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  Wet grip characteristics of shoesUSPTO Application #: 20080005930Title: Wet grip characteristics of shoes Abstract: Method of improving the performance of sports shoes, especially soccer boots, by improving the coefficient of friction of key areas of the shoe (such as the toe box and upper) in both wet and dry conditions. Described are the application of butylene type coatings, including polyisobutylene polymers, to maintain desirable existing characteristics of a shoe, such as feel and feedback, but which improve grip. Variations such as patches, and areas of specific types of fabric or coating, are also discussed. (end of abstract) Agent: Young & Thompson - Arlington, VA, US Inventor: Simon Jeremy Skirrow USPTO Applicaton #: 20080005930 - Class: 03603200R (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080005930. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention applies preferentially to sports shoes and describes methods for increasing the grip of the outer surface of the shoe upper. BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION [0002] A number of factors affect the performance of sports shoes. Special sets of conditions also exist for different shoe applications. For instance a cross-trainer will have significantly different considerations than will shoes manufactured for use in ball sports--where the shoe may kick and contact the ball. It is the considerations for shoes manufactured for use in ball sports with which the present invention primarily concerns itself. However, this does not preclude the present invention being subsequently applied for the manufacture of other types of shoes. [0003] There are also different sets of considerations affecting different parts of a shoe, and its manufacture. While these are not totally independent of each other, the present invention focuses on the construction of the upper of the shoe. The nature of the upper affects not only the perceived performance of the shoe during ball contact, but also influences overall characteristics of the shoe--for instance, overall rigidity, flexibility, etc. For this reason, most manufactured shoes for ball sports have followed fairly traditional techniques--for instance, athletic grade leathers are the preferred material of construction, despite many other fabrics and materials being used in the uppers of other types of sports shoes. [0004] At least part of the preference for leather relates not just to overall shoe characteristics, but also the perceived feel and performance of a shoe by a player. Most of the changes in shoe upper materials have involved using leathers with different physical characteristics (e.g. thickness, grain, etc.) or different types of leathers (e.g. from different animals). Synthetic leathers tend not to be used in good quality shoes. [0005] However, while there are a large number of such variables which manufacturers alter to change the characteristics and performance of a shoe, there are also significant limitations. One of these limitations comprises `contact grip`--the degree of grip between the shoe and a ball when they make contact. This is an important factor in perceived performance. Where there is good grip, there is more consistency in both the nature and consequence of contact. This typically translates to a player improving in their skills more rapidly as the consistency and predictability of how a ball reacts (during contact with a ball) allows them to focus less on compensating for erratic behaviour. Where a ball skids across the surface of the upper leads to less predictable accuracy and behaviour, and requires the player to instinctively compensate based on their own skill and knowledge of the handling characteristics of the shoe. [0006] Most existing ball sport shoes (such as soccer boots) from standard athletic provide reasonably predictable behaviour in the dry. Even still, grip may not be ideal in all possible contact situations (with a ball) and less than ideal behaviour results. A significant proportion of this relates to the degree of grip between the ball and shoe. Where there is little grip, there is likely to be skidding, sliding, and other non-wanted interactions between the ball and shoe. This leads to unwanted behavioral and perceivable performance problems in a shoe. [0007] This represents quite a considerable problem. While standard shoes provide reasonable, but not ideal, performance in the dry, most games and training sessions are played in wet or damp conditions. This is where the standard athletic leathers of current shoes fail significantly. Even where only one contacting surface is wet, the coefficient of friction falls substantially. In one standard test--to be described later--the coefficient of friction of dry athletic leather is 0.8, while wet athletic leather is 0.3. This provides an indication of the effect of dampness on typical leathers. Even the coefficient of friction of dry athletic leather is relatively low, and texturing the leather may only raise this to about 1.7. Accordingly there are some significant limitations in the performance of leathers for use in ball sports shoe construction, and this translates into significant limitations in the maximum performance of such shoes. [0008] Accordingly there is a need for a method of improving the performance, and perceived performance (to a player), of sports shoes for use in ball sports. [0009] The inventor is not the only person to recognize the problems associated with these types of sports shoes. Methods applied to shoes in the past have focused on texturing processes to roughen the surface of materials used, or to introduce raised features which increase water drainage as well as acting as physical raised surfaces which theoretically grip better. Examples include the rubber projections of Brutting (U.S. Pat. No. 3,191,321) and the formations of Johnson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,437,112). Exotic materials such as sharkskin have also been reported (WO0307745). However, these modifications only provide marginal and barely acceptable wet grip improvements, and with a cost to manufacturing ease, cost, and flexibility. Most importantly they tend to reduce the feedback to a player during ball contact. This is perhaps one reason why leathers have predominated in the construction of uppers for sports shoes in ball sports. The direction that the prior art is heading has thus failed to produce anything of outstanding or significantly improved quality that satisfies player's and manufacturer's needs alike. [0010] Accordingly, there is also a real need for a method for producing a sports shoe for use in ball sports, which provides improved grip but not at the expense of reduced player feedback, or complicated upper manufacturing processes. Ideally a substantially standard manufacturing process, and production machinery, for producing leather uppers could be used. [0011] It is therefore one object of the present invention to address these considerations. [0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a shoe having, or means for modifying a shoe to have, improved gripping characteristics on at least part of the upper when wet. [0013] At the very least it is an object of the present invention to provide the public with a useful alternative choice. [0014] Aspects of the present invention will be described by way of example only and with reference to the ensuing description. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a material for use in shoe upper construction which has a PIB coating comprising a PIB polymer or copolymer, as herein defined, on its grain or outer face. [0016] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, which is a leather. [0017] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, in which the PIB coating comprises a polyisobutylene-isoprene copolymer. [0018] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, in which the percentage of copolymerized isoprene is within the inclusive weight range of 0.01-5% isoprene [0019] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, in which the PIB polymer has an RMM in the inclusive range of 600 to 1500. [0020] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, in which the PIB polymer has an RMM in the inclusive range of 850 to 1200. [0021] According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a material, substantially as described above, which the PIB coating is applied by a roller coating method. Continue reading... Full patent description for Wet grip characteristics of shoes Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Wet grip characteristics of shoes 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 Wet grip characteristics of shoes or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Structure for the flexible damping of dynamic effects on a body, and a damping member Next Patent Application: Shoe sole orthotic structures and computer controlled compartments Industry Class: Boots, shoes, and leggings ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Wet grip characteristics of shoes patent info. 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