CA2658743A1 - Safety footwear having a wraparound guard - Google Patents
Safety footwear having a wraparound guard Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2658743A1 CA2658743A1 CA2658743A CA2658743A CA2658743A1 CA 2658743 A1 CA2658743 A1 CA 2658743A1 CA 2658743 A CA2658743 A CA 2658743A CA 2658743 A CA2658743 A CA 2658743A CA 2658743 A1 CA2658743 A1 CA 2658743A1
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- Prior art keywords
- safety footwear
- guard
- footwear according
- wearer
- wraparound
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B23/00—Uppers; Boot legs; Stiffeners; Other single parts of footwear
- A43B23/08—Heel stiffeners; Toe stiffeners
- A43B23/081—Toe stiffeners
- A43B23/082—Toe stiffeners made of metal
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A43—FOOTWEAR
- A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
- A43B7/00—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements
- A43B7/32—Footwear with health or hygienic arrangements with shock-absorbing means
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- Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Epidemiology (AREA)
- General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
- Public Health (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
Abstract
A safety footwear comprising a sole, and an upper attached to said sole, said upper comprising a wraparound guard extending upwardly from around a perimeter region adjacent said sole to a top edge, a vamp attached to said top edge and covering an instep region of a wearer's foot, and a throat extending generally upwardly therefrom, forming an entry for a wearer's foot, wherein said vamp and said throat comprise a leather material, and wherein said wraparound guard is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be stitchingly attached to said leather material.
The tear and abrasion resistant material is preferably a natural leather finished in situ during a tanning process by impregnation with polyurethane. Further disclosed is a metatarsal guard for use in a safety footwear.
The tear and abrasion resistant material is preferably a natural leather finished in situ during a tanning process by impregnation with polyurethane. Further disclosed is a metatarsal guard for use in a safety footwear.
Description
SAFETY FOOTWEAR HAVING A WRAPAROUND GUARD
Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to the field of safety footwear, and more particularly to safety footwear having a wraparound guard.
Background of the Invention [0002] Safety footwear, for example boots for use in mining operations, typically comprise a sole to provide traction and grip and a protective upper resistant to tearing and damage from sharp objects. A steel toe box provides greater protection for the toe areas of the foot from potential hazards, such as impact from sharp or heavy items on the toe portion of the boot.
Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to the field of safety footwear, and more particularly to safety footwear having a wraparound guard.
Background of the Invention [0002] Safety footwear, for example boots for use in mining operations, typically comprise a sole to provide traction and grip and a protective upper resistant to tearing and damage from sharp objects. A steel toe box provides greater protection for the toe areas of the foot from potential hazards, such as impact from sharp or heavy items on the toe portion of the boot.
[0003] The protective upper is generally formed of leather, or layers of leather, to maintain flexibility and ease of motion, while providing some protection against tearing and scuffing. In areas of the footwear where additional protection is required, for example on the sides of the boot to protect from sharp objects, additional layers of leather are often added. Often times, a more rugged material is used where little or no flexibility is required, such as covering the toe or heel of the boot. While these additional layers can provide protection in a given _ 1 _ 81925-1 instance, the boots are not sufficiently durable to sustain repeated contact with sharp objects or other hazards.
[0004] One solution has been to provide a hard shell boot or protective plates to areas of the boot requiring additional protection. However, a hard shell limits the flexibility of the boot, thus making it uncomfortable for the wearer, and restricting the range of possible motion of the foot, all of which adversely impacts the ability of the worker to operate comfortably for extended periods of time.
The addition of protective plates inside the boot is an expensive solution, which while it may protect the wearer's foot from harm, is generally uncomfortable to the wearer.
The exterior leather can still be torn or otherwise damaged, thereby limiting the lifetime of the boot in particularly harsh environments, such as mining operations.
The addition of protective plates inside the boot is an expensive solution, which while it may protect the wearer's foot from harm, is generally uncomfortable to the wearer.
The exterior leather can still be torn or otherwise damaged, thereby limiting the lifetime of the boot in particularly harsh environments, such as mining operations.
[0005] The solution of generally adding materials or layers of materials onto a complete leather upper further results in a reduction in the comfort level of the boot, by for example, reducing flexibility in a given area or having the wearer's foot contact a rigid material, such as a metal plate or a rigid metatarsal guard. These additions also result in reduced mobility as the boot does not respond well _ 2 _ 81925-I
to movements in the wearer's foot or can otherwise feel unduly heavy, bulky and overbearing.
