Shoe Construction And Repair Unit Therefor

Abstract

A new shoe is manufactured with a double layer sole having visually distinctive wear indicating means between the layers. The same double layer construction with integral wear indicating means may also be applied to the heel portion of the new shoe. The ground engaging (outer, i.e., "wera") layer of either the sole, the heel or both sections is peeled off when it is worn down sufficiently to expose the wear indicating means which may be a distinctively colored, double faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. A spare sole and/or heel sold with the new shoe is cut to the exact size and shape of the corresponding portion of the original shoe by the shoe manufacturer and is provided with a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating on one surface that is covered by a strippable, protective layer. When the worn down, original outer sole and/or heel is peeled off, it is replaced by the spare.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to a shoe construction and more particularly to an improved form of shoe sole and/or heel as well as to a "do-it-yourself" repair unit therefor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

It is well recognized that one of the essentials of good grooming is the maintenance of shoes in a good state of repair. That shoes should be well shined at all times is an obvious requirement of good grooming nd one that is usually complied with. It is equally important that the heels and soles of a shoe should not present a run-down appearance. However, this last mentioned detail is not as carefully attended to by the average man or woman who frequently waits too long before having the necessary repairs made to the sole and/or heel of the shoe. Present day high shoe repair costs add to this problem.

The patent literature is replete with many examples of shoe constructions that allow for the change of either the heel or the sole or both without the need for the services of an experienced shoe repairman. However, the prior art structures have not been widely accepted due primarily to the complexities of the proposed solutions. For example, patent issued to R. T. Kauffman et. al on Feb. 6, 1962 U.S. Pat. No. 3,019,534 requires the formation of a plurality of interlocking channels on both the heel and sole of the shoe as well as the replacement parts therefor in order to secure the replacement to a mid sole that is permanently attached to a shoe upper. It is evident that the close tolerances required in the Kauffman et. al structure would be difficult to achieve and would be excessively costly in conventional sole and/or heel material. Further, it is quite likely that the shocks absorbed by the shoe during the course of walking and running would cause the channels to distort and thereby render in-the-field disassembly and subsequent assembly very difficult. It should also be noted in the Kauffman et. al patent that, should the wearer delay too long in replacing either the sole or the heel, the channels themselves will be worn down thus preventing the attachment of a replacement part.

Another U.S. Pat, No. 3,027,661 granted to J. McCord on Apr. 3, 1962, teaches the use of a replacement sole insert that is removably secured to a permanent upper ply at the center of the sole by means of Velcro. While the bowling shoe disclosed in the McCord patent is satisfactory for its intended use, it is highly unlikely that such construction could withstand the rigors of daily wear which includes the subjection of the shoe to shock, rain, heat, cold, scuffing etc.. The McCord patent suffers the same shortcomings as does the Kauffman patent in that should the Velcro layer be inadvertently worn down, the loops and hooks thereof would be destroyed so that the replacement sole would not be able to grip the permanent upper ply.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the problems and shortcomings found in the prior art in a very simple, efficient and economical manner. As will be explained more fully hereinafter, the present invention also provides means for a "do-it- yourself" repair unit. In order to practice the present invention, the shoe is initially manufactured with a double layer sole and/or heel, the layers being separated by a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer which may be of a distinctively different color that provides a visual indication of excessive wear of the outer or ground engaging layer. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer preferably constitutes a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. The upper layer of the sole and/or heel is permanently secured to the shoe upper and the lower, i.e. outer, layer is adhesively secured to the upper layer so that the lower layer may be readily stripped from the upper layer when it exhibits sufficient indication of wear. The two layers are made of sheets of conventional sole and/or heel material such as soft rubber, crepe rubber, synthetic rubber or leather. In addition to the shoe as manufactured, there is also provided a precut spare sole and/or heel having an adhesive layer coated thereon. A strippable sheet protects the adhesive layer of the spare until the spare is needed. The spare is cut to the same size and shape as the outer layer so that the user can replace a worn section of the shoe without the need for special tools or skills since it is already trimmed to the exact size and shape required. An additional advantage also accrues to the retail shoe outlet in that the customer is most likely to return to store from which he purchased the shoes for additional replacements for the sole and/or heel portions thereof. While a retail shoe store would not necessarily wish to be characterized as a shoe repair store, the return of the customer for replacements of the sole and/or heel increases the likelihood of the customer buying another pair of shoes. Although it would probably be impractical for a retail shoe store to provide complete services for repairing shoes there would be little or no difficulty in stocking or keeping a limited inventory of replacement soles and/or heels thus providing a very important service for the customer as well as an additional source of income for the retail shoe outlet.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide an improved shoe construction which is such that the sole and/or heel thereof may readily be replaced without the need for special tools or special skills.

