U.S. patent application number 14/860049 was filed with the patent office on 2016-07-21 for polymer boat shoe with drainage holes and a gripping sole.
The applicant listed for this patent is Dennis McCormick. Invention is credited to Dennis McCormick.
Application Number | 20160206037 14/860049 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56406809 |
Filed Date | 2016-07-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160206037 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McCormick; Dennis |
July 21, 2016 |
POLYMER BOAT SHOE WITH DRAINAGE HOLES AND A GRIPPING SOLE
Abstract
A boat shoe having an upper and an outsole is provided. The
upper includes a bottom and a sidewall forming a foot cavity sized
to receive a foot in between. The upper is formed of a first
polymer and includes a plurality of drainage holes formed through
the sidewall near an edge joining the bottom and the sidewall. The
outsole includes a top surface and a bottom surface. The top
surface is adhered to the bottom of the upper by an adhesive. The
outsole is formed of a gripping polymer that grips wet and dry
surfaces.
Inventors: |
McCormick; Dennis; (Duluth,
GA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
McCormick; Dennis |
Duluth |
GA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
56406809 |
Appl. No.: |
14/860049 |
Filed: |
September 21, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62027086 |
Jul 21, 2014 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 5/08 20130101; A43B
7/088 20130101; A43B 7/087 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 7/08 20060101
A43B007/08; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04; A43C 1/00 20060101
A43C001/00 |
Claims
1. A boat shoe comprising: an upper comprising a bottom and a
sidewall forming a foot cavity in between, wherein the upper is
formed of a first polymer and comprises a plurality of drainage
apertures formed through the sidewall near an edge joining the
bottom and the sidewall; and an outsole comprising a top surface
and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is adhered to the
bottom of the upper, wherein the outsole is formed of a gripping
polymer.
2. The boat shoe of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the upper
comprises a plurality of drainage holes that align with a plurality
of drainage holes formed through the outsole.
3. The boat shoe of claim 1, wherein the first polymer consists of
ethylene-vinyl acetate and the gripping polymer consists of a
microplastic.
4. The boat shoe of claim 1, further comprising recessed channels
running from each of the drainage apertures of the upper to the
bottom of the upper.
5. The boat shoe of claim 1, wherein the outsole comprises a siping
pattern formed on the bottom surface.
6. The boat show of claim 1, wherein the sidewall further forms a
tongue, wherein a plurality of shoe lace holes are formed through
the tongue and an upper edge of the sidewall.
7. The boat shoe of claim 6, further comprising a polymer shoe lace
interwoven through the plurality of shoe lace holes.
8. A boat shoe comprising: an upper comprising a bottom and a
sidewall forming a foot cavity in between, wherein the upper is
formed of a first polymer consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate and
comprises a plurality of drainage apertures formed through the
sidewall near an edge joining the bottom and the sidewall; and an
outsole comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the
top surface is adhered to the bottom of the upper, wherein the
outsole is formed of a gripping polymer consisting of a
microplastic.
9. The boat shoe of claim 8, wherein the outsole comprises a siping
pattern formed on the bottom surface.
10. The boat shoe of claim 8, wherein the bottom of the upper
comprises a plurality of drainage holes that align with a plurality
of drainage holes formed through the outsole.
11. The boat show of claim 8, wherein the sidewall further forms a
tongue, wherein a plurality of shoe lace holes are formed through
the tongue and an upper edge of the sidewall.
12. The boat shoe of claim 11, further comprising a polymer shoe
lace interwoven through the plurality of shoe lace holes.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S.
provisional application No. 62/027,086, filed Jul. 21, 2014, the
contents of which are herein incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to boat shoes and, more
particularly, to a boat shoe with drainage holes and a gripping
sole.
[0003] Boat shoes (also known as deck shoes) are typically canvas
or leather with non-marking microplast outsoles designed for use on
a boat. A large diagonal tread pattern is designed into the soles
to provide grip on a wet surface. Since boat shoes are
predominantly made of leather, those shoes do not dry or drain
rapidly. Leather absorbs water and odors and takes a full day to
dry out.
[0004] As can be seen, there is a need for a polymer boat shoe with
drainage holes and a gripping sole.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect of the present invention, the boat shoe has an
upper comprising a bottom and a sidewall forming a foot cavity in
between, wherein the upper is formed of a first polymer and
comprises a plurality of drainage apertures formed through the
sidewall near an edge joining the bottom and the sidewall; and an
outsole comprising a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the
top surface is adhered to the bottom of the upper, wherein the
outsole is formed of a gripping polymer.
