EP0308373A2

EP0308373A2 - A moccasin-style shoe convertible to a slipper

Info

Publication number: EP0308373A2
Application number: EP88830180A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Patrizio Spano
Original assignee: Wp Lavori In Corso Srl
Current assignee: Wp Lavori In Corso Srl
Priority date: 1987-09-17
Filing date: 1988-05-02
Publication date: 1989-03-22
Also published as: IT211877Z2; EP0308373A3; IT8722372V0

Abstract

A moccasin-style shoe (1) comprising a sole (2) and an upper (3) mounted on the sole (2) is formed, at the heel portion (7) of the upper (3), with oppositely located fold lines (8,9) which extend from the topmost edge (10) of the upper (3) to the sole (2) for converting the shoe (1) to a slipper.

Description

This invention relates to a moccasin-style shoe of a type which comprises a sole and a canvas upper mounted on the sole.
As is known, canvas shoes of the moccasin variety are quite popular, especially for use in warm weather.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.

With reference to the drawing views, generally indicated at 1 is a so-called moccasin-style shoe according to this invention.
The shoe 1 comprises a sole 2 made of a synthetic plastic material, and a canvas upper 3 mounted on the sole 2.
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.
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.
In addition, each of the fold lines 8 and 9 consists of a cut 11 across the upper, which has been subsequently sewn up.
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.
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.
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.

Claims

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.