U.S. patent application number 10/045146 was filed with the patent office on 2003-07-17 for waterproof shoe structure.
Invention is credited to Liang, Ming Tu.
Application Number | 20030131498 10/045146 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 28675947 |
Filed Date | 2003-07-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030131498 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Liang, Ming Tu |
July 17, 2003 |
Waterproof shoe structure
Abstract
A waterproof shoe structure comprises an upper and a sole. The
upper comprises an outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof
foot-like member. The waterproof foot-like is integrally formed of
latex. The lining layer has a foot-like configuration and is
mounted inside the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer
covers the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer, the lining
layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are securely engaged
together. The sole is then securely engaged with the outer layer of
the upper.
Inventors: |
Liang, Ming Tu; (Pingtung
Hsien, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ROSENBERG, KLEIN & LEE
3458 ELLICOTT CENTER DRIVE-SUITE 101
ELLICOTT CITY
MD
21043
US
|
Family ID: |
28675947 |
Appl. No.: |
10/045146 |
Filed: |
January 15, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/55 ;
36/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/12 20130101; A43B
23/07 20130101; A43B 19/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/55 ;
36/84 |
International
Class: |
A43B 023/07 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A waterproof shoe structure comprising: an upper comprising an
outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof foot-like member, the
waterproof foot-like being integrally formed of latex, the lining
layer having a foot-like configuration and being mounted inside the
waterproof foot-like member, the outer layer covering the
waterproof foot-like member, the outer layer, the lining layer, and
the waterproof foot-like member being securely engaged together;
and a sole securely engaged with the outer layer of the upper.
2. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member
are sewn together along a sewing line not lower than an angle area
of the upper.
3. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
water foot-like member includes a bottom and a wall on the
bottom.
4. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the
waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like mold
into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until
formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the
foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex.
5. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 3, the
waterproof foot-like member is formed by filling liquid latex into
a foot-like interior space in a mold and then heating the mold
until formation of a foot-like member on an inner periphery
defining the foot-like interior space.
6. A waterproof foot-like member for a waterproof shoe structure
having an outer layer and a lining layer, the waterproof foot-like
member being integrally formed of latex and attached between an
outer layer and a lining layer of the waterproof shoe
structure.
7. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the
waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like mold
into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until
formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the
foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex.
8. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 6, the
waterproof foot-like member is formed by filling liquid latex into
a foot-like interior space in a mold and then heating the mold
until formation of a foot-like member on an inner periphery
defining the foot-like interior space.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a waterproof shoe structure
allowing easy manufacture.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 the drawings illustrate a conventional
waterproof shoe structure comprising a sole 12 and an upper 11. The
upper 11 includes an outer layer 111, a lining layer 112, and a
waterproof layer 113 between the outer layer 111 and the lining
layer 112. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lining layer 112 and the
waterproof layer 113 are sewn together and a waterproof adhesive
tape 114 is then applied along the sewing line. Next, the outer
layer 111 is sewn to the lining layer 112 to form a waterproof
upper 11, which is then bonded to the sole 12 to form a waterproof
shoe structure. The waterproof shoe structure prevents entrance of
ambient water into the shoe while walking through an area
accumulated with water or a grass with dewdrops. However, the steps
of applying the waterproof adhesive tape 114 slows down the
processing procedure and is thus detrimental to mass production. In
addition, the waterproof adhesive tape 114 would fall as a result
of friction during walking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a
waterproof shoe structure allowing easy manufacture.
[0006] A waterproof shoe structure in accordance with the present
invention comprises an upper and a sole. The upper comprises an
outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof foot-like member. The
waterproof foot-like is integrally formed of latex. The lining
layer has a foot-like configuration and is mounted inside the
waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer covers the waterproof
foot-like member. The outer layer, the lining layer, and the
waterproof foot-like member are securely engaged together. The sole
is then securely engaged with the outer layer of the upper.
[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the outer layer, the
lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are sewn together
along a sewing line not lower than an angle area of the upper. The
water foot-like member includes a bottom and a wall on the bottom.
The waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like
mold into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until
formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the
foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex. In an
alternative embodiment, the waterproof foot-like member is formed
by filling liquid latex into a foot-like interior space in a mold
and then heating the mold until formation of a foot-like member on
an inner periphery defining the foot-like interior space.
[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded flattened perspective view of a
conventional waterproof shoe structure.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of conventional
waterproof shoe structure.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof shoe
structure in accordance with the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the waterproof shoe structure
in accordance with the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating formation of a
waterproof foot-like member of the waterproof shoe structure.
[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative
embodiment for formation of the waterproof foot-like member of the
waterproof shoe structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0015] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a waterproof shoe structure in
accordance with the present invention generally comprises a sole 24
and an upper 20. The upper 20 comprises an outer layer 21, a lining
layer 23, and a waterproof foot-like member 22. The outer layer 21
includes at least one reinforcing piece 211 sewn thereto. In
addition, the outer layer 21 may have patterns on an outer surface
thereof.
[0016] The waterproof foot-like member 22 is integrally formed of
latex to include a bottom 222 and an upper wall 223 on the bottom
222. A space 221 is defined in the waterproof foot-like member 22.
In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the waterproof foot-like
member 22 is formed by means of immersing a foot-like mold 3 into
liquid latex 4 and then heating the foot-like mold 3 until
formation of a foot-like member 22 on an outer surface of the
foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex 4. The
foot-like member 22 is then removed from the foot-like mold 3. In
an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, liquid latex 4 is filled
into a foot-like interior space 9 in a mold 8, and the mold 8 is
then heated until formation of a foot-like member 22 on an inner
periphery defining the foot-like interior space 9.
[0017] The lining layer 23 is formed by sewing a flat piece of
material to form a foot-like configuration having a space 231 for
receiving a foot of a wearer. FIG. 3 shows the sewing line 232 in a
bottom of the foot-like configuration 23.
[0018] In assembly, the foot-like member 22 is mounted around the
lining layer 23 of the foot-like configuration, and the outer layer
21 covers the wall 223 of the foot-like member 22 to form an upper
20 after sewing the foot-like member 22, the outer layer 21, and
the lining layer 23 together along a sewing line 7 (FIG. 4) located
not lower than an ankle area 6 (FIG. 4) of the upper 20. Next, the
upper 20 is bonded to the sole 24 along an outer face of a lower
edge 212 (FIG. 3) of the outer layer 21 and an inner face of an
upper edge 241 (FIG. 3) of the sole 24. Alternatively, the upper 20
and the sole 24 are sewn together along the lower edge 212 of the
outer layer 21 and the upper edge 241 of the sole 24. Thus, a
waterproof shoe structure is formed.
[0019] Since the waterproof foot-like member 22 is integrally
formed of latex and has no seam, it can be easily mounted to the
outer face of the lining layer 23, thereby allowing easy
manufacture. In addition, the foot-like member 22, the outer layer
21, and the lining layer 23 are sewn together along a sewing line 7
located not lower than an ankle area 6 of the upper 20. Thus, the
sewing holes on the sewing line 7 would not affect the waterproof
effect.
[0020] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
* * * * *