U.S. patent application number 11/336522 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-25 for water-resistant and floatable footwear and method of manufacture therefor.
This patent application is currently assigned to R & S Trading Company, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mary K. Boncutter, Wilson Chao Nan Chen.
Application Number | 20070017121 11/336522 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24772927 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070017121 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Boncutter; Mary K. ; et
al. |
January 25, 2007 |
Water-resistant and floatable footwear and method of manufacture
therefor
Abstract
A water-resistant and floatable footwear including an outsole
and insole, and an upper member affixed to the sole,wherein the
footwear is floatable in water. In particular, the insole of the
footwear is constructed of the material "marine buoy;" that is, the
insole has an inner structure and an outer coating, the inner
structure being constructed of a thermoplastic resin and the outer
coating being constructed of a vinyl polymer. The footwear is
advantageously water-proof and provides buoyancy in water.
Inventors: |
Boncutter; Mary K.; (Newport
Beach, CA) ; Chen; Wilson Chao Nan; (Taichung,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
PO BOX 7068
PASADENA
CA
91109-7068
US
|
Assignee: |
R & S Trading Company,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
24772927 |
Appl. No.: |
11/336522 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10847262 |
May 17, 2004 |
|
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|
11336522 |
Jan 20, 2006 |
|
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|
10264015 |
Oct 3, 2002 |
6766598 |
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10847262 |
May 17, 2004 |
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09690552 |
Oct 17, 2000 |
6508016 |
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10264015 |
Oct 3, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/11.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 3/107 20130101;
A43B 5/08 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
036/011.5 |
International
Class: |
A43B 3/12 20060101
A43B003/12 |
Claims
1-25. (canceled)
26. A footwear comprising: a flexible sole including an outsole and
an insole, the insole having: a flexible inner compressible
structure having a top surface, a bottom surface and a side surface
extending around the outer perimeter of the inner structure between
the top and bottom surfaces; and a flexible outer coating forming a
continuous layer that substantially covers the entire top, bottom
and side surfaces of the compressible structure; and a strap
extending from the sole; wherein the coating is a coating of vinyl
polymer that forms a water barrier and the inner compressible
structure is a different material than the outer coating; and,
wherein the inner structure has at least one aperture for receiving
the strap.
27. A footwear of claim 26 wherein the coating extends into the
aperture.
28. The footwear of claim 26, wherein the inner compressible
structure is substantially wholly encapsulated in the outer coating
to be substantially waterproof.
29-38. (canceled)
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/264,015, filed Oct. 3, 2002 which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/690,552, filed
Oct. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,016, issued Jan. 21,
2003.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to footwear, in particular,
lightweight and comfortable footwear providing buoyancy in water
and resistance to water absorption, and a method of manufacture
therefor.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Casual and lightweight shoes, particularly, sandals are
known. Many of these shoes and sandals (hereinafter collectively
referred to as "footwear") are flexible due to the materials used
to construct the soles. However, because many of these materials
are porous, such footwear readily absorb water and become heavy and
cumbersome. The absorbed moisture or liquid may seep out over time
causing discomfort to the wearer, or even causing the wearer to
trip or fall. Moreover, such absorption may stain the footwear or
promote the growth of unsightly or odor-causing fungus.
[0004] To avoid some of these problems, some footwear have provided
drainage holes or other drainage features which unfortunately do
not prevent the absorption of water, but simply provide an outlet
for the water absorbed. However, seepage is not avoided, nor is the
growth of unsightly or odor-causing fungus caused by the trapped
moisture.
[0005] As with recreational footwear, particularly those adapted
for use in water recreation, it is desirable to have footwear that
have buoyancy and float in water. It is not uncommon for a shoe or
sandal to slip off one's foot while ingressing or egressing a boat.
It is also not uncommon for a shoe or a sandal to fall into a
swimming pool. Accordingly, footwear which stay afloat in water,
while resistant to the absorption of water, provide many
advantages.
[0006] Another desirable feature in footwear is comfort in the
areas of direct contact with the feet. While many footwear are
desirably casual and lightweight, the desire to minimize weight has
left many footwear with uncomfortable inner soles that lack a liner
that is both comfortable and slip-resistant.
[0007] Furthermore, current fashion trends mandate footwear to come
in a wide variety of colors. It is therefore desirable therefore to
provide footwear which address the foregoing problems, but also be
suitable to arrive in a variety of colors. In order to meet the
ever-changing tastes of the marketplace, the color of the footwear
should be easily alterable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention is directed to a new and improved
footwear comprising a sole including an outsole and insole, an
upper member affixed to the sole, wherein said footwear is
floatable in water. In particular, the insole of the footwear is
constructed of the material "marine buoy;" that is, the insole has
an inner structure and an outer coating, the inner structure being
constructed of a thermoplastic resin and the outer coating being
constructed of a vinyl polymer. As such, the footwear is
advantageously water-proof and provides buoyancy in water. The
upper members of the footwear may also be constructed of the marine
buoy material and they may be configured as a continuous strap or
flaps that are detachably attached to each other. The outsole of
the footwear may be configured in close conformity with the insole,
or it may include a peripheral border extending upwardly and around
said insole.
[0009] The present invention is also directed to a method for
producing a footwear with an insole, an outsole and upper members,
comprising the steps of: forming the outsole, forming the insole by
forming an inner structure from a thermoplastic resin, immersing
the inner structure in vinyl polymer, arranging the upper members
relative to the insole and the outsole to form said footwear,
securely affixing the insole, the outsole and the upper members to
each other. A step of the method may include providing apertures in
the insole adapted for securing the upper members before immersing
the insole in the vinyl polymer.
[0010] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the invention will be apparent from the following more particular
description of the preferred embodiments, taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the
principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a footwear
of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the footwear of FIG.
1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is top plan view of the footwear of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the footwear of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in
FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in
FIG. 1;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the footwear of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another alternative
embodiment of the footwear of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the footwear of FIG.
8;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the footwear of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of the footwear of FIG.
19; and
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of footwear of FIG. 10, with
upper members detached from each other.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an embodiment of a footwear 10
of the present invention is shown. The footwear has a sole 12,
including an insole 14 and an outsole 16, and upper member or
members (hereinafter used interchangeably) 18 affixed to and
extending above the sole 12 for securing the footwear 10 to the
wearer's foot (not shown). The upper members 18 may include a strap
20 and a fastening member 22 both adapted and configured to conform
to the wearer's foot. In particular, the strap 20 is configured to
extend above the foot and the fastening member 22 is configured to
extend between the toes of the foot. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6,
the ends 24 of the upper members of this embodiment of the footwear
10 are securely affixed to the outsole 16 by, e.g., adhesives or
glue. As understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the upper
members may connected to the sole 12 by a variety of different
means, including the formation of a nub at the ends 24 of the upper
members which are received in appropriately-sized apertures defined
in the sole 12, or other fastening or connecting structures.
[0024] Referring to the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4,
the insole 14 and the outsole 16 are made from flexible materials
and are of substantially the same configuration such that their
respective peripheral outer edges are substantially even with each
other. The outsole 16 may be constructed of a suitably flexible,
elastomeric and/or durable material for resisting wear while
providing tread. Rubber, for example, may be used to construct the
outsole 16. In this illustrated embodiment, the outsole 16 has a
substantially uniform thickness of approximately 3/16 inch
throughout the length and width of the footwear 10 (see FIG. 2). A
walking surface 19 of the outsole 16 is configured with a pattern
to provide tread and friction (see FIG. 4).
[0025] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the insole 14 may be constructed
of a combination of flexible materials commonly referred to as
"marine buoy" to resist water absorption and provide buoyancy in
the footwear. The insole 14 includes an inner structure 30 that may
be foam-like and is at least partially, if not substantially
wholly, encapsulated in a water-proof, water-repellant and/or
water-resistant sealant coating 32. The inner structure 30 is
compressible and of a relatively low density compared to the
outsole 16, such that it cushions the foot. Suitable materials for
construction of the inner structure 30 include a thermoplastic
synthetic resin or a thermoplastic synthetic resin containing a
plasticizer. Such a suitable thermoplastic resin composition may
comprise of the following: TABLE-US-00001 NBR (nature polybutadine
rubber) 30% PVC (polyvinyl chloride paste resin) 30% Filler talc
12% Foaming agent 10% Plasticizer 12% Process oil 6%
[0026] The resin may be molded, trimmed, cut or otherwise
configured (before, during or after curing, as understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art) as desired, but preferably to conform
substantially to outer shape of the foot. The thickness of the
inner structure 30; however, may be as is desirable and/or
functional. In a preferred embodiment, the thickness is
substantially uniform throughout the length and the width of the
sole 12 at approximately 11/2 inches. It is understood that the
thickness of the inner structure 30 may be nonuniform as desirable
or appropriate to conform to the shape of the foot. The inner
structure 30 has a top surface 34, a bottom surface 36 and a side
surface 38 extending around the outer perimeter of the inner
structure between the top and bottom surfaces.
[0027] The coating or surface 32 functions as a barrier or sealant
of the inner structure 30 to the environment. As such, the coating
32 is flexible and has water-proofing, water-repelling and/or
water-resistant properties. Suitable materials include vinyl
polymer or vinyl co-polymer compositions (used interchangeably
herein) which may be readily mixed with any of a variety of color
pigments for coloring the coating 32 as desired.
[0028] As mentioned, color pigments may be added to, mixed in,
and/or selected in the vinyl polymer. Accordingly, the footwear 10
may be readily manufactured in a variety of colors to suit the
tastes of the marketplace without substantial changes in the
manufacturing process or equipment. In that regard, the color of
the insole may be selected to purposefully match or otherwise
complement the color(s) of the upper members 18.
