Footwear with removable closure

Abstract

Footwear such as a shoe has a closure which includes a strap. The strap is releasably and removably secured at the toe of the upper and extends across an access opening down the access of the shoe and can be releasably and removably fastened to the upper adjacent to the ankle end by VELCRO™ secured between the strap and the upper. Other engagement devices can be used in place of VELCRO.

1 . Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising only a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access. 
   
   
       2 . Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening toward the toe portion of the access, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, and the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access. 
   
   
       3 . Footwear comprising a sole; an upper which defines a space above the sole for receiving a wearer's foot, the upper including an ankle opening and an access opening which extends from the ankle opening towards the toe area, the upper adjacent the access opening permitting movement of a wearer's foot into and from the space; and a closure for the access opening, the closure comprising a single flexible strap having a first portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent a first side of the access opening toward the toe portion of the access, the strap being directed across the opening and having a second portion releasably and removably secured to the upper adjacent the access opening ankle portion of the access opening, the first and second portions being removed from each other, the strap extending across the access from the one side of the access to the other side of the access, and the access having eyelets affixed permanently to the upper to either side of the access opening and the strap being for threading through the eyelets on both sides of the access. 
   
   
       4 . Footwear as claimed in either  claim 1  or  2  wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening. 
   
   
       5 . Footwear as claimed in either  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the strap includes co-operable fastening elements on at least one portion for engaging with an opposed surface portion of the strap and the upper, the elements being of a first type on one of the surface portions and of a second type on the other surface portion, the element types being for interengaging with one another for securing the strap to the upper and to be separated by pulling apart the strap member and the upper when the closure is to be opened, the fastening elements being distributed over surface portions so as to permit the strap to be positioned in any of a plurality of fastening positions. 
   
   
       6 . Footwear as claimed in either  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and is such that the strap in position across the access forms a zig-zag formation from the toe area to the ankle area. 
   
   
       7 . Footwear as claimed in either  claim 1 ,  2  or  3  wherein the strap is threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and including a buckle or threaded formation to engage with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access. 
   
   
       8 . Footwear as claimed in either  claim 2  or  3  wherein there are several separate straps threaded through eyelets in the upper adjacent the first side of the access opening and through eyelets in the upper adjacent the second side of the access opening, and including an engagement with an eyelet on one of the sides of the access.