GB2100579A - Boots - Google Patents

Abstract

A boot, such as a riding boot, having a leg portion (2) is provided below the top edge (3) with one or more circumferential marks or discontinuities (4-6) at which the leg portion (2) is separable to fit the length of boot to that of the wearer's leg. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Boots This invention relates to boots, especially riding boots, having leg portions.

Advantageously, the invention relates to a boot, especially a riding boot, having a leg portion comprising an outer and an inner layer (outer skin and lining), which are interconnected in the region of the upper edge of the leg portion.

The leg portion can be made by one piece and, if required, moulded construction or the outer layer can comprise leather or plastics material. The preferred use of the invention lies in a boot with an outer layer of plastics material. The lining consists desirably of a textile layer, which in riding boots however is often replaced in the upper part by a leather covering.

The outer and inner layers are connected at the top, in known riding boots, especially those having an outer plastics material layer, by a seam.

Riding boots in particular must be shaped so far as possible to the leg size of the wearer. Thus, too short a leg portion catches under the saddle, so that difficulty is caused for the rider. Also, an unsuitable leg portion length leads to an unattractive appearance.

It is necessary to take into account that riding boots in particular are made on machines in large numbers with an outer plastics material layer and also that different people with, for instance, the same foot and calf sizes have different lower leg lengths.

The invention has the purpose of making a boot, of the type indicated initially, so that it can be made suitable, relatively simple, for any length of lower leg.

The purpose of the invention is solved in that the leg portion is provided, below the uppermost edge, with at least one linear surface deformation at which the leg portion is separable.

In this way, the wearer of the boot, in particular a rider, is given the possibility of deciding the leg portion length, by shortening it to the form which ensures a comfortable fitting of the boot. it is necessary to take into account that riding boots in particular do not have an upper edge lying in a plane, but this edge preferably runs according to a gradual curve in a surface lying at an inclination to the vertical. This plane is based upon the curved leg portion shape determined by the anotomical features of the lower leg. Such an edge line, which ensures correct fitting, especially of riding boots, is not readily decided, but is dependent upon the type of fitting. Therefore, the one or more deformation lines provide the basis for adaptation of the leg portion, without being obvious later, by shortening carried out by a layman.

The expression "at least one" means that several defomration lines, if preferred, are arranged under one another. It is to be understood that these several deformation lines should not run parallel to one another, because of the type of fitting, but preferably lie in section planes disposed at inclined angles to one another.

The expression "section plane" also includes curved edge shapes.

The expression "deformation line" denotes several types of embodiment. It is especially preferable for the surface deformation, whether it is made so as to be continuous or interrupted, also to form a cutting guide, along which a knife or scissors can be used.

In an advantageous embodiment, the or each deformation line is formed by raised outwardlyfacing deformations. In this way, not only is the most satisfactory guidance of a cutting tool achieved, but also a means for improving the fit of the leg portion by strengthening of the material is also given.

According to another advantageous embodiment, the or each deformation line is formed as an indented stamping or grooving. These comprise indentations, which merely indicate edge lines. In another advantageous embodiment, the deformation lines are provided as deep stampings or grooves, these lines and especially the grooves represent a reduction in cross-section which facilitates separation. The indicator mark lines can thus be easily followed.

If upper sectional surfaces are considered, which lie at an angle to one another, in a preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that all the deformation lines are provided in a surface inclined to the hypothetical centreline of the leg portion.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a boot according to the above principles has a leg portion comprising outer and inner layers (outer skin and lining) which are interconnected in the region of the upper edge of the leg portion, in which the or one or more of the deformation lines is formed as a seam.

This yields a simple and readily manufacturable construction, in which the deformation line(s) also serve(s) as a connection between the outer and inner layers.

According to another preferred embodiment, the one or more deformation lines is/are arranged in the outer layer and both layers are connected below the deformation line(s). This allows a multi-layer leg portion to be readily shortened.

In a particular advantageous embodiment, below the deformation line(s) as outer surface deformations, connections are formed as seams by which the two layers are connected and above which cutting is feasible. This also ensures that the two layers are connected at the top of the boot leg portion, even if an upper edge part of the leg portion has been removed.

These seams are provided in the usual way around the leg portion of the boot, which in the region of the remaining seams in the upper edge gives a particularly elegant and suitable impression by reason of the stepped appearance and is secured in the peripheral direction. The linear surface deformation(s) ensure(s) that a cutting guidance profile is provided so that seams are unnecessary.

In this way, the two layers are preferably connected by adhesive over the entire region of the deformation line(s). A firm connection to the upper opening of the leg portion is thus given the provision of a seam producing an additional improvement.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the or each deformation line, formed by raised profiling, stamping or grooving, is/are associated with a strip-like connection of the two layers, which is arranged at least partially below the deformation line(s). Preferably, the two layers are unconnected in the region of the deformation line(s) provided externally on the leg portion and the inner layer has cutting indicator marks in a plane associated with it, but is higher relative to the leg portion.

It is thus possible, after cutting at the deformation line and the cutting marking, to invert the inner layer over the upper edge of the cut section of the leg portion of the outer layer and then secure it by adhesive.

The invention is explained below with reference to illustrative embodiments which are shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a front view of a riding boot in an arrangement of the invention; Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the outer layer of a riding boot, for explaining an embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 shows a view corresponding to Figure 2 of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 shows a partial view corresponding to Figure 2 of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 5shows a partial view according to Figure 2 of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 shows a partial view corresponding to Figure 2 of a further embodiment of the invention; Figure 7shows a partial representation of an embodiment of the invention with a two-layered leg portion;; Figure 8 shows a partial representation of the upper leg portion edge for a special embodiment.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows a boot 1, the leg portion 2 of which has an upper boot edge 3. Spaced from this leg portion edge 3 are several, for example 3, deformation lines 4-6 arranged as surface profilings, where it can be seen that they lie closer together on the inner leg side than on the other leg side. It is clear, however, that these deformation lines are not made to run parallel to one another, although this possibility is not excluded. The longitudinal mutually angled and, if required, curved crosssectional surfaces of the deformation lines surrounding the leg portion of the boot are constructed particularly to suit the appropriate type of fit of the leg portion 2.

Figures 2 and 3 show only one layer 7 of a boot leg ortion, which relates either to a lined or an unlined coot leg portion. Thus, according to Figure 2, for example, three stampings or indentations 8, 9, 10 spaced from the edge 3 are provided at the position of the deformation lines 4-6. These grooves or indentations represent a thinning of the layer, moreover caused by compression of the material. It is to be understood that these grooves can completely surround the leg portion, or can be arranged in step fashion along a deformation line.

According to Figure 3, the deformation lines, which are designated in Figure 1, with 4-6, are formed by raised outwardly-facing deformations 11-13, which are provided by thickening the material.

Both the outstanding profiles 11-13 and, also the indentations or stampings, if they do not run right around the leg portion, can be arranged in a pointwise fashion along the deformation lines about the leg portion.

According to Figures 4-6, the leg portion consists of an outer layer 14, the so-called outer skin, especially of synthetic plastics material, and an inner layer 15, the so-called lining, which can consist of textile material or also, particularly in the region of the upper leg portion end, of leather.

According to Figure 4, both layers are connected together at the upper edge 3. In the region of the deformation lines 4-6 described with reference to Figure 1, raised profiles or grooves 20-22 are arranged.

Especially underneath the deformation lines, the two layers 14 and 15 are connected with one another, by welding or seams 16-19. These seams 17-19, on cutting ofthe leg portion along a deformation line of a groove or indentation, ensure secure menttogetherofthetwo layers of the leg portion opening.

According to Figure 5, the outer and the inner layers 14, 15 are shown along the edge 3 or in reiation to the deformation lines, which are indicated externally by grooves 23, 24, 25 for instance, which are interconnected, e.g. adhered or stitched together, in circumlocutory strip-like sections 26, 27, 28,29. It will be understood that the strip-lie portions 27-29 lie somewhat below the associated deformation lines in the grooves 23-25, shown by way of example.

Figure 6 shows an embodiment in which the outer and inner layers 14 and 15 are interconnected at the upper edge 3, for instance by a seam 30; below however, both layers are not initially connected together. In the outer layer 14, deformation lines are provided, for instance as indentations 31-33, which allow separation relatively easily. The inner layer 15 has lining cutting indications 34-36, for example as colour indications, gradations, markings or the like, which are arranged above the marking lines 31-33 on the other layer 14. The cutting marks are preferably provided also as profilings, especially indented profilings.

On separation of the leg portion, the outer and inner layers are cut off at the required height, so that the inner layer can remain as such and the projecting edge of the outer layer is turned over and can be secured, for instance by adhesive. Thus, beneath a deformation line between the layers 14,15 connecting strips are provided, although such a connection can also be made externally, if affixing is made following turning over of the edge.

Claims (14)

1. A boot such as a riding boot, having a leg portion which is provided, below the uppermost edge, with at least one linear surface deformation at which the leg portion is separable.

2. A boot according to claim 1, in which the or each deformation line is formed by raised outwardly-facing deformations.

3. A boot according to claim 1, in which the or each deformation line is formed as an indented stamping or grooving.

4. A boot according to any preceding claim, in which the or each deformation line runs in interrupted fashion around the leg portion.

5. A boot according to any preceding claim, in which several deformation lines are provided in superposed manner and lie in section pianes disposed at inclined angles to one another.

6. A boot according to claim 5, in which all the deformation lines are provided in a surface inclined to the centreline of the leg portion.

7. A boot according to any preceding claim, having a leg portion comprising outer and inner layers (outer skin and lining) which are interconnected in the region of the upper edge of the leg portion, in which the or one or more of the deformation lines is formed as a seam.

8. A boot according to any preceding claim, having a leg portion comprising outer and inner layers (outer skin and lining) which are interconnected in the region of the upper edge of the leg portion, in which the or one or more of the deformation lines is located in the outer layer and both layers are connected below the deformation line(s).

9. A boot according to claim 8, in which below the deformation line(s) as outer surface deformations are formed as seams by which the two layers are connected and above which cutting is feasible.

10. A boot according to any of claims 7 to 9, in which the two layers are connected by adhesive over the entire region of the deformation line(s).

11. A boot according to claim 8, in which the or each deformation line, formed by raised profiling, stamping or grooving, is/are associated with a strip-like connection of the two layers, which is arranged at least partially below the deformation line(s).

12. A boot according to claim 8, in which the two layers are unconnected in the region of the deformation line(s) provided externally on the leg portion and the inner layer has cutting indicator marks in a plane which is associated with it, but is higher relative to the leg portion.

13. A boot according to any of claims 1 and 3 to 9, in which a one-piece attached portion of material, which at its lower edge is raised from the leg portion hy a step formation, is arranged on the leg portion so as to extend from the upper edge and includes several grooves formed as indentations, below which seams are provided.

14. A boot according to claim 1, substantially as described with reference to any of Figures 1 to 8 of the accompanying drawings.