Resilient sole insert

Abstract

Work footwear includes a work shoe and a resilient anti-fatigue layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer with a cover member elastically attached to the shoe to trap the layer therebetween. The layer is separate from the cover for ready replacement. When used in a contaminated area the cover member has a peripheral wall to seal the area between the cover and the shoe against penetration of moisture. When used in an uncontaminated environment, the layer may be received in a cupped shape of the cover member with elastic strap portions engaging over the foot to hold the cover and layer in place.

1 . Footwear comprising: 
 a resilient, anti-fatigue, flexible layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of a shoe of a wearer;    a shoe cover member for enclosing the layer between the cover member and the shoe;    the shoe cover member having a sole plate shaped to underlie the shoe of the wearer with an outer peripheral edge of the sole plate exposed around the shoe;    the layer being separate from the cover member for ready removal and replacement of the layer;    and elastic attachment portions connected around the sole plate and elastically stretchable for engaging over the shoe of the wearer for fastening the flexible layer to the foot of the wearer.    
   
   
       2 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the sole plate is thin and flat with a flat bottom surface of the layer lying on a flat upper surface of the sole plate.  
   
   
       3 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic attachment portions are sealed to the sole plate to prevent penetration of moisture between the sole plate and the shoe and into the layer.  
   
   
       4 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic attachment portions extend around the full periphery of the sole plate.  
   
   
       5 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic attachment portions hold the sole plate and layer in place under the shoe solely by elastic engagement without fastening elements.  
   
   
       6 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic attachment portions include portions extending along the sides and around the heel of the shoe and a portion extending over the toe of the shoe.  
   
   
       7 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the elastic attachment portions include a heel portion for wrapping around the heel of the wearer, two side portions and a toe portion for engaging over the toe, there being provided spaces between the portions such that the portions connect separately to the sole plate.  
   
   
       8 . The footwear according to  claim 7  wherein the heel portion extends from a connection at each side to the side of the sole plate around the heel, wherein the side portions extend from the sides over the arch of the shoe and wherein the toe portion forms a toe receptacle into which the toe of the shoe extends.  
   
   
       9 . The footwear according to  claim 8  wherein each of the elastic attachment portions is stretchable to engage over the shoe of the wearer without fastening elements.  
   
   
       10 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the sole plate includes an upturned peripheral edge such that the edge receives and edge of the layer and contains the layer.  
   
   
       11 . The footwear according to  claim 10  wherein the upturned peripheral edge includes an in-turned lip for retaining the layer in the cover member.  
   
   
       12 . The footwear according to  claim 11  wherein the layer has a recess for receiving the in-turned lip.  
   
   
       13 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the layer is fastened into the cover member at the sole plate by releasable fastening elements.  
   
   
       14 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the layer has a thickness in the range between 6 mm and 14 mm. hardness durometer in the range between 35 and 55.  
   
   
       16 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the layer has a compressibility in the range, using the ASTM D575 test to determine an ideal level of compression set in the range between 15% and 45%.  
   
   
       17 . The footwear according to  claim 1  wherein the layer comprises a resilient mat defined by resilient polymer fibers heat bonded together.  
   
   
       18 . Work footwear for use in a contaminated area comprising: 
 a work shoe for wearing on the foot of the wearer;    a resilient, anti-fatigue, flexible layer shaped to fit under the sole and heel of the shoe;    a shoe cover member for enclosing the layer between the cover member and the shoe;    the shoe cover member having a sole plate shaped to underlie the shoe with an outer peripheral edge of the sole plate exposed around the shoe;    the layer being separate from the cover member for ready removal and replacement of the layer;    and elastic attachment portions connected around the sole plate and elastically stretchable for engaging over the shoe of the wearer for fastening the flexible layer to the shoe.    
   
   
       19 . The footwear according to  claim 18  wherein the elastic attachment portions are sealed to the sole plate to prevent penetration of moisture between the sole plate and the shoe and into the layer.  
   
   
       20 . The footwear according to  claim 18  wherein the elastic attachment portions extend around the full periphery of the sole plate.  
   
   
       21 . The footwear according to  claim 18  wherein the elastic attachment portions hold the sole plate and layer in place under the shoe solely by elastic engagement without fastening elements.  
   
   
       22 . The footwear according to  claim 18  wherein the elastic attachment portions include portions extending along the sides and around the heel of the shoe and a portion extending over the toe of the shoe.