Footwear including a metatarsal protection device

Abstract

It is described a footwear (100) comprising: an upper (2), a tongue (7) connected to the upper (2), an internal lining (4) associated with the upper (2). The footwear (100) is characterized in that it also includes a metatarsal protection device (8) placed in a region of space delimited by the internal lining (4), the upper (2) and the tongue (7) and comprising: a first layer (8a) facing the tongue (7) and the upper (2) and such as to define a first reticular-type structure including first solid areas (16) and first openings (14), a second layer (8b) arranged between the first layer (8) and the internal lining (4) and such as to define a second reticular-type structure comprising second solid areas (17) and second openings (15); wherein the first openings (14) include the following types of openings: opening partly facing a second opening (15) and partly facing a second solid areas (17), opening entirely facing a second opening (15), opening entirely facing a second solid areas (17).

Description

[0001] "Footwear including a metatarsal protection device " DESCRIPTION

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention refers to footwear and, preferably but not limitedly, to safety footwear.

[0004] STATE OF THE ART

[0005] As is known, safety footwear refers to that type of footwear designed to protect the foot during work. Work footwear may have the peculiarity of being equipped with a protective device to be placed on the metatarsal of the foot or in other parts of the foot itself to protect it from any accidental blows.

[0006] Metatarsal protection in safety footwear serves to provide additional protection to the metatarsal area of the foot, reducing the risk of injuries caused by falling heavy objects, impacts with machinery or tools, crushing or compression of the foot.

[0007] Metatarsus refers to the part of the foot skeleton between the tarsus and the toe bones, as well as the area surrounding the bones themselves.

[0008] A protective device is necessary in those work environments or situations where there is a high risk of impact or crushing on the front part of the foot. It is known that metatarsal protection can be created with different technologies, or as inserts of impact-resistant material or reinforced covers on the upper part of the footwear. It is also known that the protective device can be incorporated inside the upper of the footwear or can be external to it.

[0009] It is an important safety element for those who work in sectors such as industry, shipbuilding, construction and other professions with a high risk of accidents.

[0010] Metatarsal protections can be of two types: rigid or flexible and the choice depends on the specific needs of the job or activity being carried out. Circumstances where extremely robust protection is required, require footwears with rigid metatarsal protection, while in other cases, where flexibility and comfort is required, you can opt for footwears with flexible metatarsal protection.

[0011] At the state of the art it is known that rigid metatarsal protection devices are made of thermoplastic or thermosetting materials with very low flexibility or composite materials in glass or carbon fibre.

[0012] Furthermore, it is known at the state of the art that flexible metatarsal protective devices are made of D3O® ( https: / / it.wikipedia.org / wiki / D3o ). D3O® is known to have a transverse expansion coefficient (or Poisson's coefficient) which takes on a negative value and to be a dilating material (i.e. a non-Newtonian fluid in which the viscosity increases as the deformation rate increases) composed of elastomeric polymers. The dilating polymers of which D3O® is composed, when subjected to an impact, distribute the energy received throughout the material thanks to their elastomeric properties. This leads to a rapid hardening of the material in the event of a strong impact, but to a relative malleability and softness if handled carefully and slowly. The hardening of the material occurs in a very short time and after hardening, if the material is not subjected to further efforts, it restores its original state, so it behaves like a "shape memory material".

[0013] Furthermore, metatarsal protection devices made of PORON® are known, meaning by this material a semi-closed calibrated cell polyurethane foam with excellent elastic return which guarantees the maintenance of the structure even after compression. Generally, using these materials, protective devices are created with a mostly "closed" solid structure as the materials are very soft and with limited flexibility due to the intrinsic properties of the materials themselves.

[0014] Document US2014130371A1 describes a footwear comprising:

[0015] - an upper having top and bottom layers of material or a pocket and

[0016] - a device, interposed between said upper and lower layers or placed inside the pocket, to protect the metatarsal region of a user's foot. The device comprising a first layer of material and a second layer of material attached to said first layer and having a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the first layer.

[0017] Further to the state of the art, document US2001022039A1 is known which describes a metatarsal protection for footwear consisting of a body molded in resilient plastic material comprising a plurality of integral grooved projections protruding from a surface, forming between them a corresponding plurality of open-mouth recesses, each of which is surrounded by a single protrusion or by a plurality of these that intersect with each other. Preferably, the body is provided on the opposite surface with second protrusions, each of which is registered with a respective recess in correspondence with the first surface, and is the same in shape and size, or slightly smaller, so that by deformation the second protrusions enter in their respective recesses, increasing shock absorption.