[00061 In particular, during mining operations, stability and support are of particular concern; however prior art mining boots have a limited lifespan, as the repeated exposure to sharp objects, such as rocks, contacting the sides of the boot while walking in a mining area and other scuffing caused by rocks results in rapidly worn out areas of the boot. Specifically, the toe and heel portions and the medial and lateral side portions of the boot, which typically have a higher exposure to tear, puncture and abrasion causing elements in a mine. Some prior art boots have provided added protection in the areas of the toe and heel, for example by providing a KevlarTM guard for the toe and/or heel. While this does provide protection for those areas which are covered or reinforced in this manner, the entire boot cannot be reinforced without compromising on the comfort and flexibility of the boot.
[00071 Sharp rocks and stones, which are typically found throughout mines, are constantly coming into contact with the lower portions of a miner's footwear. Furthermore, objects which can fall on the footwear pose a risk to a wearer's metatarsals, if not protected properly. Thus, there _ 3 _ 81925-1 is a further need in the art for a mining boot with improved resistance to wear and tear in areas of the boot which generally contact sharp rocks or other objects while working in a mine, which boot can further comfortably accommodate improved metatarsal protection for the wearer.
[0008] Thus, there remains a need in the art for a safety boot which is comfortable, extremely durable, cost effective, provides protection from hazards, and is flexible enough to for allow a full range of motion.
Summary of the Invention [00091 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a safety footwear comprising a sole, and an upper attached to said sole, said upper comprising a wraparound guard extending upwardly from around a perimeter region adjacent said sole to a top edge, a vamp attached to said top edge and covering an instep region of a wearer's foot, and a throat extending generally upwardly therefrom, forming an entry for a wearer's foot, wherein said vamp and said throat comprise a leather material, and wherein said wraparound guard is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be stitchingly attached to said leather material.
_ 4 81925-1 [00101 According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, said wraparound guard encompasses a toe portion, a heel portion and contiguous medial and lateral side portions adjoining said toe portion.
[00111 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said wraparound guard comprises a natural leather finished in situ during a tanning process to provide the tear and abrasion resistance properties of said tear and abrasion resistant material.
[00121 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said tear and abrasion resistant material is impregnated in situ with a polymer during said tanning process.
[0013] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said polymer is polyurethane.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a steel toe box on an interior of said upper at said toe portion.
(0015] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a metatarsal guard formed on an inside surface of said upper and extending at least partially across said vamp, said metatarsal guard formed of an impact resistant, non-rigid material.
(0016] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said metatarsal guard is constructed from PVC.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a double sided adhesive material attaching said metatarsal guard to the inner surface of said upper.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said metatarsal guard substantially covers the instep region of the wearer's foot and is arched to follow the natural curve of the wearer's instep, such that, during gait, the metatarsal guard flexes in a manner corresponding to the natural curve of the wearer's instep.
_ 6 _ 81925-1 [0019] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises at least one padded layer secured to said metatarsal guard, on an inner side of said metatarsal guard, said at least one padded layer providing sufficient padding such that said metatarsal guard is not felt by the wearer during use.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises three padded layers.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said upper is waterproof.
[0022] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a waterproof liner on an interior surface of said upper.
[0023] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a ThinsulateTM lining on an interior of said safety footwear.
_ 7 _ 81925-I
[0024] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a plurality of rust-proof eyelets on said vamp to provide for lacing of the safety footwear.
[00251 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said leather material is a full grain, oiled waterproof leather.
[00261 It is thus an object of this invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
[00271 Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
_ 8 _ 81925-I
Brief Description of the Drawings [00281 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements within the various views, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety footwear according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the safety footwear of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the safety footwear of Figure 2 during gait.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiments [00291 This invention is directed to a safety footwear, typically for use in mining operations, although it is not limited to such applications. The safety footwear, or boot, includes a wraparound guard portion providing tear, puncture and abrasion protection to areas of the boot which typically have a higher exposure to tear, puncture and abrasion causing elements in a mine. Further included within the 9 _ 81925-1 boot is an optional metatarsal guard which provides protection from sharp objects falling on the foot while maintaining a sufficient degree of comfort and flexibility, such that the guard does not cause discomfort or otherwise impede the wearer's regular foot motion during gait.
