Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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RESILIENT STRAP-ON SOLE COVER
The present invention relates to a resilient sole cover which can be
strapped onto the shoe of a wearer for purposes of providing a resilient layer
between the shoe and a hard floor.
BACKGROUND
There has been much research that shows a direct relationship
between comfort, safety, and productivity in the workplace. In situations
where long
periods of standing exist, worker discomfort and fatigue can negatively impact
productivity, absenteeism, and healthcare costs-. Standing requires about 20
percent more energy than sitting. The foot is a very complex organ, a
structure of 25
bones, or 12.5% of all the bones in the entire body, 56 ligaments, 38 muscles
and
over 7000 nerve endings. It is essential to recognize that your feet are
sensitive
parts of your body deserving good care. Being farthest from the heart, the
feet
generally have the poorest circulation in the body and this diminishes with
age
Depending on the floor surface and the amount of time workers are standing,
employees can 'feel drained' and experience poor blood circulation in feet and
legs.
This may lead to serious consequences for health and safety at the work place.
Beyond discomfort, pain and fatigue sets up the worker for further injuries
affecting
the muscles and joints. In addition an employee who is suffering from pain and
fatigue is less alert and more likely to act in an unsafe manner.
Anti-fatigue mats have been designed to provide effective shock
attenuation to address this problem. These mats are made of various materials
including rubber, vinyl, wood and carpeting materials. By alleviating
pressure, it can
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help stimulate blood circulation and possibly reduce stress of the lower back,
leg
joints, and major muscle groups. The result is an improved workplace with
fewer
occupational health complaints.
One anti-fatigue mat is available from 3M which is formed of a layer of
intermingled course strands of heat bondable flexible plastics or rubber
material
which fibers are bonded together at crossing points to form an interconnected
mat.
One surface of the layer is relatively flat and the bonding effect is more
pronounced
with some of the strands clearly melted in the bonding process to form a tight
surface while the other surface is looser and the strands less bonded together
so
that the strands are loose at the surface and stand out from the surface. This
mat is
commercially available and widely used as a floor covering for commercial
floors for
purposes of reducing fatigue in workers required to stand and work on the
floor for
extended time periods. The mat is applied to the floor surface such as
concrete with
the tight surface in contact with the floor and the loose surface facing
upwardly. This
mat is resistant to wear and to damage from commercial use including material
spills
and thus is widely used.
However there are many locations where the mat cannot be used such
as where there us considerable vehicular traffic, and thus in those locations
the
workers are obligated to work, stand and walk directly on the concrete floor
with the
consequential discomfort and fatigue which is widely documented.
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SUMMARY
It is one object of the present invention to provide an improved
apparatus which can be attached to the shoe of a wearer for providing a
resilient
surface thereon.
According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus
comprising:
a foot shaped base layer shaped and arranged to fit under the sole and
heel of a shoe of a wearer;
an upstanding toe connection member standing upwardly from the
base layer at a forwardmost toe end of the base layer so as to stand upwardly
in
front of the shoe of the wearer;
an upstanding heel connection portion standing upwardly from the
base layer at a rearwardmost heel end of the base layer so as to stand
upwardly
behind the shoe of the wearer;
two forward side connection members one on each side at a forward
location on the side of the base layer so as to be located to a respective
side of the
of the shoe of the wearer;
and two rearward side connection members one on each side at a
location on the side of the base layer rearward of the forward location so as
to be
located to a respective side of the of the shoe of the wearer;
and straps connected between the toe connection member, the heel
connection portion, the two forward side connection members and the two
rearward
side connection members for wrapping around the shoe of the wearer for
attachment
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of the base layer to the foot of the wearer underneath the shoe of the wearer;
wherein the base layer comprises a resilient anti-fatigue mat defined
by resilient polymer fibers heat bonded together.
In one arrangement, the layer consists solely of the mat of fibers
without any supporting materials or layers.
