EP3171727B1 - Footwwear with improved structure - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to an article of footwear, such as a shoe or any equivalent. The article of footwear can be used in such areas as walking, running on flat or mountain terrain, skateboarding, ball sport, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, snowshoeing, bike or other.

The article of footwear must fulfill various, sometimes contradictory, functions, such as ensuring sufficient support and / or tightening of the foot while providing it with satisfactory comfort. The article of footwear must also exhibit a certain flexibility, a quality which consists of a good ability to conform to certain deformations of the foot. In other words, the article of footwear must adapt to the foot while leaving it the latitude necessary for walking or for the sport in question.

To do this, it is known to manufacture footwear, such as shoes, by combining an upper and a sole. The upper generally includes many parts, such as a lateral quarter, a medial quarter, an upper, a tongue, a heel, a rear heel, a front protective toe, a tightening device with in particular loops and a lace, a lining internal, or even other parts. In addition, some of these may include several parts. The main problem in a shoe is to assemble and put in a three-dimensional shape cut and assembled parts flat. The upper is associated, in a known manner, with an assembly sole, in order to define a footwear element. According to a first method, the rod is glued to the mounting sole by a layer of glue. The mounting sole, also called mounting insole, is relatively rigid, in order to withstand the mounting process. Gluing is done by pulling the rod to press it onto the insole, knowing that a shape is inserted into the rod. This is called traditional form mounting. This technique makes it possible to exert sufficient pressure while the adhesive is heating, to obtain the footwear element. A second method, also known, consists in producing the footwear element by securing the upper to the insole by means of a seam. This is called the Strobel assembly. The insole here is a flexible sole, which can be sewn together, called a Strobel sole. For each of the first and second methods, the first assembly is part of the sole assembly. The latter also includes external parts, such as one or more damping layers, as well as a wear layer, intended to contact the ground, which are generally fixed by gluing on the insole and on the rod mounted on the form. . The sole assembly further comprises one or more internal layers, arranged in the footwear element, to perform protective functions in terms of hygiene, cushioning, arch support, or the like. In the end, the association of the footwear element with the other constituent parts of the sole assembly forms the shoe.

It is observed that, whatever the method used for its manufacture, a shoe according to the prior art has certain drawbacks. First of all, the shoe appeals to a high number of pieces, number generally between forty and sixty. Because the number of parts constituting the shoe is high, the number of manufacturing operations and the time required to complete them is high. It usually takes forty minutes to an hour and a half to make a shoe. It can be said that shoes manufactured using conventional techniques are complicated, both by the number of their constituents and by the number of manufacturing operations.

Another drawback results from the structural discontinuity of the boot, in particular at the level of the upper. For example, a small part superimposed on a larger one can sometimes drastically change the flexibility of the rod where the small part is located. This can sometimes annoy a user and make it more difficult to shape, that is to say in three dimensions, of the rod.

Another drawback stems from the existence of free spaces between the foot and the shoe. This means that in some places the foot is not in contact with the upper, or with the sole assembly. This is particularly true at the level of certain portions of the junction between the rod and the insole. As a result, there are sometimes unwanted movements between the foot and the shoe, movements which can be a source of discomfort or trauma. There are also sometimes spaces between the foot, the ankle or the lower leg and the upper, at the level of the boot opening. As a result, foreign objects can inadvertently enter the shoe.

In the end, it can be said that a shoe according to the prior art does not always provide sufficient support and / or tightening of the foot, or does not always offer it satisfactory comfort. In addition, this shoe does not systematically follow all the deformations of the foot.

In relation to this, the Applicant has proposed another approach to the manufacture of an article of footwear.

For example, according to the document FR 2 999 881 , an article of footwear comprises one or two envelopes, each envelope extending in length from a rear end to a front end, in width between a side edge and a medial edge, and in height from a bottom to an end upper, each envelope comprising son mechanically linked to each other.

The envelopes are shaped in volume, that is to say in three dimensions, by being placed on a form to present a geometry very similar to that of a foot, and therefore they hug the foot in a very homogeneous manner. This means that the foot is in contact, or at least very close, to the envelopes. This results in homogeneous support of the foot with very little unwanted movement between the latter and the envelopes, or even with no movement. An advantage which results therefrom is an increased comfort of the article of footwear, compared to a shoe according to the traditional prior art.

We also observe by the arrangement according to the document FR 2 999 881 , that each envelope has a continuity of structure, in the sense that its internal surface and / or its external surfaces are, if not completely regular, at least essentially regular. This advantageously results in the user being less embarrassed, if at all.

The summary of the above shows that the covers support the foot and provide it with satisfactory comfort. In addition, each envelope is able to match the deformations of the foot. This makes the article of footwear according to the document FR 2 999 881 comfortable in any situation, whether static or dynamic.

We note in addition by the arrangement according to the document FR 2 999 881 a reduced number of parts to manufacture the article of footwear.

