U.S. patent application number 15/040751 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-23 for tread pattern combination for non-slip shoes.
The applicant listed for this patent is Shoes For Crews, LLC. Invention is credited to Randy N Lubart.
Application Number | 20160174659 15/040751 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56127986 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160174659 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lubart; Randy N |
June 23, 2016 |
TREAD PATTERN COMBINATION FOR NON-SLIP SHOES
Abstract
The invention involves a tread system for shoes More
specifically, the present invention is a tread combination that is
particularly suited to work environments where the workers are
required to use a walking gait upon slick floor surfaces, some of
which may be partially covered with liquids. The system includes an
outsole having a heel strike tread having a pointed leading edge
with sipes for squeegeeing and channeling liquid away from the
center portion of the tread to prevent forward slippage. The mid
and forefoot portions of the outsole are provided with cross siped
treads which reduce or prevent sideways slippage of the
forefoot.
Inventors: |
Lubart; Randy N; (Palm Beach
Gardens, FL) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Shoes For Crews, LLC |
West Palm Beach |
FL |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
56127986 |
Appl. No.: |
15/040751 |
Filed: |
February 10, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14080123 |
Nov 14, 2013 |
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15040751 |
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29465931 |
Sep 3, 2013 |
D728913 |
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14080123 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
36/59C |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20130101;
A43B 13/223 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20060101
A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. A slip-resistant tread combination for a shoe outsole
comprising: a first tread member positioned on the heel area of a
shoe outsole, said first, tread member having a first base portion
extending outwardly from a bottom surface of said outsole, a
plurality of grouser bars integrally formed to a lowermost surface
of said first base portion of said first tread member, said grouser
bars being parallel and separated from each other by first siping
grooves; a second tread member positioned in a forefoot portion of
said shoe outsole, said second tread member having a second base
portion integrally formed to said shoe outsole, a plurality of
cleat members integrally formed to said second base portion, said
cleat member separated by second siping grooves, said second siping
grooves forming a cross pattern when viewed from the bottom of said
outsole.
2. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein said
first siping grooves are oriented to extend orthogonally with
respect to a longitudinal axis of said outsole.
3. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein said
second siping grooves are oriented at about a forty-five degree
angle with respect to a longitudinal axis of said outsole.
4. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 2 wherein each
said first tread member includes two said first siping grooves.
5. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 2 wherein each
said first tread member includes three said first siping
grooves.
2. 6. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 2 wherein each
said first tread member is a polygon having a front point of said
polygon positioned toward a front portion of said outsole and rear
point positioned toward a rear portion of said out sole.
7. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 6 wherein said
front point and said rear point are aligned and parallel with said
longitudinal axis.
8. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 6 wherein said
polygon is a square.
9. The sip-resistant tread combination of claim 2 wherein each said
first tread member is constructed from the same material as said
outsole.
10. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 3 wherein each
said second tread member is a polygon having a front point of said
polygon positioned toward a front portion of said outsole and rear
point positioned toward a rear portion of said outsole.
11. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 10 wherein said
tread member includes four substantially equally sized cleats.
12. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein said
first tread member has a larger surface area than said second tread
member, but has the same overall height as said second tread
member.
13. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein said
heel area is a heel strike area, said heel strike area being about
one third of the rear portion of said heel area of said
outsole.
14. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 1 wherein said
heel area is a heel strike area, said heel strike area being about
one half of the rear portion of said heel area of said outsole.
15. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 12 wherein said
first tread members are separated by channels that extend to the
lowermost surface of said outsole, said channels being
substantially one eighth of an inch in width.
16. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 12 wherein said
first tread height is no more than one eighth of an inch tall.
17. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 16 wherein said
siping is sixty-fourth of an inch wide and about half the height of
said first and said second treads in depth.
18. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 17 wherein said
siping extends completely across said first and said second treads,
whereby fluid is channeled away from the contact surface of the
tread and the floor surface.
