FR3065153A1 - IMPROVED SHOE SHOES - Google Patents

Abstract

A soft shoe (21) comprising a sole (22) and a shaft (23), the shoe (21) extending in length from a rear end (24) to a front end (25), in width between a lateral side (26) and a medial side (27), and in height from the sole (22) to an upper end (32), the stem (23) comprising an outer shell (33), the outer shell (32), 33) comprising an outer layer (34) and an inner layer (35), the outer layer (34) having a boot opening (36), the boot opening (36) having a rear division (37) and a division before (38), the front division (38) extending in the width direction of the shoe between a lateral edge (41) and a medial edge (42), the shoe further comprising a tightening device (43) of the rod (23) by bringing the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) closer to each other. The inner layer (35) extends facing the outer layer (34) and at the front division (38) of the boot opening (36), between the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge ( 42). The inner layer (35) is impervious to a liquid. The inner layer (35) is flexible. In the width direction of the shoe, when the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) of the outer layer (34) are brought closer to each other, the distance between the lateral edge (41) ) and the medial edge (42) is shorter than the portion of the inner layer (35) which extends at the front division (38) of the boot opening (36).

Description

© Publication number: 3,065,153 (to be used only for reproduction orders) (© National registration number: 17 00405 ® FRENCH REPUBLIC

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

COURBEVOIE © Int Cl ⁸ : A 43 B 23/06 (2017.01), A 43 B 23/26

A1 PATENT APPLICATION

®) Date of filing: 12.04.17. (© Applicant (s): SALOMON SAS Joint stock company (© Priority: simplified - FR. @ Inventor (s): DREVETTON REMI, BOREL RENE and GIACOBONE FREDERIC. (43) Date of public availability of the request: 19.10.18 Bulletin 18/42. ©) List of documents cited in the report preliminary research: Refer to end of present booklet (© References to other national documents (/ 3) Holder (s): SALOMON SAS Société par actions sim- related: folded. ©) Extension request (s): (© Agent (s): SALOMON S.A.S.

(b4j IMPROVED UPPER SHOE.

FR 3 065 153 - A1 (bj> Soft shoe (21) comprising a sole assembly (22) and a rod (23), the shoe (21), extending in length from a rear end (24) to one end front (25), in width between a lateral side (26) and a medial side (27), and in height from the sole assembly (22) to an upper end (32), the rod (23) comprising an outer casing (33), the outer shell (33) comprising an outer layer (34) and an inner layer (35), the outer layer (34) having a boot opening (36), the boot opening (36) having a rear division (37) and a front division (38), the front division (38) extending in the width direction of the shoe between a lateral edge (41) and a medial edge (42), the shoe comprising another clamping device (43) of the rod (23) by bringing the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) towards each other.

The inner layer (35) extends opposite the outer layer (34) and at the front division (38) of the boot opening (36), between the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge ( 42). The inner layer (35) is impermeable to a liquid. The inner layer (35) is flexible. In the width direction of the shoe, when the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) of the outer layer (34) are brought towards each other, the distance which separates the lateral edge (41 ) and the medial edge (42) is shorter than the part of the internal layer (35) which extends at the level of the front division (38) of the boot opening (36).

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Improved shoe

The invention relates to a walking or sports shoe, the upper of which is impermeable to a liquid. This shoe can be used in areas such as walking, running on flat terrain or in the mountains, wheeling, ball sport, cross-country or telemark skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, Or other.

For the intended uses, the shoe must in particular have a certain flexibility and a good cushioning capacity. Flexibility should be understood as an ability to conform to certain deformities of a user's foot. This is for example to allow a smooth running of the foot during walking. As for amortization, it is intended to reduce, or even prevent, the fatigue or trauma that can result from support or impact on the ground, or from various stresses.

The shoe must also fulfill other functions such as preserving the comfort of the foot, for example by preventing the intrusion of water, that is to say by ensuring that the foot remains

15 'dry or subject to the lowest possible humidity.

To do this, it is known to manufacture a flexible shoe presented using FIGS. 1 to 3, which form part of a set which will be detailed below. According to these figures, a shoe 1 comprises a sole assembly 2 and a upper 3, the latter comprising an external envelope 4. which itself comprises an external layer 5 and an internal layer 6.

