GB2436726A

GB2436726A - A boot for water sports

Info

Publication number: GB2436726A
Application number: GB0706109A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Brian Conolly; Bartosz Milczarczyk
Original assignee: Zhik Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Zhik Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2006-03-30
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2007-10-03
Anticipated expiration: 2027-03-29
Also published as: GB0706109D0; GB2436726B

Abstract

A boot for water sport comprises an open heel 7, split toe 6 and the option of an ankle strap 2. Preferably the boot is made from neoprene with a rubber gripping layer 1 of textured rubber, a flexible nitrile or alternative synthetic material similar to rubber, on the upper parts of the boot in order for the boot to grip hiking straps lined with a similar rubber grip. The rubber grip may be in the form of a raised diamond pattern (figs 6 and 7). The boot provides support to the muscles in the foot that are under strain while hiking for example, while still providing the feeling and sensitivity of barefoot sailing. Preferably the ankle strap has a Velcro (RTM) fastening strap 2 that clips onto a press stud 9 on the side of the boot and then wraps around the ankle. The boot may have a tab/lug 8 on the front of the boot that prevents the ankle strap from rising over the boot and slipping off. The sole of the boot may be a thin and durable rubber, textured for grip 5.

Description

WATERSPORT BOOT

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to the field of sportswear products. More specifically, the invention relates to a novel support system with watersport boots, to help reduce muscle fatigue in situations such as hiking from the gunnels of a sailing vessel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

While hiking support systems have been applied to wetsuits for dinghy sailing for some time, for hiking from a sailing dinghy like that shown in figure 1, there have been no advances in the mechanics in how the hiking strap and watersport boots interact.

Usually the watersport boots are basic neoprene diving boots, adapted slightly for sailing conditions, and with no special additions for working with the hiking strap, which is also a basic material such as a padded seat belt. Such systems provide no extra support to the hiking sailor, such as grip or boot support, that would allow the sailor to relax the foot, ease the strain of hiking, and improve the sailors competitive endurance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a pair of ergonomically designed watersport boots designed to be light weight, high in sensitivity and durability, and have an open heel, open split toe and ankle strap combination system.

A second aspect of the present invention is that the boots are ergonomically designed to provide improved support to the muscles in the foot that are under strain while hiking (for example) or other water sport activity. In another embodiment, the walersport boots include rubber grip material, to the upper parts of the boot as per figure 3, in order for the boot to grip with hiking straps lined with a similar rubber grip underneath.

Central to this new boot design is a novel lightweight construction so the hiking support can be provided while also the feeling and sensitivity of barefoot sailing. A boot with an open heel and split open toe is constructed, with an ankle strap around the ankle. The open heel and split open toe make it possible for the boot to fit veiy tightly to the foot so the upper gripping layer does not move around and the boot does not slip off. This provides good dexterity, sensitivity, is lightweight, and is supporting of the many muscle groups in the foot. This makes it particularly attractive for a wide range of sailing styles, from windsurfing to hiking dinghy's, 3.

to dinghy's that use trapeze systems. It is also a good general purpose boot for other waters sports, such as diving, surfing, fishing, canoeing and rowing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 2 illustrates the watersport boot construction as one particular embodiment of the system; Fig 3. illustrates the application of rubber to one particular embodiment of the system; Fig 4 illustrates the application of rubber to one particular embodiment of the system in a top view; Fig 5 illustrates the application of rubber to one particular embodiment of the system in an underside view without the foot inside; Fig. 6 illustrates an example texture grip pattern for the rubber under the strap and on top of the boot top view.

Fig. 7 illustrates an example texture grip pattern for the rubber under the strap and on top of the boot side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

In one preferred embodiment, there is provided a watersport boot, constructed of neoprene 4 and rubber I and 5, as per figure 2. The Gip Rubber Upper part of the boot, item I in figures 2,3,4 and 5, is made of rubber, typically 1mm or 2mm although optionally thicker, and is vulcanised to the Neoprene Boot Inner, item 4 in figures 2,3 and 5. This Grip Rubber Upper is optionally made of a harder wearing, more durable rubber compound, in order to protect the Grip texture pattern, which can be of the type shown in figures 6 and 7. The sole of the boot, item 5 in figure 2 and 5, is a thin and durable rubber, also with a texture for grip.

