U.S. patent application number 11/660635 was filed with the patent office on 2009-02-19 for outsole structure for a shoe, method for assembling outsole to an upper, and shoe obtained by said method.
Invention is credited to Luigi Bernardeschi.
Application Number | 20090044428 11/660635 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34972609 |
Filed Date | 2009-02-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090044428 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bernardeschi; Luigi |
February 19, 2009 |
OUTSOLE STRUCTURE FOR A SHOE, METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING OUTSOLE TO AN
UPPER, AND SHOE OBTAINED BY SAID METHOD
Abstract
A shoe outsole comprising a substantially flat body with a top
face and a lower face exhibiting a distribution of tread
protrusions. The protrusions include at least one peripheral
protrusion extending beyond the peripheral edge and defining a top
abutment surface displaced generally downward relative to the top
face of the body. In a method of assembling the outsole to a shoe
upper, for each peripheral protrusion, a cut is formed in the
upper, developing in accordance with the profile of the area of
superimposition between the peripheral protrusion and the body's
lower face. The method provides for insertion of the at least one
peripheral protrusion into the appropriate cut so as to enable
passage of the protrusion below the upper as a superimposition
reversal between the upper and the body.
Inventors: |
Bernardeschi; Luigi; (
Fucecchio (Firenze), IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
POLLACK, P.C.
THE CHRYSLER BUILDING, 132 EAST 43RD STREET, SUITE 760
NEW YORK
NY
10017
US
|
Family ID: |
34972609 |
Appl. No.: |
11/660635 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT2005/000325 |
371 Date: |
February 21, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 ;
12/142RS; 12/146B; 36/32R; 36/59C |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 9/00 20130101; A43B
13/223 20130101; A43B 13/145 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 ; 36/32.R;
36/59.C; 12/146.B; 12/142.RS |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/00 20060101
A43B013/00; A43C 15/00 20060101 A43C015/00; A43D 8/00 20060101
A43D008/00; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2004 |
IT |
FI2004A000132 |
Claims
1. A shoe outsole made of a natural or synthetic rubber material,
the outsole comprising a substantially flat body with a top face
and a lower face, and having a selected distribution of tread
protrusions comprising at least one peripheral protrusion
projecting from the peripheral edge of the body, the at least one
peripheral protrusion extending beyond the peripheral edge defining
a top abutment surface displaced generally downward relative to a
top face of the body.
2. The outsole set forth in claim 1, wherein the extent of the
displacement between the abutment surface and the top face is equal
to or slightly greater than the thickness of the material with
which the upper is made.
3. The outsole set forth in claim 1, wherein the abutment surface
substantially develops starting from an imaginary continuation of
the lower face of the body beyond the peripheral edge.
4. A method of assembling a shoe outsole to a shoe upper, the
outsole comprising a substantially flat body with a top face and a
lower face, and having a selected distribution of tread protrusions
comprising at least one peripheral protrusion projecting from the
peripheral edge of the body, the method comprising the steps of:
(i) arranging the outsole in superimposition with the upper
wherein, for each protrusion, a cut is formed in the upper, the cut
developing generally in accordance with the profile of the area of
superimposition between the peripheral protrusion and the body's
lower face with the profile of the area delimited between the inner
edge of the protrusion and the peripheral edge of the body; and
inserting the at least one peripheral protrusion in an appropriate
cut so as to enable passage of the protrusion below the upper as a
superimposition reversal between the upper and the body.
5. The method set forth in claim 4, wherein the at least one
peripheral protrusion extending beyond the peripheral edge defining
a top abutment surface is displaced generally downward relative to
the top face of the body.
6. A shoe comprising an outsole made of a natural or synthetic
rubber material, the outsole comprising a substantially flat body
with a top face and a lower face, and having a selected
distribution of tread protrusions comprising at least one
peripheral protrusion projecting from the peripheral edge of the
body, the at least one peripheral protrusion extending beyond the
peripheral edge defining a top abutment surface displaced generally
downward relative to a top face of the body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of footwear and
to the relevant manufacturing processes. In particular, it relates
to a new outsole structure of natural or synthetic rubber and to
the method of assembling it to the upper during the shoe
manufacturing process. The invention relates also to the shoe
obtained in this way.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various types of shoes are known wherein the upper, usually
made of leather, has a base intended to be combined with a natural
or synthetic rubber bottom or outsole, to obtain the shoe sole. In
particular, the rubber outsole exhibits a number of outwards
protrusions which, inserting into openings formed to this end in
the base of the upper, become exposed, thus forming the actual sole
tread. In practice, the outsole body is superimposed to the base,
being kept on the inside of the shoe. The base, in the area without
protrusions, remains exposed and visible between the protrusions,
thus attaining an appreciated aesthetic result, more valuable than
that of an outward facing surface completely made of rubber.
