U.S. patent application number 16/027802 was filed with the patent office on 2020-01-09 for boot with increased stability.
This patent application is currently assigned to W-D Apparel Company, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is W-D Apparel Company, LLC. Invention is credited to Hugo Eugenio Lam.
Application Number | 20200008521 16/027802 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 67180665 |
Filed Date | 2020-01-09 |
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00000.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00001.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00002.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00003.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00004.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00005.png)
![](/patent/app/20200008521/US20200008521A1-20200109-D00006.png)
United States Patent
Application |
20200008521 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lam; Hugo Eugenio |
January 9, 2020 |
BOOT WITH INCREASED STABILITY
Abstract
A boot includes an outsole having a bottom surface configured to
contact the ground, and a baseboard configured to support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot
portion, an arch portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of
the baseboard defining an outer perimeter. When the boot is at rest
on a flat surface, a maximum height of the heel portion of the
baseboard above the flat surface is smaller than a maximum height
of the arch portion of the baseboard above the flat surface. The
boot can include an upper secured to the baseboard at or below the
outer perimeter of the upper surface of the baseboard, and a
footbed having an upper surface configured to contact a wearer's
foot and a lower surface that substantially matches the upper
surface of the baseboard.
Inventors: |
Lam; Hugo Eugenio; (Guelph,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
W-D Apparel Company, LLC |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
W-D Apparel Company, LLC
Wilmington
DE
|
Family ID: |
67180665 |
Appl. No.: |
16/027802 |
Filed: |
July 5, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B 13/187 20130101;
A43B 13/186 20130101; A43B 13/14 20130101; A43B 7/14 20130101; A43B
13/04 20130101; A43B 13/38 20130101; A43B 7/32 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A43B 13/18 20060101
A43B013/18; A43B 7/32 20060101 A43B007/32; A43B 7/14 20060101
A43B007/14; A43B 13/04 20060101 A43B013/04 |
Claims
1. A boot comprising: an outsole having a bottom surface configured
to contact the ground; and a baseboard configured to support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot
portion, an arch portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of
the baseboard defining an outer perimeter, wherein when the boot is
at rest on a flat surface, a maximum height of the heel portion of
the baseboard above the flat surface is smaller than a maximum
height of the arch portion of the baseboard above the flat
surface.
2. The boot of claim 1, further comprising an upper secured to the
baseboard at or below the outer perimeter of the upper surface of
the baseboard.
3. The boot of claim 1, further comprising an upper secured to the
outer perimeter of the upper surface of the baseboard at the arch
portion and at the heel portion.
4. The boot of claim 1, further comprising a footbed having an
upper surface configured to contact a wearer's foot and a lower
surface that substantially matches the upper surface of the
baseboard.
5. The boot of claim 4, wherein a side surface of the footbed
extending between the upper and lower surfaces thereof
substantially matches an adjacent surface of the upper.
6. The boot of claim 1, wherein the outsole is comprised of a
treadsole configured to contact the ground and a midsole configured
to contact the baseboard.
7. The boot of claim 6, wherein the treadsole and the midsole are
comprised of different materials.
8. The boot of claim 7, wherein the baseboard is more rigid than
the treadsole, and the treadsole is more rigid than the
midsole.
9. The boot of claim 1, wherein the baseboard is comprised of a
polymer.
10. The boot of claim 9, wherein the polymer is nylon.
11. The boot of claim 1, wherein the entire baseboard has a
substantially constant thickness.
12. The boot of claim 1, wherein the upper surface of the baseboard
and a lower surface of the baseboard have substantially identical
shapes.
13. The boot of claim 1, wherein the baseboard includes puncture
protection in accordance with ASTM, CSA, Nom 113, and ISO safety
standards.
14. A boot comprising: an outsole having a bottom surface
configured to contact the ground; and a baseboard configured to
support a wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a
forefoot portion, an arch portion, and a heel portion, the upper
surface of the baseboard defining an outer perimeter, wherein when
the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a height of the entire heel
portion of the baseboard above the flat surface is smaller than a
height of the entire arch portion of the baseboard above the flat
surface.
