Patent Application
20160213096
This application is based upon French Patent Application No. 15/00139, filed Jan. 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. §119.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a walking or sports shoe that can be used in disciplines such as running on level, hilly, or mountainous terrain, skateboarding, ball sports, cross-country or telemark skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and others.
2. Background Information
Depending upon the intended uses, a shoe such as those of the aforementioned types must have a certain flexibility and damping capability. Flexibility must be understood as an ability to follow certain deformations of the foot of a user. This is intended, for example, to enable good foot rolling movement or tilting of the lower leg in relation to the foot when walking or running. Damping is intended to reduce or even prevent fatigue or injuries that may result from supports or impacts on the ground, or from various stresses.
Thus, it is known to manufacture a shoe comprising an outer sole assembly and an upper. The shoe typically includes at least one flexible shell provided to cover the foot directly or indirectly. The shell is integral with the upper. The shell is associated with a base, such as a lasting sole, to form a footwear element. The lasting sole is integral with an inner sole assembly. The shell of the shoe extends in particular in the area of a lateral side and a medial side, and sometimes also in the area of a substantial portion of the lasting sole. This structure is conventional.
The shell is bonded to the lasting sole using an adhesive layer, for example. The lasting sole, also referred to as the lasting board, is relatively rigid to withstand the lasting process, such as the heat and pressure thereof. The bonding operation is carried out by pulling the shell and pressing it onto the lasting board, knowing that a last is inserted in the footwear element. This is referred to as the traditional shoe lasting assembly. This technique makes it possible to exert sufficient pressure when heating the adhesive in order to manufacture the footwear element.
Alternatively, the footwear element is made, for example, by affixing the shell to the lasting sole by means of stitching. This is referred to as the Strobel assembly. The sole is a flexible, stitchable element referred to as the Strobel sole.
Irrespective of the method used for the manufacture of the shoe, the footwear element is affixed to the outer sole assembly, for example by means of an adhesive layer. In the end, the shoe has a certain flexibility and a certain damping capability.
The shoe must also fulfill various and sometimes contradictory functions, such as protecting the foot from shocks or impacts that may occur during use, ensuring support and/or sufficient tightening of the foot while providing satisfactory comfort, or the like. For this reason, a shoe is typically provided with one or more reinforcing structures.
For example, in order to protect the toes against possible shocks from obstacles, the front end of the shoe comprises a protective toe cap. Such toe cap is often comprised of a layer of synthetic material, arranged opposite the shell in the area of the front end of the shoe. This layer reinforces the shell, by reducing its ability to deform where it extends.
Another example of reinforcing structure is that of an element connecting the base of the footwear element and keepers arranged towards an upper end of the shell. In this case, the reinforcing structure contributes to the tightening of the shoe upper, thereby allowing for a minimum of foot support.
In any case, the reinforcing structure fulfils a specific function that aims to optimize the use of the shoe.
Therefore, it can generally be said that a flexible shoe provided with at least one reinforcing structure according to the prior art is broadly satisfactory. But drawbacks remain, which are observed sometimes during walking, or sometimes during intense sporting activity.
A first drawback is as follows: the known shoe at least partially hinders the rolling movement of the foot, especially for running, due to the presence of one or more reinforcing structures. More specifically, the hindrance occurs at the boundary separating a zone provided with a reinforcing structure and a zone not provided with a reinforcing structure. The flexibility of the upper varies abruptly on both sides of this boundary. It follows that the rolling movement of the foot is not sufficiently smooth, not sufficiently gradual, as it is disturbed in the area of the boundary. It also follows that the transmission of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses is slightly uneven, or slightly inaccurate. In other words, a shoe according to the prior art lacks homogeneity in its behavior.
Another drawback is that of comfort. Comfort is not homogeneous, that is, not consistent in various locations of the shoe. Indeed, comfort can be altered in the location where a reinforcing structure extends, particularly during difficult conditions of use such as during mountain races. The alteration of comfort is correlated with the difference in flexibility of the upper, on both sides of the boundary between a zone provided with a reinforcing structure and a zone not provided with a reinforcing structure. It is particularly observed that the boundary between these zones can sometimes form a relatively non-deformable fold, which is likely to be a source of injury to the user.
