Shoe made from a sock and a reinforcing structure

Abstract

The invention relates to a shoe comprising, from the interior of the shoe, a first flexible textile layer (10, 16) forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure (3) in which the textile layer is disposed and to which it is secured using securing means.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a shoe, or more generally, to an item of footwear.

[0002] The production of a shoe, whatever its shape, requires the use of numerous parts, in the order of several dozen, sometimes up to 45, and the completion of numerous stages of assembly, gluing, and holding all these parts together.

[0003] A shoe according to the preamble of claim 1 is disclosed in US 2012 / 0011744.

[0004] Assembling a shoe is therefore a time-consuming process, requiring specific, heavy and expensive tools.

[0005] A new shoe or footwear structure is proposed, as well as a production method for producing a shoe or footwear article.

[0006] To this end, a textile part is first proposed comprising a sock foot, a first heel, a first upper, a second heel, arranged at the top of said upper, and a second upper, in the extension of the second heel. For example, the second upper is seamlessly connected to the first upper.

[0007] An opening can be made in the second rod, in order to create a passage for one or more lacing cords.

[0008] The invention also relates to a shoe according to claim 1 comprising, from the inside of the shoe, a first flexible textile layer, forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure in which the textile layer is arranged and to which it is fixed by fixing means.

[0009] The textile layer can be arranged: in a removable manner relative to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected by means such as clips, buttons, self-gripping surfaces, or others; or in an irremovable manner relative to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected for example by gluing, heat-sealing or any other means.

[0010] The shoe further comprises a second textile layer, the reinforcing structure being arranged between the first textile layer and the second textile layer.

[0011] The second textile layer is made in continuity with the first textile layer, without any seams to connect the first and second.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the reinforcement structure comprises at least one sole and lateral reinforcement elements.

[0013] This reinforcement structure may further comprise at least one front stop element and / or a buttress-forming element.

[0014] The reinforcement structure can be flexible, for example it is made of a fiber-based material.

[0015] The sock is a piece of textile as already described above.

[0016] The reinforcement structure is fixed to the sock in a permanent manner, for example by gluing, heat sealing, or other means.

[0017] Alternatively, the attachment of the reinforcing structure to the sock is carried out in a removable manner, by means such as clips, buttons, self-gripping surfaces, or other.

[0018] According to one embodiment, which allows adaptation of the reinforcement structure during the actual production of the shoe, this reinforcement structure comprises a first part and a second part, which are, before attachment to the sock, movable relative to each other, so as to adjust the reinforcement structure to the shape of the foot.

[0019] Whatever the embodiment envisaged, at least part of the textile material used may have one or more physical and / or chemical properties giving it an anti-odor, fungicidal, moisture absorption, skin healing, waterproofing or water repellency, resistance to the intrusion of a foreign body, abrasion resistance, elasticity, or other function.

[0020] At least two areas of the textile material may have one or more different physical or chemical properties, for example at least two areas of the textile material may be areas of different impermeability. THE figures 1A et 1B represent a textile piece, or sock, which can be implemented within the framework of the present invention. The figures 2A-2C illustrate the stages of production of a part of the type shown in figures 1A- 1B . THE figures 3A-3E represent various embodiments of reinforcing means, which can be implemented within the framework of the present invention. The figures 4A et 4B represent a preform, on which a shoe according to the invention can be made. The figures 5A et 5B represent a first step of an embodiment of a method according to an exemplary embodiment. The figures 6A et 6B represent a second step of an embodiment of a method according to an exemplary embodiment. The figures 7A-7B represent a second step of an embodiment of an exemplary method, The figure 8 represents another example of a shoe obtained by a process according to an exemplary embodiment, The figures 9A-9B represent steps of another example of a method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0021] We first describe the production of a textile part 2, which can be used in the production of a footwear element.

[0022] This part is represented schematically in figures 1A et 1B .

[0023] It comprises a first part, forming a sock foot 10, provided with an end 12 and its heel 14. This foot is extended by a rod 16. These elements 10, 12, 14, 16 constitute the usual structure of a sock. But, in the sock used here, the rod 16 is extended by a second heel 18, then by a second rod 20, which has a final opening 22. This part, when it is placed on a flat surface, as in figure 1A , has a roughly “U” shape.

