SE539712C2

SE539712C2 - Shoe, outer layer part for shoe and shoe composition

Info

Publication number: SE539712C2
Application number: SE1430047A
Authority: SE
Inventors: Colon Becket
Original assignee: Performance Sk8 Holding Inc
Priority date: 2014-04-01
Filing date: 2014-04-01
Publication date: 2017-11-07
Also published as: US20170027273A1; WO2015152798A1; SE1430047A1; EP3125715A1

Abstract

1z(1z) ABSTRACT Shoe used for Skateboarding are often Worn and torn in specific areas needed togrip and control the skateboard. This Wear and tear affects the visual appearance ofthe shoe as Well as its function for skateboarding. According to the invention, areneWal part of the upper part of the shoe can be removed and replaced. An innerlayer of the reneWal part is arranged to hold a removable outer layer of the reneWal part in place.

Description

1(1z) A shoe, an outer layer part for a shoe and a shoe assembly Technical FieldThe present invention relates to a shoe, in particular a shoe adapted for use by skateboard riders.

Background and Related Art Basic street skateboarding causes a lot of Wear and tear on the shoes. Every trick startsWith an Ollie maneuver and in order to execute an Ollie the rider pivots his foot so theside and top on the foot interacts With the sandpaper griptape skateboard surface.Street skateboarders basically “juggle” the skateboard With their feet. Using the sideand the top of the shoe to control the board. This interaction creates Wear and tear Which impairs both the appearance of the shoe and its perforrnance properties.

Skateboarders use silicon nitride sandpaper, the most abrasive available to create friction between the foot and the deck Which is used to spin and control the deck.

This destroys shoes, an active skater can Wear out a pair of shoes in just a few Weeks.Usually, ordinary sports shoes are used for skating. Some skateboard shoes havefeatured a rubber/ leather reinforcement/protection located at the typical Wear areas.These Were permanently glued on to protect the parts that are most easily Worn.HoWever, this reinforcements also Wear rather quickly and often Were not made from materials that provided optimum interaction With the sandpaper griptape.

It is an object of the invention to provide shoes that are suitable for skateboarding and have a longer lifespan than prior art skateboarding shoes.

Summary of the Invention The invention therefore relates to a shoe having a sole part and an upper part, at least afirst portion of the upper part having a main outer surface, said shoe being characterized in that at least a portion of the upper part outside of the main outer z(1z) surface comprises a reneWal portion comprising an inner layer having an indentedouter surface compared to the main outer surface, said indented outer surface beingarranged to cooperate With a detachable outer layer having a shape matching thereneWal portion, in such a Way as to retain the outer layer attached to the reneWal portion.

The invention therefore also relates to a shoe assembly having a sole part and an upperpart, at least a replacement portion of the upper part having an inner layer and an outerlayer, said outer layer attached to the shoe being releasable, Wherein said outer layerhas an outer surface and an inner surface, the outer surface of the outer layer having ashape defining the outer shape of the replacement portion of the shoe and the innersurface of the outer layer being shaped to match the inner layer, said outer layerelement further comprises mechanical fastening means on its inner surface arranged tocooperate With the outer surface of the inner layer, for attaching the upper layer element to the shoe.

The invention also relates to an outer layer element arranged to be applied on theoutside of a shoe as defined above, matching an inner layer forming a replacementportion of the shoe, said outer layer element having an outer surface and an innersurface, the outer surface of the outer layer having a shape defining the outer shape ofthe portion of the shoe and the inner surface of the outer layer being shaped to matchthe inner layer, said outer layer further comprises mechanical fastening means for attaching it f1rmly to the shoe The invention also relates to an outer layer element arranged to be applied on theoutside of a shoe but Which only covers select regions of the front upper part of theshoe. In a preferred embodiment the select region include the front outer corner of the shoe, that is, the area Where the toe of the shoe meets the outer side of the shoe.

By enabling the exchange of the outer surface of the shoe in the parts of the shoe Where it is particularly subjected to Wear and tear, the appearance of the shoe can be 3(1z) improved by replacing the Worn part. At the same time, When the performance of theshoe has been reduced, the replacement surface Will enable control of the skateboardon the same level as When the shoe Was new. Preferably materials ensuring high performance and skateboard deck interaction are selected for the shoe.

The fastening means can be any means suitable for attaching the outer layer element to the shoe.

For example, the inside of the outer layer element and the outside of the inner layer ofthe shoe may have matching hook and loop fabric fasteners. Such hook and loopfasteners are available for example under the brand name Velcro®. In one embodimentthe fabric fastener is applied over all of the respective surfaces of the inner and outerlayer Whole outer layer and inner layer to maximize the f1xation of the outer layerelement to the inner layer. If only applied to one or more portions of the inner andouter layers, the fabric fastener should be applied to matching portions on therespective surfaces and preferably at least around the edges of the surfaces to ensure that the edges of the outer layer are fixed to the inner layer.

Alternatively, an adhesive could be applied, over the Whole inner and outer surfaces, or over suitable portions of them.

As yet another alternative, the inner surface of the outer layer element and the outersurface of the inner layer may be formed in materials that Will cooperate to hold the outer layer element in place by means of friction.

In addition, or alternatively, other types of fastening means may be applied, such asbuttons, zippers or stud buttons. These may be used around the edges, on other parts of the shoe.

In addition there may also be one or more elements such as straps arranged to f1x the outer layer element to an outer surface of the main portion of the shoe, the straps 4(1z) arranged to be fixed both to the outer surface of the outer layer element and to the outer surface of the main portion.

Brief Description of the Drawings The invention will be described in more detail in the following, with reference to theappended drawings, in which Figures la - lc show a shoe and its parts according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention.

Figures 2a - 2c show a shoe and its parts according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention.

Figures 3a - 3c show a shoe and its parts according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention.

Figure 4 shows a type of fabric fastener that is used in preferred embodiments of the invention.

Detailed Description of Embodiments Figure la shows a shoe according to a first embodiment of the present invention,having a sole part ll and an upper part 13. The sole part and the upper part, and howthey are joined, may be implemented in any manner known in the art. In the shoe ofFigure la the sole part has a vertical extension so that the sole part ll and the upperpart 13 are joined a distance above the ground. The upper part has a main portion 15 inwhich it is designed like a prior art shoe. Typically, as shown in Figure l, the mainportion 15 comprises the back of the shoe. The front end of the shoe has a renewal area16 in which the shoe comprises at least two layers: an outer layer facing outwards, andinner layer, which is attached to the main part of the shoe. The inner layer may extendas an inner layer over a portion of the main part of the shoe, or may form an innerlayer for the whole shoe. Hence, in the renewal area 16 there is an outer layer part l7,attached to the inner layer of the shoe which is removable so that it can be replaced, for example when wear and tear has rendered it less attractive and/or less functional. 5(1z) Figure lb shows the outer layer part 17 removed from the shoe, according to oneembodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the renewal area 16 comprises thewhole front part of the shoe. As can be seen, the shape of the outer layer part 17matches the renewal area as shown in Figure la. The inner surface of the outer layerpart 17 comprises fastening means arranged to cooperate with the outer surface of the inner layer, to hold the outer layer part 17 in place in the renewal area.

Figure lc shows the shoe with the outer layer part 17 removed. The main part 15 of theshoe, which is comprised of the back of the shoe, is not affected according to thisembodiment, and is the same as shown in Figure la. In the renewal area 16 the innerlayer 19 is seen. The inner layer 19 in the renewal area 16 has an outer surfacecomprising fastening means arranged to cooperate with the inner surface of the outer layer part to hold the outer layer part 17 in place in the renewal area.

The nature of the fastening means will be discussed below.

Figure 2a shows a shoe according to a second embodiment of the invention. As inFigure la, the shoe has a sole part 21 and an upper part 23. The upper part 23 has amain portion 25 in which it is designed like a prior art shoe. In this embodiment, theshoe has a renewal area 26 covering a portion of the shoe in which there is normallymuch wear and tear when the shoe is in use. As in Figure la, the shoe in the renewalarea 26 comprises at least two layers: an outer layer 27 facing outwards, and innerlayer 29, which is attached to the main part of the shoe. Figure 2a shows the shoe withthe outer layer 27 part removed. The inner layer 29 may extend as an inner layer over aportion of the main part of the shoe, or may form an inner layer for the whole shoe.The outer layer part 27, attached to the inner layer 29 of the shoe is removable, in this embodiment it has the form of a patch having the same outline as the renewal area 26.

Figure 2b shows the outer layer part 27 removed from the shoe, according to thesecond embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the renewal area 26 comprises a portion of the side of the shoe. As can be seen, the shape of the outer layer 6(1z) part 27 matches the renewal area 26 as shown in Figure 2a. The inner surface of theouter layer part 27 comprises fastening means arranged to cooperate with the outer surface of the inner layer, to hold the outer layer part 27 in place in the renewal area.

The main part 25 of the shoe, which includes most of the shoe, is not affectedaccording to this embodiment. In the renewal area the inner layer 29 is seen. The innerlayer 29 in the renewal area 26 has an outer surface comprising fastening meansarranged to cooperate with the inner surface of the outer layer part 27 to hold the outer layer part 27 in place in the renewal area 26.

Figure 3a shows a shoe according to a third embodiment of the invention. As before,the shoe has a sole part 3l and an upper part 33. The upper part 33 has a main portion35 in which it is designed like a prior art shoe. In this embodiment, as in Figure la, thesole part extends vertically to form an edge around the lower part of the shoe. Theshoe has a renewal area 36 covering the front of the shoe and extending over the edgeformed by the sole part. As in the previous embodiments, the shoe in the renewal area36 comprises at least two layers: an outer layer 37 facing outwards, and inner layer 39,which is attached to the main part of the shoe. The main part 35 of the shoe, whichincludes most of the shoe, is not affected according to this embodiment. In the renewalarea the inner layer 39 is seen. The inner layer 39 in the renewal area 36 has an outersurface comprising fastening means arranged to cooperate with the inner surface of theouter layer part 37 to hold the outer layer part 37 in place in the renewal area 36.

The inner layer 39 may extend as an inner layer over a portion of the main part of theshoe, or may form an inner layer for the whole shoe. The outer layer part 37, attachedto the inner layer 39 of the shoe is removable, in this embodiment it has at least twoareas: an upper area 37a matching the upper part of the shoe and a lower area 37b matching the vertical extension of the sole part 3 l.

Figure 3b shows the outer layer part 37 removed from the shoe, according to the thirdembodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the outline of the outer layer part 37 matches the renewal area 36 as shown in Figure 3a. The inner surface of the outer 7(1z) layer part 37 comprises fastening means arranged to cooperate With the outer surface of the inner layer, to hold the outer layer part 37 in place in the reneWal area.

Preferably, in all embodiments, the outline of the upper layer part l7, 27, 37 matchesthe reneWal area exactly. Preferably, also, the thickness of the upper layer part l7, 27,37 matches the thickness of an indent formed and built in to the reneWal areacompared to the main portion, so that When in place the upper layer part and the main portion Will form essentially one continuous outer surface of the shoe.

As can be seen, in all embodiments the reneWal area is indented compared to the mainportion 5 of the shoe, so that it can receive an upper layer part 9 in such a manner thatthe outer surface of the upper layer part is ﬂush With the outer surface of the main part5 of the shoe. This is not necessary; the upper layer part may be thicker or thinner thanthe indent formed by the replacement area so that it extends a bit outside of the outersurface of the main part, or ends a bit further in. Strictly speaking the inner layer doesnot have to be indented compared to the outer surface of the main part of the shoe, although it preferably is.

Preferably, the material or materials of the outer surface of the upper layer part l7, 27,37 are chosen and arranged so they match the outer surface of the main part l5, 25, 35to give the shoe an attractive appearance. This may involve matching the coloring ofdifferent parts of the shoes, the choice of materials and other aspects contributing to the visual appearance of the shoe.

Figure 4 illustrates a preferred type of fastening means that may be used With theinvention, Which is a fabric fastener comprising a first 4l fastener layer and a secondfastener layer 42 having cooperating surfaces 43 and 44, respectively, arranged toengage each other. The first cooperating surface 43 typically has hook fasteners andthe other one 44 has loop fasteners. Preferably the fastener layer 42 having the loopsurface 44 is arranged on the outer surface of the inner layer l9, 29, 39 and the fastener layer 4l having the hook surface 43 is arranged on the inner surface of the s(1z) outer layer l7, 27, 37. Such hook and loop fasteners are available for example underthe brand name Velcro®. The fabric fastener should be applied over at least a part ofthe outer layer l7, 27, 29 and the inner layer l9, 29, 39. The best f1xation of the outerlayer element to the inner layer Will be achieved if the fastener fabric is applied overall of the respective surfaces of the inner and outer layer. If only applied to one ormore portions of the inner and outer layers, the fabric fastener should be applied tomatching portions on the respective surfaces and preferably at least around the edges of the surfaces to ensure that the edges of the outer layer are fixed to the inner layer.

The inner and outer surface of the outer and inner layer, respectively, may also beselected so that they bonded to each other by means of friction. For example, somecombinations of a rubber surface and a fabric surface have been shown to have a highfriction. In such an embodiment, the rubber could be applied across the Whole inner orouter surface, or in patches on one of the surfaces or both, to ensure friction between the rubber patches and the fabric of the surfaces.

To further improve the bonding of the replaceable outer layer to the shoe, other typesof fastening means may be used. For example, one or more buttons or stud buttonsmay be applied in corresponding positions on the outer layer part and the inner layer,for example, around the edges. It Would also be possible to apply a zipper along part ofthe edge, or around the Whole reneWal portion, or use an adhesive to bond the partstogether. Further, the replaceable outer layer may be secured to the inner layer bymeans of staples, or stitches. The other types of fastening means mentioned in thisparagraph are preferably used in addition to the fabric fastener or friction bonding.One or more straps may be applied, Which are connectable to both the outer surface ofthe main part and the outer surface of the outer layer element of the shoe, to help keepthe outer layer element in place. The straps may be fastened With fabric fasteners as discussed above, or With buttons or stud buttons, or in any other suitable Way.

In addition, the outer layer part l7, 37 may be shaped in such a Way that it includes one or more of the holes arranged for lacing the shoe in these embodiments. In that 9(1z) Way, the lacing of the shoe may be used for additional fixation of the outer layer part to the shoe.

Further, it should be pointed out that the replacement parts, and outer layer elementsaccording to the invention could be applied to any type of shoe, including but notlimited to sports shoes. Although the examples discussed in this document all include lacing, the invention could easily Work With shoes Without laces as Well.

Claims

1o(1z) Claims

1. A shoe, such as a sports shoe, comprising a sole part (11; 21; 31) and an upper part(13; 23; 33), said upper part (13; 23; 33) having a main outer surface (15; 25; 35),said shoe being characterized in that at 1east a portion of the upper part (13; 23;33) outside of the main outer surface (15; 25; 35) comprises a reneWa1 portion (16;26; 36) comprising an inner 1ayer (19; 29; 39) having an outer attachment surface,said outer attachment surface being arranged to cooperate With a detachab1e outer1ayer e1ement having a shape matching the reneWa1 portion (16; 26; 36), in such a Way as to retain the outer 1ayer e1ement attached to the reneWa1 portion.

2. A shoe according to c1aim 1, Wherein the outer attachment surface of the inner1ayer (19; 29; 39) has an indented outer surface compared to the main outer surface (15; 25; 35).

3. A shoe according to c1aim 1 or 2, Wherein the reneWa1 portion (16; 26; 36) comprises at 1east a part of the front portion of the shoe.

4. A shoe according to any one of the preceding c1aims, Wherein the inner 1ayer (19;29; 39) extends to form an inner 1ayer of the upper part (13; 23; 33) outside of thereneWa1 portion (16; 26; 36).

5. A shoe according to any one of the preceding c1aims Wherein the reneWa1 portion (16; 26; 36) comprises one surface of a fabric fastener, preferab1y the 1oop surface.

6. A shoe according to any one of the preceding c1aims, Wherein the reneWa1 portion(16; 26; 36) comprises a surface arranged to retain the outer1ayer portion by means of friction.

7. 10. 11. 12. 13. 11(1z) An outer layer element (17; 27; 37) for a shoe arranged to match a reneWal portion(16; 26; 36) of a shoe according to any one of the claims 1 - 6, said outer layerelement (17; 27; 37) having an inner surface arranged to cooperate With an outerattachment surface of the inner layer (19; 29; 39) of the shoe in such a Way that theouter layer element (17; 27; 37) is retained in a position substantially covering the reneWal portion (16; 26; 36). An outer layer element according to claim 7, having an inner surface comprising asurface of a fabric fastener, arranged to cooperate With a surface of the reneWal portion (16; 26; 36). An outer layer element according to any one of the claims 7 - 8, furthercomprising fastening means for fastening the outer layer element (17; 27; 37) tothe main outer surface of the shoe, said fastening means preferably comprising at least one overlap portion overlapping a portion of the outer surface of the shoe. A shoe assembly comprising a shoe according to any one of the claims 1 - 6 and an outer layer element (17; 27; 37) according to any one of the claims 7 -

8. A shoe assembly according to claim 10, Wherein the indent has a depth matchingthe thickness of the outer layer element (17; 27; 37), so that the shoe With the outer layer element (17; 27; 37) attached has a substantially continuous outer surface. A shoe assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 11, Wherein the outerlayer element (17; 27; 37) has an outer surface of the same material as the main outer surface (15; 25; 35). A shoe assembly according to any one of the claims 10 - 12, further comprisingadditional fastening elements such as straps, said additional fastening elementsbeing attachable to the outer surfaces of both the main part of the shoe and the outer layer element (17; 27; 37) to help keep the outer layer element in place.