Shoebax

Abstract

This invention, called “Shoebax”, is designed to slide over the open heel portion of a shoe, creating a smooth detachable back of the shoe.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The impetus of the invention arose because some shoes (particularly sling backs) allow the back hemline of slacks or skirts to slide between the insole of the shoe and heel of the foot.

The invention relates to the class of inventions in which fasteners, clips and/or similar devices are placed on footwear.

The applicant is not aware of US Patents that pertain to this type of device.

The Applicant has obtained a provisional patent (61/399,402).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Shoebax is an invention designed for use on women's footwear. The broad purpose of the invention is to provide wearers of footwear (particularly sling back shoes) a decorative, simulated and removable device allowing the clothing (e.g. pant hems, skirts) to be worn naturally.

When viewed from bottom to top, the device resembles a 2-dimensional light bulb.

The base of the invention has a sheath to allow the Shoebax to slide on the heel of the shoe.

The “heel sheath” is stitched to fabric or plastic that provides the actual shoe-backing.

The invention can be folded to adjust for the height of the shoe heel. The invention contains a sheath at the top with holes on either end to permit the anklet (i.e. the brace) to slide through. The anklet or brace is wrapped around the ankle for fastening.

The anklet is a thin piece of material or plastic approximately 6″ to 12″ in length. It slides through the sheath in the shoe back. It can be tied or in some versions, a buckle is used to fasten the Shoebax around the ankle.

SUMMARY OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a standard sling back shoe without the Shoebax invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the Shoebax before it is attached to a woman's sling back shoe.

FIG. 3 shows the Poly Spandex Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe (for demonstration purposes)

FIG. 4 shows the plastic Shoebax from the side. It operates in essentially the same manner as the Poly Spandex Shoebax.

FIG. 5 shows the buckle that is used to fasten the anklet.

FIG. 6 shows the plastic Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe (for demonstration purposes).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a side view of the sling back shoe without the invention. This is provided for demonstration purposes.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the Shoebax before it is attached to a woman's sling back shoe.

Part 1-A This diagram shows the thin sheath that attaches (slides through) to the heel of the shoe.

Part 1-B The material is elastic, made of strands of rubber and latex weaved together. It is designed to fit most heels. It comes in 2 sizes:

Small to medium Fits (most) 9×10 cm thru 15×15 cm

Medium to Large Fits (most) 18×18 cm thru 16×25 cm

PART 2-A Part-A shows the concave-shaped backing (“the shoe back”) that fits behind the heel for the shoe wearer.

The fabric is Poly Spandex. The material is designed to be flexible (it can stretch and recoil) in accordance with its purpose—to fit round the heel of the shoe wearer.

The backing is made from 2 pieces of fabric (Pieces A and B) which are stitched together with ¼″ seam allowance. Pieces A and B are stitched utilizing a right-side to right side “stay stitch” using a ¼″ seam allowance.

PART 2-B Part 2-B shows the top portion of the concave-backing. It shows where the Poly-Spandex material is folded over and stitched, to create a tube-like sheath for insertion of the anklet.

PART 3 Part 3 shows the thin anklet strap that fastens around the anklet and is tied (like a shoelace). The hollow portion in the middle of Part 3 represents the area where the shoe-wearers ankle would be. The strap is made of the same Poly-Spandex material as the backing.

PART 3-B Part 3-B shows the front portion of the anklet where it is tied.

FIG. 3 FIG. 3 shows the Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe (for demonstration purposes)

Part 2-B shows the elastic bottom of the Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe.

FIG. 4 FIG. 4 shows the plastic Shoebax from the side. It operates in essentially the same manner as the Poly Spandex Shoebax.

Part 1-A Part 1-A shows the thin plastic sheath that attaches to the heel of the sling back shoe.

Part 1-B Part 1-B shows the holds at either end of the sheath that is designed to slide on to heels. It is designed to fit most heels. It comes in 2 sizes:

Small to Medium Fits (most) 9 × 10 cm thru 15 × 15 cm
Medium to Large Fits (most 18 × 18 cm thru 16 × 25 cm

Part 2-A Part 2-A shows the backing that fits around the heel. The plastic is designed to be flexible (it can stretch and recoil) in accordance with its purpose—to fit around the heel of the shoe wearer.

The backing is made from 1 thin sheath of plastic

Part 2-B Part 2-B shows the top portion of the plastic shoe back. It shows where the plastic backing is folded over and stitched, to create a tube-like sheath for the insertion of the anklet.

Part 3 Part 3 shows the thin strap that fastens around the ankle and is fastened with a buckle (like a belt). The hollow portion in the middle represents the area where the shoe-wearers ankle would be. The strap is made of the same plastic material as the backing. It contains several holes for the fastening of the buckle.

Part 4 Part 4 shows the buckle that is fastened on the front portion of the anklet.

FIG. 5 FIG. 5 shows the buckle that is used to fasten the anklet.

The buckle measures approximately 1 cm×1cm. It is made from plastic.

The fastening strap (similar to a belt used for trousers) adjusts depending on the ankle width.

FIG. 6 FIG. 6 shows the plastic Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe (for demonstration purposes)

Part 1-A Part 1-A shows the elastic bottom of the Shoebax attached to a sling back shoe.

Claims

1. A combination of interconnecting fabric or plastic comprised of a lower portion, a middle portion and an upper portion which together comprise an adjustable and removable backing device designed to be flexible and adjust to the heel and ankle of the shoe-wearer.

2. As stated in claim 1, the lower portion comprises a thin sheath of material to slide over the heel portion of a shoe. The sheath is elastic and is designed to be flexible to fit most heels on footwear on the market, but also designed to fit tightly to the heel. It is stitched and melded to the shoe-backing fabric or plastic (the middle portion).

3. As stated in claim 1, the middle portion comprises the functional aspect of the Shoebax. This portion comprises material in the form of fabric, plastic or some other material that is designed to secure the foot on a backless, sling back type of shoe. The shoe backing is kept secure by way of the upper portion (the anklet/strap) and it is secured to the shoe by way of attachment to the heel (the lower portion).

4. As stated in claim 1, the upper portion contains a strap that is designed to slide into a thin sheath or opening at the top of the shop back. The anklet is designed to wrap around and fasten to the ankle by way of a buckle.

5. As stated in claim 1, the upper portion may alternatively contain a strap that is made from fabric that is designed to slide through a thin sheath or opening at the top of the shoe back and to tie around the shoe wearers' ankle for fastening (in contrast to the use of a buckle).