U.S. patent application number 15/879979 was filed with the patent office on 2018-07-26 for tread wear indicators for outsoles of footwear.
The applicant listed for this patent is Tingley Rubber Corporation. Invention is credited to Robert N. Petersen, Steven A. Smith.
Application Number | 20180206594 15/879979 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 62905502 |
Filed Date | 2018-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180206594 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smith; Steven A. ; et
al. |
July 26, 2018 |
Tread Wear Indicators For Outsoles Of Footwear
Abstract
A polymeric outsole for an article of footwear comprises: an
outsole body and a tread pattern that comprises a plurality of
cleats and channels between the cleats; and one or more tread ribs
projecting from the outsole body. The tread ribs project a first
distance from the outsole body that is shorter than a second
distance that the cleats of the tread pattern project from the
outsole body. The tread ribs are effective as wear indicators to
indicate remaining useful life of the cleats. During a first
duration of wear, the tread ribs are not in contact with a ground
surface while the cleats are in contact with the ground surface,
and during a second duration of wear, both the tread ribs and the
cleats are in contact with the ground surface.
Inventors: |
Smith; Steven A.; (Pompton
Plains, NJ) ; Petersen; Robert N.; (Somerset,
NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tingley Rubber Corporation |
Piscataway |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
62905502 |
Appl. No.: |
15/879979 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62450834 |
Jan 26, 2017 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/14 20130101;
A43B 13/223 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/22 20060101
A43B013/22 |
Claims
1. A polymeric outsole for an article of footwear comprising: an
outsole body and a tread pattern that comprises a plurality of
projecting features and channels between the projecting features;
and a first tread rib adjacent to a first projecting feature, the
first tread rib protruding a first distance from the outsole body
that is shorter than a second distance that the first projecting
feature protrudes from the outsole body.
2. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the projecting
features comprise one or more of: a toe, a heel strike, and a
cleat.
3. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the first tread rib is
located in a first channel of the outsole body.
4. The polymeric outsole of claim 3, wherein the first tread rib is
integral to the first channel.
5. The polymeric outsole of claim 3, wherein the first tread rib is
affixed in the first channel.
6. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the first tread rib is
substantially perpendicular to the first projecting feature.
7. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the first tread rib is
connected to a side surface of the first projecting feature.
8. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the first tread rib is
effective as a wear indicator to indicate remaining useful life of
the first projecting feature whereby during a first duration of
wear, the first tread rib is not in contact with a ground surface
while the first projecting feature is in contact with the ground
surface, and during a second duration of wear, both the first tread
rib and the first projecting feature are in contact with the ground
surface.
9. The polymeric outsole of claim 8, wherein the first distance
that the first tread rib protrudes from the outsole body is in a
range of from about 10 to about 90% of the second distance that the
first projecting feature protrudes from the outsole body whereby
the remaining useful life of the first projecting feature during
the second duration is from about 90% to about 10%.
10. The polymeric outsole of claim 9, wherein the first distance
that the first tread rib protrudes from the outsole body is about
50% of the second distance that the first projecting feature
protrudes from the outsole body whereby the remaining useful life
of the first projecting feature during the second duration is about
50%.
11. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, wherein the outsole comprises
a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting of:
natural rubber, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS),
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block co-polymer,
thermoplastic polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride.
12. The polymeric outsole of claim 1 further comprising a second
tread rib adjacent to a second projecting feature, wherein the
first tread rib is located in a channel of a forefoot area of the
outsole and the second tread rib located in a channel in a heel
area of the outsole.
13. The polymeric outsole of claim 1, the first tread rib comprises
an aspect ratio in the range of about 1.5:1 to 10:1.
14. A polymeric outsole for an article of footwear comprising: an
outsole body and a tread pattern that comprises a plurality of
projecting features and channels between the projecting features;
and a first tread rib adjacent to a first projecting feature
selected from the group consisting of: a toe, a heel strike, and a
cleat; the first tread rib being in a first channel of the outsole
body and protruding a first distance from the outsole body that is
shorter than a second distance that the first projecting feature
protrudes from the outsole body; wherein the first tread rib is
effective as a wear indicator to indicate remaining useful life of
the first projecting feature whereby during a first duration of
wear, the first tread rib is not in contact with a ground surface
while the first projecting feature is in contact with the ground
surface, and during a second duration of wear, both the first tread
rib and the first projecting feature are in contact with the ground
surface.
15. The polymeric outsole of claim 14, wherein the first distance
that the first tread rib protrudes from the outsole body is about
50% of the second distance that the first projecting feature
protrudes from the outsole body whereby the remaining useful life
of the first projecting feature during the second duration is about
50%.
16. The polymeric outsole of claim 14, wherein the outsole
comprises a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group
consisting of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS),
styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block co-polymer,
thermoplastic polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride.
17. The polymeric outsole of claim 14 further comprising a second
tread rib adjacent to a second projecting feature, wherein the
first tread rib is substantially perpendicular to a cleat and is
integral to a channel of a forefoot area of the outsole and the
second tread rib is substantially perpendicular to a cleat and is
integral to a channel in a heel area of the outsole.
18. An article of footwear comprising: the polymeric outsole
according to claim 1; and an upper affixed to the outsole.
19. A method of making an article of footwear comprising: obtaining
the polymeric outsole according to claim 1; and affixing an upper
to the polymeric outsole.
20. A method of providing tread wear indication, the method
comprising: obtaining an article of footwear according to claim 18;
wearing the article of footwear; and observing the tread rib
relative to the projecting features for an indication of remaining
useful life transport of the projecting features.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/450,834, filed Jan.
26, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to outsoles having
tread wear indicators. A tread rib is adjacent to a projection
feature of an outsole's tread pattern. The tread rib protrudes a
first distance from an outsole body that is shorter than a second
distance that the adjacent projection feature protrudes from the
outsole body. Wear of one or more projection features, which may be
a cleat, a heal, a heal strike, and the like, is indicated by the
relative height of the tread rib to the adjacent projection
feature.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Personal protective equipment (PPE) includes articles of
footwear, which have many varying features depending on expected
conditions that will be encountered by the footwear. Risk of
slipping and falling is one hazard that PPE footwear is usually
designed to safeguard against. Tread patterns of footwear can offer
slip resistance over a wide range of surfaces such as dry, wet,
and/or contaminated surfaces. Outsoles made from polymeric material
and used in PPE footwear can erode during the course of wearing the
PPE footwear.
[0004] There is a need to provide tread wear indicators for safety
and inventory purposes.
SUMMARY
[0005] Provided are outsoles with one or more tread ribs that are
effective as tread wear indicators.
[0006] In an aspect, a polymeric outsole for an article of footwear
comprises: an outsole body and a tread pattern that comprises a
plurality of projecting features and channels between the
projecting features. There is a first tread rib adjacent to a first
projecting feature, the first tread rib protruding a first distance
from the outsole body that is shorter than a second distance that
the first projecting feature protrudes from the outsole body.
[0007] A detailed aspect provides: a polymeric outsole for an
article of footwear comprises: an outsole body and a tread pattern
that comprises a plurality of projecting features and channels
between the projecting features. A first tread rib is adjacent to a
first projecting feature selected from the group consisting of: a
toe, a heel strike, and a cleat; the first tread rib being in a
first channel of the outsole body and protruding a first distance
from the outsole body that is shorter than a second distance that
the first projecting feature protrudes from the outsole body. The
first tread rib is effective as a wear indicator to indicate
remaining useful life of the first projecting feature whereby
during a first duration of wear, the first tread rib is not in
contact with a ground surface while the first projecting feature is
in contact with the ground surface, and during a second duration of
wear, both the first tread rib and the first projecting feature are
in contact with the ground surface.
[0008] In another aspect, an article of footwear comprises any
polymeric outsole disclosed herein and an upper affixed to the
outsole.
[0009] A further aspect is a method of making an article of
footwear comprises: obtaining any polymeric outsole disclosed
herein and affixing an upper to the outsole.
[0010] Another aspect provides a method of providing tread wear
indication, the method comprising: obtaining any article of
footwear disclosed herein; wearing the article of footwear; and
observing the tread rib relative to the projecting features for an
indication of remaining useful life transport of the projecting
features.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of an outsole according to
an embodiment;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of an outsole according to
another embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic close-up view of the outsole of FIG.
