U.S. patent application number 12/746636 was filed with the patent office on 2011-04-28 for foldable footwear and soles for foldable footwear.
Invention is credited to Christopher Weightman.
Application Number | 20110094125 12/746636 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38983164 |
Filed Date | 2011-04-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110094125 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weightman; Christopher |
April 28, 2011 |
FOLDABLE FOOTWEAR AND SOLES FOR FOLDABLE FOOTWEAR
Abstract
A sole (10) for foldable footwear has a plurality of defined
fold lines (34-40) arranged such that the sole can be folded so as
to have a folded length that is less than its unfolded length. A
pair of foldable shoes provided with the foldable sole (10) can
conveniently be packaged for sale from a vending machine.
Inventors: |
Weightman; Christopher;
(London, GB) |
Family ID: |
38983164 |
Appl. No.: |
12/746636 |
Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
December 5, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2008/004025 |
371 Date: |
June 7, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/102 ; 12/142R;
36/103; 36/30R; 36/59C |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 5/0085 20130101;
A43B 13/16 20130101; B65D 2313/02 20130101; A43B 3/24 20130101;
A43B 13/141 20130101; A43B 3/0068 20130101; B65D 85/187
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/102 ; 36/59.C;
36/103; 36/30.R; 12/142.R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43C 15/00 20060101 A43C015/00; A43B 13/00 20060101
A43B013/00; A43B 13/12 20060101 A43B013/12; A43D 8/00 20060101
A43D008/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 7, 2007 |
GB |
0724030.2 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
folded length is less than half the unfolded length.
3. A sole for foldable footwear: said sole having a folded length
and an unfolded length and being provided with a plurality of
defined fold lines arranged such that said sole can be folded such
that said folded length is less than said unfolded length, said
fold lines comprising inclined fold lines that extend in a
widthways direction of said sole and are inclined with respect to a
notional line that bisects said sole in a lengthways direction
thereof, and said inclined fold lines including at least one fold
line that is inclined in a first direction and at least one fold
line that is inclined in a second direction, said first direction
being from an instep side of said sole towards a first end of said
sole and said second direction being from said instep side towards
a second end of said sole.
4. (canceled)
5. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 3, comprising a
plurality of said inclined fold lines inclined in said first
direction and at least one said inclined fold line inclined in said
second direction, said inclined fold lines inclined in said first
direction alternating with said at least one inclined fold line
inclined in said second direction.
6. (canceled)
7. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein said
sole comprises an underside having a plurality of ground contacting
projections projecting therefrom, said fold lines being defined by
spaces between the projections.
8. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 7, wherein said
projections are ribs.
9. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 7, wherein
respective sets of the ribs disposed on each side of a said fold
line extend in at least one direction that is transverse to the
fold line.
10. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 7, wherein
said projections are arranged such that when the sole is folded,
the projections on one portion of two facing portions of the sole
are received in spaces between the projections on the second of
said two facing portions.
11. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
sole has a relaxed condition in which it is partially folded along
each fold line, the sole being movable from said relaxed condition
to a fully folded condition and to an unfolded use condition in
which it has substantially no folds.
12. A sole for foldable footwear as claimed in claim 11, wherein
said fold lines are arranged such that the sole can be moved from
said relaxed condition to said fully folded condition by applying a
twisting force to a toe end region of the sole and a twisting force
to a heel end region of the sole, said twisting forces being
applied in opposite directions.
13. A foldable shoe comprising a foldable sole, said sole having a
folded length and an unfolded length and being provided with a
plurality of defined fold lines arranged such that said sole can be
folded such that said folded length is less than said unfolded
length, said fold lines comprising inclined fold lines that extend
in a widthways direction of said sole and are inclined with respect
to a notional line that bisects said sole in a lengthways direction
thereof, and said inclined fold lines including at least one fold
line that is inclined in a first direction and at least one fold
line that is inclined in a second direction, said first direction
being from an instep side of said sole towards a first end of said
sole and said second direction being from said instep side towards
a second end of said sole.
14-23. (canceled)
24. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 13, wherein said fold lines
are arranged such that when folded said shoe has a generally
triangular outline.
25. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 13, wherein said sole is a
one-piece construction.
26-28. (canceled)
29. A foldable shoe as claimed in claim 13, further comprising an
insole and an intermediate layer between the sole and the insole,
the intermediate layer comprising a plurality of stiffening members
arranged in series and separated by spaces arranged to coincide
with the fold lines.
30. A package containing a pair of foldable shoes, each said
foldable shoe comprising a foldable sole, each said sole having a
folded length and an unfolded length and being provided with a
plurality of defined fold lines arranged such that said sole can be
folded such that said folded length is less than said unfolded
length, said fold lines comprising inclined fold lines that extend
in a widthways direction of said sole and are inclined with respect
to a notional line that bisects said sole in a lengthways direction
thereof, said inclined fold lines including at least one fold line
that is inclined in a first direction and at least one fold line
that is inclined in a second direction, said first direction being
from an instep side of said sole towards a first end of said sole
and said second direction being from said instep side towards a
second end of said sole.
31. (canceled)
32. A method of folding a foldable shoe having an unfolded length
and a folded length that is less than said unfolded length, the
foldable shoe having a sole having a plurality of defined fold
lines that extend in a widthways direction of said sole and are
inclined with respect to a notional line that bisects said sole in
a lengthways direction thereof and including at least one said fold
line that is inclined in a first direction and at least one said
fold line that is inclined in a second direction, said first
direction being from an instep side of said sole towards a first
end of said sole and said second direction being from said instep
side towards a second end of said sole, the method comprising
folding the shoe along the fold lines.
33. A method as claimed in claim 32 comprising folding the shoe by
applying oppositely directed twisting forces to a toe end region
and heel end region of the shoe.
34. A method as claimed in claim 33, wherein said oppositely
directed twisting forces are applied simultaneously.
35. A method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the said fold lines
are spaced apart in said lengthways direction, the method
comprising alternately folding the shoe in generally opposite
directions at successive said fold lines.
36. A package as claimed in claim 30, wherein said package
comprises a first receptacle for a first of said foldable shoes, a
second receptacle for a second of said foldable shoes and a hinge
connecting said receptacles.
37. A package as claimed in claim 36, wherein each said receptacle
is generally triangular.
38. A package as claimed in claim 37, wherein an imaginary line
extending perpendicularly from a base of the triangular receptacle
to an apex of the triangular receptacle has a length that is less
than half said unfolded length.
39. A sole for foldable footwear, said sole having an unfolded
length and a folded length that is less than said unfolded length
and being provided with a plurality of defined fold lines arranged
such that the sole can be folded, said sole comprising an underside
having a plurality of ground contacting projections projecting
therefrom, said fold lines being defined by spaces between said
projections and being configured such that when folded said sole
comprises a plurality of overlying portions, and said projections
being configured such that when the sole is folded, the projections
on a first said overlying portion are received in spaces between
the projections of a second said overlying portion that faces said
first overlying portion.
40. A sole for foldable footwear, said sole having an unfolded
length and a folded length that is less than said unfolded length
and being provided with a plurality of defined fold lines arranged
such that the sole can be folded, said fold lines comprising
inclined fold lines that extend in a widthways direction of said
sole and are inclined with respect to a notional line that bisects
said sole in a lengthways direction thereof, said inclined fold
lines including at least one first direction fold line that is
inclined in a first direction and at least one second direction
fold line that is inclined in a second direction, said first
direction being from an instep side of said sole towards a first
end of said sole and said second direction being from said instep
side towards a second end of said sole, and said first and second
direction fold lines being such that said sole can be folded by
applying a twisting force to said first end of the sole and a
twisting force to said second end the sole, said twisting forces
being applied in opposite directions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to foldable footwear, soles for
foldable footwear and particularly, but not exclusively, to
footwear that can be folded for packaging in a format suitable for
sale from vending machines.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention provides a sole for foldable footwear, said
sole having a plurality of defined fold lines arranged such that
the sole can be folded so as to have a folded length that is less
than its unfolded length.
[0003] The invention also includes a foldable shoe comprising a
sole and an upper connected with the sole, the sole having a
plurality of defined fold lines arranged such that the shoe can be
folded so as to have a folded length that is less than its unfolded
length.
[0004] The invention also includes a method of folding a foldable
shoe, the foldable shoe having a plurality of defined fold lines
and the method comprising folding the shoe along the fold lines
such that the shoe has a folded length that is less than an
unfolded length.
[0005] The invention also includes a package for a pair of foldable
shoes, the package comprising a first receptacle for a foldable
shoe, a second receptacle for a foldable shoe and a hinge
connecting said receptacles.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] In order that the invention may be well understood, some
embodiments thereof, which are given by way of example only, will
now be described with reference to the drawings in which:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the underside of a sole for
foldable footwear;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the sole of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable shoe
comprising the sole of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the foldable shoe of
FIG. 3 in a folded condition;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing another foldable shoe;
and
[0012] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a package for the
foldable shoes of FIGS. 3 and 5, with the package shown in an open
condition.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
[0013] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a sole 10 for foldable footwear
comprises a generally planar moulding having a toe end 12, a heel
end 14, an instep side 16 and an outer side 18 that is opposite the
instep side. The sole 10 has an upper surface 20 and an underside
22 that in use faces the ground. The underside 22 is provided with
a plurality of ground engaging projections in the form of
respective sets of ribs 24-32. The sets of ribs 24-32 are separated
by spaces that define respective fold lines 34-40 along which the
sole 10 can be folded.
[0014] As can be seen in FIG. 1, the fold lines 34-40 extend in a
widthways direction of the sole 10 and are inclined with respect to
a notional lengthways extending line 42 that bisects the sole in
the lengthways direction. The fold lines 34, 38 are inclined from
the instep side 16 of the sole towards the toe end 12 and the fold
lines 36, 40 are inclined from the instep side towards the heel end
14. It will be noted that the direction of inclination of the fold
lines 34-40 alternates.
[0015] The first two sets of ribs 24, 26 starting at the toe end 12
and the set of ribs 32 at the heel end 14 extend in the lengthways
direction of the sole generally parallel to the line 42. The two
sets of ribs 28, 30 between the lengthways extending sets are
inclined with respect to the line 42 from the instep side 16
towards the toe end 12. The arrangement of the sets of ribs 24-32
and fold lines 34-40 is such that when the sole 10 is folded, the
sets of ribs on portions of the sole that face one another can mesh
(ie the ribs on one of two facing portions enter the spaces between
the ribs on the other of the two facing portions). This meshing
arrangement minimises the thickness of the folded sole.
[0016] Referring to FIG. 3, a foldable shoe 50 comprises the
foldable sole 10, a set of stiffening members in the form of shims
52-60 that lie on the upper surface 22 of the sole and a cushion
(or insole) 62, which lies on top of the shims to complete the foot
supporting portion of the shoe. The shims 52-60 are shaped to fit
over the ribbed areas of the sole 10 and leave gaps between
corresponding to the fold lines 34-40. Thus the configuration of
the shims 52-60 is such as to maintain the foldababilty of the shoe
50. The sole 10, shims 52-60 and insole 62 are attached by any
suitable means such as by the use of adhesives.
[0017] The foldable shoe 50 further comprises a two-part upper made
up of a front upper 64 and a rear upper 66. A hook 68 is provided
in the rear upper 66. The front and rear uppers 64, 66 are made of
a fabric so as to be lightweight and flexible and are secured to
the assembly of the sole 10, shims 52-60 and insole 62 by any
suitable conventional means such as adhesives and/or stitching. In
the illustrated arrangement, the lower edges 70 of the front and
rear uppers 64, 66 are secured between the sole 10 and insole 62 by
means of a suitable adhesive. If the shoe 50 is intended for indoor
use, for example as a slipper, and particularly where it is
intended for one-off use, the upper may simply be a lightweight
fabric. Where the shoe 50 is intended for outdoor use, the material
used may be a waterproof, or waterproofed, material intended to
make the shoe at least capable of withstanding light rainfall or
exposure to similar levels of moisture.
[0018] The hook 68 comprises a length of suitable cord that runs
within seams (not shown) that run along the inside of the upper
edge 72 of the rear upper 66 and has respective ends that are
trapped between the sole 10 and insole 62.
[0019] In order to fold the shoe 50 to achieve the folded condition
shown in FIG. 4, the user first folds the shoe along the fold line
36 in the direction of the heel end 14 to bring the rib set 26 into
meshing contact with the rib set 28. The shoe is then folded along
the fold line 40 to bring the rib set 32 into mesh with the rib set
30. The shoe is then folded along the fold line 38 to move the rear
upper 66 into engagement with the rearward end of the front upper
64. The folding process is completed by folding the shoe along the
fold line 34 such as to fold the toe end of the front upper back
towards the rearward end of the front upper. Once the folding
process is complete, the shoe 50 has a generally triangular
configuration as shown in FIG. 4. The folded length of the shoe 50
is approximately 40% of its unfolded length.
[0020] It should be noted that the order of folding described above
does not represent the only way in which the foldable shoe 50 can
be folded to achieve the folded shape shown in FIG. 4. For example,
the foldable shoe 50 could be folded first along fold line 40,
followed by folding along the fold line 36. Regardless of whether
the first fold is made along fold line 36 or fold line 40 first,
the second fold could be along fold line 38. The particular order
of folding is less important that the folds are made in the correct
direction. In the illustrated arrangement, the shoe 50 is
alternately folded in opposite directions at successive fold lines
34-40.
[0021] Referring to FIG. 5, another foldable shoe 100 has a
foldable sole 110 that has a toe end 112, heel end 114, instep side
116 and an outer side 118 opposite the instep side. In the same way
as the foldable sole 10, the foldable sole 110 has five sets of
ground engaging ribs 124-132, which are spaced to define four fold
lines 134-140. The fold lines 134-140 extend in the widthways
direction of the shoe 100 and are inclined in the same way as the
fold lines 34-40 of the shoe 10. In the same way as the shoe 50,
the shoe 100 has shims and an insole (not show) and a front upper
164 and a rear upper 166.
[0022] The difference between the shoe 100 and the shoe 10 is that
the foldable sole 110 is moulded in a contoured mould so that it
has a normally non-planar partially folded shape as shown in FIG.
5. The shoe 100 and, in particular the foldable sole 110, can be
moved to a use position in which it has no substantially no folds.
This is most readily achieved by the user inserting his/her feet
into the shoe. The shoe 100 and sole 110 can also be folded into
the triangular shape shown in FIG. 4. Essentially, the same folds
are made as previously described for the sole 10. However, because
the sole 110 is made such that once removed from a wearer's foot it
relaxes to a partially folded condition, the user does not have to
remember the folding sequence. Instead, he/she simply completes the
folding process by twisting the shoe 100 as indicated by the arrows
in FIG. 5. It is not necessary to make the folds one after the
other. The user simply grips the shoe in the region of the toe end
112 and twists clockwise (as viewed in the drawing) while
simultaneously. It will be noted that as with the sole 10, the sole
110 is alternately folded in opposite directions at successive
folds 134-140.
[0023] When the soles 50, 100 are folded, they have a generally
triangular outline with approximately equi-length sides. Referring
to FIG. 6, a triangular package 150 for a pair of the shoes 50 or
shoes 100 comprises two triangular receptacles in the form of
pockets 152, 154 connected by a hinge 156, which is optionally made
of an elastomer. The package 150 is shown in an open condition in
which the respective entrances 158 to the pockets 152, 154 (only
one of which is visible in the drawing) can be accessed to allow
the shoes to be inserted in or removed from the pockets.
[0024] The package 150 is closed by bringing the two pockets 152,
154 together by folding the package about a notional axis 160 that
runs generally parallel to the base sides of the pockets 152, 154
in which the entrances 158 are defined. The direction of folding is
indicated by the arrows 162. The two pockets 152, 154 can be
secured together by an elasticated loop (not shown) that is fixed
to one of the pockets or by any other suitable fastening
arrangement. For example, a hook and eye fastening arrangement
could be used. The hook and eye fastening arrangement may comprise
Velcro.RTM. pads provided on the faces of the pockets 152, 154 that
are brought together when the package 150 is closed. A suitable
location for such pads is shown by dashed lines 164.
[0025] The package 150 may be made of any suitable packaging
material and could, for example, be made of cardboard printed with
information relating to the shoe size and/or folding
instructions.
[0026] The relatively small size of the packaged shoes 50, 100
makes them particularly suitable for sale from vending machines,
which might, for example, be provided in hotels or clubs, or at
transport locations such as airports. The small packaged size makes
it possible to provide a reasonable range of sizes of shoe in a
relatively compact vending machine.
[0027] The foldable sole is typically a one-piece moulding and can
be made of any suitable natural or synthetic polymer.
[0028] It will be appreciated that it is not essential to have four
fold lines as in the embodiments. A smaller number may be provided.
This would reduce the extent to which the length of the sole could
be reduced by folding, but should result in a thinner folded shoe.
Alternatively, a greater number of folds could be provided. This
allows the possibility of an increase in the extent to which the
length of the sole is reduced by folding, but with an increased
complexity in the folding arrangement and a potentially thicker
folded shoe.
[0029] It will be appreciated that the fold lines do not have to be
in the form of spaces separating sets of ribs as in the
embodiments. A foldable sole could instead comprise a generally
smooth or dimpled ground engaging surface with fold lines defined
as grooves in the ground engaging surface.
[0030] It will be understood that while it is preferable that the
foldable sole has a substantially constant thickness throughout its
length, the portion between the heel end and the fold line closest
to the heel end could be of increased thickness to define a raised
heel.
[0031] It will be appreciated that the sole of the foldable shoe
does not have to be a one-piece moulding as illustrated in the
drawings. Instead, a series of pads corresponding, for example, in
shape to the shims could be secured to the underside of a
relatively soft material with spaces provided to define fold lines
corresponding to the illustrated fold lines or any other suitable
arrangement.
[0032] It will be understood that while the upper of the foldable
shoes conveniently comprises two parts as illustrated in the
drawings, that is not essential. The upper could be a one-piece
construction with, for example, an overall shape similar to that of
the illustrated two-part upper. Alternatively, the shoe may have an
upper just at the toe end, in which case, the upper may have a
shape similar to the illustrated front upper 66. Yet another
alternative would be to have a system of strapping providing a
sandal type structure. Such strapping might take the form of an
elasticated band at the toe end of the shoe or one, or more,
releasable straps that are securable, for example, by a hook and
eye type fastener such as Velcro.RTM..
[0033] It will be appreciated that while the foldable shoe is
particularly suitable for packaging and sale in a folded condition,
this is not essential. It could be sold unfolded. This would still
give the purchaser the benefit of a shoe that could be conveniently
folded when required.
* * * * *