Protective device for attaching to a shoe

Description

[0001] The invention disclosed below relates to a protective device for attachment to a shoe according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] The components and structure of a shoe are explained, for example, in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia (see https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Schuh, especially https: / / de.wikipedia.org / wiki / Schuh#Bestandteile).

[0003] According to current technology, shoes with a reinforced toecap are known. This reinforcement, permanently and therefore non-removably integrated into the toecap, is primarily intended to protect the toes or forefoot of the wearer. The forefoot, in particular, is a part of the wearer's body most exposed to falling objects such as hammers or other heavy items. There are labor laws that require individuals to wear such protective footwear in the workplace. While these shoes with a reinforced toecap offer good protection against injuries to the forefoot from falling objects, they are also uncomfortable for the wearer.Workers who, due to legal or other regulations, would actually be required to wear shoes with reinforced toecaps, often do not wear these shoes with reinforced toecaps because they are too uncomfortable.

[0004] Documents WO2005117630, US20150374094, and KR201809358 do not disclose a protective device comprising a toecap element and a sole element, the toecap element and sole element being connected by a joint comprising a spring element. US 2008 / 141565 A1 discloses a protective element for use in a safety shoe to protect the toes and forefoot when standing or walking.

[0005] The invention disclosed below aims to provide an easy-to-apply protective device for protecting a person's forefoot. The required comfort is to be achieved, among other things, by the fact that the protective device is easy to put on.

[0006] The invention disclosed below relates to a protective device that can be attached to a shoe.

[0007] The invention disclosed below also relates to the shoe with the removable protective device.

[0008] According to the invention, this is achieved by claim 1.

[0009] According to the invention, this is achieved by the protective device comprising a spring element, which spring element is pre-tensioned in the unfolded position, wherein the joint encompasses the spring element, which spring element encompasses a torsion spring.

[0010] The protective device according to the invention protects the forefoot of the wearer. Since the protective device according to the invention is preferably designed for temporary attachment to a shoe, it is initially referred to as such. The protective device can also be used in an equivalent manner by attaching it to a sock, boot, or other item.

[0011] The protective device according to the invention comprises a protective sole element. The protective sole element has a shape such that it can be applied to the outside of the shoe sole with a surface. The surface has a shape congruent to the shape of the shoe sole.

[0012] The protective sole element can also encase the frame and the sole of the shoe, in particular the outsole. The protective sole element covers at least that part of the outsole which comes into contact with a surface when walking on it.

[0013] The protective device according to the invention further comprises a protective cap element. The protective cap element has a shape such that it encloses at least part of the toe cap on the outside. The shape of the protective cap element can be congruent with the shape of the toe cap. A person skilled in the art selects the partial area of ​​enclosure by the protective cap element such that the person's forefoot inside the shoe is adequately protected.

[0014] The skilled person manufactures the protective toecap element from a sufficiently rigid material, such as [example needed], and in no case from a metal such as aluminum or a fiber-reinforced plastic. The skilled person selects the material with regard to the deformation of the protective toecap element as regulated in the relevant standards in order to achieve sufficient protection of the forefoot.

[0015] The protective sole element and the protective toecap element are connected to each other via a joint. The joint is located at the front end of both the protective toecap and the protective sole element. In the protective device mounted on a shoe, the joint is located adjacent to the transition area between the front part of the toecap and the front part of the sole. The joint is located in the area of ​​the protective toecap. Since the protective toecap element and the protective sole element each have shapes adapted to the toecap and the sole, respectively, and enveloping these components of the shoe, the device according to the invention can also include a toecap. The joint can be located adjacent to this toecap.

[0016] The joint is located adjacent to that part of the shoe which experiences no or only very slight deformations, especially stretching, during a normal walking motion.

[0017] The joint can be designed as a movable joint, whereby the movable joint defines the movement of the elements connected to the joint.

[0018] The elements can be attached to the joint in a detachable or permanent manner.

[0019] The joint can be a pivot joint, a sliding joint, or a combination of a pivot joint and a sliding joint.

[0020] The joint can be designed as a joint which allows the connected parts to move without overcoming resistance.

