EP2762023A1 - Footwear including a first footwear element and a second footwear element - Google Patents

Abstract

The shoe (1) has a first fitting element (2) and a second fitting element (3). The second fitting element is inserted into the first fitting element in a removable way. The first fitting element extends in the length from the back end (4) to the before end (5), such that the width is formed between lateral side and medial side. The second fitting element extends in length from the back end to the before end (15), such that the width is formed between the lateral side (16) and the medial side. A mid-sized storage element (20) is formed at the back ends of both fitting elements.

Description

The invention relates to a shoe comprising a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being intended to be inserted into the first footwear element. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a crampon and a shoe with two footwear elements.

The shoe can be used in areas such as walking or running on horizontal terrain or in the mountains, mountaineering, skiing on snow, snowshoeing, or whatever.

For the intended uses it is to accommodate the foot with sufficient comfort, while allowing accurate transmission of impulses and sensory information related to walking, running, or driving a machine. This is important for example when walking or mountaineering, activities for which the performance of a user is conditioned among other things by these factors.

It has long been known to manufacture a shoe that includes a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being adapted to be inserted into the first footwear removably.

A first example is that of a shoe that includes an outer shell, as the first element, and a shoe, as a second element. The outer casing has properties such as gait-related wear resistance, abrasion resistance, shock-absorbing ability, ability to cooperate with a crampon, sealing, or the like. The slipper meanwhile can provide a certain comfort with respect to the wrapping of the foot, thermal insulation, or other. The slipper can be equipped with a sole to walk in a mountain hut.

A second example is that of a shoe that includes an outer shell, as the first element, and an inner shoe, as the second element. Here the outer shell is an overshoe which brings additional properties to the inner shoe. In particular, the outer casing may comprise a high stem and have a good seal. The inner shoe, in turn, is sufficient for itself to practice walking or running, except in cases where additional ability such as sealing is necessary. With an internal shoe according to the second example, which can be low-stemmed, the user can adopt a sporting or intense practice. Alternatively, if necessary, it can combine the first and second elements to adapt to different conditions, for example in the rain or in the snow. One advantage is to have the least weight on each foot when looking for performance.

In all cases where the second footwear element is in place in the first, the known shoes provide a certain comfort, and allow transmission of impulses and sensory information. This makes walking, running or driving a globally efficient craft. However, it sometimes happens that the comfort is insufficient, and / or that the transmission of impulses and sensory information is incomplete.

This happens for example when the second footwear element moves inside the first, with small displacements that affect comfort and accuracy.

To maintain the second footwear element in the first, the prior art has for example provided to conform the outer envelope of the second element according to the inner envelope of the first element, so that one fits into the other. precisely. But despite the care given to such achievements, we still observe inadvertent movements of the second footwear element in the first.

It therefore appears that the shoes according to the prior art are not totally satisfactory, in the sense that they do not provide sufficient comfort in all situations, and in the sense that they do not allow a total transmission of the pulses and the sensory information.

In relation to this the invention generally aims to improve a shoe for practices mentioned in the preamble. In particular, the invention aims to optimize the comfort of the shoe. More precisely, the invention seeks to reduce, or even eliminate, unwanted movements of the second footwear element within the first.

In the same spirit the invention seeks to optimize the transmission of impulses and sensory information.

To do this, the invention proposes a shoe comprising a first footwear element and a second footwear element, the second footwear element being designed to be inserted into the first footwear element in a removable manner, the first footwear element extending in length. from a rear end to a front end, in width between a lateral side and a medial side, and in height from a base to an upper end, the second foot piece extending in length from a rear end to at a front end, in width between a lateral side and a medial side, and in height from a base to an upper end.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that it comprises a retaining means of the rear end of the second footwear element at the rear end of the first footwear element.

The retaining means retains with great precision, or even completely, the rear end of the second footwear element relative to the rear end of the first footwear element. In particular the restraint is made according to the height, in a direction perpendicular to the base. It follows that the parasitic movements between the rear ends of the two elements, are very weak or even nonexistent. In a complementary manner it is observed that the second footwear element in its entirety is better maintained inside the first. Among the advantages that result therefrom include better overall comfort of the shoe according to the invention, as well as a better perception of support and better transmission of sensory information.

