Footwear

Abstract

An item of footwear comprising a sole, retention means adapted to assist in retaining the item of footwear on a foot, and conversion means adapted to allow conversion of the item of footwear between two or more styles of footwear.

1 . An item of footwear comprising a sole portion and an upper portion, the upper portion and the sole portion adapted for at least temporary connection to one another, the upper portion comprising a support element having at least a first surface and a second surface and wherein at least one of the first and second surfaces includes an upper of at least one style of footwear. 
     
     
         2 . The item of footwear according to  claim 1  wherein both first and second surfaces are provided with uppers. 
     
     
         3 . The item of footwear according to  claim 2  wherein the upper provided on the first surface is different to the upper provided on the second surface. 
     
     
         4 . The item of footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the first and second surfaces are located on opposite sides of the support element and are separated from one another by the thickness of the support element. 
     
     
         5 . The item of footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the sole portion is provided with connection means adapted to connect and retain the upper portion during use. 
     
     
         6 . The item of footwear according to  claim 5  wherein the sole portion is provided with one or more connection members extending at least partially along an outer periphery of the sole portion. 
     
     
         7 . The item of footwear according to  claim 6  wherein the one or more connection members comprise seals. 
     
     
         8 . The item of footwear according to  claim 2  wherein when one surface of the support element is facing upwards, the upper of the outer surface of the support element is housed within a recess in the sole portion. 
     
     
         9 . The item of footwear according to  claim 2  wherein the uppers are provided with conversion means adapted to allow conversion of the upper between two or more styles of footwear. 
     
     
         10 . The item of footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the upper portion is adapted for connection to two or more sole portions. 
     
     
         11 . An item of footwear comprising a sole, retention means adapted to assist in retaining the item of footwear on a foot, and conversion means adapted to allow conversion of the item of footwear between two or more styles of footwear. 
     
     
         12 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the conversion means are adapted for movement between a retracted position and an extended position. 
     
     
         13 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the conversion means comprises one or more panels. 
     
     
         14 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the conversion means comprises a plurality of panels. 
     
     
         15 . The item of footwear according to  claim 14  wherein the panels are formed from flexible material. 
     
     
         16 . The item of footwear according to  claim 13  wherein at least one of the panels may be moved between a retracted position and an extended position independently of the remaining panels. 
     
     
         17 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein when the conversion means are in the retracted position, the conversion means are stored in abutment with one or more of the retention means, an upper surface of the item of footwear or one or more sides of the item of footwear. 
     
     
         18 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the retention means are retained in place in an extended position and/or retracted position using attachment means. 
     
     
         19 . The item of footwear according to  claim 18  wherein the attachment means comprises one or more press-studs. hook and loop patches or strips, zips, ties or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the retention means is adapted to be located on a wearer's toes or a front portion of a wearer's foot. 
     
     
         21 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the retention means comprises one or more laces, buckles, ties, adhesives, straps or any combination thereof. 
     
     
         22 . The item of footwear according to  claim 21  wherein the retention means further comprises at least one post adapted for location between the wearer's toes. 
     
     
         23 . The item of footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the styles of footwear between which the item of footwear may be converted include a thong, a slipper, a sandal and a closed-in shoe.