[0029] To apply the coating 32, the inner structure 30 once cured
and shaped is immersed in the vinyl polymer. As such, the inner
structure 30 is effectively encapsulated or sealed within an
effective water-resistant, if not water-proof barrier. Moreover,
the coating 32 so encapsulating the inner structure 30 provides a
comfortable and slip-resistant upper surface 33 with which the foot
directly contacts when the footwear 10 is worn. Once constructed,
the insole 14 and the outsole 16 are securely affixed to each other
and preferably by means of adhesive or glue.
[0030] The upper members 18, in particular the strap 20, may also
be constructed similarly to insole 14. In that regard, as shown in
FIG. 6, the strap 20 may have an inner structure 40 made of the
foregoing resin and a coating 42 of vinyl polymer, whereby both the
inner structure 40 and the coating 42 extend along the length of
the strap 20. For the average-sized foot, the strap 20 may have a
length of approximately 9.0 inches and a diameter of approximately
0.5 inches. Accordingly, the strap 20 and the insole 14 provide a
comfortable contact surface for the foot, while also being
water-resistant, if not water-proof, like the insole 14.
[0031] As also shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the fastening member 22 may
be a strip of woven textile 23 that is configured to provide a loop
through which the strap 20 extends. A plastic or latex tube 25 may
be used to secure together ends 44 of the fastening member.
[0032] As mentioned, the ends 24 of the upper members 18 are
securely affixed to the sole 12 by adhesive or glue. In the
illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, apertures 26 are
configured in the insole 14 to permit the ends 24 to pass through
the insole 14 and come into direct contact with the outsole 16. In
that regard, the apertures 26 are configured in the inner structure
30 before it is immersed in the vinyl polymer, so that the
apertures are, too, provided with the coating 32.
[0033] Accordingly, the footwear of FIG. 1 may be constructed
substantially by the following steps:
[0034] Step 1: providing the outsole 16;
[0035] Step 2: forming the insole 14, including preparing the resin
composition and configuring it into the inner structure 30;
[0036] Step 3: immersing the inner structure 30 in the vinyl
polymer to provide the coating 32;
[0037] Step 4: forming the strap 20 of the upper members 18,
including preparing the resin composition and configuring it into
the inner structure 40;
[0038] Step 5: immersing the inner structure 40 in the vinyl
polymer to provide the coating 42 ;
[0039] Step 6: providing the upper members 18, including arranging
the strap 20, the fastening member 22 and the tube 25 relative to
each other; and
[0040] Step 7: securely affixing to each other, the outsole 16, the
insole 14 and the upper members 18 by adhesive or glue.
[0041] The method of the present invention may also involve the
following steps:
[0042] Step 2a: forming the apertures 26 in the inner structure 30
before it is immersed in the vinyl polymer.
[0043] Moreover, Steps 4 and 5 may be bypassed if the upper members
18 are not to be constructed of the marine buoy material. It is
therefore understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the
foregoing steps need not be taken in the sequence presented, nor
does each step need to be taken in manufacturing the footwear 10.
The method may be altered as appropriate or desired depending on
the desired configuration and/or embodiments of the footwear as
described further below.
[0044] As illustrated in FIGS. 7-11, the upper members 18 may adopt
an unlimited number of variations in their configuration or manner
of construction. The upper members 18 may take the form of two
converging, relatively thin members 18a (FIG. 7), a continuous,
wider member 18b in combination with a fastening member 22b (FIGS.
8 and 9), or even two overlapping (adjustable) flaps 18c that are
detachable by Velcro.RTM. pads (FIGS. 10, 11 and 12). The materials
of which these upper members are constructed may be man-made or
otherwise, including pseudo-suede, nylon or nylon-based textiles,
or the like. As illustrated, the apertures 26 (that is, the shape
and size) are configured in conformity with the particular upper
members 18 employed with the footwear.
[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 8-11, the sole 12 may also adopt
unlimited variations in its configuration. In these illustrated
embodiments, an outsole 44 is configured to with an upwardly
extending peripheral border 50 (best illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11)
surrounding the relatively lower surface 52 on which the insole 14
sits. Thus, unlike the outsole 16 of FIGS. 1-6 which is of a
substantially uniform thickness, the outsole 44 provides the
peripheral border 50 which may have a thickness T of approximately
5/16 inch and a depth D of approximately 1/4 inch.
[0046] For these other embodiment of the footwear of the present
invention, the manufacturing thereof may substantially follow the
steps set forth above. Clearly, where the upper members are
configured or constructed differently, the steps may be altered as
appropriate or desired.
[0047] Although the foregoing discloses the presently preferred
embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the
those skilled in the art may make various changes to the preferred
embodiments shown and described without departing from the scope of
the invention. As such, the invention is defined only by the
following claims.
* * * * *