AMPHIBIOUS FOOTWEAR

Abstract

An article of footwear for providing traction on a wet surface having a water-durable upper made from an elastic flexible material and configured to conform to a foot, a slip-resistant sole, a lacing system, and a heel support. The footwear has a stretchable foot entry opening which encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of a wearer, keeping out water. The upper is made from an elastic flexible composite which is constructed from a neoprene foam, and fabric laminated to the foam. The foam may have perforations which may not extend through the fabric, allowing liquids and vapor to escape the footwear. The fabric may be coated or treated to provide functions, such as hydrophobicity or oleophobicity.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of, under Title 35, United States Code, Section 119(e), U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/523,004, filed Aug. 12, 2011, which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to footwear, and more specifically to an article of footwear configured for use in marine environments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Articles of footwear for water sports have been previously proposed. Moore (U.S. Pat. No. 5,913,592) teaches a performance water boot. The Moore design includes a water boot having an adjustable strap that crosses an upper between the instep region and the collar region of the boot. Moore teaches a heel cup that is designed to cooperate with the adjustable strap in order to seal off the heel and ankle regions of the upper. Moore teaches this arrangement to prevent water from entering the instep region and causing the foot to move within the boot.

Collins (U.S. patent number 2006/0143944) teaches an article of footwear designed for surfing. The Collins design includes a thin rubber outsole that wraps underneath the forefoot. Collins further teaches a tread disposed on the bottom of the outsole. However, the Collins design does not include a heel portion, but instead the heel and rear of the article of footwear is left open to expose the rear and heel of a foot. The Collins design lacks support for the rear of the foot and the heel. Additionally, while Collins teaches a strap for fastening the article of footwear, it is a single strap wrapping around the ankle and in particular no straps are provided for fastening the forefoot.

Hergenroeder (U.S. Pat. No. 5,205,071) teaches a surfing sandal. The sandal includes an instep strap configured to extend across the instep at the top of the foot. According to Hergenroeder, the instep strap may function as an instep pad. Hergenroeder further teaches a traction surface with traction pads adapted to extend across the bottom of the foot between the heel and the ball of the foot. Hergenroeder teaches materials for the sandal including neoprene and materials for the traction pads including rubber. However, Hergenroeder does not teach a lacing system or a neoprene-fabric composite.

Conolly (WO patent number 2006/050565) teaches a water sport hiking system. The Conolly design includes a device that provides support for sailors while hiking from a sailing vessel. Conolly teaches a water sport boot constructed primarily of neoprene and rubber. The water sport boot includes a top support panel made of rubber that extends from the top of the toe to the top of the boot. Conolly also teaches a toe support panel that is distinct from the top support panel and covers the toe.

Clancy (U.S. Pat. No. 7,941,946) teaches an article of footwear configured for sailing. The article of footwear includes a water durable upper and slip resistant sole and a rigid support member extending from the toe portion of the upper to the front ankle portion of the upper.

It is therefore desired to provide an article of footwear configured for use in marine environments that addresses these deficiencies.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an article of footwear configured for marine use.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an article of footwear configured to provide traction on a wet surface.

It is still a further object of the invention to provide an article of footwear that allows water or moisture to drain and dry.

It is yet a further object of the invention to provide an article of footwear which allows easy entry of the wearer's foot while also facilitating a tight fit.

It is another object of the invention to provide an article of footwear which reduces the amount of water able to enter the shoe through the main opening.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide an article of footwear configured to aid stability and allow for improved mobility and balance in wet and slippery conditions.

These and other objectives are achieved by providing an article of footwear for providing traction on a wet surface, having a water-durable upper comprising an elastic flexible material and configured to conform to a foot; a slip-resistant sole; a lacing system; a heel support; and, wherein the elastic flexible material comprises a neoprene foam and a first fabric laminated to at least one surface of the neoprene foam.

In some embodiments, the upper includes a single stretchable foot entry opening which encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the elastic flexible material comprises perforations through the neoprene foam which do not extend through the fabric. The fabric may be coated or treated to provide a function. This function may include hydrophobicity or oleophobicity, and the fabric is coated or treated to provide more than one function. Furthermore, the fabric is coated or treated on more than one side. A second fabric may be laminated to a surface of the neoprene foam, and the second fabric may include a different material from the first fabric.

In some embodiments, the heel support is made from natural rubber, synthetic rubber, a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, leather, or synthetic leather. A reinforcement member may be positioned between the upper and the heel support. The reinforcement member may be made from plastic, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or polyurethane, and may include a heel cup.

In some embodiments, the lacing system has at least two rows of holes, loops, eyelets, or hooks in which a lace can be looped, and the rows may be disposed in an anchor material consisting of natural textile, synthetic textile, leather, or synthetic leather which may be stitched or bonded to the upper.

In some embodiments, the fabric is stretchable; and can be limited in stretch in a direction which opposes forces applied to the lacing system or to a foot-entry opening in the upper.

In some embodiments, the sole is made from molded rubber and is attached to a lower portion of the upper by an adhesive and by a foxing material that is adhered to an outer edge of the sole and to the upper. A bottom portion of the sole may include a pattern having channels where water can be channeled toward an edge of the sole.