The combination of thin (yet durable) rubber and neoprene materials provide for a total boot that is lightweight in order to provide good dexterity and sensitivity in the watersport. In addition, however, it is also important to provide a system that allows the boot to be tightened around the foot at the ankle. An ankle strap can optionally be provided, and one embodiment would be to have a 2:1 purchase Velcro hook and loop strap 2 that clips into a press stud on the 4.

side of the boot 9, such as shown in figures 2 and 3, and then wraps around the ankle. A tab, such as a rubber lug 8, is also added to the front of the boot as in figure 2 and3, to help prevent this Velcro hook and loop ankle strap from rising over the boot and slipping off. The ankle strap does not interfere with the Grip Rubber Upper and provides extra support to the foot when using the boot in watesport activity.

In order to help secure the boot in a firm position on the foot during heavy activity, the boot is designed to have an Open Heel, item 7 in figures 2,3 and 5 and a Split Toe, item 6 in figures 2,3,4 and 5. The boot can then fit on the foot very tightly, and yet also stretch enough to make it easy to put the boot on and off: Both the Open Heel and Split Toe in the design are also provided to maximise the feeling of being almost barefoot, and improve the sensitivity of the foot during the watersport activity. This is done while the boot also provided some important muscular support and gripping function, and also some protection to the foot.

In figure 6 (top view) and 7 (side view) an example texture for the rubber material is shown for the Grip Rubber Upper. This particular example is a raised diamond pattern. For this particular pattern, it is best that the ridges of the diamond peaks lay perpendicular to the main gripping direction. These ridges would line in parallel with the main length of the hiking strap.

In this example, to maximise grip, the pattern used for the boots would be the same rubber texture, with the dimensions of the diamonds the same. The diamonds are small, approximately 2mm in length. Experimenting with larger and smaller diamonds lead to varience in gripping quality depending on the depth of the raised section of the diamond. This example texture is a preferred embodiment of this invention, however other textures may also be adopted with varying degrees of grip, comfort and manufacturing cost.

EXAMPLES OF THE SYSTEM IN USE

Examole 1 Small Boat DinRhv Sailing and Windsurfina The boot provides good dexterity, sensitivity, is lightweight, and is supporting of the many muscle groups in the foot. This makes it particularly attractive for a wide range of sailing styles, from windsurfing to hiking dinghy's, to dinghys that use trapeze systems.

Examole 2 Yachting It is possible to design versions of the same boot for yachting, in various weights and sole designs. This also inludes ankle cut sailing shoes using the same Vecro Tab and Lace system design. 5.

Examole 3 Other watersports The boot is also useful for other watersports, such as diving, skiing, surfing, fishing, canoeing, and rowing.

The foregoing described preferred forms of the present invention only. Modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: I. A tight fitting

watersport boot with a combination Open Heel and Split Toe with optional Ankle Strap.

2. A boot as claimed in claim I where the Ankle Strap is applied with a press stud and has a Tab to prevent it from slipping off the top of the boot.

3. A boot as claimed in claim I where an upper rubber layer is provided to create a gripping layer.

4. A boot as claimed in claim 2 and 3 in a design as described in figure 2, 3, 4 and 5.

5. A boot as claimed in claim 4 where the boot is a lower (ankle) cut.

6. A boot as claimed in claim 3 or 4 where the gripping method is textured rubber on the top of the watersport boots.

7. A boot as claimed in claim 3 or 4 where the gripping method is a flexible nitrile on the top of the watersport boots.

8. A boot as claimed in claim 3 or 4 where the gripping method is an alternative synthetic material similar in characteristic to rubber underneath the hiking strap, and on the top of the watersport boots.

9. A boot as claimed in claim 3 or 4 where the gripping texture is a raised diamond pattern as shown in figures 6 and 7.

10. A boot substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.