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.

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.

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.