FOOTWEAR WITH GRIP UNIT

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is directed to a footwear system comprising footwear with a grip unit that is adapted to be replaceable attached to the underside of the footwear.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is commonly known that most shoes, boots, high boots, sandals and other footwear provide a grip (traction) towards the ground over which a wearer of the footwear is moving.

To give an acceptable grip towards the ground the lower wear-surface of the footwear is made of a material that provides friction and the wear-surface is also often provided with grooves. For example, it is common that the wear-surface of the sole of work shoes, boots and high boots is provided with various kinds of grooves or patterns that give an improved grip towards the ground.

An even better grip towards the ground can be provided if the wear-surface of the sole is provided with protruding studs or similar. This is particularly articulated in connection with wet and/or icy grounds that are especially slippery. For example, work shoes as well as athletic shoes are sometimes provided with studs that provides an improved grip towards the ground. Such studs and other protruding devises are generally providing a very good grip towards the ground. This may for example be the case if the studs are made of metal or similar.

The patent document US 3 170 251 (Patrick) describes a shoe with a sole who's wear- surface has been provided with rigidly mounted steel studs. Sharp aggressive grip arrangements such as the steel studs in Patrick provide a good grip with respect to slippery grounds. At the same time they have a disadvantage when the footwear is used on sensitive grounds, e.g. indoors on floors made of wood or stone or on other sensitive material that can be damaged by sharp objects. The shoe that is proposed in Patrick must therefore often be supplemented with another shoe that is adapted to be used on more sensitive grounds.

The patent document US 5 813 143 (Bell) describes a solution that at least partly sets aside the need for two pair of shoes. Bell presents footwear with a grip arrangement that is arranged towards the wear-surface by means of a front clasp arrangement that attaches around the toe of the footwear, and a rear clasp that attaches around the heel of the foot wear. The grip arrangement in Bell is thus stabilized with respect to the wear- surface by means of a front and a rear clasp arrangement. However, this gives a clumsy and inexact stabilizing of the grip arrangement. Moreover, the grip arrangement in Bell is covering most parts of the wear-surface of the sole and thus also possible grooves or patterns that have been arranged in the wear-surface to provide a grip towards the ground. In other words, the grip provided by the grip arrangement in Bell receives no or very little support from the regular grip of the wear-surface of the sole. Rather, the grip arrangement in Bell replaces the regular wear-surface, instead of supplementing and reinforcing the grip from the regular wear-surface.

In the light of the above there seems to be a need for an improved footwear system comprising a footwear and a grip arrangement that is fixated towards the lower part of the footwear. At least, there seems to be a need for a grip arrangement with an improved fixation and/or stabilizing with respect to the lower part of the footwear. In addition, there seems to be a need of a grip arrangement that supplements and reinforces the grip from the ordinary wear-surface without replacing its ordinary grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to solve at least one of the problems indicated above as occurring in previously known systems comprising footwear with a grip arrangement.

This is accomplished according to a first embodiment of the invention in which a footwear system comprising a footwear with an upper part that is arranged to operatively at least partly surround and retain the foot of a wearer (i.e. an user) of the system; and an at least partly flexible lower part with an outer sole that is provided with a groove pattern that is adapted to interact with a transport ground.

In addition, the footwear comprises a grip unit that is adapted to be detachably arranged in the groove pattern of the lower part so that a grip system of the grip unit provides additional grip towards the transport ground.

A second aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the first aspect is characterized in that said groove pattern is mainly arranged in at least one wear-surface of the outer sole.

A third aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the first aspect is characterized in that said groove pattern is substantially continuous.

A fourth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the first aspect is characterized in that said groove pattern is divided in at least two separate groove groups.

A fifth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the first, second, third or fourth aspect is characterized in that said groove pattern displays at least one of: a substantially transversal groove and a substantially longitudinal groove.

A sixth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the third aspect is characterized in that said grip unit is a substantially continuous structure.

A seventh aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the fourth aspect is characterized in that said grip unit is divided in at least two separate grip units.

