EP0367594A2 - Schuhwerk für Kinder - Google Patents

Schuhwerk für Kinder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0367594A2
EP0367594A2 EP89311319A EP89311319A EP0367594A2 EP 0367594 A2 EP0367594 A2 EP 0367594A2 EP 89311319 A EP89311319 A EP 89311319A EP 89311319 A EP89311319 A EP 89311319A EP 0367594 A2 EP0367594 A2 EP 0367594A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
section
outer sole
toe cap
shoe
front outer
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP89311319A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0367594A3 (de
Inventor
Thomas Montgomery
Jeffrey Silverman
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Genesco Inc
Original Assignee
Genesco Inc
Toddler U Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US07/265,752 external-priority patent/US4924606A/en
Application filed by Genesco Inc, Toddler U Inc filed Critical Genesco Inc
Publication of EP0367594A2 publication Critical patent/EP0367594A2/de
Publication of EP0367594A3 publication Critical patent/EP0367594A3/de
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A43—FOOTWEAR
    • A43B—CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FOOTWEAR; PARTS OF FOOTWEAR
    • A43B3/00—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use
    • A43B3/30—Footwear characterised by the shape or the use specially adapted for babies or small children

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to shoes, and more particularly to shoes to accommodate the walking habits of infants and children.
  • an infant faced with the difficulties of learning to walk bears additional hardships when trying to adapt to wearing shoes or sneakers, particularly when the shoes or sneakers are new.
  • the soles of a new pair of shoes or sneakers are relatively stiff by virtue of the material of which it is comprised, the material on the inside of the shoe or sneaker, or a combination of both.
  • an infant must "break-in" the region of the sole which must flex when a normal heel-to-toe step is taken.
  • Most older children, in the years prior to adolescence but after having learned the fundamentals of walking or running must similarly break-in new shoes or sneakers. During the break-in period, the new shoe or sneaker may cause the infant or child discomfort and often severe pain in day-to-day walking or running activities.
  • Parents are particularly aware of the time it takes a child to break-in a pair of shoes or sneakers. Many parents will attest that the break-in period is often completed only after the child's foot has outgrown the shoe or sneaker or after the protective and aesthetic functions of the upper have been destroyed. Even if this is not the case, the region of the shoe which flexes while taking a heel-to-toe step does not become highly flexible so as to ease the steps taken by a child.
  • This dragging action of a foot could occur for several reasons, whether it is before, during or after the break-in period for the sole. Most would attribute this poor habit to improper or lack of education as to proper walking form or generally to laziness of the feet during walking activities.
  • the side sections of the toe portion are dragged. Others will drag the front and/or the top sections of the toe portion.
  • the dragging of the toe portion of a shoe may cause the top, front and sides of the toe portion to become scuffed and worn, thereby destroying the protective and aesthetic functions of the toe portion, especially where the upper is made of a canvas or soft leather.
  • Fig. 1 of the drawings shows a side view of the toe portion of a prior art shoe.
  • the sole portion forms a protuberance about the toe portion, thereby yielding an excess of material on which a child will trip as his or her foot is dragged.
  • Fig. 2 shows the manner in which a prior art shoe is dragged by many children.
  • Such a manner of walking may at first appear to be unusual, however, parents can attest to the scuffed and worn portions of a toe cap which is evidence that such dragging steps are in fact taken. Careful observation reveals that such tripping often occurs as a result of the child dragging the toe portion of the shoe from the upper (often made of a smooth leather) to the protruding periphery of the sole portion. The child will effortlessly drag his or her feet along the smooth contour of the toe cap but will encounter problems when the protuberance about the periphery of the toe portion engages the ground thereby tripping the child. Thus, one specific cause of a child tripping while dragging their feet is the discontinuous transition from the upper to the sole of the shoe.
  • relief grooves in the bottom of the sole portion of a shoe or sneaker.
  • Such relief grooves extend transversely from the lateral side of the shoe to the medial side of the shoe in the region which flexes while taking a step, and are relatively narrow in width and shallow in depth.
  • Relief grooves are primarily employed on sneakers or other recreational shoes since such grooves can be integrated with the bottom design of the sneaker or other recreational shoe, which bottom design is typically provided for aesthetic value as well as for providing traction.