The layer is thus resilient in that it provides a cushioning effect through
its thickness to assist in reducing shock and forces on the foot of the
wearer.
The layer is also flexible in that it contains no rigid or stiffening
elements which inhibit the ability of the layer to flex under the shoe of the
wearer as
the shoe flexes during movement of the wearer.
Alternatively, the mat of fibers is bonded to an upper resilient layer for
engaging the bottom of the shoe.
In one embodiment, the upper resilient layer is a layer of rubber
bonded to the fibers.
In another embodiment, the upper resilient layer is a coat into which
the upper fibers are incorporated.
Preferably the mat of fibers includes a tight surface where the fibers
are more tightly bonded together and a loose surface where the fibers include
loose
strands and wherein the loose surface is arranged to engage the ground.
According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided an
apparatus comprising:
a resilient foot shaped base layer shaped and arranged to fit under and
cover the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer for contacting the ground when
the
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wearer is standing,
the base layer having an upper surface and a lower surface a plurality
of holes therethrough at spaced positions across the layer with each hole
extending
through from the upper surface to the lower surface;
straps connected to a front end, a rear end and sides of the base layer
for wrapping around the shoe of the wearer for attachment of the base layer to
the
foot of the wearer beneath the sole and heel of the shoe of the wearer;
and an anti-slip insert comprising a thin, generally flat, flexible support
member having an upper surface and a lower surface and a plurality of studs
projecting from the lower surface of the support member;
the support member being shaped and arranged to be located
between the base layer and the shoe;
the studs being arranged at spaced positions across the support
member such that, with the lower surface of the support member being in
contact
with the upper surface of the base layer, each of the studs projects through a
respective one of the holes;
and the studs having a length such that ends of the studs contact the
ground when the wearer is standing and such that the lower surface of the base
layer also contacts the ground when the wearer is standing to provide support
for the
wearer so that the wearer is supported partly on the studs and partly on the
resilient
base layer.
The device described herein provides an innovative approach to help
increase the effectiveness of an anti-fatigue matting program. The device
described
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herein provides mobile matting. By strapping the device to the soles of the
workers
footwear the employee takes the mat with them. The elastic properties of the
device
resemble the natural springiness of a un-compacted soil, such as a farm field.
Every
foot movement with the device is absorbed by the `give' in the soles to reduce
any
impact effects. It springs back to deliver that small amount of energy back to
the
feet. Wearing the device increases the employees comfort, while maintaining
mobility so they can work longer without being restless, and will not be
focusing on
their next rest break or how long before they get to go home. If workers have
full
confidence that they will be safe, healthy and relatively comfortable at work,
they will
be more productive.
Designed to support an overall anti-fatigue strategy, the device is
recommended to be used where employees are mobile, moving from station to
station or where traditional anti-fatigue mats are not efficient or effective.
For
example, at a check out counter, a floor mat must be removed to accommodate
cleaning cycles, increasing labor and strain for cleaning staff. With the
device soles
are simply removed and stored for next use. Different mobile mats suit
different
working environments so that different types and thickness of mat can be used.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention:
Figure 1 is a top plan view of an embodiment according to the present
invention.
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view along the lines 2-2 of Figure 1.
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Figure 3 is a cross sectional view along the lines 3-3 of Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 5 is a rear elevational view of the embodiment of Figure 1.
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1
showing an additional anti-slip insert.
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the embodiment of Figure 1
showing a modified material.
Figure 8 is a top plan view of a second embodiment according to the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The strap on sole is generally indicated at 10 and comprises a mat 11
and a series of straps 12.
The mat 11 is of the character previously described as shown in
figures 6 and 7 with a smooth or tight top surface 11A which engages the shoe
of
the wearer and thus faces upwardly in use and a lower loose surface 11 B which
is
arranged for engaging the ground. The looser surface provides additional
friction for
the wear on the ground.
The mat is cut into the general shape of a shoe including a sole section
13 and a heel section 14. The mat is symmetrical so is usable on either foot.
