Related Applications

This application is being filed on 09 December 2009, as a PCT International Patent application in the name of Red Wing Shoe Company, Inc., a U.S. national corporation, applicant for the designation of all countries except the U.S., and Kenton Donald Geer, a citizen of the U.S., and David Ralph Swinnerton, a citizen of Great Britain, applicants for the designation of the U.S. only, and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/121,072 filed on 09 December 2008.

Technical Field

The present disclosure provides welted footwear and a method of manufacturing the same.

Background Footwear having welted constructions are well known. For example, see US Pat. No. 1,656,564 titled Welting and Method of Making the Same, US Pat. No. 2,754,600 titled Shoe Welting, and US Pat. No. 6,802,138 titled Cushioning System for Footwear and Related Method of Manufacture. Though traditional welted type constructions are known and have been improved upon, further improvements in welted footwear are desirable.

Summary

The present disclosure provides an improved welted footwear and related method of manufacture. The welted footwear and related method of manufacturing is directed to a foot support platform that provides a number of advantageous features. Toe cap features are also provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an article of footwear according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the footwear of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the footwear taken along line 3-3 of FIG. i ;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the footwear taken along line 4-4 of FIG. l; FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a foot support platform of the footwear of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the foot support platform of the footwear of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the foot support platform of the footwear of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the foot support platform taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the foot support platform taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a portion of figure 9;

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the foot support platform;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the foot support platform of FIG. 11; FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of the foot support platform of FIG. 12 at line 13-13;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a footwear including a toe cap; FIGS. 15A-B are schematic representations of the interface between a toe cap retaining structure and a toe cap flange; and

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a toe cap.

Detailed Description

An embodiment of an article of footwear in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure is described herein with reference to the figures. In the depicted embodiment the footwear is a boot 10 having a welted construction. It should be appreciated that the article of footwear according to the principles of the present disclosure is applicable to many different types of welted footwear (e.g., dress shoes, athletic shoes, winter boots, sandals, hiking boots, etc.). Referring to figure 1, the boot 10 includes an upper portion 12 connected to an outsole 14 via a welt 16. The upper portion 12 of an article of footwear is configured to hold the outsole 14 to a foot. In the depicted embodiment the upper portion 12 is also configured to protect a foot and an ankle of the person wearing the boot. In the depicted embodiment the upper portion 12 is constructed of leather. Many other materials can also be used in the construction of the upper portion 12 (e.g., canvas, nylon, etc.).

The outsole 14 is configured to engage the ground surface. In particular, the outsole 14 in the depicted embodiment includes a bottom surface 54 that is configured to contact the ground surface. In the depicted embodiment the bottom surface 54 includes a tread surface that provides grip. In the depicted embodiment the outsole includes a shock absorbing material (e.g., soft rubber, foam, gel, etc.) that is molded to the bottom surface 54. In alternative embodiments, the shock absorbing material may be the same material that contacts the ground surface. Also, it should be appreciated that the outsole can also include stiff material such as wood, plastic, metal or a combination of materials to provide auxiliary support in the midfoot portion of the footwear. The construction of the outsole 14 is described in greater detail below.

Referring to figures 2-10, an exploded assembly view the boot 10 is shown. The boot 10 includes a foot support platform 18 that is connected to the welt 16 and the outsole 14. In some embodiments the foot support platform 18 supports a removable foot bed cushion 20, which contacts the user's foot. In other embodiments the user's foot directly contacts the foot support platform 18 or nonremovable (e.g., stitched and/or cemented) foot bed cushion materials are provided over the foot support platform 18. In the depicted embodiment the foot support platform 18 includes a first surface 22 (an upper surface) and a second surface 24 (a lower surface). The foot support platform 18 includes a downwardly extending rib 26 which extends from the second surface adjacent a periphery edge 28 of the foot support platform 18. In the depicted embodiment the rib 26 includes an outer side wall 32 that is radiused to the periphery edge 28 and an inner side wall 34 that is generally vertical. The shape of the outer side wall 32 minimizes or eliminates the gaps between the upper portion 12 and the rib 26 where they are stitched together. In the depicted embodiment the foot support platform 18 is molded and the rib 26 is integrally molded to the foot support platform 18. In the depicted embodiment a pliable material 30 (e.g., fabric) is molded to the second surface 24 and to a portion of the rib 26. The pliable material 30 can be any material that can make the rib 26 more tear resistance when molded thereto (e.g., a pliable material made by weaving, felting, knitting). It should be appreciated that the pliable material can be a fabric made of natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers.

In the depicted embodiment, the pliable material 30 is molded through a portion of the rib 26 such that a portion of the lower portion of the rib 26 is on one side of the pliable material 30, and another portion of the rib 26 is on the other side of the fabric material. In the depicted embodiment the pliable material 30 is present on both the inner side wall 34 and the outer side wall 32 of the rib 26. The pliable material provides the rib 26 improved tear resistance. In the depicted embodiment, the pliable material 30 is placed in a mold and polymeric molten material is molded to the pliable material 30. In the area of the rib 26 the molten material is molded through the pliable material 30, which results in portions of the rib 26 being on either side of the pliable material 30. It should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the fabric 30 is molded over the rib 26 such that the fabric covers the rib 26 rather than extending through the rib 26 as depicted.

