Processes Patents (Class 12/142R)
  • Patent number: 6092250
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe making system and a method of manufacturing a shoe, in which the work of fastening an inner sole to a wooden mold can be done easily and speedily. In the method, metal plates 23 and 24 having a magnetic absorption property are stuck to an inner sole 21 to form a magnetic absorption portion. On the other hand, magnets 33 and 34 are buried at positions corresponding to the metal plates 23 and 24 in a bottom portion of a wooden mold 31. The metal plates 23 and 24 are attached to the magnets 33 and 34 buried in the wooden mold 31, so that the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31. After the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31, the wooden mold 31 is covered with a shoe upper, and the shoe upper and the inner sole are joined by joins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Inventor: Masanobu Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 5933897
    Abstract: A stitched waterproof joint can be formed between the vamp and top plug of a shoe by applying waterproof coatings to the interior facing surfaces of the vamp and plug, stitching the vamp and plug together to merge the waterproof coatings, heating the vamp and plug to eliminate voids in the merged film, and applying an additional waterproofing layer to the interior edge of the stitched joint between the vamp and the plug.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Inventor: Bruce MacDonald
  • Patent number: 5909719
    Abstract: A shoe last and method for forming a shoe which is particularly constructed to be worn with and matingly interface with a wearer's custom-shaped sock. The shoe last includes a body having a backpart and a forepart connected to the backpart and extending forwardly therefrom. The last has a last bottom portion for abuttingly contacting and interfacing with a sole of a shoe. The last bottom portion has a bottom shape corresponding to the bottom shape of a custom-shaped sock when positioned on the foot of a wearer. The sole of a shoe formed from the last has a custom-contoured shape corresponding to and substantially mating with an overlying custom-shaped sock when positioned therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Assignee: James L. Throneburg
    Inventors: James L. Throneburg, James G. McLelland, Victor J. Gallenstein, Leon E. Kelley, Douglas H. Richie
  • Patent number: 5907881
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a shoe having an outersole with a removable protective covering, including the steps of applying a sheet of protective covering to a sheet of outersole material with adhesive to form a composite sheet; applying printed indicia on the protective covering at predetermined locations; stamping out the composite sheet to form a plurality of outersoles, each having the protective covering and the printed indicia to form finished outersoles; and attaching each of the finished outersoles to a shoe upper to form a shoe so that the protective covering is removable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 1, 1999
    Inventor: Edward M. Safdie
  • Patent number: 5862555
    Abstract: Disclosed is a shoe making system and a method of manufacturing a shoe, in which the work of fastening an inner sole to a wooden mold can be done easily and speedily. In the method, metal plates 23 and 24 having a magnetic absorption property are stuck to an inner sole 21 to form a magnetic absorption portion. On the other hand, magnets 33 and 34 are buried at positions corresponding to the metal plates 23 and 24 in a bottom portion of a wooden mold 31. The metal plates 23 and 24 are attached to the magnets 33 and 34 buried in the wooden mold 31, so that the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31. After the inner sole 21 is fastened to the wooden mold 31, the wooden mold 31 is covered with a shoe upper, and the shoe upper and the inner sole are joined by joins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1999
    Inventor: Masanobu Furuhashi
  • Patent number: 5827459
    Abstract: A shoe that conforms to foot contours and provides cushioning is comprised of a shoe sole and a shoe upper attached to the shoe sole. The shoe upper is comprised of an outer layer, an inner layer and a conforming layer therebetween, wherein a first portion of the conforming layer is comprised of viscoelastic gel and a second portion of the conforming layer is comprised of environmentally-responsive gel. The environmentally-responsive gel is preferably a temperature-responsive gel that will react to the heat emanating from a foot inserted into the shoe to express a liquid. The viscoelastic gel is preferably a soft, flowable gel that conforms to foot contours.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1998
    Assignee: Acushnet Company
    Inventors: Bernie Allen, Neil M. Goldman
  • Patent number: 5714098
    Abstract: A footwear fitting system employs a set of sample footwear items, e.g., shoes, provided in small increments of length and width. The sample shoes are tried on by the wearer and the one providing the best fit is chosen. Then, a fit component of a stock shoe is re-formed with a molding apparatus to provide a size and width identical to the selected sample shoe. A shoe store need only stock a relatively small number of standard size shoes in order to provide the wearer with a close "custom" fit. The footwear interior is re-formed by mounting the footwear on a last having a length and width corresponding to that of the selected sample shoe. The last is heated to the softening temperature of a moldable strip of material, e.g., ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), incorporated into the shoe upper, then allowed to cool, whereby the footwear interior shape and size is reformed to correspond to the last. In an alternative embodiment, the footwear item is a shoe insert, e.g., a shoe insole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 3, 1998
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel R. Potter
  • Patent number: 5709954
    Abstract: An article of footwear comprising relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials chemically bonded together is disclosed. In one embodiment, the relatively elastic and relatively inelastic materials are arranged in such a fashion to impart flexibility to the article of footwear. In particular, plastic and rubber materials are bonded together to improve the flexibility of an outsole of an article of footwear. The invention also is directed to the fabrication of new or improved devices and elements for use in articles of footwear and their associated methods of construction such as closure mechanisms comprising relatively elastic straps bonded to relatively inelastic anchor portions and vice versa, articulating inelastic and elastic exoskeleton constructions useful in skates and ski boots, and elastic or inelastic eyelets surrounded by inelastic or elastic materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 20, 1998
    Assignees: Nike, Inc., Nike International Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Lyden, Ross A. McLaughlin, Henry T. Chriss, Calvin M. Buck, IV, Daniel R. Potter, Steven M. Vincent
  • Patent number: 5687441
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a footwear insole with an integral sock lining embedded therein; and to a method of making a sample comprising: preparing a board of a material selected from the group of porous and foamed cross-linked synthetic polymers; preheating the board to at least the softening point of said material; pressing the board and stamping into it a footprint shaped cavity while cooling by a stamping device having a stamping die and a stamping die bearing pressing plate; attaching a sock lining to said footprint shaped cavity; and suitably cutting the board. The sock lining may be fastened to the stamping die bearing pressing plate. Alternatively, said plate may carry an integral stamping die and the sock lining inserted after storing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 18, 1997
    Assignee: Nimrod Production (1979) Ltd.
    Inventors: Adi Rachman, Emanuel Kaplan
  • Patent number: 5673448
    Abstract: A liner for a sport boot shell and a method for making a custom fitted liner for a sport boot, are disclosed. The liner is designed to be worn inside a boot shell. In a preferred embodiment the liner includes inner and outer of flaps which wrap in opposite directions across a wearer's shin and forms a compound curve in a region in front of the wearer's ankle. The liner including flaps may be made from a single piece of thermoplastic foam material of uniform thickness. The design of the liner prevents the cuff of the liner from loosening around the wearer's shin and calf when the wearer's leg is flexed forward at the ankle. The shell can therefore be worn more loosely than is necessary with a boot liner of conventional design. The liner may be made by making an unfitted liner from a sheet of thermoformable material. The unfitted liner has a forwardly facing opening and wings extending forwardly on either side of opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 7, 1997
    Assignee: Intuition Sports Incorporated
    Inventors: Herbert Lang, Byron Gracie, Robert Watt
  • Patent number: 5647150
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing footwear, including the steps of positioning a sock portion over a mold element in which the sock portion comprises a fabric layer and a thermoplastic film layer connected to the fabric layer, such that the thermoplastic film layer is positioned between the mould element and the fabric layer, and injection-molding a thermoplastic material to the sock portion positioned over the mold element such that heated thermoplastic material flows through the fabric layer and bonds with the thermoplastic film layer and such that the thermoplastic material at least partially covers the fabric layer for forming a portion of an item of footwear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 15, 1997
    Assignee: Nordica S.p.A.
