Sport footwear

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sport footwear (1) comprising: - un upper (2) delimiting an inner space for a foot of a user; a lower portion (3) of the upper (2) being fastened to a lasting board (6) or to a shell (8) made of rigid or semirigid material; - a sole (18) comprising a central part (20) designed to be arranged at a midfoot of the user when the sport footwear (1) is worn by the user; said sole (18) being joined to a bottom part of the lasting board (6) or shell (8). According to the invention, a protective layer (22) is arranged at a top portion of the central part (20) of the sole (18) to be faced to the lasting board (6) or the shell (8); said protective layer (22) being made with an anti-perforation material.

Description

[0001] “Sport footwear

[0002] *****

[0003] The present invention relates to sport footwear. In particular, the present invention refers, even if in a non-exclusive way, to a motorcycle boot and, even more particularly, to a motocross boot.

[0004] In the following specific reference to motorcycle boots will be made, even if the present invention is suitable for being used in different types of sport footwear.

[0005] It is well known in the art that motorcycle boots comprise an upper, suitable for enclosing the foot and the lower leg of the user, to which a sole or tread is fixed.

[0006] Generally, motorcycle boots may have two different constructions.

[0007] In a first construction, which is for example shown in figure 1 , the lower portion of the upper is fastened by means of a perimetral seam to a lasting board, made of rigid or semi-rigid polymeric material. The assembly formed by the lasting board and the upper in its turn is then fixed to the sole by means of glue.

[0008] The lasting board generally has a planar shape and it is provided with a perimetric recess suitable for accommodating the free edge of the upper on which the fastening seam is applied.

[0009] In a second construction, which is for example shown in figures 2 and 3, the lower portion of the upper is fastened by means of glue or seams to a rigid or semirigid shell. Said shell substantially encloses at least the bottom part of the user’s foot so as to provide an additional protection thereof against impacts. The assembly formed by the shell and the upper in its turn is then fixed to the sole by means of glue.

[0010] During the use of the motorcycle boot, the portion of the sole more prone to wear is the midportion, namely the portion configured to directly interact with the motorcycle footpeg.

[0011] To avoid that the motorcycle boot may slip off from the motorcycle footpegs, the latter are provided with very sharp teeth which are designed to guarantee the requested grip between footpeg and motorcycle boot.

[0012] However, this interaction unavoidably leads to the wearing of the sole in this specific zone.

[0013] Both constructions previously mentioned have the advantage to permit an easy replacement of the sole in case of wear. As a matter of fact, in both constructions the upper is indirectly fixed to the sole and the removal of the sole from the boot can be carried out without affecting the integrity of the upper.

[0014] However, it has been noticed that the users have the tendency to delay, even if in some cases unintentionally, the replacement of the sole.

[0015] The consequence is that in some cases the sole is replaced when its midportion is so damaged to leave exposed, at least partially, the bottom surface of the lasting board or the shell.

[0016] However, in this circumstance there is a high risk that also the lasting board or the shell be damaged due a direct contact with the teeth of the footpeg.

[0017] If this happens, the replacement of the sole is no longer possible, since the supporting basis onto which the sole needs to be fixed is unavoidably damaged. At that point, the only solution available for the user is to replace the whole pair of motorcycle boots.

[0018] The object of the present invention is thus to provide sport footwear, particularly for motorcyclists, which solves at least partly the above mentioned problems and drawbacks.

[0019] In particular, an aim of the present invention is to provide sport footwear, particularly for motorcyclists, which prevents damages to the bottom portion of the footwear even in presence of a huge wearing of the sole.

[0020] Moreover, an aim of the present invention is to provide sport footwear, particularly for motorcyclists, which prevents damages to the bottom portion of the footwear without affecting the possibility to replace the sole if needed. Furthermore, an aim of the present invention is to provide sport footwear, particularly for motorcyclists, which prevents damages to the bottom portion of the footwear without making more difficult or costly the manufacturing process thereof.

[0021] Lastly, an aim of the present invention is to provide sport footwear, particularly for motorcyclists, which signals to the user in a simple way when the sole needs to be replaced for not incurring in additional damages. These and other objects and aims are achieved by sport footwear according to claim 1 .

[0022] The advantages and the characteristic features of the invention will appear more clearly from the following description of preferred, but not exclusive, embodiments of sport footwear with reference to the accompanying figures in which: - figure 1 show a side view of a sport footwear according to the present invention;

[0023] - figure 2 shows a first side view of a second embodiment of a sport footwear according to the invention;

[0024] - figure 3 shows a second side view of the sport footwear of figure 2;

[0025] - figure 4 shows a side view of a particular, partially in cross section, of the sport footwear of figure 1 ;

[0026] - figure 5 shows a view similar to figure 4, but related to a different embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] - figure 6 shows a side view of a particular, partially in cross section, of the sport footwear of figures 2 and 3;

[0028] - figure 7 shows a view similar to figure 6, but related to a different embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] - figure 8 shows a side cross-section view of the shell of the sport footwear of figures 2-3;

[0030] - figure 9 shows a side view, partially in cross section, of the assembly formed by the shell and the sole of the sport footwear of figures 2-3;

[0031] - figure 10 shows a bottom view of the sole of a sport footwear of the present invention;

[0032] - figure 11 shows a top view of the sole of figure 10.

[0033] With reference to the attached figures, the present invention relates to sport footwear 1 . In particular, the present invention relates to a motorcycle boot, preferably a motocross boot.

[0034] Below specific reference will be made to a motorcycle boot, even if the principles of the present invention may be advantageously also applied to different types of sport footwear, like for example bicycle or skateboard shoes.

[0035] With reference firstly to figures 1 -3, the motorcycle boot 1 comprises an upper 2 delimiting an inner space for a foot of a user.

[0036] The upper 2 is preferably made of leather, leather-like or synthetic fabric and is formed by several parts which are generally joined together by means of stitching.

[0037] Preferably, the upper 2 comprises a lower portion 3, suitable for enclosing the foot and the ankle of the user. Additionally, the upper 2 can comprise a leg portion 4, suitable for enclosing the leg of the user.

[0038] The outer surface of the upper 2 can be provided with rigid or semi-rigid protections 5.

[0039] Moreover, one or more fasteners 7 can be applied on opposite flaps of the upper 2 so as to adjust the dimensions of the inner space of the upper.

[0040] As it is well known in the art, the lower portion of the upper can be closed by an inner insole, made of textile material, not shown in the enclosed figures.

[0041] Moreover, the lower portion 3 of the upper 2 is fastened to a lasting board 6 (see figure 1 ) or to a shell 8 (see figures 2-3) made of rigid or semi-rigid material.

[0042] As it is schematically shown in figure 1 , the lasting board 2 has a substantially planar shape and the lower portion 3 of the upper 2 is preferably fastened to the lasting board 6 by means of a perimetral seam 10 arranged at a perimetral edge 11 of the lasting board 6. Alternatively, as it is schematically shown in figures 2 and 3, the lower portion 3 of the upper 2 can be fastened to the shell 8 by means of glue or stitching.

[0043] The shell 8 has an anatomical shape and it is configured to enclose at least partially the foot of the user so as to provide an additional protection thereof. In particular, as it is visible in figures 2-3 and 8-9, the shell 8 has a front portion 12, designed to protect the forefoot portion of the user, and a rear portion 14, designed to protect the heel portion of the user.

[0044] Preferably, the front portion 12 and the rear portion 14 are connected to each other by a central portion 16.

[0045] The motorcycle boot 1 further comprises a sole 18. The sole 18 is preferably made of polymeric material, like thermoplastic or vulcanized rubber, polyurethane or thermoplastic polyurethane.

[0046] The sole 18 comprises a central part 20 designed to be arranged at a midfoot of the user when the motorcycle boot 1 is worn by the user.

[0047] As it is shown in figures 1 -3, the sole 18 is joined to a bottom part of the lasting board 6 or shell 8.

[0048] In this way, as it is well known in the art, the sole 18 can be easily replaced in case of wear, without affecting the integrity of the structure of the motorcycle boot 1 .

