Shoe accessory configured to be applied to a shoe

Abstract

The present invention relates to a shoe accessory (1) configured to be applied to a shoe (SH). The shoe accessory (1) comprises a front section (10), a rear section (30) and a connection system (50) connecting the front section (10) and the rear section (30) to each other. The front section (10) comprises a front sole (11) and a front shoe retention element (12) for receiving a toe section (TS) of the shoe (SH). The rear section (30) comprises a rear sole (31) and a rear shoe retention element (32) for receiving a heel section (HS) of the shoe (SH). The connection system (50) is configured such that a distance (D) between the front section (10) and the rear section (30) is adjustable. The shoe accessory (1) is configurable from a first state in which the shoe accessory (1) can receive the shoe (SH) to a second state in which the shoe accessory (1) is clamped onto the shoe (SH) by reducing said distance (D).

Description

[0001] Title: Shoe accessory configured to be applied to a shoe

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The present invention relates to a shoe accessory configured to be applied to a shoe.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Occasionally, a person may need to use special-purpose shoes. During icy conditions, a person may need to use spiked shoes. An alternative to spiked shoes is a shoe accessory in the form of so-called “ice cleats” (or “ice grips”). Ice cleats are typically made of a rubber or elastic material that stretches over the shoe, with metal spikes or coils on the bottom that dig into the ice to prevent slipping.

[0006] Ice cleats are normally preferred in situations where the person needs to go in and out of buildings, as spikes will damage the floor in such buildings. It is typically considered more effective to remove / apply ice cleats from the shoes than to change between non-spiked / spiked shoes.

[0007] Another type of special-purpose shoes are safety shoes. Such safety shoes have a metal or composite toe guard to protect the toe and metatarsal area of the foot from falling objects.

[0008] One object of the present invention is to provide a shoe accessory which can be applied to a shoe for special purposes, such as safety purposes, to protect the user from falling during icy conditions or to protect the toe and metatarsal area of the foot of the user from falling objects. One object of the present invention is to provide a shoe accessory which can effectively be applied onto and removed from a shoe. Yet another purpose is to provide shoe accessory which can quickly and easily be fitted to shoes of various shapes and sizes.

[0009] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention relates to a shoe accessory configured to be applied to a shoe, wherein the shoe accessory comprises:

[0011] - a front section comprising a front sole and a front shoe retention element for receiving a toe section of the shoe;

[0012] - a rear section comprising a rear sole and a rear shoe retention element for receiving a heel section of the shoe; and

[0013] - a connection system connecting the front section and the rear section to each other; wherein the connection system is configured such that a distance between the front section and the rear section is adjustable, and wherein the shoe accessory is configurable from a first state in which the shoe accessory can receive the shoe to a second state in which the shoe accessory is clamped onto the shoe by reducing said distance.

[0014] In the first state, there may be a first distance between the front section and the rear section. In the second state, there may be a second distance between the front section and the rear section. The second distance may be shorter than the first distance. The connection system may be used to adjust the distance between the first distance and the second distance and hence to adjust the shoe accessory between the first state and the second state.

[0015] When putting on the shoe accessory, the front section receives the toe section before the rear section receives the heel section. Then, the connection system is used to reduce the distance from the first distance to the second distance.

[0016] When taking off the shoe accessory, the connection system is used to increase the distance from the second distance to the first distance again. The rear section allows the heel section to be taken out from the rear section before the toe section is allowed to be taken out of the front section.

[0017] The shoe accessory may be put on and taken off the shoe while the shoe is worn on the foot of a person. Alternatively, the shoe accessory may be put on and taken off the shoe before the person puts on the shoe.

[0018] The shoe accessory may be referred to as a step-in footwear, where a user wearing shoes steps into the shoe accessory when the shoe accessory is in the first state.

[0019] The shoe accessory is not intended to be used directly on a foot. Hence, the shoe accessory may be referred to as a shoe attachment.

[0020] The front sole and the front shoe retention element may define a first region or space for receiving the toe section of the shoe.

[0021] The rear sole and the rear shoe retention element may define a second region or space for receiving the heel section of the shoe.

