Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
TIMBER-089
BOOT WITH INCREASED STABILITY
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of the filing date
of U.S. Patent
Application No. 16/027,802 filed July 5, 2018, the disclosure of which is
hereby incorporated
herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present inventions relate to footwear, and boots in
particular, having
improved performance. More particularly, the present inventions relate to
boots having a
contoured baseboard with a recessed heel portion and a lower connection
between the upper
and the baseboard to lower the center of gravity of the boot for increased
stability and
durability.
[0003] Conventional boot designs typically include thick, sturdy
outsoles to match the
rugged style and use of the boot. While this increases durability, it can
negatively impact
flexibility and stability of the boot due to the location and height of the
dense outsole material
at which the upper of the boot is attached. Attempts have been made to replace
cavities of
material of the outsole with softer or lighter material. However, these
designs suffer from
uneven support across the width of the shoe due to the variable nature of the
profile of the
outsole, with outer portions having greater thickness and inner, central
portions having lesser
thickness. These designs also leave the connection between the upper and the
outsole at a
relatively high location around the boot, minimizing the effect to which the
upper can provide
additional stability to the user.
[0004] Further improvement in boot design is needed to overcome these
deficiencies.
In particular, there is a need for a boot having a lower center of gravity
while maintaining a
high level of support and comfort with enhanced stability.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A first aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having a
bottom surface configured to contact the ground, and a baseboard configured to
support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an
arch portion, and
a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard defining an outer
perimeter, wherein when
the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a maximum height of the heel portion of
the baseboard
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above the flat surface is smaller than a maximum height of the arch portion of
the baseboard
above the flat surface.
[0006] A second aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having
a bottom surface configured to contact the ground, and a baseboard configured
to support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an
arch portion, and
a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard defining an outer
perimeter, wherein when
the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a height of the entire heel portion of
the baseboard above
the flat surface is smaller than a height of the entire arch portion of the
baseboard above the
flat surface.
[0007] A third aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having a
bottom surface configured to contact the ground, and a baseboard configured to
support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an
arch portion, and
a heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard defining an outer
perimeter, wherein when
the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a height of the outer perimeter at the
heel portion of the
baseboard above the flat surface is smaller than a height of the outer
perimeter at the arch
portion of the baseboard above the flat surface.
[0008] In accordance with other embodiments of the first, second, and
third aspects,
the boot may further include an upper secured to the baseboard at or below the
outer
perimeter of the upper surface of the baseboard. The boot may further include
an upper
secured to the outer perimeter of the upper surface of the baseboard at the
arch portion and at
the heel portion.
[0009] The boot may further include a footbed having an upper surface
configured to
contact a wearer's foot and a lower surface that substantially matches the
upper surface of the
baseboard. A side surface of the footbed extending between the upper and lower
surfaces
thereof may substantially match an adjacent surface of the upper.
[0010] The outsole may be comprised of a treadsole configured to
contact the ground
and a midsole configured to contact the baseboard. The treadsole and the
midsole may be
comprised of different materials. The baseboard may be more rigid than the
treadsole, and
the treadsole may be more rigid than the midsole. The baseboard may be
comprised of a
polymer, which may be nylon. The entire baseboard may have a substantially
constant
thickness. The upper surface of the baseboard and a lower surface of the
baseboard may have
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substantially identical shapes. The baseboard may include puncture protection
in accordance
with ASTM, CSA, Nom 113, and ISO safety standards.
[0011] A fourth aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having a
bottom surface configured to contact the ground, a baseboard configured to
support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defining a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a
heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard defining an outer perimeter,
and an upper
secured to the outer perimeter of the baseboard at the arch portion and the
heel portion along
a continuous seam, wherein when the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a
maximum height of
the seam above the flat surface at the heel portion is smaller than a maximum
height of the
seam above the flat surface at the arch portion. In another embodiment, when
the boot is at
rest on a flat surface, a maximum height of the seam above the flat surface at
the forefoot
portion is smaller than the maximum height of the seam above the flat surface
at the arch
portion.
