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Title:
GUMBOOT WITH INTEGRAL METATARSAL GUARD
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2013/078483
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
This invention relates to a protective shoe or boot, preferably a gumboot 10 that is integrally moulded from injection moulded plastics. An externally facing, resiliently deformable metatarsal impact absorption guard 28 is integrally moulded with the instep of the boot. The metatarsal guard band 28 is made up of a number of in-line, open-sided arches 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 extending across the instep of the boot upper. By virtue of being open-sided, the arches 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 can be formed integrally and simultaneously with the boot 10 in a single injection moulding process by means of appropriately shaped mould formations that are integral with the mould parts.

Inventors:
ROBB JONATHAN FRANK (ZA)
Application Number:
PCT/ZA2012/000085
Publication Date:
May 30, 2013
Filing Date:
November 21, 2012
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
ROBB JONATHAN FRANK (ZA)
International Classes:
A43B7/32; A43B1/00; A43B3/02
Foreign References:
DE3234086A11984-03-15
AU2004231162A12005-06-09
DE2647112A11978-04-20
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
BURGER, Pieter Francois Theron (Umgeni Heights, 4051 Durban, ZA)
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Claims:
A protective shoe including an upper and an integral, externally facing, resiliently detormable impact absorption band that is attached to the shoe upper at its ends and that extends axially across the shoe upper in at least one open- sided arch that extends across the instep portion of the shoe upper.

A protective shoe according to claim 1 in which the impact absorption band is attached to the upper in at least one place intermediate its ends to define at least two impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the shoe, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the shoe upper.

A protective shoe according to claim 2 having a bending zone extending from a point rearward of a toe box of the shoe and each impact absorption band having at least one of its points of attachment located within the bending zone.

A protective shoe according to any one of the preceding claims in which each impact absorption band is formed with one or more resiliently deformable impact absorption formations that extends inwardly from the impact absorption band into the arch space within the arch formed by the impact absorption band.

5. A protective shoe according to claim 4 in which each band impact absorption formation is constituted by a transversely extending ridge formed on the band.

6. A protective shoe according to claim 4 in which the shoe upper is formed with one or more impact absorption formations that extends from the shoe upper into the arch space defined by each impact absorption band, each shoe impact absorption formation being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the shoe upper.

7. A protective shoe according to claim 6 in which each shoe impact absorption formation is constituted by a transversely extending ridge formed on the shoe upper.

8. A protective shoe according to claim 7 in which one or more of the impact absorption ridges on the shoe upper are constituted by reinforcing ribs that arise from either side of the shoe and that extend transversely at least partially across the instep of the shoe, each rib having a load bearing surface that faces into an arch space formed by an impact absorption band and each load bearing surface being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the shoe upper.

9. A protective shoe according to any one of the preceding claims which is moulded from a resiliency deformable polymeric material and each impact absorption band is integrally moulded with the shoe.

10. A protective boot including an upper and an integral, externally facing, resiliency deformable impact absorption band that is attached to the boot upper at its ends and that extends axially across the upper of the boot in at least one open-sided arch that extends across the instep portion of the boot upper.

1 1. A protective boot according to claim 10 in which the impact absorption band is attached to the boot upper in at least one place intermediate its ends to define at least two impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the boot, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the boot upper.

12. A protective boot according to either of claims 10 or 1 1 in which each impact absorption band is formed with one or more resiliently deformable impact absorption formations that extend inwardly from the impact absorption band into the arch space within the arch formed by the impact absorption band.

13. A protective boot according to claim 12 in which each band impact absorption formation is constituted by a transversely extending ridge formed on the band.

14. A protective boot according to claim 12 in which the boot upper is formed with one or more impact absorption formations that extend from the boot upper into the arch space defined by each impact absorption band, each boot impact absorption formation being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the boot upper.

15. A protective boot according to claim 1 in which each boot impact absorption formation is constituted by a transversely extending ridge formed on the boot upper.

A protective boot according to claim 15 in which one or more impact absorption ridges on the boot upper are constituted by reinforcing ribs that arise from either side of the boot and that extend transversely at least partially across the instep of the boot each rib having a load bearing surface that faces into an arch space formed by an impact absorption band and each load bearing surface being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the boot upper.

A protective boot according to claim 16 in which: each arched impact absorption band is formed with at least one impact absorption formation constituted by a transversely extending ridge that extends inwardly from the band into the arch space; the boot upper is formed with an impact absorption formation constituted by a transversely extending ridge that extends inwardly into the arch space of the corresponding impact absorption band; each boot upper impact absorption ridge corresponding with a band ridge; and each boot upper impact absorption ridge being constituted by a reinforcing rib that arises from either side of the boot and that extends transversely at least partially across the instep of the boot, the rib having a load bearing surface that faces into the arch space; and the load bearing surface being adapted to interact with the corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the boot upper.

A protective boot according to claim 17, the upper of which is configured to include a shaft and a bending zone extending from an area adjacent the toe box to an area adjacent the base of the shaft, each impact absorption band having at least one of its points of attachment located within the bending zone.

A protective boot according to claim 18 in which: the impact absorption band is attached to the boot upper in two places intermediate its ends to define three impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the boot, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the boot upper; the impact absorption bands including a forward impact absorption band located proximate the toe box, a rear impact absorption band located proximate the shaft and an intermediate impact absorption band located intermediate the forward and rear impact absorption bands; the forward impact absorption band having its forward point of attachment located forward of the bending zone and its other point of attachment located within the bending zone; the rear impact absorption band having its rearward point of attachment located on the shaft, rearward of the bending zone and its other point of attachment located within the bending zone; and the intermediate impact absorption band having its forward and rearward point of attachment located within the bending zone.

A protective boot according†o any one of claims 16 to 19 in which the reinforcing ribs are dimensioned to facilitate a greater degree of bending of the boot around the centre of the bending zone and a lesser degree of bending of the boot towards the extremities of the bending zone.

21. A protective boot according to any one of claims 10 to 20 which is moulded from a resiliently deformable polymeric material, the impact absorption band being integrally moulded with the boot.

A protective shoe substantially as described in this specification with reference to the accompanying illustrations.

23. A protective boot substantially as described in this specification with reference to the accompanying illustrations.

Description:
Gumboot with Integral Metatarsal Guard

Field of the invention

[001 ] This invention relates†o protective footwear.

[002] In particular, the invention relates to a plastics injection moulded gumboot with an integrally moulded metatarsal guard.

Background to the invention

[003] Metatarsal guards for protective and safety footwear are well known and are found in a variety of configurations.

[004] The Applicant, in developing metatarsal guard-protected gumboofs, initially opted for an initially separate guard that is bonded to the exterior of the boot above the instep area of the boot. These boots are sold by the Applicant under the trade mark SHOSHOLOZA and form the subject of SA Patent No. 2003/09331. The adhesive attachment of the metatarsal guard introduces a manual post-production process that is expensive and slow, thereby introducing a production bottleneck into a largely automated mass-production process of injection moulding.

[005] It is an object of this invention to provide a protective shoe, particularly a gumboot that seeks to overcome the difficulties outlined above and that includes, in particular, a metatarsal guard that is capable of integral moulding with the boot during the boot injection moulding process.

Summary of the invention

[006] According to the invention, a protective shoe includes an upper that is provided with an integral metatarsal guard in the form of an integral, externally facing, resiliency deformable impact absorption band that is attached to the shoe upper at its ends and that extends axially across the shoe upper in at least one open-sided arch that extends across the instep portion of the shoe upper.

[007] The impact absorption band may be attached to the upper in at least one place intermediate its ends to define, in effect, a plurality of impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the shoe, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the shoe upper.

[008] The shoe may be made with a bending zone in which the shoe bends preferentially in use when the wearer's foot is placed behind the knee, such as during crouching or kneeling.

[009] In this embodiment of the invention, the bending zone is preferably formed to extend from a point rearward of a toe box of the shoe and each impact absorption band is configured to have at least one of its points of attachment positioned within the bending zone to facilitate bending and flexing of the boot upper in use. [0010] To enhance the impact absorption characteristics of the metatarsal guard, each impact absorption band may conveniently be formed with one or more resiliency deformable impact absorption formations, preferably constituted by a transversely extending ridge, that extends inwardly from the impact absorption band into the arch space within the arch formed by the impact absorption band.

[ooi i] In this embodiment of the invention, the shoe upper may conveniently be formed with one or more impact absorption formations, preferably constituted by a transversely extending ridge, that extends from the shoe upper into the arch space defined by each impact absorption band, each shoe impact absorption formation being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the shoe upper.