[0022] The front sole may be configured to encompass at least parts of a front sole section of the shoe. The front sole may be configured to encompass at least 30 % of an area of a sole of the shoe.

[0023] The front shoe retention element may be a toe box encompass the entire toe box of the shoe. The front shoe retention element may be a band configured to encompass a part of the toe box of the shoe.

[0024] The rear shoe retention element may be configured to encompass at least parts of a heel cap of the shoe. The rear sole may be configured to encompass at least parts of a heel sole section of the shoe. The rear sole may be configured to encompass at least 30 % of an area of a sole of the shoe.

[0025] Together, the front sole and the rear sole may encompass between 80 - 100% of the sole of the shoe.

[0026] The second distance may be 0 cm. Still, as there is a distance between the front section and the rear section being larger than zero at least in the first state, the front section is separate from the rear section.

[0027] In the second state, it is not possible both to insert the toe section of the shoe into the front section and to insert the heel section of the shoe to be inserted into the rear section. It may be possible to insert one of the toe section or the heel section, but not both.

[0028] The connection system may comprise:

[0029] - an adjustable tensioning device secured to a first one of the front section and the rear section;

[0030] - a wire having a first end and a second end; wherein a first end of the wire is secured to the adjustable tensioning device; wherein the second end of the wire is secured to a second one of the front section and the rear section; wherein the shoe accessory is brought between the first state and the second state by adjustment of the adjustable tensioning device.

[0031] In other words, the adjustable tensioning device may be secured to one of the front section and the rear section. The second end of the wire may be secured to the other of the front section and rear section. Therefore, the adjustable tensioning device may be secured to a different one of the front section and the rear section to the second end of the wire. In this way, the adjustable tensioning device may advantageously be useable to adjust the distance between the front and rear section via the wire.

[0032] If the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the front section, the second end of the wire may be secured to the rear section. If the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the rear section, the second end of the wire may be secured to the front section.

[0033] In case the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the rear section and the second end of the wire is secured to the rear section, tensioning of the adjustable tensioning device will cause the front section to be pulled towards the rear section. By releasing the adjustable tensioning device, the front section will be allowed to move away from the rear section. In case the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the rear section and the second end of the wire is secured to the front section, tensioning of the adjustable tensioning device will cause the front section to be pulled towards the rear section. By releasing the adjustable tensioning device, the front section will be allowed to move away from the rear section.

[0034] Alternatively, in case the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the front section and the second end of the wire is secured to the rear section, tensioning of the adjustable tensioning device will cause the rear section to be pulled towards the front section. By releasing the adjustable tensioning device, the rear section will be allowed to move away from the front section.

[0035] The rear section may comprise a wire channel extending from a front side of the rear section to a rear side of the rear section; wherein an intermediate section of the wire may be provided within the wire channel.

[0036] The second end of the wire may be secured to the front sole. The second end of the wire may be secured to the front sole by means of a fastener.

[0037] The adjustable tensioning device may be secured to the outside of the rear shoe retention element. The wire channel may extend through the rear sole.

[0038] The adjustable tensioning device may be secured to the rear side of the rear shoe retention element.

[0039] The connection system may comprise a rear wire guide for guiding the wire from the rear side of the rear sole and up towards the adjustable tensioning device.

[0040] The rear wire guide may comprise a tube or sleeve. The rear wire guide may serve a first purpose of protecting at least parts of the wire. The rear wire guide may serve a second purpose of reducing friction between the wire and the rear section.

[0041] The rear wire guide may extend from the front side of the rear sole to the rear side of the rear sole. The wire channel may be provided within the rear wire guide.

[0042] The connection system may comprise an intermediate wire guide for guiding the wire between the front section and the rear section. The intermediate wire guide may serve the same purposes as the rear wire guide.

[0043] The front sole and / or the rear sole may comprise a guide recess configured to receive at least parts of the intermediate wire guide.

[0044] In the first state a smaller portion of the intermediate wire guide is received in the guide recess than in the second state. Hence, the wire may be protected by the intermediate wire guide even if the distance between the front section and the rear section varies. One end or both ends of the intermediate wire guide may be tapered to ease entrance into the guide recess. One end of the intermediate wire guide may be secured within the guide recess.