An eight aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the fifth aspect is characterized in that said grip unit displays at least one of: a substantially transversal strap and a substantially longitudinally groove.

A ninth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of one of the first to eight aspect is characterized in that said grip unit is attached to said footwear by means of at least one of: a toe strap and a heel strap.

A tenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the ninth aspect is characterized in that a retaining part of the grip unit is tighten or stretched by means of locking arrangements, clasp arrangements or Velcro bands. The grip unit can e.g. comprise a toe strap or a heel strap or similar as a retaining part.

An eleventh aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of any of the first to the eight aspect is characterized in that said grip unit is attached to said footwear by means of hooks and loops.

A twelfth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of any of the first to the eight aspect is characterized in that said grip unit is attached to said footwear by means of snap fastener.

A thirteenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of any of the first to the twelfth aspect is characterized in that said grip system consists of protruding units.

A fourteenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the thirteenth aspect is characterized in that the grip unit has a thickness that is less than the depth of the groove pattern, such that only the protruding units of the grip system extends beyond the wear-surfaces.

A fifteenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of any of the first to the twelfth aspect is characterized in that said grip system comprises an uneven surface or some other traction increasing unit.

A sixteenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of the fifteenth aspect is characterized in that the grip unit has a thickness that is larger than the depth of the groove pattern, such that the grip system extends beyond the wear-surfaces.

A seventeenth aspect of the footwear system comprising the features of at least one of the aspects above is characterized in that the entire or at least parts of the grip unit is elastic.

However, it should be noted that this and other aspects of the invention do not preclude that the grip unit can have a thickness that is substantially the same as the depth of the groove pattern.

Further advantages of the present invention and embodiments thereof will appear in the detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is illustrated by the examples shown in the figures, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a view in perspective of a first exemplifying footwear with a first exemplifying grove pattern in the wear-surface of the lower part of the footwear.

Fig. 2 is a view in perspective of an exemplifying grip unit that is adapted to fit in said groove pattern. Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the footwear in Fig. 1 with the grip unit in Fig. 2 fitted in said groove pattern. Fig. 4 is a view in perspective of a second exemplifying footwear and a grip unit fitted in another exemplifying groove pattern in the wear-surface of the lower part of the footwear. Fig. 5a is a section of the lower part cut along the line A-A in Fig. 4 that illustrates a first exemplifying attachment of the grip unit by means of hooks. Fig. 5b is a section of the lower part cut along the line A-A in Fig. 4 that illustrates a second exemplifying attachment of the grip unit by means of hooks. Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of an alternative embodiment of the footwear and the grip unit in Fig. 4.

Fig. 6a is a section of the lower part cut along the line A-A in Fig. 6, which illustrates a second exemplifying attachment by means of snap fastener.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Below is a detailed description of an exemplifying footwear system in accordance with embodiments of the invention.

A First Exemplifying Embodiment

Fig. 1 shows a view in perspective of a footwear according to a first embodiment of the invention. The footwear in Fig. 1 is exemplified by a shoe 10 comprising an upper part 12 and an lower part 14 that are attached to each other.

The upper part 12 is adapted to surround and retain the foot of the wearer of the shoe 10 and it may e.g. be manufactured in a leather material, a plastic material, a rubber material or a textile material or a combination of two or more of these materials. Furthermore, the

upper part 12 can be attached to the feet by means of e.g. shoelaces, Velcro bands, elastic bands or by a zipper or in any other suitable fashion.

The lower part 14 comprises a sole that is fully or partly flexible so that it at least partly adapts to such movements in the foot that occur when the wearer of the shoe 10 walks or runs or similar. In general, a shoe sole do usually comprise several different materials with different characters. The sole can e.g. comprise an inner sole, an intermediate sole and an outer sole. In such cases it is typical that the inner sole is closest to the feet, whereas the intermediate sole forms a layer that lies between the inner sole and the outer sole for providing shock dampening and shape to the inner sole.

