Shoe protector

Abstract

A shoe protector comprising a resilient chassis secured to a shoe by the laces of the shoes passing through it. A sacrificial wear pad is held against the side wall of the shoe to protect the side of the shoe as it is dragged along the ground. A void formed between the chassis and the side of the shoe accommodates deformation of the shoe during sporting movements.

Description

Shoe ProtectorFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe protector, in particular a device that can be retrofitted to a sports shoe to protect the side wall of the shoe when it is dragged against the ground.BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] Participants in sporting and other activities can sometimes use extreme movement patterns (such as sliding) that lay the sidewall of their shoe flat on the playing surface or ground. Tennis players, for example, often drag their trailing foot across the court during play. The result is very abrasive wear on the sidewall of their shoe which can eventually wear through the sidewall entirely exposing the wearer's foot to the court surface, which is clearly undesirable as it exposes the wearer’s foot to injury. Players who exhibit these movement patterns often need to replace their shoes prematurely due to damage to the sidewall, even though the remainder of the shoe may still be in good condition.

[0003] The need for a shoe protector has been previously recognised, but known prior art devices are deficient in many aspects. Ideally a shoe protector should be readily attachable to existing shoes without any need for modifications, be easily removable, accommodate a variety of shoe styles, stay secured during a variety of motions (i.e. up, down and sideways forces) and accommodate deformation of a shoe as it goes through its range of motion.

[0004] A first prior art shoe protector is disclosed in US patent application publication US 2010 / 0325922 A1 . This device is attached to the shoe by both a shoelace threaded through two holes in the device, and adhesive. The use of adhesive is undesirable as it does not permit easy removal of the protector, and may be ineffective depending upon the shoe's composition and the distortion experienced by the shoe in the region of the adhesive.

[0005] A second prior art shoe protector is disclosed in UK patent application publication GB 2286517 A. This device is intended as a covering to provide a striking surface for a shoe, but also provides a degree of protection. It is secured along a topedge by a shoelace passing through two holes in the device, but requires a customised shoe with a skirt to secure the device along a lower edge. Clearly this device cannot be retrofitted to existing shoe designs.

[0006] A further prior art device is disclosed in Japanese Utility model publication JP H04125702U. This device provides a shoe protector attached to a shoe via a shoelace. The device is made from a flexible material, so would be prone to be partially dislodged from the shoe if subjected to an upward force. This is not an issue with its intended use as a shoe cover for motorcycle gear levers as it would only be subjected to downward forces. It is however, unsuitable for use with a sports shoe which could be subjected to forces from any direction.

[0007] The object of this invention is to provide a shoe protector to alleviate the above problems, or at least provide the public with a useful alternative.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] In a first aspect the invention provides a shoe protector for protecting the sidewall of a shoe from abrasion comprising a chassis with a top section and a side section, wherein the top section comprises two rows of attachment eyelets for securing the shoe protector to the shoe using a shoelace threaded through the attachment eyelets, and the side section extends from a first side of the top section and down the sidewall of the shoe and has a sacrificial wear pad attached.

[0009] Preferably the top section narrows towards the first side.

[0010] The top section preferably extends from the top of the shoe such that a void is formed between the side section of the shoe protector and the side wall of the shoe, and the side section contacts the side wall of the shoe at a bottom portion of the side wall of the shoe.

[0011] Preferably the top section further comprises locking eyelets disposed between the lower attachment eyelets, and the shoelace is threaded through the locking eyelets to prevent slipping of the shoelace.

[0012] In preference the side section comprises an arcuate bottom edge.

[0013] Preferably the chassis is made from a semi-rigid and resilient material.

[0014] It should be noted that any one of the aspects mentioned above may include any of the features of any of the other aspects mentioned above and may include any of the features of any of the embodiments described below as appropriate.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Preferred features, embodiments and variations of the invention may be discerned from the following Detailed Description which provides sufficient information for those skilled in the art to perform the invention. The Detailed Description is not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the preceding Summary of the Invention in any way. The Detailed Description will make reference to a number of drawings as follows.

[0016] Figures 1 A and 1 B provide a perspective and front view of a sports shoe fitted with a shoe protector according to a preferred embodiment of the invention.

[0017] Figure 2A shows wear on the sidewall of a sports shoe without the shoe protector fitted. Figure 2B shows the sports shoe with the shoe protector fitted and covering the area otherwise subjected to wear, and Figure 2C shows the sports shoe with the shoe protector fitted after the shoe protector has been subjected to wear.

[0018] Figures 3A and 3B show perspective views of the shoe protector in isolation.