  • sneakers are economically susceptible to the provision of such relief grooves since they are easily formed in the rubber or plastic of which sneakers are normally made. It is more difficult to incorporate the relief groove concept into shoes other than those having rubber or plastic soles.
  • While relief grooves provide some increased flexibility in the region of concern, the degree to which the flexibility can be increased is limited by the type of material used, the width of the groove and the thickness of the sole.
  • the flexure region of a shoe that is, the region which creases while taking a step, will almost invariably be wider than such relief grooves. Thus, the degree to which such relief grooves ease the steps taken by a child is substantially lessened.
  • the flexure region of a shoe will vary in width and location depending, inter alia , on the walking habits of each individual child and the type of activities engaged in while wearing the shoes.
  • thermoplastic toe caps made of thermoplastics are well-known and, by virtue of the characteristics attributed to thermoplastics, alleviate the problem of accelerated wear and tear on the toe portion of the upper as imparted thereon by children while dragging their feet.
  • thermoplastic toe caps do not prevent children from stumbling or tripping when dragging their feet since the toe cap is formed as part of the upper which is fastened to the periphery of the sole portion. This results in the same discontinuous transition from the upper to the bottom surface of the sole portion.
  • the protuberance about the periphery of the toe portion of the shoe remains for the infant or child to stumble on when it engages the ground.
  • the foot dragging problem is enhanced because the rubber offers a high degree of resistance early in the child's stride. It is noted that a child will often overcome the dragging of the top or sides of the toe portion of his or her shoe well before he or she overcomes the dragging of the bottom surface of the front sole portion. These two foot dragging problems can end and often do co-exist at different times during a child's stride, all depending upon the child's gait. This is not to say that these respective foot dragging problems cannot exist without the other or that these foot dragging problems could not exist at different times during the progression of a child's walking education. For instance, the dragging of the top and sides of the toe portion of a child's shoe could proceed the dragging of the bottom of the front sole portion. This problem has not been addressed by the shoe industry.
  • the present invention specifically relates to a split-sole shoe having a front outer sole which covers the bottom of the toes and a substantial portion of the sole of a foot and a heel member for covering the heel and intermediate region of the foot, characterized in that said front outer sole includes an outwardly facing exterior recessed section having a secondary bottom surface and said heel member includes an inwardly facing interior recessed section having a secondary interior surface, a substantial portion of said secondary interior surface being connected to a substantial portion of said secondary bottom surface in an overlapping configuration, thereby joining said heel member to said front outer sole and providing an exterior relief groove between the edge of said interior recessed section and the recess wall of said bottom recessed section and an interior relief groove between the edge of said bottom recessed section and the recess wall of said interior recessed section.
  • the front outer sole portion of the present invention is formed integrally with a toe cap portion which covers the front, sides and top of the toes of a foot, characterized in that the toe cap portion includes lateral and medial side sections and a front section, all of which are integral with the front outer sole at the periphery thereof.
  • There is a substantially smooth and continuous transition from the toe cap portion to the front outer sole which effectively serves to lessen the likelihood of an infant or child tripping as a result of dragging the toe portion of a shoe while walking.
  • the front outer sole portion is constructed of a material having a coefficient of friction which is relatively low as compared with the coefficient of friction of the material which comprises the bottom surface of the heel member.
  • FIGS. 3-7 show a combined toe cap and front outer sole generally designated as 10; FIGS. 8-12 show a heel member generally designated as 30; and FIGS. 13-15 show the sole of a split-sole shoe generally designated as 40, all in accordance with the present invention.
  • FIGS. 16 and 17 show the improved functionality of a shoe constructed in accordance with the present invention, as compared to the typical prior art shoe shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 18 shows an alternate embodiment of the sole of a split-sole shoe.
