Shank Guard
A novel removable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.
This invention relates to the design and construction of a novel removable boot attachment for protecting workboot shanks and soles.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention describes a wedge shaped device, constructed of any suitable material, including but not limited to metals, plastics and rubbers, removably fastened to the underside of a boot to protect the boot shank and the user's foot from the impact force of kicking a shovel or other object. The device may be removably affixed to the boot bottom via straps, a hook and loop closure system (a/k/a “Velcro”) or other suitable means.
While working with shovels or other digging implements, workers will often place considerable force on the longitudal and transverse arch portion of a foot and its accompanying footwear. This area is also known as the shank and is that portion of the footwear sole immediately preceding the heel. Kicking of a shovel or other tool with this portion of the foot is common and results in many types of foot injuries and in accelerated wear of the footwear sole. Similarly, this portion of the foot and footwear is often used to kick or provide leverage in any number of physical activities. Linemen (pole climbers) in particular, rely upon this isolated portion of the foot and footwear to support the entire weight of their bodies and workload when ascending or descending poles utilizing gaff hooks (pole spikes). In the above examples, the undue force and stress on this portion of the foot and footwear creates a higher risk of injury to the user and damage to the footwear.
Reinforced work boots are available to help reduce the risk of injury or damage. In the case of linemen, steel shanks are utilized in the linemen boot arches to help support the lineman's weight on the gaff hook. While the steel shank may reduce the stress of isolating weight on the narrow gaff hook, it does not reduce the accelerated wear on this portion of the boot sole caused by repeated climbing activities. Furthermore, a steel shank does little to nothing in protecting a foot from the shock and vibration transmitted through the boot when the arch is utilized in digging or kicking activities.
In view of the prior arts' shortcomings, it is thus desirable to create a user replaceable, removable boot attachment designed to protect a boot sole from damage caused by stress to the arch portion of the sole and to further protect a user's foot arch from the stress of various activities as described herein.
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The descriptions and embodiments described and pictured are instructive of the device and securing attachments and it is noted that equivalent structures may be adapted and utilized to accomplish the intended purposes. For example, any shoe or other footwear may be substituted for a boot. The shank guard may be constructed of metals, plastics, rubbers, polymers or any combination thereof, suitable to withstand its intended function. Similarly, any securing means which may allow attachment and removal of the shank guard from footwear without functional damage to the footwear may be suitably substituted for the strap and hook and loop closure attachments. Such securing means may include cements, glues, spikes or tabs designed to fit into a complementary slot cut into a boot heel.
Claims
1. A device, substantially wedge shaped, sized to fit to the underside of a boot sole and adjacent a boot heel without impeding normal function of the boot for walking.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes a securing means to secure said device to said boot sole.
3. The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
4. The device of claim 2 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole.
6. The device of claim 2 wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole.
7. The device of claim 3 wherein said device includes a slot for the passage of a strap to secure said device to said boot sole.
8. The device of claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises a first strap designed to hold the device to the underside of a boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about the instep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a buckle, and a second strap designed to be secured to the first strap, the second strap wrapped about the ankle/heel portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop and closure system.
9. The device of claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises a first strap designed to hold the device to the underside of a boot sole while said first strap is wrapped about the instep/toe portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop and closure system, and a second strap designed to be secured to the first strap, the second strap wrapped about the ankle/heel portion of the boot and secured with a hook and loop closure system.
10. The device of claim 6 wherein the securing means comprises a hook and loop closure system applied to the underside of a boot sole and a complementary hook and loop closure system applied to the top surface of the device.
11. The device of claim 8 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
12. The device of claim 9 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
13. The device of claim 10 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
14. The device of claim 1 wherein said device further includes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface.
15. The device of claim 14 wherein said device includes ribs along the bottom surface of said device.
16. The device of claim 2 wherein said device further includes an integral pad of rubber affixed to the top surface.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 1, 2010
Publication Date: Jan 5, 2012
Inventor: David Gonzalez (Palm City, FL)
Application Number: 12/828,893
International Classification: A43B 23/22 (20060101);