Protective shoe

Abstract

A protective shoe has an upper for receiving a shoe wearer's foot and a sole arrangement (1) which is connected to the upper and, in the assembled state of the protective shoe, is latchingly connected to the upper via at least one first latching arrangement (18, 23). The at least one first latching arrangement (18, 23) forms a latching connection between a midsole (1) of the sole arrangement and the upper.

Claims

1. A protective shoe, comprising: a) an upper for receiving a shoe wearer's foot, and b) a sole arrangement which is connected to the up-per and, in an assembled state of the protective shoe, is latchingly connected to the upper via at least one first latching arrangement, c) wherein the at least one first latching arrangement forms a latching connection between a midsole of the sole arrangement and the upper.

2. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first latching arrangement is situated in a front, middle and/or rear region of the protective shoe.

3. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one first latching arrangement has at least one first latching surface, which in the assembled state of the protective shoe extends adjacent to at least one mating latching surface of the midsole, on an inside of the upper.

4. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first latching surface at least partially faces downward.

5. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first latching surface extends around at least 60%, preferably around at least 70%, preferably around at least 80%, preferably around at least 90%, of the upper.

6. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first latching surface is assigned at least one mounting insertion aid.

7. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 1, further comprising an outer shell, which at least partially surrounds the midsole and at least partially forms the upper.

8. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 3, wherein the at least one first latching surface is formed on the outer shell.

9. A protective shoe, comprising: a) an upper for receiving a shoe wearer's foot, b) a sole arrangement connected to the upper in an assembled state of the protective shoe, and c) a toe cap which, in the assembled state of the protective shoe, is latchingly connected to the upper via at least one latching arrangement.

10. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 9, wherein the at least one latching arrangement has at least one second latching surface, which extends adjacent to at least one mating latching surface of the toe cap, on an inside of the upper.

11. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one latching surface at least partially faces forward.

12. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one latching surface is formed at least in an in-step region of the upper.

13. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one latching surface laterally adjoins the sole arrangement in the assembled state of the protective shoe.

14. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one latching surface extends in an arc.

15. The protective shoe as claimed in claim 10, wherein the at least one latching surface is formed on an outer shell of the protective shoe.

Description

[0055] A preferred embodiment of the protective shoe is described by way of example below with reference to the appended drawing. In the figures:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a protective shoe according to the invention in the assembled state,

[0057] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the protective shoe shown in FIG. 1,

[0058] FIG. 3 shows a midsole of the protective shoe depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, which is also shown in FIG. 2,

[0059] FIG. 4 shows the protective shoe depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 in a partially cut-open illustration,

[0060] FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section through the illustrated protective shoe without an inner shoe,

[0061] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged scale of the detail VI marked in FIG. 5,

[0062] FIG. 7 shows an enlarged scale of the detail VII marked in FIG. 5,

[0063] FIG. 8 shows a partial view, depicting in section an outer shell of the protective shoe shown,

[0064] FIGS. 9, 10 show partially cut-open views of the protective shoe depicted, which show a mounting of the midsole,

[0065] FIG. 11 shows a plan view of a front region of the outer shell of the protective shoe illustrated, which depicts a connecting and indicating arrangement,

[0066] FIG. 12 shows a section through the protective shoe depicted, which also shows the inner shoe and the connecting and indicating arrangements,

[0067] FIG. 13 shows a view corresponding to FIG. 12, which shows the dismantling of the inner shoe, and

[0068] FIGS. 14-17 show perspective views of alternative outer shells of the protective shoe illustrated.

[0069] Firstly, in particular with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 10, 12 and 13, a protective shoe as a whole in the assembled state comprises a midsole 1 and a toe cap 2 arranged on the midsole 1, and also an outer shell 3, in which the midsole 1 and toe cap 2 are received or accommodated. The protective shoe moreover has an inner shoe 4, which in the assembled state of the protective shoe is received in the outer shell 3 and is supported at the top opposite the midsole 1. The inner shoe 4 delimits a foot (receiving) space of the protective shoe. It is preferably flexible.

