AU2017100142A4 - Footwear - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract A piece of footwear comprising: a flexible sole member having a toe portion and heel portion for supporting a foot; a flexible strap attached to sole member an wherein flexible strap is adapted to engage the foot, when in use; and wherein the sole member comprises a plurality of sole elements and wherein each sole element is joined to at least two other sole elements by a respective bridge. r- C) C\1D co

Description

2017100142 06 Feb 2017 1

FOOTWEAR

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The disclosure herein generally relates to footwear, and particularly but not exclusively to footwear having a sole comprising a plurality of sole elements.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Footwear may be worn to protect the feet, particularly is environments that may damage the soles of the feet. For example, flip-flops (otherwise known as “thongs”) or sandals may be worn at the beach and rocks adjacent thereto that may be encrusted with oysters and other sharp objects that may cut feet.

[0003] Traditional forms of footwear may not sufficiently conform to an irregular supporting surface, including the aforementioned rocks. This may result in reduced grip and awkward movement of the wearer.

[0004] Any discussion of the prior art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such prior art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.

SUMMARY

[0005] PROBLEMS TO BE SOLVED

[0006] It may be an object of the present invention to provide a piece of footwear with a lightweight and/or flexible sole that is capable of bending or conforming to ground surfaces.

[0007] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative.

[0008] MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 2 [0009] A first aspect of the invention provides a piece of footwear. The piece of footwear comprises a sole comprising a plurality of sole elements. The piece of footwear comprises a plurality of securing elements that secure the plurality of sole elements together. The piece of footwear comprises a footwear upper.

[0010] In this specification, the term ‘footwear·’ may include thongs, flip-flops, sandals or shoes.

[0011] The plurality of sole elements may adjust their position to conform to an irregular supporting surface. This may improve grip and improve the movement of the wearer.

[0012] Preferably, the plurality of sole elements are independently movable. The plurality of sole elements may be independently movable in at least one of a superior direction and an inferior direction.

[0013] Further, the plurality of sole elements may be longitudinally arranged. Longitudinally arranged in this context may mean along the axis of the piece of footwear running between the toe end of the piece of footwear and the heel end of the piece of footwear. The plurality of sole elements may be laterally and longitudinally arranged.

[0014] Preferably, the plurality of sole elements may be spaced apart.

[0015] Preferably, the plurality of securing elements extend across a plurality of spaces between the plurality of sole elements. The plurality of securing elements may be deformable. The plurality of securing elements may be at least partly malleable. The sole may retain a shape without tending to try to restore itself to a flat configuration. The sole may not resist the flat configuration and so improve grip.

[0016] Preferably, the plurality of securing elements comprise a plurality of elongated securing elements. 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 3 [0017] Preferably, the plurality of sole elements comprises a network of sole elements interconnected by the plurality of securing elements.

[0018] Preferably, the plurality of securing elements comprise a plurality of laterally orientated securing elements and a plurality of longitudinally orientated securing elements.

[0019] Preferably, the piece of footwear comprises only two posterior sole elements. Preferably, the piece of footwear comprises only two anterior sole elements.

[0020] Preferably, the piece of footwear comprises a centre sole element extending across the width of the sole. The centre sole element may be secured to two of the plurality of sole elements posterior thereof and a single one of the plurality of sole elements anterior thereof.

[0021] Preferably, the footwear upper comprises a Y-shaped or bifurcated strap. The Y-shaped strap may comprise three arms that are attached to respective sole elements of the plurality of sole elements. At least one of the Y-shaped strap and the plurality of sole elements may comprise rubber.

[0022] Preferably, the piece of footwear comprises a flip-flop, or sandal.

[0023] Preferably, the piece of footwear comprises one of a shoe, a boot and a sandal.

[0024] The preferred sole may comprise a construction of rubber.

[0025] Another aspect of the invention provides a piece of footwear. The piece of footwear comprises a sole comprising a plurality of sole elements and at least one securing element that secures the plurality of sole elements together. The piece of footwear comprises a footwear upper.

[0026] Preferably, the plurality of sole elements may be attached to a superior sole layer. 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 4 [0027] In a third aspect of the present invention, a piece of footwear comprising: A flexible sole member having a toe portion and heel portion for supporting a foot; A flexible strap attached to sole member an wherein flexible strap is adapted to engage the foot, when in use; and wherein the sole member comprises a plurality of sole elements and wherein each sole element is joined to at least two other sole elements by a respective bridge. The preferred strap may be bifurcated.

[0028] Preferably, wherein the sole elements are deformable. Preferably, wherein at least one bridge is deformable.

[0029] Preferably, wherein the piece of footwear is described in with reference to the accompanying description for figures 5 to 11.

