Patent Application
20060112595
The present invention relates generally to a lining material for use in the interior of footwear. More particularly, the present invention relates to an inner liner that is reversible and/or removable.
Footwear typically includes an external portion and an internal portion. The external portion comprises functional and aesthetic materials designed, in part, to protect the wearer's foot against the elements, in addition to making the shoe aesthetically appealing. Leathers and synthetics are examples of rugged materials that are used on the external surface of a shoe. The internal surface or lining of a shoe is typically designed to promote the comfort of the wearer's foot. In addition to a soft, comfortable footbed that the foot rests on, the shoe lining is typically soft and smooth to protect against abrasion of skin.
During wear, mechanical stress occurs between the foot and the shoe. However, other stresses arise within the shoe that may create discomfort for the wearer. Among the most noticeable are environmental stresses created by the external or ambient climate (e.g., rain, snow, heat) and the internal or micro climate created by the foot while it is in the shoe. Because the foot is typically confined in a shoe, heat and moisture (in the form of perspiration) produced by the foot build up inside the shoe and are difficult to control. During intense activities the lining of a shoe can become saturated with perspiration. In addition, weather conditions such as snow and rain can cause the lining of a shoe to become saturated with water.
The condition of a lining within a shoe is extremely important, as the lining is a component that has very close proximity to the foot and has a direct impact on the comfort of the foot. Attempts have been made to control the internal environment of a shoe through climate control features such as waterproof-permeable membranes and airflow systems. These features have had only limited success, primarily because they are overpowered by the internal micro climate of the shoe and the external macro climate of the elements. For example, once the interior of the shoe becomes saturated with moisture, it is difficult to dry out the shoe. One could try to air dry the shoe, which is time consuming. Alternatively, one could use heating devices such as a hair dryer. However, in this case, the inside of the shoe can become very hot, which could damage components of the shoe. Furthermore, using a hair dryer or other heating device with the lining in situ rarely results in thorough drying inside the shoe. Thus, there remains a need for a lining that is quickly and easily refreshable and/or replaceable in order to provide an immediate, renewed environment to the internal cavity of the shoe.
The present invention addresses the deficiencies discussed above, and provides various types of reversible and/or removable liners that can be used with many different kinds of footwear.
In order to overcome deficiencies in conventional footwear, it is desirable to provide a shoe with a liner that is refreshable and/or replaceable. In preferred embodiments, the liner is attached to the shoe only at the top portion or collar of the shoe. The collar defines a top opening into the shoe. In many shoes, the collar comprises portions of the medial and lateral sides, as well as a portion of the back of the upper. In other shoe designs, the collar also includes a tongue, which typically forms the front of the collar. The collar desirably includes not only the top edge of the upper, but also a region that extends below the top edge, as will be explained below. The attachment between the liner and the collar can be permanent as in the case of a stitched-in or otherwise permanently secured lining, or replaceable by making the attachment from a semi-permanent attachment like a hook and loop fastener, zipper, or snap closure. In either case, the lining can be removed from the internal cavity of the shoe and dried via passive (air dry) or assisted mechanisms (hot air dryers such as hair dryers).
In a permanently stitched-in liner, one can reach into the shoe and pull the liner out of the shoe until it reaches its stitching limitations. Since the liner is attached at the collar of the shoe, one can essentially remove all of the lining from the shoe. In other words, although the liner is attached to the collar, it is also substantially, if not completely removed from the interior of the shoe. Removing the liner in this manner subjects it to greater convective airflow as compared to a typical liner that remains inside the shoe's internal cavity, and therefore increases the drying rate of the liner. It has been discovered that a liner removed from the internal shoe cavity will dry faster, as much as 300% faster, than a liner that remains in the shoe's internal cavity.
With a replaceable or detachable liner, the entire liner can be completely separated from the shoe. The liner could then be air dried, or washed by any number of methods such as hand washing or using a washing machine. Drying can likewise be done using any number of methods such as clothes dryers, hair dryers, microwaves, heating elements or the like.
Replaceable liners can have greater functionality then simply changing to a dry lining. Once an article of footwear is fitted with a replaceable liner, the wearer could switch liners based on need. Waterproof liners, moisture wicking liners, liners providing additional warmth, comfort liners, and air permeable liners could all be switched in and out of a shoe depending on the weather conditions and activities of the wearer. For instance, in cold climates, a wearer might use a liner with extra insulation qualities. Wet climates might call for waterproof liners. Arid climates might call for liners with high permeability ratings.