[0012] One or more of the impact absorption ridges on the shoe upper are preferably constituted by a reinforcing rib that arises from either side of the shoe and that extends transversely at least partially across the instep of the shoe, the rib having a load bearing surface that faces into an arch space formed by an impact absorption band and each load bearing surface being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the shoe upper.

[0013] The shoe is preferably integrally moulded from a resiliency deformable polymeric material, with the impact absorption bands being integrally moulded with the shoe. [0014] The protective shoe of the invention is preferably a boot and more preferably a protective gumboot.

[0015] To this end, the invention includes a protective boot including a boot upper that is provided with an integral metatarsal guard in the form of an integral, externally facing, resiliently deformable impact absorption band that is attached to the boot upper at its ends and that extends axially across the upper of the boot in at least one open-sided arch that extends across the instep portion of the boot upper.

[0016] The impact absorption band may be attached to the boot upper in at least one place intermediate its ends to define at least two impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the boot, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the boot upper.

[0017] Like the shoe described above, the boot impact absorption bands may be formed with impact absorption formations, preferably ridges, that extend inwardly from the impact absorption band into the band arch spaces and the boot upper may be formed with impact absorption formations, preferably ridges, that extend from the boot upper into the band arch spaces.

[0018] Likewise, the boot upper impact absorption ridges may be constituted by reinforcing ribs that arise from either side of the boot and that extend transversely at least partially across the instep of the boot, each rib having a load bearing surface that faces into an arch space and each load bearing surface being adapted to interact with a corresponding band impact absorption formation when, in use, the impact absorption band is deformed towards the boot upper.

[0019] Being a boot, the upper of the protective boot of the invention is configured to include a shaft.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the boot upper is configured to include a bending zone extending from an area adjacent the toe box to an area adjacent the base of the shaft and each impact absorption band is dimensioned to have at least one of its points of attachment located within the bending zone.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the boot is configured such that: the impact absorption band is attached to the boot upper in two places intermediate its ends to define three impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep of the boot, each band defining an open-sided arch extending across the instep portion of the boot upper; the impact absorption bands including a forward impact absorption band located proximate the toe box, a rear impact absorption band located proximate the shaft and an intermediate impact absorption band located intermediate the forward and rear impact absorption bands; the forward impact absorption band having its forward point of attachment located forward of the bending zone and its other point of attachment located within the bending zone; the rear impact absorption band having its rearward point of attachment located on the shaft, rearward of the bending zone and its other point of attachment located within the bending zone; and the intermediate impact absorption band having its forward and rearward point of attachment located within the bending zone.

[0022] Generally, but specifically for this embodiment of the invention, the reinforcing ribs may be dimensioned to facilitate a greater degree of bending of the boot around the centre of the bending zone and a lesser degree of bending of the boot towards the extremities of the bending zone.

[0023] The protective boot is preferably integrally moulded from a resiliency deformable polymeric material, with the impact absorption band being integrally moulded with the boot.

Brief Description of the drawings

[0024] The invention will be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a gumboot according to the invention; Figure 2 is an outside elevation of the boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an inside elevation of the boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 4 is a rear elevation of the boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the boot of Figure 1 ;

Figure 6 is a side view of the metatarsal guard integrally moulded into the boot of Figures 1 to 5;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the metatarsal guard;

Figure 8 is a section, in side elevation similar to Figure 2, of the boot of Figures 1 to 5;

Figures 9A to 9E (Figure 9EE is an enlargement of a portion of Figure 9E) are a series of views mainly of the instep portion of the boot of Figures 1 to 5 illustrating bending of the boot.

Description of embodiments of the invention

[0025] In this specification, "shoe" means any item of footwear, including a boot or a gumboot and notwithstanding that shoe and boot terminology is reasonably well established, the following terms, when used with reference to a shoe or boot, will have the following meanings:

"front" means the toe end of the shoe or boot;

"forward" means towards the front of the shoe or boot; "back" means the heel end of the shoe or boot and "rear" or "rearward" means towards the back of the boot or shoe;

"side" means all or part of the side portions of the shoe or boot extending from the heel to the toe thereof; "axial" means substantially co-extensive with the long axis of the shoe or boot, from the heel to the toe thereof;

"transverse" means substantially normal to the long axis of the shoe or boot, from side to side, across the width of the shoe or boot.