[0019] Figure 4A shows an exploded view of the shoe protector whilst Figure 4B shows an end view of the shoe protector.

[0020] Figures 5A to 5D illustrate the steps of fitting a shoe protector to a shoe.

[0021] Figure 6 illustrates the shoe protector coming in contact with the ground during a sporting movement.

[0022] Figures 7A and 7B illustrate the shoe protector effectively fitted to two different shoes with different eye stay angles.

[0023] Figures 8A and 8B show side and front views of a sports shoe being flexed whilst a shoe protector is fitted.DRAWING COMPONENTS

[0024] The drawings include the following integers. 10, 10’ sports shoes11 side wall12 wear13 eyelets14 laces15, 15’ eye stay profiles16 crumpling / bulging17 ground20 shoe protector28 arcuate bottom edge30 chassis31 top section32 locking eyelets33, 33’, 33” attachment eyelets34 neck35 side section36 upper portion37 lower portion40 wear pad42 wear50 voidDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings and the following description to refer to the same and like parts. Dimensions of certain parts shown in the drawings may have been modified and / or exaggerated for the purposes of clarity or illustration.

[0026] The present invention provides a shoe protector comprising a top section with a series of eyelets, allowing it to be secured to a shoe by threading the shoe’s laces through the eyelets. A side section disposed approximately 90 degrees to the top section, and contacting the side wall of the shoe, holds a sacrificial wear pad. The protector is made of a semi-rigid and resilient material (i.e. essentially stays in shape, but can flex) to hold the bottom of the side section against the side wall of the shoe as it is subjected to forces from any direction as would be experienced as the shoeunderneath flexes or the wear pad is subjected to forces from contact with the ground. The upper portion of the side section sits away from the side wall of the shoe, providing a void to accommodate deformation of the shoe as it goes through its range of motion. The bottom of the side section is arcuate to cater for different eye stay angles of different shoes.

[0027] Turning to the drawings, Figures 1 A and 1 B provide a perspective view and a and a front view of a sports shoe 10 fitted with a shoe protector 20 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 2A shoes a side view of a shoe 10 without a shoe protector fitted which has suffered significant wear 12 on its sidewall 11 , as might happen as the shoe gets dragged along its side during a tennis match. The side view of Figure 2B shows how the shoe protector 20 covers the wear region 12. Figure 2B shows a new shoe protector. Figure 2C shoes the shoe protector 20 once it has been subjected to dragging, having its own wear 42. The shoe protector 20 acts as a sacrificial element protecting the sidewall 11 of the shoe from further wear, or any wear at all if the shoe protector was fitted early enough.

[0028] Details of the shoe protector 20 can be appreciated with Figures 3A and 3B which shows perspective views of the shoe protector in isolation. Figure 4A provides an exploded perspective view whilst Figure 4B shows an end view of the shoe protector.

[0029] The shoe protector 20 comprises a chassis 30 with top section 31 and side section 35, and a separately formed wear pad 40 attached to the side section. The top section 31 includes two rows of attachment eyelets 33, 33’ and 33” through which the laces 14 of the shoe 10 pass to secure the shoe protector to the shoe. Two locking eyelets 32 disposed between the lower attachment eyelets 33’ prevent slipping of the laces as the shoe protector is attached to the shoe (discussed further below). The top section 31 is formed as an arc to conform with the underlying shoe shape and has a central void which allows the top section to flex and also provides better access to the shoe laces during fitting. The side section 35 extends from the top section 31 at approximately 90 degrees. The top section 31 narrows adjacent the side section to form a neck 34. This allows the side section to easily twist with respect to the top section as the shoe deforms (for instance when the wearer stands on their toes), and limits the transfer of loads from the side section to the top section as would be encountered as the side section is dragged along the ground. This limits the loads on the eyelets, in particular the lower attachment eyelets 33’ which are inherent weak spotsin the top section. The top section 31 extends sufficiently outwards from the top of the shoe 10 such that the upper portion 36 of the side section 35 does not sit against the side wall 11 of the shoe, but still allows the lower portion 37 of the side wall to sit against the side wall 11 of the shoe. A void 50 is formed between the shoe 10 and the shoe protector 20 which accommodates changes in the shape of the shoe as it goes through its range of motion, e.g. the shoe will crumple if the wearer stands on the balls of their feet.

