US3574958A

US3574958A - Wading shoe

Info

Publication number: US3574958A
Application number: US7069A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leon L Martuch
Original assignee: Scientific Anglers Inc
Current assignee: Scientific Anglers Inc
Priority date: 1970-01-30
Filing date: 1970-01-30
Publication date: 1971-04-13
Anticipated expiration: 1988-04-13

Abstract

A wading shoe made from nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material including a nonwetting, nonwater-retaining sole is provided with a quick release closure in addition to the normal lace adjustable means of closing a shoe.

Description

1 United States Patent 111 3,57

[72] Inventor Leon L. Martuch [56] References Cited Mldlmd, UNITED STATES PATENTS 3; g g- 3 3 1970 2,935,798 5/1960 Piberhofer.. 36/25 E ai 5 3,491,465 1/1970 Martin 36/25 [73] Assign sfehfifimngksma 3,509,646 5/1970 Vietas 36/25 Midland, Mich. Primary Examiner-Patrick D. Lawson [54] WADING SHOE 23 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52} US. Cl. 36/25 A43b Field ol'Search 36/25, 7.1, 4

Attorneys-Gordon W. Hueschen, A. David Spevack and Talivaldis Cepuritis ABSTRACT: A wading shoe made from nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material including a nonwetting,

nonwater-retaining sole is provided with a quick release closure in addition to the normal lace adjustable means of closing a shoe.

Patented April 13, 1971 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG. I

ATTORNEY Patented A ril 13, 1911 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 50

FIG. 5b

FIG. 5a

- INVENTOR LEON 1.; MARTUCH i ATTORNEY WADING SHOE DISCLOSURE This invention pertains to a wading shoe or boot, and more particularly pertains to a wading shoe made of nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material that is provided with a quick release closure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Fishermen in the pursuit of fish often enter into bodies of water where the fish are found, be it lake, pond, stream, river or surf. Fishermen employ various means of keeping the immersed positions of the body dry. One of these methods is the use of a garment ,called a wader. A wader resembles a pair of footed pants that extend upwards from the feet at least to the waist, often to mid chest. The garment is held in position by suspenders and the lower or footed portion of the wader can either be of the same weight and type material as the remainder of the garment called a sock-type wader or the footed portion can be a high boot integrally formed with the wader. In its preferred form, a wader is of the sock-type and is usually constructed from various waterproofed materials including rubberized cloth, vinyl, nylon or similar materials. The sock portion of a wader made of this type of material is highly susceptible to damage caused by tearing or chafing the garment as a result of .the action of sand, gravel, and other submerged objects. In order to protect the foot section of the wader a fisherman commonly wears an ankle high shoe which is generally in the style of an athletic shoe or sneaker laced up the front. These shoes are constructed in the same manner as a sneaker and are made'of cotton duck, canvas or leather. The sole of the wading shoe is made of either felt or cleated rubber depending on the kind of bottom existing in the body of water the wearer wants to fish. In the shoe commonly used at the present time, it is necessary to wear a sock made of wool or some other soft material to prevent the shoe fabric or sand and other foreign objects that get into the shoe from chafing the thin wader fabric and thereby causing leaks in the wader.

The construction of the shoe causes several problems. One of the problems is the difficulty that is met by the fisherman in trying to remove the laced cloth boots after emerging from the water. The difficulty in untying a wet knot is well known. The second major problem is the fact that the shoe retains a good deal of water in its structure and is extremely difficult to dry thoroughly. This is particularly true when the soles are made of felt. Water is retained in the felt matting and can neither be shaken or squeezed out. Once the boot is wet, it is extremely difficult for the fisherman to put the boot on a second time if he wishes to return to the water. Moreover, when it comes time to transport the boot home, he is often faced with a soggy piece of cloth which may take as long as a week to dry out thoroughly even in open sunlight. The river-soaked and soggy boot also gives off aniunpleasant odor which permeates the interior of trunks or throughout the transporting vehicles in general. U.S. Pat. No. 2,340,578 shows the general structure of an athletic or tennis-type shoe.

U.S. Pat. No. 1,684,660 shows the use of a zipper closure in conjunction with adjustable grippers on an overshoe or rubber boot for the use in inclement weather such as snow or the like.