[00301 Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of safety footwear 10 according to the present invention generally includes an outsole 20 and an upper 30. The upper 30 includes a vamp 60, contiguous medial 32 and lateral 34 side portions, a toe portion 38 and a heel portion 36, arranged as shown in Figure 1, and further described below.
A throat 40 extends upwardly proximate the heel portion 36 of the upper 30, providing access for a wearer's foot.
[0031] A wraparound guard 70 is positioned completely around a perimeter of the outsole 20 and extends upwardly therefrom. Preferably, the wraparound guard 70 extends generally vertically to a height which covers the sides of a wearer's foot, up to the instep region of the wearer's foot at the toe 38 and side 32, 34 portions, and to a position generally above the ankles at the heel portion 36, as shown in Figure 1.
[0032] The vamp 60 generally comprises a vamp toe portion 60a and a vamp tongue portion 60b and extends generally across the instep portion of the foot. The vamp 60 is stitchingly attached to the wrapround guard 70 at a top edge 62 of the guard 70. The throat 40 is attached to the heel portion 36 and to the vamp tongue portion 60b by stitching 64. Together, the outsole 20, wraparound guard 70, vamp 60 and throat 40 form an enclosure for receiving the wearer's foot. Eyelets 66 are positioned on portions of the vamp 60 and throat 40 for providing lacing to the footwear.
[0033] In order to maintain flexibility and comfort to areas of the foot undergoing the most movement during gait, the vamp 60 and throat 40 are made from a leather material.
This includes natural and synthetic leathers and is preferably a full grain oiled, waterproof leather. Such leathers are known in the art and have been used to form the majority portions of the prior art footwear, including the contiguous medial 32 and lateral 34 sides.
[0034] The wraparound guard 70 is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be joined to the bottom edges of the vamp 60 and throat 40, preferably by being stitchingly attached. One such material, and that used in the preferred embodiment is natural leather produced by a specialized tanning process, resulting in what is known as Tec-TuffTM leather. The Tec-TuffTM process is based on that described in German Patent Publication DE9306118 in which, during the tanning process, the leather is impregnated with a polymer, and preferably with polyurethane. This results in a unitary material, resembling leather but having far superior abrasion and tear resistance properties, while still maintaining an acceptable degree of flexibility and which can be affixed to other leather portions of a footwear item by a simple stitching process. When tested for slit tear resistance using ASTM
D2212, the Tec-TuffTM material exhibited a tear resistance of 10.5 kg/mm, outperforming the industry standard of 6.0 kg/mm.
[0035] This combination of the tear, abrasion and puncture resistant wraparound guard 70 and the full grain oiled leather vamp 60 and throat 40 allows for maximum flexibility in the vamp 60, comfort and support in the throat 40, and protection around the lower periphery of the boot in areas most impacted by stones and rocks while working in a mine.
[0036] The stitching used to attach the wraparound guard 70 to the vamp 60 and throat 40, by way of example only, is preferably reinforced nylon, and can be treated to provide a waterproof barrier at all stitched locations. The materials for the wraparound guard 70, vamp 60 and throat 40, along with any other materials used in forming the boot are either produced to be waterproof, or otherwise treated to be waterproof, for example by spraying with leather waterproofing agents. Inside the boot, a waterproof liner can optionally be provided. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a SympaTexTM waterproof bootie liner 90 is used.
The inner portion of the upper is also preferably provided with a ThinsulateTM lining 92 for warmth in typically cold mining environments.
[0037] In attaching the wraparound guard 70 to the outsole 20, a welt 94 is positioned proximal the outsole 20.
The welt may be a Goodyear TM welt and further waterproofing and protection provided by a PVC storm welt. The outsole 20 is preferably a heavy duty outsole providing adequate traction and protection for mining operations and is, for example, a VibramTM outsole. A removable insole 96 may be included which can be replaced as necessary. The insole 96 is typically constructed from a molded polyurethane foam material.
[0038] Additional protection is optionally provided by way of a steel toe box 80 provided on an internal surface of the upper 30 bounded by the toe portion 38 and extending under the vamp toe portion 60a. The steel toe box 80 is sized to cover substantially the entire region within which a wearer's toes would typically extend. As shown in Figure 2, the steel toe box 80 extends from an inner portion of the outsole 20 up to the vamp toe portion 60a, under which vamp toe portion 60a the toes extend, thereby creating a protective cage within which the toes of a wearer are substantially protected from damage due to falling objects.
