WO2018055509A1

WO2018055509A1 - Anti-slip bottom for footwear

Info

Publication number: WO2018055509A1
Application number: PCT/IB2017/055655
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luciano TORRESI
Original assignee: Torresi, Michela; ROMAGNOLI, Lorenzo
Priority date: 2016-09-20
Filing date: 2017-09-19
Publication date: 2018-03-29
Also published as: IT201600094333A1

Abstract

An anti-slip bottom for shoes, comprising: a first and a second portion (1, 2) joined to one another, together defining a cavity (C) having a prevalent longitudinal extension, the first portion (1) being blockable to a corresponding upper and the second portion (2) comprising a tread (B) exhibiting a series of through-holes (20); a series of sharp projections (S), each of which is freely inserted in a relative hole of the tread (B); a device (D), inserted in the cavity (C), activatable from outside the portions, destined to move the sharp projections (S) in synchrony with respect to the relative holes (20) so as to define, for the sharp projections, at least two extreme configurations, respectively operative (O) and non-operative (I), in which the sharp projections (S) correspondingly project and do not project with respect to the external surface of the tread (B).

Description

ANTI-SLIP BOTTOM FOR FOOTWEAR

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the technical sector concerning anti-slip bottoms for shoes.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Document US7269916 is known, in which a bottom is made for shoes comprising retractable anti-slip means, arranged at the face of the bottom that will come into contact with the travelled surface, to increase adherence to the ground surface.

The anti-slip means are fixed to a semi-rigid support element hinged to the bottom at the portion of the heel and/or the central portion of the bottom, and housed in a recess or groove realised in the thickness of the tread, respectively of the heel and/or the central portion of the bottom.

Each support element is raised and by a 180° rotation with respect to an axis of symmetry thereof, different to the axis of the hinge, is tilted into a first use position in which anti-slip means, for example nails or rubber material, project from the sole by a sufficient amount to guarantee adherence to the ground surface, or into a second rest position, in which said anti-skid means are facing towards the bottom and are received in said recesses or grooves, to restore the continuity of the bottom with no projection.

Also known is an anti-slip bottom comprising two crampons conforming, in a face thereof, corresponding hooks; each crampon is hinged to a pair of arms, in turn hinged to the bottom; said crampon/s and said arm/s are arranged in respective housings, included in the front portion of the bottom and the heel portion of the bottom, and maintained internally of the housings by magnets acting on the crampons.

Each crampon has a tab that enables the user to deconstrain the crampon from the attraction of the magnets and, therefore, to rotate it on itself so that then to position it in the corresponding housing so as to enable the hooks to be facing externally of the bottom.

Both the solution of document US7269916 and the solution described above present drawbacks.

In both embodiments the user must unhook and raise the support element/crampon from the bottom; this operation is not always easy to realise, as the user must raise his or her foot to which the shoe having the anti-slip bottom is splined and then grip and raise the anti-slip element.

In some situations the user, owing to physical problems (backache, joint issues, body size) cannot easily accede to the lower portion of the bottom and therefore is forced to remove the footwear, then operate on the support element/crampon and activate it: unhook, raise, rotate the support element/crampon and position the anti-slip means towards the outside of the bottom.

A further drawback linked to the known solution derives from the fact that the support element/crampon is constantly in contact with travelled surfaces and therefore is a receptacle for bacteria with which the user comes into contact each time he or she grips the support element/crampon, to the detriment of the user's health.

In both the above situations the support element/crampon, in order to be activated or deactivated, is subject, following the disengagement from the bottom, to a rotation by at least 180° with respect to the hinge axis/axes which over time stresses the hinge means and makes them less efficient.

Indeed, there exists the probability that the hinge means, in direct contact with the travelled surface, disengage from the bottom, or are subject to damage following accidental impacts with bumps in the travelled surface, which has an impact on the correct functioning of the anti-slip element and on the anchorage of the support element/crampon to the bottom in both the non-use position and the operative position.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the present invention is to provide an anti-slip bottom for shoes which obviates the drawbacks described in the preceding and in particular a bottom realised using technical specifications that enable a simple and rapid activation and deactivation of the anti-slip elements. A further aim of the invention is to provide an anti-slip bottom for shoes conformed in such a way that the means enabling activating and deactivating of the anti-slip bottom are protected from external agents.