15. The boot of claim 14, further comprising an upper secured to
the baseboard at or below the outer perimeter of the upper surface
of the baseboard.
16. A boot comprising: an outsole having a bottom surface
configured to contact the ground; a baseboard configured to support
a wearer's foot and having an upper surface defining a forefoot
portion, an arch portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of
the baseboard defining an outer perimeter; and an upper secured to
the outer perimeter of the baseboard at the arch portion and the
heel portion along a continuous seam, wherein when the boot is at
rest on a flat surface, a maximum height of the seam above the flat
surface at the heel portion is smaller than a maximum height of the
seam above the flat surface at the arch portion.
17. The boot of claim 16, wherein when the boot is at rest on a
flat surface, a maximum height of the seam above the flat surface
at the forefoot portion is smaller than the maximum height of the
seam above the flat surface at the arch portion.
18. The boot of claim 16, further comprising a footbed having an
upper surface configured to contact a wearer's foot and a lower
surface that substantially matches the upper surface of the
baseboard.
19. The boot of claim 16, wherein the outsole is comprised of a
treadsole configured to contact the ground and a midsole configured
to contact the baseboard, wherein the treadsole and the midsole are
comprised of different materials.
20. The boot of claim 19, wherein the baseboard is more rigid than
the treadsole, and the treadsole is more rigid than the midsole.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present inventions relate to footwear, and boots in
particular, having improved performance More particularly, the
present inventions relate to boots having a contoured baseboard
with a recessed heel portion and a lower connection between the
upper and the baseboard to lower the center of gravity of the boot
for increased stability and durability.
[0002] Conventional boot designs typically include thick, sturdy
outsoles to match the rugged style and use of the boot. While this
increases durability, it can negatively impact flexibility and
stability of the boot due to the location and height of the dense
outsole material at which the upper of the boot is attached.
Attempts have been made to replace cavities of material of the
outsole with softer or lighter material. However, these designs
suffer from uneven support across the width of the shoe due to the
variable nature of the profile of the outsole, with outer portions
having greater thickness and inner, central portions having lesser
thickness. These designs also leave the connection between the
upper and the outsole at a relatively high location around the
boot, minimizing the effect to which the upper can provide
additional stability to the user.
[0003] Further improvement in boot design is needed to overcome
these deficiencies. In particular, there is a need for a boot
having a lower center of gravity while maintaining a high level of
support and comfort with enhanced stability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] A first aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, and a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard
defining an outer perimeter, wherein when the boot is at rest on a
flat surface, a maximum height of the heel portion of the baseboard
above the flat surface is smaller than a maximum height of the arch
portion of the baseboard above the flat surface.
[0005] A second aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, and a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard
defining an outer perimeter, wherein when the boot is at rest on a
flat surface, a height of the entire heel portion of the baseboard
above the flat surface is smaller than a height of the entire arch
portion of the baseboard above the flat surface.
[0006] A third aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, and a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard
defining an outer perimeter, wherein when the boot is at rest on a
flat surface, a height of the outer perimeter at the heel portion
of the baseboard above the flat surface is smaller than a height of
the outer perimeter at the arch portion of the baseboard above the
flat surface.
[0007] In accordance with other embodiments of the first, second,
and third aspects, the boot may further include an upper secured to
the baseboard at or below the outer perimeter of the upper surface
of the baseboard. The boot may further include an upper secured to
the outer perimeter of the upper surface of the baseboard at the
arch portion and at the heel portion.
[0008] The boot may further include a footbed having an upper
surface configured to contact a wearer's foot and a lower surface
that substantially matches the upper surface of the baseboard. A
side surface of the footbed extending between the upper and lower
surfaces thereof may substantially match an adjacent surface of the
upper.
[0009] The outsole may be comprised of a treadsole configured to
contact the ground and a midsole configured to contact the
baseboard. The treadsole and the midsole may be comprised of
different materials. The baseboard may be more rigid than the
treadsole, and the treadsole may be more rigid than the midsole.
The baseboard may be comprised of a polymer, which may be nylon.
The entire baseboard may have a substantially constant thickness.
The upper surface of the baseboard and a lower surface of the
baseboard may have substantially identical shapes. The baseboard
may include puncture protection in accordance with ASTM, CSA, Nom
113, and ISO safety standards.