[0021] The joint can be a mechanical joint. In a mechanical joint, essentially rigid bodies are moved relative to each other. Shoe sizes are regulated by standards, taking into account the size of a foot. The device according to the invention can essentially be one size, such that the protective device extends over the toe area and the ball of the foot.

[0022] The device according to the invention can be characterized in that the joint comprises a joint axis, which joint axis is arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to a longitudinal axis of the shoe.

[0023] The longitudinal axis of a shoe is defined as the axis that connects the center of the heel area and the center of the ball of the foot area. The longitudinal axis extends from the toe of the shoe to the rear end of the shoe.

[0024] The joint axis extends at an angle of 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis and in or parallel to the plane of the shoe sole.

[0025] The joint can be designed as a deformable component made of, for example, rubber. This deformable component can be located on the inside, that is, on the side facing the shoe, of the protective sole element and the protective toecap element. When the elements move relative to each other, particularly when they open, the deformable material located on the inside of these elements experiences a preload. This preload acts as resistance to this movement, thereby generating a force that closes the elements.

[0026] The joint can be manufactured exclusively as a mechanical joint or from a deformable material.

[0027] The joint can be a combination of a mechanical joint and a deformable workpiece.

[0028] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the device comprises a spring element, which spring element is pre-tensioned in the unfolded position.

[0029] The pre-tensioned spring element exerts a pre-tension force that causes the device to fold into the retracted position. When walking in a shoe with an attached protective device, the movement of the ball of the foot causes the protective device to move from the retracted to the extended position. The aforementioned elements of the protective device move relative to each other around the joint, with the pre-tension of the spring element always resulting in the elements either closing or folding in.

[0030] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the joint comprises the spring element.

[0031] The device according to the invention is characterized in that the spring element comprises a torsion spring.

[0032] The torsion spring can be pre-tensioned when the elements connected to the joint are moved. The required force or energy, i.e., the force or energy applied when pre-tensioning the torsion spring, can provide resistance against the movement of the connected elements.

[0033] The device according to the invention can be characterized in that the device comprises a locking element for releasably locking the protective sole element and the protective cap element in the folded-in position and / or in the unfolded position.

[0034] The locking element creates a releasable mechanical connection between the protective sole element and the protective toecap element. The force required to release this mechanical connection can be applied by walking in the shoe with the protective device attached, thereby deforming the front part of the shoe and causing it to unfold.

[0035] A person skilled in the art is familiar with a wide variety of detachable mechanical connections, including those suitable for such use. For example, a person skilled in the art could design a snap-fit ​​connection that can be released by the aforementioned release force.

[0036] The locking element can be integrated into the joint.

[0037] The locking element can be arranged as a detachable mechanical connection spaced apart from the joint.

[0038] The device according to the invention can also be characterized by the fact that The locking element includes friction surfaces which can be brought into contact in the folded-in position or in the unfolded position.

[0039] By bringing the friction surfaces into contact, a holding force is achieved, which keeps the elements detachably in their respective positions. This mechanical connection can be released by the holding force mentioned above.

[0040] The device according to the invention can be characterized in that the protective sole element is detachably connected to the shoe sole.

[0041] The device according to the invention can be characterized in that the protective cap element is detachably connected to the front cap.

[0042] The invention is further explained with reference to the following embodiments shown in the figures: Fig. 1: shows side views of the device in the folded position (right) and in an unfolded position (left), Fig. 2: shows side views of the device in the folded position (right) and in a further unfolded position (left), Fig. 3: shows a side view of the device in an unfolded position, Fig. 4: shows a side view of the device in an unfolded position, with the protective sole element and the protective cap element separated from each other, Fig. 5: shows a rear view of the device, Fig. 6: shows a front view of the device.

[0043] The embodiments shown in the figures merely illustrate possible embodiments. It should be noted that the invention is not limited to these specifically depicted embodiments, but also encompasses combinations of the individual embodiments with one another and combinations of an embodiment with the general description given above. These further possible combinations need not be explicitly mentioned, as they are within the knowledge of a person skilled in the art in this technical field, given the teaching provided by the present invention.

[0044] The scope of protection is defined by the claims. However, the description and drawings must be consulted for the interpretation of the claims. Individual features or combinations of features from the different embodiments shown and described can, in themselves, constitute independent inventive solutions. The problem underlying these independent inventive solutions can be found in the description.

