Composite plate

Abstract

A protective sole plate for protective footwear having a number of sole plate bodies, optionally of an electrically and thermally insulating material, joined together with transverse hinged joint(s) whereby each sole plate body can rotate about the transverse hinge relative to other sole plate bodies thereby enabling flexing of the sole plate while maintaining puncture resistance.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to an inner sole for protective shoes, which is made of rigid plastic bodies hinged together to provide flexing, is penetration resistant, thermally insulating and electrically insulating. BACKGROUND OF THE ART [0002] Protective shoes provide foot protection for those who work in a high risk environment. Protective shoes normally have penetration resistance in the sole and crushing resistance in the toe and metatarsal area. [0003] Regarding the configuration of prior art protective penetration resistant soles, conventionally a metal inner sole plate is sandwiched between two layers 61 of fabric material and is bonded to the shoe sole. A protective metal shoe head is positioned on the shoe sole about the toe area. The metal inner sole plate prevents sharp tips from penetrating and the rigid protective shoe head protects the toes from injury from falling objects, or impact. [0004] However, prior art protective soles have shor...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Conventional metal sole plates are often uncomfortable since it is difficult to fabricate metal in a pressing process with a smooth concave top surface to match the contours of a wearer's foot.

The metal sole plate must have an adequate thickness to achieve penetration resistance, which complicates fabrication into a curved shape, reduces flexibility and thus diminishes the comfort of the shoe.

The conventional metal sole plate and metal protective shoe head cannot provide effective electric shock resistance and thermal insulation.

Therefore, conventional protective shoes are not well adapted for use in an environment where electric shock is a risk or where thermal resistance to heat and cold are required.

Aside from the comfort factor, the flat shape results in protective coverage narrower than the wearer's foot sole and thus reduces the protection from sideways penetration prevention around the edges of the foot.

Conventional protective soles cannot provide an effective overall heat or cold resistance because the protective sole plate and protective shoe head are of metal, which is a good thermal conductor and consequently is also a poor thermal insulator.

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