U.S. patent application number 14/090900 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-12 for covering device for an article of footwear.
This patent application is currently assigned to SALOMON S.A.S.. The applicant listed for this patent is SALOMON S.A.S.. Invention is credited to Francois GIRARD, Delphine MADELAINE.
Application Number | 20140157624 14/090900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48050805 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140157624 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GIRARD; Francois ; et
al. |
June 12, 2014 |
COVERING DEVICE FOR AN ARTICLE OF FOOTWEAR
Abstract
The invention relates to a cover to be positioned against the
upper of a shoe that includes a sole assembly and an upper, the
cover comprising: an outer surface and an inner surface; a
longitudinal opening and a device for opening and closing the
opening; a flap-forming structure comprising an outer surface and
an inner surface, such structure making it possible to bring the
opening/closing device between the outer surface of the cover and
the inner surface of the flap.
Inventors: |
GIRARD; Francois; (Veyrier
du Lac, FR) ; MADELAINE; Delphine; (Annecy,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SALOMON S.A.S. |
METZ-TESSY |
|
FR |
|
|
Assignee: |
SALOMON S.A.S.
Metz-Tessy
FR
|
Family ID: |
48050805 |
Appl. No.: |
14/090900 |
Filed: |
November 26, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/50.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 23/0245 20130101;
A43B 3/06 20130101; A43B 23/02 20130101; A43B 5/00 20130101; A43B
23/06 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/50.1 |
International
Class: |
A43B 23/02 20060101
A43B023/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 7, 2012 |
FR |
12 03327 |
Claims
1. A cover to be positioned against the upper of a boot, the boot
comprising at least a sole assembly and an upper, said cover
comprising: an envelope; a longitudinal opening and an
opening/closing device for selective opening and closing the
opening; a flap comprising an outer surface and an inner surface,
the flap facilitating positioning the opening/closing device
between the envelope and the inner surface of the flap.
2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein: the opening/closing
device comprises a zipper.
3. A cover according to claim 1, further comprising: fastening
structure for fixing a free end of the flap to the envelope of the
cover.
4. A cover according to claim 3, wherein: the fastening structure
for fixing the free end of the flap to the envelope comprises at
least one self-gripping device.
5. A cover according to claim 1, wherein: the opening/closing
device is fixed by glue or stitches to the inner surface of the
flap.
6. A shoe comprising: a sole assembly; an upper; a cover
comprising: an envelope; a longitudinal opening and an
opening/closing device for selective opening and closing the
opening; a flap comprising an outer surface and an inner surface,
the flap facilitating positioning the opening/closing device
between the envelope and the inner surface of the flap.
7. A shoe according to claim 6, further comprising: closing
mechanism for closing the upper.
8. A shoe according to claim 7, wherein: the closing mechanism for
closing the upper comprises a laces.
9. A shoe according to claim 6, wherein: the cover is fixed by
gluing or by stitching in the sole assembly or in a lower portion
of the upper.
10. A shoe according to claim 6, wherein: a portion of the cover is
spaced from the upper portion of the upper by a distance when the
flap is in a closed state.
11. A shoe according to claim 6, wherein: the opening/closing
device is at a distance from the envelope of the cover upper when
the flap is in the closed state.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon French Patent Application No.
12/03327, filed Dec. 7, 2012, the disclosure of which is hereby
incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety, and the priority
of which is claimed under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a cover for an article of
footwear.
[0004] 2. Background Information
[0005] Footwear articles that are desired to be weatherproof (in
particular against snow and rain) and/or impermeable to debris, or
more generally to external attacks and wear, can be provided with
an integrated gaiter, which can also be referred to as a
"cover."
[0006] The cover may be provided with a slide fastener or closure,
such as a zipper, to facilitate foot insertion, on the one hand,
and to allow access and to close access, selectively, to the
shoelaces, on the other hand.
[0007] However, a zipper poses a number of problems.
[0008] In particular, it is often tensioned during and after its
closure, particularly on large foot volumes. In fact, a zipper
keeps the shoe upper tensioned, which is why it must have
sufficient mechanical properties to withstand tension.
Consequently, a zipper is relatively thick and bulky, which
sometimes hinders the bending or the rolling movement of the foot
during walking, such as the bending of the foot (and boot), such as
at the joint between the metatarsal heads and respective toes of
the foot.
[0009] A zipper can also cause injuries because the teeth thereof
are rigid.
