Patent Publication Number: US-2021169176-A1

Title: Shoes with Lenticular Foil

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     None. 
     BACKGROUND 
     The invention relates to shoes consisting of at least one outsole with a heel and an upper connected to the outsole. 
     Shoes are made of leather materials, except of athletic shoes which usually consist of plastic materials. A leather shoe consists of two main components, i. e. a shoe shaft and a shoe bottom which are connected to each other. These two main components, however, consist of a plurality of individual parts which are set up one after another. The plurality of components used in the manufacture of shoes cannot be grasped at a glance, but when they are combined in a harmonious way, they result in an optimal fit of the shoe. In most types of manufacture, an insole, being disposed between the sock and the outsole, keeps all parts of the shoe together. Usually, a lining leather of tanned leather is used for lining the shoes. Therefore, it should be soft and comprise high breathability. A heel cap is inserted as a reinforcing leather part and used at the rear connection between the lining and the outer shaft. It functions as the continuation of the shoe&#39;s heel and thus retains the foot in the shoe. A toe cap between the upper leather and the lining leather is to impart an elegant shape to the toe of the shoe and protects the shoe from outer influences. An outer heel part or inner heel part is used as rear shaft parts which laterally surround the opening of the shoe and accommodate the lacing at the front. A strap sewn onto the heel seam is referred to as back strap and extends from the upper shaft end edge to the cutting edge of the lasting margin. It here reinforces the heel stitching and moreover offers a reinforcement for the heel part of the shaft. A strap located at the lining seam extending in the longitudinal direction protects the inner heel stitching and makes it easier to get into the shoe. A support construction as it is often provided, for example, in gents&#39; shoes, consists of a cowskin strip and holds together the shaft, the insole and the sole. The lowermost sole layer will directly come into contact with the ground and is in most cases roughly tanned leather that is particularly abrasion-resistant and watertight. However, it is possible to make the outsole of rubber or plastics. An insole is laid as a thick leather layer from the toe cap to the heel and is located above the outsole. In shoes for daily use, a shank piece, consisting of a shank spring and a cover, is inserted between the insole and the outsole and extends from the centre of the heel to the beginning of the forefoot, this shank piece serving to maintain the shoe&#39;s shape and to guide the foot in a supporting manner. A shank spring consists of a wide steel spring which is inserted in the hollow space of the frame and the insole between the heel and the ball part as a reinforcement. Its shape is adapted within the arc of the shoe&#39;s sole and provides a stable foothold during walking and prevents a wobbling of the heel. A sock is a soft leather cover that covers the insole on the side facing the foot and is abrasion-resistant, non-discolouring and perspiration-resistant. As a substructure for the attachment region or as a basis for the outsole, a leather strip having a thickness of 2 cm is nailed onto the insole and outsole. Normally, this keder is sewn in case of framed shoes. The upper or the upper leather is the leather of the shoe&#39;s shaft, i. e. the outer shoe surface. In most cases, it is chrome-tanned and consists of calfskins, in case of walking and mountain boots of cowskin. The colouring of the upper is here adapted to the current fashion. 
     The structure of ladies&#39; shoes is partially different from the described individual components, where in particular with ladies&#39; shoes, a soft thin leather is normally processed. The upper leather may be provided with decorations which are pieces attached to the leather consisting of metal, textiles or components consisting of leather which are sewn onto the shoe. Moreover, the different shapes of shoes may vary and be designed corresponding to the height of the selected heel, wherein in particular winter and summer shoes essentially differ in that during the summer months, a rather light variation is employed. 
     The design of the shoes is here restricted to the colouring of the leather materials used and the attachment of accessories determined by the current fashion trend. Further designs are not known. 
     Athletic shoes are required for most diverse purposes, for example soccer shoes, basketball shoes or shoes for other forms of sport, and in particular running shoes. Such athletic shoes may be made, for example, of soft leather or synthetic materials for the upper. If synthetic materials are used, these are usually breathable woven. In athletic shoes, the outsole is, due to the materials used, usually polymerized or glued to the upper by heat treatment. Depending on the intended purpose, the outsole may here include special insoles, it is, for example, possible to provide a cushioned central sole to absorb impacts occurring during running. To increase the durability of the athletic shoes, they may be additionally provided with sewn-on materials laterally in the rear and front region. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a shoe, in particular an athletic shoe, which is characterized by further optically attractive embodiments. 
     According to the invention, to achieve the object, at least a portion of the upper comprises a printed lenticular foil and/or a lenticular foil behind which images are stuck. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention can be taken from the subclaims. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     By using a lenticular foil on a part of the upper of a shoe, particular attention is drawn to the shoe because due to the different graphic representations from different angles of view, the appearance of the shoe varies which will draw the increased attention of the viewers. 