The weather shoe is usually of water impervious construction so that v the wearers feet stay dry. That is not necessary and is actually impossible with a wading shoe.

It is an objects of this invention to'provide a wadingshoe that dn'es rapidly after immersion in water.

Another object of this invention is to provide ashoe which is made of materials which will not retain water.

A further object of thisinvention is to provide a wading shoe with a quick release means so that the fisherman can insert his foot into the wading shoe without having to readjust the tightening means.

Yet another object of this invention is to provide a wading shoe which is pervious to water.

An additional objectof this invention is to provide a wading shoe which obviates the need for a chafe protecting sock.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent in the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention contemplates a water-pervious wading shoe having the general appearance of the athletic-type wading shoe known to the art. The wading shoe has a sole which can be either of the sculptured cleat-type or more preferably, the wading shoe has a matted or felt-type bottom made of a nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIG. 1 is a full perspective view of the boot as seen from the rear;

FIG. 2 is a partial view of the boot as seen from the front;

FIG. 3 is a section taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 showing the boot neck from the top;

FIG. 4 is a partial front view of an alternate embodiment of the boot as seen from thefront;

FIG. 5 a, b and c are partial views of alternate structures for the sole of the boot.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The wading shoe iswater-pervious and has a sole, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material; and an upper, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material, which is affixed to the sole by means commonly used in the shoe art. The upper has two fasteners, a quick release fastener and an adjustable fastener both of which are operably attached to the upper. A drain means is provided in the upper which is adapted to pass and filter water through the shoe.

The nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material can be a polymeric material which is generally formed into fibers, and can be matted or interwoven to form a feltlike web. An example of such matted fibrous mass would be what is commonly known as indoor-outdoor carpeting. This material is commonly made of polyethylene, polypropylene, or copolymers of these two polymers. In addition polymer carpetlike material-having a short relatively stiff, tufted or brushlikeappearance also gives excellent results having the gripping power of cleats and the traction of felt-type sole. These polymers, unlike cotton or other natural fiber materials, are not wet by water and therefore do not retain water on the fiber molecule itself. Further, many of these materials are actually hydrophobic or water-repelling and therefore water will not be held by hydrogen bonding in the cellular structures formed by the interweaving and matting or juxtaposition of the fabric. When the boot is shaken or banged against some hard surface the water will be substantially expelled from the webbing of the sole, and the sole will thereafter dry rapidly. Many of these artificial fiber materials of polypropylene or polyethylene or nylon carpet-type'are mounted on a backing material. In the concept of this invention the backing material when used acts as the inner sole of the shoe and is formed of small cellular structure polymeric material which is preferably hydrophobic and therefore will not retain water in the cellular structure. The polymeric webbing can be sculptured to form cleats, ribbing or other gripping surfaces thereby enabling one sole to serve a dual function of providing good footing on both moss covered rocks and sand or silt bottom. Foxing common to athletic-type shoes can be provided. The foxing is made of a heavy rubber or polymer material which is strongly resistant to the cutting or hole-punching effects of various submerged objects such as logs, sharp rocks, etc.

The shoe upper comprises two separable side portions which are adapted to be joined by means of fasteners usually along the forward and rear edges. One of the fasteners is adjustable and is preferably a buckle or lace, most preferably a lace. The other fastener is of the quick release type such as heavy enough to operate even when covered with slit or sand. Slide fasteners formed of two pieces of interlocking plastic or plastic spiral may also be used in the concept of this invention if they are of heavy enough construction to withstand the environment to which the fastener is subjected. The shoe is provided with a vamp and attached thereto is a tongue. The adjustable fastener is usually located outside in relation to the wearers foot of the tongue. I

It is not necessary that the two fasteners be located opposite one another. In alternate embodiments the slide fastener can be located in the side of the shoe or if desired two slide fasteners can be used. It is preferred that only one slide fastener is used.

The wading shoe upper is formed nonwetting, nonwaterretaining material. This material can be either a woven material formed from polymeric fibers; cotton duck, which has been coated with a permanent water-proofing material or a sheet;

. film material. When the fabric is of the woven-type it is preferred that it be formed of polymeric fibers such as polyamides (nylon), polyesters (dacron), polyurethanes and such. In addition these fabrics can be coated in the manner described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,721,81 1 to increase stability and wear resistance when the shoe upper is formed of sheet or filmmaterial, preferably polymeric sheet or film, material such as vinyl, polyurethane, polyproplyene, rubber, polyamides, or any other nonwettable, nonwater-retaining sheet or film material.

A wading shoe is designed and constructed to be used while totally submerged. Unlike a rubber or other weather-type boot or shoe, it is not desirable for the shoe to be impervious to water. Indeed the shoe must pass water or else it would add two very heavy and uncomfortable weights to a fishemian's feet. While it is extremely desirable that water be passed through the shoe it is preferably that silt, sand, pebbles and other debris which is likely to damage the wader not be permitted to pass through the shoe. Within the concept of this invention drainage may be provided for the shoe.

In those embodiments of the invention wherein the shoe upper is made of impermeable material such as vinyl or polyolefin film or coated fabric, the shoe is provided with at least one drain port. The drain port is usually provided with a filtering means to prevent the passage of silt, sand or the like. In an alternate embodiment the upper is formed of a loosely woven fabric having the properties previously described so that at least a portion of upper itself allows for the passage of water through the shoe while filtering out debris.

In a still further embodiment contemplated by this invention, the need for a separate chafe guard or wool sock, commonly used in the art, is eliminated by bonding a resilient nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material to the interior of the boot. This lining can be formed from any resilient soft, nonwetting, nonwater-retaining material, such as a fleecelike material formed from polymeric fibers or a matted feltlike material similar to the sole of the boot or a foam material such as polyurethane foam. Anyone of the bondable synthetic materials which are nonwettable and nonwater-retaining can be utilized as the lining for this embodiment.

Now having generally described the shoe of this invention, reference is made to the drawings to describe specific embodiments of the invention which are illustrative of the shoe with a bonded lining.

Referring now to the drawing, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a wading shoe 10, having sole 11' and heel l2 afiixed to shoe upper 40. The sole 11 and heel 12 are in this embodimentmade of interwoven matted polymeric material, preferably matted fibers of polypropylene. Foxing 13, preferably made of a polymeric material is provided surrounding the entire sole of the boot-react as a rock, log or other submerged object bumper. The-faxing is provided with openings30 which allow water to be drained from the boot. These eyelets are provided with a strainer or other restriction (not shown) to reduce the amount of mud, sand and other particles that can flow into the a boot. The nonnal movement of the foot when the wearer walks causes a pumplike action which constantly keeps the water moving through the shoe. Without the strainer device sand and debris would be constantly pulled into the shoe.

A toe guard 14 is provided, made of the same material as foxing 13. The toe guard 14 substantially covers the entire vamp 15. Two

sides

17 and 18 form two-separable quarter sections of the shoe upper 40. The vamp 15 is joined to tongue 16 which is joined to side 18 of the neck 20 (FIG. 2) The front edges 21 and 22 of the

quarter sections

17 and 18 are provided with a series of'eyelets 23 so that the front sections can be adjustably joined together by means of laces (not shown). The front edge 21 of side 17 overlaps the tongue 16 so a tight seal is formed when the shoe is laced closed. A slide fastener 24 having interlocking teeth 25 and slide 26 is fastened to each of the heel edges 28 and 29 of

quarter sections

17 and 18 so that the heel portion 70 of the shoe 10 may be opened rapidly by means of this quick slide fastener 24 thereby allowing for the removal or entrance of the wearers foot without disturbing the laced closure of

edges

21 and 22. In order to prevent the interior portion of the teeth 25 of slide fastener 24 chafing the wader itself, a flap 27 (FIG. 2) is attached to the interior of side 28 of quarter section 18. When the slide fastener 24 is closed, the flap 27 covers the slide fastener 24 providing a uniform contour to the inside of the heel portion 70 of the boot 10 (FIG. 3), thereby preventing the teeth 25 from damaging the wader material.

An interlining 31 of fleecelike nonwetting, nonwaterretaining material is bonded to the interior of

quarter sections

17 and 18, to the interior of the tongue 16, an over the flap 27. The lining 31 extends over the top of the shoe and forms a lip or cuff section 32. This fleecelike material does away with the necessity of wearing an additional wool or other type of separate sock. In addition, in use the lip 32 acts as a filter allowing water to pass into and out of the shoe but excluding the entry silt and sand.

An alternate embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 wherein shoe 410 having foxing 413, drain ports 430,

quarter sections

417 and 418 and flap 427 is shown with the slide fastener open. Tongue 416 is joined on both sides to

quarter sections

417 and 418 by means of

gussets

450 and 451. This provides a weather-type closure which aids in preventing the entrance of sand and silt into the shoe.

An interlining 431 of a hydrophobic, nonwettable, nonwater-retaining foam material such as polyurethane foam is bonded to the interior of tongue 416,

quarter sections

417 and 418 and flap 427 forming a chafe guard. The lining 431 is also bonded to the interior sole of the shoe 410 and the underside of the vamp thereby providing a fully lined shoe. In FIG. 4 the slide fastener is shown in the open position thereby providing opening 460 for the insertion of the wearers foot.

Polymeric materials can be contoured. FIGS. 50 and b illustrate two alternate embodiments of the contouring of the sole. In FIG. 5a the sole is embossed with a design to increase the traction of the sole. In FIG. 5b the polymeric material is bonded over a shaped polymeric resin base forming a rippled surface. FIG. 5c illustrates a sole made of short cropped tufted material having a brushlike appearance. The fibers of the tufted sole are between one-sixteenth and one-fourteenth of an inch in length.

g The novel boot construction of this invention, of course, can be provided without the bonded line material and a separate sock could be provided for the prevention of chafing.

It is also within the concept of this invention that the same material as used to line the boot in a bonded fashion can be provided in the form of a separate slipper-type boot, pulled on in the same manner as a sock would be pulled on before inserting one's foot in the boot of this invention.

In use, a wearer of a boot of this invention would put on a pair of boots while dry andlace each boot to the desired tightness which is comfortable for his foot and conditions.

After use, when the boots are totally immersed in water, each boot can be opened by means of a slide fastener 24 or 424 and the wearers foot with the wader thereon can be removed through the

opening

60 or 460 provided at the rear of the boot. If on the same day the wearer wishes to reuse the boot, it is only necessary to-slide ones foot back through the

opening

60 or 460 and close the slide fastener 24 or 424 and the wearer is once more ready to return to fishing. A large amount of strain is constantly being placed on the shoe, therefore the use of a combination of a lace closure and slide closure is preferable to attain the proper fit of the shoe under different conditions and the quick removal of the shoe when fit is set for the day. When the days fishing is done, and it is now necessary to transport the pair of boots, the excess water can be rapidly eliminated by emptying and shaking or knocking each boot against a hard surface to dislodge water retained in the pores of the structure and then excess water can be rapidly removed from the upper and inner portions of the boot by wiping with a soft cloth. The remainder of any moisture films will evaporate rapidly from the boot as the water film will only lie on the surface of the material. The boot material being nonwater retaining there is no molecular holding of the water film to the boot. The boot by this treatment will dry out relatively rapidly and will not leave the usual odors familiarto anyone coming in contact with dampened, mildewing cotton and natural fiber material.

Although the invention has been particularly disclosed for a shoe with a bonded lining it is to be understood that the invention is applicable for a shoe not having the bonded interlining. It is also obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing is presented by way ofexnmple only and the invention is not to be unduly restricted thereby since modifications may be made in the shoe without departing from the spirit of this invention.

lclaim:

l. A water-pervious wading shoe comprising a sole, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material; an upper, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material, and affixed to said sole, said upper provided with (a) a quick release fastener and an adjustable fastener operably attached to said upper and (b) a drain means in said upper, adapted to pass and filter water through said shoe.

2. A shoe according to claim 1 wherein said upper comprise two separable side portions, each side portion having a forward edge and a heel edge.

3. A shoe according to claim 2 wherein said slide fastener is a slide fastener positioned opposite said adjustable fastener and operably attached to the heel edges of said side portion.

4. A shoe according to claim 3 wherein each forward edge of said side portions is provided with a series of eyelets positioned to enable the forward edges of said side portions to be adjustably tightened by means of a lace;

5. A shoe according to claim 4 wherein said upper is formed of a polymeric film.

6. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is a vinyl 7. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is a polyolefin or copolymer thereof.

8. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein the drain means is at least one eyelet containing a filtering means.

9. A shoe according to claim 4 wherein said upper is formed of woven polymeric fibers.

10. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a polyolefin or copolymer thereof.

11. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a linear polyamide.

12. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a polyester.

13. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein at least a portion of said woven polymeric fiber is loosely woven thereby providing a drain means.

14. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is formed of matted and interwoven polymeric fibers.

15. A shoe according to claim 14 wherein said sole is sculptured.

16. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is tufted. 17. A shoe according to claim 1 comprising a sole formed of interwoven and matted polymeric material, an upper affixed to said sole comprising;

i. a vamp;

2. a tongue, said tongue being attached to said vamp along one side thereof;

3. two separable side quarters, each of said side quarters having a forward edge and a heel edge, one side of said tongue being attached to at least one of said forward edges;

4. a slide fastener operably attached to the heel edges of said side quarters;

5. a series of eyelets positioned in each of the forward edges of said side quarters which operate in conjunction with a lace to form an adjustable fastener;

6. a pair of eyelets positioned in the lower portion of one of said side portions, each eyelet containing a perforated plate, said eyelets forming a drain means.

18. A shoe according to claim 17 wherein a flap is attached to one of said heel edges, said flap being positioned to cover said slide fastener when said fastener is in the closed position.

19. A shoe according to claim 18 wherein a lining formed of a resilient, nonwettable, nonwatenretaining material is bonded to all interior surfaces of said shoe.

20. A shoe according to claim 17 wherein said lining extends above the top of said shoe.

2!. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is a polymeric fleece.

22. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is a polymeric matted and interwoven felt.

23. A shoe according to claim 19 wherein said lining is a polymeric foam.

Patent No.

Column 1, line 14:

ColuIm 1, line 64:

Column 3, line 14:

Column 4, line 30:

Column 4, line 60:

Colunm 5,

(SEAL) Attest:

Attaining FORM F O-1050 (10-63) line 43 (Claim 3) UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Dated April 13, 1971 Inventor(s) LEON L. MARIUCH It is certified that error appears in the above-identified pater and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Assignee Cancel "Scientific Angles, Inc." and substitute therefor Scientific Anglers, Inc.

Delete "positions" and insert portions Delete "objects" and insert object After the word "fon'ned" insert of Delete "an" and insert and Cancel "one-fourteenth" and substitute therefor one-fourth Cancel "slide" and substitute therefor quick release Signed and sealed this 7th day of September 1971.

ROBIERT GOTTSCHALK Acting Commissioner of P USCOMM-DC Q fi US. GOVERNMENT FIINYING OFHCE: III

Claims

1. A water-pervious wading shoe comprising a sole, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material; an upper, formed of nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material, and affixed to said sole, said upper provided with (a) a quick release fastener and an adjustable fastener operably attached to said upper and (b) a drain means in said upper, adapted to pass and filter water through said shoe.

2. a tongue, said tongue being attached to said vamp along one side thereof;

4. a slide fastener operably attached to the heel edges of said side quarters;

4. A shoe according to claim 3 wherein each forward edge of said side portions is provided with a series of eyelets positioned to enable the forward edges of said side portions to be adjustably tightened by means of a lace.

6. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is a vinyl film.

7. A shoe according to claim 5 wherein said film is a polyolefin or copolymer thereof.

11. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a linear polyamide.

12. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said fiber is a polyester.

15. A shoe according to claim 14 wherein said sole is sculptured.

16. A shoe according to claim 9 wherein said sole is tufted.

17. A shoe according to claim 1 comprising a sole formed of interwoven and matted polymeric material, an upper affixed to said sole comprising;

19. A shoe according to claim 18 wherein a lining formed of a resilient, nonwettable, nonwater-retaining material is bonded to all interior surfaces of said shoe.

21. A shoe according to claim 20 wherein said lining is a polymeric fleece.

23. A shoe according to claim 19 wherein said lining is a polymeric foam.