JP2016504106A - Shoes made from socks and reinforced structures - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is a first flexible fabric layer (10, 16) forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure in which the fabric layer is disposed, wherein the fabric layer is removed using a fixing means. The present invention relates to a shoe provided with a reinforcing structure (3) fixed in order from the inside.

Description

  The present invention relates to the manufacture of clothing items such as shoes or more generally footwear.

  The manufacture of a shoe, regardless of its shape, requires the use of as many as a few dozen, sometimes as many as 45 elements, and includes a number of steps to assemble, bond and attach all these elements together.

  Thus, assembling shoes is a time consuming process and requires special, heavy and expensive tools.

  The present invention provides a novel structure for a shoe or footwear, as well as a method of making the shoe or footwear.

  For this purpose, the present invention first includes a sock foot, a first heel part, a first upper part, a second heel part disposed at the upper end part of the upper part, And a second upper portion overlying the two heels. For example, the second upper portion is connected to the first upper portion without a seam.

  An opening may be made in the second upper portion to provide one or more shoelace passages.

  The present invention also provides a first flexible fabric layer forming a sock and a reinforcing structure in which the fabric layer is disposed, the fabric layer being fixed thereto by fixing means. The present invention relates to a shoe provided with a structure in order from the inside.

The fabric layer
-It is connected to the reinforcement structure by means such as snap fasteners, buttons, hook and loop surfaces (hook and loop surfaces), so that it can be removed from the reinforcement structure;
Or
It can be arranged such that it is connected to the reinforcing structure, for example by gluing, heat sealing or any other means and cannot be removed from the reinforcing structure.

  The shoe may further comprise a second fabric layer, and the reinforcing structure is disposed between the first fabric layer and the second fabric layer.

  The second fabric layer is made, for example, on an extension of the first fabric layer, and the first layer and the second layer are connected without a seam.

  According to one embodiment, the reinforcing structure comprises at least one sole and side reinforcing elements.

  The reinforcement structure may further comprise at least one toe-cap element and / or a reinforcement forming element.

  The reinforcing structure can be flexible, for example made from a fiber-based material.

The present invention is also a method of making a shoe using socks and a reinforcing structure comprising at least one sole and at least one side reinforcing structure,
-Fitting the sock onto a foot-shaped mold;
-Placing the reinforcing structure in contact with the sock and fixing the reinforcing structure to the sock using fixing means.

  According to a particular embodiment, the sock is a fabric element as already described above.

  The reinforcing structure is fixed to the sock so as not to be removed, for example, by adhesion, heat fusion, or the like.

  Alternatively, the reinforcing structure is secured to the sock so that it can be removed using snap fasteners, buttons, hook and loop fastener surfaces, and the like.

  According to one embodiment, the reinforcement structure can be adapted just during the manufacture of the shoe, in order to fit the reinforcement structure to the foot-shaped mold before it is attached to the sock. , A relatively displaceable first portion and a second portion.

  Regardless of the envisaged embodiment, at least a portion of the fabric material used is odor control, bactericidal control, moisture absorption, skin treatment, impermeability or water repellency, resistance to intrusion of foreign objects, abrasion resistance It may have one or more physical and / or chemical properties that allow it to ensure elasticity, etc.

  At least two regions of the fabric material can have one or more different physical or chemical properties. For example, at least two regions of the fabric material can be regions having different levels of impermeability.

Figure 2 shows a fabric element or sock that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Figure 2 shows a fabric element or sock that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. 1A and 1B show steps for fabricating an element of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 1A and 1B show steps for fabricating an element of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. 1A and 1B show steps for fabricating an element of the type shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. Fig. 3 shows various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. Fig. 3 shows various embodiments of reinforcing means that can be provided within the scope of the present invention. 1 shows a preform on which a shoe according to the invention can be realized. 1 shows a preform on which a shoe according to the invention can be realized. 2 shows the first step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows the first step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows a second step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows a second step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows a second step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows a second step of an embodiment of the method according to the invention. 2 shows an example of a shoe obtained by the method according to the invention. 2 shows another example of a shoe obtained by the method according to the invention. 4 shows the steps of another embodiment of the method according to the invention. 4 shows the steps of another embodiment of the method according to the invention.

  First, the production of a fabric element 2 that can be used for the production of footwear according to the invention will be described.

  Its elements are shown schematically in FIGS. 1A and 1B.

