting member extends across the width of
the shoe at the instep, connecting the front and rear sole portions
and the upper.
[0052] The upper 102 is preferably formed from a flexible fabrics
material. A wide variety of fabrics materials can be used,
including soft flexible leather, cloth or flexible plastics
materials.
[0053] The forward and rearward sole portions are preferably formed
from a durable and relatively rigid plastics material which has
sufficient rigidity and durability to protect the wearers foot from
sharp undulations in the ground, e.g. stones, pebbles or the like,
and to spread the pressure of such obstacles and grounded
irregularities, but also flexible enough to allow for some degree
of comfort in the wearer in adapting to the shape of the foot of
the wearer.
[0054] In accordance with the purpose of the shoe as being a
comfortable and practical low heel shoe preferably the materials of
the upper are soft and comfortable to wear and yet offer some
protection from rain, puddles etc. The material of the sole should
be durable enough for outdoor use, and provide enough rigidity to
protect the foot from uneven surfaces, but also be of light
weight.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 3 herein, there is illustrated in view
from underneath the foldable shoe of FIGS. 1 and 2 herein. The
forward sole portion 100 abuts the rearward portion 101 at a
position approximately mid way along the entire length of the sole,
where the sole comprises the forward sole portion and the rearward
sole portion, so that the meeting point between the forward and
rearward sole lies underneath the instep of the wearers foot and
away from the ball of the foot and toe area and away from the area
where the users heel exerts the maximum pressure on the rear sole
portion.
[0056] The sole may be provided with a molded in pattern or text on
its ground facing part, which can be either molded in as part of
the shape of the sole, or which can be included in a coloration of
the plastics material used for manufacture of the sole.
[0057] The sole portions may also comprise a three dimensional
pattern, in the example shown the forward sole portion has a
peripheral channel 300 which extends immediately inside the edge of
the forward portion of the sole, and at a spacing of around 3 to 5
mm from the edge of the sole. Similarly, the rearward sole portion
may also be provided with a pattern and/or indent. In the example
shown, an indented channel extending around the inside of the
ground contacting part of the sole at a position between 2 and 5 mm
from the edge of the rear sole portion is provided. In other
embodiments, other sole patterns of conventional manner may be
formed in the sole during the process of manufacture of the sole
pieces.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 4 herein, there is illustrated in
schematic view from one side the foldable shoe of FIGS. 1 to 3 in
partially folded over configuration. In a folded configuration the
forward part of the sole 100, which is unconnected to the rear sole
portion 101, other than by the flexible connecting portion 200 and
the upper portion 102, folds over moving away from the rear sole
portion, the rearward edge of the forward sole portion becoming
spaced apart from the forward edge of the rear sole portion. The
forward part of the rear sole is not bonded to the connecting
member over a length of around 2 to 9 mm from the edge of the sole,
to allow the sole part to separate when the shoe is folded.
Similarly, the rear part of the front sole is not bonded to the
flexible connecting member over a length of around 2 to 9 mm from
the front edge of the rear sole, to allow the shoe to fold over
without straining the connecting member.
[0059] Referring to FIG. 5 herein, there is illustrated
schematically in view from underneath, the sole of the shoe in a
partially folded condition, in which the forward sole portion 100
is disconnected from the rearward sole portion 101 so that a
rearward face of the front sole portion does not abut a forward
face of the rear heel sole portion, and the forward and rear sole
portions are connected to each other by virtue of the flexible
upper 102 and the flexible connecting sole member 200 which acts as
a loose hinge between the forward and rear sole portions.
[0060] Referring to FIG. 6 herein, there is illustrated
schematically in view from the front of the shoe, the shoe in fully
folded condition, in which the forward sole portion 100 lies
substantially parallel and along side the rear sole portion 101.
Shown in detail is the rear face 600 of the front sole portion, and
the forward face 601 of the rear sole portion, which match each
other and cut through a cross section of the sole when in extended
form.
