EP2363033B1 - Protector for shoes - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a protector for shoes, such as work shoes or firefighting boots, and more particularly to a protector for a shoe with a shaft and lacing and a shoe provided with such a protector.

Work shoes or firefighting boots, when used as intended, are subject to numerous actions and are ideally made to provide the wearer with some protection against these effects. For this purpose, work shoes typically have a steel toe on the front of the shoe as well as other incorporated reinforcements, such as at the ankles and the rear cap. Furthermore, work shoes may have reinforced soles. Such integral reinforcements are in part prescribed by protective regulations and have been found to be advantageous, as they ensure improved protection of the corresponding leg and leg sections.

However, so far relatively unprotected remained sensitive and particularly exposed parts of the foot, such as the tibia and the instep and corresponding parts of the shoe on the front. Often, these laced portions of the shoe have laces or zippers that are less resistant to external aggressions than other parts of the shoe that are continuously covered by the material of the shoe.

WO 2007/053886 A1 discloses a foot guard for minimizing damage to a foot by impacts or other stresses, the foot guard comprising a plate.

WO 01/35784 A1 discloses a padded shoe with an upper leather, the upper leather having a padded tongue.

WO 00/64292 A1 discloses a metatarsal protector having at least one member formed of an energy absorbing material.

US 2005/0257404 A1 discloses a safety device in the form of protective footwear as well as a cover for the lower part of the leg.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a protection for the front of the shoe and the corresponding parts of the foot and a corresponding shoe.

This object is achieved by a protector having the features according to claim 1. According to the invention a protector for a shoe is provided with a lacing, wherein the protector is adapted for attachment by means of lacing on the front part of the shoe and after attachment to the shoe at least partially covers the front part of the shoe.

The protector according to the invention has numerous advantages. In particular, the previously less protected front of the foot and the corresponding part of the shoe and the tab against external effects, for example, by sharp, sharp, hot items effectively and better than previously known shoes are protected.

According to a preferred embodiment, the protector is arranged so that the lacing, to which the protector is attached, is partially covered by the protector. As a result, the lacing can also be effectively protected against external influences.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector in the form of a cap or shell, on the underside of a cavity is formed. The cap preferably has a shape suitable for covering a part of the shoe including the front part. The cap can have a substantially elongated shape for it. The cap may be shaped to reduce its width from one end to the other. The shape of the protector can be heart-shaped, triangular, oval, round or conical in plan view. After attachment to the shoe, the cap is preferably oriented with its longitudinal direction from the crotch to the toe of the shoe.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector is formed so that it rests only on the edges on the front part of the shoe, while at least a portion of the protector is held between the edges at a distance above the front part of the shoe. The cavity formed under the protector serves to dampen force effects, such as impacts and shocks. In addition, a lacing in the cavity under the protector and be attached to the protector on the underside.

To attach the lacing on the protector may be provided on the underside of a holding device. This may have one or more eyelets or openings through which a lace of lacing is performed. The holding device may alternatively or additionally comprise one or more loops or hooks to secure the lace. If the lacing is tightened, the protector with the inner surface on which the lacing is arranged and attached, pulled to the shoe and held there. Alternatively, however, the lacing could also run on the top of the protector and be attached there.

The holding device can be arranged in the front region, preferably in the front third of the protector on the inner surface. There may also be provided a plurality of holding devices, which may be arranged along a transverse or longitudinal axis of the protector in equal or different distances. The distances can be adapted to the shape of the shoe to effect a uniform attachment of the protector. The holding device may comprise one or more channels, which are arranged transversely to the longitudinal axis of the protector and through which the lace can be guided.

In addition, the inner surface of the protector may be concavely curved. The protector may have the shape of a flat, partially cylindrical shell. The shell may have a thickness of up to 30mm, especially 5mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm and also 3mm and less, such as 1mm. The part-cylindrical shell may additionally be curved on a transverse axis or on another axis extending at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the protector to correspond to the shape of the shaft and the shoe. The shell may also be formed and shaped for immediate and planar support on the front part of the protector, without a cavity being formed between the protector and the shoe when attached to the shoe.

