WO1998034508A1

WO1998034508A1 - Ankle support

Info

Publication number: WO1998034508A1
Application number: PCT/AU1998/000064
Authority: WO
Inventors: David John Miers
Original assignee: David John Miers
Priority date: 1997-02-06
Filing date: 1998-02-06
Publication date: 1998-08-13
Also published as: AUPO497897A0

Abstract

An ankle support assembly adapted, in use to be associated with or co-operable with a shoe or the like article of footwear, said assembly including: a first portion or ankle band adapted to be disposed around the ankle of the wearer, including a portion thereof covering the knuckle of the ankle (13); a second portion or shin band (11) adapted to pass around or be disposed around the front of the shin of the wearer; a third portion or achilles band (12) adapted to extend around both the achilles tendon and the ankle of the wearer; and means for attaching said overall assembly to a shoe or the like article of footwear.

Description

ANKLE SUPPORT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates, in general terms, to improvements in articles of apparel. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an improved article of footwear for use in the playing of, and for participation in, sporting and the like recreations. In actual fact, however, in real terms the improved article of footwear in accordance with the present invention lends itself readily to use in any context, even normal day-to-day usage.

The improved article of footwear in accordance with the present invention is especially suitable or designed for usage by people participating in the playing of games such as football, be it Australian Rules Football, soccer, rugby (either League or Union) or whatever. Indeed, throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, intended for such usage. It should be realised, however, that the article of footwear in accordance with the present invention lends itself to usage in any context wherein some form of support is required for the ankle of the wearer, in order to protect that ankle against the rigours and stresses associated with the relevant pastime. Under no circumstances, therefore, should the arrangement in accordance with the present invention be considered to be limited to any specific embodiment or context of usage hereinafter described in detail. For ease of explanation, however, hereinafter reference will be particularly made to an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, involving or associated with a football boot or the like. Throughout the ensuing description and claims, for ease of explanation the wording "sports shoe" will be employed. Such terminology is intended to refer to any form of footwear, being intended for usage in the playing of sports of any type, or for purely recreational purposes, or day-to-day usage purposes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Over the years there have been significant developments insofar as sports shoes and the like equipment are concerned, such developments generally involving improvements intended to overcome problems and disadvantages evident in, or perhaps attributable to the usage of, previously existing articles of footwear. What might be termed a standard sports shoe, embracing as it does merely the foot of the wearer, has been found for some users, and in some contexts, to exhibit significant advantages, in terms of parameters such as flexibility of movement and overall lightness, in turn being responsible for or allowing for easy and uninhibited movement. On the other hand, however, such prior-art standard sports shoes have almost invariably encountered criticism by reason of the fact that they have provided inadequate support for the ankle of the wearer. Indeed such lack of adequate ankle support has been alleged to be, and more often than not has been found to be, a significant factor contributing to the incidence of ankle injuries of various types for the wearers of such sports shoes.

In an especially preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a means, associated with a shoe (sports shoe) of any given type, which acts to either prevent the incidence or onset of ankle roll, or alternatively protect a once-damaged ankle against a recurrence of such an injury. In that regard past experience has revealed that, with sports shoes of the type commonly and currently in use, there almost invariably exists a tendency for the wearer, under certain conditions of use, to what is termed "roll" the ankle, giving rise to possible ligament damage, breakage of bones, etc.

Whilst the prevention of what is termed ankle roll need not always be an athlete's immediate priority, from time to time the prevention of such ankle roll, or perhaps more often the prevention of recurrence thereof, can become a major objective of most sports participants. In a practical sense ankle roll not only gives rise to possible ligament damage and other injuries, but ultimately can affect the athlete's stability, state of mind and overall performance.