A replaceable liner can be attached to the shoe through the use of a reusable closure system such as hook and loop fasteners, zippers, or a snap closer system. Any closure system that enables the user to repeatedly detach and reattach the liner is appropriate for use.
To assist in the disengagement of the liner, pull-tabs, handle elements or other grip structures/devices may be placed, for example, on the bottom of the liner at the heel, forefoot, or both positions. Such grip devices are preferably disposed on the inner surface of the liner. This allows the wearer to quickly find a handhold or grab point from which to pull on the liner. Of course, the pull-tab or other grip device may be placed anywhere along the liner where it is convenient. Placement in different locations can facilitate disengagement of the liner from the shoe interior, exposure of the liner to ambient air or other drying options, and/or re-engagement of the liner into the interior cavity. Optionally, multiple grip devices or gripping points can be placed on the inner surface of the liner. However, placing the pull-tab or other device on or adjacent to the bottom of the liner allows for the tabs to be hidden by the shoe's footbed. This provides comfortable placement for the pull-tab since the overlaying footbed will keep the pull-tab from coming into contact with the wearer's foot, and will prevent the wearer from noticing the pull-tab or other device. Although not limited to being placed under the footbed, this location prevents the pull-tab from rubbing on the wearer's foot and creating discomfort.
In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper and a liner. The upper is attached to the outsole and has an interior surface including a collar and a body connected to the collar. The body defines a cavity for receiving a foot and the collar providing an opening to the cavity. The liner is configured to at least partly encompass the foot within the cavity. The liner includes a connector to securely connect the liner about the collar and a disengagement unit to aid a user in removing the liner from within the cavity.
In one example the disengagement unit may comprise a pull-tab. In this case, the pull-tab is preferably affixed to a bottom portion of the liner. The pull-tab may comprise nylon, and may also include a plurality of connection points to connect to the bottom portion of the liner.
In another example the disengagement unit comprises a loop of material affixed to a bottom portion of the liner. In a further example the disengagement unit comprises hook and loop fasteners. In yet another example the disengagement unit comprises a handle. In another example the disengagement unit comprises fabric flap. In a further example the disengagement unit comprises a slit in a bottom portion of the liner.
In an alternative, the article of footwear may further comprise a removable footbed having a top surface adapted to contact the foot and a bottom surface for overlying an inner surface of the liner when the removable footbed is disposed within the cavity. In this case, the bottom surface of the footbed desirably at least partly covers the disengagement unit.
In another alternative, a bottom portion of the liner preferably comprises a rigid or semi-rigid structure. In this case, the bottom portion of the liner may include a living hinge. Preferably, the rigid or semi-rigid structure is cotton drill, cardboard, an injected plastic or a plastic film. In a further alternative, the connector permanently secures the liner to the collar. In yet another alternative, the connector semi-permanently secures the liner to the collar. In another alternative, the upper includes a tongue and the connector securely connects the liner to the tongue.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper and a liner. The upper attaches to the outsole and has an interior surface including a collar and a body connected to the collar. The body defines a cavity for receiving a foot and the collar provides an opening to the cavity. The liner is configured to at least partly encompass the foot within the cavity. The liner includes a connector to removably connect the liner about the collar so that a user can completely remove the liner from the article of footwear.
In one example the connector comprises a hook and loop fastener. In another example the connector comprises a zipper. In a further example the connector comprises at least one snap fastener. In yet another example the connector comprises at least one hook fastener. In a further example the connector comprises at least one button.
The liner may be interchangeable with a plurality of different liners. In this case, at least one of the plurality of different liners preferably comprises a hydrophobic liner, a hydrophilic liner, a high permeability liner, a comfort liner or a fleece liner.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a kit of footwear liners for use with an article of footwear is provided. The kit comprises interchangeable liners configured to at least partly encompass a foot within a cavity of the article of footwear. Each of the interchangeable liners includes a connector to removably connect the liner about a collar of the article of footwear so that a user can completely detach the liner from the article of footwear. The interchangeable liners can be selected depending on climate conditions or a type of activity. Preferably, the interchangeable liners are selected from the group consisting of a hydrophobic liner, a hydrophilic liner, a high permeability liner, a comfort liner and a fleece liner.
In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present invention, a method of removing a liner from within an article of footwear is provided. The liner has a disengagement unit attached thereto or integral therewith. The method comprises gripping the disengagement unit of the liner; pulling the disengagement unit, and lifting the liner until the liner is substantially completely removed from within an interior cavity of the article of footwear.
