[0001] This invention relates to a moccasin-style shoe of a type which comprises a sole
and a canvas upper mounted on the sole.
[0002] As is known, canvas shoes of the moccasin variety are quite popular, especially for
use in warm weather.
[0003] It is during the mild season of the year, in fact, that there is a need to wear,
along with lighter garments, also footwear articles which are light in weight and
comfortable to wear, without their strength being impaired, especially if used in
connection with sports activities.
[0004] Further, there are many who are in the habit of converting such footwear articles
into convenient slippers on putting them on, by just turning the heel portions of
the uppers inwards and down.
[0005] This practice, however, has the inevitable disadvantage of shortening the life expectations
of conventional construction shoes, in that tilting down and trampling on the heel
portion of the upper results in the sides of the upper being stretched, and after
a period, pulled out of shape. In addition, the heel portion of the upper, when so
trampled upon, is liable to deteriorate and become badly crumpled.
[0006] The technical problem that underlies this invention is to provide a moccasin-style
shoe having such constructional and operational characteristics as to overcome the
drawbacks noted above in connection with the background art.
[0007] This problem is solved by a shoe as indicated being characterized in that it comprises,
located at the heel portion of its upper, opposing fold lines which extend from the
topmost edge of the upper to said sole, thereby the shoe can be converted to a slipper.
[0008] The features and advantages of a shoe according to the invention will be more clearly
apparent from the following detailed description of an exemplary and non-limitative
embodiment thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a shoe according to the invention;
Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the shoe of Figure 1 in a second operating condition
thereof; and
Figure 3 shows a side view of the shoe of Figure 1.
[0009] With reference to the drawing views, generally indicated at 1 is a so-called moccasin-style
shoe according to this invention.
[0010] The shoe 1 comprises a sole 2 made of a synthetic plastic material, and a canvas
upper 3 mounted on the sole 2.
[0011] The sole 2 comprises a peripheral border 4 surrounding an upper 3 which has a toe
portion 5, instep portion 6 and heel portion 7.
[0012] Advantageously, there are provided at the heel portion 7 of the upper 3 opposing
fold lines 8 and 9 which extend from the topmost edge 10 of the upper to the sole
2. Such fold lines 8 and 9 extend diagonally across the upper 3 to reach the peripheral
border 4 of the sole 2.
[0013] In addition, each of the fold lines 8 and 9 consists of a cut 11 across the upper,
which has been subsequently sewn up.
[0014] The heel portion 7 of the upper 3 is also provided with a reinforcement piece 12
attached to the outside thereof. More specifically, this reinforcement piece would
overlap externally and be sewn over the heel 7.
[0015] The shoe of this invention has the great advantage that it can be readily converted
to a slipper. For this purpose, a slight inwardly directed push on the heel portion
7 will cause the latter to fold along the fold lines 8 and 9, and accordingly, the
reinforcement piece 12 to form a heel rest.
[0016] Thus, the shoe according to the invention can withstand the strains imposed thereon
by its utilization as a slipper, an retain over time its elastic and pliant characteristics.
1. A moccasin-style shoe (1) of a type which comprises a sole (2) and a canvas upper
(3) mounted on the sole (2), characterized in that it comprises, located at the heel
portion (7) of its upper (3), opposing fold lines (8,9) which extend from the topmost
edge (10) of the upper (3) to said sole (2), thereby the shoe con be converted to
a slipper.
2. A shoe (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that said fold lines (8,9) extend
diagonally across the upper (3).
3. A shoe (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that each of said fold lines
(8,9) comprises a cut (11) that has been sewn up across the upper (3).
4. A shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that said heel portion (7) is provided
with a reinforcement piece (12) attached to the exterior thereof.