U.S. patent application number 09/462692 was filed with the patent office on 2001-06-14 for footwear intermediate element.
Invention is credited to ZOCCA, GIANFRANCO.
Application Number | 20010003229 09/462692 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11428337 |
Filed Date | 2001-06-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010003229 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ZOCCA, GIANFRANCO |
June 14, 2001 |
FOOTWEAR INTERMEDIATE ELEMENT
Abstract
The present invention concerns a footwear intermediate element
(11), comprising an element made of natural or synthetic material,
said element being positioned inside of a recess machined in a sole
body (14) made of natural or synthetic material. Said intermediate
element is provided with a plurality of protuberances (12) radially
disposed in correspondence of the edge (16) of said intermediate
element (11), said prominences (12) engaging correspondent recesses
(13) machined in the sole (14) to which the intermediate element
(11) is coupled.
Inventors: |
ZOCCA, GIANFRANCO;
(BUSSOLENGO, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHARLES BERMAN
OPPENHEIMER WOLFF & DONNELLY
2029 CENTURY PARK EAST
SUITE 3800
LOS ANGELES
CA
90067
US
|
Family ID: |
11428337 |
Appl. No.: |
09/462692 |
Filed: |
January 7, 2000 |
PCT Filed: |
April 29, 1998 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT98/00110 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3B ; 36/28;
36/29 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/12 20130101;
A43B 13/181 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.00B ; 36/28;
36/29 |
International
Class: |
A43B 007/06; A43B
013/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 1997 |
IT |
VR97U000034 |
Claims
1. Footwear item, comprising an intermediate element (11) made of
natural or synthetic material, said intermediate element (11) being
made to lie inside a cavity machined in an underlying sole body
(14), said sole being made of natural or synthetic material too,
characterized in that said intermediate element (11) is provided
with a plurality of protuberances (12) radially disposed in
correspondence with the edge (16) of said intermediate element
(11), said protuberances (12) lying on corresponding cavities (13)
machined in the sole (14) to which said intermediate element (11)
is coupled.
2. Intermediate element (11) according to claim 1, characterized in
that it is made of a material to be selected in the group
comprising thermoplastic rubbers, advantageously cured rubbers,
PVC, polyurethane and polyolefins, e.g. Adiflex@.
3. Intermediate element (11) according to claim 1, characterized in
that said protuberances (12) are part of brackets suitable to
fasten said intermediate element (11) to said sole (14), said
brackets being releasable from the intermediate element and from
the sole.
4. Intermediate element (11) according to claim 3, characterized in
that said intermediate element is provided with a plurality of
seats or recesses suitable to receive said brackets.
5. Intermediate element (11) according to anyone of the preceding
claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of cells
and/or chambers positioned between the sole and the intermediate
element or between the intermediate element and the footwear
underlying sole, said cells being suitable for causing an air
circulation inside the shoe for the benefit of the foot that is
wearing it.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a footwear intermediate
element suitably produced to assure an effective and excellent
coupling of said intermediate element to the footwear sole.
[0002] More particularly, said invention is advantageously applied
to shoes, boots, amphibious and military shoes.
[0003] Said intermediate element is mainly applied in the field of
footwear industries.
BACKGROUND ART
[0004] The use of intermediate elements in the footwear industry is
well known, said intermediate elements being advantageously made of
rather soft materials so that a comfortable support can be assured
to the user.
[0005] Generally, the intermediate element is inserted by pressure
inside of the shoe sole, said sole being provided with a suitable
recess or a preformed seat to receive it.
[0006] Furthermore, said intermediate element is retained inside of
its predetermined seat by means of a cork sole which is arranged
throughout said intermediate element.
[0007] However, when walking, said form of embodiment has the main
drawback to cause a relevant deformation of the external edges of
the sole to which said intermediate element is coupled.
[0008] In fact, since the intermediate element is not suitably
retained inside of its seat, a relevant deflection of the external
sole edges occurs, the sole thickness of the central zone being not
suitable for rigidly supporting the user's weight.
[0009] Said drawback is even more emphasized when the user walks on
irregular grounds which do not allow a flat and uniform support of
the sole.
[0010] Thus, the sole is caused to make rotations, movements and
pressures only on specific portions of the same, thereby inducing a
relevant deflection of the sole edges of a given footwear.
[0011] It must be noted that said deflection does not only affect
the aesthetical value of the shoe, but it determines a non uniform
support of the sole, what results in a consequent discomfort for
the user who is even unable to wear said shoes anymore.
[0012] DE-U-92 07 287 discloses a shoe having a sole with a
recessed portion within which an intermediate element is seated.
Said recessed portion is found to be running all around the sole.
The intermediate element is fastened to the sole by snapping.
[0013] A specific drawback of the above cited document is that the
assembly of the sole and the intermediate element is achieved only
by resosrting to pressure, this complicating the production
process. Furthermore, an accidental disengagement of the
intermediate element from the underlying sole would yield to
damages in the form of cracks and crevices, this leading to the
impossibility to make any further use of the sole-intermediate
element assembly, therefore causing the need to dispose of the
whole damaged shoe.
[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 4,420,894 discloses a snap shoe whose
intermediate element is exactly based on its snapping interaction
wuth the underlying sole, to be ascribed to the specific shape of
the protrusions present on it and the corresponding recesses
present on the underlying sole itself.
[0015] In the above case, too, the assembly is made possible by the
application of a certain pressure onto the intermediate element, in
order for the snapping thereof with the underlying sole to occur,
the above requirement being time consuming.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention aims to set aside the disadvantages
and drawbacks which are typical of the background art and, thus, to
provide for a footwear intermediate element which can be easily and
cheaply realized, and which can provide for an effective and long
lasting coupling of the intermediate element to the sole, thereby
assuring a good lateral preservation of the sole edges.
[0017] This is obtained by means of an intermediate element having
the features disclosed in claim 1.
[0018] The dependent claims describe particularly advantageous
forms of embodiment of the intermediate element according to the
present invention.
[0019] According to a particular form of embodiment of the
invention, the footwear intermediate element is provided with a
plurality of protuberances which are radially disposed in
corrispondence of the edge of the intermediate element and which
engage a plurality of conjugated recesses obtained inside of the
sole to which said intermediate element is coupled.
[0020] Therefore according to the present invention, the
intermediate element is made to lie over the sole by a simple
coupling.
[0021] Said protuberances, as well as the corresponding recesses,
can vary their number and shape and can be placed along the whole
perimetral edge of the intermediate element or along a portion of
it, e.g. the proximity of the heel or of the tip of the foot.
[0022] According to this form of embodiment, said protuberances are
moulded simultaneously with the intermediate element to obtain a
single moulded piece.
[0023] Generally, the materials which are used to produce the
intermediate element, as well as the sole, are thermoplastic
rubbers, advantageously cured rubbers, PVC polyurethan and
polyolefines, e.g. Adiflex.RTM..
[0024] Besides, the intermediate element is advantageously made of
materials which are sufficiently soft for assuring a comfortable
foot support, though sufficiently rigid in order to assure a firm
base for bearing the foot.
[0025] The presence of said protuberances, which are positioned
along the perimetral edge of the intermediate element, allows an
advantageous and reliable coupling of the intermediate element
inside of the sole, said coupling preventing the intermediate
element to escape from its seat.
[0026] In fact, in this way, even when the user walks on irregular
grounds or makes clumsy movements, the present invention assures an
excellent adhesion of the intermediate element to the sole, thereby
avoiding any disadvantageous deflection of the sole, in particular
at the edges of the same.
[0027] According to a further form of embodiment of the present
invention, the coupling of the intermediate element to the sole of
a given footwear can be realized by using suitable brackets which
provide for the fastening of said intermediate element to the
sole.
[0028] More particularly, at both ends, said brackets are provided
with a suitable protuberance which is introduced into a conjugated
recess which is worked inside of the sole to obtain the desired
coupling mentioned above.
[0029] Thus, said intermediate element is fastened by two or more
brackets which transversally cross it and which are fastened to the
sole portion surrounding the intermediate element.
[0030] In order to obtain the most effective and resistent coupling
of the intermediate element to the sole, generally the portion of
the intermediate element which is crossed by the bracket is
suitably shaped to provide for a suitable groove in which the
bracket is advantageously located.
[0031] Thus, this form of embodiment allows to obtain a
satisfactory coupling of the intermediate element to the sole, as
well as a correct positioning of the bracket, thereby avoiding an
uncomfortable thickness increase in the area where the user's foot
is supported.
[0032] According to a further form of embodiment, said brackets
cross only the perimetral portions of the intermediate element and
not the whole width of the latter.
[0033] Thus, a suitable series of correspondent recesses is
provided not only in the sole, but also in the intermediate element
which is fastened to said sole along the perimetral edge of the
intermediate element itself.
[0034] According to the present invention, the intermediate element
is provided with a plurality of differently shaped cells and/or
chambers which are advantageously distributed on the surface of the
intermediate element which directly contacts the sole.
[0035] When walking, the pressure exerted by the ground on the sole
and, consequently, on the intermediate element provided with said
cells, causes the deformation and deflection thereof and allows the
air contained therein to move upwardly, i.e. towards the user's
foot.
[0036] Said air circulation is particularly advantageous since it
allows the foot to be ventilated and avoids, or at least reduces,
the foot perspiration, thereby providing a comfort and well-being
feeling to the user.
ILLUSTRATION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
become apparent by reading the following description, given as a
non-limiting example, with the help of the figures illustrated in
the attached drawings, in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 shows a schematic plant view of the coupling
intermediate element/sole according to the present invention,
and
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a schematic section view of an intermediate
element according to a particular form of embodiment of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF A FORM OF EMBODIMENT
[0040] In the figures, reference sign 10 indicates a coupling
intermediate element/sole according to the present invention.
[0041] FIG. 1 shows a particular form of embodiment of the present
invention, according to which a footwear intermediate element 11 is
provided with a plurality of protuberances 12.
[0042] Saids protuberances 12 are radially disposed in
corrispondence of edge 16 of the intermediate element and they
engage corresponding recesses 13 machined in sole 14 of a given
footwear.
[0043] In the figures, said protuberances, as well as the
respective recesses, have an oval shape and are equally distributed
along the whole perimetral edge of intermediate element 11.
[0044] The number and shape of said protuberances 12 and recesses
13 can be variable and they can be located in a specific portion of
intermediate sole 11 such as, for instance, the tip or the heel
portions.
[0045] Generally, said protuberances 12 are moulded together with
intermediate element 11 by using materials such as thermoplastic
rubbers, advantageously cured rubbers, PVC, polyurethan and
polyolefins, e.g. Adiflex.RTM., said materials being also used to
produce sole 14.
[0046] Protuberances 12 allow a reliable and effective coupling of
intermediate element 11 to sole 14 and avoid the escape of the
intermediate element from its seat even when the user walks on
irregular grounds or makes clumsy movements.
[0047] According to a further form of embodiment of the present
invention (not shown in the figures), coupling 10 of intermediate
element 11 to sole 14 of a given footwear is advantageously
obtained by means of brackets which fasten said intermediate
element 11 to the sole from one side to the other.
[0048] In fact, at each end thereof said brackets are provided with
a suitable protuberance.engaging a recess 13 of conjugated shape,
said recess being machined inside of a sole 14.
[0049] Consequently, intermediate element 11 is fastened by two or
more brackets which transversally cross it, and a suitable groove
is provided in the portion of intermediate element 11 which is
crossed by said bracket so that an uncomfortable thickness increase
can be avoided in the correspondence of user's foot position.
[0050] FIG. 2 shows a further form of embodiment of the present
invention, according to which intermediate element 11 presents a
plurality of cells and/or chambers 15 advantageously distributed on
its surface contacting sole 14.
[0051] When walking, said cells 15, hemispherically shaped
according to FIG. 2, are deflected and deformed causing the
discharge of the air contained therein, said air being
advantageously directed towards user's foot.
[0052] It is apparent that, according to other forms of embodiment,
said cells have different shapes in respect of the one which has
previously been described and shown in FIG. 2.
[0053] The invention has previously been described with reference
to some particular forms of embodiment.
[0054] However, it is apparent that the present invention as it is
defined by the appended claims is not limited to these forms of
embodiment, but it comprises several variants falling within the
range of technical equivalences because for the attainment thereof
there is not found to arise the need to apply a sufficient
inventive step.
* * * * *