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.

1 . A protective sole plate for protective footwear comprising: 
 a plurality of sole plate bodies joined together with at least one transverse hinged joint whereby each sole plate body can rotate about the transverse hinge relative to other sole plate bodies, each body including at least one transverse edge adapted for hinged interaction with an adjacent transverse edge of an adjacent sole plate body.    
   
   
       2 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  comprising a first, a second and a third sole plate body in longitudinal alignment having one said transverse joint between the first and the second body, and a second said transverse joint between the second and the third body.  
   
   
       3 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  wherein said transverse hinged joint comprises a recess in one said transverse edge and an extending flange in the adjacent transverse edge adapted for rotationally engaging the recess.  
   
   
       4 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 3  wherein the transverse hinged joint comprises: an upper flange and a lower recess in one said transverse edge, and a lower flange and an upper recess in the adjacent transverse edge.  
   
   
       5 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 3  wherein the recess and the flange have rounded engaging surfaces.  
   
   
       6 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  wherein at least one sole plate body has a concave top surface.  
   
   
       7 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  wherein at least one sole plate body has a convex bottom surface.  
   
   
       8 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  comprising a toe sole plate body having a recessed toe rim in a bottom surface thereof.  
   
   
       9 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 1  wherein said one sole plate bodies are made of thermosetting resin.  
   
   
       10 . A protective sole plate according to  claim 9  wherein said one sole plate bodies are made of reinforcing fibers surrounded by said thermosetting resin.