EP1428445A1 - Article of footwear, in particular for rock climbing - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe consists of a basically non-stretch upper (210) on a sole, with an elastic strap (214) or cover passing round the back of the heel. The upper has an elastic insert (215) adjacent to the heel section, extending to the top edge of the upper and having a height (h) equivalent to at least 20 per cent of the side of the upper in a vertical line, and a length (l) of at least 10 mm.

Description

The subject of the present invention is an article of footwear, in particular of the bootie type or ballerina, intended more specifically for climbing in the mountains, cliffs, rocks or structures artificial.

The bootie is a fundamental element of the climber's equipment. This is indeed it which is the interface between the climber's foot and the wall to be climbed, and which must transmit with precision all the sensations and efforts.

Originally climbing shoes were actually mountain shoes with rigid sole allowing climbing only from holds and therefore requiring recourse to many climbing accessories such as pitons, pegs, nails, ... etc., to provide catches of sufficient size.

Gradually, climbing techniques were developed, essentially based on the use of grip between the climbing shoe and the wall, and eliminating almost everything use of the traditional climbing accessories mentioned above, since the holds can then have a much smaller size, or even be absent.

New climbing shoes, generally called slippers, were then developed, both much more flexible and light than mountain boots traditional, with a smooth sole and covered with elastomer or rubber material down to the rod to improve grip.

Figure 1 shows in rear perspective the general construction of a liner climbing of known type, and Figure 2 is a sectional view, along II-II of Figure 1, of such slipper.

This boot 1 of known type, is composed of a flexible rod 10 which can be either low as shown in the drawing, either high or mid-high, for protection of the malleoli and of the ankle when using in cracks.

The rod 10 is either made of synthetic material or of leather. It has at its end upper of a foot holding system 11 such as a lacing. The foot support system 11 can be made of simple elastic bands, especially in the case of lighter ballerinas than the slippers. The rod 10 is coated over its entire lower part with a coating or wrapping 12 of adherent material such as rubber.

Finally, the boot has a sole 13 of rubber or the like glued to the upper, and whose thickness is more or less important depending on the goal (s), stiffness / longevity or otherwise flexibility / precision-, sought after. The sole 13 is generally smooth and in one rubber-like material very adherent for maximum efficiency. The front end 10a of the rod or tip is as fine as possible for maximum precision, and depending on the type of slipper, it can even be asymmetrical.

Generally known booties 1, or ballerinas, also have at the heel 10b a flange 14 of elastic material such as rubber, as shown in the drawing, the strap 14 is attached to the upper 10 and surrounds the heel of the boot 1. It extends at an angle from top to bottom from the back of the heel, to the front of it and is usually voltage build-up.

In certain slippers / ballerinas 1, this strap 14 is even replaced by a coating partial or complete of the heel by an elastic material such as rubber, also reported on rod 10.

The purpose of this coating / flange 14 is to push the foot forward of the liner 1, in order to guarantee hold and precision of the supports.

Optimally the asphalt / elastic flange must be present, but without power excessive so as not to cause pain on the foot.

In practice, when buying a slipper / ballerina, even if the user is looking for actually a certain tension imparted by the coating / flange, it is very difficult for it obtain the correct tension. Indeed, a shoe of a given size will be too loose, while the shoe of the shoe size or half size lower will exert a power excessive and will be practically importable due to the pain caused.

It even happens that the tension on the liner, when the foot is inside of it, either such that the material of the rod or the seams of the latter tear.

The object of the present invention is to remedy these drawbacks and to provide an article footwear of the slipper / ballerina type which allows good heel hold and pushing of the foot forward, without causing excessive foot pain.

More generally, the object of the invention is to provide an article of footwear allowing to manage and effectively control the desired tension in the heel.

Another object of the invention is also to provide a concept of footwear to reduce the number of shoe sizes.

This or these objects are achieved in the footwear according to the invention which is of the type comprising a substantially non-extendable upper, a sole and a strap or an element elastic surrounding the heel, by the fact that the upper is at least partially extensible to the level of his heel area.

