| Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vampUSPTO Application #: 20070245596Title: Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp Abstract: A composite vamp includes a first, relatively softer layer shaped and dimensioned to define a periphery of the vamp and the profile of an upper surface of the vamp, and a second, relatively harder layer bonded to the first layer, which second layer is adapted to overlie the instep region of a foot and shaped to match the instep region of the foot. (end of abstract) Agent: Merchant & Gould PC - Minneapolis, MN, US Inventors: Alan Gerrand, Norbert Fechter USPTO Applicaton #: 20070245596 - Class: 036046500 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Boots, Shoes, And Leggings, Uppers, Prepared For Lasting The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070245596. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to footwear and more particularly to a composite vamp for footwear and to an injection moulding process for the manufacture of a vamp. The invention has application to footwear for sporting use, especially to footwear used in the kicking of a ball or the like, and to protective footwear. [0002] Throughout this specification, the "instep" is the top of the foot between the ankle and toes, or the corresponding part of footwear, and the "arch" is used in its conventional sense of the arched underneath part of the foot. The term "vamp" is used to describe the front part of the upper of a shoe or boot. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In sports where a ball is kicked by a player, it is normal to use a shoe or a boot to protect the foot of the person kicking the ball. With different sports, the nature of the shoe or boot varies to allow for the way in which the ball is kicked, and the nature of the ball being kicked. However in all instances the shoe or boot attempts to follow the inherent shape of a human foot. [0004] When playing a ball game such as soccer the player will tend to use different parts of the boot to perform different kicking actions. For example, the side of the ball of the foot, the toe, and the outside of the ball of the foot are usually employed for "passing" and other small kicks not requiring much power but requiring greater control. At these parts of the foot, there is a relatively greater sense of feel and therefore the player will have greater control. When a powerful kick is required it is normally the instep of the foot that is used as this allows for great power when kicking, particularly in view of the solid nature of this part of the foot and of the general bony structure beneath the skin. This structure provides a relatively hard surface underneath the laces of the boot so that a solid kicking surface is provided to thus impart maximum kicking energy to the ball to thus project it the furthest possible distance. Nevertheless, instep kicking is only used for a small proportion of overall kicks because players find it less predictable, i.e. control and accuracy are diminished relative to, e.g. medial or inside kicking. [0005] Since the shape of the portion of the human foot that does the kicking generally does not match the shape of the ball, it is known to introduce a shoe or boot insert, or to manufacture the vamp of the shoe or boot adjacent the instep of the user's foot, in order to modify the ball contacting surface of the shoe or boot. [0006] The concept of modifying the vamp of a shoe to improve kicking is disclosed in EP 359081, which describes a vamp with side ridges to enable a ball to be better guided by the foot and to thereby enhance kicking precision. [0007] International patent publication no. WO99/00970 by A. Gerrand describes an insert that assists in obtaining a concave vamp. This insert, which may be attached to or formed integrally with the shoe, serves to provide a surface that complements the shape of the ball being kicked, effectively "cupping" the ball as it contacts the instep. A cupping effect imparts far more of the kicking energy to the ball, and provides great guidance to the ball. [0008] Reference herein to any specific prior art document or other information is not to be taken as an admission that the document or information is common general knowledge, either in Australia or elsewhere. [0009] It is an object of the invention to provide an improved vamp that can be applied to produce footwear with a modified upper surface, and a method for constructing a vamp. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In one aspect, the present invention provides a composite vamp including: [0011] a first, relatively softer layer shaped and dimensioned to define a periphery of the vamp and a profile of an upper surface of the vamp; and [0012] a second relatively harder layer bonded to the first layer, which second layer is adapted to overlie the instep region of a foot and shaped to match the instep region of the foot. [0013] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of forming a composite vamp including: [0014] shaping a piece of relatively soft material in a mould; [0015] injecting a plastic into said mould or into a second mould on at least one side of the soft material; [0016] bonding the injected material to the soft material; and [0017] curing the injected plastic while shaping it by means of the mould to provide a bonded, relatively harder layer of material adjacent the soft material that is adapted to overlie the instep region of a foot and shaped to match the instep region of the foot, while the relatively softer material forms a layer that is shaped and dimensioned to define a periphery of the vamp and the profile of an upper surface of the vamp. [0018] An intermediate reinforcement element of a rigidity to facilitate maintenance of the profile may be disposed between the layers. [0019] In preferred embodiments, the composite vamp can comprise additional layers of material depending on the purpose that the vamp has been designed for. For a vamp of a boot to be used in the construction industry, the reinforcement element may be a steel insert for strength and increased protection. [0020] Advantageously, the composite vamp is manufactured as a one-piece component to be incorporated into a shoe or boot. [0021] In one embodiment, the first relatively softer layer is formed of soft plastic. Alternatively, this layer may be formed of leather or synthetic leather or any other fabric, mesh textile, or full grain leather, provided in a flat sheet. Continue reading... Full patent description for Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Shoe with an upper made of a flat composite and method of making the shoe Next Patent Application: Sandal with replaceable upper and method Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Novel vamp, and injection moulding process for forming a vamp patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 4.03515 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Tyco , Unilever , Warner-lambert , 3m |
||
