Soft step top lift for shoes and method thereof

a technology of step top lift and shoe, which is applied in the direction of uppers, fastenings, insoles, etc., can solve the problems of affecting the wear resistance of the top lift member, and achieve the effect of enhancing the abrasion resistance properties and superioring the coefficient of friction or slip resistan

Inactive Publication Date: 2010-11-25
BROWN SHOE
View PDF8 Cites 3 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]In one aspect of the present invention, a method of making a shoe top lift member using carbon powder as a filler is disclosed. The carbon powder is added to an elastomer to form a filled elastomer. The filled elastomer is then formed into a top lift member for a shoe by using an injection molding process. The elastomer is generally a relatively soft thermoplastic polyurethane material which provides a superior coefficient of friction or slip resistance when injection molded to form the top lift member. The filler material of carbon powder is provided to enhance abrasion resistance properties. The top lift member, once formed, is then attached to the shoe heel.
[0010]The top lift member comprised of a thermoplastic elastomer and carbon powder as a filler has better non-slip characteristics; it provides better abrasive resistance properties; and it yields improved physical characteristics over previous top lift members.

Problems solved by technology

The top lift members typically wear out faster and then the shoes are either thrown away or taken to a shoe repair shop for replacement of the top lift members.

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Soft step top lift for shoes and method thereof
  • Soft step top lift for shoes and method thereof
  • Soft step top lift for shoes and method thereof

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0016]As illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention provides a shoe 1 having a top lift member 10 attached to a shoe heel 12. The shoe 1 generally comprises a shoe upper and a sole assembly attached to the shoe upper. The sole assembly generally includes an insole, a midsole and an outsole having three sections, namely, a forefoot section, a midsection and a heel 12 which is attached to the sole at its heel seat. The heel 12 includes a rigid heel block 14 and a top lift member 10 located therebeneath.

[0017]The top lift member 10 of the present invention includes a base 16 having a top surface (not shown), a bottom surface 18 and a peripheral side wall 20. The top lift member 10, like the forefoot of the sole, contacts the surface over which the wearer walks. In one embodiment, the base 16 includes outer stability ridges 22 disposed on the bottom surface18 to enhance traction and stability. The peripheral side wall 20 conforms to the exterior surface of the heel block 14 and the...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

PropertyMeasurementUnit
Fractionaaaaaaaaaa
Percent by massaaaaaaaaaa
Sizeaaaaaaaaaa
Login to View More

Abstract

A soft top lift member for a shoe heel wherein the top lift member is made by mixing a filler carbon material with a thermoplastic elastomer to form a filled elastomer. The filled elastomer is then formed into a top lift member for a shoe heel by using an injection molding process. The top lift member is then attached to a shoe heel. The thermoplastic elastomer can be a relatively soft thermoplastic polyurethane material and the carbon material can be a carbon powder. The filler or carbon powder is provided to enhance abrasion resistance properties.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 61 / 180,118, filed on May 20, 2009, entitled SOFT STEP TOP LIFT FOR SHOES AND METHOD THEREOF, which application is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by law.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to a top lift member for a shoe heel and, more particularly, to a soft step top lift member for a shoe made by mixing carbon powder material in combination with various thermoplastic materials.[0003]A shoe top lift assembly is the bottom-most part of a shoe's heel which comes into contact with the ground during walking. A top lift member can be used on a wide variety of shoes and includes a member having a bottom surface which comes into contact with the ground surface.[0004]The top lift members typically wear out faster and then the shoes are either thrown away or taken to a shoe repair shop for r...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
IPC IPC(8): A43B21/24
CPCA43B21/20A43C13/00A43B21/42
InventorSHELTON, DUANEDOERER, DANIEL M.
OwnerBROWN SHOE