EP0367622A2

EP0367622A2 - Shoe and method of making same

Info

Publication number: EP0367622A2
Application number: EP89311407A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Catherine J.P. Halford
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-11-03
Filing date: 1989-11-03
Publication date: 1990-05-09
Also published as: IT8848520A0; JPH02243101A

Abstract

A shoe, characterized in that it comprises: an upper (101) having a male sole (102); and a female sole (100) having a tubular edge (103) and a centrally located bridge strip (7);
wherein the upper (101) and the female sole (100) can be Joined together by fitting the male sole (102) within the tubular edge (103) of the female sole (100) and releasably securing the bridge strip (7) of the female sole (100) to the male sole (102).

Description

This invention relates to a shoe and to a method of assembling the same.
According to the present invention there is provided a shoe, characterized in that it comprises:
an upper having a male sole; and
a female sole having a tubular edge and at least one bridge strip;
wherein the upper and the female sole can be joined together by fitting the male sole within the tubular edge of the female sole and releasably securing the bridge strip of the female sole to the male sole.
Preferably, the female sole further comprises at least one reinforced area of adhesive material for securing the male and female soles together.
Advantageously, the bridge strip includes holes.
The present invention also provided a method of assembling a shoe according to the invention which method comprises inserting the male sole of the upper within the tubular edge of the female sole and adhering the male sole to the female sole with one or more bridge strips.
For a better understanding of the invention reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top plan view of the female sole of a shoe according to the invention;
Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show three cross-sections taken on lines A-A′, B-B′ and CC', of Figure 1; and
Figures 3a and 3b show the upper and male sole of a shoe according to the invention, and a cross-section taken on line A-A′ of the same, respectively.

Referring to the drawings there is shown a shoe which comprises a female sole 100 (Fig. 1) and an upper 101 (Fig. 3) having a male sole 102 which can be attached to the female sole 100 to form the finished shoe.
In use, the upper 101 is placed on the foot of a wearer and is pressed downwardly into the female sole 100. A tubular edge 103 around the perimeter of the female sole 100 yields to allow the downward passage of the male sole 102 and springs back to accommodate the edge of the male sole 102. After use the upper 101 may be separated from the female sole 100. Accordingly, different, interchangeable uppers may be attached to the female sole 100, thereby allowing the appearance of the shoe to be varied to the style desired.
The female sole 100 is preferably made from semi-rigid material and preferably contains a foamy cushion 6 for comfort. The female sole 100 contains an extra element called a bridge strip 7 located under the foot arch, which, due to foot pressure, will keep tight the upper 101 to the female sole 100 in the area where the female sole 100 is narrow. This provides enhanced hooking, coupling and stability of the male and female soles 102, 100. The coupling operation is easy, quick and almost automatic.The foamy cushion 6 is elastic and expands when the foot is elevated to further enhance hooking between the female and male soles 100, 102.
Cooperating patches of releasable adhesive material 3, 3, 10, 11, such as Dual Scotch (RTM) or Dual Mate (RTM), manufactured by 3M, and herein referred to as "elements of dual lock" are disposed between the surface of the male and female soles 102, 100. This helps ensure stability when the system receives compounded directional pressures when walking or running.
Referring more particularly to Figure 1, locating slots 1, 2, 3 are included in the female sole 100 to facilitate alignment of the male and female sole 102, 100 for quick hooking. The female sole 100 further includes reinforced areas 4, 5, an orthopaedic sole 6 in soft material dressed in a hygienic "lattice", and a bridge strip 7, of nylon with perforations and holes 8. The visible edge 9 of the female sole 100 is finished, and the female sole 100 further includes elements of dual lock 10, 11.
Figure 2a shows the perforated bridge strip 7 of the female sole 100, one element of dual lock 11, the reinforced area 5 and the orthopaedic sole 6.
Figures 2b and 2c shows the cross-section of the female sole 100 with: elements of dual lock 10, 11, the reinforced areas 4, 5, the orthopaedic sole 6, and the female sole 12 in contact with the ground.
Figure 3a shows an upper in which 1 and 2 represent the reinforced soles, 3 represents an element of dual lock which cooperates with an element of dual lock on the male sole 102, and 4 is the rigid perimeter of hooking. Figure 3b illustrates the upper 101 with the male sole to be received by the female sole 100.

Claims

1. A shoe, characterized in that it comprises: an upper (101) having a male sole (102); and a female sole (100) having a tubular edge (103) and at least one bridge strip (7);
wherein the upper (101) and the female sole (100) can be joined together by fitting the male sole (102) within the tubular edge (103) of the female sole (100) and releasably securing the bridge strip (7) of the female sole (100) to the male sole (102).

2. A shoe according to Claim 1, characterized in that the female sole (100) further comprises at least one reinforced area of adhesive material for securing the male and female soles (102, 100) together.

3. A shoe according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the bridge strip (7) includes holes (8).

4. A method of assembling a shoe according to Claim 1, which method comprises inserting the male sole (102) of the upper (101) within the tubular edge (103) of the female sole (100), and adhering the male sole (102) to the female sole (100) with one or more bridge strips (7).