GB2521466A

GB2521466A - Cycling Shoe

Info

Publication number: GB2521466A
Application number: GB1322792.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mccaffrey
Original assignee: McCaffrey Company Design Ltd
Current assignee: McCaffrey Company Design Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-20
Filing date: 2013-12-20
Publication date: 2015-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-20
Also published as: EP3082487A1; JP2017511186A; GB201322792D0; US20160331067A1; GB2521466B; GB201420193D0; WO2015092445A1

Abstract

A cycling shoe 10 comprising: a sole member 12 which defines a heel portion20, an arch portion 22, a mid-sole portion 24 and a toe portion 26, wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a first leather material, wherein the arch portion comprises a second material which is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding. The sole member may be formed from one or more layers of leather, which may be routed out to form a recess at the arch portion. The recess may house an insert member with an outer surface formed from the second material, which may be thermoplastic polyurethane or rubber. The insert member preferably doesnt contact the ground when a wearer is walking. The shoe may be a high heeled shoe. The surface of the insert may be treated to form gripping means. Also claimed is a method of forming such a shoe.

Description

Cycling Shoe The present invention relates to cycling shoes. In particularly, but not exclusively, the invention relates to cycling shoes which are suitable for walking and/or appropriate when wearing formal clothing.

Cycling is popular for many reasons. One of these is that it is a more environmentally friendly mode of transport which promotes fitness, and many people travel by bicycle to and from work. However, this can be problematic for people who wear more formal clothing at work.

In particular, conventional formal shoes with a leather sole are not appropriate for cycling.

For normal use, such shoes are popular as the leather sole increases comfort and is breathable. A leather material is also regarded to be a higher quality material than rubber soles. However, the leather material has a lack of grip, particularly in wet conditions, which can cause slipping of the shoe on the pedals. This presents a risk of injury, such as impact to the rider's ankle or from the imbalance cause by slipping. Also, the leather material will erode away with repeated contact with the bicycle pedals. Just as heels erode over time, the portion of the shoe in contact with the pedals will erode much faster.

Purpose built cycling shoes exist but these are typically unsuitable for normal walking or inappropriate for wearing with formal clothing. Consequently, many riders have to store and transport a second pair of shoes. This is inconvenient and storage space on a bicycle is limited.

It is desirable to provide a cycling shoe which maintains the desirable features of a conventional shoe but which includes desirable features for cycling, such as greater durability (less material erosion) and grip.

It has been recognised by the inventor that cyclists typically only contact the pedal using an arch portion or mid-sole portion of their shoe. Consequently, only these portions of the sole need to have the necessary durability, rigidity and grip.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a cycling shoe comprising: a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion, wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a first leather material, and wherein the arch portion comprises a second material, wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding.

The mid-sole portion may comprise the second material.

By providing a cycling shoe which has a heel portion and a toe portion formed from leather, the shoe is more comfortable and breathable and, as these are the more visible portions of the sole, the shoe still maintains the image of higher quality.

The sole member may be formed from one or more layers of leather material. The sole member may include a recess provided at the arch portion. The recess may extend into the mid-sole portion.

The recess may be formed by routing out portions of the leather material.

The cycling shoe may include an insert member provided within the recess and having at least an outer surface formed from the second material. The insert may be formed from the second material.

The recess may extend in a lateral direction between both sides of the cycling shoe.

Alternatively, the recess may terminate before each side of the shoe. In such as case, the recess and insert member will be less visible.

The outer surface of the insert member may be flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion. Alternatively, the outer surface of the insert member may be at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

Alternatively, the arch portion may extend upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking. The cycling shoe may be a ladies high heeled shoe.

In an alternative embodiment, the arch portion may include an insert member formed from the second material. The insert member may comprise a bridge member that extends from the arch portion to the heel portion. The bridge member may extend to a substantially vertical wall of the heel portion.

In embodiments in which the arch portion is not in contact with the ground, the arch portion is less vulnerable to wear.

The second material may be a rigid material.

The second material may comprise a polyurethane material. The second material may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane (TP(J) material. Alternatively, the second material may comprise a rubber material.

The insert member may be formed by injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a mould to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.

The insert member may be formed by cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.

The insert member may be attached to the sole within the recess using an adhesive.

Alternative attachment means may be used.

The outer surface of the insert member may be treated to form gripping means. The treating may comprise laser engraving or the like. Alternative treating means may be used.

Alternatively, the gripping means may be formed using a profile of the mould.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming a cycling shoe, the method comprising: providing a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion; forming the heel portion and the toe portion from a leather material; and forming the arch portion from a second material, wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding.

The method may include forming the mid-sole portion from the second material.

The method may include forming the sole member from one or more layers of leather material. The method may include providing the sole member with a recess provided at the arch portion. The recess may extend into the mid-sole portion.

The method may include forming the recess by routing out portions of the leather material.

The method may include providing an insert member within the recess, the insert member having an outer surface formed from the second material.

The method may include configuring the outer surface of the insert member to be flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion. Alternatively, the method may include configuring the outer surface of the insert member to be at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

Alternatively, the method may include extending the arch portion upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.

The second material may comprise a polyurethane material. The second material may comprise a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material. Alternatively, the second material may comprise a rubber material.

The method may include injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a mould to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.

The method may include cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.

The method may include attaching the insert member to the sole within the recess using an adhesive.

The method may include treating the outer surface of the insert member to form gripping means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a cycling shoe; FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of a cycling shoe; FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of a cycling shoe; and FIG. 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a cycling shoe.

Figure 1 shows a cycling shoe 10. The shoe 10 comprises a sole 12 which defines a heel portion 20, an arch portion 22, a mid-sole portion 24 and a toe portion 26. In this embodiment, the heel portion 20, the mid-sole portion 24 and the toe portion 26 are formed from a leather material. The arch portion 22 is formed using a second material, in this case a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

Therefore, the cycling shoe 10 has portions formed from leather and is more comfortable and breathable. Also, the shoe 10 maintains the image of higher quality. However, the arch portion 22 is formed from a more durable material with less slippage when pedalling. The cyclist can pedal the bicycle by contacting the pedals using the arch portion 22 of the shoe 10.

The sole 12 is formed from a number of layers of leather material. A recess 30 in the sole 12 is formed by routing out portions of the leather material. The recess 30 is located at the arch portion 22. An insert 32 formed from the second material is fitted within the recess 30.

It should be noted that, since the insert 32 is provided only at the arch portion 22, it is not in contact with the ground during walking. The insert 32 will therefore be less vulnerable to wear.

The insert 32 is formed by injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a mould. Once cooled, the second material is planar and has the desired thickness. An area of the planar material is then cut out, the area corresponding to the area of the recess 30.

The insert 32 is then attached to the sole 12 within the recess 30 using an adhesive. The outer surface of the insert 32 is then treated using laser engraving to form gripping means.

Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the recess 30 and insert 32 extend further forward and into the mid-sole portion 24. This allows a rider to pedal by contacting the pedals using a more forward part of the foot. However, the majority of the insert 32 is still not in contact with the ground during walking.

Figure 3 shows a third embodiment of the shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the shoe 10 is of the flat soled variety. The outer surface of the insert 32 is therefore flush with the outer surface of the heel portion 20 and toe portion 26.

Figure 4 shows a fourth embodiment oIthe shoe 10 and like features are given like reference numbers.

In this embodiment, the shoe 10 is a ladies high heeled shoe. Therefore, the arch portion 22 extends further rearwards and upwards until it meets a smaller heel portion 20. The arch portion 22 does not make contact with the ground during walking. With this embodiment, it is even possible to wear high heeled shoes during cycling.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the arch portion 22 can include a bridge member formed from the second material. The bridge member can extend from the arch portion 22 to a substantially vertical wall of the heel portion 20.

Various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A cycling shoe comprising: a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion, wherein the heel portion and the toe portion are formed from a first leather material, wherein the arch portion comprises a second material, and wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding.
2. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the mid-sole portion comprises the second material.
3. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the sole member is formed from one or more layers of leather material.
4. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the sole member includes a recess provided at the arch portion.
5. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the recess extends into the mid-sole portion.
6. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 4 or 5, wherein the recess is formed by routing out portions of the leather material.
7. A cycling shoe as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 6, wherein the cycling shoe includes an insert member provided within the recess and having at least an outer surface formed from the second material.
8. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 7, wherein the insert is formed from the second material.
9. A cycling shoe as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 8, wherein the recess extends in a lateral direction between both sides of the cycling shoe.
10. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the outer surface of the insert member is flush with an outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion.
11. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the outer surface of the insert member is at a greater height than the outer surface of the heel portion and toe portion such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.
12. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arch portion extends upwards such that it does not make contact with the ground during walking.
13. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the cycling shoe is a ladies high heeled shoe.
14. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the arch portion includes an insert member formed from the second material, the insert member comprising a bridge member that extends from the arch portion to the heel portion.
15. A cycling shoe as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the bridge member extends to a substantially vertical wall of the heel portion.
16. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second material is a rigid material.
17. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second material comprises a polyurethane material.
18. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.
19. A cycling shoe as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the second material comprises a rubber material.
20. A cycling shoe as claimed in any of claims 7 toll, wherein the insert member is formed by injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a mould to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.
21. A cycling shoe as claimed in claim 20, wherein the insert member is formed by cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.
22. A cycling shoe as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the insert member is attached to the sole within the recess using an adhesive.
23. A cycling shoe as claimed in any of claims 7 to 11, wherein the outer surface of the insert member may be treated to form gripping means.
24. A method of forming a cycling shoe, the method comprising: providing a sole member which defines a heel portion, an arch portion, a mid-sole portion and a toe portion; forming the heel portion and the toe portion from a leather material; and forming the arch portion from a second material, wherein the second material is non-leather, non-slip and substantially non-eroding.
25. A method as claimed in Claim 24, including forming the mid-sole portion from the second material.
26. A method as claimed in Claim 24 or 25, including forming the sole member from one or more layers of leather material.
27. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 26, including providing the sole member with a recess provided at the arch portion. :ii
28. A method as claimed in Claim 27, wherein the recess extends into the mid-sole portion.
29. A method as claimed in Claim 27 or 28, including forming the recess by routing out portions of the leather material.
30. A method as claimed in any of Claims 27 to 29, including providing an insert member within the recess, the insert member having an outer surface formed from the second material.
31. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 30, wherein the second material comprises a polyurethane material.
32. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 31, wherein the second material comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPtJ) material.
33. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 32, wherein the second material comprises a rubber material.
34. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 33, including injecting a predetermined quantity of hot second material into a mould to provide, when cooled, a planar material having the desired thickness.
35. A method as claimed in Claim 34, including cutting an area of the planar material, the area corresponding to the area of the recess.
36. A method as claimed in any of Claims 24 to 35, wherein attaching the insert member to the sole within the recess using an adhesive.
37. A method as claimed in Claim 36, including treating the outer surface of the insert member to form gripping means.