U.S. patent application number 12/184214 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for waterproof, breathable shoe.
Invention is credited to William G. Combs.
Application Number | 20100024254 12/184214 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41606826 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024254 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Combs; William G. |
February 4, 2010 |
WATERPROOF, BREATHABLE SHOE
Abstract
A waterproof, breathable shoe is disclosed, having a shaped
polymeric upper to accommodate the wear's foot, as well as layers
to provide other properties to the shoe. At least five layers make
up the shoe upper: (1) an innermost woven fabric; (2) an air
permeable rubber layer; (3) an air permeable waterproof, four-way
stretch membrane layer; (4) a structured air mesh layer; and (5) an
outer woven fabric.
Inventors: |
Combs; William G.; (Eugene,
OR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John P. Sutton
2421 Pierce Street
San Francisco
CA
94115
US
|
Family ID: |
41606826 |
Appl. No.: |
12/184214 |
Filed: |
July 31, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/3A ; 36/25R;
36/43; 36/45 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/022 20130101;
A43B 7/125 20130101; A43B 23/0235 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/3.A ; 36/25.R;
36/43; 36/45 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/06 20060101
A43B007/06; A43B 13/00 20060101 A43B013/00; A43B 13/38 20060101
A43B013/38; A43B 23/00 20060101 A43B023/00 |
Claims
1. A shoe having a sole, an insole and an upper, said upper
comprising a plurality of laminated layers, the innermost layer of
woven fabric, the next layer of stretchable and deformable material
for cushioning pressure on the wearer's foot, the middle layer of a
waterproof, four-way stretch, air-permeable membrane, the next
layer of synthetic rubber perforated to allow the passage of air,
and an outermost layer of woven fabric.
2. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein the innermost and outermost layers
are woven nylon jersey fabric.
3. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein the stretchable and deformable
layer is structured air mesh.
4. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein the perforations of the rubber
layer are between 1 and 2 mm in diameter and are spaced apart
between 6 and 8 mm.
5. A shoe as in claim 1, wherein an impermeable membrane is wrapped
around the entire periphery of the lower portion of the shoe to
prohibit the flow of either water or air into the shoe when
standing in a depth of water less than 3 centimeters.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to footwear (boots or shoes) that has
an upper capable of resisting the passage of moisture while at the
same time permitting the passage of air through the upper.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Waterproof, breathable outer garments have been extremely
popular for winter wear because they are more comfortable for
wearers. Traditional foul weather gear was impervious to moisture,
which kept the wearer dry during storms. However, for winter
sports, it was desirable to allow moisture from the wearer's body
to exit through the garment to provide comfort during participation
in sports. Such garments were relatively light weight and foldable
for storage. Typically, such garments would have a layer of
breathable fabric and a layer of water resistant material.
[0003] Boots and shoes, unlike garments, must encompass the foot
and maintain the shape whether or not in use. Boots and shoes do
not collapse like jackets do. There is a need for a shape-retaining
layer to provide structural integrity to boots and shoes.
[0004] U.S. Patent Application 2006/0242862 A1, published Nov. 2,
2006, (Chelani), relates to a "Winter Sport/Snow Boot" that is
foldable to allow the boot to collapse and be fastened at fasteners
14 and 16 for "holding the boot in a folded, closed position"
(Abstract), similar to a folded garment. Such a folded boot does
not have the structural integrity for retaining the shape of a boot
or shoe in normal use. Chelani has a catalog of different
combinations of layers that might be used in a collapsible boot,
including paragraph 26, which describes a "possible use" of a layer
of "waterproof, breathable, and stretchable material" coupled to "a
perforated neoprene layer." This speculation as to possible
combinations for a foldable boot that was never shown to have been
made or patented is not an anticipation of a boot-shaped structure
that has five layers laminated together.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is a comfortable upper for boots and
shoes comprising a plurality of layers that allow moisture in the
foot to escape to the atmosphere while at the same time preventing
water from outside the boot or shoe to enter and soak the foot. The
outermost layer is fabric providing a smooth permeable surface for
easy cleaning. Woven nylon is the preferred fabric for both the
outermost layer and the innermost layer, comfortable for a bare
foot or a socked foot.
[0006] Next to the outermost layer is the structurally important
synthetic rubber layer that keeps the foot warm and maintains the
shape of the boot or shoe to conform to the wearer's foot. The
third or center layer is an air permeable thermoplastic waterproof
material similar to that used in waterproof, breathable outer
garments, except that it must be four-way stretch material, as
contrasted to the two-way stretch material used in outer garments.
The fourth layer is a structured air mesh layer for cushioning the
foot in the boot. The innermost layer is a fabric layer similar to
the outermost layer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a partially exploded cross-sectional view of the
layers in the boot or shoe upper.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a shoe or boot according to
the invention with a slice through the layers of the upper to
reveal the laminated layers.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a plan view of a segment of the second rubber
layer of the upper illustrating a pattern of perforations to allow
the passage of air through the layer.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment is a five-layer
composite of products that in combination are waterproof and
breathable. The term "shoe" is used here generically to include
boots and other foot coverings worn in moist environments. The
composite 11 is composed of an outermost layer 12 of a strong yet
soft protective layer for the shoe upper. My preferred outer layer
is nylon jersey fabric, which is air permeable and tough against
abrasion, yet soft to the touch.
[0011] The next layer below layer 12 is a rubber or synthetic
rubber layer 13 which provides warmth and structural integrity for
the shoe. This layer is shaped on a last to accommodate a human
foot inside. Suitable materials for layer 13 are neoprene,
chloroprene and similar impermeable membranes known to those
skilled in the art. My preferred material for heat retention in
layer 13 is a styrene butadiene rubber product sold under the name
"Seamate" made by Nam Liong Enterprises Co., Ltd., of Taiwan.
[0012] It is important to the invention that layer 13 be permeable
for the passage of air from inside the shoe to the outside of the
shoe. Normally, a rubber membrane 1 to 4 millimeters in thickness
would be impermeable to the passage of air or water. In order to
provide air permeability for layer 13, holes may be made in the
layer 13.
[0013] Leather, a common outer material for shoes, is not suitable
as the outer layer because it is normally not air permeable. If the
protective properties of leather are desired, then a sixth layer
outside the layer 12 may be added so long as perforations or open
spaces are included to allow the escape of air from inside the
shoe. The shoe in FIG. 2 is isometric view, partially enlarged, of
a preferred embodiment of the invention. This example has a partial
covering 18 of leather or leather substitute over the outermost
layer of the laminate 12 to provide strength for the metal
fasteners 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 31 and 32 for retaining
shoe laces 25 in place and for wear resistance. Gaps in the leather
outer 18 at 33, 34, 36, and 37 between the fasteners for shoe lace
holders allow for air to escape from layer 12. Perforations (not
numbered) in the leather 18 also facilitate the passage of air. An
impermeable rubber covering for the lower portion 38 of the upper
allows the user to stand in water to a depth of approximately four
centimeters without seepage through layer 12. Heel piece 39 and toe
piece 41 provide additional protection to those areas. The shoe
structure of FIG. 2 is merely illustrative of additional features
that may be added and those additional features form no part of the
present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a plan view of layer 13 having a pattern of holes
or perforations to permit passage of air through the layer 13. Any
pattern may be used, the only requirement being that the strength
and structural integrity of the rubber not be compromised. My
preferred embodiment is a pattern as in FIG. 3 with holes between 1
and 2 mm in diameter, spaced apart between 6 and 8 mm.
[0015] Returning to the layers of FIG. 1, the middle or third layer
14 is a waterproof, air permeable membrane of the type widely used
in outer garments. A crucial difference is that the
three-dimensional structure of shoes requires the ability to
stretch four ways: up, down, left and right. Outer garments need
not be able to stretch four ways; two-way stretch is sufficient. My
preferred material for layer 14 is a polyurethane product called
"Miracle-Tex" made by Mao Jie Shoe and Materials Co., Ltd., Dong
Guan City, China. It has been tested using ASTM test E96-2000 with
the back facing water in the inverted water method at 23.degree.
C., relative humidity 50.+-.2%, and air speed 0.02 meters per
minute to have 7796 grams per square meter of membrane per 24
hours. Of course, other air permeable, four-way stretch waterproof
membranes may be used for layer 14, and the Miracle-Tex is merely
the best mode contemplated at the time of filing this
application.
[0016] Backing the waterproof membrane 14 is layer 16, a structured
air mesh, which provides comfort for the wearer's foot and allows
free passage of air. My preferred embodiment of layer 16 is a
structured air mesh from Yi Heng Textile Co., Dong Guan City,
China. The innermost layer of the laminate is layer 17, a soft,
strong fabric as in layer 12. My preferred layer 17 is a nylon
jersey fabric.
[0017] Collectively, the layers 12, 13, 14, 16 and 17 of the
preferred embodiments were tested using ASTM test D737-2004:
Textest FX 3300 Air Permeability Test III. The laminate passed more
than 11 cubic feet per minute.
[0018] The sole and covering 38, as well as heel pieces 34 and toe
piece 41 are completely impervious to water to permit the wearer to
stand or walk through water to a depth of about 4 centimeters, the
laminate of the upper is air permeable in layer 14 to allow
moisture laden air inside the shoe to escape, while at the same
time preventing liquid water from entering the interior of the
shoe. Layer 16 allows free passage of air, while layer 13 limits
the amount of air passing through in order to retain body heat for
the comfort of the wearer in cold weather. The combination of
layers allows body heat to provide warmth and comfort and the
escape of perspiration as vapor, while still being waterproof.
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