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EP 1 946 661 B1 |
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EUROPEAN PATENT SPECIFICATION |
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Mention of the grant of the patent: |
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09.04.2014 Bulletin 2014/15 |
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Date of filing: 02.08.2006 |
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International Patent Classification (IPC):
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An article of footwear
Schuhwerk
Chaussure
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Designated Contracting States: |
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AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC NL PL PT RO SE
SI SK TR |
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Priority: |
04.08.2005 GB 0516023
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Date of publication of application: |
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23.07.2008 Bulletin 2008/30 |
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Application number of the earlier application in accordance with Art. 76 EPC: |
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06118341.4 / 1749454 |
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Proprietor: C & J CLARK INTERNATIONAL LIMITED |
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Street Somerset, BA 16 0EQ (GB) |
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Inventor: |
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- Towns, Chris
Taunton, Somerset TA3 7SA (GB)
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Representative: Marles, Alan David et al |
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Stevens Hewlett & Perkins
1 St Augustine's Place Bristol BS1 4UD Bristol BS1 4UD (GB) |
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References cited: :
DE-C- 456 185 US-A- 5 765 296
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US-A- 3 388 486 US-A1- 2005 115 112
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Note: Within nine months from the publication of the mention of the grant of the European
patent, any person may give notice to the European Patent Office of opposition to
the European patent
granted. Notice of opposition shall be filed in a written reasoned statement. It shall
not be deemed to
have been filed until the opposition fee has been paid. (Art. 99(1) European Patent
Convention).
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[0001] The present invention relates to articles of footwear, in particular to a sandal.
[0002] According to the present invention there is provided a sandal as disclosed by claim
1.
[0003] A preferred feature is that the two ends of the cord are secured to the article of
footwear or the cord is a continuous loop. More than one cord can be provided in each
article of footwear.
[0004] With some articles of footwear, the first and second upper sections are secured to
a flexible, stretchable inner material which is disposed behind the alternating tabs
and sometimes the inner material lines the whole interior of the upper.
[0005] In some embodiments the cord extends along the main toe joint area of the upper and/or
the cord extends along both sides of the article of footwear to below the ankle area
of the upper and/or the cord extends around the heel of the upper.
[0006] With a further embodiment the cord extends in an upward direction at the heel or
at the ankle of the article of footwear. In another embodiment the cord extends in
a U-shape around or in two lines on either side of the primary fastening means, beginning
and ending at the foot opening part of the article of footwear.
[0007] Conveniently the second section is secured to and extends from the sole. Sometimes
the first and second sections are connected only by virtue of the cord interengagement.
[0008] Usually the primary fastening means is constituted by one of the following group:
laces, Velcro (TM), buckle, zip, magnetic clasp, toggle, plastic moulded fastener.
[0009] DE 456 185 C discloses a footwear, wherein the upper and the sole are connected by means of a
cord.
[0010] It has been found that the flexure system creates a flexible expansion area within
the upper of the shoe/boot or sandal that reduces pressure on to the foot. The elasticated
cord also ensures that the separate upper portions are centered again after flex or
distortion. With reduced pressure from the upper, the foot can move and expand more
freely inside the shoe enhancing the user's perception of comfort. One benefit in
some constructions is the ability to evenly distribute material around the foot rather
than allowing the upper material to buckle randomly, as in a conventional shoe construction,
resulting in an inverted crease which concentrates more pressure on the foot at the
point of the flex.
[0011] The applicants have created an independent in-house comfort test, called D.P.M. (Dynamic
Performance Measure), which utilises various laboratory equipment including advanced
pressure sensing software and a digital shock absorption tester. This testing facility
enables the applicant to record and improve comfort in their shoes as well as to bench
mark "comfort" alongside other shoes. In tests of various embodiments of the present
invention the use of the flexure system, together with conventional fastening means,
has clearly improved comfort. In particular, in some embodiments of the present invention
the pressure under the user's foot is reduced because the upper is able to expand,
allowing no pressure on top of the foot and resulting in more comfortable footwear.
[0012] Various embodiments of the present invention will now be described in more detail.
The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a shoe not according to the present invention,
Figure 2 is a detailed perspective view of a part of the figure 1 shoe,
Figure 3 is a cross section on line III-III of figure 2,
Figure 4 is a side view of an alternative shoe not according to the present invention,
Figure 5 is a perspective view of part of another shoe not according to the present
invention,
Figure 6 is a rear perspective view of part of another shoe not according to the present
invention,
Figure 7 is a plan view of a further shoe not according to the present invention,
Figure 8 is a plan view of a still further shoe not according to the present invention,
Figure 9 is a side view of a further alternative shoe not according to the present
invention,
Figure 10 is a perspective view of a sandal according to the present invention,
Figure 11 is a side view of a boot not according to the present invention,
Figure 12 is a perspective view of another boot not according to the present invention,
Figure 13 is a perspective view of a further boot not according to the present invention,
and
Figure 14 is a rear view of the figure 13 boot.
[0013] Figure 1 shows a shoe 10 not embodying the present invention and figures 2 and 3
illustrate detailed features. The shoe 10 has a sole 11, an upper 12 and a conventional
shoe fastening means 13, utilisation of which enables the wearer to put on and take
off the shoe. In the shoe of figure 1, the fastening means comprises laces but it
will be appreciated that many other fastening means could be substituted, for example
Velcro (TM) straps, buckles, clasps, zips, toggle fastenings, magnetic clasps, plastic
moulded fastener.
[0014] Extending partially around the shoe 10 is an elongate, elasticated cord 14 which
extends from below the ankle area, along one side of the shoe towards the toe area
and then back along the other side of the shoe to below the ankle area on the other
side of the shoe 10. Both ends of the cord 14 are secured to the shoe 10, for example
by stitching to the upper 12 or to the sole 11. In the toe region, the cord 14 ideally
follows a line corresponding to the main toe joints of the wearer (not shown) for
reasons that will become apparent.
[0015] The fore part of the upper 12 is separated into two sections, a first or upper section
15 which in this embodiment incorporates the fastening means 13 and a second or lower
section 16 which in this embodiment extends from the sole 11 of the shoe 10. The two
sections 15, 16 are interconnected by means of the elasticated cord 14. The upper
section 15 has a number of spaced first tabs 17 which extend towards the lower section
16. Each tab 17 is looped around the cord 14 and is secured to itself by means of
stitching 18 to form a sleeve through which the cord extends. This is shown clearly
in figure 3. Interposed between the first tabs 17 are a series of spaced second tabs
19 which extend from the lower section 16 towards the upper section 15. Again, each
second tab 19 is looped around the cord 14 and is secured to itself by stitching 18
to form another cord receiving sleeve. It will be appreciated that the stitching could
be replaced by some other securing means such as a rivet or glue or the cord receiving
sleeve could take a different form and could be a separate element secured to the
first or second sections 15, 16. Figure 8, described later, shows an alternative.
[0016] It will be seen from figure 1 that the first and second tabs 17, 19 alternate in
an interlocking manner and precise machining can minimise the gaps between the first
and second upper sections 15, 16. In some embodiments, and as shown in figures 1 to
3 the cord area at least is lined with a stretchable, flexible material 20 which is
secured to the inside of the upper 12. The stretchable material 20 could be a backing
just for the cord area of the shoe 10 or could be a backing for other areas, even
a backing for the entire upper 12.
[0017] The two-section form of the fore part of the upper 12, coupled with the cord 14,
enable an extra degree of flexing and expansion caused by relative movement between
the first and second sections 15, 16. This relative movement is facilitated by the
elasticated cord 14, the resilience of which tends to return the shoe 10 to its original
shape after flexing. It will be appreciated that in the toe joint area, the relative
movement of the two sections 15, 16 makes it easier to bend the shoe in this important
area and can act to reduce the tendency for a section of creased leather to press
against the wearer's foot during the walking action. The potential for relative movement
also accommodates swelling of the feet due to temperature change or due to flying
or due to size fluctuations throughout the day.
