Footwear protector

Abstract

 A footwear protector for protecting footwear against scuffing, for example, whilst driving a motor vehicle, comprises an elasticated cover portion (10) shaped to be hooked over the heel (16A) of an article of footwear (16) and to cover the rear part (16C) of the article (16), and a retaining portion (14) connected to the cover portion (10) for insertion inside the rear part (16C) so as to be trapped between the rear part (16C) and the wearer's foot or leg.

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a device for the protection of footwear, primarily to protect an article of footwear against scuffing whilst driving a motor vehicle.

[0002] It is well known that during driving substantial scuffing of the back section and heel of a shoe can occur as the foot is moved against the floor of the vehicle to operate the pedals. This is a particular problem with ladies' high-heeled shoes.

[0003] Footwear protectors to prevent this occurrence are known. One such protector has a cover portion adapted to be placed over the heel of an article of footwear and to cover the rear part of the article, and a retaining portion connected to the cover portion and shaped to be inserted inside the rear part so as to be trapped between the rear part and the wearer's foot or leg. This prior protector, however, is limited to use with footwear of a particular size or to footwear having a particular heel height which means that the individual protector cannot be used on a variety of different footwear.

[0004] It is an object of this invention to provide an improved footwear protector which can be used on footwear of various shapes and sizes. Accordingly this invention provides a protector for footwear, of the type hereinbefore described. which is characterised in that the cover portion is elasticated and shaped to be hooked over the heel of the article of footwear.

[0005] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover portion is formed of stretchable material and with or without an elasticated edge or a non-stretchable material with an elasticated edge. The cover portion may be hollow, or cup shaped, when not in use and preferably forms a cavity for enclosing the heel of the article of footwear at least when hooked over the heel. The retaining portion may be a flat sheet of thin material, preferably stretchable, which is attached to an edge of the cover portion by, for example, being sewn thereto. Such a protector is fitted to a shoe by hooking the cover portion under the heel with its edge gripping a forwardly facing surface of the heel, and trapping the tongue portion behind and/or under the wearer's heel. Alternatively, the cover portion may have an aperture through which the heel can pass when the cover portion is fitted.

[0006] The retaining portion may include a stiff plastic or wire lip shaped to hook over the upper edge of the rear section of the article of footwear. Such a construction is particularly suitable if the article of footwear is a boot. A different embodiment also suitable for a boot has one or more pairs of straps or the like attached to the cover portion or forming part of a retaining portion, such straps being positioned so as to encircle the boot in the region of the ankle and at a higher point if required.

[0007] The invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a footwear protector in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 is a side view of the protector of Figure 1 shown fitted to a shoe.

[0008] Referring to the drawings a protector for footwear has a protective cover portion 10 made of a fabric such as elasticated towelling. The edge 12 of the fabric is gathered as shown so that the cover portion is cup-­shaped, having an interior for receiving the heel 14 of an article of footwear such as a high-heeled shoe. Attached to the edge 12 is a retaining portion 14 which, in this instance, is an elongate tongue cut from a hard-­wearing non-stretchable thin fabric.

[0009] In use the protector is fitted to a shoe 16, as shown in Figure 2, by hooking the cover portion 10 over the heel 16A of the shoe 16 so that part of the edge 12 of the cover portion 10 lies over and grips a forwardly facing surface 16B of the heel 16A and the central area 10A of the cover portion 10 covers the back section 16C of the shoe 16. The tongue portion (shown in chain lines) is then folded over the back section 16C to lie inside the shoe, and the back section 16C is fitted over the wearer's heel (not shown) to trap the tongue portion 14. The length of the tongue portion 14 is preferably sufficient to lie under as well as behind the wearer's heel. The general shape of the protective cover portion 10 is such that it clings to the back section 16C and heel 16A of the shoe 16 to prevent scuffing of both when resting on and moved over the floor of a vehicle during driving.

[0010] The protector is sufficiently flexible and elastic that it may be fitted over a wide range of footwear of different sizes and different heel heights. In its preferred form it can be used to protect the back section of shoes with stiletto heels or virtually flat heels having a front step in the sole by hooking over the heel.

[0011] In an alternative embodiment of the invention the protector may be formed from a single piece of fabric, appropriately shaped. The protector may also be of a disposable sheet material which may be paper based.

[0012] In a protector suitable for a boot, i.e. footwear extending above the ankle, the retaining portion may comprise a tongue portion considerably longer than that shown in Figures 1 and 2. Much of the tongue portion may be outside the boot, the cover portion terminating in the region of the ankle. Additionally, one or more straps may be provided to encircle the boot in the ankle region or above for locating the cover portion.

Claims

1. A protector for footwear, comprising a cover portion adapted to be placed over the heel of an article of footwear and to cover the rear part of the article, and a retaining portion connected to the cover portion and shaped to be inserted inside the rear part so as to be trapped between the rear part and the wearer's foot or leg, characterised in that the cover portion is elasticated and shaped to be hooked over the heel of the article of footwear.

2. A protector according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover portion is formed of stretchable material and, preferably, has an elasticated edge.

3. A protector according to claim 1, characterised in that the cover portion is formed of a non-stretchable material and has an elasticated edge.

4. A protector according to any preceding claim characterised in that the cover portion is hollow, preferably cup-shaped, when not in use.

5. A protector according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the cover portion is constructed so as to form a cavity for enclosing the heel of the article of footwear at least when hooked over the heel.

6. A protector according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the retaining portion is a flat sheet of material, preferably stretchable, in the form of a tongue.

7. A protector according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the retaining portion is attached to an edge of the cover portion.

8. A protector according to any of claims 1 to 7 which is formed from a single piece of material.

9. A protector according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the retaining portion is elongate and has a length at least equal to the length of the unstretched cover portion, preferably the retaining portion is elongate and has a length of at least 8 cm.

10. A protector according to any preceding claim, characterised in that the retaining portion is adapted to be trapped under the wearer's heel in use.

Drawing