IES20030039A2 - Sole for riding boot - Google Patents

Abstract

A riding boot (1) with uppers (2) and lowers (2a), the lowers (2a) being provided by a sole portion (3a) formed from two distinct rubber compositions; a first rubber composition forming an outer portion (4) of the sole, and a second rubber composition forming an inner position (7,10) of the sole and extending continuously along a major axis of the sole, from a heal area (8), through an instep region (9), to a region about a ball of the foot, and wherein the second rubber composition is of a denser composition than the first rubber composition, thereby improving the rigidity of the portion of the sole defined by the second rubber composition relative to that defined by the first rubber composition. <Figure 2>

Description

Title Sole for Riding Boot.

IE 0J003 9 TRUE COPY LODGED Field of the Invention This invention relates to riding boots and in particular to the soles of riding boots. More particularly, the invention relates to a sole which is adapted to provide rigidity along a major axis of the boot, i.e. along the length of the sole of the boot in the region from heel to toe. In preferred embodiments the invention relates to such a sole which is additionally adapted to provide, in use, grip between the boot and a stirrup. Within the present specification the term boot is intended to cover any type of equestrian foot wear such as shoes and/or boots.

Background to the Invention * i Riding boots and shoes are already know. Similarly to most shoes they typically consist of leather uppers and rubber soles. An example of a riding boot is given in Irish Patent Number S80659, of the present applicant. Riding boots are susceptible to alot of wear and tear as their use exposes them to conditions that are not typical for sporting shoes. The boot and stirrup inter-engagement provides the interaction between the rider and the mount and it is important that the rider can rely on the boot. It is especially important that the boot can stand up to the rigours of its everyday use and that a good grip between the stirrup and the boot is provided for the rider. This can be addressed through proper technique but also through the provision of grip portions on the sole of the boot.

The use of individual grip portions in specific portions of boots is already known. For example, when addressing the *°3 00j9 problem of grip, it is already known, for example in everyday leather shoes, to provide a two part composition of the sole, so that a leather sole is provided on an outer region of the sole, and a rubber portion is attached to the region around the ball of the foot, and the heel of the foot. The rubber provides grip and increased resistance to wear, while the leather gives aesthetic quality to the appearance of the shoe.

It is also known to have riding boots with distinct regions of different tread patterns on the sole, such as a first region around the ball of the foot, and a second region around the heel, each containing a tread pattern for increased grip.

It is also known to have different materials embedded into the sole, such as in the region in the heel of the foot, where a honeycomb section may be embedded inside the heel to reduce shock. These embedded materials are distinct and separate from the sole.

Although these prior art shoes and boots provide for regions of improved wear and grip in the portions of a sole, they do so by implanting materials in the heel region, or in the region around the ball of the foot, of the sole of the shoe. These distinct regions of improved wear or grip are localised in the region where the improvement is sought, i.e. the areas which come in contact with the ground when the shoe is in use. The separation of the sole of a shoe or boot into localised implanted regions can lead to increased flexibility in a region transverse to the region of the major axis of the sole. Such flexibility between the heel and the ball region of the sole can be detrimental in equestrian activities, where the user places pressure on the ball of the foot when engaging with the ® 0 J ο Ο 3 9 stirrup, yet needs to maintain a stable platform. There is therefore a need to provide an improved riding boot which specifically provides for rigidity along the major axis of the sole.

Object of the Invention It is thus an object of the invention to provide a riding boot with a sole which has improved rigidity along the length of the boot. A further object is to provide a riding boot with improved rigidity along the length of the sole of the boot which also has regions of improved grip.

Summary of the Invention Accordingly the present invention provides a sole having a continuous inner region extending from the heel region of the sole to the region of the sole at the ball of the foot, the inner region being formed from a material different and separate to the surrounding sole material.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a riding boot with uppers and lowers, the lowers being provided by a sole portion formed from two distinct rubber compositions; a first rubber composition forming an outer portion of the sole, and a second rubber composition forming an inner portion of the sole and extending continuously along a major axis of the sole, from a heel area, through an instep region, and wherein the second rubber composition is of a denser composition than the first rubber composition, thereby improving the rigidity of the portion of the sole defined by the second rubber composition. « 03 0039 In preferred embodiments the portion of the sole provided by the second rubber composition is enclosed within an area defined by the first rubber composition.

Desirably, the portion of the sole provided by the first rubber composition extends inwardly from the outer region of the sole to form a first grip portion in a region about an instep portion of the sole, and a second grip portion in a portion about the toe area of the sole.

Preferably, at least two distinct portions of the sole are provided by the second rubber composition, a first portion extending continuously along the major axis of the sole, from the heel area, through the instep region, to the first grip portion, and a second inner section defining an improved grip portion about the ball of the foot between the first grip portion and the second grip portion.

The improved grip portion is typically provided with a distinct grip pattern of improved grip relative to the first and second grip portions. Desirably this is provided by a tread pattern incorporating a sawtooth profile. More preferably the saw tooth profile is configured so as to be orientated rearwardly towards the heel of the boot.

The invention additionally provides a riding boot substantially as hereinafter described with reference to the following drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings Some embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a view from below and to the side of a riding boot according to the present invention. 3 0 0 J 9 Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the sole of the riding boot of Figure 1.