[0039] According to a second aspect of the preferred embodiment, a metatarsal guard 82 is positioned on an internal surface of the vamp 60 for providing protection to the metatarsals of a wearer from potentially sharp falling objects. Preferably, the metatarsal guard 82 extends substantially across the entire underside of the vamp 60, and partially above the steel toe box 80, such that all top areas of the front of the foot are thereby protected.
[0040] The metatarsal guard 82 used herein is produced from a non-rigid, impact resistant material, and is formed to substantially follow the natural curvature of the wearer's instep. The combination of a non-rigid, impact resistant material and the shaping of the metatarsal guard 82 allows for flexing during gait in a manner that substantially follows the instep of the wearer. This is more clearly shown in Figure 3. As such, the adverse impact of the metatarsal guard 82 on mobility and comfort levels is kept to a minimum. The non-rigid, impact resistant material for construction of the metatarsal guard 82 is preferably PVC. Other materials commonly known in the plastics industry to provide impact resistance and a significantly suitable degree of flexibility are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0041] The metatarsal guard 82 is preferably glued to the underside of the steel toe box 80 and is fixed to the vamp 60 by a double sided adhesive, such as tape 84. On the underside of the metatarsal guard 82, proximate the metatarsal region of the foot, foam padding 86 is also preferably provided. The foam padding 86 is preferably constructed from three distinct layers of padding which act and flex independently during gait, thereby allowing the foam to be self-positioned and compress in motion in response to the curvature of the wearer's instep. The necessary thickness of the padding 86 is such that the wearer does not feel the metatarsal guard 82 on the instep region of the foot during normal use. The additional layers of foam padding 86 also provide for a closer fit to the individual contours of the wearer's foot, thereby allowing for increased stability and comfort.
[00421 While the preferred embodiment has been described with respect to a mining boot, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the wraparound guard, either alone, or in combination with the metatarsal guard, or other novel features of the present invention, may be applied to other footwear where similar safety features may be beneficial.
[00431 This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.
to movements in the wearer's foot or can otherwise feel unduly heavy, bulky and overbearing.
[00061 In particular, during mining operations, stability and support are of particular concern; however prior art mining boots have a limited lifespan, as the repeated exposure to sharp objects, such as rocks, contacting the sides of the boot while walking in a mining area and other scuffing caused by rocks results in rapidly worn out areas of the boot. Specifically, the toe and heel portions and the medial and lateral side portions of the boot, which typically have a higher exposure to tear, puncture and abrasion causing elements in a mine. Some prior art boots have provided added protection in the areas of the toe and heel, for example by providing a KevlarTM guard for the toe and/or heel. While this does provide protection for those areas which are covered or reinforced in this manner, the entire boot cannot be reinforced without compromising on the comfort and flexibility of the boot.
[00071 Sharp rocks and stones, which are typically found throughout mines, are constantly coming into contact with the lower portions of a miner's footwear. Furthermore, objects which can fall on the footwear pose a risk to a wearer's metatarsals, if not protected properly. Thus, there _ 3 _ 81925-1 is a further need in the art for a mining boot with improved resistance to wear and tear in areas of the boot which generally contact sharp rocks or other objects while working in a mine, which boot can further comfortably accommodate improved metatarsal protection for the wearer.
[0008] Thus, there remains a need in the art for a safety boot which is comfortable, extremely durable, cost effective, provides protection from hazards, and is flexible enough to for allow a full range of motion.
Summary of the Invention [00091 According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is disclosed a safety footwear comprising a sole, and an upper attached to said sole, said upper comprising a wraparound guard extending upwardly from around a perimeter region adjacent said sole to a top edge, a vamp attached to said top edge and covering an instep region of a wearer's foot, and a throat extending generally upwardly therefrom, forming an entry for a wearer's foot, wherein said vamp and said throat comprise a leather material, and wherein said wraparound guard is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be stitchingly attached to said leather material.
_ 4 81925-1 [00101 According to one aspect of the preferred embodiment, said wraparound guard encompasses a toe portion, a heel portion and contiguous medial and lateral side portions adjoining said toe portion.
[00111 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said wraparound guard comprises a natural leather finished in situ during a tanning process to provide the tear and abrasion resistance properties of said tear and abrasion resistant material.
[00121 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said tear and abrasion resistant material is impregnated in situ with a polymer during said tanning process.
[0013] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said polymer is polyurethane.
[0014] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a steel toe box on an interior of said upper at said toe portion.