19. The slip-resistant tread combination of claim 18 wherein said
contact surface is planar.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.76, a claim of priority is
included in an Application Data Sheet filed concurrently herewith.
Accordingly, the present invention claims priority as a
continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/080,123, filed Nov. 14, 2013, entitled "OUTSOLE TREAD PATTERN".
The present invention also claims priority as a
continuation-in-part of U.S. Design patent application Ser. No.
29/465,931, filed Sep. 3, 2013, entitled "FOOTWEAR TREAD", which is
now U.S. Design Pat. No. D728,913, issued May 12, 2015, the
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] The present invention generally relates to shoes and, more
particularly, to shoes constructed for work environments having
water or grease covered flooring.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0003] A shoe is an item of footwear intended to protect and
comfort the human foot while doing various activities. The designs
of shoes have varied greatly through time and culture, with
appearance originally being tied to function. Shoes have
traditionally been made from leather, wood or canvas, but are more
increasingly being made from rubber, plastics and other
petrochemical derived materials. Work environments provide the most
difficult area for shoe design. Shoes must be worn for long periods
of time and must perform on a daily basis in difficult
environments. Traction or grip to a ground surface is beneficial
for a work shoe or boot to provide for worker safety. Workers often
perform their duties on greasy, wet or damp surfaces. For example,
many industries or companies utilize floors which are covered by
materials which resist the penetration of fluids or other
substances. These materials are utilized so that any substances
inadvertently spilled on the floor can be quickly and completely
removed from the floor. One of the drawbacks to these types of
floor coverings is that, whenever water or other fluids are spilled
on these floors, they become very slippery. Examples of this are
the floor coverings utilized in restaurants, hotels, hospitals and
other institutions. Outdoor workers often encounter snow or ice
covered surfaces during the course of their regular work day. Even
employees that commute to the work place encounter ice covered
sidewalks and wet floors just getting to the workplace. Thus, what
is needed is a shoe outsole that can be utilized with a wide
variety of shoe types which will provide protection from slip and
falls whenever wet, icy or grease covered floors are
encountered.
[0004] In the quest to provide and maintain adequate traction,
numerous efforts have been made to enhance the coefficient friction
between a shoe sole and a surface on which the shoe is used. For
example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,555,161, a sport shoe sole is described
that possesses a high coefficient of friction along certain
portions of the sole, while other portions of the sole are formed
of a compressible and resilient material that is harder than the
material of the rest of the sole.
[0005] Efforts have also been made to coordinate the design of the
sole with the anatomic variations of the foot. Thus, in U.S. Pat.
No. 7,101,604, a sole is described as having a natural grip
corresponding to the ergonomic gripping or traction pattern based
on the natural foot print of the toot. The sole design, therefore,
is provided with major and minor projections that correspond to the
various high or low points of the human foot, presumably
corresponding to the points of maximum pressure or compression.
However, the sole is formed of an elastic deformable material
commonly used for athletic shoes, including rubber, PVC and any
suitable synthetic elastic substance. The sole is also described as
having a base and projections, recesses and ridges, as well as
possibly including two or more layers in forming the various
contours in a sole. Enhanced gripping is based. primarily on the
configurations of the various projections, ridges, etc.
[0006] Many different shoe soles have been proposed to prevent an
individual from slipping. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,943, the sole of a
boot or overshoe is made from rubber and includes fins and grooves.
The fins cooperate with the grooves to trap air within the grooves.
The air facilitates the self-cleaning feature of the boots, which
removes mud and other substances from the soles of the boots.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,202,116 discloses a tread for a sport shoe
which includes a sole having projections extending outwardly from a
tread surface. The tread includes a one-piece, thin walled, metal
part with at least two separate, dimensionally reinforced surface
sections hearing the integrally molded projections. The reinforced
surface includes a plurality of embossed, smooth-surfaced and
beveled projections. The metal part is fixedly secured to an inner
surface of the shoe sole by either a thin wire grid embedded in the
synthetic resin sole or uniformly distributed perforations.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,274,211 discloses a shoe sole made of
flexible rubber material with a non-slip profile. The sole includes
a plurality of various sized projections or layered elements. The
elements include surfaces which are made from materials that are
slip resistant. in addition to being slip resistant, the structure
and spacing of the projections prevent the accumulation of mud and
other debris on the soles of the
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 7,047,672 discloses a shoe sole which is
designed to be used on a sand surface. The sole is made from a
compressed material having an upper surface and a lower surface. A
peripheral lip projects downwardly from the lower surface of the
sole. A plurality of fins also project downwardly from the lower
surface. This type of construction enables efficient propulsion in
sandy environments.
