Heel toe cap, shoe hammer and foam padding for safety shoe

Abstract

A heel cap (10) for an article of footwear, in particular a shoe or boot (1), which is arranged, at least partially, on the outside of a heel section of the shoe, comprises a protruding portion (11) which extends rearwardly from the heel section of the shoe (1), and is characterized in that it distributes a downward force applied to the protruding portion (11) over at least a substantial part of the heel section of the shoe (1), preferably to facilitate removal of the shoe (1) from a foot (4). The invention also relates to a shoe hammer and a foam pad for a shoe. Figure for abstract: Figure 5

Description

Title of the invention: Heel cap, shoe hammer and foam padding for safety shoe Technical field

[0001] The following invention relates to a heel cap, a shoe hammer and a foam pad for use in a safety shoe. STATE OF THE PRIOR ART

[0002] The modification of work boots to increase protection and utility in the workplace is a generally known concept, which has given rise to a wide variety of safety shoes, especially for high safety requirements.

[0003] Most of the features, such as the inclusion of steel toe caps at the front of the shoes, are intended to increase the safety of the user's foot against blunt or other trauma.

[0004] However, particularly in the construction industry, footwear is often used not only for protection, but also for sliding or moving equipment, and for dismantling or pushing objects with the foot. The shoe itself is therefore often used as a tool, and it is necessary to provide reinforcement elements that allow for such use. Furthermore, due to the tight fit of many heavy-duty boots, removing the shoe from the user's foot can sometimes be cumbersome, as shoes and boots are designed to support the user's foot and can be quite rigid.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide improvements to the known prior art, with regard to protection, ease of removal and the possibility of use as a tool. In the following, the article of footwear described is referred to as "shoe"; this term is not limiting and covers shoes, boots and any other suitable article of footwear to which the present concepts may be applied. SUMMARY

[0006] According to one aspect of the invention, this problem is solved by a heel cap for a shoe, wherein the heel cap is disposed, at least partially, outside a heel section of the shoe, wherein the heel cap comprises a protruding portion which extends rearwardly from the heel section of the shoe, characterized in that the heel cap distributes a downward force applied to the protruding portion over at least a substantial portion of the heel section. heel of the shoe, preferably to facilitate removal of the shoe from one foot.

[0007] The heel cap may be a molded part of TPU. The protruding portion and the heel cap may be formed as a single piece, preferably monolithically. Alternatively, the protruding portion may be formed separately from the remainder of the heel cap, preferably by injection molding, and may be formed of PU (polyurethane).

[0008] A central aspect of the present invention is to provide a heel that facilitates the removal of the shoe from a user's foot. At the same time, the design provides protection to the user's heel and ankle, thereby improving the safety aspects of the shoe. The heel cap is preferably made from a rigid material, such as a hard plastic or fabric composite, or a molded TPU part, and thus provides protection to the region it covers. The protruding portion allows a downward force to be exerted on the heel cap, pushing the protruding portion downward.Due to the rigid nature of the heel cap, downward force exerted on the protruding portion, for example by pressing, is distributed more evenly over the heel section of the shoe, thereby facilitating removal of the user's foot and limiting wear caused by such frictional and / or pushing forces on the heel section of a shoe.

[0009] The heel section of the shoe essentially coincides with the position of the user's heel when wearing the shoe. More specifically, the heel section of the shoe can be considered to constitute the rear third of the shoe. The front third of the shoe, i.e., the portion closest to the nose of the shoe, is referred to herein as the front section of the shoe, while the region between the heel and front sections is referred to as the midsection.

[0010] According to another embodiment, the heel cap is disposed in contact with the sole of the shoe, preferably to direct a downward force into the sole.

[0011] According to another embodiment, the heel tip is arranged in contact with the sole of the shoe, preferably to direct a vertical force downwards.

[0012] By contacting the sole of the shoe, the heel cap can distribute the downward force even more evenly over a larger portion of the shoe. Specifically, the downward pressure is applied evenly to the outer perimeter of the sole, reducing the twisting motion of the shoe when the heel cap is pressed, which in turn makes it easier to remove the shoe.

