Abstract:
The slipper comprises a sole having a plurality of holes, anchorage elements inserted into the holes, and a lace passed through holes in the anchorage elements to join the upper lace to the sole. Each anchorage element comprises a base, is housed in one of the holes in the sole, for cooperation with the sole to prevent the movement of the relative anchorage element along at least a first direction. A projection extends upwardly from the base of each anchorage element, and a through hole is defined in the projection to receive the lace. Each anchorage element may also include retention members for securing the position of the slipper with respect to the sole.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of PCT International Patent Application No. PCT/IB2009/007479, filed Nov. 17, 2009, and Italian Patent Application No. VI2008A000271, filed Nov. 18, 2008, in the Italian Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an upgraded type slipper and particularly refers to flip-flop slippers. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    The upper of the flip-flop slipper of known type is made up of a shoelace, or lace, or strap, associated with a plurality of anchorage elements inserted, by deformation, in corresponding holes deformed on the sole of the slipper itself. The fastening by deformation occurs because the extremity of the anchorage elements, which has an essentially cylindrical appearance, is inserted in a relative housing seat passing through the corresponding through holes, having lower section, made on the surface of the sole on which the foot rests. 
         [0006]    Some slippers are known from FR1012306, GB2440898, JP07039403 and from WO02/089622. 
         [0007]    In the present treatise, FR10123306 is considered as the known art closest to the present invention. 
         [0008]    More in detail, FR10123306 describes a slipper comprising a sole having a plurality of holes and an upper part, or upper, anchored to the sole by means of its holes. 
         [0009]    The upper part also comprises a shoelace or the like connected to the sole by means of a plurality of anchorage elements. 
         [0010]    Each anchorage element comprises a base, which is inserted in one of the holes obtained on the sole, and a projection that protrudes from the relative base and has a through hole through which the shoelace of the slipper is inserted. 
         [0011]    The slipper described by FR10123306 does however have a number of drawbacks. 
         [0012]    In fact, the base of the anchorage elements of the slipper described by FR10123306 can, during use, exit or protrude from the lower surface of the sole. 
         [0013]    Each anchorage element is, in fact free, to move with respect to the sole in the direction of the exit from the relative base from the hole in which it is housed. 
         [0014]    This type of slipper is not very practical because the user must, before use, move the various anchorage elements to the correct position. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0015]    The present invention intends overcoming the above drawback. 
         [0016]    In particular, the aim of the present invention is to make a slipper in which each anchorage element always maintain, in use and not in use, the correct position with respect to the sole, so that its base does not exit from the relative housing hole. 
         [0017]    The present invention therefore provides a slipper that is highly practical and comfortable to use. 
         [0018]    One object of the present invention is to provide a slipper whose upper can be easily replaced, in such a way as to adapt it to the color of the sole or of the clothes of the wearer. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is an axonometric view of a pair of slippers constructed according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a particular embodiment of an anchorage element of the upper according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view of an embodiment variation of an anchorage element of the upper; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of the anchorage element in  FIG. 3  extracted from the sole of the slipper according to the invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the anchorage element in  FIG. 3  inserted into the sole of the slipper according to the invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a slipper according to the invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of a further embodiment of a slipper according to the invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a sectional view of the slipper in  FIG. 7  taken along the VIII-VIII sectional line in  FIG. 7 ; and 
           [0028]    Figures from  9  to  15  are lateral raised views of alternative embodiments of the anchorage elements according to the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    With reference to the mentioned illustrations,  FIG. 1  shows a pair of slippers, each of which is generally indicated by the reference number  1 , which comprises a sole  2  having a plurality of holes  2   a,  generally equal to three in number, and an upper anchored to the sole  2  by means of the holes  2   a.  The upper comprises at least a lace  3  and one or more anchorage elements  4  for retaining lace  3  to relative sole  2 . 
         [0030]    The sole  2  has an upper surface  8   a,  on which the foot rests, and a lower surface  8   b  in contact with the ground. 
         [0031]    Advantageously, the sole  2  is made of an elastically yielding material. The anchorage elements  4 , made separately from the lace  3 , can be inserted in a removable way into sole  2  by intersection through holes  2   a.    
         [0032]    More in particular, the anchorage elements  4  according to the invention can have the same height, or different heights, from one another. 
         [0033]    The anchorage elements according to the present invention can also have different shapes and colors to allow the user to adapt them to changing fashions or to his/her own personal tastes. 
         [0034]    Each anchorage element  4  comprises a respective base  5 , housed in one of the holes  2   a,  and a respective projection  6 , preferably extending longitudinally, overhanging from the base  5  and having at least one through hole  7  for receiving lace  3 . 