[0049] Advantageously, since the part of the sole of a motorcycle boot more subject to wear is the central part 20, namely the part configured to be in contact with the footpeg of the motorcycle, a removable insert can be applied at this central part 20. In this way, in case of wear, only the insert and not the whole sole may be replaced. According to the invention, a protective layer 22 is arranged at a top portion of the central part 20 of the sole 18 so as to be faced to the lasting board 6 or the shell 8 (see figures 4, 6, 9 and 11 ). In particular, the protective layer 22 is made with an anti-perforation material.

[0050] As shown in figures 4 and 11 , the protective layer 22 is advantageously designed to be in direct contact with a bottom surface of the lasting board 6 or the shell 6.

[0051] As it will be disclosed in the following, the protective layer 22 provides an additional protection to the lasting board 6 or the shell 8. This is particularly relevant if the central portion of the sole 18 is heavily damaged, leading to at least partial exposure of the bottom surface of the lasting board 6 or the shell 8.

[0052] In particular, the specific positioning of the protective layer 22 in the central part 20 of the sole 18 prevents the lasting board 6 or the shell 8 from coming into direct contact with the teeth of the footpeg of the motorcycle, avoiding that the sharp shape of the teeth of the footpeg may also damage the lasting board 6 or the shell 8. Obviously, the protective layer 22 is also effective in protecting the lasting board 6 and the shell 8 from direct contact against external bodies.

[0053] Moreover, the provision of the protective layer 22 does not increase the total thickness of the sole 18 so as not to reduce the comfort of the user.

[0054] Preferably, the protective layer 22 is made with at least one layer of fabric based on aramid fibers and / or polyethylene fibers.

[0055] Advantageously, said layer of fabric based on aramid fibers can be made of meta-aramid or para-aramid fibers. Preferably, the protective layer 22 can be made with fabric suitable for offering a high abrasion resistance, such as Nomex® or Kevlar®, manufactured by DuPont, or Glenguard®, manufactured by Glen River.

[0056] It should be understood that the materials mentioned herein are for illustration purposes only and are not meant to be limiting.

[0057] As a matter of fact, other materials than those mentioned herein may be used without departing from the principles of the present invention.

[0058] Advantageously, the protective layer 22 has a thickness between 0.5mm and 1.2mm. Preferably, the protective layer 22 has a thickness of about 1 .0mm.

[0059] The protective layer 22 can be applied in correspondence to a seat provided at the top portion of the sole 18.

[0060] Alternatively, the protective layer 22 can be embedded in the sole 18 during the manufacturing process of the latter.

[0061] In a further embodiment, in case the protective layer 22 is made with at least one fabric based on aramid fibers and / or polyethylene fibers, the at least one fabric can be impregnated with a polymer resin.

[0062] As it is shown in figure 11 , the protective layer 22 has a substantially rectangular shape and it is designed to substantially extend from a lateral to a medial portion of the central part 20 of the sole 18.

[0063] In the enclosed figures a protective layer 22 arranged exclusively at the central part 20 of the sole 18 is shown (see figures 10-11 ). However, in a further embodiment, the protective layer 22 can extend from the central part 20 of the sole towards the front part 23 and / or the rear part 25 of the sole In this way, not only the central portion of the lasting board 6 or shell 8 are protected against damages, but also the portions arranged at the front portion and the rear portion of the foot of the user can be protected against direct contact with the teeth of the footpeg or other external bodies.

[0064] As it is shown in figures 5, 7 and 9, the protective layer 22 can be advantageously provided at a bottom surface with a support layer 24 made with a material having different characteristics with respect to the material of the sole 18.

[0065] In particular, the protective layer 22 and the support layer 24 can form an assembly designed to be embedded in the sole 18.

[0066] Preferably, the support layer 24 can be made with a material different with respect to the material of the sole 18. For example, the support layer 24 can be made with thermoplastic polyurethane, while the sole 18 is made of rubber.

[0067] Alternatively, the support layer 24 can be made with the same material of the sole 18, but having different hardness or density.

[0068] Advantageously, the support layer 24 can have a thickness between 1 ,5mm and 2.5mm. Preferably, the support layer 24 has a thickness of about 2.0mm.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment, the support layer 24 can have a different color with respect to the sole 18. For example, the support layer 24 can have a first color, for instance red, and the sole 18 can have a second color, for instance black or white.