Other objects of the invention and its particular features and advantages will become more apparent from consideration of the following drawings and accompanying detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of an article of footwear according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 2 is an isometric rear view of an article of footwear according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a footwear material according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4a is an underside view of a sole of an article of footwear according to aspects of the invention.

FIG. 4b is a cross-sectional view of a sole of an article of footwear according to aspects of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 and 2 are isometric views of an article of footwear according to aspects of the invention. The footwear has a single main opening 17 and includes an upper 10, outsole 21, eyerow panels 11 and 11′, heel support member 16,

Upper 10 may be made from a water-durable composite including a neoprene foam material laminated to at least one textile fabric. The neoprene foam may be perforated, and the perforations may be formed prior to lamination.

Upper 10 may be configured such that the opening 17, through which the wearer's foot enters or exits the shoe, is constructed without a tongue or gusset by incorporating stretch into the material of upper 10.

This configuration can have the advantage of allowing easy entry of a wearer's foot while also facilitating a tight fit and reducing the volume of water able to enter the shoe through opening 17. When worn, the opening 17 may encircle the wearer's ankle.

Upper 10 may be configured such that it is form fitting to the wearer's foot. This can have the advantages of further reducing the amount of water able to enter the shoe through opening 17, and reducing the volume of excess water that may remain in the shoe, facilitating faster drainage and drying.

Eyerow panels 11 and 11′ are permanently attached to upper 10 and may be made from a non-stretch material such as a synthetic or natural leather. Eyerow panels 11 and 11′ include lace tensioning points 15, and provide a rigid substrate for securing a lace (not shown), allowing the footwear to be fitted to the foot. Lace tensioning points 15 may be holes, metal or plastic eyelets, loops, other similar features, or combinations of these features.

Heel support member 16 may be permanently attached to upper 10. The heel support member 16 may be made from a non-stretch material such as synthetic or natural leather, and may be positioned to provide support to the heel of the wearer's foot. Optionally, a rigid heel support member 19 may also be attached to upper 10 between heel support member 16 and upper 10. This can have the advantage of adding further lateral support to the heel of the footwear. Rigid support member 19 may be made from a polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethatne, other plastic, or a combination of these plastics, and may be molded into a heel cup or cut and shaped into a heel cup from a sheet of material.

Optionally, a reinforcement strip 18 may be attached to the rear of the heel area of the footwear. Reinforcement strip 18 may be made from a non-stretch webbing or textile, and be configured to distribute loads applied to opening 17 by the user when the footwear is pulled over the foot. This can have the advantage of improving durability of the footwear. Reinforcement strip 18 may also be configured to include a loop in order to further assist the user in entering the shoe or to provide a means of hanging or carrying the shoe.

Outsole 21 is attached to upper 10. Outsole 21 may be attached to upper 10 using an adhesive, and may also be attached to upper 10 using an additional foxing 12 adhered to outsole 21 and upper 10. Foxing 12 may optionally include cut or molded drainage holes 20 that allow water or moisture to drain from the inside of the footwear. Outsole 21 and foxing 12 may be made from a natural or synthetic rubber, or another suitable material.

Optionally, toe cap 14 and/or reinforcement panel 13 may also be attached to upper 10 and/or foxing 12. Toe cap 14 and reinforcement panel 13 may be made from natural or synthetic rubber, or other suitable materials, and the shape and rigidity of foxing 12, toe reinforcement panel 13, and toe cap 14 may be configured to provide protection to the user during an impact with the toe area and/or to provide lateral support to the foot when forces are applied by the user. This configuration can have the advantage of allowing for improved mobility and balance in wet and slippery conditions.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of upper 10, illustrating a composite material 300 according to aspects of the invention.

In this illustrative embodiment, composite 300 includes a neoprene foam 305 laminated to textiles 302 and 303.

Neoprene foam 305 is a water-durable rubber foam which can have elastic and thermally insulative properties, and can have the advantage of providing warmth to the wearer in cold and/or wet conditions. The term water-durable as used herein refers to a material which is resistant to the deleterious effects of extended exposure to water.

Neoprene foam 305 may include perforations 301. Perforations 301 may be holes punched or formed into the neoprene foam 305 before lamination to fabrics 302 and 303. The resulting perforated structure can have the advantage of allowing water, air and moisture vapor to flow through upper 10. Preferably, perforations 301 are between 1 mm-8 mm in diameter, and are spaced in a regular or irregular pattern, having between 5 mm-50 mm between centers.

Textiles 302 and 304 can be made from appropriate fabric or textile material, and may include elastic yarns or fibers, or be knitted or woven in a way that provides stretch such that upper 10 can conform to a wearer's foot. Textiles 302 and 304 may also be configured to have limited stretch in one or more directions. This can have the advantage of allowing upper 10 to conform to a wearer's foot while providing adequate support and structure to the upper 10 and other components attached to upper 10. Textiles 302 and 304 may be configured to provide properties such as high abrasion resistance through the use of a high denier fabric, or warmth and/or comfort through the use of a soft fleece fabric. Textiles 302 and 304 may also optionally be selected from a group of materials, or may be treated to provide one or more specific functions such as hydrophobicity (water resistance) or oleophobicity (oil resistance).