In the material of the protector one or more cavities, e.g. be formed in the form of tubes, pads or balls. The cavity may be filled with a fluid, such as a liquid, gel or gas. Channels for lacing may be provided on the underside of the protector.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector has at least one recess which extends in the longitudinal direction of the protector. The recess may be formed out of the material of the protector and serves to increase its rigidity. The recess may have the shape of a curvature. It may have a substantially rectangular, triangular or wavy profile or a sawtooth profile. It can also be formed several wells side by side. One or more apertures may be formed in the recess through which a strap may be passed, whereby the protector may be secured in conjunction with lateral connection points on the shoe, which may be formed by loops, hooks or eyes. The openings in the walls of the recess may be formed in the front third of the length of the protector.

The protector may also have on the upper or lower surface additional recesses and projections and other structural elements, such as circular or elongated depressions, openings, ribs or grooves.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector is shaped so that it is automatically centered and aligned when tightening the lacing fastened thereto over the front part of the shoe. This can be done by the shaping of the underside of the resting on the front part of the shoe protector. If the protector has the shape of a cap, in particular the edge of the cap corresponding to the surface of the shoe can be formed at the position desired for the protector. In addition, the lacing of the shoe can be performed so that an automatic centering of the protector on the front part of the shoe is supported in tightening the lacing. In particular, the lacing runs so that the ends of the lace at least once intersect under the protector.

The lacing is preferably performed by the protector down to the shank portions arranged attachment points of the shoe and from there along the shaft portions to the top of the shaft, where the ends of the laces are gripped and the laces are tightened while aligning or centering the protector on the front part of the shoe can.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector has a length which corresponds approximately to the distance from the crotch to the middle of the back of the foot. However, the protector can also have a different length. In particular, the length may be 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 or 20 cm. The width can be 2, 4, 6, 8 or 10 cm at the widest point.

The protector can be made of plastic, in particular flame-retardant plastic. However, protectors made of metal, metal alloys, or laminates of metal and plastic are also conceivable. The protector may also comprise a plurality of superposed material layers. Due to the material layers, the protector can be adapted to the respective usage requirements. Thus, for example, a material layer on the outer surface of the protector may be particularly resistant, whereas the material layer on the inner surface of the protector may be particularly adaptable, flexible or cushioning, damping. Furthermore, a layer may comprise a material with special thermal and other material properties, for example a material with increased thermal conductivity or insulation capability, the side regions of the protector at the bottom may also include an additional layer of material that supports a flush fit on the shoe.

In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the sheets of material or the protector as a whole consists of a fire, shock and / or break resistant material selected from the group consisting of plastic, metal and metal alloys.

The protector may further include one or more pads for cushioning sides and the inner surface of the protector. The pad can protrude beyond one or more sides of the protector or can be flush with these. As a result, the adaptation of the protector to the shoe can be improved. The at least one pad may have a surface of a strong and flexible material selected from the group consisting of leather, synthetic leather or plastic. Furthermore, the pad comprises an interior space with a material that is flexibly adaptable and absorbs cushioning and is preferably a foam. The shape of the pad can also be reinforced by one or more stitching.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector may comprise a partial protector which can be arranged on the shoe in front of the tibia.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the partial protector is held between the shaft portions on the tab of the shoe and coupled to the protector via a flexible material connection. In particular, the partial protector can be firmly connected to the tab by a suitable means, such as gluing, riveting or sewing.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the partial protector has a curved shape adapted to the tibia and a device for connection to a lace.

The partial protector may be made of the same material as the protector described above and have the same structure and structure. It may have a substantially elongated and flat shape. The specified features and properties of the protector can also be present in the partial protector.

According to the invention there is further provided a shoe with a shaft and a lacing, the shoe comprising the protector according to the invention, which is held with the lacing over the front part of the shoe.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the protector is held over the front part of the shoe so that it extends from the crotch in the direction of the toe.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the lacing is performed so that the two ends of the lace extend from the top of the shaft to below the protector and are connected there to the protector.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the lacing is so connected to the protector, that the protector is aligned on the front part of the shoe during tightening of the lacing and also centered. In particular, the lacing runs so that the ends of the lace under the protector intersect. The lacing is preferably performed by the protector on the side of the shoe and at the bottom of the shaft portions adjacent to the protector arranged attachment points, such as loops, hooks or eyes, along the shaft portions to the top of the shaft. There, the ends of the lacing can be grasped and the lacing tightened while simultaneously centering the protector on the front part of the shoe.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the shoe and a second lacing, with which the lateral shaft portions can be interconnected, wherein the two ends of the laces of the second lacing extend from the top of the shaft respectively along the shaft portions and these at least at one point connect with each other.

For attachment of the lacing on the shaft sections there may be provided individual eyelets or hooks. However, the lacing may also be guided by loops formed on the shank portions that guide the lace over a length of the shank portion, wherein the ends of the lace between the loops, hooks and loops may be passed from one shank portion to the other, with the ends of the shoelace Can also cross lace or not.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the partial protector is attached to the second lacing. For this purpose, grooves or ribs or openings which extend transversely to the longitudinal direction of the partial protector can be arranged on the upper side of the partial protector.

According to another preferred embodiment, the boot is a boot selected from the group consisting of work boots, safety boots, sports boots, firefighting boots and rescue service boots.

Fig. 1

eine Vorderansicht eines Stiefels mit zwei seitlichen Schaftabschnitten zeigt, wobei auf dem Vorderteil ein Protektor gemäß einer Ausführungsform der Erfindung angeordnet ist, der über eine flexible Verbindung mit einem Teilprotektor zum Schutz des Schienbeins verbunden ist;

Fig. 2

eine seitliche Ansicht des Stiefels mit dem Protektor gemäß der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform zeigt;

Fig. 3

eine seitliche Ansicht des Stiefels mit dem Protektor gemäß der in Fig. 1 gezeigten Ausführungsform von der anderen Seite zeigt;

Fig. 4a,b

den Protektor gemäß der erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben (Fig. 4a) und von unten (Fig. 4b) zeigen;

Fig. 5a,b

den Teilprotektor für das Schienbein gemäß der erfindungsgemäßen Ausführungsform in einer perspektivischen Ansicht von oben (Fig. 5a) und von unten (Fig. 5b) zeigen; und

Fig. 6

schematisch die Schnürung des in den Fig. 1 bis 3 gezeigten Schuhs gemäß einer Ausführungsform zeigt.

Further details, advantages and developments of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1

a front view of a boot with two lateral shank portions, wherein on the front part of a protector according to an embodiment of the invention is arranged, which is connected via a flexible connection with a partial protector for the protection of the tibia;

Fig. 2

a side view of the boot with the protector according to the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment;

Fig. 3

a side view of the boot with the protector according to the in Fig. 1 shown embodiment from the other side;

Fig. 4a, b

the protector according to the embodiment of the invention in a perspective view from above ( Fig. 4a ) and from below ( Fig. 4b ) demonstrate;

Fig. 5a, b

the partial protector for the tibia according to the embodiment of the invention in a perspective view from above ( Fig. 5a ) and from below ( Fig. 5b ) demonstrate; and

Fig. 6

schematically the lacing of the Fig. 1 to 3 shown shoe according to one embodiment.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to an embodiment of the protector 1 according to the invention on a boot 3 for fire and disaster operations, as in Fig. 1 shown in frontal view.

The boot 3 comprises a shaft with two lateral shaft sections 5, 5 ', which in the embodiment shown with two. The first lacing comprises a lace 7, whose ends are each guided by attachment points 9, 9 'on the shaft portions 5, 5' and connect them in front of a tab 11 of the boot 3 together. As in Fig. 1 indicated by the dashed line, the fastening points 9, 9 'of the lacing are formed by a plurality of tubular banding loops formed from the material of the sheep sections 5, 5', which form the lace 7 along the edges of the shaft sections 5, 5 'and also on the front section lead the shoe 3, where the lacing partially under the protector 1 runs. However, the attachment points 9, 9 'could also be formed by eyelets. The protector 1 is held by the lace 7 on the shoe 3 and can be removed after loosening the lacing. The lace 7 is held in the upper region of the flap 11 by a closing device 13 provided with a clamp closure.

The protector 1 according to the invention on the front part of the shoe 3 is formed as an elongated heart-shaped cap whose width decreases to the lower, to the toe pointed end. The protector 1 is shaped so that it rests essentially only on its edges 14, 14 'on the front part of the shoe 3, while in the area between the edges 14, 14' a distance to the top of the shoe 3 remains. At the bottom of the protector 1 thus a cavity is formed, which causes a damping of shocks. In order to provide effective protection against impact and other external influences, the protector 1 formed from a flame retardant material also has a high flexural rigidity.

In addition, a trench-shaped recess 15 is formed in the protector 1 in the direction of its longitudinal axis. Their depth is chosen so that the resting on the front of the shoe protector 1 at a not excessively streamlined lacing at its lowest point of the recess 15 is not yet in contact with the shoe 3 in order to achieve optimum damping and bump properties of the protector 1 , However, this is not absolutely necessary and the recess 15 could also be chosen so that it touches the surface of the shoe 3. In addition, instead of a recess 15, a plurality, such as two, three, four or five juxtaposed depressions may be provided. In case of several juxtaposed Recesses could have their longitudinal directions at an angle of, for example, 5 ° or 10 ° to each other. Also, the recesses could be curved in the longitudinal direction.

At the bottom of the recess 15, two elongated openings 16, 16 'are formed in the front part facing the shaft on the two opposite walls. In the vicinity of the rear end of the recess 15 oriented towards the shoe tip, two round openings 17, 17 'are formed in the bottom on the two opposite walls.

The protector 1 is held substantially at four arranged on the front part of the shoe 3 and formed by loops attachment points 9. As in particular in Fig. 6 1, the first lace 7 runs from the last fastening points 9 on the lateral shaft sections 5, 5 ', which are formed by heel pull loops, respectively to the other side of the shoe and to the respectively uppermost of the four loops arranged there on the front part of the shoe 3 Between these four loops the lace 7 extends substantially on the underside of the protector 1. The ends of the lace 7 are guided by the elongated openings 16, 16 'formed in the two walls of the recess 15, wherein they are located in the recess 15 cross. In addition, the lace 7 runs between the two loops closest to the toe, traversing the round openings 17, 17 'formed in the walls of the recess 15. In order to additionally protect the lace 7 running between the walls of the recess 15 and the openings 16, 16 ', 17, 17' formed therein, the recess 15 in the embodiment shown is covered by a cover 18.

The protector 1 according to the invention has due to its shape, the special arrangement, attachment and leadership of the lace 7 through the openings 16, 16 ', 17, 17' on the protector 1 the property that he automatically tightening the lace 7 on the front of the shoe is arranged at the desired location and centered there. By the lace 7, the protector 1 is pulled to the front of the shoe 3.

In the FIGS. 1, 2 and 5a, b In addition, a partial protector 19 is shown, which is connected via a flexible material connection 21 with the protector 1 and partially covers the tibia. The partial protector 19 comprises an elongate, slightly curved transversely to its longitudinal direction and adapted to the tibia shape. In addition, two transverse to its longitudinal axis oriented grooves 23, 25 are formed on the part protector 19, through which a lace 8 of second lacing is performed. The partial protector 19 is held on the grooves 23, 25 by the second lace 8. On both sides of the approximately halfway arranged groove 23 lateral indentations in the partial protector 19 are formed. The partial protector 19 is attached to the tab 11 of the shoe 3 between the lateral shaft sections 5, 5 'by sewing.

As in particular in Fig. 1 2, the second lacing extends from the upper side of the shank through the fastening points 9, 9 'on the shank sections 5, 5', the ends of the shoelace 8 being in two places from one shank section 5 through the grooves 23, 25 in the partial protector 19 to the other shaft portion 5 'are guided and intersect at least in a groove 23. Also, the second lace 8 is held in the upper region of the tab 11 by the locking device 13.

The ends of both straps 7 and 8 may each be attached to a handle portion 29. In the figures, however, a common handle member 29 is shown, to which both straps 7 and 8 are attached and which can be stored in a top provided on the shaft pocket 31. For tightening and centering the protector 1 on the front part of the shoe, the ends of the first lace 7 at the top of the shaft are grasped and pulled, so that the lacing is tightened. The locking device 13 prevents loosening or loosening the lacing. In the same way, the second lace 8 is tightened at the same time.

At the top of the tab 11 of the shoe, a loop 33 is mounted, which facilitates the opening of the shoe 3. By pulling on the loop 33, both laces are loosened when the locking device 13 is open and the shaft can be widened so that the shoe 3 can be pulled out of the foot with little effort.

Further, the shoe 3 comprises an ankle protector 26, 26 'on each side of the shoe 3 and a steel cap 27 at the top

In the illustrated embodiment, the shoe 3 is a boot for fire and disaster operations, which is made of leather. Parts of the shoe 3 can also be made of other materials, such as plastic, metal, etc. For use on such a boot 3, the protector 1 and the partial protector 19 are made of a fire, impact and / or unbreakable material. Numerous modifications can be made to the protector 1 of the invention and the partial protector 19 without departing from the scope of the invention to leave. The protector 1 and the partial protector 19 could comprise further layers of one or more materials having desired material properties for a purpose, such as particular thermal properties.

The protector 1 could also be formed of a thicker material layer and rest directly on the front part of the shoe 3. The material layer could be provided with cavities which impart damping properties to the protector 1. The partial protector 19 could be constructed in a similar manner.

It would also be conceivable to construct the protector 1 with a plurality of part protectors arranged one behind the other. The partial protectors could be movably connected at their joints to conform to the shape of the stem.

In the embodiment shown, the protector 1 is held by a lace 7 and the partial protector 19 by an additional lace 8. However, it would also be conceivable to use only a single lace for fastening the protector 1 and the partial protector 19 and for lacing the entire boot 3. In addition, the course of the lacing could be chosen differently than shown here by way of example.

The features of the invention disclosed in the claims may be relevant to the practice of the invention either alone or in any combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

protector

3

shoe

5.5 '

shank portions

7

First lace

8th

Second lace

9.9 '

Besfestigungspunkte

11

flap

13

closing device

14, 14 '

margins

15

deepening

16, 16 '

elongated openings

17, 17 '

round openings

18

cover

19

part protector

21

material connection

23

groove

25

groove

26, 26 '

ankle protector

27

steel cap

29

handle part

31

bag

33

loop

Claims (14)

1. Shoe (3) with an upper and a lacing, wherein the shoe (3) comprises a protector (1), which is configured for securing by means of the lacing on the front part of the shoe (3) and is at least partially covered by the front part of the shoe (3), wherein
   the protector exhibits on its upper side at least one depression (15), in which openings are formed, with which the protector (1) is held over the front part of the shoe (3) with the lacing, which is arranged in such a way that the two ends of the lace (7) extend from the upper side of the upper as far as below the protector (1) and through the openings in the depression (15).
2. Shoe (3) according to claim 1, characterized in that the lacing is arranged on the shoe (3) in such a way that the protector (1) is held over the front part of the shoe (3) in such a way that it extends from the instep in the direction of the toe.
3. Shoe (3) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the lacing is arranged on the shoe (3) and connected to the protector (1) in such a way that the protector (1) is centred on the front part of the shoe (3) when the lacing is tightened.
4. Shoe (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises two side upper sections (5, 5') and a second lacing, with which the side upper sections (5, 5') are connected to one another, wherein the two ends of the lace (7, 7') of the second lacing extend from the upper side of the upper in each case along the upper sections (5, 5'), and these are connected to one another at least at one point.
5. Shoe (3) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the shoe (3) is a boot, which is selected from the group comprising work boots, safety boots, sports boots, fire services boots, and rescue services boots.
6. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the at least one depression (15) extends in the longitudinal direction of the protector (1).
7. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the protector (1) exhibits the shape of a longitudinal cap, on the underside of which a cavity is formed.
8. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the protector (1) is configured in such a way that it is at least partially in contact with the edges (14, 14') on the front part of the shoe (3), and a section of the protector (1) is held between the edges (14,14') is held at a distance interval above the front part of the shoe (3).
9. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the protector (1) is shaped in such a way that, when the lacing secured to the protector (1) is tightened, it is centred and aligned over the front part of the shoe (3).
10. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the protector (1) exhibits a length which corresponds approximately to the distance from the instep to the middle of the dorsal surface of the foot.
11. Shoe (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it comprises a part protector (19) which is arranged on the shoe (3) in front of the shinbone.
12. Shoe (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the part protector (19) is held between the upper sections (5, 5') on the tongue (11) of the shoe (3) and is connected to the protector (1) by means of a flexible connection.
13. Shoe (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the part protector (19) exhibits a curved shape matched to the shinbone, and comprises a device for connection to a lace (7).
14. Shoe (3) according to any one of claims 11 to 13 in conjunction with claim 4, characterized in that the part protector (19) is secured to the second lacing.

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