[0010] It is generally difficult to achieve imperviousness with a
zipper, which can lead to the intrusion of foreign material, such
as water.
[0011] Therefore, a problem of finding a new cover structure
arises.
[0012] Such new cover structure should render it possible to
overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, in particular those related
to tension and stiffness.
SUMMARY
[0013] To this end, the present invention provides a cover to be
positioned against the upper of a shoe, the shoe comprising at
least a sole assembly and an upper, the cover comprising: [0014] an
envelope; [0015] a longitudinal opening, and a device for opening
and closing the latter; [0016] flap-forming structure comprising an
outer surface and an inner surface, such flap structure, when in
the closed state, making it possible to bring the device for
opening and closing the longitudinal opening between the envelope
of the cover and the inner surface of the flap.
[0017] This cover offers multiple advantages.
[0018] First, the cover provides protection to the upper, when the
latter is positioned in the envelope, against elements such as
water, snow or ice.
[0019] The cover also allows access to the mechanism for closing
the upper.
[0020] This cover further makes it possible to position the device
for opening and closing the longitudinal opening in a substantially
straight arrangement, which enables it to be assembled by gluing
rather than stitching. In addition, this results in the device for
opening and closing the longitudinal opening being highly reliable,
because the tension exerted thereon is reduced, due of their
position in the closed state.
[0021] Structure for fixing a free end of the flap may comprise,
for example, at least one self-gripping fastener (such as a
hook-and-loop fastener), or at least one snap-fastener, or at least
one magnet. These structures comprise a first portion arranged on
or against the inner surface of the flap, and a second portion
arranged on or against the outer surface of the envelope, the first
portion and second portion cooperating with one another to maintain
the free end of the flap against the surface of the envelope or in
the vicinity thereof.
[0022] Once the flap is folded and held by the fixing structure,
the device for opening and closing the longitudinal opening is
positioned laterally with respect to a median plane of the shoe,
and not on top of the foot. Again, this results in reduced
mechanical stresses on these structures, and greater comfort for
the user because, during bending of the foot, these structures are
not in support on the foot instep.
[0023] Finally, imperviousness is improved because, once the flap
is brought to the surface of the envelope, the device for opening
and closing the longitudinal opening is located on an upper portion
in relation to the envelope itself. The possibilities for water,
snow, or ice to penetrate into the upper are very low.
[0024] The device for opening and closing the longitudinal opening
may comprise a zipper or buttons or snaps. In the case of a zipper
that, as explained above, is under very slight or no tension, and
therefore is not caused to open, it is also possible to eliminate
the need for any system for locking the slider of the zipper.
[0025] As already explained above, the device for opening and
closing the longitudinal opening can be fixed, for example by
gluing, welding, or stitching to the inner surface of the
flap-forming structure.
[0026] The invention also relates to a shoe comprising at least a
sole and an upper, as well as a cover, or gaiter, of the type
described above.
[0027] The shoe may further comprise a device for closing the
upper, for example a lace up fastener or a zipper or other slide
fastener.
[0028] The cover can be fixed by gluing or welding or by stitching
into the sole assembly, or in or against a lower portion of the
upper.
[0029] A portion of the cover is at a distance (D) from the upper
portion of the upper when the flap-forming structure is in the
closed state.
[0030] The device for opening and closing the longitudinal opening
is at a distance (d) from the envelope of the cover when the
flap-forming structure is in the closed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0031] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will
be better understood from the description which follows, with
reference to the annexed drawings illustrating, by way of
non-limiting embodiments, how the invention can be embodied, and in
which:
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of an assembly including
a cover, in the open state, mounted on a low-upper shoe;
[0033] FIG. 2 shows the same cover as in FIG. 1, in the closed
state, with the flap not yet folded on the cover;
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the same cover as in FIG. 2, with the flap
being folded back on the cover;
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a view, along a cross-section IV-IV identified
in FIG. 3;
[0036] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a detail of the fixing of a zipper
against the inner surface of the flap of a cover according to the
invention;
[0037] FIG. 6 shows a variation of a cover structure according to
the invention; and
[0038] FIGS. 7A and 7B show a cover according to the invention,
prior to assembly on a shoe, in perspective and planar views,
respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of a system comprised of a
gaiter 1, or cover, according to the invention (the term "cover" is
used hereinafter), at various stages of its use. This cover is
mounted here on a low-upper shoe 2, of which the sole assembly is
designated by the reference numeral 18. But the invention is also
applicable to a high-upper shoe and to a mid-upper shoe, i.e., a
shoe in which the upper extends above or at, respectively, the
ankle of the wearer.