A further aim of the invention is to provide an anti-slip bottom for shoes which is reliable, functional and relatively inexpensive with respect to the advantages that it intends to offer.

The above-mentioned advantages of the invention are obtained according to the contents of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The characteristics of the invention are specified in the following with particular reference to a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment, with reference to the accompanying tables of drawings, in which:

- figure 1 is a view from below of the internal face of a first portion of an anti- slip bottom for shoes that is the object of the present invention;

- figure 1 A is a larger-scale view of section l-l of figure 1 ;

- figure 2 is a view from above of the internal face of a second portion of the anti-slip bottom;

- figure 2A is a larger-scale view of section ll-ll of figure 2;

- figure 3A is a view from above of a first element that is a part of the anti-slip bottom;

- figure 3B is a view of a substantially longitudinal section of the first element of figure 3A;

- figure 4A is a view from above of a second element that is a part of the anti- slip bottom;

- figure 4B is a view of a substantially longitudinal section of the second element of figure 4A;

- figure 5A is a view from below of a positioning of the first element in the first portion of the anti-slip bottom of the invention;

- figure 5B is a view from above of the respective positioning of the second element in the second portion of the anti-slip bottom of the invention;

- figure 6 is a view of a longitudinal section of the anti-slip bottom of the invention, with some parts removed to better evidence a non-operative configuration of a series of sharp projections;

- figure 7 is a view of a longitudinal section of the anti-slip bottom of the invention, with some parts removed to better evidence an operative configuration of a series of sharp projections;

- figure 8A is the same view as in figure 5A highlighting the coupling between the first portion and the first element and relative activating means defining the non-operative configuration of the series of sharp projections;

- figure 8B is the same view as in figure 4A highlighting the coupling between the first portion and the first element and relative activating means defining the operative configuration of the series of sharp projections.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

With reference to the above-mentioned tables of drawings (F) denotes an anti- slip bottom for shoes, comprising: a first and a second portion (1 , 2) (figures 1, 2) solidly constrained to one another using known means, for example glues, together defining a cavity (C), the first portion (1) being blockable to a corresponding upper (not illustrated) and the second portion (2) comprising a tread (B) exhibiting a series of through-holes (20); a device (D), inserted in said cavity (C), to which a series of sharp projections (S) is associated, each of which is freely inserted in a relative hole of the tread (B); activating means (5) accessible from outside said first and second portion (1 , 2), acting on said device (D) for moving the sharp projections (S) in synchrony with respect to the relative holes (20) so as to define, for the sharp projections, at least two extreme configurations, respectively operative (O) (figure 7) and non-operative (I) (figure 6), in which the sharp projections (S) correspondingly project and do not project with respect to the external surface of the tread (B).

The first portion (1) as illustrated in figures 1 , 1A, comprises: a first seating (10) having a prevalent longitudinal extension, for example profiled to define first branches (110) (for example three), involving the front zone (or plantar zone) of the first portion (1), which originate from a first groove (111) which involves the rear zone (or heel zone) of the first portion; a first abutment (11), included in the heel zone, for example a thickening of the first portion which extends vertically downwards so as to be aligned with the perimeter edge of the first portion (1) for identifying an endrun stop, the function of which will be explained in the following.

The second portion (2), as illustrated in figures 2, 2A, further comprises: a second seating (21) having a prevalent longitudinal extension, for example profiled so as to define second branches (210), (for example three) which extend in the front zone (or plantar zone) of the second portion (2) so as to be involved by a part of the series of holes (20), the second branches originating from a second groove 211 which extends into the rear zone (or heel) in order to be involved with the remaining part of the series of holes (20); a second abutment (22), included in the heel zone, for example a thickening of the second portion so as to extend vertically upwards in order to be aligned with the perimeter edge of the second portion (2) and abut the first abutment (11) and cooperating with the first abutment (11) so as to identify a centring element, the function of which will be explained in the following.

The device (D) comprises a first element (3) and a second element (4), facing and interacting with one another; the first element (3), as illustrated in figures 3A, 3B, forms, for example, a first fork, and comprises: the sharp projections (S), the internal ends of which are constrained to the first lower face (30) of the first element (3), for example involving the ribs and the grip; a succession of first reliefs (R) and first recesses (Z) forming the second upper face (31) of the first element (3), the first reliefs (R) overlying the sharp projections (S); and a first slot (39) realised in the rear portion (300) of the first element (3).

