IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FOOTWEAR

Abstract: An article of footwear (10) with a sole (18) and an upper (16). The upper (16) has opening (26) through which the foot of a user is to be placed. An attachment strap (36) extends upwardly adjacent the opening (26) and is adapted to receive an ankle strap (44) to be placed around the ankle of a wearer.

Description: IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO FOOTWEAR This invention relates to improvements in or in relation to footwear and refers particularly, although not exclusively, to footwear for sporting use and which includes an ankle support strap. A very common sporting injury is a sprain or tear of the lateral ligament. This usually occurs due to the foot turning in on itself. To reduce strain on the lateral ligament, many sports persons either wear high-cut boots, or tape the ankle prior to the sporting activity. Taping or strapping is very time consuming and expensive by virtue of the amount of tape or strapping involved. High-cut boots are heavy and expensive and many sports persons dislike wearing them as a result. They are also not suited for certain sports such as, for example, soccer, where flexibility is inherently required. It is therefore the principal object of the invention to provide footwear having a built-in ankle support strap system. With the above and other objects in mind, the present invention provides an article or footwear having a sole and an upper, said upper having an opening through which a foot of a user is intended to be placed, an attachment strap extending upwardly adjacent said opening, and an ankle strap attachable to said attachment strap and intended, in use, to be placed around an ankle of said user. In order that the invention may be fully understood, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred constructions of items of footwear incorporating the principal features of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front perspective view of an item of footwear incorporating the principal features of the present invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the footwear of Figure 1 as fitted to a wearer; Figure 3 is a side view in partial cross-section of the footwear of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 in partial section and partially assembled; Figure 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a second embodiment; and Figure 6 is a view corresponding to Figure 1 of a third embodiment. To refer to Figures 1 to 4, there is shown an item of footwear 10 adapted to be placed over the foot 12 of a wearer. The foot 12 is, in accordance with normal biological function, at the lower end of an ankle 14 of the wearer. The item of footwear 10 has an upper 16 and sole 18. The upper 16 has a tongue 20, laces 22 to close a longitudinal opening 24 over the tongue 20 and a foot receiving opening 26 behind the tongue 20. The foot receiving opening 26 is defined by what could be called the ankle portion of the item of footwear 10. This comprises an outer side 28, and inner side 30, and a heel portion 32. As is clear from Figure 3, the item of footwear 10 has an inner sole 34 located above the sole 18. Attached to the inner sole 34 adjacent the outer side 28 is an attachment strap 36 which extends upwardly along the inner surface of outer side 28 and through the foot receiving opening 26. The attachment strap 36 is of a relatively strong material. It may be of elastic material, if desired, or, as illustrated, have an elastic portion 38. The attachment strap 36 is intended to pass through loop 40 on the outer surface 42 of an ankle strap 44. Once it has been passed through the loop 40, the attachment strap 36 can be passed back on itself and secured to itself by use of appropriate methods such as, for example, "Nelcro" a hook and eye, pressed stud, or any other suitable means. The ankle strap 44 is intended to be placed around the ankle of a wearer as is clear from Figures 2 and 3. With this in mind, it is provided with a means to secure the strap to itself once it has been passed around the ankle 14. To enable this to occur, it may be fitted with "Nelcro" a pressed stud, a hook and eye, or any other suitable attachment means. As is clear from Figure 4, the elastic portion 38 of the attachment strap 36 should be pulled relatively taught by a user so that the ankle strap 44 is located at the correct place of the ankle 14. The elastic portion 38 also allows for variation in height of the ankle 14 above the inner sole 34 of the individual wearer. In this way, an ankle strap 44 is provided which provides support to the lateral ligament. It can be used with normal shoes, or low or medium high cut boots. In this way a large amount of taping or strapping is avoided, and high-cut boots are not required. When not in use, the ankle strap 44 may be folded and placed on the top of the tongue 20. Side flaps 50, 52 can then be closed to retain the strap 44 in position. "Nelcro" could again be used, or any other suitable securing means. As an alternative, recess 60 may be provided in tongue 20 to accommodate a folded strap 44 when not in use. It must be realised that attachment strap 36 may be located on the outer side 28 as illustrated, on the inner side 30, or on the heel portion 22. It could be that two or three such straps 36 could be used. It could even be on the tongue 20. This variation is illustrated in Figure 5 where like reference numerals are used to the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4 with the addition of the prefix number "1". In the embodiment of Figure 5, the tongue 120 has a loop 