With a view to reducing the likelihood of onset or recurrence of ankle and related injuries, over the years a number of different arrangements have been employed, invariably with little, or at best limited, success. A first variation from the aforementioned standard sports shoe involved the usage of what might be termed high-cut shoes or boots, being an arrangement wherein the upper of the shoe in fact extended up and over, and indeed surrounded, the ankle of the wearer. Whilst such a configuration was found to afford a degree of additional support for the ankle, athletes/wearers have generally considered such shoes to be overly bulky and, in some instances, to in fact inhibit proper flexing of the foot, thereby imposing an unwanted restriction on the wearer. In practical terms it has also been determined that high-cut shoes of that general type did not in fact afford adequate support. A second alternative currently in vogue involves the application of tape or the like around the ankle and foot of the wearer. Provided that such tape happens to be properly applied so as to perform its function (to support the ankle and overall foot) for the entire duration of the relevant activity, such an alternative has been found to provide at least adequate support for the ankle and to perhaps reduce the overall likelihood of injury. When one takes into consideration the fact that the aforementioned high-cut type shoes were found to be responsible for inhibition of flexing of the foot of the wearer, then the usage of this taping alternative has been extremely popular as a means of preventing, or more correctly minimising, the incidence of unwanted ankle injuries. In a more practical vein, however, it has been found to be somewhat of a hassle for the wearer to both apply and remove the appropriate tape or taping. Indeed, if the tape or taping is not properly applied, then arguably it can do more harm than good. For well-credentialled and affluent sports persons or professional sporting organisations, such as for example football clubs and the like, there can be expected to be on hand skilled people experienced and adept in the correct application of the tape or the like. In the majority of situations, however, and perhaps nowhere more so than with amateur organisations and private individuals, almost invariably there is no ready access to the expertise needed for the correct application of taping or the like. Furthermore, it has been found that whilst well- applied tape or taping can provide adequate support, in terms of both physical and psychological factors such tape or taping can still be restrictive and inhibit overall flexibility of the foot of the wearer. A third alternative previously employed (and arguably still in use) involves the use of what are termed ankle braces, adapted to be inserted into an existing sports shoe or the like. Such braces have been found, however, to be unduly weighty. Furthermore, such braces have been found by their very nature to be designed to be multi-functional and therefore not to cater for the differing requirements of different sports people.

The present invention therefore seeks to overcome the problems and disadvantages associated with the prior art by providing an article of footwear which affords improved support for the ankle of the wearer, yet in no way inhibits overall flexibility of the foot of such wearer. The present arrangement provides the wearer with the equivalent of the degree of ankle support and protection afforded by the prior-art ankle braces, preventing ankle roll or over- extension of the ligaments of the wearer (in sideways movement), without in any way restricting the flexing of the foot in a straight line. With the arrangement in accordance with the present invention there is no restriction whatsoever on the power or force able to be applied in the actions of walking, jogging, running and/or jumping. In a practical sense a restrictive force will only be encountered or come into play where there exists an undue risk to the ankle of the wearer, as for example due to over-extension of ligaments or the like which could be expected to occur in a sideways movement.

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, therefore, there is provided an ankle support assembly, adapted in use to be co-operable with a shoe or the like article of footwear, said ankle support assembly including means adapted, in use, to embrace the ankle of the user, or disposed around the ankle of the user, means for fixing said embracing means in position relative to the ankle of the user, and means for attaching said ankle support assembly to said shoe. Preferably the ankle support assembly will be attached to the upper of the shoe. In real terms, however the assembly may be attached to any part of the shoe, as for example, the sole.

In accordance with yet a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a sports shoe including an upper and an ankle support assembly of the type referred to in the preceding paragraph.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be more clearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail preferred embodiments of the arrangement in accordance with the invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view, from the medial side, of a first embodiment of a sports shoe and associated ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a view, from the lateral side, of the embodiment of

Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a front view of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ; Fig. 4 is a view, again from the lateral side, of a further embodiment of a sports shoe and associated ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention, in its expanded or not-in- use condition;

Fig. 5 is a view, from the lateral side, of the embodiment of Fig. 4 in place on the leg of a wearer/user; Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a view of a further embodiment of an ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention, adapted to be in use removably attached to a sports shoe;

Figs. 8, 9 and 10 are views of preferred embodiments of means for attaching an ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention to a sports shoe, in the form of co-operating male and female members adapted to be attached to, or associated with, respectively, the sports shoe and ankle support assembly;

Fig. 1 1 is an exploded view of a preferred embodiment of a combination sports shoe/ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention, illustrating a preferred means of connecting the ankle support assembly to the sports shoe; and

Figs. 12 and 13 are rear views of the leg and foot of an athlete illustrating, schematically, what happens to the ankle when ankle roll over occurs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As a first matter, and for purposes of explanation, reference is made to Figs. 12 and 13. When viewed from in front (or behind) the leg of an individual, such leg is angled substantially normally to the plane of the sole of the foot. When the leg or ankle is "rolled" laterally, as illustrated in Fig. 13, then that angle between the plane of the sole of the foot and the leg increases to a value sometimes well in excess of 90°. When the mechanical levers (or equivalent thereof) constituted by the leg and foot are at an angle in excess of 90° relative one to the other, then the intervening joint - which in fact is the ankle/ankle knuckle - is subjected to significant stress, such that ligaments attached thereto and/or associated therewith can be expected to be extended beyond acceptable limits, perhaps unduly so, giving rise to a tendency for the ankle to "roll", in turn increasing the chances of the individual sustaining an injury.

