The present invention relates to a safety shoe suitable for use by subjects who have anatomical and I or functional alterations of the foot and I or ankle, preferably by subjects with diabetic foot.

It is known that the possible consequences of diabetes include malformations, such as osteoarticular deformities and hyperkeratosis, as well as pathologies such as injuries, combined with loss of sensation and alteration of the vascularity of the foot.

These pathologies can significantly compromise the ability of a subject to walk independently and also make it impossible or in any case particularly difficult to use, and in particular the fitting of, shoes (footwear), in particular of non-dedicated shoes. Furthermore, traditional shoes are not suitable for properly supporting and protecting the foot in the presence of anatomical-functional alterations.

As is known, workers who find themselves working in potentially risky situations, such as for example on construction sites, or in factories and places where heavy loads are handled, or in the presence of machinery that work at high temperatures or with dangerous chemicals, run the risk of incurring accidents linked to the very nature of the work they perform. In such contexts, there is therefore an obligation to wear shoes I footwear capable of suitably protecting the user's feet.

In particular, in Italy, according to the provisions of art. 74 of Legislative Decree 81/2008, there is an obligation for those who carry out work in which there are specific dangers of burns, caustication, stings or crushing, to be equipped with resistant footwear suitable for the particular nature of the risk.

These shoes, in addition to having suitable protection characteristics, such as antiperforation soles, reinforced toecaps and the use of materials resistant to heat, cold, and chemical products, must be able to be taken off quickly in case of need, for example if they are wrapped in flames or impregnated with dangerous chemicals.

Currently, these requirements for safety footwear cannot be reconciled with the requirements necessary for footwear to be worn by subjects who have anatomo-functional alterations of the foot, such as for example the so-called diabetic foot. In particular, footwear suitable for this type of subjects must have a particularly wide fit in order to limit rubbing with the toe and edges of the feet, which over time cause unwanted and painful injuries to the feet themselves, and this also during operations of foot fitting and undressing of the shoe itself.

Furthermore, in the case of subjects who have anatomo-functional alterations of the foot, the protective characteristics of the foot itself are further necessary since often said alterations derive from neuropathies that involve an altered sensitivity to trauma and hits, thus making the subject unaware of any injuries that he himself has suffered. It is also known in the field of safety footwear to use anti-perforation systems to be associated with the soles, or in any case to be positioned in correspondence with the lower portion or the bottom of the shoe, and this in order to confer anti-perforation properties to the sole itself. However, these solutions are not fully satisfactory since the anti-perforation portion does not guarantee the appropriate rigidity that is required in the case of anatomical- functional alterations of the foot, in particular in the case of diabetic foot.

Furthermore, the known footwear that can be used by subjects with anatomo- functional alterations of the foot, in particular those typical of the so-called diabetic foot, usually have a rigid toecap which can generate excessive rubbing and consequently injuries to the user's foot.

EP1700688 describes a flexible composite material, to be used as an insert for shoe soles, for protection against perforation.

The object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which allows to overcome, at least in part, the drawbacks of the known solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which is particularly suitable for use by subjects who have anatomical and I or functional alterations of the foot and I or ankle, and in particular by subjects affected by the so-called "diabetic foot".

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which is particularly suitable for use by subjects with foot neuropathies.

Another object of the invention is to propose a safety shoe which is simple and comfortable to put on and take off.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which adequately supports the foot and I or the ankle of the user.

Another object of the invention is to propose a safety shoe that is comfortable to use.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which allows a physiological walking.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that can be used with an insole for relieving or rebalancing hyperpressions, in particular made to measure and in total contact.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that can be purchased by a large number of subjects.

Another object of the invention is to propose a safety shoe which is at the same time robust, flexible and resistant.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which is safe to use even in the presence of environmental risk factors. Another purpose of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that falls within the legal criteria for personal protective equipment (PPE).

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which has high anti-perforation characteristics.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that can be easily, quickly and cost-effectively adaptable to the user.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which can be manufactured easily, quickly and with low costs.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which is an alternative and I or improvement with respect to the known solutions.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that can be classified as a medical device.

Another purpose of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe with characteristics that fall within the parameters defined by the ISO 20345 S3 standard.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which avoids rubbing or any type of mechanical friction on the skin of the user's foot and in any case inside the upper foot.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that allows to prevent twisting and bending of the foot.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which allows to block the metatarsophalangeal joint.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe which is particularly soft inside so as not to irritate or stress the user's skin.

Another object of the invention is to propose an accident prevention shoe that can be used in conjunction with an insole made to measure for the user.