It is another important object of the present invention to provide a double layer sole and/or heel for a shoe wherein the outer sole and/or heel may be readily stripped off and replaced.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an accurately sized and shaped, pre-cut replacement sole and/or heel for a shoe, the replacement member having adhesive means integral therewith, the adhesive means being protected by a strippable layer.

Another object of the present invention, as described above, is to provide means for visually indicating excessive wear in the outer sole and/or heel, the indicating means being a sheet of different colored material positioned or sandwiched between the two layers of sole and/or heel material.

Another object of the present invention, as described above, is to provide a double-faced adhesive sheet between the two layers of the sole and/or heel material, the adhesive sheet having a different color than the sole and/or heel material.

An additional object of the present invention, as described above, is to provide an improved shoe having a double layer sole and/or heel construction with a sheet of differently colored material positioned therebetween, the upper sole and/or heel only being permanently secured to the shoe upper with the outer sole and/or heel being strippable therefrom and adapted for replacement by an accurately sized and shaped, pre-cut sole and/or heel having its own adhesive means and wear indicating means integral therewith.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements, and arrangements of parts which will be exemplified in the constructions hereinafter described, and of which the scope of application will be indicated in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawings, in which are shown various possible embodiments of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a shoe constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the shoe shown in FIG. 1 illustrating how the outer sole layer is removed when indications of excessive wear are present;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a replacement combination sole and heel for the shoe shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is perspective view similar to FIG. 1 illustrating an alternative embodiment of the present invention comprising separate sole and heel strippable wear layers;

FIG. 5 is perspective view illustrating a sole replacement strippable wear layer for the shoe shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a heel replacement strippable wear layer for the shoe shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view illustrating construction for still another alternative heel and sole combination formed in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of a replacement strippable wear layer for the embodiment of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of a further, alternative embodiment wherein there are provided a plurality of replaceable sole and heel strippable wear layers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawing, and, more particularly to FIGS. 1 -3, there is shown a shoe 10 manufactured in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The shoe 10 includes a conventional upper 12 to which is permanently attached, as by stitching or cement, a combination sole and heel member of the "Unisole" type generally designated by the reference character 14. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 the sole and heel member 14 is of unitary construction and comprises an inner, i.e. upper, layer 16, an outer, or wear, sole layer 18 including an integral heel section 20 and means 22 extending the full length of the shoe 10 for indicating excessive wear of either the outer sole layer 18 or the heel wear section 20.

In FIG. 2 there is illustrated fragmentarily in side elevation the front portion of the shoe 10 shown in FIG. 1 with the wear sole layer 18 partially peeled away by a user because of a hole H that has previously been worn therethrough. The upper layer 16 only of the heel and sole combination 14 is permanently attached to the shoe upper 12 by conventional means such as stitching or cementing. As shown in FIG. 2 the indicating means 22 is positioned between the upper layer 16 and the outer layer 18 as well as between the upper sole 16 and the heel wear section 20. Thus, when the hole H is worn through the outer layer 18, the indicating means 22 will be exposed to view. Preferably, the indicating means 22 is made of a different color than the upper layer 16 and both the outer sole layer 18 and the heel upper section 20 so that said indicating means is readily visible through the hole H. Further, the indicating means 22 is preferably a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape that permits the worn outer wear sole layer 18 and the heel wear section 20 to be readily stripped therefrom. When the outer wear sole layer 18 and the heel wear section 20 are stripped as a result of excessive wear the upper layer 16 remains in place. The indicating means 22 basically is an adhesive layer that firmly but removably joins the upper layer 16 to the outer layer 18 (including the heel wear section 20) whereby to permit the layer 18 to be stripped from the layer 16 when the layer 18 is worn. The indicating function of the means 22 is a highly desirable function, but it may be eliminated in which case the means 22 simply comprises a pressure- sensitive adhesive coating interposed between the layers 16 and 18.