[0070] In this way, the support layer 24 is suitable for providing a further visual indication to the user about the wear of the sole 18. Namely, in case the support layer 24 is colored in red and the sole 18 is colored in black, once the latter is undergoing heavy wear, red streaks or points will emerge from the bottom surface of the sole 18 so as to signal to the user that the sole 18 needs to be replaced, even if the protective layer 22 is still embedded in the sole.

[0071] In other terms, the support layer 24, in particular if colored, is suitable for providing a first signal to the user about the needing to replace the worn sole 18, while the protective layer 22, once exposed, is suitable for providing a last warning about the needing to replace the sole 18.

[0072] At the same time, the protective layer 22, since it is able to shield the bottom surface of the lasting board 6 or shell 8, offers a further protection to such elements, still permitting the use of the motorcycle boot after the replacement of the sole.

[0073] Additionally, the assembly formed the protective layer 22 and the support layer 24 may act as an anti-vibration layer so as to reduce the vibrations transmitted from the footpeg of the motorcycle to the user’s foot. As a matter of fact, such an assembly realizes a discontinuity in the sole structure so as to dampen the vibrations originated from the footpeg.

[0074] It is thus clear how the predefined objects may be achieved with the sport footwear of the present invention.

[0075] The provision of the protective layer 22 between the sole 18 and the bottom part of the lasting board 6 or shell 8 provides a further protection against the wear of the sole, reducing the risk that an excessive wear of the sole may damage the structure of the boot making it no longer usable. At the same time, the provision of the protective layer 22 does not make the structure of the sole 18 of the motorcycle boot 1 more complex and it does not reduce the comfort offered to the user. Moreover, even the operations of replacement of the sole 18 are not affected by the presence of the protective layer 22.

[0076] Furthermore, the combination of the protective layer 22 with a colored support layer 24 provides in a simple way a warning signal to the user about the wear of the sole 18 so as to lead to a prompt replacement thereof.

[0077] Lastly, the assembly formed by the protective layer 22 and the support layer 24 increases the comfort offered by the motorcycle boot to the user, since it may also act as an anti-vibration layer suitable for dampening the vibrations transmitted from the footpeg to the user’s foot.

[0078] With regard to the embodiments of the sport footwear described above, the person skilled in the art may, in order to satisfy specific requirements, make modifications to and / or replace elements described with equivalent elements, without thereby departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims1 . Sport footwear (1 ) comprising:- un upper (2) delimiting an inner space for a foot of a user; a lower portion (3) of the upper (2) being fastened to a lasting board (6) or to a shell (8) made of rigid or semirigid material;- a sole (18) comprising a central part (20) designed to be arranged at a midfoot of the user when the sport footwear (1 ) is worn by the user; said sole (18) being joined to a bottom part of the lasting board (6) or shell (8); characterized in that a protective layer (22) is arranged at a top portion of the central part (20) of the sole (18) to be faced to the lasting board (6) or the shell (8); said protective layer (22) being made with an anti-perforation material.

2. Sport footwear (1 ) according to claim 1 , characterized in that said protective layer (22) is made with at least one layer of fabric based on aramid fibers and / or polyethylene fibers.

3. Sport footwear (1 ) according to claim 2, characterized in that said at least one layer of fabric based on aramid fibers is made of meta-aramid or paraaramid fibers.

4. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective layer (22) has a thickness between 0.5 mm and 1 .2 mm.

5. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective layer (22) is provided at its bottom portion with a support layer (24) made with a material having different characteristics with respect to the material of the sole (18).

6. Sport footwear (1 ) according to claim 5, characterized in that said support layer (24) has a different color with respect to the sole (18).

7. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said support layer (24) has a thickness between 1 ,5mm and 2.5mm.

8. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, said sport footwear (1 ) consisting in a motorcycle boot, preferably in a motocross boot.

9. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said protective layer (22) extends from the central part (20) of the sole (18) towards the front part (23) and / or the rear part (25) of the sole (18).

10. Sport footwear (1 ) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said sole (18) is made of polymeric material, like thermoplastic or vulcanized rubber, polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurethane.

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