Figure 3 shows is a view from below of the riding boot according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Figure 1 illustrates a riding boot (1), having uppers (2) and a lowers (2a). The lowers (2a) incorporate a sole (3) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view of the sole (3). A first portion of the sole consists of, or is provided by, an outer region (4) extending about an outer perimeter of the sole. A first grip portion (5) is provided in a region before the bail of the foot substantially adjacent to an instep portion of the sole of a foot. A second grip portion (6) is provided in a region of the sole adjacent to the toe area. The three regions or components of the first portion are typically moulded or formed separately from rubber of a first composition density, leaving spaces which define two inner regions (7, 10). A first inner region (7) extends continuously along the major axis of the sole, from a heel area (8), through an instep region (9), to the first grip portion (5). A second inner region (10) covers a region around or about the ball of the foot between the first grip portion (5) and the second grip portion (6) towards the toe area.

The inner regions (7,10) of the sole are infilled with rubber sections which have typically been moulded separately, using a different rubber composition to that of the first portion. The density of the rubber used in the first portion is less than the density of the rubber used in the inner regions, which allows the regions defined by the first portion of the sole to be more pliable than those portions of the sole defined by the inner sections. Typically, the first portion may be moulded of a composition consisting of about 70% rubber, while the inner regions may be moulded of a second composition consisting of about 90% rubber. The first rubber composition is thus more flexible than the second rubber composition. It will however be appreciated that the % compositions just mentioned are exemplary of the type of different rubber compositions that may be used according to the present invention and it is not intended to limit the application of the present invention to any one set of rubber compositions .

The first inner region (7) is infilled with a spine section (11), moulded of the second, more rigid, rubber composition. This provides more rigidity along a major axis of the sole. By the term major axis will· be understood the longer portion of the sole, i.e. that axis that defines the length from the heel to the toe of the sole. The spine section starts with a planar portion in the heel area (8), extending to a sloped portion (12) inclined at an angle downwardly from the heel and which connects the heel portion to an instep portion (13) of the spine. The instep portion typically consists of a pattern of consecutive rectangular sections (14), each of which spans the width of the instep portion, similar to a crocodile-skin pattern. This instep pattern allows the sole of the boot to be flexed up and down in the vertical direction, to provide flexibility and comfort while walking, but provides rigidity which restricts movement in the side-to-side horizontal plane, to prevent discomfort and injury during equestrian activities. l£°300j8 The second inner region (10) is infilled with an improved grip section (15), moulded of the second, more rigid, rubber composition, and provided with an improved grip pattern (16), similar in profile to a sawtooth pattern, which provides improved grip. The improved grip pattern is provided by a plurality of individually raised contours which are angularly orientated rearwardly towards the heel portion of the boot. When in use the improved grip section (15) is in contact with the stirrup of the saddle, which ensures continuous non-slide effect between the boot and the stirrup. Due to the interaction between the boot and the stirrup this section is used more during equestrian activities than other portions of the sole and is therefore more prone to wear. By providing a grip pattern specifically adapted to securely maintain the foot in position relative to the stirrup and forming this grip pattern of a more durable rubber composition the sole of the present invention is more durable than previous prior art implementations and configurations.

Figure 3 shows the completed sole (3) of the riding boot (1), with the inner region sections in place.

It will be appreciated that the sole of the present invention is specifically adapted to provide for improvements in equestrian wear and can be adapted for use with any number of different uppers depending on user preference and use. The spine extending continuously from the heel towards the ball of the foot provides for a rigidity along the major axis of the sole that was not hereinbefore possible in soles made purely from rubber compositions. Furthermore, the provision of a grip portion specifically adapted to provide for improvements in interengagement between a user and the stirrup of the saddle is advantageous in maintaining a correct posture and riding Ε 03 00 style of the user, but also due to its more durable configuration extends the life time of the footwear. It will be appreciated that modifications can be made to the sole of the shoe herein described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and it is not intended to limit the present invention except as may be deemed necessary in the light of the appended claims.

Furthermore, the words comprises/comprising and the words having/including when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims (7)

Claims

1. A riding boot with uppers and lowers, the lowers being provided by a sole portion formed from two distinct rubber compositions; a first rubber composition forming an outer portion of the sole, and a second rubber composition forming an inner portion of the sole and extending continuously along a major axis of the sole, from a heel area, through an instep region, to a region about a ball of the foot, and wherein the second rubber composition is of a denser composition than the first rubber composition, thereby improving the rigidity of the portion of the sole defined by the second rubber composition relative to that defined by the first rubber composition.

2. The boot as claimed in claim 1 wherein the portion of the sole provided by the first rubber composition extends inwardly from the outer region of the sole to form a first grip portion in a region adjacent to an instep portion of the sole, and a second grip portion in a portion about the toe area of the sole.

3. The boot as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least two distinct portions of the sole are provided by the second rubber composition, a first portion extending continuously along the major axis of the sole, from the heel area, through the instep region, to the first grip portion, and a second portion defining an improved grip portion about the ball of the foot between the first grip portion and the second grip portion, the first and second portions being separated by the first grip portion.

4. The boot as claimed in claim 3 wherein the improved grip portion is provided with a distinct grip pattern of improved grip relative to the first and second grip portions, the tread pattern incorporating a sawtooth profile.

5. 5. The boot as claimed in claim 4 wherein the saw tooth profile is configured so as to be orientated rearwardly towards the heel of the boot.

6. A riding boot substantially as hereinbefore described

7. 10 with reference to and/or as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 of the following drawings.