As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, for example, a preferred arrangement in accordance with the present invention involves a sports shoe, preferably in the form of a football boot or the like, including an upper (1 ) and a sole (2), adapted to be interconnected in any known way, as for example by stitching, glueing or the like. The sole (2) furthermore includes means allowing for attachment thereto or association therewith, again in any known way, of a plurality of ground-engaging members of the like, as for example studs of the type commonly in use. In an especially preferred embodiment the studs (3) may be removably connectable to the sole (2) and its associated upper (1 ), but in an alternative embodiment the sole (2) and associated studs (3) may be moulded or formed integrally in a single operation. It should be realised, however, that whether the sports shoe actually employs or utilises studs (3), or indeed such studs (3) are removable from or integral with the sole (2), constitutes no part of the present invention. The arrangement in accordance with the present invention, as illustrated, includes a means adapted to be associated with the sports shoe so as to be, in use, disposed around and whereby to embrace the ankle of the wearer. Such means can be adapted to be either permanently attached, or removably attached, to the upper (1 ) of the sports shoe. In that regard it must be understood that, dependent upon the context of usage for the sports shoe, the potential for damaging ankle-roll can vary, from there being an extremely high probability of such ankle roll to a situation wherein the possibility thereof is minimal, if not actually non-existent. In other words, therefore, the situation or context of usage may sometimes arise wherein protection against the incidence or recurrence of ankle roll is largely unnecessary. Preferably, therefore, rather than being permanently affixed to the sports shoe an ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention is adapted to be releasably attachable thereto. In actual fact, more preferably an ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention may be manufactured and marketed separately from the sports shoe itself, giving the purchaser the option of either going without such assembly or utilising the assembly only when and as needed.

In the embodiment illustrated, for example in Figs. 1 and 2, the anklet 4 is of such a shape as to not extend, in use, all the way around the ankle of the wearer. The gap or discontinuity (5) provided, as shown more clearly in Fig. 2, assists in affording increased flexibility to the overall configuration. This is in marked contrast to standard sports shoes which, if they have any ankle protection at all, involve an arrangement which serves to extend around the entire foot of the wearer, rather than having sections missing as shown in Fig. 2. With the present applicants arrangement, in the especially preferred embodiment illustrated in Figs. 1 to 3, the cut-away or gap (5) does not cover, and in fact exposes, the achilles tendon area of the foot of the wearer. In a practical situation, when the wearer or athlete seeks to accelerate the achilles tendon has been found to stretch substantially such that the distance between the heel and points on the back of the leg change significantly. If a non-stretching material, such as a standard shoe material such as leather for example, is connected from the heel to the aforementioned points on the back of the leg above the ankle knuckle, then the heel itself will pull the shoe material down or alternatively there will be restriction of actual movement altogether.

In accordance with yet a further preferred feature of the present invention yet another portion or section of the foot of the wearer of the sports shoe, more particularly on the top of the foot where it joins the leg, is also not covered or enclosed by or with material. Experimentation has shown that excess material in such a location only serves to get in the way when the foot flexes, restricting how far the foot and ankle can bend. The injury prevention capabilities of the arrangement in accordance with the present invention, as shown in Figs. 1 to 7, emanate from the fact that the anklet (4) can remain in substantially the same position on the leg of the wearer as the achilles tendon stretches. This means that the anklet (4) can act as a stable base. It has also been found that the shoe itself will act as a stable base. A standard sports shoe is designed to attach well to the foot and not to twist. As illustrated in the drawings there is a cross-over of straps (7), this giving rise to a situation wherein the strap (7) from one side can be used to "lock in" the strap (7) from the other side, forming a "cross" at the front of the foot as illustrated more clearly, for example, in Figs. 1 and 3.

