Footwear item and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a footwear item comprising an upper and, a lap element ( 50 ) for attachment to a sole. The lap element is formed from a resilient material to have opposing surfaces ( 51, 53 ) defining a channel ( 56 ) therebetween, whereby the upper is insertable into said channel with the lap element overlapping both sides of the periphery of the upper along a section of the perimeter thereof. The lap element is formed with a predetermined shape which follows the perimeter of the upper. In the manufacture of the footwear item, once the upper has been inserted into the channel in the lap element, the two are provided together into a mould. Material making up the sole of the footwear item is then injected into the mould and fuses to the lap element thereby forming the completed footwear item.

1 . A footwear item comprising: 
 an upper; and    a lap element for attachment to a sole and formed from a mouldable resilient plastics material with a predetermined shape having opposing surfaces defining a channel therebetween whereby the upper is insertable into said channel with the lap element overlapping both sides of the periphery of the upper along a section of the perimeter thereof, wherein the predetermined shape of the lap element is such as to follow the perimeter of the upper.    
     
     
         2 . An item according to  claim 1 , wherein the lap element is formed to extend around the whole of the perimeter of the upper.  
     
     
         3 . An item according to  claim 1 , comprising two or more said lap elements.  
     
     
         4 . An item according to  claim 1  or  3  wherein said section of the perimeter comprises a major part thereof.  
     
     
         5 . An item according to any preceding claim wherein the lap element is formed from a mouldable material.  
     
     
         6 . An item according to  claim 6  wherein said lap element is formed from TPU.  
     
     
         7 . An item according to any preceding claim wherein said lap element is provided with a series of holes corresponding to stitching holes.  
     
     
         8 . An item according to  claim 7 , wherein the holes are moulded in the lap element.  
     
     
         9 . An item according to any preceding claim further comprising a sole attached to the upper.  
     
     
         10 . An item according to any preceding claim wherein the lap element is integrally formed with a sole.  
     
     
         11 . An item according to any preceding claim wherein the lap element is integrally formed to provide an insole.  
     
     
         12 . An item according to any one of  claims 1  to  10  further comprising an insole insertable with the upper into said channel with the lap element overlapping on both sides of the periphery of the insole and upper along a section of the perimeter thereof.