Shoe upper

Abstract

The invention concerns a shoe upper including at least a first tape and a second tape, where the first tape and/or the second tape is elastic, where the first tape includes a first edge, where a first portion of the first edge of the first tape is not attached to the second tape, and where a second portion of the first edge of the first tape is attached to the second tape.

Claims

1. A shoe upper comprising: a toe region located forward of a metatarsal region; a first tape; a second tape, wherein the first tape and/or the second tape is elastic, wherein the first tape comprises a first edge, an inner side facing toward an interior of the shoe upper, and an outer side opposite the inner side, wherein a first portion of the first edge of the first tape is not attached to the second tape, and wherein a second portion of the first edge of the first tape is attached to the second tape; a third tape arranged partially between the first tape and the second tape such that the first tape, the second tape, and the third tape at least partially overlap in the toe region; and a toe element comprising an edge that overlaps the first tape such that the toe element extends over a portion of the outer side of the first tape, wherein the first tape, the second tape, and the third tape are attached at the edge of the toe element in the toe region, and wherein the first portion of the first edge of the first tape is closer to the edge of the toe element than the second portion of the first edge of the first tape.

2. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein a part of the first tape or a part of the second tape is in a pre-stretched condition, when the shoe upper is not worn.

3. The shoe upper according to claim 1, further comprising a fourth tape, wherein the third tape comprises a first edge, wherein a first portion of the first edge of the third tape is not attached to the fourth tape, and wherein a second portion of the first edge of the third tape is attached to the fourth tape.

4. The shoe upper according to claim 3, wherein the fourth tape comprises a first edge, wherein a first angle is formed between the first edge of the first tape and the first edge of the third tape, wherein a second angle is formed between a first edge of the second tape and the first edge of the fourth tape, and wherein the second angle is smaller than the first angle.

5. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the first tape and the second tape partially overlap such that a first region of the upper comprises a first number of layers and a second region of the upper comprises a second number of layers, and wherein the first number of layers is greater than the second number of layers.

6. The shoe upper according to claim 1, further comprising a retaining tape arranged along a direction from a medial region to a lateral region of the shoe upper.

7. A shoe comprising the shoe upper according to claim 1.

8. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the toe element comprises a tape wrapping around the toe region of the upper.

9. The shoe upper according to claim 1, wherein the first tape extends from a medial side to a lateral side of the upper and the second tape extends from the lateral side to the medial side of the upper.

10. A method of producing a shoe upper comprising: providing a first tape; providing a second tape, wherein the first tape and/or the second tape is elastic, and wherein the first tape comprises a first edge, an inner side facing toward an interior of the shoe upper, and an outer side opposite the inner side; providing a third tape, arranging the third tape partially between the first tape and the second tape such that the first tape, the second tape, and the third tape at least partially overlap in a toe region of the upper forward of a metatarsal region of the upper; attaching a second portion of the first edge of the first tape to the second tape such that a first portion of the first edge of the first tape is not attached to the second tape; and providing a toe element comprising an edge, wherein the first tape, the second tape, and the third tape are attached at the edge of the toe element in the toe region of the upper and the edge of the toe element overlaps the first tape such that the toe element extends over a portion of the outer side of the first tape, and wherein the first portion of the first edge of the first tape is closer to the edge of the toe element than the second portion of the first edge of the first tape.

11. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 10, further comprising arranging the first portion of the first edge of the first tape closer to the toe region of the shoe upper than the second portion of the first edge of the first tape.

12. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 10, wherein attaching the second portion of the first edge of the first tape to the second tape comprises sewing.

13. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 12, wherein sewing comprises applying tension to the first tape and/or the second tape prior to making a stitch.

14. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 13, wherein the first tape comprises a second edge arranged opposite of the first edge, wherein applying tension comprises pulling the first edge of the first tape by a first distance and the second edge of the first tape by a second distance, and wherein the first distance is different from the second distance.

15. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 10, further comprising providing a fourth tape, and arranging the second tape partially between the third tape and the fourth tape.

16. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 15, wherein the third tape comprises a first edge, and wherein the method further comprises: attaching a second portion of the first edge of the third tape to the fourth tape such that a first portion of the first edge of the third tape is not attached to the fourth tape.

17. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 16, wherein the fourth tape comprises a first edge, and wherein the method further comprises: forming a first angle between the first edge of the first tape and the first edge of the third tape; and forming a second angle between the first edge of the second tape and the first edge of the fourth tape, wherein the second angle is smaller than the first angle.

18. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 10, further comprising partially overlapping the first tape and the second tape to form a first region of the upper comprising a first number of layers and a second region of the upper comprising a second number of layers, wherein the first number of layers is greater than the second number of layers.

19. The method of producing a shoe upper according to claim 10, further comprising arranging a retaining tape along a direction from a medial region to a lateral region of the shoe upper, and attaching the retaining tape to at least one of the first tape or the second tape.

20. A method of producing a shoe, comprising: producing a shoe upper according to claim 10; and attaching a sole element to the shoe upper.

21. A shoe comprising: a shoe upper comprising: a first tape, a second tape, a third tape including a first end and a second end and arranged partially between the first tape and the second tape, a fourth tape, and a toe element sewn to the first tape; and a sole element, wherein the first end of the third tape is attached to the sole element and the second end of the third tape is sewn to the toe element, wherein the second tape is arranged partially between the third tape and the fourth tape, wherein the first tape and/or the second tape is elastic, wherein the first tape comprises a first edge, wherein a first portion of the first edge of the first tape is not attached to the second tape, wherein a second portion of the first edge of the first tape is attached to the second tape, and wherein the first tape and the second tape are essentially parallel.

22. The shoe according to claim 21, wherein the third tape is essentially perpendicular to the first tape and the second tape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures in the following. These figures show:

(2) FIG. 1A: a top view of an exemplary shoe upper according to the present invention.

(3) FIG. 1B: a lateral view of an exemplary shoe upper according to embodiments of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 1C: a top view of an exemplary shoe upper including a retaining tape according to embodiments of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 2: a schematic of the tapes of an exemplary shoe upper according to the present invention.

(6) FIG. 3: a schematic of a tension differential on a tape of an exemplary shoe upper according to the present invention.

(7) FIG. 4: an exemplary shoe including a shoe upper according to embodiments of the present invention.

(8) FIG. 5: an exemplary shoe upper according to the present invention in its two-dimensional form.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(9) In the following, only some embodiments of the invention are described in detail. It is to be understood that these exemplary embodiments can be modified in a number of ways and combined with each other whenever compatible and that certain features may be omitted in so far as they appear dispensable.

(10) FIGS. 1A-1C show an exemplary shoe upper 10 according to the present invention. FIG. 1A shows a top view, while FIG. 1B shows a lateral view. The shoe upper 10 comprises a first tape 11 and a second tape 12, (a) wherein the first tape 11 comprises a first edge 21, (b) wherein a first portion 21a of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the second tape 12, and (c) wherein a second portion 21b of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is attached to the second tape 12.

(11) An important feature of the shoe upper 10 according to the present invention is that the first tape 11 and the second tape 12 are only partially attached to each other at a first edge 21 of the first tape 11. However, the first tape 11 and the second tape 12 are attached to each other along a second edge 22 and a third edge 23 which are different from the first edge 21. The third edge 23 is essentially perpendicular to the first edge 21, while the second edge 22 is essentially parallel to the first edge 21. The first tape 11 is attached to a first toe element 18a along the second edge 22 and to a second toe element 18b along the third edge 23. In this example, each of the first and second toe elements 18a, 18b comprises a tape. The first and second toe elements 18a, 18b can be optionally attached to each other, e.g., to form a single element, or can be separate from each other. The exemplary shoe upper 10 is for a football boot.

(12) In particular, the first portion 21a of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is movable with respect to the second tape 12, as can be best seen in the lateral view shown in FIG. 1B.

(13) The first tape 11 and the second tape 12 overlap partially. It is also possible that the first tape 11 and the second tape 12 overlap entirely.

