WO2012120202A1

WO2012120202A1 - Shoe having an improved upper

Info

Publication number: WO2012120202A1
Application number: PCT/FR2011/000069
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Noël THEVENOUD
Original assignee: Salomon S.A.S.
Priority date: 2011-03-04
Filing date: 2011-03-04
Publication date: 2012-09-13
Also published as: WO2012120202A8; US20130340289A1; CN103442608A; EP2670268A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe (1) including an outer sole (2) and an upper (3), the shoe (1) extending lengthwise from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), widthwise between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and heightwise from the sole (2) to an upper end (12) defining a rear opening (13), the upper (3) including a first shell (14). The first shell (14) includes a rear portion (20) that in turn includes a side wall (21), a rear wall (22), and a medial wall (23), the rear portion (20) being porous or hardly resistant to the passage of a fluid. The first shell (14) includes a front portion (25) that in turn includes a side wall (26), a front wall (27), and a medial wall (28), wherein the front portion (25) is resistant to the passage of a fluid or is sealed.

Description

Improved upper shoe

The invention relates to sports shoes or walking, comprising an outer sole and a rod, for each of which the stem comprises an envelope for covering the foot. The sole and the stem of each shoe are flexible, to allow a smooth running of the foot and bending or inclinations of the lower leg of a user. The shoes can be used in areas such as walking, running on regular or rough terrain, cycling, a ball sport, or whatever.

For the intended uses, it is to welcome the foot with sufficient comfort, including ensuring proper management of temperature and humidity in the shoe. This is important for example in running, activity for which the performance of the user is conditioned among other things by these factors.

It has long been known to manufacture the upper of a shoe with one or more layers of materials such as leather, natural or synthetic fiber fabrics, or any equivalent.

The upper of this shoe is generally well adapted to the practiced activity: it brings to the foot a sufficient comfort, by keeping it warm without excess. However, in some cases, comfort may become insufficient.

This happens for example when the shoe is used in the rain, in the wet grass, or is immersed during a course such as a race. It is enough to cross a torrent or walk in a puddle.

The conditions of use mentioned above cause inflow of water inside the shoe. Indeed, the constituent materials of the rod have a certain porosity which, in the long run, allows the water to enter. The stem imbibe progressively until saturation, threshold from which the entry of water is possible. This phenomenon is especially verified at the front of the shoe because, with the speed of movement, it is this part that is the most exposed. As a result, the water penetrates first and foremost. It follows that the shoe becomes uncomfortable. The foot is cooled. The skin can become irritated which, in fact, causes trauma.

In order to improve shoes, the prior art has sought to prevent the entry of water. To do this, the upper of a shoe has been sealed.

For example it has been planned to add a membrane in the thickness of the rod. The membrane, usually made of thin synthetic material, prevents the passage of water. It can not cross to enter the shoe, even if outer layers of the stem are saturated. This preserves the foot of the intrusions. However, in some cases, it happens again that the comfort becomes insufficient.

This happens for example when the shoe is used for a long time, or intensively. In this case the foot sweats, which means that it produces water. This one can not be evacuated out of the shoe, because of the waterproofness of the shoe. Paradoxically the user finds himself in conditions where each foot is hot and humid. It him allows to maintain good mobility, but this situation also causes irritation that can cause trauma.

It therefore appears that the shoes according to the prior art are not totally satisfactory, in the sense that they do not provide sufficient comfort in all situations, or throughout the duration of a phase of use. This is especially true poul ^¬ ies running shoes during events lasting several hours, during which the weather and the stress related to use are different.

In relation to this the invention generally aims to improve a shoe for practices mentioned in the preamble. In particular, the invention aims to preserve the comfort of the shoe. More specifically, the invention seeks to reduce or eliminate the volume of water that may be in the shoe.

To do this, the invention provides a shoe comprising an outer sole and a rod, the shoe extending in length from a rear end to a front end, in width between a lateral side and a medial side, and in height from the outer soleing to an upper end, the upper end defining a rear opening, the stem comprising a first envelope.

The shoe according to the invention is characterized in that the first envelope comprises a rear part which itself comprises a side wall, a rear wall and a medial wall, the rear part being at least partially porous or not very resistant to the passage. a fluid, and in that the first envelope comprises a front portion which itself comprises a side wall, a front wall and a medial wall, the front portion being resistant to the passage of a fluid or sealed.

