GB2525374A

GB2525374A - Fastening mechanism for releasably mounting footwear uppers

Info

Publication number: GB2525374A
Application number: GB1404532.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James Gibbs
Original assignee: SAFFIRO Ltd
Current assignee: SAFFIRO Ltd
Priority date: 2014-03-14
Filing date: 2014-03-14
Publication date: 2015-10-28
Also published as: GB201404532D0

Abstract

A fastening mechanism comprising a stud 20 with an elongated shank 21 and a cap 24 which engages with a clip 30. The clip has an attachment means (33, fig 3) extending from a top side. The clip has a slot means comprising a first slot means 34 extending into the clip body from the top side, and a second slot means (35, figs 3, 3a) extending into the body from an inner side. The cap of the stud slides into the first slot and the second slot, and is secured in the second slot. The fastening mechanism releasably attaches shoe soles to shoe uppers. Preferably, the stud is mounted in the sole of a shoe and may have a flange (26, fig 1). Preferably the slot is T-shaped (fig 3a)

Description

FASTENING MECHANISM FOR RELEASABLY MOUNTING FOOTWEAR

UPPERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a fastening mechanism, and in particular to a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting footwear uppers to footwear soles.

Backciround of the Invention Many forms of detachable footwear accessories are known, for example, disposable shoe covers which protect flooring from contamination and dirt; flexible, waterproof overshoes designed to fit over normal footwear when cycling or walking; and detachable soles, used to provide extra grip when walking on snow or ice. In general, such accessories are used in conjunction with regular footwear.

Footwear is also known in which integral parts, such as the heel, sole or upper, are replaceably detachable. Sports shoes which have replaceable studs are known, as are shoes which have an interchangeable heel, such that either a low or a high heel can be worn with the same pair of uppers, as desired.

Detachable uppers are also known, which allow the wearer to interchangeably use different uppers with the same pair of soles. The detachable uppers may be provided in different colours, materials or styles, and may connect to the soles by means of a snap-on fastener, to allow for quick removal and re-attachment. The use of such detachable uppers allows the wearer to transport a number of light-weight uppers with just one pair of soles, which may be relatively heavy in comparison.

Other methods of attachment between soles and detachable uppers are known, for example, hook and loop fastening fabric, buttons and loop attachments. While such methods allow for quick and easy removal and reattachment of the detachable upper, they also tend to be insecure, and it is thus relatively easy for the upper to become accidentally detached from the sole, leading to inconvenience or even injury to the wearer.

Additionally, the above methods of attachment often rely on retaining means which are affixed to the surface of the sole, by glue or other means. In the event of additional strain being placed on the uppers, these retaining means may break away from the sole, rendering them useless.

Further, some known methods of attachment, such as hook and loop fastening fabric, may lose their strength, or ability to fasten, over time, necessitating the replacement of either the upper or the sole, or both.

It is hence an object of the present invention to provide an alternative mechanism to existing mechanisms of attachment for detachable footwear uppers, which obviates the above problems. It is further an object of the present invention to provide components for such a mechanism, and to provide footwear and footwear components for such a mechanism. :15

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stud element of a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit of an item of footwear to a sole unit thereof, selectably engageable with a clip element of said fastening mechanism, and comprising elongate shank means embeddable within said sole unit and engagement head means so mounted to the shank means as to extend in use from the sole unit, wherein said head means comprises elongate post means having cap means extending transversely adjacent a distal end thereof.

Preferably, said elongate shank means is provided with serration means.

Said serration means may comprise circumferential rib means.

Advantageously, said stud element comprises flange means proximal to said engagement head means.

Said flange means may be located adjacent a junction of the head means and the shank means.

The cap means may be circular.

The flange means may be circular.

The post means may be cylindrical.

The shank means may be generally cylindrical.

Preferably, the flange means has a diameter greater than the cap means.

Advantageously, the elongate shank means is embeddable within said sole unit such that said flange means is flush with an outer surface of said sole unit.

The cap means may have a beveled edge.

Said beveled edge may be aligned towards the post means.

The flange means may have a beveled edge.

Said beveled edge may be aligned towards the post means.

Preferably, the elongate shank means and the elongate post means of the engagement head means extend coaxially.

Preferably, the stud element comprises a plastics material.