The
mat thus has a peripheral edge 15 which defines the outer shape of the layer
or mat
or pad for lying underneath the foot of the wearer.
In practice, two different sizes can be provided including a smaller size
which will match a range of shoe sizes of smaller size and a second size which
can
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match a range of larger shoe sizes. It is thus not essential that the edge 15
is
directly at the edge of the shoe, but it is desirable that it is close to the
edge of the
shoe. The thickness of the mat is of the order of half inch the thicker or
thinner mat
can also be used and are available. This mat therefore is resilient in that it
can bend
and fold but has sufficient stiffness that it takes up a generally flat shape
underneath
the sole.
Predicting beyond the peripheral edge 15 is provided a priority of tabs
which extend outwardly. Each tab is generally rectangular in shape and is thus
approximately 0.75 to 1.0 inches square to receive attach thereto the straps
which
are generally of the order of 0.5 to 0.75 inches in width.
Turning firstly to the second embodiment shown in Figure 8, at the
front centre is provided a tab 16. Along each side is provided two tabs
including a
forward side tab 17 and a reward side tab 18. At the rear edge, the rear edge
is
straight across the rear of the mat as indicated at 19 and there provided two
space
tabs 20 and 21 at the end of the straight rear edge 19.
To the front tab 16 is attached a front strap 22 which extends
rearwardly to a triangular connector 23 to which is attached at one side. The
front
end of the strap 32 is stitched to the tab 16 from the underside, thus tending
to pull
the tab upwards so it projects upwardly out of the plane of the mat as shown
in
Figure 1. The front strap 22 includes a loop 22A defined by an additional
piece
stitched on the under side. Connected across the tabs 17 is transverse front
strap
23A including a hook and loop fastener section 24 which passes through a
connector 25 and is looped back onto itself. The connector 25 is coupled to a
further
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strap portion 26 which is stitched to the tab 17 on the other side. Thus the
length of
the forward transverse strap 23A can be increased or decreased by changing the
lengths of the loop of the hook and loop connection section and pulling it
through the
connector 25. The strap 23A passes through the loop 22A and then passes over
the
top of the loop 22A so as to connect the strap 23A to the strap 22 and locate
the
strap 23A from moving forwardly or rearwardly.
At the tabs 18 is connected the rear strap 27 with a buckle 28 which
allows the rear strap to be disconnected at the buckle and its lengths to be
adjusted
at the buckle. Such buckles are of course well known and conventionally
available.
A forward portion 27A of the strap extension the buckle to the tab 18 on the
other
side. The strap 27 then extends around the heal of the wearer and tends to
lift the
tabs and pull them upwardly and rearwardly. The strap portion 27 is stitched
only to
the bottom side of the tab 18 using stitches 18A. The strap portion 27A
includes top
and bottom straps connected to the top and bottom of the tab 18 and looped
around
a connector in the buckle 28.
The rear section of the mat is pulled upwardly onto the heel of the
wearer so that the rear edge 19 lies across the rear of the heel rather than
on the
sole plate of the wearer. Then the tabs project upwardly and are pulled
outwardly
along each side of the shoe of the wearer by rear straps 30 and 31 which are
stitched to the tabs 20 and 21 respectively. The straps 30 and 31 extend
forwardly
each on the respective side of the shoe on the wearer along the top of the
shoe to
the triangular connector 23 which is located on the arch of the foot of the
wearer.
The forward end of each of the straps 30 and 31 is connected to a respective
side of
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the connector 23. Each of the straps includes a buckle 28 of the type which
allows
the strap to be disconnected and its length to be adjusted as previously
described.
The matting material available from 3M is formed from loose strands of
a polymeric or rubber material with the fibers or strands formed into loops
where
each loop is attached to next adjacent loops by a heat bonded effect. The
matting
provides an arrangement in which there is a side surface which is more bonded
and
therefore tighter and the second surface is very much looser allowing
individual
fibres or strands to be exposed at the surface with interstices between the
strands.
