Shoe with slip-resistant, flocked fabric outsole

Abstract

An outsole for a shoe has a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining, moldable material and a multitude of fibers flocked thereon to provide the outsole with increased slip resistance and quieter usage. The fibers are resistant to removal during wear.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A shoe, comprising: 
 a) an upper; and    b) an outsole attached to the upper, the outsole having a backing layer constituted of a shape-retaining material, and a multitude of fibers flocked over, and adhesively attached to, the backing layer.    
     
     
         2 . The shoe of  claim 1 , wherein the shape-retaining material has a patterned surface over which the fibers are flocked.  
     
     
         3 . A method of making a shoe, comprising the steps of: 
 a) molding a molded shoe outsole with an inner backing part of a shape-retaining, moldable material;    b) applying an adhesive coating over a bottom surface of the outsole;    c) flocking a multitude of fibers of a fabric material over the adhesive coating; and    d) attaching a shoe upper to the molded shoe outsole.    
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the flocking step is performed mechanically.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the flocking step is performed electrostatically.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the attaching step is performed by adhering the shoe upper to the shoe outsole.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the attaching step is performed by stitching the shoe upper to the shoe outsole.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the molding step is performed by molding a tread pattern with raised and recessed areas on the inner backing part.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 3 , and further comprising the step of overlying the outsole with a cushioning element.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 3 , and the step of printing indicia on the fibers.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 3 , and the step of finishing the fibers.  
     
     
         12 . A shoe, comprising: 
 a) an upper;    b) an outsole having an inner backing part constituted of a shape-retaining material, and an outer fabric part secured to and at least partly covering the backing part; and    c) the upper being attached to the outsole at an exposed bare region of the outsole, the bare region being uncovered by the fabric part.