[0013] In another embodiment, the heel cap extends into a midsection.

[0014] The extension of the heel cap into the midsection of the shoe distributes the force exerted on the protruding portion over an even larger area, thereby increasing the overall effect and reducing wear due to frictional effects. In addition, the extension of the essentially rigid heel cap allows for a natural hinge effect, which increases durability, comfort, protection and stability while walking.

[0015] According to another embodiment, the heel cap is attached to the heel section of the shoe by injection molding and / or gluing or sewing to the upper.

[0016] Attaching the heel cap to the heel section of the shoe by injection molding and / or gluing or sewing to the upper allows for a greater variety of shapes to be achieved at lower cost than with conventional attachment techniques. In addition, this type of attachment allows for thinner thicknesses because the structural integrity of the heel cap is not impaired by punctuations or the like.

[0017] In another embodiment, the heel cap is secured to the heel section of the shoe by stitching.

[0018] Stitching attachment allows for a simple connection of the heel cap to the heel section of the shoe, as stitching is generally an integral part of the shoe manufacturing process. Therefore, stitching attachment may not require an additional manufacturing step, thereby reducing costs.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the heel cap comprises polyurethane and / or thermoplastic PU or polymers.

[0020] The use of polyurethane or thermoplastic or polymers is advantageous because they are both lightweight and durable, thus providing protection, comfort and stability to the user. In particular, polyurethane, thermoplastic or any other polymer can be applied by direct injection, which further simplifies the production possibilities. Polyurethane and thermoplastic PU or any other polymer have good abrasion resistance, which increases the durability and life of the shoe, while being flexible, providing adequate cushioning and support / stability, as well as reliability to the relevant sections of the shoe. Finally, they are both oil and lubricant resistant, and waterproof, which further increases protection, comfort and durability for the user.

[0021] In another embodiment, the heel cap covers essentially at least one-third of the surface area of ​​the rear section of the shoe, preferably at least half of the surface area, more preferably at least three-quarters of the surface area.

[0022] By covering a large area of ​​the rear section, the protection of the user's foot is increased, because the surface area vulnerable to external impacts is reduced. furthermore, the coverage of a large area and subsequent attachment to a large portion of the rear section of the shoe improves the distribution of downward force applied to the protruding portion of the heel cap, thereby facilitating removal of the shoe.

[0023] In the present application, the rear section of the shoe refers to the area of ​​the heel section of the shoe that is visible when the shoe is viewed from the rear in a top-down perspective, and preferably from medial and lateral views.

[0024] In another embodiment, the protruding portion comprises engaging means, preferably grooves and / or elevations and / or roughnesses, in order to increase the coefficient of static friction of the protruding portion.

[0025] The presence of gripping means on the protruding portion increases the friction between a user's finger and / or another foot (as well as, for example, another shoe or shoe hammer) and the heel tip of the shoe, which prevents slipping when trying to remove the shoe by exerting pressure on the protruding portion. This facilitates removal of the shoe and prevents injuries due to slipping.

[0026] Another aspect of the invention is a shoe hammer, wherein the shoe hammer is made from a rigid material, preferably steel, and / or preferably forms part of the sole itself. The shoe hammer is arranged on the nose of the shoe and comprises a front section, which projects from the nose of the shoe, and a rear section, which has a horseshoe shape when viewed from above, adapted to follow a contour of the sole.

[0027] The shoe hammer allows the user to use the shoe as a tool, to apply blunt force to many objects with relative ease, without having to carry a set of specialized tools. This device is particularly useful for simple deconstruction actions, as well as for repositioning various objects that may be lying on the ground. The horseshoe-shaped rear section of the shoe hammer helps to direct the force away from the user's toe and / or foot and into the body of the shoe, while providing additional protection against impact from the front.