FIG. 3 illustrates a replacement member for the worn sole and heel combination 14 shown in FIG. 1. The replacement member 24 comprises a sole wear layer 26 having an integral heel wear section 28. The upper surface of the layer 26 (including the section 28) is covered with a double-faced adhesive tape 30 and a protective strippable layer 32 is placed over the otherwise exposed surface of the adhesive tape 30. It should be clearly noted that the replacement member 24 conforms exactly in size and shape to the original sole and heel combination 14 as provided by the manufacturer of the new shoe 10. Thus, when it is necessary to replace either the member 14 of the original shoe 10, the layer 32 is stripped back exposing the adhesive surface of the tape 30. The replacement member 24 may then be placed on the now exposed upper layer 16 of the shoe 10 and secured in place merely by exerting sufficient pressure so that the confronting surfaces of the strip 30 and the wear indicating means 22 adhere to each other. The tape 30 shown may simply constitute a web, e.g. of cloth, having each surface thereof covered by a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating, one coating being adhered to the upper surface of the layer 26 and the other coating being protected by the strippable layer 32. The use of a double-faced adhesive tape is preferred to maintain the function of an indicating means when the tape 22 is stripped away after being exposed upon wear of a shoe and is to be replaced with the member 14.

FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate and alternative embodiment of the present invention having the same concept as the embodiment of FIG. 1. The shoe 40 includes a conventional upper 42 and a layer 44 that is provided with a sole section 46 and a heel section 48. Separate indicating means 50 and 52, similar to that described in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 1, either double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tapes or, if the indicating function is not desired, simply pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings, are placed between the upper sole section 46 and a replaceable outer (worn) sole layer 54 as well as between the upper heel section 48 and a replaceable heel wear layer 56. As in the previous embodiment, only the upper layer 44 is permanently secured to the upper 42. The sole wear layer 54 and the heel wear layer 56 are strippable from the sections 46, 48, this action being permitted by the adhesive tapes or coatings 50 and 52, respectively.

The replacements for the wear sole layer 54 and the heel wear layer section 56 are shown in FIG. 5 and in FIG. 6, respectively. The sole layer replacement 58 includes a sole wear layer 60, a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape including wear indicating means 62 (the strip to which the adhesive layers are applied) secured thereto and a strippable layer 64 covering the surface of the wear indicating means 62 remote from the layer 60. As in the previous embodiment the wear indicating means 62 is formed of a distinctively different color so that should a hole be worn through the replacement sole wear layer 60 the wear indicating means 62 will be exposed and it will be evident that the replacement sole wear layer 60 requires a fresh replacement. As in the previous embodiment the sole layer replacement 58 is cut by the manufacturer to the exact size and shape of the corresponding section of the original shoe so that no subsequent trimming is required by the user. All that is necessary is to remove the protective layer 64, align it with the sole section 46 and apply pressure to the replacement wear layer 60 so that it adheres to the sole section 46 of the shoe 42. In this form, as well, the means 62 can simply constitute a layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive, without a supporting strip, but with a peelable protective layer in which case the removable/replacement function is retained but the wear indicating function dropped.

FIG. 6 represents a heel replacement 66 for the heel wear layer 56 shown in FIG. 4. The heel replacement 66 comprises a heel wear layer 68 having a double-faced pressure-sensitive distinctively colored adhesive tape 70 secured to one surface thereof. A strippable layer 72 covers the other surface of the adhesive tape 70. When the heel wear layer 56 is worn so as to expose the means 52, the heel wear layer 56 is stripped away, the layer 72 is stripped from the replacement 66 which is then applied to the heel section 48 of the shoe 42 using sufficient pressure so as to firmly secure the replacement 66. No subsequent trimming of the replacement 66 is required since it is manufactured to conform to the exact size and shape of the original heel section 56. As in the case of the means 50, 52 and 62 the tape 70 may be replaced by a single pressure-sensitive adhesive coating.

Still another alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8. In this embodiment the upper layer 80 is comprised of a sole portion 82 and a built up heel portion 84. It will be evident from the drawing that this construction would be used in a "wedgee" type of shoe. The layer 80 is permanently connected to its associated upper as by cement or tacks. As in the previous embodiments, a distinctively colored double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 86 is secured to the outwardly directed surface of the layer 80 and a replaceable member 88 is removably adhered to the tape 86. When a portion of the member 88 is worn excessively it will expose the tape 86 and thus indicate that the layer 88 should be replaced. A replacement member 90 (FIG. 8), conforming exactly in size and shape to the member 88, is provided with its own distinctively colored double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape 92 as well as a strippable layer 94 that protects the otherwise exposed exterior face of the adhesive tape 92. The strippable layer 94 is removed prior to securing the replacement member 90 to the upper layer 80. Here, too, the tape 86 and 92 may be replaced by pressure-sensitive coatings if the wear indicating function is not considered to be necessary.

FIG. 9 illustrates still another embodiment of this invention. A plurality of sole sections 100 are provided with wear indicating means 102 or simply pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings positioned therebetween in the same manner as described above in connection with the previous embodiments. A plurality of heel sections 104 are also included and between each is a wear indicating means 106 or simply pressure-sensitive adhesive coatings. The sole and heel sections 100 and 104, respectively, are peeled away when the wear indicating means 102 and 106 are exposed as a result of excessive wear, the purpose of using a plurality of each being to permit a user to control the degree of permitted wear before replacing one or more sections.

From the foregoing it will be evident that an improved shoe construction has been provided. It will also be apparent that means have been provided for repairing the sole or heel portion of a shoe when it becomes worn. The invention described hereinabove provides simple, efficient and economically feasible means for the manufacturer to make a shoe having a permanently attached upper layer to which is first applied visual wear indicating means or simply a pressure-sensitive adhesive coating and then a replaceable outer sole and/or heel portion. Replacement members conforming in size and shape to the original sole and/or heel portions and preferably including pressure-sensitive adhesive means permits an individual to repair his own shoes without the need for special tools and special skills. In fact, because the replacement members conform exactly in size and shape to corresponding members of the shoe as originally manufactured and sold, no trimming of any sort is required. All that is needed to secure a replacement member to the shoe is to peel off the protective layer on the replacement member and to place the pressure-sensitive adhesive coating thereof against the exposed surface of the original upper layer of the shoe and then apply pressure. Both in the original manufacture of the shoe as well as in the replacement member, the wear indicating means is a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive strip having a distinctive color that readily distinguishes over either the upper layer or the replacement member. Thus when a hole is worn in either the ground engaging portion of the original shoe or in the replacement member the wear indicating means will become visible and will indicate that repairs are necessary. Although the adhesive means has been described as pressure-sensitive because this is the easiest to use, any other suitable adhesive means can be used, e.g. an adhesive means which is not normally adhesive, i.e. tacky, but which is readily rendered adhesive by a householder, as by the application of heat or a solvent as is well known in the adhesive art.

It thus will be seen that there are provided structures which achieve the several objects of the invention and are well adapted to meet the conditions of practical use.

As various possible embodiments might be made of the above invention, and as various changes might be made in the embodiments set forth above, it is to be understood that all matter herein described, or shown in the accompanying drawings, is to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

Claims

Having now described the invention, there is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent:

1. An improved shoe comprising an upper, an upper layer permanently attached to the under portion of said upper, a wear layer below the upper layer, an intermediate layer sandwiched between and coextensive with the upper layer and the wear layer, the wear layer and upper layer being coextensive, said intermediate layer being independent of said upper and wear layers, the opposite broad faces of said intermediate layer having a pressure-sensitive adhesive thereon so that the intermediate layer is strippably adhered to the upper layer and the wear layer, said intermediate layer being of a color different from the colors of the upper layer and the wear layer so as to be visually distinguishable from said upper and wear layers and so that when the wear layer is worn through at any portion thereof the intermediate layer is visible at the bottom of the shoe to indicate that the shoe is worn to a point that the wear layer and intermediate layer should be removed and a fresh wear layer and intermediate layer pre-cut to the same size and shape as the original wear layer and intermediate layer substituted in place thereof.

2. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wear layer is a combination of a sole section and a heel section.

3. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wear layer is a sole section.

4. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said wear layer is a heel section.

5. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein said intermediate layer and pressure-sensitive adhesive on both surfaces thereof comprises a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

6. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 in combination with at least one spare replacement wear layer that conforms to the size and shape of said wear layer that is a part of the original shoe, said spare wear layer including a second intermediate layer having pressure-sensitive adhesive on both broad surfaces thereof, the adhesive on one of said broad surfaces being strippably secured to the spare wear layer and the adhesive and the other broad surface thereof being exposed and adapted to be secured to said upper layer after the original wear layer needs replacement, said second intermediate layer being of a color different from the color of said upper layer and said spare wear layer, and a strippable protective layer covering the adhesive on the other broad surface of the spare wear layer.

7. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein the spare war layer and the adhesive on both surfaces thereof comprises a double-faced pressure-sensitive adhesive tape.

8. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said spare wear layer comprises a sole section and a heel section.

9. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said spare wear layer comprises a sole section.

10. The combination in accordance with claim 6 wherein said spare wear layer comprises a heel section.

11. The shoe in accordance with claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of said wear layers and intermediate layers having broad surfaces covered with pressure-sensitive adhesive which intermediate layers are positioned intermediate adjacent ones of said wear layers and which intermediate layers are coextensive with said upper and wear layers and are colored differently from said intermediate and wear layers.

12. The shoe in accordance with claim 11 wherein said wear layers are sole sections.

13. The shoe in accordance with claim 11 wherein said wear layers are heel sections.