Another drawback is related to inertia. Each reinforcing structure increases the weight of the shoe, thereby causing additional fatigue for the user.
In view of the foregoing, the invention provides an improved shoe.
In particular, the invention facilitates the foot rolling movement in a shoe provided with at least one reinforcing structure. That is to say, the invention makes the foot rolling movement smoother, more gradual. The invention also makes the transmission of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses, smoother and more accurate. In other words, the invention seeks to make the behavior of the shoe more consistent.
The invention also improves the comfort of a shoe, by making comfort more homogeneous, that is to say, almost consistent, or completely consistent, in various locations of the shoe. The invention provides that the foot is wrapped in a more gradual manner.
Furthermore, the invention lightens the structure of the shoe as much as possible, in order to reduce user fatigue.
Towards these ends, the invention provides a shoe comprising an outer sole assembly and an upper, the shoe extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral side and a medial side, and height-wise from the outer sole assembly to an upper end, the shoe comprising a first shell and further comprising a reinforcing structure arranged opposite the first shell.
The reinforcing structure of a shoe according to the invention has holes on at least a portion of its surface. It will be shown more clearly below that this means in particular that at least one cavity and/or at least one opening is arranged in the reinforcement. Each hole, each cavity, each opening can have any shape, such as that of a slit or otherwise.
For one of the given dimensions of the reinforcement, that is to say, for a given perimeter or for a given thickness thereof, having holes makes the reinforcement lighter. The holes, such as cavities or openings of various shapes, reduce the amount of material required to make the reinforcement.
Due to its structure, the reinforcement is also more flexible, more deformable, for example in the event of an impact against an obstacle, while nevertheless keeping a certain resistance to the compression caused by the impact. As a result, the first shell can also flex in the location where it extends opposite the reinforcing structure. In other words, providing holes in the reinforcing structure increases the surface of the shell that can be deformed in flexion. It can also be said that in the area of a reinforcing structure, the shoe upper is capable of undergoing a reversible recessed deformation, even if such deformation is less than in zones devoid of reinforcing structure. The holes enable the reinforcement to deform more easily, thereby providing more flexibility. Also, the shell can be deformed more smoothly in the area of a boundary between a zone opposite the reinforcing structure and a zone away from the reinforcing structure.
The resulting advantages include a better foot rolling movement, that is to say, a smoother and more gradual rolling movement. The difference in flexural strength between a zone of the upper provided with a reinforcing structure and a zone devoid of reinforcing structure is indeed reduced, compared to what has been observed on a shoe according to the prior art.
As a result of the foot rolling movement, the transmission of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses is also more consistent and/or more accurate for a shoe according to the invention. It can be said that due to the invention, the behavior of the shoe is more precise.
Another advantage provided by the invention is improved comfort. Comfort is more homogeneous, that is to say, almost consistent, or consistent, in various locations of the shoe. In other words, comfort varies little, if at all, from a zone devoid of reinforcing structure to a zone provided with a reinforcing structure. It can be said, for example, that the boundary between two zones of the shell, one opposite the reinforcing structure and the other not opposite the reinforcing structure, remains sufficiently flexible to protect the foot of the user. This means that this boundary is not a source of injuries.
The invention also makes it possible to reduce user fatigue, because the holes, the cavities or the openings of the reinforcing structures lighten the shoe.
It can more generally be said that the invention provides an improved shoe, compared to existing shoes from the prior art.
Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood from the description which follows, with reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be carried out, and in which:
The first embodiment to be described relates, for example, to a shoe for walking or running on level, hilly, or mountainous terrain. However, the invention is applicable to other disciplines such as those mentioned above. The term “shoe” is used here for convenience, but is not intended to limit the scope of the invention from what would be encompassed by the use of the term “footwear” or “article of footwear.”