The strands have a thickness of the order of 1 mm and are formed of a material
which is resistant to breakage when pulled with a relatively high extension to
break.
The matting can be used solely as the mat layer itself formed solely
from the fibres where the tighter side is indicated at 11A in Figure 6 and a
looser
side is indicated at 11 B.
However in order to provide a more substantial support for the fibres,
the fibres can be bonded into a gel layer or coat 11 C as shown in Figure 7
where a
coating is applied onto the tighter side of the matting which bonds into or
absorbs
some of the fibre parts so that the uppermost surface 11 D of the coating is
smooth
without any fibres exposed and the fibres are attached into a lower surface 11
E of
the coating 11 C. The coating can be formed of a gel formed from the same
polymer
as the fibres so that the gel bonds intimately to the outside surfaces of the
fibres or
may even melt the fibres to form an integral structure in which the fibres are
attached and the lower part of the fibres extend into the loose surface 11 D.
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As yet further arrangement shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4, the tight side
11A of the matting is adhesively attached to a sheet 11 F of a suitable
resilient
material such as rubber so that the sheet is independent of the matting but is
adhesively attached to the matting so as to form a laminated structure. The
application of the gel coat or the attached rubber layer assists in providing
integrity
to the matting and may provide an increased wear resistance.
Turning now to the details of the strap shown in the first embodiment
best shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the mat 11 has attached thereto a co-
connector 30
centrally of the toe and lying on a centre line 31. On each side adjacent the
toe is
provided front side connectors 32 and 33. Adjacent the heel on each side is
provided a rear side connector 34 and 35. At the heel is provided two heel
connectors 36 and 37. The toe connector 30 includes a rearwardly extending
strap
portion 38 which then diverges into a generally triangular section 39 having
an apex
40 lying on the centre line 31 and two side surfaces 41 and 42 extending
outwardly
and forwardly from the apex 40 so as to be inclined toward the respective side
connector 32, 33. Adjacent each side 41, 42 is provided a slot 43, 44. The toe
connector 30 can be formed from a suitable flexible sheet material such as
leather or
can be moulded as an injection moulded article defining the slots 43 and 44.
The side connectors 32 and 33 are each shaped so they have a wide
edge 33A at the periphery 15 of the mat 11 and then converge to the width of
the
strap defining converging side edges 33B and 33C. As shown in Figure 3 the
side
connector 33 is stitched onto the top of the mat 11 onto of the layer 11 F by
stitches
33D. The strap S is stitched also into the structure and attached to the side
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connector. Thus the increasing width of the side connector at the peripheral
edge
15 provides more stability than would merely the width of the strap at the
same
location due to the increased length of contact in-between the side connector
33 and
the peripheral edge 15.
The side connectors 34 and 35 and the heel connectors 36 and 37 are
basically of the same construction in that each comprises a slide or ring 35A,
37A
defining two parallel rods 37B, 37C interconnected to form a space 37D
therebetween. As best shown in Figure 2, the connector 35 includes the rod 35B
which is attached to the edge 15 of the mat by a stitched loop 35F attached by
stitches 35E. The rod 35B thus lies parallel to the side edge 15 so that the
rod 35C
is spaced outwardly from the side edge leaving the space 35D therebetween.
As the slide or ring 35A is attached at the side, the rod 35C is parallel
to the side edge and thus horizontal along the side edge.
As the slide or ring 37A is attached at the heel which is pulled up
behind the heel of the shoe of the wearer so as to stand upwardly from the
horizontal section of the mat, the rod 37C is also parallel to the side edge
but the
side edge itself is vertical at that point and so the rod 37C is also
vertical.
It will be noted that the rod 35A is longer than the width of the strap S
whereas the rod 37C is substantially equal to the width of the strap S. The
length of
the rod 35C accommodates the inclined passage of the strap S through the
opening
35D.