[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defining a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard
defining an outer perimeter, and an upper secured to the outer
perimeter of the baseboard at the arch portion and the heel portion
along a continuous seam, wherein when the boot is at rest on a flat
surface, a maximum height of the seam above the flat surface at the
heel portion is smaller than a maximum height of the seam above the
flat surface at the arch portion. In another embodiment, when the
boot is at rest on a flat surface, a maximum height of the seam
above the flat surface at the forefoot portion is smaller than the
maximum height of the seam above the flat surface at the arch
portion.
[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defining a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard
defining an outer perimeter, and an upper secured to the outer
perimeter the baseboard at the arch portion and the heel portion,
wherein when the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a maximum
distance between the upper and the flat surface at the heel portion
is smaller than a maximum distance between the upper and the flat
surface at the arch portion. In another embodiment, when the boot
is at rest on a flat surface, a maximum distance between the upper
and the flat surface at the forefoot portion is smaller than the
maximum distance between the upper and the flat surface at the arch
portion.
[0012] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a boot including
an outsole having a bottom surface configured to contact the
ground, a baseboard configured to support a wearer's foot and
having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a heel portion, wherein the upper surface consists of
first and second continuous surfaces, the first continuous surface
defined by a concave surface at the forefoot portion and a convex
surface at the arch portion, and the second continuous surface
defined by a substantially flat surface at the heel portion, the
first and second continuous surfaces joined at a linear edge of the
upper surface that separates the arch portion from the heel
portion, wherein when the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a
highest point of the convex surface at the arch portion above the
flat surface is higher than all of the substantially flat surface
at the heel portion above the flat surface.
[0013] Other variations of the embodiments of the fourth, fifth,
and sixth aspects may be as described above in connection with the
first, second, and third aspects.
[0014] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a footbed for
use in a boot including an upper surface configured to contact a
wearer's foot, and a lower surface defining a forefoot portion, an
arch portion, and a heel portion, wherein when the footbed is at
rest on a flat surface, the heel portion and the forefoot portion
contact the flat surface and the arch portion is raised above the
flat surface. In accordance with other embodiments of the seventh
aspect, a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface
at the heel portion may be greater than both a thickness between
the upper surface and the lower surface at the arch portion and a
thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface at the
forefoot portion. The thickness between the upper surface and the
lower surface at the arch portion may be greater than the thickness
between the upper surface and the lower surface at the forefoot
portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side elevational sectional view of a boot in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 is an enlarged portion of the view shown in FIG.
1.
[0017] FIG. 3 is a top perspective sectional view of the boot shown
in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevational sectional view of the boot
shown in FIG. 1 including a footbed.
[0019] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in FIG.
1.
[0020] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the footbed boot shown
in FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the footbed boot
shown in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject
illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawings,
specific terminology will be used for the sake of clarity. However,
the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific terms
used herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term
includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner
to accomplish similar purpose.
[0023] A first embodiment of a boot 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1-7.
Among other aspects, boot 100 includes an outsole 10, a baseboard
40, an upper 50, and a footbed 60.
[0024] Outsole 10 is the lowermost portion of the boot 100 and has
a bottom surface 12 configured to contact the ground, represented
by a flat surface 90 in FIG. 1. The outsole 10 is made up of a
treadsole 20 and a midsole 30. Treadsole 20 includes bottom surface
12, which contacts the ground and is constructed of durable polymer
material in order to maintain flexibility and endure normal wear
and usage without wearing away. Materials of which treadsole 20 can
be made include EVA, polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane,
thermal plastic rubber, blown rubber, expanded thermal plastic
urethane, polyolefin, and the like. Midsole 30 is positioned above
the treadsole 20 to provide cushioning for boot 100 between
treadsole 20 and baseboard 40. Midsole 30 is preferably comprised
of a different, less rigid material than that of treadsole 20, and
is configured to balance its purposes of providing stability to the
sole of the boot and to absorb and dissipate impact to the wearer's
foot when the boot strikes the ground or another object. Midsole 30
can be constructed of various materials, including EVA,
polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane, thermal plastic rubber,
blown rubber, expanded thermal plastic urethane, polyolefin, and
the like. Preferably, the material of treadsole 20 makes it more
rigid than midsole 30.