The first embodiment is described below with reference to
As shown in
As shown, the upper 3 includes a lower portion 10 configured to surround the foot. Alternatively, the upper can also include an upper portion configured to surround the ankle of the user, and possibly the lower leg.
According to the first embodiment described herein, the shoe 1 extends height-wise from the bottom of the outer sole assembly 2 up to the top of the upper end 12, that is to say, to the free end of the lower portion 10 or of the upper 3.
The shoe 1 is structured to enable good foot rolling movement during walking, as well as transmission of sensory information and impulses for supports or landings. This is why the outer sole assembly 2 and the upper 3 are relatively flexible. Such foot rolling movement relates, for example, to the bending of the shoe in an area corresponding to the flexing at the ball of the foot, that is, at the metatarsal-phalangeal joint as the heel of the user is raised.
The shoe 1 further comprises a first tightening device 15, or first upper-tightener, configured to reversibly tighten the upper 3. This device 15 is not described in detail here as it is well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the tightening device 15 can include keepers 16 positioned on the upper, as well as a lace or linkage 17 extending through the keepers. Alternatively, still in the scope of the invention, the shoe 1 can be configured so as to omit a tightening device. In addition, the upper 3 can be selectively provided that is continuous from the lateral side 6 to the medial side 7 or, alternatively, the upper can be configured that is discontinuous from the lateral side 6 to the medial side 7.
As shown in particular in exploded view of
The footwear element 18 will first be described. The footwear element includes a first shell 21 and a first base 22. It will be shown better later, and in a non-limiting fashion, that the first base 22 here is a lasting sole, generally simply referred to as the lasting board. The first shell 21 is configured to cover the foot of the user. The shell 21 extends lengthwise from a rear end 24 to a front end 25, widthwise between a lateral side 26 and medial side 27, and height-wise from the base 22 to an upper end 32.
The reinforcing structure 19, or reinforcement, which is described in greater detail below, is arranged opposite the first shell 21. More specifically, and in a non-limiting manner, the reinforcing structure 19 here is affixed to the first shell 21 in the area of the front end 25 thereof, and so as to at least partially cover such end. It can be said more simply that the reinforcing structure 19 covers the first shell 21, although it does not extend over the entire surface of the shell 21. The reinforcing structure 19 is therefore located outside of the shell 21. Nevertheless, an alternative construction can be provided, for which the reinforcing structure is located within the first shell 21.
According to the invention, the reinforcing structure 19 has holes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 on at least a portion of its surface. For one of the given dimensions of the reinforcement, that is to say, particularly for a given perimeter or for a given thickness thereof, having holes makes the reinforcement lighter. The holes, such as cavities or openings of various shapes, including those having open peripheries to form slots, for example, reduce the amount of material required to make the reinforcement.
Due to its structure, the reinforcement 19 is also more flexible, more deformable, for example in the event of an impact against an obstacle, while nevertheless keeping a certain resistance to the compression caused by the impact. As a result, the first shell can also flex in the location where it extends opposite the reinforcing structure. In other words, having holes arranged in the reinforcing structure increases the surface of the shell that can be deformed in flexion. It can further be said that in the area of a reinforcing structure, the shoe upper is configured to be capable of undergoing reversible flexural deformation. Such deformation can be a recess, even if such deformation is less than in zones devoid of reinforcing structure. Also, the shell can be deformed more smoothly, in the area of a boundary between a zone opposite the reinforcing structure and a zone away from the reinforcing structure.
This enables better foot rolling movement, that is to say, a smoother and more gradual rolling movement. The difference in flexural strength between a zone of the upper provided with a reinforcing structure and a zone devoid of reinforcing structure is indeed reduced, compared to what has been observed on a shoe according to the prior art.
As a result of the rolling movement of the foot, the transmissions of sensory information, supports, impacts, and other stresses is also smoother and/or more accurate for a shoe according to the invention. It can be said that, due to the invention, the behavior of the shoe is more precise.