[0003] Besides the lower face of the outsole, the protrusions may
also be formed along the perimeter, so as to improve the sole
resistance and anti-slip properties and, in certain cases, also to
obtain a pleasant aesthetic effect. However, in this case, an
external reinforcing seam connecting the outsole to the upper must
necessarily be distributed on the upper leather, which is
unavoidably superimposed externally to the rubber, close to the
relevant protrusions. This causes a loss in the very aesthetic
value of the product, which is made even more serious by the
leather sharp cut edge, which remains visible on the outside. The
handmade assembly between outsole and upper, moreover, can be
difficult due to the need of maintaining an accurate
superimposition of the leather during the stitching.
[0004] Due to these disadvantages, sometimes the external
protrusions are obtained with separate rubber portions applied
subsequently, which of course considerably increases manufacturing
times and costs. The superimposition may also be avoided, using an
internal support element (a so-called "midsole"); similarly, this
is a manufacturing difficulty which moreover decreases the comfort
of the shoe.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to overcome the
disadvantages mentioned above by providing a new outsole structure
and a new method of assembling the same to the upper which should
allow obtaining shoes with side protrusions along the perimeter of
the sole, substantially of the type mentioned above, with a
considerably improved aesthetic result, with elementary and low
cost manufacturing methods, further improving the comfort of the
shoe and the durability requirements thereof.
[0006] Such object is achieved by the rubber outsole for a shoe
whose essential features are defined by the first of the annexed
claims. A method according to the invention for the assembly
between the outsole and an upper is essentially characterised by
what specified in the annexed claim 4.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] The features and advantages of the outsole structure for a
shoe, of the method of assembling the outsole to an upper, and of
the shoe thus obtained according to the present invention will
appear more clearly from the following description of an embodiment
thereof, made by way of a non-limiting example, with reference to
the annexed drawings, wherein:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a cross section of a shoe
obtained according to the invention;
[0009] FIG. 2 shows a partial axonometric view of the lower side of
a rubber outsole according to the invention, shown separately, that
is to say before the assembly to the upper;
[0010] FIG. 3 shows again the outsole of FIG. 2, in a top
axonometric view;
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a partial view of an upper, developed on a
plane, intended for the assembly with the outsole portion of FIGS.
2 and 3; and
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a schematic side view of a variant of a shoe
obtained according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0013] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, an outsole for a shoe
according to the invention comprises a body 1 with substantially
flat development, made of natural or synthetic rubber, shaped in
accordance with the outline of the entire shoe sole or of just a
portion thereof (for example the tip). In this second case, the
shoe sole will be provided with two (or more) outsole
semi-components physically separate from one another.
[0014] Body 1 therefore exhibits a top face 2, smooth in the
schematic representation of FIG. 2 but which could actually be
grooved or cut in various ways, intended for the foot's support
with the interposition of an inter-sole and/or insole. Body 1
further exhibits a lower face 3 from which a distribution of
protrusions projects, adapted for defining the actual sole tread.
Among these protrusion, protrusions 4 can be noticed arranged in
the inner zone of the lower face 3, that is, in a substantially
central position, and peripheral protrusions 5, arranged along the
face peripheral edge. In particular, among the peripheral
protrusions 5, which shall be discussed in detail hereinafter, a
tip protrusion 5a and two side protrusions 5b can be seen.
[0015] A leather upper 6, shown in cross section in the assembled
configuration (that is, of the finished or semi-finished shoe as
shown in FIG. 1) develops with a base 6a defined between side
vertical walls 6b. The upper 6 is intended for being assembled with
the outsole, to complete the manufacture of the sole and, at the
same time, integrate it in the shoe. To this end, as shown in FIG.
4, in the area intended for forming the base 6a, windows 7 are
formed in upper 6. The windows 7 have a profile that matches the
profile of the central tread protrusions 4, which are intended for
engagement with the same openings 7.
[0016] On the upper 6, in the area of transition between base 6a
and side walls 6b, there are provided cuts 8, 9, formed in
correspondence with respective peripheral protrusions 5b, 5a. More
precisely, cuts 8, 9 extend so as to be in accordance with the
profile of the area of superimposition between the respective
peripheral protrusions 5b, 5a, and the lower face 3, an area which,
more generally speaking, is in practice defined between the inner
edge of the protrusions and the peripheral edge of body 1 (shown in
dotted lines in FIG. 2).
[0017] In fact, with reference again to the peripheral protrusions,
and with particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, there can be noted
that each of them extends beyond the peripheral edge of body 1,
projecting then also upwards and defining respective top abutment
surfaces 10a, 10b. The latter, along the junction with body 1, are
displaced downwardly relative to top face 2. The extent of such
displacement is preferably equal to, or slightly greater than, the
thickness of the leather of the upper 6. Still according to a
preferred solution, the abutment surfaces 10a, 10b develop
according to the imaginary continuation of the lower face 3 beyond
the peripheral edge of body 1.
[0018] The outsole and the upper are assembled as follows. After
having suitably distributed the suitable adhesive substances on the
relevant surfaces, the outsole is superimposed to the upper 6,
inserting a peripheral protrusion 5a in the relevant cut 8. The
central protrusions 4 penetrate windows 7 of base 6a of the upper.
The lower face 3 of body 2, in the area which is free from
protrusions, will abut on base 6a, thus being coated thereby. The
other peripheral protrusions 5a, 5b are finally introduced in the
respective cuts 8, 9. The deformability of both the leather and the
rubber of which the upper and the protrusion are respectively
formed, assist in allowing such operation.
[0019] In this way, peripheral protrusions 5a, 5b pass below upper
6 (the term below being referred to the shoe usage position)
through the cuts 8, 9, as clearly shown in FIG. 1. This figure
shows how in the practice, due to the particular configuration and
position of the peripheral protrusions relative to body 1, the
leather of upper 6 and body 1 itself carry out a superimposition
reversal, highlighted at reference index S, with the leather
passing from the outside the body (in the area of base 6a) to the
inside of the peripheral protrusions 5a, 5b, abutting against the
relevant top surfaces 10a, 10b.
[0020] If, as mentioned, the displacement of the top surfaces 10a,
10b is equal to about the thickness of the leather, the shift from
the outsole to the side walls 6b of the upper will cause no
discontinuity, and therefore, no inconveniences to the wearing
comfort of the shoe. If the abutment surfaces 10a, 10b
substantially begin as an imaginary continuation of the lower face
3, there will be obtained the further advantageous result of
minimizing the deformation required to the upper for realising the
engagement. Accordingly, the forming of wrinkling, chipping or
inaccuracies in general will be avoided.
[0021] With reference now to FIG. 5, the invention, according to
methods similar to those described above, may be applied also in
the case of an upper 16 which, on the top side, exhibits a
continuous development from the outset. In practice, the side walls
6b are integrally connected above the foot before the assembly to
the outsole, unlike the previous case where the connection occurred
thanks to a closing operation following said assembly. In this
case, it is the base 6a which is initially discontinuous--that is,
longitudinally divided into two halves--and the procedure to be
followed for carrying out the assembly will be therefore slightly
different; the two base halves will be the last to be arranged
between the protrusions, after the superimposition reversal between
the outsole and the upper has already been carried out.
[0022] It will then be appreciated that, according to the
invention, when at the end of the gluing step the external
fastening stitching between the outsole and the upper must be
carried out, the same stitching can be applied right over the
peripheral protrusions, which in this case are externally
superimposed to the upper. The aesthetic result is therefore
considerably improved as compared to the conventional solution with
stitching running over the upper. The leather cut edges remain
fully covered by the relevant protrusions, and therefore invisible.
The handmade assembly between the outsole and the upper is very
easy, since it is the same and very reversal engagement between the
outsole and the upper, along with the particular configuration of
the peripheral protrusions, that keeps the superimposition steady
and accurate. No additional operations of separate rubber portions
to be applied subsequently, nor the use of an internal "midsole"
are required, so the method is quick and inexpensive and the shoe
comfort qualities are not worsened.
[0023] The method, even though with a less satisfactory result, can
be carried out also with an outsole wherein the peripheral
protrusions have no top abutment surfaces displaced downwards,
since the cuts formed in the upper, possibly with the aid of simple
reference signs on the outsole rubber, is sufficient to carry out
the superimposition reversal mentioned above. The reversal will
clearly exhibit variable dimensional features according to the
materials used.
[0024] Obviously, the protrusions, both the peripheral ones 5a, 5b
and the central ones 4, can vary in number, shape and arrangement.
Accordingly, windows 7 and cuts 8, 9 on the upper will be adapted,
as it can be appreciated by a simple comparison between FIG. 1 and
FIGS. 2 to 4, wherein different distributions of central
protrusions 4 are noticeable. Then, as confirmed by the variant
proposed in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the peripheral protrusions
can even extend also towards the outsole center, and that therefore
actual independent central protrusions may not be present. In this
case, the cuts formed in the upper 16 are much more extended as
compared to the previous solution, and they become actually
window-shaped.
[0025] Even though in the present description reference was made to
leather and rubber as materials used respectively for the upper and
the outsole, it is clear that the invention may be applied also
with different materials, whenever there raises a problem similar
to that described in the introduction. In particular, the rubber
outsole could also include hide inserts or portions.
[0026] Other variants and/or changes may be brought to the outsole
structure for a shoe, to the method of assembling the outsole to an
upper, and to the shoe thus obtained, according to the present
invention without thus departing from the scope of protection of
the invention itself.
* * * * *