(0015] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a metatarsal guard formed on an inside surface of said upper and extending at least partially across said vamp, said metatarsal guard formed of an impact resistant, non-rigid material.
(0016] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said metatarsal guard is constructed from PVC.
[0017] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a double sided adhesive material attaching said metatarsal guard to the inner surface of said upper.
[0018] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said metatarsal guard substantially covers the instep region of the wearer's foot and is arched to follow the natural curve of the wearer's instep, such that, during gait, the metatarsal guard flexes in a manner corresponding to the natural curve of the wearer's instep.
_ 6 _ 81925-1 [0019] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises at least one padded layer secured to said metatarsal guard, on an inner side of said metatarsal guard, said at least one padded layer providing sufficient padding such that said metatarsal guard is not felt by the wearer during use.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises three padded layers.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said upper is waterproof.
[0022] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a waterproof liner on an interior surface of said upper.
[0023] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a ThinsulateTM lining on an interior of said safety footwear.
_ 7 _ 81925-I
[0024] According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, the safety footwear further comprises a plurality of rust-proof eyelets on said vamp to provide for lacing of the safety footwear.
[00251 According to a further aspect of the preferred embodiment, said leather material is a full grain, oiled waterproof leather.
[00261 It is thus an object of this invention to obviate or mitigate at least one of the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.
[00271 Other advantages, features and characteristics of the present invention, as well as methods of operation and functions of the related elements of the structure, and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, the latter of which is briefly described hereinbelow.
_ 8 _ 81925-I
Brief Description of the Drawings [00281 A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like numbers refer to like elements within the various views, and wherein:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of a safety footwear according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a sectional view of the safety footwear of Figure 1 taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1; and, Figure 3 is a sectional view showing the safety footwear of Figure 2 during gait.
Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiments [00291 This invention is directed to a safety footwear, typically for use in mining operations, although it is not limited to such applications. The safety footwear, or boot, includes a wraparound guard portion providing tear, puncture and abrasion protection to areas of the boot which typically have a higher exposure to tear, puncture and abrasion causing elements in a mine. Further included within the 9 _ 81925-1 boot is an optional metatarsal guard which provides protection from sharp objects falling on the foot while maintaining a sufficient degree of comfort and flexibility, such that the guard does not cause discomfort or otherwise impede the wearer's regular foot motion during gait.
[00301 Referring to Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of safety footwear 10 according to the present invention generally includes an outsole 20 and an upper 30. The upper 30 includes a vamp 60, contiguous medial 32 and lateral 34 side portions, a toe portion 38 and a heel portion 36, arranged as shown in Figure 1, and further described below.
A throat 40 extends upwardly proximate the heel portion 36 of the upper 30, providing access for a wearer's foot.
[0031] A wraparound guard 70 is positioned completely around a perimeter of the outsole 20 and extends upwardly therefrom. Preferably, the wraparound guard 70 extends generally vertically to a height which covers the sides of a wearer's foot, up to the instep region of the wearer's foot at the toe 38 and side 32, 34 portions, and to a position generally above the ankles at the heel portion 36, as shown in Figure 1.
[0032] The vamp 60 generally comprises a vamp toe portion 60a and a vamp tongue portion 60b and extends generally across the instep portion of the foot. The vamp 60 is stitchingly attached to the wrapround guard 70 at a top edge 62 of the guard 70. The throat 40 is attached to the heel portion 36 and to the vamp tongue portion 60b by stitching 64. Together, the outsole 20, wraparound guard 70, vamp 60 and throat 40 form an enclosure for receiving the wearer's foot. Eyelets 66 are positioned on portions of the vamp 60 and throat 40 for providing lacing to the footwear.
[0033] In order to maintain flexibility and comfort to areas of the foot undergoing the most movement during gait, the vamp 60 and throat 40 are made from a leather material.
This includes natural and synthetic leathers and is preferably a full grain oiled, waterproof leather. Such leathers are known in the art and have been used to form the majority portions of the prior art footwear, including the contiguous medial 32 and lateral 34 sides.
[0034] The wraparound guard 70 is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be joined to the bottom edges of the vamp 60 and throat 40, preferably by being stitchingly attached. One such material, and that used in the preferred embodiment is natural leather produced by a specialized tanning process, resulting in what is known as Tec-TuffTM leather. The Tec-TuffTM process is based on that described in German Patent Publication DE9306118 in which, during the tanning process, the leather is impregnated with a polymer, and preferably with polyurethane. This results in a unitary material, resembling leather but having far superior abrasion and tear resistance properties, while still maintaining an acceptable degree of flexibility and which can be affixed to other leather portions of a footwear item by a simple stitching process. When tested for slit tear resistance using ASTM
D2212, the Tec-TuffTM material exhibited a tear resistance of 10.5 kg/mm, outperforming the industry standard of 6.0 kg/mm.