[0045] In the figures, the following elements are identified by the preceding reference symbols: 1 Protective sole element 2 Underside 3 Edge 4 Protective toecap element 5 Front area 6 Joint 7 Joint axis 8 Longitudinal axis of shoe 9 Folding movement 10 Spring element 11 First friction surface on protective sole element 12 Second friction surface on protective toecap element 13 Static arch 14 Support 15 Support 16 Tab 17 Recess

[0046] This is one possible embodiment of the protective device according to the invention in Figures 1 to 6depicted in different views and positions.

[0047] It is a further embodiment of the protective device according to the invention in the Figure 7 displayed in one view.

[0048] It shows a protective device for attaching to a shoe, with the shoe itself in Figures 1 to 7 not shown. After the disclosure of the invention describes how the described protective device is to be attached to the shoe, the Figures 1 to 7 The combination of the shoe with the protective device is also disclosed. Within the scope of the disclosure of the protective device according to the invention, it is also conceivable that the protective device according to the invention can be attached to a boot, a slipper, or generally to a piece of footwear.

[0049] The structure or components of a shoe are known according to the prior art. For example, the components of a shoe are explained in the online encyclopedia Wikipedia, as documented in the introductory description. The structure of a shoe does not require a detailed explanation within the scope of the sufficient disclosure of the invention.

[0050] It is merely worth mentioning for the purposes of the invention that a shoe has a toecap and a sole. A sole can consist of several partial soles, whereby, within the scope of the disclosure, the term sole always refers to the outsole.

[0051] The toecap is the area of ​​the shoe that partially encloses the toes and / or forefoot of a person's foot on its upper surface. This toecap area can undergo at least partial deformation during walking. The protective device according to the invention is characterized in that it can respond to this deformation of the toecap.

[0052] The outsole is the area on the underside of the shoe that contacts the ground. The sole can deform, at least in the front part, when walking.

[0053] The design of the protective device disclosed here is characterized by the idea of ​​allowing the aforementioned deformations of the shoe sole and toe cap when walking with a shoe with an attached protective device, so that the user is hindered by the protective device to the least possible extent when walking.

[0054] The protective device can be made of a rigid material such as metal (e.g., aluminum) or a fiber-reinforced plastic (e.g., carbon fiber) to protect the foot. On the other hand, a design of the protective device elements that is sufficiently rigid to protect the foot may hinder walking. The invention attempts to solve this technical problem in the manner outlined in the disclosure.

[0055] The protective device comprises a protective sole element 1. The protective sole element 1 is attached to the shoe sole (in Figures 1 to 6 (not registered) can be attached. The sole element 1 is attached to the underside of the outsole. The protective sole element 1 thus has a shape adapted to the shape of the outsole in its basic plan.

[0056] The protective sole element shown here has the special shape that it extends vertically around the vertical edge of the shoe sole or around the shoe frame. The protective sole element 1 thus encloses the shoe sole and, if applicable, the shoe frame.

[0057] Thus, when walking with a shoe equipped with a protective device, the underside 2 of the protective sole element 1 contacts the ground (in Figure 1 (not registered). The protective sole element 1, made of a rigid and puncture- or cut-resistant material, thus provides protection against sharp or pointed objects lying on the ground. The protective sole element can include a deformable layer, for example made of rubber, on its underside, which is the underside that comes into contact with the ground when walking. This increases the wearing comfort for the user.

[0058] The protective sole element 1 discussed here has the special feature of extending over parts of the toecap. In its special form, the protective sole element 1 has a vertical edge 3, which extends over the shoe's frame and / or the toecap.

[0059] The protective device further comprises a protective cap element 4. The protective cap element 4 is attached to the front cap (in Figures 1 to 6 (not shown) is attached. The protective cap element 4 has a curved shape adapted to the shape of the front caps.

[0060] In the aforementioned special embodiment, the protective toecap element 4 extends essentially over the upper toecap area of ​​the shoe. The lower toecap area is essentially enclosed by the protective sole element 1. A person skilled in the art could also design this division of the toecap enclosure differently. For example, it is also conceivable that the protective sole element 1 encloses only the sole of the shoe and the protective toecap element 4 encloses only the toecap.

