MUNITZ, Richard, Morris (8 Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse, NSW 2030, AU)
MUNITZ, Richard, Morris (8 Greycliffe Avenue, Vaucluse, NSW 2030, AU)
| CLAIMS: 1. An item of footwear having a sole, said sole comprising: an outer edge extending between a toe end of said sole and a heel end of said sole; an inner edge extending between said toe end of said sole and said heel end of said sole; a first fold line extending across said sole between said outer edge and said inner edge; and a second fold line extending across said sole between said outer edge and said inner edge; said second fold line being disposed between said first fold line and said heel end, such that said sole is divided between a toe portion defined between said first fold line and said toe end, a middle portion defined between said first fold line and said second fold line and a heel portion defined between said second fold line and said heel end; said first and second fold lines being configured to enable said sole to be folded, from a generally flat open configuration, about each of said first and second fold lines, into a folded configuration in which said toe, middle and heel portions overlay each other. 2. The item of claim 1, wherein said first and second fold lines are mutually inclined. 3. The item of claim 2, wherein said first and second fold lines at least substantially meet at an apex such that said middle portion is substantially triangular in shape. 4. The item of claim 3, wherein said apex is formed at or adjacent said outer edge. 5. The item of claim 2, wherein in said folded configuration, said middle portion and said heel portion each overlay said toe portion at least substantially within a periphery of said toe portion. 6. The item of claim 5, wherein a first angle defined between said first fold line and an adjacent tangent to said outer edge is between 55° and 85° and a second angle defined between said first fold line and said second fold line is between 50° and 80°. 7. The item of claim 5, wherein a first angle defined between said first fold line and an adjacent tangent to said outer edge is equal to, or less than 30° greater than, a second angle defined between said first fold line and second fold line. 8. The item of claim 1 , wherein: said sole comprises a base layer, a flexible centre layer and a top layer, said centre layer being formed between said top layer and said base layer and extending continuously between said toe end and said heel end; said top layer being discontinuous between said toe portion and said middle portion to define a first upper recess at said first fold line; said top layer also being discontinuous between said middle portion and said heel portion to define a second upper recess at said second fold line; said base layer being discontinuous between said toe portion and said middle portion to define a first lower recess at said first fold line; said base layer also being discontinuous between said middle portion and said heel portion to define a second lower recess at said second fold line; said centre layer forming said first fold line between said first upper recess and said second lower recess and forming said second fold line between said second upper recess and said second lower recess. 9. The item of claim 8, wherein each said recess has a width at least twice the depth of the respective said recess. 10. The item of claim 9, wherein each of said recesses has a substantially equal width. 11. The item of claim 8, wherein said base layer is integrally formed with said centre layer. 12. The item of claim 1, said item being in the form of a sandal or thong having an upper defined by one or more straps extending from said sole. 13. The item of claim 1 , said item being in the form of a closed shoe, having a flexible upper extending about and from said sole. |
Technical Field
The present invention relates to an item of footwear, and in particular, to an item of footwear which is collapsible/foldable.
Background of the Invention
The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that the prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.
In many circumstances, people often need to carry a change of footwear. For example, if heading to a holiday location, such as a beach resort, it is often required to carry sandals, thongs (otherwise known as flip-flops) or the like, together with everyday footwear. In yet another example, women who wear high heels for a night out, often prefer to change their heels either during the night, or at the end of the night for more comfortable shoes.
It will also be appreciated that it is often difficult to carry a change of footwear due to the carry space required, and the fact that it creates an extra carry load.
Object of the Invention
The present invention seeks to substantially overcome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above disadvantages.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect the present invention provides an item of footwear having a sole, said sole comprising:
an outer edge extending between a toe end of said sole and a heel end of said sole;
an inner edge extending between said toe end of said sole and said heel end of said sole;
a first fold line extending across said sole between said outer edge and said inner edge; and a second fold line extending across said sole between said outer edge and said inner edge;
said second fold line being disposed between said first fold line and said heel end, such that said sole is divided between a toe portion defined between said first fold line and said toe end, a middle portion defined between said first fold line and said second fold line and a heel portion defined between said second fold line and said heel end;
said first and second fold lines being configured to enable said sole to be folded, from a generally flat open configuration, about each of said first and second fold lines, into a folded configuration in which said toe, middle and heel portions overlay each other.