[0018] Figure 4 shows a shoe 10 which is similar in many respects to that shown in figure
1 except that the ends of the cord 14 extend rearwardly beyond the ankle to the heel
region so as to provide a flexure line 360° around the shoe. The shoe 10 in figure
4 also shows an alternative fastening means 13 in the form of two straps 22 secured
with Velcro (TM) for example.
[0019] In figure 5 the cord 14 extends in a generally upright direction from the sole 11
to the edge of the foot opening below the ankle. The first and second sections 15,
16 are therefore more like forward and rearward sections with interlocking tabs 17,
19 but again the arrangement provides an extra degree of flexing and expansion. Again,
with this embodiment there is provided a conventional shoe fastening means at 13,
such as laces, although no detail is shown.
[0020] Similarly, in figure 6 the cord 14 is provided in a generally vertical orientation
at the rear heel seam of the shoe 10 such that the two sections 15, 16 could be regarded
as left and right sections. It will be clear that again the shoe 10 benefits from
an extra degree of flexibility and expansion. In this embodiment the fastening means
13 are not visible due to the angle of the view.
[0021] The arrangement of figure 7 is similar in some respects to that shown in figure 1
except that the U-shaped path of the cord 14 is much closer to the conventional shoe
fastening means 13 so as to define the facing of the shoe 10. The shoe 10 of figure
8 is very similar to the shoe of figure 7 except that the flexure zone is not U-shaped
but extends in two lines on either side of the fastening means 13.
[0022] The shoe 40 of figure 9 utilises the same general principles of the shoes described
above except that the cord 14 is retained differently. In shoe 40, on both sides,
there are two elasticated cords 14. Each cord 14 is in the form of an inverted V,
the apex of the V being held in a stitched conduit 41 defined between the first section
15 of the upper and the stretchable backing material 20. Ideally the first section
15 is debossed to help the cord 14 move relative to the conduit 41. The two ends of
each V-shaped cord 14 are secured relative to the second, or lower, section 16 of
the upper or the sole 11. It will be apparent that the cords enable the upper and
lower sections 15, 16 of the shoe 10 to move relative to each other, as with previously
described embodiments.
[0023] Figure 10 shows a sandal 50 according to the present invention which utilises the
same basic principles of the shoes described. The lower straps 51 of the sandal effectively
constitute the second section 16 and the upper straps 52 constitute the first section
15 of the upper, the straps 51, 52 terminating with the tabs 17, 19 which loop around
the elasticated cord 14. Again, conventional fastening means 13 is provided in the
form of a Velcro (TM) strap which enables insertion and removal of the foot.
[0024] Figure 11 shows a boot 60 which utilises similar principles to some of the other
articles of footwear described above. The boot 60 has a conventional primary fastening
means which is not shown, such as a zip or lacing on the opposite side of the boot
to that shown. The side shown incorporates a generally vertical flexure system comprising
an elasticated cord captured by interlocking forward and rearward tabs 17, 19 projecting
from the first and second sections 15, 16 of the upper 12. The cord 14 is fixed at
its upper and lower ends and the flexure system is particularly suited to expanding
to accommodate variable calf sizes.
[0025] Similarly, figure 12 shows a flexure system similar to that shown in figure 11, which
flexure system is again provided in addition to a primary fastening (again not shown).
In this embodiment, however, the flexure system describes a serpentine path instead
of the vertical path of figure 11. It will be appreciated that other shaped paths
for the flexure system would also be possible and the extent in the vertical direction
could also be varied. By way of example, in figures 13 and 14 the flexure system extends
downwardly from the top outside edge of the boot 60, curves rearwardly at its lower
end and then curves back up to the top inside edge of the boot 60. This results in
a panel in the calf area which is able to flex. A primary fastening means such as
a zip (not visible however) is also provided on the inside part of the boot upper
12 In other arrangements the flexure system could extend only in a horizontal direction,
for example around the ankle region.