[0012] A fifth aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having a
bottom surface configured to contact the ground, a baseboard configured to
support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defining a forefoot portion, an arch
portion, and a
heel portion, the upper surface of the baseboard defining an outer perimeter,
and an upper
secured to the outer perimeter the baseboard at the arch portion and the heel
portion, wherein
when the boot is at rest on a flat surface, a maximum distance between the
upper and the flat
surface at the heel portion is smaller than a maximum distance between the
upper and the flat
surface at the arch portion. In another embodiment, when the boot is at rest
on a flat surface,
a maximum distance between the upper and the flat surface at the forefoot
portion is smaller
than the maximum distance between the upper and the flat surface at the arch
portion.
[0013] A sixth aspect of the present invention is a boot including an
outsole having a
bottom surface configured to contact the ground, a baseboard configured to
support a
wearer's foot and having an upper surface defined by a forefoot portion, an
arch portion, and
a heel portion, wherein the upper surface consists of first and second
continuous surfaces, the
first continuous surface defined by a concave surface at the forefoot portion
and a convex
surface at the arch portion, and the second continuous surface defined by a
substantially flat
surface at the heel portion, the first and second continuous surfaces joined
at a linear edge of
the upper surface that separates the arch portion from the heel portion,
wherein when the boot
is at rest on a flat surface, a highest point of the convex surface at the
arch portion above the
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flat surface is higher than all of the substantially flat surface at the heel
portion above the flat
surface.
[0014] Other variations of the embodiments of the fourth, fifth, and
sixth aspects may
be as described above in connection with the first, second, and third aspects.
[0015] A seventh aspect of the present invention is a footbed for use
in a boot
including an upper surface configured to contact a wearer's foot, and a lower
surface defining
a forefoot portion, an arch portion, and a heel portion, wherein when the
footbed is at rest on
a flat surface, the heel portion and the forefoot portion contact the flat
surface and the arch
portion is raised above the flat surface. In accordance with other embodiments
of the seventh
aspect, a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface at the
heel portion may
be greater than both a thickness between the upper surface and the lower
surface at the arch
portion and a thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface at the
forefoot
portion. The thickness between the upper surface and the lower surface at the
arch portion
may be greater than the thickness between the upper surface and the lower
surface at the
forefoot portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 is a side elevational sectional view of a boot in
accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged portion of the view shown in FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a top perspective sectional view of the boot shown in
FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevational sectional view of the boot shown
in FIG. 1
including a footbed.
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the boot shown in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the footbed boot shown in
FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the footbed boot shown
in FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0023] In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject
illustrated and to be
described with respect to the drawings, specific terminology will be used for
the sake of
clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to any specific
terms used
herein, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all
technical equivalents that
operate in a similar manner to accomplish similar purpose.
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[0024] A first embodiment of a boot 100 is depicted in FIGS. 1-7.
Among other
aspects, boot 100 includes an outsole 10, a baseboard 40, an upper 50, and a
footbed 60.
[0025] Outsole 10 is the lowermost portion of the boot 100 and has a
bottom surface
12 configured to contact the ground, represented by a flat surface 90 in FIG.
1. The outsole
is made up of a treadsole 20 and a midsole 30. Treadsole 20 includes bottom
surface 12,
which contacts the ground and is constructed of durable polymer material in
order to maintain
flexibility and endure normal wear and usage without wearing away. Materials
of which
treadsole 20 can be made include EVA, polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane,
thermal
plastic rubber, blown rubber, expanded thermal plastic urethane, polyolefin,
and the like.
Midsole 30 is positioned above the treadsole 20 to provide cushioning for boot
100 between
treadsole 20 and baseboard 40. Midsole 30 is preferably comprised of a
different, less rigid
material than that of treadsole 20, and is configured to balance its purposes
of providing
stability to the sole of the boot and to absorb and dissipate impact to the
wearer's foot when
the boot strikes the ground or another object. Midsole 30 can be constructed
of various
materials, including EVA, polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane, thermal
plastic rubber,
blown rubber, expanded thermal plastic urethane, polyolefin, and the like.
Preferably, the
material of treadsole 20 makes it more rigid than midsole 30.