Typically, said first and second fold lines are mutually inclined.
Typically, said first and second fold lines at least substantially meet at an apex such that said middle portion is substantially triangular in shape.
In a preferred form, said apex is formed at or adjacent said outer edge.
Preferably, in said folded configuration, said middle portion and said heel portion each overlay said toe portion at least substantially within a periphery of said toe portion.
In one configuration, a first angle defined between said first fold line and an adjacent tangent to said outer edge is between 55° and 85° and a second angle defined between said first fold line and said second fold line is between 50° and 80°.
Preferably a first angle defined between said first fold line and an adjacent tangent to said outer edge is equal to, or less than 30° greater than, a second angle defined between said first fold line and second fold line.
In at least a preferred embodiment, said sole comprises a base layer, a flexible centre layer and a top layer, said centre layer being formed between said top layer and said base layer and extending continuously between said toe end and said heel end;
said top layer being discontinuous between said toe portion and said middle portion to define a first upper recess at said first fold line;
said top layer also being discontinuous between said middle portion and said heel portion to define a second upper recess at said second fold line;
said base layer being discontinuous between said toe portion and said middle portion to define a first lower recess at said first fold line;
said base layer also being discontinuous between said middle portion and said heel portion to define a second lower recess at said second fold line; said centre layer forming said first fold line between said first upper recess and said second lower recess and forming said second fold line between said second upper recess and said second lower recess.
Typically, each said recess has a width at least twice the depth of the respective said recess.
In one form, each of said recesses has a substantially equal width.
In one embodiment, said base layer is integrally formed with said centre layer.
In one or more embodiments, said item is in the form of a sandal or thong having an upper defined by one or more straps extending from said sole.
In an alternative embodiment, said item is in the form of a closed shoe, such as a ballet flat or slipper, having a flexible upper extending about and from said sole.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
Figure 1 is a schematic top view of the sole of an item of footwear of a first embodiment;
Figure 2 is a side elevation view of the item of footwear of Figure 1;
Figure 3 is a top perspective view of the item of footwear of Figure 1;
Figures 4A to 4D are schematic diagrams of the item of footwear of Figure 1 moving from an open or wearable configuration to a folded or collapsed configuration;
Figures 5 A to 5D are schematic diagrams of the item of footwear of Figure 1 moving from the open or wearable configuration to an alternate folded or collapsed configuration;
Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view of an item of footwear according to a second embodiment;
Figure 7 is a side elevation view of the item of footwear of Figure 6;
Figure 8 is a schematic top view of an item of footwear according to a third embodiment.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of the item of footwear of Figure 8;
Figure 10 is a front elevation view of a carrying case for storing the item of footwear of Figure 1, 6 or 8 in a folded configuration; and
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the carrying case of Figure 10. Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
An example of an item 100 of footwear according to a first embodiment is depicted in Figures 1 to 3. The item 100 has a sole 110. The sole 110 includes an outer edge 115 extending between a toe end 11OA of the sole 110 and a heel end HOB of the sole 110. A first fold line 125 A extends across the sole 110 between the outer edge 115 and the inner edge 120. The first fold line 125 A allows the sole 110 to be folded about the first fold line 125 A.
In the arrangement depicted, the sole 110 also has a second fold line 125B extending across the sole between the outer edge 115 and the inner edge 120. The second fold line 125B allows the sole 110 to be folded about the second fold line 125B. As best depicted in Figure 1, the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B are mutually inclined.
The second fold line 125B is disposed between the first fold line 125A and the heel end HOB. Accordingly, the sole 110 is divided between a toe portion 130 defined between the first fold line 125 A and the toe end HOA, a middle portion 132 defined between the first fold line 125 A and the second fold line 125B and a heel portion 135 defined between the second fold line 125B and the heel end HOB. The first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B are located such that the middle portion 132 generally lies under the instep of the user's foot.
The first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B are configured to enable the sole 110 to be folded, from a generally flat, open or wearable configuration, as depicted in Figures 1 to 3 about each of the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B into a folded
configuration, as depicted, for example, in Figures 4D and 5D, in which the toe, middle and heel portions 130, 132, 135 overlay each other.