In general, it can be said that the invention has improved a shoe intended for the practices mentioned in the preamble.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention, dans un cas où le premier élément chaussant et le deuxième élément chaussant sont séparés,
• la figure 2 est une vue en perspective arrière de la chaussure de la figure 1, toujours dans le cas où le premier élément chaussant et le deuxième élément chaussant sont séparés,
• la figure 3 est une vue arrière en perspective qui montre l'introduction du deuxième élément chaussant dans le premier,
• la figure 4 est une vue schématique de côté qui montre le début de l'introduction du deuxième élément chaussant dans le premier,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique de côté qui montre le maintien du deuxième élément chaussant dans le premier, après introduction,
• la figure 6 est une vue de côté qui montre un ensemble comprenant un crampon et la chaussure selon la première forme de réalisation,
• la figure 7 est une vue éclatée partielle de la figure 6,
• la figure 8 est une vue en perspective arrière d'une chaussure selon une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective avant d'une chaussure selon une troisième forme de réalisation de l'invention.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the following description, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to non-limiting embodiments, how the invention may be implemented, and in which :

• the figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention, in a case where the first footwear element and the second footwear element are separated,
• the figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the shoe from the figure 1 , always in the case where the first footwear element and the second footwear element are separated,
• the figure 3 is a perspective rear view that shows the introduction of the second footwear element into the first,
• the figure 4 is a schematic side view that shows the beginning of the introduction of the second footwear element in the first,
• the figure 5 is a schematic side view that shows the maintenance of the second footwear element in the first, after introduction,
• the figure 6 is a side view which shows an assembly comprising a crampon and the shoe according to the first embodiment,
• the figure 7 is a partial exploded view of the figure 6 ,
• the figure 8 is a rear perspective view of a shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 9 is a front perspective view of a shoe according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The first embodiment that will be described after relates for example to a walking shoe or mountain to evolve on a regular floor or mountainous terrain. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The first embodiment is described using the Figures 1 to 7 .

As shown in particular by figures 1 and 2 , a walking shoe 1 is provided to accommodate the foot of the user. In known manner the boot 1 comprises a first footwear element 2 and a second footwear element 3, the second footwear element 3 being provided to be inserted into the first footwear element. It can be observed that the first footwear element 2 is an outer element, directly exposed to possible contact with obstacles and can sometimes receive splashes of water, snow or ice. By corollary the second footwear element 3 is an inner member, adapted to be inserted into the first element removably. This means that the user can, at will, place the second element 3 in the first or, on the contrary, remove it.

The first footwear element 2 extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, from a rear end or heel 4 to a front end or point 5, in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7, and in height from a base 8 to an upper end 9.

As shown in the first footwear element 2 comprises a lower portion 10, provided to cover the foot, and a high portion 11, provided to cover the ankle and possibly a portion of the lower leg of the user. It could, alternatively, be provided only the lower portion 10 to the exclusion of any high portion. But, according to the first embodiment, the idea is to make the first footwear element 2 capable of protecting the second element and, more broadly, the foot and a part of the lower leg, against splashing water, snow , pieces of ice, or other foreign bodies.

Other features of the first footwear element 2 will be discussed later.

The second footwear element 3, in turn, extends in length, in the longitudinal direction L, from a rear end or heel 14 to a front end or tip 15, in width, in the transverse direction W, between a lateral side 16 and a medial side 17, and in height from a base 18 to an upper end 19.

As shown in the second footwear element 3 comprises a lower portion 12, provided to cover the foot, and a high portion 13, provided to cover the ankle and possibly a portion of the lower leg of the user. It could, alternatively, be provided only the lower portion 12 to the exclusion of any high portion. However, it is noted that the upper portion 13 of the second element 3 is less high than the upper portion 11 of the first element 2. This allows the latter to grip the lower leg directly above the second element for a better seal . By corollary the second footwear element 3, when used alone, allows better sports performance, because its reduced height generates a reduction in mass, compared to an equivalent element but the height would be greater.

Here again other particularities of the second footwear element 3 will be discussed later.

According to the invention, as is understood by means of Figures 1 to 7 , the shoe 1 comprises a retaining means 20 of the rear end 14 of the second footwear element 3 at the rear end 4 of the first footwear element 2. This means 20, which will be detailed later, strongly limits, or completely prevents, relative movements of the respective ends 4, 14 of the first 2 and second 3 footwear elements. That is to say that by the invention the second footwear element 3 is better maintained in the first footwear element 2, in comparison with a shoe according to the prior art. We can say that we do not observe, or only very little, inadvertent movements between the rear ends 4, 14. This results in a better comfort, as well as a better transmission of impulses and sensory information. The resulting benefits include reduced user fatigue, better sports performance, and increased safety.

By way of nonlimiting example, still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the retaining means 20 comprises a first part 21 associated with the first footwear element 2, as well as a second component 22 associated with the second footwear element 3 , the first piece 21 and the second piece 22 having complementary shapes. It will be seen better later that the complementarity of the shapes of the parts 21, 22 allows one to be supported on the other, or vice versa, so that the mechanical games are minimal or even zero. This advantageously optimizes the transmission of pulses and sensory information at the first 2 and second 3 elements.