[0028] The nose of the shoe is understood to be the frontmost portion of the shoe, which is located at a distal end, opposite the rear section of the shoe. In particular, the nose of the shoe is located near the user's toes when wearing the shoe.

[0029] In another embodiment, the rear section is dome-shaped and configured to at least partially surround a front portion of a foot of the user.

[0030] The dome shape of the rear section of the shoe hammer provides additional protection to the user's foot, similar to a steel or composite toe cap in the front section of the shoe. This not only helps to better distribute the force when using the shoe hammer, but also protects the user's foot from concussive forces acting from above or below, which are not related to the use of the shoe as a tool.

[0031] In another embodiment, the rear section includes a hammer that is formed of a shock absorbing material, configured to absorb concussive forces emanating from the front section of the shoe hammer.

[0032] Since use of the shoe hammer subjects the user's foot to potentially significant forces acting from the front of the shoe, the presence of additional padding on the shoe hammer increases user comfort, as well as versatility and safety when using the shoe, thereby reducing the risk of injury.

[0033] Another aspect of the invention is a foam pad for a shoe, wherein the foam pad is disposed in the heel section of the shoe, the foam pad being made from an elastic foam, preferably PU (polyurethane), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), expanded TPU for e-TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), expanded TPEE for e-TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer), Pebax®, the list being non-exhaustive.

[0034] The use of foam padding helps absorb body weight and / or force and helps the user's ankle and / or body bounce back while walking. The foam padding therefore increases user comfort and promotes the user's natural movement during use.

[0035] In another embodiment, the foam pad is disposed, at least partially, in a recess and / or cavity of the sole of the shoe.

[0036] Arranging the foam padding in a recess or cavity in the sole of the shoe allows the beneficial effects of the foam padding to be achieved without excessively elevating the shoe. In addition, this increases the durability of the heel foam padding because the heel is supported by the sole in at least three directions.

[0037] In another embodiment, the foam pad has a thickness less than half the thickness of the sole of the shoe, preferably a thickness less than one-quarter of the sole of the shoe, and is preferably located under the heel area.

[0038] By limiting the thickness of the foam padding to a certain extent, the sole of the shoe is prevented from becoming too thin in certain areas, which which would reduce durability as well as protection. In addition, excessive foam padding would result in uncomfortable wearing properties for the user.

[0039] According to another embodiment, the foam pad extends into the midsection of the shoe.

[0040] By extending the foam padding into the midsection of the shoe, additional assistance is provided to the user during the natural rolling of the foot while walking. In addition, the additional cushioning increases the comfort of the shoe and allows the shoe to adapt to the shape of the user's foot. The extension of the foam padding also provides a greater rebound energy effect, which reduces body fatigue during use.

[0041] According to another embodiment of the invention, a shoe may comprise a heel cap and a shoe hammer according to the preceding description.

[0042] By providing a shoe that has both a shoe hammer and a heel cap, overall safety and ease of use can be further improved. In particular, when the heel cap extends into the midsection of the shoe, it can be brought into contact with the rear section of the shoe hammer, to provide a protective "frame" for the user's foot.

[0043] According to another embodiment of the invention, a shoe may comprise a heel cap and a foam pad according to the preceding description.

[0044] The advantages of such a combination follow from those already described with regard to the individual characteristics above.

[0045] In another embodiment, the heel cap is arranged so as not to overlap the foam pad when viewed from above.

[0046] By not overlapping the heel cap and the foam pad, when viewed from a top-down perspective (i.e., a viewing axis substantially parallel to the wearer's leg), a downward force applied to the heel cap is not directed into the foam pad. This allows for easier removal of the shoe because the downward force is not absorbed, and extends the life of the foam pad because it is not subjected to additional stress.

[0047] In another embodiment, the shoe includes a foam pad and a shoe hammer according to the preceding description.

[0048] The advantages of such a combination follow from those already described with regard to the individual characteristics above.

[0049] In another embodiment, the shoe includes a heel cap, a shoe hammer, and a foam pad according to the preceding description.