"toe box" means the part of the shoe or boot surrounding the toes of the wearer - the toe box may include a reinforced toe cap, but the term is not limited to such a toe cap;

"upper" means the upper portion of the shoe or boot extending above the sole;

"instep" means the instep portion extending from the toe box area, across the metatarsals and around the ankle area to the heel area of the shoe with the instep, in the case of boots and gumboots in particular, typically having a seamless transition from the heel at the back of the boot and the toe box at the front of the boot, across the metatarsals, into the shaft of the boot;

"shaft" or "boot shaft" means the upward extension of the boot from the instep- and heel portions, extending over intended to envelop all or part of the shin and calf areas of the wearer. [0026] The shoe or boot of the invention is illustrated with reference to a gumboot 10 that is integrally moulded from injection moulded plastics.

[0027] The boot 10 comprises a boot shaft 12, an instep portion 14, a toe box portion 16, a heel portion 18 and a sole 20 - see Figure 2 for an illustration of these features of the boot 10.

[0028] The boot shaft is formed with a number of shin-protecting ribs 22. Similar protective ribs 24 are formed on the heel 18 to define an upwardly extended heel cup that protects against ankle and heel injuries.

[0029] Ankle protector pads 26 are attached, by means of in-mould adhesion, to either side of the instep portion 14 of the boot where the instep 14 extends upwardly into the boot shaft 12.

[0030] Having regard to Figure 8 it can be seen that the boot 10 includes a toe box reinforcing foe cap and a reinforced sole that provides protection against penetration by sharp objects. Conventionally the reinforcing material would be steel, but in the preferred embodiment of the invention, the boot 10 is metal-free, hence the reinforcing material is preferably a fibre-reinforced composite plastics sheet material appropriately shaped to make up a toe cap 40 and insole 42 respectively. The reinforcing toe cap 40 and the reinforcing insole 42 are moulded into the boot upper and sole during the injection moulding process.

[0031 ] An externally facing, resiliency deformable impact absorption band, in the form of a metatarsal impact absorption band 28, is integrally moulded with the instep 14. The metatarsal guard band 28 constitutes a metatarsal guard that extends from the toe box 16, across the instep 14 and partially up the shaft 22 of the boot 10.

[0032] Whilst the metatarsal guard band 28 could theoretically be attached to the boot 10 at either end with no attachment in-between, the preferred embodiment of the invention, which is illustrated in the drawings, has a metatarsal guard band 28 that is also connected†o the instep 14 intermediate its ends.

[0033] Therefore, instead of defining a single impact absorption band, the metatarsal guard band 28 defines a plurality of impact absorption bands that are axially aligned along the instep 14 of the boot 10. Each separate band or portion of the band 28 defines a separate open-sided arch, resulting in a series of in-line, open-sided bands or arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 extending across the instep 14 of the upper.

[0034] By virtue of being open-sided, the bands or arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 can be formed integrally and simultaneously with the boot 10 in a single injection moulding process by means of appropriately shaped mould formations that are integral with the mould parts.

[0035] The metatarsal bands or arches 28.1 , 28.1 , 28.3 curve operatively upwardly over the instep 14 and on the underside of the arches, on the inwardly facing surface of the bands 28 (the surface facing the shoe upper) the bands 28 are formed with a plurality of impact absorption formations in the form of impact absorption ridges 30 that extend transversely across the undersurface of each band 28 within the arch space of each of the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3. [0036] Being of resiliency deformable plastics, the bands 28 and the ridges 30 are capable of deforming compressively upon the application of a compressive stress acting substantially normal to the band plane (operatively downwardly in use). In this way, the bands 28 are adapted to absorb the impact stress of falling objects or objects striking the boot instep 14.

[0037] To support the impact absorption capacity of the ridges 30, the boot instep 14 is formed with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 32 that extend transversely over the instep 14 from one side of the boot 10 to the other. The reinforcing ribs 32 arise from buttress formations 34 that are integrally formed with the sides of the boot 10 and, in some cases, originate at or near the sole line of the boot 10. The buttress formations 34 are intended to transfer compressive stresses acting substantially normal to the instep plane, sideways and away from the instep and metatarsal area of a wearer's foot and downwardly towards the sole 20 of the boot 10.

[0038] The upwardly facing surfaces of the reinforcing ribs 32 are flattened to constitute substantially flat (in profile) impact absorption pedestals 36 that extend in transverse planes across the instep 14 and that face into the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3.