With respect to the outer sole the exemplifying lower part 14 in Fig. 1 displays at least one outer sole 14A that is provided with a number lower wear-surfaces 16 arranged along substantially the whole outer sole 14A. The wear-surfaces 16 have been marked by shadow lines on the under side of the shoe 10 in Fig. 1. Other types of wear-surfaces are naturally conceivable, e.g. a wear-surface that is divided into a claque for the heel and a sole for the intermediate feet and the toes. The wear-surfaces 16 are adapted to interact with the transport ground over which the wearer of the shoe 10 is moving. It is preferred that the outer sole 14A and the wear-surfaces 16 are made of rubber or some other suitable sole material such as e.g. Polyurethane (PU) or Etyleneacetylacetate (EVA), which at least gives an acceptable grip towards ordinary grounds. The wear-surfaces 16 can be substantially flat and/or designed with a corrugated surface in the form of a pattern or similar irregularity.

Moreover, from Fig. 1 it is clear that the outer sole 14A is provided with a particular groove pattern 18 in the form of a mesh of continuous recesses that form one or several continuous channels. Normally, the grove pattern 18 comprises at least one transversal grove 18T that forms a transversal channel that extends substantially in the transversal direction of the shoe. In addition, the groove pattern 18 normally comprises at least one longitudinal grove 18L that forms a longitudinal channel that extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the shoe. The channels are preferably 5-40 millimeters wide and more preferred 5-20 millimeters wide and even more preferred 10-15 millimeters wide. Furthermore, the channels are preferably about 1-15 millimeters deep and more preferred about 2-10 millimeters deep and most preferred about 3-8 millimeter deep. Naturally, every single width and every single depth for any of the intervals above is conceivable,

which does not preclude other widths and depths Other groove patterns are also conceivable, e g a plurality of separate groves, i e non-continuous groves It should be added that the width, the depth and other form parameters in connection width the grooves do not have to be the same for every groove and they do not have to be the 5 same for the whole extension of a single grove It should also be emphasized that the outer sole 14A can be provided with other groves, channels or patterns in addition to the groves that form the particular grove pattern 18

Before we proceed it should be underlined that in the same manner as for the wear- 10 surfaces 16 it is preferred that the particular grove pattern 18 is at least partly adapted to interact with the transport ground over which the wearer of the shoe 10 is moving In other words, the shoe 10 is intended to be used even without a grip unit 20, 40, which unit will be discussed below

15 The footwear in the form of a shoe 10 according to a first embodiment of the invention has been described above with reference to Fig 1 The attention is now directed to Fig 2 showing a view in perspective of an exemplifying grip unit 20 according to a first embodiment of the invention as will be discussed below

20 Fig 2 shows a fully or partly elastic grip unit 20 that is adapted to be detachably arranged in the particular grove pattern 18 of the outer sole 14A in the lower part 14 that have been described above with reference to Fig 1 It is preferred that the elasticity of the grip unit 20 is chosen so that the grip unit 20 is at least partly adapting to the movements in the outer sole 14A, which occurs when the wearer of the shoe 10 walks or runs or similar It is

25 also preferred that the elasticity of the grip unit 20 and the size of the grip unit 20 are chosen so that the grip unit 20 is at least partly stretched when it is attached to the shoe 10, as will be describe in more detail later The above does not preclude that other embodiments of the grip unit 20 are fully or at least partly rigid and/or un-elastic

30 It is further shown in Fig 2 that the grip unit 20 has a lower part 24 that consists of a mesh of connected straps 28 It is preferred that at least one of the straps 28 is elastic The straps 28 on the lower part 24 are mainly an inverse to the channels of the groove pattern 18 in the outer sole 14A of the shoe 10, in other words the straps 28 show essentially the same pattern as the groove pattern 18 and hence the grip unit 20 fits in the groove pattern

35 18 when it is arranged towards the outer sole 14A of the shoe 10 In certain embodiments

the whole pattern 18 is filled up with the grip unit 20. However, it should be emphasized that the grip unit 20 does not have to be as wide as the groove pattern 18 in every single position. It is further preferred that the entire or the most of the exemplifying grip unit 20 shows a thickness that is somewhat less than the depth of the groove pattern 18. In this 5 manner there is a certain depth left of the groove pattern 18, which can provide traction towards the ground also when the grip unit is attached to the shoe 10. In this case only the protruding grip system 24A of the grip unit 20 will be positioned beyond the wear- surfaces 16. The protruding grip system 24A in Fig. 2 will be described in more detail below.