Another document which presents an article of footwear whose envelope maintains the foot, and which is made with a reduced number of parts, is identified by the reference FR 2 999 882 .

In relation to this, the invention generally seeks to further improve an article of footwear. More precisely, the invention aims for example to improve the transmission of driving impulses, the restitution of the reactions of the ground or of a machine, or the perception of sensory information. The invention seeks to optimize the efficiency of use, and to reduce the fatigue of a user. The invention also seeks to meet the specific needs of a user, while retaining its basic qualities such as comfort and support for the foot. In the case of seeking support or transmitting intense information, for example during sports use, this is a real challenge. Indeed, comfort and optimization in the transmission of forces are a priori contradictory concepts.

To respond to the problem presented above, the invention provides an article of footwear which comprises a first envelope, the first envelope extending in length from a rear end to a front end, in width between a lateral edge and a medial edge, and in height from a bottom to an upper end, the first envelope comprising threads linked to each other mechanically, the first envelope delimiting a space for accommodating a foot, the article of footwear comprising a second envelope, the second envelope extending in length from a rear end to a front end, in width between a lateral edge and a medial edge, and in height from a bottom to an upper end, the second envelope comprising son linked to each other mechanically, the second envelope delimiting a reception volume of a foot, the first envelope and the second envelope being arranged opposite one another e.

The article of footwear according to the invention is characterized by the fact that at at least one subdivision, it comprises an intermediate piece elastically deformable in a reversible manner, the intermediate piece being arranged between the first envelope and the second envelope.

This makes it possible to give the article of footwear one or more specific properties at a given location. For example at the upper ends of the envelopes, as will be explained in more detail later, the intermediate piece may be a tab. Or at the level of the bottoms, as will also be explained in more detail later, the intermediate piece may be a sole portion. In each case, the intermediate piece allows a relative displacement of the portions of the envelopes opposite which it is located. Because it is able to be resiliently crushed in a reversible manner, the intermediate piece allows the concerned portions of the envelopes to approach one another, for example during particular stresses, in order then to regain their distance of natural spacing. This distance corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate piece. By crashing, the spacer diffuses part of the compressive forces in directions other than a direction perpendicular to it and therefore dampens these forces. In other words, the intermediate piece enlarges the surface for transmitting the forces linked to the use of the article, the various impulses, or even sensory information. This has an advantage which is the improvement of the comfort of the article of footwear. Surprisingly, the transmission of forces, impulses or information is not altered. The invention therefore succeeds in ensuring that the article is both comfortable and precise in its uses. This improves the performance of the user, and reduces fatigue.

In general, it can be said that the invention improves the structure and the method of manufacturing an article of footwear.

• la figure 1 est une vue en perspective avant d'un article chaussant, côté dessus, selon une première forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une coupe selon II-II de la figure 1,
• la figure 3 est une vue schématique en perspective d'une ébauche et d'une pièce intercalaire avant assemblage de l'une avec l'autre, l'ébauche étant utilisée pour fabriquer une première enveloppe et une deuxième enveloppe de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 4 est similaire à la figure 3, dans un cas où l'ébauche et la pièce intermédiaire sont assemblées l'une avec l'autre,
• la figure 5 est une vue schématique relative à la constitution d'une enveloppe de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 6 est une autre vue schématique relative à la constitution d'une enveloppe de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 7 est une autre vue schématique relative à la constitution d'une enveloppe de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 8 est une vue de côté d'un renfort destiné à être intégré à l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 9 est une vue en perspective qui se rapporte à la fabrication de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 10 est une autre vue en perspective qui se rapporte à la fabrication de l'article chaussant selon la figure 1,
• la figure 11 est une coupe similaire à la figure 2, pour une deuxième forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 12 est une coupe similaire à la figure 2, pour une troisième forme de réalisation de l'invention.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate, according to non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be carried out, and in which :

• the figure 1 is a front perspective view of an article of footwear, top side, according to a first embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is a section according to II-II of the figure 1 ,
• the figure 3 is a schematic perspective view of a blank and a spacer before assembly with one another, the blank being used to manufacture a first envelope and a second envelope of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 4 is similar to figure 3 , in a case where the blank and the intermediate part are assembled with each other,
• the figure 5 is a schematic view relating to the constitution of an envelope of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 6 is another schematic view relating to the constitution of an envelope of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 7 is another schematic view relating to the constitution of an envelope of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 8 is a side view of a reinforcement intended to be integrated into the article of footwear according to the figure 1 ,
• the figure 9 is a perspective view which relates to the manufacture of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 10 is another perspective view which relates to the manufacture of the article of footwear according to figure 1 ,
• the figure 11 is a cut similar to the figure 2 , for a second embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 12 is a cut similar to the figure 2 , for a third embodiment of the invention.

