U.S. patent application number 14/128854 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for shoe with pivoting sole.
This patent application is currently assigned to BUCKNEY SHOES B.V.. The applicant listed for this patent is Albert Adriaan Flinterman, Hendrik Diederik Willem Van Groen. Invention is credited to Albert Adriaan Flinterman, Hendrik Diederik Willem Van Groen.
Application Number | 20140298687 14/128854 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46022610 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140298687 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Flinterman; Albert Adriaan ;
et al. |
October 9, 2014 |
SHOE WITH PIVOTING SOLE
Abstract
A shoe comprising a front part and a back part placed on a sole,
wherein the sole incorporates a hinge pivotally connecting the
front part and the back part for opening and closing the shoe and a
locking mechanism for locking the shoe in closed position and
whereby the front part and the back part of the hinge are provided
with first respectively second locking means with essentially two
possible relative positions towards each other, a first position in
which the shoe is unlocked and a second position in which the shoe
is locked.
Inventors: |
Flinterman; Albert Adriaan;
(Rotterdam, NL) ; Van Groen; Hendrik Diederik Willem;
(Gouda, NL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Flinterman; Albert Adriaan
Van Groen; Hendrik Diederik Willem |
Rotterdam
Gouda |
|
NL
NL |
|
|
Assignee: |
BUCKNEY SHOES B.V.
Rotterdam
NL
|
Family ID: |
46022610 |
Appl. No.: |
14/128854 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
April 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL12/50247 |
371 Date: |
March 12, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/103 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20130101;
A43B 11/00 20130101; A43B 13/16 20130101; A43B 13/141 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
36/103 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20060101
A43B013/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 22, 2011 |
NL |
2006983 |
Claims
1. A shoe (1) comprising a front part (3) and a back part (4)
placed on a sole (5), wherein the sole incorporates a hinge (8)
pivotally connecting the front part (3) and the back part (4) for
opening and closing the shoe, a locking mechanism for locking the
shoe in closed position, characterized in that, a front part (8a)
of the hinge and a back part (8b) of the hinge are provided with
first respectively second locking means with essentially two
possible relative positions towards each other, a first position in
which the shoe is unlocked and a second position in which the shoe
is locked.
2. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first and the
second locking means comprise a cam (13,16), the cam (13) of the
first locking means and the cam (16) of the second locking means
resting against each other in closed position.
3. A shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein at least one cam
(13,16) is provided with bearing means.
4. A shoe (1) according to claim 3, wherein the bearing means
comprise a wheel (23).
5. A shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein the cam (13,16) is
provided with rounded edges.
6. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (8) is
provided with a torsion spring (17) forcing the shoe in open
position.
7. A shoe (1) according to claim 6, wherein the back part (8b) of
the hinge at the rear is provided with a bridge (21).
8. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the first or second
locking means is provided on a slider (14), which slider is
connected to the hinge (8).
9. A shoe (1) according to claim 8, wherein a spring (18) is
provided between the slider (14) and the hinge (8), forcing the
slider (14) in its position for locking the shoe.
10. A shoe (1) according to claim 8, wherein the slider (14) is
provided with a handle (19) outside the hinge for releasing the
slider out of the locked position of the shoe.
11. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the hinge (8) is
provided with reinforcement ridges (24).
12. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the back part (8b) of
the hinge is provided with a less stiff area (25) at the heel
location.
13. A shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the front part (8a) of
the hinge has a front edge (26) skewed with respect to the axis
(8c) of the hinge.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to a shoe comprising a front
part and a back part placed on a sole, wherein the sole
incorporates a hinge pivotally connecting the front part and the
back part for opening and closing the shoe. The shoe also comprises
a locking mechanism for locking the shoe in closed position.
[0002] Such shoe that may be opened and closed by turning the front
part of the shoe relative to the back part facilitates stepping in
and out the shoe. This is beneficial in any case but in particular
for persons that for whatever reason experience difficulties in
stepping in and out shoes.
[0003] EP 2 173 208 discloses such shoe. The locking mechanism is
integrated in the axis of the hinge. The drawback of this shoe is
that the locking mechanism is relatively small for the forces
exercised on it and that it may show considerable wear in time,
resulting in failure. For functional reason the tolerance in the
locking mechanism should be small, however this results in a less
reliable and smooth locking of the locking mechanism.
