Footwear

Abstract

 A detachable sock or insole 10 particularly for a childrens shoe has marked in its toe region an area or a plurality of lines 11a-11f which are worn away as the foot grows so that a visual indication is provided of whether a larger shoe size is desirable.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to footwear and is more particularly concerned with providing a means by which the growth of childrens feet can be monitored to indicate when a change to a larger shoe size is desirable.

[0002] According to this invention there is provided in or for a shoe a detachable sock or insole which has marked in the toe region of its upper surface one or more lines or areas which are reached as the foot grows and which provide an indication of whether a larger shoe size is desirable for the wearer.

[0003] In a preferred arrangement a series of spaced transversely-extending lines are marked on the sock or insole in the toe region. The mark nearest the toe may be accentuated by being thicker or heavier than the other lines or in a different colour or in some other way warn of the need for a larger shoe size for the wearer.

[0004] The markings may be such that they are worn away by the action of walking, so that the presence or absence of markings gives the required guidance.

[0005] The invention will now be described in more detail with reference by way of example to the accompanying drawing showing the upper surface of a moulded insole or sock according to the invention.

[0006] Referring to the drawing a moulded insole or sock 10 is shown which is intended for disposition detachably in a childs shoe. The insole or sock is designed in accordance with the style of the shoe and is placed in the shoe by the shoe manufacturers. A series of transversely-extending lines 11a, 11b, 11c etc. are marked in the toe region of the shoe. Line 11a indicates where the largest toe should reach when the shoe is first bought. In the illustrated constructions, the lines are progressively more heavily marked to indicate the approach of the stage at which professional advice should be sought with regard to the requirement for the child to have a larger shoe size. The lines 11a, 11b etc. are worn away by the pressure and movement of the toes during walking, and when the insole or sock is removed from the shoe, it can readily be checked to see how far forward the lines have been worn away.

[0007] The sock or insole should be an accurate fit in the shoe.

[0008] In determining the positions of the markings in manufacture, regard is had to the style of the shoe, with particular reference to the difference between the stick or actual length of the last and the effective length, which is the maximum length available to the wearer, so that in the case of a shoe with a pointed toe for example, the position of the most forward marked line may be some distance from the forward tip of the insole or sock.

[0009] The sock may be moulded onto or otherwise bonded to the upper surface of an underlayer which is contoured to the shape of the foot. Alternatively the sock may have bonded to its underside a layer of foamed plastics material cut from sheet and accurately laminated to the sock to maintain a consistent relationship with the inside of the shoe.

Claims

1. In or for a shoe a detachable sock or insole which has marked in the toe region of its upper surface one or more lines or areas which are reached as the foot grows and which provide an indication of whether a larger shoe size is desirable for the wearer.

2. A sock or insole as claimed in claim 1, wherein said lines comprise a plurality of spaced transversely-­extending lines.

3. A sock or insole as claimed in claim 2, wherein the line or lines nearer the toe are accentuated relative to the line or lines further from the toe.

4. A sock or insole as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the marks are such as to be worn away by the action of the foot in walking whereby the presence or absence of the marks gives the required guidance.

Drawing