In the example depicted, the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B at least substantially meet at an apex 140 such that the middle portion 132 is substantially triangular in shape. In the example depicted, the apex 140 is formed at or adjacent to the outer edge 115. The middle portion 132 defines a point at the apex 140, however it is envisaged that, in arrangements where the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B do not precisely meet at the apex 140, that the middle portion 132 will have a finite width at the outer edge 1 15.
A first angle α defined between the first fold line 125 A and an adjacent tangent to the outer edge 115 at the apex 140 and the first fold line 125 A is an acute angle that will typically be between 55° and 85° and in the first embodiment depicted is about 75°. A second angle β defined between the first fold line 125 A and the second fold line 125B is again an acute angle that will typically be between 50° and 80° and in the first embodiment depicted is about 63°. The first angle α will typically be equal to or greater than the second angle β. Most typically, the first angle α will be greater than the second angle β by less than 30°. Ensuring the first angle α is equal to or greater than the second angle β ensures that, when the sole 110 is folded about the first fold line 125 A, the second fold line 125B will lie either along or inside of the region of the periphery of the toe portion 130 defined by the outer edge 115, such that the middle portion 132 will lie within the periphery of the toe portion 130 without overhanging. As will be discussed further below, and as depicted in Figures 4D and 5D, when the sole 110 is further folded about the second fold line 125B, the heel portion 135 will extend across the toe portion 130 from adjacent the outer edge 115 at the toe portion 130, towards the inner edge 125 adjacent the toe end 11OA. In the configuration depicted, the heel portion 135 does not overhang the periphery of the toe portion 130, providing a compact folded configuration of the footwear item 100.
Referring specifically to Figure 2, the sole 110 comprises a base layer 156, a flexible centre layer 155 and a top layer 157, with the flexible centre layer 155 being formed between the top layer 157 and the base layer 156. The centre layer 155 extends continuously between the toe end HOA and heel end HOB. The centre layer 155 may be formed from a durable, tear-resistant and flexible material, such as moulded plastics material. Suitable forms of plastics material include polypropylene, polyurethane, nylon or the like. The centre layer may alternatively be formed of elastomeric material such as thermoplastic rubber (TPR). The base layer 156 will typically be formed of a hard wearing elastic material such as rubber or TPR. The top layer 157 will typically be formed of a cushioning material, such as a cushioning foam material, or ethylene vinyl acetate ("EVA") or the like to support the user's foot and make the item 100 of footwear more comfortable to wear. It will be appreciated that the layers of the item 100 of footwear may be made of any material deemed suitable. The base layer 156, centre layer 155 and top layer 157 will typically be bonded together to form a laminated structure.
As best appreciated from Figures 2 and 3, the top layer 157 is discontinuous between the toe portion 130 and the middle portion 132 so as to define a first upper recess 160 at the first fold line 125 A. The upper layer 157 is also discontinuous between the middle portion 132 and the heel portion 135 to define a second upper recess 161 at the second fold line. The top layer 157 is thus defined by three separate pieces corresponding to each of the toe portion 130, middle portion 132 and heel portion 135. Similarly, the base layer 156 is discontinuous between the toe portion 130 and the middle portion 132 to define a first lower recess 162 at the first fold line 125 A. The base layer 156 is also discontinuous between the middle portion 132 and the heel portion 135 to define a second lower recess 163 at the second fold line 125B. The base layer 156 is thus also formed of three pieces corresponding to each of the toe portion 130, middle portion 132 and heel portion 135. The centre layer 155 thus forms the first fold line 125A between the first upper recess 160 and first lower recess 162. The centre layer 155 also forms the second fold line 125B between the second upper recess 161 and second lower recess 163.
Leaving the top and base layers 157, 156 discontinuous at the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B, in conjunction with the flexible material from which the centre layer 155 is formed, provides for the folding of the toe, middle and heel portions 130, 132, 135 of the sole 110. Each of the recesses 160, 161, 162, 163 will typically have a width at least twice its depth, the depth being defined by the thickness of the top layer 157 or base layer 156 as the case may be. This provides sufficient space within the recesses for the sole 110 to be folded through 180 degrees about a tight radius at the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B. In the particular arrangement depicted, each of the top and base layers 157, 156 has a thickness of approximately 1.5 mm, defining a 1.5 mm depth for each of the recesses. Accordingly, the width of each of the recesses is at least 3 mm.
