U.S. patent application number 10/948983 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for composite plate.
This patent application is currently assigned to Linear International Footwear Inc.. Invention is credited to Hung, Sheng Chung.
Application Number | 20050039350 10/948983 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34198451 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050039350 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hung, Sheng Chung |
February 24, 2005 |
Composite plate
Abstract
A protective sole plate for protective footwear having a number
of sole plate bodies, optionally of an electrically and thermally
insulating material, joined together with transverse hinged
joint(s) whereby each sole plate body can rotate about the
transverse hinge relative to other sole plate bodies thereby
enabling flexing of the sole plate while maintaining puncture
resistance.
Inventors: |
Hung, Sheng Chung;
(Taichung, TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KUSNER & JAFFE
HIGHLAND PLACE SUITE 310
6151 WILSON MILLS ROAD
HIGHLAND HEIGHTS
OH
44143
US
|
Assignee: |
Linear International Footwear
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34198451 |
Appl. No.: |
10/948983 |
Filed: |
September 23, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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10948983 |
Sep 23, 2004 |
|
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|
10726886 |
Dec 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/107 ; 36/22A;
36/72R; 36/73; 36/75R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/141 20130101;
A43B 7/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/107 ;
036/073; 036/072.00R; 036/075.00R; 036/022.00A |
International
Class: |
A43B 013/22; A43B
023/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 6, 2003 |
TW |
92210405 |
Jul 22, 2003 |
CN |
03267840 |
Claims
Having described the invention, the following is claimed:
1. A protective sole plate for protective footwear comprising: a
plurality of sole plate bodies joined together with at least one
transverse hinged joint whereby each sole plate body can rotate
about the transverse hinge relative to other sole plate bodies,
each body including at least one transverse edge adapted for hinged
interaction with an adjacent transverse edge of an adjacent sole
plate body.
2. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 comprising a first,
a second and a third sole plate body in longitudinal alignment
having one said transverse joint between the first and the second
body, and a second said transverse joint between the second and the
third body.
3. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 wherein said
transverse hinged joint comprises a recess in one said transverse
edge and an extending flange in the adjacent transverse edge
adapted for rotationally engaging the recess.
4. A protective sole plate according to claim 3 wherein the
transverse hinged joint comprises: an upper flange and a lower
recess in one said transverse edge, and a lower flange and an upper
recess in the adjacent transverse edge.
5. A protective sole plate according to claim 3 wherein the recess
and the flange have rounded engaging surfaces.
6. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 wherein at least
one sole plate body has a concave top surface.
7. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 wherein at least
one sole plate body has a convex bottom surface.
8. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 comprising a toe
sole plate body having a recessed toe rim in a bottom surface
thereof.
9. A protective sole plate according to claim 1 wherein said one
sole plate bodies are made of thermosetting resin.
10. A protective sole plate according to claim 9 wherein said one
sole plate bodies are made of reinforcing fibers surrounded by said
thermosetting resin.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an inner sole for
protective shoes, which is made of rigid plastic bodies hinged
together to provide flexing, is penetration resistant, thermally
insulating and electrically insulating.
BACKGROUND OF THE ART
[0002] Protective shoes provide foot protection for those who work
in a high risk environment. Protective shoes normally have
penetration resistance in the sole and crushing resistance in the
toe and metatarsal area.
[0003] Regarding the configuration of prior art protective
penetration resistant soles, conventionally a metal inner sole
plate is sandwiched between two layers 61 of fabric material and is
bonded to the shoe sole. A protective metal shoe head is positioned
on the shoe sole about the toe area. The metal inner sole plate
prevents sharp tips from penetrating and the rigid protective shoe
head protects the toes from injury from falling objects, or
impact.
[0004] However, prior art protective soles have shortcomings in
use. Conventional metal sole plates are often uncomfortable since
it is difficult to fabricate metal in a pressing process with a
smooth concave top surface to match the contours of a wearer's
foot. The metal sole plate must have an adequate thickness to
achieve penetration resistance, which complicates fabrication into
a curved shape, reduces flexibility and thus diminishes the comfort
of the shoe.