[0035] This combination of the tear, abrasion and puncture resistant wraparound guard 70 and the full grain oiled leather vamp 60 and throat 40 allows for maximum flexibility in the vamp 60, comfort and support in the throat 40, and protection around the lower periphery of the boot in areas most impacted by stones and rocks while working in a mine.
[0036] The stitching used to attach the wraparound guard 70 to the vamp 60 and throat 40, by way of example only, is preferably reinforced nylon, and can be treated to provide a waterproof barrier at all stitched locations. The materials for the wraparound guard 70, vamp 60 and throat 40, along with any other materials used in forming the boot are either produced to be waterproof, or otherwise treated to be waterproof, for example by spraying with leather waterproofing agents. Inside the boot, a waterproof liner can optionally be provided. In the preferred embodiment illustrated, a SympaTexTM waterproof bootie liner 90 is used.
The inner portion of the upper is also preferably provided with a ThinsulateTM lining 92 for warmth in typically cold mining environments.
[0037] In attaching the wraparound guard 70 to the outsole 20, a welt 94 is positioned proximal the outsole 20.
The welt may be a Goodyear TM welt and further waterproofing and protection provided by a PVC storm welt. The outsole 20 is preferably a heavy duty outsole providing adequate traction and protection for mining operations and is, for example, a VibramTM outsole. A removable insole 96 may be included which can be replaced as necessary. The insole 96 is typically constructed from a molded polyurethane foam material.
[0038] Additional protection is optionally provided by way of a steel toe box 80 provided on an internal surface of the upper 30 bounded by the toe portion 38 and extending under the vamp toe portion 60a. The steel toe box 80 is sized to cover substantially the entire region within which a wearer's toes would typically extend. As shown in Figure 2, the steel toe box 80 extends from an inner portion of the outsole 20 up to the vamp toe portion 60a, under which vamp toe portion 60a the toes extend, thereby creating a protective cage within which the toes of a wearer are substantially protected from damage due to falling objects.
[0039] According to a second aspect of the preferred embodiment, a metatarsal guard 82 is positioned on an internal surface of the vamp 60 for providing protection to the metatarsals of a wearer from potentially sharp falling objects. Preferably, the metatarsal guard 82 extends substantially across the entire underside of the vamp 60, and partially above the steel toe box 80, such that all top areas of the front of the foot are thereby protected.
[0040] The metatarsal guard 82 used herein is produced from a non-rigid, impact resistant material, and is formed to substantially follow the natural curvature of the wearer's instep. The combination of a non-rigid, impact resistant material and the shaping of the metatarsal guard 82 allows for flexing during gait in a manner that substantially follows the instep of the wearer. This is more clearly shown in Figure 3. As such, the adverse impact of the metatarsal guard 82 on mobility and comfort levels is kept to a minimum. The non-rigid, impact resistant material for construction of the metatarsal guard 82 is preferably PVC. Other materials commonly known in the plastics industry to provide impact resistance and a significantly suitable degree of flexibility are also within the scope of the present invention.
[0041] The metatarsal guard 82 is preferably glued to the underside of the steel toe box 80 and is fixed to the vamp 60 by a double sided adhesive, such as tape 84. On the underside of the metatarsal guard 82, proximate the metatarsal region of the foot, foam padding 86 is also preferably provided. The foam padding 86 is preferably constructed from three distinct layers of padding which act and flex independently during gait, thereby allowing the foam to be self-positioned and compress in motion in response to the curvature of the wearer's instep. The necessary thickness of the padding 86 is such that the wearer does not feel the metatarsal guard 82 on the instep region of the foot during normal use. The additional layers of foam padding 86 also provide for a closer fit to the individual contours of the wearer's foot, thereby allowing for increased stability and comfort.
[00421 While the preferred embodiment has been described with respect to a mining boot, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the wraparound guard, either alone, or in combination with the metatarsal guard, or other novel features of the present invention, may be applied to other footwear where similar safety features may be beneficial.
