Patent ID: 6631569
Filing Date: 2003-10-14
Classification: A43B

Abstract:
A safety shoe or boot having improved protection for a wearer's foot metatarsal region, said safety shoe or boot comprising:a sole having a top surface; an upper having an interior surface, said upper being affixed to said sole, said upper and said sole defining a cavity therebetween for receiving the wearer's foot; an inner lining located adjacent to at least a portion of said interior surface of said upper; and a flexible metatarsal guard adapted to flex and bend with the wearer's foot such that said metatarsal guard will not inhibit the wearer's full range of motion during natural walking and running movements, said metatarsal guard including a segment of a flexible, cut-resistant material, a segment of force absorption material, and a segment of in-step cushion material, wherein said segment of cut-resistant material, said segment of force absorption material, and said segment of in-step cushion material together comprise said flexible metatarsal guard, said metatarsal guard being interposed between said interior surface of said upper and said inner lining proximate to a metatarsal region of the wearer's foot when the wearer's foot is located in said cavity.