[0005] The conventional metal sole plate and metal protective shoe
head cannot provide effective electric shock resistance and thermal
insulation. Therefore, conventional protective shoes are not well
adapted for use in an environment where electric shock is a risk or
where thermal resistance to heat and cold are required.
[0006] The shape of a conventional metal sole plate is
substantially flat and does not include a concave upper surface to
follow the shape of the wearer's foot sole. Aside from the comfort
factor, the flat shape results in protective coverage narrower than
the wearer's foot sole and thus reduces the protection from
sideways penetration prevention around the edges of the foot.
[0007] Conventional protective soles cannot provide an effective
overall heat or cold resistance because the protective sole plate
and protective shoe head are of metal, which is a good thermal
conductor and consequently is also a poor thermal insulator.
Protective shoes are worn outdoors in construction or military
environments and worn indoors in various industrial premises where
the comfort of the wearer while exposed to heat and cold
environments are a concern.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The invention provides a protective sole plate for
protective footwear having a plurality of sole plate bodies,
optionally of an electrically and thermally insulating material,
joined together with at least one transverse hinged joint whereby
each sole plate body can rotate about the transverse hinge relative
to other sole plate bodies, each body including at least one
transverse edge adapted for hinged interaction with an adjacent
transverse edge of an adjacent sole plate body.
[0009] Objects of the invention will be apparent from review of the
disclosure, drawings and description of the invention below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a rigid hinged
inner sole plate according to one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a
protective shoe with the sole plate of FIG. 1 installed together
with a protective toe cap;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the rigid sole plate of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the rigid sole plate;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 5-5 of
FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 6-6 of
FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 7 is a detail sectional view, of the hinged joint in
FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 8 is a sectional view through a protective show with
the sole plate of the present invention under a bending condition
in use;
[0018] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the prior art
one-piece protective sole; and
[0019] FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded perspective view of a prior
art protective shoe.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, which illustrate a
configuration of the conventional shoes, a shoe sole 60 is topped
with a conventional metal inner sole plate 70, which is bonded
together therewith. The metal inner sole plate 70 itself is
sandwiched between two layers 61 of material, in order to obtain a
better combination. A protective shoe head 71, which is made of
metal material, is positioned on the shoe sole 60 at a location
corresponding to the wearer's toes.
[0021] Thus, the wearer's foot sole is protected by the inner sole
plate 70. The metal inner sole plate 70 prevents sharp tips of an
object from penetrating therethrough to injure the wearer's foot
sole when the wearer's foot accidentally steps on the sharp tips of
the object. The rigid protective shoe head 71 protects the
vulnerable toes from being injured even when a heavy object falls
thereon.
[0022] Referring to FIGS. 1-7, the present invention relates to an
improvement of an inner sole configuration for protective shoes in
which a rigid plastic inner sole plate 1 is bonded to a rubber shoe
sole 50. A layer 51 of a material is bonded to each of the top and
bottom surfaces of the rigid plastic inner sole plate 1. A
protective shoe head 40 (as shown in FIG. 2) is affixed to the shoe
sole 50 in a position covering the wearer's toes.
[0023] In this configuration the rigid plastic inner sole plate 1
and the shoe head 40 are made of thermosetting resin with
reinforcing fibers. The shoe head 40 however can also be of metal.
The rigid plastic inner sole plate 1 is configured with first,
second and third plate bodies 10, 20 and 30 positioned in a
longitudinal sequence in correspondence with the positions of
bendable portions of the wearer's foot sole where the foot joints
are located. The plate 1 includes a top surface with a concavity
100 (as shown in FIG. 6) according to bioengineering, thereby being
adapted for supporting the wearer's foot sole. The plate 1 includes
a bottom surface having a curved configuration 101 at the periphery
thereof.
[0024] The first plate body 10 includes a transverse edge 11 at an
end thereof adjacent to second plate body 20 and forming a
transverse hinged joint therewith. The transverse edge 11 has at an
upper part thereof a recess 110 extending laterally therethrough
and defines at a lower part thereof a rounded extending flange 111
(as best shown in FIG. 5).