Indeed, the fact of making the rod at least partially extensible makes it possible to remove the painful "twine" effect felt due to the almost inextensibility of the stem.

The Applicant has in fact realized that, surprisingly and contrary to the general idea received, the range of action of the elastic strap of known slippers is very low due to the presence of the rod on which it is fixed.

In fact, the upper being made of almost inextensible leather or textile material, the flange will have a noticeable elastic effect only in the low elongation range where the material constituting the rod is not in tension. Once the tension range of the rod material reached, the rod exerts a powerful and far too great tension force, generating excessive foot pain. The fact that the elastic range of the rod is very small and does not does not cover the difference between two sizes, also explains the difficulty for a user to choose the footwear suitable for his foot.

• la figure 3 est une vue similaire à la figure 1 d'un chausson d'escalade selon l'invention,
• la figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon IV-IV de la figure 3,
• la figure 5 est une vue en perspective de dessous avec arraché partiel du chausson des figures 3 et 4,
• la figure 6 est une vue similaire à la figure 3 d'un chausson d'escalade selon un second mode de réalisation,
• la figure 7 est un diagramme illustrant les différences de comportement d'un chausson selon l'invention et selon l'art antérieur,
• la figure 8 est une vue similaire à la figure 3 d'un mode de réalisation préféré,
• la figure 9 est une vue de détail avec arraché partiel de la figure 8.

In any case, the invention will be better understood and other characteristics thereof will be highlighted with the aid of the description which follows with reference to the appended schematic drawing and in which:

• FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of a climbing shoe according to the invention,
• FIG. 4 is a sectional view along IV-IV of FIG. 3,
• FIG. 5 is a perspective view from below, partially broken away from the boot of FIGS. 3 and 4,
• FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a climbing shoe according to a second embodiment,
• FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the differences in behavior of a boot according to the invention and according to the prior art,
• FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 3 of a preferred embodiment,
• FIG. 9 is a detail view with partial cutaway from FIG. 8.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 illustrate the application of the invention to an article of footwear of the type climbing shoe or ballerina according to a first embodiment.

Of course, the invention can also be applied to other footwear and by example to ballet shoes, for which similar or equivalent problems must be resolved.

Like the climbing shoe according to the prior art described in Figures 1 and 2, the liner 101 according to the invention is composed of a flexible upper 110 comprising a heel part 110b and a front part 110a, as well as a foot support system 111, of a sole made of adhesive material such as rubber 113 and a bandage 112 of adhesive material such only rubber.

Finally, the upper 110 is coated in its heel portion 110b with a flange 114 made of material elastic such as rubber, and extending obliquely up and down from the back of the heel to the front of it.

The essential difference between the boot according to the prior art and the boot according the invention resides in the fact that the rod 110 has a front portion 110a made of a material almost inextensible such as natural leather, synthetic leather or synthetic fabric, while its part rear 110b is on the contrary made of an elastically extensible material 115, such as neoprene, LYCRA®, elastic cordura®.

Preferably, the stiffness of such a material of the rear part will be such that the force to apply, according to standard ASTM D5035, for an elongation of 30% or less than 2N / cm of width.

The two parts 110a, 110b of the rod 110 are connected by a seam or the like 116.

Figure 7 illustrates very clearly by a diagram the enormous advantage brought by the construction according to the invention compared to the slippers according to the prior art.

This diagram has the elongation L of the rod on the abscissa and the force F on the ordinate exerted by the elastic element (strap, shell) enveloping the heel, the elastic element being in both cases mounted in tension. ΔF represents the efficiency zone of the elastic element 114.

Curve A represents the elongation L of the rod as a function of the variation of the force F exerted at the heel for a boot of the prior art, for an elastic strap 114 determined.

Curve B represents the same elongation L as a function of the force F for a shoe according to the invention, having the same elastic strap 114 at the heel.

