Patent Application
20220125162
The present invention relates to articles of footwear, in particular waterproof articles of footwear having an improved fit and a waterproof liner which provides for secure engagement of a user's foot within the footwear and reduction of slipping or sliding of a user's foot during use.
Waterproof footwear is widely used and highly desirable in various sectors of the footwear industry. Common scenarios in which such waterproof footwear may be necessary include fishing and wading, hiking, hunting, camping, snow sports and winter activities, construction, surveying, or plumbing work. In addition, waterproof footwear may be desirable for daily use in urban or suburban environments in order to provide versatility and protection to the user throughout daily and seasonal weather changes. Some common types of waterproof footwear include galoshes, wellington boots, rubber boots, waders, and certain types of hiking, fishing, or work boots.
In many cases, waterproof footwear may be formed of a material that is relatively stiff of that does not flex and bend easily, such as rubber or polyvinyl chloride (“PVC”). Further, it is desirable in many waterproof shoes to avoid the inclusion of laces or a tongue structure, as such components may introduce additional gaps, opening, and seams which can act as entry points for water.
However, many such waterproof shoes formed of a stiff material and lacking a lacing or tongue component lack the ability to adjust fit in order to conform and fit snugly to a user's foot. Accordingly, many waterproof shoes may only be able to achieve a loose fit which allows for sliding and slipping of a user's foot during walking and other activities. This may be a particular problem for users that have narrower heels or ankles. Such sliding of the foot may cause discomfort or blistering, as well as providing poor balance and easy of movement. Other deficiencies not noted here also exist.
A waterproof article of footwear of the present technology is adapted to provide an improved and versatile fit that minimizes movement of a user's foot within the footwear. Waterproof footwear according to the present technology includes a waterproof liner which in some aspects is configured to secure a user's foot within the footwear and provide a snug fit.
In some aspects, the present technology provides a liner for an article of footwear comprising a fabric body defining a cavity adapted to receive a user's foot, and having a sole portion configured to underlie a user's foot and an upper portion configured to overly a user's foot, further including a first waterproof material and a second stretchable waterproof material, wherein the second stretchable waterproof material is provided in a region of the upper portion running from a midfoot region to a collar region and the remainder of the fabric body is formed of the first waterproof material.
Further, the present technology includes an article of footwear comprising an upper defining a cavity adapted to receive the foot of a user, wherein the upper is attached to an outsole, and a liner comprising a fabric body defining a cavity adapted to receive a user's foot, and having a sole portion configured to underlie a user's foot and lie substantially parallel to the outsole and an upper portion configured to overly a user's foot and to fit beneath the upper, further including a first waterproof material and a second stretchable waterproof material, wherein the second stretchable waterproof material is provided in a region of the upper portion running from a midfoot region to a collar region and the remainder of the fabric body is formed of the first waterproof material.
In describing aspects of the present technology, specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However, the technology is not intended to be limited to any specific terms used herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents, which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
As used in the present application, “length” means the longest dimension of any object or shape. As used in the present application, “width” means the shortest dimension of any object or shape existing in the same plane or surface as the length. “Thickness” means the remaining dimension of a three-dimensional object which is not the length or the width.
As used in the present application, “medial” means at, towards, near, or relating to the midline of the human body, i.e. as applied to a shoe as it would be oriented when it is situated on the foot of a wearer. As used in the present application, “lateral” means at, towards, near, or relating to the edge of an object, particularly an edge or end which is away from or opposite the midline (medial region) of the human body. When the terms “medial” and “lateral” are applied to a shoe or other wearable object, they describe portions of the object as they would be oriented when worn by a wearer.
As used in the present application, “stretchable” or “stretchy” means capable of elastic deformation in at least one dimension. Specifically, a “stretchable” or “stretchy” material is capable of stretching or expansion to at least 105%, or more preferably 110%, of the original length, width, or thickness of the material upon application of force and capable of returning to the original length, width, or thickness, respectively, once such force is removed. A “stretchable” waterproof material is capable of such stretching without degradation of its waterproof properties. As used in the present application, “stretchable waterproof liner” or “stretchable liner” means a waterproof liner or a liner comprising one or more portions of stretchable material.
The technology disclosed herein includes, in general, waterproof footwear adapted to provide a tighter and more versatile fit around the differently sized and shaped feet of various different users. The footwear of the present technology may include various stretchable components configured to tightly secure and conform to a user's foot. In some aspects of the present technology, a waterproof liner containing one or more stretchable portions is provided for use in the waterproof footwear.
For example, as shown in
As shown in
In alternative embodiments, waterproof footwear 100 may be provided with alternative or additional stretchable components aside from or in addition to liner 200. For example, footwear 100 may be provided with one or more straps disposed within cavity 106 in an ankle 111 or midfoot region 110 and configured to overly a user's foot when the user's foot is disposed within cavity 106. Straps may comprise one or more stretchable portions adapted to apply pressure to a user's foot in order to secure the user's foot within cavity 106 and minimize slipping and movement.
In some aspects, as shown in
Suitable stretchable materials according to the present technology may be lycra, spandex, polyester, nylon, or the like. Suitable non-stretchable materials may include neoprene, polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”), expanded PTFE, polyurethane, polyester, wool, cotton, nylon, or the like. Materials of adjacent panels should have similar thicknesses, such as within 1 mm of each other, more preferably within about 0.5 mm of each other, or most preferably within 0.2 mm of each other.