[0010] U.S. Published Patent Application No. 2009/0188132 discloses
a slip resistant shoe sole which includes a plurality of ground
contacting projections. The ground contacting projections are
V-shaped and are spaced from one another by a predetermined
distance in a longitudinal direction of the sole of the shoe. The
V-shaped projections also include reinforcements at their base. The
projections are made from an elastomeric polymer with a specific
JIS-A hardness. This material increases the shoe's ability to
resist slipping, and the shape of the projections increases their
resistance to avoid bending and deformation.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 7,703,221 discloses a sole assembly for a shoe
which includes a flexible base having an underside surface which
includes a forward region, a rearward region, and an intermediate
region therebetween. The sole includes a plurality of individual
sole elements on the underside thereof. Each element includes a
body portion and a connecting section which is operatively secured
to the underside surface of the flexible base. The sole elements
are arranged on the underside surface of the flexible base, such
that adjacent sole elements have overlapping sections.
[0012] One drawback to the prior art relates to the failure to
recognize that different portions of the human gait require
different treads along the various portions of the outsole to
reduce the possibility of slipping and falling as a result of
debris on a walking surface. This is particularly true with the
walking gait were one foot stays in contact with the ground at all
times. One variable in gait, that often results in slippage and
fall, is foot strike, e.g. how the foot contacts the ground; more
specifically, which part of the foot contacts the ground first.
While foot strike varies based upon the gait and whether or not the
person is wearing shoes, a heel strike is the most common form of
foot strike in walking. During a heel strike, only one third or
less of the shoe tread is in contact with the ground surface. In
addition, the direction and type of force directed at the
interphase between the shoe tread and the ground is substantially
different than when the mid or forefoot port ions of the shoe tread
are contact with the ground surface. The forward motion of the leg
and foot are stopped. when the tread contacts the ground surface,
while weight and motion of the body is transferred to this small
contact area. Thus, forward momentum tends to cause the shoe to
slip forward, causing the person to lose balance in a vulnerable
position. As the gait continues, the weight is shifted to the
middle and then the front of the shoe and tread. During this
portion of the stride, the forces between the shoe tread and the
ground tend to be side forces, which allow the shoe to slip out
from under the person. The prior art has been deficient in
constructing a shoe that is particularly suited for walking on
slick surfaces that have a fluid covering.
[0013] Thus, the present invention provides a shoe tread
combination which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art shoe
tread systems. The shoe tread system of the present invention
provides shoe treads in an arrangement that benefits walkers on
slick surfaces, particularly those that may have liquid on the
surface.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] Briefly, the invention involves a tread system for shoes.
More specifically, the present invention is a tread combination
that is particularly suited to work environments where the workers
are required to use a walking gait upon slick floor surfaces, some
of which may be partially covered with liquids. The material from
which the projections are formed increases the shoe sole's ability
to resist slipping on floor surfaces which are covered with oil,
water, soap, ice, snow, etc. The shape and pattern of the
projections or lugs enable them to control flexing and engagement
to the floor surface. This increases the footwear sole's ability to
resist slipping. In particular, the outsole is provided with one
type of tread. that is specifically designed to function similar to
a squeegee to channel liquids away from the tread so that the
rubber compound may adhere to the floor surface to prevent forward
slippage, while another tread design functions to cover the mid and
forefoot portions of the outsole and are provided with cross siped
treads which reduce or prevent sideways slippage of the
forefoot.