The invention also provides improved comfort. Comfort is more uniform or homogeneous, that is to say, consistent or substantially consistent, in various locations of the shoe. In other words, comfort varies little, if at all, from a zone devoid of reinforcing structure to a zone provided with a reinforcing structure. It can be said, for example, that the boundary between two zones of the shell, one opposite the reinforcing structure and the other not opposite the reinforcing structure, remains sufficiently flexible to protect the user's foot. This means that this boundary is not a source of injury.
The invention also makes it possible to reduce user fatigue, because the holes, the cavities, or the openings of the reinforcing structures lighten the shoe.
Still according to the first embodiment, and in a non-limiting manner, the reinforcing structure 19, or reinforcement, comprises an arc-shaped toe cap 39, the toe cap 39 having a lateral arm 46 and a medial arm 47 connected to one another by a front bridge 48, the toe cap 39 extending height-wise between a lower edge 49 and an upper edge 50, the toe cap 39 extending lengthwise between the front bridge 48 and the lateral end 51 of the lateral arm 46, on the one hand, and between the front bridge 48 and the medial end 52 of the medial arm 47, on the other hand. Here, the lateral 51 and medial 52 ends are free, in the sense that they constitute the rear boundaries of the toe cap 39. As explained below, this is not always the case. In this arc-shaped configuration, however, the toe cap 39 reinforces the front end 25 of the first shell 21. It can also be said that the toe cap 39 reinforces the front end 5 of the shoe 1. The reinforcing effect is balanced by the presence of the holes 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, which provides a certain flexibility to the shell 21 and, therefore, to the upper 3. This advantageously results in a better user's perception of the contacts with the ground or an obstacle, of sensory information, or the like, which occur in the area of the toes. The greater flexibility of the shoe in the area of the toe cap 39 also enables a smoother rolling movement of the forefoot. This increases the stability of the supports on the ground and reduces user fatigue.
In a non-limiting manner, as can be seen in particular in
The slits 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 at least partly open out in the area of the upper edge 50 of the toe cap 39. The slits therefore open out in the area of the edge of the toe cap 39 that is closest to the upper end 12 of the shoe 1, that is to say, also in the area of the edge of the toe cap that is farthest from the sole assembly 2. Consequently, the uppermost portion of the toe cap, closest to the upper end 12, is the most capable of deformation. As a result, the flexibility of the upper 3, or the flexibility of the shell 21, decreases from the upper end 12 to the sole assembly 2, that is, from the upper end 12 to the base 22. The decrease in flexibility is progressive, which optimizes the perception of sensory information by the user.
For example, the slits 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38 at least partly are curved. This limits or even completely prevents the formation of folds in the area of the first shell 21 when the upper flexes. Therefore, the shell 21 has a smoother surface during rolling movement of the foot, which greatly reduces the risk of injury. Indeed, a fold may cause discomfort because it stiffens the shell.
Still according to the first embodiment, the lateral arm 46 of the toe cap 39 has slits 33, 34, 35, and the medial arm 47 of the toe cap 39 has slits 36, 37, 38. Here, the slits are distributed in equal number on the lateral side 6 and the medial side 7 of the shoe. The lateral side 6 has three slits 33, 34, 35 and the medial side 7 has three slits 36, 37, 38. This enables the sides 6, 7 to deform in a similar manner, for a better transverse balance in the transmission of forces, the perception of sensory information, or the like. The accuracy of the supports only gets better. The slits are six in number in the illustrated embodiment, but this number is merely exemplary. The invention encompasses embodiments in which the toe cap 39 has less than six slits or more than six slits.
As shown in
With respect to its extent, the fitting 20, in a non-limiting manner, is present almost everywhere on the shoe 1. The fitting extends lengthwise from a rear end 54 to a front end 55, widthwise between a lateral side 56 and a medial side 57, and height-wise from a base 58 to an upper end 59. The rear end 54, the front end 55, the lateral side 56, the medial side 57, the base 58, and the upper end 59 of the fitting are in the area of the rear end 4, the front end 5, the lateral side 6, the medial side 7, the sole assembly 2, and the upper end 12, respectively, of the shoe 1. The fitting can fulfill protective functions for protecting the first shell 21, decorative functions, or the like, as described below.