The item 100 of footwear depicted in Figures 1 through 3 is in the form of a sandal or thong, having an upper defined by one or more straps 150 that extend from the sole 110 to hold the item 100 of footwear onto the foot of a user in a conventional manner.
Figures 4 and 5 depict the item 100 of footwear being reconfigured from its open or wearable configuration (in Figures 4A and 5A) to a folded or collapsed configuration (depicted in Figures 4D and 5D).
The sole 110 may be folded from the open configuration into the folded configuration in any of various manners. In the action depicted in Figures 4A to 4D, the toe portion 130 is folded downwardly about the first fold line 125 A such that the base layer 156 folds onto itself in the toe portion 130 and middle portion 132. The heel portion 135 is folded upwardly about the second fold line 125B such that the top layer 157 folds onto itself between the middle portion 132 and heel portion 135. The middle portion 132 thus becomes sandwiched between the toe portion 130 and the heel portion 135. Ln the completely folded configuration, as depicted in Figure 4D, one outer face of the folded sole 110 is thus defined by the upper layer 157 in the toe portion 130 whilst the opposing face is defined by the base layer 156 in the heel portion 135. The first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B are arranged such that, when in the folded configuration as depicted in Figure 4D, the middle portion 132 and heel portion 135 overlay the toe portion 130 within the periphery of the toe portion 130. That is, the extent of the periphery of the entire folded sole 110 is defined by the periphery of the toe portion 130, without the middle portion 132 or heel portion 135 overhanging. As a result of the orientation of the first and second fold lines 125 A, 125B, the second fold line 125B extends closely alongside the outer edge 115 in the toe portion 130 when in the folded configuration. The heel portion 135 then extends toward the inner edge 125 adjacent the toe end HOA. A particularly compact configuration is thus provided, which may be readily inserted into a relatively small carrying case as depicted in Figures 10 and 11. The carrying case 200 includes a sealing device 210 such as a zipper or the like, for closing and opening the case 200 and for sealing the item 100 of footwear in the case 200. The case containing the folded item of footwear can be easily carried around in another small bag, clutch or the like for use when required.
The actions depicted in Figures 5A through 5D provide an alternate manner of folding the sole 110, folding the toe portion 130 upwardly about the fold line 125 A and folding the heel portion 135 downwardly about the second fold line 125B. In this folded configuration, depicted in Figure 5D, the middle portion 132 is again sandwiched between the toe portion 130 and heel portion 135, although the opposing faces of the folded sole 110 are defined by the base layer 156 at the toe portion 130 and the top layer 157 at the heel portion 135. The sole 110 may also be folded such that the heel portion 135 is sandwiched between the middle portion 132 and toe portion 130 by folding both the toe portion 130 and heel portion 135 about the first and second fold lines 125A, 125B in the same direction.
Referring to Figures 6 and 7 an item 100' of footwear according to a second embodiment is depicted, with the item 100' being depicted in exploded form in Figure 7. The item of footwear 100' is essentially identical to the item of footwear 100 of the first embodiment, except that the centre layer 155' and base layer 156' are integrally formed as a single moulded piece defining a sole body 170, here formed of TPR or polyurethane material. The upper face of the centre layer 155' portion of the sole body 170 is moulded so as to define an upstanding rim 171, 172, 173 extending about each of the toe portion 130', middle portion 132' and heel portion 135'. These rims provide for simple and accurate location of each of the three pieces forming the top layer 157. The item 100' is formed with otherwise identical configuration of the first and second fold lines 125 A and 125B and associated recesses 160, 161, 162 and 163 as described above in relation to the item 100 of the first embodiment. The straps 150 are also identical. It is also envisaged that the sole 110' may be integrally formed as a single moulded piece encompassing the top layer, centre layer and base layer.
Referring to Figures 8 and 9, an item 100" of footwear according to a third embodiment is depicted. The sole 110" of the footwear item 100" of the third embodiment is essentially identical to that of the footwear items of the first and second embodiments, however, the item 100" of the third embodiment is configured as a closed shoe, here in the form of a ballet flat or slipper and the second angle between the first and second fold lines 125 A" and 125B" is about 73°. A flexible upper 152, typically formed of a flexible fabric material, extends about and from the periphery of the sole 110" for enclosing the foot of a user wearing the item 100" . It is envisaged that the footwear item may take any of various other alternate general forms.