Relating to footwear

Abstract

Articles of footwear 1, and methods of manufacturing articles of footwear are disclosed. The footwear 1 comprises a heel portion 4 for supporting a heel of a foot 10 of a wearer. The heel portion 4 defines a channel 20 extending from a first opening 21 to a second opening 22. The openings 21, 22 are situated at laterally-facing surfaces 41, 42 of the heel portion 4. The footwear 1 may also comprises a fastening means 5 for fastening the article of footwear 1 to the foot 10 of the wearer. The fastening means 5 is arranged to extend through said channel 20 and, in use of the footwear 1, is fastenable around the dorsal region of the foot 10 of the wearer.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising a heel portion for supporting a heel of a foot of a wearer, the heel portion defining a channel extending uninterrupted from a first opening situated at a first laterally-facing surface of the heel portion to a second opening situated at a second laterally-facing surface of the heel portion, the first and second laterally-facing surfaces being opposed to one another, the article of footwear further comprising a fastening means for fastening the article of footwear to the foot of the wearer, the fastening means being arranged to extend through said channel and, in use of the footwear, is fastenable around the dorsal region of the foot of the wearer of the article of footwear wherein the heel portion comprises: a sleeve portion positioned and arranged to surround and define the channel; and a body comprising a conduit within which at least a stem of the sleeve portion is inserted; wherein an internal cross-sectional profile of the conduit and an external cross-sectional profile of the stem of the sleeve portion inserted into the conduit, closely conform to one another so that the stem of the sleeve portion is securely embedded within the conduit.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the channel is positioned and arranged to be accessed by a wearer when the article of footwear is being worn by the wearer, thereby allowing the wearer to convert the footwear between a slip-on and non-slip-on type without removing the article of footwear.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 2, wherein the first and second laterally-facing surfaces are external surfaces of the heel portion that face outward, and away from one another.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 1, having only a single channel through which the fastening means extends, the fastening means, when fastened, forming a complete loop that passes through the channel and, in use of the footwear, also around the foot of the wearer to retain the footwear to the foot of the wearer.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the fastening means comprises a fastener situated at one end of the fastening means and a complementary fastening structure at another end, the fastener and the complementary fastening structure being releasably connectable with one another, the connection of the fastener and the complementary fastening structure forming a loop, and disconnection breaking that loop.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a bore profile of the channel is substantially regular between the first and second openings, the channel comprising smooth internal walls allowing a fastening means manually urged through one of the first and second openings to be guided by the internal walls so as to exit from the other of the first and second openings.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the stem of the sleeve portion is securely embedded within the conduit via an interference fit, at least one of the ends of the sleeve portion is situated at an external region of the body of the heel portion to define at least one of the first and second openings of the heel portion, the sleeve portion is constructed of a material that is stronger than the material from which the body is constructed, the sleeve portion defines a mantle around at least one of the first and second openings of the channel, the sleeve portion is constructed from a plurality of components, a first component comprising a first portion of the stem and a second component comprising a second portion of the stem, the first and second components being fitted by driving them into the conduit of body via respective first and second conduit apertures, and at least one of the first and second components are cast from an integral piece of material and the sleeve portion comprises one or more flanges, each flange being located at a respective end of the sleeve portion.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein at least one of the flanges has an external cross-sectional profile that prevents insertion into the conduit of the body so as to limit the depth of insertion of the sleeve portion into the conduit of the body, at least one of the flanges defines a mantle around a respective opening of the channel, at least one of the flanges comprises an inwardly-facing shoulder, shaped and oriented in complement with a respective outwardly-facing surface of the body to facilitate even engagement between the flange and the body, and at least one of the flanges comprises an outwardly-facing region that is rounded to avoid sharp edges being presented on an exterior of the article of footwear.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the heel portion comprises a core extending between a heel seat of the article of footwear, and the ground on which the article of footwear stands in normal use, with the channel extending across a path that avoids the core.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional profile of the channel tapers inwardly towards the ground, tapering in conformity with a corresponding tapering of the heel portion.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional profile of the channel is of a broadly tear-drop shape.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the channel is situated at the front of the heel portion, close to a transition between the heel portion and an arch of the article of footwear, with the channel extending laterally across the width of the heel portion of the footwear, the channel being oriented such that ends of a fastening means that emerge from the channel extend laterally away from one another and also from a foot of the wearer of the article of footwear.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the cross-sectional area of a central portion of the fastening means that extends through the channel is less than 60% of the cross-sectional size of the bore of the channel.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the article of footwear comprises an upper for covering at least a portion of an upper part of a wearer's foot, the upper being arranged to form an interference fit with a foot of the wearer of the article of footwear, the upper presenting a substantially continuous external surface.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first and second openings are situated at laterally opposed positions on the heel portion at substantially the same height from the ground on which the article of footwear stands in normal use, with the channel being level relative to the ground on which the footwear stands in normal use.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the channel is situated closer to a heel seat of the article of footwear than the ground.