Advantageously, the stud element comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a clip element of a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit of an item of footwear to a sole unit thereof, selectably engageable with a stud element of said fastening mechanism, and comprising a clip body having a top, in use, surface and an inner side surface, provided with attachment means extending from said top surface for mounting the clip element to the upper unit, and receiving slot means comprising first and second slot means, wherein said first slot means extends into the clip body from said top surface and generally parallelly to said inner side surface, and second slot means extends into the clip body from the inner side surface to join said first slot means.

Preferably, said first slot means and said second slot means join to form a substantially T-shaped cross-section.

Advantageously, said attachment means comprises loop means.

Said attachment means may comprises a solid stitchable strip.

Preferably, said inner side surface may have a curvature.

Advantageously, said clip element comprises a resilient plastics material.

Said clip element may comprise nylon.

Said clip element may bear indicia.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit to a sole unit of an item of footwear, comprising a plurality of clip elements mountable to the upper unit and a corresponding plurality of stud elements mountable to the sole unit, each said clip element being selectably engageable with a corresponding stud element, wherein each stud element comprises a stud element as described in the first aspect above and each clip element comprises a clip element as described in the second aspect above.

Preferably, the engagement head means of each said stud element is engageable with the receiving slot means of each said clip element.

Advantageously, each said engagement head means is grippable by resilient walls of said receiving slot means.

Each said engagement head means may be guided into said respective receiving slot means by a beveled edge of said engagement head means.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sole unit for an item of footwear, releasably mountable to an upper unit to form said item of footwear, provided with a plurality of stud elements of a fastening mechanism as described in the first aspect above, each having shank means thereof so embedded in the sole unit that the respective engagement head means extend outwardly from a surface of the sole unit, so as to be engageable with corresponding clip means of the upper unit.

Preferably, each engagement head means extends outwardly from a substantially vertical, in use, surface of the sole unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an upper unit for an item of footwear, releasably mountable to a sole unit to form said item of footwear, provided with a plurality of clip elements of a fastening mechanism as described in the second aspect above, each clip element being so mounted by its respective attachment means to the upper unit that it is engageable with corresponding stud means of the sole unit.

Preferably, each clip element is mounted by its respective attachment means adjacent a periphery of the upper unit.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an item of footwear comprising a sole unit and at least one upper unit releasably mountable to the sole unit, wherein the sole unit is provided with a plurality of stud elements of a fastening mechanism and the or each upper unit is provided with a corresponding plurality of clip elements of the fastening mechanism, each stud element being selectably engageable with a corresponding clip element, and wherein each stud element comprises a stud element as described in the first aspect above, and each clip element comprises a clip element as described in the second aspect above.

Preferably, said item of footwear comprises a fastening mechanism as described in the third aspect above.

Advantageously, said item of footwear comprises a sole unit as described in the fourth aspect above.

The item of footwear may comprise an upper unit as described in the fifth aspect above.

Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stud element of a fastening mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the stud element of Figure 1, embedded within a footwear sole; Figure 3 is a side elevation of a clip element of a fastening mechanism according to the present invention; Figure 3a is a plan view from above of first and second slots of the clip element of Figure 3; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the clip element of Figure 3, showing the location of the stud element of Figure 1 when engaged with the clip element; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the clip element of Figure 3, mounted to a strap of a footwear upper; Figure 6 is a side elevation of the stud element of Figure 1, embedded within the footwear sole, and the clip element of Figure 3, mounted upon the stud element; Figure 7 is a plan view from above of an element of a fastening mechanism according to the present invention, comprising the stud element of Figure 1 engaged with the clip element of Figure 3; Figure 8 is a plan view from above of the element of the fastening mechanism of Figure 7, attached to a footwear sole; Figure 9 is a sole for an item of footwear according to the present invention, provided with a plurality of the stud elements of Figure 1; Figure 10 is a plan view of a portion of an upper for an item of footwear according to the present invention, provided with a plurality of the clip element of Figure 3; Figure 11 is a perspective view of an inner face of the upper of Figure 10; and Figure 12 is a perspective view of an item of footwear according to the present invention, comprising the fastening mechanism of Figure 7.

Detailed Description of the Embodiments

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventor(s). In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures are not described in detail, so as not to

unnecessarily obscure the description.

