U.S. patent application number 11/829148 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for sole component for an article of footwear and method for making same.
This patent application is currently assigned to WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.. Invention is credited to Kiyotaka Nakano.
Application Number | 20090025260 11/829148 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40293987 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090025260 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nakano; Kiyotaka |
January 29, 2009 |
SOLE COMPONENT FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR AND METHOD FOR MAKING
SAME
Abstract
A sole component having a base, a toe cover and an integral line
of articulation permitting the toe cover to be molded in an "open"
position and moved into a "closed" position during assembly on the
article of footwear. The line of articulation may include a line of
reduced thickness extending laterally across the sole. The line of
articulation may also include breaks defined in the sidewall of the
sole in alignment with the line of reduced thickness. The present
invention also provides a method of forming a sole component
generally including the steps of providing a mold having bottom and
top mold parts shaped to cooperatively define a mold cavity in the
shape of a sole component having a toe cover joined to a base along
a line of articulation, closing the mold parts, injecting a sole
forming material into the cavity, removing the sole component and
moving the toe cover about the line of articulation into a closed
configuration for use.
Inventors: |
Nakano; Kiyotaka; (Rockford,
MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WARNER NORCROSS & JUDD LLP
900 FIFTH THIRD CENTER, 111 LYON STREET, N.W.
GRAND RAPIDS
MI
49503-2487
US
|
Assignee: |
WOLVERINE WORLD WIDE, INC.
Rockford
MI
|
Family ID: |
40293987 |
Appl. No.: |
11/829148 |
Filed: |
July 27, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/25R ; 12/146B;
12/146BP |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/28 20130101;
A43B 13/141 20130101; B29D 35/128 20130101; B29D 35/122
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/25.R ;
12/146.B; 12/146.BP |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/00 20060101
A43B013/00; A43B 13/14 20060101 A43B013/14; A43D 8/00 20060101
A43D008/00 |
Claims
1. A method of forming a sole component for footwear, comprising;
providing a mold having bottom and top mold parts, the mold parts
shaped to define a mold cavity in the form of a sole component
having a base, a toe cover in an open configuration, and an
articulation joint adjacent the toe cover; closing the bottom and
top mold parts to cooperatively define the cavity; injecting a sole
forming material into the cavity for forming the sole component;
removing the formed sole component from the mold in the open
configuration; and moving the toe cover about the line of
articulation into a closed configuration.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the formed sole component is made
of a durable material.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein said injecting step further
includes cooling the sole component prior to removal from the
mold.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein said removing step further
includes moving at least one of the top mold part and the bottom
mold part to provide access to the sole component prior to removing
the sole component from the mold.
5. An articulating sole component formed according to the method
set forth in claim 1.
6. The articulating sole component of claim 5, wherein said sole
component is further defined as an outsole, said outsole formed of
a durable wear-resistant material.
7. The articulating sole component of claim 6, wherein said outsole
further includes a sidewall.
8. The articulating sole component of claim 7, wherein said
articulation joint includes at least one break defined in said
sidewall.
9. The articulating sole component of claim 8, wherein said
articulation joint includes a line of reduced thickness.
10. An article of footwear incorporating the articulating sole
component of claim 6.
11. An article of footwear incorporating the articulating sole
component of claim 7.
12. An article of footwear incorporating the articulating sole
component of claim 8.
13. The article of footwear of claim 12 further comprising an upper
with a bottom and a toe region, said outsole secured to said bottom
of said upper with said toe cover covering at least a portion of
said toe region.
14. A sole component for an article of footwear comprising: a base;
a toe cover integral with said base, said toe cover extending from
said base; and an articulation joint disposed adjacent to said toe
cover, said toe cover being pivotally movable about said
articulation joint between an open position and a closed
position.
15. The sole component of claim 14 wherein said articulation joint
includes a line of reduced thickness extending at least partially
across said base.
16. The sole component of claim 15 further including a sidewall
extending upwardly form said base along at least a portion of a
periphery of said base, said sidewall defining a break, said break
being substantially aligned with said line of reduced
thickness.
17. The sole component of claim 14 further including a sidewall
extending upwardly form said base along at least a portion of a
periphery of said base, said articulation joint including at least
one break defined in said sidewall.
18. The sole component of claim 15 wherein said sole component is
further defined as an outsole, said outsole being formed of a
durable material.
19. An article of footwear comprising: an upper having a bottom and
defining and internal space, said upper including a toe region; an
outsole secured to said bottom of said upper, said outsole
including a base and a toe cover, said toe cover covering at least
a portion of said toe region of said upper, said outsole further
including a line of articulation adjacent said toe cover for
pivotally moving said toe cover with respect to said base between
open and closed positions, whereby said outsole may be formed with
said toe cover in an open position in which said toe cover does not
define an undercut region within a mold cavity and, after forming,
said toe cover may be moved into a closed position in which said
toe cover covers said toe region in such a way that said toe cover
would have created an undercut region in the mold had said outsole
been formed with said toe cover in said closed position.
20. The article of footwear of claim 19 wherein said outsole
includes a sidewall extending upwardly from at least a portion of
said base, said line of articulation including at least one break
in said sidewall.
21. The article of footwear of claim 19 wherein said line of
articulation include a line of reduced thickness extending at least
partially across said outsole.
22. The article of footwear of claim 19 wherein said line of
articulation include a line of reduced thickness extending at least
partially across said outsole; and wherein said outsole includes a
sidewall extending upwardly from at least a portion of said base,
said line of articulation including at least one break in said
sidewall, said break being in substantial alignment with said line
of articulation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a sole component for an
article of footwear and a method for making the sole component.
[0002] There is an ongoing effort in the footwear industry to
produce footwear that provides durability and a high level of
comfort, while maintaining a sense of style. As the styles change,
so must the methods of manufacturing the shoes. However, such
changes can and often do result in manufacturing difficulties.
[0003] Many of today's shoes include either a partial or complete
toe cover, such that the toe of the shoe in encompassed at least
partially by sole material. The primary difficulty with toe cover
constructions is how the toe cover can be formed and attached via
machinery. For example, in one construction the toe cover is formed
as an integral part of the outsole. In this construction, the
outsole extends the full length of the shoe and includes a heel cup
at the rear of the shoe and a toe cover at the front of the shoe.
Given the undercut nature of the toe cover, this sole cannot be
manufactured using a conventional mold with a single moving mold
part because the toe cover would entrap a portion of the mold
preventing its removal from the mold.
[0004] A number of efforts have been made to improve on the
conventional construction described above. In another conventional
construction, a clog is provided with a molded midsole and an
outsole attached to the midsole. In this construction, the toe
cover is integrated into the midsole, rather than the outsole. The
midsole is manufactured in a single molding step from lightweight
elastomeric material, which is pliable, flexible and easily removed
from the molding equipment. The outsole is made of multiple parts
that are affixed to the midsole. The parts of the outsole may be
formed of harder materials in the areas of greatest wear.
[0005] In yet another construction, both the sole and midsole are
provided with toe covers. In this construction, the outsole is
manufactured using a relatively complex multi-part mold. This
permits the outsole to be removed from the mold in a direction
substantially parallel to the plane of the outsole. The midsole is
formed from multiple sections that are fitted into the outsole and
affixed to one another. The use of multiple midsole sections may
avoid the need for complex multi-part molding equipment for the
midsole. Once assembled, the outsole hides the seam where the
midsole sections are affixed to one another.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a sole component having a toe
cover and a line of articulation that permits the outsole to be
molded in an open configuration and moved into a closed
configuration during assembly on the article of footwear. In one
embodiment, the line of articulation is a line of reduced material
thickness extending across the width of the sole. In one
embodiment, the sole component includes a sidewall and the line of
articulation includes at least one break defined in the sidewall.
In one embodiment, the sole component is an outsole.
[0007] The present invention also provides a method of forming an
articulating sole component with a toe cover. The method includes
providing a mold having bottom and top mold parts for forming a
sole with a toe cover in an open configuration. The bottom and top
mold parts are closed to cooperatively define a cavity. The mold
parts are contoured to define a mold cavity that will provide the
molded sole component with a line of articulation adjacent the toe
cover. The line of articulation permits the toe cover to be moved
into a closed position after molding. A sole material is injected
into the cavity for forming the sole component. Once sufficiently
cured, the sole component is removed from the mold in the open
configuration. During assembly to the article of footwear, the toe
cover is pivoted into the closed position about the liner of
articulation to provide the finished article of footwear with a
closed toe cover. In one embodiment, the sole component is an
outsole and the outsole is secured to the article of footwear by
cement or other adhesives. In one embodiment, the article of
footwear includes a removable footbed and the outsole with
articulating toe cover is secured directly to the undersurface of
the upper with the toe cover covering at least a portion of the toe
region of the upper. In one embodiment, the sole includes a midsole
secured to the undersurface of the upper and the articulating
outsole is secured to the midsole with toe cover extending above
the midsole covering at least a portion of the toe region of the
upper.
[0008] The present invention provides a sole component with a toe
cover that can be easily manufactured using a conventional mold
with only a single moving mold part. The sole includes a line of
articulation that permits the toe cover to be easily articulated
between open and closed positions. The sole component of the
present invention can be used with any footwear and enables a toe
cover to be formed as a single unit with the outsole. The present
invention also provides a method for manufacturing a sole component
with a toe cover that can be implemented using a conventional mold
with only a single moving part. The present invention provides an
article of footwear that provides a desired aesthetic appeal while
reducing the costs associated with the manufacture of conventional
constructions of similar design.
[0009] These and other objects, advantages, and features of the
invention will be readily understood and appreciated by reference
to the detailed description of the current embodiment and the
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side view of the articulating outsole of the
present invention
[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view of a boot incorporating the
articulating sole of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 bottom view of the articulating outsole of the
present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a medial view of the articulating outsole of the
present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 5A and 5B are side views of a side views of a standard
molds, depicting the problems with forming an outsole having a toe
cover incorporated therein; and
[0015] FIGS. 6A and 6B are side views of the molds of the present
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE CURRENT EMBODIMENT
[0016] An article of footwear incorporating an outsole manufactured
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown
in FIG. 2. For purposes of disclosure, the present invention is
described in connection with boot 100. The outsole of this
embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated 10. In the
illustrated embodiment, the outsole 10 is incorporated into a boot
100 that includes an upper, an internal midsole 14 (or footbed),
and an outsole 10. The outsole 10 is an articulating sole and is
described in more detail below. The outsole 10 includes a toe cover
30 and a line of articulation 36 that permits the toe cover 30 to
be molded in an open position (See FIG. 1B) and moved into a closed
position (See FIG. 1A) after molding, for example, during assembly
on the boot 100. The present invention is, however, well suited for
us in other types of footwear, including other outdoor footwear,
walking footwear, athletic footwear, multisport footwear, and work
footwear. The invention is equally well suited for use in
connection with other types of footwear including shoes, sandals,
and other soled footwear. Accordingly, the terms "boot" and "shoe"
are used interchangeably in this disclosure to refer to soled
footwear in general.
[0017] As noted above, boot 100 includes an upper 12, an internal
midsole 14 and an outsole 10. The upper 12 is manufactured from
conventional materials (e.g. leather or other sufficiently durable
material) according to conventional methods. For example, the upper
12 may utilize a conventional stroble construction. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper 12 is configured (e.g. sized and
shaped) to accommodate an internal midsole 14 and, optionally, an
internal insole (not shown) or sockliner (not shown).
Alternatively, the upper 12 may be manufactured for use with an
external midsole (i.e. a midsole disposed outside of and beneath
the upper) (not shown). The outsole 10 is secured to the upper 12
using a cement or adhesive construction. Although described in
connection with a cemented construction having an internal midsole,
the present invention is well-suited for use in connection with
essentially any footwear construction where a toe cover is desired.
For example, the style of the upper 12, the sole configuration and
the manner of securing the outsole 10 to the boot 100 may vary
depending on the design of the article of footwear.
[0018] The outsole 10 is manufactured from essentially any material
suitable for providing a durable and non-slip wear surface. The
design and configuration of the outsole 10 will vary from
application to application as desired. In the illustrated
embodiment, the outsole 10 is a polymeric material selected from
one of many well-known outsole materials having relatively high
durometer, such as natural or synthetic rubber. The outsole 10
includes an upper surface 18 that is secured to the lower surface
of the upper 12, for example, by cement or other adhesives. The
outsole 10 also includes a lower surface 22 that is shaped to
define the desired tread pattern. For example, the lower surface 22
can include a plurality of cleats 24 or other tread elements. In
the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 10 is a cup-sole in the
sense that it generally includes a base 60 and a sidewall 62. The
base 60 of this embodiment generally forms the bottom of the
outsole 10 being substantially coextensive with the bottom of the
upper 12. The sidewall 62 extends upwardly around the periphery of
the base 60 such that the base 60 and sidewall 62 cooperatively
define a cup-shaped seat for the bottom of the upper 12.
[0019] The outsole 10 of the illustrated embodiment generally
includes a forefoot portion 26 and a heel portion 34. The forefoot
portion 26 extends through the forefoot region 28 of the outsole
10, providing a wear surface that engages the ground beneath the
forefoot of the wearer's foot. In the illustrated embodiment, the
bottom surface of the forefoot portion 26 is textured to provide
improved traction. If desired, the forefoot portion 26 can include
tread, lugs or other traction improving elements. The forefoot
portion 26 is shaped to include a toe cover 30. The toe cover 30
extends from the forefoot portion 26 above and over the upper 12.
In the illustrated embodiment, the toe cover 30 is an extension of
the sidewall 62. The toe cover 30 provides additional structural
support for the upper 12 as well as protecting the toe region of
the boot 100 and the toes of the individual wearing the boot 100.
In the illustrated embodiment, the heel portion 34 extends past the
heel region 32 of the outsole 10, providing a wear surface that
engages the ground beneath the heel of the wearer's foot and
extends upward, covering a portion of the upper 12 located at the
back of the boot 100. The bottom surface of the illustrated heel
portion 34 is textured to provide improved traction. Like the
forefoot portion 24, the heel portion 34 can include treads, lugs
or other traction improving elements, as desired. In the
illustrated embodiment, the forefoot portion 26 and heel portion 34
are molded as a single unit and secured by cement or other
conventional adhesives.
[0020] The outsole 10 also includes a line of articulation or
articulating joint 36 located in the forefoot portion 26. In the
illustrated embodiment, the articulating joint 36 includes a line
of reduced thickness 66 extending laterally across the base 60 of
the outsole 10. The thickness of the material through the line of
reduced thickness 66 may vary from application to application as
desired to provide a highly flexible articulating joint 36. If
desired, the cross-sectional shape of the material through the line
of reduced thickness 66 may be selected to enhance flexibility. For
example, the line of reduced thickness 66 may include an arched or
bowed shape that easily bends through the desired range of motion
of the toe cover 30. Additionally, the illustrated articulating
joint 36 includes breaks 64 in the sidewall 62 that are
substantially aligned with opposite ends of the line of reduced
thickness 66. As shown, the breaks 64 in the illustrated outsole 10
can be integrated into the design of the sidewall 62 to provide an
aesthetically pleasing appearance. The breaks 64 may, however, have
essentially any alternative configuration that provides the line of
articulation with the desired flexibility. For example, the breaks
64 may be thin cuts or slits through the sidewall 62.
Cooperatively, the line of reduced thickness 66 and the breaks 64
in the sidewall 62 provide a living hinge that permits the toe
cover 30 to pivot with respect to the remainder of the outsole 10.
The articulating joint 36 may have alternative configurations in
different applications. For example, the articulating joint 36 made
include a channel (continuous or discontinuous), hinge, groove,
perforations or other similar pivotable device that can be formed
as one with the outsole 10.