The front part of the first envelope prevents or greatly reduces the penetration of water inside the rod, at the front of the shoe. Since the front end is the most exposed to splashing water, for example in racing because of speed, most of the risk of water penetration into the shoe is avoided. The rear part of the first envelope, meanwhile, allows quite easily or very easily the evacuation of water that can be in the rod. This part does not receive, or receives only few splashes of water. But the water that could enter or is produced by the foot can be evacuated. The idea underlying the present invention is to evacuate excess water, even by accepting a residue, to remain below a threshold from which the shoe can become uncomfortable.

In the end, excess water is removed. Even if there is a little water in the casing of the stem, it is in small quantities, sometimes even in very small quantities, or not at all. In all cases the user's foot remains exposed to an atmosphere with a sufficiently low humidity rate, compared to the rates obtained with the shoes according to the prior art. An advantage that arises is an increased level of comfort. In particular, during a race in wet ground, a race that can last a few hours, surprisingly the foot undergoes thanks to the invention that very little, if any, exposure to water, and comfort of the user is significantly increased. It follows a good preservation of the foot. As a result, sports performance is improved.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood with the aid of the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawing illustrating, according to a non-limiting embodiment, how the invention can be realized, and in which :

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe, according to the described embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 2 is an exploded view in front perspective of a first envelope and the outer sole of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along III-III of FIG. 1,

FIG. 4 is an exploded sectional view of a wall of the front part of the first envelope of the shoe of FIG. 1,

FIG. 5 is an exploded sectional view of a wall of the rear part of the first envelope of the shoe of FIG. 1.

The embodiment described below relates for example to running shoes. However, the invention applies to other fields such as those mentioned before.

The proposed embodiment is described in Figures 1 to 5.

As shown in Figure 1, a running shoe is provided to accommodate the user's foot. In known manner the shoe 1 comprises an outer sole 2 and a rod 3 secured to the sole. The shoe extends in length, in a longitudinal direction L, between a rear end or heel 4 and a front end or tip 5, and in width, in a transverse direction W, between a lateral side 6 and a medial side 7.

As shown in the rod 3 comprises a lower portion 10, provided to cover the foot, excluding any upper portion. However, the invention also applies to a shoe comprising a high portion, provided to cover the ankle and possibly part of the lower leg of the user.

According to the embodiment described, the rod 3, and thus also the lower portion 10, has an upper or upper end 12. Thus the boot extends in height from the outer sole 2 to the upper end 12.

It is observed that the upper end 12 defines a rear opening 13, located near the rear end 4, designed to accommodate the underside of the ankle or part of the ankle.

The boot 1 is structured to allow inclinations of the lower leg during the driving of a board, a good unwinding of the foot during walking, transmissions of sensory information, and pulse transmissions for support or receptions. This is why the outer sole 2 and the rod 3 are relatively flexible.

In a nonlimiting manner, the rod 3 comprises a first casing 14, shown schematically in FIG. 2. The first casing 14 constitutes the inner part of the rod 3. The first casing 14 thus delimits the heel 4, the tip 5, and that the sides lateral 6 and medial 7 of the rod 3. In addition the rod 3 comprises a second casing 15, visible in Figure 1, which covers the first casing 14. By corollary the second casing 15 also defines the heel 4, the tip 5, and the lateral 6 and medial sides 7 of the rod 3. It will be seen later that the second envelope 15 reinforces the shoe 1, preserving its flexibility, including being active for the reversible clamping of the rod.

According to the invention, with reference in particular to FIG. 2, the first envelope 14, which is in fact an inner envelope intended to cover the foot directly, comprises a rear part 20 which itself comprises a side wall 21, a rear wall 22 and a medial wall 23, the rear portion 20 being porous or not very resistant to the passage of a fluid.

It can be envisaged that only a portion of the rear portion 20 is porous. Still according to the invention, the first envelope 14 comprises a front portion 25 which itself comprises a side wall 26, a front wall 27 and a nondial wall 28, the front portion 25 being resistant to the passage of a fluid or sealed. The fluid in question is water, whether it comes from outside or inside the shoe.

Thus structured, the inner envelope 14 totally or strongly opposes the passage of water in its front part. This is particularly useful in running because, due to the speed of evolution, the front of the shoe 1 directly and forcefully receives any splashing water. These come for example from rain, dew on the grass, or other. It follows that the foot is protected against water intrusions, at least in excess.

The inner casing 14 allows slightly or more strongly, depending on the chosen application, the passage of water in its rear part. This leads to the partial or total evacuation of the water that could lodge in the shoe 1, either by penetration from the outside, or by production by the foot. The fact that the back is not sealed allows surprisingly enough moisture to evacuate.

In the end the shoe 1 is structured to limit the amount of water it can hold, remaining below a threshold that preserves its comfort.

Without limitation, the side walls 21, rear 22 and medial 23 of the rear portion 20 of the first casing 14 form a continuous part. This simplifies the manufacture and promotes a regular contact of the back of the foot on the envelope 14, for better comfort and more lightness.

In the same spirit the side walls 26, 27 before and medial 28 of the front portion 25 of the first casing 14 form a continuous piece. Again this simplifies the manufacture and promotes a regular contact of the front of the foot on the envelope 14, for better comfort and more lightness.

It is observed that the rear portions 20 and before 25 each extend over the entire height of the rod 3, that is to say according to the proposed embodiment, over the entire height of the lower portion 10. This attributes to the shoe 1 its porosity or sealing properties over its entire height. Note that the rear portions 20 and 25 before the first envelope 14 are abutted, in the sense that they extend one another. This separates after the surface of the envelope 14 which allows the passage of water, the surface of the envelope that does not allow it or only very little.

In general, the junction 29 of the side walls 21, 26 of the front 25 and rear 20 parts, as well as the junction 30 of the medial walls 23, 28 of the front 25 and rear 20 parts, are each located at a distance between 35 and 70% of the length of the boot 1 from the front end 5, knowing that values of 45 to 60% gave good results. In fact, this distribution promotes a maintenance of the forefoot at a pleasant temperature. This is to protect the forefoot, especially the toes, from excess temperature, especially cold. Indeed, it is towards the end of the foot that the circulation of blood is the least important.

As can be understood with reference to FIG. 5, the lateral 21, rear 22 and medial 23 walls of the rear portion 20 comprise three layers 35, 36, 37. It is for example intended to give these layers different characteristics, such as to optimize the properties of the walls 21, 22, 23. According to the embodiment described, without limitation, the first layer 35 is a conventional lining provided to be in contact with the foot. As such it is made for example from a fairly fine fabric, structured to resist the friction of the foot on the walls. Then the second layer 36, sandwiched between the others, brings comfort. It can be thicker, for example in mesh fabric, a cellular foam, or any equivalent material. Finally, the third layer 37 is a protective layer intended to protect the second layer 36 from the pressures or friction generated by the second envelope 15.

In the same vein, the side walls 26, before 27 and medial 28 of the front portion 25 comprise four layers 41, 42, 43, 44. It is here again planned to give these layers different characteristics, to optimize the properties of the walls 26, 27, 28. Without limitation, the first layer 41 is a lining provided to contact the foot, as for the rear portion 20. Then the second layer 42 is sandwiched between two other 41, 43 , for even more comfort as for the rear portion 20. But here, differently, the side walls 26, front 27 and medial 28 of the front portion 25 comprise a sealing layer 43 waterproof. This layer 43 is also sandwiched between two other layers 42, 44; it 43 is thin or very thin with a thickness of less than 1 mm, knowing that thicknesses less than 0.2mm have given good results. The sealing layer 43 is for example made of a film of synthetic material such as polyethylene, polyamide, polyurethane or any equivalent material. Optionally, the layer 43 may be respiro-tight, that is to say, waterproof and permeable to air. Finally there is a protective layer 44, as for the rear portion 20. Ultimately it is all the part 25 which is sealed by the sealing layer 43. Complementarily, and not mandatory, the upper 3 of the shoe 1 is structured to facilitate the boot or the heaving, that is to say the entry of the foot into the shoe or its output. As such, the upper end 12 delimits a central opening 48, which extends the rear opening 13 forwards, and the shoe 1 comprises a tongue 49 designed to partially close at least the central opening 48.

To clamp the rod 3 reversibly, the shoe 1 is provided with a reversible clamping device. For example, it comprises a lace 51, loops 52, and a reversible locking device 53, this according to an arrangement well known to those skilled in the art. The lace runs through the passers, from one side 6 to the other 7 of the shoe.

In the spirit of the invention, the tongue 49 comprises a front portion 55 resistant to the passage of a fluid or sealed, and a rear portion 56 porous or not resistant to the passage of a fluid. The tongue 49 completes the role of the rear portions 20 and front 25. It is accordingly for example provided that the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 is at the front portion 25 of the casing 14, and that the rear portion 56 of the tongue 49 is at the rear portion 20 of the casing 14.

