Fastening system for shoes

Abstract

A footwear fastening system for fastening an item of footwear, said footwear fastening system comprising: a belt having a first end and second end, said belt locateable around at least a part of an upper portion of the item of footwear; anchoring means for anchoring the first end and the second end to opposite sides of a sole of the item of footwear; and clasping means for releasably fastening the belt.

1 . A footwear fastening system for fastening an item of footwear, said footwear fastening system comprising: 
 a belt having a first end and second end, said belt locateable around at least a part of an upper portion of the item of footwear;    anchoring means for anchoring the first end and the second end to opposite sides of a sole of the item of footwear; and    clasping means for releasably fastening the belt.    
     
     
         2 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt is resiliently deformable.  
     
     
         3 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt is elastomeric.  
     
     
         4 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the belt comprises at least a single strap.  
     
     
         5 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring means is at least one plate locateable in contact with one of the sides of the sole.  
     
     
         6 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 5 , wherein the anchoring means may include at least one tongue insertable between the sole and a foot supporting surface of the item of footwear.  
     
     
         7 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 5 , wherein the anchoring means comprises two plates, each locateable in operative engagement with respective opposite sides of the item of footwear.  
     
     
         8 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 7 , wherein the two plates are connected by an intermediate flap.  
     
     
         9 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 7 , wherein each plate is continuous with at least one flap locateable in connection with the sole.  
     
     
         10 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring means anchors the first and second ends to opposite sides of a sole of the item of footwear.  
     
     
         11 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the anchoring means includes a portion of the side of a conventional item of footwear.  
     
     
         12 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the clasping means is a clip.  
     
     
         13 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 12 , wherein the clip comprises two inter-engageable components.  
     
     
         14 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 13 , wherein the inter-engageable portions are at least one hook and at least one slot.  
     
     
         15 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one hook is attached to a latch plate.  
     
     
         16 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 14 , wherein at least one slot is located on a lace plate.  
     
     
         17 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the clasping means includes adjustment means for adjusting the tension of the belt.  
     
     
         18 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment means is at least two spaced alternative slots for receiving at least one hook.  
     
     
         19 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 17 , wherein the adjustment means may be at least two spaced hooks for engaging at least one slot.  
     
     
         20 . The footwear fastening system of  claim 1 , wherein the footwear fastening system is incorporated into a shoe.  
     
     
         21 . An adjustable clasping means for fastening footwear, said adjustable clasping means comprising at least one clip formed by at least two inter-engageable components, wherein one of the inter-engageable parts is duplicated and spaced from a first one of those components, thereby providing an alternative fastening position.  
     
     
         22 . The adjustable clasping means of  claim 21 , wherein the adjustable clasping means comprises a plurality of such duplicated components.