Another object of the invention is to propose a safety shoe which avoids transferring the electric current to the wearer's body (for example according to the OSHA standard) and which allows to prevent injuries to the user's foot.

All these objects, considered both individually and in any combination thereof, and others which will result from the following description, are achieved, according to the invention, with a safety shoe as defined in claim 1.

The present invention is further clarified hereinafter in some of its preferred embodiments, reported for purely illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the shoe according to the invention partially sectioned in a lateral perspective view, Figure 2 shows according to a partially sectioned front view in correspondence with one of its front areas,

Figure 3a shows the toe of the shoe according to the invention in front view, and Figure 3b shows a side view of the toe of fig. 3,

Figure 4 shows an image of the shoe according to the invention in a different embodiment,

Figure 5 shows an image of the shoe according to the invention in a further different embodiment,

Figure 6 shows an image of the bottom of the sole of the shoe according to the invention.

As is clear from the figures, the present invention relates to a safety shoe, indicated as a whole with the number 1 , which is suitable I configured to be used I worn by subjects who have injuries, malformations, anatomical and I or functional alterations of the foot and I or of the ankle, preferably from subjects affected by the so-called diabetic foot, but also deforming arthritis, or rheumatism of the feet, or similar pathologies or deformities of the foot. In particular, for example, the shoe 1 is suitable I configured to be used I worn in conditions in which shoe with accident prevention characteristics are required, for example in workplaces where these are required, but it is also suitable for use as mountain shoe (such as pedula, mountain boot or other).

Preferably, as shown in fig. 1 , the shoe 1 can be of the boot or boot type (ie of the high type which reaches and thus supports the ankle) or, as shown in fig. 4 and 5, the shoe 1 can be of the low type (ie with a height of up to 8-8.5 cm), or it can be of the "mid" type (ie that reaches the malleolus).

Conveniently, the shoe 1 is configured to allow a high I wide fit. Advantageously, the wide fit allows the insertion inside the shoe 1 of a customized or standard insole, useful I necessary in particular in the case of use by subjects suffering from "diabetic foot".

In particular, preferably, the interior 17 of the shoe 1 (ie the space in which the foot is intended to be housed) is a particularly large volume along the entire length of the foot intended to be inserted inside the shoe itself. More in detail, advantageously, the interior 17 of the shoe 1 is wider both in the front (ie in correspondence with the toe), both centrally (ie in correspondence with the middle foot), and posteriorly (ie in correspondence with the heel and I or ankle).

Advantageously, the shoe 1 is configured to have a fit (ie the circumference at the metatarsal heads) equal to or greater than 9, and preferably equal to 15. In particular, the shoe 1 can have a circumference greater than about 23.5 cm, and more preferably greater than about 26 cm at the metatarsal heads. Preferably, the shoe 1 can have, in correspondence with its front region, a tip 2 to protect the toe of the user's foot. In particular, the tip 2 is configured, in terms of shape and I or material, to protect the toe of the user's foot. Conveniently, said tip 2 is an accident prevention tip. Conveniently, the tip 2 comprises a protective shell which is substantially shaped like a hood and which is housed I positioned at the front toe of the shoe to thus receive the toe of the foot inside it. Preferably, the shell comprises both an upper base 2a and a lower base 2b, connected to each other by lateral portions 2c and closed at the front by a wall 2d. Preferably, the tip 2 has a particularly high width "b", for example of about 84.4-99 mm (± 0.7mm), to thus define a greater internal housing space for the toes.

Preferably, the tip 2 has a development in length "L" of approximately 39.8-45.9 mm (± 1mm), and a distance "h" between the two bases 2a and 2b of approximately 41-50.7 mm (± 0.5mm).

Conveniently, the tip 2 comprises a reinforcing coating made of metallic material. For example, the tip 2 can be made of reinforced aluminum, preferably with a thickness of at least 2mm, and more preferably 2.5mm. Advantageously, the tip 2 can have a thickness not exceeding 2.5mm and this in order not to reduce the internal volume available for housing the user's foot.

Preferably, the tip 2 can be configured so as to comply with the UNI EN 12568 standards. Preferably, the tip 2 can be configured so as to have a compressive strength higher than about 30 obtained in the 15 KN test. Preferably, the tip 2 can have an impact resistance higher than 22 in the test at 200 J. Advantageously, the tip 2 can have an enlarged shape, and in particular a high height / length and I or width I length ratio.

Conveniently, the shoe 1 comprises a sole 4 and an upper 6 associated with each other in a traditional way, for example by stitching and I or gluing so as to satisfy the antistatic requirements required by the ISO20345 standard.

Advantageously, the shoe 1 can have a sole 4 with one or more of the following characteristics:

- Hardness equal to or greater than 57 ± 3 Shore A,

- Density about 1.11 ± 0.3 g / cm ³ ,

- Breaking load higher thankg I cm ² approx.120(measured according to DIN 53504),

- Elongation at break greater than approx.600% (measured according to DIN 53504),

- Tear strength above approx. 9 kg / cm (measured according to DIN 53507),

- Abrasion resistance less than approx. 130 mm ² (measured according to DIN 53516),

- Resistance in contact with hot surfaces at temperatures above 300°C (measured according to EN ISO 20345 6.4.4 or EN ISO 20344 8.7),

- Flexural strength less than 4 mm (measured according to EN 344/1),

- Resistance to hydrocarbons less than 12% (measured according to ISO 1817), - Electrical resistance between about 0.1 MQ and 1000 MQ (measured according to EN ISO 20345 6.2.2.2 or EN ISO 20344 5.10).

Conveniently, the sole 4 can be made of polymeric material. Conveniently, the sole 4 can be made of a mixture of polyurethane and rubber, preferably of natural rubber. In a preferred embodiment, the sole can be made of vulcanized polymeric material.

Preferably, the sole 4 can be carded, to confer conductivity characteristics.

Preferably, the sole 4 can be in a single layer of rubber or polyurethane or other materials suitable for the purpose.

Conveniently, the sole 4 is configured so that its rolling point of the sole will not coincide with the point of contact "on the ground" of the metatarsal heads, being proximalized by about 1 cm in order to reduce the pressure load on the metatarsal heads themselves. In particular, the sole 4 is configured in such a way as to present an anticipated rolling point, thus allowing the unloading of the metatarsal heads.

The upper 6 can preferably be made of fabric or leather. Conveniently, the upper 6 can be made of hypoallergenic and I or water-repellent materials.

Conveniently, the upper 6 comprises two lateral portions (flaps), one internal (i.e. intended to be turned - when the shoe is worn - towards the other foot I leg) and one external (i.e. intended to be turned outward when the shoe is worn), joined together at the back at the part (generally called the "shell") that wraps around the heel or in any case the back of the foot. Furthermore, the two lateral portions of the upper 6 are joined and kept close together from the front I head by means of suitable fastening means 19. In particular, these fastening means 19 can comprise:

- laces 19’, and / or

- traditional hook and loop closure means, for example the Velcro® type,

- lever closing hooks I clips, and I or

- strap with buckle and I or toothed strap slidingly engageable within a locking element,

- buttons, or other.

Conveniently, in a possible embodiment, the upper 6 can be made of leather fabric, preferably of bovine origin, for example in nubuck. Preferably, in a possible embodiment, the upper 6 can be made of idrotech® nubuck. Preferably, in a possible embodiment, the upper 6 is made of a leather fabric of bovine origin, with a thickness of 1.6 - 2 mm, which has been tanned with a mineral based on chromium salts and which has been finished with aniline.

Preferably, the upper 6 can have at least one of the following characteristics:

- tensile strength greater than and equal to about 10 N / mm ² , measured according to UNI EN ISO 3376, - percentage elongation greater than and equal to about 10 N I mm ² , measured according to UNI EN ISO 3376,

- tear strength greater than and equal to about 120 N, measured according to UNI EN ISO 3377-2,

- distention to cracking greater than and equal to about 7.0 mm, measured according to UNI EN ISO 3379,

- water absorption after 60 minutes less than and equal to about 30%, measured according to UNI EN ISO 5403-1 ,

- water penetration after 60 minutes less than and equal to about 0.2g, measured according to UNI EN ISO 5403-1 ,

- permeability to water vapor greater than and equal to about 0.8 mg I cm ² h and greater than and equal to about 15 mg I cm ² , measured according to the UNI EN ISO 14268 standard.

Preferably, in a possible embodiment, the upper 6 can be made of a fabric of a yarn comprising about 48% of PA (polyamide), about 47% of PU (polyurethane) and about 5% of PLA (polylactic acid), and with a weight of 790 grs I linear meter (according to ISO3801).

Preferably, in a possible embodiment, the upper 6 can have at least one of the following characteristics:

- abrasion resistance higher than about 1 ,000,000 when dry and higher than about 910,000 when wet, measured according to the UNI 13520 standard at KPa,

- tear strength greater than 127 for the warp, and preferably greater than 128 for the weft (measured according to EN ISO 13937-2),

- pilling: between 4 and 5 measured according to ISO 13520,

- tensile strength greater than 1730 for the weft and greater than approximately 1870 for the warp, measured according to BS EN ISO 13934-1 (200mm and 100mm),

- percent extensibility of 37% for the weft and 41% for the warp, measured according to BS EN ISO 13934-1 (200 mm and 100 mm),

- strength of the seams higher than 9 N / mm measured according to the UNI EN 13572 standard,

- resistance to the formation of holes equal to 5 measured according to the ASTM D3939 standard, over 600 revolutions,

- resistance to wettability equal to at least 4, and preferably equal to 5, measured according to the UNI EN ISO 4920 standard.

Advantageously, the shoe 1 can also comprise a lining 8 for the internal and I or external lining of the upper 6. Preferably, the lining 8 is made in a single piece, so as not to foresee seams between its different portions. In particular, the lining 8 - and therefore the shoe 1 - has no internal seams, that is, it has no seams on the inner side of the upper which is destined to come into contact with the foot and I or the sock of the user, avoiding thus points of rubbing with the foot of the user himself.

Advantageously, in an optimal embodiment, the lining 8 is joined to the upper 6 by means of a single seam, preferably positioned in correspondence with the rear region of the shoe itself. Advantageously, said single seam develops substantially vertically along the upper from top to bottom (ie towards the sole).

Advantageously, the lining 8 can be joined to the upper 6 by at least one seam, and preferably said seam can be positioned at the front and I or rear area of the shoe itself.

Advantageously, the lining 8 can be made of polymeric thread fabric, in particular of polyamide, with the insertion of visible silver threads. Preferably, the lining 8 can be made entirely, or at least in some parts thereof, of antistatic and I or conductive fabric.

Conveniently, in a possible embodiment, the lining 8 is made of a multilayer comprising:

- a first layer of fabric, preferably with a weight of 130 gr / m ² ± 10%, made for about 88% with polyamide fibers and about 12% with polyamide and silver fibers,

- a second layer of fabric made entirely and only with polyurethane fibers, preferably with a weight of 120 gr/ m ² ± 10%, width 150 cm ± 10%, thickness 3.0 mm ± 0.5% and density 40 Kg / m ³ ± 10%

- a third layer of fabric made entirely and only with polyamide fibers.

Preferably, the lining 8 can have at least one of the following characteristics:

- weight of about 310 (± 10%) gr / m ² ,

- thickness of about 3.5 (± 0.5) mm measured according to UNI EN ISO 5084,

- height of about 145 (± 5) cm measured according to UNI EN ISO 1773.

- abrasion resistance in dry conditions greater than 130000 cycles and in wet conditions greater than 80000 cycles, measured according to the UNI EN ISO 20344-45 standard.

Advantageously, the shoe 1 can have a buttress 10 in correspondence with the lateral-posterior region of the upper 6. Preferably, the buttress 10 is shaped and extends up to the medial region of the shoe.

In particular, for example, said latero-posterior zone 5 comprises at least a part of the upper 2 which, when the shoe is worn, is located in correspondence with and I or in proximity to at least one of the calcaneus, medial malleolus, lateral malleolus, tibia, fibula and I or the ankle joint in general.

Conveniently, the buttress 10 is reinforced, thus allowing better stability. Preferably, the buttress 10 comprises a reinforcement I support provided on the external surface of the upper 6 and I or on the internal surface (ie the one intended to be turned towards the inside of the user's foot) of the upper, for example between the upper and the lining 8 for the internal lining of the shoe 1 . Advantageously, the buttress 10 is further extended towards the medial area of the shoe (for example by about 2 cm or more) on the internal portion (which is the one most easily subject to sagging) of the upper 6 with respect to the corresponding portion of the buttress 10 provided on the external portion of the upper itself, and this in order to confer greater stability in walking.

For example, the portion of the buttress 10 on the internal side (i.e. the one facing the other shoe) can stretch towards the medial area for about 2 cm more than the external portion (i.e. the one facing outwards) of the same buttress 10 In particular, therefore, the buttress 10 is asymmetrical. Conveniently, this allows to improve the stability of the ankle joint by limiting the extent of possible pronation of the user's foot.