[0061] The protective toecap element 4 and the protective sole element 1 are rotatably connected to each other in their front area 5 by a mechanical joint 6. The mechanical joint 6 is located in the Figures 1 to 6 The illustrated embodiment is a special form in that the mechanical joint 6 has a joint axis 7 which is at an angle of 90 degrees to the plane of the image. Figures 1 to 4 you parallel to the image plane of the Figure 6The joint axis 7 is oriented. Furthermore, the joint axis 7 is arranged at an angle of 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis 8 of the shoe. The longitudinal axis 8 essentially connects the center point of the ball of the foot area and the center point of the heel area, or rather the elements for receiving the shoe.

[0062] Through the mechanical connection, which mechanical connection in Figures 1 to 6 For example, if the protective cap element 4 is designed as a mechanical joint 6 with a further joint axis 7, the protective cap element 4 can be adjusted relative to the protective sole element 1. This adjustability is defined by the mechanical connection and the degrees of freedom defined thereby.

[0063] The mechanical joint 6 with the joint axis 7 allows, in particular, a folding movement 9 of the protective cap element 4 towards the protective sole element 6. This folding movement 9, which folding movement 9 in Figures 1 to 6The movement, which is described as an arc-shaped motion around the joint axis 7, is similar to the deformation of the shoe in the forefoot area during walking. This results in increased wearing comfort.

[0064] The protective sole element 1 and the protective cap element 4 can thus be moved from a folded position to an unfolded position by a relative rotation to each other around the joint axis 7.

[0065] The protective device according to the invention comprises a spring element 10, which is pre-tensioned at least in the unfolded position. A person skilled in the art can dimension the spring element 10 such that it is pre-tensioned by the deformation of the shoe during walking and the resulting folding movement 9 of the protective toecap element 4 towards the protective sole element 1. The spring element 10 must be sufficiently soft so that it does not exert any uncomfortable pressure on the shoe when walking.

[0066] The spring element 10 cannot have any preload in its folded position.

[0067] The spring element 10 can also exhibit a forward tension in its folded position, causing the protective toecap element 4 to rotate around the mechanical joint 6 towards the protective sole element 1, thereby achieving a clamping effect on the shoe. Due to the action of the spring element 10, the shoe, and in particular the parts of the shoe enclosed by the protective device according to the invention, can be clamped between the protective sole element 1 and the protective toecap element 4, thus creating a releasable connection between the shoe and the protective sole element according to the invention. Further possibilities for connecting the protective device according to the invention to the shoe are described below. A person skilled in the art can combine these or implement them alternatively.

[0068] The in Figures 1 to 6The embodiment shown is characterized in that the spring element 10 is arranged in the mechanical joint 6. The mechanical joint 6 comprises the spring element 10. The spring element 10 is designed as a torsion spring, which may have its winding around the joint axis 7.

[0069] The device according to the invention can include a locking element by means of which the protective cap element 4 can be releasably locked in a position relative to the protective sole element 1. The locking element can, in particular, enable the protective cap element 4 to be releasably locked relative to the protective sole element 1 in the folded-in position or in the unfolded position.

[0070] At the in Figures 1 to 6In the illustrated embodiment of the protective device according to the invention, the optional locking element is formed by a first friction surface 11 and a second friction surface 12. The first friction surface 11 is formed by the protective sole element 1, here for example by the vertical edge 3. The second friction surface 12 is formed by the protective cap element 4, here also by a vertical edge.

[0071] The first friction surface 11 and the second friction surface 12 contact each other, at least in the folded-up position of the protective device according to the invention. The relative movement 9 of the friction surfaces 11, 12 to each other is determined by the joint 6. The joint 6 further ensures that the friction surfaces 11, 12 contact each other during their relative movement 9.

[0072] The first friction surface 11, which is formed by the sole protection element 1, can be arranged outside the second friction surface 12.

[0073] A force F acting downwards on the protective cap element 4 always causes a downward deformation of the protective cap element 4. In static terms, the protective cap element 4 acts as an arch on two supports, which arch is essentially subjected to bending.

[0074] Force 4 can, for example, symbolize a hammer falling on a person's foot, which would cause injury. The object of the invention is to protect the person from such injuries. The relevant standard requires a maximum deflection of the protective cap element 4 under a specified force F acting on the protective cap element 4.

