FOOTWEAR

The disclosure relates to a footwear collar and an item of footwear comprising the collar for defining an opening into which a wearer's foot is insertable, the collar comprising a one-piece semi-rigid element which borders the opening, by itself or in combination with a sole or an upper of the footwear, to continuously surround the opening, and an undulating configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs, the peaks being located adjacent the opening, wherein the collar is biased into a closed configuration and can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening is increased to don and doff the footwear.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to footwear. In particular, the invention relates to a footwear collar and an item of footwear comprising the collar.

BACKGROUND

There are various ways to don and doff footwear. People are leading increasingly busy lives and it can be inconvenient and time consuming to don and doff footwear. For example, some footwear requires a wearer to bend down to don and/or doff the footwear, for example using laces to tighten and loosen the footwear to ensure a good fit. This bending action is difficult for some wearers due to, for example, age or health reasons and is time consuming and inconvenient. There is a need for a footwear that is easy to don and doff in a convenient and quick manner without requiring the wearer to bend down. Further there is a preference to provide people with more choice in terms of fit, style or fashion of footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect there is provided an item of footwear comprising a collar for defining an opening into which a wearer's foot is insertable the collar comprising a one-piece semi-rigid element which borders the opening, by itself or in combination with a sole or an upper of the footwear, to continuously surround the opening, and an undulating configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs, the peaks being located adjacent the opening, wherein the collar is biased into a closed configuration and can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening is increased to don and doff the footwear.

The collar has a simple yet functionally effective design being formed of a one-piece semi-rigid element. The collar is semi-rigid to the extent that it is biased into a closed configuration whilst maintaining an opening and being easily movable into an open configuration in which the size of the opening is increased or expanded when a wearer's foot is inserted into the opening and the wearer's foot exerts a force on the collar. The collar is semi-rigid such that it is stiff enough yet resilient to enable the collar to flex under the force exerted by a wearer's foot.

The collar may be a moulded element for ease of manufacture. The collar may be a three-dimensional moulded element. The collar may be formed of a material selected from one or more of: a plastics material; a foam; a rubberised latex; metal; and naturally occurring material. Example suitable plastics material may include nylon, thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and silicone polymer, or variations thereof. Example suitable foam material may include ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), and polyurethane. Example suitable naturally occurring material may include cork, resin, and leather such as thick-bend leather used to form a sole. The design and shape of the collar by way of the series of alternating peaks and troughs allows the collar to move between the open and closed configurations. The collar may be an elastic or semi-elastic material. The collar is durable, returning to the closed configuration through repeated use by a wearer donning and doffing the footwear.

The collar can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening is increased. This allows the wearer to insert their foot through the opening to don and doff the footwear.

The item of footwear may comprise a sole and, optionally, an upper.

The collar defines an opening or mouth into which a wearer's foot is insertable. The collar borders or skirts the opening to define the opening by itself or in combination with a sole or an upper of the footwear, for example through 360 degrees of the opening, such that the collar continuously surrounds or defines the opening by itself or in combination with a part of the footwear. The collar may form a boundary of the opening or an edge along or beside the opening. The collar may delineate the opening to indicate the exact position of the opening. The collar may substantially surround and/or continuously surround the opening through 360 degrees of the opening. The item of footwear may have no elements obstructing the opening. Example of elements include fastenings, such as laces, buckles and hook and loop fastenings (Velcro™).

The undulating configuration comprises a first series of alternating peaks and troughs with the peaks being located adjacent the opening. The troughs may be located away from the opening and towards a sole of the footwear. When the footwear comprises an upper, the troughs may be located on the upper and/or on the sole of the footwear. The collar may comprise an undulating configuration which may comprise substantially one or more of: a waveform; a zig-zag; a sinusoid; a concertina shape; a coil shape; and fingers. The design or shape of the collar allows the collar to repeatedly flex and bend (effectively functioning to stretch or elasticate the collar) without deformation.

The foot has an instep which is the arched middle portion at the top of the foot, in front of the ankle joint. The footwear has a throat region which, when the wearer dons the footwear, is adjacent the instep of the foot.