[0024] An opening 21 may be provided in the second rod 20, in order to allow cords forming laces to pass through.

[0025] The whole is, substantially, symmetrical with respect to a plane C-C', the trace of which can be seen on the figure 1B , and which is substantially perpendicular to the axis of the rod 16. The symmetry does not concern the end 12 and the opening 22.

[0026] We describe, in connection with the figures 2A-2C , steps of a method for producing an element as described above in connection with the figures 1A et 1B .

[0027] On a 5 cylinder ( figure 2A ), a textile piece 1 is produced, for example by knitting, weaving or braiding, of substantially cylindrical shape, and the diameter of which corresponds substantially to the diameter of the rod 16.

[0028] When part 1 is finished, it is removed from support 5 and we produce ( figure 2B ) two notches or cutouts 4, 8 in it, in order to position the heels 14, 18 there. On the figure 2B we can already see opening 22 which will complete element 10.

[0029] The cutouts 4, 8 make it possible to separate the ends of the textile piece 1 relative to its cylindrical axis of symmetry X, X'.

[0030] We can then ( figure 2C ) come to fix, in the openings made from the notches 4, 8, portions of textile 14, 18 forming the heels, as well as a portion 12 forming the end of the foot of the sock. We thus obtain an element of the type described above in connection with the figures 1A et 1B .

[0031] The textile used for part 2 and the method described above may be uniform for the entire sock. This textile may have one or more specific physical and / or chemical properties, in order to integrate certain functions. For example, it may have a composition and / or include means for performing one or more of the following functions: anti-odor, fungicide, moisture absorption, skin healing, waterproofing or water repellency (property of being waterproof up to a certain point), resistance to the intrusion of a foreign body, abrasion resistance, elasticity.

[0032] Furthermore, one or more of these properties may relate only to one or more localized parts of the sock. For example, one part may have properties enabling it to resist intrusion by a foreign body, which may not be necessary on other parts. For example, one part may have a certain impermeability, which may not be necessary on another part.

[0033] Therefore, the textile used for part 2 and for the above process may be uniform, have specific local, physical and / or chemical properties, in order to integrate one or more of the above functions.

[0034] We now describe, in connection with the figures 3A-3E , various embodiments of a reinforcement structure 3 which can be used in the production of a shoe or a footwear element according to the invention.

[0035] Each of these various examples is made of a fiber-based material, for example a polyamide, a polyurethane or any equivalent material, and is intended to form part of the sole and the lateral reinforcement means of the shoe. The structure 3 may, in a non-limiting manner, be obtained by molding a thermoplastic elastomer material, or be obtained by any technique known to those skilled in the art.

[0036] So, in figure 3A , we see a first example of such a reinforcing element 3, comprising a flexible part forming a sole 30, delimited by edges 30', 30", and lateral reinforcing elements 31-36 of which a first end is fixed to one of the edges 30', 30" of the sole 30, while the other end may comprise means 31a-36a forming loops into which one or more straps or cords 37 can be introduced, intended to form one or more laces, for example of the type ending in a tightening element 39, as seen in figure 3C . Each of the lateral reinforcing elements preferably has a shape as illustrated in the figure 3A , which extends away from the end which is opposite the corresponding edge 30, 30' of the sole 30 to that which is directly connected to the edge of the sole. This shape allows for a more effective means of reinforcement in the lateral areas.

[0037] The sole 30, due to its constitution in the form of a thin layer of fibers, is flexible, preferably in two directions, one perpendicular to the axis of the foot, and the other along this same axis. This results in increased adaptability for the following stages.

[0038] In the embodiment of the figure 3A , the sole 30 is flat and is not limited in its front part or in its rear part. It therefore does not delimit any end zone of the foot, nor any zone forming a buttress for the foot.

