BOOT AND BOOT FITTING SYSTEM

Abstract

A waterproof boot is provided that has a waterproof upper, having a foot portion, a leg portion and an ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion. A pocket is provided in the upper at an anterior aspect of the ankle region. An expansion mechanism is provided in the upper and is adapted to allow the upper to expand in the ankle region. A selectively removable insert is also provided that is adapted to snugly fit within the pocket.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to footwear, and more particularly to a waterproof boot and boot fitting system intended to provide improved support and fit for a wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Waterproof industrial rubber safety boots exist in various forms. Typically, a rubber boot has a waterproof, moulded upper with a wide leg opening, a wide leg portion and excess width across the anterior aspect of the ankle, all to allow for easy removal of the upper from the mould during manufacture and to allow a wearer's foot to be easily inserted.

The excess width, particularly across the anterior aspect of the ankle, causes the foot to slip up and down in the boot, resulting in excessive foot motion and instability. More particularly, the heel of the wearer's foot slips and moves in the boot with each step taken. This excessive foot motion forces the wearer's extrinsic and intrinsic foot and leg muscles to “overwork” in order to maintain stability and balance.

One complication with fitting a waterproof boot for different wearers is that the dimensions of one person's ankle can differ considerably to that of the next even between two people with the same foot size. If the ankle region of the boot is a fixed size for a given foot size, then the boot may be too tight to fit a wearer with large ankles and yet too loose fitting for a wearer with small ankles.

Moreover, typical waterproof industrial safety boots are heavy due to having a steel toe cap. However, due to the increased weight and poor fit of such boots there is an increased probability of the wearer slipping and falling, as well as blisters and other foot, leg, and lower back problems.

The width of the upper opening of typical waterproof boots further allows for liquids, foreign bodies etc. to enter the boot through the leg opening, causing discomfort to the wearer. Foreign bodies entering the boot through the leg opening is also a safety hazard.

A need therefore exists for a close fitting waterproof industrial safety boot which combines optimum safety protection and function, while not inhibiting the wearer's gait, and with increased wearer comfort.

Accordingly, it would be useful to provide a boot that avoids or ameliorates any of the disadvantages present in the prior art, or which provides another alternative to the prior art approaches.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to substantially overcome or at least ameliorate one or more of the above disadvantages, or to provide a useful alternative.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a waterproof boot comprising:

• • a waterproof upper, having a foot portion, a leg portion and an ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion;
  • a pocket provided in the upper at an anterior aspect of the ankle region;
  • an expansion mechanism provided in the upper, the expansion mechanism being spaced from the pocket and adapted to allow the internal circumference of the upper to expand in the ankle region;
  • a selectively removable insert adapted to snugly fit within the pocket.

Preferably, the expansion mechanism is a zip mechanism. Alternatively, the expansion mechanism is a section of stretchable but resilient material.

Preferably, the pocket has an aperture through an interior lining of the boot providing access for the insert to be inserted into, and removed from, the pocket. Alternatively, the pocket is accessible via an external aperture in the upper, the aperture having a waterproof zip mechanism to allow opening and closing of the aperture.

In a preferred embodiment, the insert tapers away in cross-sectional profile to a thin edge at its extremities to provide a smooth transition between the insert and the upper when the insert is inserted in the pocket.

The waterproof boot preferably further comprises an inner sleeve at an opening of the upper, the sleeve having an adjustable opening to allow it to be secured tightly around a wearer's leg to substantially prevent water and other objects from entering the boot during use.

In a preferred embodiment, the translational friction between the insert and the pocket is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the insert in the pocket during use.

Preferably, the upper is a unitarily formed, moulded upper.

Optionally, the insert is specifically tailored or selected based on a particular wearer's ankle dimensions to provide an optimal fit of the boot to the particular wearer's foot.

In a second aspect, the present invention provides a boot fitting system comprising:

• • a boot according to the first aspect; and
  • a plurality of said inserts, each insert being a different size, the inserts being interchangeable in the pocket to change the fit of the boot in the anterior aspect of the ankle region.

Preferably, the plurality of inserts includes at least a large insert and a small insert, the large insert having a greater thickness than the small insert.

In a third aspect, the present invention provides a method of fitting a waterproof boot to a boot wearer, said method comprising the following steps:

• • providing a boot according to the first aspect with a boot size corresponding to the boot wearer's foot size; and
  • inserting said insert into said pocket to snugly fit the wearer's foot in the ankle region of the boot.

Preferably, the boot is provided with multiple said inserts, each of a different size, and wherein the method further comprises trying multiple different sized inserts to determine the best fitting combination of boot and insert.