[0061] The flexible connecting sole portion 200 is bonded to the
rear sole portion and the front sole portion, by means of adhesive,
or being thermally set into the plastics sole material during
manufacture. The flexible connecting sole portion 200 is not bonded
fully to the most forward extent of the rear of the sole portion,
but rather there is a gap of around 3 to 8 mm where the flexible
connecting sole portion 200 remains unbonded to the forward part of
the rear sole portion. Similarly, the rear most portion of the
front sole, across a width of the shoe remains unbonded for a
length of around 3 to 8 mm from the flexible connecting sole
portion 200, so that when the shoe is in a fully folded over
condition, the flexible connecting member 200 is permitted to
extend over a height of the fully folded shoe, and the shoe is not
strained to revert to its extended position, and can therefore be
easily and compactly folded.
[0062] A shape profile of the rear most face of the front sole
matches a shape profile of the forward face of the rear sole,
viewed in a direction parallel to a main longitudinal axes of the
sole, so that when the shoe is in the extended position, the sole
appears to be a continuous sole member, except for a hairline gap
where the forward face of the rear sole on the rearward face of the
forward sole abut each other.
[0063] Referring to FIG. 7 herein, there is illustrated
schematically in a view along a main longitudinal axes of the shoe,
the shoe in fully folded over condition. Both the toe portion and
the heel portion of the shoe are shown in end view, with the
flexible material of the upper 102 being loosely compressed,
allowing the shoe to close over into compact form, with the
flexible upper being sandwiched between the heel sole portion 101
and the fore foot sole portion 100. Ideally, the flexible material
of the upper 102 is soft and flexible enough to be easily compacted
without resilience and without causing the shoe to spring open when
in a folded over condition.
[0064] Overall, a pair of shoes as described herein should fold
over and compact so as to fit within the average ladies handbag or
clutch bag, so they can be unobtrusively carried on a night out,
and should be light weight enough so as to be carried within a
clutch bag.
[0065] Referring to FIG. 8 herein, in a second embodiment shoe,
shown I here in view from the front in folded condition, the
features are the same as for other embodiments described herein,
but with the exception that the interface between the forward and
rear sole portions 800, 801 respectively need not be a straight
line or edge. In another embodiment, the interface between the rear
portion of the forward sole portion and the forward portion of the
rear sole portion may be a curved line, with a matching pair of
wavy or curved contoured faces 802, 803 on the front and rear sole
portions which abut or meet each other. The curved surfaces may be
configured to interlock with each other in an extended condition,
so as to provide an interlocking of the front and rear sole
portions in use due to the shaping of the surfaces, whilst at the
same time allowing easy folding of the shoe.
[0066] Referring to FIG. 9 herein, in a third embodiment, the
forward and rear sole portions may be adapted to engage each other
so that a front portion of said rear sole engages with a rear
portion of said front sole to provide a substantially rigid joint
between said front and rear sole portions when the sole portions
are in extended condition for wearing said shoe. A jagged diamond
shaped edge may be provided to each of the front and rear soles, so
as to interlock at the meeting between the rear edge of the front
sole and the front edge of the rear sole. The periphery at the
front of the rear sole may comprise a plurality of faces in an
upright direction as viewed when the shoe is in normal extended
mode as worn by a user, the faces being angled towards each other.
Similarly the periphery at the rear of the forward sole may
comprise a corresponding set of interlocking faces which meet up
with those of the front sole when the front and rear soles meet in
the extended normal shoe use mode. The front of the rear sole may
resemble a sawtooth arrangement and similarly, the rear of the
front sole portion may comprise a matching sawtooth which
interlocks with the sawtooth on the rear sole. The interlocking of
the two sole halves may add rigidity to the sole and in extended
mode provide a two part sole which, whilst being separable in
folded mode behaves like a one piece moulded sole in an extended
interlocked mode.
[0067] In other embodiments, the faces at the rear of the front
sole and the front of the rear sole may be made in a variety of
interlocking or matching shapes, including sinusoidal undulating
faces, channeled surfaces in a direction across the width of the
shoe, or a combination of protrusions and recesses with protrusions
on one face of the front or rear sole interlocking with
corresponding recesses on the other one of the front or rear
soles.
* * * * *