Wet Grip Characteristics of Shoes

Abstract

Method of improving the performance of sports shoes, especially soccer boots, by improving the coefficient of friction of key areas of the shoe (such as the toe box and upper) in both wet and dry conditions. Described are the application of butylene type coatings, including polyisobutylene polymers, to maintain desirable existing characteristics of a shoe, such as feel and feedback, but which improve grip. Variations such as patches, and areas of specific types of fabric or coating, are also discussed.

1 - 49 . (canceled)  
     
     
         50 . A material for use in shoe upper construction which has a PIB coating comprising a PIB polymer or copolymer, as herein defined, on its grain or outer face.  
     
     
         51 . A material, as claimed in  claim 50 , which is a leather.  
     
     
         52 . A material as claimed in  claim 50 , in which the PIB coating comprises a polyisobutylene-isoprene copolymer.  
     
     
         53 . A material as claimed in  claim 52  in which the percentage of copolymerised isoprene is within the inclusive weight range of 0.01-5% isoprene  
     
     
         54 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  in which the PIB polymer has a Relative Molecular Mass (RMM) in the inclusive range of 600 to 1500.  
     
     
         55 . A material as claimed in  claim 50 , in which the PIB polymer has a Relative Molecular Mass (RMM) in the inclusive range of 850 to 1200.  
     
     
         56 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  in which the PIB coating is applied by a roller coating method.  
     
     
         57 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  in which the PIB coating results from the application of a PIB polymer or copolymer in a solvent mix.  
     
     
         58 . A material as claimed in  claim 57  in which the solvent comprises one or more members of the group comprising: paraffins, mineral oils, benzene, toluene, cyclohexane, xylene, carbon disulfide, chlorobenzene, hydrocarbons, and halogenated hydrocarbons.  
     
     
         59 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  in which the PIB coating exists in a coverage rate within the inclusive range of 1-70 g/sq. ft.  
     
     
         60 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  in which the PIB coating exists in a coverage rate within the inclusive range of 14-32 g/sq. ft.  
     
     
         61 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  whose wet coefficient of friction, measured by the IUP51 test defined herein, exceeds 3.5.  
     
     
         62 . A material as claimed in  claim 50  whose dry coefficient of friction, measured by the IUP51 test defined herein, exceeds 3.5.  
     
     
         63 . A process for improving the surface properties of a material, said process comprising the application of a PIB polymer, or copolymer coating, thereto to produce the product of  claim 50 .  
     
     
         64 . The material of  claim 50  used in the manufacture of uppers for shoes.  
     
     
         65 . The material of  claim 50  used in the manufacture of gloves or apparel.  
     
     
         66 . A sports shoe, in which at least part of the upper is manufactured from a material as claimed in  claim 50 .  
     
     
         67 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which the PIB polymer has an RMM of 850 or greater.  
     
     
         68 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which the coated material, is a leather or imitation leather material.  
     
     
         69 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which treatment with a said PIB polymer or copolymer is performed either of both of during or after construction of the upper.  
     
     
         70 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which the upper comprises areas both treated and non-treated by said PIB polymer or copolymer.  
     
     
         71 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which at least a portion of the upper comprises a PIB polymer or copolymer coating which has been applied in a pattern comprising: text, characters, logos, patterns, or marketing information.  
     
     
         72 . A sports shoe as claimed in  claim 66  in which the upper also includes areas of an improved dry grip material as herein defined.  
     
     
         73 . A sports shoe, as claimed in  claim 66 , which is absent of a stiffening toe insert, or rubber toe insert.  
     
     
         74 . A sports shoe, as claimed in  claim 66 , which is a soccer boot.  
     
     
         75 . A patch for attachment to a shoe or apparel, comprising a material as claimed in  claim 50 .  
     
     
         76 . A patch as claimed in  claim 75  in which an adhesive material is applied to the underside, and is overlaid with a protective backing prior to use.  
     
     
         77 . A patch as claimed in  claim 75 , said patch comprising: 
 an intermediate substrate;    an outer surface coated with a PIB polymer or copolymer;    an underside either having an applied adhesive coating, or is able to accept an adhesive agent.    
     
     
         78 . A patch as claimed in  claim 77  in which the intermediate substrate comprises one or more layers of at least one of: a fabric, a woven material, a leather, and an artificial leather.  
     
     
         79 . A patch as claimed in  claim 77  in which the substrate is flexible.  
     
     
         80 . A patch as claimed in  claim 77  which is able to stretch in a least one dimension.  
     
     
         81 . A patch as claimed in  claim 77  in which the intermediate substrate is resiliently stretchable in at least one direction.  
     
     
         82 . A patch as claimed in  claim 77  in which the outer surface has a coefficient of friction exceeding 3.5 when wet, according to the IUP51 test defined herein.