Alternatively, the insert is specifically tailored or selected based on a particular wearer's ankle dimensions to provide an optimal fit of the boot to the particular wearer's foot in the ankle region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of specific example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts a boot from the lateral side;

FIG. 2 depicts the boot of FIG. 1 from the medial side;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the boot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the unitarily moulded upper of the boot of FIG. 1 and a removable insert;

FIG. 5a is a front view of a small insert for the boot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5b is a cross-sectional view along A-A of the small insert of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 5c is a side view of the small insert of FIG. 5a;

FIG. 6a is a front view of a large insert for the safety boot of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6b is a cross-sectional view along A-A of the small insert of FIG. 6a;

FIG. 6c is a side view of the small insert of FIG. 6a;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 depict a boot 10 that has a sole 12 and a moulded upper 14 that can be formed from rubber, PVC or another polymer. The upper 14 has a foot portion 16 connected to the sole 12, an ankle region 18, and a generally tubular leg portion 20, which extends upwardly from the ankle region 18 to a boot opening 22 just below the wearer's knee.

The leg portion 20 of the boot 10 is relatively narrow compared to a traditional rubber boot, restricting lateral and medial movement of the wearer's leg within the boot 10 and providing a better fit to the wearer's lower leg.

As best depicted in FIG. 2, the boot 10 is provided with an expansion mechanism 24 in the leg portion 20 that extends to the ankle region 18 to allow expansion of the ankle region 18. The expansion mechanism is depicted here as a waterproof zip mechanism 24 extending along the medial side of the safety boot 10 from the ankle region 18 along the leg portion 20 to just below the boot opening 22. The zip mechanism 24 stops at a distance below the boot opening 22 to maintain the structural integrity of the boot 10 and to maintain a waterproof upper 14. Alternatively, the zip mechanism 24 may be placed along the back of the boot 10 and/or extend only to near the ankle region 18. The zip mechanism 24, when opened, allows the narrow leg portion 20 to expand, particularly in the ankle region 18, which facilitates insertion or removal of the wearer's foot. Other expansion mechanisms may be used instead of a zip mechanism such as an area of stretchable but highly resilient material that will allow the ankle region 18 to expand as the wearer's foot is inserted and then contract back once the wearer's foot is in place.

A calf adjustment strap (not illustrated) may be provided on the leg portion 20 near the boot opening 22. Handles (not illustrated) may be provided on the leg portion 20 near the boot opening 22 to facilitate donning and doffing of the boot 10.

The sole 12 and upper 14 are waterproof. In order to inhibit the ingress of liquids and prevent other objects entering the boot opening 22, a waterproof inner sleeve 26 is provided. The waterproof inner sleeve 26 has a drawstring 28 for narrowing the inner sleeve 26, thereby providing a waterproof fit against the wearer's leg. Objects, such as mud and stones, are also prevented from entering the boot 10 during use by the inner sleeve 26.

As is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the foot portion 16 has a raised heel and a rounded toe. The raised heel and rounded toe provides a “rocker motion”, which facilitates a natural gait by the wearer, which may be inhibited by the snug-fitting structure of the boot 10. Additionally, the rocker motion provided by the raised heel and rounded toe portion provides a more energy efficient gait pattern, causing less muscle strain for the wearer.

The foot portion 16 may also be provided with a toe cap to provide impact protection to the wearer. Preferably the toe cap is manufactured from light weight carbon fibre. A reflective strip may be provided along the posterior of the leg portion 20 to improve visibility in the dark.

Tapering of the upper 14 at the anterior aspect of the ankle region 18 reduces repetitive movement of the foot and lower leg relative to the boot 10 in the sagittal plane. However, in order to have the upper 14 moulded in a single piece, the ankle region 18 needs to be wide enough to allow the upper to be removed from the mould. This typically results in an upper 14 that has excess space in the anterior aspect of the ankle region 18 and in the leg portion 20.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, to further limit movement of the foot in both the frontal and sagittal plane, the boot 10 is provided with a pocket 30 internal to the anterior aspect of the ankle region 18 of the boot 10 that is designed to receive and secure a removable insert 32. The insert 32 is formed from a flexible but firm material such as a firm foam material.

The lining inside the boot 10 in the region of the pocket 30 is seamless, thereby preventing any seams irritating the wearer's foot. The pocket 30 is accessible via an aperture on the inside of the boot 10 and the insert 32 is inserted into, and removed from, the pocket 30 via the aperture. Alternatively, the pocket 30 is accessible from the outside of the boot 10 through an aperture that can be opened and closed via a further waterproof zipper.

The pocket 30 has a generally ovular shape and is formed from a stretchable fabric with the aperture at the upper end. The aperture in the stretchable fabric is designed to expand as the insert 32 passes into the pocket 30 and then contract to hold the insert 32 in place within the pocket 30. Fabric hook fasteners may optionally be used to close the aperture. The materials selected for the insert 32 and pocket 30 may also be selected to ensure a high degree of translational friction between them, sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the insert 32 relative to the pocket 30 during use. This further assists in holding the insert 32 in place within the pocket 30. The pocket 30 may be formed in a lining of the boot 10 and the lining may be either fixed in the boot 10 or removable.

The insert 32, when secured in the pocket 30, acts to narrow the interior space at the anterior aspect of the ankle region 18 of the boot 10. This results in the interior surface of the boot 10 conforming more closely to the shape of a typical wearer's foot, particularly following the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the wearer more closely.

