ASSEMBLY AND MANUFACTURING METHOD, PARTICULARLY FOR FOOTWEAR

Abstract

A system for assembling and manufacturing footwear, among other things. The invention allows for a single, simplified assembly of the various components of footwear. It utilizes a variable-volume element, for example, an inflatable one, which can be the sole (3). This sole is pressed against a flexible, non-stretchable link (4) forming part of the base of the upper (9). This link (4) is housed, for example, in the groove (8), which can also accommodate various fastening elements (11) belonging to attached components (10). These components can be held in place by using the pressure exerted by part 3 on the link 4.

Description

Process assembly and development, notably For Footwear articles. The invention relates to a system for composing shoes by assembling independent elements. Shoes today are finished products, composed of an upper and a sole, assembled using various processes. Regardless of their complexity, these two elements are inseparable and constitute a complete product whose characteristics are determined by its very structure. Therefore, there are different models depending on the uses, developed specifically, always offered for sale as complete pre-defined units. Complex and requiring specialized tools, current shoe assembly and mounting processes allow little flexibility in the design of models and prohibit rapid customization of products at the point of sale. The system according to the invention makes it possible to create new footwear products by allowing a simplified, one-time assembly of its various component elements. Enabling the instantaneous joining of the sole, the upper, and the various support elements necessary for the construction of a shoe, it uses neither glue nor solvents, relying solely on mechanical principles. In one embodiment, the sole, in one or more parts, is essentially composed of a material with a variable volume up to a defined maximum. The upper includes fastening elements characterized in that they trace the contour of the sole once it has reached its functional volume and resist any increase in that volume. The bonding is achieved by increasing the volume of the sole after it is in place, aligning its bonding elements with those of the upper. Any additional support elements required for the shoe's construction can then be attached to this same bonding zone. Using appropriate devices, they can utilize the sole-upper combination, creating a homogeneous unit around a single assembly system. Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent with the description of certain embodiments, this being carried out with reference to the drawings attached hereto; on which Figure 1 is a perspective and exploded view of a sole according to a particular application of the invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view and %n cutaway of an upper corresponding to the sole of figure 2 in the context of the same particular embodiment. Figure 3 is a perspective and cutaway view of a sole and the base of an upper according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 is a perspective and cutaway view of a detail of the shoe according to the same embodiment, showing the possibility of grafting various peripheral elements onto the sole-upper connection area. The sole shown in the exploded view in Figure 1 is the application of the system according to the invention to a sole made up of 3 distinct elements (1; 2; 3 ), according to an advantageous embodiment. According to this same particular embodiment, the material of the two front and rear parts (1 and 3) of the sole is a coated textile pocket, closed for example by gluing or welding, airtight and capable of being inflated. The valves 12a and 12b integrated into the pockets of elements 1 and 3 allow inflation using a needle. These pockets may have, in particular on their sides, raised features or grooves (8) intended to accommodate a non-stretchable cable or tie. The height of elements 1 and 3 is independent of inflation, the walls 5a;5b and 6a;6b being linked to each other, two by two, by inextensible fibers (7) limiting their separation, as described in Figures 3 and 4. It should be noted that these fibers (7) act only along the vertical axis and do not restrict the increase in the lateral volume of elements 1 and 3. According to this same embodiment, this lateral increase is countered by the action of the non-stretchable cable or link (4), the latter forming a loop around each of the elements 1 and 3; as shown in figures 2 and 3. These loops constitute the base of the upper (9), shown in figure 2. This upper may indifferently be made of textile, leather or any other suitable material. Depending on obvious variations, the sole shown in Figure 1 can be produced in several versions, either as a single piece or composed of elements of varying numbers and shapes. The same applies to the corresponding upper, the shape of which depends on the contour of the sole. The joining of elements 1 and 3 and of the upper is therefore ensured according to this embodiment, by the joint action of the pressure of elements 1 and 3 exerted on the loops of invariant diameter (4a;4b) and of the reliefs or grooves (8) present on the sides of elements 1 and 3 and stabilizing these loops. Since link 4 is integral to or part of the vamp, it is therefore established that its retention in the throat 8 implies that of the vamp. The groove 8, present on both elements 1, can accommodate the locking of added elements. The heel piece 10, as described in Figure 4, is thus secured to the assembly by pressure from the strap 4b on its lower part. Part 2, corresponding to the arch of the sole shown in Figure 1, is held in place according to the same principle. Made of a rigid material, its terminal parts (11, 12), in contact with elements 1 and 3, have a relief adapted to its retention by the strap 4 after inflation of the heel (3) and the forefoot (1). In the case of elements 2 and 10 described above, and according to this particular embodiment, these elements are external to the upper (9) in the finished product. The system according to the invention, allowing the mechanical joining of two flexible elements, even those susceptible to deformation during their use, is particularly intended for shoe assembly.

Claims

CLAIMS. 1) A system enabling, in particular, the manufacture and assembly of shoes, characterized in that it exploits the increase in volume of at least one part constituting the sole ( ,3), creating pressure against a flexible but inextensible link (4) constituting or integrated into a second part, for example an upper (9), thus enabling the joining of these two parts. 2) A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the joining of the two elements, for example the upper (9) and the sole (1,3), is facilitated by a groove (8), relief, or deformation present on at least one of these two elements.3) A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure-bearing area between the two elements, for example the upper (9) and the sole (1, ), can accommodate one or more added elements, for example a support shell (10), of suitable shape, thus making them integral with the assembly already formed by the first two parts. 4) A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it makes it possible to join several combinable elements (1, 2, 3, 9, ...) so as to constitute a homogeneous shoe. 5) A system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the variable-volume elements of the sole (1, 3) include in their structure non-stretchable fibers or elements (7) connecting the external walls 5 and 6, mimicking their expansion along axes not necessary for the functioning of the system.6) System according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elements intended to vary in volume (1;3), for example by inflation, comprise parts, for example valves (12a and 12b) allowing their filling by a liquid or gaseous body.