[0039] Each impact absorption pedestal 36 is substantially aligned with and is shaped complementally to a corresponding, inwardly directed band impact absorption ridge 30 (the ridges 30 formed on the undersides of the metatarsal guard band 28 arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3). The inwardly facing surfaces of the band impact absorption ridges 30 are rounded in side profile and relatively flat in the transverse plane to match the plane shapes of the corresponding impact absorption pedestals 36. In the un-stressed state of the boot 10, with neither impact stress nor bending stress imposed on the boot, each inwardly facing band impact absorption ridge 30 is substantially aligned with a corresponding pedestal 36.

[0040] Upon the application of a compressive stress to the metatarsal guard band 28, such as when a heavy object is dropped on the boot 10, the metatarsal guard band 28 is adapted to deform, with the arches

28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 bending in towards the insfep 14. The applied compressive stress is accommodated by bending of the arches 28.1 ,

28.2, 28.3 up to the point where the impact absorption ridges 30 bear up against the impact absorption pedestals 36.

[0041 ] Depending on the magnitude of the compressive stress (which will depend on the mass of the object dropped on the boot 10), the metatarsal guard band 28 will continue†o deform, with the continuing compressive stress being absorbed by compression of the resiliency deformable impact absorption ridges 30 against the pedestals 36.

[0042] The impact absorption pedestals 36 are also capable of deforming compressively to some extent, to absorb the compressive stress. In addition, the impact absorption pedestals 36 are designed to transfer the stress sideways across the surface of the instep 14 to the buttress formations 34, all of which transfer the stress sideways away from the instep and metatarsals and some of which transfer the stress down to the boot sole 20. [0043] The boot 10 is configured to include a bending zone (generally coinciding with the boot instep 14) in which the boot 10 bends preferentially in use when the wearer's foot is placed behind the knee, such as during crouching or kneeling. The techniques for creating such a bending zone are reasonably well known and include shaping of the upper by radius variation in cross-section, to facilitate bending of the boot in the bending zone. In the boot 10, the bending extends from a point just to the rear of the toe box 16 to the base of the front of the boot shaft 12.

[0044] As described above, the metatarsal impact absorption band 28 is connected to the instep 14 intermediate its ends at multiple points of attachment 38, to define (in the embodiment illustrated) three open- sided arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 extending across the instep 14 of the upper. The points of attachment 38 of the impact absorption band 28 are placed in such a manner that the metatarsal guard band 28 functions in co-operation with the bending zone. To achieve such co-operation, the points of attachment 38 of the metatarsal guard band 28 are placed in locations that coincide with the major flex points of the boot 10 to permit flexing and bending of the boot 10 when, in use, the wearer crouches or kneels for instance, thereby increasing the comfort and wearability of the boot 10.

[0045] In this regard, and referring to Figures 6, 7 and 9 in particular, it can be seen that the impact absorption bands or arches 28 include a forward band or arch 28.1 located proximate the toe box, a rear band or arch 28.3 located proximate the front of the shaft 12 and an intermediate band or arch 28.2 located intermediate the forward (28.1 ) and rear (28.3) bands or arches.

[0046] The forward band or arch 28.1 has its forward point of attachment 38.1 located forward of the rear end of the toe cap 40 and the toe box 16. This locates the forward arch 28.1 forward point of attachment 38.1 outside of the bending zone. The forward arch 28.1 rear point of attachment 38.2 is located within the bending zone.

[0047] The rear impact absorption band or arch 28.3 has its rearward point of attachment 38.4 located on the shaft 12, rearward of the bending zone and its forward point of attachment 38.3 located within the bending zone.

[001 ] The intermediate impact absorption band or arch 28.2 has both its forward (38.2) and rearward (38.3) point of attachment located within the bending zone.

[002] It will be appreciated that the metatarsal guard band 28 will provide a degree of resistance to bending of the boot 10. This resistance to bending is used to good effect in the boot 10 to promote even bending of the boot 10 and to minimise deep folding, which is undesirable, since deep folding in a gumboot manifests as pressure lines that cause discomfort to a wearer. This is achieved by the configuration of the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 making up the metatarsal guard band 28 and the positioning of the arch attachment points 38.1 , 38.2, 38.3, 38.4.