[0018] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] The Applicant has observed that current footwear which has metatarsal protection devices does not satisfactorily combine the need for breathability with the need for flexibility of the footwear. The technical problem addressed by the present invention is to provide a footwear which has breathability properties and which, at the same time, can offer the flexibility necessary for a comfortable fit. Furthermore, according to a particular aspect, the problem of providing a footwear which has improved impact resistance properties in the metatarsal area compared to those obtainable with the known art is also addressed.

[0020] According to a first aspect, the above problem is solved by a footwear as defined by claim 1 and by preferential embodiments thereof, defined by dependent claims 2 - 14.

[0021] According to another aspect, the present invention has as its object a metatarsal protection device for footwear defined by claims 15 and 16.

[0022] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023] The present invention is described in detail below, by way of example and without limitation, with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

[0024] - figure 1 shows a sectional side view of a footwear such as, in particular, a work footwear, the front part of which includes a metatarsal protection device;

[0025] - figure 2 shows a top perspective view of a metatarsal protection device according to a first embodiment;

[0026] - figure 3 shows a lower perspective view of a metatarsal protection device according to a first embodiment;

[0027] - figure 4 shows a top perspective view of a metatarsal protection device according to a second embodiment;

[0028] - figure 5 shows a lower perspective view of a metatarsal protection device according to a second embodiment ;

[0029] - figure 6 shows an axonometric view of the metatarsal protection device according to the first embodiment in which the overlap of the reticular-type structure of a first layer or layer 8a with the reticular-type structure of a second layer or layer 8b is visible ; - figure 7 simultaneously shows a top perspective view and different sectional views of the metatarsal protection device of the first embodiment (Fig. 2, 3);

[0030] - figure 8 simultaneously shows an upper, lower and sectional perspective view along the section line B-B of the metatarsal protection device of the second embodiment (Fig. 4, 5); it is also visible that the protection device is divided into three different regions;

[0031] - figure 9 shows in schematic form the overlap of the first layer or layer 8a with a second layer or layer 8b of the metatarsal protection device.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, some particular embodiments are shown in the drawings and will be described below in detail. In this description, similar or identical elements or components will be indicated in the figures with the same identifying symbol.

[0034] Figure 1 shows a footwear 100 which is preferably a safety footwear and, in particular, a safety or protective footwear. For example, footwear 100 is a footwear suitable for use in work environments where there are risks to the safety of the feet as can happen, for example, in the manufacturing industry, shipbuilding, construction, in mining or underground working environments, in the logistics, transport and goods handling sectors, in the energy industry and in all other possible professions with a high risk of accidents.

[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the safety footwear 100 comprises a sole 1, an upper 2, an insole 3, an internal lining 4, a toe cap 5, a strap 6 and a tongue 7. It is also known that the footwear 100 has a padding between the internal lining 4 and the tongue 7. In footwear 100:

[0036] - the upper 2 is associated with the insole 3,

[0037] - the sole 1 is associated with the upper 2,

[0038] - the internal lining 4 is associated with the upper 2 e

[0039] - the tongue 7 is connected to the upper 2.

[0040] The safety footwear 100 also includes a metatarsal protection device 8. Preferably, said device 8 is placed in a region of space delimited by the internal lining 4, the upper 2 and the tongue 7.

[0041] The protection device 8 comprises a first layer 8a, a second layer or layer 8b and, in particular, an external structure 8c configured to surround said first and second layers or layers 8a, 8b. The first layer 8a , the second layer 8b and the external structure 8c are made, preferably in a single piece, of identical materials so as to present equal rigidity and flexibility characteristics. Said protection device 8, in a preferred embodiment, is made with a single injection of the same material but could also be made with a single injection of different materials as long as the layers 8a and 8b are connected to each other and create a single piece and that in turn the layers 8a, 8b are connected to the external structure 8c.