[0039] The embodiment shown in figure 3B includes all the elements described above in connection with the figure 3A (for this reason, these elements will not be re-described), but also comprises, at the front end of the sole, an element 40 forming a stop and delimiting the extreme position of the front of the foot. As with the previous embodiment, this reinforcing element does not comprise any limitation in the rear area of ​​the foot, and in particular no element defining a counterfort. This front element 40 consists of a strip, also made of a fiber-based material, arranged substantially perpendicular to the plane defined by the sole.

[0040] The method of realization of the figure 3C comprises, at the same time, a zone 40 delimiting the extreme position of the front of the foot, but also a rear zone 42 forming a buttress, and connected to at least part of the reinforcement elements 31-36 by layers of lateral fibers 43, 43' which, while retaining a certain flexibility, will nevertheless bring to the rear part a certain hold or rigidity. The other elements represented on this figure 3C being identical or similar to those already described above in connection with the figures 3A And 3B .

[0041] The method of realization of the figure 3D is a variant of that of the figure 3C . A structure comprising lateral reinforcement means, a front stop 40 of the foot, and a rear buttress 42 is again produced, but, this time, in two parts, by combining, on the one hand, the structure of the figure 3A , and on the other hand, the structure represented in figure 3E The latter comprises a part 30a forming a sole, a front stop 40, a rear part 42 forming a buttress, and lateral elements also forming a means of reinforcement, in the form of layers of lateral fibers 43a, 43a'. In this part can be introduced the structure of the figure 3A , until, for example, the front edge of the sole 30 of the latter comes into contact with the inner surface of the front stop 40. The reverse assembly can also be carried out, in which it is the structure of the figure 3E which is introduced into the structure of the figure 3A , until the upper parts of the reinforcing elements 31-34 of the latter substantially coincide with respective portions of the edges 430, 430' of the lateral fibrous sheets 43a, 43'a.

[0042] We will now describe how a shoe can be made from the different elements that have already been described above.

[0043] To do this, a shape, or preform, is used, such as the solid shape 50 shown in front view and in side view, respectively in figures 4A et 4B This shape reproduces the contours of a foot.

[0044] On this form, we can put on the textile element of the figures 1A et 1B , to obtain the intermediate element represented in figures 5A et 5B : the front end portion 12 of the sock comes into contact with the front of the foot, the portion 10 covers the foot itself, the portion 14 comes into contact with the heel, and the upper 16 surrounds the ankle, the second heel 18 being in contact with the rear upper portion of the latter. The assembly is extended by the second upper 20.

[0045] On this set, we position one of the reinforcement elements of the figures 3A-3E : here we have chosen the composite element of the figure 3D The front part of the foot of the last 50 (provided with the sock) is positioned against the inner surface of the front stop 40, and the counter 48 is positioned against the rear of the heel of the last 50. Given the flexibility of the fiber-based material constituting the reinforcing elements thus positioned, the latter can be adapted to the shape defined by the solid element 50. In addition, the structure of the reinforcing means of the figure 3D has an advantage in that the two parts, front and rear, can possibly slide relative to each other, thus allowing adaptation of the reinforcement structure to the size defined by the shape 50.

[0046] As seen on the figures 6A et 6B , the opening 21, made in the second upper 20 of the sock, allows the cord(s) to be inserted into the inside of the sock which will subsequently allow the shoe to be closed.

[0047] These two elements, the textile sock and the reinforcing element, can be assembled, for example by gluing, the assembly thus forming a non-reversible structure. Alternatively, the assembly can be subjected to a heating step, in order to achieve a fusion of the material of the reinforcing structure and the material of the sock 10.

[0048] Alternatively, the textile sock and the reinforcing element may be assembled in a reversible manner. For example, the surfaces to be assembled with each other are connected by means such as clipping, buttoning, or the use of self-gripping surfaces, such as “Velcro®”, arranged in the areas intended to come into contact with each other.

[0049] In a later step, and as illustrated in figure 7A et 7B , the part forming the second upper 20 can then be brought back onto the foot, this step requiring only simple manipulation by an operator. The latter grasps the edges of the end opening 22 of the sock, and pulls the part forming the second upper 20, progressively, on the one hand onto the upper part of the foot and, on the other hand, onto the area forming the sole.

[0050] The operator gradually continues this operation until the opening 22 reaches the front end of the sock, to form an assembly such as that shown in figure 7C The second heel 18 then covers the first heel 14, which is located in the first textile layer, in contact with the form 50. The cord 37 and its tightening means 39 remain accessible through the opening 21.

[0051] It is still possible to strengthen the assembly thus obtained, by adding another layer of reinforcement, that is to say by introducing the structure of the figure 7C in a second reinforcing structure, of one of the types already described above in connection with the figures 3A-3E .

[0052] This has produced a footwear article which can, if necessary, be completed with a sole 52, for example by gluing, which is more robust than the part 30 of fiber-based material of the reinforcing element (see figure 8 ).

[0053] The resulting assembly, with or without sole 52, is extremely light, since it comprises only two textile layers and one or more reinforcing elements made of fiber material, which is / are very thin and very light. This structure therefore comprises two “skins” between which one or more reinforcing elements are arranged.

[0054] As you can see from the description of the operations, they do not involve any sewing steps, nor any delicate positioning of pieces relative to each other. It is therefore possible to make a piece of footwear, or a shoe, very simply, very quickly, and very economically.

[0055] Examples of embodiments given above use a sock of the type described in connection with the figures 1A et 1B , that is to say with two rods 16, 20.

[0056] In another example of embodiment, illustrated in figure 9A et 9B , we use a simple sock, with a single rod 16. This sock is slipped onto the last 50 of the figures 4A et 4B . Then, as in the stage of figures 6A et 6B , a reinforcement structure is applied to the assembly, for example of the type of one of those described above in connection with the figures 3A-3E The textile element and the reinforcing element(s) are then assembled, either permanently (for example by gluing and / or heating) or reversibly, for example by means such as clipping, buttoning, or by using self-gripping surfaces, such as “Velcro ®”, arranged in the areas intended to come into contact with each other.

[0057] We then obtain the structure of the figure 9B , which can be completed by a sole 52, such as that presented in figure 8 .

[0058] For this other embodiment, it is also possible to use, as the textile material of the sock, a material having one or more physical and / or chemical properties, in order to give it one of the functions already mentioned above. Furthermore, this or these properties may be homogeneous over the entire textile material, or localized to only one part of it.

[0059] We have seen that the textile piece 2 is manufactured in one piece, in the sense that the first part and the second part are manufactured in direct continuity with each other.

Claims

1. Shoe having, from the inside of the shoe, a first flexible textile layer (10, 16), forming a sock, and a reinforcing structure (3) in which the textile layer is disposed and to which it is secured by securing means, the shoe also having a second textile layer (20), the reinforcing structure being disposed between the first textile layer (10, 16) and the second textile layer (20), characterized in that the second textile layer (20) is realized in continuation of the first textile layer (10, 16), without a seam for joining the first and the second.

2. Shoe according to Claim 1, wherein the textile layer is disposed in a removable manner with respect to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected by means of the clip-fastening type, buttoning type, touch-and-close surfaces type, or the like.

3. Shoe according to Claim 1, wherein the textile layer is disposed in a non-removable manner with respect to the reinforcing structure, to which it is connected by adhesive bonding or thermal bonding.

4. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing structure has at least one sole (30) and lateral reinforcing elements (31-36).

5. Shoe according to the preceding claim, wherein the reinforcing structure also has at least one front stop element (40) and an element forming a counter (42).

6. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein the reinforcing structure is flexible.

7. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the reinforcing structure is made of a fibre-based material.

8. Shoe according to one of Claims 1 to 7, wherein at least a part of the textile material of the first textile layer (10, 16) and / or of the second textile layer (20) has one or more physical and / or chemical properties which confer an anti-odour function, a fungicidal function, a moisture-absorbent function, a skin-healing function, an impermeability or water-repellent function, a function of resisting the ingress of a foreign body, an abrasion-resistant function, an elasticity function, or the like.

9. Shoe according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two regions of the textile material have one or more different physical or chemical properties.

10. Shoe according to the preceding claim, wherein at least two regions of the textile material are regions of different impermeability.

Images