2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section view of the outsole of
FIG. 2; and
[0015] FIG. 5 is a plan side view of a boot comprising an
outsole.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0016] Polymeric outsoles disclosed herein have an advantage in
that a tread rib is effective as a tread wear indicator, providing
a visual indication of remaining useful life of projection features
of a tread pattern. The tread wear indicator may be used by the
wearer to visually indicate when the tread pattern (e.g., cleats
and other projecting features) has sustained abrasive wear. For
example, when a tread rib is designed to be 50% of the height of an
adjacent cleat and when the tread rib becomes level with the
adjacent cleat after period of use, it is understood that the cleat
has been worn to 50% of its original thickness. From there, it can
be gauged as to when the boots will need replacing. As disclosed
herein, the tread rib will be a shorter height than the surrounding
or adjacent projection features, the degree to which it is shorter
will depend on the application.
[0017] Outsoles having tread ribs are suitable for all types of
articles of footwear for which an indication of wear would be
useful. These articles have uppers that can be assembled with
polymeric outsoles.
[0018] A "cleat" is a feature of an outsole, which is integral to a
body of the outsole protruding from a surface of the outsole for
traction purposes. An array of cleats and channels therebetween at
least constitute a tread pattern. The cleats and overall tread
pattern affords the wearer slip resistance over a wide range of
surfaces.
[0019] A "tread rib" is a feature of an outsole that provides an
indication of tread wear in that when the tread rib is even with
one or more cleats of the outsole, an indication of remaining
useful life is provided. The tread rib does not provide significant
traction or fluid directing and is intended to minimize impact on
the overall tread pattern.
[0020] Reference to "integral" means that in forming the outsole,
any integral features forms a unitary structure with an outsole
body. In one or more non-limiting embodiments, a mold is designed
to include both a tread rib, cleats, channels, and the outsole
body, in which case, a single injection of a polymeric material
yields the unitary structure.
[0021] Reference to "affix" or "affixed" means that a
pre-fabricated item connects to another item by way of gluing
(e.g., adhesive or epoxy or other glue) or by direct attachment
injection molding techniques.
[0022] Before describing several exemplary embodiments of the
invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited
to the details of construction or process steps set forth in the
following description. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various
ways.
[0023] Turning to the figures, FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of
an outsole 100 of an embodiment, the outsole 100 comprising an
outsole body 102 and an external surface 104, which faces ground
surfaces during use. Portions of the external surface 104,
primarily projecting features, are in contact with the ground
surfaces during use. The outsole body 102 comprises a polymeric
material that is suitable for indoor and/or outdoor conditions. A
preferred polymeric material for the outsole body 100 is a
thermoplastic polymer. Exemplary non-limiting thermoplastic
polymers are selected from the group consisting of natural rubber;
thermoplastic rubber (TPR), e.g., styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS)
or styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) block co-polymers;
nitrile; thermoplastic polyurethane; and polyvinyl chloride. The
outsole 100 may be formed by injection molding the polymeric
material into a mold cavity of a desired tread pattern having
projecting features.
[0024] A mold for the outsole is prepared according to desired
design features. One or more projecting features of the outsole
tread pattern, include but are not limited to: a toe 108, a heel
strike 112, and one or more cleats 114. A heel 110 is also a design
feature. Channels 116 are located among and between the projecting
features and are included as part of the overall tread pattern.
Channels 116 do not protrude from the external surface 104, rather
walls of the projecting features define the channels. Tread rib 124
is also an integrally-formed feature in this embodiment.
[0025] The outsole 100 has three areas: a forefoot area 118, a
shank area 120, and a heel area 122. The outsole 100 is a unitary
piece in that the forefoot area 118, the shank 120, and the heel
area 122 are formed in the same mold by injection molding. The heal
area 122 includes the heel 110 and extends to the heel kick 112.
The heal area 122 also has a cleat 114 and a tread rib 124. The
shank 120 is between the heel area 122 and the forefoot area 118.
The shank area 120 generally does not include any projecting
features. The shank area 120 may contain indicia regarding the shoe
size and brand name. The forefoot area 118 includes the toe 108; a
plurality of cleats 114 and corresponding channels 116 and at least
one tread rib 124. The forefoot area 118 is from the forward-most
part of the outsole 100 to the shank area 120.