[0042] In other words, the first and second layers 8a and 8b have been incorporated into the external structure 8c which constrains and conditions their movements and helps to stabilize the first and second layers 8a and 8b. The external structure 8c also reduces lateral deformations by supporting the load and deforms in such a way that when the load is applied the empty spaces, i.e. the openings 14 and 15 which will be introduced later in the description, are completely filled so that the lateral deformation due to longitudinal stress is almost zero. The connection between the first and second layers 8a , 8b occurs through a series of contact points between the two layers themselves which originate at the moment of injection of material inside the mold as the latter is shaped in such a way that at the moment of injection the empty spaces that pass between the first and second layers are filled with material capable of creating a joining point between said two layers . When the metatarsal protection device 8 is inserted into the footwear 100, the first layer 8a faces the tongue 7 and the upper 2, while the second layer 8b is arranged between the first layer 8a and the internal lining 4. The external structure 8c faces the tongue 7 at the same time as the upper 2 and the internal lining 4.

[0043] According to a first embodiment of Fig. 2 and 3, the first layer 8a is intended to extend into the metatarsal area of the foot and into the right and left areas of the metatarsal area respectively by means of wing extensions 8c'. The wing extensions 8c' are an integral part of the external structure 8c. In other words, according to the first embodiment, both the first layer 8a and the wing extensions 8c' face the tongue 7 and the upper 2.

[0044] According to a second embodiment of Fig. 4 and 5, the first layer 8a is a single piece with the second layer 8b and the external structure 8c. In this second embodiment the metatarsal protection device 8 is intended to extend only in the metatarsal area of the foot without providing for the presence of the wing extensions 8c'. Therefore, in this second embodiment the external structure 8c surrounds the first and second layers 8a and 8b but lacks the wing extensions 8c'.

[0045] In particular, when the user wears the footwear 100, the protection device 8 faces the back of the foot. In greater detail, the protection device 8 is intended to be located mainly on the metatarsal area of the foot and as mentioned above, according to the first embodiment, also in the respectively right and left lateral areas of the metatarsal area.

[0046] The protection device 8 is represented, according to a first embodiment in Fig. 2, 3 and in a second embodiment in Fig. 4, 5.

[0047] As visible in Fig. 6, the first layer 8a and the second layer or layer 8b define a reticular- type structure, where reticular-type structure is to be understood as a structure comprising solid areas and openings. By definition of a reticular type structure, it includes elongated elements and union nodes of said elongated elements.

[0048] Therefore, the first layer 8a comprises, as shown by way of example in figures 4, 6 and 9, first solid areas 16 comprising first elongated elements 8a' which connect to each other in first nodes Nl. The second layer 8b includes, as shown by way of example in figures 3, 5 and 9 , second solid areas 17 comprising second elongated elements 8b' which connect to each other in second nodes N2.

[0049] On the first layer 8a the first elongated elements 8a ' with the first nodes Nl define a plurality of first openings 14 while on the second layer 8b the second elongated elements 8b' with the second nodes N2 define a plurality of second openings 15.

[0050] Preferably, according to the definition of a reticular type structure, the first and second elongated elements 8a', 8b' form triangular-type openings 14, 15 between them but nothing prevents the fact that said openings 14, 15 can also be of quadrilateral shape or of any another form with a number of sides greater than three but still capable of performing the same function.

[0051] Preferably, the composition of the first elongated elements 8a' on the first layer 8a and of the second elongated elements 8b' on the second layer 8b does not provide a repeated module but rather a non-regular alternation of triangular and / or quadrilateral openings. In other words, the first reticular-type structure of the first layer 8a is different from the reticular-type structure of the second layer 8b according to at least one of the following methods: the first openings 14 are at least partly staggered with respect to the second openings 15, the number of first openings 14 is different from the number of second openings 15, the shape of the first openings 14 is different from the shape of the second openings 15, the dimensions of the first openings 14 are different from the dimensions of the second openings 15.

[0052] The difference in the reticular structure of the first layer 8a with that of the second layer 8b provides the advantage compared to the known technique of discharging the forces - due to accidental blows - on the foot in a much more effective way.

[0053] As visible in Fig. 8, for example, the protection device 8 according to the first and second embodiments is divided into three functional regions which work in synergy to absorb and distribute the impact energy of a weight on the foot. The first region, region A, intended to extend towards an ankle of a foot, the second region, region B, intended to be central on the dorsum of the foot and finally the third region, region C, intended to be close to the toes of a user's foot .

[0054] The structure of each region in terms of length on the back of the foot and thickness is sized in such a way as to guarantee flexibility in the upper part, i.e. the back, of the foot.

[0055] As reported in the table below, the width in plan of the first elongated elements 8a' and the second elongated elements 8b' of regions A, B and C varies from region to region and is greater in region B than in the remaining ones. This is because region B is considered the one with the highest risk of impact of a weight.

[0056] Considering that the T dimension which extends over the entire metatarsal area is approximately 150-180 mm, the regions A, B, C, as per the table below, have a variable size according to a percentage of the T dimension. The ratio between full volume and empty volume has been appropriately designed to allow maximum absorption and maximum dissipation of energy depending on the relevant region.

[0057] V of voids Percentage = — — - : —

[0058] &Vtotal

[0059] 5378 (REGION 71) 0,5839

[0060] (REGION A) Percentage A = 58%

[0061]

[0062] From the above table and the related calculations it can be seen that the area capable of absorbing the greatest energy and at the same time safeguarding the user's foot is region B. Next in terms of energy absorption we find region C and finally region A.

[0063] In Fig. 9, a first layer 8a, a second layer 8b are schematically represented, from top to bottom as if these were separate layers, even if in reality they are always joined, and their superposition 8a+8b.

[0064] Figure 9 shows the first layer 8a superimposed on the second layer 8b and highlights that the first N1 nodes of the first layer 8a and the second nodes N2 of the second layer 8b assume a staggered position in plan. The fact that the first layer 8a has its own reticular-type structure different from the reticular-type structure of the second layer 8b implies, with their superposition, the creation of a complex reticular-type structure. From this it can be deduced that the size and shape of the first openings 14 of the first layer 8a do not correspond to the size and shape of the openings 15 of the second layer 8b and that by superimposing said two layers the areas in which the openings 14, 15 cross simultaneously the first layer 8a and the second layer 8b are very few.

[0065] In this way, a metatarsal protection device 8 is created whose geometry is given by the above description and whose properties in terms of impact resistance are improved compared to the known ones that would be obtained by creating a device in which the openings always pass through and from side to side the protection device.

[0066] In the protection device 8 of the present patent application the following cases can occur simultaneously:

[0067] 1. the opening passes through the first layer 8a but not the second layer 8b

[0068] 2. the opening crosses both the first layer 8a and the second layer 8b

[0069] 3. the opening does not cross the first layer 8a but crosses the second layer 8b.

[0070] In other words, analyzing the complex reticular-type structure of the metatarsal protection device 8 it can be seen that the first openings 14 include the following types of openings: opening partly facing a second opening 15 and partly facing a second solid areas

[0071] 17, opening entirely facing a second opening 15, opening entirely facing a second solid areas 17.

[0072] In this way, a protection device 8 is obtained capable of providing maximum absorption and maximum dissipation of energy depending on the relevant region.

[0073] Poisson's coefficient meaning the degree with which a material shrinks or expands transversally in the presence of a monodirectional longitudinal stress, the advantage given by the metatarsal protection device 8 which is the subject of the present patent application was that of being able to create a structure of reticular type, given by the superposition of two layers 8a and 8b and made with a material with a positive Poisson's ratio, with an improved behavior - in terms of impact resistance - compared to a solid structure made with a material with a negative Poisson's ratio typical of known materials (i.e. D3O®) with which the metatarsal devices known in the state of the art are made.

[0074] As in mechanics in fact, the geometry of the reticular structure influences the mechanical behavior. This reticular-type structure has been designed so that the elements are arranged in such a way as to minimize lateral deformations when a longitudinal force is applied.

[0075] Therefore, according to the first embodiment, the concentration of N1 nodes on the first layer 8a is greater in the metatarsal area than in the area of the alar extensions 8c'. This is because the more N1 nodes there are, the greater the number of first solid areas 16. A greater number of nodes allows for a more balanced distribution of forces within the structure. This means that the dynamic forces are spread across a greater number of solid areas 16 and nodes N1 rather than concentrating on just a few critical points. This distribution reduces localized stresses and improves the overall strength of the structure.

[0076] A greater quantity of N1 nodes provides a greater capacity to absorb and dissipate the vibration energy induced by the dynamic load. Acting as connection and damping points, N1 nodes reduce the effect of vibrations on the structure, increasing its strength.

[0077] Finally, a greater number of nodes contributes to increasing the overall rigidity of the reticular structure. Greater rigidity helps the structure resist deformations and oscillations caused by dynamic loading. Therefore, the metatarsal protection device 8 which is the subject of the present patent application is at the same time flexible, breathable and lightweight in an improved way compared to devices known in the state of the art.