    Inventors: Mariarosa Romanato, Riccardo Perotto
  • Patent number: 5477577
    Abstract: A method for forming a composite sole to an upper of a shoe includes molding a blank midsole to an upper of a shoe while protecting the material of the upper from the heat involved in molding the midsole to the upper, and subsequently adhering an outsole having a desired traction surface to the blank midsole. The method requires less heat and less time than prior art vulcanization processes that form entire soles to footwear uppers, and also requires less equipment than prior art processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1995
    Assignee: The Florsheim Shoe Company
    Inventor: Dennis L. Hadley
  • Patent number: 5426873
    Abstract: A process is provided for making a cleat. The cleat includes a spike member, having a tip and a base, the base being wider than the tip. The cleat also includes a washer member, having a perimeter portion and an inner portion, the perimeter and inner portions lying in separate planes. The inner portion has an aperture. The spike member is inserted through the aperture, so that spike member projects out from the lower face of the inner portion. Then material is molded around the washer member's perimeter portion, the upper face of the inner portion, and the base of the spike member, so as to hold the spike member in fixed relation to the washer member. In a preferred embodiment of the process, a barrier is placed around the lower face of the washer member's inner portion during molding, so as to prevent the material from coming into contact with the lower face of the washer member's inner portion and that portion of the spike member extending from the lower face.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: MacNeill Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Armand J. Savoie
  • Patent number: 5392533
    Abstract: The insole contains an absorbent layer (1) which is arranged on a stabilization layer (2). The stabilization layer (2) is made of a fibrous and sealable material, the fibers running predominantly in the longitudinal direction of the insole. On the absorbent layer (1), there is a covering layer (10) which is likewise made of a sealable material. Depressions (20) are provided, the side walls (15) of which are formed by continuations (111, 112) of the material (11, 12) of the covering layer (10). The edges (13) of these side walls (15) are connected rigidly to the stabilization layer (2) so that, between the neighboring depressions (20), there are bridges (25) made from the material of the covering layer (10), which reinforce that section (18) of the stabilization layer (2) lying below.With the given and minimal thickness, the insole is remarkably rigid and durable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Flawa Schweitzer Verbandstoff-und Wattefabriken AG
    Inventor: Gerd W. P. Gerhartl
  • Patent number: 5235715
    Abstract: An improved composite for absorbing and dispersing impacting forces is disclosed. The composite includes a flexible plastic enclosure defining an internal cavity. The flexible enclosure is generally impermeable to air and capable of having its internal pressure changed. The composite further includes a foam core filling the cavity and retained within the cavity and adhered on substantially all of its external surface to the internal surface of the cavity. The cavity can be pressurized for higher impact absorbance. Methods for fabricating the composites are disclosed, as well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Inventor: Byron A. Donzis
  • Patent number: 5098508
    Abstract: A workbench is constructed, with which the individual parts of a two-dimensional compound workpiece, for example, a shoe upper, can be assembled accurately without any need for subsequent adjustment operations. The workbench comprises a central, e.g. stationary, bench plate and at least one folding plate hinged onto it, which can be folded over onto the bench plate. At least the folding plate contains holding devices, e.g., in the form of a suction device, with which the individual part located on it can be held in position before and during folding over. The individual parts are adjusted preferably with templates in a mutually adjusted manner before the folding plate is folded over. The workbench can be used in cooperation with an adhesive applying machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 24, 1992
    Assignee: G.M. Pfaff Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Klaus Mattil
  • Patent number: 4974275
    Abstract: A recreational snowshoe and its method of manufacture are disclosed of the type where a single, homogenous, rigid mass is formed by hardening first and second strands of fiberglass roving impregnated with resin woven to define a frame and webbing. The strands are woven between a first series of removable, spaced pins projecting from the peripheral surface of a jig and around the peripheral surface and across the jig. The webbing includes bracing extending between the tip and rear portions of the snowshoe generally parallel to and spaced from the frame of the sides of the central portion of the snowshoe. The tip portion is upturned such that the bracing is elevated from the sides of the frame, with the bracing been drawn toward the plane of the central portion by lateral bracing to provide a cushion effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 4, 1990
    Inventors: James G. Backes, Barney J. Klecker
  • Patent number: 4930175
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a water proof snow boot and the method of manufacturing the same. A water-proof plastic intermediate member is disposed between the outer leather covering and the inner lining of the boot to prevent water or moisture from coming into the boot through tiny pores of the leather covering by permeation, thereby causing discomfort of the wearer's foot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignees: Chin-Lung Chen, Arthur Joseph Colpack
    Inventor: Chin-Lung Chen
  • Patent number: 4899411
    Abstract: A process for applying a flocking fiber to a cloth surface of a shoe includes the step of spraying a clean dry cloth shoe with an adhesive, which adheres to the cloth substrate without excess penetration, which remains pliable, and is not water soluble when set. A short set time is desirable, and then flock fibers suitable for application are carried into a charge in an electrostatic field. A conventional flocking chamber is used, voltage is applied to the electric field, and the flock fibers are applied so that they adhere to the adhesive surface under controlled conditions. The shoe is dried in a drying oven, and then it is ready for use. The flocking process can use adhesives that are colored, flock that is colored, and the flock can be applied in any desired pattern because of the use of the adhesive for causing the flock material to adhere to the cloth surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Donald H. Johnson
    Inventors: Donald H. Johnson, Benedict F. Gorecki
  • Patent number: 4876807
    Abstract: A shoe, especially for use in athletic activities such as ball games, having a sole structure including a insole, a flexible midsole, and an outer sole forming a wearing surface. The outer sole in constructed, at least in a toe region of the shoe, in a cuplike form. An upper of the shoe is constructed, also at least in the toe region of the shoe, in a doubled manner, having an inner layer and an outer layer. The outer layer of the upper of the shoe and the outer sole are attached to the shoe, with an upwardly-rising, cuplike edge of the outer sole lying between the inner layer and the outer layer of the upper of the shoe. A method for manufacturing this shoe, and a blank for a sole of the shoe, are also provided by the invention herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 31, 1989
    Assignee: Karhu-Titan Oy
    Inventors: Antti-Jussi Tiitola, Kari Pohja
  • Patent number: 4858342
    Abstract: A method for making a thermoplastic-rubber wader having a rubber footwear bottom and a thermoplastic upper, the method including the steps of treating an upper circumferential portion of the bottom, applying thermoplastic adhesive to the treated portion, applying a thermoplastic strip to the adhesive coating, applying a thermoplastic band to the upper to provide an interfacing annular seating surface with the thermoplastic strip, heat sealing the strip and band to provide a fluid tight unitary bond between the bottom and the upper and the wader formed by the above method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 22, 1989
    Assignee: La Crosse Footwear, Inc.
    Inventors: Joh E. Nicholson, Tarachand S. Barma
  • Patent number: 4847934
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing overshoes made from an elongated rectangular flexible sheet of material. The method comprises the following steps: (a) gathering the sheet material by parallel stitching two elastic strips on the opposite side edge portions respectively of the sheet; (b) folding the sheet in two along its longitudinal center line, so as to bring the two gathered side edge portions in respective abutting register; (c) with an ultrasonic press, weakening narrow sections of the sheet transversely to the axis of the longitudinal center line, at regular intervals, and concurrently cross-bonding the sheet along both edge portions defined by each one of the weakened narrow sections of the sheet; and (d) detaching the desired segment of sheet of material along the line of bonding, for any one overshoe. Also, the products obtained by the above-described method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Inventor: Robert Weber
  • Patent number: 4809379
    Abstract: In a process for the manufacture of an inner shoe for skiing boots by filling the inner shoe in situ with foam, the foot of the wearer is dressed with a double-walled sock (hollow sock) (14) and placed inside the skiing boot, whereafter the foam composition is introduced in the flexor region of the boot by way of tubes (10) into the cavity of the sock unitl it re-emerges above the locality of introduction and where appropriate also at the tip end of the cavity by way of tubes. (9 or 9').