The sharp projections (S) can be in a single body with the lower face (30) of the first element (3), as illustrated in figure 3B or can be hooked, according to known systems, to the lower face (30) and be made of metal, plastic or the like.

The second element (4), as illustrated in figures 4A, 4B, forms, for example, a second fork, and comprises: a succession of second reliefs (R^ and second recesses (Z^ forming the first lower face (40) of the second element (4), complementary and corresponding to the first reliefs (R) and the first recesses (Z) of the first element (3); a second slot (49) realised in the rear portion (400) of said second element (4) and a first hinge point (K) for the activating means (5) also provided in the rear portion (400).

The activating means (5), as illustrated in figures 8A, 8B, comprise: a right angle body (50), hinged at a second hinge point (W) to the first portion (1); a first lever (51) which extends from the body (50) so as to exit from an opening (8) realised, for example, on the rear perimeter edge of the first portion (1 ); and a second lever (52), which extends from the body (50), angularly arranged with respect to the first lever (51 ) and hinged to the second element (4) at sad first hinge point (K).

Stabilising means can advantageously be provided, not illustrated in the appended drawings, which are associated to the first portion (1 ) and/or the second element (4) which cooperate with the activating means (5) for maintaining the position of the second element (4) stable in the first (E^ and second (E₂) extreme positions thereof; for example, the sealing means can comprise magnetic means, snap-fit means or the like, associated to the bottom using methods known to experts in the sector.

In the anti-slip bottom for shoes as described in the foregoing, the first and the second portion (1 , 2) are solidly constrained to one another in such a way that the first and the second seating (10, 21 ) define the cavity (C) internally of which the first and the second element (3, 4) are located.

In this positioning: the sharp projections (S) are inserted in the respective holes (20), the centring member, identified by the first and second abutment (11 , 22), is inserted in the first and the second slot (39, 49), respectively of the first and second element (3, 4); the body (50) of the activating means (5) is hinged to the first portion (1 ), with the first lever (51 ) projecting from the opening (8) and the second lever (52) hinged to the second element (4).

In the non-operative configuration of the sharp projections (S) the activating means (5) are placed in an inactive position, in which the second lever (52) acts on the second element (4) so as to maintain a first extreme position (E,) (fig. 8A) thereof, in which: the first and second element (3, 4) interact with one another, with the second reliefs (Ri) and the second recesses (Z,), of the second element (4) mutually coupled and the complementary first reliefs (R) and first recesses (Z) of the first element (3); each of the sharp projections (S) is freely inserted in a relative hole (20); the first lower face (30) of said first element (3) is appropriately distanced from the internal surface (200) of the tread (B) with the ends of the sharp projections (S) so as not to project from the external surface of the tread (B).

The passage from the non-operative configuration (I) to the operative configuration (O) of the sharp projections S includes the activation of the activating means (5); the user acts on the second lever (52), so that the second element (4) is translated longitudinally towards the rear portion of the bottom (according to direction J of figure 8B) to define a second extreme position (E2) (figure 8B) in which there are: the superposing of the second reliefs (R1) of the second element (4) on the first reliefs (R) of the first element (3); the first element (3) is moved nearingly to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B) with the consequent movement, in synchrony, of the sharp projections (S) with respect to the relative holes (20), as illustrated in figures 7, the first lower face (30) of the first element (3) abutting the internal surface (200) of the tread (B) and the ends of the sharp projections (S) projecting from the external surface of the tread (B).

One or more intermediate operative positions of the projections (S) can also be provided; these positions are regulated by the interaction between the first and the second element (3,4), on respective upper and lower faces (31 , 40) of which, among the pre-existing first and second reliefs and recesses, further complementary intermediate reliefs and recesses are included which, following the activation of the activating means (5), regulate the proportional exit of the sharp projections (S) with respect to the external surface of the tread (B).

The anti-slip bottom for shoes has particularly advantageous characteristics. The sharp projections (S), the device (D) and the activating means (5) are not in direct contact with the travelled surface; this is advantageous as the user, to activate the anti-slip device, i.e. to cause the sharp projections (S) to exit from the relative holes (20) that accommodate them, only has to act on the second lever (52), easily accessible as it exits from the opening (8), and activate it with a hand or even with the other foot.

