Light weight, non-slip, wear resistant boot

Abstract

A light weight boot comprising an injected shell formed from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) and having a sole and a heel portion. At least one of the sole and heel portions has a substantial portion of an outer surface thereof provided with a patterned ground-contacting pad adhesively secured thereto. The patterned ground-contacting pad is formed from one of TPR (thermoplastic rubber), rubber or PU whereby to provide a non-slip, light weight and flexible wear resistant ground contacting surface for the boot.

1 . A light weight boot comprising an injected molded shell having a sole and a heel portion; said shell portion being molded from EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate); at least one of said sole and heel portions having a substantial portion of an outer surface thereof provided with a patterned ground-contacting pad adhesively secured thereto; said patterned ground-contacting pad being formed from a material providing a non-slip, light weight and flexible wear resistant ground contacting surface for said boot. 
   
   
       2 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pad is formed from one of TPR (thermoplastic rubber), rubber or PU (polyurethane). 
   
   
       3 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 2  wherein both said sole and heel portions are provided with said patterned ground-contacting pad. 
   
   
       4 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said patterned ground-contacting pads are each provided with surface gripping formations. 
   
   
       5 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 4  wherein said gripping formations extend a predetermined distance above said outer surface of said sole and heel portions. 
   
   
       6 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said boot is a winter boot, said patterned ground-contacting pads retaining their flexibility at temperatures below the freezing point. 
   
   
       7 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 6  wherein said winter boot has substantially equal grip and wear resistant characteristics as a rubber boot but of substantially reduced weight and increased flexibility and insulating property for use in cold weather below said freezing point. 
   
   
       8 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 2  wherein said shell is a boat-like shell. 
   
   
       9 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said boat is one of a winter boot or a rain boot. 
   
   
       10 . A light weight boot as claimed in  claim 3  wherein an upper is secured to an open top end of said injected shell, said boot being a waterproof boot. 
   
   
       11 . A method of manufacturing an article of footwear in the form of a light weight boot comprising the steps of:
 i) injection molding a lower boot portion or shell including a sole and a heel from one of EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate),   ii) molding a patterned sole and heel pad with gripping formations from one of TPR, rubber or PU, and   iii) adhesively securing said sole and heel pads to an outer sole and heel surface, respectively, of said sole and heel portions whereby to produce a boot which has a non-slip, light weight and flexible wear resistant ground contacting surface,