[0050] By combining the heel cap, shoe hammer and foam pad in various permutations, it is possible to exploit the individual benefits provided by each element, as described above, in combination.

[0051] In another embodiment, the foam pad extends to the front section of the shoe, such that the foam pad is located, at least partially, between the rear section of the shoe hammer and the user's foot.

[0052] By extending the foam pad forward, a larger portion of the user's foot is cushioned, improving overall comfort. In addition, the foam pad may form or increase padding behind the rear section of the shoe hammer, thereby further improving the shock absorption of the shoe when used as a hammer.

[0053] The invention is also described below with respect to other details, features and advantages which are explained in more detail with reference to the figures. The described features and combinations of features, as illustrated below in the figures of the drawings and described with reference to the drawings, are applicable not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or in isolation, without departing from the scope of the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0054] [Fig. 1] a side view of a shoe equipped with the shoe hammer and heel cap according to the present invention,

[0055] [Fig.2] a rear view of the shoe,

[0056] [Fig.3] another view of a shoe equipped with a shoe hammer,

[0057] [Fig.4] a top-down view of an example of a shoe hammer in isolation,

[0058] [Fig.5] a side view of a shoe illustrating the positioning of the foam padding inside, as well as the heel cap.

[0059] The figures are of a schematic nature only and are intended solely to explain the invention. Similar elements are designated by the same reference signs in the description of the exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0060] [Fig.l] shows a side view of a shoe 1 according to the present invention. As can be seen, the front section 21 of a shoe hammer 20 projects from the nose 3 of the shoe 1, in order to allow the front section of the shoe hammer 21 to contact other objects. A heel cap 10 is disposed in the heel section of the shoe 1 and is in contact with the sole 2 or is an integral part of the sole 2. A projecting portion 11 projects from the general outline of the shoe 1, in order to allow the application of a downward force on the heel cap 10. Gripping elements 12, arranged on the protruding part 11, make it possible to increase the static friction of the protruding part 11 and prevent slipping.

[0061] [Fig. 2] shows a rear view of a shoe 1 with a heel cap 10 disposed above the sole 2. The surface shown (excluding the portion covered by the sole 2) defines the rear section of the shoe 1, approximately half of which is covered by the heel cap 10.

[0062] [Fig. 3] illustrates the shoe hammer 20, in which the front section 21 projects relative to the nose 3 of the shoe 1. In the example shown, the rear section 22 of the shoe hammer 20 is located inside the sole 2 and is therefore not shown.

[0063] [Fig. 4] illustrates the components of the shoe hammer 20 in isolation, seen from above. The front section 21 extends from the rear section 22, which has an approximately horseshoe shape. The rear section 22 thus at least partially surrounds a foot 4 of the user (not shown) in order to protect and fix the shoe hammer 20 to the shoe 1 (not shown) over a large area. This facilitates the fixing of the shoe hammer 20 in the shoe 1 and, above all, makes it possible to distribute the forces exerted on the shoe hammer 20, for example when the user kicks an object with the shoe hammer 20.

[0064] [Fig.5] shows another side view of a shoe 1, illustrating the positioning of the foam padding 30 in a recess of the sole 2. The sole 2 is in contact with the heel cap 10, which extends into the midsection of the shoe 1 in the embodiment shown. The foam padding 30 supports the heel of a foot 4 of the user. Also visible is the hammer padding 23 which is disposed between the shoe hammer 20 and the foot 4 of the user, in order to absorb shocks emanating from the shoe hammer 20. List of reference signs

[0065] 1 Shoe

[0066] 2 Sole

[0067] 3 Nose

[0068] 4 Foot

[0069] 10 Heel tip

[0070] 11 Projecting part

[0071] 12 Means of taking

[0072] 20 Shoe hammer

[0073]

[0074]

[0075]

[0076] 21 Front section 22 Rear section 23 Hammer padding 30 Foam pad

Claims

Claims

1. A heel cap (10) for an article of footwear, in particular a shoe or boot (1), wherein the heel cap (10) is arranged, at least partially, on the outside of a heel section of the shoe, wherein the heel cap (10) comprises a protruding portion (11) which extends rearwardly from the heel section of the shoe (1), characterized in that the heel cap (10) distributes a downward force applied to the protruding portion (11) over at least a substantial part of the heel section of the shoe (1), preferably to facilitate removal of the shoe (1) from a foot (4).