[0015] Accordingly, it is an objective of the present invention to
provide a slip-resistant tread combination for shoe out soles.
[0016] It is a further objective of the present invention to
provide a shoe outsole having a heel strike tread that differs in
structure and function from the mid and forefoot portion of the
outsole.
[0017] It is yet a further objective of the present invention to
provide a tread combination that includes a heel strike tread
having a pointed front end and sipes for channeling liquid away
from the contact surface of the tread.
[0018] It is another objective of the present invention to provide
a forefoot tread that includes cross siped treads which channel
liquid and provide side directional traction to the shoe out
sole.
[0019] It is yet another objective of the present invention to
provide siped treads for a shoe, wherein the siping allows the
polymeric material of the tread to function with the surface as a
softer durometer material than it actually is by flexing along the
sipes.
[0020] Other objectives and advantages of this invention will
become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of
illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate
various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0021] FIG. 1 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of the
instant invention;
[0022] FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1
illustrating the treads of the heel area and the forefoot area;
[0023] FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 4 is a left side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG.
1;
[0027] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the heel strike of a
walking gait;
[0029] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the heel tread of the
present combination; and
[0030] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the forefoot tread of the
present combination.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0031] While the present invention. Is susceptible of embodiment in
various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter
be described a presently preferred embodiment with the
understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an
exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the
invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
[0032] Referring generally to FIGS. 1-10, a combination tread
pattern 100 for outsoles 10 of non-slip shoes is illustrated. The
outsole is provided with two distinct tread member constructions.
The combination tread pattern 100 includes a first tread member 12
positioned on the heel area 14 of the shoe outsole 10. The first
tread member 12 has a first base portion 16 extending outwardly
from a bottom surface 18 of the outsole 10. A plurality of grouser
bars 20 are integrally formed to the lowermost surface 22 of the
first base portion 16 of the first tread. member 12. The grouser
bars 20 are positioned to be substantially parallel and separated
from each other by first siping grooves 24. In a most preferred
embodiment, the first tread member includes at least two, and more
preferably three or four, grouser bars 20, each separated by a
siping groove 24. The first siping grooves are oriented to extend
orthogonally with respect to a longitudinal axis of the outsole. In
this manner, the first working surface 26, e.g. the surface of the
first tread that contacts the ground surface, is prevented from
hydroplaning during heel strike of the shoe. The first working
surface is preferably planar in shape and oriented so that, once
the first working surface contacts the ground surface, the siping
grooves 24 allow the grouser bars 20 to flex with respect to the
base portion, conforming to the ground surface, providing superior
grip, and preventing heel strike slippage. The leading edges of the
grouser bars include a sharp V-shaped corner to act as a squeegee,
separating the liquid and forcing it into the siping grooves 24 and
channeling the liquid to the sides of the first tread member 12.
The first tread members 12 are square or rectangle in shape when
viewed from every side, including the bottom of the outsole 10. A
point 28 of the first tread member is oriented toward the front
portion of the outsole 10, whereby liquids can be easily routed
around the first tread member 12, particularly fluid that has been
routed away from the first working surface 26; while a rear point
30 is positioned toward. the heel area 14 or rear portion of the
outsole 10. In at least one embodiment, the front point 28 and rear
point are aligned and parallel with the longitudinal axis of the
outsole. In a most preferred embodiment, the heel strike area 32
(FIG. 8) is about one third to one half of the rear portion of the
heel area 14 of the outsole 10. The first tread members 12 are
separated by channels 34 that extend to the bottom surface 18 of
the outsole 10; the channels being about one eighth of an inch in
width, while the first treads are about one eighth of an inch tall.
The siping is preferably one sixty-fourth of an inch wide and about
half the height of the first and said second. treads in depth. In a
most preferred embodiment, the first tread member is constructed
from the same material as the outsole for ease of
manufacturing.