[0045] The connection system may comprise more than one wire. The connection system may comprise two wires, each having their first end connected to the adjustable tensioning device and their second end connected at a distance from each other. The two wires may be provided at least partially in parallel with each other.

[0046] The connection system may comprise a movement restraining system for restraining the relative movement between the front section and the rear section.

[0047] The movement restraining system may ensure that only relative movement between the front section and the rear section in the longitudinal direction is allowed. Movement in other directions may be prevented by the movement restraining system.

[0048] The movement restraining system may comprise a recess provided in the front sole and a rigid element having a first end secured to the rear sole and a second end protruding into the recess. Longitudinal movement of the rigid element within the recess may be allowed, while movement in other directions is prevented.

[0049] The connection system may be configured such that the distance between the front section and the rear section is manually adjustable.

[0050] The front sole and the rear sole may comprise spikes. The shoe accessory may here be referred to as an ice cleat or an ice grip.

[0051] The front sole and / or the front shoe retention element may comprise an impact protection element. The shoe accessory may here be referred to as a safety shoe accessory.

[0052] The front section and / or the rear section may comprise a water -proof material. The shoe accessory may here serve the purpose of protecting at least parts of the shoe from the environment, such as precipitation, splashes of water / mud, dirt etc. The shoe accessory may here be referred to as a galosh.

[0053] The adjustable tensioning device may be a reel -based tensioning device. The reelbased tensioning device is manually adjustable. The reel-based tensioning device may be, but not restricted to, a BOA® fit system.

[0054] LIST OF DRAWINGS

[0055] Fig. l is a perspective view of the shoe accessory from above;

[0056] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the shoe accessory from below;

[0057] Fig. 3 is a side view of the shoe accessory; Fig. 4 is a schematical side view of the shoe accessory;

[0058] Fig. 5 is a bottom view of the shoe accessory;

[0059] Fig. 6 is a top view of the shoe accessory;

[0060] Fig. 7 is a rear view of the shoe accessory;

[0061] Fig. 8 shows the shoe accessory in the first state;

[0062] Fig. 9 shows the shoe accessory in the second state;

[0063] Fig. 10 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the shoe accessory;

[0064] Fig. 11 is a bottom view of the shoe accessory in fig. 9;

[0065] Fig. 12 is a schematical side view of a shoe together which the shoe accessory can be used;

[0066] Fig. 13 is a side view of the shoe accessory which protects the foot of the user.

[0067] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0068] Initially, reference is made to fig. 12. Here is shown one example of a shoe SH with a lower part LP formed by a sole SO which here is separated into a front sole section FSS, a heel sole section HSS and an intermediate sole section ISS between the front sole section FSS and the heel sole section HSS.

[0069] The shoe SH further has an upper part UP formed by a toe box TB, a heel cap HC and an intermediate section IP between the toe box TB and the heel cap HC.

[0070] A longitudinal direction is indicated as a dashed line LD. A toe section TS is indicated by a dashed rectangle, comprising at least parts of the front sole section FSS and at least parts of the toe box TB. A heel section HS is also indicated by a dashed rectangle, comprising at least parts of the heel sole section HSS and at least parts of the heel cap HC.

[0071] The present invention is a shoe accessory configured to be applied to a shoe. The shoe accessory could be configured to be applied the shoe SH of fig. 12. However, the shoe SH of fig. 12 is exemplary. It should be noted that the present invention can be used with various types of shoes being different from the shoe SH of fig. 12.

[0072] It is now referred to fig. 1 and fig. 2, where a first embodiment of a shoe accessory 1 is shown. The shoe accessory 1 is here an ice cleat which can be temporarily applied to the shoe SH during icy conditions.