[003] In this regard, the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 are configured such that the external arches (the forward arch 28.1 and the rear arch 28.3) arise outside the bending zone (at 38.1 and 38.4 respectively). This configuration transfers bending pressure from points (38.1 and 38.4) outside the bending zone to points (38.2 and 38.3) within the bending zone, which facilitates even bending of the boot across the bending zone, because the bending pressure is transferred to spaced apart pressure points coinciding with the intermediate points of attachment 38.2, 38.3. To enhance this force transfer, the arch legs of the external arches (forward arch 28.1 and rear arch 28.3) are relatively more massive than the legs of the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 located within the bending zone (at 38.2 and 38.3 respectively).

[004] Gumboots typically tend to flex just behind the toe box, which is often problematic, since a flex line coinciding with the toe cap or toe box in a boot has the tendency to allow too deep bending of the boot that exerts pressure to the point of discomfort on the wearer's foot just behind the toes.

[005] This tendency is alleviated in the boot 10 by locating the front attachment point 38.1 of the forward arch 28.1 ahead of the rear edge of the toe box 16 and toe cap 40 and by locating the rear attachment point 38.2 of the forward arch 28.1 well to the rear of the toe box 16 and reinforcing toe cap 40. This transfers the bending pressure away from the natural fold line at the edge of the toe box 16 towards a pressure point coinciding with the intermediate point of attachment 38.2 which is located well within the bending zone.

[006] The same effect is achieved at the shaft end of the metatarsal guard band 28 where the rear attachment point 38.4 of the rear arch 28.3 is located on the shaft 12 and outside the bending zone. This transfers bending pressure away from a natural fold line typically occurring at the base of the shaft 12 towards a pressure point coinciding with the intermediate point of attachment 38.3 located well within the bending zone.

[007] The differing thicknesses of the legs of the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 are also designed to facilitate even bending of the boot 10 in use.

[008] This aspect and the bending pressure distribution functions described further above are illustrated in Figures 9, which illustrate the boot 10 during bending from an upright, un-bent position (Figure 9A) to progressively more bent positions - more bent as in Figure 9B; even more bent as in Figure 9C; even more bent as in Figure 9d; and fully bent as in Figures 9E. This series of images illustrates how the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 deform progressively as the boot 10 bends further and further:

Figure 9A to 9B - as the shaft 12 curves forward from the upright position, there is little (if any) deformation of the forward arch 28.1 ; the rear arch 28.3 starts to deform and even if it does bear against the intermediate arch 28.2, there is little deformation of the intermediate arch 28.2, indicating in each case that a substantial amount of bending pressure is transferred to the middle of the bending zone, being the intermediate points of attachment 38.2, 38.3;

Figure 9B to 9C - as the shaft 12 angles further forward, there is still relatively little deformation of the forward arch 28.1 ; the rear arch 28.3 starts to deform substantially and starts to bear against the intermediate arch 28.2; but there is still not a lot of deformation of the intermediate arch 28.2, with the bending pressure still being transferred to the middle of the bending zone (intermediate points of attachment 38.2, 38.3) where a fold zone 44 starts to develop;

Figure 9C to 9D - as the shaft 12 angles further forward (crouching position for a person wearing the boot 10), the rear arch 28.3 starts to bear hard against the intermediate arch 28.2; there is a degree of deformation of the intermediate arch 28.2 which starts to bear up against the forward arch 28.1 ; with the bending pressure still being transferred to the middle of the bending zone (intermediate points of attachment 38.2, 38.3) where a shallow fold 46 starts to develop in the fold zone 44;

Figure 9D to 9E - as the shaft 12 approaches fully bent (kneeling position for a person wearing the boot 10), the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 bear progressively against one another, with the external arches 28.1 , 28.3 deforming the softer, thinner intermediate arch 28.2.

[009] The reinforcing ribs 32 and the gaps between them are dimensioned to interdigitate to some extent in the fully bent position of the boot 10. In addition, the ribs 32 under the external arches 28.1 , 28.3 are more massive and therefore stiffer to allow a greater degree of bending of the boot 10 around the fold zone 40 at the centre of the bending zone and a lesser degree of bending of the boot towards the extremities of the bending zone under the external arches 28.1, 28.3.

[0010] Since the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3 are connected to the instep 14 a† their ends, there are no loose or protruding edges that can snag vehicle operating equipment, cables or jagged objects. For this reason, the gaps between the arches 28.1 , 28.2, 28.3, even in the upright position of the boot 10, are kept relatively small and tight, further to prevent the ingress of snagging objects.