GB2543299A

GB2543299A - Footwear device

Info

Publication number: GB2543299A
Application number: GB1518132.4A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Claudia Holder Antoinette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-10-14
Filing date: 2015-10-14
Publication date: 2017-04-19
Also published as: GB201518132D0

Abstract

Footwear device comprising an inner surface to receive an ankle and foot, and an outer surface to be placed against the interior of a boot, wherein each surface comprises at least one zone, and where at least one zone has a different coefficient of friction to at least one other zone. The device may be a sock, and the varying coefficients of friction may be achieved through materials, thread patterns or coatings. The zones may be located at points that will be contacted when putting on or removing the boot. The device may be formed from a single material, which may be plastics, and a plurality of devices may be provided in a rolled strip of pre-weakened material.

Description

FOOTWEAR DEVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a footwear device. In particular, the present invention relates to a device for enabling easy removal of or putting on of footwear such as for example boots. More particularly, the present invention relates to a device for wearing when using Wellington or work boots.

Background

Increasing climatic unpredictability and improvements in materials have led many more users to own Wellington boots. Greater enjoyment of outdoors living has also led to an increase in the ownership of hiking or other outdoors boots.

All boots in general, and Wellington boots in particular, tend to be difficult to put on and to remove.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following:

International patent application WO 2013 152 211 (THIBODEAU) discloses a sock and/or outer footwear having one or more portions with reduced frictional characteristics. One or more of the heel portion, the arch portion and the ball portion of the sock and/or interior of the outer footwear is fabricated with the reduced frictional characteristics. The reduced frictional characteristics may be established by applying a low-friction material to such portions, incorporating one or more low-friction fibers into the material of the sock and/or interior of the outer footwear in such portions or reducing the thickness of the material in such portions. The provision of reduced frictional characteristics in one or more of the heel, arch and ball facilitates insertion of a foot into footwear.

Granted Japanese patent JP 4 730 711 (HASE et al) provides leg part-protective rubber socks to be rapidly worn in a state of emergency and enable a wearer to rapidly put on shoes with the rubber sock on. The leg part-protective rubber socks are put on when working at a contaminated site, wherein mesh cloth is applied to almost over the whole surface on the inner side, and the bottom part, the heel, and the toe on the outer side each of the rubber socks.

Granted European patent EP 1 212 954 (WELLS) discloses a shoe horn attachment for a shoe has guiding means for guiding the heel of a user's foot as the user inserts the foot into the shoe. Fastening means are provided for securing the attachment to the shoe. A user can press on the upper back edge of the attachment when taking the shoe off, and this makes it easier to take the shoe off. A person who becomes disabled or who otherwise has difficulty in bending down to put on and take off their shoes may fit their shoes with shoe horn attachments of the invention.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a footwear device comprising: an inner surface arranged in use to receive at least the ankle and foot of a user; and an outer surface arranged in use to be positioned adjacent an interior portion of a boot; wherein each of the inner and outer surfaces comprises at least one friction zone, and in which at least one friction zone has a different coefficient of friction to at least one other friction zone. .

In some embodiments, variation of the coefficients of friction characteristics of the friction zones may be accomplished by material variation. In some embodiments, variation of the coefficients of friction of the friction zones may be accomplished by thread pattern, layers or coatings.

In some embodiments, the inner surface provides at least one friction zone having a coefficient of friction to at least one friction zone provided by the outer surface. The inner surface may provide at least one friction zone having a different coefficient of friction to one or more other friction zones provided by the inner surface. The outer surface may provide at least one friction zone having a different coefficient of friction to one or more other friction zones provided by the outer surface. The coefficient of friction may vary between one or more friction zones provided by a single surface (ie. the inner or outer surface) or by the two different surfaces.

The inner surface may be arranged in use to be in contact with some of the user’s leg, foot or lower limb at all times in use.

The outer surface may be arranged in use to be in contact with the boot’s interior at all times.

The device may be arranged in use to be received within any suitable footwear, for example boots, such as walking boots or wellingtons.

The outer surfaces of the device, and/or the at least one friction zones provided by the outer surface may be arranged in use to only make contact with the interior surface, or one or more portions of the interior surface, of the footwear, for example the boot, and user during specific periods.

For example in some embodiments the outer surface may be arranged in use to make contact with the footwear (for example boot) during for example the operation of putting the footwear on.

The outer surface may include at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction compared to other friction zones. The friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction may be located on the portion or portions of the outer surface which are arranged in use to make contact with the footwear. For example, a portion of the outer surface arranged in use to contact the heel portion of the footwear may be provided with or as a friction reducing zone.

In some embodiments for example the at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient friction compared to one or more other friction zones may be provided with reference to or in an attempt to aiding removal or placement of the user’s leg or foot in the footwear (for example boot). For example, the placement of the zones having reduced coefficient of friction may be located to aid one or more of the action of removal of the foot and/or leg from the footwear and the action of placement of the foot and/or leg into the footwear. The location of the at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction may be so as to aid the direction of travel of the user’s limb into and/or out of the footwear. The location of the at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction may be with reference to shaping of the leg.

For example in some embodiments the at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction may be situated at one or more of: the fore and/or rear of the user’s heel, such that during the action of inserting the user’s limb into the footwear a section of the user’s heel to fore, or leading, will contact the at least one zone having a reduced friction coefficient and thereby facilitating entry of the user’s heel, foot and leg, into the boot.

At least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction (herein referred to as the ‘reduced friction zone’) may be arranged in use to be located to the rear of the user’s heel to reduce friction experienced between the leading part of the user’s foot and the device and/or footwear during removal of the foot from the footwear.

In this way the device may advantageously facilitate the user’s wearing of boots, in particular removal and wearing thereof.

In some embodiments the device may be provided as an integral unit within an item of footwear such as for example a boot.

In some embodiments the device may be provided as a disposable or reusable sock device for use with an item of footwear, such as for example a boot.

With reference to reusable devices, the device may comprise a known format for a boot sock; namely a long shank, and a heel portion and a foot section.

The base material of the shank, ankle portion and foot section of the device may be continuous so as to provide a complete form of a known boot sock, and breathable, such that the user is enabled to wear the device as an ordinary sock. The device may be composed of material which is water impermeable. The material may consequently mainly comprise a natural material such as cotton or wool blend, and/or may comprise a plurality of layers.

In this way the ankle portion, foot section or shank of the device may be envisaged to be formed with reduced friction zones, which zones correspond to regions of the outer and/or inner surfaces which are arranged in use to contact the item of footwear during removal or placement of the item of footwear (i.e. boot).

One or more of the friction zones may comprise additional material. The additional material may be adhered, bonded or sewn to the base material.

One or more of the friction zones may be provided by coating the base material forming the device with at least one coating layer. For example the at least one coating layer may comprise a glossy, low-friction coating over the base material.

The coating may provide a stiffer composition to the base material. The base material may be stiffened in the region of the at least one friction zone so as to provide a lower tendency to ruche and provide obstacle between the boot and leg.

Where the device is envisaged to be a disposable article, the device may comprise a single material, which material may be envisaged to provide a low-friction outer surface at least. The inner surface may comprise sufficient friction to limit the user’s leg sliding in the device, in turn leading to displacement or ruching of the material, and attendant obstacles between user and boot.

The foot section of the device may comprise friction enhanced characteristics or zones. For example in some embodiments the device may have an increased friction zone corresponding to the user’s ball. When the user is wearing the footwear the ball of their foot is positioned to be in contact with the footwear and there is less likelihood of the foot sliding around undesirably within the footwear; however during movement of the foot into or out of the footwear it may be envisaged that the foot will be arched and the ball not liable to contact the footwear. Advantageously therefore reduced friction zones located elsewhere over the device will not be compromised. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided system of providing a footwear device, the system comprising a roll of pre-weakened template material comprising a plurality of detachable devices as herein described.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1a is a schematic illustration of a front view of two devices according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1b is a schematic illustration of a side view of the first embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 1c is a schematic illustration of a top view of the devices shown in Figure 1a; Figure 2a is a schematic illustration of a front view of two devices according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 1b is a schematic illustration of a side view of the second embodiment of the device as shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 1c is a schematic illustration of a top view of the devices shown in Figure 1a;

Figure 3 is a schematic illustration of a sketch of a roll of devices, according to a second aspect of the present invention;

And

Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a sketch view of the device in use.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the figures there are shown two embodiments. The first embodiment (as shown in Figures 1) is a disposable device envisaged to be used for a low number of occasions. The second embodiment (as shown in Figures 2) is a washable reusable device envisaged to be used on repeated occasions, and allowing cleaning or washing.

In the first embodiment, the device is composed of a single material, preferably a cost-effective plastics material. The material may be produced from bio-plastics, or recycled plastics so as to limit environmental concerns in reference to the device’s disposability.

The material is preferably composed of a breathable material, which material enables the user’s foot to breathe and limits build-up of bacteria.