In one alternative, the method further comprises removing a footbed from the article of footwear prior to gripping the disengagement unit. In another alternative, the method further comprises detaching the liner from a collar of the article of footwear, and completely removing the liner from the article of footwear. In a further alternative, the disengagement unit comprises a pull-tab and gripping the disengagement unit includes at least partly encircling the pull-tab with a user's hand.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, a footwear liner for use with an article of footwear is provided. The footwear liner is configured to at least partly encompass a foot within a cavity of the article of footwear. The liner has an inner surface facing the foot during wear, and the inner surface includes a disengagement unit to aid a user in removing the liner from within the cavity. The footwear liner preferably further comprises a connector to securely connect the liner about an interior surface of a collar of the article of footwear.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper, and a liner. The upper is attached to the outsole, and has an interior surface including a collar and a body connected to the collar. The body defines a cavity for receiving a foot and the collar provides an opening to the cavity. The liner is configured to at least partly encompass the foot within the cavity. The liner includes a device to aid a user in removing the liner from within the cavity, whereby the user can take hold of the device and extract the liner from the cavity.
In one example the device includes multiple gripping segments. In another example the device is disposed at a bottom portion of the liner. In this case, the device is preferably connected at multiple locations on an inner surface of the bottom portion of the liner. In a further example the device is disposed at the sidewall of the liner.
In yet another example the device includes multiple devices. A first one of the devices is disposed on the bottom portion of the liner. A second one of the devices is disposed on the sidewall of the liner or on a connection portion of the liner about a topmost portion of the collar.
In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, an article of footwear is provided. The article of footwear comprises an outsole, an upper attached to the outsole, and a liner. The upper has an interior surface including a collar and a body connected to the collar. The body defines a cavity for receiving a foot and the collar provides an opening to the cavity. The liner is configured to at least partly encompass the foot within the cavity. The liner including a connector to securely connect the liner to the collar and a disengagement unit to aid a user in removing the liner from within the cavity. The disengagement unit including a strip of material secured at multiple locations to an inner surface of a bottom portion of the liner. The multiple locations include a first location at a toe region of the bottom portion and a second location at a heel region of the bottom portion.
In an alternative, the article of footwear further comprising a removable footbed having a top surface adapted to contact the foot and a bottom for overlying the bottom portion of the liner when the removable footbed is disposed within the cavity. The bottom of the removable footbed includes a recess adapted to receive the disengagement unit so that the disengagement unit is disposed within the recess during wear and is not felt by the user during wear. In another alternative, the strip of material of the disengagement unit is secured at multiple locations along a central line to the inner surface of the bottom portion of the liner. In yet another alternative, the liner at least partly contacts the body of the interior surface.
FIGS. 3(a)-(b) illustrate features of the shoe of
FIGS. 4(a)-(b) illustrate removing a footbed from the shoe in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
FIGS. 5(a)-(c) illustrate removal of a liner from the shoe in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
FIGS. 6(a)-(c) illustrate aspects of a liner in accordance with aspects of the present invention.
FIGS. 9(a)-(e) illustrate fasteners for use with liners of the present invention.
FIGS. 10(a)-(c) illustrate disengagement structures for use with liners of the present invention.
In describing the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated in the appended drawings, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms used, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
The upper 14 may include a body 20 as well as a collar region. As seen in
The shoe 10 may also include a footbed 30 that is configured to receive the wearer's foot within the interior cavity 24. Any type of footbed 30 may be used in accordance with the present invention, including custom orthotics, sockliners, etc. The footbed 30 may be formed from resilient materials such as ethyl vinyl acetate (“EVA”) and polyurethane (“PU”) foams or other such materials commonly used in shoe midsoles, insoles or sockliners. The footbed 30 may be fabricated using multiple material layers, regions and/or segments, which may each have a different thickness and/or a different rigidity. For example, the footbed 30 may comprise multiple layers of different rigidity. Alternatively, the footbed 30 may have different levels of rigidity in the forefoot, instep and heel regions, respectively. The footbed 30 could also have a first segment about the first metatarsal of a first rigidity and a second segment about the fifth metatarsal of a second rigidity.
The liner 32 may comprise one or more sections or layers of material that are sewn or otherwise attached together. Any number of materials or combinations of materials may be used as part of the liner 32. By way of example only, suitable materials include cotton, polyester, nylon, silk and wool. A thin foam layer, such as 2 mm of low density, open cell foam, may also be used as a backing to provide enhanced padding. Additional materials may include a stretchable or elastically resilient material such as spandex textile filament fiber or elastane, for example the LYCRA brand manufactured by E.I. DuPont De Nemours and Company. The materials may be fabricated, for example, as knits, wovens, non-wovens or microfibers. Preferably, the liner 32 includes a nylon knit textile commonly referred to as “JC mesh,” a brushed nylon commonly referred to as “nylex,” or a polyester fiber knit textile commonly referred to as “fleece.”