         [0035]    According to an embodiment variation not shown in the illustrations, the anchorage elements  4  can have more than one through hole  7 , so that several laces can be inserted in the same anchorage element  4 . 
         [0036]    The lace  3  can be composed of an open lace, like that of the type shown in  FIG. 1 , or of a closed ring. 
         [0037]    In fact, in an alternative embodiment shown in the  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , the anchorage element  4  also comprises a longitudinal slit  43  extending from the through hole  7  as far as the base  5 . This embodiment is particularly suitable for use with laces  3  of the closed-ring type, which are introduced into the relative slits  43  before inserting the anchorage elements  4  in the sole  2 . 
         [0038]    It will be seen, always in the  FIGS. 3 ,  4  and  5 , that the longitudinal axis of the slit  43  coincides with the symmetry axis of the anchorage element  4 . 
         [0039]    The laces  3  can be made with single-color or multi-color strips or straps, with filiform or tubular elements. 
         [0040]    Advantageously, the holes  2   a  have at least two diameters. They have at least one part of larger diameter, suitable for housing the base  5  of the anchorage elements  4  and which faces onto the lower surface  8   b  of the sole  2 , and a part of smaller diameter, through which pass the projections  6  bases and which faces onto the upper surface  8   a.    
         [0041]    The base  5  of each anchorage element  4  cooperates in fact with the sole  2  to prevent the movement of the anchorage element itself along at least a first direction  9   a  and the relative projection  6 , which passes through the corresponding hole  2   a,  and prevents its movement along the directions substantially transversal to the first direction  9   a.    
         [0042]    More specifically, the base  5  defines a first stop  5   a  suitable for cooperating with a first counter-stop  10   a  defined by the sole  2  to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element  4  along the first direction  9   a.    
         [0043]    The first counter-stop  10   a  is suitably defined by the hole  2   a  at the area of switchover from the larger diameter to the smaller diameter and is therefore placed in between the lower surface  8   b  and the upper surface  8   a.    
         [0044]    Preferably, the profile of the base  5  is joined with the profile of the relative hole  2   a  and its bottom, having a circular section, is substantially aligned with the lower surface of the sole  2 . 
         [0045]    According to the invention, at least one of the anchorage elements  4  of the slipper  1  comprises retention means  53 , 63 , 73  suitable for securing the position of the slipper  1  with respect to the sole  2 . 
         [0046]    Preferably, all the anchorage elements  4  have relative retention means  53 , 63 , 73 . 
         [0047]    More specifically, the retention means  53 , 63 , 73  define at least a second stop  11  suitable for cooperating with a second counter-stop  10   b  defined by the sole  2  to contrast the movement of the relative anchorage element  4  along a second direction, indicated in the illustrations by the arrow  9   b.    
         [0048]    Opportunely, the second direction  9   b  is substantially contrary to the first direction  9   a  and the stops  5   a  and  11  are arranged substantially facing one another. 
         [0049]    The retention means  53 , 63 , 73  are therefore suitable for preventing, following the insertion of the anchorage element  4  through the sole  2 , the relative base  5  from coming out or protruding from the lower surface  8   b  of the sole itself. 
         [0050]    At the same time, the first stop  5   a  defined by the same base  5  prevents the relative projection  6  from protruding further from the upper surface  8   a.    
         [0051]    The base  5  and the retention means  53 , 63 , 73  therefore cooperate with the sole  2  to block the position of the relative anchorage element  4  with respect to the sole itself. 
         [0052]    In the embodiments shown in the figures from  2  to  6  and in the  FIGS. 8 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12  and  13 , the second stop  11  is defined by a substantially flat surface. 
         [0053]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in the  FIGS. 10 ,  14  and  15 , the second stop  11  is defined by a substantially curvilinear surface. 
         [0054]    The joining area of the peripheral edge of the second stop  11  with the projection  6  of the relative anchorage element  4  can be sharp edge or chamfered so as to favour the insertion of the relative anchorage element  4  in the corresponding hole  2   a.    
         [0055]    The second counter-stop  10   b  can be defined by the upper surface  8   a  of the sole  2 , as indicated in the embodiments shown in the  FIGS. 5 ,  9 ,  11 ,  12  and  13 , or else it too can be defined by the relative hole  2   a  and therefore placed in between the lower surface  8   b  and the upper surface  8   a,  as indicated in the embodiments shown in the  FIGS. 6 ,  10 ,  14  and  15 . 
         [0056]    In the embodiments in which the second counter-stop  10   b  is defined by the hole  2   a  through which is inserted the relative anchorage element  4 , the retention means  53 ,  63 ,  73  have a profile substantially joined to that of the corresponding hole  2   a.  More in detail, in the embodiments of  FIG. 6  and of  FIG. 15 , the holes  2   a  have a first area intended to house the base  5 , a central area of smaller diameter compared to the first area and through which passes the projection  6  of the relative anchorage element  4 , and a second area with section different to that of the central area and suitable for cooperating with the retention means  53 , 63 , 73 . 