10

Since the lower part of the grip unit 24 is a substantial inverse of the groove pattern 18 it is hence preferred that the mesh of straps 28 in the grip unit 20 are typically presenting at least one transversal strap 28T that extends substantially in the transversal direction of the grip unit. In a similar manner it is preferred that the mesh of straps 28 in the grip unit

15 20 typically present at least one longitudinal strap 28L that extends substantially in the longitudinal direction of the grip unit 20.

Moreover, the fact that straps 28 in the lower part of the grip unit 20 is an inverse to the channels in the groove pattern 18 means that the width of the straps 28 is preferably

20 corresponding to the width of the channels in the groove pattern 18. However, as already mentioned above, the straps 28 have usually a thickness that is less than the depth of the grove pattern 18. Though, in some embodiments it may be preferred that the straps 28 have a slightly lesser width. In other embodiment it may be preferred that the straps 28 have a slightly larger thickness so as to fill the channels of the groove pattern or even

25 extend beyond the wear-surfaces 16 of the outer sole 14A when the grip unit 20 is arranged in the groove pattern 18.

Furthermore, Fig. 2 shows that the lower part 28 of the grip unit 20 is provided with a grip system 24A. The exemplifying grip system 24A in Fig. 2 comprises six stud arrangements 30 26 that are adapted to provide a good grip towards slippery and/or wet grounds. To this end the grip system 24A and/or the stud arrangements 26 can e.g. display one or several metal studs. The metal studs can be of the same material or of different materials.

However, the grip system 24A is not limited to having six positions wherein the grip is 35 enforced. On the contrary, the number of such may vary in an interval of e.g. 1 to 20. The

invention is not limited to a grip system with studs or similar. On the contrary, the grip system 24A in an alternative embodiment can e.g. comprise a friction-increasing surface that is arranged along the lower part 24 of the grip unit 20. The friction-increasing surface can e.g. be a harsh surface, a rough surface or a corrugated surface or some other type 5 of uneven surface that provides an increased friction towards the ground. In such embodiments it is preferred that the straps 28 have a slightly larger thickness so that they extend from the outer sole 14A beyond the wear-surfaces 16 when the grip unit 20 is arranged in the groove pattern 18.

10 The grip unit 20 is provided with a front toe strap 23 and a rear heel strap 25 for fastening the grip unit 20 on the shoe 10.

The exemplifying front toe strap 26 that is shown in Fig. 2 is integrated with the lower part 24 of the grip unit 20 and it extends from both sides of a front transversal strap 28TF in an

15 arc that is adapted to receive the toe of the shoe 10. The ends of an intermediate transversal strap 28TM are connected to the toe strap 26 by means of two side straps 29. It is preferred that the toe strap 23 is at least partly elastic and of such size that it will be stretched out when the toe of the shoe 10 is received in the arc that is formed by the toe strap 23. In this manner a retaining pressure is created around the toe of the shoe 10. The

20 toe strap 23 or some other retaining part of the grip unit 20 can as an alternative or as an complement be tightened or stretched by means of clasps (e.g. buckles used for straps of various kinds or for backpacks) or by means Velcro bands or by means of a quick-lock.

The exemplifying rear heel strap 25 that is shown in Fig. 2 is integrated with the lower part 25 28 of the grip unit 20 and extends from a rear transversal strap 28TR in an arc that is adapted to receive the heel of the shoe 10. The rear transversal strap 28TR is connected with the intermediate transversal strap 28TM by means of an at least doubled longitudinal strap 28LD.

30 It is preferred that the heel strap 27 is at least partly elastic and of a size that that allows the strap 27 to be stretched when the heel of the shoe 10 is received in the arc that is formed by the heel strap 27. In this manner a retaining pressure is created around the heel of the shoe 10.