The collar has an anatomical shape to conform to that of a wearer's foot when a user's foot is fully inserted into the footwear. In use, when the wearer's foot is fully inserted into the footwear, the collar passes over the foot's instep, such that the instep is adjacent the throat region of the footwear. In the embodiments described (with the exception of the slide-sandal embodiment), the collar encircles the ankle of the wearer's foot in 360 degrees passing around the entire foot through instep to heel and back to the instep. In the slide-sandal embodiment, the collar passes over the wearer's instep through substantially 180 degrees.

The collar may be configured so that a peak comes into contact with the instep of a wearer's foot to don and doff the footwear. The collar may be configured such that when a wearer inserts their foot into the opening the instep and/or heel of the foot may come into contact with a tongue section and heel section of the collar. The peaks and troughs of the collar may be symmetrical about a centre line passing from the tongue section to the heel section of the collar. A single peak may be provided at each of the tongue section and/or heel section of the collar, wherein the single peak may be broader or wider than the other peaks, for example broader than the peaks at lateral sections of the footwear. This helps to widen the opening of the collar as soon as the wearer positions their foot to don and doff the footwear. This configuration ensures that when a wearer inserts their foot into the opening of the collar the instep and/or heel of the foot may come into contact with a peak at the tongue section and at the heel section of the collar before it comes into contact with a trough of the collar.

The collar may comprise a first face and a second opposed face, the first face configured in use to be adjacent a wearer's foot, and wherein a thickness of the collar is defined between the first face and second opposed face. The thickness may vary at different positions of the collar. The varying thickness of the collar or semi-rigid element controls the extent to which different sections of the collar be moved between the closed and open configurations. Sections of the collar with a smaller thickness than other sections may move to a greater extent than the other sections with a larger thickness, and vice versa. This allows the fit of the footwear to be tailored for different wearers and foot sizes.

The collar may comprise a heel section and a tongue section with lateral sections therebetween, and wherein the collar is configured to move to an open configuration in response to force exerted on the heel section and/or a tongue section. The heel section is located at a heel region of the footwear. The tongue section is located at a tongue region of the footwear. The tongue section and heel section therefore align with the instep and heel of the wearer's foot, respectively. The instep can contact the tongue section of the collar, and/or the heel can contact the heel section of the collar, to exert a force on the collar and move the collar to an open configuration. In the open configuration the heel section and tongue section of the collar are moved further apart compared to the closed configuration.

The heel section and/or the tongue section may comprise a peak. This allows the force of a wearer's foot to be exerted on the peak to move the collar to the open configuration. This allows the collar to move more easily into the open configuration under the force exerted by the wearer's foot inserted into the opening making it easier for the wearer to don and doff the footwear.

The heel section and/or tongue section may comprise a flared portion that flares outwards away from the opening to thereby act as a shoehorn. This makes it easier for the wearer to don and doff the footwear since the flared section widens the opening to allow the wearer to insert their foot more easily into the opening.

The thickness of the collar may be greater at the heel section and/or the tongue section than the lateral sections. This helps the force exerted by the wearer's foot in the opening to be focused on the tongue section and/or heel section making it easier to don and doff the footwear.

The collar may comprise an upper edge and a lower edge, wherein the upper edge comprises the first series of alternating peaks and troughs. The lower edge may not comprise an undulating configuration (for example extending in a line around the footwear). Alternatively, the lower edge may comprise a second series of alternating peaks and troughs. The peaks of the lower edge may align with the peaks of the upper edge. The troughs of the lower edge may align with the troughs of the lower edge.

A distance between the upper edge and the lower edge may vary around the collar. This allows different parts of the collar to bend or flex by varying amounts to provide an improved fit for different wearers having different foot sizes (i.e., the collar flexes as opposed to deforming by crushing). The distance may be larger at the peaks and/or troughs than mid-sections between the peaks and troughs. This allows the movement of the collar into the open configuration to be concentrated at the mid-sections. This has the advantage that it encourages more flexing at the lateral regions as the collar moves from closed configuration to open configuration, resulting in the tongue and heel regions moving apart. In addition, it provides a more comfortable fit.

The undulating configuration may extend around the opening. The peaks and troughs may extend between the opening and a sole of the footwear.

The number of peaks and troughs may be the same such that the collar has symmetry along a longitudinal axis of the footwear extending from heel to toe. The total number of peaks and troughs may be six, eight, or twelve, or more or less. In its simplest form the collar may comprise two peaks and two troughs, such as one peak at the tongue section and one peak at the heel section with one trough therebetween at each lateral section (ankle section), such that the collar is V-shaped. The heel section and/or tongue section may each comprise a single peak and without a trough. The flared portion may be located on the single peak at the heel section and/or tongue section. This makes it easier for the wearer to don and doff the footwear since the peak comes into contact with the instep and/or heel first and before a trough when the wearer inserts their foot into the opening.

The undulating configuration may further comprise a second series of alternating peaks and troughs. This allows an easier movement of the collar into the open configuration. The lower edge may comprise the second series of alternating peaks and troughs.

The series of alternating peaks and troughs may correspond to multiple undulations of the undulating configuration, each undulation comprising a single peak and trough and having a varying length and/or amplitude around the collar. Further, an angle at the peaks and troughs may vary around the collar. This allows movement of the collar to be focused on different parts of the collar. The design or shape of the collar with the series of alternating peaks and troughs enhances the movement of the collar at the peaks when the troughs are attached to the footwear. A wider angle at the peaks and troughs has the potential to provide more movement of the collar. However, in practice, the troughs may be attached to the footwear, for example at a sole of the footwear, such that the troughs are anchored to restrict movement of the collar at the troughs. In this manner, more movement of the collar may be provided at the peaks compared to the troughs.

The movement of the collar may be focused on different parts of the collar by customizing the attachment of the collar to the footwear. For example, the troughs may be attached to the footwear at the lateral sections and not attached at the tongue section and heel section. This focusses movement of the collar to the tongue section and heel section compared to the lateral sections, thereby providing ankle support.

In an example, a collar having a larger number of peaks and troughs (with narrower angles at the peaks and troughs) is afforded a greater degree of movement or enhanced movement of the collar, compared to a collar having a lesser number of peaks and troughs (with wider angles at the peaks and troughs). This is due to the lesser number of troughs attached to the footwear actually increasing the restriction to movement of the collar in the trough regions.

In an example the undulating configuration is represented by a waveform wherein each undulation corresponds to one wave or period of the waveform. Each undulation therefore comprises a wavelength and amplitude. The length or wavelength defined as the distance along the collar between adjacent peaks or adjacent troughs. The amplitude defined as half the distance along the collar between an adjacent peak and trough from a position of equilibrium (above and below which the waveform oscillates or undulates).

The collar may be configured such that it is biased towards the closed configuration such that the collar in use grasps the wearer's foot, i.e., whilst the wearer is donning the footwear. This enables the wearer to don and doff the footwear without bending down to adjust or tighten a fit of the footwear.

The collar may comprise an adjustment means. This allows the wearer to adjust a fit of the collar and hence the footwear, allowing the wearer to adjust the tightness of the footwear around their foot. The wearer may initially use the adjustment means to adjust the fit of the footwear to their foot to provide a custom fit. Thereon, the wearer may leave the adjustment means in the custom position, such that the footwear remains custom fit to their foot-size from the first use and thereafter relying on properties of the collar to don and doff the footwear (via the size of the opening being increased under influence of a force exerted on the collar by the wearer's foot). The adjustment means may comprise apertures for receiving laces. The adjustment means may be integrally formed with the collar and may be formed of the same material as the collar. The integrally formed adjustment means may comprise integral loops and/or eyelets on the collar such that laces may be threaded therethrough. The adjustment means may be located on the tongue section of the collar, or closer to the tongue section than the heel section of the collar.

The footwear may comprise a collar-receiving means, configured such that the collar is removably attachable to the footwear. The collar may form a separate component to the footwear. This allows the collar to be removably attached or anchored to the footwear such that the collar can be provided as a modular component that is interchangeable for another collar, for example of a different colour, style, or fashion. The collar may be removably attached to an upper and/or sole of the footwear. The collar may be wrapped or pass underneath the footwear and/or be insertable into the sole of the footwear.

