Waterproof shoe structure

Abstract

A waterproof shoe structure comprises an upper and a sole. The upper comprises an outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof foot-like member. The waterproof foot-like is integrally formed of latex. The lining layer has a foot-like configuration and is mounted inside the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer covers the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are securely engaged together. The sole is then securely engaged with the outer layer of the upper.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a waterproof shoe structure allowing easy manufacture.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] FIGS. 1 and 2 the drawings illustrate a conventional waterproof shoe structure comprising a sole 12 and an upper 11. The upper 11 includes an outer layer 111, a lining layer 112, and a waterproof layer 113 between the outer layer 111 and the lining layer 112. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lining layer 112 and the waterproof layer 113 are sewn together and a waterproof adhesive tape 114 is then applied along the sewing line. Next, the outer layer 111 is sewn to the lining layer 112 to form a waterproof upper 11, which is then bonded to the sole 12 to form a waterproof shoe structure. The waterproof shoe structure prevents entrance of ambient water into the shoe while walking through an area accumulated with water or a grass with dewdrops. However, the steps of applying the waterproof adhesive tape 114 slows down the processing procedure and is thus detrimental to mass production. In addition, the waterproof adhesive tape 114 would fall as a result of friction during walking.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a waterproof shoe structure allowing easy manufacture.

[0006] A waterproof shoe structure in accordance with the present invention comprises an upper and a sole. The upper comprises an outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof foot-like member. The waterproof foot-like is integrally formed of latex. The lining layer has a foot-like configuration and is mounted inside the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer covers the waterproof foot-like member. The outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are securely engaged together. The sole is then securely engaged with the outer layer of the upper.

[0007] In an embodiment of the invention, the outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are sewn together along a sewing line not lower than an angle area of the upper. The water foot-like member includes a bottom and a wall on the bottom. The waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like mold into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex. In an alternative embodiment, the waterproof foot-like member is formed by filling liquid latex into a foot-like interior space in a mold and then heating the mold until formation of a foot-like member on an inner periphery defining the foot-like interior space.

[0008] Other objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] FIG. 1 is an exploded flattened perspective view of a conventional waterproof shoe structure.

[0010] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of conventional waterproof shoe structure.

[0011] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a waterproof shoe structure in accordance with the present invention.

[0012] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the waterproof shoe structure in accordance with the present invention.

[0013] FIG. 5 is a schematic view illustrating formation of a waterproof foot-like member of the waterproof shoe structure.

[0014] FIG. 6 is a schematic view illustrating an alternative embodiment for formation of the waterproof foot-like member of the waterproof shoe structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, a waterproof shoe structure in accordance with the present invention generally comprises a sole 24 and an upper 20. The upper 20 comprises an outer layer 21, a lining layer 23, and a waterproof foot-like member 22. The outer layer 21 includes at least one reinforcing piece 211 sewn thereto. In addition, the outer layer 21 may have patterns on an outer surface thereof.

[0016] The waterproof foot-like member 22 is integrally formed of latex to include a bottom 222 and an upper wall 223 on the bottom 222. A space 221 is defined in the waterproof foot-like member 22. In this embodiment, referring to FIG. 5, the waterproof foot-like member 22 is formed by means of immersing a foot-like mold 3 into liquid latex 4 and then heating the foot-like mold 3 until formation of a foot-like member 22 on an outer surface of the foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex 4. The foot-like member 22 is then removed from the foot-like mold 3. In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 6, liquid latex 4 is filled into a foot-like interior space 9 in a mold 8, and the mold 8 is then heated until formation of a foot-like member 22 on an inner periphery defining the foot-like interior space 9.

[0017] The lining layer 23 is formed by sewing a flat piece of material to form a foot-like configuration having a space 231 for receiving a foot of a wearer. FIG. 3 shows the sewing line 232 in a bottom of the foot-like configuration 23.

[0018] In assembly, the foot-like member 22 is mounted around the lining layer 23 of the foot-like configuration, and the outer layer 21 covers the wall 223 of the foot-like member 22 to form an upper 20 after sewing the foot-like member 22, the outer layer 21, and the lining layer 23 together along a sewing line 7 (FIG. 4) located not lower than an ankle area 6 (FIG. 4) of the upper 20. Next, the upper 20 is bonded to the sole 24 along an outer face of a lower edge 212 (FIG. 3) of the outer layer 21 and an inner face of an upper edge 241 (FIG. 3) of the sole 24. Alternatively, the upper 20 and the sole 24 are sewn together along the lower edge 212 of the outer layer 21 and the upper edge 241 of the sole 24. Thus, a waterproof shoe structure is formed.

[0019] Since the waterproof foot-like member 22 is integrally formed of latex and has no seam, it can be easily mounted to the outer face of the lining layer 23, thereby allowing easy manufacture. In addition, the foot-like member 22, the outer layer 21, and the lining layer 23 are sewn together along a sewing line 7 located not lower than an ankle area 6 of the upper 20. Thus, the sewing holes on the sewing line 7 would not affect the waterproof effect.

[0020] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

Claims

1. A waterproof shoe structure comprising:

an upper comprising an outer layer, a lining layer, and a waterproof foot-like member, the waterproof foot-like being integrally formed of latex, the lining layer having a foot-like configuration and being mounted inside the waterproof foot-like member, the outer layer covering the waterproof foot-like member, the outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member being securely engaged together; and

a sole securely engaged with the outer layer of the upper.

2. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer layer, the lining layer, and the waterproof foot-like member are sewn together along a sewing line not lower than an angle area of the upper.

3. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the water foot-like member includes a bottom and a wall on the bottom.

4. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 3, wherein the waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like mold into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex.

5. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 3, the waterproof foot-like member is formed by filling liquid latex into a foot-like interior space in a mold and then heating the mold until formation of a foot-like member on an inner periphery defining the foot-like interior space.

6. A waterproof foot-like member for a waterproof shoe structure having an outer layer and a lining layer, the waterproof foot-like member being integrally formed of latex and attached between an outer layer and a lining layer of the waterproof shoe structure.

7. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 6, wherein the waterproof foot-like member is formed by immersing a foot-like mold into liquid latex and then heating the foot-like mold until formation of a foot-like member on an outer surface of the foot-like mold after thermosetting of the liquid latex.

8. The waterproof shoe structure as claimed in claim 6, the waterproof foot-like member is formed by filling liquid latex into a foot-like interior space in a mold and then heating the mold until formation of a foot-like member on an inner periphery defining the foot-like interior space.