For example, the outer layer 5 in particular has mechanical resistance properties, such as resistance to wear or resistance to the clamping forces exerted by a clamping device provided with a lace 7. The outer layer 5 has an opening of footwear 8, which is broken down into a rear division 9, in which a part of the user's ankle or lower leg takes place, and a front division 10, which is located above the foot, or at the before the lower leg and above the foot, after fitting. The front division 10 facilitates the variation in surface area of the opening 8, in a direction of increase or reduction and, as a result, facilitates putting on, tightening the upper, and taking off.

In order to ensure the sealing function, the internal layer 6, for its part, has other properties such as impermeability to a liquid. Usually, the inner layer 6 extends opposite the outer layer 5. This makes most of the rod 3 impermeable to liquids. So that the entire upper becomes waterproof, it is necessary to make the front division 10 of the boot opening 8 waterproof. Generally, the division 10 is obscured by an external flap 11, an internal flap 12, and a lining 13 placed between the flaps. The internal flap 12, impermeable to a liquid, is connected to the internal layer 6 by means which include one or more seams 14 and one or more pieces of tape 15. These pieces are added by gluing at the seams 14, to prevent water to cross these.

The above construction makes the upper 3 impermeable to a liquid such as water and, therefore, keeps the foot dry. The lack of water in the shoe significantly limits the appearance of trauma. Consequently, a shoe according to the prior art gives overall satisfaction to use. Nevertheless, certain drawbacks have nevertheless been observed.

First of all, a waterproof shoe according to the prior art sometimes presents, particularly during sports or intense use, insufficient comfort at the level of the division before the opening of the boot. When the upper is tight, significant pressure can be exerted locally on the top of the foot in correlation with the action of the lace. It is especially at the seams and the extra thicknesses created by the ribbons that excessive pressure can occur: in these extra thickness zones, the upper is more rigid. As a result, trauma may appear.

Another drawback observed is related to the relative complexity of the structure of a shoe whose upper is impermeable to a liquid. The number of parts used for manufacturing makes it quite long and expensive. For example, as can be understood with the aid of FIG. 3, in a diagrammatic representation, it is quite difficult to join together the constituent elements of the rod 3. This is obtained from a blank in the general form of vé, whose opening angle a is between 20 and 40 degrees. In fact the elements are assembled flat, with the exception of the internal flap 12. The latter must therefore be deformed so that its edges can take their place of assembly. This operation is delicate and time consuming. In addition, it is also necessary to add the ribbons 15 as we have seen, which further increases the time required for manufacturing.

Compared to this, the invention aims to provide an improved shoe. In particular, the invention seeks to make a shoe, the upper of which is impermeable to a liquid, more comfortable. The invention also seeks to optimize manufacturing, to make it faster and more economical compared to a shoe according to the prior art.

To do this, the invention provides a flexible shoe comprising a sole assembly and a rod, the shoe 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 the sole assembly to an upper end, the upper comprising an outer shell, the outer shell comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, the outer layer having a boot opening, the boot opening having a rear division and a front division, the front division extending in the width direction of the boot between a lateral edge and a medial edge, the boot further comprising a device for tightening the upper by bringing the lateral edge and the medial edge one towards the other.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that the internal layer extends opposite the external layer and at the level of the front division of the boot opening, between the lateral edge and the medial edge, by the fact that the inner layer is impermeable to a liquid, by the fact that the inner layer is flexible, and by the fact that, across the width of the shoe, when the lateral edge and the medial edge of the outer layer are brought together towards each other, the distance between the lateral edge and the medial edge is shorter than the part of the internal layer which extends at the level of the front division of the boot opening.

The structure of the shoe according to the invention is such that the internal layer of the external envelope extends continuously from the lateral side to the medial side, passing through the front division of the boot opening. As a corollary, the inner layer comes into contact with the user's foot more evenly. We also observe that the mechanical properties of the external envelope are more regular from the lateral side to the medial side, in particular with regard to flexion. This means, for example, that the hard spots observed on the ribbons of a shoe according to the prior art are not found on the shoe of the invention: the external envelope is more homogeneous as regards its flexibility. As a result the comfort is better distributed, no hard point is noticeable. It follows that the distribution of the forces exerted by the upper on the foot is more regular, especially in the region of the division before the boot opening. In other words, the distribution of the clamping forces is more homogeneous on the top of the foot, at the instep, or even simultaneously at the instep and at the bending fold. An advantage which results therefrom is a better comfort of the foot in the shoe.

Another consequence of the structure of the shoe is a simpler construction, compared to a shoe according to the prior art. The invention allows a reduction in the number of parts necessary to make the shoe. It will be seen more clearly below that the invention also facilitates the shoe manufacturing process, by requiring a reduced number of operations and by making these latter simpler. It follows in particular that the assembly of the parts which constitute the structure of the shoe is easier. Among the advantages which result therefrom, there may be mentioned a shorter manufacturing time, a reduced manufacturing cost, a greater manufacturing homogeneity. This last point means that the differences in footwear volume between two shoes of the same size are reduced, compared to the differences that have been observed on shoes according to the prior art.

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. These illustrate a prior art and non-limiting embodiments, according to the list below:

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a shoe according to the prior art,

FIG. 2 is a cross section along II-II of the shoe of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a partial schematic flat view of a blank of the external envelope of the shoe of FIG. 1,

- Figure 4 is a section on IV-IV of the blank of Figure 3,

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a shoe according to a first embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 6 is a cross section along VI-VI of the shoe of FIG. 5, in a case where the device for tightening the upper exerts a tightening action,

- Figure 7 is a view similar to that of Figure 6, in a case where the clamping device of the rod does not exert a clamping action,

FIG. 8 is a partial schematic flat view of a blank of the internal envelope of the shoe of FIG. 5,

FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8, according to a second embodiment of the invention,

- Figure 10 is a view similar to that of Figure 8, according to a third embodiment of the invention.

The first embodiment, which will be described later, relates for example to a flexible shoe for walking on hard ground or in snow. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The first form is described below using Figures 5 to 8.

As shown in Figure 5, a walking shoe 21 is provided to accommodate the foot of the user. In known manner, the shoe 21 comprises an external sole assembly 22 and a rod 23 secured to the sole assembly. The shoe extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, from a rear end 24 to a front end 25, and in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 26 and a medial side 27.

As shown in the rod 23 comprises a lower portion 30, provided to surround the foot, excluding any upper portion. However, it may alternatively be envisaged a rod which comprises both a lower portion and a high portion, which in this case is intended to surround the ankle and possibly a part of the lower leg.

According to the first embodiment described, the shoe 21 extends in height from the external sole assembly 22 to an upper end 32, that is to say to the free end of the upper 23.

The shoe 21 is structured to allow the foot to run smoothly during walking, transmissions of sensory information, and impulses for support or reception. This is why the outer sole 22 and the rod 23 are relatively flexible.

As can be seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, the rod 23 comprises an external envelope 33, the external envelope comprising an external layer 34 and an internal layer 35. Each layer 34, 35, shown schematically, comprises the number of components required to perform the desired function (s). This will be further detailed later.

As can be understood together with the aid of FIGS. 5 to 8, the outer layer 34 has a boot opening 36, the boot opening having a rear division 37 and a front division 38, the front division extending in the direction of the width of the shoe, that is to say in the transverse direction W, between a lateral edge 41 and a medial edge 42. The rear 37 and front 38 divisions extend each other to facilitate the passage of the foot when putting on or taking off.

The shoe 21 also comprises a device 43 for tightening the upper 23 by bringing the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42 towards each other. Without limitation, the clamping device 43 comprises at least one lateral pass 44, at least one medial pass 45, and at least one link 46 which runs through the passers-by 44, 45.

According to the invention, the internal layer 35 extends opposite the external layer 34 and at the front division 38 of the boot opening 36, between the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42, the internal layer 35 is impermeable to a liquid, the internal layer 35 is flexible and, in the width direction of the shoe, when the lateral edge 41 of the front division 38 and the medial edge 42 of the front division 38 of the external layer 34 are close together, the distance between the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42 is shorter than the part of the internal layer 35 which extends at the level of the front division 38 of the boot opening 36. Finally, it turns out that the shoe according to the invention is simpler to manufacture and more comfortable, as we have seen before, than a shoe according to the prior art.

Still in the spirit of the invention it is possible, as we will see, to confer specific properties to the inner layer 35.

According to a variant which is part of the first embodiment, the internal layer 35 is inextensible, which for example makes it easy to cut and consequently facilitates manufacture. In another variant of the first embodiment, the internal layer 35 is extensible, which can help the external envelope 4 to adapt even better to the shape of the foot. These are choices of detail that do not change the spirit of the invention.

Still for the first embodiment, and this in a nonlimiting manner, the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 comprises a membrane and a lining. These elements are not detailed in the figures because they are well known to a person skilled in the art. The membrane is for example impermeable to a liquid and permeable to a gas. In other words, the membrane is breathable: it lets through a gas, like water vapor, but prevents the passage of a liquid, like water. This improves the comfort of the foot. The membrane is made with polymeric materials such as a polyolefin, a polyethylene-propylene copolymer, a polyethylene, a terephthalate, a polycaprolactone, a polyvinyl fluoride, a polybutylene terephthalate, a polyester copolymer, a polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like. For example, the membrane comprises a sheet of porous polytetrafluoroethylene and a layer of polyurethane. It is further specified that, again without limitation, the thickness of the membrane is for example between 5 and 250 micrometers. This reduced thickness contributes to making the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 flexible and light.

With more specific reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that the external envelope 33 of the rod 23 comprises a flexible flap 47 which extends at the level of the front division 38 of the boot opening 36. In fact the flap 47 is disposed between the link of the clamping device 43 and the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33. The flap preserves the internal layer 35 against a possible shearing effect which could be exerted by the link, in particular in the event of very intense use of the shoe. We will see later that component 47 can perform other functions.

It can also be seen that a lining 48 is located between the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 and the flexible flap 47. This lining is for example made of a flexible synthetic foam bar. It can be polyurethane foam, polyethylvinyl acetate, or any suitable material known to a person skilled in the art. Because it adds a contribution to the distribution of the stresses linked to the action of the link 46 during tightening, the lining 48 further improves the comfort of use of the shoe. The flap 47 thus exerts, in collaboration with the internal layer 35, a function of maintaining the lining 48 at the front division.

With particular reference to FIG. 6, it can be seen that when the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42 of the front division 38 of the boot opening 36 are brought closer to each other, for example by the action of the clamping device 43, the inner layer 35 forms a lateral fold 51 at the lateral edge 41. In the same spirit, when the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42 of the front division 38 of the boot opening are brought closer to each other, the inner layer 35 forms a medial fold 52 at the medial edge 42. It is therefore understood that the central part 53 of the inner layer 35, located at the front division 38 of the shoe opening 36, deforms at the same time as the lateral 41 and medial 42 edges approach each other. The central part is actually able to deform by folding like a bellows. In fact the inner layer 35 is folded at its central part 53 when the rod is tightened. In this case the footwear volume is low.

Conversely, now referring to FIG. 7, the internal layer 35 is unfolded at its central part 53 when the rod is loosened. In this case the footwear volume is important. The clamping device 43 does not exert its clamping action, and the lateral edge 41 and the medial edge 42 of the front division 38 of the boot opening 36 are spaced apart from one another.

As can be observed both in FIG. 6 and in FIG. 7, the shoe 21 comprises a first assembly sole 54. In a nonlimiting manner, this first assembly sole is secured to the upper 23 by a seam 55 , in this case a Strobel type seam. We can say more precisely that the first assembly sole 54 is secured to the outer casing 33 by the seam 55. The latter is not detailed here as well known to those skilled in the art. The manufacture of shoe 21 with a first sewn assembly sole, as opposed to a glued assembly sole, makes it possible to obtain a footwear volume closer to the shape of a foot. It follows advantageously that the comfort of the shoe is better, compared to what it would have been with a glued assembly sole.

Referring now to Figure 8, we can see that the inner layer 35 of the outer shell 33 is made in one piece. This means that the inner layer extends over the entire rod 23. This does not prevent the inner layer 35 from comprising several thicknesses, as we have seen before, including in particular a membrane and a lining. The inner layer 35 has the general shape of a Vee, the opening angle β of which is between 45 and 90 degrees. This inner layer 35 is assembled with the outer layer 34, which has the same general appearance as the inner layer 35. However, the outer layer 34 has a notch 56 displayed by a dotted line, between the lateral 41 and medial 42 edges, for the reception in particular of the flexible flap 47, not visible in FIG. 8. Finally, the rod 23 is obtained from a blank in the general shape of a Vee, whose opening angle β is between 45 and 90 degrees. According to the invention, the elements which constitute the outer casing 33 are assembled flat. The shoe manufacturing process is therefore simplified.

The other embodiments of the invention are summarized below with the aid of FIGS. 9 and 10. For reasons of convenience, the elements common with the first embodiment are designated by the same references.

According to the second form, as can be seen in FIG. 9, the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 is an assembly of two parts 61, 62. This configuration allows optimization of the cutting of material for the manufacture of the shoe. More precisely, the material falls from the cutting of plies are smaller. Since the price per surface imitation is very high in the case of a waterproof and gas permeable membrane, the savings achieved are significant.

Still for the second embodiment, the parts 61, 62 are assembled with each other to regain the general appearance of the inner layer 35. The assembly is done by a combination of seams and portions of glued tape , which are located at the lateral side 26 and the medial side 27 of the shoe 21. This location of seams and portions of tape is outside areas of the upper subjected to bending or to the action of the tightening device. . As a result, the comfort of the foot is preserved.

In the same spirit according to the third embodiment, as can be seen in FIG. 10, the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 is an assembly of three parts 63, 64, 65. Here again the configuration allows optimization cutting material for the manufacture of the shoe, and the savings made are significant.

Again the parts 63, 64, 65 are assembled with each other to regain the general appearance of the inner layer 35. The assembly is done by a combination of seams and portions of glued tape, which are located at the lateral side 26, the medial side 27 and the rear end 24 of the shoe 21. This location of seams and portions of tape is outside areas of the upper subjected to bending or to the action of the clamping device. As a result, the comfort of the foot is preserved.

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

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and includes all the technical equivalents which may fall within the scope of the claims which will follow.

In particular, a configuration can be provided for which the external layer 34 and the internal layer 35 of the external envelope 33 are joined to one another by glue dots. This improves the ability of the outer shell 33 to grip the foot evenly, while preserving its ability to oppose the ingress of water and to let a gas pass.

Generally, the flexible flap 47 extends over an area between 80 and 100% of the front division 38 of the boot opening 36. This optimizes the protective function of the top of the foot. The flexible flap 47 also sometimes extends over an area greater than 100% of the front division 38, to obtain protection against obstacles, such as low branches, at the bend of the foot.

Claims (10)

1- Flexible shoe (21) comprising a sole assembly (22) and a rod (23), the shoe (21) extending in length from a rear end (24) to a front end (25), in width between a lateral side (26) and a medial side (27), and in height from the sole assembly (22) to an upper end (32), the rod (23) comprising an outer casing (33), the outer casing (33) comprising an outer layer (34) and an inner layer (35), the outer layer (34) having a boot opening (36), the boot opening (36) having a rear division (37) and a front division (38), the front division (38) extending in the width direction of the shoe between a lateral edge (41) and a medial edge (42), the shoe further comprising a tightening device (43) of the rod (23) by bringing the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) towards each other, characterized in that the internal layer (35) s extends opposite the outer layer (34) and at the front division (38) of the boot opening (36), between the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42), by the fact that the internal layer (35) is impermeable to a liquid, by the fact that the internal layer (35) is flexible, and by the fact that, in the direction of the width dÿ, the shoe, when the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) of the outer layer (34) are brought towards each other, the distance between the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) is shorter than the part of the inner layer ( 35) which extends at the front division (38) of the boot opening (36). 2- shoe (21) according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner layer (35) of the outer shell (33) comprises a membrane and a lining. 3- shoe (21) according to claim 2, characterized in that the membrane is impermeable to a liquid and permeable to a gas. 4- flexible shoe (21) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the thickness of the membrane is between 5 and 250 micrometers. 5- shoe (21) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the outer casing (33) of the upper (23) comprises a flexible flap (47) which extends at the division front (38) of the boot opening (36). 6- shoe (21) according to claim 5, characterized in that a lining (48) is located between the inner layer (35) of the outer shell (33) and the flexible flap (47). 7- shoe (21) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that when the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) of the front division (38) are brought together one of the other, the inner layer (35) forms a fold (51) at the side edge (41). 8- Shoe (21) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that when the lateral edge (41) and the medial edge (42) of the front division (38) are brought together one of the other, the inner layer (35) forms a fold (52) at the medial edge (42). 9- Shoe (21) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that it comprises a first mounting sole (54). 10- Shoe (21) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the tightening device (43) comprises at least one lateral pass (44), at least one medial pass (45), and at least a link (46) which passes by the passers-by (44, 45). σ> σι 1/5 ² Fig. 2