US20060185192A1

US20060185192A1 - Shoe

Info

Publication number: US20060185192A1
Application number: US10/566,518
Authority: US
Inventors: Demetrio Biancucci
Original assignee: AL PL SR L
Current assignee: AL PL SR L; Al Pi SRL
Priority date: 2003-08-01
Filing date: 2004-07-27
Publication date: 2006-08-24
Also published as: EP1653820A1; EP1653820B1; WO2005011421A1; CA2533879A1; ATE390862T1; RU2006106276A; DE602004012868D1; CN1845685A; IS8331A; JP2007501025A; NO20060933L; ITBO20030462A1

Abstract

A shoe has a flap (7) articulated to the uppe, which flap may take a non-operation condition (I), in which the outer surface of the flap (7) is adjacent to the shoe upper (T). A protection element (9) has a strip (90) forming at least a first wing (90 a) and a second wing (90 b) and taking an unfolded configuration (D), as a consequence of the definition of the non-o eration condition (I) of the flap (7), in which the strip (90) encloses the rear upper portion of the shoe (1), rising above the flap (7), and the first and secon wings (90 a, 90 b) enclose the shoe sides, to be overlapped above the opposite edges (K) of the fore central part of the upper (T), to protect this part from possible water penetration.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to footwear.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to propose a shoe, which has an element integral therewith, allowing, in an unfolded configuration, to protect the shoe.
Another object of the present invention is to propose a shoe, whose protection element can be made operative with simple manual operations.
A further object of the present invention is to propose a shoe with a protection element, whose dimensions are reduced when in non-use configuration.
A still further object of the present invention is to propose a shoe, which has particular technical-functional characteristics and an interesting aesthetic aspect.
The above mentioned objects are obtained by the present invention, as it can be understood from the claims, and in particular by a shoe including an upper with an upper edge, characterized by:
a flap articulated to the upper in a portion, situated below the upper edge of the shoe so that said flap can be set in a non-operation condition, in which an outer surface of the flap is adjacent to the upper of said shoe;
a protection element, fastened to the upper edge of the upper and including a strip, which forms at least a first wing and a second wing, with said protection element taking an unfolded configuration, obtained after definition of the non-operation condition of said flap, in which the strip encloses a rear upper portion of the shoe in overlapping condition with respect to the flap, and the first wing (90 a) and the second wing, enclose the sides of the shoe to be overlapped and locked, above the opposite edges of the fore central part of the upper, in order to protect this portion from possible water penetration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristic features of the invention are pointed out with reference to the enclosed figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe proposed by the invention;
FIG. 1A is a lateral, reduced view of the proposed shoe, with a variant of a stabilizing element pointed out;
FIG. 2 is a lateral, reduced view, with the opening of a flap of the proposed shoe pointed out;
FIG. 3 is a top, reduced view of the shoe, with the opening of a shoe protection element pointed out;
FIG. 4 is a prospective view of the proposed shoe, with positioning of the protection element pointed out.