The material(s) of the liner 32 may be selected depending upon the type of shoe, intended use, climate conditions, etc. For instance, wet climates may call for a waterproof (hydrophobic) liner such as the GORE-TEX brand manufactured by W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc., or the EVENT brand manufactured by BHA Technologies, Inc. A liner with a high permeability rating could be used in arid climates. Cold climates may be particularly suitable for a warmer fleece-type liner. A comfort liner, such as a liner having foam padding, or a moisture wicking (hydrophilic) liner may be preferred for exertive activities like running or hiking.
The liner 32 desirably includes at least one sidewall 33, a connection portion 34, and a bottom portion 36. The sidewall 33, the connection portion 34, and the bottom 36 may be of the same or different materials. The sidewall 33 preferably conforms to the shape of the interior walls of the body 20 of the upper 14. Alternatively, the sidewall 33 may be configured to conform to the shape of the wearer's foot. By way of example only, a single sidewall may wrap around the foot, or a pair of medial and lateral sidewalls may be formed on either side of the foot and stitched or otherwise connected to one another.
The connection portion 34 preferably includes a connector 38 for affixing the liner 32 to the collar 22. The connector 38 may provide a permanent or semi-permanent attachment to the collar 22. For permanent attachment, the liner 32 may be sewn, glued or otherwise bonded to the collar 22. In this case, the connector 38 would include the stitching, glue or other bonding element. Alternatively, the liner 32 may be integrally formed as part of the upper 14. For semi-permanent attachment, any number of releasable connectors 38 may be employed. Referring to FIGS. 9(a)-(e), respectively, semi-permanent fastening may be achieved using, for example, strips of hook and loop fasteners, one or more buttons, a zipper, one or more snap fasteners and/or one or more hook/clip fasteners (referred to collectively as “fasteners”). Alternatively, lacing or any other releasable connectors 38 could also be used. In use, one part of the fastener may be placed on the connection portion 34 and the reciprocal or mating part of the fastener may be placed on the collar 22. Depending upon the connector 38 and its placement, the fastener need not be visible when the person is wearing the shoe.
The connection portion 34 may attach at any location on the collar 22. The position(s) where the connection portion 34 attaches to the collar 22 can be based on selection criteria that include the style and configuration of the footwear, as well as the type of connector(s) 38 employed. In the most preferable embodiment, the positioning of the connection portion 34 relative to the collar 22 is a function of the height of the footwear above the ankle. Thus, depending on the height of the footwear, preference is for the connector 34 to be located above the ankle in footwear such as boots that extend above the ankle and below the ankle for low riding shoes such as men's dress shoes. The placement of the connection portion 34 and the connector 38 on the collar 22 can also be based on comfort preferences for particular footwear design, facilitating grasping the shoe for the purposes of placing the footwear on the shoe of the wearer and/or maximizing the function of the liner 32 as discussed herein, for example, to provide warmth, water resistance or wicking. Thus, in an embodiment of a performance boot, such as a work boot or hiking boot, the connector 38 may be affixed to the collar at a point below the top line and above the ankle. The point of attachment in this case can vary as discussed herein with preference in such performance footwear being in the range of one to three inches below the top line and most preferably on the order of two inches below the top line. Similar proportional ranges depend on the actual height of a particular article of footwear in which the liner 32 is included and in which the connector(s) 38 is adapted to engage the collar 22. In a low riding shoe, the range in which the liner 32 is connected to the collar 22 by the connector 38 is preferably smaller, for example, anywhere from ½ inch below the top line to approximately 2 inches below the top line.
Returning to
In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the liner 32 can be easily and rapidly removed from the interior cavity 24. As discussed above, pulling the liner 32 out of the interior cavity 24 preferably using a handhold or grab point allows the liner 32 to be dried and/or cleaned. A semi-permanently attached liner 32 can be completely detached from the rest of the shoe 10, which permits the wearer to exchange the liner 32 for a different liner depending upon his or her needs, and/or to clean and dry the liner 32.
The process of removing the liner 32 from the shoe 10 will now be described.
As seen in FIGS. 5(b)-(c), the disengagement device 40 preferably includes at least one pull-tab, handle or other form of handhold located on the inner surface of the liner 32 that the user can grasp with his or her fingers.
