Abstract:
An outsole for a shoe, especially a house slipper, has an outer layer constituted of a fabric material, and a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining, moldable material. The fabric layer and the backing layer are molded integrally together to provide the outsole with increased slip resistance, quieter usage and increased shape retention.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention generally relates to a shoe, especially a slipper, having a slip-resistant, shape-retaining outsole.  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Related Art  
         [0004]     A house slipper is typically designed for maximum comfort and is usually constructed of soft cushioned materials. The upper of the slipper is generally made with fabric-backed foam, and the lower of the slipper generally has foam inserts. The foam provides the desired comfort.  
         [0005]     The outsole of many house slippers is usually entirely constituted of a fabric material. Although generally satisfactory, a slipper with an all-fabric outsole quickly loses its shape, thereby detracting from its appearance. Sometimes, a midsole board is inserted between the upper and the lower of the slipper. However, the midsole board is an extra component and renders the slipper less comfortable.  
         [0006]     Other house slippers have outsoles made from rubber or plastic materials. Although generally satisfactory, a slipper with an all-rubber/plastic outsole is “noisier” during walking as compared to an all-fabric outsole and also tends to have less slip resistance.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
     Objects of the Invention  
       [0007]     Accordingly, it is a general object of this invention to provide an outsole for a shoe, especially a slipper, that is shape-retaining even after prolonged usage, that is “quiet” in use, that has an increased slip resistance, and that does not require a midsole board.  
       FEATURES OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In keeping with the above object and others which will become apparent hereafter, one feature of the present invention resides, briefly stated, in a shoe having an upper, a lower attached to the upper, and an outsole attached to the lower, the outsole having an outer layer constituted of a fabric material and a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining material, the outer and backing layers being integrally connected with each other, for example, by being molded in situ. In accordance with this invention, the outer fabric layer provides the increased slip resistance and the quieter usage, whereas the shape-retaining, molded backing layer provides the increased shape retention.  
         [0009]     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.  
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view on a reduced scale of a slipper having an outsole in accordance with this invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged, sectional view taken on line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the slipper of  FIG. 1  as seen from below; and  
         [0013]      FIGS. 4, 5  and  6  are exploded sectional views of alternate embodiments in accordance with this invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0014]     Reference numeral  10  in  FIG. 1  generally identifies a shoe, especially a slipper, having an upper  12 , a lower  14  attached to the upper  12 , and an outsole  16  attached to the lower  14 .  
         [0015]     As best seen in  FIG. 2 , the upper  12  includes a soft cushioned material, such as a fabric-backed foam  18  at the interior of the shoe for resiliently engaging a wearer&#39;s foot, and an exterior cover, such as a high pile fabric  20 , stitched to the fabric-backed foam  18 . The foam  18  and high pile fabric  20  are merely exemplary materials since many other materials can be used to make the upper.  
         [0016]     As also seen in  FIG. 2 , the lower  14  includes a base material  22  at the interior of the shoe for engaging the wearer&#39;s foot, and a skirt material  24  at the exterior of the shoe. The base and skirt materials are typically constructed of a fabric, and preferably may be made of the same material as the high pile fabric  20 . An upper portion  28  of the skirt material is stitched to a lower portion of the upper, and is also stitched to opposite sides of the base material  22  along a peripheral seam  26 . A lower portion  30  of the skirt material is stitched to the outsole  16 , thereby forming an internal compartment  32  between the outsole  16  and the base material  22 . One or more foam inserts  34 ,  36  are inserted into the compartment  32  to provide cushioning for the wearer&#39;s foot. Again, the described choice of materials for the lower is merely exemplary, since many other materials can be used to make the lower.  
         [0017]     In accordance with this invention, the outsole  16  includes an outer layer  38  constituted of a thin, flexible, fabric sheet material, for example, a knitted or woven cloth, and a backing layer  40  constituted of a shape-retaining material, for example, a rubber or a plastic material. The fabric layer  38  and the backing layer  40  are integrally connected together, for example, by being molded in situ in a common mold.  
         [0018]     The backing layer preferably has a raised and/or recessed tread pattern, as exemplified by the flower-like decorations  42  and diagonal ribs  44  visible on the underside of the shoe in  FIG. 3 . The fabric layer  38  closely conforms to the pattern and, indeed, follows the contour thereof. Other tread patterns, are, of course, contemplated by this invention.  
         [0019]     Also contemplated is the application of graphic markings on the fabric layer  38 . The graphic markings are applied in any known manner, for example, silk screening or printing. Virtually any markings can be employed.  
         [0020]     Alternate shoe constructions are depicted in the remaining drawings.  FIG. 4  depicts an outer fabric layer  138  integrally connected to a backing layer  140 . An upper  112  consisting of a flexible fabric is attached to the backing layer  140  by an adhesive as shown, or by stitching. A base material  122  overlies a foam insert.  134  and is attached to the upper  112 , again by using an adhesive or stitching.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  depicts an outer fabric layer  238  integrally connected to a backing layer  240 . An upper  212  consisting of a flexible fabric is attached to the backing layer  240  not through another fabric as in  FIG. 2 , and not by an adhesive as in  FIG. 4 , but instead, is inserted into the same mold in which the backing layer  240  and the fabric layer  238  are molded. The upper  212  is injection molded into the backing layer  240 . A base material  222  overlies a foam insert  234  and is attached to the backing layer  240  by using an adhesive or stitching.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  depicts an outer fabric layer  338  integrally connected to a backing layer  340 . An upper  312  consisting of a flexible fabric is attached to the combination of the backing layer  340  and the fabric layer  338  by stitching  339 . A base material  322  overlies a foam insert  334  and is inserted into a well of the backing layer  340  and is secured therein by using an adhesive or stitching.  
         [0023]     Other variations are possible. In each case, however the outer fabric layer is integrally connected to the backing layer.  
         [0024]     It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, also may find a useful application in other types of constructions differing from the types described above.  
         [0025]     While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in a shoe with slip-resistant, shape-retaining fabric outsole, it is not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention.  
         [0026]     Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention and, therefore, such adaptations should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalence of the following claims.