Ankle support designed to maintain proper integral boot fit

Abstract

A bunker style pull-on boot comprises a special ankle support designed to conform to the natural curvature of the human foot. The support wraps around the entire back half of the ankle area. As an integral part of the boot, it provides a grasp of the entire ankle area to securely anchor the foot into the boot to prevent heel lift when walking or running.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 557,685 filed on Mar. 31, 2004BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to footwear and, more particularly, to a system to limit up and down movement of the heel in pull-on boots having no harnessing systems. [0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0005] Traditionally, rubber or synthetic rubber has dominated firefighter footwear boots in the style commonly referred to as “bunker style”. This styling is a pull-on and does not make use of any harnessing system such as laces or zippers. The reason for this popular style is that firefighters, responding to an emergency call, do not have time to lace up boots. The notion of pull-on remains embedded with over 80% of the market. By convention, leather (or synthetic fabric) boots for the fire service provide the same styling. Given the nature of these materials, they cannot be manufactured...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] It is an aim of the present invention to apply ankle support technology to pull-on leather (or synthetic fabric) boots such as those used by firefighters so that they may continue wearing pull-on boot without any harnessing system and feel secure that the boot will not come off or lift from the heel when walking, running or suspended.

[0012] It is another object of the present invention to further apply the ankle support technology to lace-up leather (or synthetic fabric) boots for enhancing foot anchoring particularly as laces loosen over time. Lace-up boots used by military, police, medical and USAR first responders as well as some firefighters are typically provided with a secondary zipper harnessing system. It is understood that emergency responders will not have the time to lace up the boot over time they slip into them. The zipper accommodates this need by allowing them fast entry and exit from the boot. Over time, the laces will have a tendency to loosen and while commonly accepted that a re-tightening of the laces should be done periodically, it cannot be expected. The ankle support technology will act as a safety backup by ensuring the foot remains well anchored regardless of the fact that the laces may be loose.

Problems solved by technology

Over time, the laces will have a tendency to loosen and while commonly accepted that a re-tightening of the laces should be done periodically, it cannot be expected.

Images