This positioning avoids the operator having to touch parts of the bottom that are in contact with the travelled surface and therefore dirty, with all the advantages this brings for the health of the user.

Also avoided are the damaging of the activating means (5) and the device (D) that manage the operative (O) and inoperative position (I) of the projections (S), which leads to a greater reliability of the bottom during use thereof.

A further advantage of the anti-slip bottom of the invention relates to the fact that the activating means (50) and the device (D), which enable activation and deactivation of the sharp projections (S), are protected internally of the cavity (C) from atmospheric agents.

In the non-operative position (I) the sharp projections (S) are inserted in the holes (20) in such a way as to restore the continuity of the tread bottom (B), which is advantageous, as during the use of the bottom the ends of the projections prevent any stones, earth, dirt and/or the like present on the tread surface to wedge internally of the holes (20), thus preventing obstruction of the holes (20).

The fact that the device (D) is conformed by a first and a second element (3, 4) involving reliefs and recesses interacting with one another is advantageous; in fact, simply by acting on the activating means (5) it is possible to intervene on the second element (4) which, as a consequence of the interaction with the first element (3), imposes thereon a nearing and distancing translation with respect to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B) and, consequently, the sharp projections (S) project or do not project with respect to the external surface of the tread (B).

With this translation, in fact, the second reliefs (R disengage from the first recesses Z included on the first element (3) so as to position above the first reliefs (R) so as to determine, contextually and in synchrony, the exit of the sharp projections (S) from the holes (20), as they are pushed outwards during said translation.

Further, the fact that the first and second element (3, 4) form forks and that the first and second seatings (10, 21), which define the cavity (C) are shaped in a like way to the forks, is advantageous, as the vertical walls delimiting the first and the second seating (10, 21) more precisely guide the nearing and distancing translation of the first and the second element (3, 4).

The wall delimiting the first seating (10) further defines a guide means for longitudinal translation of the second element (4) in the two extreme positions, first (E and second (E₂) (figures 8A, 8B).

The fact that the first and the second element (3, 4) have a prevalent longitudinal extension enables realising bottoms (F) that include sharp projections along the whole tread (B) so as to increase the adherence of the bottom to the ground so as to make it particularly suitable for Nordic countries, where shoes with anti-slip bottoms have to be used.

The fact that the second abutment (22) is provided on the second portion (2) enables the first element (3) to be positioned correctly internally of the second seating (21); in fact, the second abutment (22) is axially centred with the first slot (39) provided in the rear portion (300) of the first element (3) and the sharp projections (S) engaged in the relative holes (20).

The holes 20, the second abutment (22) and the wall delimiting the second seating (21 ) collaborate to guide the first element (3) and the relative sharp projections (S) precisely in nearing and distancing.

The first abutment (11) cooperates with the second abutment (21) for centring and further guiding the first element (3) distancingly and nearingly from and to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B), and, following the longitudinal translation of the second element (4), said first abutment (11) defines an endrun abutment for the second element (4), as it is abutted by the wall delimiting the second slot (49) both in the non-operative position (I) and in the operative position (O) (figures 8A, 8B). It is understood that the above has been described by way of example and that technical-functional variants of the proposed system are considered to fall within the protective scope of the invention as claimed in the following.

Claims

1. An anti-slip bottom for shoes, characterised in that it comprises: a first and a second portion (1 , 2) joined to one another, together defining a cavity (C) having a prevalent longitudinal extension, the first portion being blockable to a corresponding upper and the second portion comprising a tread (B) exhibiting a series of through-holes (20); a series of sharp projections (S), each of which is freely inserted in a relative hole of the tread (Β;) a device, inserted in the cavity (C), activatable from outside the portions, destined to move the sharp projections (S) in synchrony with respect to the relative holes (20) so as to define, for the sharp projections, at least two extreme configurations, respectively operative (O) and non-operative (I), in which the sharp projections (S) correspondingly project and do not project with respect to the external surface of the tread (B).

2. The bottom of the preceding claim, characterised in that the device (D) comprises: a first element (3), to which are constrained the internal ends of the sharp projections (S), the first element (3) being mobile internally of the cavity (C) nearingly and distancingly with respect to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B) so as to define for the sharp projections (S) the extreme configurations, respectively operative (O) and non-operative (I); a second element (4), interacting with the first element (3), longitudinally mobile between two extreme positions, a first (E,) and a second (E₂), which in consequence of the interaction with the first element impose to the first element the nearing and distancing translation with respect to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B); activating means (5), accessible from outside the first and second portion (1 , 2) acting on the second element (4) so as to define, and stabilise, the first (E and second (E₂) extreme positions.

3. The bottom of claim 2, characterised in that the first and second element (3, 4) each comprise at least a corresponding longitudinal strip, respectively a first and a second strip, facing one another and in mutual interaction, both conformed according to a succession of reliefs (R, R1), and recesses (Z, Z1), to define, in consequence of the switching of the second element (4) from the first to the second extreme position (E_{1 f} E₂), the nearing of the first element (3) to the internal surface of the tread (B), and to define, in consequence of the switching of the second element (4) from the first to the second extreme position (E₂, E-i), the distancing of the first element (3) from the internal surface of the tread (B).

4. The bottom of claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the internal face of the tread (B) comprises first guide means of the first element (3) for guiding in nearing and distancing with respect to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B).

5. The bottom of claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the face of the first portion (1 ) opposite the internal face (200) of the tread (B) comprises second guide means for at least longitudinal guiding of the second element (4).

6. The bottom of any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that: the through-holes (20) of the tread (B), in which the relative sharp projections (S) are inserted, involve the sole and the heel of the tread (B).

7. The bottom of claim 3, characterised in that the first strip comprises a succession of first reliefs (R) and first recesses (Z) conforming the upper face (31) of the first strip; the second strip comprises a succession of second reliefs (R1) and second recesses (Z1) conforming the lower face (40) of the second strip, which is facing the upper face (31) of the first strip, correspondingly complementary to the first recesses (Z) and the first reliefs (R) thereof.

8. The bottom of claim 4, characterised in that the first guide means comprise: at least a first abutment (11) provided in the heel zone of the first portion (1 ) which extends downwards; a second seating (21 ), having a prevalent longitudinal extension, built-in in the internal surface of the tread (B) and exhibiting the through-holes (20), destined to receive the first element (3) and to guide it, with the relative lateral surface, nearingly and distancingly with respect to the internal surface of the tread (B); a first slot (39) realised in the rear part of the first element, coupling with the first abutment (11) for cooperating with the lateral surface of the second seating (21), for the guiding of the nearing and distancing of the first element (3) with respect to the internal surface of the tread (B).

9. The bottom of claim 5, characterised in that the second guide means comprise: at least a first abutment (11) included in the heel zone of the first portion (1) which extends downwards; a first seating (10) having a prevalent longitudinal extension, built-in in the internal face of the first portion (1), destined to receive and longitudinally guide the second element (4); a second slot (49) realised in the rear portion of the second element (4) coupling with the first abutment (11) to define the first and second extreme position (E^ E₂) of the second element (4).

10. The bottom of claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the activating means (5) comprise: a right angle body (50), a first lever (51) which extends from the body (50) so as to exit from an opening (8) realised on the rear perimeter edge of the first portion (1); and a second lever (52), angularly arranged with respect to the first lever (51), hinged to the second element (4) in a first hinge point (K), the body (50) being hinged in a second hinge point (W) to the first portion (1) and assuming at least two extreme positions, an inactive position, in which the second lever (52) acts on the second element (4) for maintaining the first extreme position (E^ thereof, and an active position in which the arm (52) acts on the second element (4) to maintain the second extreme position (E₂) thereof and to define the operative configuration (O) of the projections (S).

11. The bottom of claim 2 or 3, characterised in that it comprises stabilising means associated to the first portion (1) and/or the second element (4) which cooperate with the activating means (5) for maintaining the position of the second element (4) stable in the non-operative and operative configurations (I, O) of the sharp projections (S).

12. The bottom of claim 7, characterised in that the first reliefs (R) of the first strip overlie corresponding sharp projections (S).

13. The bottom of claim 8, characterised in that it comprises a further second abutment (22) provided in the heel zone of the second portion (2) extending upwards for abutting the first abutment (11) and cooperating therewith so as to guide the first element nearingly and distancingly with respect to the internal surface (200) of the tread (B).