146 formed on the underneath surface thereof to enable the ankle strap 144 to pass therethrough. The ankle strap 144 is identical in respect to the ankle strap 44 except that there is no loop 40 thereon. In this way the tongue 120 is used as the attachment strap and thus a separate attachment strap is not required. This may, however, require that the tongue 120 be made longer than normal. Side flaps 150, 152 are clearly illustrated having "Nelcro" strips 154, 156 to enable the ankle strap 144 to be held over the tongue 120 when not in use. In the embodiment of Figure 6 again like references are used for like components with the addition of prefix number "2". In the embodiment of Figure 6 the attachment strap 236 is the same as the attachment strap 36 of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 4. However, here, there is provided an opening 248 in the outer side 228 to enable the attachment strap 236 to pass therethrough. In this way the attachment strap 236 is clearly located outside the foot an ankle of the wearer and could not possibly cause any irritation. In all other respects, the embodiment of Figure 6 is that identical to that of Figures 1 to 4. Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description three embodiments of footwear incorporating the principal features of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technical field concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the ambient of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. An article of footwear having a sole and an upper, said upper having an opening through which foot of a user is intended to be placed, an attachment strap extending upwardly adjacent said opening, and an ankle strap and intended, in use, to be placed around an ankle of said user. 2. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment strap is secured to an inner sole located immediately above said sole, said attachment strap extending upwardly through said opening. 3. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said attachment strap is of an elastic material. 4. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said attachment strap has an elastic portion intermediate its length. 5. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said attachment strap passes through a loop on said ankle strap and then releasably secured to itself to enable said ankle strap to be releasably attached to said attachment strap. 6. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 5, wherein said releasable attachment is by "Nelcro" strips in said attachment strap. 7. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6. wherein said ankle strap has means to secure the strap to itself once it has been passed around said ankle. 8. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means comprises "Nelcro" strips on said ankle strap. 9. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment strap comprises a tongue attached to said ankle strap to pass therethrough. 10. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper has a further opening adjacent said sole, said attachment strap passing being secured to an inner sole located immediately above said sole and passing through said further opening and upwardly beyond said upper. 11. An article of footwear substantially as hereinbefore described withe reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings. AMENDED CLAIMS [received by the International Bureau on 1 1 January 1994 ( 1 1 .01 .94) ; original cl aims 1 -1 1 replaced by amended claims 1 -10 (2 pages ) ] 1. An article of footwear having a sole and an upper; said upper having an opening through which a foot of a user is intended to be placed; an attachment strap not forming part of but being secured to said upper and extending vertically upwardly adjacent said opening and beyond said upper; and an ankle strap releasably attached to said attachment strap and adapted to be placed around an ankle of said user. 2. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment strap is secured to an inner sole located immediately above said sole, said attachment strap extending upwardly through said opening. 3. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said attachment strap is of an elastic material. 4. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said attachment strap has an elastic portion intermediate its length. 5. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4. wherein said attachment strap passes through a loop on said ankle strap and then releasably secured to itself to enable said ankle strap to be releasably attached to said attachment strap. 6. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 5, wherein said releasable attachment is by "Nelcro" strips in said attachment strap. 7. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said ankle strap has means to secure the strap to itself once it has been passed around said ankle. 8. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 7, wherein said means comprises "Velcro" strips on said ankle strap. 9. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said attachment strap comprises a tongue attached to said ankle strap to pass therethrough. 10. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1, wherein said upper has a further opening adjacent said sole, said attachment strap passing being secured to an inner sole located immediately above said sole and passing through said further opening and upwardly beyond said upper.

Inventors: GOLDBERG JACK, GOLDBERG, JACK
Applicants: GOLDBERG JACK, GOLDBERG, JACK
Application year: 1993
Main classification: A43B5
IPC codes: A43B5, A43B7, A43B23