The collar-receiving means may comprise a recessed surface or grooves into which at least part of the collar is mounted in use and/or a pocket configured to receive a portion of the collar. The collar is biased to the closed configuration and the size of the opening on the collar may be increased to remove the collar from the recessed surface. This enables the collar to be removably attached to the footwear in a more secure manner. Further it helps to align the collar in a correct or preferred position on the footwear, for example to align the heel section and tongue section of the collar with the wearer's heel and instep, respectively. The collar therefore fits snugly into the recessed surface or cavity. The edges of the recessed surface may be embossed or comprise protrusions to further aid positioning of the collar on the footwear.

The pocket may be located on a tongue region and/or heel region of the footwear to ensure the collar remains in a correct or preferred position during use since a peak of the collar may extend into the pocket. This pocket makes it easier for the wearer to removably attach and detach the collar for interchanging the collar. The wearer's foot exerts a force on the collar at the heel section and tongue section of the collar and the pocket provides more stability to don and doff the footwear by restricting movement of the collar. The pocket may be permanently attached to the footwear to provide a more stable attachment of the collar to the footwear. The pocket may comprise an aperture, for example for receiving a fastening means of the collar or through which the fastening means is insertable. The pocket may be provided at any location on the footwear such that the collar can extend or slot into the pocket to restrict movement or twisting of the collar about the footwear and/or maintain an alignment of peaks at the heel section and/or tongue section.

Alternatively, the collar may be permanently bonded to the footwear, such as to the upper and/or sole of the footwear, to improve the strength and durability of the collar attachment to the footwear. The collar may be attached to the footwear via cementing and/or stitching.

The collar may comprise a first fastening means and the footwear may comprise a second fastening means, wherein the first and second fastening are configured to interact, in use, to fasten the collar to the footwear. The collar may comprise a third fastening means and the footwear may comprise a fourth fastening means, wherein the third and fourth fastening means are configured to interact, in use, to fasten the collar to the footwear. This allows the collar to be removably attached or anchored to the footwear in a more secure manner and to ensure a correct alignment of the collar, for example preventing twisting of the collar about the footwear during use. The fastening means reinforce the collar from collapsing in the regions of the collar that are subject to force from the wearer's foot when the wearer dons and doffs the footwear. The collar may be removably attached to an upper and/or sole of the footwear. The first fastening means may be located on a tongue section of the collar and the second fastening means may be located on a tongue region of the footwear. The third fastening means may be located on a heel section of the collar and the fourth fastening means may be located on a heel region of the footwear. This helps to align the collar in a correct or preferred orientation on the collar. The first and/or third fastening means may comprise a protrusion and the second and/or fourth fastening means may comprise an aperture configured to receive the protrusion. The protrusion may be a button and/or have a broad top and a narrow stem, for example in the shape of a mushroom. The mushroom-shaped protrusion allows part of the laces (for example) to be hidden beneath the protrusion.

The collar may surround substantially 180 degrees of the opening. The collar may comprise a toe-post to provide a more secure fit of the footwear. The toe-post may be integrally formed with the collar such that the toe-post is formed of the same material as the collar for ease of manufacture. The collar may be insertable into recesses in the sole of the footwear such that the collar (including the toe-post) may be reversibly attached to the sole, enabling the collar to be removed from the footwear and replaced.

According to a second aspect there is provided a footwear collar for defining an opening into which a wearer's foot is insertable, the collar comprising a one-piece semi-rigid element, configured such that in use it borders the opening of an item of footwear, by itself or in combination with a sole or an upper of a footwear, to continuously surround the opening, and an undulating configuration comprising a first series of alternating peaks and troughs, the peaks being located adjacent the opening, wherein the collar is biased into a closed configuration and can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening is increased to don and doff a footwear. The collar may be interchangeable, for example for a collar of a different colour, style, or fashion.

The collar may comprise a heel section and a tongue section with lateral sections therebetween, and a first face and a second opposed face, the first face configured in use to be adjacent a wearer's foot, and wherein a thickness of the collar is defined between the first face and second opposed face, and wherein the thickness of the collar is greater at the heel section and/or the tongue section than the lateral sections. The varying thickness of the collar or semi-rigid element controls the extent to which different sections of the collar be moved between the closed and open configurations. Sections of the collar with a smaller thickness than other sections may move to a greater extent than the other sections with a larger thickness, and vice versa. This allows the fit of the footwear to be tailored for different wearers and foot sizes. It also helps the force exerted by the wearer's foot in the opening to be focused on the tongue section and/or heel section making it easier to don and doff the footwear.