1. An article of footwear comprising a sole and an upper, the article having a primary
fastening means (13) and a flexure system which is independent from the primary fastening
means and which comprises an elongate, elasticated cord (14), a first section (15)
of the upper being secured relative to the cord and an adjacent second section (16)
being secured relative to the cord such that the elasticated cord allows said first
and second sections to flex relative to each other, characterized in that said adjacent section is also constituted by said upper, said first section (15)
is secured relative to the cord by means of at least one first tab (17) and said second
section is secured relative to the cord by means of at least one oppositely disposed
second tab (19) disposed such that the first and second tabs alternate and wherein
the article of footwear is a sandal (50) and the tabs are constituted by the end parts
of straps (51, 52).
2. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 1 wherein the end of each tab of the first
upper (15) and second sections (16) loops around the cord (14) and is secured to the
tab to form a sleeve around the cord.
3. An article of footwear as claimed in claim 2 wherein there are at least two first
tabs (17).
4. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 2 or 3 wherein there are at
least two second tabs (19).
5. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the two ends
of the cord (14) are secured to the article of footwear.
6. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cord (14)
is a continuous loop.
7. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the cord (14)
extends along the main toe joint area of the upper.
8. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the cord (14)
extends along both sides of the article of footwear to below the ankle area of the
upper.
9. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the cord (14)
extends around the heel of the upper.
10. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the cord (14)
extends in a U-shape around or in two lines on either side of the primary fastening
means, beginning and ending at the foot opening part of the article of footwear.
11. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10 wherein the second
section (16) is secured to and extends from the sole.
12. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the first (15)
and second sections (16) are connected only by virtue of the cord interengagement.
13. An article of footwear as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the primary
fastening (13) means is constituted by one of the following group: laces, Velcro (TM),
buckle, zip, magnetic clasp, toggle, plastic moulded fastener.
1. Fußbekleidungsartikel, der eine Sohle und ein Oberteil aufweist, wobei der Artikel
ein primäres Befestigungsmittel (13) und ein Nachgiebigkeitssystem hat, das von dem
primären Befestigungsmittel unabhängig ist und das eine längliche elastische Schnur
(14) aufweist, wobei eine erste Partie (15) des Oberteils relativ zur Schnur befestigt
ist und eine benachbarte zweite Partie (16) relativ zur Schnur befestigt ist, so dass
die elastische Schnur zulässt, dass die genannte erste und zweite Partie relativ zueinander
nachgeben, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die genannte benachbarte Partie ebenfalls von dem genannten Oberteil gebildet wird,
die genannte erste Partie (15) relativ zur Schnur mittels wenigstens einer ersten
Lasche (17) befestigt ist und die genannte zweite Partie relativ zur Schnur mittels
wenigstens einer gegenüberliegend angeordneten zweiten Lasche (19) befestigt ist,
die so angeordnet ist, dass die ersten und zweiten Laschen abwechseln, und wobei der
Fußbekleidungsartikel eine Sandale (50) ist und die Laschen von den Endteilen von
Riemen (51, 52) gebildet werden.
2. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach Anspruch 1, bei dem das Ende jeder Lasche der ersten Oberteil-
(15) und der zweiten Partie (16) um die Schnur (14) herum gelegt und an der Lasche
befestigt ist, um eine Hülse um die Schnur zu bilden.
3. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach Anspruch 2, bei dem wenigstens zwei erste Laschen (17)
vorhanden sind.
4. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 2 oder 3, bei dem wenigstens zwei zweite
Laschen (19) vorhanden sind.
5. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die zwei Enden der
Schnur (14) an dem Fußbekleidungsartikel befestigt sind.
6. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, bei dem die Schnur (14) eine
endlose Schlaufe ist.
7. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, bei dem die Schnur (14) am
Hauptzehengelenkbereich des Oberteils entlang verläuft.
8. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, bei dem die Schnur (14) an
beiden Seiten des Fußbekleidungsartikels entlang bis unter den Knöchelbereich des
Oberteils verläuft.
9. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, bei dem die Schnur (14) um
die Ferse des Oberteils verläuft.
10. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, bei dem die Schnur (14) in
einer U-Form um die oder in zwei Linien auf beiden Seiten des primären Befestigungsmittels
(13) verläuft, wobei sie am Fußöffnungsteil des Fußbekleidungsartikels anfängt und
endet.
11. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 10, bei dem die zweite Partie
(16) an der Sohle (11) befestigt ist und sich ab dieser erstreckt.
12. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 11, bei dem die erste (15) und
die zweite Partie (16) nur durch den Eingriff der Schnur miteinander verbunden sind.
13. Fußbekleidungsartikel nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 12, bei dem das primäre Befestigungsmittel
(13) von einem aus der folgenden Gruppe gebildet wird: Schnürsenkel, Velcro(TM)-Klettverschluss,
Schnalle, Reißverschluss, magnetische Schließe, Knebelverschluss, geformtes Kunststoffbefestigungselement.
1. Article chaussant comprenant une semelle et une tige, l'article ayant un moyen d'attache
primaire (13) et un système de flexion qui est indépendant du moyen d'attache primaire
et qui comprend un cordon élastique allongé (14), une première section (15) de la
tige étant fixée par rapport au cordon et une deuxième section adjacente (16) étant
fixée par rapport au cordon de sorte que le cordon élastique permet aux dites première
et deuxième sections de fléchir l'une par rapport à l'autre, caractérisé en ce que ladite section adjacente est également constituée par ladite tige, ladite première
section (15) est fixée par rapport au cordon au moyen d'un moins une première languette
(17) et ladite deuxième section est fixée par rapport au cordon au moyen d'au moins
une deuxième languette (19) disposée à l'opposé, disposée de sorte que la première
et la deuxième languettes s'alternent et dans lequel l'article chaussant est une sandale
(50) et les languettes sont constituées par les parties d'extrémité des brides (51,
52).
2. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué à la revendication 1, dans lequel l'extrémité
de chaque languette de la première (15) et la deuxième (16) sections de tige fait
une boucle autour du cordon (14) et est fixée à la languette pour former un manchon
autour du cordon.
3. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué à la revendication 2, dans lequel il y a au moins
deux premières languettes (17).
4. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 2 ou
3, dans lequel il y a au moins deux deuxièmes languettes (19).
5. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
4, dans lequel les deux extrémités du cordon (14) sont fixées à l'article chaussant.
6. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
4, dans lequel le cordon (14) est une boucle continue.
7. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
6, dans lequel le cordon (14) s'étend le long de la région principale d'articulation
des orteils de la tige.
8. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
7, dans lequel le cordon (14) s'étend le long des deux côtés de l'article chaussant
jusqu'en dessous de la région de cheville de la tige.
9. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
8, dans lequel le cordon (14) s'étend autour du talon de la tige.
10. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
9, dans lequel le cordon (14) s'étend en une forme de U autour ou en deux lignes de
chaque côté du moyen d'attache primaire, commençant et se terminant au niveau de la
partie d'ouverture du pied de l'article chaussant.
11. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
10, dans lequel la deuxième section (16) est fixée à et s'étend à partir de la semelle.
12. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
11, dans lequel la première (15) et la deuxième (16) sections sont raccordées uniquement
en vertu de l'engagement mutuel du cordon.
13. Article chaussant tel que revendiqué dans l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à
12, dans lequel le moyen d'attache primaire (13) est constitué d'un parmi le groupe
suivant : des lacets, du Velcro (™), une boucle, une fermeture éclair, un fermoir
magnétique, un bouton en bâtonnet, une attache moulée en plastique.
REFERENCES CITED IN THE DESCRIPTION
This list of references cited by the applicant is for the reader's convenience only.
It does not form part of the European patent document. Even though great care has
been taken in compiling the references, errors or omissions cannot be excluded and
the EPO disclaims all liability in this regard.
Patent documents cited in the description