The first embodiment which will be described later relates for example to an article of footwear for walking or for running on horizontal terrain or in the mountains. However, the first embodiment applies to other fields such as those mentioned above.

The first form is described below using the figures 1 to 10 .

As the figures 1 and 2 , an article of footwear 1 is provided to accommodate the user's foot. For the remainder of the description, it is agreed that the article of footwear 1 is a shoe even if, as we will see in detail shortly, its structure is totally unusual. Thus, the shoe 1 extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, between a rear end or heel 4 and a front end or toe 5, and in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral edge 6 and an edge medial 7.

As shown, the shoe 1 comprises a lower portion 10, designed to surround the foot, to the exclusion of any upper portion. However, it may alternatively be envisaged a shoe comprising both a low portion and a high portion, the latter being provided to surround the ankle and possibly the lower leg.

According to the first embodiment described, the shoe 1 extends in height from a bottom 12 to an upper end 13, that is to say to the free end of the lower portion 10 or of the shoe 1. The base is a subdivision of the shoe on which the foot rests.

The shoe 1 is structured to allow good progress of the foot during walking, transmissions of sensory information, and impulses for support or landings. This is why the shoe 1, or article of footwear, is relatively flexible.

As will be detailed later, the boot 1 comprises a first envelope 21 which extends in length, in the longitudinal direction L, from a rear end 24 to a front end 25, in width, in the transverse direction W, between a lateral edge 26 and a medial edge 27, and upwards from a bottom 28 to an upper end 29. This allows the first envelope to surround and support the user's foot. For its constitution, the first envelope comprises son linked to each other mechanically, as will be explained later. Also, for the first envelope, at least part of the threads comprises at least one thermofusible filament, as will also be explained later.

According to the first embodiment, and this in a nonlimiting manner, the threads of the first envelope which comprise at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over the entirety of the first envelope 21, and the melting of the threads contributes, to a greater extent or less, depending on their quantity, their concentration, the strength and / or the sticking and / or the abrasion resistance of the first envelope. In fact, the fusion confers on the first envelope 21 the ability to retain its shape by itself. It can be said on the one hand that the first envelope 21 is a single piece and, on the other hand, that it can form a self-supporting part, giving its shape to the shoe, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the quantity / concentration of the threads. Consequently, the first envelope 21 gives or helps to give its shape to the boot 1. In other words, the rear end 24, the front end 25, the side edge 26, the medial edge 27, the bottom 28 and the upper end 29 of the first envelope respectively delimit the rear end 4, the front end 5, the lateral edge 6, the medial edge 7, the bottom 12 and the upper end 13 of the article of footwear or shoe 1 The minimalist structure adopted for the envelope 21 is a guarantee of simplicity, lightness, and many other advantages, as will be seen below.

In a non-limiting manner, still according to the first embodiment of the invention, the boot 1 also comprises a second envelope 31 which extends lengthwise, in the longitudinal direction L, from a rear end 34 to a front end 35, in width, in the transverse direction W, between a lateral edge 36 and a medial edge 37, and in height from a bottom 38 to an upper end 39. The second envelope 31 also covers the foot, at the like the first 21. The second envelope 31 is arranged outside the first envelope 21 and, therefore, indirectly covers the foot. In the end, the shape of the shoe 1 is given both by the first envelope 21 and by the second envelope 31. The first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31 are arranged opposite one another.

Still in the spirit of the invention, the second envelope 31 comprises son linked to one another mechanically. Here again, for the second envelope, at least part of the threads comprises at least one hot-melt filament, as will be explained below. The yarns which comprise at least one hot-melt filament are distributed over the entire second casing 31, and the melting of the yarns contributes, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on their quantity, their concentration, the resistance and / or the bonding and / or the abrasion resistance of the second envelope. Here again the fusion gives the second envelope 31 the ability to retain its shape by itself. It can be said on the one hand that the second envelope 31 is a single piece and, on the other hand, that it can form a self-supporting part, giving its shape to the shoe, to a greater or lesser extent, depending on the quantity / concentration of the threads. Consequently, the second envelope 31 also gives or contributes to giving its shape to the boot 1. In other words, the rear end 34, the front end 35, the lateral edge 36, the medial edge 37, the bottom 38 and the upper end 39 of the second casing 31 also respectively define the rear end 4, the front end 5, the side edge 6, the medial edge 7, the bottom 12 and the upper end 13 of the footwear or shoe 1. The minimalist structure adopted for the envelope 31 is a guarantee of simplicity, lightness, and many other advantages, as will be seen below.

In order to better highlight the specific features of the invention, it is useful to specify how the envelopes 21, 31 are manufactured. This is done below in particular using the figures 3 to 7 .

As we can see first of all for example on the figure 3 , schematically, each envelope 21, 31 is obtained by manufacturing a sleeve 41, that is to say in fact of a flexible tube made of son linked to each other mechanically. The sleeve 41 is a blank for the production of article 1. In a non-limiting manner, in correlation with the first embodiment, the sleeve 41 makes it possible to produce both the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31. The sleeve 41 extends lengthwise from a first end 42 to a second end 43. The first end 42 is closed by any technique known to those skilled in the art, such as for example a seam after a fold-over, the addition of a end piece made of wires linked to each other mechanically, or equivalent. The second end 43, for its part, is simply an opening.

It is observed that the sleeve 41 makes it possible to manufacture the envelopes 21, 31 in one piece. Here the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31 extend one another. This simplifies manufacturing by reducing the number of parts and the time required for implementation.

The association of the threads used to make the sleeve 41, and therefore the envelopes 21, 31, is presented using the figures 5 and 6 . Provision is generally made for the threads to be mechanically linked to each other and for example to be associated with each other by any suitable textile technique, such as knitting, weaving, braiding, or the like. In the case of knitting, it is possible to use a circular loom with a single needle bed or a double needle bed, a cylinder plate loom, or a rectilinear loom. Two zones of knitting can be joined together by Intarsia technique or by embroidery. Different decorative patterns can be obtained directly during knitting, by the Intarsia method, by embroidery, the Jacquard technique, or the like. The figure 5 symbolizes a traditional weaving with first threads 44 oriented in a first direction, second threads 45 oriented in a second direction, the first 44 and second 45 threads crossing each other to form a flexible mesh. The figure 6 , meanwhile, symbolizes a knitting here with three threads 46, 47, 48 arranged in interlocking loops. But, of course, many other arrangements are possible.

The sleeve 41 is for example made with a rectilinear loom, which makes it possible to vary the sections, that is to say in fact the diameter of the sleeve, to make variations in shape for the heel, to make openings for the passage of laces, to vary the density of the wall of the sleeve, or in particular to vary the tightening of the loops. In fact the straight loom offers a wide range of adjustment possibilities, and it is suitable for making handles of all sizes, whether in diameter or length. As such, the rectilinear loom is more practical than the circular loom. Indeed, the latter works on a reduced range in terms of the diameter of the sleeve. It is therefore necessary to use several different circular looms to make a complete range of sleeves 41, that is to say a complete range of shoes where all the sizes are represented where a single rectilinear loom is sufficient. In the end, a rectilinear loom makes it possible to make one or more envelopes in three dimensions, with all the desired characteristics, and to the desired size.

It is also useful to recall what a thread is within the meaning of the invention.

First of all, the yarn can be a monofilament, obtained for example by extrusion of a thermofusible synthetic material, such as a polyamide, a polyurethane, a polyethylene, or any equivalent or similar material. The production of a filament is done continuously, in a way comparable to the silk filament produced by a spider. It should be noted in passing that the filament can be mono-component, or mono-material, in the sense that its cross section is regular. But the filament can also be multi-component, for example two-component. In the latter case, a cross section of a filament shows a core made of a first material, and a peripheral envelope which surrounds the core, an envelope made of a second material. Each material can be hot melt, or only one can be. If the two materials are, their melting temperatures are different.

Then the yarn can be multi-filament. In this case, it is obtained by combining several filaments. Such an association is represented by the diagram of the figure 7 . Here all the filaments 49 are of the same nature, in the sense that each of them has the same melting point. However, it is possible to provide for combinations of filaments of different types, some of which may be fusible and others not, or even with different melting points. The filaments are associated with each other by any known technique.

Again, the yarn can be made in the form of a net of fibers. Here a fiber is a filament of limited length. The fibers are associated by close contact to form the net, by any known technique and in particular by twisting. Maintaining the fibers to each other is traditionally done by friction, in particular with natural fibers such as cotton. However, for the invention, the fibers are held together either by friction, or by a combination of friction and adhesion by fusion, or again completely by adhesion, since the invention makes use of hot-melt materials.

Having presented the structure of the sleeve 41 in general, it will be possible later to explain its use for the manufacture of the shoe 1. However, beforehand, to remain in the spirit of the first embodiment, it is necessary to useful to explain that the article of footwear 1, or shoe, comprises a reinforcement 51. It will be seen better after this reinforcement is associated with the envelopes 21, 31 by interlocking at the time of manufacture of the shoe 1, to give it here specific skills.

As the figures 1 , 2 and 8 , the reinforcement 51 is a part which extends in length from a rear end 54 to a front end 55, in width between a lateral edge 56 and a medial edge 57, and in height from a bottom 58 to a end upper 59. The reinforcement 51 has a length and a width similar to the lengths and widths of the envelopes 21, 31. More precisely, the reinforcement 51 extends, in relation to the first envelope 21, lengthwise from the rear end 24 to at the front end 25, in width between the lateral edge 26 and the medial edge 27, as well as in height from the bottom 28 towards the upper end 29. This makes it possible, by definition, to reinforce the first envelope 21, and therefore the article of footwear 1, in particular at the bottom 12 and at the periphery of the bottom.

Not necessarily, the reinforcement 51 carries a tightening device 61. This comprises for example loops 62, located at the upper end 59, as well as a lace 63 and a locking device 64, known to the skilled person. It is therefore possible to tighten or loosen the reinforcement 51 and, in doing so, to tighten or loosen the shoe 1, as it will appear better afterwards. By loop 62 is meant any device used to pass or slide a lace. The locking device is optional and can be replaced with a simple lace knot.

More specifically, with regard to the first embodiment, the reinforcement 51 comprises a bottom 58, at least one side branch 65 extending from the bottom towards a free end 66 in a direction away from the bottom, the free end 66 having a loop 62, at least one medial branch 67 extending from the bottom towards a free end 68 in a direction away from the bottom, the free end 68 having a loop 62, and at least one lace 63 walking by passers-by. In a nonlimiting manner, the reinforcement 51 comprises four lateral branches 65, as well as four medial branches 67. However, these numbers may respectively be different. It also appears that each branch 65, 67 has a loop, which is produced by any technique known to a person skilled in the art. In the end, the reinforcement associated with the tightening device allows homogeneous tightening of the envelopes 21, 31, and therefore of the foot as a result.

With the particular aim of optimizing the comfort of the article of footwear 1, as can be understood in particular with the aid of figures 1 and 2 , the lateral branch 65 and the medial branch 67 are arranged at least in part between the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31, and the loops 62 are arranged outside the first envelope 21 and also outside the second envelope 31.

According to the invention, as can be understood with the aid of all of the figures 1 to 10 , at at least one subdivision, the article of footwear comprises an intermediate piece 71 elastically deformable in a reversible manner, the intermediate piece 71 being disposed between the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31. It is, as is the case 'has seen in general, to allow a relative approximation of two subdivisions of the envelopes 21, 31 which are opposite one another, even if the intermediate part separates them locally. The insert is compressed in proportion to the forces associated with the use of the article, to resume its initial thickness when the forces disappear. In doing so, the spacer absorbs part of the compressive energy applied to it, and also diffuses part of this energy in directions other than a direction which is applied to it. perpendicular. This reduces the specific pressure at the level of the envelopes, for better comfort.

With regard to the first embodiment of the invention, the spacer 71 has an elongated shape and is intended to extend under the tightening / lacing system so as to protect the instep of the user. and it therefore defines a tongue. The tongue 71 is located at the upper ends 29, 39 of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes, the tongue 71 extending in length from a rear end 74 to a front end 75, in width between a side edge 76 and a medial edge 77, and in thickness between a bottom 78 and a top 79. This is to improve the comfort of the article of footwear at the upper ends of the envelopes. For the user, the top of the foot is better protected, i.e. the instep and / or the flexion fold.

In the example, the rear end 74 of the tongue is wider, which gives more or less the shape of a T. The tongue could also have a homogeneous rectangular shape, the main thing being that it extends. under the lacing and to reconcile the functional aspects and lightness, as well as esthetics according to the cases.

The tongue could also have other functions than those described and for example aesthetic only. Provision can also be made for the tongue to extend only under the lacing part (excluding the loop), which still makes it possible to protect the instep.

As can be understood in particular using the figures 3 and 4 , the rear end 74 of the tongue 71 is in the example, secured to the first envelope 21 and / or to the second envelope 31, a substantial part of the rest of the tongue being separated from the first envelope 21 and / or from the second envelope 31. This has the consequence that the rear end 74 of the tongue is immobilized with respect to at least one envelope, and that the rest, namely the central part and the front end 75, can slide relative to the envelopes. This facilitates longitudinal flexions of the article of footwear, for better unfolding of the foot. In addition, it is specified that the securing of the rear end is made by any suitable means such as gluing, or any equivalent or complementary technique. The joining can be done in any other way.

In an exemplary embodiment, the rear end 74 of the tongue is secured to the two envelopes 21, 31, which also makes it possible to have an excellent aesthetic finish.

Considering the figures 1 and 2 , it can be seen that at least one loop 62 takes place above the tongue 71. In fact, according to the first embodiment but in a nonlimiting manner, all the loops take place above the tongue. This is to optimize comfort. Indeed, during a tightening action by the device 61 provided for this, it is all of the loops 62 which will press on the foot by means of the tongue. Of course, the tightening system can also be produced in a different way, for example using eyelets.

In order to fulfill its role under the best conditions, the tongue 71 comprises a layer of elastically deformable synthetic material. This layer can be an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam, or any other material capable of fulfilling the same function. The tongue may comprise several parts, for example several layers, arranged relative to each other in an appropriate manner, and also comprise natural materials such as cork or any equivalent.

