Quarter Configuration for Footwear

• US 20110173841A1
• Filed: 12/21/2010
• Published: 07/21/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2009
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gestion Mcd Inc.
• Original Assignee: Gestion Mcd Inc.
• Inventors: McDuff, Rodrique
• Application Number:
  US12/974,136
• Publication Number:
  US 20110173841A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 36/89
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/0235 Different layers of different material
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 23/07 Linings therefor lining laminated with upper A43B23/026
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/085 in the upper
• CPC Class Codes: A43B 7/20 Ankle-joint supports or holders
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 35/146 Uppers

Abstract

A panel for use as quarter panel or quarter liner comprises a panel body formed of various layers of material pressed into a generally flat state. It also comprises a generally uniform outer surface for the panel body, the outer surface being flat in a malleolus region when the panel body is in the flat state. One or more concavities are defined in the inner surface of the panel body in the flat state and positioned in the malleolus region so as to received at least one malleolus of a wearer when the panel body is formed from the flat state into a boot shape. A method for forming a quarter panel or liner of a boot is also provided.

Claims

1. A panel for use as quarter panel or quarter liner comprising:

a panel body formed of various layers of material pressed into a generally flat state;

a generally uniform outer surface for the panel body, the outer surface being flat in a malleolus region when the panel body is in the flat state; and

at least one concavity defined in the inner surface of the panel body in the flat state, positioned in the malleolus region so as to received at least one malleolus of a wearer when the panel body is formed from the flat state into a boot shape.

2. The panel according to claim 1, further comprising at least one aeration channel defined in the inner surface of the panel body in the flat state, the aeration channel extending from the at least one concavity to a periphery of the panel body.

3. The panel according to claim 2, further comprising two of the aeration channel for each of the concavities.

4. The panel according to claim 1, comprising two of the malleolus region, with one of the concavity for each of the malleolus region to receive the malleoli of the wearer.

5. The panel according to claim 1, wherein the panel body comprises a padding layer facing toward the inner surface, and a core layer facing toward the outer surface, with the at least one concavity defined in the padding layer.

6. The panel according to claim 5, wherein the padding layer and the core layer are made of polymers, with the padding layer having a density higher than that of the core layer.

7. The panel according to claim 6, wherein the padding layer is made of expanded polypropylene having a density ranging between 2.3 lb/ft³ and 3.3 lb/ft³.

8. The panel according to claim 6, wherein the core layer is made of thermoplastic polyethylene having a density ranging between 1.5 lb/ft³ and 2.5 lb/ft³.

9. The panel according to claim 5, wherein the panel body comprises a liner layer of cloth or textile forming the inner surface of the panel body, with the padding layer between the liner layer and the core layer.

10. The panel according to claim 9, wherein the liner layer and the core layer share a common outline in the boot shape, while the padding layer has a smaller periphery than the liner layer and core layer to be fully encapsulated therebetween.

11. The panel according to claim 10, further comprising at least one aeration channel defined in the padding layer of the panel body in the flat state, the aeration channel extending from the at least one concavity to a periphery of the padding layer.

12. The panel according to claim 9, further comprising at least one reinforcement component between the liner layer and one of the padding layer and core layer.

13. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcement component is made of at least one of a plastic and felt.

14. The panel according to claim 12, comprising two of the reinforcement component, with the reinforcement components being located in shoelace eyelet regions of the boot.

15. A method for forming a quarter panel or liner of a boot, comprising:

superposing various layers of material;

providing a mold with at least one boss;

pressing and heating the mold against the various layers of material to laminate the various layers into a flat quarter panel or liner;

simultaneously forming a concavity with the at least one boss in the quarter panel or liner; and

forming the flat quarter panel or liner into a boot shape with the concavity being in the malleolus region to accommodate a malleolus of a wearer.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein providing a mold comprises providing a mold with two of the boss, and simultaneously forming a concavity comprises simultaneously forming two of the concavity, such that the concavities of the formed boot shape accommodates the malleoli of the wearer.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein simultaneously forming a concavity with the at least one boss in the quarter panel or liner comprises forming at least one aeration channel in communication with the concavity.