2. A heel cap (10) according to claim 1, wherein the heel cap (10) is arranged in contact with the sole (2) of the shoe (1), preferably to direct the force downwards into the sole (2).

3. A heel cap (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heel cap is disposed in contact with the sole of the shoe, for directing a vertical force downward.

4. A heel cap (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the heel cap (10) extends into a midsection of the shoe (1).

5. Heel cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel cap (10) is attached to the heel section of the shoe (1) by injection molding and / or gluing.

6. A heel cap (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the heel cap (10) is secured to the heel section of the shoe (1) by sewing.

7. A heel cap (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the heel cap (10) comprises polyurethane and / or thermoplastic PU and / or other polymers.

8. Heel cap (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heel cap (10) covers essentially at least one third of the surface area of ​​a rear section of the shoe (1), preferably at least half of the surface area, more preferably at least three quarters of the surface area.

9. Heel tip (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the projecting part (11) comprises gripping means (12), preferably grooves and / or elevations and / or roughnesses, in order to increase the coefficient of static friction of the projecting part (11).

10. A shoe hammer (20) for a shoe (1), wherein the shoe hammer (20) is made of a rigid material, preferably steel, arranged on the nose (3) of the shoe (1) and comprises a front section (21), which projects from the nose (3) of the shoe (1), and a rear section (22), which has a horseshoe shape when viewed from above, adapted to follow a contour of the sole (2).

11. A shoe hammer (20) according to claim 10, wherein the rear section (22) is dome-shaped and configured to at least partially surround a front portion of a foot (4) of the user.

12. A shoe hammer (20) according to one of claims 10 to 11, wherein the rear section (22) comprises a hammer pad (23) formed of a shock absorbing material, configured to absorb concussive forces emanating from the front section (21) of the shoe hammer (20).

13. A foam pad (30) for a shoe (1), wherein the foam pad (30) is arranged in the heel section of the shoe (1), the foam pad (30) being made from an elastic foam, preferably one of the following foams: PU (polyurethane), EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), expanded TPU for e-TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), expanded TPEE for e-TPEE (thermoplastic polyester elastomer) or Pebax®.

14. Foam pad (30) according to claim 13, wherein the foam pad (30) is arranged, at least partially, in a recess and / or cavity of the sole (2) of the shoe (1).

15. A foam pad (30) according to claim 14, wherein the foam pad (30) has a thickness less than half the thickness of the sole (2) of the shoe (1), preferably a thickness less than a quarter of the sole (2) of the shoe (1).

16. A foam pad (30) according to one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the foam pad (30) extends into the midsection of the shoe (1).

17. Shoe (1) comprising a heel tip (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a shoe hammer (20) according to one of claims 10 to 12.

18. Shoe (1) comprising a heel cap (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a foam pad (30) according to one of claims 13 to 16.

19. Shoe (1) according to claim 18, wherein the heel cap (10) is arranged so as not to overlap the foam pad (30), when viewed from above.

20. Shoe (1) comprising a foam pad (30) according to one of claims 13 to 16 and a shoe hammer (20) according to one of claims 10 to 12.

21. Shoe (1) comprising a heel cap (10) according to one of claims 1 to 9, a shoe hammer (20) according to one of claims 10 to 12 and a foam pad (30) according to one of claims 13 to 16.

22. Shoe (1) according to claims 20 to 21, wherein the foam pad (30) extends to the front section of the shoe (1), such that the foam pad (30) is located, at least partially, between the rear section (22) of the shoe hammer (20) and the foot (4) of the user.

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