[0030] Any of the various features of each of the above disclosures, and of the various features of the embodiments described below, can be combined as suitable and desired.

[0031] In the context of the present invention, the words “comprise”, “comprising” and the like are to be construed in their inclusive, as opposed to their exclusive, sense, that is in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

[0032] The invention is to be interpreted with reference to the at least one of the technical problems described or affiliated with the background art. The present aims to solve or ameliorate at least one of the technical problems and this may result in one or more advantageous effects as defined by this specification and described in detail with reference to the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0033] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying figures in which: [0034] Figure 1 shows a top perspective view of an embodiment of a piece of footwear. 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 5 [0035] Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the piece of footwear of figure 1.

[0036] Figure 3 shows a schematic bottom view of another embodiment of a piece of footwear.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of a further embodiment of a piece of footwear.

[0038] Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of a further embodiment of a piece of footwear.

[0039] Figure 6 is a top view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5; [0040] Figure 7 is a bottom view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5; [0041] Figure 8 is a right side view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5; [0042] Figure 9 is a left side view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5; [0043] Figure 10 is a front view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5; and

[0044] Figure 11 is a back view of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0045] A first preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in Figure 1. Figure 1 depicts a top perspective view of an embodiment of a piece of footwear in the form of a flip-flop, the piece of footwear being generally indicated by the numeral 10. While the particular illustrated embodiment is in the form of a flip-flip, alternative embodiments of a piece of footwear may be, for example, shoe, a boot, a sandal, or generally any form of footwear. The embodiment shown in figures 1 is a piece of footwear configured for a right foot. Other embodiments of a piece of footwear, however, are configured for a left foot but otherwise may be similar or identical. Consequently, a 6 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 person may wear the embodiment 10 on his/her right foot and another embodiment on his/her left foot.

[0046] The piece of footwear 10 comprises a sole 12 or a sole member. The sole comprises a plurality of sole elements 14-34. The sole elements are preferably pads forming sections of the sole member when joined together. The sole elements generally each have a flattened pad like shape with rounded edges. Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the piece of footwear of figure 1. The piece of footwear comprises a plurality of securing elements 36 - 64 in the form of a plurality of elongated securing elements. The plurality of securing elements 36-64 secure the plurality of sole elements together. The piece of footwear 10 has a footwear upper 66 in the form of Y-shaped strap. The securing elements may be also be referred to as bridges and act join the sole elements. Preferably, the bridges and sole elements act together to form a flexible sole member. Preferably, each sole element may be joined to 2 or more adjacent or neighbouring sole elements by the bridges.

[0047] In tins embodiment, the plurality of sole elements 14 - 34 are arranged in a layer, specifically a single layer. The plurality of sole elements 14 - 34 are part of a singlelayer sole. The plurality of sole elements 14-34 comprises a network of sole elements interconnected by the plurality of securing elements 36-64.

[0048] A narrow strap 70 is arranged to pass between a first and a second toe.

Alternative embodiments may have a footwear upper comprising a strap or lace, a latchet, sabot strap or sandal that passes over the arch of the foot or around the ankle. Preferably, the strap may be flexible. In other alternative embodiments, the footwear upper may comprise an enclosed covering (e.g. the enclosed upper of a shoe or boot). Generally the upper may have any suitable configuration. The footwear upper 66 is hidden in Figure 2.

[0049] The bifurcated or Y-shaped strap 66 comprises three arms 68, 70, 72 that are attached to respective securing elements 20, 28, 72 of the plurality of securing elements. The each arms pass through an aperture. A toggle 74, 76, 78 terminates each of the arms to prevent the arms 68, 70, 72 pulling through the apertures. 7 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 [0050] The sole elements are longitudinally arranged from a posterior 80 to an anterior 82. In this embodiment, the plurality of sole elements 13 - 34 are laterally and longitudinally arranged. In alternative embodiments, however, there may be a single file of sole elements from the posterior 80 to the anterior. The piece of footwear 10 comprising two posterior sole elements 14,16, two anterior sole elements 32,34, a centre sole element 22 extending across the width of the sole 10, and other intermediate sole elements 18, 20,22,24,26,28, 30.

[0051] The centre sole element 32 is secured to two of the plurality of sole elements 18,20 posterior thereof and a single one 24 of the plurality of sole elements anterior thereof.

