Safety shoe

Abstract

 Work shoe or safety shoe or safety boot, comprising a sole (2) and an upper (3) attached to the sole, in which a part of the sole (4) which is situated in view and at the circumference of the sole is formed from a material blend comprising a fluorescent, phosphorescent or luminescent material.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a safety shoe or safety boot, comprising a sole and a superstructure attached to the sole, in which the shoe is provided with a fluorescent, phosphorescent, reflecting or luminescent material.

[0002] In order to make persons, in particular under industrial circumstances or in work situations, better visible to others in the darkness, light reflecting materials are very often used, for instance by attaching strips of light reflecting material to the clothing. An example of this is the clothing worn by personnel with the fire brigade and the police.

[0003] Under circumstances the capacity of strips on the clothing to draw attention may not be adequate, for instance during activities in the dark on facades, lampposts and the like, in which the active persons are at different levels with respect to each other. On the other hand suitable clothing, provided with light reflecting strips, is not always available, for instance because of the high costs said clothing entails.

[0004] It is known to provide safety footwear with light reflecting paint. A disadvantage of this is however that layers of paint applied on footwear are liable to wear and tear, especially when the footwear is worn under industrial circumstances.

[0005] It is also known to attach for instance adhesive strips of reflecting material to such footwear, or to attach strips of such material in another manner to such footwear. Just like applying a layer of paint the attachment of said strips of reflecting material on such footwear is laborious, moreover such strips may in time get detached, also as a result of the necessary frequent cleansing. Moreover the adhesive strip may get detached as a result of contact with the surroundings. This solution therefore as well is inadequate in providing the wanted safety to the wearer.

[0006] Furthermore a shoe is known from JP-A-06125801 which is provided with a transparent sole provided with a part, a moulded piece, incorporated in the heel part, of "light condensing" material. This does not regard a safety shoe. Moreover the durability is a problem as a result of the way the light condensing moulded piece is applied. Apart from that the wearer is only visible in a limited number of situations.

[0007] Apart from that, from US-A-4.629.583 the use of fluorescent polymer is known in general for for instance shoe soles. The use for safety shoes is not mentioned.

[0008] The invention has the object to remove the disadvantages mentioned and to provide a safety shoe of the kind mentioned in the preamble provided with light reflecting means which are liable to wear and tear, remain well visible, especially under industrial circumstances, do not get detached under heavy circumstances, make the wearer well visible and can be applied easily.

[0009] To that end the invention provides a safety shoe or safety boot, comprising a sole and a superstructure attached to the sole, in which the sole is provided with a layer which is situated in view and at the circumference of the sole and extends over substantially the entire circumference and over substantially the entire sole and which is formed from a material blend comprising a fluorescent, phosphorescent, luminescent or reflecting material.

[0010] As a result the shoe or the boot is provided with reflecting material, which is permitted to wear off in heavy circumstances of use, because the material behind it always offers a new reflecting layer. Moreover it is an advantage that the wearer is visible form all sides. Also when the light reflecting surface is soiled it can be made visible again in a simple manner by removing the dirt with cleansing means, without the light reflecting material being damaged or getting detached. Moreover the provision according to the invention can be made easily, almost without additional actions. Furthermore because of the position within the contours of the actual shoe, a reflecting activity can be realised on any one place along the circumference, also there where a lot of wear and tear can be expected, such as in the nose. It is also possible in the method according to the invention to obtain a safety shoe which complies with the current standards for such shoes.

[0011] With the safety shoe or safety boot according to the present invention is meant footwear which complies with the current standards regarding safety and protection, for use in industry, such as for instance the chemical processing industry, but also footwear for the fire brigade, police and the like. Such shoes or boots are provided with reinforced noses, for instance by using steel reinforcements.

[0012] Safety shoes according to the invention are deemed to comply with the current standards. In that respect CE-standards EN 344 and EN 345 are mentioned. If so desired these shoes or boots also have to be able to comply with specific demands with regard to specific use. The CE-standards 346 and EN 347 are mentioned in this respect. Safety shoes according to the invention are also deemed to comply with the demands of European Directive EEC/89/686 regarding personal safety means. Safety shoes are also called work shoes, and as such are worn by carpenters, painters etc.

[0013] Preferably the part which is in view extends in circumferential direction of the sole. As a result a more or less horizontal strip is obtained which is in view and which strikes even more when the feet are moving.

[0014] Preferably the part which is in view extends over the entire circumference, so that the shoe may strike from all sides.

[0015] In order to reduce the possibility of soiling during use it is preferred that the part which is in view is part of the upper edge of the sole.

[0016] Preferably the layer of reflecting material forms an elevation with respect to the side of the sole. As a result the layer can be seen in the dark as a clear contour from all sides. Preferably the layer, however, remains within the largest circumference of the safety shoe, in many cases the running surface of the sole or the superstructure. As a result the layer is protected against too much wear and tear.

[0017] The part situated in view, being a part of the upper edge of the sole, can be kept limited to an area situated at the circumference. Even more simple manufacturing is realised when the part which is in view is a part of an upper surface of the sole or intermediate sole which extends over the entire sole. The comfort for the wearer is then increased when said upper layer is made of a PU material.

[0018] The layer or contour of reflecting material is preferably made such that it protrudes beyond the contour of the sole in its direct vicinity, but no further than the widest part of the sole. As a result the reflecting contour falls within the edge of the shoe.

[0019] Safety shoes according to the present invention are preferably made according to the following method. First of all a running sole is manufactured from a polyurethane in an injection moulding mould. A polymer is inserted into the mould to that end. Said polymer can for instance be a polyurethane, which is inserted into the mould in the form of a blend of amongst others a polyol and a isocyanate hardening agent. It is preferred then that the components do not contact each other until they are inserted into the mould. Preferably a polyurethane is used which after curing gives a micro cell structure. Possibly the running surface of the sole can be provided with a rubber profile part which is embedded in the polyurethane sole.

[0020] After manufacturing the running sole, the superstructure of the shoe preferably is brought into the correct position above the sole in a such a manner that a space is left between the running sole and the superstructure of the shoe. Subsequently said intermediate space is filled with a polymer blend to which additives are added which ensure a fluorescent, phosphorescent or light reflecting activity. The polymer blend can for instance be polyurethane, in which during the application a polyol and a isocyanate hardening agent are brought into contact. It is of course also possible to make a shoe according to the invention in other ways in which the reflecting layer substantially extends over the entire surface of the sole and forms a continuous layer.

[0021] It is preferred when the reflecting layer and the rest of the sole are formed as one unity. As a result the sole then is wear and tear proof as a whole and is able to comply with the strictest standards in the field of safety footwear.

[0022] Further characteristics of the invention are subject of the claims, which should be deemed inserted here.

[0023] The invention will now be elucidated on the basis of a number of exemplary embodiments shown in the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a work shoe according to the invention provided with a luminescent contour;

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the shoe of figure 1; and

Figure 3 shows a cross-section of another possible embodiment of the shoe according to the invention.

[0024] Figure 1 shows a work shoe 1 consisting of a sole 2, on which along the edge of the sole 2 the superstructure 3 is arranged. On those locations where the superstructure 3 is attached to the sole, an contour 4 is present along the entire circumference of the shoe.

[0025] Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the shoe of figure 1. On the sole 2 an intermediate sole 5 of which the contour 4 is a part, is arranged, which intermediate sole 5 is made of a material consisting of a blend of polyurethane and one or more colorants, which colorants have light reflecting properties in the dark, which can both be fluorescent or phosphorescent. The intermediate sole 5 can be formed as one unity with the running sole 2.

[0026] Figure 3 shows a cross-section through an alternative embodiment 1' of the shoe according to the invention, in which only along the circumference at the location of the transition between the superstructure 3' and the sole 2' a circumferential thick contour 4' of light reflecting material is integrally formed to the sole 2' in circumferential direction.

[0027] Alternatively the contour can be formed by a strip of material which is folded onto itself, which falls somewhat in the attachment seam of the sole with the superstructure.

Claims

1. Safety shoe or safety boot, comprising a sole and a superstructure attached to the sole, in which the sole is provided with a layer which is situated in view and at the circumference of the sole and extends over substantially the entire circumference and over substantially the entire sole and which is formed from a material blend comprising a fluorescent, phosphorescent, luminescent or reflecting material.

2. Safety shoe or safety boot according to claim 1, in which the layer is a continuous uninterrupted layer.

3. Safety shoe or safety boot according to claim 1 or 2, in which the layer forms the upper layer of the sole.

4. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims 1-3, in which the part of the layer which is in view defines an elongated surface.

5. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the layer which is in view is a part of the upper edge of the sole.

6. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the layer forms an elevation with respect to the side of the sole.

7. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the layer is situated within the largest circumference of the sole.

8. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the layer is made of polyurethane comprising material.

9. Safety shoe or safety boot according to claim 8, in which the sole further comprises a running surface of a rubber material.

10. Safety shoe or safety boot, consisting of a sole and a superstructure attached to the sole in which along the entire circumference of the shoe near the attachment contour of the sole with the superstructure, a contour protrudes to the outside, which is made from a blend of materials, of which one of the materials has fluorescent, phosphorescent or light reflecting capacities or has a combination of these capacities.

11. Safety shoe or safety boot according to claim 10, in which the contour which protrudes to the outside is made of polyurethane, to which a material is added which has fluorescent, phosphorescent or light reflecting capacities or has a combination of these capacities.

12. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the contour which protrudes to the outside is the contour of the intermediate sole, which covers substantially the entire walking sole.

13. Safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims 10-12, in which the contour which protrudes to the outside consists of a strip of material which is attached near the edge of the shoe between the sole and the superstructure.

14. Method for manufacturing a safety shoe or safety boot according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a synthetic running sole is made, a superstructure is arranged over the running sole wherein an intermediate space is left between the running sole and the superstructure, and the intermediate space is subsequently filled with a polymer blend comprising a fluorescent, phosphorescent, lighting or reflecting material.

Drawing