[0025] Baseboard 40 is disposed above outsole 10 so that it is
configured to support a wearer's foot. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3,
baseboard 40 includes a contoured upper surface 41 outlined by an
outer perimeter 43 and defined by a forefoot portion 44, an arch
portion 46, and a heel portion 48, which three portions form the
entire upper surface 41. In other words, upper surface 41 of
baseboard 40 consists of only first and second continuous surfaces
45, 47 that are joined at a linear edge 49. First continuous
surface 45 consists of forefoot portion 44 as a concave surface and
arch portion 46 as a convex surface, these references being made
from the perspective of looking at boot 100 from above. Second
continuous surface 47 is separated from the first continuous
surface by linear edge 49 and consists of a substantially flat
surface coinciding with heel portion 48. That is, the first and
second continuous surfaces 45, 47 are separated by linear edge 49,
which delineates arch portion 46 from heel portion 48. Each of
first and second continuous surfaces 45, 47 is generally smooth and
uninterrupted without any abrupt edges or creases. Linear edge 49
represents and abrupt edge or crease that separates first and
second continuous surfaces 45, 47.
[0026] A lower surface 42 of baseboard 40 is shaped substantially
identically to upper surface 41 such that the entire baseboard 40
has a substantially constant thickness from edge to edge and
throughout. Baseboard 40 is a formed insole preferably comprised of
a resin impregnated nonwoven, cellulose resin impregnated
substrate, polymeric material, which can be nylon as well as a
combination of the materials, so that it is relatively rigid and
provides support to the wearer's foot. The material of baseboard 40
makes it more rigid than both treadsole 20 and midsole 30.
Baseboard 40 can include puncture protection in accordance with
ASTM, CSA, Nom 113, and ISO safety standards.
[0027] The upper 50 is secured to baseboard 40 at or below outer
perimeter 43 of upper surface 41 of baseboard 40 along a continuous
seam 51. This occurs at least at arch portion 46 and heel portion
48 of baseboard 40, as in some instances the upper 50 is not
connected to the entire outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40 at
forefoot portion 44 due to the presence of a reinforced toe cap 52,
for example. In line with the discussion above concerning the
contouring of baseboard 40, when boot 100 is at rest on flat
surface 90, a maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at
heel portion 48 is smaller than a maximum height of seam 51 above
flat surface 90 at arch portion 46. In other words, when boot 100
is at rest on flat surface 90, a maximum distance between upper 50
and flat surface 90 at heel portion 48 is smaller than a maximum
distance between upper 50 and flat surface 90 at arch portion
46.
[0028] Seam 51 therefore tracks the contoured path of outer
perimeter 43 of baseboard 40, which allows upper 50 to be anchored
to baseboard 40 and the other portions of outsole 10 at a lower
point in the various areas of boot 100. This provides increased
stability when horizontal forces are applied to the boot by
providing a resistive force lower to the ground (i.e. flat surface
90). The fact that these resistive forces act on boot 100 at a much
lower location relative to prior art boots greatly enhances the
strength and responsiveness of boot 100 to the user. Together with
the lower center of gravity due to the construction of outsole 10
and baseboard 40, boot 100 provides the user with a firmer and more
stable grip on the ground while maintaining a high level of
cushioning and comfort.
[0029] Upper surface 41 of baseboard 40 extends from edge to edge
within the construction of upper 50. In this way, the contouring of
upper surface 41 is consistent and continuous across the width of
boot 100 at all places so that it provides consistent support all
along the width of boot 100. Baseboard 40 is devoid of any recesses
or openings within its otherwise continuous upper surface 41.
Rather, heel portion 48 of baseboard 40 is recessed in its entirety
within boot 100 to a height that is lower than that of arch portion
46. This is the whole heel portion 48 and not just a portion
thereof, so that heel portion 48 also has consistent and continuous
contouring across the width of the boot 100 from edge to edge.
[0030] That is, when boot 100 is at rest on flat surface 90 such as
the ground, a maximum height 48H of heel portion 48 of baseboard 40
above flat surface 90 is smaller than a maximum height 46H of arch
portion 46 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90. In other words, a
height of the entire heel portion 48 above flat surface 90 is
smaller than a height of the entire arch portion 46 above flat
surface 90. A further way to state this is that a height of outer
perimeter 43 at heel portion 48 above flat surface 90 is smaller
than a height of outer perimeter 43 at arch portion 46 above flat
surface 90. A highest point of the convex surface of the first
continuous surface 45 at arch portion 46 above flat surface 90 is
higher than all of the substantially flat surface at heel portion
48 above flat surface 90.
[0031] When boot 100 is at rest on flat surface 90, a maximum
height of the majority of forefoot portion 44 of baseboard 40 above
flat surface 90 is also smaller than maximum height 46H of arch
portion 46 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90. The majority of
forefoot portion 44 here is the rear aspect that is adjacent arch
portion 46. This contouring of forefoot portion 44 is noted with
the caveat that the forward most aspect of forefoot portion 44
where the user's toes will be located is subject to toe spring so
that it can be naturally curled upward to heights higher than arch
portion 46, though the substantial majority of forefoot portion 44
is located beneath the maximum height of arch portion 46. Since
seam 51 does not always extend around the entire forefoot portion
44 due to the presence of toe cap 52, a maximum height of seam 51
above flat surface 90 at forefoot portion 44 is smaller than the
maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at arch portion 46
despite any curl of the toe area.
[0032] While upper 50 is secured to baseboard 40 at seam 51 that
follows the contour of outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40, midsole
30 may be shaped to extend above outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40
along the exterior surface of upper 50, as shown in FIG. 5. This
allows midsole 30 to be molded and contoured on the exterior of
boot 100 for aesthetic purposes, and also to enhance the connection
of outsole 10 to upper 50. Midsole 30 may have an upper edge or
periphery that is above or higher than seam 51, though the fact
that upper 50 extends beneath this upper edge of midsole 30 and
down to outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40 so that it connects at
seam 51 provides stability and support to boot 100 as described
above.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, a footbed 60 is included with
boot 100 and has a lower surface 62 substantially matching the
contouring of upper surface 41 of baseboard 40. An upper surface 61
of footbed 60 is configured to contact a wearer's foot within boot
100 when it is worn. Thus, footbed 60 is much thicker (or taller)
above heel portion 48 of baseboard than it is above arch portion 46
and forefoot portion 44. The resulting construction of boot 100
replaces a portion of the denser, heavier material of outsole 10
that would otherwise be much thicker (or taller) at heel portion 48
with the softer foam material of footbed 60 to enhance cushioning
and comfort for the wearer. The aggregately layered construction of
boot 100 at heel portion 48 is of a thickness that is similar to
prior art boots, but the profile of this thickness as described
above locates the heavier, denser material (of outsole 10) closer
to the ground to lower the overall center of gravity of boot 100,
particularly at heel portion 48, by placing more of its weight near
the ground, resulting in increased stability and grip and resulting
in less fatigue to the user during normal wear of boot 100 as
compared with other boots having thicker (taller) outsoles.
[0034] A side surface 63 of the footbed extending between upper and
lower surfaces 61, 62 thereof substantially matches an adjacent
surface of upper 50 (and where applicable, toe cap 52) since it is
seated within boot 100 to follow the contouring of upper 50 around
and just above baseboard 40. Footbed 60 can also have recessed
areas 64 extending upward from lower surface 62, particularly above
heel portion 48, to remove some of the foam material to further
increase cushioning and comfort by allowing the remaining material
of footbed 60 adjacent recessed areas to flex horizontally in
addition to compressing vertically. Similarly, grooves 65 in both
the width and length directions of boot 100 can be provided for
similar enhanced comfort. Grooves 65 at forefoot portion 46 are
formed in a grid arrangement, which results in pillars 66 extending
up from lower surface 62. Materials of which footbed 60 can be made
include EVA, polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane, expanded
thermal plastic urethane, polyolefin, and the like.
[0035] Although the invention herein has been described with
reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that
these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and
applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that numerous modifications may be made to the
illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *