FIELD OF THE INVENTION Some previously known guards used on the heels of shoes have consisted of shrink fit plastic. This was positioned over the heel and heated with a hair dryer or the like until the plastic shrunk onto the heel. Typically these guards have a problem of allowing various objects to become wedged nder the plastic, such as grass and the like.

Another guard takes the form of an adhesive wrap around the heel. Because of the typical wedge shape of most heels these guards eventually fell off. In addition, the adhesive may be left on the heel and thereby require cleaning off. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a heel guard that may be removed and replaced whenever necessary without damaging the shoe.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a heel guard characterised by a sheath dimensioned to fit around a heel of a shoe, the sheath having an aperture through which a tip of the heel may project, a gripping means whereby the heel guard may engage the shoe and such means allowing the flexing of the

sheath.

Preferably, the means allowing the flexing of the sheath takes the form of a split in the sheath allowing it to be pulled apart slightly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a heel guard in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a lower perspective view of the heel guard of

Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a lower perspective view of a ladies shoe;

Figure 4 is a lower perspective view of the heel guard of Figure 1 in position over the heel of the ladies shoe of

Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a cross sectional view of the heel guard of

Figure 1 in position over the heel of the ladies shoe of

Figure 3; Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of the heel guard of

Figure 1 having a ridge replacing the teeth as a gripping means;

Figure 7 is an upper perspective view of a heel guard in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 8 is a lower perspective view of the heel guard of

Figure 6 in position over the heel of the ladies shoe of

Figure 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a heel guard 10 comprising a sheath 16 having a first edge 18 and a second edge 20. The first edge 18 is spaced apart from the second edge 20 by a sheath body 22. The second edge 20 substantially defines an aperture 23.

The sheath body 22 surrounds a space 24 bounded by the edges 18 and 20. A split 26 is provided in the sheath body 22 running between and being contiguous with the edges 18 and 20.

The first edge 18 incorporates a gripping means 28, as can be best seen in Figure 1. The gripping means 28 comprises a number of teeth 30. The gripping means 28 projects from the first edge 18 into the space 24. In Figure 3 there is shown a shoe 32 having a heel 34, a sole 36 and an upper 38. The upper 38 has a forward portion 40 and a rear portion 42. The heel 34 has a first end 44 and a second end 46. The heel 34 is attached to the rear portion 42 of the upper 38 by its first end 44 at a join 40. The join 40 is characterised by a recess 43 associated therewith. The second end 46 of the heel 34 has a tip 48. In Figures 4 and 5 there is shown the heel guard 10 in position over the heel 34 of the shoe 32. The tip 48 of the heel 34 projects past the second edge 20. The heel 34 is located in the space 24 and as such the sheath body 22 substantially surrounds the heel 34.

In Figure 6 there is shown the heel guard 10 having the gripping means 28 comprising a ridge 50 projecting into the space 24.

In Figure 7 there is shown a heel guard 100 having a number of features in common with the heel guard 10, like numerals denote like parts. The sheath body 22 further comprises an extended portion 102 whereby the first edge 18 no longer incorporates the gripping means 28. The portion 102 has an inner surface 104 on which the teeth 30 of the gripping means 28 are arranged. In Figure 8 there is shown the heel guard 100 in position over the heel 34 of the shoe 32. In use, the heel guard 10 is flexed by a user (not shown) so that the split 26 is enlarged. This action increases the size of the space 24 substantially surrounded by the sheath body 22 and the first and second edges, 18 and 20 respectively. When in this flexed state the heel guard 10 is moved into position over the heel 34 such that the heel 34 occupies the space 24. The tip 48 of the heel 34 projects past the second edge 20 and the gripping means 28 is adjacent the recess 43. Once in that position the user ceases flexing the heel guard 10 allowing the split 26 to narrow. The sheath 16 is then able to grip the shoe 32, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, by the gripping means 28. The teeth 30 of the gripping means 28 engage the recess 43. This prevents the heel guard 10 slipping from the heel 34 in use. The tip 48 of the heel 34 still projects past the second edge 20 to prevent contact of the sheath 16 with a surface being walked on during normal use. The replacement of the teeth 30 with the ridge 50, shown in

Figure 6, does not alter the operation of the heel guard 10. The ridge 50 engages the recess 43 as did the teeth 30. The positive engagement of the recess 43 and the gripping means 28 securely locates the heel guard 10 on the heel 34 and protects the same from knocks, scuffs and other instances that may damage the heel 34 of the shoe 32. The heel guard 100 shown in Figures 7 and 8 operates in substantially the same manner as the heel guard 10. However, when fitted on the shoe 32 the extended portion 102 overlies and protects the rear portion 42 of the upper 38, as can be best seen in Figure 8.

The rear portion 42 can be harmed during the wearing of the shoe 32 in a number of circumstances, including driving of a vehicle. The extended portion 102 protects the rear portion 42 from wear and tear.

To remove the heel guard 10 or 100 the user again flexes the sheath 16 enlarging the split 26 and in turn enlarging the space 24. The gripping means 28 is also disengaged from the recess 43. The heel guard 10 or 100 is then separated by withdrawing the heel 34 from the space 24 preferably without the gripping means 28 contacting the heel 34. Preferably, the sheath 16 and extended portion 102 are dimensioned so as to conform to the dimensions of the shoe 32 to which the heel guard 10 or 100 is to be fitted, as can be seen in Figures 4, 5 and 8.

It is envisaged that the split 26 may not extend fully from the first edge 18 to the second edge 20. Sufficient flexing of the sheath 16 for fitting or removal may be achieved by

having only a partial split 26.

The sheath 16 and/or the extended portion 102 may be formed of a resilient material capable of withstanding bumps and knocks without marking the heel 34 or rear portion 42 of the upper 38. However, a degree of flexibility is also required to allow the sheath 16 to be bent or enlarged by a user. It is further envisaged that the gripping means 28 may not only take the form of the ridge 50 and/or teeth 30 but may comprise scalloping or other similar engaging or gripping means.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.