U.S. patent application number 09/777124 was filed with the patent office on 2001-10-25 for metatarsal guard and protective footwear embodying same.
Invention is credited to Madorin, Emil F., Maritz, James A..
Application Number | 20010032398 09/777124 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26876194 |
Filed Date | 2001-10-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20010032398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Maritz, James A. ; et
al. |
October 25, 2001 |
Metatarsal guard and protective footwear embodying same
Abstract
Protective footwear includes a metatarsal guard for providing
protection of the metatarsal region of the wearer. The guard, which
internal of the footwear, of integral nonrigid assembly having
mutually overlying multiple layers each extending both
longitudinally and transversely in overlying relation to the
metatarsal region of the wearer. Each layer is nonrigid and
flexible. Different materials make up the different layers to
within the footwear both energy absorbing and force dissipating
capability for absorbing and dissipating impact forces throughout
the multiple layers in order to protect the metatarsal region of
the wearer from impact forces and from being cut by sharp
objects.
Inventors: |
Maritz, James A.; (St.
Louis, MO) ; Madorin, Emil F.; (Ferguson,
MO) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Peter S. Gilster
Greensfelder, Hemker & Gale, P.C.
Intellectual Property Group
10 South Broadway, Suite 2000
St. Louis
MO
63102-1774
US
|
Family ID: |
26876194 |
Appl. No.: |
09/777124 |
Filed: |
February 5, 2001 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60180324 |
Feb 4, 2000 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/72R ; 36/71;
36/96 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/32 20130101; A43C
13/14 20130101; A43B 23/26 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/72.00R ;
36/71; 36/96 |
International
Class: |
A43B 019/00; A43B
007/14; A43B 013/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. For use with an article of protective footwear, a metatarsal
guard for providing protection of the metatarsal region of a wearer
of the footwear, comprising an integral nonrigid assembly formed of
a combination of mutually overlying multiple layers each extending
both longitudinally and transversely in overlying relation to the
metatarsal region of the wearer, each of said multiple layers being
nonrigid, said multiple layers being constituted by respective
multiple different materials so that said multiple layers together
provide within the footwear both energy absorbing and force
dissipating capability for absorbing and dissipating impact forces
throughout said multiple layers in order to protect the metatarsal
region of foot of the wearer from impact forces received by the
footwear article over the metatarsal region of the wearer and to
protect the metatarsal region of the wearer from being cut by sharp
objects, the integral nonrigid assembly being substantially
entirely internal to the footwear article.
2. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 1 wherein the multiple
layers are mutually adhesively secured together over at least
portions of their respective areas.
3. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 1 wherein the multiple
layers are carried beneath a tongue of the footwear.
4. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 1 wherein said multiple
layers respectively provide respective distinctly characteristic
protective functions, which functions together synergistically
provide said protection of the metatarsal region of the wearer, and
wherein each of said multiple layers is formed of either a single
layer or a plurality of layers.
5. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 4 wherein said multiple
layers include at least (a) a layer of cut resistant material, (b)
a layer of an energy absorbing and dissipating material, and (c) a
layer of foam stabilizing material.
6. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 5 wherein said multiple
layers further include an extension layer of foam material
extending to an ankle-proximate region of the foot of the wearer
for provide additional softness under the tongue, the extension
layer extending in the direction of the ankle of the wearer beyond
at least some of layers (a) through (c).
7. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 5 wherein the layer of
an energy absorbing and dissipating material is constituted by
interlocked adjacently overlying layers of bubble-surfaced polymer
each provided along its width and length an array of gas-filled
bubbles that interlock with corresponding bubbles of the adjacent
layer of bubble-surfaced polymer.
8. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 5 wherein said multiple
layers are encased in an encasement defining a tongue of the
footwear, whereby the metatarsal guard constitutes also the tongue
of the footwear.
9. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 8 wherein said multiple
layers and encasement together define a metatarsal subassembly
capable of securement to the footwear by attachment of only the
encasement to an upper of the footwear.
10. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 6 wherein said the
encasement comprises an outer layer formed of the same material
which forms an upper of the footwear article.
11. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 6 wherein the footwear
includes an upper extending over the forefoot of the wearer and
having a metatarsal-overlying margin extending at least over a
portion of the metatarsal region of the wearer with generally
foot-conforming profile, the encasement outer layer being secured
to the metatarsal-overlying margin of the upper, and extending the
outer profile of the upper toward the ankle of the wearer
substantially without interrupting protrusion of the
foot-conforming profile, and wherein all of layers (a) through (c)
are located beneath the encasement outer layer and without portions
laterally outwardly beyond the shoe upper.
12. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 9 wherein all of
layers (a) through (c) are concealed beneath the encasement outer
layer.
13. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 9 wherein the
encasement comprises and an outer layer formed of the same material
as an outer surface of the tongue.
14. A metatarsal guard as set forth in claim 9 wherein the
encasement comprises a leather outer layer and a soft cloth inner
layer.
15. An article of protective footwear including an outsole, an
insole, an upper extending over the forefoot of the wearer and
extending toward the metatarsal region of the wearer, and a
metatarsal guard carried by the upper internally thereof for
providing protection of the metatarsal region of a wearer of the
footwear, comprising an integral nonrigid assembly formed of a
combination of mutually overlying multiple layers each extending
both longitudinally and transversely in overlying relation to the
metatarsal region of the wearer, each of said multiple layers being
nonrigid, said multiple layers being constituted by respective
multiple different materials so that said multiple layers together
providing within the footwear both energy absorbing and force
dissipating capability for absorbing and dissipating impact forces
throughout said multiple layers in order to protect the metatarsal
region of foot of the wearer from impact forces received by the
footwear article over the metatarsal region of the wearer and to
protect the metatarsal region of the wearer from being cut by sharp
objects, said protection; the integral nonrigid assembly being
substantially entirely internal to the footwear.
16. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 15 wherein the
multiple layers are mutually secured together over at least
portions of their respective areas and the multiple layers
respectively provide distinctly characteristic protective
functions, which functions together synergistically provide said
protection of the metatarsal region of the wearer.
17. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 16 wherein said
multiple layers include at least (a) a layer of cut resistant
material, (b) a layer of an energy absorbing and dissipating
material, and (c) a layer of foam stabilizing material.
18. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 17 wherein the
layer of an energy absorbing and dissipating material is in turn
constituted by interlocked adjacently overlying layers of
bubble-surfaced polymer each provided along its width and length an
array of gas-filled bubbles that interlock with corresponding
bubbles of the adjacent layer of bubble-surfaced polymer.
19. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 17 wherein said
multiple layers further include an extension layer of foam material
extending to an ankle-proximate region of the foot of the wearer
for provide additional softness under the tongue, the extension
layer extending in the direction of the ankle of the wearer beyond
at least some of layers (a) through (c).
20. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 17 wherein said
multiple layers together define a metatarsal subassembly, and the
metatarsal subassembly comprises an outer layer joined to the upper
and extending an outer generally foot-conforming profile of the
upper toward the ankle of the wearer substantially without
interrupting protrusion of the foot-conforming profile, and wherein
all of layers (a) through (c) are located beneath the encasement
outer layer and without portions laterally outwardly beyond the
shoe upper, and wherein all of layers (a) through (c) are concealed
beneath the encasement outer layer.
21. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 20 further
comprising a further layer constituted of rebound material below
the foot of the wearer, within the midsole region of the foot, for
coacting with the metatarsal guard to provide additional foot
protection by permitting rebound of the foot in response to
external force delivered by the metatarsal guard.
22. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 21 further
comprising a still further layer of material constituted by of
controlled recovery and cushioning material and located behind the
heel of the wearer, for coacting with the metatarsal guard to
provide additional foot protection by permitting rearward movement
of the foot in response to external force delivered by the
metatarsal guard.
23. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 15 wherein the
multiple layers are all sufficiently flexible as to conform to
convex shape of the metatarsal region of the wearer and thereby to
provide additional comfort to the wearer while also providing
required metatarsal protection.
24. An article of footwear as set forth in claim 15 wherein the
multiple layers as secured together have an outwardly convex,
foot-conforming shape for corresponding outwardly convex,
foot-conforming shape of the metatarsal guard, whereby to enhance
the stiffness and resistance thereof to impact forces and so to
provide additional protection.
