DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a shoe 10 featuring a fastening system of the present invention. The fastening system comprises a belt 11 which, in this case, consists of a plurality of straps 13, 14 and 15 connected to a common end 16 which supports a hook 17. The hook 17 comprises a base plate 18 and projecting L section 19. The straps 13, 14 and 15 are preferably made of a resiliently deformable material such as TPU, nylon, rubber or any suitable material which provides a tensioned elasticity when the belt is in securing operation.

[0025] A portion of the anchoring means of the invention is visible in the form of a latch plate 20 preferably formed of rigid material. The latch plate 20 has a series of slots 21 in tongue 22. The slots 21 are dimensioned to receive the L section 19 of the hook 17 and together form inter-engageable parts of a clip and therefore clasping means. In this view, the clasping means is adjustable as the L section 19 may be located alternatively in any one of the slots 21 as appropriate to a user. The slots 21 form spaced alternate receptacles for the hook 17. It is clear that, as an additional or alternative structure, a series of hooks may be located on tongue 22 with a single or multiple recesses on the belt 11 so that adjustment may be made via the choice of alternate hooks.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows the opposite perspective of the shoe 10 of FIG. 1. Belt 11 is formed in part by straps 13, 14 and 15 which join in a common second end 23 which, in turn, is attached to lace plate 24. Lace plate 24 is preferably made of a rigid material and forms part of the anchoring means for attaching the belt 11 to the shoe 10.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows the shoe of FIG. I when the belt 11 is locked into operating position. The hook 17 (which is not visible in this view) is inserted into one of the slots 21 and the straps 13, 14 and 15 locate around the upper portion 25 of the shoe 10, thereby fastening the shoe to the foot of a user. It is clear that the user may select one of the slots that is most appropriate to his or her foot. The user can also vary the tension in the straps 13, 14 and 15 by selecting alternate slots. The invention shows a fast and efficient way of fastening a shoe to a user's foot as well as providing a variable range of tensions in the act of fastening. The tension will be maintained relatively statically throughout use, thereby providing an advantage over lace systems, in particular, which may loosen or stretch during use or redistribute the tension along an eyelet line.

[0028] In FIG. 4, the belt 11 is clearly shown as substantially encompassing the upper portion 25 of the shoe 10. This provides great support to the foot of a user unlike conventional lacing or clip systems which are restricted in operation to an area around the upper central lace opening of a shoe. In this view, it is clear that the anchor means comprises latch plate 20 and lace plate 24. Both the latch plate 20 and lace plate 24 have respective flaps 26 and 27 which are located between the sole 28 and a foot supporting surface 29 of the shoe 10 and may be a continuation of the upper portion 25. The effect of these flaps 26 and 27 is to bind the anchoring system into close engagement with the sole 28 and thereby provide a virtually continuous support mechanism around the whole of the foot when the clasping means is locked as shown. It is clear to a skilled addressee that the anchoring means may comprise a continuous piece of material or flap between the lace plate 24 and the latch plate 20, thereby providing even more circumferential support. In this view, the L section 19 of the hook 17 is shown inserted into one of the slots 21. First common end 16 may include a grasping flap 30 to facilitate use. Second common end 23 is shown locked to a post 31 on the lace plate 24.

[0029] The adjustable clasping means may be used with a conventional pair of shoes and attached to the webbing of those shoes. In such a case, tongue 22 may be stitched or glued to the side of a shoe upper while a shortened belt section may be stitched or glued to the opposite side of the shoe upper, thereby providing a fastening system with an anchoring means formed by attachment to the sides of a shoe.

[0030] The inter-engageable portion of the location means may be dispersed to engage in or near the mid line of the shoe.

[0031] FIG. 5 shows a further embodiment of a fastening system for footwear. Like numerals have been used to describe like components. In this embodiment of the invention, a series of hooks 17 are located on tongue 22 with multiple slots 21 on the belt 11. Adjustment may be made by choosing alternate slots 21 for placement of hooks 17.

[0032] Distinct advantages are provided by the above invention in that a circumferential support and tensioning effect is provided around the whole of the upper foot and, in the preferred embodiment, around the lower foot as well. The tensioning is even throughout and is easily adjustable. Further, the clip engagement is positive and is highly unlikely to release or loosen during operation. The system also allows differential adjustment between opposite feet.

[0033] Throughout the specification, the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention.