FR2999882A1 - SHOE REALIZED FROM A SOCK AND A REINFORCING STRUCTURE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe comprising, from inside the shoe, a first flexible textile layer (10, 16), forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure (3) in which the textile layer is arranged and to which it is fixed by fixing means.

Description

The invention relates to the production of a piece of clothing, shoe type, or more generally, an article of footwear. The realization of a shoe, whatever its shape, requires the implementation of many parts, of the order of several tens, sometimes up to 45, and the realization of many steps of assembly, bonding, keeping all these pieces together. The assembly of a shoe is therefore a time-consuming process requiring specific, heavy and expensive tools.

The invention proposes a novel shoe or footwear structure, as well as an embodiment method for making a shoe or an article of footwear. To this end, the invention firstly proposes a textile piece comprising a sock foot, a first heel, a first shank, a second bead, disposed at the top of said shank, and a second shank, in the extension of the second bead. . For example, the second rod is connected seamlessly to the first rod. An opening may be made in the second rod, in order to provide a passage for one or more lacing cords. The invention also relates to a shoe comprising, from inside the shoe, a first flexible textile layer, forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure in which the textile layer is arranged and to which it is fixed by fixing means . The textile layer may be arranged: - removably with respect to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected by means of clipping, buttoning, self-gripping surfaces, or other; or irremovably with respect to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected for example by gluing, heat sealing or any other means. The shoe may further comprise a second textile layer, the reinforcing structure being disposed between the first textile layer and the second textile layer. The second textile layer is for example made in the continuity of the first textile layer, seamless to connect the first and the second. According to one embodiment, the reinforcing structure comprises at least one sole and side reinforcing elements. This reinforcement structure may further comprise at least one front stop element and / or a buttress element.

The reinforcing structure can be flexible, it is for example made of a fiber-based material. The invention also relates to a method of producing a shoe, using a sock and a reinforcing structure comprising at least one sole and at least one lateral reinforcing structure, comprising the following steps: the sock on a foot shape; - Position the reinforcement structure on the sock, in contact therewith, and fix it to said sock using fastening means. According to a particular embodiment, the sock is a textile piece as already described above. The attachment of the reinforcing structure to the sock is performed irremovably, for example by gluing, heat sealing, or other. Alternatively, the attachment of the reinforcing structure to the sock is performed removably by means of clipping, buttoning, hook-and-loop surfaces, or the like.

According to one embodiment, which allows an adaptation of the reinforcement structure during the actual construction of the shoe, this reinforcing structure comprises a first part and a second part, which are, before attachment to the sock, movable one relative to each other so as to adjust the reinforcement structure to the foot shape. Whatever the embodiment envisaged, at least a portion of the textile material used may comprise one or more physical and / or chemical properties giving it an anti-odor, fungicidal, moisture-absorbing, scarring and anti-scalding function. skin, impermeability or water repellency, resistance to intrusion of a foreign body, abrasion resistance, elasticity, or other. At least two zones of the textile material may have one or more different physical or chemical properties, for example at least two zones of the textile material may be zones of different impermeability. - Figures 1A and 1B show a piece of textile, or sock, which can be implemented in the context of the present invention. - Figures 2A-2C illustrate steps of making a part of the type shown in Figures 1A-1B. FIGS. 3A-3E show various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be used in the context of the present invention. - Figures 4A and 4B show a preform, on which a shoe according to the invention can be made. FIGS. 5A and 5B represent a first step of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. FIGS. 6A and 6B show a second step of an embodiment of a method according to the invention. FIGS. 7A-7B show a second step of an embodiment of a method according to the invention and FIG. 7C an example of a shoe obtained by a process according to the invention; FIG. 8 represents another example. of a shoe obtained by method according to the invention, - Figures 9A-9B show steps of another embodiment of a method according to the invention. First of all, the production of a textile part 2, which can be used in the production of a footwear element according to the invention, is described.

This piece is shown schematically in FIGS. 1A and 1B. It comprises a first part, forming a foot of sock 10, provided with an end 12 and its heel 14. This foot is extended by a rod 16. These elements 10, 12, 14, 16 constitute the usual structure of a sock. But, in the sock used here, the rod 16 is extended by a second bead 18, then by a second rod 20, which has a final opening 22. This part, when it is disposed on a flat surface, as in FIG. 1A , has a substantially "U" shape. An opening 21 may be provided in the second rod 20, in order to let cords forming laces. The assembly is substantially symmetrical with respect to a plane C-C ', the trace of which is seen in FIG. 1B, and which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod 16. The symmetry does not concern the end 12 and the opening 22. In connection with FIGS. 2A-2C, steps of a method for producing an element as described above in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B are described. On a cylinder 5 (FIG. 2A), a textile part 1 is produced, for example by knitting, weaving or braiding, of substantially cylindrical shape, and whose diameter substantially corresponds to the diameter of the rod 16. When the piece 1 is finished , it is removed from the support 5 and is made (Figure 2B) two notches or cuts 4, 8 therein, in order to position the heels 14, 18. In Figure 2B is already seen the opening 22 which will finish element 10.

The cutouts 4, 8 make it possible to spread the ends of the textile part 1 with respect to its cylindrical axis of symmetry X, X '. Then (Figure 2C) can be fixed in the openings made from the notches 4, 8 textile portions 14, 18 forming the heels, and a portion 12 forming the end of the foot of the sock. An element of the type described above is thus obtained in connection with FIGS. 1A and 1B. The fabric used for part 2 and the method described above may be uniform for the entire sock. This textile may have one or more specific physical and / or chemical properties, with a view to integrating certain functions. For example, it may have a composition and / or comprise means making it possible to perform one or more of the following functions: anti-odor, fungicide, moisture absorption, skin healing, impermeability or water repellency (property of being impermeable up to a certain point), resistance to intrusion of a foreign body, abrasion resistance, elasticity. In addition, one or more of these properties may relate to only one or more localized portions of the sock. For example, a party may have properties to resist intrusion from a foreign body, which may not be necessary on other parts. For example again, one party may have some impermeability, which may not be necessary on another party. Therefore, the textile used for part 2 and for the above process may be uniform, have specific local, physical and / or chemical properties, in order to incorporate one or more of the above functions. With reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, various embodiments of a reinforcement structure 3 that can be used in the production of a shoe or an article of footwear according to the invention will now be described.

Each of these various examples is made of a fiber-based material, for example a polyamide, a polyurethane or any equivalent material, and is intended to form part of the sole and side reinforcing means of the shoe. Thus, in FIG. 3A, we see a first example of such a reinforcement element 3, comprising a flexible sole-forming part 30 delimited by edges 30 ', 30 ", and lateral reinforcing elements 31-36, a first end is attached to one of the edges 30 ', 30 "of the sole 30, while the other end may comprise means 31a-36a forming passers in which can be introduced one or more strips or cords 37, intended ( s) to form one or lace (s), for example of the type ending in a clamping element 39, as seen in Figure 3C. Each of the lateral reinforcing elements preferably has a shape as shown in Figure 3A, which moves away from the end which is opposite the corresponding edge 30, 30 'of the sole 30 to that which is directly connected to the edge of the sole. This shape provides a more effective reinforcement means in the lateral areas. The sole 30, by its constitution in the form of a thin layer of fibers, is flexible, preferably in two directions, one perpendicular to the axis of the foot, and the other along the same axis. This results in increased adaptability for the next steps. In the embodiment of Figure 3A, the sole 30 is flat and is limited neither in its front part nor in its rear part. It therefore delimits no foot end zone, nor any zone forming a buttress for the foot.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3B comprises all the elements described above in connection with FIG. 3A (for this reason, these elements will not be redescribed), but also comprises, at the front end of the sole, a element 40 forming a stop and delimiting the extreme position of the front of the foot. As for the previous embodiment, this reinforcing element has no limitation in the rear area of the foot, and in particular no element defining a buttress. This front element 40 consists of a band, also made of fiber-based material, disposed substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sole. The embodiment of FIG. 3C comprises, at one and the same time, a zone 40 delimiting the extreme position of the forefoot, but also a rear zone 42 forming a buttress, and connected to at least a portion of the reinforcing elements 31. 36 by lateral fiber plies 43, 43 'which, while retaining a certain flexibility, will nevertheless bring to the rear part a certain strength or rigidity. The other elements shown in this FIG. 3C being identical or similar to those already described above in connection with FIGS. 3A and 3B.

The embodiment of FIG. 3D is a variant of that of FIG. 3C. A structure comprising lateral reinforcing means, a front stop 40 of the foot, and a rear buttress 42 is again produced, but this time in two parts, by combining, on the one hand, the structure of FIG. 3A, and on the other hand, the structure represented in FIG. 3E. The latter comprises a sole portion 30a, a front stop 40, a rear portion 42 forming a buttress, and side members also forming reinforcing means in the form of lateral fiber plies 43a, 43a '. In this part can be introduced the structure of Figure 3A, until, for example, the front edge of the sole 30 of the latter comes into contact with the inner surface of the abutment 40 before. inverse assembly, in which it is the structure of Figure 3E which is introduced into the structure of Figure 3A, until the upper portions of the reinforcing elements 31-34 of the latter substantially coincide with respective portions edges 430, 430 'of the lateral fibrous webs 43a, 43'a. We will now describe how a shoe can be made from the various elements that have already been described above.

To do this, use is made of a shape, or preform, such as the solid shape 50 shown in front view and in side view, respectively in FIGS. 4A and 4B. This form reproduces the contours of a foot. On this form, it is possible to thread the textile element of FIGS. 1A and 1B, to obtain the intermediate element represented in FIGS. 5A and 5B: the front end portion 12 of the sock comes into contact with the forefoot. , the part 10 covers the actual foot, the portion 14 comes into contact with the heel, and the rod 16 surrounds the dowel, the second bead 18 being in contact with the upper rear part thereof. The assembly is extended by the second rod 20. On this assembly, one comes to position one of the reinforcing elements of FIGS. 3A-3E: the composite element of FIG. 3D has been chosen here. The front part of the foot of the form 50 (provided with the sock) is positioned against the inner surface of the front stop 40, and the buttress 48 is positioned against the rear of the heel of the shape 50. Given the flexibility of the fiber-based material constituting the reinforcing elements thus positioned, the latter can be adapted to the shape defined by the solid element 50. In addition, the structure of the reinforcing means of FIG 3D has an advantage, in that the two parts, front and rear, can optionally slide relative to each other, thus allowing adaptation of the reinforcement structure to the size defined by the shape 50.

As seen in Figures 6A and 6B, the opening 21, made in the second rod 20 of the sock, allows to introduce, inwardly thereof, or the cords that will subsequently close the shoe. These two elements, the sock of textile material and the reinforcing element, can be assembled, for example by gluing, the assembly thus forming a non-reversible structure. In a variant, the assembly may be subjected to a heating step, with a view to melting the material of the reinforcing structure and the material of the sock 10. In a variant, the sock made of textile material and the reinforcing element , can be assembled reversibly. For example, the surfaces to be assembled together are connected by means of clipping, buttoning, use of velcro-type hook-and-loop surfaces arranged in the areas intended to come into contact with one another. with the other. In a subsequent step, and as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, it is then possible to reduce the portion forming the second rod 20 to the foot, this step requiring only simple manipulation on the part of an operator. This grips the edges of the end opening 22 of the sock, and pulls the portion forming the second rod 20, progressively, firstly on the upper part of the foot and, secondly, on the area forming sole. The operator progressively continues this operation until the opening 22 reaches the front end of the sock, to form an assembly such as that shown in FIG. 7C. The second heel 18 then covers the first bead 14, which is located in the first textile layer, in contact with the shape 50. The cord 37 and its clamping means 39 remain accessible through the opening 21. It is still possible to strengthen the assembly thus obtained, by adding another reinforcing layer, that is to say by introducing the structure of FIG. 7C into a second reinforcement structure, of one of the types already described above in connection with Figures 3A-3E.

Thus, an article of footwear has been produced which may, optionally, be completed by a soleplate 52, for example by gluing, which is more robust than the portion 30 of fiber-based material of the reinforcing element (see FIG. 8). The assembly obtained, with or without sole 52, is extremely light, since it comprises only two textile layers and one or more reinforcing element (s) made of fiber material, which is / are very thin and very light (s). This structure therefore comprises two "skins" between which one or more reinforcing elements are arranged. As understood from the description of the operations, they do not implement any sewing step, and no step of delicate positioning of parts relative to each other. It is thus possible to make an article of footwear, or a shoe, very simply, very fast, and very economical. Examples of embodiments given above use a sock of the type of that described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, that is to say with two rods 16, 20. In another exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 9A and 9B, using a single sock, with a single rod 16. This sock is threaded onto the form 50 of Figures 4A and 4B. Then, as in the step of FIGS. 6A and 6B, a reinforcement structure is applied to the assembly, for example of the type of one of those described above in conjunction with FIGS. 3A-3E. The textile element and the reinforcing element (s) are then assembled in a definitive manner (for example by gluing and / or heating) or reversibly, for example by clipping, buttoning means, by using self-supporting surfaces. Velcro® type grippers arranged in areas intended to come into contact with each other. The structure of FIG. 9B is then obtained, which can be completed by a soleplate 52, such as that shown in FIG. 8. For this other embodiment, it is also possible to use, as textile material of the sock, a material having one or more physical and / or chemical properties, with a view to conferring on it one of the functions already mentioned above. In addition, too, this or these properties can / can be homogeneous (s) on all of the textile material, or localized (s) only part of it.

Claims (7)

REVENDICATIONS1. Shoe comprising, from inside the shoe, a first flexible textile layer (10, 16), forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure (3) in which the textile layer is arranged and to which it is fixed by means of fixation. 2. Shoe according to claim 1, the textile layer being removably disposed relative to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected by means of clipping, buttoning, hook-and-loop surfaces, or the like. 3. Shoe according to claim 1, the textile layer being arranged irremovably with respect to the reinforcing structure, to which it is bonded by gluing or heat-sealing. 4. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a second textile layer (20), the reinforcing structure being disposed between the first textile layer (10, 16) and the second textile layer (20). 5. Shoe according to claim 4, the second textile layer (20) being made in the continuity of the first textile layer (10, 16) seamlessly to connect the first and the second. 6. Shoe according to one of claims 1 to 5, the reinforcing structure comprising at least one sole (30) and side members (31-36) of reinforcement. 7. Shoe according to the preceding claim, the reinforcing structure further comprising at least one front stop element (40) and a buttress element (42).