In the depicted embodiment the welt 16 is stitched to a lower periphery edge of the upper portion 12 and to the rib 26. In the depicted embodiment the stitches 36 that connect the welt to the upper portion and rib extend through the pliable material on both an inner side wall 34 and an outer side wall 32 portion of the rib 26. In the depicted embodiment, the stitches 36 extend through two layers of the pliable material 30 when the stitch extends through the zone 53 of the rib 26, which is shown between the dashed lines in figure 10. This configuration prevents separation due to the rib 26 tearing away from the foot support platform 18 due to stress applied to the rib 26 via the stitches. It should be appreciated that in some embodiments the stitches do not extend through both layers of the pliable material. In some embodiments the stitches extend through only one layer of pliable material and in other embodiments the stitches extend through no layers of pliable material. In the depicted embodiment the welt 16 is molded to the outsole 14. The connection between the welt 16 and the outsole 14 does not include stitches. However, it should be appreciated that in alternative embodiments the welt 16 can be connected to the outsole with stitches (e.g., the welt can be stitched to a midsole structure that is cemented to the outsole). In addition, in the depicted embodiment the welt 16 includes a flexible construction with a generally T-shaped cross- sectional profile. However, it should be appreciated that the welt can have many alternative configurations. For example, the welt 16 could be constructed of leather and have a generally L-shaped cross-sectional profile, the welt could include a nylon construction with a generally triangular cross-sectional profile, etc.

In the depicted embodiment the foot support platform 18 includes a hindfoot zone 40, a forefoot zone 42, and a midfoot zone 44. The forefoot zone 42 includes a metatarsal support area 46 and a toe support area 48. The hindfoot zone 40 supports a person's heel, the midfoot zone 44 support a person's midfoot, the forefoot zone 42 support a person's forefoot, the metatarsal support area 46 of the forefoot zone 42 supports a person's metatarsals, and the toe support area 48 of the forefoot zone 42 supports a person's toes.

In the depicted embodiment the foot support platform 18 is substantially stiffer in the midfoot zone 44 than the hindfoot zone 40. A relatively stiff material (e.g., glass reinforced nylon) is molded into the midfoot zone 44 of the support platform 18 to provide additional support in the midfoot zone 44. This added stiffness provides many advantages, including minimizing fatigue when the person wearing the boot 10 is standing on a ladder rung. The added stiffness in the midfoot zone 44 can avoid the need to provide a separate shank member in the outsole 14.

In the depicted embodiment the hindfoot zone 40 includes a resilient pliable construction that allows a person's heel to press into the shock absorption materials in a heel area 56 of the outsole 14. In the depicted embodiment, the hindfoot zone 40 is pliable and conforms to the shape of the person's heel in use, thereby avoiding pressure points and hot spots in the heel area.

In the depicted embodiment the toe support area 48 of the foot support platform 18 is substantially stiffer than the metatarsal support area 46. Conversely, the metatarsal support area 46 is more flexible than the midfoot zone 44 of the support platform 18.

The relative flexibility in the metatarsal support area 46 enables the person to easily flex the shoe when walking, while the stiffness in the toe support area 48 provides a platform for support for a protective toe covering (FIGS. 14 and 16). The flexibility also allows shock to be transferred to and be absorbed by the shock absorption materials in the forefoot area 58 of the outsole 14. In the depicted embodiment, the metatarsal support area 46 is pliable and conforms to the shape of the person's foot, thereby avoiding pressure points and hot spots in the metatarsal area. In the depicted embodiment the rib 26 is notched in the metatarsal support area to provide added flexibility.