[0004] Also Dutch patent 1020208 discloses such shoe. The locking
mechanism consists of a slide in the back part of the sole that is
forced by a spring in a cavity in the front part of the sole. The
hinge consists of two small pins and the pins together may not
suffice to absorb all power exerted on it. The pins are
consequently vulnerable for deformation. Also the sleeve absorbs
part of the forces exerted on the shoe and may deform as well as
the cavity. Such deformation may hinder a correct locking and
unlocking. Moreover in time this may result in wear and larger
tolerances between slide and cavity, which is unacceptable for
comfort reason. The presence of the guide way for the slide in the
back part of the sole results in a less stiff sole. The shoe is
also unstable in open position and may, simply places on the ground
and under gravity, turn itself in the closed and locked
position.
[0005] The present invention intends to solve one or more of the
problems of the prior art as described above, and it is in
particular an objective of the invention to provide a shoe with a
pivoting sole that is robust and durable.
[0006] The shoe according to the invention is characterized by one
or several of the appended claims.
[0007] In a first aspect a front part and a back part of the hinge
are provided with first respectively second locking means with
essentially two possible relative positions towards each other, a
first position with the shoe unlocked and a second position with
the shoe locked. In this way the axis of the hinge and the locking
mechanism are separate and a strong and durable shoe is obtained.
The locking forces will be absorbed by the first and second locking
means and are directly transferred to the hinge. The axis of the
hinge may be optimally designed for its pivot function. In
particular it may be places all over the width of the shoe.
[0008] The first and the second locking means may comprise a cam,
the cam of the first locking means and the cam of the second
locking means resting against each other in closed position of the
shoe. These cams will typically have a sufficient large contact
area in order to absorb the large forces exerted on it. In order to
enhance relative motion of the cams bearing means may be provided,
in particular a wheel. To prevent wear of the cams the cams may
have rounded edges.
[0009] According to another aspect of the invention the hinge is
provided with a torsion spring forcing the shoe in open position.
The shoe is then stable in open position and may be simply placed
on the ground without turning itself in the closed and locked
position. In addition the torsion spring will force the first and
second locking means, in particular the cams, in locked position
against each other compensating a possible tolerance between them
and enhancing the locking and the comfort of the shoe. The back
part of the hinge may at its rear be provided with a bridge, when
stepping in the shoe, creating leverage against the force of the
torsion spring and facilitating closing of the shoe.
[0010] The first or second locking means may according to the
invention be provided on a slider, which slider is slideably
connected to the hinge. This provides a simple and smooth way of
locking and unlocking the shoe. A spring may be provided between
the slider and the hinge, pressing the slider in its position for
locking the shoe. The shoe is then always safely locked in closed
position. Locking will automatically occur when closing the shoe.
Only for unlocking and opening the shoe the slider should be
operated. The slider may for this be provided with a handle for
unlocking, manually or with a foot.
[0011] The hinge of the shoe according to the invention requires
sufficient stiffness, in particular the back part of the hinge, and
according to the learning of the invention the hinge may therefore
be provided with reinforcement ridges. To enhance comfort the heel
area may be designed less stiff. Also for comfort reason, in
relation to unwinding the foot, the hinge preferably has a front
edge skewed with respect to the hinge.
[0012] The various aspects of the invention will now be described
in more detail and will be elucidated, by way of example only, with
reference to the accompanying drawing which shows in
[0013] FIG. 1, a shoe according to the invention in open
position;
[0014] FIG. 2, a shoe according to the invention in closed
position;
[0015] FIG. 3, a hinge of a shoe according to the invention in
bottom view;
[0016] FIG. 4, a schematic view of the hinge with cams and a
torsion spring;
[0017] FIG. 5, an embodiment of the slider of the hinge;
[0018] FIG. 6, another embodiment of the slider of the hinge and
provided with bearing means
[0019] FIG. 7, a hinge according to the invention in bottom view
and provided with reinforcement ridges; and
[0020] FIG. 8, a hinge according to the invention in bottom view
and provided with a skewed front edge.
[0021] With reference to FIG. 1, the shoe 1 according to the
invention is shown in open position with a foot 2 of person
stepping in the open shoe. The shoe comprises a front part 3 and a
back part 4 and is provided with a sole 5. The front part consists
of upper 6 connected to stiffening means 9. The back part consists
of upper 7 connected to stiffening means 10. A hinge 8 is
incorporated in the sole 5. The hinge consists of a front part 8a,
back part 8b, an axis 8c and a handle 19. The back part 4 of the
shoe may be turned around this axis 8c of the hinge 8 towards the
front part 3 of the shoe such that the shoe is closed and the edges
11 and 12 rest against each other, as is shown in FIG. 2. The shoe
1 is locked in closed position.