[0075] When the applied force F is transferred, the protective cap element 4 acts statically as an arch subjected primarily to bending. The outer arrangement of the edge 3 with the first friction surfaces 11 ensures that the horizontal forces H acting between the supports 14, 15 are absorbed by the protective base element 1. Because the protective base element 1 prevents lateral displacement of the supports 14, 15, the deformation of the static arch 13, and thus of the protective cap element 4, is prevented or at least kept within a standard-compliant range. This also allows for a lightweight design of the protective cap element 4. [The text abruptly ends here, so the translation stops as well.] Figure 5 referred to in which Figure 5 The sheet 13 is shown in a rear view.

[0076] The protective cap element 4 also works in the side view (see Figure 1) in static terms as an arc. Preferably, the joint 6 is designed such that it can absorb horizontal forces H resulting from a load on the protective cap element 4 by a force F.

[0077] The Figure 1 right and the Figure 2 The protective device according to the invention is shown on the right in a folded position. In comparison, the Figure 2 On the left, the protective device in the unfolded position. Figure 1 The left side shows the protective device in an intermediate position.

[0078] The Figure 3 The protective device is shown in a position in which it can be very easily attached to a shoe.

[0079] The Figure 4 The protective device is shown in a position indicating the position in which the protective device is disassembled.

[0080] The joint 6 can include plug-in elements so that the protective sole element 1 can be separated from the protective cap element 4.

[0081] The Figure 5 The protective device is shown in a rear view.

[0082] The Figure 6 The protective device is shown in a front view.

[0083] As mentioned in the description above, the protective device according to the invention can be clamped onto the outside of the shoe. The required clamping force is applied by the spring element 10, whereby the protective sole element 1 and the protective toecap element 4 are pressed against the outer surface of the shoe by folding together around the joint 6.

[0084] In addition to or as an alternative to the aforementioned detachable fastening of the protective device 1 to the shoe, the protective sole element 1 can be attached to the shoe sole via a detachable mechanical connection, such as a snap-fit ​​connection, and thus by no means restrictively via a screw. Preferably, the mechanical connection, such as the snap-fit ​​connection, allows the protective sole element 1 to be attached to the shoe sole by exerting a substantially vertical pressure.

[0085] Furthermore, in addition to or as an alternative to the above-mentioned detachable fastening of the protective device to the shoe, the protective cap element 4 can be connected to the toe cap via a detachable mechanical connection.

[0086] The above description mentions that the protective device can be detachably attached to the shoe. The invention is by no means limited to a detachable attachment. The attachment of the protective device to the shoe can also be non-detachable and thus rigid. The protective device can also be embedded between layers of the toe cap and layers of the shoe sole.

[0087] A shoe may include a fastening device such as a shoelace or hook-and-loop fastener. The protective device may be attached to the shoe via this fastening device. When using the shoelace to attach the protective device, the protective device may have holes through which the user can thread the shoelace.

[0088] The protective device according to the invention can be made, at least in part, from an elastically deformable material. The protective sole element 1 and / or the protective toecap element 4 can be applied to the shoe under elastic deformation and preload. The preload creates a releasable mechanical connection between the shoe and the protective device according to the invention.

[0089] The exemplary embodiment of the protective device according to the invention, made of plastic, in particular fiber-reinforced plastic, is mentioned above. Parts of the protective device may be made of an elastic plastic.

[0090] The shoe sole element 1 with the edge 3 can also be designed as a form that partially encloses the shoe, such that the shoe sole element 1 can be applied to the shoe by deforming parts of the shoe. This releasable mechanical fastening is particularly suitable for shoes with a sole made of rubber, a material such as PU, TPE or natural rubber.

[0091] The protective sole element 1 can also have recesses in its sub-section 3 for receiving the shoe's tread studs. A detachable mechanical connection between the shoe and the protective sole element 1 can be created by inserting and deforming the shoe's tread studs.

[0092] The Figure 4 shows one possible shape of the joint 6,where the joint 6 itself is shown in a disassembled position. The joint 6 comprises a tab 16 formed by the protective cap element 4, which tab 16 engages in a recess 17 (see Figure 6 ) is introduced when joining protective cap element 4 and protective sole element 1. Those skilled in the art are familiar with such joints featuring a tab and a recess.