  • Both the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 and the heel member 30 are preferably made from a thermoplastic rubber although a plurality of different materials are suitable for use in connection with the present invention since it is primarily the structure which imparts the foregoing advantages and benefits to a shoe.
  • FIGS. 1 and 2 show the typical prior art shoe which is comprised of a sole portion A and an upper B which is fastened, by stitches C, to the periphery of sole A.
  • the structure of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 eliminates the protuberant region which heretofore was prominent on the toe portions of shoes and sneakers.
  • a lateral side section 11, a medial sides section 12, a front section 13 and a top section 14 define the toe cap portion of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10.
  • the lateral side section 11, medial side section 12, front section 13 and top section 14 surround, respectively, the sides, front and top of the toes of a foot.
  • the top section 14 of the toe cap portion need only extend rearwardly a distance sufficient to cover the top of the toes.
  • any configuration consistent with such a construction can be employed. This includes any designs which might be desirable for the top section of the toe cap portion or the provision of eyelets in the top section so as to enable the upper of a shoe to be lacedly connected to the toe cap portion of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10.
  • outer sole 15 Integrally connected to the above-described sections of the toe cap portion is an outer sole 15.
  • the outer sole 15 includes an interior surface 16 and a bottom surface 17.
  • the outer sole 15 extends rearwardly beyond the lateral side section 11 and the medial side section 12.
  • outer sole 15 includes an exterior recessed section 18 which extends from the medial side to the lateral side of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10.
  • the exterior recessed section 18 is strategically located on the outer sole 15 so that when a foot is inserted into a shoe constructed with the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10, the exterior recessed section 18 lies beneath the region of the foot which bends while taking a heel-to-toe step.
  • This region is normally located at the rearward portion of the sole of the foot and the transition region from the sole of the foot to the intermediate portion of the foot. As discussed in the Background of the Invention, the region of concern in this instance varies from foot to foot and on the activities engaged in while wearing the shoes. Thus, exterior recessed section 18 has a predetermined width so as to accommodate most, if not all, such bending regions on the feet of different infants and children.
  • the exterior recessed section 18 includes an edge 19, a secondary bottom surface 20 and a wall 21, characterized in that the wall 21 connects bottom surface 17 with secondary bottom surface 20 and the secondary bottom surface 20 is substantially parallel to the bottom surface 17 of the outer sole 15.
  • the exterior recessed section 18 is configured so as to extend in a rearward direction from the medial side to the lateral side of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10. This configuration better approximates the bending of a foot in the region of concern. It has been found that the optimum angle of such rearward extension is approximately 13°, as taken from an imaginary line which is parallel to an imaginary tangent line drawn through the central point on front section 13 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the imaginary line from which the 13° is measured would be substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10, said longitudinal axis being shown in phantom in FIG. 3. This imaginary line should also be substantially perpendicular to an imaginary tangent line drawn through the point at which the exterior recessed section intersects the lateral side section 11 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10.
  • the exterior recessed section 18 is provided for communication with a heel member, described below, so as to provide increased flexibility at the region of connection, thereby easing the steps taken by an infant or child.
  • the cooperation between the elements of the exterior recessed section 18 and the similar elements of a recessed section in a heel member is described in detail below.
  • FIGS. 3 and 5-7 illustrate this smooth transition from the side sections and front section to the outer sole.
  • FIG. 17 illustrates the dragging of the toe portion of a shoe which includes a combined toe cap and front outer sole constructed as described above.
  • FIG. 17 shows that there is no protuberance on which an infant or child can stumble or trip.
  • the smooth transition from the toe portion to the outer sole enables the infant or child to effortlessly drag the lateral side section 11, medial side section 12, front section 13 and top section 14 along the ground until the bottom surface 17 of outer sole 15 is reached at which time the infant or child takes another step.
  • the smooth and continuous transition from the toe cap to the outer sole serves to prevent an infant or child from tripping when dragging his or her feet.
  • Another feature of the present invention which serves to prevent a child from tripping when dragging his or her feet is discussed below with reference to FIG. 19.
  • FIGS. 8-12 show a heel member 30 for matable engagement with the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 described above.
  • the heel member 30 is adapted to cover the intermediate portion of a foot and the bottom of the heel of a foot.
  • the heel member 30 provides the increased flexibility in the region of the shoe which must flex while taking a heel-­to-toe step.
  • the heel member 30 includes an interior surface 31, a bottom surface 32 and a peripheral wall portion 33 extending about and upwardly from the interior surface 31.
  • this peripheral wall would extend beyond the heel member and about any front outer sole portion to which the heel member is integrally connected. It is, therefore, this peripheral wall which provided the step-hindering protuberance about the toe portion of the conventional prior art shoe.
  • the peripheral wall 33 meets with the medial and lateral side sections of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10.
  • the peripheral wall 33 includes a stitch groove 34, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, for fastening an upper to the heel member 30.
  • the waffle-like pattern 39 shown on the heel member 30 is just one of a number of well-known structures for providing additional cushioning in the heel region of a shoe. Of course, any well-known structure can be employed in conjunction with the present invention.
  • the heel member 30 includes an interior recessed section 35 which extends rearwardly, at the same angle as the exterior recessed section 18 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10, from the medial side to the lateral side of the heel member 30.
  • the optimum angle of rearward extension has been found to be 13° as measured from an imaginary line which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the heel member 30, said longitudinal axis being shown in phantom in FIG. 8.
  • the interior recessed section 35 includes an edge 36, secondary interior surface 37 and a wall 38, the wall 38 connecting interior surface 31 with secondary interior surface 37.
  • peripheral wall 33 extends along the sides of the interior recessed section 35 and upwardly from the secondary interior surface 37 of the interior recessed section 35.
  • the width of exterior recessed section 18 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 is sized to fit between peripheral wall portion 33a on the medial side of heel member 30 and the peripheral wall portion 33b on the lateral side of the heel member 30.
  • FIGS. 13-15 show a shoe sole 40 which is comprised of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 and the heel member 30.
  • the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 is joined with the heel member 30 by overlapping a substantial portion of exterior recessed section 18 over a substantial portion of interior recessed section 35 so that secondary bottom surface 20 is in contact with secondary interior surface 37.
  • a neoprene cement or any other suitable fastening means can be utilized to fasten the thermoplastic rubber of which the respective recessed sections are made.
  • the interior surface 16 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 will be substantially flush with the interior surface 31 of the heel member 30, and the bottom surface 17 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 will be substantially flush with the bottom surface 32 of the heel member 30.
  • sole inserts or other material may be placed on the interior of the shoe sole 40 for disposition between a foot and the shoe sole 40.
  • edge 19 does not abut wall 38 on the interior side of the shoe sole 40 and edge 36 does not abut wall 21 on the exterior side of the shoe sole 40.
  • an interior relief groove is defined by edge 19, secondary interior surface 37 and wall 38, and an exterior relief groove is defined by edge 36, secondary bottom surface 20 and wall 21.
  • Another important feature is that of gap 41a and gap 41b, gap 41a residing between peripheral wall 33a and medial side section 12 and gap 41b residing between peripheral wall 33b and lateral side section 11, as shown in FIG. 13.
  • the above construction provides increased flexibility in the region surrounding the connection of the respective recessed sections.
  • the joining of the two relatively thin recessed sections inherently provides increased flexibility in the region of connection.
  • This increased flexibility is augmented by the provision of the interior relief groove and the exterior relief groove, both of which are established by spacing the edges of the respective recessed sections from the walls of the respective recessed sections.