FIGS. 4a and 4b are an underside view and an cross-sectional view of outsole 21 according to aspects of the invention. Outsole 21 may be made from a flexible natural or synthetic rubber, or similar material. Examples of suitable materials include natural rubber, synthetic rubbers, a combination of both natural and synthetic rubbers, silicon, and rubberized foams. In an example configuration, outsole 21 consists of a semi-durable rubber which does not substantially deform when compressed.

Outsole 21 may include a combination of material and grip pattern configured to provide extra traction and grip in wet and slippery conditions. Preferably, outsole 21 is configured to provide good flexibility and softness. This can have the advantage of increasing sensitivity and feedback to the user.

Preferably, the outsole 21 has abrasive resistant qualities which do not inhibit the flexibility or softness of outsole 21. Outsole 21 may have a tread pattern which includes substantially flat sections 401 that provide contact with a surface and channels 402 which allow water to be channeled to the edge 403 of outsole 21 when outsole 21 is placed on a wet surface. By channeling water in this way, flat sections 401 and channels 402 can help to prevent slipping due to loss of friction caused by water disposed between outsole.

Flat sections 401 are preferably constructed such that they can distort and deform a small amount over a surface (not shown) such that the contact area between flat sections 401 and the surface is increased. This can have the advantage of increasing the friction between flat sections 401 and the surface.

Channels 402 are preferably between 0.1 mm-5 mm. deep, and 0.1 mm-5 mm. in width, and may be molded into outsole 21 or cut into outsole 21 using a material separation process.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular arrangement of parts, features and the like, these are not intended to exhaust all possible arrangements or features, and indeed many modifications and variations will be ascertainable to those of skill in the art.

Claims

1. An article of footwear comprising:

a composite having a first layer and a second layer and forming an upper;

the first layer including an upper material that is elastic in a planar direction and made from a synthetic rubber foam containing polychloroprene;

the second layer including a first fabric that is elastic in a planar direction and bonded to at least one surface of the upper material;

perforations through the first layer which form cavities in the upper material.

2. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a single stretchable foot entry opening constructed without a tongue such that the opening encircles and substantially conforms to an ankle of a wearer.

3. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a heel support made from a material selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, a mixture of natural rubber and synthetic rubber, leather, or synthetic leather.

4. The article of footwear according to claim 3, wherein a reinforcement member is positioned between the upper and the heel support.

5. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a reinforcement material selected from the group consisting of plastic, polyester, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, or polyurethane.

6. The article of footwear according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcement member comprises a heel cup.

7. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a lacing system having at least two rows of holes, loops, eyelets, or hooks in which a lace can be looped.

8. The article of footwear according to claim 7, wherein the rows are disposed in an anchor material selected from the group consisting of natural textile, synthetic textile, leather, or synthetic leather; and, the anchor material is stitched or bonded to the upper.

9. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein a second fabric is bonded to a surface of the upper material.

10. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein the second fabric comprises a different material from the first fabric.

11. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first fabric is limited in elasticity in a direction which opposes forces applied to a lacing system.

12. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the first fabric is limited in elasticity in a direction which opposes forces applied to a foot-entry opening in the upper.

13. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a sole made from molded rubber and attached to a lower portion of the upper by an adhesive and by a foxing material that is adhered to an outer edge of the sole and to the upper.

14. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a sole having a pattern of channels disposed such that water can be channeled toward an edge of the sole.

15. The article of footwear according to claim 13, further comprising drainage holes in the sole or foxing.

16. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a functional treatment applied to the first fabric which provides a function.

17. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the function is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobicity or oleophobicity.

18. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the functional treatment is antibacterial.

19. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the first fabric is treated to provide more than one function.

20. The article of footwear according to claim 16, wherein the first fabric is treated on more than one surface.

21. The article of footwear according to claim 9, wherein a functional treatment is applied to the second fabric which provides a function.

22. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein the function is selected from the group consisting of hydrophobicity or oleophobicity.

23. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein the functional treatment is antibacterial.

24. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein the second fabric is treated to provide more than one function.

25. The article of footwear according to claim 21, wherein the second fabric is treated on more than one surface.

26. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising a metallization applied to the first fabric.

27. The article of footwear according to claim 1, further comprising an infrared-reflective metallic layer bonded to the first fabric.

28. The article of footwear according to claim 9, further comprising a metallization applied to the second fabric.

29. The article of footwear according to claim 9, further comprising an infrared-reflective metallic layer bonded to the second fabric.

30. The article of footwear according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic rubber foam comprises neoprene.

31. An article of footwear comprising:

a composite having a first layer and a second layer and forming an upper;

the first layer including an upper material that is elastic in a planar direction and made from a synthetic rubber foam containing polychloroprene;

the second layer including a first fabric that is elastic in a planar direction and bonded to at least one surface of the upper material;

a functional treatment applied to the first fabric which provides a function; and,

perforations through the first layer which form cavities in the upper material and which do not extend through the second layer.