The heel section and/or the tongue section may comprise a single peak. This allows an instep of a wearer's foot to come into contact with the single peak to don the footwear. This allows the force exerted by the foot on the collar to be applied at a focused part of the collar, thereby to aid expansion of the collar opening to don and doff the footwear. This configuration has the advantage that when a wearer inserts their foot into the opening the instep and/or heel of the foot may come into contact with a single peak before a trough.

The heel section and/or tongue section may comprise a flared portion that flares outwards away from the opening to thereby act as a shoehorn. This makes it easier for the wearer to insert their foot into the opening since the flared section widens the opening.

The collar may comprise an upper edge and a lower edge at which the first face and second opposed face meet, the upper edge comprising the first series of alternating peaks and troughs, wherein a distance between the upper edge and lower edge varies around the collar. This allows different parts of the collar to bend or flex by varying amounts to provide an improved fit for different wearers having different foot sizes. The distance may be larger at the peaks and/or troughs than mid-sections between the peaks and troughs. This allows the movement of the collar into the open configuration to be concentrated at the mid-sections providing a more comfortable fit.

The series of alternating peaks and troughs may correspond to multiple undulations of the undulating configuration, each undulation comprising a single peak and trough and having a length and amplitude, wherein the length and/or amplitude is not the same for every undulation. This allows movement of the collar to be focused on different parts of the collar.

The collar may comprise an adjustment means, optionally wherein the adjustment means comprises apertures for receiving laces. The adjustment means may be integrally formed with the collar such that the adjustment means is formed of the same material as the collar. This allows the wearer to adjust a fit of the collar, allowing the wearer to adjust the tightness of the collar around their foot. Laces may be threadable through the adjustment means. The adjustment means may be provided on the collar so as to be positioned symmetrically about a centre line running from the tongue section to the heel section.

The collar may comprise a first fastening means located on the tongue section of the collar. This allows the collar to be removably attached to the footwear in a more secure manner and to ensure a correct alignment of the collar, for example preventing twisting of the collar about the footwear during use. The collar may be removably attached to an upper and/or sole of the footwear. The first fastening means may comprise a protrusion configured to engage with a corresponding aperture on an item of footwear. The protrusion may be a button, such as a mushroom-shaped button which allows part of the laces (for example) to be hidden beneath the protrusion.

The collar may comprise a toe-post to provide a more secure fit of the footwear. The toe-post may be integrally formed with the collar such that the toe-post is formed of the same material as the collar for ease of manufacture. The collar may be insertable into recesses in the sole of the footwear such that the collar (including the toe-post) may be reversibly attached to the sole, enabling the collar to be removed from the footwear and replaced.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words “comprise” and “contain” and variations of the words, for example “comprising” and “comprises”, mean “including but not limited to”, and do not exclude other components, integers, or steps. Moreover, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires: in particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

Preferred features of each aspect of the invention may be as described in connection with any of the other aspects. Within the scope of this application, it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples, and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An item of footwear10according to a first embodiment is shown inFIG.1. The item of footwear10is a shoe and comprises a sole16, an upper18and an opening14into which a wearer's foot is insertable. The collar12surrounds the opening14.

The collar12comprises a one-piece semi-rigid element, for example as shown inFIGS.2A and2B. The collar12has an undulating configuration which enables the collar to flex, thereby adjusting the size of the opening.

As shown inFIG.3the collar12comprises a first face26and a second opposed face28. The first face26is configured in use to be adjacent a wearer's foot. The collar12also comprises an upper edge40and a lower edge42at which the first face26and second opposed face28meet. The upper edge40comprises a first series of alternating peaks20and troughs22. In this embodiment, the lower edge42comprises a second series of alternating peaks21and troughs23.

A thickness30of the collar12is defined between the first face26and second opposed face28. The thickness30may vary in different regions of the collar12. The regions of reduced thickness30allow more flexing than the regions of greater thickness.

The collar12comprises a heel section32and a tongue section34with lateral sections therebetween36. As shown inFIG.1, the heel section32is located at a heel region33of the footwear10. The tongue section34is located at a tongue region35of the footwear10. The thickness of the collar may be greater at the heel section32and/or the tongue section34than the lateral sections36. These thicker regions at the heel section32and the tongue section34provide additional strength, as the tongue region and heel regions of the footwear10experience more force from a wearer's foot when donning and doffing the footwear.

A distance between the upper edge40and lower42edge may vary around the collar12. As shown inFIG.1, the distance22amay be larger at the peaks20and/or troughs22than the distance25aat mid-sections25between the peaks20and troughs22. The variation in distance between the upper edge40and lower edge42effects the flexing of the collar12, with more flexing occurring at the regions of reduced distance between the upper edge40and the lower edge42.

The collar12borders the opening14, such that the collar12continuously surrounds the opening14through 360 degrees. As shown inFIGS.12A to12D, the undulating configuration extends around the opening14. The peaks20and troughs22extend between the opening14and the sole16of the footwear10. The peaks20are located adjacent the opening14and the troughs22are located away from the opening14and towards the sole16.

In the embodiment illustrated inFIG.1, the footwear comprises an upper18and the troughs22are located on the upper18(in the tongue region) and on the sole16(in the lateral regions).

The collar12has an equal number of peaks20and troughs22, giving the collar12symmetry about a longitudinal axis extending from the heel region33to a toe region60of the item of footwear10. The collars12shown inFIGS.2A and2Bhave six peaks and six troughs.

The series of alternating peaks20,21and troughs22,23correspond to multiple undulations of the undulating configuration. Each undulation may comprise a single peak20and a single trough22. Each undulation has a length44and amplitude46, and these values may vary from undulation to undulation. The length44and amplitude46of each undulation is selected both for optimal fit of the collar12during use and to create the desired movement between open and closed configurations.

In an example, the undulating configuration is represented by a waveform, wherein each undulation corresponds to one wave or period of the waveform. Each undulation therefore comprises a wavelength44and amplitude46, as shown inFIG.3. The length44or wavelength is defined as the distance along the collar12between adjacent peaks20or adjacent troughs22. The amplitude46is defined as half the distance along the collar12between an adjacent peak20and trough22from a position of equilibrium48(above and below which the waveform oscillates or undulates).

In the embodiment ofFIG.5, the length44aof the undulation at the tongue region35is greater than the length44bof the undulation on the lateral section36. Similarly, the amplitude46aof the undulation at the tongue region35is greater than the amplitude46bat the lateral section36. The amplitude46cof the undulation at the heel region33may be smaller than the amplitude46aof the undulation at the tongue region35. An angle of the peaks20and troughs22may also vary around the collar12.

The greater length44and amplitude46of the undulations in the heel section32and tongue section34(compared to the lateral sections36) provide reduced flexibility in the heel region33and tongue region35relative to the lateral regions36, thereby focusing the force exerted on the collar12by the wearer's foot to increase the size of the opening14to don and doff the footwear10. The increased thickness30of the collar12in the heel section32and tongue section34also contributes to the further focusing of the force exerted on the collar12by the wearer's foot.

FIGS.4A to4Eshow the mechanism for donning and doffing the item of footwear. The collar12can move between a closed configuration (as shown inFIG.4A) and an open configuration (as shown inFIGS.4B,4C and4E). The collar12is configured such that it is biased towards the closed configuration (as shown inFIGS.4A and4D), so that the collar12in use grasps the wearer's foot. The undulating configuration of the collar12causes it to act as a resilient member or spring, flexing into the open configuration when a force is applied and returning to the closed configuration when the force is removed.

As shown inFIGS.4B and4C, the collar12can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening14is increased, for example for the wearer to don and doff the footwear10. The collar12is moved into the open configuration when a wearer's foot is inserted into the opening14and exerts a force on the collar12. Similarly, as shown inFIG.4E, the collar12can be moved into an open configuration in which the size of the opening14is increased when a wearer removes their foot from the opening14, for example by stepping on a heel region33of the footwear10to hold the footwear10in place, thereby to allow the inserted foot's heel and instep to exert a force against the collar12and cause the collar12to move into the open configuration.

As shown inFIG.4B, the tongue section32and heel section34align with the instep and the heel of the wearer's foot, respectively. When donning the item of footwear, the instep of the foot contacts the tongue section34of the collar12and the heel contacts the heel section32of the collar12. This contact exerts a force on the collar12to move the collar12to the open configuration.

As shown inFIGS.4A to4Ethe collar12is moved to an open configuration when a wearer's foot within the opening14exerts a force on the heel section32and/or a tongue section34. In the open configuration, shown inFIGS.4B and4C, the heel section32and tongue section24of the collar12are moved further apart compared to the closed configuration, as shown inFIG.4A.

As shown inFIG.1, the collar is configured to have peaks at both the heel section32and tongue section34. The tongue section32and heel section34are both provided with flared portion37,38that flare outwards away from the opening14. This flared shape increases the size of the opening14making it easier for the wearer to insert their foot into the opening14. Further, the flared shape acts as a lever when the foot presses against it, so that a relatively small force on the flared portion can cause the collar to move into the open configuration. The greater the flared shape the more it can act as a lever due to its greater surface area for the foot to press against. A flared shape having a greater surface area therefore provides an enhanced guide for the inserting foot with more flexing to the collar12, to aid movement of the collar12into the open configuration. The flared shape thereby acts as an integral shoehorn.

The heel section32and/or tongue section34may each comprise a single peak20, without a trough22, as shown inFIG.1. The flared portion37,38may be located on the single peak20at the heel section32and/or tongue section34.

The collar may have an integral adjustment means50,51to adjust the fit of the footwear during use or when wearing the footwear10. Adjustment means are shown inFIGS.6,9and13. The adjustment means50,51may comprise apertures defined in the material of the collar12, or comprise a further material affixed to the collar12. Example adjustment means may be eyelets, hooks or loops. The further material affixed to the collar12may be formed of a metal or plastics material. Alternatively, hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro®) or elastic laces with a toggle may be used to adjust the fit of the footwear10. For example, elastic laces and a toggle may be used, so that the laces do not need to be re-adjusted to don and/or to doff the footwear10. The adjustment means50,51, such as the apertures, allow laces to be threaded therethrough. The adjustment means50,51may be located in a region adjacent the tongue section34of the collar.

As shown inFIG.13, two apertures51are provided in either side of the collar12to receive laces therethrough (four apertures in total), thereby to allow the fit of the footwear10to be adjusted via tightening or loosening of the laces. The adjustment means50,51are provided closer to the tongue section34than the heel section32of the collar12. The adjustment means50,51are provided on the collar12so as to be symmetrically positioned about a centre line or axis running from the tongue section34to the heel section32.

FIGS.5and6show similar arrangements in a three-quarter shoe and boot, respectively. The basic configuration of the collar12is similar to the embodiment ofFIG.1, however the shape of the collar12will differ slightly as it will contact the wearer's foot at a higher position than the footwear ofFIG.1.

The embodiment ofFIG.7illustrates an item of footwear10with a different shaped collar12. In this embodiment, the upper edge40of the collar12comprises peaks20and troughs22but the lower edge does not. In this embodiment, the peaks20of the upper edge40extend upwards as fingers62pointing towards the wearer's leg. In this embodiment, there are twelve peaks20and twelve troughs22in the collar. As the collar12moves from the closed configuration to the open configuration, the gaps between adjacent fingers62(i.e., the troughs22) will increase.

The embodiment ofFIGS.8and9show a sneaker.

In this embodiment, the collar12borders the opening14in combination with an upper18of the footwear10, so that in the tongue region35of the footwear10, portions of the upper18extend above the collar12. In this embodiment, the collar12has eight peaks.

The collar12may be removable from the footwear10, enabling collars12to be removed and replaced. This has the advantage that different colours and designs of collars12can be selected, for example to match an outfit.

The footwear10has a collar-receiving means52,54, in the upper and/or sole of the footwear, such that the collar12is removably attached to the footwear10, shown inFIGS.8and9. As shown inFIG.8, the collar-receiving means52comprises a recessed surface or cavity into which the collar12is mounted. The edges of the recessed surface may be embossed or comprise protrusions to hold the collar12in place. Alternatively, or in combination, as shown inFIG.9, the collar-receiving means54means comprises a pocket into which the collar12is insertable. Pockets are located on the tongue region35and heel region33of the footwear10, however a single pocket on just one of these regions is sufficient. In use, a peak20of the collar12extends into the pocket. The pocket may be permanently or removably attached to the footwear10.