By way of example, the first piece 21 is an internal abutment, which protrudes forwardly, inside the first footwear element 2. The abutment 21 here is a square, which comprises a first branch 23, secured to the rear end 4 of the first footwear element 2, and a second leg 24, provided to cooperate with the second footwear element 3 as will be seen. In the idea of complementarity, the second piece 22 is a tip, which protrudes rearwardly, outside the second footwear element 3. For example, the second element 3 comprises an outer sole 25 and a stem. 26. In this case the rear nozzle 22 is a subdivision of the outer sole 25, which subdivision projects rearwardly beyond the rod 26. The tip 22 has an active face 27, intended to come into contact with the stop 21. The active face 27 is here parallel to the outer sole 25. It will be seen later that, when the second footwear element 3 is fully inserted into the first footwear element 2, the second leg 24 of the abutment 21 is even to bear on the active face 27 of the tip 22. This prevents the lifting of the heel 14 of the second footwear element 3 inside the first footwear element 2. In other words, it prevents the tip 22 does not away from the base 8 of the first element.

By way of example it is provided that the introduction of the second footwear element 3 in the first 2, or its withdrawal, is at the rear end 4 thereof. It is why the first footwear element 2 has a rear opening 30. As can be understood in particular with the help of Figures 3 to 5 , the introduction of the second element 3 in the first 2 is made by the opening 30, when it is disengaged, in the longitudinal direction L. The withdrawal of the second element 3, meanwhile, is made also by the opening but towards the back. Introduction and withdrawal are natural movements that are easy to perform. In correlation with the position of the opening 30, the structure of the front part of the first footwear element 2 is continuous, for a better seal. This means that the lower portion 10 has a continuous structure, that is to say without opening, in front of the upper portion 11. It advantageously follows that the foreign bodies can in no way enter the first footwear element 2 during the walk.

Note that the opening 30 is a wide cut, to facilitate the passage of the second footwear element 3. For example, the opening has a width equal to or greater than three centimeters. The width of the opening may be equal to the width of the first footwear element 2, at the rear end 4. The first footwear element 2 comprises a tongue 31 for closing the opening, as well as connecting means 32, 33 of the tongue to the rest of the first footwear element. It is thus possible to maintain the second element 3 in the first 2 after introduction.

According to the first embodiment of the invention, the connecting means 32, 33 comprise two zippers, namely a lateral closure 32 and a medial closure 33. Each closure 32, 33 extends in the direction of the height from the base 8 to the upper end 9. This allows a total clearance of the tongue 31 backwards, for easier passage of the second footwear element 3 through the opening 30. figure 5 it is observed that when the second footwear element 3 is housed in the first 2, with the tongue 31 held by the slideways in the closed position of the opening 30, then the stop 21 is in contact with the endpiece 22. In fact closing the opening 30 causes immobilization of the heel 14 of the second footwear element 3 relative to the heel 4 of the first footwear element 2. This allows precise transmission of the pulses and sensory information at the heel of the user.

In addition, in the spirit of the invention, the internal volume of the lower portion 10 of the first footwear element 2 is equal to, or barely greater than, the external volume of the lower portion 12 of the second footwear element 3. This allows a precise maintenance of the second footwear element 3 in the first 2. Good results have been obtained when the internal volume mentioned above is between 100 and 110% of the external volume also mentioned. The precise adjustment of the volumes requires precision to enter the second footwear element 3 in the first 2. In order to facilitate the introduction, the shoe 1 comprises a guide 34 for the introduction of the second element 3 in the first.

For example, the guide 34 is a rigid plate located at the rear end 4 of the first footwear element 2. The guide is secured to the tongue 31, above the stop 21. This means that the guide 34 is further away from the base 8 than is the stop. The guide 34 has the function of pushing the tip 22 forward of the stop, when the heel 14 of the second footwear element 3 is lowered towards the base 8 of the first footwear element 2. As is understood in particular with the aid of Figures 4 and 5 , the heel 14 is lowered while the slides 32, 33 are in the open position, with the tongue 31 released back. When the tip 22 is sufficiently lowered towards the base 8, as on the figure 5 it can cooperate with the stop 21 as we have seen. The guide 34 thus assists in donning and, as such, plays the role of a shoehorn.

In a nonlimiting manner, the guide 34 and the first piece 21 of the retaining means 20 are connected to each other. In practice it is here the guide 34 and the stop 21 which are linked to each other. This facilitates their cooperation.

The above shows that the shoe 1 can be used in its entirety, that is to say that the user can walk when the second footwear element 3 is inserted in the first 2, or alternatively, be used partially. In this case the user evolves with the only second footwear element. However, there is another possibility, which is to use the shoe in its entirety together with a sports machine, such as a crampon 41.

A set is presented using the figures 6 and 7 . The crampon 41 comprises, within the meaning of the standard NF EN 893: 2011-01, a body 42 which extends in length from a rear end 44 to a front end 45, in width from a first transverse edge 46 to at a second transverse edge 47, and in height between a bearing face 48 and a receiving face 49. The bearing face carries tips 50, designed to anchor in the ground, and the receiving face 49 receives the boot 1. Still in the sense of the standard, the crampon 41 comprises a fastener, with a front retaining means 51 and a rear retaining means 52. By way of example, the rear retaining means 52 comprises a mechanism locking 53 with, in particular, a jaw 54 intended to cooperate with the shoe 1 as we will see.

In this idea of cooperation, the first footwear element 2 comprises an outer stopper 61 designed to receive the jaw 54. Nonlimitingly, still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the outer stopper 61 is constituted by the second limb 24 of the internal stop 21. This amounts to saying that the second branch 24 has two opposite faces, one of which forms the internal stop 21, and the other forms the external stop 61. This allows a direct transmission of the driving pulses. , as well as sensory information, between the rear retention means 52 and the second footwear element 3. The ground support is therefore precise and reliable.

In order to simplify the manufacture of the boot 1, the internal abutment 21, the outer abutment 61 and the guide 34 form a one-piece piece, made for example of synthetic material, such as a reinforced plastic material or not.

Still in the spirit of simplification, but also of efficiency, the one-piece piece is a subdivision of a rear portion 31 of the first member 2, this part here being the tongue.

The other embodiments of the invention are summarized below with the aid of the Figures 8 and 9 . For the sake of convenience, the elements common with the first form are designated by the same references.

For the second form, according to figure 8 , there is a shoe 1 with, in particular, the first footwear element 2 and the one-piece piece. What is specific to this shoe is that the rear opening is a slot 65. This can be closed by any appropriate means but, according to the second embodiment, a zipper 66 closes the slot 65. This simplifies the manufacturing. It is observed that the slot 65, as well as the slide 66, are in an oblique position at the rear of the shoe.

For the third form, according to figure 9 , there is a shoe 1 with, in particular, the first footwear element 2. What is specific to this shoe is that the first footwear element 2 has a front opening 67, closed by any appropriate means such as a slide 68 , the front opening 67 being for example a slot.

In all cases the invention is made from materials and according to processing techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular, other structures may be provided for producing the abutments 21, 61, and the guide 34.

Any stem or sole structure may be provided for each of the footwear elements 2, 3, with possibly stem clamping devices.

Claims (15)

Shoe (1) comprising a first footwear element (2) and a second footwear element (3), the second footwear element (3) being adapted to be inserted into the first footwear element (2) in a removable manner, the first element footwear (2) extending in length from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), in width between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and in height from a base ( 8) to an upper end (9), the second footwear (3) extending in length from a rear end (14) to a front end (15), in width between a lateral side (16) and a medial side (17), and in height from a base (18) to an upper end (19), characterized in that it comprises a retaining means (20) of the rear end (14) the second footwear element (3) at the rear end (4) of the first footwear element (2). Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining means (20) comprises a first piece (21) associated with the first footwear element (2), and a second component (22) associated with the second element footwear (3), the first piece (21) and the second piece (22) having complementary shapes. Shoe (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first piece (21) is an internal stop, and in that the second piece (22) is a tip. Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a guide (34) for the establishment of the second element (3) in the first element (2). Shoe (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide (34) and the first piece (21) of the retaining means (20) are connected to each other. Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first footwear element (2) comprises an outer stop (61). Shoe (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that the internal stop (21), the outer stop (61) and the guide (34) form a single piece. Shoe (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the one-piece piece is a subdivision of a rear portion (31) of the first member (2). Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first footwear element (2) has a rear opening (30, 65). Shoe (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the opening (30) is a wide cut, and in that the first footwear element (2) comprises a tongue (31) for closing the opening (30). ), as well as connecting means (32, 33) of the tongue (31) to the rest of the first footwear element. Shoe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the connecting means (32, 33) comprise two zippers. Shoe (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the rear opening (65) is a slot. Shoe (1) according to claim 12, characterized in that a zipper (66) closes the slot (65). Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the first footwear element (2) has a front opening (67). Assembly comprising a crampon (41) and a shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14.

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