[0070] The protective shoe has an elongate form and extends along a longitudinal direction L. It has a shoe tip 5 at the front, which is adjoined by a toe region 6 of the protective shoe. An instep region 7 of the protective shoe adjoins the toe region 6 in turn. The protective shoe has a heel region 8 opposite the shoe tip 5.

[0071] The midsole 1 has a multi-part form (see in particular FIGS. 2 and 3). It preferably has a cushioning design. The midsole 1 is subdivided in the longitudinal direction L into three midsole components, specifically a front midsole component 9, a middle midsole component 10 and a rear midsole component 11. The midsole components 9, 10, 11 are originally, which is to say before the assembly of the protective shoe or of the midsole 1, formed separately and apart from one another. They have different forms, in particular widths and/or thicknesses, and are preferably correspondingly fitted to a foot of the shoe's wearer (not illustrated). They for example have different hardnesses, or are made from different materials.

[0072] The front midsole component 9 is preferably rounded at the front. The front midsole component 9 is preferably (substantially) flat opposite thereto/at the rear. The rear midsole component 11 is preferably rounded at the rear. The rear midsole component 11 is preferably flat opposite thereto/at the front. The middle midsole component 10 is preferably flat both at the front and rear. A different number of midsole components 9, 10, 11, such as two, four or five, is alternatively possible.

[0073] The midsole components 9, 10, 11 are connected to one another, for example re-detachably or non-detachably, by a single, shared connecting element 12. The connecting element 12 is planar and thin. It expediently has a sole-like form. The connecting element 12 is preferably rigid and provides for example puncture resistance. The connecting element 12 has a width which varies perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction L. It is for example at least partially wider at the front than at the rear. It is preferably rounded at the front and at the rear. It is expedient if the connecting element 12 has a uniform thickness.

[0074] Each midsole component 9, 10, 11 has a connecting element receptacle. A front connecting element receptacle 13 is formed in the front midsole component 9 and a middle connecting element receptacle 14 is formed in the middle midsole component 10. A rear connecting element receptacle 15 is formed in the rear midsole component 11.

[0075] Each connecting element receptacle 13, 14, 15 is slot-like and spatially delimited upward and downward, and also laterally outward perpendicularly in relation to the longitudinal direction L. Each connecting element receptacle 13, 14, 15 has a height, which corresponds (substantially) to the thickness of the connecting element 12.

[0076] The front connecting element receptacle 13 is moreover forwardly spatially delimited. It is open to the rear, which is to say toward the middle midsole component 10, or the middle connecting element receptacle 14.

[0077] The rear connecting element receptacle 15 is rearwardly spatially delimited. It is open to the front, which is to say toward the middle midsole component 10, or the middle connecting element receptacle 14.

[0078] The middle connecting element receptacle 14 is open both to the front, which is to say toward the front midsole component 9, or the front connecting element receptacle 13, and to the rear, which is to say toward the rear midsole component 11, or the rear connecting element receptacle 15. It is continuous in the longitudinal direction L.

[0079] Mutually facing openings of the adjacently arranged connecting element receptacles 13, 14, 15 are at the same height in the assembled state of the midsole 1 and preferably have an identical width. They extend adjacent to one another and are in line with one another.

[0080] In the assembled state of the midsole 1, the connecting element 12 engages in the front connecting element receptacle 13 and rear connecting element receptacle 15. It passes all the way through the middle connecting element receptacle 14 and correspondingly protrudes beyond it on either side. The midsole components 9, 10, 11 are for example threaded or plugged on the connecting element 12.

[0081] In the assembled state of the midsole 1, the connecting element 12 preferably bears laterally outward against the respective midsole component 9, 10, and 11 at least partially in the respective connecting element receptacle 13, 14 and 15. It expediently bears at the front against the front midsole component 9 at least partially in the front connecting element receptacle 13 and at the rear against the rear midsole component 11 in the rear connecting element receptacle 15. It also preferably bears at least partially at the top and bottom against each midsole component 9, 10, 11.

[0082] In the assembled state of the midsole 1, moreover, the front midsole component 9 and the middle midsole component 10 bear in particular extensively against one another. The middle midsole component 10 and the rear midsole component 11 then bear correspondingly, in particular extensively, against one another.

[0083] The midsole components 9, 10, 11 are secured or fixed relative to one another in a vertical direction, which is to say upward and downward, and in a lateral direction, which is to say to the left and right, by the connecting element 12. They are preferably also fixedly held together, or fixed relative to one another in the longitudinal direction L.

[0084] For example, the connecting element 12 is at least partially wetted with a release agent, in order to make it possible to remove the midsole components 9, 10, 11 from one another, or from the connecting element 12.

[0085] According to a preferred embodiment, the connecting element 12 is injection molded in the midsole components 9, 10, 11. As an alternative, it is encapsulated with midsole material by injection molding to form the midsole components 9, 10, 11.

[0086] Around the edge, the midsole 1 has an outer edge 17 which projects upward from an upwardly facing sole face 16 and is peripherally closed, and thus endless, in the assembled state of the midsole 1. The outer edge 17 has an upwardly pointing free top face 18. Each midsole component 9, 10, 11 has at least one corresponding partial outer edge.

[0087] The toe cap 2 is arranged at the top and at the front of the front midsole component 9. It is rigid. The toe cap 2 is closed to the front, upward and to the side. It is open to the rear. For example, the toe cap 2 is injection molded directly on/in the front midsole component 9. For example, it is at least partially wetted before the injection molding operation with a release agent, in order to allow the toe cap 2 and the front midsole component 9 to be separated later on. As an alternative, the toe cap 2 and the front midsole component 9 are non-detachably connected to one another. As an alternative, the toe cap 2 is originally designed separately and correspondingly arranged on the front midsole component 9.

[0088] In the assembled state of the protective shoe, the inner shoe 4 engages in the toe cap 2 from behind. The inner shoe 4 is supported at the top with its inner shoe sole facing the sole face 16. The outer edge 17 surrounds or encircles the inner shoe 4 completely to the side at the bottom. It at least partially bears against the inner shoe 4. The inner shoe 4 is thus spatially fixed longitudinally and laterally relative to the midsole 1.

[0089] In the assembled state of the protective shoe, the inner shoe 4 together with the midsole 1 and the toe cap 2 is surrounded by the outer shell 3, which forms an outer skin. The inner shoe 4 and the outer shell 3 at least partially bear against one another.

[0090] The outer shell 3 at the bottom forms an outsole 19, which, when the protective shoe is being worn by the shoe's wearer, makes direct contact with and ensures sufficient grip on a floor or ground (not illustrated). In the assembled state of the protective shoe, the outsole 19 extends at the bottom over the entire midsole 1 and has for example a profile on the bottom. Expediently, it is slip-proof, heat resistant, flexible under cold conditions, cold-insulating, cut-resistant and/or antistatic. It is expedient if it is highly resistant to wear. The midsole 1 and the outsole 19 form a sole arrangement of the protective shoe.

[0091] The outer shell 3 moreover has/forms a sole outer wall 20, which adjoins the top of the outsole 19 around the edge and, in the assembled state of the protective shoe, completely surrounds the midsole 1 peripherally, or to the side. The sole outer wall 20 and the midsole 1 at least partially bear against one another. There is for example an angle from 85 to 95 between the outsole 19 and the sole outer wall 20.

[0092] The outer shell 3 moreover has an outer material 21 of the upper that adjoins the top of the sole outer wall 20 and, in the assembled state of the protective shoe, at least partially peripherally surrounds the inner shoe 4. The outer material 21 of the upper and the inner shoe 4 at least partially bear against one another. The inner shoe 4 is for example higher than the outer material 21 of the upper. The outer material 21 of the upper and/or the inner shoe 4 form an upper of the protective shoe.

[0093] A closure arrangement 22 is arranged on the outer material 21 of the upper in the instep region 7. The closure arrangement 22 is in this case in the form of an eyelet arrangement with a multiplicity of eyelets for lacing the protective shoe. Other closure arrangements, such as hook-and-loop closure arrangements, can alternatively be used.

[0094] In the assembled state of the protective shoe, the outer shell 3 has, on the inside adjacent to the top face 18 of the midsole 1, an, in particular single, downwardly facing, free first latching surface 23 (FIGS. 4, 5 and 6), which is thus arranged in a transition region between the sole outer wall 20 and the outer material 21 of the upper. The first latching surface 23 is peripherally closed and thus endless. It is arranged at a spacing from and faces toward the outsole 19. The first latching surface 23 forms an angle of between 80 and 100 for example with the sole outer wall 20.

[0095] The top face 18 forms a mating latching surface for the first latching surface 23.

[0096] The outer shell 3 or the outer material 21 of the upper has, on the inside adjacently above the first latching surface 23, a mounting insertion aid 32, which like the first latching surface 23 is peripherally closed and endless. The mounting insertion aid 32 extends along the entire first latching surface 23. In the region of the mounting insertion aid 32, the outer material 21 of the upper thickens from top to bottom continuously to form the first latching surface 23 and to form an insertion bevel. The insertion bevel projects from the top inward. The first latching surface 23 is not spatially delimited laterally inward, which is to say toward the inner shoe 4 or foot space. It is spatially delimited laterally outward, which is to say away from the inner shoe 4 or foot space.

[0097] The outer material 21 of the upper moreover has an, in particular single, free, second latching surface 24 (FIGS. 5 and 7), which faces forward and extends in an arc. In the assembled state of the protective shoe, the second latching surface 24 adjoins the top of the midsole 1, in particular its top face 18, and is continuous. It projects inward and is not spatially delimited inward, which is to say toward the inner shoe 4 or foot space. It is spatially delimited laterally outward, which is to say away from the inner shoe 4 or foot space. The outer material 21 of the upper is thinner in the region of the toe cap 2 than behind it.

[0098] A free, which is to say rear edge 25, facing away from the shoe tip 5, of the toe cap 2 forms a mating latching surface for the second latching surface 24.

[0099] In the instep region 7, the protective shoe moreover has a first sealing seam arrangement 26 (FIGS. 1, 11, 12 and 13), which in the assembled state of the protective shoe extends in a width direction thereof between the closure arrangement 22 and the toe cap 2. The first sealing seam arrangement 26 has two substantially parallel, elongate sealing seams, which form a fixed, but detachable or destructible connection between the outer shell 3 and the inner shoe 4. It is visible from the outside. It forms a connecting and indicating arrangement.

[0100] The protective shoe also has a second sealing seam arrangement 27 (FIGS. 1, 12 and 13), which is formed (substantially) like the first sealing seam arrangement 26. The second sealing seam arrangement 27 is arranged at the top in a heel region 8 of the protective shoe and extends peripherally there. It again forms a fixed, but detachable or destructible connection between the outer shell 3 and the inner shoe 4. It is visible from the outside. It forms a connecting and indicating arrangement.

[0101] The assembly of the protective shoe is described in more detail below.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 9, in the assembled state, the midsole 1 is manually or automatedly inserted, in the form of a unit including the toe cap 2, from above into the inner space 29 of the outer shell 3 through an upper opening 28 in the outer shell. This is done leading with the front midsole component 9. The sole face 16 or top face 18 faces upward. The midsole 1 is guided such that, at the front, its top face 18 engages underneath the first latching surface 23. The midsole 1 is preferably inclined forwardly downward in so doing.

[0103] When the top face 18 engages underneath the first latching surface 23 at the front, the unit composed of the midsole 1 and toe cap 2 is displaced or pivoted downward at the rear, with the result that said unit also comes closer to the outsole 19 there.

[0104] In the process, the outer shell 3 is pressed laterally outward, for example all around the periphery, adjacent to the first latching surface 23 by the midsole 1 owing to the pre-arranged mounting insertion aid 32. As soon as the midsole 1 is underneath the first latching surface 23, the first latching surface 23 latches or springs over the top face 18, which forms a mating latching surface. The first latching surface 23 then engages over and is located above the top face 18. They at least partially extensively bear against one another. The outer shell 3 and the midsole 1 are in a latching or snap-action connection with one another. The midsole 1 is in particular upwardly fixed by this latching connection. The midsole 1 at least partially bears against the inside of the sole outer wall 20 of the outer shell 3. It at least partially rests on the top of the outsole 19.

[0105] When the unit composed of the midsole 1 and toe cap 2 is being inserted, the toe cap 2 presses the outer shell 3 or the outer material 21 of the upper laterally outward and upward adjacent to the second latching surface 24. As soon as the toe cap 2 has passed the second latching surface 24, the second latching surface 24 latches or springs over the edge 25 of the toe cap 2, which forms a mating latching surface. They at least partially extensively bear against one another. The outer shell 3 and the toe cap 2 are in a latching or snap-action connection with one another. The toe cap 2 and the midsole 1 are fixed in particular rearwardly toward the heel region 8 by this latching connection. The toe cap 2 at least partially bears against the inside of the outer material 21 of the upper of the outer shell 3.

[0106] The front midsole component 9, together with the toe cap 2, is situated in the toe region 6 of the protective shoe. The rear midsole component 11 is situated in the heel region 8 of the protective shoe. The middle midsole component 10 is situated in between.

[0107] Then, the first and the second sealing seam arrangement 26, 27 are created. The sealing seam arrangements 26, 27 each establish a fixed, but detachable seam connection between the outer shell 3, or the outer material 21 of the upper, and the inner shoe 4, this seam connection spatially fixing the inner shoe 4 in the outer shell 3. They are each connected, in particular directly, both to the outer shell 3 and to the inner shoe 4.

[0108] Then, the inner shoe 4 is inserted. As an alternative, the inner shoe 4 is inserted together with the unit composed of the midsole 1 and toe cap 2.

[0109] A wearer of the shoe can then use the protective shoe normally. Their toes engage in the toe cap 2 from behind and are situated in the toe region 6 of the protective shoe. Their heel is situated in the heel region 8 of the protective shoe.

[0110] When the protective shoe is being dismantled, firstly the inner shoe 4 is taken out of the outer shell 3. In the process, the sealing seam arrangements 26, 27 tear open and are thus destroyed (FIG. 13). They thus indicate dismantling of the protective shoe, and this can be identified from the outside. The protective shoe loses its compliance with standards and also guarantee, and this is correspondingly identifiable or indicated.

[0111] Then, the unit composed of the midsole 1 and toe cap 2 can be removed from the outer shell 3. For this, the latching connections are detached, for example manually, in particular by respectively lifting off the mutually assigned latching surfaces 23, 24 and mating latching surfaces 18, 25, in particular by applying corresponding external forces or moving them relative to one another.

[0112] If designed to do so, the midsole components 9, 10, 11 can then be separated from one another. On separating them from one another, the connecting element 12 is released again.

[0113] The inner shoe 4 can thus be recycled individually. The outer shell 3 can also be recycled individually. The midsole components 9, 10, 11 can also be recycled individually or together. The connecting element 12 can also be recycled individually.

[0114] As depicted in FIGS. 14 to 17, the outer shell 3 may have a different design.

[0115] According to FIG. 14, the outer shell 3 is closed in a region of the upper. It is injection molded, for example from TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane), and expediently waterproof.

[0116] According to FIG. 15, the outer shell 3 has multiple windows 30 in the region of the upper. The windows are closed by at least one interwoven fabric 31. The at least one interwoven fabric 31 preferably, like the rest of the outer shell 3, consists of TPU.

[0117] According to FIG. 16, the outer shell 3 is perforated to form windows 30 in the region of the upper. The perforations are for example smaller and/or larger than openings in the at least one interwoven fabric 31. They have for example different sizes and/or forms.

[0118] According to FIG. 17, the outer shell 3 comprises an interwoven fabric, which consists for example of TPU, throughout the region of the upper.

[0119] The terms used here front, rear, behind, top, bottom or the like relate to a protective shoe which has its sole arrangement on a floor or is worn as intended by a wearer. The toe region 6, or the shoe tip 5, is situated as is conventional for example at the front. The heel region 8 is situated for example at the rear. The outsole 19 is situated on the bottom.