[0073] The shoe accessory 1 comprises a front section 10 and a rear section 30 being located at a distance D from the front section 10. The shoe accessory 1 further comprises a connection system 50 connecting the front section 10 and the rear section 30 to each other. The front section 10, the rear section 30 and the connection system 50 will be described more in detail below. First, it should be noted that the longitudinal direction LD for the shoe SH in fig. 12 is also indicated as a dashed line in fig. 1. Second, a front side FS and a rear side RS are indicated in fig. 1, where the front section 10 is closer to the front side FS than the rear side RS and where the rear section 30 is closer to the rear side RS than the front side FS.

[0074] The front section 10

[0075] The front section 10 comprises a front sole 11 and a front shoe retention element 12. Together, the front sole 11 and the front shoe retention element 12 define a first region or space for receiving the toe section TS of the shoe SH. Hence, when applied to a shoe SH, the front sole 11 will be located below parts of the front sole section FSS of the shoe SH, while the front shoe retention element 12 will be located above parts of the toe box TB of the shoe SH.

[0076] The front shoe retention element 12 may be shaped as a toe box of a shoe with a size adapted to encompass at least parts of the toe box TB of the shoe SH.

[0077] In the present embodiment, the front sole 11 is configured to encompass or cover 30 - 50 % of the sole SO of the shoe SH.

[0078] In the present embodiments, the front sole 11 is made of a rubber or synthetic compound with a height Hl l being 0.7 - 1.5 cm. In addition, protrusions made of the sole material are protruding downwardly from the front sole 11 to improve its grip. Moreover, the front sole 11 comprises spikes 18 secured to the downwardly facing side of the front sole 11.

[0079] In fig. 4, it is shown that the front sole 11 comprises a cylindrical recess 15 with an opening facing towards the rear sole 31.

[0080] In the present embodiment, the front sole 11 comprises an outsole layer facing towards the ground and a midsole layer for cushioning. The midsole layer may be optional. Cushioning may typically already be provided in the shoe SH that the shoe accessory is used with and so a further cushioning midsole layer in the shoe accessory may be unnecessary. In addition, the front sole 11 may comprise an insole layer.

[0081] The rear section 30

[0082] The rear section 30 comprises a rear sole 31 and a rear shoe retention element 32. Together, the rear sole 31 and the rear shoe retention element 32 define a second region or space for receiving the heel section HS of the shoe SH. Hence, when applied to the shoe SH, the rear sole 31 will be located below parts of the rear sole section RSS of the shoe SH, while the rear shoe retention element 32 is encompassing at least parts of the heel cap HC of the shoe SH. As shown in fig. 1, 2 and 3, the rear shoe retention element 32 will encompasses side and rear areas of the heel cap HC of the shoe SH.

[0083] The rear sole 31 may be configured to encompass at least parts of a heel sole section HSS of the shoe SH. The rear sole 31 may be configured to encompass at least 30 % of an area of a sole SO of the shoe SH.

[0084] In the present embodiment, the rear sole 31 is configured to encompass or cover 30 - 50 % of the sole SO of the shoe SH. Hence, together, the front sole 11 and the rear sole 31 encompass 60 - 100% of the sole SO of the shoe SH. This will depend on the distance D, which will be described further in detail below.

[0085] In the present embodiment, the front sole 11 and the rear sole 31 are of approximately the same size, i.e. they cover approximately the same percentage of the area of the sole SO. It should be noted that in alternative embodiments, they may cover different percentages of the area of the sole.

[0086] Similar to the front sole 11, the rear sole 31 is made of a rubber or synthetic compound with a height Hl l being 0.7 - 1.5 cm. In addition, protrusions are protruding downwardly in addition to spikes 38. Also the rear sole 31 may comprise several layers.

[0087] In fig. 4, it is shown that the rear sole 31 comprises a cylindrical recess 35 with an opening facing towards the front sole 11.

[0088] The connection system 50

[0089] It is now referred to fig. 3, fig. 4 and fig. 7. Here it is shown that the connection system 50 comprises a wire 51 having a first end 51a, a second end 51b and an intermediate section 51c between the first end 51a and the second end 51b. In the present embodiment, the wire is non-elastic.

[0090] The connection system 50 further comprises an adjustable tensioning device 55 secured to the rear side RS of the rear shoe retention element 32. The adjustable tensioning device 55 is here a reel -based adjustable tensioning device 55. The adjustable tensioning device 55 is considered well known (for example from US7992261B2 and products sold under the name BOA®) , and will not be described further in detail herein.