Thus the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 comprises four layers 41, 42, 43, 44, which are for example the same, and arranged in the same way, as in the case of the front portion 25. What has been said for this part therefore applies to the front portion 55 of the tongue. In particular, the front portion 55 of the tongue 49 comprises a layer 43 waterproof.

According to the same principle, the rear portion 56 of the tongue 49 comprises three layers 35, 36, 37, which are for example the same, and arranged in the same way, as in the case of the rear portion 20. What has been said for this part therefore applies to the rear portion 56 of the tongue.

In addition it is observed that the shoe 1 is provided with a protective flap 61, which extends above the tongue 49, and which is secured to the second casing 15 by means represented in the form of seams 62. flap avoids the intrusion of foreign coips in the shoe, such as small pebbles, twigs, or other. The flap may be an elastic fabric, reversibly extensible, to follow the surface variations of the central opening 48, especially during donning and heaving.

The shaping of the rod 3 is carried out in a conventional manner, using a first mounting plate 63, secured together with the first casing 14 and the second casing 15, by a securing means represented in the form Of course, any other means, such as glue, could be provided.

Then, the assembly consisting of the rod 3 and the first mounting 63 is secured to the outer sole 2 for example by gluing.

In a nonlimiting manner, the outer sole assembly 2 comprises a wear layer 65, made for example of rubber, as well as a damping layer 66, which comprises, for example, a foam of synthetic material, such as an ethyl vinyl -acetate (EVA), or any equivalent. According to the first embodiment of the invention, there is also provided an internal insole 67 placed inside the rod 3, thus also inside the first envelope 14, facing the first of mounting 63.

The structure chosen to construct the shoe 1 preserves the flexibility of the outer sole 2 and the rod 3. Indeed, all the elements used to build it are flexible, and the seams 64, themselves flexible, preserve the flexibility of the together.

In all cases the invention is made from materials and according to implementation techniques known to those skilled in the art.

Naturally, the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, and includes all technical equivalents that fall within the scope of the claims that follow.

In particular, other arrangements of the constituent layers of the rear portions 20 and before 25 of the first envelope 14 may be provided.

Claims

1-shoe (1) comprising an outer sole (2) and a rod (3), the shoe (1) extending in length from a rear end (4) to a front end (5), in width between a lateral side (6) and a medial side (7), and in height from the sole (2) to an upper end (12), the upper end (12) delimiting a rear opening (13), the rod (3) comprising a first envelope (14),

characterized by the fact that the first envelope (14) comprises a rear part (20) which itself comprises a side wall (21), a rear wall (22) and a medial wall (23), the rear part (20) being at least partly porous or insensitive to the passage of a fluid, and in that the first envelope (14) comprises a front portion (25) which itself comprises a side wall (26), a front wall ( 27) and a medial wall (28), the front part (25) being resistant to the passage of a fluid or sealed.

2- Shoe (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the side walls (21), rear (22) and medial (23) of the rear portion (20) of the first casing (14) form a continuous piece .

3- Shoe (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the side walls (26), front (27) and medial (28) of the front portion (25) of the first casing (14) form a piece continues.

4- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the rear portions (20) and front (25) of the first casing (14) are butted.

5- Shoe (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the junction (29) of the side walls (21, 26), the front (25) and rear (20), and the junction (30) of medial walls (23, 28) of the front (25) and rear (20) parts are each located at a distance of between 35 and 70% of the length of the shoe (1) from the front end (5).

6- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the side walls (21), rear (22) and medial (23) of the rear portion (20) comprise three layers (35, 36, 37).

7- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the side walls (26), front (27) and medial (28) of the front portion (25) comprise four layers (41, 42, 43, 44).

8- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the side walls (26), front (27) and medial (28) of the front portion (25) comprise a layer (43) waterproof.

9- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the upper end (12) defines a central opening (48), which extends the rear opening (13) forward, and in that it comprises a tongue (49) designed to partially close at least the central opening (48). 10- Shoe (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the tongue (49) comprises a front portion (55) resistant to the passage of a fluid or sealed, and a rear portion (56) porous or little resistant to the passage of a fluid.

11- Shoe (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the front portion (55) of the tongue (49) comprises four layers (41, 42, 43, 44).

12- Shoe (1) according to claim 10 or 1 1, characterized in that the front portion (55) of the tongue (49) comprises a layer (43) waterproof.

13- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the rear portion (56) of the tongue (49) comprises three layers (35, 36, 37).

14. Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that it comprises a second casing (15) which covers the first casing (14).

15- Shoe (1) according to one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the outer sole (2) and the rod (3) are flexible.