[0093] The tab 16 and the recess 17 can be designed such that movement, and in particular unfolding, of the protective sole element 1 and the protective toecap element 4 causes a deformation of the tab 16 and / or the recess 17. If at least the tab 16 and / or the recess 17 are made of an elastic material, a spring effect can be achieved. The tab 16 and / or the recess 17 then act as a spring element 10 and as a hinge 6.

[0094] The protective device can have recesses 17 in the protective sole element 1 and in the protective toecap element 4. The recesses 17 can be arranged in areas where the shoe exhibits further deformation that cannot be addressed by the folding movement 9 of the protective device according to the invention.

[0095] The Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the device according to the invention.

[0096] The further embodiment relates, like the embodiment described above, to a protective device for attachment to a shoe. Although a shoe in the Figure 7 The combination of the shoe with the protective device is not recorded, but the following discussion will reveal the details.

[0097] The Figure 7Another embodiment of a protective device for attachment to a shoe is shown, which shoe, according to the common teaching, comprises a shoe sole and toe cap.

[0098] The protective device comprises a protective sole element (1) and a protective toecap element (4), which protective sole element (1) can be attached to the shoe sole and has a sole shape adapted to the shape of the shoe sole, which protective cap element (4) can be attached to the toe cap and has a cap shape adapted to the shape of the toe cap, wherein the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) are connected to each other via a joint (6) formed by a deformable workpiece, by which joint (6) the front areas (5) of the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) are rotatably connected to each other, by which joint (6) the protective device can be moved from an unfolded position to a folded-in position.

[0099] The in Figure 7 The further embodiment shown thus differs from the one described in the Figures 1 to 6 The embodiment shown is achieved through the design of the joint.

[0100] The in Figure 7The device shown is characterized in that the joint (6) is made from a deformable workpiece. The joint 6 can, for example, be made of an elastic material such as rubber.

[0101] The device is further characterized by the fact that The device comprises a spring element 10, which is pre-tensioned in the unfolded position. The joint 6 and the spring element can be made of the same material.

[0102] The in Figure 7The device shown can be characterized in that it includes a locking element for releasably locking the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) in the folded-in position and / or in the unfolded position. The locking element can include friction surfaces (11, 12) which can be brought into contact in the folded-in position or in the unfolded position.

[0103] While during the in the Figures 1 to 6 In the device shown, the spring element is arranged exclusively in the area of ​​joint 6, as is the case in the Figure 7 In the device shown, the spring element is arranged in the area of ​​joint 6 and additionally in the rear area, in the area of ​​the locking element.

Claims

1. A protective device to fit onto a shoe, which shoe comprises a show sole and a toecap, the protective device comprises a protective sole element (1) and a protective cap element (4), which protective sole element (1) is attachable to the shoe sole and has a sole shape adapted to the shape of the shoe sole, which protective cap element (4) is attachable to the toecap and has a cap shape adapted to the shape of the toecap, wherein the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) are connected via a joint (6), by which joint (6) the front areas (5) of the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) are rotatably connected, by which joint (6) the protective device is movable from a folded-out position into a folded-in position wherein the protective device comprises a spring element (10), which spring element (10) is biased in the folded-out position, wherein the joint (6) comprises the spring element (10), characterised in that the spring element (10) comprises a torsional spring.

2. The device of claim 1, characterised in that the joint (6) is formed as a mechanical joint.

3. The device of any one of claims 1 and 2, characterised in that the mechanical joint (6) comprises a joint axis (7) which is arranged at a 90° angle to a longitudinal axis (8) of the shoe.

4. The device of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the joint (6) is made out of a deformable workpiece.

5. The device of any one of claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the device comprises a locking element for releasably locking the protective sole element (1) and the protective cap element (4) in the folded-in position and / or in the folded-out position.

6. The device of claim 5, characterised in that the locking element comprises friction surfaces (11, 12), which friction surfaces (11, 12) are contactable in the folded-in position and / or in the folded-out position.

7. The device of any one of claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the protective sole element (1) is releasably connected to the shoe sole.

8. The device of any one of claims 1 to 7, characterised in that the protective cap element (4) is releasably connected to the toecap.