[0052] The plurality of sole elements 14 - 34 are, in this but not necessarily in all embodiments, spaced apart. The plurality of securing elements 36 - 64 extend across a plurality of spaces between the plurality of sole elements 14 — 34. The plurality of securing elements 36-64 are each deformable and malleable, and in this but not all embodiments pliant. The plurality of securing elements 36 - 64 are in the form of metal wire or straps, or may take any generally suitable form and material. In alternative embodiments, however, the plurality of securing elements 36-64 may be one or neither of deformable and malleable in alternative embodiments. The plurality of sole elements are, in this embodiment, independently movable, at least in a superior direction 84 (e.g. upwardly) and an inferior direction 82 (e.g. downwardly).

[0053] The plurality of securing elements 36 - 64 and the plurality of sole elements 14 -36 are coupled at a plurality of joints. In this but not all embodiments the plurality of joints are immovable. The ends of each of the plurality of securing elements are turned back on themselves to form engaging tag sin the form a hooks (or alternatively loops or generally any suitable structure) that are embedded within associated sole elements of the plurality of sole elements 14-36. The engaging tags resist being pulled out. The ends of each of the plurality of securing elements 36-64 may be embedded in adjacent sole elements of the plurality of sole elements 14-36. Alternatively, one or more of the plurality of sole elements may pass through at least one of the plurality of sole elements 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 8 14-36 and have their ends engage other ones of the plurality of sole elements. The sole elements may, for example, be threaded through one or more of the plurality of sole elements 14-36.

[0054] The plurality of securing elements 36-64 may in alternative embodiments be rigid and may form a movable joint with the sole elements 14-34. The movable joints may take the form of, for example, ball joints, hinges or generally any suitable form of movable joint.

[0055] The plurality of securing elements 26 - 64 comprise a plurality of laterally orientated securing elements 36, 42, 58, 64 and a plurality of longitudinally orientated securing elements 38, 40, 44, 46, 52, 56, 60, 62.

[0056] The Y-shaped strap 66 and the plurality of sole elements comprise rubber, in this embodiment. Alternative embodiments, however, may comprise any suitable material including wood, a hard or soft polymer, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC) compounds, leather, natural fibre and metal, or any suitable composite material.

[0057] The arrangement of the plurality of sole elements 14 - 34 and the plurality of securing elements 36-64 may be selected for a foot. In one embodiment, the piece of footwear is user configurable, for example for a foot. A seeming element 36 — 64 may be configured to be replaceable with a differently configured securing element 36 64 that may at least one of shorter, longer, stiffer and less stiff, for example. The sole elements 14-34 and securing elements may be inserted or removed. Different types of sole elements and seeming elements may be selected by the user. For example hard round elements may form the ball of the sole and soft flower-shaped sole elements may form the heel of the shoe.

[0058] Figure 3 shows a schematic bottom view of another embodiment of a piece of footwear 110 that shares the features of the piece of footwear 10 of figures 1 and 2, except for the features described and illustrated that differ. Parts similar or identical in form and/or function to those in figures 1 and 2 are similarly numbered, however are 9 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 prefixed with the digit ‘ Γ. The piece of footwear comprises a plurality of sole elements 114 - 136, each of the plurality of sole elements 114 - 136 being round. A superior surface of each of the plurality of sole elements 114 - 136 (that is, the surface for receiving a foot), in this but not all embodiments, comprises a resilient material that in use contours to a foot received thereby. The resilient material is soft for cushioning the foot, but it may not be in all embodiments. An inferior surface of each of the plurality of sole elements 114-136 (that is, the surface that contacts a supporting surface, for example the ground) may comprise another material, for example a material that is less resilient than the superior surface. The inferior surface may comprise a material adapted for an outer sole, examples of which include but are not limited to natural rubber, polyurethane, or polyvinyl chloride (PVC).

[0059] Figure 4 shows a bottom view of yet another embodiment of a piece of footwear 210. Parts similar or identical in form and/or function to those in figures 1 and 2 are similarly numbered, however are prefixed with the digit ‘2’. The piece of footwear 210 shares the features of the piece of footwear 10 and 110 of figures 1—2, except for the features described and illustrated that differ. The piece of footwear 210 comprises a plurality of longitudinally arranged sole elements 214 and a plurality of securing elements 238.

[0060] Figure 5 shows a top perspective view of yet another embodiment of a piece of footwear 100 in the form of a flip-flop.

[0061] The piece of footwear 100 comprises a sole 12. The sole comprises a plurality of sole elements 114 - 134. Figure 2 shows a bottom view of the piece of footwear of figure 1. The piece of footwear comprises a plurality of securing elements 136 - 144. The plurality of securing elements 136-144 secure the plurality of sole elements together.

[0062] In this embodiment, the plurality of sole elements 114-134 are arranged in a layer, specifically a single layer. The plurality of sole elements 114 - 134 are part of a singlelayer sole. The plurality of sole elements 114-134 comprises a network of sole elements interconnected by the plurality of securing elements 136-144. 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 10 [0063] The sole elements are longitudinally arranged from a posterior 180 to an anterior 182. In this embodiment, the plurality of sole elements 114-134 are laterally and longitudinally arranged. The piece of footwear 100 comprising three posterior sole elements 120,113, 116 5 anterior sole elements including 128, 132 and 134, and intermediate sole elements.

[0064] The plurality of sole elements 114 - 134 are, in this but not necessarily in all embodiments, spaced apart. The plurality of securing elements 136 - 144 extend across a plurality of spaces between the plurality of sole elements 114-134. The plurality of securing elements 136 - 144 are each deformable and malleable, and in this but not all embodiments pliant. The plurality of securing elements 136 - 144 are in the form of metal wire or straps, or may take any generally suitable form and material. In alternative embodiments, however, the plurality of securing elements 36-64 may be one or neither of deformable and malleable in alternative embodiments. The plurality of sole elements are, in this embodiment, independently movable, at least in a superior direction (e.g. upwardly) and an inferior direction (e.g. downwardly).

[0065] The plurality of securing elements 136-144 and the plurality of sole elements 114-134 are coupled at a plurality of joints. In this but not all embodiments the plurality of joints are immovable.

[0066] The footwear 100 comprises rubber compound H510 and elastosil 3000/05. Alternative materials may be used, examples of which include but are not limited to TPU, EVA, and generally any suitable type of rubber or silicon. The footwear 100 may be manufactured using injection moulding. The injection may be done in one tool and both materials are injected into the tool. Alternatively, the top and bottom layers may be independently injection moulded and then attached, for example using an adhesive, temperature bonding, or mechanical fasteners.

[0067] The footwear 100 comprises an internal metal skeleton or wherein the bridges between the sole elements are joined by bridges made of metal. 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 11 [0068] Further views and images of the preferred embodiment shown in Figure 5 are depicted Figures 6 to 11, In this preferred embodiment, each sole element is joined to at least two neighbouring or adjacent sole elements using integrally moulded bridges. The bridges are preferred flexible but resilient to allow the piece of footwear to distorted from its original planar configuration to a distorted shape. The distorted shape preferably is adapted to conform to the overall shape of the ground surface which the underside of the sole is contacting when in use.

[0069] In some instances, each sole element is joined to three adjacent sole elements by the aforementioned bridges.

[0070] Preferably, the bridges have more flexibility than the sole elements and this may be accomplished by making or constructing the bridge or bridge portion with a thinner profile than the sole elements.

[0071] Preferably, the sole elements are adapted to contact wearer’s foot on the upper side, when in use, and the underside is adapted to contact the ground surface. The bridges are not adapted to contact the wearer’s foot or the ground surface when in ordinary use.

[0072] Now that embodiments have been described, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may have some of the following advantages: [0073] The plurality of sole elements may adjust their position when the sole is in contact with an irregular surface. This may improve grip and improve the movement of the wearer.

[0074] The sole may retain a shape without tending to try to restore itself to a flat configuration. The sole may not resist the flat configuration and so improve grip.

[0075] Variations and/or modifications may be made to the embodiments described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. For example, the sole may comprise a plurality of layers, and the plurality of sole elements may be attached to one 2017100142 06 Feb 2017 12 of a superior and an inferior layer. The sole elements may form an outer sole. There may be more or less sole elements and/or securing elements in an embodiment than in the embodiments disclosed herein The sole elements and/or links may generally have any suitable arrangement, not only the arrangements of the embodiments disclosed herein.

The sole elements may have any suitable geometry, including a circular or rectangular cylinder geometry, round, spherical, or an artistic geometry. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Reference to a feature disclosed herein does not mean that all embodiments must include the feature.

[0076] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms, in keeping with the broad principles and the spirit of the invention described herein.

[0077] The present invention and the described preferred embodiments specifically include at least one feature that is industrial applicable.

Claims (5)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. A piece of footwear comprising: A flexible sole member having a toe portion and heel portion for supporting a foot; A flexible strap attached to sole member an wherein flexible strap is adapted to engage the foot, when in use; and wherein the sole member comprises a plurality of sole elements and wherein each sole element is joined to at least two other sole elements by a respective bridge.
2. 2. A piece of footwear of claim 1, wherein the strap is bifurcated.
3. 3. A piece of footwear of claim 2, wherein the sole elements are deformable.
4. 4. A piece of footwear defined of claim 3, wherein at least one bridge is deformable.
5. 5. A piece of footwear of claim 4, wherein the piece of footwear is described in with reference to the accompanying description for figures 5 to 11.