[0025] The second plate body 20 includes a transverse edge 21 at a
first end thereof adjacent to the first plate body 10. The
transverse edge 21 has an extending flange 210 extending from an
upper part thereof. The flange 210 is enabled to rest in the recess
110 of the first plate body 10. A clearance is formed between an
end of the recess 110 of the first plate body 10 and an end of
flange 210. The transverse edge 21 further includes a laterally
extending rounded flange 211 (as shown in FIG. 5). The second plate
body 20 includes a transverse edge 22 at a second end thereof
opposite to the first end thereof. The transverse edge 22 includes
a recess 220 formed at an upper part and extending laterally
therethrough, and a laterally extending rounded flange 221 (as
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5). An appropriate clearance is formed at each
of the opposite side margins of the hinged plate 1 between a lower
part of the connecting portion 11 of the first plate body 10 and a
lower part of the connecting portion 21 of the second plate body
20. The transverse edges 11 and 21 contact each other at a middle
part thereof between the opposite side margins.
[0026] The third plate body 30 includes a transverse edge 31 at
first end thereof toward the second plate body 20. The transverse
edge 31 has a flange 310 extending from an upper part thereof to
rest in the recess 220 of the second plate body 20. A clearance is
formed between an end of the recess 220 of the second plate body 20
and an end of the flange 310. An appropriate clearance is formed at
each of opposite side margins of the plate 1 between a lower part
of the transverse edge 22 of the second plate body 20 and a lower
part of the transverse edge 31 of the third plate body 30. The
transverse edges 22 and 31 contact each other at a middle part
between the opposite side margins. Furthermore, the transverse edge
31 includes a laterally extending rounded bottom end surface 311
(as shown in FIG. 5 and 7). Thus, the first and second plate bodies
10, 20 are enabled to bend freely and rotate relative to each other
about a transverse hinge.
[0027] The third plate body 30 further includes a recess 32 formed
in a lower part of a second end thereof opposite to the first end
thereof for engaging a rim of a rigid plastic shoe head.
[0028] In such a configuration according to the present invention,
the rigid plastic inner sole plate 1 benefits from the rigidity and
solidity of the insulating plastic material, provides an optimal
overall result of electric shock resistance, heat resistance and
thermal insulation, and thereby improves the insulation safety of
the protective shoes. Additionally, the rigid plastic inner sole
plate 1 provides the protection of the wearer's foot sole from
injury resulting from sharp tips of an object penetrating the
rubber shoe sole 50 of the protective shoes.
[0029] The rigid plastic inner sole plate 1 of the present
invention has a concave top surface 100 which is better fitted to
the wearer's foot soles, thereby providing a better coverage and
support for the wearer's foot soles, and thus improving the comfort
of the protective shoes. Also because of the concave top surface
100, the rigid plastic inner sole plate 1 extends to wrap around
the opposite side areas of the wearer's foot soles, forming a
larger coverage for the wearer's foot soles. When a sharp tip of an
object penetrates the shoe sole of the protective shoe at the side
margins thereof, and then contacts the convex bottom surface 101 at
the periphery of the plate 1, the sharp tip will be forced and
guided to project laterally and outwardly, thereby being prevented
from injuring the wearer's foot sole. Therefore, the safety of the
protective shoes regarding lateral penetration prevention is
significantly improved.
[0030] Furthermore, in accordance with the bendable areas of the
wearer's foot sole at the joints thereof, the rigid plastic inner
sole plate 1 of the present invention includes the first, second
and third plate bodies 10, 20 and 30 which connect to one another
at transverse hinged joints, and the plate 1 defines an appropriate
clearance respectively between the transverse edges 11, 21 of the
respective first and second plate bodies 10 and 20, between the
transverse edges 22, 31 of the respective second and third plate
bodies 20 and 30. Thus, the first, second and third plate bodies
10, 20 and 30 are freely bendable such that the respective plate
bodies 10, 20 and 30 are hinged to bend corresponding to various
bending directions of the wearer's foot sole joints (as shown in
FIG. 8). The wearer's foot movement will not thus be restricted by
the protective shoe, and the wearer will thus feel much more
comfortable.
[0031] Conclusively, in contrast to the soles of the conventional
protective shoes, the improvement of the rigid plastic inner sole
configuration of the present invention results in much better
safety and comfort of the protective shoes when in use.
* * * * *