Direct Attach Waterproof Footwear
Waterproof, breathable shoes are described. They include an upper assembly and a sole assembly or alternatively an upper assembly, midsole, and outsole. Each configuration includes a means of facilitating the flow of polymer therein. The means may be an insole, a spacer material, or an insole/spacer material composite.
1 . Waterproof, breathable shoe comprising:
an upper assembly, and
a sole assembly;
wherein the upper assembly comprises upper and lower portions, each of the upper and lower portions comprising a outer material and a breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer; further wherein the lower portion of the upper assembly further comprises a non-functional means of retaining the shape of the upper assembly, the non-functional means being connected to the breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer
wherein the sole assembly comprises an outer sole, said outer sole comprising a lower portion of the outer material and the breathable layer or layers of the upper interspersed therein and a means of facilitating the flow of polymer throughout the sole assembly to adhere the sole assembly and the lower portions of the upper assembly together to form a waterproof seal.
2 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a molded insole.
3 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material.
4 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material/insole composite.
5 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer comprises one or more openings for facilitating the flow of adhesive material throughout the sole assembly.
6 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the non-functional means comprise a strobel board or an elastic material, or a textile.
7 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the non-functional means is string lasted.
8 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the breathable layer or layers further comprises one or more additional layers adapted to form a laminate with the at least one waterproof functional layer.
9 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the waterproof functional layer comprises polyurethane, polyester, polyether, polyamide, polyacrylate, copolyether ester or copolyether amides.
10 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 1 , wherein the waterproof functional layer comprises polytetrafluoroethylene.
11 . Waterproof, breathable shoe comprising:
an upper assembly,
a midsole, and
an outsole
wherein the upper assembly comprises upper and lower portions, each of the upper and lower portions comprising a outer material and a breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer; further wherein the lower portion of the upper assembly further comprises a non-functional means of retaining the shape of the upper assembly, the non-functional means being connected to the breathable layer or layers comprising at least one waterproof functional layer
wherein the midsole comprises a lower portion of the breathable outer material of the upper interspersed therein and a a means of facilitating the flow of polymer throughout midsole to adhere the midsole and the lower portions of the upper assembly together to form a waterproof seal, and
wherein the outsole is adapted for attachment to the midsole
12 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a molded insole.
13 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material.
14 . The waterproof breathable shoe of claim 11 , wherein the means of facilitating the flow of polymer is a spacer material/insole composite.