  The element comprises a first portion forming a sock foot 10 comprising an end 12 and a heel 14. An upper side portion 16 extends from the foot portion. These elements 10, 12, 14, 16 constitute the usual structure of the socks. However, in the socks used here, the second flange 18 extends from the upper portion 16 and then the second upper portion 20 with the end opening 22 extends. When arranged on a plane, this element has a substantially U-shape as in FIG. 1A.

  An opening 21 can be provided in the second upper part 20 for passing the lace forming the lace.

  The assembly is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the upper portion 16 and is substantially symmetric with respect to a plane C-C 'whose intersection is shown in FIG. 1B. The symmetry does not include the end 12 and the opening 22.

  The steps of the method of making an element as described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B will be described with reference to FIGS.

  A substantially cylindrical fabric element 1 having a diameter substantially corresponding to the diameter of the upper part 16 is produced on the cylinder 5 (FIG. 2A), for example by knitting, weaving or twisting.

  When the element 1 is completed, it is removed from the support 5 and two cuts or cuts 4, 8 are made in the element 1 to place the collars 14, 18 therein (FIG. 2B). FIG. 2B also shows an opening 22 that becomes the end of the element 10.

  The cutting parts 4, 8 enable the two ends of the fabric element 1 to be arranged away from the axis of symmetry X-X 'of the cylinder.

  The fabric portions 14, 18 forming the heel and the portion 12 forming the end of the sock foot can then be attached to the opening made by the cuts 4, 8 (FIG. 2C). Thereby, an element of the type described above with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B can be obtained.

  The fabric used for element 2 and the above method may be uniform throughout the sock. The fabric may have one or more specific physical and / or chemical properties to incorporate some functionality. For example, the fabric can have a composition and / or be provided with means to perform one or more of the following functions. That is, odor control, bactericidal control, moisture absorption, skin treatment, impermeability or water repellency (a property that is impervious to a certain extent), resistance to entry of foreign objects, wear resistance, and elasticity.

  In addition, one or more of these characteristics may relate only to one or more local portions of the sock. For example, some parts may have characteristics that can resist the intrusion of foreign objects, while others may not need it. As another example, one part may be impervious, but another part may not need it.

  Thus, the fabric used for element 2 and the above method may be uniform and may have certain local physical and / or chemical properties to incorporate one or more of the above functions. .

  Next, various embodiments of a reinforcing structure 3 that can be used to make shoes or footwear according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Each of these various examples is made from a fiber-based material, such as polyamide, polyurethane, or any equivalent material, to form a portion of the shoe sole assembly and side reinforcement means. Without being limited to that scheme, the structure 3 can be obtained by molding a thermoplastic elastomer material or can be obtained by any technique known to those skilled in the art.

  FIG. 3A shows a first example of a reinforcing element 3 as described above comprising a flexible part forming a sole 30 defined by edges 30 ′, 30 ″ and side reinforcing elements 31-36. Indicates. The side reinforcing elements 31 to 36 have a first end attached to one of the edges 30 ′, 30 ″ of the shoe sole 30 and the other end attached to one or more strap bands or straps. 37 can be provided with means 31a to 36a for forming a holding portion through which the filter 37 is passed. The strap or strap 37 is adapted to form one or more shoelaces of the type terminating in the fastening element 39, for example as shown in FIG. 3C. Each side stiffening element preferably has a shape as shown in FIG. 3A, which shape from the opposite end of the corresponding edge 30 ′, 30 ″ of the sole 30 to the sole of the sole. It extends to the end that is directly connected to the edge. This shape makes it possible to have more effective reinforcing means in the side area.

  Due to its shape of the thin fibrous layer, the sole 30 is preferably flexible along two directions, on the one hand perpendicular to the foot axis and on the other hand along its same axis. This will improve the suitability in subsequent steps.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3A, the shoe sole 30 is flat and there is no limit on either the front part or the rear part. Thus, the sole does not define an end region of the foot or a region that forms a reinforcement for the foot.

  The embodiment shown in FIG. 3B comprises all of the elements described above with reference to FIG. 3A (and therefore will not be described again), but in addition to the toe- An element 40 is provided that forms a cap and defines the position of the front end of the foot. Similar to the previous embodiment, this reinforcing element has no limit in the rear region of the foot, in particular it does not have the elements forming the reinforcing part. This front element 40 is constituted by a band and is also made from a fiber-based material and is arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sole.

  The embodiment of FIG. 3C is connected to the region 40 defining the position of the front end of the foot, and further to at least a portion of the reinforcing elements 31-36 by side fiber layers 43, 43 'and forms a reinforcing part. And the side fiber layers 43, 43 'also provide some strength or rigidity to the rear portion while maintaining some flexibility. The other elements shown in FIG. 3C are the same or similar to those already described above with reference to FIGS. 3A and 3B.

  The embodiment of FIG. 3D is a variation of the embodiment of FIG. 3C. A structure comprising side reinforcement means, a toe cap 40 and a rear reinforcement 42 has also been achieved, but this time by combining the structure of FIG. 3A with the structure shown in FIG. 3E, This is achieved in two parts. The structure of FIG. 3E comprises a part 30a forming a sole, a toe cap 40, a rear part 42 forming a reinforcing part, and a side element also forming reinforcing means in the form of side fiber layers 43a, 43a ′. With. For example, the structure of FIG. 3A can be inserted into the sole portion 30a until the front edge of the sole 30 contacts the inner surface of the toe cap 40. Reverse assembly is also possible, in which case the upper portions of the reinforcing elements 31-34 of the structure of FIG. 3A substantially coincide with the respective edges 430, 430 ′ of the side fiber layers 43a, 43′a. Until then, the structure of FIG. 3E is inserted into the structure of FIG. 3A.

  The following describes how a shoe can be made from the various elements already described above.

  For this purpose, a mold or preform is used, such as the three-dimensional mold 50 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B in front and side views, respectively. This model imitates the outer shape of the foot.

  The fabric element of FIGS. 1A and 1B can be fitted onto this mold to obtain the intermediate element shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. The front end portion 12 of the socks contacts the front end portion of the foot, the portion 10 covers the foot itself, the portion 14 contacts the heel portion, the upper portion 16 surrounds the heel portion, and the second heel portion 18 is the upper rear side of the heel portion. Touching part. A second upper portion 20 extends from the assembly.

  One of the reinforcing elements of FIGS. 3A-3E is placed on this assembly, where the composite element of FIG. 3D has been selected. The front part of the foot of the mold 50 (fitted with socks) is disposed in contact with the inner surface of the toe cap 40, and the reinforcing portion 48 is disposed in contact with the rear of the heel of the mold 50. Due to the flexibility of the fiber-based material constituting the reinforcing elements arranged in this way, the reinforcing elements can be adapted to the shape determined by the three-dimensional element 50. Furthermore, the structure of the reinforcing means of FIG. 3D is such that the rear and front two parts can possibly slide relative to each other, thereby adapting the reinforcing structure to the dimensions determined by the mold 50. Has the advantage of being able to

  As can be seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the opening 21 made in the second upper portion 20 of the sock can be threaded there through a strap that allows the shoe to be tightened later.

  These two elements, the sock made from fabric material and the reinforcing element can be assembled, for example by gluing, so that the assembly forms an irreversible structure. Alternatively, the assembly can be subjected to a heating step in order to achieve a fusion of the reinforcement structure material and the sock 10 material.

  In another embodiment, socks made from fabric material and reinforcing elements can be assembled so that they can be replaced. For example, the surfaces to be assembled together are joined by means such as snap fasteners, buttons, “Velcro®” type surface fastener surfaces located in areas designed to contact each other.

  During subsequent steps, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the portion forming the second upper portion 20 can then be pulled down over the foot, which is a simple operation by the operator. I only need it. The operator grasps the edge of the sock end opening 22 and gradually pulls the part forming the second upper part 20 over both the upper part of the foot and the area forming the shoe sole.

  The operator continues this operation until the opening 22 reaches the front end of the sock to form an assembly as shown in FIG. 7C. At that time, the second collar 18 covers the first collar 14 that is located in the first fabric layer and is in contact with the mold 50. The string 37 and its fastening means 39 remain accessible through the opening 21.

  The assembly thus obtained is further added to the second reinforcing structure according to one of the types already described above with reference to FIGS. Reinforcement is also possible by inserting the structure of FIG. 7C.

  Footwear is thus achieved, which can optionally be completed by gluing, for example, a sole 52 that is stronger than the fibrous material portion 30 of the reinforcing element (see FIG. 8).

  The assembly obtained with or without the sole 52 is very light as it only comprises two fiber layers and one or more reinforcing elements made from very thin and very light fiber material. This structure thus comprises two “skins” between which one or more reinforcing elements are arranged.

  As will be read and understood, the processes do not perform any stitching steps or any difficult steps to position the elements relative to each other. It is therefore possible to complete footwear or shoes in a very simple, extremely fast and extremely economical manner.

  The above exemplary embodiment implements a sock of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, ie having two upper parts 16,20.