It is furthermore preferred that the doubled longitudinal strap 28LD is at least partly elastic and that the grip unit 20 is slightly shorter than the lower part 14 of the shoe 10 such that the doubled longitudinal strap 28LD is stretched out when the grip unit 20 is attached to the shoe 10. In this manner a longitudinal retaining pressure is created towards the toe part and the heel part of the shoe 10.

Fig. 3 shows the shoe 10 with the grip unit 20 arranged in the groove pattern 18 in the outer sole 14A of the lower part 14 of the shoe 10. The grip unit 20 is attached on the shoe 10 by means of the toe strap 23 and the heel strap 25 as described above. Together the shoe 10 and the grip unit 20 form a footwear system 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

A Second Exemplifying Embodiment

Fig. 4 shows a view in perspective of a footwear system 200 according to a second embodiment of the invention. The exemplifying footwear system 200 comprises, in a similar manner as described above for the footwear system 100, a shoe 40 and an ancillary grip unit 50 that is adapted to be arranged in a groove pattern 48 in an outer sole 44A of the shoe 10. Fig. 4 shows the shoe 40 with the grip unit 50 arranged in said groove pattern 48.

From Fig. 4 it can be seen that the outer sole 44A has a number of wear-surfaces 46 arranged along substantially the whole outer sole 44A. The wear-surfaces 46 is marked with shadow lines on the under side of the shoe 40 in Fig. 4. The wear-surfaces 46 are, in the same manner as for the shoe 10, adapted to interact with the ground over which a wearer of the shoe 40 is moving and the wear-surfaces 46 can e.g. be made of rubber or similar.

Moreover, it can be seen in Fig. 4 that the outer sole 44A of the shoe 40 is provided with the above mentioned groove pattern 48 in a similar manner as the outer sole 14A of the shoe 10 is provided with the groove pattern 18. However, the groove pattern 48 in the outer sole 44A is divided in a separate front grove group 48' and a rear groove group 48". The rear groove group 48" comprises a transversal grove 48TR, whereas the front groove group 48' comprises two front transversal grooves 48TF and two front longitudinal groves 48LF. Some embodiments of the invention may have more groove groups than the two groove groups 48' and 48".

The grip unit 50 in Fig. 4 is divided in a separate front grip unit 50' that is arranged in the front groove group 48', and a separate rear grip unit 50" that is arranged in the rear groove group 48". It is preferred that grip units 50', 50" are substantially rigid, i.e. substantially inelastic. The grip units 50', 50" can for example be chains or similar, e.g. some form of snow chains or similar. It is furthermore preferred that the grip units 50', 50" are adapted to be detachable arranged in the groove patterns 48', 48". However, this does not preclude that other embodiments of the grip units 50, 50' are fully or at least partly elastic.

From the above it follows that the grip unit 50 is an inverse to the groove pattern 48 in the outer sole 44A of the shoe 40, in the same manner as the grip unit 20 is an inverse to the groove pattern 18 in the outer sole 14A of the shoe 10. In other words, the grip unit 50 has substantially the same pattern as the groove pattern 48 and the grip unit 50 will therefore fit in the groove pattern 48 when it is arranged on the outer sole 44A. Note that, in the same manner as for the grip unit 20 and the groove pattern 18, there may be "empty" groove patterns in the outer sole 44A when the grip unit 50 is attached. In other words, these "empty" grooves are preferably not a part of the groove pattern 48.

Furthermore, in Fig. 4 it can be seen that the grip unit 50, like the grip unit 20, is provided with six stud arrangements 56 that are adapted to provide a good grip towards slippery and/or wet grounds. In the same manner as for the grip unit 20 other grip systems may be contemplated for the grip unit 50, e.g. an friction increasing surface that is arranged along the lower part of the grip unit 50.

The grip unit 50 is, in contrast to the grip unit 20, not provided with a heel strap or a toe strap. Instead, to attach the grip unit 50 to the shoe 40 it has been provided six hooks 53 that are adapted to engage in loops 43 that are arranged on the shoe 40, preferably arranged in the lower part 44 of the shoe 40, but also possibly on the upper part. It should be added that the hooks 53 may alternatively arranged on the shoe 40 whereas the loops may be arranged on the grip unit 50.

Fig. 5a shows a section of the lower part 44 cut along the line A-A in Fig. 4. The cut-out section in Fig. 5a illustrates a first exemplifying fastening of the grip unit 50, 50" by means of a hook 53. The hook 53 is shown attached around a loop 43. The loop 43 may e.g.

assume the shape of a cylindrical metal rod. In such cases the metal rod may e.g. be of stainless steel or similar material and e.g. have a diameter of about 2-5 millimeters and an extension of about 5-20 millimeters. The hook 53 is ended by a bend that is adapted to, in an attached position, grip around the cylindrical metal rod. Naturally, the hook 53 and the loop 43 may have other shapes as long as it is possibly to attach the hook 53 in the loop 43.

It should be added that fig. 5a shows said loop 43 in the form of an exemplifying metal rod arranged in a substantially box-shaped recess 45 in the side of the lower part 44 of the shoe 40. Naturally, other placements are conceivable. The loop 43 is preferably arranged in the upper part of the recess 45 that is located furthest away from the outer sole 44A. It is preferred that the recess is deep enough to contain both the loop 43 and the hook 53 when it is mounted on the loop 43, such that neither the loop 43 nor the hook 53 extends outside the shoe 40. This reduces the risk that the loop and/or the hook 53 gets stuck in other objects and causes injuries to the wearer by e.g. give rise to falls and sprains etc. To give room for the hook 53 in the recess 45 it is preferred that the recess 53 is slightly wide than the hook 53.

Even if the exemplifying recess 45 in Fig. 5a is shown as substantially box-shaped it should be understood that this aspect of the invention is not limited to a recess of this kind. On the contrary, a number of other types of suitable recesses may be contemplated.

For example, Fig. 5b illustrates a recess 45' that is similar to the recess 45 with the exception that the depth of the recess declines in a direction towards the outer sole 44A.

This means that the upper half of the recess 45' that is located furthest away from the outer sole 44A displays a greater depth than the lower half of the recess that is positioned closest to the outer sole 44A. An advantage with the recess 45' is that the loop 43 and the hook 54 will be more protected, which further reduces the risk for injuries as mentioned above.

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of a shoe 40' and a grip unit 50' according to an alternative embodiment of the shoe 40 and the grip unit 50 in Fig. 4. To attach the grip unit 50' to the shoe 40' the grip unit 50' is provided with six snap fasteners 73 that are adapted to engage in snap fasteners 63 that are arranged on the side of the lower part 44'of the shoe 40'. Other placements of the snap fasteners 73 are conceivable, and other placements of

the snap fasteners 63 are also conceivable, e.g. on the upper side of the shoe 40'. An example of snap fasteners can e.g. be found in the patent document GB 1142159.

Fig. 6a shows a section of the lower part 44' cut out along the line B-B in Fig. 6. The cutout section in Fig. 6a illustrates a third exemplifying attachment of the grip unit by means of snap fasteners. The snap fastener arrangement 73 of the grip unit 50' is shown attached to the snap fastener arrangement 63 of the lower part 44' of the shoe 40'.

From the above it is clear that a footwear system 100, 200 according to embodiments of the present invention comprises a footwear 10, 40 and a grip arrangement 20, 50 that is arranged in a groove pattern 18, 49 on the lower part of the footwear 10, 40. This provides a clearly improved fixation and/or stabilizing of the grip unit 20, 50 with respect to the lower part 14, 44. From the above it is also clear that a grip arrangement 20, 40 in a footwear system 100, 200 according to embodiments of the present invention does cover the regular wear-surfaces 16 of the lower part 14, 44. This means that the grip arrangement 20, 40 supplements and reinforces the grip towards the ground that is provided by the regular wear-surfaces 16 without replacing the regular grip and the contact of the wear-surface with the ground.

The invention has now been described with reference to exemplifying embodiments. However, it should be underlined that the invention is not in any way limited to the embodiments that have been described herein. On the contrary, the full meaning of the invention is solely determined by the scope of the appended claims.