[0026] Baseboard 40 is disposed above outsole 10 so that it is
configured to support a
wearer's foot. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, baseboard 40 includes a contoured
upper surface
41 outlined by an outer perimeter 43 and defined by a forefoot portion 44, an
arch portion 46,
and a heel portion 48, which three portions form the entire upper surface 41.
In other words,
upper surface 41 of baseboard 40 consists of only first and second continuous
surfaces 45, 47
that are joined at a linear edge 49. First continuous surface 45 consists of
forefoot portion 44
as a concave surface and arch portion 46 as a convex surface, these references
being made
from the perspective of looking at boot 100 from above. Second continuous
surface 47 is
separated from the first continuous surface by linear edge 49 and consists of
a substantially
flat surface coinciding with heel portion 48. That is, the first and second
continuous surfaces
45, 47 are separated by linear edge 49, which delineates arch portion 46 from
heel portion 48.
Each of first and second continuous surfaces 45, 47 is generally smooth and
uninterrupted
without any abrupt edges or creases. Linear edge 49 represents and abrupt edge
or crease that
separates first and second continuous surfaces 45, 47.
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[0027] A lower surface 42 of baseboard 40 is shaped substantially
identically to upper
surface 41 such that the entire baseboard 40 has a substantially constant
thickness from edge
to edge and throughout. Baseboard 40 is a formed insole preferably comprised
of a resin
impregnated nonwoven, cellulose resin impregnated substrate, polymeric
material, which can
be nylon as well as a combination of the materials, so that it is relatively
rigid and provides
support to the wearer's foot. The material of baseboard 40 makes it more rigid
than both
treadsole 20 and midsole 30. Baseboard 40 can include puncture protection in
accordance
with ASTM, CSA, Nom 113, and ISO safety standards.
[0028] The upper 50 is secured to baseboard 40 at or below outer
perimeter 43 of
upper surface 41 of baseboard 40 along a continuous seam 51. This occurs at
least at arch
portion 46 and heel portion 48 of baseboard 40, as in some instances the upper
50 is not
connected to the entire outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40 at forefoot portion
44 due to the
presence of a reinforced toe cap 52, for example. In line with the discussion
above
concerning the contouring of baseboard 40, when boot 100 is at rest on flat
surface 90, a
maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at heel portion 48 is smaller
than a
maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at arch portion 46. In other
words, when
boot 100 is at rest on flat surface 90, a maximum distance between upper 50
and flat surface
90 at heel portion 48 is smaller than a maximum distance between upper 50 and
flat surface
90 at arch portion 46.
[0029] Seam 51 therefore tracks the contoured path of outer perimeter
43 of
baseboard 40, which allows upper 50 to be anchored to baseboard 40 and the
other portions
of outsole 10 at a lower point in the various areas of boot 100. This provides
increased
stability when horizontal forces are applied to the boot by providing a
resistive force lower to
the ground (i.e. flat surface 90). The fact that these resistive forces act on
boot 100 at a much
lower location relative to prior art boots greatly enhances the strength and
responsiveness of
boot 100 to the user. Together with the lower center of gravity due to the
construction of
outsole 10 and baseboard 40, boot 100 provides the user with a firmer and more
stable grip
on the ground while maintaining a high level of cushioning and comfort.
[0030] Upper surface 41 of baseboard 40 extends from edge to edge
within the
construction of upper 50. In this way, the contouring of upper surface 41 is
consistent and
continuous across the width of boot 100 at all places so that it provides
consistent support all
along the width of boot 100. Baseboard 40 is devoid of any recesses or
openings within its
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otherwise continuous upper surface 41. Rather, heel portion 48 of baseboard 40
is recessed
in its entirety within boot 100 to a height that is lower than that of arch
portion 46. This is the
whole heel portion 48 and not just a portion thereof, so that heel portion 48
also has
consistent and continuous contouring across the width of the boot 100 from
edge to edge.
[0031] That is, when boot 100 is at rest on flat surface 90 such as
the ground, a
maximum height 48H of heel portion 48 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90 is
smaller than
a maximum height 46H of arch portion 46 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90.
