Footwear for hostile environments

• US 20070039210A1
• Filed: 08/17/2005
• Published: 02/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/17/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Timberland Company (V.F. Corporation)
• Original Assignee: The Timberland Company (V.F. Corporation)
• Inventors: Clark, Douglas, Opie, Stephen, Nevens, Jason
• Granted Patent: US 7,441,351 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/113
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0036 with fluorescent or phosphorescent parts
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 1/0045 made at least partially of deodorant means
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/10 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 13/12 Soles with several layers of different materials
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/06 Waterproof legs
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/32 with shock-absorbing means resilient soles A43B13/18
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/34 with protection against heat or cold

Abstract

The present invention provides articles of footwear for use by firefighters in different activities such as emergency and rescue situations, as well as daily activity in and around the firehouse. Integrated handles enable the firefighter to quickly and easily put the article of footwear on while minimizing the possibility of accidentally catching on equipment, apparel or debris. Locking bands that wrap around the upper are used to adjust for comfort and a secure fit. A dual lacing and zipper system enables the firefighter to initially adjust for fit by selectively tightening the lace, while the zipper provides a quick means for securing the article of footwear. Different outsole lug configurations are suitable for different surfaces, wet, dry and of varying and extreme temperatures. Added protection is available with a tibia/shin protector and ankle protectors.

Claims

1. An article of footwear, comprising:

an outsole having a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface; and

an upper attached to the second surface of the outsole, the upper having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot, an exterior surface, and a collar having a top line providing an opening to the cavity, the collar including an integral gripping member positioned below the top line of the collar.

2. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the gripping member is spaced less than about 4 cm away from the exterior surface of the upper.

3. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the gripping member comprises a folded-over section of the collar that is attached to the exterior surface of the upper with a fastener.

4. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the gripping member has an outer surface substantially aligned with the exterior surface of the upper.

5. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a carrying member disposed along the interior surface of the upper adjacent the upper surface of the collar.

6. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a securing member disposed across the upper from a medial to a lateral side of the article of footwear for securing the foot within the cavity.

7. The article of footwear of claim 6, wherein the securing member comprises at least one locking strap having a first section that is fixedly secured to a first one of the medial side or the lateral side and a second section that is removably connected to a second one of the medial side or the lateral side, at least one of the first and second sections having an elastic portion to allow for stretching and adjustment of the at least one locking strap.

8. The article of footwear of claim 7, wherein the first section is disposed within a channel along an interior section of the upper between the interior surface and the exterior surface, and the second section fastens to the exterior surface of the upper with a fastening system.

9. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a tibia guard positioned along an anterior portion of the upper.

10. The article of footwear of claim 9, wherein the tibia guard has a first surface in contact with an exterior surface of the anterior portion and a second surface remote from the first surface, the second surface including a plurality of ridges thereon, the ridges being operable to provide traction and protection to a wearer of the article of footwear.

11. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a reflective indicator that runs substantially around an outer surface of the article of footwear, the reflective indicator being adjacent to at least one of the upper and the outsole.

12. The article of footwear of claim 11, wherein the outsole includes an inset groove positioned circumferentially along the article of footwear, at least a portion of the reflective indicator being disposed on the inset groove.

13. The article of footwear of claim 1, wherein the outsole includes lugs disposed along the first surface thereof, a first set of the lugs having a substantially triangular pattern and being arranged in at least one row from the medial to the lateral side of the article of footwear, at least some of the first set of lugs including siping along bottoms thereof, a second set of the lugs comprising ridges and being disposed at a toe region and at a heel region of the outsole.

14. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising an ankle protection pad disposed on the medial or the lateral side of the upper.

15. The article of footwear of claim 14, wherein the protection pad comprises a pair of ankle protection pads, a first one of the pair being disposed on the medial side of the upper and a second one of the pair being disposed on the lateral side of the upper, the pair of ankle protection pads each comprising a protective insert, an inner lining disposed along a first side of the protective insert, an outer lining disposed along a second side of the protective insert, and an outer cover disposed over the outer lining.

16. The article of footwear of claim 1, further comprising a heel guard disposed along a heel section of the exterior surface of the upper, the heel guard including an indicator having identification data disposed thereon.

17. An article of footwear, comprising:

an outsole having a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface;

an upper attached to the second surface of the outsole, the upper having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot, an exterior surface, and a collar having a top line providing an opening to the cavity, the collar including an integral gripping member positioned below the top line of the collar;

a carrying member disposed along the interior surface of the upper adjacent to the collar;

a pair of strap members disposed across the upper from a medial to a lateral side of the article of footwear for retaining the foot within the cavity, the strap members each comprising an elasticized locking strap having a first section that is fixedly secured to a first one of the medial side or the lateral side and a second section that is removably connected to a second one of the medial side or the lateral side;

a tibia protector disposed along an anterior section of the upper, the tibia protector including a series of outwardly extending transverse ridges thereon;

a pair of ankle protection pads disposed on the medial and lateral sides of the upper;

an indicator comprising a reflective inset member positioned circumferentially around the article of footwear adjacent to the outsole;

a removable footbed disposed within the cavity of the upper;

a reinforcing plate disposed between the removable footbed and the outsole; and

an insulating member disposed between the removable footbed and the outsole.

18. An article of footwear comprising:

an outsole having a first surface for contacting the ground and a second surface remote from the first surface;

an upper attached to the outsole, the upper having an interior surface defining a cavity for receiving a foot; and

a dual fitting and securing system for retaining the foot within the cavity of the upper, the dual fitting and securing system including a zipper apparatus disposed centrally along an anterior portion of the upper and a lacing system disposed along at least a medial or a lateral side of the zipper apparatus, the lacing system having a series of receptacles and a lace threaded through the series of receptacles, wherein the zipper apparatus is operable to be zipped substantially completely open or closed without impediment by the lacing system.

19. The article of footwear of claim 18, wherein the lacing system further includes a lace locking mechanism for adjustably securing a first end of the lace to the upper.

20. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein a second end of the lace is fixedly secured to the upper.

21. The article of footwear of claim 19, wherein the lacing system is asymmetrically positioned on the upper so that the series of receptacles is positioned along a first side of the zipper apparatus.

22. An article of footwear comprising:

an outsole having a first surface including elongated traction elements for contacting wet surfaces and a second surface remote from the first surface; and

an upper attached to the outsole and defining a cavity for receiving a foot, the upper including a first region of a non-stretchable waterproof material and a second region of a stretchable material adjacent to the first region.

23. The article of footwear of claim 22, wherein the elongated traction elements include a plurality of raised ridge members for removing water from the ground and providing enhanced traction.

24. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the plurality of raised ridge members are arranged in a substantially parallel direction from a medial side to a lateral side of the first surface of the outsole.

25. The article of footwear of claim 23, wherein the plurality of raised ridge members include a first member arranged transversely across the first surface of the outsole, a second member arranged longitudinally along the first surface of the outsole, and a third member arranged in a non-transverse and non-longitudinal direction along the first surface of the outsole.