Alternatively, the collar12may be permanently bonded to the footwear10(i.e., to the upper18and/or sole16of the footwear10). The collar12may be attached to the footwear10via cementing and/or stitching.

When the collar12is removably attached to the footwear10, as shown inFIG.9, the collar12may comprise a first fastening means56and the footwear10may comprise a second fastening means (not shown), the first fastening means56and second fastening means cooperating together to secure the collar12in position on the footwear10. The first fastening means56may be in the form of a protrusion which cooperates with the second fastening means in the form of an aperture. In use, the first fastening means56, for example in the form of a protrusion, is inserted through the aperture. In the embodiments ofFIGS.8and9, the first fastening means56is located on a tongue section34of the collar12and the second fastening means (not shown) is located on the tongue region35of the footwear (on the pocket in this embodiment). Alternatively, the first fastening means56and second fastening means may be positioned at other locations on the collar12and footwear, respectively.

As shown inFIG.9, the collar12may comprise a third fastening means57and the footwear10may comprise a fourth fastening means (not shown), the third fastening means57and fourth fastening means cooperating together to secure the collar12in position on the footwear10. The third fastening means57may be in the form of a protrusion which cooperates with the fourth fastening means in the form of an aperture. In use, the third fastening means57, for example in the form of a protrusion, is inserted through the aperture. In the embodiments ofFIGS.8and9, the third fastening means57is located on a heel section32of the collar12and the fourth fastening means (not shown) is located on the heel region33of the footwear (on the pocket in this embodiment). Alternatively, the third fastening means57and fourth fastening means may be positioned at other locations on the collar12and footwear, respectively.

In alternative embodiments, the fastening means is not limited to a button and aperture (as described with reference toFIGS.8and9) but may be any other suitable fastening means, for example hook and loop fasteners, or poppers, amongst others.

The first fastening means56and third fastening means57are located on the tongue section34and heel section32of the collar12respectively. In alternative embodiments, the fastening means may be located at any other suitable location on the collar12. Similarly, the fastening means may be located at any other suitable corresponding location on the footwear.

In the embodiment ofFIG.9, the first fastening means56is a button. In the embodiment ofFIG.9, the third fastening means56is a button. The button may have a broad top and a stem, in the shape of a mushroom.

Whilst two sets of fastening means (i.e., at the tongue and heel) have been described above, and shown inFIG.9, in other embodiments no or yet further fastening means may be provided to tailor the fit of the collar12with the footwear10.

The embodiment ofFIG.10is a sandal, with a collar12similar to the embodiment ofFIG.1.

The embodiment ofFIG.11is also a sandal. In this embodiment, the item of footwear10does not have an upper (18) but consists only of the sole16and collar12. In this embodiment, the opening14is defined by a combination of the collar12and sole16, with the collar12defining 180 degrees of the opening14. The collar12is either attached to the sole16at the lateral regions36of the sole16or the collar12is wrapped or passed underneath the sole16. The collar12is provided with an integral toe-post24, which is located at a toe region60of the footwear10and attached to the sole16at one end. The collar12may be insertable into recesses in the sole16of the footwear10. The collar12(including toe post24) may be reversibly attached to the sole16, enabling the collar12to be removed from the footwear10and replaced.

The collar12has been described herein as having a set number of peaks20and troughs22, however, this is not to be seen as limiting. The collar12may comprise any number of peaks20and troughs22.

The adjustment means50,51have been described as located on or towards the tongue section34of the collar12. However, this is not seen to be limiting since the adjustment means may be located at any suitable point around the collar12for adjusting the fit of the footwear10.

The first fastening means56have been described as located on a tongue section34of the collar12and the second fastening means (not shown) located on the tongue region35of the footwear. The third fastening means57have been described as located on a heel section32of the collar12and the fourth fastening means (not shown) located on the heel region33of the footwear. However, this is not seen to be limiting since the first and/or third fastening means56,57and second and/or fourth fastening means may be located at any point around the collar12and/or footwear10.