[0091] The first end 51a of the wire 51 is secured to the adjustable tensioning device 55. The second end 51b of the wire 51 is secured to the front sole 11 by means of a fastener 61.

[0092] In addition, the connection system 50 comprises a rear wire guide 62 for guiding the wire 51 from the rear side of the rear sole 31 and up towards the adjustable tensioning device 55 and an intermediate wire guide 63 for guiding the wire 51 between the front sole 11 and the rear sole 31.

[0093] The intermediate wire guide 63 has a cylindrical shape allowing it to be received partially within the cylindrical recesses 15 of the front sole 11 and the cylindrical recess 35 of the rear sole 31, as shown in fig. 4. In addition, the intermediate wire guide 63 has tapered ends to guide the intermediate wire guide 63 into the recesses again should they slip out of their recesses.

[0094] In fig. 4 it is shown that the wire 51 is guided from the adjustable tensioning device 55 down to the rear wire guide 62 and further through a wire channel 33 through the rear sole 31, through the intermediate wire guide 63 and into the front sole 11 where it is secured by the fastener 61.

[0095] In fig. 2, fig. 6 and 7, it is shown that the connection system 50 comprises two wires 51, two rear wire guides 62, two intermediate guides 63 and two fasteners 61 (indicated schematically as a dashed ring in fig. 6). A first one of the rear wire guides 62, a first one of the two intermediate guides 63 and a first one of the fasteners 61 are located along a first line LI parallel with the longitudinal direction LD as shown in fig. 6. Similarly, a second one of the rear wire guides 62, a second one of the two intermediate guides 63 and a second one of the fasteners 61 are located along a second line L2 parallel with the longitudinal direction LD and hence also parallel to the first line LI.

[0096] Both wires 51 have their first end 51a secured to the adjustable tensioning device 55 and their second end 51b connected to their respective fastener 61. Hence, intermediate sections 51c of the wires 51 located within the soles 11, 31 or within the intermediate wire guides 63 are also in parallel with each other.

[0097] It should however be noted that the intermediate wire guides 63 may be made of a somewhat flexible material such as a rubber material, a plastic material etc. Moreover, the intermediate wire guides 63 may have a smaller outer diameter than the inner diameter of the recesses 15, 35. Hence, some relative movement between the front section 10 and the rear section 30 in directions other than the longitudinal direction may be allowed. Hence, the two rear wire guides 62, the two intermediate guides 63 and the two fasteners 61 are not necessarily always located along their respective lines LI, L2.

[0098] Operation of the shoe accessory 1

[0099] The operation of the shoe accessory 1 will now be described with reference to fig. 8 and 9. Initially, it should be mentioned that the shoe accessory 1 is made for a range of shoe sizes. As an example, the present shoe accessory 1 is made for shoes having a size ranging from European size 40 to European size 43.

[0100] In fig. 9, the adjustable tensioning device 55 has been adjusted by a user of the shoe SH to release wire from the adjustable tensioning device 55. The front section 10 has been pulled away from the rear section 30, and the distance D between the front section 10 and the rear section 30 is now indicated as a first distance DI . This is referred to as a first state.

[0101] In this first state, the user of the shoe first inserts the toe section TS of the shoe SH into the front section 10 and then moves the heel section HS down into the rear section 30. This is possible with any one of the above shoe sizes.

[0102] The user now operates the adjustable tensioning device 55 to tension the wires 51, thereby reducing the distance D as shown in fig. 9 to a second distance D2 being shorter than the first distance DI . Here, the shoe accessory 1 is clamped onto the shoe SH, i.e. the shoe SH is clamped between the front section 10 and the rear section 30. The shoe accessory 1 is now in a second state. The user may now walk with the shoe accessory 1 applied to the shoe SH without the shoe accessory 1 falling off the shoe. As the shoe accessory 1 of this embodiment has spikes 18, 38, the shoe accessory 1 will increase safety for the user when walking on slippery surfaces such as ice, snow etc.

