Item of footwear

Abstract

An item of footwear, has a sole ( 1 ) and an upper portion ( 8 ) for receiving and releasably retaining a wearer's foot. Cover means ( 12 ) for covering at least part of the upper portion is releasably attachable to the upper portion by fasteners such as press studs ( 40, 42 ). The arrangement is preferably such that the cover means can be attached or removed while the items is retained on a wearer's foot.

1 . An item of footwear, the item comprising a sole, an upper portion for receiving and releasably retaining a wearer's foot, cover means for covering at least part of the upper portion and fastening means for releasably attaching the cover means to the upper portion.  
     
     
         2 . An item of footwear according to  claim 1 , in which the cover means and the fastening means are so arranged that the cover means can be attached or removed while the item is retained on a wearer's foot.  
     
     
         3 . An item of footwear according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which the fastening means is attached to the upper and/or the cover means, to enable the cover means to be directly attached to the upper.  
     
     
         4 . An items of footwear according to  claim 3 , in which the fastening means comprises a first portion, mounted on the cover means for making and engaging a second portion mounted on the upper portion.  
     
     
         5 . An item of footwear according to  claim 4 , in which the first portion is mounted on the underside of the cover means.  
     
     
         6 . An items of footwear according to  claim 3  or  claim 4 , in which the first portion of the fastening means comprises a number of female connectors and the second a number of non filamentary male connectors, the arrangement being such that, with the cover means in place, each male connector engages a respective female connector.  
     
     
         7 . An item of footwear according to  claim 5  or  claim 6 , in which the fastening means comprises a number of press studs.  
     
     
         8 . An item of footwear according to  claim 7 , in which the press studs are situated towards the periphery of the cover means and the lower edge of the upper portion.  
     
     
         9 . An item of footwear according to any of the preceding claims, in which the item includes at least one ventilation opening which is covered by the cover means, when the latter is in place on the upper portion, and which is revealed when the cover means is removed, thereby to provide, in use, ventilation for a wearer's foot.  
     
     
         10 . An item of footwear according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover means comprises a cover which, when in place on the upper portion, extends from the region of the sole on one side of the upper portion, over the top of the upper portion and to the region of the sole on the other side of the upper portion.  
     
     
         11 . An item of footwear according to  claim 10 , in which the upper portion incorporates, or is adapted to receive, adjustable tensioning means for releasably drawing the upper portion against the wearer's foot to retain the item thereon, wherein the cover is such that, when on the item, it extends over and covers such tensioning means.  
     
     
         12 . An item of footwear according to  claim 11 , in which the upper portion is adapted to receive tensioning means in the form of laces by virtue of having holes through which the laces thread.  
     
     
         13 . An item of footwear according to  claim 11 , in which the upper portion incorporates straps and buckles for tightening the straps against the foot.  
     
     
         14 . An item of footwear according to any of  claims 11  to  13 , in which the cover has an opening which is selectively closeable by a fastener and which allows access to the tensioning means with the cover attached to the upper portion.  
     
     
         15 . An item of footwear according to any of  claims 11  to  14 , in which the upper portion also includes a tongue for providing an intermediate layer between the laces and the wearer's foot.  
     
     
         16 . An item of footwear according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover means is waterproof.  
     
     
         17 . An item of footwear according to any of the preceding claims, in which the cover means includes a resiliently extendable portion, enabling movements between the upper portion and the cover means to be accommodated.