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 7, 1989
    Assignee: Skischuhfabrik Dynafit Gesellschaft m.b.H
    Inventor: Eduard R. Jungwirth
  • Patent number: 4705586
    Abstract: A method of working leather, in which a deposit of material adhering to the leather is made on the surface of the leather to enable a leather footwear upper treated in this way to adhere to a sole without being carded or sanded, either by direct injection of sole-constituting material, or else by bonding on or by gluing on a prefabricated sole, and/or to enable the leather to be worked by a high frequency current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 10, 1987
    Assignee: Borden, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacques Pouget, Vincent Lipovac, Yves de Mauduit
  • Patent number: 4610042
    Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous, automatic manufacture of individual shoe covers includes a supply of two continuous webs of material, a device for advancing each of the two webs through the apparatus, an adhesive applicator for applying an adhesive at longitudinally spaced increments to at least one of the webs, a pressing station where the webs are pressed together to form adhesively joined segments at the longitudinally spaced increments, a hole producing station where holes are made in the adhesively joined segments, a second pressing station where the webs are again pressed together, stations for sewing one longitudinal edge and selected portions of the other longitudinal edge together between adjacent adhesively joined segments, and a severing station where the webs are cut through the adhesively joined segments to form individual shoe covers. The hole producing station may include a rotatable member having a number of pins extending from it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1984
    Date of Patent: September 9, 1986
    Assignee: Kurt Salmon Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Theodorsen
  • Patent number: 4509276
    Abstract: A skate boot comprises a lower, upper and an intermediate portion between the lower and the upper. The lower includes a sole, toe and heel portions made of a molded unitary rigid plastics material. The intermediate portion is connected to the lower and includes ankle and Achilles tendon portions of the boot and is made of a relatively flexible material. The upper including the eyelet bands and the upper tendon guard are made of a pliable material. The construction allows forward flexure and torsional flexibility in the ankle area, foot forming moldability in the upper area of the boot and impact resistant rigidity in the lower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 9, 1985
    Assignee: Warrington Inc.
    Inventor: Rene Bourque
  • Patent number: 4476600
    Abstract: A one-piece, washable and sterilizable plastic shoe comprising a lower part with a top on which the foot bears and a bottom enveloping an outsole and a heel, and an upper part having ventilating openings in a substantially vertical lateral area, these openings having upper and lower outer boundary edges that are lower, respectively, than the corresponding upper and lower inner boundary edges thereof. The method for producing such a plastic shoe includes the steps of introducing mouldable plastic into a mould comprising top and bottom halves with a shoe last therebetween and simultaneously forming the lateral ventilating openings by means of spaced pins extending between the bottom-half mould and the last. The apparatus for producing the shoe comprises a mould having top and bottom halves with a shoe last therebetween and a plurality of pins extending from the bottom-half mould into removeable engagement with the shoe last.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1982
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1984
    Assignee: NATEC Institut
    Inventors: Hartmut Seidel, Winrich B. Hammerschmidt
  • Patent number: 4455702
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing outer footwear such as a shoe comprises the step of dry or moist heat setting a lasted shoe (9, 10) by partially or totally immersing it in a fluidized solid material (2) in a bath (1). It is now proposed that the lasted shoe (9, 10) should be enclosed in a sleeve (7) of flexible impervious material, the upper open end (6) of the sleeve being fixed with respect to the bath (1) while the remainder of the sleeve including its closed end (7a) is partially or totally immersed in the fluidizable material. Apparatus for the performance of the method comprises a plurality of sleeves (9) fitted as aforesaid with their open upper ends (6) secured to the top (5) of the bath (1) and their lower closed ends (7a) secured by hooks (8) to the floor of the bath. The material is fluidized by admission of heated air to the bottom of the bath of which the top cover (5) has an air outlet (5b) including a filter for preventing escape of fluidized material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 26, 1984
    Assignee: K. Shoemakers Limited
    Inventor: Richard E. F. Marris
  • Patent number: 4451949
