GB2484974A

GB2484974A - Compactable footwear

Info

Publication number: GB2484974A
Application number: GB1018267.3A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Steven Smith
Original assignee: Bacup Shoe Co Ltd
Current assignee: Bacup Shoe Co Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-29
Filing date: 2010-10-29
Publication date: 2012-05-02
Also published as: GB201112794D0; GB2485013A; GB201018267D0

Abstract

A compactable footwear 100 comprising a sole portion 103, an upper portion 102 for covering a wearers foot, and a flexible upwardly extending portion 101 which in use extends at least around a wearers ankle; the upwardly extending portion can be compacted. The compactable footwear further comprises a fastening means 105 configured to maintain the upwardly extending portion in a compact state. The fastening means may be a spring loaded toggle, an elastic loop, tie means, hook and loop material or a button. The footwear may be a wellington boot, and the upwardly extending portion formed from rubber or a knitted material.

Description

COMPACTABLE FOOTWEAR

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to compactable footwear.

Background to the invention

Many different kind of footwear, but is for males and females are well known in the art. Footwear types include, but are not limited to, trainers, walking boots, Wellington boots, high-heeled shoes, flat shoes, running shoes and fashion shoes.

The main features of a shoe generally comprises sole assembly and a shoe upper portion up in which the shoe upper portion comprises an opening in which a foot can be inserted. The opening of a shoe upper portion is generally located is at the top of a shoe upper portion towards the rear of the shoe. A boot is a type of footwear which is different to that of a shoe. Boots usually have a heel which is clearly distinguishable from the rest of the sole, however boots with flat soles are also known. Although the upper of a boot is commonly made of leather or rubber, other known boots are made of a variety of materials such as suede or synthetic plastic that are substantially ridged enough such that the upper of the boot is maintained in a fully extended state.

Boots are commonly designed and developed for reasons of either one or a combination of their functionality and/or their style and fashion. Boots which are designed for a purpose or functionality, are generally done so to prevent the entry of water, smoke, mud or dirt.

A boot can be distinguished from a shoe by the extent of which the upper portion extends up the wearer's leg. When a boot is worn by a wearer, the upper portion extends upwardly from the ankle and will end on a leg between the top of the ankle and the thigh of the wearer so that the upper most part of the boot upper portion is generally located higher up the wearers leg than with a shoe, for which a shoe generally leaves the wearer's ankle exposed. The upwardly extending portion of the boot generally provides a means for ankle or calf support, or providing warmth or protection to the wearer from environmental conditions or for fashion.

Fashion boots tend to be sold directly to the public for fashionable wear, rather than for specific industrial purpose such as a work boot, a hiking boot or military boot, although fashion boots may still be hard wearing and relatively warm to wear.

A specific type of boot is the Wellington boot. The Wellington boot is also known as rubber boots, wellies, top boots, gun boots, farm boots, muck boots, or rain boots. Wellington boots are known to be used for both fashion and industrial purposes.

Wellington boots are designed primarily to be waterproof. The upper of a Wellington boot can range in height from just above the wearers ankle to, in extreme cases, thigh height boots called Waders, worn by anglers, which can extend upward to the hip of the wearer. Wellington boots are usually made from a robust rubber or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

The most common type of Wellington boots are those with an upper which have a height that extends just below knee-high of the wearer. A Wellington boot can also be used in terms of safety or hygiene in settings such as heavy industry or industry where the workers are exposed to dangerous chemicals.

Conventional Wellington boots can be cumbersome and heavy. Even modern and more lightweight versions of Wellington boots are difficult to transport due to their awkward substantially elongate shape.

Currently, with conventional Wellington boots, the side wall and upper of the Wellington boot which extends up a person's leg, comprises a material such that the boot upper is maintained in a substantially upright position such that the Wellington boot is maintained in an upright position of its own accord even when the wearer is not wearing the Wellington boot. Although this functionality is beneficial for storage at a users home whereby the user has a large storage area (storing the boot in an upright position), the composite material and design of conventional Wellington boots is disadvantageous for wearers who require compact storage of their Wellington boots, or require condensed storage of the Wellington boot when in transit, travelling or have limited storage space.

Traditional Wellington boots are difficult to be compacted in the following ways: * An upwardly extending position of the Wellington boot may be rolled into itself to form a compact roll.

* An upwardly extending position the Wellington boot may be folded in sections.

* An upwardly extending position of the Wellington boot may be inverted in order to decrease the height of the upper.

* An upwardly extending position may be wrapped around the sole of the Wellington boot.

All of the above options have inherent disadvantages. Firstly, the material of the conventional Wellington boots are such that the composition is of a material which is too stiff for the Wellington boot to be folded, rolled or wrapped.

Furthermore, where the Wellington boot is managed to be rolled, wrapped or folded, the Wellington boot is unable to be maintained in its folded, wrapped or rolled state of its own accord and will uncompact. This is particularly disadvantageous to wearers who require minimal space allocation for footwear such as travellers, back packers and festival-goers.

A foldable Wellington boot is disclosed on which discloses a Wellington boot featuring an elasticated cuff at the top of the upper where the wearer inserts their foot. The Wellington boot folds up either in to themselves or in a small conventional bag, compact enough to fit in a rucksack or satchel. However, the composition of the upper of the Wellington boot as disclosed on the "Love Those Shoes" website is not sufficient such that the Wellington boot can be rolled and maintained in its rolled position of its own accord. The "Love Those Shoes" Wellington boots are advantageous over other prior art as the material of the upper is more flexible than those of conventional Wellington boots, however is not flexible enough such that the boot can be maintained in a rolled state once the user has rolled the Wellington boot. As a result, once the "Love Those Shoes" Wellington boot is rolled, if the user then releases the roll of the Wellington boot, the Wellington boot will return to its fully extended un-rolled state.

Therefore, the inventors have identified that there exists a need for a compactable footwear, and more specifically a compactable boot whereby the upwardly extending upper portion of the compactable boot can be rolled, folded or wrapped with ease and that the compactable boot can be maintained in its folded, wrapped or rolled position such that the compactable boot is in a compact state.

In view of the disadvantages inherent in the current known types of boots, and in particular Wellington boots, a new rollable boot is disclosed herein.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there of the present invention, there is provided a compactable footwear for compact storage comprising: a sole portion; an upper portion for covering a wearer's foot; an upwardly extending portion which in use extends at least around a wearers ankle; and wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a flexible material such that said upwardly extending portion can be compacted; said compactable footwear further comprises a fastening means configured to maintain said upwardly extending portion in its compact state.

Preferably said fastening means is located on said upwardly extending portion.

Preferably said fastening means comprises a toggle means.

Preferably said toggle means is spring loaded.

Preferably said fastening means comprises an elastic loop.

Preferably said upwardly extending portion comprises a rubber membrane.

Preferably said rubber membrane comprises at least 50% rubber content.

Preferably said rubber membrane is between 0.5mm -2mm in thickness.

Preferably said rubber membrane is 1.3mm in thickness.

Preferably said upwardly extending portion comprises a lining.

Preferably said upwardly extending portion comprises a lycra layer.

Preferably said upwardly extending portion configured to be wrapped around said sole portion to form said compact state of said compactable footwear.

Preferably said upwardly extending portion comprises a knitted outer layer.

Preferably said compactable footwear is a wellington boot.

Maybe said fastening means comprises tie-up means.

Maybe said fastening means comprises Velcro.

Maybe said fastening means comprises button fastening means.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 a illustrates schematically a compactable footwear in an uncompact according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 b illustrates schematically a compactable footwear in a compacted state according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2a illustrates schematically a front on view of a fastening means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2b illustrates schematically a side on view of a fastening means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a front on view of a compactable footwear and maintaining means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4 illustrates schematically a maintaining means according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures have not been described in detail so as not to

is unnecessarily obscure the description.

Figure la illustrates compactable footwear 100 in an uncompact state, upwardly extending portion 101, compactable footwear upper 102, sole portion 103, upwardly extending portion main body 104, fastening means 105, compactable footwear cavity 106, directional arrow 107.

Figure lb illustrates compactable footwear in a compacted state 200, upwardly extending 201, fastening means loop 202, sole portion 203.

Figure 2a illustrates fastening means 300, toggle 301, backing 302, loop entry point 303, toggle loop 304.

Figure 2b illustrates fastening means 300, toggle 301, backing 302, loop entry point 303, toggle loop 304, button means 305.

Figure 3 illustrates compactable footwear and containing means 400, sole portion 401, upwardly extending portion 402, containing means side waIl 403, fastening means 404, maintaining means cavity 405.

Figure 4 illustrates maintaining means 500, maintaining means base 501, maintaining means side wall 502, maintaining means cavity 503, maintaining means main body 504, fastening means 505, reinforcement stitching 506.

A compactable footwear is one which can be closely packed together and neatly fitted into a restricted space. The footwear may be compacted by means of rolling, wrapping, or folding or a similar form of compacting whereby the space that the footwear takes up is reduced.

The present invention relates to any type of boot either for a fashion industry or otherwise, however for the purpose of clarity so as not to obscure the invention at hand, the figures herein have been referred to concerning the preferred embodiment of a wellington boot.

Referring to Figure 1 a herein, compactable footwear 100 comprises three primary components, a sole portion 103, a compactable footwear upper 102 and an upwardly extending portion 101. The compactable footwear upper 102 comprises the portion of compactable footwear 100 which covers the wearers foot including the wearers toes and the bridge of the foot. Compactable footwear 100 may be any type of boot footwear known in the art.

The compactable footwear upper would be known to the skilled person to represent the fabric connected to the sole portion 103 which is able to fully cover or partially cover the top of a wearers foot. Compactable footwear upper 102 is generally known to be made of various fabrics including but not limited to, suede, moleskin, canvas, plastics or rubber, meshing or leather. The compactable footwear upper 102 is commonly, but not always comprised of a fabric which is the same as the upwardly extending portion 101 of a boot. Commonly, the compactable footwear upper 102 and upwardly extending portion 101 are manufactured as one continuous fabric or material however, upwardly extending portion 101 and compactable footwear upper 102 may be made of two different fabrics or materials, and/or upwardly extending portion 101 may be detachable from compactable footwear upper 102.

Preferably, compactable footwear 100 will be manufactured such that the upwardly extending portion 101 and compactable footwear upper 102 are made from a continuous fabric or material and when manufactured for the purpose of compactable footwear 100 as a wellington boot, upwardly extending portion 101 and compactable footwear upper 102 will comprise a waterproof or treated layer.

This is advantageous such that the wearers legs and foot will not get wet during adverse weather conditions such as rain, sleet, snow, hail, or if the wearer is in the vicinity of any substrate which the wearer wishes to prevent the wearers feet and legs from coming into contact with.

As well as to prevent water and/or mud for, for example, festival goers who is may wear the compactable footwear 100, in industry the fabric or material that upwardly extending portion 101 and/or compactable footwear upper 102 is comprised of, may act to prevent harmful or unwanted solids, liquids or gases to penetrate the compactable footwear 100, therefore preventing the harmful or unwanted substrates from contacting with the wearers legs or feet.

The upwardly extending portion 101 comprises an upwardly extending portion main body having side walls which extend upwardly around a persons ankle, shin and calf muscle. However, the upwardly extending portion 101 may extend upwardly from anywhere between a persons ankle and top of the persons thigh.

In compactable footwear 100 is in its un-compacted state, upwardly extending portion 101 extends upwardly and relatively perpendicular to sole portion 103.

A compactable footwear cavity 106 is located at the top of upwardly extending portion 101, generally at an end furthest away from sole portion 103.

Compactable footwear cavity 106 allows for the wearer to insert their foot into compactable footwear 100 in order to wear compactable footwear 100.

Alternatively, corn pactable footwear 100 may comprise an unfasten ing rneans (not shown), for example a zip which is configured to increase the size of compactable footwear cavity 106 such that cornpactable footwear 100 is easier for the user to insert their foot.

The sole portion 102 comprises an inner sole, a mid sole, and an out sole although the inner sole and mid sole are inside the boot and are not viewable when the boot is being worn. The sole portion 102 may be configured as a flat out sole or a heeled out sole.

Upwardly extending portion 101 must be flexible enough such that upwardly extending portion 101 can be compacted such that compactable footwear 100 forms a compacted state. The user will be able to compact upwardly extending portion in the following ways: The free end of the upwardly extending portion nearest the cavity 106 is rolled downwardly towards corn pactable shoe upper 102 to form a neat roll above compactable footwear upper 102.

The upwardly extending portion 101 may be folded once over onto itself or numerously to reduce the physical space that the upwardly extending portion 101 The upwardly extending portion 101 may be inverted from cavity 106 and the inverted portion then pulled down towards compactable footwear upper 102, and therefore decreasing the height of the upwardly extending portion 101 and exposing the internal face of upwardly extending portion 101. In this arrangement it would be preferable for fastening means 105 to be fixed to the internal face of upwardly extending portion 105; Upwardly extending portion 101 is wrapped around sole portion 103 such that upwardly extending portion 101 is wrapped around the underneath of sole portion 103 and brought back around and then wrapped again until compactable footwear 100 is in a fully compacted state (as shown with compactable footwear in its compacted state 200 as shown in figure 1 b).

In order for compactable footwear 100 to be flexible enough to be compacted, it is advantageous for the material of the upwardly extending 101 to have suitably flexible properties.

Preferably, main body 104 of upwardly extending portion 101 is comprised of a material with a 50% or less composition of rubber content. It has been found that using a composite material of 50% or less rubber content for use as a upwardly extending portion 101 allows for upwardly extending portion 101 to be is both soft and flexible. It has also been found that where the upwardly extending portion main body 104 comprises a rubber membrane, ideally of 50% or less rubber content, it is advantageous that the rubber membrane is thin enough so that the upwardly extending portion can be easily compacted. Ideally, upwardly extending portion main body 101 is of a thickness of 0.5 mm to 2 mm. However it has been found that the most advantageous thickness of the rubber membrane, in order to provide suitable flexibility, whilst still providing the advantages of durability and waterproof/substrate property would be to have a thickness of a rubber membrane of 1.3 mm. In an ideal configuration of compactable footwear 100, upwardly extending portion 101 will comprise at least 3 layers. The inner layer will comprise a lining. A lining is advantageous as it will provide comfort and warmth to the wearer of the compactable footwear 100.

The lining may consist of a material for example but not limited to, wool, cotton, fur, polyester and the like. The middle layer will comprise of the rubber membrane whereas an outer layer will be the layer that can be physically seen externally of the compactable footwear 100. The outer layer of upwardly extending portion 101 may comprise a woven, wool or knitted outer layer.

Alternatively, the outer layer may comprise a four way stretch lycra bonded composition. The outer layer is advantageous as this may comprise a fashionable design to the external of the compactable footwear 100 as well as providing for a protectable coating for the upwardly extending portion main body 104 i.e. the rubber membrane. The outer layer of upwardly extending portion 101 may also be configured to be easily cleaned.

In a preferred embodiment, the upwardly extending portion 101 is flexible enough such that when upwardly extending portion 101 is wrapped around the outer sole of sole portion 103 to form a compacted state, the compactable footwear 100 is able to be maintained in its compacted state of its own accord without un-compacting.

In a preferred embodiment, compactable footwear comprises a fastening means 105.

Fastening means 105 may be any means to maintain compactable footwear in its compacted state once compactable footwear 100 has been compacted.

Ideally, fastening means 105 is positioned towards the free end of upwardly extending portion 101, however alternatively fastening means 105 may be located at any position on compactable footwear 100, either internally or externally. A fastening means may comprise but is not limited to a toggle, tie-strings, Velcro, button fastening means, or the like. As those skilled in the art will understand substantially any type of suitable fastening device may be used. The fastening means may be attached to the footwear 100 or it may be configured to detachably attach to or otherwise communicate with footwear 100 in order to maintain footwear 100 in the folded position.

Referring to figures 2a and 2b herein preferably the fastening means of compactable footwear 100 comprises fastening means 300 configured as a toggle fastening means. The toggle fastening means comprises a toggle 301 and loop entry point 303. Preferably the toggle 301 and loop entry point 303 are comprised of a plastics material. The toggle 301 and loop entry point 303 houses a portion of toggle loop 304. The toggle loop may be any king of cord or string and is preferably elasticated. The toggle loop 304 may be extended or decrease in size such that a portion of the toggle loop 304 external to toggle 301 and loop entry point 303 is changed in loop size. This is carried out by manipulation of toggle 301 which comprises a spring loaded mechanism configured to increase or decrease loop size of toggle loop 304 and further configured to maintain toggle loop 304 at a set position.

Manipulation of toggle 301 can be operated by pressing a button 305.

Button 305 is connectable to the spring loaded mechanism (not shown). When the button 305 is depressed, toggle loop 304 can be extended or decreased in size. When button 305 is subsequently released, the toggle loop size of toggle loop 304 is maintained. Referring to figure lb herein there is shown a compactable footwear when it is in its compacted state and further shows the fastening toggle means as outlined in figures 2a and 2b when in operation.

is Preferably, said fastening means further comprises a backing means 302. In a preferred embodiment, the backing means is arranged as a rubber based backing material which may be stitched on to upwardly extending portion 101 (figure la). The backing means is advantageous in that it provides reinforced support for the fastening means 300 to increase the durability of the compactable footwear such that there is a reduced risk of tearing of the upwardly extending portion if the fastening means is vigorously used by the user.

In order to compact the compactable footwear in the compacted state 200, it is preferable for fastening means 300 to be located on a side wall of upwardly extending portion main body 104 (figure 1 a). The side wall of upwardly extending main body is that located at either side of compactable footwear 100.

Directional arrow 107 shows the direction in which upwardly extending portion ise wrapped around sole portion 103 in order to form a compactable state such that fastening means 105 can be operated to maintain compactable footwear 100 in its compacted state 200. Upwardly extending portion 101 is wrapped around sole portion 103 in the direction 107 such that fastening means remains visible and opposed to the side wall of the upwardly extending portion 101 that makes contact with sole portion 103 when it is wrapped.

Upwardly extending portion 101 may be partially or fully wrapped to form a compacted state. Toggle loop 304 (figures 2a and 2b) can then be stretched and pulled over upwardly extending portion 201, sole portion 203 in order to form a loop 202. The fastening means loop 202 formed upon compacting of compactable footwear 100 into its compacted state 200 acts to maintain and hold the compactable footwear in its compacted state 200.

The more times that the upwardly extending portion 101 is wrapped around sole portion 103 and the smaller the loop size of fastening means loop 202 formed around the upwardly extending portion 201 and sole portion 203, the more compact the compactable footwear 200 can be compacted.

Referring to figure 3 herein, there is shown a compactable footwear wherein a compactable footwear for the right foot and a compactable footwear for the left foot is maintained in a maintaining means 400.

In an embodiment as shown in figure 3, the compactable footwear may or may not comprise a fastening means.

A separate maintaining means could be used for each individual compactable footwear boot i.e. one for the right boot and one for the left boot, however preferably a single maintaining means could be utilised to maintain both of the right and left boot of a compactable footwear.

The compactable footwear would be required to be compacted prior to storage of the compactable footwear in the maintaining means, with fastening means 105 of the compactable footwear maintaining the compactable footwear in its compactable shape as shown in figure 2.

Once the compactable footwear is in its compacted state, it can then be inserted lengthways in to maintaining means 400. Maintaining means 400 may be in the form of a bag or pouch.

The maintaining means 400 will generally be comprised of a durable and lightweight material such as cloth, PVC, leather or the like. An advantage of maintaining a compactable footwear in a maintaining means is that the compactable footwear is protected by the maintaining means from general wear and tear when not in use by the user.

The maintaining means 400 is preferably of a rectangular shape with an elongate sidewall 403. This is advantageous to substantially replicate the shape of the compacted footwear to be inserted in the maintaining means 400. The maintaining means 400 itself may also comprise a fastening means 405 such that the compactable footwear can be maintained in the maintaining means such that the compacted footwear does not fall out of the maintaining means 400. The maintaining means 400 may be configured such that the whole or part of the is compactable footwear is stored within the maintaining means 400.

Preferably, the maintaining means comprises a fastening means such as a toggle arrangement as described in figures 2a and 2b. Preferably the fastening means 404 is positioned in the general vicinity of maintaining means entrance cavity405.

Referring to figure 4 herein in our preferred embodiment maintaining means 500 is shown as a suitable bag, pouch or the like for maintaining the right and/or left boot of a compactable footwear. Preferably, a compactable footwear when it is in its compacted state can be inserted in to maintaining means 500 via maintaining means cavity 503 such that a compactable footwear may be enclosed within maintaining means 500 and inserted all the way down to base 501 of maintaining means 500. The maintaining means 500 may comprise reinforced stitching 506 on the main body 504 positioned towards the maintaining means cavity 503 to increase the strength and durability of the maintaining means. Preferably, fastening means 505 is located between the maintaining means cavity 503 and the reinforcement stitching 506. The side walls 502 maintaining means 500 may be reinforced or of a ridged material such that the shape of the maintaining means 500 is retained.

Claims

Claims 1. A corn pactable footwear for compact storage comprising: a sole portion; an upper portion for covering a wearer's foot; an upwardly extending portion which in use extends at least around a wearers ankle; and wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a flexible material such that said upwardly extending portion can be compacted; said compactable footwear further comprises a fastening means configured to maintain said upwardly extending portion in a compact state.
2. A compactable footwear according to claim 1 wherein said fastening means is located on said upwardly extending portion.
3. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claim wherein said fastening means comprises a toggle means.
4. A compactable footwear according to claim 3 wherein said toggle means is spring loaded.
5. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said fastening means comprises an elastic loop.
6. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a rubber membrane.
7. A compactable footwear according to claim 6 said rubber membrane comprises at least 50% rubber content.
8. A compactable footwear according to claims 6 and 7 wherein said rubber membrane is between 0.5mm -2mm in thickness.
9. A compactable footwear according to claims 6 to 8 wherein said rubber membrane is 1.3mm in thickness.
10. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a lining.
11. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a lycra layer.
12. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding is claims wherein said upwardly extending portion configured to be wrapped around said sole portion to form said compact state of said compactable footwear.
13. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said upwardly extending portion comprises a knitted outer layer.
14. A compactable footwear according to any one of the preceding claims wherein said compactable footwear is a wellington boot.
15. A compactable footwear according to claims I to 2 wherein said fastening means comprises tie-up means.
16. A compactable footwear according to claims I to 2 wherein said fastening means comprises Velcro.
17. A compactable footwear according to claims 1 to 2 wherein said fastening means comprises button fastening means.