In
The pull-tab and/or the single loop as shown in
In another alternative, the disengagement device 40 may comprise hook or loop fasteners on the top surface of the bottom 36 of the liner 32. Reciprocal loop or hook fasteners may be positioned on the bottom surface of the footbed 30. In this case, as the user grasps the footbed 30 for removal (see
Numerous alternative disengagement devices 40 can be used in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. For example, as seen in
It can be seen that one or more disengagement devices 40 can be placed at various locations along the liner 32, preferably along the inner surface of the liner 32. The disengagement device(s) 40 is desirably positioned to enable easy and quick gripping. In addition, the placement and selection of the disengagement device 40 are preferably chosen to enable a user to pull the liner 32 out from the interior cavity 24 in a single motion. More preferably, the selection and placement of the disengagement device 40 permits the user to expose the greatest amount of surface area of the inner surface of the liner 32 to the air, which will facilitate drying. For instance, multiple disengagement devices 40 may be placed at or near the connection portion 34, along the sidewall 33, and/or on the bottom 36 to enable a person with arthritis or other disability to pull the liner 32 out of the interior cavity 24 a little at a time. Alternatively, the disengagement device(s) 40 may be placed at or near the toe, arch and/or heel regions of the bottom 36 to allow different length fingers to grasp the handhold or other grab point. Furthermore, different types of disengagement devices 40 such as those described above can be used together in a single liner 32. Using different types of disengagement devices 40 may be particularly beneficial to a wide variety of users who may find it easier to grasp or pull one type of disengagement device 40 instead of another type.
As discussed above, the liner 32 may comprise one or more sections and/or layers of material that are connected together. Depending upon the kind of shoe 10 in which the liner 32 may be used, it may be desirable to form the bottom 36 of the liner 32 from a rigid or semi-rigid structure. The structure can be any material which provides more rigidity than the material used in the sidewall 33, and which would be suitable for holding the shape and geometry of the bottom 36 to avoid wrinkling or creases. Examples of materials suitable for a rigid or semi-rigid structure include material stiffeners such as cotton drill, thin lasting board constructions such as cardboard or similar materials, injected plastics or plastic films. The thickness of the rigid or semi-rigid structure can vary depending upon the material(s) and/or environmental factors. By way of example only, injected plastics or plastic films may be less than 0.75 mm thick. One or more layers of thin cardboard may each be on the order of 0.5-5 mm. The cotton drill might be at least 1 mm thick. Alternatively, the bottom 36 may simply be made of a material stiffer than the material used for the sidewall 33. Optionally, the bottom 36 may include a roughened material surface, tacky material, etc to create friction and to minimize the movement of the liner 32 when the shoe 10 is worn.
One benefit to a a rigid or semi-rigid structure is the rigidity it provides to the bottom 36, which helps to prevent bunching of the liner 32 near the bottom of the interior cavity 24, particularly in situations where the footbed 30 is not used and therefore cannot smooth out wrinkles in the liner 32. However, depending upon the size and shape of the collar 22 of the upper 14, it may be difficult to remove a rigid bottom 36. Thus, as seen by the dashed line 50 in
The liner 32 can be quickly and easily reinserted into the interior cavity 24 by pressing on the bottom 36 of the inner surface of the liner 32 with a hand. Optionally, the disengagement device 40 can also be used to help reinsert the liner 32 by providing a handhold or gripping section for the user. Once the liner 32 is inserted into the interior cavity 24, the user can use his or her hand to smooth out the bottom 36 if necessary. Alternatively, bunching can be smoothed out when the footbed 30 is inserted into the interior cavity 24. Depending upon the connector 38 used, it may be necessary to attach the replaceable or detachable liner 32 to the collar 22 prior to insertion of the liner 32, or it may be possible to perform the attachment after the liner 32 has been inserted.
It can be seen from the embodiments described above that removable and/or replaceable liners in accordance with the present invention can be formed in a wide variety of configurations. Liners that are permanently connected to the collar of the upper permit the wearer to remove the liners from the interior cavity in the shoe. This permits rapid drying of the liner. Semi-permanently attached liners can be detached for cleaning/drying or for replacement with a different liner depending on the needs of the wearer. Many different kinds of disengagement devices are possible, and permit the wearer to rapidly and easily remove the liner from the interior cavity.
Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. By way of example only, while different embodiments described above illustrate specific features, it is within the scope of the present invention to combine or interchange different features among the various embodiments to create other variants.