         [0057]    In a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures from  2  to  6  and in the  FIGS. 9 ,  12  and  13 , the retention means are composed of at least a protrusion  53  defined by the projection  6  of the relative anchorage element  4 . 
         [0058]    More particularly, the protrusion  53  can have a truncated cone shape, as shown in the figures from  2  to  5  and in the  FIGS. 9 ,  10  and  13 , and the second stop  11  is defined by the larger-section base of the protrusion itself. 
         [0059]    The side surface of the protrusion  53 , connecting the second stop  11  to the top part of the relative projection  6  comprising the through hole  7 , can be substantially rectilinear, as shown in the figures from  2  to  5 , or can be substantially curvilinear, and in particular concave, as shown in the  FIGS. 9 and 10 , or convex, as shown in the  FIG. 13 . 
         [0060]    In an alternative embodiment, shown in the  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the retention means  53 , 63 , 73  are composed of at least a recess  63  defined by the projection  6  of the relative anchorage element  4 . 
         [0061]    Advantageously, the recess  63  is defined by a substantially concave surface, as shown in the  FIGS. 14 and 15 , but different embodiments cannot be ruled out in which the recess  63  is defined by a series of surfaces arranged at substantially right angles the one with the other. 
         [0062]    Although not explicitly shown in the illustrations, in the embodiments in which the retention means are composed of a recess  63 , such recess is, during use, drowned in the sole  2  and the relative hole  2   a  has a profile substantially joined to that of the recess itself. In this embodiment therefore the second counter-stop  10   b  is defined by the hole  2   a  in which the relative anchorage element  4  is inserted. 
         [0063]    In a further embodiment, the retention means  53 , 63 , 73  are associated in a removable way with the projection  6  of the relative anchorage element  4 . 
         [0064]    More specifically, as shown in the embodiment of  FIG. 11 , the retention means are composed of a snap ring  73  fitted in a removable way on the projection  6 . This snap ring  73  is then widened to allow fitting and removal on the relative projection  6  and is released to make it then fasten onto the projection itself. 
         [0065]    The operation of the present invention is the following. 
         [0066]    Operatively, the elements  4  are inserted in the holes  2   a  preferably from below, i.e., starting with the larger diameter of the holes  2   a  facing onto the lower surface  8   b.    
         [0067]    In the case in which the retention means are composed of a protrusion  53 , the insertion of the anchorage elements  4  through the relative holes  2   a  also means that the relative protrusion  53  deforms the hole itself when it passes through it. 
         [0068]    Similarly, in the case in which the retention means are composed of a recess  63 , the holes  2   a  have a corresponding swelling suitable for cooperating with the recess itself, and consequently the transit of the relative projection  6  results in the deformation of such swelling. 
         [0069]    It is therefore clear how the insertion of the anchorage elements  4  through the sole  2  occurs by exploiting the elastic deformability of the sole itself. 
         [0070]    Once the anchorage elements  4  have been inserted, an open lace  3  is threaded along the through holes  7 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0071]    Finally, the lace  3  is tied with a knot behind the heel of the foot. 
         [0072]    In the event, on the other hand, of the anchorage elements  4  also having slits  43 , as shown in the figures from  3  to  5 , the lace  3  used can be of the closed-ring type and allows retaining the heel of the foot without the need for buckles or fastenings. 
         [0073]    In this case, operatively, the closed-ring lace  3 , e.g., of the elastic type, is first of all inserted along the slits  43  starting from the base  5  as far as the hole  7 . 
         [0074]    Once the closed ring has coupled with the anchorage elements  4 , the latter are inserted in the holes  2   a  of the sole  2  from above, as can be seen in the  FIGS. 4 and 5 . This can be obtained by exploiting the elastic deformation of the holes  2   a  which also allow, by forcing, the transit of the anchorage elements  4  through holes with partially smaller diameter. 
         [0075]    The anchorage elements  4  which have the longitudinal slits  43  can therefore accept both open laces  3  and those of the closed-ring type. 
         [0076]    In the particular case of the  FIGS. 4 and 5 , by way of example is shown the coupling of the base  5  of the anchorage element  4  with the hole  2   a.    
         [0077]    As is shown in  FIG. 5 , once the coupling has been made, the symmetry axes of the hole  2   a  and of the anchorage element  4  are partially coinciding. 
         [0078]    From the above description it has been found that the slippers according to the present invention achieve the intended objects. 
         [0079]    To the slippers according to the present invention changes can be made which, if they fall within the scope of the following claims, must be deemed protected by the present patent.