The material may comprise plural perforations (not shown) which perforations permit air movement. Such perforations are envisaged to provide one or more zones having reduced friction coefficients compared to the other regions of the material. For example the perforations may be in areas of the device where reduced friction is not required, such as the arch or top of the foot. Such perforations may be small enough to prevent passage of liquid.

The material comprises a flexible, lightweight plastics material, such as polyethylene.

The device comprises a heat sealed seam 1 configured to be displaced from the zones of reduced friction, and is here pictured to one side of a central line through the top and bottom of the foot in use.

With reference to the second embodiment there is shown a reusable device for wearing over or instead of standard hosiery.

The device comprises a long shank 2, so as to ensure the device reaches as high as a Wellington boot in use, promoting comfort. The device comprises more than one material, wherein the base material may be cotton, polyester, wool or other known hosiery material.

The second embodiment further includes material of different properties in reduced friction zones located to be positioned in use in regions correlating to the ankle 3 and toe of the user’s foot 4 in use.

The zones comprise material such as ripstop Nylon (RTM), polyester, or Nylon (RTM) blend. This material is sewn onto the zones in local patches. These patches are envisaged to be hard-wearing.

The zones provide an intermediate zone 6 having a friction coefficient that differs from the adjacent zones, namely toe and ankle. This intermediate zone surrounds the foot, passing in a band through foot arch and instep, so as to provide a localised enhanced friction zone. In the pictured embodiment the material in this intermediate zone is no different to that of the base material. In some embodiments the intermediate zone may be provided as an altered friction zone.

In both embodiments the inner surface 7 of the device may comprise an altered friction zone, for example a comfort surface, for example having a flocked, brushed, textured or fleece finish.

As shown in Figure 4 a plurality of different zones may be envisaged and altered in further embodiments, wherein contact between boot 11 and device may be envisaged at top, toe, ankle, ball and heel of the foot.

As shown in Figure 3 the device 10, may be provided on a roll 9 of material, with precut or pre-formed detachment lines 8. The device may therefore be single-use or disposable as required.

As shown in Figure 1d the device in all embodiments may comprise a sole portion 12, which portion may be superior to the outer surface, and/or provided in a different material or finish.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention. Firstly it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.

With respect to the specification therefore, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention, with variation and implementation obvious and clear on the basis of either common general knowledge or of expert knowledge in the field concerned. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as set out in the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A footwear device comprising: an inner surface arranged in use to receive at least the ankle and foot of a user; and an outer surface arranged in use to be positioned adjacent an interior portion of a boot; wherein each of the inner and outer surfaces comprises at least one friction zone, and in which at least one friction zone has a different coefficient of friction to at least one other friction zone.

2. A footwear device according to claim 1 wherein the device is provided as a sock.

3. A footwear device according to claim 2 wherein the sock comprises a plurality of friction zones located across the outer surface, in which at least one friction zone has a coefficient of friction which differs from at least one other friction zone.

4. A footwear device according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the sock comprises at least one friction zone on the inner surface, and at least one friction zone on the outer surface, in which at least one friction zone of the inner surface has a coefficient of friction which differs from at least one friction zone of the outer surface.

5. A footwear device according to either of claims 3 and 4, wherein variation in the coefficient of friction of at least one friction zones is accomplished by material variation.

6. A footwear device according to either of claims 3 and 4, wherein variation in the coefficient of friction of at least one of the friction zones is accomplished by thread pattern.

7. A footwear device according to either of claims 3 and 4, wherein variation in the coefficient of friction of at least one of the friction zones is accomplished by coatings.

8. A footwear device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the outer surface includes at least friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction compared to at least one other friction zone arranged in use to be contacted during removal of the footwear.

9. A footwear device according to any of the preceding claims 1 to 8 wherein the outer surface includes at least one friction zone having reduced a coefficient of friction compared to at least one other friction zone located to be aligned with portions of the outer surface which are contacted during putting on the footwear.

10. A footwear device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the at least one friction zone having a reduced coefficient of friction is arranged in use to be aligned with a predetermined direction of travel of a user’s limb.

11. A footwear device according to any preceding claim, wherein the device comprising at least one friction zone having an increased friction coefficient with respect to the user’s ankle.

12. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprising at least one friction zone having an increased friction coefficient with respect to the user’s heel.

13. A footwear device according to any preceding claim wherein the device comprising at least one friction zone having an increased friction coefficient with respect to the user’s toes.

14. A footwear device according to any of the preceding claims wherein the device is formed from a single material.

15. A footwear device according to claim 14 wherein the material is plastics.

16. A system of providing a footwear device, the system comprising a roll of preweakened template material comprising a plurality of detachable devices as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15.

17. A footwear device substantially as described herein with reference to any accompany Figures.