[0026] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of an outsole 200 of
another embodiment, the outsole 200 comprising an outsole body 202
and an external surface 204, which faces ground surfaces during
use. Portions of the external surface 204, primarily projecting
portions, are in contact with the ground surfaces during use. The
outsole body 202 comprises one or more polymeric materials that are
suitable for outdoor conditions. Preferred polymeric materials for
portions of the outsole body 200 are thermoplastic polymers.
Exemplary non-limiting thermoplastic polymers are independently
selected from the group consisting of rubber, thermoplastic
polyurethane, and polyvinyl chloride. The outsole 200 is formed by
assembling three parts that are independently injection molding a
polymeric material into a mold cavity of a desired design. The
three parts are a forefoot pod 217, a center shank 219, and a heel
pod 210. Generally, the forefoot and heel pods are designed with
projecting features to form a tread pattern.
[0027] One or more projecting features of the outsole tread pattern
include but are not limited to: a toe 208, a heel strike 212, and
one or more cleats 214. Channels 216 are located among and between
the projecting features and are included as part of the overall
tread pattern. Channels 216 do not protrude from the external
surface 204, rather walls of the projecting features define the
channels. Tread rib 224 is also a feature in this embodiment, which
is integrally-formed in its respective forefoot pod 219 or heel pod
210.
[0028] The outsole 200 has three areas: a forefoot area 218, which
is the forefoot pod 217; a shank area 220, which is the center
shank 219; and a heel area 222, which is the heel pod 210. The
outsole 200 is a combination of three pieces, each made separately
and assembled in combination to form the outsole 200. The heal pod
210 includes the heel kick 212, cleats 214, and channels 216, along
with a tread rib 224. The shank area 220 is between the heel area
222 and the forefoot area 218. The shank area 220 generally does
not include any projecting features. The shank area 220 may contain
indicia regarding the shoe size and brand name. The forefoot area
218 includes the toe 208; a plurality of cleats 214 and
corresponding channels 116 and at least one tread rib 224. The
forefoot area 218 is from the forward-most part of the outsole 200
to the shank area 220.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a schematic close-up view of the outsole 200
including a tread rib 224, which is located in a channel 216 and
adjacent to a first cleat 214a and a second cleat 214b. The tread
rib 224 is substantially perpendicular to a wall of each of the
first and second cleats 214a, 214b. The tread rib 224 is also
connected to a wall of each of the first and second cleats 214a,
214b. The tread rib 224 has a length "L", which in the embodiment
of FIG. 3 spans the distance between the first and second cleats
214a, 214b.
[0030] FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-section view of outsole 200
having an outsole body 202 and an external surface 204. The tread
rib 224 is located in a channel 216 defined by cleats 214, which
have walls 215. The tread rib 224 has a width "W". The tread rib
224 also has a height "H-1" relative to the external surface 204,
which is the distance that the tread rib 224 protrudes from the
outsole body 202. The cleats 214 also have a distance that they
protrude from the outsole body "H-2". "H-1" for the tread rib 224
is chosen based on the degree of useful life that is to be conveyed
upon leveling of the tread rib with its adjacent projecting
feature. When H-1 is 50% of H-2, then upon leveling tread rib with
its adjacent projecting feature, there is 50% useful life remaining
in the tread pattern. H-1 may be 10-90%, or 40-60% of H-2 as
desired.
[0031] An aspect ratio of the tread rib 224 is defined as the ratio
of L:W. The aspect ratio may be in the range of 1.5:1 to 10:1.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a plan side view of a boot 302 comprising an upper
304 affixed to an outsole 300, which may be according to any
embodiment disclosed herein. The upper 304 comprises an upper body
310, which may have additional design features to facilitate
donning and removing the boot by a wearer.
[0033] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment,"
"certain embodiments," "various embodiments," "one or more
embodiments" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature,
structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
disclosure. Thus, the appearances of the phrases such as "in one or
more embodiments," "in certain embodiments," "in various
embodiments," "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various
places throughout this specification are not necessarily referring
to the same embodiment of the disclosure. Furthermore, the
particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics may
be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.
[0034] Although the disclosure herein provided a description with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the disclosure. It will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be
made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit
and scope thereof. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure
include modifications and variations that are within the scope of
the appended claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *