U.S. patent number 3,810,318 [Application Number 05/277,649] was granted by the patent office on 1974-05-14 for shoe, especially for aiding children in learning to walk.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Salamander Aktiengesellschaft. Invention is credited to Roland Epstein.
United States Patent |
3,810,318 |
Epstein |
May 14, 1974 |
SHOE, ESPECIALLY FOR AIDING CHILDREN IN LEARNING TO WALK
Abstract
A shoe, especially for aiding children in learning to walk,
which includes an inner sole having an extension extending upwardly
and forming the heel section, which latter together with said inner
sole forms a coherent, preferably single piece structural
element.
Inventors: |
Epstein; Roland (Asperg,
DT) |
Assignee: |
Salamander Aktiengesellschaft
(Kornwestheim, DT)
|
Family
ID: |
5815827 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/277,649 |
Filed: |
August 3, 1972 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
Current U.S.
Class: |
36/105; 36/90;
36/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A43B
5/00 (20130101); A43B 13/41 (20130101); A43B
23/17 (20130101); A43B 7/143 (20130101); A43B
7/142 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A43B
23/00 (20060101); A43B 13/41 (20060101); A43B
13/38 (20060101); A43B 23/17 (20060101); A43B
5/00 (20060101); A43b 023/08 () |
Field of
Search: |
;36/2.5R,2.5E,2.5F,69,68,67R,67D,71 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
846,581 |
|
Aug 1960 |
|
GB |
|
1,033,277 |
|
Apr 1902 |
|
FR |
|
Primary Examiner: Lawson; Patrick D.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Becker; Walter
Claims
What I claim is:
1. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, said coherent
curved structural element at the area where the inner sole merges
with the heel section being at least at one lateral edge provided
with a V-shaped fold.
2. A shoe according to claim 1, in which the edges of said fold
directly abut each other.
3. A shoe according to claim 1, in which said shoe has an outer
sole with centering openings, and in which a member inside of said
outer sole is provided with anti-slip protrusions extending through
said outer sole, at least some of said anti-slip protrusions
extending through said centering openings.
4. A shoe according to claim 1, which includes a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section.
5. A shoe according to claim 4, in which said reinforcement is
located below said transition area.
6. A shoe according to claim 4, in which said reinforcement is
formed by a heel-shaped member cupping said heel section and said
inner sole in the manner of a bucket seat.
7. A shoe according to claim 4, in which said reinforcement is
formed by an injection molded part of synthetic material.
8. A shoe according to claim 7, in which said injection molded part
is of polyvinylchloride.
9. A shoe according to claim 4, in which said reinforcement is
injection molded onto said inner sole and said heel section.
10. A shoe according to claim 4, in which said reinforcement has
its thickest area within the transition range between said inner
sole and said heel section.
11. A shoe according to claim 10, in which said reinforcement
becomes thinner towards its upper portion.
12. A shoe according to claim 10, in which said reinforcement
becomes thinner toward its side edges.
13. A shoe according to claim 10, in which said reinforcement
extends approximately to the central portion of the length of the
inner sole.
14. A shoe according to claim 10, in which the shoe has a shoe
upper, and in which the contour of the outer surface of said
reinforcement within the region of the heel section substantially
corresponds to the contour of the inner surface of the shoe
upper.
15. A shoe according to claim 14, in which said shoe upper directly
engages said outer surface.
16. A shoe according to claim 10, in which the shoe has a shoe
upper with lateral folded portions, and in which the bottom surface
of said reinforcement within the region of said inner sole is
provided with means for direct connection with said laterally
folded portions.
17. A shoe according to claim 10, in which the shoe has an outer
sole, and in which the bottom surface of said reinforcement within
the region of said inner sole is provided with means for direct
connection to said outer sole.
18. A shoe according to claim 17, in which the shoe has a shoe
upper with lateral folded portions, and in which the bottom surface
of said reinforcement within the region of said inner sole is in
its marginal region offset by a distance substantially equaling the
thickness of said lateral folded portions.
19. A shoe according to claim 17, in which said outer sole is
provided with passage means, and in which said inner sole has
anti-slip protrusion means extending through said passage
means.
20. A shoe according to claim 10, in which said shoe has an outer
sole provided with centering openings, and in which the inner sole
is provided with centering protrusions engaging said centering
openings.
21. A shoe according to claim 4, which includes an outer sole,
connecting means arranged on said inner sole, and receiving means
associated with said outer sole for receiving said connecting means
to establish a firm connection between said inner and outer
soles.
22. A shoe according to claim 4, which includes an outer sole and
in which said reinforcement forms a substantially sharp edge
located vertically above the roll-off edge of said outer sole.
23. A shoe according to claim 4, which includes a cushion of foam
material arranged on said reinforcement within that portion of said
heel section which is intended for receiving the heel of the
foot.
24. A shoe according to claim 23, in which said cushion is
injection molded onto said reinforcement.
25. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section, said reinforcement having thickest area
thereof within the transition range between said inner sole and
said heel section, said reinforcement extending approximately to
the end of the ball section of a corresponding foot inserted into
the shoe.
26. A shoe according to claim 25, in which said reinforcement
extends only over a portion of the height of said heel section.
27. A shoe according to claim 25, in which the shoe has a shoe
upper and in which said reinforcement ends below the upper edge of
the shoe upper in the region of the heel section.
28. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section, said reinforcement having thickest area
thereof within the transition range between said inner sole and
said heel section, the shoe having a shoe upper with lateral folded
portions, and the bottom surface of said reinforcement within the
region of said inner sole being in its marginal region offset by a
distance substantially equalling the thickness of said lateral
folded portions, said bottom surface being offset by an elevated
section of said reinforcement, said elevated section being arranged
in spaced relationship to the edge of said inner sole.
29. A shoe according to claim 28, in which a portion of said
reinforcement extends approximately to the front end of the shoe
and is formed by said elevated section.
30. A shoe according to claim 29, in which said portion of said
reinforcement is a flat surface portion.
31. A shoe according to claim 28, in which said outer sole is
provided with passage means, and in which the elevated section of
said reinforcement is provided with anti-slip protrusion means
extending through said passage means.
32. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section, said reinforcement having thickest area
thereof within the transition range between said inner sole and
said heel section, the shoe having an outer sole and the bottom
surface of said reinforcement within the region of said inner sole
being provided with means for direct connection to said outer sole,
said outer sole being provided with passage means, and the elevated
section of said reinforcement being provided with anti-slip
protrusion means extending through said passage means, said
anti-slip protrusion means forming a single integral piece with
said reinforcement.
33. A shoe according to claim 28, in which said shoe has an outer
sole provided with centering openings, and in which the elevated
section of said reinforcement is provided with centering
protrusions engaging said centering openings.
34. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section, the reinforcement within the region of said
inner sole having an elevated flat surface section and connecting
means provided on said elevated section, an outer sole arranged
below said inner sole and said heel section, and means associated
with said outer sole for receiving said connecting means to
establish a firm connection between said inner and outer soles.
35. A shoe according to claim 34, in which said shoe includes a
shoe upper provided with means for receiving some of said
connecting means.
36. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a reinforcement
arranged at least within the transition area between the inner sole
and the heel section, said reinforcement having thickest area
thereof within the transition range between said inner sole and
said heel section, the shoe having an outer sole and the bottom
surface of said reinforcement within the region of said inner sole
being provided with means for direct connection to said outer sole,
said outer sole being provided with passage means, and the elevated
section of said reinforcement being provided with anti-slip
protrusion means extending through said passage means, said
anti-slip protrusion means including undercut protrusions.
37. A shoe, especially for aiding children to walk, which includes:
an inner sole and an extension thereof, which latter is arranged
adjacent to said inner sole and extends upwardly while forming the
heel section, said inner sole and said heel section forming a
coherent curved structural element of said shoe, a shoe upper and
strap means connected to the upper portion of said heel section and
forming an extension thereof while protruding beyond the upper edge
of said shoe upper, a first connecting element arranged on said
extension and also including a second connecting element arranged
on the outside of said shoe at a lower level than the upper edge of
said upper for detachably engaging and holding said first
connecting element.
38. A shoe according to claim 37, in which said strap means
includes a centering hole having said first connecting element
connected thereto.
Description
The present invention relates to shoes, especially shoes for aiding
children in learning to walk, which are provided with an inner sole
and adjacent thereto with an upwardly extending heel section which
forms the rear portion of the inner surface of the shoe and which
may have, for instance, the shape of a shoe horn.
It is an object of the present invention so to design a shoe of
this type that it will be simple in construction, has a very
precise fit and will be gentle on the foot.
This object and other objects and advantages of the invention will
appear more clearly from the following specification in connection
with the accompanying drawing, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a structural element of a shoe
according to the invention.
FIG. 2 is a longitudinal section through a shoe according to the
invention containing the structural element of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the structural element shown in FIG.
1.
FIG. 4 is a rear view of the structural element of FIG. 1.
The shoe according to the present invention is characterized
primarily in that the inner sole and the heel section are formed as
a coherent curved structural element so that a gradual and
continuous merging of the inner sole with the heel section will be
obtained. Furthermore, in this way also a special lining in the
shoe can be saved. A further important advantage of this design is
seen in the fact that the manufacture of the shoe is considerably
simplified inasmuch as this structural element can easily be
assembled and installed. Over shoes which form one piece and are
made, for instance, of synthetic material, the shoe according to
the present invention has important advantages, especially with
regard to its fit, its strength and its life span.
It is particularly advantageous in this connection to have the
inner sole and the heel section made of one single piece and
preferably in such a way that they merge with each other without a
seam so that the customary corner connection between the inner sole
and the heel section is not necessary. In particular, in this
instance, the structural element may in the merging area between
the inner sole and the heel section at at least one lateral edge be
provided with a V-shaped fold so that the edges of the fold
preferably abut each other directly in such a way that a nearly
uninterrupted transition is created and the material, for instance,
leather which forms the structural element will not fold in the
transition area. The material of the structural element may also be
such, for instance leather, that it may be stretched at some areas
for adaption to the shape of the foot whereas at other areas it may
be upset without interfering elevations, folds, or the like on the
side facing the foot so that the structural element will assure a
safe support of the foot up to the region of the heel.
A particularly advantageous further development of the present
invention consists in that at least in the transition area between
the inner sole and the heel section, preferably on the outside or
the bottom side, there is provided a reinforcement so that the
structural element at least in the transition area is substantially
rigid and that the shape of the structural element conforming to
the shape of the foot will be retained to the final assembly of the
shoe.
The reinforcement may advantageously be formed by a heel piece
cupping the heel section and the inner sole in the form of a bucket
seat. This heel piece will have small dimensions and will bring
about an excellent support. For purposes of realizing a simple
production, the reinforcement is formed by an injection molded part
of synthetic material or the like, for instance, of
polyvinylchloride. The reinforcement safely adheres to and is
preferably directly injection molded onto the structural
element.
In order to realize a favorable elasticity of the structural
element, the reinforcement is thickest in the transition area
between the inner sole and the heel section and becomes thinner
from this area on toward the front and/or in upward direction
and/or to the side edges. According to a particularly advantageous
embodiment of the invention, the reinforcement extends about up to
the center of the length of the inner sole, preferably up to the
end of the starting portion of the joint of the ball of the foot of
a size fitting into the shoe.
A favorable flexibility of the heel section in the upper part
thereof is obtained when the reinforcement extends over a portion
of the height of the heel section and preferably ends below the
upper edge or rim of the shoe upper or shaft in the heel section so
that it is completely covered by the upper of the shoe.
A further improved support of the structural element at the
remaining shoe portions is realized when the outer shape or surface
of the reinforcement within the region of the heel section
corresponds substantially to the inner shape or surface of the shoe
shaft which engages the surface of the reinforcing element
preferably directly. In this way the shoe upper or shaft is easily
assembled. The bottom surface of the reinforcing element may within
the region of the inner sole be designed as connecting surface for
the preferably direct connection of the lateral fold portions of
the shoe upper and/or of an outer sole so that the manufacture of
the shoe will be further simplified and a light weight of the shoe
will be obtained.
It is particularly advantageous when the bottom surface of the
reinforcement within the region of the inner sole in the rim area
is offset by approximately the thickness of the lateral fold
portions of the shoe upper, preferably by an elevated section which
extends in spaced relationship to the edges of the outer sole so
that the outer sole can be connected directly to the bottom sides
of the lateral fold portions of the shoe upper and of the elevated
section and will in this way with its entire upper top surface
engage these parts substantially over the entire surface.
According to a further feature of the invention, a preferably flat
surfaced portion of the reinforcement extends approximately to the
front end of the shoe while this portion is preferably formed by
the elevated section. As a result thereof, in the front area of the
inner sole it is possible to provide a desired bulge in the range
of the ball of the foot. If the elevated section has its rim spaced
approximately at the same distance from the inner sole over the
entire circumference of the inner sole, the entire space located at
the lateral fold portions of the shoe shaft is filled in an
advantageous manner, especially for fastening of the outer
sole.
The invention is furthermore characterized by anti-slip protrusions
which are on the elevated section of the reinforcement and which
extend through corresponding openings in the outer sole so that a
highly satisfactory assurance against slipping will be obtained. A
particularly simple manufacturing process is obtained when the
anti-slip protrusions form one piece with the reinforcement and are
preferably block-shaped so that they can be formed by sections
injection molded together with the reinforcement. Instead of
blocks, knubs, or the like, also cushion-like inserts of flat
contour may be provided.
The invention is furthermore characterized by centering protrusions
for engagement in corresponding centering openings in the outer
sole so that when mounting the inner sole with the heel portion
onto the outer sole and/or the shaft or upper, an extremely precise
adjustment will be possible and an awkward placing of the sole will
be avoided. Expediently, the centering protrusions may be arranged
on the elevated section of the reinforcement.
The invention is additionally characterized by connecting elements
which are provided on the inner sole, for instance, at the elevated
section and/or the heel section of the reinforcement and are
intended for engaging corresponding counter elements of the outer
sole and/or the shoe shaft so that also in this instance an
extremely precise adjustment and a considerable simplification will
be obtained when assembling the shoe. Such connecting elements may
be formed by anti-slip or centering means. It is particularly
expedient to form the connecting elements by undercut protrusions
for extending through recesses in the outer sole or the shoe or
upper so that already by means of these connecting elements a safe
connection of the shoe upper with the prefabricated structural
element described above will be obtained. As connecting element
there may be provided either a narrow, for instance rectangular or
triangular, stud or pin, or any other suitable design of the
protruding element may be selected, the recess in the shoe shaft
having a corresponding shape.
According to a further feature of the invention, centering elements
are provided on the structural element for the centering in the
injection molding form while the centering elements are preferably
formed by punched holes in the inner sole and/or the heel portion
so that the structural element can by means of pins extending
through these holes be precisely positioned in the injection
mold.
According to a still further development of the invention the heel
section, especially for providing an aid for putting on the shoe,
is provided with an extension which protrudes beyond the upper rim
of the shoe shaft. This aid for putting on the shoe includes handle
means for an easy placing of the shoe on the foot and preferably
forms one piece with the heel section. These handle means which
together with the heel section form a slip-on strap and which have
a fixed shape corresponding to the shape of the heel form a kind of
shoe horn which greatly simplifies and facilitates the putting on
of the shoe. In order to make sure that the extension will not be
bothersome while the shoe is being worn, it is provided with a
connecting member, for instance, with the eye part of a snap
fastener for connection to the counter part of the snap fastener
which is located somewhat lower on the outer side of the heel
section. For putting on the shoe, it is merely necessary to open up
the snap fastener in order to be able to use the extension of the
slip-on strap as handle means for facilitating the putting on of
the shoe. When the snap fastener is closed, the extension forms a
loop which may be used, for instance, for hanging up the shoe. The
connecting element may, in a simple manner, be fastened in a
centering hole so that, on one hand, during the manufacture of the
structural element a precise aligning also of the extension of the
heel section will be assured while, on the other hand, the
centering hole will not be visible on the finished shoe.
Advantageously, the reinforcement in the transition area between
the inner sole and the heel section forms a substantially sharp
edge which is located vertically above the roll-off edge of the
outer sole and by means of which a particularly safe support of the
foot is assured during walking and also a straight placing of the
foot while walking.
According to a further suggestion of the invention, the bottom side
of the inner sole, for instance, within the region of the heel
stepdown portion, is provided at the reinforcement with a cushion
of foam material which is preferably injection molded so that in
certain instances and in a simple manner a cushioning can be
obtained in the region of the heel.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, the shoe according to the
invention as illustrated therein comprises primarily shaft or upper
1 with lateral folded parts 2 provided on both sides at the lower
rim of the upper. The shoe furthermore comprises an inner sole 3
with an arched support 4 for supporting the arch of the foot, and
also comprises an outer sole 5 and a heel 6.
The inner sole 3, which may be formed, for instance, of leather
merges at its rear trough-shaped end with the heel section 7 and
the slip-on strap, the heel section 7 forming one piece with the
inner sole 3. The heel section 7 together with the inner sole 3
forms the heel trough and is in the manner of a cup shaped in
conformity with the shape of the heel. Within the transition region
8 between the inner sole 3 and the heel section 7 the structural
element formed by the two parts 3 and 7 is laterally folded at 9 in
such a way that the folded edges respectively abut against each
other. The bottom and outer sides of the structural element 3, 7
are provided with a reinforcement 10 which forms an injection
molded part of synthetic material and is directly injected onto the
bottom and outer side. The mass of the synthetic material is with
the aid of corresponding mold portions connected under pressure and
heat to the structural element 3, 7 to form the part 3, 7, 10. The
reinforcement 10 is designed in the manner of a bucket seat and in
the transition range 8 has its greatest thickness whereas it
becomes thinner toward the front within the region of the inner
sole 3 in the lateral range and ends at 11 in the bottom side of
the inner sole 3 slightly toward the center of the length of the
inner sole 3. Within the region of the heel section 7, the
reinforcement 10 becomes thinner in upward direction until below
the upper edge of shaft 1 it ends at the outer surface of the heel
section 7. The reinforcement 10 also decreases in thickness toward
the side edges 13 while in the lateral region in spaced
relationship to the side edges of the inner sole 3 and heel section
7 it ends in the outer surfaces of the sole 3 and heel section 7.
In the transition region 8 between the inner sole 3 and the heel
section 7, the outer side of the reinforcement 10 forms a sharp
edge 14 which is located above the rear sharp roll-off edge 15 of
the heel 6 or outer sole 5.
Within the region of the inner sole 3, the reinforcement 10 has an
elevated flat surface section 16 the edge 17 of which is over the
entire circumference of the inner sole 3 spaced by the same
distance from the edge 18 of the inner sole 3 in such a way that
the bottom side of the reinforcement 10 and the inner sole 3 forms
a set back rim zone 19 which has a constant width over the entire
circumference of the reinforcement 10 and the inner sole 3. The
thickness of the elevated section 16 corresponds to the thickness
of the lateral folded parts 2 which engage the marginal zone 19 and
thus fill in this zone 19 up to the bottom surface of the elevated
section 16.
The inner sole 5 is fixedly connected directly to the bottom side
of the lateral folded parts 2 and the elevated central section 16.
The elevated central section 16 is within the heel area provided
with a pin-shaped protruding centering element 20 which engages a
corresponding centering hole in the outer sole 5. In the front
region, the elevated central section 16 has a plurality of
anti-slip knubs 21 which are distributed over a desired area and
which have a greater height than the centering pin 20. These
members 21 extend through corresponding holes in the sole 5 in such
a manner that they protrude beyond the bottom side of the outer
sole 5. The anti-slip knubs 21 fit precisely into these holes and
thus likewise contribute to a proper adjustment of the outer sole 5
with regard to the structural element 3, 7, 10.
Within the region of the heel section 7, the outer side of the
reinforcement 10 is provided with a triangular protrusion 22 which
extends through a corresponding recess in the rear portion of shaft
1 and is undercut so that it extends over the rim of the recess in
upper 1 on the outside and thus serves as connecting element for
connecting upper 1 to the structural element 3, 7, 10. Also the
centering pin 20 or the anti-slip members 21 may be correspondingly
undercut.
The heel section has an extension 23 which protrudes upwardly
beyond the upper edge 12 of upper 1. Within the region of its end,
the extension 23 is provided with a snap fastener eye portion 24
which has associated therewith a snap fastener button portion 25
located in the upper range at the back side of shaft 1. The
fastener portion 24 is so arranged that the extension 23 when
folded over can be fastened to the fastener portion 25. When
putting on the shoe, the extension 23 is detached from the snap
fastener button portion 25 so that it forms handle means similar to
a shoe horn.
For adjusting the inner sole 3 and the heel section 7 in the
injection mold when producing the reinforcement 10, the structural
element 3, 7 is provided with centering bores 26 to be engaged by
pins of the injection mold. One of these centering bores may be
provided where later the snap fastener eye part 24 will be
located.
The outer shape of the reinforcement 10 precisely corresponds to
the inner shape of shaft 1 in the pertaining region so that upper 1
will in this region over its entire surface engage the
reinforcement 10 and that the inner surface of the inner sole 3 and
of the heel section 7 will gradually and continuously merge with
the lateral surfaces of upper 1.
As will be evident from the above, the design according to the
present invention is particularly suited for such shoes in which
the outer sole and a firm section separated from the outer sole
extend upwardly to the heel because in this way the heel section of
the shoe will be supported in such a manner that the foot is safely
held in the shoe. The rear edge of the outer sole and the heel are
expediently located at a right angle with regard to the
longitudinal axis of the shoe and may be straight lined. The design
according to the invention assures an extremely good heel support
toward the rear.
It is, of course, to be understood that the present invention is,
by no means, limited to the specific construction shown in the
drawings but also comprises any modifications within the scope of
the appended claims.
* * * * *