GB2188531A

GB2188531A - Shoe

Info

Publication number: GB2188531A
Application number: GB08606489A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Alan Drew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-03-17
Filing date: 1986-03-17
Publication date: 1987-10-07
Also published as: GB2188531B; GB8606489D0

Abstract

The toe and heel of a supple upper each have an internal stiffening reinforcement 9, 11 of resilient expanded cross-linked polyethylene of closed cell construction. The tow reinforcement 9 gradually decreases in thickness towards its rear edge 12 (Fig. 3), the heel reinforcement 11 towards its front edge 13 (Fig. 4). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Shoe This invention relates to shoes, which are to provide supportforthe foot but should avoid causing local regions of pressure on thefootwhich may induce deformities or cause tissue damage.

The invention provides a shoe conlprising a supple upper, the toe region and the heel region ofthe upper each having an internal stiffening reinforcement consisting of resilient expanded thermosoftening plastics material of closed cell construction, the toe reinforcement gradually decreasing in thicknessto- wards its rear edge and the heel reinforcement gradually decreasing in thickness towards its front edge.

Theadvantageofsuchaconstruction isthata gradual change can be provided between the comparative stiffness of the reinforcement and the suppleness ofthe non-reinforced regions of the upper, so thatthe edge ofthe reinforcement does not constitute a pressure point.

One or both of the reinforcements may be provided with a cushioning layer of soft air-permeable material, e.g. woven or non-woven material such as brushed nylon orterry.

The upper is preferably of soft leather (natural or synthetic), which allows the foot to "breathe". Preferably the upper is in one piece with a single seam adjacent one of the reinforcements, thereby avoiding pressure points due to seams.

The reinforcements are preferably of an expanded cross-linked polyethylene, such as that produced underthetrade mark"Plastazote" orthatproduced underthetrade mark"Frelen". Such polyethylenes have a softening point in the region of 1 40 C.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 isasideviewofashoe; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the shoe; Figure 3 is a section on line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; and Figure4 is a section on line IV-IV in Figure 2.

The shoe illustrated comprises a sole 1 (e.g. of polyurethane or rubber) bonded to a soft leather upper2 which is made in one piece, with a single seam 3 atthe heel and an integral (or separate) tongue 4. A thin insole 6 is also provided Wings 7 are sewn on to the upper 2 to receive a lace 8 or other fastening means.

Inside the toe region of the upperthere is a stiffening reinforcement 9, referred to as a toe box ortoe puff, adhesively bonded to the upper. Inside the heel region a stiffening reinforcement 11, referred to as a heel counter stiffener, is adhesively bonded to the upper.

Each reinforcement 9, 11 is of medium or high density "Plastazote".

Towards its rear edge 12, the toe reinforcement 9 is gradually thinned, e.g. by grinding, sothattheedge 12 isverythin. Similarly, the heel reinforcement 11 is gradually thinned as it approaches its front edge 13.

Preferably, the gradually thinned regions of the reinforcements are ground down afterthe reinforcements (initially of substantially uniform thickness) are fitted.

The reinforcements 9,11 are mouldable in orderto ada pt their shapeto the wea rer's foot.

1. A shoe comprising a supple upper, the toe region and the heel region ofthe upper each having an internal stiffening reinforcement consisting of resilientexpandedthermosoftening plastics material of closed cell construction, the toe reinforcement gradually decreasing in thickness towards its rear edge and the heel reinforcement gradually decreasing in thickness towards it front edge.

2. Ashoe as claimed in claim 1, in which at least one ofthe reinforcements is provided with a cushioning layer of soft air-permeable material.

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 or2, in which the upper is of soft leather.

4. Ashoe as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the upper is in one piece with a single seam adjacent one of the reinforcements.

5. Ashoe as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the plastics material is a cross-linked polyethylene.

6. A shoe substantially as described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.

New ortextually amended claims have been filed as follows: 7. A method of making a shoe having a supple upper, including inserting in the toe region and the heel region ofthe upper respective internal stiffening reinforcements consisting of resilient expanded thermosoftening plastics material of closed cell construction and being of substantially uniform thickness, bonding the reinforcements to the inside ofthe upper, and grinding down the reinforcements in situ so that the toe reinforcement gradually decreases in thickness towards its rear edge and the heel reinforcement gradually decreases in thickness towards its front edge.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Shoe This invention relates to shoes, which are to provide supportforthe foot but should avoid causing local regions of pressure on thefootwhich may induce deformities or cause tissue damage. The invention provides a shoe conlprising a supple upper, the toe region and the heel region ofthe upper each having an internal stiffening reinforcement consisting of resilient expanded thermosoftening plastics material of closed cell construction, the toe reinforcement gradually decreasing in thicknessto- wards its rear edge and the heel reinforcement gradually decreasing in thickness towards its front edge. Theadvantageofsuchaconstruction isthata gradual change can be provided between the comparative stiffness of the reinforcement and the suppleness ofthe non-reinforced regions of the upper, so thatthe edge ofthe reinforcement does not constitute a pressure point. One or both of the reinforcements may be provided with a cushioning layer of soft air-permeable material, e.g. woven or non-woven material such as brushed nylon orterry. The upper is preferably of soft leather (natural or synthetic), which allows the foot to "breathe". Preferably the upper is in one piece with a single seam adjacent one of the reinforcements, thereby avoiding pressure points due to seams. The reinforcements are preferably of an expanded cross-linked polyethylene, such as that produced underthetrade mark"Plastazote" orthatproduced underthetrade mark"Frelen". Such polyethylenes have a softening point in the region of 1 40 C. The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 isasideviewofashoe; Figure 2 is a longitudinal section through the shoe; Figure 3 is a section on line Ill-Ill in Figure 2; and Figure4 is a section on line IV-IV in Figure 2. The shoe illustrated comprises a sole 1 (e.g. of polyurethane or rubber) bonded to a soft leather upper2 which is made in one piece, with a single seam 3 atthe heel and an integral (or separate) tongue 4. A thin insole 6 is also provided Wings 7 are sewn on to the upper 2 to receive a lace 8 or other fastening means. Inside the toe region of the upperthere is a stiffening reinforcement 9, referred to as a toe box ortoe puff, adhesively bonded to the upper. Inside the heel region a stiffening reinforcement 11, referred to as a heel counter stiffener, is adhesively bonded to the upper. Each reinforcement 9, 11 is of medium or high density "Plastazote". Towards its rear edge 12, the toe reinforcement 9 is gradually thinned, e.g. by grinding, sothattheedge 12 isverythin. Similarly, the heel reinforcement 11 is gradually thinned as it approaches its front edge 13. Preferably, the gradually thinned regions of the reinforcements are ground down afterthe reinforcements (initially of substantially uniform thickness) are fitted. The reinforcements 9,11 are mouldable in orderto ada pt their shapeto the wea rer's foot. CLAIMS

3. A shoe as claimed in claim 1 or2, in which the upper is of soft leather.

New ortextually amended claims have been filed as follows:

7. A method of making a shoe having a supple upper, including inserting in the toe region and the heel region ofthe upper respective internal stiffening reinforcements consisting of resilient expanded thermosoftening plastics material of closed cell construction and being of substantially uniform thickness, bonding the reinforcements to the inside ofthe upper, and grinding down the reinforcements in situ so that the toe reinforcement gradually decreases in thickness towards its rear edge and the heel reinforcement gradually decreases in thickness towards its front edge.