Adjacent panels 210, 212 may be joined to one another by stitching, for example by a zigzag stitch, a lightning stitch, a triple stitch, an overlock stitch, or other suitable stretch stitches. If appropriate stitching is not used, for example, if a straight stitch is used, seams may break, leak, or stretching of stretchable panels may be inhibited. Further, seams may be reinforced against tension and pressure and sealed against water by taping or application of adhesive.
In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in
Provision of longitudinal stretchable panel 218 running from a midfoot region to a collar region, as shown in
Accordingly, a tongue and lacing mechanism, a zipper, a gore, or other similar adjustment mechanism is often provided in order to allow for expansion of the shaft and collar regions during insertion of the foot into the footwear and to subsequently allow for tightening once the foot is inserted. However, in waterproof footwear, such conventional mechanisms may be disadvantageous because they may introduce additional perforations, seams, or holes in the upper of the footwear which can allow for entry of water and leaking. Alternatively or additionally, these mechanisms may be more complex to produce, requiring more components or pieces, or may be aesthetically undesirable. In particular with respect to a conventional gore, expansion seam, or insert of stretchable material into an upper, these mechanisms may be disadvantageous in that they relax once a user's foot is disposed within the footwear and thus do not provide continuous pressure or tension around a user's foot. Therefore, undesirable sliding of the foot may occur within the footwear. Accordingly, an embodiment containing longitudinal stretchable panel 218 or other stretchable components as described herein may simultaneously allow for expansion upon insertion of a user's foot while also providing constant tension or pressure against a user's foot in order to ensure a secure fit once the foot is inserted.
While inclusion of longitudinal stretchable panel 218 is particularly preferred, provision of one or more stretchable panels 210 in other regions of liner 200 is also contemplated. For example, as shown in
In some embodiments, as shown in
In alternative embodiments, as shown in
In an embodiment, as shown in
Accordingly, belt 300 may be configured to fit tightly across a user's ankle when the foot is inserted into footwear 100, in order to minimize slipping and movement of the foot. However, the stretchable nature of straps 304 allows for expansion and stretching of belt 300 while the foot is inserted into footwear 100.
In an embodiment, as shown in
In yet another embodiment, as shown in
In an exemplary embodiment, waterproof footwear 100 lacking a tongue or lacing component is provided. Such waterproof footwear 100 may be provided with a stretchable waterproof liner 200 which may be formed as a fabric liner defining a cavity 202 adapted to receive a user's foot. Further, waterproof liner 200 may be shaped and sized to fit within the cavity 106 defined by upper 104 and outsole 102 of footwear 100. Accordingly, the liner 200 may have a sole portion 204 configured to underlie the foot of the user and to lie flush with and parallel to the outsole 102 of footwear 100. The liner 200 may further comprise an upper portion 206 configured to overlie the foot of a user and to fit beneath upper 104.
In a preferred embodiment, upper portion 206 is provided with a longitudinal stretchable panel 218 running from a midfoot region to a collar region, in order to allow for stretching and expansion of a collar and ankle region of the liner 200, during insertion of a user's foot into a boot or other waterproof footwear 100. If sufficient space is not provided in the shaft 116 of a boot or the collar of other footwear 100, a user will have difficulty or will be unable to insert their foot into the footwear due to protrusion of the heel of the foot. However, if too much space is provided in the shaft or collar region, then the user's foot may slip and slide within the footwear once inserted. Accordingly, an embodiment containing longitudinal stretchable panel 218 may simultaneously allow for expansion upon insertion of a user's foot while also providing a secure fit once the foot is inserted.
Further, in some aspects, liner 200 is configured to be smaller than cavity 106, particularly in a shaft 116 and/or ankle 111 region. According to the present technology, excess space may be provided in cavity 106 formed by upper 104 such that there is sufficient space for a user to insert their foot. However, such excess space would also allow for slipping of a user's foot once it is inserted. Accordingly, stretchable liner 200 is provided and configured to be smaller than cavity 106, so as to fit tightly against and over a user's foot, particularly in the shaft 116, collar 114, and/or ankle 111 region, once the user's foot is inserted in order to minimize sliding. When a user inserts their foot into footwear 100 provided with liner 200, liner 200 may expand to the full size and width of cavity 106 of upper 104, before contracting to its original size once the foot is inserted.
In addition to the waterproof embodiments described herein, liner 200 and other stretchable components described herein may be used in conjunction with non-waterproof or only partially waterproof embodiments. For example, liner 200 and belt 300 may be formed of non-waterproof material and may be used in entirely or partially non-waterproof footwear. In particular, liner 200 and belt 300 may be useful in non-waterproof footwear which lack a tongue or lacing element. A tongue or lacing component may be less desirable even in non-waterproof footwear due to expense of manufacturing and extra components needed for production, and/or also may not be preferred due to aesthetic reasons. Accordingly, non-waterproof footwear may be provided with liner 200 and/or belt 300 in order to provide a secure and versatile fit which minimizes sliding of a user's foot in a shoe lacking a tongue and/or lacing element.
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.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/104,583, filed on Oct. 23, 2020, the disclosure of which is hereby incoporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63104583 | Oct 2020 | US |