[0021] As noted above, the articulating joint 36 enables the
outsole 10 to be formed as a single unit in the mold despite the
presence of the toe cover 30. The joint or hinge 36, as shown in
FIGS. 6A and 6B, allows the outsole 10 to be formed in an "open"
configuration and easily moved into a "closed" position after
molding. In other words, the articulating joint 36 permits the toe
cover 30 to be formed in an orientation that does not create an
undercut region in the mold. This allows the outsole 10 to be
removed from the mold without the need for complex multi-part
molds. Once the outsole 10 is removed from the mold, the
articulating joint 36 permits the toe cover 30 to be pivoted into
the appropriate "closed" configuration. For example, during
assembly of the boot 100, the toe cover 30 can be pivoted up over
the upper 12 and secured to provide a permanent cover over a
portion of the toe.
[0022] Manufacture of boot 100 will now be described with reference
to FIGS. 5 and 6. The upper 12 is generally conventional and will
not therefore be described in detail. Suffice it to say that upper
is manufactured from conventional upper materials using
conventional techniques and apparatus. In the illustrated
embodiment, the bottom of the upper is closed, for example, by a
stroble construction or any other suitable construction. The closed
upper 12 may be secured to the outsole 10 using conventional
adhesives.
[0023] The boot 100 includes a removable midsole 14 (or footbed)
that functions to provide the desired cushioning. The midsole 14 is
manufactured from an appropriate cushioning material, such as PU or
EVA. The firmness of the midsole 14 may vary from application to
application as desired. The midsole 14 may be manufactured using
conventional techniques and apparatus. For example, the midsole 14
may be compression molded, pour molded, injection molded and die
cut from a sheet stock. The midsole 14 may be manufactured using
other techniques and apparatus corresponding to the selected insole
material. The manufactured midsole 14 is removably fitted into the
upper 12 to overlie the bottom of the upper 12 and provide a
comfortable cushioning bed for the wearer's foot. Alternatively,
the midsole 14 could be secured to the bottom of the upper using
conventional cements or other adhesives.
[0024] In the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 10 may be
manufactured using a generally conventional mold having a single
linearly moving mold part. The molds used for manufacturing the
illustrated outsole 10 are shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B. As shown, in
the illustrated embodiment, the outsole 10 is injection molded
using generally conventional injection molding machinery. The
outsole 10 is molded from material having the desired resiliency
and wear characteristics, such as a relatively high durometer
polyurethane material. As shown in FIG. 6, the mold includes two
parts, a bottom part 38 and a top part 40. The mold parts 38 and 40
are configured to cooperatively define a mold cavity 70 that forms
the outsole 10 with the toe cover 30 in an "open" configuration. In
other words, the outsole 10 is formed with the toe cover 30 in a
rotated position that opens in the same as the motion of the mold
parts so that the toe cover 30 does not create an undercut that is
of sufficient depth to prevent operation of the molds. As a result,
the outsole 10 produced via the mold can easily be released from
the mold and can be formed using only the bottom part 38 and top
part 40.
[0025] The outsole 10 is preferably attached to the midsole part 16
using conventional techniques and apparatus. In the illustrated
embodiment, the outsole 10 is secured to the lower surface of the
upper 12 by cement or other adhesives.
[0026] The sole construction may also include an insole (not shown)
or sockliner (not shown) fitted into the upper 12 above the midsole
14. If included, the insole or sockliner may be manufactured using
conventional techniques and apparatus. The insole or sockliner may
be removably positioned over the midsole 14 or secured to the upper
surface of the midsole 14, as desired.
[0027] The above description is that of the current embodiment of
the invention. Various alterations and changes can be made without
departing from the spirit and broader aspects of the invention as
defined in the appended claims, which are to be interpreted in
accordance with the principles of patent law including the doctrine
of equivalents. Any reference to claim elements in the singular,
for example, using the articles "a," "an," "the" or "said," is not
to be construed as limiting the element to the singular.
* * * * *