[0078] In Fig. 7 the protection device 8 is shown according to various sections. As already mentioned, the first layer 8a and the second layer 8b are in one piece, that is, part of the first solid areas 16 of the first layer 8a are connected (i.e., they form a single body) with part of the second solid areas 17 of the second layer 8b.

[0079] In this figure it can be seen that the thickness and width in plan of the first layer 8a and the second layer 8b is different depending on the various regions A, B and C.

[0080] The EN ISO 20345:2011, EN ISO 20345:2022, EN ISO 20344:2011 and EN ISO 20344:2021 regulations define the specifications and test methods relating to footwear with a metatarsal protection device.

[0081] It is known that the area of greatest danger in the event of a serious fall in the metatarsal area, for a footwear of size 42, is located in an area that is approximately 105 mm from the toe of the footwear itself. Therefore, in correspondence with this area, located in region B, the thickness of the entire device is greater than in areas A and C. Entering into detail, considering that the first layer 8a in relation to region B has a height "Height Bl" and the second layer 8b has a height "Height B", in region B the ratio between these two heights is included in the range 2-2.2. This is to ensure that the protection device is more resistant in region B.

[0082] In correspondence with region A, the heights of the first and second layers are approximately the same and therefore their ratio is included in the range 1-1.2, while in region C the ratio between Cl and C is included in the range 1.5-2 . Speaking in terms of resistance, the protective device is most resistant in region B, followed by region C and finally in region A.

[0083] According to the first embodiment of Fig. 2 and 3 and according to the second embodiment of Fig. 4 and 5 the metatarsal protection device 8 includes:

[0084] - first notches 9 able to facilitate the flexion of the protective device between the forefoot and the midfoot ;

[0085] - second notches 10 facing the tongue 7 and the upper 2, capable of facilitating the bending of the protective device near the area of the dorsum of the foot towards the ankle;

[0086] - third notches 10' facing the internal lining 4 capable of facilitating the bending of the protective device near the area of the dorsum of the foot towards the ankle;

[0087] Furthermore, the device 8 of the first embodiment includes fourth notches 11 only for the first embodiment to facilitate the bending of the device in the area of the wing extensions 8c'.

[0088] Near the tip 5, the protection device 8 includes grooves 12 defining an area 13 in which the protection device 8 overlaps with said tip 7. Also in this case the grooves 12 contribute to the flexibility of the protection device. It should also be noted that again to guarantee the comfort given to the user when the device 8 is in use in the footwear 100, the device 8, as visible in the longitudinal and transversal sections of Fig. 7, is curved in both directions ( directions longitudinal and transverse to a user's foot) . The double curvature is essential to make the protection device more ergonomic compared to known devices. The radius of curvature of the metatarsal protection device 8 varies in both directions depending on the different regions into which it can be divided.

[0089] Preferably the metatarsal protection device 8 can be made of the following materials such as: thermoplastic rubbers (abbreviated TR), polyurethane (abbreviated PU), synthetic and natural rubbers, thermoplastic polyurethane (abbreviated TPU) or in any case in any other material known to the state of the art that has strong viscoelastic properties.

[0090] Preferably, the metatarsal protection device 8, when used inside a footwear 100, is sewn onto the internal lining 4 of the footwear itself.

[0091] Furthermore, the footwear 100 equipped with the metatarsal protection device 8 can also be manufactured to meet the requirements of the EN ISO 20345:2011 - EN ISO 20345:2022 "Personal protective equipment - safety footwear" and EN ISO 20344:2011 - standards EN ISO 20344:2021 "Personal protective equipment - Test methods".

[0092] LEGEND COMPONENTS OF THE FIGURES

[0093] - sole 1

[0094] - upper 2

[0095] - insole 3

[0096] - internal lining 4 - tip 5

[0097] - strap 6

[0098] - tongue 7

[0099] - metatarsal protection device 8

[0100] - first layer 8a

[0101] - second layer 8b

[0102] - external structure 8c

[0103] - first elongated elements 8a'

[0104] - second elongated elements 8b'

[0105] - wing extensions 8c'

[0106] - first nodes N1

[0107] - second nodes N2

[0108] - first notches 9

[0109] - second notches 10

[0110] - third notches 10'