The main ligaments to protect are what might be termed the lateral ligamentous complex on the outside of the foot. The connecting apparatus between anklet (4) and shoe upper (1 ) on the lateral side of the arrangement in accordance with the present invention has been found to support these ligaments or ligamentous complex and to limit the extent to which they can be stretched. In the arrangement in accordance with the present invention the shoe upper (1 ) is effectively connected to the anklet (4) on each side by two means. Firstly it is itself attached to the anklet (4) on each side of the ankle of the wearer by means of sections (6). Secondly it is adapted to be attached to the opposed or opposite sides of the ankle by means of a connectable strap (7). In the especially preferred embodiment illustrated two such straps (7) are involved, but it should be noted that even a single strap (7) will function adequately. Preferably the or each strap (7) will be made of a material such as Velcro (Trade Mark) adapted, in use, to be affixed to or co-operate with an equivalent material provided on the anklet (4).

With reference again to the drawings, and in particular to Figs. 4 and 5, an especially preferred embodiment of an ankle support assembly (10) in accordance with the present invention includes a shin band portion (1 1 ), adapted in use to go around the front of the shin of the wearer, an achilles band portion (12) which is adapted, in use, to go around the ankle of the wearer and extend around the achilles tendon, and a knuckle cover portion (13) adapted, in use, to extend over and embrace the ankle knuckle joint, said knuckle cover portion (13) having associated therewith means (14) allowing for attachment, fixedly or releasably, to a sports shoe or the like, and more particularly to the upper (1 ) thereof. In an especially preferred embodiment the overall ankle support assembly (10) will be of a unitary construction, made up of one and the same material in a single operation. In an alternative embodiment, however, the shin band portion (1 1 ), achilles band portion (12) and knuckle cover portion (13) can be formed separately and interconnected in any known manner. In the preferred embodiment illustrated the overall ankle support assembly (10) will be constructed of a suitable non- stretching material. In an alternative embodiment, however, a composite or layer of materials may be employed in the construction of the overall assembly (10) and/or the individual components or portions (1 1 ), (12) and (13) thereof.

The overall assembly (10) may be attached, in any known manner, to a shoe upper (1 ) at at least one side, and preferably two sides, thereof. In one preferred embodiment the assembly (10) may be releasably connectable to a shoe upper (1 ), as for example through the co-operation of Velcro (Trade Mark) strips (not shown) appropriately disposed externally on the shoe upper (1 ) and internally on the support assembly, or more correctly the knuckle cover portion ( 1 3) thereof. Such an arrangement will allow for ready removal of the support assembly (10) from the shoe when not desired, or alternatively ready attachment of the support assembly (10) to the shoe as and when desired, thereby affording a sports shoe in accordance with the present invention greater flexibility in use.

In an alternative embodiment, as shown for example in Fig . 4, an ankle support assembly (10) in accordance with the present invention may be fixedly and non-removably connected to the shoe, preferably to the shoe upper (1 ) . One means of achieving such fixed and non-removable connection may be by stitching, a practice commonly employed in the shoe trade. In an alternative the ankle support assembly (10) may be affixed in position at the appropriate place on the shoe upper (1 ) by means of a suitable adhesive. In yet a further alternative the support assembly (14) and associated shoe upper (1 ) may be constructed/constituted by an integral member adapted to be appropriately affixed (again in any known means) to a shoe sole (2) .

Preferably, the shoe and associated ankle support assembly (10) will be constructed of one and the same material, as for example leather.

The arrangement in accordance with the present invention is responsible for enhanced improvement in the degree of ankle protection afforded the wearer. In both psychological and physiological terms, this gives the wearer more confidence that his (her) ankles will withstand any undue stresses imparted thereto, whilst at the same time not losing any flexibility of movement. A significant improvement in performance can therefor be expected. In a practical sense, the ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention functions by reason of the fact that it limits the distance - as measured on the skin over the ankle knuckle of the wearer - between the sole of the foot and the leg. In that regard it should be understood that, when a person happens to "roll" an ankle, the aforementioned distance increases. Physiologically the ankle ligaments function to limit the extent of such increase but, in doing so, such ligaments can be subjected to or placed under extreme pressure, with the result that the ligaments can often either break/rupture or tear. The ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention acts to restrict the extent of stretching of the ankle ligaments, with the anklet or ankle support assembly absorbing the forces imparted to the ankle during the relevant movement, rather than the ligaments. The ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention surrounds and embraces either the whole of or a significant part of the circumference of the ankle of the wearer above the ankle knuckle. In the result the ankle support assembly remains in, to all intents and purposes, the same relative position on the leg of the wearer as the achilles tendon is stretched during the relevant movement, thus providing or acting as a stable base. In other words the ankle support assembly act to support the ankle ligaments on the outside of the foot and to set a mathematically definable limit on the extent to which such ligaments may be stretched. By setting such a limit the likelihood of damage to the ankle is significantly reduced, if not removed altogether.

It should also be realised that the ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention is so constructed that it does to no great extent restrict flexing of the foot of the wearer in a straight line, nor restrict the power to be applied in the actions of running, jogging, jumping, or whatever.

The ankle support assembly in accordance with the present invention, by its very nature, is readily and easily adjustable, thereby allowing it to be tailored to an individual's physique and/or their needs at any particular point in time, or for participation in any particular sport, pastime or activity.

Turning now to Figs. 7 to 1 1 inclusive, there is illustrated therein another preferred means for releasably attaching an ankle support assembly (10) in accordance with the present invention to a shoe, in particular a shoe upper (1 ). Such relies on inter-action between mating and substantially complementary shaped male and female members (20) and (30) adapted to be affixed (releasably or otherwise) to respective ones of the shoe upper (1 ) and the support assembly (10). In the embodiment of Figs. 7 and 1 1 , for example, the male member (20) is attached to the shoe upper (1 ). The female member (30) may then be attached - releasably in any known manner or permanently as for example by stitching or glueing - to the portion (13) of the support assembly (10). Preferably the male member (20) takes the form of a length of suitable material, as for example a plastics material, having the topmost free-end portion thereof of an arrow-head or the like shape (21 ), whilst the female member (30) is in the form of a plastics material component having a slot or aperture (31 ) therein of a shape complementary to the arrow-head portion (21 ) of the male member (20). The male member (20) has a v-shaped cut- out (22) immediately below the bottom edge of the arrow-head portion (21 ).

The female member (30), as shown in Figs. 8 and 10, may include a length of hard plastics material almost exactly equal to the length of the male member (20), thickened along the whole of its length at the bottom as at (32). In the thickened section (32) a hollow could be cut out in the shape of an arrow-head fractionally larger than the arrow-head shape of the male member (20) and the entire length at the bottom edge could be cut, except for a narrow neck portion (33) at the forward end thereof.

The embodiment as illustrated would then be operated by sliding the hollowed-out rear end of the female portion (30) on to the forward end of the male portion (20) (the v-shaped cut-out would allow this to be done easily) and then sliding them together along their whole length until they are completely matched. The male and female portions (20) and (30) would thus be locked together, and the neck at the forward end of the female portion (30) would prevent the two parts from separating under pressure.

The slide-on components need to be made of a material which is tough enough to withstand the pressures applied during turning by heavy large wearers. There are many tough, relatively hard plastics suitable for this purpose. Other appropriate materials could also be used.

The part of the slide-on device that is connected to the shoe should preferably be as small as possible so as not to interfere with the aesthetics or function of the shoe. It should be understood that, in the preceding paragraphs, merely one preferred means of removably securing the ankle support assembly to a shoe is described. In a practical sense, however, a variety of different methods and means present themselves, including inter-acting sliding, gripping, screw-in, click-on or together, adhering, etc., joining devices.

The ankle bands - the shin and achilles band portions (1 1 ) and (12) - when joined have non-stretching material in the shape of the wrap of the skin around the leg in the area above the ankle knuckle (at the thickness of the ankle bands). This can be done in a variety of ways with various lengths of band portions and various overlaps. Preferably the ankle bands are attached to the knuckle cover portion (13) at a distance from the edge of the plane of the sole which is less than the distance from the ankle band to the edge of the sole plane when the ankle is "rolled" minus the stretch due to any elasticity in the anklet and the shoe and also minus the change in distance from the medial side of the anklet to the edge of the sole due to the compression of the footwear components and body parts under the pressure of rolling of the ankle. The knuckle cover portion (13) preferably is joined to the ankle bands and shoe so that it is positioned to cover the ankle knuckle when the ankle is rolled and when the leg is at angles in the range of, preferably, from 10 to 25 degrees to the normal to the sole plane. Preferably the knuckle cover portion (13) is of a length such that, when the ankle is rolled, the knuckle cover portion (13) becomes, and remains, tense or extended or stretched down a line roughly parallel to the line of the leg. The achieving of the coverage of the knuckle when the ankle is rolled can be done by the knuckle cover portion (13) being sufficiently wide at the knuckle area so that the knuckle is covered at all positions of the leg relative to the foot during a running action. Alternatively, it can be achieved by a moving knuckle cover portion that moves when the leg moves and maintains its cover of the knuckle. Such mechanisms can be joined at the top, bottom or middle of the knuckle cover portion and can slide, pivot or rotate. The knuckle cover portion (13) is non- stretching but bendable/flexible so that it can flex when necessary with any running movement.