[0033] Still referring to FIGS. 1-10, a second tread member 40 is
positioned in a forefoot portion 42 of said shoe outsole 10, the
second tread member 40 having a second base portion 44 integrally
formed to said shoe outsole 10. The second base portion 44 includes
a plurality of cleat members 46 integrally formed thereto; the
cleat members 46 being separated by second siping grooves 48 and
having a planar contact surface 56. The second siping grooves 48
form a cross pattern when viewed from the bottom of the outsole 10.
In a preferred embodiment, each second tread member 40 includes
four substantially equally sized cleats 46 separated by the siping
grooves 48. The second tread members 40 are preferably square or
rectangle in shape when viewed from any side, as well as the bottom
of the outsole 10, front point 50 of the second tread member 40 is
oriented toward the front portion 52 of the outsole 10, whereby
liquids can be easily routed to the sides of the second tread
member 40. A rear point 54 is positioned toward the heel area 14 or
rear portion of the outsole 10. In at least one embodiment, the
front point 50 and the rear point 54 are aligned and parallel with
the longitudinal axis of the outsole. In a most preferred
embodiment, the second tread members 40 are positioned across the
forefoot portion of the outsole 10, and may be positioned on a
portion of the heel so that the angled siping allows the cleat
members 46 to provide maximum traction with respect to forefoot
siding, which tends to cause the shoe to slide sideways and forward
simultaneously. The second tread members 40 are separated by
channels 34 that extend to the bottom surface 18 of the outsole 10,
the channels being about one sixteenth to one half of an inch in
width, while the second treads are about one eighth of an inch
tall. The siping is preferably one sixty-fourth of an inch wide and
about half the height of the second treads in depth. In a most
preferred embodiment, the second tread member 40 is constructed
from the same material as the outsole for ease of
manufacturing.
[0034] The outsole utilizes a polymeric rubber compound that allows
the ground contact surface of the outsole to conform, at least
partially, to small ground surface imperfections which causes the
rubber compound of the outsole to adhere to the surface. Thus, the
teachings of the present outsole utilize both the ability to
penetrate softer and gelatinous surface coverings, while the
outsole is constructed from a slip resistant polymeric material
having a durometer reading which conforms to surface imperfections
for adherence to the working surface in a preferred embodiment, the
present tread members are made from a unique slip resistant
polymeric material. The slip resistant material has a hardness of
about 0.49 Shore, based on tests performed on a Durometer Hardness
Tester. The material also has a slip resistance rating of 0.56-0.65
when tested on a Brungraber Mark 2 Articulated Strut Slip Testing
Device. A slip resistant surface is defined as a surface having a
rating of 0.50 or higher when tested on the Brunaraber Mark 2
Articulated Strut. Slip Testing Device. This provides a unique
combination for workers such as those in the restaurant industry
who may be required to work in the kitchen area as well as make
frequent trips outdoors.
[0035] Thus, a shoe outsole having a specific tread for heel strike
and a secondary tread for forefoot traction on wet or greasy floor
surfaces is illustrated. The shoe may be of any type that needs to
exhibit extremely high traction with respect to tile or other
flooring, and may be provided with hardened or steel toe areas in
the shoe for work environments.
[0036] All patents and publications mentioned in this specification
are indicative of the levels of those skilled in the art to which.
the invention pertains. Al patents and publications are herein
incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual
publication was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by reference.
[0037] It is to be understood that while a certain form of the
invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific
form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be
made without departing from the scope of the invention and the
invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and
described in the specification.
[0038] One skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and
obtain the ends and advantages mentioned, as well as those inherent
therein. Any compounds, methods, procedures and techniques
described herein are presently representative of the preferred
embodiments, are intended to be exemplary and are not intended as
limitations on the scope. Changes therein and other uses will occur
to those skilled in the art which are encompassed within the spirit
of the invention and are defined by the scope of the appended
claims. Although the invention has been described in connection
with specific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that
the invention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such
specific embodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the
described modes for carrying out the invention which are obvious to
those skilled in the art are intended to be within the scope of the
following claims.
* * * * *