[0040] Longitudinally, or parallel to the direction of extension of
the foot, the shoe extends between a tip, or front end 32, and a
heel, or rear end 34. The front end 32 and the heel 34 define an
extension axis of the shoe. A longitudinal, median plane is
substantially perpendicular to the sole assembly and contains the
axis of extension of the shoe.
[0041] Transversely, the shoe is demarcated by a lateral side, or
outer side 33, and by a medial side, or inner side 35.
[0042] FIG. 1 shows that the cover can cover most of the upper,
which is why only a small portion of the upper portion of the upper
is visible in FIG. 1. Also visible is a mechanism 5 for closing the
shoe, which, in this case, takes the form of shoelaces, but may
alternatively include a zipper (or other slide fastener), or one or
more rows of buttons or snaps. In the illustrated embodiment, such
mechanism also includes keepers 50 for the shoelaces, shown in the
cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4 and 6. However, the invention also
applies to the case of a shoe with no closure mechanism, in which
the upper can have elastic zones to enable easy insertion of the
foot, the cover protecting all or part of these elastic zones,
which are less impervious than non-elastic zones. This is the case,
for example, of certain high boots.
[0043] The cover 1 comprises an envelope 11 made, for example, with
one or more layers of synthetic materials such as polyethylene,
polyamide, rubber, or the like, and which can be made in a single
piece, or in a plurality of pieces assembled along assembly or
connecting lines 7, 9, . . . . These lines, such as lines of
stitching, can optionally be provided with bands of a material that
makes them impervious, such as water-resistant or waterproof, such
as by means of adhesive sealing tape. In the following description,
the reference numeral 11 is used interchangeably to designate the
envelope of the cover or the outer surface of this envelope.
Generally, the envelope 11 substantially has the shape of a shoe,
for example a high-upper shoe (such as that shown in FIGS. 1-3),
while having a volume for receiving the upper of the shoe 2. As for
the shoe itself, the envelope 11 comprises a lateral or outer
portion 11.sub.3, and a medial or inner portion 11.sub.5.
[0044] The bottom of the envelope 11 may be fixed, for example by
stitching zones, in a portion located in the sole assembly, for
example along the lasting board as shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively
(FIG. 6), it is fixed, for example via gluing zones, against a
lower portion 44.sub.1, 44'.sub.1 of the upper.
[0045] The envelope has an opening 3 which allows access to the
upper of the shoe, in particular to the closure mechanism of the
boot itself, if provided therewith. It is substantially demarcated
by free edges, 1', 14' of the envelope 1, which, in this case,
respectively are a free edge arranged in the front zone of the
lateral portions 113 and the free edge of a flap 14, described in
more detail below. This opening can be closed, as shown in FIGS. 2
and 3, using the closure device 10 (or opening/closing device)
that, in this example, is in the form of a zipper.
[0046] This closure device is arranged on a free edge 1' of the
envelope of the cover, which, when the cover is in the closed
state, is located substantially in the median plane (as defined
above) or in the vicinity of this plane, on the one hand, and on a
portion of the cover forming the flap, on the other hand.
[0047] Indeed, as it appears clearly in FIG. 1, the cover 1 further
comprises structure, or a portion, forming a flap 14, which extends
the medial portion 11.sub.5, and which includes: [0048] a surface
15, i.e., an outer surface, adapted to face outward, on the side
opposite the upper, when the flap is in the closed position; [0049]
a surface 16, i.e., an inner surface, adapted to be turned toward
the envelope of the cover, or toward the upper, when the flap is in
the closed position.
[0050] An edge 14' of the flap is free, that is to say, a user can
move it away from the outer surface of the envelope, or,
conversely, closer thereto, depending upon whether the user wishes
to open or close the envelope.
[0051] The closed state of the flap is shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 2
showing an intermediate position in which the closure device 10 is
closed, but the flap is still in the open position.
[0052] The flap 14 here extends the medial or inner portion
11.sub.5 of the envelope 11 of the cover. The flap, when in the
open position, is then arranged on one side of the cover; this is
the medial side in the case illustrated in the drawing figures. In
the closed position (FIG. 3), it covers a portion of the lateral or
outer portion 11.sub.3 of the envelope 11 of the cover. In an
alternative, the position of the flap can be reversed: in the open
position, it extends the lateral side 11.sub.3 of the envelope 11
and is on the side thereof; in the closed position, it covers a
portion of the medial side 11.sub.5 of the envelope 11.
[0053] Structures 21.sub.1-21.sub.4 are provided to fix and
maintain the edge 14' of the flap against or close to the envelope
11. For example, such structures are self-gripping surfaces
(hook-and-loop fasteners of the "Velcro.RTM." type, for example)
provided on the inner surface 14 of the flap, on the one hand, and
on the outer surface of the envelope (here on the lateral side
11.sub.3 of the envelope 11), on the other hand, and which
cooperate so that one is fixed to the other when they are brought
in the vicinity of one another by the user. Alternatively, other
types of structures such as snap-fasteners, magnetic elements,
etc., may be provided. In the alternative embodiment mentioned
above, the structures 21.sub.3 and 21.sub.4 are arranged on the
outer surface of the envelope, on the medial side 11.sub.5 thereof,
when the flap is connected to the outer portion 11.sub.3 of the
envelope.
[0054] The device for closing the opening 3 is connected to the
inner surface 16 of the flap, on the one hand, and to the free edge
1' of the cover, on the other hand. When the user closes this
device, the inner surface 16 of the flap and the free edge 1' come
closer to one another (see FIG. 2).
[0055] The flap can then be brought into contact with the outer
surface of the envelope, using the structures 21.sub.1-21.sub.4,
which results in the completely closed state of FIG. 3.
[0056] In the illustrated embodiment, the device 10 for closing the
opening 3 essentially comprises a zipper, which includes: [0057] a
first band 106, provided with teeth and fixed or connected
laterally to the inner surface 16 of the flap, for example by
gluing or stitching; [0058] a second band 108, also provided with
teeth and fixed to the free edge 1' of the cover.
[0059] These bands 106, 108 are more clearly shown in FIGS. 4, 5A,
5B and 6.
[0060] The teeth of the two bands cooperate with one another due to
a slider 115 that makes it possible to nest or separate the teeth
and, therefore, to close or open the zipper of the opening 3.
[0061] In the state of FIG. 2, the closure device 10 is
substantially aligned in the median plane, as defined above. It is
also arranged essentially between the free end 14' of the flap 14
and a zone 90 of the envelope, which forms a line or a fold or
pivot zone (line or zone that is also shown in FIG. 7B) along which
the flap 14 is roughly pivoted or folded, in order to be brought
into its closed position, with its inner surface 16 that faces a
portion 100 (FIGS. 4, 5A, 5B and 6) of the outer surface of the
lateral portion 11.sub.3 of the envelope, but in the illustrated
embodiment (see FIGS. 5A and 5B) at a certain distance d
therefrom.
[0062] In its closing movement, the flap 14 brings the closure
device 10 beyond its initial position to a final position in which
it is turned over, that is to say, turned toward the portion 100.
Its final position is shown in FIGS. 4-6, the device 10 then being
arranged between the portion 100 of the envelope and the inner
surface 16 of flap-forming structure.
[0063] When the flap is folded, the closure device 10, or zipper,
is subject to only low or no lateral pulling forces (which are
perpendicular to the extending direction of the zipper and applied
to both sides thereof). This ensures a long useful life for the
closure device.
[0064] In addition, when the flap is folded and, as can be clearly
understood from FIGS. 4-6, the closure device 10 is in a "high"
position in relation to the portion 100 of the outer surface of the
cover that it faces (at a certain distance therefrom). Therefore,
it is less likely to be subject to the action of water, snow, or
ice. As clearly shown in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 4-6, a
path in the form of a "baffle" prevents the penetration of water
drops, snow, or ice chips. The upper 44 of the shoe that is under
the cover 1 is then properly protected against these elements, by
the envelope of the cover 1, and by the flap 14 arranged above the
closure device 10 when the flap is in the folded or closed
position, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4-6.
[0065] The zipper-extending direction can then be in a position
substantially spaced apart from the median plane of the shoe. The
closure device 10 is therefore less subject to tension or stress
during movement of the foot.
[0066] Finally, the zipper-extending direction remains
substantially straight, including in its final closed position.
[0067] FIG. 4 shows a view, taken along the line IV-IV of FIG. 3,
of the upper of the shoe and of the cover.