In accordance with an especially preferred embodiment the ankle support assembly is functionally only attached on one side of the shoe via the knuckle cover means which, preferably, is adapted to extend over the lateral (outer) side of the ankle itself. In such a configuration there is, to all practical purposes, no "non-stretching" (as hereinafter defined) type material connected between the shoe itself and the overall ankle support assembly at either the front or back of the ankle. The other, internal or medial side may - if desired - be anchored with a non-stretch type material or, in yet a further alternative, the overall assembly may be attached to the shoe at at least one point with a suitable "stretch" type material. Optionally, however, the ankle support assembly is detachable, with the structure being such that the knuckle cover portion is attached (located) in effect below the level of the ankle of the wearer. "Non-stretching" type material, of the type referred to earlier, has an elasticity equal to or less than leather. In that regard it should be understood that the elasticity of a component is intended to mean the resultant elasticity of all materials together as employed in the active part of that component.

Finally it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

Claims

1 . An ankle support assembly, adapted in use to be cooperate with a shoe or the like article of footwear, said ankle support assembly including: means adapted, in use, to embrace the leg of the user around the ankle, or to be disposed around the leg and ankle of the user; means for affixing said embracing means in position relative to the ankle of the user; and means for attaching said ankle support assembly to said shoe or the like article of footwear.

2. An ankle support assembly including an ankle embracing means adapted, in use, to be co-operable with a shoe of the like article of footwear, said ankle embracing means including a first means adapted to be disposed around the ankle of the wearer and means for fixing said first means in position relative to both said ankle of the wearer and said shoe or the like article of footwear.

3. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said ankle embracing means is adapted to be releasably affixed to said shoe or the like article of footwear.

4. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said ankle embracing means is fixedly and non- releasably secured to said shoe or the like article of footwear.

5. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein said assembly is adapted to be attached to an upper of said shoe or the like article of footwear.

6. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein said ankle embracing means is secured to said shoe or the like article of footwear by stitching, adhesive means or the like.

7. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein said ankle embracing means is releasably secured to said shoe or the like article of footwear by co-operating means on said ankle embracing means and said shoe respectively.

8. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said cooperating means includes at least one strap or the like adapted, in use, to extend from a first side of said ankle embracing means and to be releasably secured to the other side of said ankle embracing means.

9. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said at least one strap includes Velcro or the like material thereon adapted, in use, to co-operate with similar material on said ankle embracing means.

10. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, including two straps, attached to opposed sides of said ankle embracing means, both straps being adapted to pass over the instep of the wearer in overlapping relationship and to be releasably secured to the respective other side of said ankle embracing means.

1 1 . The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, made of a lightweight and flexible material.

12. The ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 1 1 , constructed of leather or the like material.

13. An ankle support assembly adapted, in use, to be associated with or co-operable with a shoe or the like article of footwear, said assembly including: a first portion or ankle band adapted to be disposed around the ankle of the wearer, including a portion thereof covering the knuckle of the ankle; a second portion or shin band adapted to pass around or be disposed around the front of the shin of the wearer; a third portion or achilles band adapted to extend around both the achilles tendon and the ankle of the wearer; and means for attaching said overall assembly to a shoe or the like article of footwear.

14. The assembly as claimed in claim 13, wherein said assembly is attached to said shoe only on one side thereof, preferably the lateral side.

15. The assembly as claimed in claim 14, constructed principally from a non-stretching or substantially non-elastic material.

16. A sports shoe, including an upper, a sole and an ankle support assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2.

17. The sports shoe as claimed in claim 16, wherein said upper and associated ankle support assembly are each made of the same material and are formed as an integral unit or assembly.

18. The sports shoe as claimed in claim 16 or claim 17, wherein said ankle support assembly is connected to said shoe upper at each side thereof

19. The sports shoe as claimed in claim 16 or 17, wherein said ankle support assembly is connected to said sole, at at least one side thereof.