In other
words, a height of the entire heel portion 48 above flat surface 90 is smaller
than a height of
the entire arch portion 46 above flat surface 90. A further way to state this
is that a height of
outer perimeter 43 at heel portion 48 above flat surface 90 is smaller than a
height of outer
perimeter 43 at arch portion 46 above flat surface 90. A highest point of the
convex surface
of the first continuous surface 45 at arch portion 46 above flat surface 90 is
higher than all of
the substantially flat surface at heel portion 48 above flat surface 90.
[0032] When boot 100 is at rest on flat surface 90, a maximum height
of the majority
of forefoot portion 44 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90 is also smaller
than maximum
height 46H of arch portion 46 of baseboard 40 above flat surface 90. The
majority of
forefoot portion 44 here is the rear aspect that is adjacent arch portion 46.
This contouring of
forefoot portion 44 is noted with the caveat that the forward most aspect of
forefoot portion
44 where the user's toes will be located is subject to toe spring so that it
can be naturally
curled upward to heights higher than arch portion 46, though the substantial
majority of
forefoot portion 44 is located beneath the maximum height of arch portion 46.
Since seam
51 does not always extend around the entire forefoot portion 44 due to the
presence of toe cap
52, a maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at forefoot portion 44
is smaller than
the maximum height of seam 51 above flat surface 90 at arch portion 46 despite
any curl of
the toe area.
[0033] While upper 50 is secured to baseboard 40 at seam 51 that
follows the contour
of outer perimeter 43 of baseboard 40, midsole 30 may be shaped to extend
above outer
perimeter 43 of baseboard 40 along the exterior surface of upper 50, as shown
in FIG. 5.
This allows midsole 30 to be molded and contoured on the exterior of boot 100
for aesthetic
purposes, and also to enhance the connection of outsole 10 to upper 50.
Midsole 30 may
have an upper edge or periphery that is above or higher than seam 51, though
the fact that
upper 50 extends beneath this upper edge of midsole 30 and down to outer
perimeter 43 of
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baseboard 40 so that it connects at seam 51 provides stability and support to
boot 100 as
described above.
[0034] As shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7, a footbed 60 is included with
boot 100 and has
a lower surface 62 substantially matching the contouring of upper surface 41
of baseboard 40.
An upper surface 61 of footbed 60 is configured to contact a wearer's foot
within boot 100
when it is worn. Thus, footbed 60 is much thicker (or taller) above heel
portion 48 of
baseboard than it is above arch portion 46 and forefoot portion 44. The
resulting construction
of boot 100 replaces a portion of the denser, heavier material of outsole 10
that would
otherwise be much thicker (or taller) at heel portion 48 with the softer foam
material of
footbed 60 to enhance cushioning and comfort for the wearer. The aggregately
layered
construction of boot 100 at heel portion 48 is of a thickness that is similar
to prior art boots,
but the profile of this thickness as described above locates the heavier,
denser material (of
outsole 10) closer to the ground to lower the overall center of gravity of
boot 100, particularly
at heel portion 48, by placing more of its weight near the ground, resulting
in increased
stability and grip and resulting in less fatigue to the user during normal
wear of boot 100 as
compared with other boots having thicker (taller) outsoles.
[0035] A side surface 63 of the footbed extending between upper and
lower surfaces
61, 62 thereof substantially matches an adjacent surface of upper 50 (and
where applicable,
toe cap 52) since it is seated within boot 100 to follow the contouring of
upper 50 around and
just above baseboard 40. Footbed 60 can also have recessed areas 64 extending
upward from
lower surface 62, particularly above heel portion 48, to remove some of the
foam material to
further increase cushioning and comfort by allowing the remaining material of
footbed 60
adjacent recessed areas to flex horizontally in addition to compressing
vertically. Similarly,
grooves 65 in both the width and length directions of boot 100 can be provided
for similar
enhanced comfort. Grooves 65 at forefoot portion 46 are formed in a grid
arrangement,
which results in pillars 66 extending up from lower surface 62. Materials of
which footbed
60 can be made include EVA, polyurethane, thermal plastic urethane, expanded
thermal
plastic urethane, polyolefin, and the like.
[0036] Although the invention herein has been described with reference
to particular
embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely
illustrative of the
principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be
understood that
numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that
other
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arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the
present
invention as defined by the appended claims.
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