    Abstract: A safety shoe having a closed bottom lining is assembled by a method in which a slip last is inserted into a closed bottom lining and a net-fit upper portion is attached to the lining. The forepart of the upper portion is lasted to the lining after a steel toe sub-assembly is fastened to the lining toe portion. An outsole and heel portion are attached to the bottom surface of the upper after the upper and lining are lasted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1981
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1984
    Assignee: Interco Incorporated
    Inventor: Thomas F. Long
  • Patent number: 4428089
    Abstract: A method of forming an article of footwear to fit a predetermined foot is provided by modifying the shape of such an article in which the foot is readily engageable by in-situ formation of a resilient foam moulding in the free space between the article and foot. The moulding is preferably reinforced to resist abrasion during subsequent use, and this suitably involves the location of a woven or knitted resilient sock on the foot for impregnation by the moulding material. Also the moulding can bond spontaneously to the article. The moulding is preferably permeable, and need not fill the free space between the foot and article, but can be restricted by suitable location of inserts. The method is particularly suited to situations where the foot is abnormal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1984
    Inventors: Stanley R. K. Dawber, Duncan J. Fraser
  • Patent number: 4403361
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for stripping a sleeve from a length of resin-impregnated fiberglass rovings and for cutting a length of the impregnated fibers. The invention severs and separates the sleeve in a manner which assures that the fibers will remain compact and in which substantially all of the resin remains with the fiber rovings. The material is advanced through the stripper solely by drawing on the severed sleeve and without gripping or otherwise disrupting the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 1981
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1983
    Assignee: Bush Universal, Inc.
    Inventors: Raymond M. Bowler, Jules N. Allard
  • Patent number: 4376344
    Abstract: An insulated boot blanket of a light weight moisture impervious insulated material adapted to be worn over the shoe or boot-enclosed foot. The boot blanket is provided with either one or three piece construction, is provided side straps which facilitate both the insertion of the shoe-enclosed foot into the boot blankets and the carrying of the boot blankets against the small of the back when not being worn, and a drawstring for selectively adjusting the leg opening and for maintaining the downwardly opening zipper in a closed position when the boot blanket is being worn. A flexible sole may also be provided for increased wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1981
    Date of Patent: March 15, 1983
    Inventor: Cheston B. Kimsey
  • Patent number: 4304021
    Abstract: In a method and apparatus for making disposable shoe covers from a substantially continuous supply of material, the material is moved continuously through a plurality of operating stations wherein two parallel sheets of the material are joined to form a shoe cover. The webs of material are drawn from two supply sources along a parallel path where an elastic band of material is attached to one edge of both webs and are united by glueing and stitching operations. In addition, when desired, a static strip is added as the web moves through the apparatus. After the webs of material have been joined, the apparatus cuts the length of joined webs into discrete lengths to define the individual shoe covers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 8, 1981
    Assignee: Kurt Salmon Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Theodore E. Theodorsen
  • Patent number: 4296514
    Abstract: A method for the continuous processing of laminar flexible workpieces, especially in the production of leather, shoes or clothing is disclosed. The method involves the pressing, especially hot-press gluing of workpieces wherein the workpieces are conveyed along a continuous path in pressure zones comprising at least one low-pressure zone on the input side for spreading or smoothing the workpieces and at least one succeeding high-pressure zone for pressing the workpieces. The workpieces are preferably conveyed in a generally upwardly direction from the inlet toward an outlet generally superposed above and in a direction opposite the inlet feed of the workpieces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1980
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1981
    Inventors: Jiri Dokoupil, Kurt Hacker
  • Patent number: 4287629
    Abstract: A process for the production of synthetic plastic chamois leather footwear, comprising injection molding of the uppers of the footwear of plastics, attaching the sole and heel thereto, coating the uppers with adhesive and flocking them in a flocking machine with rayon flock having a certain count and length. To prevent the sole and heel from being flocked, too, they are inserted in an appropriate sole protection mold during the flocking operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1979
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1981
    Inventor: Franco Stalteri
  • Patent number: 4283806
    Abstract: A device for cement applying mechanisms in shoe lasting machines, wherein a safety valve is caused to prevent air from entering an air feed line in the cement feed when there is no shoe in the shoe machine and the shoe machine has been actuated, thereby preventing the machine operator from being injured by hot cement, and where nozzles may be effectively used with an air blast to controllably project hot cement onto portions of insoles some of which may not be immediately thereadjacent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1979
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1981
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventors: Alphonse C. Kulik, Josef J. Walter
  • Patent number: 4202066
    Abstract: A method of rapidly heat setting a shoe on a last wherein the shoe is subjected to dry air at elevated temperature, the air moving at a velocity at the shoe exterior of not less than five (5) meters per second for not more than three and one-half minutes. The method achieves shape retention in a lasted upper with improved efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 1978
    Date of Patent: May 13, 1980
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Raymond Hanson
  • Patent number: 4156947
    Abstract: A shoe having the appearance, but not the construction, of a compo cement shoe has an upper, an inner sole stitched to the lower peripheral portion of the upper, and an outer sole attached to the underside of the upper and inner sole.In the method for manufacturing such shoes the pieces of the upper are first sewn together, the toe portion of the upper is crimped, gathered, and stitched and the inner sole is then positioned coplanar with the lower peripheral portion of the upper in the area circumscribed by the lower peripheral edge of the upper and sewn thereto. Finally, an outer sole is attached to the combined upper and inner sole assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1977
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1979
    Inventor: Martin S. Nadler
  • Patent number: 4145822
    Abstract: The disclosure describes various forms of scuff-type slippers which are durable and resist turning under of the heel portion in use. These include a transversely elastic vamp, a sole which can be bent transversely by tension forces in the vamp, to which it is fusion bonded, and, extending above the sole, a heel overlayer that is secured to the sole at least in part by fusion bonding along the sides thereof. Also disclosed are methods of making such slippers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 1977
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1979
    Inventors: Winalee G. Mitchell, James G. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 4120064
    Abstract: A ski boot comprising an external shell and a rigid sole, a slipper producing at least one cavity between the shell and the foot. The method of adjustment consists in filling the cavity with a moldable mixture of products kept in a viscous or paste-like state by means of at least one volatile product, and then eliminating at least one of the volatile products by causing it to pass into a gaseous phase until the mixture of products hardens. The invention has the particular advantage of making it possible to adjust the ski boot to a skier's foot without risk of compressing it in a dangerous manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 17, 1978
    Assignee: Establiessements Francois Salomon et Fils
    Inventor: Georges Pierre Joseph Salomon
  • Patent number: 4098632
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for applying adhesive to a surface and for bonding and particularly for attaching a tread member to a shoe in which an adhesive applicator including a jet providing a gas stream having a rotational component is constructed to extrude viscous fluid adhesive to form a filament and to lay down the filament while still soft and adhesive as a band of overlapping loops directly on the attaching surface of an element to be adhered. The elements to be joined are pressed together with the adhesive between them and the adhesive is hardened.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1976
    Date of Patent: July 4, 1978
    Assignee: USM Corporation
    Inventor: Gordon V. Sprague, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4084279
    Abstract: A shoe construction including an upper member preferably divided into two pieces, an upper and a mudguard piece in which the mudguard piece has a pair of depending side portions extending beneath the upper and joined along longitudinal abutting edges between the heel portion and the forepart of the upper member.The method of making this shoe includes slip-lasting the upper member after the upper and the mudguard piece have been secured together, and after the bottom edges of the mudguard piece have been secured. Thus, lasting is facilitated, because only the forepart and heel portions of the upper member need be lasted. Moreover, less attention is required for fitting the upper member about the last since the shape and fit has been substantially determined by pre-securing the bottom edges of the depending mudguard side portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1978
    Assignee: Genesco, Inc.
    Inventor: Newton C. Turner, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4048732
    Abstract: An improved shoe is disclosed having a relatively flexible shank portion utilizing no shank reinforcement. The shoe comprises a substantially flexible insole attached to an upper. A wedge heel is attached to the insole at the heel seat thereof, and a wedge tunnel cover is attached to the front face of the heel and the bottom of the insole forward of the heel. The rear edge of an outsole covers the front edge of the wedge tunnel cover and stitching may be used to lock the insole, the outsole, the wedge heel and the wedge tunnel cover together so that they adequately support the weight of the wearer. The improved shoe is constructed by a novel method so that the forepart of the shoe is made by slip lasting while the remainder of the shoe is made using a cement construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1976
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1977
    Assignee: The United States Shoe Corporation
    Inventor: Nathan Stix
  • Patent number: 4041621
    Abstract: A lightweight snowshoe having an outer frame formed of two sections of material such as metal tubing fastened together by joiner pieces which are held stationary with respect to the frame through use of a transverse support rod positioned within holes extending through the frame and the joiner sections. The joiner sections further act to strengthen the snowshoe frame at its principal stress points in the foot mounting area. The entire snowshoe is fabricated without the use of welds, glue or rivets, the pieces of the snowshoe frame being held together under the tension of the snowshoe webbing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1974
    Date of Patent: August 16, 1977
    Inventor: Richard Marlow Anderson
  • Patent number: 4026046
    Abstract: A dancing slipper which is made of a relatively rigid skeleton frame having an opening in the toe portion thereof and provided with a moldable insert member which is pliable and soft when mildly heated to a predetermined temperature so as to conform to the toe configuration of the wearer or ballerina or person using this shoe and which insert may be readily removable for replacement and for remolding purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1976
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1977
    Inventors: Ann V. Clark, Frank A. Cannavo, Donald L. Cannon
  • Patent number: 3995002
    Abstract: An orthocasting system for producing a negative mold of the bottom of the foot with the negative mold being used to produce a positive form which is then used as a base on which to form a rigid foot support insert which is constructed in accordance with a prescription prepared by a foot doctor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1974
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1976
    Inventor: Dennis N. Brown
  • Patent number: 3991430
    Abstract: A shoe last fitted with five toe projections of adjustable length for forming the interior of a shoe to fit comfortably about the wearer's toes. The last and attached shoe is attachable to a vibrator unit for deforming the interior of the attached shoe, to fit about the toe projections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1976
    Assignee: The Raymond Lee Organization, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexis A. Gumbs, deceased
  • Patent number: 3977034
    Abstract: The method of form fitting shoes and boots of the instant invention is directed to the heating of the area of the foot gear which needs to be enlarged to accommodate the foot and simultaneously applying pressure from the inside of the foot gear to cause the heated portion of the foot gear to expand the desired amount. Pneumatically or hydraulically actuated cylinders are used within the foot gear to provide the required pressure and a number of different shoe contacting members are interchangeable to assist in shaping the expanded portion of the foot gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 1975
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1976
    Inventor: Dennis N. Brown
  • Patent number: 3942206
    Abstract: A mud guard is stitched to an upper at or spaced from the lower edge of the upper. A portion of the periphery of a sock lining is stitched to the lower edge of the upper but is free from attachment with respect to the heel portion of the upper. An inner sole or platform containing a metal shank is bonded to the sock lining. Then a free edge portion of the mud guard as well as a heel flange are lasted in overlying relation to the inner sole. Thereafter, an outsole is attached to the inner sole in overlying relation to the heel flange and mud guard.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1975
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1976
    Inventor: Frederick J. Diamant