U.S. patent application number 11/094596 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for protective footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to Les Chaussures STC Inc. /STC Footwear Inc.. Invention is credited to Denis Dion.
Application Number | 20060059718 11/094596 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35006299 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060059718 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dion; Denis |
March 23, 2006 |
Protective footwear
Abstract
A protective footwear incorporating a special ballistic grade
pliable protector designed to protect the vulnerable arch area of
the foot from multi-directional punctures. As an integral part of
the boot, the protector provides protection from different sharp
objects having multiple angles of incident. The protector is made
of multiple layers of woven ballistic fabric and is adapted to trap
the sharp point of the protruding object in its fabric webbing
preventing it from being redirected to a more vulnerable and
exposed area of the foot.
Inventors: |
Dion; Denis; (Windsor,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OGILVY RENAULT LLP
1981 MCGILL COLLEGE AVENUE
SUITE 1600
MONTREAL
QC
H3A2Y3
CA
|
Assignee: |
Les Chaussures STC Inc. /STC
Footwear Inc.
|
Family ID: |
35006299 |
Appl. No.: |
11/094596 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60557684 |
Mar 31, 2004 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/72R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 7/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/072.00R |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20060101
A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. A footwear comprising a body for receiving a wearer's foot, and
a flexible puncture protective arch insert integrated to said body
at an instep portion thereof, said flexible puncture protective
arch insert comprising multiple overlying layers of woven ballistic
fabric, each layer having interlaced warp and weft yarns, the warp
and weft yarns of at least a plurality of said layers having an
orientation different from that of neighboring layers, said
multiple overlying layers providing protection by entrapping
encountered puncturing objects, thereby preventing redirection to
unprotected areas of the wearer's foot.
2. A footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said flexible puncture
protective arch insert has a flexible backing, the protective arch
insert together with the flexible backing being deformable under
pressure exerted thereon by the encountered puncturing objects.
3. A footwear as defined in claim 1, wherein said body includes
inner and outer layers of flexible material, and wherein said
flexible puncture protective arch insert is captively received
between said inner and outer layers of flexible material.
4. A footwear comprising a sole and an upper extending from the
sole for receiving a wearer's foot, a flexible protector of woven
ballistic yams integrated to said upper, the flexible protector
being deformable together with said body under pressure exerted by
an encountered penetrating objects in a trapping configuration in
which the encountered penetrating objects are captured by the woven
ballistic yarns to prevent redirection of the penetrating objects
to a more vulnerable area of the wearer's foot.
5. A protective footwear as defined in claim 4, wherein said
ballistic yams are woven in multi-directional layers.
6. A protective footwear as defined in claim 5, wherein said
flexible protector is a lateral protective insert extending over
the arch area of the footwear to provide arch protection while
preserving flexibility of the footwear.
7. A protective footwear as defined in claim 4, wherein said upper
is of composite construction and includes inner and outer layers of
material, the flexible protector being installed between said inner
and outer layers and being movable therewith.
8. A protective footwear comprising a body for receiving a wearer's
foot, said body having inner and outer flexible layers, and a
lateral puncturing protector mounted between said inner and outer
flexible layers in the arch area of the wearer's foot, the lateral
puncturing protector including a fiber material woven in
multi-directional layers, the fiber material defining a plurality
of catching interstices in which a sharp edge of a sharp object is
captively received when pushed under pressure against said lateral
puncturing protector.
9. A protective footwear as defined in claim 8, wherein said fiber
material is at least partly made of a ballistic material.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/557,684 filed on Mar. 31, 2004
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to protective footwear and,
more particularly, to protection against puncture injuries.
[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0005] All materials used in the manufacture of protective footwear
for firefighters must satisfy minimum performance requirements for
flame, heat, tear cut and puncture resistance as prescribed by The
National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).
[0006] Traditionally, rubber or synthetic rubber has dominated
firefighter footwear boots in the style commonly referred to as
"bunker style". More and more firefighters and other emergency
responders are opting for leather (or synthetic fabric) boots. They
offer enhanced comfort, breathability, flexibility and protection.
Moreover, they can incorporate more features designed enhance the
key performance factors described above.
[0007] Over the past five years, protective leather (or synthetic
fabric) footwear has become more and more popular for firefighters
offering them many benefits above traditional rubber footwear.
Amongst the most important is enhanced comfort by fit and
lightness. Leather (or synthetic fabric) allows for a custom fit
and tougher mechanical protection. Additionally, leather (or
combined leather and synthetic fabric) allows firefighter (or other
emergency responder) boot to be lighter than its rubber equivalent.