Figure 1 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a stud (20) of a fastening mechanism, comprising an elongate shank (21) and an engagement head (22). The elongate shank (21) is embeddable within a sole of an article of footwear. In this example, the shank (21) has ribs or serrations (25), which ensure that, once embedded, the shank (21) remains within the sole.

The engagement head (22) comprises an elongate post (23) terminated by a wider cap (24), both of which stand proud of the sole when the shank (21) is embedded.

The stud (20) further comprises an outwardly extending flange (26), located between the head (22) and the shank (21).

The cap (24) in this example is circular, as is the flange (26), and the post (23) is generally cylindrical. The diameter of the flange (26) is greater than that of the cap (24).

Figure 2 Figure 2 is a plan view of the stud (20) of Figure 1, embedded within a footwear sole (14). The stud (20) is embedded within the sole (14) so that the flange (26) is flush with the outer surface of the sole (14). The sole (14) in this example has a honeycomb construction, in order to reduce the weight of the sole (14). A tip of the elongate shank (21) can be seen through one of the empty honeycomb cells. The location of the part of the shank (21) which is embedded within a solid section of the sole (14) is shown by dotted lines.

The shank (21) in this example is further held in position within the sole (14) by adhesive. Where the shank (21) is provided with serrations/ribs (25), these improve the keying or engagement between adhesive and shank (21), which is important when the stud (20) is made from materials to which adhesion is poor.

The cap (24) of the stud (20) has a beveled edge (28), aligned towards the post, and the flange (26) also has a beveled edge (27) aligned towards the post.

These bevels (27, 28) assist in guiding the cap (24) into the receiving slots of the clip (see Figure 3). The beveled edge (27) of the flange (26) also provides a smooth finish around the stud (20) once embedded in the sole (14).

The cap (24) and post (23) of the stud (20) extend from the outer surface of the sole (14), so that they may engage with the clip (see below and in Figure 7).

The stud (20) in this example comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS) but other hard-wearing, strong plastics materials could be used.

The stud (20) could alternatively be made from metal.

Figure 3 and Figure 3a Figure 3 is a side elevation of an inner, in use, face of a clip (30) of a fastening mechanism. Figure 3a is a plan view of first and second slots of the clip element of Figure 3. The clip (30) is engageable with the stud (20) shown in Figures 1 and 2 above, and comprises a body (36), having a top surface (31) and an inner side surface (32). A first slot (34) extends from the top surface (31) into the clip body (36) and parallelly to the inner side surface (32), and a second slot (35) extends from the inner side surface (32) into the body (36) to join the first slot (34). The first slot (34) and the second slot (35) join to form a substantially T-shaped cross-section, as shown in Figure 3a. The extent to which the first slot (34) extends into the clip body (36) is indicated by dotted lines in Figure 3.

The clip (30) further comprises a loop (33), extending from the top surface (31), which is used to mount the clip (30) to a strap of an upper (see below and in Figure 5). In another example, not shown here, the clip (30) is mounted to a strap by means of a solid strip, which extends from the top surface (31) of the clip (30), and which may be stitched or glued, or otherwise attached, to the strap.

In a further example, not shown here, the inner face of the clip (30) has a curvature, this curvature aligning with a curvature of the outer surface of the sole.

In the example shown here, the clip (30) comprises nylon, but other strong, resilient plastics materials could be used. The clip (30) could alternatively be made from metal.

In yet another example, not shown here, the clip (30) may bear indicia, or be decorated in some other way. While the clip (30) in this example has a substantially semi-circular shape, other shapes may be used.

Figure 4 Figure 4 is a side elevation of the clip (30) of Figure 3, additionally showing the location of the stud (20) of Figure 1 when engaged with the clip (30). The location of the flange (26) and the cap (24) of the stud (20) is indicated by dotted lines.

The cap (24) is received within the first slot (34) of the clip (30), while the post (23) extends through the second slot (35).

Figure 5 Figure 5 is a perspective view of an outer face of the clip (30) of Figure 3, mounted to a strap (18) of an upper. In this example, an end of the strap (18) passes through the loop (33) of the clip (30) and then doubles back on itself. The two lengths of strap (18) are then stitched together to retain the clip (30) on the strap (18). Other methods of joining the lengths of strap (18) once they have passed through the clip (30) could be used, for example, gluing, stapling, or buttoning.

Figure 6 Figure 6 is a side elevation of the stud (20) of Figure 1, embedded within the footwear sole (14), and the clip (30) of Figure 3, mounted upon the stud (20).

