Shoe with upper comprising at least one glued part

The invention relates to the field of footwear, and more particularly to that of sport shoes.

The sneakers feature a sole that can be flexible or rigid and which is mounted a rod which covers the foot of the user. This rod is mostly time in the form of several pieces which are cut and assembled together so as to form a three-dimensional envelope closest possible to the shape of foot. Generally, the shape of these parts and materials that constitute are dictated by the position of said parts and the function you want to fill them. The rod may also include inserts such as reinforcing front end, generally leather thick or rubber.

In most sports shoes, the rod has internal side neighborhoods External which are intended to be moved towards one another by a clamping system, the often a lacing. These areas are then separated by a longitudinal slot below which can extend a tongue comfort.

In some types of shoes, including skiing shoes or some hiking shoes, the rod has a protective flap that covers the lacing system, but may deviate to allow lacing and unlacing, so the boot on and removing the boot from the boot. The protective flap is particularly useful for footwear designed to be worn in the snow as it avoids snow may be introduced into the shoe at the level of the slot which separates the lateral parts of the rod.

In a conventional design of the shank, the various parts that constitute it are principle sewn (which is also called pitting). For this, the parts together have overlapping portions in which two adjacent pieces are superimposed. A through sewing, visible from both sides of the overlay, binds both parts to one another. With a through sewing, stitching thread is exposed on both faces, thus including the outer face of the rod. It is thus exposed to attacks including external friction that can use the wire and thus cause rupture sewing. Similarly, it is known that the through seams are entry points moisture in the shoe.

An object of the present invention to provide a new concept of assembly some parts of the upper of a boot.

A particular aim is sought to increase the wear resistance and / or resistance to moisture penetration.

Another of the objectives sought is to provide a new aesthetic of the shoe.

Such aims are achieved in the boot according to the invention is of the type comprising an upper and a sole, in particular in that the rod comprises at least two parts that are joined to each other at least partly by a bonding zone.

The invention will find application in the first putting together by gluing a flap protection for covering a clamping system.

Bonding the two pin members may be made in an area where one disbursed two rod members has a disbursement, for example in the form of an area of less thickness.

The invention will find a second application in the case where the shoe upper comprises a closure system assembled at least in part by bonding to the rod.

In the case where the closing system is a type of lacing closure system having a series of loops retained on either side of an opening of the boot stem, loops are optionally fixed on the shaft at least partly by gluing.

According to a first aspect each passing is individually assembled to the rod by sewing and / or bonding and tape is applied adhesively bonded on the set of loops along each of the edges of the lacing zone. Thus the absence of it is ensured fragile seams vis-a-vis the friction and abrasion on the outer face of the shank of the shoe in an area particularly subjected to such assaults. The shoe is therefore much more resistant to wear. It also gives the shoe a very appearance especially without seam, and very sober, stripped and very aesthetic. If the materials forming the shoe are more impermeable construction is obtained sealed.

In a second aspect, each from two parts, a first part comprising a base, provided with an assembly hole and glued to the shaft, and a second portion inserted through the hole of the first part. This construction allows an assembly easier to form loops. It also optimize the way in terms of materials selected for each of the parts thereof.

In this case it can be provided for example that the base of the first part material synthetic and is joined by welding to the stem material. The base may be attached the rod without the contribution of additional material.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from reading the detailed description which follows, as well as the light of the accompanying drawings in which:<ul><li>Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view with cutaway of a first embodiment of a sports shoe according to the teachings of the invention, the shoe with a protective flap,</li><li>Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the cutaway of Figure 1 illustrating in greater detail the bonding area,</li><li>Figure 3 is a view similar to that of Figure 1 illustrating a variant of making the assembly of the protective flap (which is also illustrated in open position), </li><li>Figure 4 is a view similar to that of Figure 2 is an enlarged view of tearing of Figure 1 illustrating in greater detail the embodiment of the box flap adhesive on the rod,</li><li>Figure 5 is a schematic front perspective view of another embodiment a shoe according to the invention,</li><li>6 is a view similar to Figure 5 with parts torn illustrating mode Fixing loops,</li><li>Figure 7 is a schematic detail view showing a first assembly step to the stem of a passer according to another embodiment,</li><li>8 is a bottom view of the exploded assembly before passing,</li><li>Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 7 showing a second assembly step,</li><li>Figure 10 is a view similar to Figures 7 and 9 showing a third step assembly.</li></ul>

In all the illustrated embodiments and variations, there is shown a athletic shoe 10, 110 which essentially comprises a sole 12, 112 on which a rod 14, 114 is mounted by any known technique. The stem 14, 114 can thus be mounted on the sole by gluing, stitching, molding or by any other method.

The stem 14, 114 of the shoe according to the invention is essentially a flexible rod, that is to say a rod formed of main parts flexible material, or relatively flexible, such as fabrics, coated fabrics, leather and / or synthetic materials used in thin layers such as films, ... etc. The stem may however contain elements Additional relatively rigid to ensure forming of the rod, and, example, a good foot, such as rigid or semi-rigid buttresses, caps, protective or decorative items or local reinforcements.

Furthermore, the use of materials that are flexible by nature does not prevent the use in a thickness or in a chemical form such that they have a certain rigidity.

As opposed to alpine ski boots rigid materials, according to a flexible rod present invention adapts to the bending of the foot and / or in place thereof in the practice Sport.

According to the invention, the rod 14, 114 is formed externally of several parts, that is to say at least two parts. At least two of these parts are assembled by a zone bonding.

By bonding means both an assembly of two parts by an adhesive material interposed between the two pieces, a bonding by welding wherein both materials are directly assembled to each other under the effect of a local supply of heat or under the effect of vibrations, for example by gluing or high-frequency ultrasound. In the first case, the material used may be a liquid or pasty adhesive, a cement, or a ribbon melt. In the second case, sometimes called connection by welding, there is no contribution of material between the two parts to be assembled.

Preferably, the bonding area will be continuous for reasons of better resistance mechanical, better appearance, and for reasons of better impermeability.

In both examples shown in Figures 1 to 4, the sports shoe is a shoe cross-country ski 10, the sole 12 comprises attachment means 16 for cooperate with a mounting skiing. The variants of Figures 1 and 3 differ only in the embodiment of the bonded assembly.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the illustrated shoe upper comprises a vamp external 15 that substantially covers the forefoot and extends rearwardly along the sole, substantially to the heel. It also comprises a clamping system, this case a clamping system by lacing 20, intended to bring two parts 22 of the stem separated by a longitudinal slot 24 which extends in the instep zone. The Areas 22 may be formed integrally with the vamp 15, or realized in the form of separate rooms. In this first type of shoes, the rod 14 also includes a flap 26 protection which in an open position (see Figure 3), provides access to the lacing, and a closed position (see Figure 1), covers the clamping means 20 and the longitudinal slot 24.

The protective flap 26 is constituted by a piece of flexible material which covers the portion of the stem 14 corresponding to the upper part of the foot from the rear of the toes to the ankle. The flap 26 thus comprises inner and outer longitudinal edges 17, and a front edge 32 which are joined to the vamp 15 by gluing. The longitudinal edges 17 the flap 26 extend along the sides of the instep of the boot, and the leading edge 32 extends substantially transversely through a zone corresponding to the zone metatarsophalangeal flexion of the shoe. The rear edge of the flap 26 is free, and flap 26 has a zip fastener 28 which opens into the rear edge and delimits the flap in two parts able to move apart from one another when the slide 28 is opened to provide access to lacing. The flap 26 is preferably made of a material substantially impermeable, such as a coated fabric or a PVC sheet.

According to the invention, the flap 26 is joined to the vamp 15 by a bonding area 18 which, of preferably extends continuously over the entire length of the edges, longitudinal 17 and transverse 32, the flap.

In Figure 2, there is schematically illustrated one way of achieving this bonding using by a layer of glue 30 distributed along the bonding area. In that case, can be seen firstly that the edge of the flap 26 and the vamp 15 overlap in the area of collage 18, the flap being arranged above the slap. Furthermore, the edge of the flap 26 is ready, that is to say, it is cut diagonally to gradually reduce its thickness as and as it approaches the edge. Preferably, it is the lower face of the flap 26 which Thus bevelled. Thus, after assembly, we do not perceive, or virtually no, of extra thickness at the boundary between the flap and the vamp.

In this embodiment, the assembly is achieved with a conventional adhesive. he can thus be an adhesive PU base; for example, a curable adhesive bi-components type used for connecting rod / sole. This adhesive is deposited, for example manually brushed onto the bonding zones, and the assembly and directed optionally press to ensure good adhesion.

In Figure 4, a variant is illustrated in which at least two parts that are assembled by gluing comprises, in the bonding zone 18, a zone forming a countersink, that is to say, whose surface has a disbursement. This can be a simple countersink local deformation, a thinner zone, or a zone having undergone Local compression to reduce its thickness, with the added result of Local densification of the material. This compression is generally obtained by processes involving heat and pressure, for example by labeling with high frequencies.

Thus, in the example shown, the edge of the vamp 15 has a compressed area of reduced thickness which extends over the entire assembly zone 18. The upper face of the slap 15 therefore has a disbursement marked by a rim 32, the disbursement corresponding to a thickness region "e2" less than the thickness "e1" from the rest of the slap. The edge of the flap 26, which can be trimmed or not, so it overlaps disbursed board vamp, always with interposition of the adhesive 30. As seen in the figure, the disbursement of the slap reduces the extra thickness of the adhesive bond, allowing the edge of the flap to be almost flush with the upper face of the vamp beyond of the flange 32. Of course it could be provided that each of the two contacting faces adhesively assembled parts are disbursed in their overlapping zone, which further reduce any extra thickness. Advantageously, the disbursement to protect the singing the part that is above the overlap (in this case the song flap 36), thus limiting the risk of separation by tearing and peeling. In addition, the flange 32 serves to contain the glue in case it fluerait outwardly when the assembly is pressurized to ensure gluing, limiting the unsightly nature of any glue overflow. Moreover, in case this glue overflow would occur beyond of the overlapping area, the rim 32 would force the glue back in contact with the singing of edge of the flap 26, drowning the song in the glue. The song would then be reinforced by slight excess glue, eg avoiding any risk of fraying of singing.

Advantageously, the zipper 28 is also assembled to the flap 26 by bonding. To do this, the flap is provided in a rectangular cutout which extends e.g. parallel to a longitudinal edge 17 of the flap, and which opens into the rear edge of the flap. The zipper, which comprises two strips (each of which carries a series of teeth), is adhered by the outer edges of the tapes against the underside of the flap, along the edges of the window.

With this construction bonded can be seen that the connection will not be affected by friction and other external stresses, which increases the lifetime. That is particularly important for the connecting regions which are located in the lower part of the shoe, that is to say the part located below the ankle of the user, and more particularly in the metatarsophalangeal bending zone and in the lacing zone.

Of course, such a glue joint is completely waterproof, resistant to moisture penetration into the boot, moisture from rain or snow.

The adhesive bonding is particularly interesting for the joining of parts of the rod which are arranged on the outside of the stem, and which are both visible, the subject direct contact with water, moisture or snow, and subject to friction. Such assembly is particularly interesting for a protective flap, but may also be used for other parts of the rod, as will be seen in conjunction with the other embodiments. Indeed adhesive bonding eliminates the existence of Seamed particularly fragile vis-a-vis of abrasion friction and removes thus the risk of breakage of said seams. The adhesive bonding also provides very particular aesthetic by the absence of any visible seams.

In the embodiment illustrated, the materials of the two parts of the rod which are joined to each other by gluing are identical and of the same order of thickness.

Optionally, provision may be made for the assembly of the two parts in question, the bonding area is completed by other joining means. It is known that bonding techniques are very efficient in terms of stress of shear. However, they may be less resistant to tear or stress peeling. If one of the parties of the two pieces connecting area is particularly prone to such constraints, we can choose to replace or supplement, in this area, adhesive bonding by another type of assembly, for example by stitching. In the illustrated example, it may be provided that, at the rear ends of the edges longitudinal flap 17, the bonding area is reinforced with stitching.

In the example of Figures 5 and 6, the rod 114 of the shoe comprises a vamp or External slap 115 which substantially covers the forefoot of the user to know the instep and toes and extends rearwardly along the sole 112 substantially to the heel. This slams 115 in this case is represented as a single piece, it could also consist of two parts assembled to one another by gluing.

At the instep area, the vamp 115 defines a double bellows 115a and 115b tongue allowing a wide opening of the shaft by the introduction of the foot. According to If the bellows 115a could be replaced with slits situated between the tongue 115b and the associated edge of the vamp to a greater openness of the rod or by bellows in a thinner material.

The edges of the bellows 115a and defining a lacing zone 119 provided with a system clamping, in this case a clamping system 120 by lacing.

The lacing system 120 consists of a series of loops 121 disposed opposite the along the edges 119a of the lacing zone 119 and a shoelace 122 passing alternately in passers 121 disposed opposite to allow reconciliation of these edges clamping the shoe on the foot.

In the case shown the loops 121 are glued on the stem. This is the occurrence of loops 121 of strap type, that is to say they are constituted by a strap synthetic textiles (such as polyester, polyamide or polypropylene) or folded leather on itself V as shown, or simply folded on itself without forming angle, so as to form a loop for the yaw.

As the case passers-121 can also be covered or internally reinforced by an insert made of synthetic material, as described for example in US 5,906,057 to name of the applicant, in order to improve the sliding of the lace 122.

6 illustrates the passers bonding method 121 of the rod 114.

First each passing 121 is glued on individually through the vamp 115 a first adhesive film 130 which may be for example a polyurethane adhesive film sold under the trade name "Bemis" and "Daewoo". This first step of bonding may optionally be reinforced or replaced by a fixing by sewing. Film adhesive may be another thermoplastic material such as polyamide, polyester, ... etc. He will be selected depending on the materials constituting the loops 121 and the vamp. Then a band applique 132 is also bonded by means of a second adhesive film strip 131 of the set of loops 121 and 115 of the vamp of the rod 114 along the edges of the lacing zone 119.

The adhesive film 131 is the same type as the first adhesive film that is a film of adhesive eg polyurethane sold under the trade name "Bemis" or "Daewoo" or other thermoplastic material. The bonding is preferably carried out flat, before mounting and shaping of the stem 114. The conditions of temperature and pressure bonding depend on the materials used for the slap, passersby and the adhesive film.

For example the temperature may be between 150 ° and 225 ° C and the pressure is of the order of 1 to 10 bar for a polyurethane type adhesive film.

The band of 132 applies enables perfect bonding and assembly of the 121 passers rod. Indeed passers 121 are assembled to the rod between the two adhesive layers 130 and 131 and are perfectly maintained. It also helps ensure complete sealing if seams are used at the first assembly 121 to the passers rod. It guarantees the absence of fragile seams that may be damaged by friction applying in the lacing zone.

Finally the band applies 132 serves to confer a sober aesthetic and particularly successful in the lacing zone without visible seams, especially as passers shaped straps used are particularly flat and discreet.

a lacing system is obtained particularly aesthetic and, surprisingly strong enough, despite the significant efforts being exerted on the bonding area during clamping and the use of the shoe.

Of course the bonding method described above could be modified. Thus, passers 121 could be first assembled by bonding to the band uses 132 before the assembly formed by the band uses 132 and 121 bystanders stuck on the vamp 115.

Similarly passers-121 could be assembled into a single bar loops before assembly on the rod.

Passers-121 could be formed by other types of passers by including passers synthetic material, individual and / or arranged in a strip.

Figures 7 to 10 illustrate another embodiment of the invention applied to the lacing with passers 221 not "flat".

In this case these loops 221 are made up of two parts, namely a first portion 230 which includes a base 231, provided with a hole 232 of elliptical shape and a half sleeve 233, partially covering the hole 232 of the base and itself comprising a Opening 234, located in a plane forming an angle of approximately 45 ° with the base 231.

On the side opposite to the sleeve 233, the base 231 includes a recess 235 around the hole 232.

As can be seen later this countersink 235 is designed to cooperate with a base 245 a hook 240 forming the other part of the way 221, the hook 240 further comprising a ring-shaped portion 244 in intended to protrude from the opening 234 of the first portion 230.

This first part 230 is made of a synthetic material such as polyurethane or polyamide. It could also be incorporated in any other material. It passed through a hole 216 formed in the associated vamp material 215, so that its base 230 remains contact with the lower face 215a of the slams the material 215 and the half sleeve 233 do the contrary projecting from the outer side, that is to say on the side of the upper face 215b of the 215 slap.

The base 230 is then welded to slap the material 215 by a welding operation high frequency, such operation is made possible by the (PU) material used for the base 230.

Depending on the case and / or the materials used for the first portion 230 of the conductive and / or vamp 215, the base 230 could be "bonded" by other means, especially after interposition of a glue film.

Once the first part 230 of the assembly from the slap, or the second part hook 240 is inserted into the hole 232 and the opening 234, its base 245 to the adjusting countersink 235 of the base 230.

A local reinforcement 250 is applied and then assembled by gluing, by means of a film glue 251 on the underside 215a of the applique 215 to prevent the output of the hook 240 and thus dismantling the 220 passing.

This reinforcement 250 is also used to strengthen local assembly passing the slap 215.

Also here we get a very aesthetic assembly, waterproof and yet very durable, a passing the slap.

In this case, the hook-shaped portion 240 may be a metallic material, and therefore particularly resistant to wear.

In the case illustrated, the passer 230 is welded, glued to the rod without the use of seams and no reinforcement applied is then transferred onto the outer surface of the vamp. According to cases, such applied could be used for aesthetic reasons, such as having a lacing strip as in the previous example, the camouflage holes 216, ... etc. We can also consider that the base 230 is fixed by stitching to the vamp, in this case a band glued to apply is needed to improve the aesthetics and seal the seams.

As in the other embodiments described above, the binding system lacing the rest of the stem is reinforced and protected from external attacks, and allows achieve a totally impermeable reliable and much less susceptible to abrasion, friction.

Finally this adhesive bonding confers a particularly sober and opens new possibilities in terms of appearance of the assembly of the shoe.

Naturally, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above by way of non-limiting examples, but encompasses all embodiments similar or equivalent. Notably, the particular aspects of each mode of described embodiments may be implemented in other embodiments, with benefits related.