U.S. patent application number 13/323315 was filed with the patent office on 2012-06-21 for shoe with tyvek upper.
Invention is credited to Steven Weinreb.
Application Number | 20120151799 13/323315 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46232513 |
Filed Date | 2012-06-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120151799 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weinreb; Steven |
June 21, 2012 |
SHOE WITH TYVEK UPPER
Abstract
A shoe comprising a sole and an upper composed substantially of
Tyvek. The upper can be made of a single piece of Tyvek or of two
more panels of Tyvek. The heel portion of the upper can also
include a reinforcement of Tyvek. A piping of Tyvek can also be
provided.
Inventors: |
Weinreb; Steven; (East
Brunswick, NJ) |
Family ID: |
46232513 |
Appl. No.: |
13/323315 |
Filed: |
December 12, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61424799 |
Dec 20, 2010 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/87 ;
36/84 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/0215 20130101;
A43B 23/025 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/87 ;
36/84 |
International
Class: |
A43B 1/00 20060101
A43B001/00; A43B 1/10 20060101 A43B001/10 |
Claims
1. A shoe comprising a sole and an upper, the upper composed
substantially of a material of non-woven spunbound olefin
fiber.
2. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper is composed entirely of
the material.
3. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper is composed of a single
piece of the material.
4. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper is composed of at least
two panels of the material stitched together at select
portions.
5. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper has a rear panel and a
front panel, the front panel extending rearwardly to overlap the
rear panel, the panels connected by a stitch line.
6. The shoe of claim I, further comprising a padding formed around
a top part of an ankle portion of the upper.
7. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper includes a piping of a
non-woven spunbound olefin fiber material, the piping extending
along an edge of the upper.
8. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the upper includes a rubber tip
portion.
9. The shoe of claim I, wherein the upper includes a reinforcement
at the heel portion, the reinforcement being composed of a piece of
woven material.
10. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the heel portion is fully
collapsible so a user's heel can collapse the material down to the
sole to provide a deconstructed look.
11. The shoe of claim 9, wherein the heel portion is fully
collapsible so a user's heel can collapse the material down to the
sole to provide a deconstructed look.
12. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a tongue, the tongue
including an elastic member to enable the shoe to be worn without
being laced.
13. The shoe of claim 12, wherein the elastic member extends a
substantial length of the tongue.
14. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a taping at a rear
portion of the upper underneath a piping.
15. The shoe of claim 1, wherein the shoe is a high top shoe.
16. The shoe of claim 1, wherein a rear portion of the upper
overlaps a front portion to cover an eyelet portion of the
shoe.
17. The shoe of claim 1, further comprising a strip composed of the
material, the strip positioned at a heel portion of the upper and
including insignia.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] This application claims priority from provisional
application Ser. No. 61/424,799, filed Dec. 20, 2010, the entire
contents of which are incorporated by reference herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This application relates to the field of footwear and more
particularly to footwear having uppers composed of Tyvek.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART
[0003] In designing footwear, various characteristics need to be
considered. Although several prior art shoes may have one or more
of these characteristics, none have been able to provide the
optimal balance of quality material selection, low cost and user
comfort. For example, footwear uppers made of a tough material may
have the advantage of reducing the incidence of tearing, but this
is achieved at the expense of sacrificing comfort as the weight of
the shoe is increased. Also, such tough material has reduced
flexibility, also adversely affecting user comfort. Additionally,
in providing a tougher material, sufficient breathability may not
be achievable, an important feature especially in an athletic shoe
or for warm weather wear. On the other hand, in designing an upper
of a lightweight material in an attempt to decrease cost or
increase user comfort, it may result in an upper that could easily
tear and not provide adequate protection for the users foot. In
addition to achieving the above balance of seemingly competing
factors, it would be advantageous to provide a shoe upper composed
of water resistant material without sacrificing comfort or adding
additional expense to the shoe.
[0004] Still further, it would be beneficial if such shoes could be
made of a recyclable material, thereby beneficially affecting the
environment.
[0005] Consequently, the need exists for a footwear material that
provides the optimal balance of the foregoing features.
SUMMARY
[0006] The present invention is directed to a shoe containing an
upper made of a non-woven spunbound olefin fiber material, i.e.
Tyvek. The use of Tyvek provides a recyclable material that has the
features of durability, breathabililty, and tear resistance while
still being relatively lightweight and comfortable. The material is
also water resistant.
[0007] Consequently, in one aspect, the present invention provides
a shoe comprising a sole and an upper, the upper composed
substantially of a non-woven olefin fiber material, i.e. Tyvek. In
some embodiments, the upper is composed entirely of this
material.
[0008] The upper can be composed of a single piece of Tyvek
material; alternatively, it can be composed of two or more panels
of Tyvek material stitched together at select portions.
[0009] In some embodiments, the upper has a rear panel and a front
panel extending rearwardly to overlap the rear panel, the panels
connected by a stitch line.
[0010] A padding can be formed around a top part of an ankle
portion of the upper. The upper can include a piping composed of
Tyvek extending along an edge of the upper.
[0011] In some embodiments, a rubber tip portion is provided.
[0012] In some embodiments, the upper includes a reinforcement at
the heel portion, the reinforcement composed of a woven
material.
[0013] In some embodiments, the heel portion is fully collapsible
so a user's heel can collapse the Tyvek upper down to the sole to
provide a deconstructed look.
[0014] The upper can include a tongue having an elastic member to
enable the shoe to be worn without being laced. The elastic can
extend a substantial length or even the entire length of the
tongue.
[0015] A taping can be provided at a rear portion of the upper
underneath piping on the upper.
[0016] The upper can include a separate eyelet strip. In some
embodiments, a rear portion of the upper overlaps a front portion
to cover the eyelets of the upper.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Preferred embodiment(s) of the present disclosure are
described herein with reference to the drawings wherein:
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 1A are top and side views, respectively, of a
first embodiment of a shoe of the present invention;
[0019] FIGS. 2 and 2A are top and side views, respectively, of a
second embodiment of a shoe of the present invention;
[0020] FIGS. 3 and 3A are top and side views, respectively, of a
third embodiment of a shoe of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of a fourth embodiment of a shoe of
the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of a fifth embodiment of a shoe of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Referring now in detail to the drawings where like reference
numerals identify similar or like components throughout the several
views, the present invention provides a shoe containing an upper
composed of Tyvek. Tyvek is a synthetic non-woven material formed
of spunbound olefin fiber. Spunbound olefin is made of high density
polyethylene fibers. A substantial portion of the upper is composed
of Tyvek, and in preferred embodiments, the entire upper is formed
from Tyvek. As described below, the Tyvek can be a single piece of
material attached to the sole or can be a formed of two or more
pieces, e.g. panels, of Tyvek stitched together at various points.
Various methods can be utilized to attach the Tyvek upper to the
sole.
[0024] The advantages of utilizing Tyvek as the upper material are
numerous. Tyvek provides a durable, breathable, flexible, tear
resistant and lightweight material that is also resistant to water,
chemicals and abrasion, while still being comfortable to the user.
It also can be recycled. Another advantage is it can easily be
written or printed on.
[0025] Various shoes are illustrated which contain the Tyvek upper
of the present invention. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 1A, the
upper 12 of shoe 10 is composed of Tyvek and includes a front piece
or panel 12a overlapping rear piece or panel 12b at a top end 12c
(as viewed in the orientation of FIG. 1A). Pieces 12a, 12b are
attached along stitch line 14. A padding 16 is formed around the
top part of the ankle portion, encircling the opening in the upper
12, and is attached along stitch line 19. The strip 20 containing
the shoe's insignia is attached by substantially vertical stitch
lines 22 on both sides of upper 12 and can be composed of a woven
material. In alternate embodiments, the strip is composed of Tyvek
or of another material. Such strip 20 is attached in a similar
fashion to the other shoes disclosed herein.
[0026] In the embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 2A, shoe 30 includes a
Tyvek upper 32 formed of a front piece or panel 32a and a rear
piece or panel 32b attached along stitch line 34. A piping 36 of
Tyvek extends along the rim or edge of the shoe 30 and into the
eyelet (lacing) region 33 to provide a finished edge to the Tyvek
material and is attached along stitch line 38. Strip 37 for the
shoe's insignia is attached by stitch lines 39 on both sides of
upper 32 and is preferably composed of a woven material or
alternately of Tyvek or other material.
[0027] FIGS. 3 and 3A illustrate another alternate embodiment of
the shoe of the present invention, designated by reference numeral
50. Shoe 50 includes a rubber tip 51. The eyelets 53 are formed in
Tyvek strip or panel 55 which is stitched to Tyvek upper 56 along
stitch line 59. Transverse stitch line 54 also secures strip 55 to
upper 56. A piping 57 of Tyvek material extends along the rim or
edge of the shoe 50, encircling the opening, to provide a finished
edge to the Tyvek material and is attached along stitch line 58.
Strip 80 for insignia is preferably composed of a woven material
and attached to upper 56 by stitch lines 82 on both sides.
Alternately, the strip is composed of Tyvek or other material.
[0028] FIG. 5 is a high top version of the shoe of FIG. 3, and
therefore is similar to the shoe 50 of FIG. 3 except that Tyvek
upper 66 of shoe 60 extends above the user's ankle. It includes a
separate Tyvek eyelet strip or panel 65 attached to upper 66 along
stitch line 68. A piping 67 of Tyvek material extends along the rim
or edge of the shoe 60 and through the eyelet region 63 to provide
a finished edge to the Tyvek material and is attached along stitch
line 69. Curved stitch line 64 is for the reinforcement heel
described below. Strip 61, attached via stitching 62, and
preferably composed of a woven material, contains the shoe
insignia. Other materials for the strip are also contemplated, such
as Tyvek.
[0029] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of a high top shoe,
designated by reference numeral 70, which extends above the ankle.
Rear portion 73 of Tyvek upper 71 overlaps front portion 72,
thereby hiding the eyelets. A piping 76 of Tyvek material extends
along the rim or edge of the shoe 70, around the opening and into
the eyelet region, to provide a finished edge to the Tyvek material
and is attached along stitch line 78. Strip 79 made of woven
material or made of other materials, such as Tyvek contains the
insignia.
[0030] A nylon taping (not shown) in some embodiments can be
positioned internal of rear portion 73 between the piping and the
stitch line. Such taping can also be provided in the other shoes
disclosed herein.
[0031] In the foregoing embodiments, preferably an additional piece
of Tyvek material is stitched to the heel portion to reinforce the
heel. It can be attached internal or external of the upper. This
advantageously provides reinforcement, without the rigidity of a
rigid heel cup, while still enabling the wearer to wear the shoe by
stepping on the heel portion. That is, the heel portion, including
the reinforcement, is maintained fully collapsible so the user's
heel can collapse the material down to the sole, thus providing a
"deconstructed look." Stitching 64 of FIG. 5 and stitching 71 of
FIG. 4 show the attachment of the heel reinforcement.
[0032] An elastic member can be provided on the tongue portions of
the shoes of the foregoing embodiments. This enables the user to
wear the shoe without being laced, with the elastic engaging and
holding the wearer's foot. The elastic preferably extends the
length of the tongue to the sole.
[0033] While the above description contains many specifics, those
specifics should not be construed as limitations on the scope of
the disclosure, but merely as exemplifications of preferred
embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many
other possible variations that are within the scope and spirit of
the disclosure as defined by the claims appended hereto.
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