Conveniently, the sole 4 of the shoe 1 is made in a single body and comprises a lower layer 13, which with its bottom is intended to come into contact with the ground I ground, and an overlying upper layer 12 which is closer to the foot of the shoe’s user. Preferably, the lower layer 13 defines the tread of the shoe and, conveniently, can be made of rubber. Preferably, the upper layer 12 is made of polyurethane. Conveniently, the two layers 12 and 13 are made of the same material but with two different densities, in which the upper layer 12 has a lower density than the lower one 13.

The shoe 1 comprises a construction or assembly insole 14 which is configured to be both rigid and anti-perforation. In particular, for this purpose, the insole 14 comprises:

- at least one layer of a composite material comprising - and in particular formed by - a resin with reinforcing fibers, and

- a sheet in anti-perforation material.

Advantageously, the rigidity of the insole 14 makes the shoe 1 suitable for use by subjects with anatomical and I or functional malformations of the feet, in particular by subjects suffering from "diabetic foot", and at the same time the anti-perforation of the insole 14 makes anti-perforation the bottom of the shoe, thus making it suitable for being qualified as safety shoe.

Conveniently, the lamina is embedded inside said at least one layer of composite material formed by a resin with reinforcing fibers which thus define the reinforcement of the composite material.

Preferably, said reinforcing fibers are glass fibers. Conveniently, in another possible embodiment, the reinforcing fibers can be carbon or aramid fibers.

Preferably, said composite material comprises glass fibers impregnated in an epoxy resin. Preferably, said layer of composite material has a thickness of about 2.4-2.6 mm. Preferably, said at least one layer of composite material comprises glass fibers (for about 97%) and mounting fabric (for about 3%). Preferably, the foil is made in a single body. Conveniently, the lamina can be made of metal, preferably of steel. In an advantageous embodiment, the foil can have a thickness of about 0.2 - 0.8 mm, and preferably about 0.4 - 0.6 mm. Preferably, the thickness of the lamina does not depend on the size of the shoe 1.

Advantageously, the insole 14 can have a thickness of between 1.5 and 3mm, and preferably the thickness of the insole can decrease at the perimeter edges in order to guarantee an appropriate working.

In a preferred embodiment, the shoe 1 can also provide a raised and I or padded rear collar 16, and this in order to protect the user's Achilles tendon and also in order to reduce the risk of the foot being taken off.

Conveniently, the inside of the shoe 1 can be padded, for example with foam.

Advantageously, in order to confer adequate anti-static characteristics to the shoe 1 , the latter can comprise suitable portions 18, preferably defined by elongated tapes, which are made of conductive and I or antistatic material, and which are associated at a one end with the upper 6, and in particular with the lining 8 covering the upper 6, and at the other end with the sole 4 of the shoe 1 , in particular in correspondence with suitable portions which are in turn conductive of the sole itself. Preferably, said tape can be glued by means of an adhesive with antistatic characteristics and I or sewn by antistatic thread to the upper 6 and I or to the lining 8 covering the upper 6. Preferably, the portion 18 is glued to the sole 4 and is sewn on a flap of the lining 8 covering the upper 6. Preferably, the lining 8 is made of antistatic and I or conductive material. In this way, therefore, the portions 18 define an electrical bridge between the sole 4 and the lining 8 I upper 6 and it is thus possible to bypass any insulating insoles and I or insoles that can be used together with the shoe 1 according to the invention, and in particular avoids having to necessarily use an antistatic insole, thus being able to use any insole.

The shoe 1 according to the invention is thus safe, resistant and with high anti-static properties, anti-crushing, anti-perforation and resistance to hydrocarbons, thus resulting for example in line with the current standards of European safety shoe EN ISO 20345.

The shoe 1 according to the invention guarantees foot stability even in the event of deformity.

The shoe 1 according to the invention is indicated for the treatment of non-at-risk, at-risk or high-risk diabetic foot, for rheumatic foot, for deforming arthritis or, in general, for all types of pain or deformity, of the foot.

The shoe 1 according to the invention, thanks to the wide opening of the shoe and the considerable internal volume, allows an easier fit with the possibility of inserting customized insoles. From what has been said it is clear that the accident prevention shoe according to the invention is particularly advantageous, indeed, optimal in that:

- it can be used by people with foot malformations or pathologies, also guaranteeing the necessary protection required in some work contexts or in conditions of high environmental risks,

- it guarantees the necessary comfort for users with foot malformations or pathologies,

- it is configured both as an individual protection device and as a medical device for people suffering from foot malformations or pathologies, and

- it allows you to prevent foot malformations or pathologies. The present invention has been illustrated and described in some of its preferred embodiments, but it is understood that executive variations may be applied to it in practice, without however departing from the scope of protection of the present patent for industrial invention.