  • the gaps 41a and 41b also serve to augment the flexibility in the region of concern.
  • FIG. 16 shows a partial cross section of a foot 50, in a shoe 60 made from shoe sole 40 and a lasted upper 70, as a step is being taken.
  • FIG. 16 shows the degree of flexure while taking a heel-to-toe step.
  • FIG. 18 shows a partial cross section of the connected recess sections of the sole of a split-sole made in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
  • This alternate structure merely shows the respective recessed sections being reversed.
  • the combined toe cap and front outer sole 100 has an inwardly facing recessed section 118 to form a secondary interior surface 120 and the heel member 130 has an outwardly facing recessed section 135 to form a secondary bottom surface 137.
  • the combined toe cap and front outer sole 100 is connected to the heel member 130 in the same manner as described above.
  • An interior relief groove and an exterior relief groove will also be formed as described above. While the first embodiment described above is preferred because there is less likelihood that the interior relief groove will pinch the rearward portion of the sole of a foot, the alternate arrangement shown in FIG. 18 is functionally equivalent.
  • one of the habits formed by infants and children when they are learning to walk is to drag the bottom surface of the shoe, particularly the front outer sole. This typically occurs early in the child's stride so that a sufficient amount of resistance between the front outer sole and the walking surface will cause the child's foot to "stick” to the walking surface. This necessarily causes the child to loose his or her balance and stumble.
  • the bottom surface 17 of the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 can be made from a substantially non-stick material, i.e., a material offering a lesser degree of grip against most surfaces.
  • a substantially non-stick material i.e., a material offering a lesser degree of grip against most surfaces.
  • a material would include polyvinylchloride (PVC).
  • PVC polyvinylchloride
  • Material such as PVC provide less gripping forces against most walking surfaces than would a thermal plastic rubber.
  • PVC is also substantially scuff-resistant so that the toe portion can also be made with PVC. Accordingly, the combined toe cap and front outer sole in accordance with the present invention can be made integral.
  • the shoe in accordance with the present invention includes a heel member 30 being made of a material such as thermo plastic rubber.
  • Thermo plastic rubber has a relatively high coefficient of friction so that once the child drags, or in effect, slides the bottom surface of the front outer sole portion far enough forward in his or her stride, the heel member 30 will contact the walking surface to make the child's foot "stick" thereto. At this point in the child's stride, the child's foot is far enough forward to be planted so that the next step could be taken.
  • Figure 16 illustrates the approximate position of the child's foot as the bottom surface of the front outer sole is being dragged or slid over the walking surface; while FIG. 19 shows the planting of the child's foot by virtue of the heel member 30 contacting the walking surface.
  • an infant or child need not undergo the discomfort of breaking in a new pair of shoes or sneakers.
  • a shoe constructed in this manner will also facilitate the proper growth and development of the infant's or child's foot since the foot will not be restricted in any way and the infant or child will tend to walk more naturally --- as if in bare feet.
  • educating an infant or child as to the proper form of walking or running becomes an easier task since parents or other instructors will be assured of a properly fitting and easily manipulated shoe.
  • the child will no longer encounter the problem of stumbling or tripping since there exists no protuberance on which to stumble or trip.
  • the combined toe cap and front outer sole 10 can be made from a thermoplastic rubber or a similar material which is substantially scuff-­resistant, parents need not concern themselves with the aesthetic appearance of the infant's or child's shoe or the premature destruction of the toe portion by reason of the infant or child dragging their feet.
  • the bottom surface of the front outer sole portion can be made of a material, such as polyvinylchloride, which offers less resistance against the walking surface than the material of the heel member. This also lessens the likelihood that a child will trip.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Child & Adolescent Psychology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Footwear And Its Accessory, Manufacturing Method And Apparatuses (AREA)
EP19890311319 1988-11-01 1989-11-01 Schuhwerk für Kinder Withdrawn EP0367594A3 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US07/265,752 US4924606A (en) 1988-11-01 1988-11-01 Split-sole shoe with a combined toe cap and front outer sole
US265752 1988-11-01
US41338289A 1989-09-27 1989-09-27
US413382 2003-04-15