25. An article of protective footwear including an outsole, an
insole, an upper extending over the forefoot of the wearer and
extending toward the metatarsal region of the wearer, and a
metatarsal guard carried by the upper internally of the footwear
for providing protection of the metatarsal region of a wearer of
the footwear, the metatarsal guard comprising at least (a) a layer
of cut resistant material, (b) a layer of rebound-absorbing
material, and (c) a layer of an energy absorbing and dissipating
material, the footwear further comprising (d) a layer of foam
stabilizing material, and (e) a layer of controlled recovery and
cushioning material. wherein all of said layers (a) through (e) are
completely internally of the footwear, for together providing
within the footwear both energy absorbing and force dissipating
capability for absorbing and dissipating impact forces throughout
said multiple layers in order to protect the metatarsal region of
foot of the wearer from impact forces received by the footwear
article over the metatarsal region of the wearer and to protect the
metatarsal region of the wearer from being cut by sharp objects.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon Provisional Patent
Application, Ser. No. 60/180,324, entitled "Protective Footwear
With Internal Metatarsal Guard", filed Feb. 4, 2000, the contents
of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety,
continued preservation of which is requested.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to industrial footwear and
particularly to such footwear providing metatarsal protection for
the user, and still more particularly to an improved metatarsal
guard and to footwear that incorporates such a guards to prevent
against injury to the user from falling objects or sudden impacts.
Specifically, the present invention relates to protective guards
and footwear incorporated such a guard so that the guard is
positioned over the metatarsal region of the wearer to protect the
top of the foot of a wearer but carried internally of the
footwear.
[0004] 2. Known Art
[0005] Known art metatarsal protective footwear typically
incorporates a steel cap in the toe of the footwear and/or is
provided with an external metatarsal guard. The external metatarsal
guard of the generally known type which is typically formed of
tough polymer and is thus essentially rigid. Thus, the known
external guard is typically hingedly affixed near the toe of the
footwear so as to swing or pivot back over the laces, or other
securing means, of the footwear and over the metatarsals.,
Moreover, the known external guard is typically lined or provided
with a layer of foam material to enhance wearer protection.
Unfortunately, the externally hinged guard presents a tripping
hazard if the guard were to become dislodged from its position over
the metatarsals. Additionally, the side edges of the guard often
catch on objects which also results in what is now believed to be a
tripping hazard with potential serious injury to the wearer.
[0006] Also, the external metatarsal guards, while
well-intentioned, have in retrospect not been always fully
protective. It is now believed, for example, that the external
guards may have a problem that they may allow an impact force
delivered to the metatarsal region to be transferred into the
surrounding footwear, with the consequence that the impact force
may injure the metatarsal region of the foot of the wearer, despite
the intent that the external guard would itself absorb a damaging
impact force. That is, the impact force can be transferred directly
through the external metatarsal guard, rather than being dissipated
by the guard, and may thus reach the foot of the wearer. Also,
because the external type of metatarsal guard typically has been
hinged or pivotally or bendably fastened usually relatively
securely at its proximal (toe-adjacent) end, a metatarsal impact
force may cause the metatarsal guard to apply by lever action an
injuring force against the foot of the wearer either at the hinge
or pivoting point or else at the ankle-proximate distal portion of
the guard To remote from the location of the impact force.
[0007] In net effect, the known external guards are now believed by
the present inventors, on the basis of available data, not to have
been fully protective.
[0008] Industry standards for protecting the foot of the wearer
from impact forces are often used in the design and manufacture of
known protective footwear. A known standard used to determine
whether footwear of this type meets the minimum requirements for
providing metatarsal protection is ANSI (American National
Standards Institute) Z41, 1999, Section 2, titled "Metatarsal
Footwear". Testing involves inserting a foot-simulative form of wax
into the footwear and subjecting the footwear to an impact force.
Indentation of the foot-simulative form is then measured to
determine if metatarsal forces would result in foot injury.
[0009] It is believed by the present inventors that a metatarsal
footwear protective device is needed which is internal to the
footwear, rather than external as with the known art, to eliminate
the possibility of tripping hazards. Furthermore, a protective
device is needed which is more flexible and lighter weight and
therefore more comfortable for the wearer. The protective device
should also be cost effective to fabricate and be capable of
integration with a wide variety of footwear styles.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] Accordingly, among the several objects, features and
advantages of the invention may be noted the provision of improved
devices, namely a new metatarsal guard construction and protective
footwear construction employing such a metatarsal guard internally
of the for protection of the wearer from damaging objects or from
being struck by objects having forceful impacts; which
constructions can provide protection of the metatarsal region of a
wearer of industrial footwear; which include a unique combination
of layers providing an energy absorbing and force dissipating
capability; which can absorb and dissipates impact forces
throughout the unique combination of layers; which provide
protection of the metatarsal region of the wearer from impact
forces; which offer protection of the metatarsal region of the
wearer from being cut by sharp objects; which repeatably,
predictably and reliably can deliver a safe level of metatarsal
protection; which provide a show construction in which the
metatarsal guard is internal to the footwear, thereby eliminating
the need for external devices that in part become tripping hazards;
which allow utilization of components and materials used in the
manufacture of a wide variety of footwear styles; which allow the
use of distinctive principles for both construction and operation
thereby providing a protective arrangement and metatarsal device or
apparatus capable of being adapted to a wide variety of
applications.
[0011] The protective properties are provided by a series of
constructive layers in the metatarsal region that include a cut
resistant material, a rebound layer of material, an energy
absorbing and dissipating layer of material, a foam stabilizing
layer of material, and a final layer of material for controlled
recovery and cushioning. Additionally, a thick extension of foam
material can be incorporated in the ankle-proximate region to
provide additional softness under the tongue of the footwear. The
series of layers, which may be either singular or a plurality for
each characteristic layer, are encased in a material that is
typically representative of the tongue of footwear, i.e. leather
outer and a soft cloth inner. The encased layers and outer
materials are then attached to the footwear to serve the purpose of
both the tongue of the footwear and for protection against impact
forces. The encased layers can then be utilized in a wide variety
of footwear styles and protective applications.
[0012] Additional protective properties can be provided below the
foot of the wearer, in the midsole region, with at least one layer
of rebound material. Furthermore, additional protective properties
can be provided behind the heel of the wearer with at least one
layer of controlled recovery and cushioning material.
[0013] The combination of protective layers are furthermore
flexible to conform to the convex shape of the metatarsal region of
the wearer. The flexible layers provide additional comfort to the
wearer while also providing the required metatarsal protection. The
convex shape furthermore enhances the stiffness and resistance to
impact forces, so as to provide additional protection.
[0014] The construction of the layers and the location of the
layers within the footwear is such that the apparatus repeatably
delivers the required metatarsal protection. As will become
apparent in the forthcoming detailed description, the distinct and
unique construction employed to achieve metatarsal protection can
be incorporated into a multitude of devices in applications which
require protection from impact forces.
[0015] Other objects and features will be apparent or are pointed
out more particular herein below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The above mentioned and other features and objects of this
invention, and the manner of attaining them, will become more
apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by
reference to the following description of an embodiment of the
invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
wherein:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a cut-away perspective view of an example style of
protective footwear in accordance with and embodying the present
invention.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an exploded side view of the protective footwear
layers illustrating each of the layers in accordance with a known
embodiment.
[0019] Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding
parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent
embodiments of the present invention, the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in
order to better illustrate and explain the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF PRACTICAL EMBODIMENT
[0020] The present description for the industrial footwear
protection application is merely representative of using the
invention in many possible footwear styles for application of the
present invention. The footwear enablement of the present invention
is not exclusive of other applications which require protection
from impact forces. The distinct and unique characteristics of the
present invention can be utilized in combination for a multitude of
applications requiring protection against impact forces.
[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises several
layers of protective material that are encased into tongue element
12 of footwear 10, thereby providing protection for the metatarsal
region of the wearer. Referring now to FIG. 2, the layers of
protective material encased in tongue element 12 comprise cut
resistant material 20, rebound material 22, two layers of energy
absorbing and dissipating material 24, stabilizing foam material
26, and controlled recovery and cushioning material 28. At least
one layer of each material can be used for the present invention,
although a known preferred embodiment with varying numbers of
layers is described in the following.
[0022] Cut resistant material 20 provides protection against sharp
objects penetrating footwear 10. Cut resistant material 20 is
generally a fine wire mesh material embedded in a cloth fabric and
is therefore flexible for subsequent joining to adjacent layers and
for conforming to the general shape of the foot of the wearer.
[0023] Rebound material 22 in the preferred embodiment is a
PORON.RTM. material that provides primarily a layer of shock
absorption. Rebound material 22 also provides flexibility for
conforming to the general shape of the foot of the wearer.
[0024] Energy absorbing and dissipating material 24 in the
preferred embodiment is two layers of METATEC material. The METATEC
material is comprised of layers of polymer provided along the width
and length of the surface with an array of bubbles which are
gas-filled. The bubbles are such that they are in columns and rows
and interlock with corresponding bubbles of an adjacent layer. The
bubble-type character of energy absorbing and dissipating material
24 greatly assists in absorbing dissipating energy from an impact
force.
[0025] Stabilizing foam material 26 is used to stabilize the layers
of protective materials for subsequent joining and operation.
[0026] Controlled recovery and cushioning material 28 in the
preferred embodiment is also a PORON.RTM. material that provides
additional shock protection and flexible cushioning.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, protective layers can also include foam
extension cushion 30 which provides additional softness under
tongue element 12 of footwear 10, but is not intended specifically
to provide any additional metatarsal protection.
[0028] Each layer of material is generally adhesively bonded to
adjacent layers, and cut resistant material 20 is also sewn around
its periphery to all adjacent layers. The layers of protective
materials generally extend forward along the footwear and overlap a
conventional steel toe by approximately 5/8". The layers of
protective material in tongue element 12 are flexible and therefore
take on a curvature corresponding to the convex curvature of the
foot of a wearer in the region of the metatarsals. In addition to
comfort, the curved shape furthermore enhances the stiffness and
resistance to impact forces, so as to provide additional
protection.
[0029] Another known embodiment of the present invention comprises,
in addition to the metatarsal protective layers as described above,
several layers of protective material located in the midsole of the
footwear. As shown in FIG. 1, midsole region 14 of footwear 10
includes two layers of rebounding material 22. When used in
conjunction with the protective layers in the metatarsal region of
footwear 10, midsole rebounding material 22 provides additional
protection against impact forces. Midsole region 14 of footwear 10
can also include other conventional layers such as a sock liner, an
insole board, a steel shank for stabilization, an EVA (ethyl vinyl
acetate) bottom filler, and an outer sole.
[0030] Another known embodiment of the present invention comprises,
in addition to the metatarsal protective layers as described above,
several layers of protective material located at the heel of
footwear 10. As shown in FIG. 1, heel region 16 of footwear 10
includes a layer of controlled recovery and cushioning material 28.
When used in conjunction with the protective layers in the
metatarsal region of footwear 10, or in combination with the
protective layers in the metatarsal region and midsole region of
footwear 10, controlled recovery and cushioning material 28
provides additional protection against impact forces.
[0031] Although the new metatarsal guard arrangement has been
illustrated for use within an article of footwear, it should be
appreciated that the new guard features herein described and
illustrated can be used to construct a metatarsal guard which is
applied externally to an article of footwear for providing improved
protection, flexibility and comfort to footwear compared to
existing external metatarsal guards known in the art.
[0032] As incorporated in footwear, there is thus seen to be
provided an article of protective footwear including an outsole, an
insole, an upper extending over the forefoot of the wearer and
extending toward the metatarsal region of the wearer, and a
metatarsal guard carried by the upper internally of the footwear
for providing protection of the metatarsal region of a wearer of
the footwear, the metatarsal guard comprising at least
[0033] (a) a layer of cut resistant material,
[0034] (b) a layer of rebound-absorbing material, and
[0035] (c) a layer of an energy absorbing and dissipating
material,
[0036] the footwear further comprising
[0037] (d) a layer of foam stabilizing material, and
[0038] (e) a layer of controlled recovery and cushioning
material.
[0039] wherein all of said layers (a) through (e) are completely
internally of the footwear, for together providing within the
footwear both energy absorbing and force dissipating capability for
absorbing and dissipating impact forces throughout said multiple
layers in order to protect the metatarsal region of foot of the
wearer from impact forces received by the footwear article over the
metatarsal region of the wearer and to protect the metatarsal
region of the wearer from being cut by sharp objects.
[0040] In view of the foregoing description of the present
invention and practical embodiments it will be seen that the
several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantages
are attained.
[0041] As various modifications could be made in the constructions
and methods herein described and illustrated without departing from
the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter
contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying
drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than
limiting.
[0042] The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be
limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but
should be defined only in accordance with claims of the application
and their equivalents.
* * * * *