However, the dimensions of one person's ankle can differ considerably to that of the next even between two people with the same foot size. Accordingly, a range of different sized inserts 32 is provided allowing a given foot size of the boot 10 to be tailored to fit different ankle sizes.

As depicted in isolation in FIGS. 5a to 5c and FIGS. 6a to 6c, a series of differently sized and/or shaped inserts 40, 50 is provided for insertion into the pocket 30 to create a boot fitting system. Two different sizes of insert 40, 50 are depicted in the drawings, although any number of different sized inserts could be provided. By selecting the most appropriate size of the insert 40, 50 and inserting it into the pocket 30, the thickness of the anterior aspect of the ankle region 18 can be selectively tailored to closely fit the size of the ankle of the wearer's foot. This helps to “lock” the wearer's foot comfortably in the boot 10 preventing excess movement of the wearer's foot within the boot 10, particularly helping limit ‘heel lift’ during a wearer's stride.

By way of comparison, FIGS. 5a, 5b and 5c depict a small insert 40 and FIGS. 6a, 6b and 6c depict a large insert 50. The small insert 40 and large insert 50 have generally similar length and breadth dimensions but differ significantly in thickness, particularly in the mid-region 42, 52 of the inserts, as best contrasted in FIGS. 5b and 6b. The large insert 50 is considerably thicker than the small insert 40. When secured in the pocket 30 of the boot 10, the large insert 50 extends inwardly into the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the boot 10 further than the small insert 40 does. This allows the boot fitting system to accommodate ankles of different sizes within the same foot size boot 10.

The inserts 40, 50 typically taper away in cross-sectional profile to a thin edge at their extremities to ensure a smooth transition between the insert 40, 50 and the upper 14. This helps avoid irritation to the wearer's feet.

Once the appropriate insert 32 is secured in the pocket 30, the boot 10 becomes quite close fitting. In order to don the boot 10, the wearer first opens the zip mechanism 24 which allows expansion of the ankle region 18 as the wearer's foot passes into the foot portion 16. The zip mechanism 24 can then be closed to contract the ankle region 18 and hold the wearer's foot snugly in the boot 10.

The combination of having a boot 10 with a pocket 30 at the anterior aspect of the ankle region and a corresponding removable insert 32, as well as a release mechanism 24 in the ankle region 18 of the boot 10 overcomes the problems associated with loose-fitting waterproof boots.

The boot 10 according to the present disclosure results in limited foot slip and excessive foot motion within the boot 10. Thus, the wearer experiences better balance and stability, resulting in less fatigue and less injuries. With the improved fit of the boot 10, in combination with a slight rocker sole, the foot and leg work together as a lever throughout the gait cycle, making the gait more energy efficient. In summary, the boot 10 according to the present disclosure results in increased comfort, less fatigue and increased safety, making the boot design ideal for use as a waterproof safety boot, particularly in mining environments, and other wet area workplaces, such as meat processing plants. It also is ideal for use in fishing and other wet area recreational sports environments.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Claims

1. A boot fitting system comprising: a boot having a waterproof upper, the upper including a foot portion and a leg portion, an expandable ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion and having an internal circumference being expandable and retractable, and a stretchable pocket provided in the ankle region at an anterior aspect; andat least one removable insert having a cross-sectional profile that is thickest in a mid-region and tapers to a thin edge at its extremities, the stretchable pocket being sized and shaped to removably and securely retain the insert against the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the upper.

2. The boot fitting system of claim 1, further comprising at least two of said removable inserts, each insert having a different mid-region thickness, the inserts being interchangeable in the pocket to change the fit of the boot in the anterior aspect of the ankle region.

3. The boot fitting system of claim 1, wherein the expandable ankle region includes a zip mechanism.

4. The boot fitting system of claim 1, wherein the expandable ankle region includes a section of stretchable but resilient material.

5. The boot fitting system of claim 1, wherein translational friction between the insert and the pocket is sufficient to substantially prevent movement of the insert in the pocket during use.

6. The boot fitting system of claim 1, wherein the upper is a unitarily formed, moulded upper.

7. The boot fitting system of claim 1, wherein the insert is specifically tailored or selected based on a particular wearer's ankle dimensions to provide an optimal fit of the boot to the particular wearer's foot.

8. A method of fitting a waterproof boot to a boot wearer, said method comprising: selecting a removable insert, from a range of two or more different sized inserts, based on the dimensions of the wearer's ankle region, the insert having a cross-sectional profile that is thickest in a mid-region and tapers to a thin edge at its extremities;providing a boot having a waterproof upper, the upper including a foot portion and a leg portion, an expandable ankle region located between the foot portion and the leg portion, an internal circumference of the ankle region being expandable and retractable, and a stretchable pocket provided in the ankle region at an anterior aspect, the stretchable pocket being sized and shaped to removably and securely retain the insert against the anterior aspect of the ankle region of the upper; andinserting said insert into said pocket before inserting the wearer's foot into the boot.