BEST MODES OF CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

With reference to the enclosed figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates a shoe, for example a boot, formed by a bottom F, for example a bowl-type bottom, to which an upper T is fastened in known way.
In the regions corresponding to opposite edges S of its fore-upper part, the upper T has a closing strip 6.
First stabilizing means 8, for example a part of a snap faster, only one of which can be seen in the enclosed figures, are fastened to the opposite outer sides “fi” of the bottom F, as shown in FIG. 1.
The first stabilizing means 8, as shown in FIG. 1 a, can be otherwise fastened to the opposite sides of the upper T.
The shoe 1 includes a flap 7 articulated to the upper T at a portion H, situated below the upper edge B of the shoe 1.
First locking means 79, for example a strip of Velkro®, whose task will be explained later, are connected to the edge 70 of the inner surface of the flap 7.
The flap 7 is shaped in such a way as to take an operation condition O (see FIG. 1), in which the flap 7 is turned upwards to form a seat 78 and a non-operation condition I (see FIG. 2), in which the outer surface of the flap 7 is adjacent to the upper T.
The shoe 1 includes also a protection element 9, for example of impermeable material, fastened to the upper edge B of the upper T and including a strip 90 forming two wings, a first wing 90 a and a second wing 90 b.
Fastening means 99 a, 99 b, for example a strip of Velkro®, are situated over the edge 900 a of the first wing 90 a and below the edge 900 b of the second wing 90 b.
The free edges of the first and second wings 90 a, 90 b, have also second stabilizing means 80, complementary to the first stabilizing means 8.
The protection element 9, suitably folded, takes a folded configuration R (see FIG. 2), which precedes the definition of the operation condition O of the flap 7; consequently, the protection element 9 is contained in the seat 78.
In this configuration, the first locking means 79 are coupled with the second locking means 97, made on the protection element below the upper edge B, so as to stabilize the position of the flap, as well as of the protection element 9.
The protection element 9 takes also an unfolded configuration D (see FIG. 4), which precedes the definition of the non-operation condition I of the flap 7, in which the strip 90 encloses the rear upper part of the shoe 1, in overlapping condition with respect to the flap 7, the first wing 90 a and the second wing 90 b, enclose the sides of the shoe to be overlapped and to be locked, due to the action of the fastening means 99 a, 99 b, above the opposite edges K of the fore central part of the upper T.
In the unfolded configuration D, the first stabilization means 8 are connected with the second stabilization means 80 to removably fasten the protection element 9 either to the sides of the bottom F or to the sides of the upper T.
When the protection element is used, the flap 7 is to be set to the non-operation condition I, so as not to obstacle the unfolding of the protection element 9, which passes from the folded configuration R to the unfolded configuration D, in which the strip 90 encloses the rear upper part of the shoe 1 and the wings 90 a, 90 b wrap the shoe sides and are blocked above its collar to cover the fore upper part of the shoe 1.
Due to unfolding the protection element 9, the second stabilizing means 80 match with the first stabilizing means, so that the protection element 9 is stable when the shoe is used.
When the protection element 9 is no longer needed, the shoe user disengages the second stabilizing means 80 from the first means 8, disengages the fastening means 99 a, 99 b, opens the wings 90 a, 90 b and finally, he/she suitably folds the whole protection element 9.
Then, the user puts the flap 7 in a operation condition O, to define the seat 78, in which the protection element 9 is contained, in order to allow the first locking means 79 and the second locking means 97 to couple and lock the flap 7 position.
The shoe 1 of this conformation has many advantages.
The protection element 9 fastened to the shoe edge and received in the seat 78, which is made between the upper T and the flap 7, is particularly advantageous, because the protection element can be used or not, in relation to the weather conditions.
The protection element 9 in unfolded configuration protects the opposite edges K of the fore-central part of the upper T from the rain or snow.
The first wing 90 a and the second wing 90 b are overlapped above the opposite edges K, thus protecting especially this area from possible water penetration.
The protection element 9 is made of a particularly resistant waterproof material, thus it protects the portion of the foot neck from possible water penetration, and it protects the material, of which the upper is made, from possible scratches, powder, ultraviolet rays and others.
The protection element 9 fastened to a shoe edge and shaped as described previously, when in unfolded configuration R, has a positive effect on the shoe aesthetic aspect.
The presence of the flap 7 articulated to the upper is another advantage, because, when in non-operation condition I, it does not obstacles the unfolding of the protection element 9, and when in operation condition O, it defines the seat 78 for receiving and keeping the protection element 9 in collected configuration R.
The above description makes obvious the advantageous characteristics of the proposed protection element, which, fastened firmly to the shoe proposes an original configuration, allowing to reach all the objects mentioned in the introductory note.
The shoe is reliable, which is necessary for a shoe to be lasting.

Claims

1. A shoe including an upper with an upper edge, characterized by:

a flap (7) articulated to the upper in a portion (H), situated below the upper edge (B) of the shoe (1) so that said flap can be set in a non-operation condition (I), in which an outer surface of the flap (7) is adjacent to the upper (T) of said shoe (1);

a protection element (9), fastened to the upper edge (B) of the upper (T) and including a strip (90), which forms at least a first wing (90 a) and a second wing (90 b), with said protection element (9) taking an unfolded configuration (D), obtained after definition of the non-operation condition (I) of said flap (7), in which the strip (90) encloses a rear upper portion of the shoe (1) in overlapping condition with respect to the flap (7), and the first wing (90 a) and the second wing (90 b), enclose the sides of the shoe to be overlapped and locked, above the opposite edges (K) of the fore central part of the upper (T), in order to protect this portion from possible water penetration.

2. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said flap (7) takes an operation condition (O), in which said flap (7) is turned upwards to define a seat (78), and in that said protection element (9) takes a folded configuration (R), obtained before definition of the operation condition (O) of said flap (7), in which said protection element (9) is suitably folded and received by the seat (78).

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that fastening means (99 a,99 b), are situated over the edge (900 a) of said first wing (90 a) and below the edge (900 b) of said second wing (90 b), and, with the protection element (9) in the unfolded configuration (F), said fastening means (99 a,99 b) lock the position of said first wing (90 a) and second wing (90 b) over the opposite edges (K) of the fore central part of the upper (T). the protection element (9).

4. A shoe as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that near the edge (70) of its inner surface, said flap (7) includes first locking means (79), and in that said protection element (9) includes second locking means (97), situated in a portion below said upper edge (B), with said first locking means (79) and second locking means (97) connected together to stabilize said flap (7) in said operative condition (O), so as to keep said protection element (9) suitably folded in the seat (78).

5. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that first stabilizing means (8) are connected to the sides (fi) of the bottom (F), in opposite position, and second stabilizing means (80) are connected to the free edges of said first wing (90 a) and said second wing (90 b), and in that, with said protection element (9) in the unfolded position (D), said first stabilizing means (8) and said second stabilizing means (80) being connected to removably fasten said protection element (9) to the sides (fi) of said bottom (F).

6. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that first stabilizing means (8) are connected to the sides (fi) of the bottom (F), in opposite position, and second stabilizing means (80) are connected to the free edges of said first wing (90 a) and said second wing (90 b), and in that, with said protection element (9) in the unfolded position (D), said first stabilizing means (8) and said second stabilizing means (80) couple to fasten said protection element (9) to the sides of said shoe (1).

7. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said protection element (9) is made of a waterproof material.

8. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said fastening means (99 a,99 b) are made of Velkro®.

9. A shoe as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said first locking means (79) and said second locking means (97) are made of Velkro®.