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0367594A2 true EP0367594A2 (de) 1990-05-09
EP0367594A3 EP0367594A3 (de) 1990-12-12

Family

ID=26951409

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19890311319 Withdrawn EP0367594A3 (de) 1988-11-01 1989-11-01 Schuhwerk für Kinder

Country Status (2)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0367594A3 (de)
JP (1) JPH02224607A (de)

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH0633842Y2 (ja) * 1990-07-26 1994-09-07 ヨネックス株式会社 靴 底

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB332115A (en) * 1929-08-31 1930-07-17 Walter Edwards Improvements relating to the construction of boots or shoes
DE1055400B (de) * 1956-06-18 1959-04-16 Johannes Schaller Schuhboden
FR1268900A (fr) * 1959-10-02 1961-08-04 Perfectionnements à la fabrication des chaussures
US3034235A (en) * 1959-12-31 1962-05-15 Wolverine Shoe And Tanning Cor Protective toe structure for shoes
DE1930344U (de) * 1965-10-19 1965-12-30 Werner Froer Sportschuhlaufsohle.
DE1485985B1 (de) * 1963-10-28 1970-07-09 Sotalor Soc Schuhwerk mit Verstaerkungsspitze

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB332115A (en) * 1929-08-31 1930-07-17 Walter Edwards Improvements relating to the construction of boots or shoes
DE1055400B (de) * 1956-06-18 1959-04-16 Johannes Schaller Schuhboden
FR1268900A (fr) * 1959-10-02 1961-08-04 Perfectionnements à la fabrication des chaussures
US3034235A (en) * 1959-12-31 1962-05-15 Wolverine Shoe And Tanning Cor Protective toe structure for shoes
DE1485985B1 (de) * 1963-10-28 1970-07-09 Sotalor Soc Schuhwerk mit Verstaerkungsspitze
DE1930344U (de) * 1965-10-19 1965-12-30 Werner Froer Sportschuhlaufsohle.

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPH02224607A (ja) 1990-09-06
EP0367594A3 (de) 1990-12-12

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US4924606A (en) Split-sole shoe with a combined toe cap and front outer sole
US5452526A (en) Footwear having an outsole stiffener
US6189239B1 (en) Articulated footwear having a flexure member
US7607242B2 (en) Footwear
US5117567A (en) Shoe with flexible upper material provided with a closing device
US20210045497A1 (en) Exterior shoe attachment and method of use thereof
US4864736A (en) Thong sandal with durable toe tab for use as promotional item or the like
US5465507A (en) Integral sole with footprint embossing
US20110296709A1 (en) Footwear having an enclosed toe
US8181363B2 (en) Modular shoe system
WO1992002155A1 (en) Shoe
KR890001482A (ko) 두개의 상이한 부재로 구성된 신발
US5111597A (en) Dance shoe with toe support
US20240268517A1 (en) Interchangeable Shoe
CA2047044C (en) Footwear sole
US3304629A (en) Simulated costume or theatrical footwear
US3984925A (en) Hybrid sole for shoes
US3718993A (en) Overshoe
JPH0312249Y2 (de)
EP0367594A2 (de) Schuhwerk für Kinder
CA2001921A1 (en) Split-sole shoe with a combined top cap and front outer sole
US1706003A (en) Pedal cover
JP2001008703A (ja) 履き物
EP0152783A2 (de) Brandsohle mit integrierter Vorderkappe und Hinterkappe
EP0619960A1 (de) Sportschuhe

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

PUAL Search report despatched

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009013

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A3

Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IT LI LU NL SE

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 19910513

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 19930202

RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

Owner name: GENESCO INC.

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN

18D Application deemed to be withdrawn

Effective date: 19940504