By examining the diagram, we see that at the start in an area corresponding to an effort going from 0 to F1, curves A and B are similar. This area corresponds to the area "elastic" of the heel. In this zone, the clamp 114, mounted in tension, is stretched until the rod material is in turn tensioned.

Beyond this zone, the curve A "rises" suddenly and the elongation L as a function of the force F exerted becomes very weak. This means that the stiffness of the liner's upper predominates with respect to the stiffness of the elastic element 114.

Consequently the margin ΔL1 of variation in length and therefore adaptation to size of the foot as a function of the ΔF zone of heel efficiency becomes very low and the pain threshold is very quickly reached for a small variation ΔL in size.

The ΔF efficiency zone of the heel or the strap 114, is defined by the range of forces between a value F2 called efficiency threshold and corresponding to the tension force sought, and a value F3 corresponding to the limit of bearable tension force or threshold of pain.

We can therefore easily understand the difficulty existing with the construction of slippers. to reconcile the problems of foot length and acceptable tension effort heel level, since the length variation ΔL1 margin is very small.

On the contrary, curve B shows that with the construction according to the invention the elongation L regularly believes with the increase in the effort F exerted by the heel, and that in practice the ΔF efficiency zone corresponds to a ΔL2 range of length variation at least 50% more large (multiplication by 1.5).

• Une meilleure répartition des efforts au niveau du talon et du tendon d'Achille (puisque ce n'est plus la tige qui impose sa raideur) et donc moins de risque de douleur au porter.
• Une meilleure maítrise de la tension globale du chausson, paramètre essentiel de la performance. En effet, la tension est maintenant complètement définie par l'élément élastique 114 enveloppant le talon, puisqu'il n'y a plus d'interférence de la tige plus raide et la tension peut être déterminée à l'avance par un choix judicieux de modules élastiques des matériaux utilisés dans la partie arrière du talon (matériau de tige dans la zone talon, bride ou coque caoutchouc ou similaire).
• Un chaussage facilité du fait de la plus grande élasticité de la partie arrière du chausson.
• Une meilleure tolérance sur la longueur chaussante. Le module élastique de l'ensemble tige/élément élastique 114 de talon étant moins important, la plage de longueur "chaussante" ΔL2, permettant d'obtenir la plage d'efficacité ΔF souhaitée du chausson en terme de poussée talon, est plus importante.
• un plus grand confort après chaussage, l'effet "ficelle" lié au bord supérieur inextensible de la tige étant supprimé.
• Il devient possible de classer les chaussons non par pointure mais par degré de tension. En effet, si la plage d'efficacité du talon est obtenue pour des longueurs de pied correspondant aux pointures 39 à 41, un seul chausson sera nécessaire pour couvrir ces pointures.
• Il devient possible d'avoir un concept modulaire de chausson puisque c'est le seul changement de bride 114 qui change la tension du chausson.

The construction according to the invention therefore brings numerous advantages, among which:

• Better distribution of efforts at the heel and Achilles tendon (since it is no longer the upper that imposes its stiffness) and therefore less risk of pain when wearing.
• Better control of the overall tension of the liner, an essential parameter of performance. Indeed, the tension is now completely defined by the elastic element 114 enveloping the heel, since there is no longer interference from the stiffer upper and the tension can be determined in advance by a judicious choice of elastic modules of the materials used in the rear part of the heel (upper material in the heel area, strap or rubber shell or the like).
• Easy to put on because of the greater elasticity of the rear part of the liner.
• Better tolerance on foot length. The elastic modulus of the rod / elastic element 114 assembly of the heel being less important, the "fitting" length range ΔL2, making it possible to obtain the desired efficiency range ΔF of the liner in terms of heel thrust, is greater.
• greater comfort after putting on, the "twine" effect linked to the inextensible upper edge of the upper being eliminated.
• It becomes possible to classify the slippers not by size but by degree of tension. Indeed, if the range of effectiveness of the heel is obtained for foot lengths corresponding to sizes 39 to 41, only one shoe will be necessary to cover these sizes.
• It becomes possible to have a modular concept of bootie since it is the only change of strap 114 which changes the tension of the bootie.

As shown in FIG. 5, the elastic material 115 of the rear part 10b of the rod can continue down to the sole level, i.e. below the foot for a maximum sensation of the foot. It can also stop at the first mounting of the rod.

FIG. 6 illustrates a second embodiment in which the elastic flange 114 is replaced by an elastic shell 124 completely surrounding the heel. Apart from this difference, the liner has exactly the same construction as the liner in Figures 3 and 4, and its different elements are therefore designated by the same references.

As a variant, the rear part 115 of the rod can be removed and replaced by a simple moisture-absorbing material, such as synthetic knit (Cambrelle®) or natural absorbent (cotton, leather), and which is attached directly to the shell 124.

In this case, the rod 110 actually stops at the junction line 116.

In all cases, provision can also be made to internally coat the rod (and / or the shell if it is not lined by the rod) of an adherent material such as PU, PVC, silicone, ... etc., and which can be applied as a coating, in tape applications, pins, ... etc.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate a third preferred embodiment in which the same elements will be designated by the same references increased by 100.

In this case, the liner 201 also comprises a flexible rod 210 comprising a heel part 210b and front part 210a, both made of a material substantially inextensible such as natural leather, synthetic leather or inextensible synthetic fabric and only a part 215 of said heel part 210b is extensible.

The upper 210 is therefore partially extensible in said heel part 210b.

As before, the extensible part 215 is a material such as neoprene, LYCRA®, elastic cordura®.

In the example shown the elastic part 215 of the heel has a shape substantially in semicircle and is fixed in an associated cutout of the inextensible rod 210, extending up to the upper edge 210c of said rod.

The elastic part 215 can of course have a different shape, and for example a triangular shape. The main thing is in fact that this elastic part 215 itself constitutes a upper edges 210c of the rod 210 so as to avoid the twine effect and provide comfort necessary and that it has sufficient dimensions, in vertical and longitudinal direction to provide the desired ΔL2 elongation.

• une hauteur "h" d'au moins 20% de la hauteur de la tige 210 selon au moins une ligne sensiblement verticale,
• une longueur "l" d'au moins 10mm selon au moins une ligne de direction longitudinale.

In practice, the minimum dimensional values of said elastic part 215 will be the following:

• a height "h" of at least 20% of the height of the rod 210 along at least one substantially vertical line,
• a length "l" of at least 10mm along at least one line of longitudinal direction.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of nonlimiting example, but encompasses all similar embodiments thereof or equivalent.

Claims (10)

An article of footwear including climbing, characterized in that it comprises a rod (110, 210) substantially unstretchable, a sole (113, 213), a resilient member (114, 124, 214) surrounding the heel, and that the upper (110, 210) is at least partially extensible at its heel part (110b, 210b). Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the entire heel part (110b) of the upper is made of extensible material. Footwear according to claim 1, characterized in that the extensible part (215) of the upper extends to the upper edge (210b) thereof. Footwear according to one of claims 1 or 3, characterized in that the extensible part (215) of the upper has a height of at least 20% of the upper (210) along at least one substantially vertical line. Footwear according to one of claims 1, 3 or 5, characterized in that the extensible part (215) of the upper has a length of at least 10mm along at least one line of longitudinal direction. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the extensible part (110b, 215) of the upper is made of a material chosen from neoprene, LYCRA®, elastic cordura. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the heel part (110b) of the upper is coated internally with an adhesive material such as PU, PVC, silicone, etc. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 7 characterized in that the elastic element (114, 214) is in the form of a strap extending obliquely from top to bottom from the rear of the heel to the front of this one. Footwear according to one of claims 1 to 8 characterized in that the elastic element consists of a shell (124) completely surrounding the heel. Footwear according to claim 9, characterized in that the shell (124) has a lining in a moisture absorbing material such as cotton, Cambrelle®, leather, ... etc.

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