     The optical effects achievable with the lenticular foil consist, for example, of 3D effects, a depth image of pictures, the representation of flip images or changing images through to the depiction of smooth animations. Here, combinations of the mentioned effects are, of course, also possible. For the generation of a 3D effect, for example, pictures are made in individual depth levels, just as with a scenery theatre, and from this, a three-dimensional image is created which is arranged behind the lenticular foil. For changing images or for animations, in contrast, two or more starting images are separated into narrow strips which are alternatingly attached one next to the other on the back side of the lenticular foil. Here, usually the images produced with special software are disposed on the back side of the lenticular foil. Here, the back side of the lenticular foil corresponds to the side which is facing away from the optically structured foil side, i. e. the foil side provided with lenses. The complexity of the optical effects is increased with the number of images taken as a basis for the image information and which are printed or stuck at the back side of the lenticular foil. For example, for two-phase flip images, the combination of two images is already sufficient. By processing several images, multi-phases or complete motion sequences, but also zooming or morphing effects, may be represented. The representations are here set up from a plurality of single images, just as with a flip book, which essentially merge into each other smoothly. Here, preferably a fourfold animation with four images is used. By designing a lenticular foil with printed images and/or images stuck at the back on the shoes, these are particularly optically enhanced, thus attracting the attention of the viewers in any case. With such a shoe, the wearer may thus express which kind of graphical design is important to him/her, or he/she can advert to a certain product. Preferably, the shoes in the form according to the invention are employed to be worn at events where the wearer of the shoes can advert to current events or the preference for certain persons. The variation of the images which are located behind the lenticular foil is arbitrary and may be correspondingly adapted to the purpose of the event, for example in sports events for a Bundesliga Club, but also during European championships or World championships, to draw the attention to a particularly admired club, athlete, or during film events, to actors in this manner. 
     In a development of the invention, the lenticular foil is arranged on the upper at least on one side, preferably on an outer side, of a pair of shoes. It is not necessary for the lenticular foil to cover the complete surface of the upper, it is rather sufficient for individual parts of the upper to be equipped with the lenticular foil. This may be the outer side of a pair of shoes, but it is, of course, also possible to provide the lenticular foil on an inner side, so that these sides become visible to a viewer during walking. It is moreover possible to arrange the lenticular foil on the toe cap, the heel cap, or on an outer rear part so that the lenticular foil will become visible either only in the front region or in the rear region, and this sometimes only when the person starts moving. Here, the choice of the respective parts of a shoe is decisive, where naturally several parts at a time may be covered with the lenticular foil. 
     It is basically possible both in shoes and in athletic shoes to provide a lenticular foil at the mentioned parts in the front and the rear or in the lateral region. This does not exclude to cover the complete upper with a lenticular foil. In athletic shoes, it is possible to embed the lenticular foil in the outsole in the lower region. 
     As a rule, the lenticular foil is drawn downwards from the upper to the frame so that a secure fastening in the region of the sole is possible. In any case, an increased attention of the viewers is achieved by the use of the lenticular foil as the otherwise common accessories only leave one single overall impression, while with the aid of the lenticular foil, several images may be formed on a shoe depending on the viewing direction so that the shoe, combined with attractive clothes, may impart a corresponding optical impression. The variation of the images located behind the lenticular foil is here arbitrary and may be adapted according to purpose, wherein graphical patterns, but also images of a particular event or the admiration of personalities, in particular of athletes or actors, may be used. The possibilities of representation are here unlimited with respect to the selected scenes. 
     Preferably, the upper and the lenticular foil are here connected to each other by a material bond and/or by a form-fit, wherein gluing, sewing or welding between the lenticular foil and the upper are to the fore. It is additionally possible for the lenticular foil to be bordered by an edge strip to increase its strength or have a better connection to the upper. 
     In a further development of the invention, the lenticular foil with the images at its back is laminated with a paper-fibre- and/or a fabric-like supporting layer on its rear side. The supporting layer serves to protect the image information applied to the back side of the lenticular foil from damages due to the tanned leather. The image information applied on the back side of the lenticular foil and the protective layer form a sandwich structure which is protected from external damages, such as scratches, wherein the supporting layer increases the dimensional stability of the lenticular foil. It is quite possible that the supporting layer is designed to be larger than the lenticular foil and comprises projecting sections which are used as edge sections for the connection with the side faces. 
     In a further development, it is possible that the edges of the lenticular foil with the images on the back are bordered. By bordering, the lenticular foil will obtain, over the complete surface, a distinct reinforcement and increase of dimensional stability. Here, the bordered edge of the lenticular foil may partially come to rest in the connection area of the upper or the outsole and is sewn or glued along. 
     The particularity of the present invention is that shoes know per se, in particular athletic shoes in various designs, obtain an optical revaluation by being covered by a lenticular foil in partial areas. This may be the outer, optionally also the inner side of a pair of shoes, but also the toe cap, the heel cap or an outer rear part. Essentially, these are the shoe parts visible to third parties, wherein the use of the lenticular foil in these regions—which may be an individual region, but also several regions—will result in an increased attention of the viewers. This is in particular due to the lenticular foil with images at its back, which may have a two—as well as a three-dimensional design, offering a particular eye-catcher. The images at the back may consist of simple or complicated graphical patterns, but also of images of landscapes, of buildings or personalities, where among others, athletes or other famous personalities may also be represented. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention will be further illustrated again below with reference to the figures. 