(14) The first portion 21a of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is arranged closer to a toe region 18 of the shoe upper 10 than the second portion 21b of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11.

(15) The second portion 21b of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is attached to the second tape 12 by a stitching.

(16) The shoe upper 10 further comprise a third tape 13, arranged partially between the first tape 11 and the second tape 12. The first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is at least partially not attached to the third tape 13. In one example, the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the third tape 13, except at a point P at an end of the first edge 21. The third tape 13 is attached to the first toe element 18a along the second edge 22 and to the second toe element 18b along the third edge 23. In addition, the third tape 13 comprises a first edge 31, which comprises a first portion 31a and a second portion 31b.

(17) The shoe upper 10 further comprises a fourth tape 14, wherein the first portion 31a of the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is not attached to the fourth tape 14, and wherein the second portion 31b of the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is attached to the fourth tape 14.

(18) In other words, the third tape 13 and the fourth tape 14 may be only partially attached to each other along the first edge 31 of the third tape 13, similar to the attachment of the first tape 11 and the second tape 12 along the first edge 21 of the first tape 11. In particular, the first portion 31a of the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is movable with respect to the fourth tape 14 as can be best seen in FIG. 1A. Therefore, a good wearing comfort is achieved.

(19) The second tape 12 is arranged partially between the third tape 13 and the fourth tape 14. In other words, the first, second, third, and fourth tapes 11-14 are arranged in a staggered manner. For example, the second tape 12 may partially overlap the third tape 13 and partially overlap the fourth tape 14.

(20) The exemplary shoe upper 10 further comprises a fifth tape 15 and a sixth tape 16, which are arranged analogously to the first tape 11 and the third tape 13 or the second tape 12 and the fourth tape 14, respectively.

(21) The second tape 12 comprises a first edge 41, which comprises a first portion 41a and a second portion 41b. The first portion 41a of the first edge 41 of the second tape 12 is not attached to the fifth tape 15 and the second portion 41b of the first edge 41 of the second tape 12 is attached to the fifth tape 15.

(22) The fourth tape 14 comprises a first edge 51, which comprises a first portion 51a and a second portion 51b. The first portion 51a of the first edge 51 of the fourth tape 14 is not attached to the sixth tape 16 and the second portion 51b of the first edge 51 of the fourth tape 14 is attached to the sixth tape 16.

(23) The first 11, second 12, and fifth 15 tapes are arranged on a medial side of the shoe upper 10, while the third 13, fourth 14, and sixth 16 tapes are arranged on a lateral side of the shoe upper 10. It is to be understood, that the shoe upper 10 may comprise any number of tapes greater than one. It is also to be understood, that the arrangement of the tapes is not restricted to that shown in FIGS. 1A-C. In particular, the exemplary shoe upper 10 shown in FIGS. 1A-1C is an exemplary shoe upper for a left foot but a shoe upper 10 according to the present invention could equally be for a right foot. The first 11, second 12, and fifth 15 tapes need not be arranged on a medial side. The first 11, second 12, and fifth 15 tapes could alternatively be arranged on a lateral side. The first 11, second 12, and fifth 15 tapes need not even be arranged on a same side (e.g. a lateral or medial side). The same applies analogously to the third 13, fourth 14, and sixth 16 tapes. The third 13, fourth 14, and sixth 16 tapes could be arranged on a medial side alternatively. The third 13, fourth 14, and sixth 16 tapes need not even be arranged on a same side.

(24) A first angle 20a formed between the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 and the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is about 100 degrees. A second angle 20b is formed between the first edge 41 of the second tape 12 and the first edge 51 of the fourth tape 14, wherein the second angle 20b is smaller than the first angle 20a. In this example the second angle is about 45 degrees. The first angle 20a is arranged closer to a toe region 18 of the shoe upper 10 than the second angle 20b.

(25) The tapes overlap partially such that a first region R1 of the shoe upper comprises six layers of tapes and a second region R2 of the upper comprises only four layers of overlapping tapes. The shoe upper 10 further comprises a third region R3, which comprises only two layers of overlapping tapes.

(26) The first region R1 is arranged proximate to a metatarsal region, the second region R2 is arranged closer to a heel region 17 than the first region R1. The third region R3 is arranged even closer to a heel region 17 than the second region R2.

(27) The shoe upper 10 further comprises a retaining tape RT, as shown in FIG. 1C, wherein the retaining tape RT is arranged along a direction from a medial region to a lateral region of the shoe upper 10. In other words, the retaining tape RT extends laterally across the foot. In this example, the retaining tape RT is arranged on an inner side of the shoe upper, as shown in FIG. 1C. The retaining tape RT will have contact with the foot of a wearer when he/she wears the shoe.

(28) In this example the first 11, second 12, third 13, fourth 14, fifth 15, and sixth 16 tapes and the retaining tape RT comprise a woven textile comprising elastane and polyester. The tapes are therefore elastic. It is also possible that the tapes comprise different materials and/or are produced by different techniques such as a knitted textile or non-woven textile, etc. In particular, only a subset of the tapes may be elastic, while others are not.

(29) The shoe upper 10 further comprises a coating applied as a film F that partially covers the first 11, second 12, third 13 and fourth 14 tapes. The coating comprises polyurethane and applying the film F comprises applying heat and mild pressure in order to soften or partially melt the film, such as to generate a bond with the first 11, second 12, third 13 and fourth 14 tapes.

(30) The exemplary shoe upper 10 is laceless. The shoe upper 10 according to the present invention provides an ideal fit as well as preferable ball-handling properties.

(31) FIG. 2 shows a schematic of the tapes of an exemplary shoe upper 10 according to the present invention, illustrating in particular the attachment of the tapes to each other.

(32) The shoe upper 10 comprises a first tape 11 and a second tape 12, (a) wherein the first tape 11 comprises a first edge 21, (b) wherein a first portion 21a of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the second tape 12, and (c) wherein a second portion 21b of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is attached to the second tape 12.

(33) The first tape 11 is attached to a first toe element 18a along a second edge 22 and to a second toe element 18b along a third edge 23. The third edge 23 is essentially perpendicular to the first edge 21, while the second edge 22 is essentially parallel to the first edge 21. The first tape 11 and the second tape 12 are attached to each other along the second edge 22 and the third edge 23 which are different from the first edge 21.

(34) The shoe upper 10 further comprises a third tape 13, arranged partially between the first tape 11 and the second tape 12. The first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is at least partially not attached to the third tape 13. In this example, the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the third tape 13, except at a point P at an end of the first edge 21. Similarly, the third tape 13 is attached to the first toe element 18a along the second edge 22 and to the second toe element 18b along the third edge 23. The third tape 13 further comprises a first edge 31, which comprises a first portion 31a and a second portion 31b.

(35) The shoe upper 10 further comprises a fourth tape 14. The first portion 31a of the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is not attached to the fourth tape 14, while the second portion 31b of the first edge 31 of the third tape 13 is attached to the fourth tape 14.

(36) The second tape 12 is arranged partially between the third tape 13 and the fourth tape 14. In other words, the first 11, second 12, third 13, and fourth 14 tapes are arranged in a staggered manner. In this example, the third tape 13 partially overlaps between the first 11 and the second 12 tapes. The second tape 12 partially overlaps between the third 13 and the fourth 14 tapes at one region and partially overlaps between the first 11 and the fourth 14 tapes at another region.

(37) The exemplary shoe upper 10 further comprises a fifth tape 15 and a sixth tape 16, which are arranged analogously to the arrangement of the first tape 11 and the third tape 13 or the second tape 12 and the fourth tape 14, respectively. It is to be understood, that the shoe upper 10 may comprise any number of tapes greater than one.

(38) FIG. 3 illustrates how a tension differential may be applied on a tape of an exemplary shoe upper 10 according to the present invention. In particular, FIG. 3 shows parts of a shoe upper 10 comprising a first tape 11, which is attached to a first toe element 18a along the second edge 22 and to a second toe element 18b along the third edge 23.

(39) The first tape 11 comprises a first edge 21 and a second edge 22 arranged opposite of the first edge 21. The first tape 11 is attached to the first toe element 18a by sewing. Tension is applied on a second edge 22 of the first tape 11 prior to making a stitch to attach the first tape 11 to the first toe element 18a. Tension is also applied prior to attaching a second portion 21b of a first edge 21 of the first tape 11 to a second tape 12 (not shown). In other words, the first tape 11 is under tension while being sewed to the toe elements and other tapes and when the shoe upper 10 is not worn.

(40) Applying tension on the first tape 11 comprises pulling the first edge 21 by a first distance 65 and the second edge 22 by a second distance 66. The first distance 65 is larger than the second distance 66; therefore the tension is greater along the first edge 21 than along the second edge 22. Pulling is done along a longitudinal direction of the first edge 21 and the second edge 22, respectively. Therefore, a tension differential is created between the first edge 21 and the second edge 22. This tension differential can be used advantageously to create a three-dimensional shape. In should be noted that the tension applied and the distance pulled on the edges of the tapes can be arbitrarily selected according to various demands.

(41) Even though tension is applied to the first tape 11 prior to sewing as described, the first tape 11 remains elastic in the final shoe upper. In this example, the first tape has an elongation at break of 100%, i.e. the first tape 11 may be extended by 100% in length prior to tearing/breaking. Pulling the first edge 21 by a first distance 65 increases the length of the first tape along the first edge 21 by, for example, 20%. Therefore, the remaining capacity for the first tape 11 to stretch along the first edge 21 is, for example, 80% of the original, unstretched length. In other words, the first tape retains its elasticity, despite being pulled into a pre-stretched condition.

(42) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary shoe 70 comprising a shoe upper 10 according to the present invention and a sole element 71 comprising a plurality of studs.

(43) FIG. 4 illustrates how the collar opening 72 of an exemplary shoe upper 10 according to the present invention may be particularly flexible and therefore allow for a particularly easy entry of a foot into the shoe upper 10. The shoe upper 10 also provides sufficient support of the foot, such that the shoe can be worn without laces.

(44) FIG. 5 shows an exemplary shoe upper 10 according to the present invention in its two-dimensional form.

(45) The shoe upper 10 comprises a first tape 11 and a second tape 12, (a) wherein the first tape 11 comprises a first edge 21, (b) wherein a first portion 21a of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the second tape 12, and (c) wherein a second portion 21b of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is attached to the second tape 12 by sewing.

(46) The first edge 21 of the first tape 11 further comprises a third portion 21c arranged adjacent to the second portion 21b but not adjacent to the first portion 21a, wherein the third portion 21c of the first edge 21 of the first tape 11 is not attached to the second tape 12.

(47) During the manufacture and assembly of a shoe, the shoe upper 10 shown in FIG. 5 may be arranged on a shoe last in order to attach a sole element 71 thereto and thus produce a shoe comprising the shoe upper 10.

REFERENCE SIGNS

(48) 10: shoe upper 11: first tape 12: second tape 13: third tape 14: fourth tape 15: fifth tape 16: sixth tape 17: heel region 18: toe region 18a, 18b: toe element 20a: first angle 20b: second angle 21: first edge of the first tape 21a: first portion of the first edge of the first tape 21b: second portion of the first edge of the first tape 21c: third portion of the first edge the first tape 22: second edge of the first tape 23: third edge of the first tape 31: first edge of the third tape 31a: first portion of the first edge of the third tape 31b: second portion of the first edge of the third tape 41: first edge of the second tape 41a: first portion of the first edge of the second tape 41b: second portion of the first edge of the second tape 51: first edge of the fourth tape 51a: first portion of the first edge of the fourth tape 51b: second portion of the first edge of the fourth tape 65: first distance 66: second distance 70: shoe 71: sole element 72: collar opening R1: first region R2: second region R3: third region P: point F: film RT: retaining tape