[0103] After use, the user operates the adjustable tensioning device 55 to release the tension in the wires 51, thereby enabling the user to bring the shoe accessory to the first state again, in which the user may remove the shoe accessory 1 from the shoe SH.

[0104] As will be understood from the fig. 9, the distance D2 will be larger for a size 43 shoe than for a size 40 shoe. Consequently, the front sole 11 and the rear sole 31 may encompass between 90 - 100% of the sole SO of a size 40 shoe SH, while the front sole 11 and the rear sole 31 may encompass between 60 - 80% of the sole SO of a size 43 shoe SH.

[0105] According to the above, a shoe accessory which can quickly and easily be fitted to shoes of various shapes and sizes is achieved.

[0106] Alternative embodiments

[0107] It should be noted that the rear wire guide 62 could further extend through the entire rear sole 31, i.e. from the front side of the rear sole 31 to the rear side of the rear sole 31. The wire channel 33 would here be provided within the rear wire guide 62. It should be noted that the spikes 18, 38 are not essential features and that the shoe accessory 1 may have other areas of use.

[0108] A first alternative embodiment is a safety shoe accessory 1 (shown in fig. 13), where the front sole 11 and / or the front shoe retention element 12 comprise an impact protection element 19 (see fig. 13) for protecting the toe area and metatarsal area from falling objects. Also, the rear sole 31 may comprise a protection element 39. The shoe accessory 1 will here protect against nails or other sharp objects which otherwise could damage the foot from below. It should be noted that a safety shoe accessory 1 may also have spikes 18, 38.

[0109] The above safety shoe accessory 1 may replace safety shoes which are normally provided for visitors visiting a workplace, a factory etc. where safety shoes are required. As one safety shoe accessory fits several shoe sizes, the number of available safety shoe accessories can be reduced.

[0110] A second alternative embodiment is a galosh serving the purpose of protecting at least parts of the shoe from the environment, such as precipitation, splashes of water / mud, dirt etc. The front section 10 and / or the rear section 30 comprise a water-proof material.

[0111] In yet another alternative embodiment, one end of the intermediate wire guide 63 is secured within its guide recess 15, 35. Hence, the intermediate wire guide 63 only moves relative to one of the guide recesses 15, 35.

[0112] It is now referred to fig. 10 and 11. Here, the connection system 50 comprises a movement restraining system 70 for restraining the relative movement between the front section 10 and the rear section 30 in other directions than the longitudinal direction LD. The movement restraining system 70 comprise a recess 71 provided in the front sole 11 and a rigid element 72 in the form of a plate having a first end secured to the rear sole 31 and a second end protruding into the recess 71. Longitudinal movement (i.e. in the longitudinal direction LD) of the rigid element 72 within the recess 71 is allowed, while movement in other directions are prevented. It should be noted that the rigid element 72 may be wider than shown in fig. 11. This is enabled by locating the movement restraining system 70 below the intermediate wire guides 63 (and their recesses 15, 35).

[0113] In yet an alternative, the connection system 50 comprises an at least partially elastic band instead of wires and the adjustable tensioning device comprises a hook-and- loop fastener. In an embodiment where the adjustable tensioning device is secured to the rear section 30, the hook-part may be secured to the at least partially elastic band and the loop-part may be secured to the rear shoe retention element (or vice versa). In the above examples, the adjustable tensioning device 55 is secured to the rear side RS of the rear shoe retention element 32. The first end 51a of the wire 51 is secured to the adjustable tensioning device 55. The second end 51b of the wire 51 is secured to the front sole 11 by means of a fastener 61. It should be understood, in some alternatives, this arrangement may be reversed. Therefore, the adjustable tensioning device 55 is secured to the front sole 11 by means of a fastener 61 . The first end 51a of the wire 51 is secured to the adjustable tensioning device 55 . The second end 51b of the wire 51 is secured to the rear side RS of the rear shoe retention element 32. In some examples, the adjustable tension device 55 may be provided on a front or toe portion of the front sole 11.

[0114] LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0115] I shoe accessory

[0116] 10 section

[0117] I I sole

[0118] 12 front shoe retention element

[0119] 15 guide recess

[0120] 19 impact protection element

[0121] 30 rear section

[0122] 31 rear sole

[0123] 32 rear shoe retention element

[0124] 33 wire channel

[0125] 35 guide recess

[0126] 39 protection element

[0127] 50 connection system

[0128] 51 wire

[0129] 51a first end of wire

[0130] 5 lb second end of wire

[0131] 51c intermediate section of wire

[0132] 55 adjustable tensioning device

[0133] 61 fastener

[0134] 62 rear wire guide

[0135] 63 intermediate wire guide

[0136] 70 movement restraining system

[0137] 71 recess

[0138] 72 rigid element

[0139] DI first distance

[0140] D2 second distance

[0141] FS front side

[0142] FSS front sole section

[0143] HC heel cap

[0144] HS heel section

[0145] HSS heel sole section

[0146] IP intermediate section

[0147] ISS intermediate sole section

[0148] LD longitudinal direction

[0149] LP lower part

[0150] RS rear side

[0151] SH shoe

[0152] SO sole

[0153] TB toe box

[0154] TS toe section

[0155] UP upper part

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shoe accessory (1) configured to be applied to a shoe (SH), wherein the shoe accessory (1) comprises:- a front section (10) comprising a front sole (11) and a front shoe retention element (12) for receiving a toe section (TS) of the shoe (SH);- a rear section (30) comprising a rear sole (31) and a rear shoe retention element (32) for receiving a heel section (HS) of the shoe (SH); and- a connection system (50) connecting the front section (10) and the rear section (30) to each other; wherein the connection system (50) is configured such that a distance (D) between the front section (10) and the rear section (30) is adjustable, and wherein the shoe accessory (1) is configurable from a first state in which the shoe accessory (1) can receive the shoe (SH) to a second state in which the shoe accessory (1) is clamped onto the shoe (SH) by reducing said distance (D).

2. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 1, wherein the connection system (50) comprises:- an adjustable tensioning device (55) secured to a first one of the front section (10) and the rear section (30);- a wire (51) having a first end (51a) and a second end (51b); wherein the first end (51a) of the wire (51) is secured to the adjustable tensioning device (55); wherein the second end (51b) of the wire (51) is secured to a second one of the front section (10) and the rear section (30); wherein the shoe accessory (1) is brought between the first state and the second state by adjustment of the adjustable tensioning device (55).

3. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the rear section (30) comprises a wire channel (33) extending from a front side (FS) of the rear section (30) to a rear side (RS) of the rear section (30); wherein an intermediate section (51c) of the wire (51) is provided within the wire channel (33).

4. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 3, wherein the adjustable tensioning device (55) is secured to the outside of the rear shoe retention element (32) and wherein the wire channel (33) is extending through the rear sole (31).

5. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 4, wherein the connection system (50) comprises a rear wire guide (62) for guiding the wire (51) from the rear side of the rear sole (31) and up towards the adjustable tensioning device (55).

6. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 5, wherein the rear wire guide (62) is extending from the front side of the rear sole (31) to the rear side of the rear sole (31), wherein the wire channel (33) is provided within the rear wire guide (62).

7. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of claims 2 - 6, wherein the connection system (50) comprises an intermediate wire guide (63) for guiding the wire (51) between the front section (10) and the rear section (30).

8. The shoe accessory (1) according to claim 7, wherein the front sole (11) and / or the rear sole (31) comprises a guide recess (15, 35) configured to receive at least parts of the intermediate wire guide (63).

9. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of claims 2 - 8, wherein the connection system (50) comprises a movement restraining system (70) for restraining the relative movement between the front section (10) and the rear section (30).

10. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the front sole (11) and the rear sole (31) comprise spikes.

11. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the front sole (11) and / or the front shoe retention element (12) comprise an impact protection element (19).

12. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of the above claims, wherein the front section (10) and / or the rear section (30) comprise a water -proof material.

13. The shoe accessory (1) according to any one of claims 2 - 12, wherein the adjustable tensioning device (55) is a reel -based tensioning device.

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