[0111] - fourth notches 11

[0112] - grooves 12

[0113] - zone 13 defined by the grooves 12

[0114] - first openings 14

[0115] - second openings 15

[0116] - first solid areas 16

[0117] - second solid areas 17

Claims

CLAIMS1. Footwear (100) comprising:- an upper (2)- a tongue (7) connected to the upper (2)- an internal lining (4) associated with the upper (2) characterized in that it also includes a metatarsal protection device (8) placed in a region of space delimited by the internal lining (4), the upper (2) and the tongue (7) and comprising:- a first layer (8a) facing the tongue (7) and the upper (2) and such as to define a first reticular-type structure including first solid areas (16) and first openings (14);- a second layer (8b) arranged between the first layer (8) and the internal lining (4) and such as to define a second reticular-type structure including second solid areas (17) and second openings (15); wherein the first openings (14) include the following types of openings: opening partly facing a second opening (15) and partly facing a second solid areas (17), opening entirely facing a second opening (15), opening entirely facing a second solid areas (17).

2. Footwear (100) according to claim 1, wherein the first layer (8a) and the second layer (8b) are surrounded by an external structure (8c) facing the tongue (7), the upper (2) and the internal lining (4) .

3. Footwear (100) according to claim 1, wherein:- the first solid areas (16) include first elongated elements (8a1) which connect to each other on the first layer (8a) in first nodes (Nl):- the second solid areas (17) include second elongated elements (8b1) which connect to each other on the second layer (8b) in second nodes (N2);- said first and second openings (14, 15) being triangular and / or quadrilateral in shape.

4. Footwear (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, in which: the first reticular-type structure of the first layer (8a) is different from the reticular-type structure of the second layer (8b) according to at least one of the following modes: the first openings (14) are at least partly staggered with respect to the second openings (15) , the number of the first openings (14) is different from the number of the second openings (15), the shape of the first openings (14) is different from the shape of the second openings (15), the dimensions of the first openings (14) are different from the dimensions of the second openings (15).

5. Footwear (100) according to at least claim 3, wherein the position of the first nodes (Nl) on the first layer (8a) is different from the position of the second nodes (N2) on the second layer (8b).

6. Footwear (100) according to claim 3 or 5, wherein the metatarsal protection device (8) comprises a first region A intended to extend towards an ankle of a foot of a user, a second region B intended to be central on the dorsum of the foot and a third region C intended to be close to the toes, where the first nodes (Nl) and the second nodes (N2) are more concentrated in areas B, C and finally A.

7. Footwear (100) according to claim 6, wherein the metatarsal protection device (8) has variable thickness, greatest in zone B and then in zones C and finally A.

8. Footwear (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the metatarsal protection device (8) comprises:- first notches (9) facing between the forefoot and midfoot of a user's foot;- second notches (10) facing the tongue (7) and the upper (2) ;- third notches (10') facing the internal lining (4).

9. Footwear (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the protective device (8) includes grooves (12) defining a zone (13) in which the protective device (8) overlaps with a tip (5) .

10. Footwear (100) according to at least claim 2, wherein the external structure (8c) further includes wing extensions (8c') such as to face lateral parts of the foot.

11. Footwear (100) according to claim 10, wherein the metatarsal protection device (8) includes fourth notches (11) in the area of the wing extensions (8c').

12. Footwear (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the metatarsal protection device (8) is curved in the longitudinal and transverse directions with respect to a user's foot.

13. Footwear (100) according to at least one of the previous claims, wherein the first layer (8a), the second layer (8b) and the external structure (8c) are connected so as to form a single piece.

14. Footwear (100) according to the previous claims, in which the metatarsal protection device (8) is made of one of the following materials:- thermoplastic rubbers,- polyurethane,- natural or synthetic rubbers,- thermoplastic polyurethane .

15. Metatarsal protection device (8) insertable into a footwear (100) and comprising:- a first layer (8a) configured so as to define a first reticular-type structureincluding first solid areas (16) and first openings (14);- a second layer (8b) configured so as to define a second reticular-type structure including second solid areas (17) and second openings (15); wherein the first openings (14) include the following types of openings: opening partly facing a second opening (15) and partly facing a second solid areas (17), opening entirely facing a second opening (15), opening entirely facing a second solid areas (17).

16. Metatarsal protection device (8) according to claim 15 wherein the first layer (8a) and the second layer (8b) are surrounded by an external structure (8c) intended to face simultaneously with a tongue (7) and an upper (2) and to an internal lining(4) of the footwear (100) when said device (8) is inserted into the footwear (100) .

Images