The relative stiffness in the toe support area 48 provides axial support for a protective toe coverings (e.g., steel covering) common in work boots. When the protective toe covering is pressed downward, the force is transferred onto the stiffer toe support area 48, which distributes the force down to a relatively large area of the outsole 14. The above-described configuration prevents the toe covering from substantially sinking down into the outsole 14 when impacted, and thereby helps to maintain a relatively constant vertical space in the toe box of the boot 10 when in use. In the depicted embodiment, the material used to mold the relatively flexible hindfoot zone 40 and the metatarsal support area 46 is thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU), the relatively stiffer material 50 used to mold a portion of the midfoot zone 44 and toe support area 48 is glass reinforced nylon (FIGS. 9 and 10). The construction of the midfoot zone 44 is at least ten percent stiffer than the construction of the hindfoot zone 40. The toe support area 48 is at least ten percent stiffer than the construction of the metatarsal support area 46. The toe support area 48 is at least ten percent stiffer than the construction of the hindfoot zone 40, and the midfoot zone 44 is at least ten percent stiffer than the metatarsal support area 46. In the depicted embodiment midfoot zone 44 is sufficiently stiff to prevent the midfoot from significant bending when a person stands on a ladder rung, the hindfoot zone 40 is sufficiently soft to conform to a person's heel, the metatarsal support area 46 is sufficiently flexible to allow the metatarsal area of the shoe to bend in use, and the toe support area 48 is sufficiently stiff to distribute the force applied from the toe covering to a larger area of the outsole 14. In the depicted embodiment the midfoot zone 44 includes an integrally molded dog bone shaped shank member that provides stiffness. In the depicted embodiment the transition between the zones (e.g., line 84) is wavy rather than straight and does not have abrupt corners. This construction avoids stress concentration at the transitions as a result of the bending of the platform and results in overlap between the zones in the longitudinal direction. It should be appreciated that many alternative constructions are possible, including transition with sharp corners, straight line transition, or overlaps in the vertical direction. In the depicted embodiment the outsole 14 is a multi material type body that is directly connected to the upper 12. The outsole 14 includes a shock absorption portion 52 that is molded into the portion that is configured to engage the ground surface 54, otherwise referred to herein as the tread. In the depicted embodiment, the shock absorption portion 52 of the outsole 14 is molded to the pliable material 30 on the second surface of the foot support platform 18. In the depicted embodiment the shock absorption portion 52 is delivered into the cavity defined by the tread portion 54 and the bottom surface 24 of the foot platform 18. This step adheres the outsole 14 to the support platform 18, and thereby also connects the outsole 14 to the upper. In the depicted embodiment softer materials are molded into the heel areas 56 and the forefoot areas 58 of the shock absorption portion 52 of the outsole 14. hi the depicted embodiment gel-like materials are molded in these areas. In some embodiments the softer materials are preformed and provided as inserts into the heel areas 56 and forefoot areas 58.

In an alternative embodiment, the tread portion of the outsole may be constructed of the same material that is used to construct the shock absorption portion. In such embodiments, the outsole 14 may still be directly connected to the upper via molding. In such an embodiment, molten outsole material would be provided in a cavity defined by a mold portion and the bottom surface 24 of the foot support platform 18. It should be appreciated that the foot support platform 18 can also be used in construction where the outsole is indirectly attached to the upper. In such embodiments the outsole can be preformed. In such embodiments one surface of a midsole can be cemented to the bottom surface 24 of the foot support platform 18, and another surface of the midsole can be cemented to the outsole. In such an embodiment the welt can also be stitched to the foot support platform 18, the midsole, and the outsole.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14 an alternative embodiment of the foot support platform is shown. In the depicted embodiment the foot support platform 60 is similar to the support platform 18 as it also includes a hindfoot zone 62, a forefoot zone 64, and a midfoot zone 66. Moreover, the forefoot zone 64 includes a metatarsal support area 68 that is less stiff than a toe support area 70.

The support platform 60 further includes a toe cap retaining structure 72. In the depicted embodiment the toe cap retaining structure 72 includes a ramp 74 having a curved forward raised edge 76. In the depicted embodiment forward raised edge 76 is configured to engage a portion of a toe cap (e.g., a flange on the toe cap). In the depicted embodiment the raised edge 76 has a height H of about 1.0 mm. It should be appreciated that the height can vary from application to application (e.g., in another embodiment H could be between 0.5 mm and 5.0 mm). The raised edge defines the front arc shape of the ramp 74. The toe cap retaining structure 72 is configured to engage the toe cap wherein the toe cap has a different profile than the arc shape raised edge. For example, if the toe cap has a curvature that is greater than the radius of curvature of the ramp, the toe cap will engage the raised edge along the center line. See, for example, FIG. 15 A. However, if the toe cap has a curvature that is less than the radius of curvature of the front of the toe cap, the toe cap will engage the raised edge on either side of the center line. See, for example, FIG. 15B. The configuration enables a certain size toe cap to fit with a variety of side support platforms. In the depicted embodiment the ramp has a sloped profile that transitions the plane of the toe support area upward towards the upper surface of the flange 78 of the toe cap 80. See FIG. 14. In the depicted embodiment the ramp slopes upward from the upper surface of the platform in 180 degrees (both in the forward direction and towards each side). See FIG. 1 1 (see arc 73 identifying the location where the ramp begins to slope upward). In the depicted embodiment a securing layer 82 is cemented over the ramp 74 and the flange 78 of the toe cap to secure the toe cap 80 down on the platform 60. The securing layer can be, for example, a fibrous board material (e.g., Texon). It should be appreciated that the toe cap retaining structure 72 can have many different configurations. For example, alternatively, the toe cap retaining structure can be a raised rib with a squared off edge rather than a ramp shaped wedge, or the toe cap retaining structure can also be raised spaced apart posts. In addition, the toe cap retaining structure could also be a recess in the foot support platform. In the depicted embodiment the toe cap retaining structure 72 is molded integrally as part of the support platform 60. It should be appreciated that the toe cap retaining structure can be attached in many other ways (e.g., cemented, riveted, stitched, etc.).

The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.