[0030] Figure 5A to 5D illustrate the steps of fitting a shoe protector to a shoe.Before fitting the shoe’s laces are first removed from the shoe. In Figure 5A the laces 14 are passed from below through the locking eyelets 32 and then in Figure 5B the laces are passed through the lower attachment eyelets 33’. The proximity of the locking eyelets 32 and the lower attachment eyelets 33’ prevent the laces from slipping through the shoe protector 20. The laces are then passed through the lower eyelets 13 (obscured) of the shoe 10 and the shoe protector sat on top of the shoe as seen in Figure 5C. With the shoe protector 20 on top of the shoe 10, the laces are done up further, with the laces passing through the attachment eyelets 33 of the shoe protector and eyelets 13 of the shoe. Once the laces pass through the top attachment eyelets 33”, they can continue to pass through any remaining shoe eyelets 13 as per Figure 5D. Depending on the relative pitch and number of shoe and shoe protector eyelets, not all of the shoe protector eyelets will necessarily have laces passing through them (as in Figure 5D). Having the protector attached by two rows of eyelets keeps the protector firmly on top of the shoe and the wear pad firmly against the side wall of the shoe even when considerable upward pressure is applied to the wear pad. Using the two rows of eyelets also abrogates the need to modify the shoe to facilitate attachment of the shoe protector, or the need for a permanent attachment means such as adhesive

[0031] Figure 6 illustrates the shoe protector coming in to contact with the ground during a sporting movement protecting the sidewall of the shoe from abrasion.

[0032] A line passing through the eyelets of a shoe is known as the eye stay profile, which may vary between different shoe styles. Figure 7A shows a first shoe 10 with a first eye stay profile 15, whilst Figure 7B shows a second shoe 10’ with a different eye stay profile 15’. The shoe protector 20 includes an arcuate bottom edge 28 which allows it to work effectively with both shoe styles by maintaining a consistent positioning of the bottom edge of the shoe irrespective of the eye stay profile of the shoe.

[0033] Figures 8A and 8B show side and front views of a sports shoe 10 being flexed whilst a shoe protector 20 is fitted. The shape of the shoe protector provides a void 50 between the side wall 11 of the shoe and the shoe protector. This void 50 accommodates deformation of the shoe as it crumple / bulges 16 during movements such as the wearer standing on their toes or moving forward. This facilitates movement of the shield over the sidewall and minimise the likelihood of the shield “catching” on the distorted sidewall. The lower portion of the side section of the shoe protector also stays in contact with the lower part of the sidewall, minimising the chance of the shoe protector “catching” on the ground or the other shoe as it passes adjacent to the shoe protector (during walking or running).

[0034] The shoe protector may be made by a variety of methods and from a variety of materials. The chassis is preferably made of a resilient material so that it can flex to accommodate movement of the shoe whilst maintaining pressure against the sidewall of the shoe. The wear pad is preferably made of a hard-wearing material that will not leave a mark upon or damage a surface when dragged across it. In a preferred embodiment the chassis and wear pad are cut by a CNC (Computer Numerical Control) router from sheets of polypropylene and ABS (Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) respectively. The chassis is then thermoformed into shape, and the wear pad attached by adhesive

[0035] The reader will now appreciate the present invention which provides a shoe protector which is readily attachable to existing shoes without any need for modifications, easily removable, accommodates a variety of shoe styles, stays secured during a variety of motions and accommodates deformation of a shoe as it goes through its range of motion.

[0036] Further advantages and improvements may very well be made to the present invention without deviating from its scope. Although the invention has been shown and described in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatus. Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in this field.

[0037] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word "comprising" and its derivatives including "comprises" and "comprise" include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A shoe protector for protecting the sidewall of a shoe from abrasion, the shoe protector comprising a chassis with a top section and a side section, wherein the top section comprises two rows of attachment eyelets for securing the shoe protector to the shoe using a shoelace threaded through the attachment eyelets, and wherein the side section extends from a first side of the top section and down the sidewall of the shoe and has a sacrificial wear pad attached.

2. A shoe protector as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top section narrows towards the first side to form a neck.

3. A shoe protector as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the top section extends from the top of the shoe such that a void is formed between the side section of the shoe protector and the side wall of the shoe.

4. A shoe protector as in claim 3, wherein the side section contacts the side wall of the shoe at a bottom portion of the side wall of the shoe.

5. A shoe protector as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the two rows of attachment eyelets include lower eyelets and the top section further comprises locking eyelets disposed between the lower eyelets, and wherein the shoelace is threaded through the locking eyelets to prevent slipping of the shoelace.

6. A shoe protector as in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the side section comprises an arcuate bottom edge.

7. A shoe protector as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the chassis is made from a semi-rigid and resilient material.

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