17. An article of footwear of a slip-on type arranged for conversion to a non-slip-on type, the article of footwear comprising a heel portion for supporting a heel of a foot of a wearer, the heel portion defining a channel extending from a first opening situated at a first laterally-facing surface of the heel portion to a second opening situated at a second laterally-facing surface of the heel portion, the first and second laterally-facing surfaces being opposed to one another, conversion to a non-slip-on type of footwear resulting from manual threading of a fastening means through said channel, the fastening means being arranged to loop around the foot of the wearer of the article of footwear, in use, so as to fasten the article of footwear thereto wherein the heel portion comprises: a sleeve portion positioned and arranged to surround and define the channel; and a body comprising a conduit within which at least a stem of the sleeve portion is inserted; wherein an internal cross-sectional profile of the conduit and an external cross-sectional profile of the stem of the sleeve portion inserted into the conduit, closely conform to one another so that the stem of the sleeve portion is securely embedded within the conduit.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 11, wherein the point of the tear-drop faces down towards the ground on which the article of footwear stands in normal use.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) In order for the invention to be more readily understood, embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1 is a lateral schematic view of an article of footwear in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is an overhead schematic view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(4) FIG. 3a is a first rear schematic view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3b is a second rear schematic view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(6) FIG. 4 is a rear view of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(7) FIG. 5a is a partial perspective lateral view of a body and a core of a heel portion of the article of footwear of FIG. 1, the body and core being shown in isolation;

(8) FIG. 5b is a partial perspective view of the body and core of FIG. 5a;

(9) FIG. 5c is an overhead view of the body and core of FIG. 5a;

(10) FIG. 5d is a rear perspective view of the body and core of FIG. 5a;

(11) FIG. 5e is a front partial perspective view of the body and core of FIG. 5a;

(12) FIG. 6 is a partial perspective lateral view of the rear of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(13) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a sleeve portion of the article of footwear of FIG. 1;

(14) FIG. 8 is an overhead view of the sleeve portion of FIG. 7; and

(15) FIG. 9 is a partial perspective underneath view of an article of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.

SPECIFIC DESCRIPTION

(16) FIG. 1 is a lateral schematic view of an article of footwear 1 in accordance with to a first embodiment of the present invention. The article of footwear 1 is in the form of a formal high-heeled shoe, specifically, the left shoe of a pair. In the interests of brevity, the right shoe is not shown or described, as it is simply a mirrored version of the left shoe.

(17) The article of footwear 1 is broadly characterised by a predominately leather upper 2 for covering at least a portion of the upper part of a wearer's foot 10, and a sole 3 for supporting the underside of the wearer's foot 10. The sole 3 and upper 2 interact to form an interference fit with the wearer's foot 10.

(18) As with other formal shoes, the upper 2 presents a substantially smooth external surface that is free of structures that may otherwise be used for fastening, such as eyelets and buckles, as well as other adornments.

(19) The sole 3 of the article of footwear 1 comprises a heel portion 4 at the rear of the shoe, an arch 31 between the rear and the front of the shoe, and a heel seat 30 surmounting the heel portion 4. The sole 3 of the article of footwear 1 may also comprise other features that are common in the art, for example an out-sole and a shank. The heel portion 4 is arranged to support a heel of a foot 10 of a wearer at a significantly elevated position relative to the toes of the foot 10 of the wearer, as is typical with high-heeled shoes.

(20) The article of footwear 1 further comprises a fastening means 5, having a flat strap 50 and a fastener 51, the fastener 51 being in the form of a buckle 51. As will be described in further detail below, in use, the fastening means 5 loops evenly over the dorsal region of the foot 10 of the wearer.

(21) The heel portion 4 also comprises a sleeve portion 6, a body 7, a core 8 and a heel tip 9. The sleeve portion 6 defines a single channel 20, running laterally through the body 7 of the heel portion 4, the channel 20 and sleeve portion 6 both being situated at the front of the heel portion 4, close to a transition between the heel portion 4 and an arch 31 of the article of footwear 1.

(22) The core 8 is partially embedded within the body 7, and takes the form of a steel riser which extends from a heel tip 9 to the heel seat 30 along a path that avoids the channel 20. The core 8 bends rearward at its upper end to avoid the channel 20, but predominantly extends in a roughly vertical orientation. The core 8 connects at its lower end to the heel tip 9 which is fixed to the core 8 via a screw 9a. Accordingly, the core 8 comprises, at its lower end a screw-thread to receive the screw 9a. The heel tip 9 is constructed from rubber, or another suitably resilient material.

(23) Referring to FIG. 2 which is a schematic overhead view of the article of footwear 1, the heel seat 30 defines an interface between the heel portion 4 and a region of an insole 30a on which the heel of a wearer of the article of footwear 1 may rest.

(24) Referring to FIGS. 3a, 3b and 4 which are rear views of the footwear 1, the heel portion 4 comprises a first surface 41 within which a first opening 21 is formed. The heel portion 4 further comprises a second surface 42 within which a second opening 22 is formed.

(25) FIGS. 3a and 3b are rear schematic views of the article of footwear 1, with FIG. 3a emphasising the structure of the channel 20, and FIG. 3b emphasising the structure of the core 8. However, it will be understood that these features are both present in the current embodiment, and their omission from either FIG. 3a or FIG. 3b is for visual clarity.

(26) As best illustrated in FIG. 3a, the channel 20 extends laterally across the width of the heel portion 4 of the footwear 1 between the first opening 21 and the second opening 22 uninterrupted by any other structures of the heel portion 4. However, the fastening means 5 extends through the channel 20 with a central portion 52 of the fastening means 5 being internal to and captured by the channel 20.

(27) Referring to FIG. 3b, the upper end of the core that bends rearward to avoid the channel 20 forms a Y-shaped branch region 8a of the core, with the trunk of the branch connecting to the broadly rod-shaped lower end of the core 8, and upper split ends of the branch 8b, 8c extending to the heel seat 30.

(28) The first and second surfaces 41, 42 are on opposed regions of the heel portion 4, and face outwardly from the heel portion 4, away from one another. Specifically, the first surface 41 is on the left side of the shoe, and substantially faces left, and the second surface is on the right side of the shoe, and substantially faces right.

(29) The first and second surfaces 41, 42, within which the openings 21, 22 are formed, are oriented slightly rearward and downward. However, they are predominantly laterally-facing such that the channel 20 that extends between the two surfaces 41, 42 can do so linearly, and in a lateral orientation that is level with the ground on which the article of footwear 1 rests. The openings 21, 22 are thus at substantially the same height from the ground. The channel 20 runs within the heel portion 4, underneath and across the bottom of the foot 10 of the wearer of the article of footwear 1. Furthermore, as shown, the openings 21, 22 and the channel 20 are situated significantly closer to the heel seat 30 of the article of footwear 1 than the ground.

(30) FIGS. 5a to 5e show the body 7 and the core 8 of the heel portion 4 in isolation. As can be seen, the Y-shaped branch region 8a of the core 8 is embedded within the body 7, whereas the broadly rod-shaped lower end of the core 8 protrudes from the body. Thus, the core 8 is partially embedded within the body 7. The body 7 is partially translucent, and so the embedded part of the body 7 is visible as a darkened region within the body 7. For example, FIG. 5c shows the upper split ends 8b, 8c of the branch 8a that extend almost to the surface of the heel seat 30 as two dark spots.

(31) Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5d, the body 7 defines a conduit 70 having first and second conduit apertures 71, 72 as will be described in more detail below. The first conduit aperture 71 corresponds to the first opening of the channel 21 and the second conduit aperture 72 corresponds to the second opening 22 of the channel 20. Around the mouth of each conduit aperture 71, 72, is a respective recess 71a, 72a formed in the surface of body 7 which provides a stepped lead-in to the conduit 70. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective lateral view of the rear of the article of footwear 1, the body 7 and core 8 being connected with the rest of the footwear 1, being covered with a leather material to match the upper 2 of the footwear 1, and also provided with the sleeve portion 6 which is inserted into the conduit 70 of the body 7 as will be described in greater detail below. The fastening means 5 is not shown in FIG. 6. The channel 20 of the heel portion 4 is defined primarily by internal walls 23 of the sleeve portion 6. Naturally, the sleeve portion 6 is hollow between its first and second open ends to allow the fastening means 5 to pass through it. Furthermore, the channel 20 has a bore profile that is substantially regular and smooth between the first and second openings 21, 22. The channel 20 and the sleeve portion 6 both have cross-sectional profiles that are tear-drop-shaped, with the point of the tear-drop facing down, and so tapering in the same direction as the heel.

(32) FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the sleeve portion 6 in isolation. The sleeve portion 6 comprises a stem 60 the ends of which terminate at a first flange 61 and a second flange 62 respectively. The length of the stem 60 of the sleeve portion 6 substantially matches the length of the conduit 70 of the body 7 of the heel portion 4. The walls of the stem 60 of the sleeve portion 6 extend in a broadly tubular arrangement between its first and second open ends so the first and second open ends of the sleeve portion 6 thereby respectively correspond to the first and second openings 21, 22 of the channel 20 when the sleeve portion 6 is fitted to the rest of the heel portion 4. The flanges 61, 62 are of a similar tear-drop shape to the channel 20, and extend circumferentially beyond the walls of the stem 60.

(33) The sleeve portion 6 is formed of two components, a first component 6a and a second component 6b, which are mirrored versions of one another. The first flange 61 comprises an inwardly-facing shoulder 61a, and an outwardly-facing region 61b. The second flange 62 comprises an inwardly-facing shoulder 62a and an outwardly-facing region 62b.

(34) Each of the respective outwardly-facing regions 61b, 62b of the first and second flanges 61, 62 are rounded to avoid sharp edges being presented on an external surface of the article of footwear 1, around the respective first and second openings 21, 22 of the channel 20. Thus, when the sleeve portion 6 is fitted to the body 7, each flange 61, 62 defines a mantle around the respective first and second opening 21, 22 of the channel 20.

(35) Each of the outwardly-facing regions 61b, 62b extend proud of the underlying main surface of the body 7 in the region of which the sleeve portion 6 is fitted. However, each flange 61, 62 locates into respective recesses 71a, 72a around the mouth of each respective conduit recess 71, 72 which are shaped in complement with the respective inwardly-facing shoulders 61a, 62a of the first and second flanges 61, 62.

(36) Thus, in general, the inwardly-facing shoulder 61a of the first flange 61 is shaped and oriented in complement with a respective outwardly-facing surface of the body 7 corresponding to the first surface 41, so that, when the sleeve portion 6 is fitted to the body 7, the first flange 61 is engaged with the body 7 and is substantially flush with it. Similarly, the inwardly-facing shoulder 62a of the second flange 62 is shaped and oriented in complement with a respective outwardly-facing surface of the body 7 corresponding to the second surface 42. As mentioned earlier, these surfaces 41, 42 face predominantly laterally, but with a slight inclination downward towards the ground, and also to the rear of the article of footwear 1.

(37) FIG. 8 is an overhead view of the sleeve portion 6 in isolation, the first and second components 6a, 6b of the sleeve portion 6 being shown separated, splitting the stem 60 into two parts. Moreover, the first component 6a comprises a first stem portion 60a, and the second component 6b comprises a second stem portion 60b.

(38) General manufacture of the article of footwear 1 of the first embodiment will now be described.

(39) The sleeve portion 6 is formed by casting it from brass, and then electroplating it with gold. Specifically, each component 6a, 6b is manufactured by casting the respective component 6a, 6b from an integral piece of brass, the casting performed using a silicon rubber mould. Each component 6a, 6b, is then electroplated with gold. The respective stem portions 60a, 60b of the two components 6a, 6b have substantially regular cross-sectional profiles, allowing their easy withdrawal from the casting mould.

(40) The body 7 of the heel portion is injection-moulded from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) around an upper part of the core 8. The conduit 70 of the body 7 results from the moulding process, and the regular internal cross-sectional profile of the conduit 70 allows withdrawing from the mould. The body 7 and protruding part of the core 8 are then covered with leather to match the upper 2 and then attached to the other parts of the sole 3, and the upper 2 in a manner conventional in the art. The heel tip 9 is attached to the core 8 via screw 9a.

(41) The sleeve portion 7 is inserted, via sliding insertion, into the conduit of the body 7, with the two components 6a, 6b of the sleeve portion 6 being inserted into respective conduit apertures 71, 72 of the body 7. Specifically, the first stem portion 60a of the first component 6a is slid into the first conduit aperture 71 of the conduit 70 of the body 7, and the second stem portion 60b of the second component 6a is slid into the second conduit aperture 72 of the conduit 70 of the body 7. Upon full insertion, the respective ends of the first and second stem portions 60a, 60b meet within the conduit 70 and the flanges 61, 62, which are too big to fit into the conduit 70, meet with their respective external laterally-facing surfaces of the body 7, as defined by respective recesses 71a, 72a. Prior to insertion, adhesive is applied to the meeting ends of the first and second stem portions 60a, 60b, and following insertion, the adhesive binds the two pieces of the sleeve portion 6 together.

(42) The internal cross-sectional profile of the conduit 70 and an external cross-sectional profile of the stem of the sleeve portion 6 inserted into the conduit 70 closely conform to one another so that the two halves of the sleeve portion 6 can be slid into the conduit 70, but are securely embedded within the conduit 70 via an interference fit. The interference fit augments the binding action of the adhesive.

(43) When construction of the heel portion 4 is complete, it is attached to the other parts of the sole 3, such as the shank and the outsole, and then the sole 3 is connected to the upper 2.

(44) The order in which the different parts of the article of footwear 1 are attached to one another can vary. For example, the body 7 can receive the sleeve portion 6 before or after attachment to the other parts of the sole 3 or upper 2. However, it is generally preferred that the step of covering the body 7 with a material such as leather is carried out before insertion of the sleeve portion 6, as the flanges 61, 62 of the sleeve portion 6 can cover imperfections in the material around the openings 21, 22, and moreover can clamp on to that material. In other words, the flanges 61, 62 can be used to mask a region of the heel portion for which it may be difficult to achieve a good finish.

(45) A similar process applies to the manufacture of the other article of the footwear pair.

(46) General use of the article of footwear 1 of the first embodiment will now be described.

(47) A wearer inserts their foot into the article of footwear 1, and can elect to wear it as a slip-on type, or a non-slip on type. Quick and easy conversion between the two types is possible, even when the article of footwear 1 is worn and so fully engaged with the foot, and moreover, such conversion can be easily performed by the same wearer of the article of footwear 1 as will now be described.

(48) In a non-slip-on configuration, the fastening means 5 is arranged to fasten the article of footwear 1 to the foot 10 of the wearer. The fastening means loops around the dorsal region of the foot 10 of the wearer of the footwear 1, and loops through the channel 20, with the central portion 52 of the fastening means 5 extending through and being captured by the channel 20.

(49) The buckle 51 can be releasably fastened in a conventional manner, by looping the end having the buckle 51 around to the other end at which the strap 50 has holes spaced at intervals along its length. This other end thereby effectively defines a fastening structure that complements the buckle 51 to allow releasable connection to make or break the loop, and moreover allows the effective length of the fastening means to be adjusted for comfortable engagement with the foot 10 of the wearer. Additionally, for comfort, the fastening means 5 is flat in the region that engages with the dorsal region of the wearer's foot. To facilitate correct orientation of the fastening means 5 with the dorsal region of the foot, such that the flatter part of the fastening means 5 is flush therewith, the fastening means 5 is able to pivot freely, without twisting or buckling, relative to the channel 20. To this end, the cross-sectional area of a central portion of the fastening means 5 that extends through the channel 20 is significantly smaller than the cross-sectional size of the bore of the channel 20. The linear path along which the channel 20 extends defines the pivot axis of the fastening means.

(50) For conversion to a slip-on type of footwear, the buckle 51 can be unfastened to break the loop, and the wearer can then unthread the fastening means 5 from the channel 20 by pulling on the buckle end, which is otherwise too large to pass through the channel 20. Thus, the rest of the strap 50 can be pulled through the channel 20. This can be achieved without removal of the footwear 1.

(51) A reverse operation of threading that end of the strap 50 through the channel is all that is required to convert the footwear 1 from a slip-on type back into a non-slip-on type. Again, this can be achieved without removal of the footwear 1. The smooth bore of the channel 60 allows a reverse operation of threading the fastening means 5 into the channel 20 to be carried out with ease. The end of the fastening means 5 that doesn't support the buckle 51 can be manually urged by the wearer through one of the first and second openings 21, 22. Doing so guides this end smoothly by the internal walls 23 so as to exit from the other of the first and second openings 22, 21, and thus is available for looping connection to the buckle 51 around the dorsal region of the foot 10 of the wearer.

(52) The strap 50 is constructed from leather, and has enough stiffness to be guided through the length of the channel 20. Additionally, there is relatively little friction between the strap 50 and the internal walls 23 surrounding the channel 20 which is plated with gold.

(53) Notably, the openings 21, 22 of the channel are situated external to the footwear 1, and so are accessible to the wearer of the footwear 1 for convenient threading or unthreading of the fastening means 5. Moreover, the channel 20 is oriented such that ends of a fastening means 5 that emerge from the channel 20 extend laterally away from one another and also from the foot 10 of the wearer. This makes it easier for a wearer to simply bend down and pick up these free ends with respective left and right hands, and then loop them about the dorsal region of the wearer's foot.

(54) A wearer can unfasten the fastening means 5 to remove the footwear 1 entirely, but the fastening means 5, via its central portion 52, can remain captured by the channel 20 and so does not easily part from the rest of the footwear 1. This reduces the chance of the fastening means 5 becoming lost.

(55) Furthermore, the tear-drop shape of the sleeve portion 6 is relatively elongate in the same orientation as the heel, thereby enabling the fastening means 5 to lie across the top of the shoe when not worn. Moreover, a bottom edge of the fastening means 5 is seated in the lower tip of the channel 20, and so the channel 20 frictionally engages the fastening means 5 when the fastening means 5 is unfastened. This reduces accidental lateral slippage through the channel, making it easier to put on the article of footwear 1 without the fastening means 5 unintentionally coming away from the channel 20. However, when the fastening means is looped over the dorsal region of the foot, it rides smoothly up the front curved part of the tear-drop-shaped channel 20, without twisting the fastening means, and so prevents the fastening means from encountering shear forces which may weaken it over time.

(56) FIG. 9 is a partial perspective underneath view of an article of footwear in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention. The key features of this second embodiment are identical to the first, and so, for brevity, are not repeated. However, the main difference is the material from which the upper 2 is constructed, and with which the body of the heel portion is covered. Rather than being leather, as in the first embodiment, the material is a suede fabric.

(57) Other alternatives to, and advantages of the above-described embodiments will be apparent to a person skilled in the art.

(58) For example, one of the advantages associated with the tear-drop-shaped cross-sectional profile of the channel 20 is that it provides a good trade-off between the bore size of the channel 20, and the strength of the heel portion 4. Conformity between the bore of the channel 20 and the surrounding structures minimise stress concentrations in any one particular part of those surrounding structures. However, channels of other cross-sectional profiles may be possible in alternatives. For example, the cross-sectional profile of the channel may be circular or oval in shape.

(59) Another advantage is associated with the use of brass as a material for the sleeve portion 6. This is a particularly cost-effective, easy-to-work, rigid and durable material that maintains its form despite frictional forces during insertion of the sleeve portion 6 into the body 7 during assembly, and also under the loading forces transmitted to it during wear of the article of footwear 1. It is also easy to clean. However, other such materials can be used instead. For example, a different metal can be used. A metal is generally preferred as this permits electroplating with an aesthetically-pleasing or otherwise precious or desirable material such as gold, platinum, silver and the like.

(60) The ease with which the fastening means 5 can be threaded and unthreaded from the channel 20 also facilitates customisation of the article of footwear 1. It is relatively straightforward to swap different types and styles of fastening means 5, for example, having different colours, materials, buckles and straps.

(61) Naturally, the fastening means 5 is not necessarily limited to a buckle 51 and strap 50. In alternatives, the fastening means may be of a different form. For example, the fastening means may comprise materials such as leathers, textiles, chains, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the fastening means may provide other means by which ends can be looped together, for example, cooperating hook-and-loop fasteners, snap-engaging poppers, buttons, press-studs, latches, clips, zips and the like. Whilst relatively flat structures, such as pads or bands, are preferred for comfort, other general shapes are possible for the region of the fastening means that engages with a wearer's foot.

(62) Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the scope of the appended claims.