Finally, with respect to its structure, the upper 3 comprises the first shell 21, a significant portion of the reinforcing structure 19, and a significant portion of the fitting 20. The assembly of these elements to one another is schematically shown in
First,
As also shown in
Still according to the first embodiment, the outer sole assembly 2 has a lip 65 in the area of junction with the first footwear element 18, in order to increase the surface of contact with the footwear element. Here, the lip extends from the damping layer 64. The lip 65 is continuous and follows the periphery of the outer sole assembly 2. Alternatively, the lip can be structured to be segmented or discontinuous. However, a continuous lip increases the useful surface for adhesively affixing the sole assembly 2 to the first footwear element 18. This affixation is shown in
The finished shoe 1 is shown in an enlarged partial view in
Other embodiments of the invention are presented below with reference to
The second embodiment according to
Specific to the second embodiment of the invention, shown in
The third embodiment according to
Specific to the third embodiment is that which relates in particular to the reinforcement 19, or reinforcing structure. In general, the reinforcing structure 19 includes a lateral wall 86 and a medial wall 87. In a non-limiting manner, each wall 86, 87 covers the first shell, in the sense that it is arranged outside of the latter. Here again, an alternative construction is that for which each wall is arranged within the first shell, but the external arrangement brings more comfort.
Similar to what has been shown for the toe cap 39, the lateral wall 86 has holes 88, and the medial wall has holes 89. This is also designed to modify the flexibility of the walls, and therefore the flexibility of the lateral 6 and medial 7 sides of the upper 3 of the shoe. The holes have different sizes, and various forms, such as triangles, or the like.
In the spirit of what has been described above, keepers 16 are arranged in the area of the lateral wall 86 of the reinforcing structure, and keepers 16 are arranged in the area of the medial wall 87 of the reinforcing structure. This enables the foot to be wrapped more consistently and more comfortably, because tightening is more gradual.
The reinforcing structure 19 also comprises a rear bridge 90 connecting the lateral wall 86 to the medial wall 87. Thus, the rear bridge 90 acts as a stiffener for the shoe, for better support of the heel of the foot.
In a non-limiting manner, the toe cap 39, the lateral wall 86, and the medial wall 87 form a unitary element, that is, a one-piece element. More broadly, the toe cap 39, the lateral wall 86, the rear bridge 90, and the medial wall 87 form a unitary element. This facilitates the manufacture of the reinforcing structure 19. In this spirit, for example, the reinforcing structure is made of a synthetic material, such as polyurethane, polyamide, or any equivalent material.
In any case, the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to one with ordinary skill in the art.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.
In particular, various arrangements may be provided for the reinforcing structure, or for the fitting.
For example, in the embodiments discussed and shown, the holes completely extend through the reinforcing structure. This means that the holes have a depth that is equal to the thickness of the reinforcing structure. Alternatively, embodiments may be provided for which one or more holes, or all of the holes, have a depth that is less than the thickness of the reinforcing structure. The holes recess the reinforcing structure without extending therethrough. In this case, they may be visible and open out on the side of the fitting, or they may be invisible and open out on the side of the first shell.
This corresponds to the spirit of the invention, as the objective is to weaken the reinforcing structure so as to enable an amount of flexing of the upper in the area of the structure, despite the presence of this structure. In this sense, the invention goes against a preconception.
One can also provide making the holes in the reinforcing structure, and filling them totally or partially with a softer material than the constituent material of the reinforcing structure.
In any case, the reinforcing structure has one or more zones for which the mechanical strength is reduced, compared to other zones of the structure.
Lastly, at least because the invention is disclosed herein in a manner that enables one to make and use it, by virtue of the disclosure of particular exemplary embodiments of the invention, the invention can be practiced in the absence of any additional element or additional structure that is not specifically disclosed herein.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15/00139 | Jan 2015 | FR | national |