  In another example embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, a simple sock having only one upper portion 16 is used. This sock is fitted over the mold 50 of FIGS. 4A and 4B. Then, as in the steps of FIGS. 6A and 6B, one type of reinforcing structure described above, for example, with reference to FIGS. 3A-3E, is applied to the assembly. The fabric element and the reinforcing element are then either permanently (for example by gluing and / or heating) or, for example, snap fasteners, buttons, “Velcro®” arranged in areas that are adapted to contact each other It is assembled so that it can be restored to its original position by means such as a "type" surface fastener surface.

  Thereby, the structure of FIG. 9B is obtained, which can be completed by the sole 52 as shown in FIG.

  With respect to this alternative embodiment example, a material having one or more physical and / or chemical properties may be used as the fabric material for the socks to provide the sock with one of the functions described above. . Furthermore, the one or more characteristics may be uniform throughout the fabric material or may be localized to only a portion of the fabric material.

  It has been shown that the fabric element 2 can be manufactured in one piece in the sense that the first part and the second part are made directly in series with each other. However, the fabric element 2 may alternatively comprise two or more parts attached to each other by any suitable means such as stitching.

Claims (20)

  A sock foot (10), a first heel (14), a first upper part (16), and an upper end of the upper part, the plane being perpendicular to the axis of the upper part; A fabric element comprising a second ridge (18) substantially symmetrical to one ridge (14) and a second upper portion (20) on an extension of said second ridge (18) (2).   The fabric element of claim 1, further comprising an opening (21) made in the second upper side to provide a passage for one or more shoelaces (37).   At least a portion of the fabric material can ensure odor control, bactericidal control, moisture absorption, skin treatment, impermeability or water repellency, resistance to intrusion of foreign matter, wear resistance, elasticity, and the like. 3. A fabric element according to claim 1 or 2 having one or more physical and / or chemical properties.   The fabric element according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second upper part (20) is connected to the first upper part without a seam.   A first flexible fabric layer (10, 16) forming a sock and a reinforcing structure in which the fabric layer is disposed, wherein the fabric layer is fixed thereto by fixing means A shoe comprising a body (3) in order from the inside. The fabric layer is
It is connected to the reinforcing structure using means such as a snap fastener, a button, a hook-and-loop fastener surface, etc., so that it can be removed from the reinforcing structure.
Or
The shoe according to claim 5, wherein the shoe is connected to the reinforcing structure by bonding or heat-sealing so as not to be removed from the reinforcing structure.   The second fabric layer (20), further comprising the reinforcement structure disposed between the first fabric layer (10, 16) and the second fabric layer (20). Or the shoes of 6.   The second fabric layer (20) is provided continuously with the first fabric layer (10, 16), and the first layer and the second layer are connected without a seam. Item 8. The shoe according to Item 7.   The shoe according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the reinforcing structure comprises at least one shoe sole (30) and side reinforcing elements (31-36).   The shoe according to claim 9, wherein the reinforcing structure further comprises at least one top cap element (40) and one reinforcing part forming element (42).   The shoe according to any one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the reinforcing structure is flexible.   The shoe according to any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the reinforcing structure is manufactured from a fiber-based material.   At least a portion of the fabric material of the first fabric layer (10, 16) and / or the second fabric layer (20) is odor control, bactericidal control, moisture absorption, skin treatment, impermeable or repellent. 13. One or more physical and / or chemical properties that make it possible to ensure water resistance, resistance to foreign material ingress, wear resistance, elasticity, etc. Shoes.   14. A shoe according to claim 13, wherein at least two regions of the fabric material have one or more different physical or chemical properties.   15. A shoe according to claim 14, wherein at least two regions of the fabric material can be regions having different levels of imperviousness. Method of making a shoe using a sock (2) and a reinforcing structure (3) comprising at least one sole (30) and at least one side reinforcing structure (31-36, 43, 43 ') Because
Fitting the sock onto a foot-shaped mold (52);
Placing the reinforcing structure in contact with the sock; and securing the reinforcing structure to the sock using securing means.   17. A method according to claim 16, wherein the sock is a fabric element according to any one of claims 1-4.   The method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the reinforcing structure is fixed to the sock so as not to be removed by bonding, heat sealing, or the like.   18. A method according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the reinforcing structure is secured to the sock so as to be removable by means such as snap fasteners, buttons, hook and loop fastener surfaces.   The reinforcement structure comprises a first portion and a second portion that are relatively displaceable to conform the reinforcement structure to the foot-shaped mold before being attached to the sock. The method according to any one of 16 to 19.

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