Multi Component Composite Plate Protection System for Footwear

Abstract

A system of semi-flexible plates arranged and positioned within footwear so as to retain the flexibility associated with the footwear. The system utilizes panels comprised of hybrid carbon composite materials that have been specifically formed and cut to fit various components within the shoe. These semi-flexible panels are configured with apertures to receive placement stitching to retain the panels in a particular location within the construction of the shoe. Various layers of padding are provided to insulate the feet from the panels and from the external surfaces of the shoe. Plates and panels are uniquely positioned in the heel region and on the sides of the shoe or boot. The system provides inter-leaved rib plates extending from either side of the shoe up over the split tongue of the shoe providing flexible protection to both the sides and the top of the wearer's foot.

1 . A system of plates arranged and positioned within the structure of a shoe or boot to provide protection against sharp or blunt force trauma to the foot of the wearer, the system comprising:
 a formed toe plate positioned and fixed within the layers of the shoe or boot, over and around the area within which the toe of the wearer is enclosed;   a formed heel plate positioned and fixed within the layers of the shoe or boot, around the area within which the heel of the wearer is enclosed;   a pair of ankle plates positioned and fixed within the layers of the shoe or boot, one on a medial side and one on a lateral side of the shoe or boot, in the area immediately forward of the heel plate;   a medial side array of rib plates positioned and fixed within the layers of the shoe or boot, extending up from the medial side of the sole of the shoe or boot over the top tongue area of the shoe or boot; and   a lateral side array of rib plates positioned and fixed within the layers of the shoe or boot, extending up from the lateral side of the sole of the shoe or boot over the top tongue area of the shoe or boot;   wherein the medial side array of rib plates interlace with the lateral side array of rib plates across the top tongue area of the shoe or boot.