Still without limitation according to one embodiment, at least one of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes has folds 81, 82, 83, 84 at the side edge 76 and / or at the medial edge 77 of the tongue 71. More precisely here, the first envelope 21 has a lateral fold 81 as well as a medial fold 82, and the second envelope 31 also has a lateral fold 83 and a medial fold 84. These folds allow variations in the volume of fitting of the article, because they make the geometries of the envelopes 21, 31 variable. In other words, the folds make it easier to put on and take off, but disappear once the foot is in the shoe.

We can now approach the use of the sleeve 41 for the manufacture of the shoe 1, according to the figures 9 and 10 . In fact, the components of the shoe 1 are assembled by hand, without a complex and expensive machine, as was the case for the prior art.

With the figures 9 and 10 it is understood that the sleeve 41 is threaded over a part 86, called the shape, which is in the image of the user's foot. The sleeve is applied to the form 86 in the manner of a sock on a foot. The sleeve 41 is shaped by the form 86 thanks to its elasticity, which is due to its textile constitution. Then the reinforcement 51 is fitted onto the subdivision of the sleeve 41 which will become the first envelope 21. Then the subdivision of the sleeve 41 which will become the second envelope 31 is folded over the reinforcement 51, thereby covering the latter as well as the subdivision attributed to the first envelope. This is sufficient to constitute the sub-assembly of the shoe 1 which envelops the foot, a sub-assembly which ultimately comprises the first envelope 21, the reinforcement 51, the second envelope 22 and the tongue 71. It should be noted in passing that the second envelope 31 has orifices 87 for the passage of the free ends 66, 68 of the lateral 65 and medial 67 branches of the reinforcement 51. It is then sufficient to subject the sub-assembly to a rise in temperature, by any suitable technique, in order to just melt. required level of the hot-melt filaments of the envelopes, and thus give the shoe 1 its geometry. After heating, form 86 can be removed from the subassembly. Shoe 1 is then almost finished. It suffices, according to the first embodiment, to add an external sole assembly 88 to it.

As seen on figures 1 and 2 the article of footwear 1, or shoe, comprises an outer sole assembly 88. The latter is intended to bear on the ground and, therefore, is structured to resist wear by friction and also to absorb shocks. It therefore comprises, by way of example, a wear layer 89 and a damping layer 90. On the figure 2 , which is a transverse section in the region of the shoe intended to accommodate the arch of the foot, it is noted that the bottom 12 has a non-planar geometry, substantially identical to that of the arch mentioned above. The shoe 1 according to the invention is in fact able, as has been said, to conform to the foot. It is therefore not essential, even if it can be useful, to add to the shoe 1 an insole to reproduce the arch of the foot, or the other aspects of the underside of the foot. This therefore simplifies the shoe 1 according to the invention compared to a shoe according to the prior art. This also lightens the shoe 1 and, therefore, reduces mechanical inertia. A resulting benefit is the improvement in athletic performance. The shoe according to the invention is suitable for example very well for a long-distance runner.

The figure 2 also shows that the reinforcement 51 is located almost entirely between the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31.

Still related to the figure 2 , but also with the figure 1 , it is observed that the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31 are continuous along a cross section. These envelopes therefore extend continuously at their respective upper ends 29, 39, even if they have folds, and thus at the upper end 13 of the boot. The envelopment of the foot is therefore total and permanent.

As can be understood using the figure 1 , but also using figures 3 and 4 , the border between the first envelope 21 and the second envelope 31 is a fold 93 which delimits a boot opening 94. The periphery of the boot opening 94 is therefore delimited simply by folding the two envelopes 21, 31 one over the other. This means that this periphery does not present any seam or attached piece, as in the prior art, and that therefore the shoe 1 is not a source of discomfort for the user, including at the level of the opening 94 .

The other embodiments of the invention are summarized below using the figures 11 and 12 . For reasons of convenience, it is above all the differences from the first embodiment that are highlighted. In addition, it is intended to use the same references for identical or similar elements seen in the first embodiment.

Thus for the second embodiment, according to figure 11 , there is an article of footwear or shoe 1, with its lateral 6 and medial 7 edges, or its bottom 12 and its upper end 13. There is also the first envelope 21, the second envelope 31, the reinforcement 51, the loops 62 , or the tab 71.

What is specific to the second embodiment is that it comprises another insert 101 arranged between the two envelopes 21, 31. This insert 101 is a portion of a sole assembly 102, the sole portion being located at the level of the bottoms 28, 38 of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes, the sole portion 101 102 extending in length from a rear end 104 to a front end 105, in width between a lateral edge 106 and a medial edge 107, and in thickness between a bottom 108 and a top 109. The portion 101 allows a relative displacement of the portions of the envelopes opposite which it is located. In this case, it is all or subdivisions of the funds 28, 38 of the envelopes 21, 31. Because it is capable of resiliently crushing in a reversible manner, the intermediate piece allows the concerned portions of the envelopes to approach one another, for example during particular stresses, in order then to find their natural separation distance. This distance corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate piece. The aim here is to obtain better damping of shocks or impulses at the level of the sole of the foot. An advantage which results from this, for example, is better preservation of the user's joints.

In a non-limiting manner, according to the second embodiment of the invention, the intermediate piece, namely the portion 101 of the sole assembly 102, extends opposite all of the bases 28, 38 of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes. This makes it possible to obtain a damping effect at the level of the entire bottom 12 of the article of footwear.

The intermediate piece 101, added as described in connection with the tongue 71, is for example secured to the first envelope 21 and / or to the second envelope 31. The attachment is made by any suitable means such as gluing, or any technique. equivalent or complementary. This optimizes the cooperation between them of the funds 28, 38 of the envelopes 21, 31, in the sense of a more precise transmission of the impulses or of the sensory information. But it can alternatively be provided to have the intermediate piece without joining with the funds.

In order to fulfill its role under the best conditions, the intermediate piece 101 comprises a layer of elastically deformable synthetic material. This layer can be an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam, or any other material capable of fulfilling the same function. The intermediate piece or portion 101 may comprise several parts, for example several layers, arranged relative to each other in an appropriate manner, and also comprise natural materials such as cork or any equivalent.

In addition, it can be observed that the article of footwear 1 comprises a wear layer 111 and at least one intermediate layer 112 located between the wear layer 111 and the bases 28, 38 of the envelopes 21, 31, the wear layer 111 and the intermediate layer 112 constituting an outer sole assembly. This allows a certain level of damping directly at the wear layer.

Now for the third embodiment of the invention, according to figure 12 , there is also an article of footwear or shoe 1, with its lateral 6 and medial 7 edges, or its bottom 12 and its upper end 13. There is also the first envelope 21, the second envelope 31, the reinforcement 51, the loops 62, or the tongue 71. Like what has been seen for the second, the article according to the third form comprises another insert 121 between the two envelopes 21, 31. This insert 121 is a portion of a sole assembly 122, the sole portion being located at the level of the bottoms 28, 38 of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes, the portion 121 of the sole assembly 122 extending in length from a rear end 124 to an end front 125, in width between a side edge 126 and a medial edge 127, and in thickness between a bottom 128 and a top 129. The portion 121 allows a relative displacement of the portions of the envelopes opposite which it is located. In this case, it is all or subdivisions of the funds 28, 38 of the envelopes 21, 31. Because it is able to be resiliently crushed in a reversible manner, the intermediate piece allows the concerned portions of the envelopes to approach one another, for example during particular stresses, in order then to regain their distance of natural spacing. This distance corresponds to the thickness of the intermediate piece. The aim here is to obtain better damping of shocks or impulses at the level of the sole of the foot. An advantage which results from this, for example, is better preservation of the user's joints.

In a non-limiting manner, this third embodiment of the invention, the intermediate piece, namely the portion 121 of the sole assembly 122, extends opposite all of the bottoms 28, 38 of the first 21 and second 31 envelopes. This makes it possible to obtain a damping effect at the level of the entire bottom 12 of the article of footwear.

The intermediate piece 121 is for example secured to the first envelope 21 and / or to the second envelope 31. The connection is made by any suitable means such as gluing, or any equivalent or complementary technique. This optimizes the cooperation between them of the funds 28, 38 of the envelopes 21, 31, in the sense of a more precise transmission of the impulses or of the sensory information. But it can alternatively be provided to have the intermediate piece without joining with the funds.

In order to fulfill its role under the best conditions, the intermediate piece 121 comprises a layer of elastically deformable synthetic material. This layer can be an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam, or any other material capable of fulfilling the same function. The intermediate piece or portion 121 may comprise several parts, for example several layers, arranged relative to each other in an appropriate manner, and also comprise natural materials such as cork or any equivalent.

What is specific to the third embodiment of the invention is that the article of footwear 1 comprises a wear layer 131 secured directly to a bottom 38 of an envelope. In this case, it is the bottom 38 of the second envelope 31, the one which delimits the outside of the article of footwear. This architecture promotes a more direct transmission of driving impulses and sensory information.

In other words, the damping part 121 of the sole assembly is fully integrated into the upper, which gives the boot a particular aesthetic appearance, only the outsole being visible. With the help of a very simple construction and a very interesting manufacturing cost, we therefore obtain the aesthetic effect of a construction of the double lasting type. much more expensive to implement. It is also possible to have a combination of the two embodiments of the figures 11 and 12 , namely an intermediate piece 101, arranged between the two envelopes 21, 31 or an envelope and the reinforcement 51, for the internal sole assembly, and an intermediate piece 121 arranged between the two envelopes 21, 31 as shown in figure 12 for the external sole assembly.

In both cases, the fact of wrapping the shock absorbing insert 101, 121 of the sole assembly, allows the use of a much larger choice of material, since stresses such as abrasion resistance stress can then be ensured by the envelope or envelopes 21, 31. In addition, as they are not visible and therefore not subject to aesthetic requirements, these intermediate pieces can be produced by cutting, rather than molding, which further reduces manufacturing costs and opens even more of choice in terms of materials that can be used for these spacers.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all the technical equivalents which may come within the scope of the claims which follow.

In particular, provision may be made to add one or more intermediate pieces in another part of the article of footwear and, for example towards the front to form a protective toe cap, towards the rear to provide support. additional at the heel, or at an edge to protect the ankle.

Provision can also be made to add one or more envelopes to the footwear 1.

Claims (17)

1. Footwear item (1) which comprises a first envelope (21), the first envelope (21) extending lengthwise from a rear end (24) to a front end (25), widthwise between a lateral edge (26) and a medial edge (27), and heightwise from a base (28) to an upper end (29), the first envelope (21) comprising threads (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) mechanically linked to one another, the first envelope (21) delimiting a volume for receiving a foot, the footwear item (1) comprising a second envelope (31), the second envelope (31) extending lengthwise from a rear end (34) to a front end (35), widthwise between a lateral edge (36) and a medial edge (37), and heightwise from a base (38) to an upper end (39), the second envelope (31) comprising threads (44, 45, 46, 47, 48) mechanically linked to one another, the second envelope (31) delimiting a volume for receiving a foot, the first envelope (21) and the second envelope (31) being arranged facing one another, characterized in that, at least at one subdivision, it comprises a spacer part (71, 101, 121) that is reversibly elastically deformable such that it compresses in proportion to forces linked to use of the item, so as to return to its initial thickness when these forces are removed, the spacer part being arranged between the first envelope (21) and the second envelope (31).
2. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a reinforcement (51), the reinforcement comprising a base (58), at least one lateral branch (65) extending from the base (58) towards a free end (66) in a direction away from the base, the free end (66) having a loop (62), at least one medial branch (67) extending from the base (58) to a free end (68) in a direction away from the base, the free end (68) having a loop (62), and at least one lace (63) passing through the loops.
3. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 2, characterized in that the lateral branch (65) and the medial branch (67) are arranged in part at least between the first envelope (21) and the second envelope (31), and in that the loops (62) are arranged outside the first envelope (21) and also outside the second envelope (31) .
4. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the spacer part (71) is a tongue, the tongue (71) being located at the upper ends (29, 39) of the first envelope (21) and second envelope (31), the tongue (71) extending lengthwise from a rear end (74) to a front end (75), widthwise between a lateral edge (76) and a medial edge (77), and thickness-wise between an underside (78) and a top side (79).
5. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 4, characterized in that the rear end (74) of the tongue (71) is secured to the first envelope (21) and/or to the second envelope (31), a substantial portion of the rest of the tongue being separate from the first envelope (21) and/or from the second envelope (31).
6. Footwear item (1) according to either of Claims 4 and 5, characterized in that the tongue (71) extends beneath the lacing portion.
7. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the tongue (71) comprises a layer of elastically deformable synthetic material.
8. Footwear item (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the layer of synthetic material of the spacer part is made using one of the following materials: an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam.
9. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 4 to 8, characterized in that at least one of the first envelope (21) and the second envelope (31) has folds (81, 82, 83, 84) at the lateral edge (76) and/or at the medial edge (77) of the tongue (71).
10. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spacer part (101, 121) is a portion of a bottom assembly (102, 122), the portion (101, 121) of a bottom assembly (102, 122) being located at the bases (28, 38) of the first and second envelopes (21, 31), the portion (101, 121) of a bottom assembly (102, 122) extending lengthwise from a rear end to a front end, widthwise between a lateral edge (106) and a medial edge (107), and thickness-wise between an underside (108) and a top side (109).
11. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the spacer part (101, 121) extends facing the entirety of the bases (28, 38) of the first and second envelopes (21, 31).
12. Footwear item (1) according to Claim 10, characterized in that the spacer part (101, 121) extends facing the bases (28, 38) of the first and second envelopes (21, 31).
13. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the spacer part (101, 121) is secured to the first envelope (21) and/or to the second envelope (31).
14. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 13, characterized in that the spacer part (101, 121) comprises a layer of elastically deformable synthetic material.
15. Footwear item (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the layer of synthetic material of the spacer part is made using one of the following materials: an ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) foam, a polyurethane foam, a polyethylene foam.
16. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 15, characterized in that it comprises a wear layer (111) and at least one intermediate layer (112) located between the wear layer (111) and the bases (28, 38) of the envelopes (21, 31), the wear layer (111) and the intermediate layer (112) forming an external bottom assembly.
17. Footwear item (1) according to one of Claims 10 to 16, characterized in that it comprises a wear layer (131) directly secured to a base (38) of an envelope (31) .

Images