       In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  shows a shoe in a perspective view, 
         FIG. 2  shows the structure of the shoe in a partially sectional view, 
         FIG. 3  shows, in a perspective view, a simple embodiment of an athletic shoe, and 
         FIG. 4  shows, in a side view, a commercially available athletic shoe. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows, in a perspective view, a shoe  1  in the form of a gents&#39; shoe, but it could also be a ladies&#39; shoe manufactured in a modified design. The shoe consists of an upper  2  and an internal lining leather  3  which are together connected to the outsole  4 . The outsole  4  consists, in the section as can be seen in  FIG. 2 , of an internal insole and a bottom filling disposed between the outsole  4  and the insole. The upper  2  is sewn to the outsole  4 , wherein a frame  5  is additionally circumferentially arranged above the outsole. In the rear region of the shoe  1 , there is a heel  6  which is also connected with the outsole, wherein the front toe cap  7  is equipped with reinforcing materials located underneath the upper  2  for a better shaping, and the heel region  8  comprises an inner lining  9  and an outer reinforcement  10 . All uppers, in particular the upper  2 , are here connected to each other via seams  11 , but the upper  2  is also partially sewn and partially glued to the outsole  4 . 
     Various regions of the shoe  1  may here be equipped with a lenticular foil which is located, as indicated, in the lower region  12  of the upper  2 .  FIG. 1  shows, by way of example, the arrangement of the lenticular foil which is also sewn to the upper  2  with a form-fit, but which is located only in the lateral region, in this case in the external region of the shoe  1 . Equally, the lenticular foil may be located in the inner and outer region, or the whole front part may be covered with a lenticular foil down to the toe  7 . As an alternative, it is also possible to cover the rear part of the shoe  1  with a lenticular foil which is in turn sewn to the upper  2 . 
       FIG. 2  shows, in a partially sectional view, the structure of the shoe  1 . The shoe  1  consists of the upper  2  and an outsole  4 . Above the outsole  4 , a bottom filling  13  and an insole  14  are arranged. Between the insole  14  and the outsole  4 , the upper  2  is sewn and/or glued to the outsole in the edge region, wherein a frame  15  is arranged circumferentially above the outsole  4  which ensures a reinforcing support between the upper  2  and the outsole  4 . The various side parts in the front region and in the rear region may here be covered with a lenticular foil as is shown in  FIG. 1 , wherein the lenticular foil is sewn in a form-fit with the upper  2  and optionally with the outsole. 
       FIG. 3  shows, in a perspective view, an athletic shoe  20  in a commercially available design. The athletic shoe  20  has an upper  21  consisting of soft leather, and an outsole  22  comprising a circumferential upper edge  23 . In addition, the upper  21  is provided, in the lateral, the rear and the front regions, with an enlargement to reinforce, in case of a competition with increased demands, the region above the outsole  22 . The enlargement  24  may consist, for example, of a lenticular foil sewn or glued onto the upper  21 . As an alternative, the upper region of the athletic shoe  20  could also be covered with a lenticular foil. In the present case, the athletic shoe  20  is a laced shoe having a shoelace  25  which is passed through the provided eyes  26 . Instead of a shoelace  25 , a Velcro could also be employed. 
       FIG. 4  shows again, in a second view, an athletic shoe  30  which in this case has a typical shape, for example of a tennis shoe, and also consists of an upper  31  and an outsole  32 . The outsole is provided with rib-like recesses  33  increasing the elasticity of the outsole region  32 . In the heel region  34 , the athletic shoe has an elevation  35  to provide a better support for the heel. This athletic shoe  30 , too, is equipped with a shoelace  36  which may be passed through individual eyes or openings  37 . Furthermore, the athletic shoe  30  is provided, in the front region, with an enlargement  38  which protects the athletic shoe  30  from damages. The enlargement  38 , but also the upper  31 , may be covered with a lenticular foil. Here, it is easily possible that the upper  31  is only partially preferably arranged in the lateral region of the athletic shoe  30 . 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           1  shoe 
           2  upper 
           3  lining leather 
           4  outsole 
           5  frame 
           6  heel 
           7  toe cap 
           8  heel region 
           9  inner lining 
           10  outer reinforcement 
           11  seams 
           12  region 
           13  bottom filling 
           14  insole 
           15  frame 
           20  athletic shoe 
           21  upper 
           22  outsole 
           23  edge 
           24  enlargement 
           25  shoelace 
           26  eye 
           30  athletic shoe 
           31  upper 
           32  outsole 
           33  recess 
           34  heel region 
           35  elevation 
           36  shoelace 
           37  opening 
           38  enlargement