Lighter weight footwear has important consequences for increasing
work efficiency and duration, and reducing stress related injury. A
study done by Study by R. G. Soule & R. F. Goldman, US Army
Research Institute of Environmental Medicine (Journal of Applied
Physiology, Vol. 27, No. 5, November 1969) reported that each
additional kilogram of load carried on the feet increased the
expected energy costs to the human subject by a factor of 4
compared to the no load energy cost.
[0008] Firefighters and emergency responders wear boots to protect
their feet against heat, cold, cut water and puncture wounds and
sprains. Their activities are not limited to walking, but running
or crawling in all types of debris--often on un-level or unstable
flooring. Puncture protection therefore offers real safety
benefits.
[0009] The human foot is a complex anatomical structure. It
consists of 26 bones working synergistically to support and propel
the human body. During strenuous activity it can withstand forces
of up to 250% of normal body weight. Firefighter and other
emergency responders such as police, medical and USAR personnel
often perform at elevated activity levels, whether walking in
burned out structural debris or extricating a human life from an
entangle accident scene, to more recent rescues from otherwise
complex situations.
[0010] The area most vulnerable to puncture is obviously the entire
bottom sole area. This has long been recognized in general safety
footwear. Almost all manufacturers have adopted the metallic
puncture resistant plate that covers the entire sole area of the
foot. This plate works in conjunction with the rubber sole of the
shoe. If a wearer steps on a sharp protruding object, it will
penetrate the composite sole material and be blocked by the
metallic plate. Theoretically, there is no danger of redirection of
the sharp object, as it remains embedded in the narrow channel it
created as it pierced the rubber sole.
[0011] Other areas of vulnerability include the toes and the top of
the foot. These areas are most susceptible to crushing injury from
heavy objects falling. The use of the steel (or composite) toecap
has done much to address this danger.
[0012] An area not yet recognized by many manufacturers is the
vulnerable arch area, i.e. the inside portion of the instep. For
the most part this area remains unprotected from vertical
protrusions as well as multi-directional protrusions.
[0013] Current patents with regards to arch inserts address
athletic footwear. All those investigated use composite materials
for their flexibility and lightness.
[0014] U.S. Pat No. 5,918,338 teaches using a woven composite
material in sport footwear. It is designed to enhance the overall
performance of athletic shoes by returning energy to the user's
foot on being lifted after contact with the ground.
[0015] U.S. Pat. No. 5,319,866 is directed to woven and non-woven
arch support material(s) designed to improve the overall
performance in athletic shoes in terms of weight, comfort and
support.
[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5.546,680 teaches providing protective inserts
in environments where sharp objects can puncture the footwear
product. This patent is entirely specific to rubber footwear for
firefighters. It recognizes the lack of protection to the inside
portion of the human instep and claims a more complete protection
by providing rubber footwear product with a rigid protective insert
that protects the sole of the wearer's foot and also the inside or
arched portion of the wearer's instep. The invention is specific to
rigid steel and also mentions other rigid composite materials such
as: rigid plastic fiberglass or graphite. It does not, however,
address the problem of a penetrating object being deflected and
causing injury to other areas of the foot.
[0017] The use of rigid inserts in the instep region poses
possibility for further risks to the wearer. When an object enters
the vulnerable arch area and is met by a rigid material, such as
steel, it is blocked and depending on the angle of entry and the
force of the wearer the sharp object may actually be redirected to
a more vulnerable unprotected area, as shown in FIG. 1. Rigid
materials, such as steel or plastic are not designed to entrap the
sharp protrusion, they are designed to block and prevent
penetration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0018] It therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a
protective insert which is adapted to entrap sharp objects instead
of blocking and deflecting them.
[0019] According to a general aspect of the present invention, the
above issues are addressed by providing complete arch protection in
a manner that does not impede the flexibility of the boot.
Additionally, the method of blocking the protrusion ensures that it
is not redirected to a more vulnerable area.
[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, there
is provided protective footwear comprising an arch protector having
multiple layers of woven ballistic material, each layer including
interlaced warp and weft yarns, with the warp and weft yarns of
each of said layers having an orientation different from that of
the neighboring layers. According to the present invention, there
is no need to make use of any epoxies or resins as hardeners, which
although tough, would increase footwear rigidity and decrease
comfort.
[0021] In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention,
multiple layers of woven ballistic fabric, with the warp and weft
yarns of each layer having an orientation different from that of
its neighboring layer provides contoured protection that is
flexible and moves with the foot of the wearer. This constitutes an
important consideration in leather (or synthetic fabric) boots worn
by firefighter and other emergency responders. These boots are
designed for maximum comfort and mobility.
[0022] In accordance with a further general aspect of the present
invention, there is provided a protective footwear comprising a
sole and an upper for receiving a wearer's foot, and a flexible
protector of woven ballistic yarns integrated to said upper to
entangle and trap penetrating objects.
[0023] In accordance with a further general aspect of the
invention, there is provided a footwear comprising a body for
receiving a wearer's foot, and a flexible puncture protective arch
insert integrated to said body at an instep portion thereof, said
flexible puncture protective arch insert comprising multiple
overlying layers of woven ballistic fabric, each layer having
interlaced warp and weft yarns, the warp and weft yams of at least
a plurality of said layers having an orientation different from
that of neighboring layers, said multiple overlying layers
providing protection by entrapping encountered puncturing objects,
thereby preventing redirection to unprotected areas of the wearer's
foot.
[0024] In accordance with a still further general aspect of the
invention, there is provided a protective footwear comprising a
body for receiving a wearer's foot, said body having inner and
outer flexible layers, and a lateral puncturing protector mounted
between said inner and outer flexible layers in the arch area of
the wearer's foot, the lateral puncturing protector including a
fiber material woven in multi-directional layers, the fiber
material defining a plurality of catching interstices in which a
sharp edge of a sharp object is captively received when pushed
under pressure against said lateral puncturing protector.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] Reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings,
showing by way of illustration a preferred embodiment thereof, and
in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating how
a conventional rigid puncture resistant plate can block and
redirect a sharp object to another unprotected area of a wearer's
foot;
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a protective footwear
incorporating an arch protector made of multiple layers of woven
ballistic fabric in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the protective footwear
illustrating the flexibility of the arch protector;
[0029] FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the protective
footwear illustrating how a nail is entangled and trapped into the
arch protector, and
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
multi-layer construction of the protective layer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] As will be seen hereinafter, the present invention is
generally directed to a footwear protective insert adapted to trap
the sharp objects, such as nails, to prevent them from being
redirected to more vulnerable area of the wearer's foot. The
present invention is particularly applicable to all styles of
leather (or synthetic fabric) safety boots worn by firefighters and
other emergency responders. The protective insert can
advantageously be used as an arch protector to protect the wearer
from multi-directional punctures to the arch area of the foot.
However, it is understood that the present invention could have
other applications.
[0032] More specifically, one embodiment of the present invention
generally relates to the adaptation of a special ballistic grade
pliable protector, designed to protect the vulnerable arch area of
the foot from multi-directional punctures, incorporated into
leather (or synthetic fabric) boots worn by firefighters and other
emergency responders. Because of its unique material application,
it offers protection based on the principles of ballistic
protection, where the piercing object is entangled and never
redirected.
[0033] Now referring to FIGS. 2 to 4, there is shown a protective
footwear 10 (a leather or synthetic fabric firefighter boot in the
illustrated example) comprising a flexible arch protector 12. The
arch protector 12 covers the entire arch area of the wearer's foot.
The arch protector 12 is preferably provided in the form of an
insert placed between inner and outer flexible layers 14 and 16
forming part of the upper of the leather boot. The protector 12
extends upwardly from the sole 18 of the footwear 10.
[0034] The arch protector 12 is made of multiple flexible overlying
layers of woven ballistic material. The protector 12 preferably
incorporates ballistic grade nylon, Kevlar.RTM. or other puncture
resistant fiber materials. As shown in FIG. 5, each layer 20a, 20b,
20c . . . includes a matrix of interlaced warp and weft yarns 22
and 24. The warp and weft yarns 22 and 24 of adjacent or
neighboring layers 20a, 20b and 20c extend in different directions.
This arrangement provides a flexible puncture resistant insert
which is adapted to trap the sharp object in its webbing instead of
redirecting it, as the prior art inserts do.
[0035] The arch protector 12 provides puncturing protection without
affecting flexibility of the boot (see FIG. 3). The arch protector
12 is flexible by itself and is installed between two flexible
layers 14 and 16 of material. This composite construction provides
contoured protection that is flexible in that the flexibility of
the inner and the outer layers 14 and 16 is preserved when
assembled to protector 12. The protector 12 is allowed to move and
flex with foot of the wearer (see FIG. 3), thereby providing
maximum comfort and mobility.
[0036] When a sharp object (for instance the nail N shown in FIG.
4) is encountered, the arch protector 12 will deform under the
pressure applied by the object to trap the sharp edge thereof
within its webbing, thereby preventing redirection of the sharp
object to another unprotected area. The flexibility of the backing,
i.e. the inner layer 14, of the arch protector 12 permits the
deformation thereof
[0037] In view of the foregoing, it can be readily appreciated that
the present invention provides an additional, more complete and
comfortable protective insert to the entire bottom of a footwear
and prevents lateral multi-directional protrusions from coming into
the vulnerable arch area, i.e. the inside portion of the foot that
extends laterally from the composite heal four inches towards the
front of the foot in an arch form.
* * * * *