As shown in Figure 5, the connectors 36 and 37 are attached to the
heel portion which is pulled up behind the shoe by a transverse strap 40 which
is
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stitched to the heel portion and wraps around the rod of the respective slid
or loop
forming the connector. This holds the connectors firmly attached across the
rear of
the heel and transfers load from the straps to the whole of the transverse
rear edge
of the heel portion of the mat.
The strap S2 which is connected to the front side connector 33 by the
stitches 33D and additional stitches 33DD extends from the side connector 33
to the
slot 44 where in passes through the slot from the underside onto the top of
the toe
connector 30 at the slot and then extends rearwardly from the slot 44 to the
underside of the rod 35C where it passes under the rod to the outside of the
connector and then over the rod towards the rear connector 37. At the rear
connector the strap S2 passes from the inside of the rear connector rod 37C to
the
outside where it forms a free end connector S4. Symmetrically the strap S1
passes
from the connector 32 through the slot 43 to the connector 34 and the
connector 36
forming a free end S3. The free end S3 includes a pad P which contains a
resilient
material thus reducing pressure against the foot of the wearer when the free
ends
S3 and S4 are connected over the foot as shown in Figure 4. The end connectors
are connected by male and female hook and loop strips as indicated at M and F
at
the ends of the straps S2 and S1 respectively.
The strap arrangement shown allows the pad to be held in place under
the foot of the wearer and connected together by a simple pulling action which
tensions all of the elements of the straps. The toe area of the mat is held in
place by
the engagement around the toe portion of the sole of the shoe by the
connectors 30,
32 and 33. The heel portion is held in place by being pulled up around the
back of
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the heel of the shoe and is held pulled up by the upward pulling action of the
ends of
the strap which engage over the shoe of the wearer at the front of the foot.
The
wrapping of the straps through the side connectors 34 and 35 maintains that
area of
the mat pulled up against the underside of the sole and restricts side to side
movement in that area.
Also shown in Figure 1 in phantom is an insert 50 which is arranged to
be placed between the sole of the shoe and the upper surface of the mat. This
insert is shown in cross section in Figure 6 and comprises a thin flat sheet
of suitable
material which can flex with the mat so that it does not interfere with
operation of the
mat but which has sufficient stiffness to remain flat between the mat and the
shoe.
The sheet is indicated at 51 and carries a plurality of studs 52 each having a
head
53 attached to the sheet by a backing plate 54 and a stud portion 55 which
extends
from the sheet to one side of the sheet to an end 56 of the stud. The studs 52
are
arranged in an array over the sheet primarily under the sole area of the shoe.
The
sheet 51 has a shape so that it matches the shape of the mat and therefore
sits
within the area confined by the connectors and by the upturned heel portion.
The mat has a series of holes punched therethrough at locations
arranged to coincide with the positions of the studs on the sheet 51. Thus the
insert
can be readily placed into its required position on the mat simply by placing
the
sheet 51 over the mat and by pushing the studs through the holes 57 formed in
the
mat. This operation can be carried out readily and manually when required. The
studs 55 have a length so that there end 56 lies just at the bottom surface 11
B of the
mating or very slightly proud of the surface of the mating. Thus as shown in
Figure
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6, the studs just provide an engagement surface defined by the ends 56 which
is
proud of the surface 11 B allowing those ends to engage into or onto a
slippery
surface such as ice. However the fact that the ends 56 are adjacent the
surface 11 B
ensures that the surface 11 B also provides support for the wearer so that the
wearer
is not supported solely upon the studs.
The insert can therefore be placed onto the mat when required for
frictional engagement with slippery surfaces such as ice or snow. However the
main
support of the wearer remains on the mat itself rather than on the studs so
that some
resilient effect still occurs through the mat even when the studs are biting
into the
underlying slippery surface.
Since various modifications can be made in my invention as herein
above described, and many apparently widely different embodiments of same made
within the spirit and scope of the claims without department from such spirit
and
scope, it is intended that all matter contained in the accompanying
specification shall
be interpreted as illustrative only and not in a limiting sense.
