Blast protective boot and overboot construction

Abstract

A boot sole having an insole resistant to penetration of emitted particles and shock. An outsole is secured to the insole and an upper, the sole having a cavity provided therewithin with a shock attenuator capable of compression or collapse under high stress within the cavity. The portion of the shock attenuator remote from the insole is preferably V-shaped to deflect particles impinging thereon away from the boot wearer. The shock attenuator preferably is ringed with a high strength shell acting as a pressure plate at the time of shockwave from explosion for added protection. Rubber cleats can be disposed on the outsole to provide additional ground clearance for deflection of blast energy from under foot and to allow for additional wear of the sole. The overboot sole embodiment is fitted with adjustable straps to provide a good fit between the overboot and the boot on which it will be mounted and provides blast protection in identical fashion as the described boot.

1 . A blast protective sole for a boot which comprises: 
 an insole; and    an outsole secured to said insole, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.    
     
     
         2 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said cavity is completely embedded within said outsole.  
     
     
         3 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.  
     
     
         4 . The sole of  claim 2  wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.  
     
     
         5 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.  
     
     
         6 . The sole of  claim 2  wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.  
     
     
         7 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.  
     
     
         8 . The sole of  claim 3  wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.  
     
     
         9 . The sole of  claim 5  wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.  
     
     
         10 . The sole of  claim 1  further including a high strength shell disposed on said shock attenuator.  
     
     
         11 . The sole of  claim 1  wherein said outsole includes tread extending outwardly therefrom and rubber cleats disposed over and secured to said outsole.  
     
     
         12 . A boot which includes: 
 an upper; and    a blast protective sole which comprises: 
 an insole; and  
 an outsole secured to said insole and upper, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.  
   
     
     
         13 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said cavity is completely embedded within said outsole.  
     
     
         14 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.  
     
     
         15 . The boot of  claim 13  wherein said shock attenuator is one of a honeycomb or lattice.  
     
     
         16 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said insole is formed of polyaramid cloth.  
     
     
         17 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said shock attenuator has a surface remote from said insole angled to deflect energy impinging thereon longitudinally of said insole.  
     
     
         18 . The boot of  claim 12  further including a high strength shell disposed on said shock attenuator.  
     
     
         19 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said outsole includes tread extending outwardly therefrom and rubber cleats disposed over and secured to said cleats.  
     
     
         20 . The boot of  claim 12  wherein said upper includes opposing inner and outer surfaces, further includes at least one protective layer of polyaramid material on the inner surface of said upper.  
     
     
         21 . An overboot which includes: 
 an upper, said upper including adjustment means for adjusting the fit of the upper over a boot; and    a blast protective sole which comprises: 
 an insole; and  
 an outsole secured to said insole and upper, said outsole including therein a cavity and a shock attenuator which is collapsible under pressure disposed within said cavity.  
   
     
     
         24 . The overboot of claim  23  wherein said means for adjusting includes an adjustable strap secured to said upper.