[0022] The bottom view of hinge 8 in FIG. 3 shows that the back
part of the hinge 8b is provided with second locking means in the
configuration of a cam 13. This cam 13 rests in closed position
against a first locking means in the configuration of cam 16 of
slider 14 on the front part of the hinge 8a. The slider 14 is
slideably connected to the front part 8a of the hinge. Between the
slider 14 and the front part of the hinge 8a a spring 18 is placed
forcing the slide in a position in which cams 15 and 16 rest
against each other and consequently the shoe is locked. The slider
14 is provided with a handle 19. By pushing the handle 19 in the
direction of hinge 8, the slide will move against the force of
spring 18 from its first and locked position to its second free
position. The cams 16 moves relative to cam 13 to its second
position in which there is no contact between cam 16 and cam 13 and
the hinge 8 is consequently unlocked. Front part 8a and back part
8b of the hinge may be turned around axis 8c in order to open the
shoe. Around axis 8c a torsion spring 17 is provided which forces
the back part 8b and the front part 8a to turn around axis 8c to an
open position of the shoe. In this open position the torsion spring
17 also prevents the shoe locking itself under gravity and
accordingly the shoes may be stored in open position.
[0023] When stepping in the shoe 1 the back part 8b of the hinge is
forced downward against the force of the torsion spring 17, the
front part 8a and the back part 8b of the hinge will rotate
relative to each other around axis 8c until hinge 8 reaches a flat
position. In that position cam 13 does not any longer block cam 16
of slider 14 in sideward direction. Spring 18 will then force slide
14 to return to its first position which brings cams 13 and 16
again in contact. This configuration accordingly facilitates
opening and closing of the shoe, which requires actually just one
handling besides stepping in and out the shoe and that is releasing
the lock with the manual when stepping out the shoe. Stepping in
may further be facilitated by providing bridge 21 at the rear of
back part 8b of the hinge. This will provide leverage against the
force of torsion spring 17.
[0024] An additional effect of the torsion spring 17 in closed
position of the shoe is shown in more detail in FIG. 4. The torsion
spring 17 is placed around axis 8c with its legs placed at the top
side of both hinge parts 8a and 8b. On back part 8b of the hinge
cam 13 is provided. The front part 8a of the hinge slider 14 is
provided with cam 16. Cam 13 and cam 16 rest against each other and
the torsion spring 17 presses them together compensating for
possible tolerance between them. In this way both cams 13 and 16
make firm contact for an optimal locking. Deformation of the cams
will be prevented by suitable design choices of material and
dimensions of the cams. Preferably the edges of the cams 13 and 16
are rounded in order to facilitate relative movement between
them.
[0025] An embodiment of the of slider 14 is shown in more detail in
FIG. 5. The slider 14 is placed in guide ways in both lateral edges
20 an 21 of front part 8a of the hinge. Between the slider 14 and
lateral edge 20 the spring 18 is positioned. The spring 18 itself
is locked in a cavity 29 of slide 14 between a smaller extension 27
and a longer extension 28.
[0026] Another embodiment of slider 14 is shown in FIG. 6. In this
embodiment slider 14 is only placed in one lateral edge 20 of
slider 14. It is further guided and connected to the front part 8a
of the hinge by nock 22. As this embodiment requires only a
guideway in one lateral edges of the hinge, more design freedom is
obtained for the shoe, which shoe may be aesthetically optimized.
In order to facilitate relative movement of the cams 13 and 16, the
cams may be provided with bearing means, in this embodiment of FIG.
6 the bearing means consist of wheels 23.
[0027] The hinge according to the invention has to absorb
considerable forces exerted on it by the cams. In order to obtain
sufficient stiffness, the hinge 8 of FIG. 7 is provided with
reinforcement ridges, in particular in longitudinal direction. For
comfort reason it may desirable to have the hinge 8 less stiff in
the area of the heel for which reason a less stiff area 25 is
foreseen to provide sufficient damping.
[0028] Unwinding of the foot requires also optimal flexibility of
the foot at its front part. Unwinding of the foot takes place along
a skewed line. For comfort reason the hinge 8 of FIG. 8 is also
provided with a skewed front edge compared to the hinge axis 8c. In
this way sufficient stiffness is obtained without losing
comfort.
[0029] To the person skilled in art it is obvious that the above
given embodiments represent only a few of the many possible
variations in which the shoe according to the invention may be
embodied. Therefore the embodiments given here must be understood
as an elucidation to the appended claims without limiting the scope
of the invention. Within the protective scope numerous variations
are conceivable, which may include for example, the embodiment
wherein the slide may be moved in longitudinal direction of the
shoe instead of sideways. The slide may the be positioned in the
heel or the nose of the shoe.
* * * * *