In this example, the flange (26) of the stud (20) can be seen lying flush against the outer surface of the sole (14). The flange (26) thus prevents the stud (20) from entering further into the sole (14), and allows the cap (24) and post (23) to stand proud of the surface of the sole (14), allowing for engagement with the clip (30).

In this example, the stud (20) is located such that the base of the clip (30) does not scuff on the ground, while the top of the clip (30) does not extend beyond the feather edge of the sole (14) i.e. the point at which the foot of the wearer normally makes contact with the edge of the sole (14).

Figure 7 and Figure 8 Figure 7 is a plan view of an element (16) of a fastening mechanism, comprising the stud (20) of Figure 1 engaged with the clip (30) of Figure 3. This mechanism (16) releasably mounts an upper to a sole of an item of footwear (see Figure 12 for details), and comprises a plurality of studs (20) with corresponding clips (30). In this illustrated example, the cap (24) of the stud (20) is engaged with the first slot (34) and the post (23) is engaged in the second slot (not shown here) of the clip (30). In this view, the ribbed shank (21) of the stud (20) is not yet embedded within a sole.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the same part of a fastening mechanism (16), now attached to a footwear sole (14). The flange (26) of the stud (20) is flush with the outer surface of the sole (18). The head (22) of the stud (20) is engaged by the first (34) slot of the clip (30), the walls of which resiliently grip the cap (24) of the stud (20). As described in Figure 2, the beveled edge (28) of the cap (24) assists in guiding the head (22) of the stud (20) into the slots (34, 35) of the clip (30).

When the stud (20) is fully engaged with the clip (30), the fastening mechanism (16) provides a robust yet releasable attachment between the footwear sole and upper.

Figure 9 Figure 9 shows a sole (14) for an item of footwear, comprising a plurality of the studs (20) of Figure 1. In this example, four such studs (20) are used, two on each side of the sole (14). Two of the studs (20) are located towards the front of the sole (14), while two are located towards the back of the sole (14). The shanks (21) (not visible) of each of the studs (20) are embedded within the body of the sole (14). The caps (24) of each of the studs (20) protrude from vertical side surfaces of the sole (14), and are ready to be engaged with the clips (30) as shown in Figure 10 below.

Figure 10 Figure 10 is a scrap plan view of a portion of an upper (12) for an item of footwear, comprising a plurality of the clips (30) of Figure 3. Each clip (30) is mounted to a strap (18) of the upper (12) by means of the clip loop (33). Two such clips (30) as shown here may be engaged with two studs (20) as shown in Figure 9 above, the studs (20) being located along one side of the sole (14). In further examples, not shown here, the uppers may bear indicia, or be otherwise decorated, or may be suitable for decoration by the wearer.

Figure 11 Figure 11 is a perspective view of an inner face of the upper (12) of Figure 10. The entire upper (12) is shown in this example, comprising four straps (18) each mounted to a clip (30) by a loop (33). Each clip (30) comprises first and second slots (34, 35) suitable for engaging with the head of a stud (20), as shown in Figures 7 and 8. Uppers of various shapes, styles and colours may be mounted to clips (30) in the same way.

Figure 12 Figure 12 is a perspective view of an item of footwear (10), comprising the fastening mechanism (16) described in Figures 7 and 8. The item of footwear comprises a sole (14) and an upper (12), the upper having four straps (18) which are mounted to the clips (30) of the mechanism (16). The mechanism (16) comprises four sets of clips (30) and corresponding studs (not visible). The upper (12) shown here is designed to conform to the specific pitch of the sole (14). In further examples, not shown here, the uppers and/or the elements of the fastening mechanism are colour-coded or otherwise marked to indicate which upper corresponds with the right sole and which upper corresponds with the left sole.

A variety of uppers may therefore be releasably attached to just one pair of soles, the uppers being easily interchangeable as desired or as the circumstances dictate, whilst the elements of the fastening mechanism provide a strong and robust attachment which is less likely than existing mechanisms to detach from the sole or to accidentally separate. :15

Claims

Claims 1. A stud element of a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit of an item of footwear to a sole unit thereof, selectably engageable with a clip element of said fastening mechanism, and comprising elongate shank means embeddable within said sole unit and engagement head means so mounted to the shank means as to extend in use from the sole unit, wherein said head means comprises elongate post means having cap means extending transversely adjacent a distal end thereof.
2. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 1, wherein said elongate shank means is provided with rib means.
3. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said stud element comprises flange means proximal to said engagement head means.
4. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said cap means is circular.
5. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 3, wherein said flange means is circular.
6. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 3 or claim 5, wherein said flange means has a diameter greater than said cap means.
7. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 3, 5 or 6, wherein said elongate shank means is embeddable within said sole unit such that said flange means is flush with an outer surface of said sole unit.
8. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said cap means has a beveled edge.
9. A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 3, 5, 6 or 7, wherein said flange means has a beveled edge.
1O.A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said stud element comprises a plastics material.
11.A stud element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said stud element comprises acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer.
12.A stud element of a fastening mechanism substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.
13.A clip element of a fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit of an item of footwear to a sole unit thereof, selectably engageable with a stud element of said fastening mechanism, and comprising a clip body having a top, in use, surface and an inner side surface, provided with attachment means extending from said top surface for mounting the clip element to the upper unit, and receiving slot means comprising first and second slot means, wherein said first slot means extends into the clip body from said top surface and generally parallelly to said inner side surface, and said second slot means extends into the clip body from the inner side surface to join said first slot means.
14. A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 13, wherein said first slot means and said second slot means join to form a substantially 1-shaped cross-section.
15. A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said attachment means comprises loop means.
16. A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in either claim 13 or claim 14, wherein said attachment means comprises a solid stitchable strip.
17.A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 16, wherein an inner face of said clip element has a curvature.
18.A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein said clip element comprises a resilient plastics material.
19.A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 18, wherein said clip element comprises nylon.
20.A clip element of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein said clip element bears indicia.
21.A clip element of a fastening mechanism substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.
22.A fastening mechanism for releasably mounting an upper unit to a sole unit of an item of footwear, comprising a plurality of clip elements mountable to the upper unit and a corresponding plurality of stud elements mountable to the sole unit, each said clip element being selectably engageable with a corresponding stud element, wherein each stud element comprises a stud element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 and each clip element comprises a clip element as claimed in any one of claims 13to21.
23. A fastening mechanism as claimed in claim 22, wherein the engagement head means of each said stud element is engageable with the receiving slot means of each said clip element.
24.A fastening mechanism as claimed in either claim 22 or claim 23, wherein each said engagement head means is grippable by resilient walls of a respective receiving slot means.
25.A fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein each said engagement head means is guided into said respective first and second slot means by a beveled edge of said engagement head means.
26.A fastening mechanism substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.
27. A sole unit for an item of footwear, releasably mountable to an upper unit to form said item of footwear, provided with a plurality of stud elements of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, each having shank means thereof so embedded in the sole unit that the respective engagement head means extend outwardly from a surface of the sole unit, so as to be engageable with corresponding clip means of the upper unit.
28. A sole unit for an item of footwear as claimed in claim 27, wherein each engagement head means extends outwardly from a substantially vertical, in use, surface of the sole unit.
29. A sole unit for an item of footwear substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.
30.An upper unit for an item of footwear, releasably mountable to a sole unit to form said item of footwear, provided with a plurality of clip elements of a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21, each clip element being so mounted by its respective attachment means to the upper unit that it is engageable with corresponding stud means of the sole unit.
31.An upper unit for an item of footwear as claimed in claim 30, wherein each clip element is mounted by its respective attachment means adjacent a periphery of the upper unit.
32.An upper unit for an item of footwear substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.
33.An item of footwear comprising a sole unit and at least one upper unit releasably mountable to the sole unit, wherein the sole unit is provided with a plurality of stud elements of a fastening mechanism and the or each upper unit is provided with a corresponding plurality of clip elements of the fastening mechanism, each stud element being selectably engageable with a corresponding clip element, and wherein each stud element comprises a stud element as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, and each clip element comprises a clip element as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 21.
34.An item of footwear as claimed in claim 33, wherein said item of footwear comprises a fastening mechanism as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26.
35.An item of footwear as claimed in either claim 33 or claim 34, wherein said item of footwear comprises a sole unit as claimed in any one of claims 27 to 29.
36. An item of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 35, wherein said item of footwear comprises an upper unit as claimed in any one of claims 30 to 32.
37. An item of footwear substantially as described herein and with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.