[00431 This concludes the description of a presently preferred embodiment of the invention. The foregoing description has been presented for the purpose of illustration and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is intended the scope of the invention be limited not by this description but by the claims that follow.
Claims (17)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A safety footwear comprising:
a sole, and an upper attached to said sole, said upper comprising a wraparound guard extending upwardly from around a perimeter region adjacent said sole to a top edge, a vamp attached to said top edge and covering an instep region of a wearer's foot, and a throat extending generally upwardly therefrom, forming an entry for a wearer's foot, wherein said vamp and said throat comprise a leather material, and wherein said wraparound guard is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be stitchingly attached to said leather material.
a sole, and an upper attached to said sole, said upper comprising a wraparound guard extending upwardly from around a perimeter region adjacent said sole to a top edge, a vamp attached to said top edge and covering an instep region of a wearer's foot, and a throat extending generally upwardly therefrom, forming an entry for a wearer's foot, wherein said vamp and said throat comprise a leather material, and wherein said wraparound guard is formed from a tear and abrasion resistant material which can be stitchingly attached to said leather material.
2. A safety footwear according to claim 1, wherein said wraparound guard encompasses a toe portion, a heel portion and contiguous medial and lateral side portions adjoining said toe portion.
3. A safety footwear according to claim 2, wherein said wraparound guard comprises a natural leather finished in situ during a tanning process to provide the tear and abrasion resistance properties of said tear and abrasion resistant material.
4. A safety footwear according to claim 3, wherein said tear and abrasion resistant material is impregnated in situ with a polymer during said tanning process.
5. A safety footwear according to claim 4, wherein said polymer is polyurethane.
6. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 2-5, and further comprising a steel toe box on an interior of said upper at said toe portion.
7. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 2-6, and further comprising a metatarsal guard formed on an inside surface of said upper and extending at least partially across said vamp, said metatarsal guard formed of an impact resistant, non-rigid material.
8. A safety footwear according to claim 7, wherein said metatarsal guard is constructed from PVC.
9. A safety footwear according to claim 8, and further comprising a double sided adhesive material attaching said metatarsal guard to the inner surface of said upper.
10. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 7-9, wherein said metatarsal guard substantially covers the instep region of the wearer's foot and is arched to follow the natural curve of the wearer's instep, such that, during gait, the metatarsal guard flexes in a manner corresponding to the natural curve of the wearer's instep.
11. A safety footwear according to claim 10, and further comprising at least one padded layer secured to said metatarsal guard, on an inner side of said metatarsal guard, said at least one padded layer providing sufficient padding such that said metatarsal guard is not felt by the wearer during use.
12. A safety footwear according to claim 11, comprising three padded layers.
13. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 1-12, wherein said upper is waterproof.
14. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 1-13, and further comprising a waterproof liner on an interior surface of said upper.
15. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 1-14, and further comprising a Thinsulate.TM. lining on an interior of said safety footwear.
16. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 1-15, and further comprising a plurality of rust-proof eyelets on said vamp to provide for lacing of the safety footwear.
17. A safety footwear according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein said leather material is a full grain, oiled waterproof leather.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2658743A CA2658743A1 (en) | 2009-03-17 | 2009-03-17 | Safety footwear having a wraparound guard |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2658743A CA2658743A1 (en) | 2009-03-17 | 2009-03-17 | Safety footwear having a wraparound guard |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2658743A1 true CA2658743A1 (en) | 2010-09-17 |
Family
ID=42735899
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA2658743A Abandoned CA2658743A1 (en) | 2009-03-17 | 2009-03-17 | Safety footwear having a wraparound guard |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2658743A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103315442A (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2013-09-25 | 青岛亨达股份有限公司 | Training boots for special policeman |
| CN103704926A (en) * | 2013-05-14 | 2014-04-09 | 吴江市董鑫塑料包装厂 | Heat-insulating and puncture-preventing working boot |
-
2009
- 2009-03-17 CA CA2658743A patent/CA2658743A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN103704926A (en) * | 2013-05-14 | 2014-04-09 | 吴江市董鑫塑料包装厂 | Heat-insulating and puncture-preventing working boot |
| CN103315442A (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2013-09-25 | 青岛亨达股份有限公司 | Training boots for special policeman |
| CN103315442B (en) * | 2013-07-22 | 2015-08-05 | 青岛亨达股份有限公司 | A kind of special policeman fights instruction boots |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FZDE | Discontinued | ||
| FZDE | Discontinued |
Effective date: 20120319 |