[0068] This drawing figure clearly shows an outer envelope
constituted by the cover 1, and the inner envelope 44 formed by the
outer surface of the upper. In this example, the latter rests on
the sole 45 (for example made of a fabric such as polyethylene or
polyamide) or lasting board, and, possibly, on a damping layer 47,
for example made of EVA, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a
wear layer 49, for example made of rubber. Possibly, an inner sole
45', which may be removable, provides comfort. This drawing figure
shows that the envelope 11 of the cover can be retained, for
example, by stitching in the sole assembly, for example along the
sole 45. The reference numerals 45.sub.1, 45'.sub.1 designate the
seam lines. In an alternative (FIG. 6), it is held by gluing or
stitching in the lower portion of the upper 44, the reference
numerals 44.sub.1, 44'.sub.1 then designating the gluing or seam
lines. Given that this assembly zone is then more exposed to the
weather elements than in the case of FIG. 4, it can be further
covered with a band or an additional insulating layer. In both
cases (FIGS. 4 and 6), the lateral side and medial side of the
envelope are shown to be applied onto a portion of the outer
surface of the upper. But, in a zone which substantially
corresponds to the upper portion of the upper, on both sides of an
opening zone 141, and above the latter, the envelope is at a
distance D (variable depending upon the zone in which it is
measured) from this outer surface of the upper.
[0069] In both FIGS. 4 and 6, the reference numeral 42 designates a
tongue whose lateral ends, on both sides of the median plane of the
shoe, are positioned beneath the upper portions of the portions
144, 144' of the inner envelope, which are on both sides of the
opening 141. The latter is finally closed by the tongue 42. When
the shoe is to be closed (as in FIGS. 4 and 6), closing elements,
for example shoelaces 5 (see FIG. 1), guided by keepers 50 (see
FIGS. 4 and 6), bring the two portions 144, 144' closer to one
another and to the foot of the user. Such elements can also be
tightening elements for tightening the shoe upon the foot of the
wearer. Alternatively, buttons, a slide fastener (or "zipper"), or
snap-fasteners may replace the shoelaces. In another alternative,
the inner envelope is continuous, without an opening such as
opening 141, but has elasticity zones that justify a protection
using the cover 1.
[0070] Measured from the medial side to the outer side, the
distance D changes from a zero value, in the vicinity of the zone
in which the envelope 11 is against the outer surface of the upper,
to a Dmax value, above the tongue 42, and then decreases when the
envelope 11 again moves closer to the outer surface of the
upper.
[0071] Thus, an air volume 143 is defined between the envelope 11
and the upper, in the upper portion thereof.
[0072] When the cover 1 is in position on the shoe 2, as in FIG. 4,
it protects the latter and especially its closure mechanism,
comprising the tongue 42 and the closing elements (shoelaces 5 and
keepers 50 in the example).
[0073] The cover makes it possible to protect the lacing zone (or
more generally the closure zone) of the upper and, when in the open
position, to allow access to this lacing zone after opening the
zipper.
[0074] FIGS. 5A and 5B show an enlarged view of the zones around
the closures device 10, when the flap 14 is in its closed position
(i.e., as in FIG. 3).
[0075] The reference numerals in these two drawing figures have
already been described above in connection with FIG. 4. However,
these two drawing figures make it possible to illustrate a
particular aspect of the invention: [0076] In FIG. 5A, the edge 106
of the closure device 10 is connected to a band 106' made of
textile material, or made of the same material as the envelope 11,
the band 106' being glued against the inner surface 16 of the flap
14; [0077] In FIG. 5B, the edge 106 of the closure device 10 is
also connected to the band 106' made of textile material, or made
of the same material as the envelope 11, but the latter is stitched
against the inner surface 16 of the flap 14.
[0078] FIG. 7A shows the cover alone, prior to assembly on a shoe,
in which the same elements as above are found, designated by the
same reference numerals. In this drawing figure, the cover is shown
in perspective, without the shoe.
[0079] FIG. 7B illustrates a flattened cover, the visible side
being the outer side 11.sub.3, which is then superimposed on the
medial side, not visible in the drawing figure. In particular, also
recognizable in this figure is the line or the zone 90 around, or
along, which the flap and the closure device 10 is moved to make
the closure elements 21.sub.1-21.sub.2 coincide with the closure
elements 21.sub.3-21.sub.4.
[0080] The invention is not limited to the embodiments described
above, and includes all equivalents that fall within the scope of
the claims that follow.
[0081] At least because the invention is disclosed herein in a
manner that enables one to make and use it, by virtue of the
disclosure of particular exemplary embodiments of the invention,
the invention can be practiced in the absence of any additional
element or additional structure that is not specifically disclosed
herein.
* * * * *