[0006] In another aspect of the present invention, a boat shoe
comprises: an upper comprising a bottom and a sidewall forming a
foot cavity in between, wherein the upper is formed of a first
polymer consisting of ethylene-vinyl acetate and comprises a
plurality of drainage apertures formed through the sidewall near an
edge joining the bottom and the sidewall; and an outsole comprising
a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface is
adhered to the bottom of the upper, wherein the outsole is formed
of a gripping polymer consisting of a microplast.
[0007] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention shown in use;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the present
invention illustrated without the lace for clarity;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a section view of the present invention taken
along line 5-5 in FIG. 4;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a section view of the present invention taken
along line 6-6 in FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a bottom view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a section view of the present invention taken
along line 8-8 in FIG. 7;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a back view of an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of the present
invention; and
[0018] FIG. 11 is a side view of an embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] The following detailed description is of the best currently
contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the
invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense,
but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general
principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is
best defined by the appended claims.
[0020] The present invention includes a boat shoe that has a
gripping sole and drainage apertures to drain water. The present
invention is unique in that it is a Unibody construction of
injection molded materials that drains water rapidly and has great
grip on wet and dry surfaces. The present invention may include
drain holes on the medial and lateral sides of the shoe as well as
multiple drain holes on the bottom of the shoe. The present
invention works great for water activities such as boating,
sailing, pools, and the like due to the gripping of the outsole
material which passes OSHA standards.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 11, the present invention
includes a boat shoe having an upper 10 and an outsole 16. The
upper 10 includes a bottom and a sidewall forming a foot cavity
sized to receive a foot in between. The upper 10 is formed of a
first polymer and includes a plurality of drainage holes 14 formed
through the sidewall near an edge joining the bottom and the
sidewall. The outsole 16 includes a top surface and a bottom
surface. The top surface is adhered to the bottom of the upper 10
by an adhesive 24. The outsole 16 is formed of a gripping polymer
that grips wet and dry surfaces.
[0022] The upper 10 of the present invention is made of a polymer
that repels water, dries fast, is lightweight, soft to touch,
comfortable, repels sweat and oils from the feet, is antimicrobial,
and has closed cells. For example, the polymer that forms the upper
may include ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), a plastic and the like.
In certain embodiments, the upper 10 may include a plurality of
bottom drainage holes 18 that align with a plurality of bottom
drainage holes formed through the outsole 16. Therefore, water 26
may drain from the side and the bottom of the boat shoe. In certain
embodiments, a recessed channel may be formed in the sidewall
running from each of the drainage holes 14 to the bottom of the
upper 10. This further assists the drainage of the water 26 from
the drainage holes 14 disposed on the side of the boat shoe. The
upper may further include a heel tag 30 attached by an adhesive
24.
[0023] In certain embodiments, the upper 10 may further include a
tongue. An upper edge may be formed on the sidewall that leads into
the foot cavity. A plurality of shoe lace holes 12 may be formed
through the tongue and the upper edge of the sidewall. In certain
embodiments, a shoe lace 22 made of a polymer, fabric or leather
may be interwoven in the plurality of shoe lace holes 12.
Therefore, a user 28 may tighten the boat shoe to their foot.
[0024] The outsole 16 of the present invention may be made of a
gripping polymer, such as a microplastic. This material has
advantages over rubber in that it does not become brittle and crack
like rubber does with age, especially when used around salt water.
The microplastic material also meets OSHA standards for slip
resistance in outsole applications for workplace settings of oil,
water or oil and mixtures thereof. The outsole 16 is a separate
piece from the upper 10 and is adhered to the bottom of the upper
10 by the adhesive 24. As mentioned above, the outsole 16 may
include a plurality of bottom drainage holes 18 that align with the
bottom drainage holes 18 of the upper 10, allowing water 26 to
drain through the bottom of the boat shoe. A unique design of the
outsole readily channels water 26 away from the shoe. The bottom
surface of the outsole 16 may further include siping pattern. The
siping pattern may include counter angled treads. The counter
angled treads of the sipping pattern provide a great grip
regardless of the angle of force placed on the tread.
[0025] A method of making the present invention may include the
following. A uniquely designed mold is used and EVA is injected
into the mold to create the upper 10. The outsole is then attached
to the Unibody upper 10. It is done so by using a special process
of heat, ultraviolet chamber prepping of the surface of the EVA and
pressure to bond the upper 10 to the outsole 16. Pressure bonding
is used with a high grade glue that bonds the two pieces making
them inseparable unless the shoe is destroyed.
[0026] It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing
relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
* * * * *