SHOE ADAPTED TO RECEIVE AN INNER SOLE

Abstract: An article of footwear comprising; a sole (2) which has an integral upstanding peripheral rib forming a nest (5) adapted to releasably hold a therapeutic or other innersole (11).

Description: Shoe adapted to receive an inner sole The present invention relates to footwear and in particular to a shoe adapted to receive a variety of orthopaedic support devices in the nature of inner soles. Great advances have recently been made in relation to footwear provided with therapeutic inner soles and insoles insofar as inner soles having upper surfaces of varying shapes and configurations and textures have been found to have beneficial effects not only upon the wearer's feet bu varying massage effects which can be obtained via such inn soles have been found to benefit the physical and mental we being of the wearer in areas far removed from merely the feet. For example nodular surfaces and foams of varying densities have been used. Such inner soles as last mentioned may vary widely in shape and configuration although in order to work effectiv most of such devices are necessarily of a depth of 4 mm or more. To date the fact that such newer therapeutic inner sol are of considerable depth has meant that such devices canno be placed in ordinary shoes as ordinary shoes are tailored snuggly fit the average foot insofar as depth is concerned well as width. It is therefore the case that only devices such as simple arch supports or old style inner soles of le than 4 mm depth can be placed in conventional shoes as an after market addition to the shoe. It is the object of the present invention to provide a article of footwear adapted to removably accommodate inner soles having a depth of 4 mm or more. The fact that one inner sole may be removed and replaced by another has obvious advantages insofar as inner soles of different profiles designed to support or massage different areas of the foot may be introduced to the shoe and of course inner soles which have lost their resilience or worn out may be readily replaced. According to the present invention there is provided an article of footwear including a nest of unobstructed space within the article of footwear and not separated from the area intended to receive a wearer's foot; said article of footwear including a wall around the periphery of a sole of said article, thereby defining said nest, said nest being adapted to releasably hold a therapeutic or other inner sole. Due to practical considerations nests of 40 mm or more depth would be impractical and result in unsightly articles of footwear. One example of the present invention being a clog will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through a clog in accordance with the present invention showing the nest without an inner sole insert. Fig. 2 is a transverse section through the article of Fig. 1 a line x-x of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section of the article of Fig. 1 showing one type of therapeutic inner sole; Fig. 4 is a transverse section through the article of Fig . 3 along l ine y-y of Fig . 3. Fig. 5 is a longitudinal section of the article of Fig. 1 showing a further type of inner sole in place; Fig. 6 is a transverse section through the article of Fig. 5 along line z-z of Fig. 5; and As illustrated in Fig. 1, there is located an article o footwear 1, in this case a clog, however, any conventional shoe, sandal and the like could be utilised. The clog 1 comprises a sole 2 and upper 3 for receiving a wearer's foot (not illustrated). The sole 2 comprises a lower treaded portion 4 and in an upper portion thereof, a nest 5 defined by the protrusion or wall 6 which extends from the sole 2 around the circumference of the sole 2. It will be understood, that as Fig. 1 illustrates a longitudinal cross section through a clog 1 that the nest 5 extends from the rear or heal portion 7 of the clog 1 through to the toe 8 of the clog 1. The upper 3 of the clog 1 is secured into position in the shoe by an overlapping portion 9 thereof being "tucked in" under an insole 10 which secures the upper 3 relative to the sole 2. This overlapping portion 9 extends along the periphery of the insole corresponding to those portions of the upper 3 which come into contact with the insole 10. Additional securing means, such as are common to the trade, for example, gluing and the like, can be utilised to secure the insole 10 and upper 3 relative to the sole 2. The wall 6 about the periphery of the sole 2 is of sufficient height to provide a nest 5 of at least 4 mm in depth above the insole 10. The nest 5 is capable of receiving various inner soles, such as therapeutic type inner soles as depicted by item 11 in Figs. 3 to 6. One advantage of the nest 5 in accordance with this invention, is that the inner soles 11 utilised therein, having substantial thickness and consequently stability, will not buckle, ride up the shoe, or move within the shoe, in a manner in which the inner soles would normally do. If such shoes are designed specifically with a therapeutic effect in mind, it is important that such provision be made in order that the foot be correctly located and allow the proper therapeutic effect to be exerted upon the foot inserted in the clog 1 or other article of footwear. Conventional shoes may vary somewhat in height about the area of the arch 12, but for any given size of shoe, there is usually less than 4 mm variance in height between virtually all makes of shoes in the vicinity of the region adapted to receive the toes namely toe 8. That is, the difference in height from the toe to the arch region of most conventional " shoes would be less than.4 mm. Where the article of footwear 1 is to be utilised as dress apparel, then it has been found that footwear can be made to appear more conventional by providing the article of footwear 1, with a skirt 101 which is located between the wall 6 and upper 3 extending around the lower part of the shoe and which is integral with the sole 2 of the shoe. This skirt lOf disguises some of the excess height which is essential in an article of footwear 1 which is to incorporate the present invention. Other means to reduce this height can include the provision of a more wear resistant sole and thereby providin a sole 2 of less thickness than that illustrated in Figs. 1 to 6. As illustrated in Figs. 3 to 6, the inner sole 11 located in the nests 5 have, in cross section, various contours. However, in order to sit in the nest 5 and be located and releasably held, the height 13 of the edge or periphery of the inner sole 11 is at least 4 mm in height. It can be seen in the longitudinal cross sections of Figs. 3 and 5 and in the transverse cross-sections of Figs. 4 and 6 that there are portions of the inner sole 11 which are of a height less than that of the wall 6. This is to enable the contour of the inner sole 11 to more accurately match the contour of the wearer's foot being inserted in the clog or article of footwear 1. The foregoing describes one embodiment of the present invention, and modifications made by those skilled in the art can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, differing tread patterns may be utilised to provide more effecient gripping, and various styles can be incorporated in the uppers.

Claims: 1. An article of footwear including a nest of unobstructed space within the article of footwear and not separated from the area intended to receive a wearer's foot; said article of footwear including a wall around the periphery of a sole of said article, thereby defining said nest, said nest being adapted to releasably hold a therapeutic or other inner sole. 2_. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 wherein said wall extends substantially vertically upwards at least 4 mm from said sole. 3. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein said nest is adapted to receive and releasably hold a therapeutic or other inner sole being of at least 4 mm in height around the outer edge thereof. 4. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of the previous claims wherein said wall also includes a skirt, said skirt extending around the interface between the sole and the upper. 5. An article of footwear being substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: EBER GABRIEL, EBER, GABRIEL
Applicants: EBER GABRIEL, EBER, GABRIEL
Application year: 1985
Main classification: A43B13
IPC codes: A43B13, A43B17